Published by PTK Corp. To place an Ad, call: (334) 202-7285 [email protected]December 4, 2012 OVER 4 MILLION Readers Weekly Nationwide! The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read Baby, it’s cold outside! As we head into the season of cold temperatures, Tidbits presents some interesting and informative facts about winter. •For those of us in the northern hemisphere, the first day of winter is the day the sun is farthest south, on either December 21 or 22. Also known as the Winter Solstice, it’s the shortest day of the year, with about 9.5 hours of daylight. •A snowflake starts out as an ice crystal that freezes around a tiny piece of dust in the air. It can be just one ice crystal, or as it falls, several crystals can join together. There are always six sides, and although two snowflakes may be very similar, none are exactly the same. The shape and form are dependent on the temperature, water vapor in the air, moisture content of the cloud, the wind, and the length of time it takes to reach the ground. Extremely cold weather produces very fine, powdery snowflakes, while temperatures near the freezing point cause much larger and more complex ones. The average snowflake falls at the rate of about 3.1 mph (5 km/ hr) and it can take several hours for one to make it to the ground. •The Guinness World Book of Records cites the world’s largest snowflake ever recorded as one that fell in Fort Keogh, Montana in January of 1887. This giant was 15 inches (38 cm) wide and 8 inches (20 cm) thick. •Although you might think every big snowstorm is a blizzard, the National Weather Service has a specific definition of one. The storm must contain “large amounts of snow or blowing snow, with winds in excess of 35 mph (56 km/hr) and visibilities of less than _ mile (.4 km) for at least three hours.” turn the page for more! Vol 1 Issue 47 of the River Region TIDBITS® PRESENTS SOME INTERESTING WINTRY FACTS by Kathy Wolfe
Transcript
Published by PTK Corp. To place an Ad, call: (334) 202-7285 [email protected]
December 4, 2012 The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read
Baby, it’s cold outside! As we head into the season of cold temperatures, Tidbits presents some interesting and informative facts about winter.
•Forthoseofusinthenorthernhemisphere,thefirstday of winter is the day the sun is farthest south, on either December 21 or 22. Also known as the Winter Solstice, it’s the shortest day of the year, with about 9.5 hours of daylight. •Asnowflakestartsoutasanicecrystalthatfreezesaround a tiny piece of dust in the air. It can be just one ice crystal, or as it falls, several crystals can join together. There are always six sides, and although two snowflakes may be very similar, none are exactly the same. The shape and form are dependent on the temperature, water vapor in the air, moisture content of the cloud, the wind, and the length of time it takes to reach the ground. Extremely cold weatherproducesveryfine,powderysnowflakes,while temperatures near the freezing point causemuch larger and more complex ones. The average snowflakefallsattherateofabout3.1mph(5km/hr) and it can take several hours for one to make it to the ground. •TheGuinnessWorldBook ofRecords cites theworld’slargestsnowflakeeverrecordedasonethatfellinFortKeogh,MontanainJanuaryof1887.Thisgiantwas15inches(38cm)wideand8inches(20cm) thick. •Althoughyoumightthinkeverybigsnowstormisablizzard,theNationalWeatherServicehasaspecificdefinitionof one.The stormmust contain “largeamounts of snow or blowing snow, with winds in excessof35mph(56km/hr)andvisibilitiesoflessthan_mile(.4km)foratleastthreehours.”
WINTRY FACTS (continued):• Thosefolkswhoareafraidofsnowarecalled chionophobics. Their greatest fear is of being snowbound or stranded. A forecast of a winter storm can bring on cold sweats, racing heartbeat, and panic attacks. •Thewindchillfactoristhetemperaturefeltonexposed skin due to wind. The wind chill index was developed by two Antarctic explorers in the 1940s,who experimentedwith howfastwaterfrozeindifferingtempsandwindspeeds. This was then compared with the rate that the body loses heat. If the temperature is 0°F(-18°C)andthewindisblowing30mph(48km/hr),itwillfeellikethetemperatureis-26°F(-32°C).Skinexposedto0°Fandonly15mph(24km/hr)willexperienceawindchillof-19°F(-28°C)canfreezeinaslittleas30minutes. • Hypothermia is a very real danger inmany parts of the country this time of year. This condition occurs when the body’s temperaturedropsbelow95°F(35°C).Asthetemperature decreases, the body automatically directs blood away from the skin, increasing flow to the vital organs. Since the heart and brain are the most sensitive to cold, a slowdown occurs in their electrical activity. Thinking and reasoning
are affected, and the person has the desire to sleep as delirium sets in. When the body’s temperaturereachesabout82°F(28°C),theheart rate substantially slows down, and if thetemperaturereaches68°F(20°C)brainfunction stops. About half of all hypothermia deathsarepeopleover60yearsold,with75%of these occurring in men. • It’s been a long time since the recordfor a single day’s snowfall was set in the UnitedStates.Back inDecember of 1913,Georgetown,Colorado received 63 inches(1.6meters) in oneday.Canada’s record ismuchnewer–57inches(1.45meters)fellinTahtsaLakeWest,BritishColumbiain1999.Januaryof1911wasarecord-settingmonthinTamarack,California–390inches(9.9meters)ofsnowinasinglemonth!Valdez,AlaskaisthesnowiestplaceintheU.S.,averaging326inches(8.3meters)ayear.•Bethel,Maine’s claim to fame is tall snow
