Vol. 19: #37 • Favorite Cartoon Cats • (9-10-2023) Tidbits of Coachella Valley

"The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read"

by Kathy Wolfe

This week, Tidbits invites you to tune in to memories of some of our favorite cartoon cats.

• The first cartoon cat made his debut in 1919 during the silent film era. Originally called Master Tom, Felix the Cat is one of the most recognized cartoon cats, a mischievous black cat with great big white eyes, and a giant grin. Felix had a regular comic strip by 1923, followed quickly by merchandise such as figurines, stuffed toys, and postcards. His creator, Pat Sullivan, was raking in an estimated $100,000 a year just from licensed merchandise alone. There was even a song played by jazz bands called “Felix Kept on Walking,” and an Indiana high school named Felix as their school mascot.

Mouse cartoons with sound became the rage, and Felix’s creators were late to jump on the sound

(Answers on page 16)

TODD BEAMER

As the nation commemorates the anniversary of September 11, Tidbits honors the memory of one of the heroes of 9/11, Todd Beamer.

• In 2001, Todd Beamer was a 32-year-old account manager for the Oracle Corporation. He lived in Canbury, New Jersey with his wife, two boys, and soon-to-be-born baby girl. He had graduated from Illinois’ Christian liberal arts Wheaton College ten years earlier, and then earned an MBA from DePaul University in 1993.

• As a top sales performer for Oracle, Beamer had been awarded a five-day trip to Italy with his wife. The couple arrived home from the trip on the evening of September 10. He had a business meeting scheduled in California for the following day, and booked an early flight out of Newark on the morning of the 11th

• He boarded United Airlines Flight 93 on the morning of 9/11, and the Boeing 757 took to the air at 8:42, 42 minutes behind schedule. Four minutes after Flight 93 was airborne, American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the World Trade Center’s North Tower. At 9:03, the South Tower was also hit, but Beamer and the other passengers on Flight 93 were unaware of the tragedies that had just occured.

• At 9:28, when Beamer’s westbound plane was over Ohio, al-Qaeda terrorists armed with box cutters stormed the cockpit, attacked the pilots and seized the airplane's controls. They immediately turned the plane around, heading back eastbound and directly toward Washington, D.C. Passengers were sent to the back of the plane. At 9:37, an American Airlines jet had crashed into the Pentagon.

• By then, word had spread among the passengers about the Trade Center and Pentagon attacks, as they made calls to their loved ones from the plane.

• Beamer and fellow passengers Mark Bingham, Tom Burnett, and Jeremy Glick conceived a plan to take the plane back from the hijackers. In the back of the plane, Beamer lifted an Airfone from the back of a seat’s headrest, dialed 0, and was connected to Lisa Jefferson at the Verizon Call Center. He calmly described their situation to Jefferson in great detail. Beamer was so calm that at first, Jefferson doubted his claims, later saying he “sounded so tranquil it made me begin to doubt the authenticity and urgency of the call.”

• He then recited the Lord’s Prayer and the 23rd Psalm with Jefferson, as others joined in. Beamer’s last request of the 15-minute call to Jefferson was, “If I don’t make it, please call my family and let them know how much I love them.” He then said his now-famous words to those who had agreed to help him, “Are you ready? Okay. Let’s roll!”

• At 9:57, Beamer and several other passengers stormed the cockpit in a desperate attempt to forcefully subdue the terrorists and regain control of the airplane. No one knows what took place in the cockpit during those final moments, except that the plane behaved erratically and ultimately plunged nose first into an empty field near rural Shanksville, Pennsylvania, at a speed of 563 miles per hour, instantly killing everyone on board. Flight 93 was just 20 minutes away from Washington, D.C.

• Beamer was heralded as a national hero because of his call to Lisa Jefferson and his efforts to protect the hijackers’ suspected target – either the White House or the U.S. Capitol Building.

• A post office, several high schools, and other buildings have been named in his honor. His daughter was born four months after the attacks. Beamer’s wife Lisa established the Todd J. Beamer Memorial Foundation, an organization that administers funds to the children of those killed in the attacks. □

1. FOOD & DRINK: What does the acronym “IPA” stand for in a beer?

2. LITERATURE: Who is the author of “The Hunger Games” series?

3. U.S. STATES: Which state has the most lighthouses?

4. GEOGRAPHY: What is the capital of New Zealand?

5. GAMES: What is a perfect score in bowling?

6. SCIENCE: What does an auxanometer measure?

7. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a female donkey called?

