Page 2 Tidbits® of Hoover, Pelham, Alabaster & Helena!
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FLOWERS ARE COMING (continued):
Chase bank is helping wounded warriors own free homes.What an amazing statement, given the grief that banks have given homeowners in recent years. But it’s true. Chase hooked up with three nonprofit groups -- Military Warriors Support Foundation, Operation Homefront and Building Homes for Heroes -- to provide homes as a means of apologizing for the mistakes made in foreclosing on homes owned by active mili-tary and veterans. Specifically, within five years, Chase has vowed to provide a mortgage-free home to 1,000 wounded veterans.Chase, also known as JPMorgan Chase, didn’t stop there.--Lower mortgage interest rates: Eligible borrowers will have a 4 percent interest rate while on active duty and for a year after that. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) limit is 6 percent.--Improved affordable loan program: If you’re having problems making payments and want a mortgage modifi-
To Your Good Health By Paul G Donohue M.D.
DEAR DR. DONOHUE: In October of last year, my husband, age 63, died of a brain hemorrhage (stroke). He was a youthful, health-conscious man, now sorely missed by his wife, family and friends. This tragedy was due to undiagnosed high blood pressure, since he, like many men, refused to visit the doctor. Please encourage people, especially 55 and older, to have a checkup so they don’t suffer a similar fate. -- R.A.
ANSWER: My sincerest condolences to you and your family. I hope many who read your letter will take your advice.
I’ve written about ischemic stroke, the kind that comes from a plugged brain artery. It accounts for most strokes. The letter-writer’s husband suffered a hemorrhagic stroke, one that comes from bleeding from a brain artery.Hemorrhagic strokes have an abrupt onset. A person can be fine one minute, and the next there’s a profound change. He or she can’t move an arm or a leg, can’t talk or has a sudden, severe headache. Shortly the person becomes unresponsive. For 50 percent of people with a hemorrhagic stroke, death is the final step, and it often comes quickly.Differentiating a stroke caused by bleeding from one caused by artery plugging is not something for an untrained person to attempt. Confronted by someone who has the signs of a stroke, an untrained person should call for immediate help.As Mrs. R.A. points out, high blood pressure is one of the most common medical conditions responsible for a hemorrhagic stroke. Prevention of these lethal strokes depends on knowing what your blood pressure is. Keeping blood pressure in the normal range is the best way to prevent them. The trouble with high blood pressure is that it seldom produces any signs until it’s too late. The booklet on stroke presents the different kinds, their treatment and their prevention. Readers can order a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue -- No. 902W, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Canada with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.***DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am an 82-year-old man with a history of two cancers, prostate and bladder, two knee replacements and lots of osteoarthritis. In spite of all that, I’m in good shape. I work out every day, I tour by bicycle 20 to 25 miles in a day, and I’ve lots of energy. About four months ago, the strangest thing started happening to me. Every time I eat, my nose starts to run. It’s not a real problem, but it mystifies me. Why does it happen? -- D.M.
ANSWER: It is strange, and it has a name -- gustatory rhinitis, a classy way of saying “runny nose when you eat.” Hot and spicy foods often provoke the reaction. Some consider it a reflex that has no useful purpose. If you’re going out to eat and don’t want to be embarrassed, taking an antihistamine about an hour before the meal might work. The nasal spray Astelin has a good reputation for stopping the drip. Don’t use these every day. Save them for a special occasion.
The Other, Deadlier Kind of Stroke
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cation, Chase will go above and beyond the new Home Affordable Modification Program.--No foreclosure for active duty personnel.--Employment: In the next 10 years, Chase will coordi-nate the hiring of 100,000 veterans, working in tandem with other corporations.--Education: Earn a Technology Education certificate via Syracuse University, courtesy of Chase, if you were active duty after Sept. 11, 2001. Study from home, as the program will be online. Check www.veterans.syr.edu for more details. --Access: To make sure someone is available to handle veteran matters, it’s opened a hotline that runs 24 hours a day. For mortgage questions, call the Chase Military Services Hotline at 877-469-0110. I’m not a fan of banks, but when one steps up and does the right thing, it needs to be encouraged. For a look at all Chase is doing, go online to ChaseMilitary.com.
Finally, a Bank Does the Right Thing
When the eagerly awaited 1940 Census results came out online recently, millions of genealogy hunters flooded the website within the first few hours. Some of those, it’s feared, were scammers out to extract information they’ll use on seniors.
There are 20 million seniors who were alive when the 1940 Census was done. The questions asked included current street address, occupation, level of education, whether the person had a Social Security card and more.