creatures! In 1999, the community planned forfivemonthsandlabored15daystocreateAngus,a113’7”(34.63meter)tallsnowman,the world’s tallest, overtaking the previous recordsetbythecitizensofYamagata,Japan,of 96’ 7”.Nine years later, Bethel rivaledtheir own record with the world’s tallest snow woman,a122’1”(37meters)creationnamedOlympia. Olympia sported eyelashes made from skis and lips fashioned from bright red paintedtires.Herarmswerecraftedfrompinetrees. • Canadians are experts atmaking snowangels.In2004,students,parents,andteachersfrom60schoolsintheLondon,Ontariodistricthit thegroundtocreate15,851snowangelssimultaneously.In2011,22,022folksin130separatelocationsinNovaScotiaproducedthemost angels in multiple locations. • Chamonix, France hosted the firstWinterOlympics for11days inearly1924.Sixteennationssentatotalof258athletesto“The InternationalWinter SportsWeek” toparticipatein16differentevents.FinlandandNorwaytookthemajorityofthe43medals,Norwaywith17andFinland,11.TheUnitedStates took home fourmedals, andCanadatookhomeone,thegoldforhockey,thefirstofastreak.OutofthefirstsevenOlympicwintergames,Canadatookthegoldmedalinhockeysix times. • SquawValley,Californiawasthesiteofthe1960WinterOlympics,andtheskiersweremore than a little nervous as the competition approached. The reason? There was no snow! A localNativeAmerican tribe, the Piute,were recruited todoa“snowdance,”andamiraculous storm produced the snow needed tosavetheGames.• More than150peoplearekilled in theworld’s avalanches each year. Although many are small slides of dry powdery snow that don’t create much damage, when large slabs of snow loosen from a mountainside, they can advance downaslopeatspeedsof80mph(130km/hr)withinfiveseconds.About93%ofthosecaught in an avalanche can survive if rescued within15minutes.Just30minuteslater,thatsurvival rate drops to 20%-30%.After twohours, the rate is almost nil.
ArecentBritishstudyshowedhowthoseover50can stay young. American seniors aren’t so different, arewe?Maybewecanlearnafewthingsfromtheirlist of preferred activities across the pond.Foodwasbigonthelist.Tryingnewfood,andeating sweets, spicy dishes and chocolate were all favored. To that I would add trying a new restaurant.Readingbooksthatarechallenging--perhapsexploringnewauthorsoranothergenreentirely--offers brain stretching.Beatingyoungerrelativesatgamesandsocializingwith grownup children and grandkids, perhaps at a first-runmovieinthetheater,helpsuslearnwhatthey’re thinking and talking about. Playingpracticaljokesandwatchingstand-upcom-edypointstothenecessityoffindingthingstolaughabout.Exercisewasn’tleftoffthelist.Yoga,Zumba,salsadancing and cycling were favorites.One of the most popular ways to stay young, accord-ing to the survey, is to surf the Web, as it combines many favorite activities. That means owning elec-tronicgadgets--computers,e-readerslikeKindleandiPhones(includingapps)andiPads.Theseareall ways to connect and stay front and center in what’s going on in the world.Facebookcanbeafunwaytokeepintouchonline,as long as we’re aware of the dangers and use the right settings to control who accesses the page. Twit-ter can be challenging for those brave souls who can handletheflowofmessages.One very notable characteristic of those in the sur-vey:40percentconsideredthemselvestoberebel-lious. We’re not afraid to think out of the box, are we?
MatildaCharlesregretsthatshecannotpersonallyanswerreaderquestions,butwillincorporatetheminto her column whenever possible. Write to her incareofKingFeaturesWeeklyService,P.O.Box536475,Orlando,FL32853-6475,[email protected].
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If your plan for the NewYear involves getting readyto buy a home, you’ll need to make sure all your plans don’t fall apart at the last minute with a mortgage ap-plicationthatgetsturneddown.GoBankingRateshascompiledalistof10reasonsthatmortgagesgetrejected.1. Too many jobs: If you’ve recently changed jobs or fields, have been unemployed or haven’tworked con-sistently in the past two years, your employment history
could be a problem. Some lenders insist that you’ve kept the same job, unless you were promoted.2.Childsupportandalimony:Ifyoudon’tdisclosethatyoumake thesekindof payments, the lender canfindout just by calling the courthouse. These payments are considered debts and must be reported on your applica-tion.3. New applications for credit: If you apply for newcredit between the timeyoufill out amortgage appli-cation and are approved for the mortgage, you’ll likely have problems.4. Closing old credit accounts:Your credit utilizationratios and availability changes the minute you close an account. That skews the numbers lenders look at in de-ciding whether to give you a loan. Don’t touch old ac-counts.5. Borrowing money for the down payment: If money has been given to you, don’t try to claim that you saved it.Thelenderwillfindout,andtheloanwill likelybedenied.6.Lateduesbycondotenants:Ifyou’retryingtobuyacondo, theFederalHousingAdministration insists thatnotmorethan15percentofthetenantsbemorethan60days late in paying dues.7. The loan is too small: If you’re seeking a loan of
$50,000orless,youmightbedeniedamortgage.Mak-ing a small loan is not worth it to a lender.8.Payinganolddebt:Ifyouhadadebtgotocollec-tions long ago, and it rolled off your credit report be-cause of the passing of time, paying that debt now will reactivateit.Yourlenderwillseeitasrecentnegativeactivity.9.DifferingFICOscores: Ifyou sendaway foryourFICOscore,it’snotlikelythatthelenderwillgetthesame number from its sources.10.Secondarymarket:Ifyourloanistobesoldonthesecondarymarket, the qualification standardswill bestricter.Formore information,goonline toGoBankingRates.com.
DavidUffingtonregretsthathecannotpersonallyan-swer readerquestions,butwill incorporate them intohis column whenever possible. Write to him in care of KingFeaturesWeeklyService,P.O.Box536475,Or-lando,FL32853-6475,[email protected].
(c)2012KingFeaturesSynd.,Inc.
Why Your Mortgage Might be Denied
Chickenpiehasbecomeoneofmyfavoritecomfort-foodrecipes.SavorypiesdatebacktotheMedievalera. Originally, the sole purpose of the double crust wastoprotecttheingredientsfromthemetallicfla-vor of the pot. The crust wasn’t designed to be eaten andwasdiscardedafterthefillingwascooked.Thissingle-crustchickenpierecipeisasavorycom-bination of modern convenience products and classic homemade touches. Use a leftover baked chicken orastore-boughtrotisseriechicken,leftovercookedvegetablesorfrozenmixedvegetables,andafrozenpie crust to cut the prep time in half.The creamy sauce combined with the chicken and vegetablefilling,andtoppedwithalayerofsharpcheddar cheese turns this classic pie into a hearty, one-dishmeal.Thefillingcanbemadeinadvanceandeitherrefrigeratedorfrozen.Justmakesurethatyouheatthefillingbeforesprinklingonthecheeseand topping it with the pie crust. This savory chicken pie recipe is great way to warm up during a cold winter day.
CHEDDARCHEESECHICKENPIE
1(2to21/2pounds)cookedchicken,meatcutintochunks, skin and bones removed and discarded1 stick butter, divided1 medium onion, diced3stalkscelery,diced2 cloves garlic, diced 1(16-ounce)bagfrozensouporstewvegetables2 teaspoons poultry seasoning, divided
11/2teaspoonssalt,divided1 teaspoon pepper, divided1/4teaspooncayennepepper1/4teaspoonsugar4tablespoonsall-purposeflour1 cup cream, evaporated milk or buttermilk1 cup chicken broth1/4teaspoonnutmeg1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese1(9-inch)frozenpiecrust
1.Preheatovento350F.Lightlygreasea2-quartcasserole dish. 2.Melt4tablespoonsofbutterinalargeskilletover medium heat. Stir in onion, celery and garlic. Cookuntiltender,about5minutes.3.Stirinchickenandfrozenvegetables,1teaspoonofthepoultryseasoningandsalt,1/2teaspoonofpepper,thecayennepepperandsugar.Cook,stir-ringoccasionallyfor2to3minutes.Removethechicken mixture from the skillet and place it in the prepared casserole dish. Set aside.4.Tomakethesauce,melt4tablespoonsbutterinskilletovermediumheat.Whiskflourandremain-ing teaspoon of poultry seasoning into the butter; turn heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, untillightbrownandthick,about3minutes.Turnheat to high and slowly whisk in the cream, evapo-rated milk or buttermilk. Whisk in chicken broth. Continuewhiskinguntilmixturethickens,about3to 5 minutes. Stir in the remaining salt and pepper, and the nutmeg.4.Pourthecreamsauceoverthechickenmixture,stirring to coat the mixture evenly. Sprinkle the chickenmixturewiththecheese.Topthefillingwith the prepared pie crust, pressing the crust down around the edges of the dish to seal the crust over thefilling.Cutthree,1-inchslitsincenterofthecrusttoallowsteamtoescape.Bakefor30to35minutes,untilcrustisbrownandgolden.Serves6to8.
AngelaShelfMedearisisanaward-winningchildren’s author, culinary historian and the author ofsevencookbooks.Hernewcookbookis“TheKitchenDiva’sDiabeticCookbook.”Herwebsiteiswww.divapro.com.Toseehow-tovideos,recipesandmuch,muchmore,LikeAngelaShelfMed-earis,TheKitchenDiva!onFacebookandgotoHulu.com.RecipesmaynotbereprintedwithoutpermissionfromAngelaShelfMedearis.
* It was the third president of the United States, ThomasJefferson,whomadethefollowingob-servation:“Themanwhoreadsnothingatallisbetter educated than the man who reads nothing butnewspapers.”