One of the concerns now is that if someone is out to steal your identity, they could use the Census information to create a scam. For example, a scammer could determine where you likely went to high school, then call you and claim to have been a classmate. Scammers could even pretend to be someone else who lived on your street at that time. After a short reminiscence, you might be conned into revealing information about your current life.
That sounds like a lot of work for crooks who want a more immediate return for their efforts. It’s not likely to happen.
Still, it makes sense to consider the possibilities. If you get a call or email out of the blue from someone who alleges to be a former classmate or childhood friend, don’t give out any information without verifying who it really is. Even then, beware.
The usual cautions always apply: Leave your Social Security card at home. Shred any documents that have your name or account numbers on them before putting them in the trash. When you pay with a credit card, keep your eyes on the card to make sure a number “skimmer” isn’t used. Don’t leave outgoing mail in the box at home. And don’t give any information over the phone to someone who calls without verifying who it is.
Were You Alive in 1940?
Clipping coupons can shave dollars off your grocery bill. While it might see like more trouble than it’s worth, you can save serious money if you develop a plan and stick to it.Start by checking the Sunday newspaper each week. Add up the value of the coupons you’ll actually use and determine if it’s worthwhile buying additional newspapers just for the ads. If products you regularly use have coupons, take that as an opportunity to stock up. Many stores run sales at the same time that coupons appear in newspapers, increasing
your savings.If you have a computer and a printer, a whole world of po-tential savings opens up, as there are dozens of websites devoted to couponing. As a starting point on the Internet, check these websites to see if they appeal to you: www.cou-pons.com (click on Deals by State), www.dealseekingmom.com, www.redplum.com and www.fatwallet.com.Many sites insist that you sign up with an email address, so create a separate email account just for couponing. You might need to sign up for a weekly or monthly newsletter that will include printable coupons. In other cases, once you sign in, you’ll be able to print coupons immediately. Some ask for your ZIP code so the coupons can be targeted to stores in your area.Set a goal for your couponing. Do just want to shave dollars off your weekly grocery bill? Do you want to concentrate only on the high-dollar items in your grocery bill, such as diapers or pet food? Will you use the extra cash for family
fun, or put the money in a savings account, or use it to pay off credit-card debt? Knowing what your specific goals are can help you stay consistent.Unless you find over time that you’re extremely serious about saving money with coupons, don’t fall for the DVD workshops and CDs that will teach you how clip coupons. You’ll net plenty of savings with a modest effort that doesn’t cost you anything. If you save $5 a week, that’s $5 that stays in your wallet. To decide if couponing is for you, spend an hour a few days a week searching online for coupons and clipping them from the newspaper. Try it for three weeks. Then add up your savings. Decide if a regular effort is a potentially significant money saver for you.
Is Coupon Clipping Worth the Effort?
Page 3For Advertising Call 205-515-5288
1. Is the book of Habakkuk in the Old or New Testa-ment or neither?2. Who’s the only woman in the Bible with her age mentioned? Eve, Ruth, Leah, Sarah3. What did Methuselah become at 187 years old? Saved, Invalid, Father, Martyr4. From Mark 9, Hell is a place where what dieth not? Worm, Body, Soul, Greed5. On what day did God divide land and water? 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th6. What bird was named for the Apostle Peter? Tern, Cormorant, Auklet, Petrel
Pepperoni Pasta Salad
Pack this in your lunch box and see if you don’t get an “at-titude adjustment” with the first bite!
1 (15-ounce) can stewed tomatoes, chopped and undrained1/4 cup finely chopped onion1/4 cup fat-free Italian dressing1 teaspoon Italian seasoning3 cups cold cooked penne or rotini pasta, rinsed and drained1/3 cup sliced ripe olives1 (3.5 ounce) package Hormel reduced-fat pepperoni, diced1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat mozzarella cheese1/4 cup grated reduced-fat Parmesan cheese
In a large bowl, combine undrained stewed tomatoes, onion, Italian dressing and Italian seasoning. Stir in pasta, olives, pepperoni and mozzarella cheese. Add Parmesan cheese. Mix gently to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Gently stir again just before serving. Makes 6 (1 cup each) servings.
On May 10, 1869, the Union Pacific and Central Pa-cific railroads meet up in Promontory, Utah, making transcontinental railroad travel possible for the first time in U.S. history. Journeys that had taken months by wagon train or weeks by boat now took only days.