* Those who study such things say that a rain-bow can’t be seen at midday; the optical phe-nomena are visible only in the morning or in the late afternoon.
*In1982,aradiostationinAllentown,Pa.,thought its rating could use a bit of a boost, so it came up with a contest: Three contestants, selected at random, would live on top of one ofthestation’sbillboards(portabletoiletsandsleeping bags were provided). The last one to give up would be awarded a mobile home. The problem was, nobody wanted to give up. The three men who climbed to the top of the sign at the end of September were still there come March1983.Inthatmonth,oneofthecontes-tants was arrested for dealing drugs, but the remainingtwostayedaloftuntilMay.Oncethefreezingwinterwasfinallyover,theradiosta-tion decided to declare both of the men winners.
* As the end of the year approaches, you might consideranoldBritishtraditionoffortune-telling.Lightacandle,placeitonthefloorandjumpoverit.Iftheflamedoesnotgoout,you’re likely to enjoy good luck during the coming year.
* If you’re like the average American, you use between75and100gallonsofwatereveryday.
* The Sahara Desert is nearly as large as the continental United States.***ThoughtfortheDay:“Ifatfirstyoudon’tsuc-ceed,tryagain.Thenquit.Nousebeingadamnfoolaboutit.”--W.C.Fields
(c)2012KingFeaturesSynd.,Inc.
by Samantha Weaver
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Registertowinatwww.riverregiontidbits.comandclickon“TommyTidbits”.Fillouttheregistrationinformation and tell us how many times Tommy appearsinadsinthepaperforthisweek.Fromthecorrectentries,awinnerwillbeselected.Youmustbe18yearsofagetoqualify.Thegiftcertificateswillrangeinvaluefrom$25to$50eachweek.Entries must be received at the website by midnight eachSaturdayeveningoratPTKCorp,POBox264,Wetumpka,AL36092.
This week’s winner receives $65 Gift Certificate from Wadsworth Christ-mas Tree Farm
Last Week’s Ads where Tommy was hiding:1.WadsworthChristmasTreeFarm,p.7
DEARPAW’SCORNER:Mydaughterandherfamily have two big dogs and a cat. I like giving gifts to the pets as well as my grandkids. Do you haveanysuggestions?--Tammy,viaemail
DEARTAMMY:Anythingthatlookscozy,funand safe for pets is a good bet. I’ve always appre-ciated even small gifts like a cute bandanna for my dog or small catnip toys for my cat. If you’re looking for gifts beyond stocking stuffers, here are some that most pet owners will appreciate:--Dogandcatbeds:Theserangeinpricefromabout $15 on up to a few hundred dollars. Look for a sturdy fabric covering that is easy to brush furfrom,andstuffingthatcan’tbeeasilypulledout and chewed on.--Catfurniture:Fromasimplepaddedwindowsillseatto“kittycondo”playcomplexesthatcatscan wander through, cat owners appreciate these combination scratching posts and rest areas.
--Travelsafety:Anumberofproductshavecomeon the market to keep dogs and cats safe in the car, from traditional travel crates to adapted seat beltsthatkeepFidosecurelyinhisseat.--Toys:Foryourdaughter’sbigdogs,sturdychew toys are probably welcome. I still really like Kongchewtoys,whicharenearlyimpossibletodamageandcanbefilledwithpeanutbutteroranothertreat.Forcats,somethingbeyondthecat-nipmousecouldincludeoneofBergan’s“TurboTracks,”inwhichaballinsetinaroundorfigure-eight track scoots around with every swipe of the paw.Nomatterwhichgiftyouchoose,orifyoude-cide to just give small, inexpensive gifts to your daughter’s pets, I’m sure they’ll be appreciated.
[email protected],orwritetoPaw’sCorner,c/oKingFeaturesWeeklyService,P.O.Box536475,Orlando,FL32853-6475.Formorepetcare-relat-ed advice and information, visit www.pawscorner.com.
1cup(2sticks)butter(nosubstitutions),softened1/2cupsugar1 large egg1 tablespoon vanilla extract3cupsall-purposeflour1/2teaspoonbakingpowderAssorted colored granulated sugars for decoratingOrnamental frosting, optional
1.Preheatovento350F.Inlargebowl,withmixerat low speed, beat butter and sugar until blended. Increase speed to high, beat until light and creamy. Atlowspeed,beatineggandvanilla.Beatinflourand baking powder just until blended.2.Dividedoughinto4equalpieces.Wrapeachpiecewithplasticwrapandrefrigerateuntilfirmenough to roll, about 1 hour.3.Onlightlyflouredsurface,withflouredroll-ingpin,roll1pieceofdough1/8inchthick.Withfloured2-to3-inchassortedcookiecutters,cutdough into as many cookies as possible, wrap and refrigeratetrimmings.Placecookies,1inchapart,on large ungreased cookie sheet, sprinkle cookies with colored sugar now if you like, or frost after baking.4.Bakecookies10to12minutes,untillightlybrowned. Transfer cookies to wire rack to cool. Repeatwithremainingdoughandtrimmings.5. When cookies are cool, use frosting to decorate cookies as desired. Sprinkle colored sugars as desired on frosting before it dries. Allow frosting to dry completely, about 1 hour. Store cookies in tightlycoveredcontainerupto2weeks.Yields96cookies.
(c)2012HearstCommunications,Inc.All rights reserved
Christmas Butter Cookies
Choices:Mostpeoplevaluetheabilitytomakechoices. Whether choosing the car you drive or whereyoulive,choicesmeanflexibility.Youprob-ablywantthatsameflexibilitywhenmakingchoicesaboutyourfuture-especiallywhenitcomestohealthcare.Havinglong-termcareinsurancewillhelp preserve your ability to make these important choices.Whatislong-termcare?Simplystated,longtermcare refers to the services you may need when you’re no longer able to care for yourself and need assistancewithactivitiesofdailyliving.Youmayneed assistance after an injury, illness, stroke or disease.Long term care insurance can help pay the cost of care for services in your home, in the community, or in a nursing home.Payingforlong-termcareservicescouldaffectyourfuture plans and choices in health care if you aren’t properly prepared. If you weren’t able to care for yourself,woulditbeimportanttohavetheflexibilityto make choices and control your independence? With proper planning, you may have the ability to receive care in your home, in your community or in the facility of your choice.In my opinion, serious consideration should be given tolong-termcareinsuranceaspartofasolidfinan-cial plan. This means taking steps to help protect what you’ve worked so hard to accumulate through saving and investing.Anyone,nomatterwhatage,couldneedlong-termcareservicesatsomepointinlife.Considerthesestatisticsregardingthepotentialneedforlong-termcare:40%ofpeoplereceivinglong-termcareservicesareworking-ageadultsunderage65(Source:Depart-mentofHealth&HumanServices,SpecialCommit-teeonAging-U.S.Senate)Morethan70%ofpeopleovertheageof65mayneedsomeformofhomehealthcare.(Source:LewinGroup)MostAmericansareunabletosaveenoughtocoverthehighcostoflong-termcareservicesontheirown.Nationally,theannualcostofanursinghomestayisabout$56,000andisexpectedtoquadrupleby2030.(Source:HealthCareFinancingAdmin-istration) Long –term care insurance can help pay these costs and allows you to maintain control while preserving your choices.Withthepossibilityofneedinglong-termcareandthehighcostsassociated,thenextquestionishowwill you afford it? Will you pay for it yourself? If you have a large estate, you may be able to cover potentialcostsonyourown.However,formostpeople,long-termcareservicescouldquicklydevas-tate income, retirement savings and other assets.WillyoudependonMedicareofMedicaid?Medi-caredoesnotcovermostlong-termcareservices.Medicaidisdesignedtohelpthepoorestinourcommunity; you would have to meet strict guide-lines for your income and assets. Will you depend onyourfamily?Formanypeople,thismaybetheonly option. Talking with your family will help you decide if they have the resources, expertise, time and willingness to provide for your care. Shouldlong-termcareinsurancebepartofyourplan?Manypeoplearechoosingalong-termcareinsurance policy to help pay the cost of their care. Itcanbeacost-effectivewaytoensureyouhavechoices in your health care.AsaStateFarm*agent,mymissionistohelppeople manage the risks of everyday life, recover fromtheunexpectedandrealizetheirdreams.Ibe-lievelong-termcareinsuranceispartofthismission.Evenifyoudon’ttalktomeaboutlong-termcareinsurance, talk to someone. It’s that important.To learn more about preserving your choices for care, contact me or another professional.
Preserve Your Choices With Long-Term Care Insurance
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*OnDec.18,1777,thenewUnitedStatescelebratesitsfirstnationaldayof thanksgiving, commemorating the American victory at the Battle of SaratogaafterthesurrenderofGen.JohnBurgoyneand5,000Britishtroops that October.
*OnDec.22,1808,Beethoven’sFifthSymphonyhasitsworldpre-miere in Vienna. The concert venue wasfreezingcoldandtheorchestraplayed poorly enough to force the nearlydeafcomposer--alsoactingasconductorandpianist--tostoptheensemble partway into one passage and start again from the very begin-ning.
*OnDec.17,1903,nearKittyHawk,N.C.,OrvilleandWilburWrightmakethefirstsuccessfulflightofaself-propelledaircraft.Orvillepilotedthegasoline-powered,propeller-driv-en biplane, which stayed aloft for 12 secondsandcovered120feetonitsinauguralflight.
*OnDec.19,1917,fourteamsoftheNationalHockeyLeagueplaytheleague’sfirsttwogames.Atthetimeofitsinception,theNHLwasmadeupoftheCanadiensandtheWander-ers(bothofMontreal),theOttawaSenators, the Quebec Bulldogs and the Toronto Arenas.
*OnDec.23,1968,thecrewandcaptain of the U.S. intelligence gath-eringshipPuebloarereleasedafter11 months imprisonment by the gov-ernmentofNorthKorea.Theship,andits83-mancrew,wasseizedbywarshipsonJan.23andchargedwithintrudingintoNorthKoreanwaters.