On May 7, 1915, the British ocean liner Lusitania is torpedoed without warning by a German submarine off the coast of Ireland, with 1,198 people drowned. It was later revealed that the Lusitania was carrying about 173 tons of war munitions for Britain, which the Germans cited as justification for the attack.
On May 12, 1925, a Philadelphia radio station broad-casts the first all-star radio program featuring film ac-tors and actresses. Sound films had not yet debuted, and the broadcast marked the first time that most lis-teners had heard the voices of film stars like Lillian Gish and Marion Davies.
On May 8, 1933, the first police radio system, con-necting headquarters to patrol cars and patrol cars to one another, is installed in Eastchester Township, N.Y. The system consisted of one transmitter of 20 watts for the headquarters and two transmitters of 4.5 volts each for the two patrol cars.
On May 13, 1956, Gene Autry’s musical variety show, “Gene Autry’s Melody Ranch,” airs its final broad-cast, after 16 years. The show featured 10- to 15-min-ute skits about cowboys and rustlers, along with musi-cal numbers by Autry, “America’s singing cowboy.”
On May 9, 1960, the Food and Drug Administration approves the world’s first commercially produced birth-control bill. Development of “the pill” was com-missioned by birth-control pioneer Margaret Sanger and funded by heiress Katherine McCormick.
On May 11, 1981, reggae legend Bob Marley dies of cancer in Miami Beach, Fla. Marley, born in Jamaica in 1945, formed his band, the Wailers, in 1963. In the early 1970s, the band’s records began to catch on out-side Jamaica, assisted by Eric Clapton’s cover of “I Shot the Sheriff.”
Tidbits® of Hoover, Pelham, Alabaster & Helena! Page 4
Norfolk, Va.A: Marisol Nichols plays feisty and independent real-estate agent Heather Cruz. Marisol told me recently why she loves her character so much: “I could understand what she had to do to survive in this com-munity, and I felt like she was the most grounded out of everybody. She worked her butt off to get to where she is: She didn’t inherit a business; she wasn’t born into money; she didn’t marry into it. She had to make it on her own, and that I can completely relate to. I’ve been working odd jobs since I was 12. I think I forged my ID when I was a kid so that I could work at 14. I wanted to work; I didn’t want to have to ask people for money.”
1. GEOGRAPHY: Where are the Faroe Islands lo-cated?2. TELEVISION: Which TV sitcom’s theme was the song “I’ll Be There for You”?3. ASTRONOMY: What planet is named for the Ro-man god of trade, thieves and travel?4. HISTORY: When did the United States repeal Prohibition, which forebade sales of alcohol?5. LEGAL: What is an affidavit?6. RELIGION: Which book of the Bible describes the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery in Egypt?7. MONEY: What European country’s basic mon-etary unit was the escudo -- prior to the euro?8. POLITICS: What was the nickname for Teddy Roosevelt’s Progressive Party?9. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is the purpose of gills in fish?10. MUSIC: What kind of bird was featured in the Disney song “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah”?
A: Just in time for Mother’s Day, Genie Francis and Ted McGinley are back as newlyweds Peyton MacGruder and King Danville in “Notes from the Heart Healer,” premiering Sunday, May 13, on the Hallmark Channel. The couple is celebrating their first anniversary when they are surprised by an abandoned baby on their doorstep. I spoke with Genie recently, and she was excited to explore the mothering aspect of the character, since Peyton gave up a child for adoption 20-some years earlier.“What I love most about Peyton is that she gets involved and she brings everything up as if it were a spiritual question like, ‘Why did I get this baby on my doorstep?’ She wants to help prevent the mother of this abandoned baby from ending up like her. Throughout this, there’s a healing for Peyton in that she knows that she’s got in her to be a good mother.”
Q: My husband heard that Ryan O’Neal has cancer. Is that true? -- Hannah F., via e-mailA: Ryan, 70, recently announced that he is battling Stage 2 prostate cancer, and that he’s expected to make a full recovery. While he was “shocked and stunned” by the news, he is hopeful about his prognosis.
Q: I can’t get enough “GCB,” and I especially love Heather Cruz. What can you tell me about the actress who plays her? -- Deena A.,
Q: While I don’t want “Desperate Housewives” to end, I am excited to see what’s in store for the series finale. Can you give me any hints? -- Tina D., via e-mailA: A familiar face will return to Wisteria Lane for the show’s finale on May 13 at 10 p.m. EDT on ABC. Dana Delany -- who currently stars in her own hit ABC show “Body of Proof” -- will reprise her role as Katherine Mayfair. The story behind her return has been kept hush-hush, so we’ll just have to wait and see what she’s up to.