*OnDec.21,1970,rockstarElvisPresleypaysasurprisevisittoPresidentRichardNixonattheWhiteHousetodiscussthewarondrugs.Presleyapparentlywasnotsearchedbefore being granted admission: UponmeetingNixon,hepresentedthepresidentwithagift--aWorldWarII-eraColt.45pistol.
*OnDec.20,1989,“Roger&Me,”adocumentarybyMichaelMooreabouthisquesttointerviewRogerSmith, then chairman and chief executiveofficerofGeneralMotors,opensintheaters.Thefilmexaminesthe devastating impact on the people ofMoore’shometownofFlint,Mich.,followingtheclosingofseveralGen-eralMotorsautoplantsinthearea.
Mexico’sYucatanPeninsulaishometotheancientruinsofthemostfamousMayancity,ChichenItza.Herearesomeenlighten-ing facts about this site, named as one of the NewSevenWondersoftheWorld.• OneofthelargestMayancities,ChichenItzacoveredanareaofatleast1.9squaremiles(5sq.km).ItwasanactiveurbancenteroftheMayanempirefrom750to1200A.D.• TheancientMayancivilizationdis-played brilliant mathematical and astronom-ical skills. They were keen observers of the sun, moon, planets, and stars, even predict-ingsolareclipsesfromtheirstate-of-the-artobservatory,ElCaracol,whichstillstandsatthe site today. • ThemostfamiliarstructureatChichenItzaistheKukulkanPyramid,alsoknownasElCastillo.This98-foot(30-m)tall ceremonial temple is a specimen of this civilization’sdevelopmentofthe365-daycalendar.Ithas365stepsrisingtothetop,with each of its four sides containing 91 stepsandthetopplatformmakingthe365th.Enormous sculptures of a serpents’ heads are at the base of the pyramid on the north-ern staircase, the principal sacred path to the top. The temple is geographically posi-tioned so that twice a year, on the spring and autumnequinoxes,atsunset,ashadowfallson the pyramid that makes it appear that the serpentKukulkanismakingitswaydownthe stairway. Seven interlocking triangles form a serrated line that resembles the ser-pent’s tail. • ElCastillowasnotthefirsttempleto occupy the site. Built sometime between 1000and1200A.D.,itwasconstructedonthe foundation of previous temples. Archae-ologicaldigsinthe1930suncovered another staircase under the north side of the pyramid, and continuing the dig, found another temple buried below. • Nearthepyramidisalargeballcourt,554feet(168meters)longand231feet(70meters)wide.ItwasherethatMa-yan men played pok ta pok, a game in which playershitorthrewa12-lb.(5.4-kg)rubberball through a hoop mounted high on the wall,23feet(7meters)abovetheground.Archaeologists believe the losers were put to death.• NearlyeveryonehasheardtheMa-yan prophecy of the end of the world occur-ringinDecemberof2012.ThepredictionisthatthegreatwarriorserpentKukulkanwillrise from the ground under the ball court and end the world on the 22nd of the month. • Verylargegatheringswereheldatthe Temple of the Warriors, an enormous complex with a large stepped pyramid, fourplatforms,and200carvedcolumns.Thousands of artifacts have been recovered from the area, including gold, carved jade, pottery,obsidian,rubber,flint,andhumanskeletons. • It’sevidentthathumansacrificeswerepartoftheculture.ChichenItza,whichtranslates“mouthofthewell,”wassettledaround two wells, one a sacred place, and theotherforeverydayuse.Largequantitiesof bones and ceremonial objects have been recovered from the sacred well during exca-vation. • About1.2milliontouristsvisitChichenItzaeveryyear.Until2006,visitorswere allowed to walk through the buildings’ ruinsandclimbthepyramids.However,afterawomanfelltoherdeathfromElCas-tillo that year, people are no longer permit-ted on the structures.***
CHICHEN ITZATo Your Good Health
By Paul G. Donohue, M.D.
DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Please advise about theGardasil vaccine. My granddaughter just turned18 (todate,nosexualactivity -- really)andbeginscollegenextyear.Herdoctorispushingthevaccineforherandforherjust-turned-14sister.Ivalueyourcommon-senseapproachtomedicalissues.Whatdoyourecommend?--S.B.
ANSWER: Without any hesitation, I recommendwholeheartedly the vaccine for protection against the human papillomavirus. It’s the virus that causes cervical cancer. Gardasil protects against the mostcommon strains of cancer-causing papillomavirus,strains16and18.This vaccine is amedical breakthrough.Never hasthere been a vaccine for protection from any cancer. Your granddaughters are not too young. Therecommendation suggests that the vaccine be given when a girl is 11 or 12, but it can still be given up to age26.For best effectiveness, it should be given beforea girl has had any sexual encounters. The human papillomavirus is extremely widespread, and exposure to the virus before the vaccine has been given lessens the vaccine’s ability to protect against the virus and the cancer it causes.A second papillomavirus vaccine is also on the market.It’scalledCervarix.The booklet on cervical cancer and Pap smearsdiscusses these topics in greater detail. It does not discuss thevaccines.Readerscanobtainacopybywriting: Dr. Donohue -- No. 1102W, Box 536475,
Cancer Vaccine for Young Girls
Orlando,FL32853-6475.Encloseacheckormoneyorder (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Canada with therecipient’s printed name and address. Please allowthree to four weeks for delivery. ***DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have a question aboutdiabetes.Myhusband has it.He saw a doctor on atelevision program who said that taking 2 teaspoons of red vinegar at lunch and dinner lowers your blood sugar a lot. Do you think this is true? Should sweetener beadded,orwater?--N.F.