Q: Genie Francis is one of my all-time favorite actresses, and I just love her in the Hallmark Channel’s “The Note” series. Will there be a third movie? -- Catherine F., Harrisburg, Pa.
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FLOWERS ARE COMING (continued):Networking Group Up and Running In Hoover!
Most businesses obtain their best customers as the result of referrals from friends and exist-ing customers, and most small businesses get more than 70% of their business through word of mouth. Given the low expense of referral marketing, this business strategy particularly pays off in slow economic times. Studies have shown that referred customers are both more profitable and loyal than customers generated though other forms of advertising. Having a structured group of referral partners can greatly increase a business’ referral base.
A group of professionals have formed a net-working group in Hoover for the sole purpose of passing referrals to each other. The group is meeting every Wednesday at 7:30am at the Wynfrey. Only one person per industry category is allowed in the group. Email Craig Edmonds ([email protected]) for more information.
For FREE estimatescall 833-6681
Many homes have experienced water infiltration into or under the foundation due to improper water discharge from the down spouts. Before you spend thousands of dollars on expensive waterproofing, allow us to evaluate and correct the water discharge.
For home owners who no longer wish to spend the time or risk of injury cleaning the house gutters LEAF FILTER offers a maintenance agreement on gutter cleaning or Leaf Filter gutter protection, rated #1 by Consumer report magazine. All work is warranted two years on labor and lifetime money back if Leaffilter is installed.
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Page 5For Advertising Call (205) 552-5502
start. And you’re right: prednisone is not a long-term solution to the itching problem, although it does help alleviate symptoms.Fleas are another possibility. Have you observed fleas on your dog’s coat or skin, or found the tiny black or brown specks known as flea dust? Even if you don’t see evidence of fleas, treat her to prevent the pests and reduce the likelihood of fleas around the house by vacuuming twice a week -- carpet and furniture -- and washing linens, pillows, curtains and other items that are tempting flea residences.Stress could be a byproduct of the allergic itching. You can try a homeopathic treatment such as Rescue Remedy, usually adding five drops to her water dish once per day. But talk to her vet as well about other ways to reduce her stress levels to see if that helps clear the itchy irritation.
DEAR PAW’S CORNER: My dog is possibly allergic to fleas. What herbal remedy is out there for me to use? My vet has tested her for food allergies, but I don’t think that’s the problem. She’s 8 years old and has eaten the foods the tests say she is allergic to, but she has developed the itching only recently. I use flea drops, shampoos, even predisone. The predisone seems to help the most, although you cannot use it for prolonged times. Could it be stress-related? -- Ora M., via email
DEAR ORA: Stress is one possibility in the puzzle that makes up pet allergies. But reducing your dog’s stress might not be the only way to stop her itching and irritation.You’ve worked with your vet to learn that her food is not likely the cause of her allergic reaction. That’s a good
Is Dog Allergic to Fleas?
By Samantha Mazzotta
Kids ZoneSponsored byThe Birmingham Newswith inflatables, games, entertainment, Birmingham Zoo animal exhibit, Framin’ Shoppe & Parent Teacher Store crafts, Michael’s Crafts, UAB men’s soccer demonstrations, cotton candy, face painting and more!
Car showSponsored by The Birmingham News
All show car owners invited to display your car.
Saturday,May 5, 2012(May 6th – Rain Date)
1:30 – 5:30 pm
Veterans Parkon Valleydale
Parking atSpain Park High School
with shuttle service
Celebrate Hoover Day
FREETO THE PUBLIC
FREEBlue BellIce Cream
Large exhibitor
pavilion
H Complimentary apple pie baked by Jefferson State Culinary & Hospitality Institute
H Appearances by Dora, Diego & the BackyardigansH American Red Cross Blood Drive H Complimentary mini-services by Aveda InstituteH Document destruction provided by CintasH E-cycling provided by Technical Knock Out
NEW!Pony rides • Petting zoo
1:30 pmVeterans Memorial Plaza Dedication Ceremonyincluding Iwo JimaRe-enactment
Thanks to our media sponsors:
Live Entertainmentfeaturing Lard Bucket Bluegrass Band
For more informationvisit www.hooveral.org
or call 444-7500
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FLOWERS ARE COMING (continued):
planted.
Tidbits® of Hoover, Pelham, Alabaster & Helena! Page 6
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Page 7For Advertising Call (205) 552-5502
It was Canadian author Saul Bellow who made the following sage observation: “You never have to change anything you got up in the middle of the night to write.”
The U.S. military has created self-cleaning underwear. Yep. It seems they wanted skivvies that soldiers could wear for several weeks without changing. Nanoparticles and chemicals in the fabric repel liquids and bacteria.
More books have been written about Abraham Lincoln than about any other American president
-- more than 15,000 to date.
It is only to be assumed that Arabella Young, a Massachusetts woman who died in 1771, was considered to be a bit too talkative. Otherwise there would have been no need for the following epitaph: “Here lies as silent clay / Miss Arabella Young, / Who on the 21st of May / Began to hold her tongue.”
Be glad that you did not have the misfortune to be in Bangladesh during record storms in 1985. You might have been brained by the record hailstones, some weighing more than 2 pounds each.
You might not be surprised to learn that among his Hollywood friends, screen legend and notorious drinker Humphrey Bogart was nicknamed Whiskey Straight.
The founders of the Arby’s chain were a pair of brothers, Forest and Leroy Raffel. They wanted to name the original restaurant Big Tex, but found that the name was already owned by someone else. They settled on Arby’s to represent the initials R.B.’s for Raffel Brothers.
Thought for the Day: “I never blame myself when I’m not hitting. I just blame the bat, and if it keeps up, I change bats. After all, if I know it isn’t my fault that I’m not hitting, how can I get mad at myself?” -- Yogi Berra
MAY DAY
May Day is a special day celebrated in many places around the world in different ways. The United States and Canada do not consider it as important as many other countries, but nevertheless, it can be fun for children. May Day is usually observed on May 1, although some countries have it as the first Monday in May. It is a cel-ebration of spring when flowers start blooming and brightening the outdoors. Many believe that the day started in Roman times as a festival to welcome spring. May Day has been linked to the Feast of Beltane held by the Celtic religion, which was a pagan festival welcoming summer, dating back to before the birth of Jesus Christ. Activities included dancing around a fire, burning effigies of witches, and herding cattle between bonfires. The Celtic religion existed mainly in Britain but also other places in Europe. The Celts were very superstitious, and the religion claimed more than 400 gods and goddesses. When the Roman Empire occupied of most of the British Isles, including the United Kingdom, in medieval times, the Feast of Beltane was mostly cast aside. The Romans celebrated the goddess Flora, the goddess of flowers, with a festival called Floralia. Subsequently, the festivals of Beltane and Floralia were combined in many areas that held celebrations. May Day is still celebrated in Britain today, and many workers get the day off. As described below, May Day is celebrated in other coun-tries in a variety of ways. May Day includes a flower festival in France. Delicate flowers known as “lilies of the valley,” are a major part of celebrations. People believe they bring good luck. Lilies of the valley are also used in Denmark, where sweethearts are gifted with flowers on May Day. MAY DAY (continued): A tulip festival is celebrated to commemorate May Day in Holland, the home country of millions of tulips. In many countries, May Day is associated with the labor movement and known for the start of the eight-hour work day. This came about after labor unions in the United States protested 10-hour work days in 1886. Schools are closed for May Day, which is also International Workers Day, in Greece. People head to from cities to the countryside to gather wildflowers. They make wreaths from the flowers for their front doors and then burn them later in bonfires. May Day is actually “Lei Day” in Hawaii. It is a colorful day that honors the culture and traditions of Hawaiian natives. The most common modern-day tradition for May Day is to se-cretly leave a basket of flowers or other gifts on a neighbor or friend’s doorknob or porch. This usually involves ringing the doorbell or knocking on the door and hiding. If the friend sees you before you escape, you owe him or her a kiss. Another May Day custom is to erect a tall pole at playgrounds, schoolyards and parks. The “May-pole” is decorated with streamers and children dance and sing around it. Maypoles were usually erected for the day in small towns, but cities such as London had Maypoles that stayed up all year. This custom originated with the Germans. The Puritans believed Maypole dancing was equated to heathen behavior, like idol worship, so they didn’t allow the practice when in power in Britain in the 1600s. The Maypole song is: “Dance around the Maypole, In and out, in and out, Weave the ribbons tight, ‘Round the Maypole we will dance, To the left and to the right.” Consider observing May Day with your family and welcome this warm, sunny month!
Do you have a special event, notice or activity you’D like to announce? tell us! We’ll post it here in
1. Between Scotland and Iceland2. “Friends”3. Mercury4. 19335. A written statement made under oath6. Exodus7. Portugal8. The Bull Moose Party9. To take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide10. A bluebird
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