ANSWER:Ibelieveyou’rereferringtotheworkofCarol Johnston, Ph.D., a professor in the nutritiondepartmentofArizonaStateUniversity.Sheshowedthat taking 2 tablespoons of vinegar before or during a meal lowers the sudden spike in blood sugar that happens with eating. Such spikes are not good if they are very high and occur often. They disturb blood sugar control.This isn’t a cure for diabetes. It might be a help for sugarcontrol.Yourhusbandshouldnotstopusinghisdiabetes medicines or abandon his diabetic diet. I don’t know why the TV doctor insisted on red vinegar.Dr.Johnstondidn’t.Youcantakethevinegaralong with olive oil as a salad dressing. You candiluteitinwaterifyouwant.Youcanaddanartificialsweetener to it if the sweetener doesn’t say not to. And you can start with the TV doctor’s recommendation of 2 teaspoons instead of 2 tablespoons. See if the 2 teaspoons work. If it doesn’t, increase the dose until you reach the 2 tablespoons. Are you sure your husband tolerates vinegar? I guess there’sonlyonewaytofindout.***Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his columnwheneverpossible.ReadersmaywritehimorrequestanorderformofavailablehealthnewslettersatP.O.Box536475,Orlando,FL32853-6475.
Page 9“Be known before you’re needed” Advertise with Tidbits (334) 202-7285
It’s that time of year again, when you’ve got to think of gifts for friends and family that will be appreciated. Luckily, it’s easy to pick out gifts forthedo-it-yourselfers.MostDIYerswillout-right tell you what they need, or you can casu-ally survey their workspace to see what is not there.Ifyou’reaDIYerwhoreallywantssomething,here are a few things you can drop a hint about:--Power tools: The key word with handheldpower tools is “rechargeable.” While cordedpowertoolsprovideaconsistentflowofelec-tricity and reliable power, cordless drills are DIYers’go-to standardbecause theycansim-ply pull them off the charger and use them any-where, no need to look for an outlet or exten-sioncord.Prices:$40to$249--Portability:MostDIYershavemorethanonetoolbox and, as their tool collection grows, they’re always on the lookout for one that
Essential Gifts for Do-It-Yourselfers
By Samantha Mazzotta
meetstheircarry-aroundneeds.Considertuck-ing a spare tool belt and some basic staples like a tape measure and screwdriver set into a durable toolbox.Prices:$8to$90--Spares:While it’s impossible to have an ex-tra of everything, extra screws, nuts, bolts, nails and other hardware are essential to have around. Look for combination kits like picture hanger assortments,specialtynailandscrewsizes,andcabinet and drawer hardware like handles and hinges for emergency repairs.--Cleanup:A wet/dry vacuum is an importantand versatile part of any workshop. If your DI-Yerdoesn’thaveoneoftheseyet,thereareaf-fordablemodelsavailable.Prices:$49to$400
HOMETIP:“IneveraskmyhusbanddirectlywhattoolsoritemshewantsforChristmas.In-stead, I ask him about the project he’s working on. There’s always some tool or part he’s miss-ing;I justnoteitdownandbuyitforhim.”--TaraL.,Richmond,Va.
Mynewe-book,“101BestHomeTips,”isavail-abletodownloadonAmazonKindle!Pickituporgiftittodayforjust99cents!Sendyourques-tions or comments to [email protected].
(c)2012KingFeaturesSynd.,Inc.
* Need a quick batch of cookies? Keep a box mix of cake on hand. Instead of the listed in-gredients, add two eggs and a half-cup of oil to the mix. Mix and shape, then bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes. They are really good, and you can get pretty creative.
* Inexpensive gift idea: cute holiday coffee mug with a bar of chocolate, a packet of hot cocoa or instant coffee, a peppermint stick and a decorative holiday pick or spray. Place inside a gallon-size zipper-top bag, tie with a ribbon, then trim off the zipper-top, leaving just the plastic. Looks nice.
* Instead of going out and buying extra items to have on hand for guests, just borrow from your neighbors. Extra towels, place settings, silverware, kitchen appliances: It’s a pretty
good bet that someone on your street has it for you to borrow. If you don’t know your neighbors well enough to ask, maybe you should start planning a get-to-know-you par-ty right now.
* Inexpensive gift idea: On the front of an empty photo album or scrapbook, print out and arrange color photos of your recipient in a collage. Glue the photos to the front of the album and cover with a decoupage glaze, like Mod Podge. Let dry and glaze again. You’ve just made a one-of-a-kind gift!
* “When holiday cookie time comes, I keep a plastic pitcher of hot water in the sink. I toss cookie cutters into it when I am done with them, so the corners are soaking. They really seem to only need a rinse and a quick brush-off afterward. Mine don’t get caked up with dough.” -- Jill C., via email
Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475 or e-mail JoAnn at [email protected].
1. Is the book of Matthew in the Old or New Testament or neither?2. Who was Herod’s information source as to where the Christ Child was to be born? Joseph, Reuben, Micah, Matthew 3. From Luke 2:13, what term describes an army of angels praising God? Heavenly host, Covenant, Spirit multitude, Manoah 4. What group received the angels’ an-nouncement of the birth of Jesus? Carpen-ters, Shepherds, Tentmakers, Masons5. Where was the young child when the Magi came to visit Him to present gifts? Manger, Under the stars, House, Temple 6. From Matthew 2, to what country did Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus flee? Jordan, Syria, Oman, Egypt
1.Nametheonlystadiumthat is currently home to anNFLteamandamajor-league baseball team.2. Who played more games with one team: Brooks RobinsonorRobinYount?3.Namethefirstteamincollege football history to bevotedaunanimousNo.1 in both the media and coaches polls.4.WhenwasthelasttimetheHawkswereintheNBAFinals?5.NamethelasttimeanNHLteamwontheStanleyCupwhilehavingnoplayerreachthe60-pointmarkduring the regular season.6.Whatwasthelastvehicleother than a Toyota to win a NASCARTruckseriesraceat Daytona International Speedway?7.Namethelastmarriedwoman to win a singles title at Wimbledon.
Athletes & HypnosisHypnosisorvisualizationin athletic competition has existed for decades. One of the earliest reports of sports hypnosiswasin1956,theRussiansutilizedhypnotiststoassistathletestodevelopmentalclarityandvisualizationattheMelbourneOlympics.IttooktheU.S.untilthemid60’stocomeonboardandmatchmentalskillswithseveral countries. Every sports activity involves concentration, mental rehearsal and psychological approaches to overcome obstacles. Decisions and changes in physical movement mustbeperformedinstantlyorsubconsciously.Self-talk and feedback from coaches and others are types of suggestions that can bypass the analytical mind and have a constructive or sabotaging effect. There is no more powerful way to create drive for winning and stop loosing behavior than hypnosis.For local assistance and a free consultation, review www.hypnosisworksnow.com and call 334-213-0054
Page 11“Be known before you’re needed” Advertise with Tidbits (334) 202-7285
1. The Oakland Coliseum (A’s and Raiders).2. Robinson played 2,896 games with the Orioles; Yount played 2,856 games with the Brewers.3. Southern Cal, in 1972.4. In 1961, the Hawks (then in St. Louis) lost to Boston in five games.5. The New Jersey Devils in 2003.6. Mark Martin drove a Ford to victory at Daytona in 2006.7. Chris Evert Lloyd, in 1981.
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Is the rush, rush, rush of the holiday season giving youabah-humbugattitude?Nowistheweektotake a breather, relax and enjoy what already awaits you and your family in your own community. Dis-cover how busy local elves have been, working all year long to plan a cultural feast of crafts, concerts andcolossaleventsforusall.Youalsomightbeinspired to create your own simple versions of holi-day delights when you get back home. Herearesomeideastowarmuptheseason:--TreatyourfamilytoanearlyChristmasgiftwithtickets to a holiday performance in your area.Traditionalfavoritesinclude“TheNutcracker,”Handel’s“Messiah,”“AmahlandtheNightVisitors”and“TheLittleMatchGirl.”Beforeyouattendtheperformance,familiarizeyourchildrenwith what they will see and hear. Visit your public libraryforaversionintheformofabook,CDorDVD, or check for excerpts online.Enjoy discussing the background of the work, including the historical period it represents. If you are preparing for a musical, listen to a recording and notice your children begin to hum their favorite melodies.After you attend the performance, encourage your children to produce their own version by pulling out clothesandhatsfromadress-upboxandre-enact-ing a favorite scene.--Takeinholidayeventsathistoricsitesandmuse-ums. Makeatraditionalcraftfromanothercountrytodecorate your home, prepare a tasty treat that the earlypioneersmadeonwood-burningstoves,ordiscoverhowChristmaswascelebratedina1900slogging or mining camp while you breathe in the briskwinteraironahorse-drawnwagon.--Letmusicsootheholidaystressrightathome.Heatupcupsofhotciderandcreateyourownversionof“TheTwelveDaysofChristmas.”Nowhundreds of years old, this yuletide carol continues to delight all ages. Spice up the familiar version and make your own verses such as: 12 grandmas baking,11childrensinging,10dadsa-shoveling,9pairs of mittens, etc.--Letvisionsofsugarplumsdanceintheirheads.Gatherquiltsandpillows,andletkidssleepbesideyourtwinklingChristmastree.***DonnaErickson’saward-winningseries“Donna’sDay”isairingonpublictelevisionnationwide.Tofindmoreofhercreativefamilyrecipesandactivities, visit www.donnasday.com and link to the NEWDonna’sDayFacebookfanpage.Herlatestbookis“DonnaErickson’sFabulousFunstuffforFamilies.”