8. MOVIES: Which holiday is celebrated at the end of “When Harry Met Sally”?

9. TELEVISION: Which entertainer has hosted “Saturday Night Live” the most?

10. ANATOMY: What is the anatomical name for the kneecap? Answers

1. India Pale Ale.

2. Suzanne Collins.

3. Michigan.

episodes on American television. A second Felix series in full color aired from 1995 to 1997

• Sylvester the Cat was first introduced in 1945 in a cartoon short called “Life with Feathers,” and went on to appear in 103 Warner Brothers shorts between 1945 and 1966. Only three other cartoon characters – Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, and Daffy Duck – appear in more cartoons than Sylvester.

• Three of Sylvester’s cartoons received Academy Awards. His name is taken from the scientific name for the wild cat, silvestris, the ancestor of domestic cats. His full name is Sylvester James Pussycat, Sr. He’s most often associated with Tweetie Bird, the fellow pet of elderly owner Granny, and Sylvester's arch rival.

• Sylvester didn’t appear with the little yellow canary until the 1947 short “Tweetie Pie,” the cat’s first attempt to eat Tweetie, a production that won the Oscar for Animated Short Film. The pair appeared in the 7-minute film “I Tawt I Taw a Puddy Tat” in 1948, leading to a novelty song of the same name. The song reached No. 9 on the Billboard pop chart in early 1951, where it enjoyed a seven-week run, selling more than two million records.

• Baby boomers might remember the leader of a gang of alley cats, a lazy but clever character known as Top Cat. TC, as his friends called him, was a yellow cat who stood on two legs, and was garbed in a purple vest and hat.

• TC and his gang, Fancy-Fancy, Spook, Benny the Ball, Brain, and Choo-Choo, lived in Manhattan’s Hoagy’s Alley, and kept busy devising get-rich-quick scams, while continually dodging the local beat cop, Officer

Dibble. The cartoon originally aired in 1961 and 1962.

• The fat black cat known as Lucifer spent his day bullying Cinderella, her mice friends Jaq and Gus, and Bruno the bloodhound. Introduced in Walt Disney’s 1950 animated classic film, the spoiled and sneaky Lucifer was the pet of Lady Tremaine, the wicked stepmother.

• When the film’s animators were struggling to design the perfect mischief-making feline, Walt Disney visited the home of one of the animators, Ward Kimball. As the men visited, Kimball’s cat Feetsy continually brushed up against the non-cat loving Disney’s legs. Looking down, Disney proclaimed, “For gosh sakes, Kimball, here’s your Lucifer right there!”

Although "Garfield" creator Jim Davis' father enjoyed reading his son's comic strip, it wasn't his favorite. That honor belonged to the strip "Beetle Bailey," the handiwork of cartoonist Mort Walker,published since 1950, and set on the fictional U.S. Army post, Camp Swampy.

• Tom the cat started chasing a clever little mouse named Jerry in 1940. In his debut appearance, Tom, a gray and white shorthair cat, was originally named Jasper, while Jerry was called Jinx. After the first episode, the cartoon’s creators Hanna and Barbera wanted to change the names of the characters, so they launched a competition within the studio staff, giving employees the chance to win $50. One of the animators, John Carr, suggested Tom and Jerry -- and won the prize. In the early episodes, Tom walked on all fours, but was later changed to walk on two.

• For 163 episodes, Tom never seems to be able to outsmart the clever and cunning brown house mouse. The duo very rarely speak during the cartoons, but there were a few instances when Tom and Jerry actually exhibited cooperation by joining together to engage in a common goal. For example, in one such episode the two worked as a team repeatedly trying to keep an infant out of danger while the careless babysitter paid no attention to him.

• Tom and Jerry cartoons were nominated for 13 Academy Awards, winning seven. “The Cat Concerto” episode, winner of the Oscar in 1946, featured Tom deftly playing Liszt’s “Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2” on the piano.

• In 1951, Disney Studios released the animated film “Alice in Wonderland,” featuring the smiling Cheshire Cat made famous by Lewis

Carroll in his 1865 book “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” In the movie, the mischievous grinning feline is a purple-and-pinkstriped character who guides Alice through Wonderland, occasionally getting her into trouble.

Cartoon Cats (from page one) by

• The Cheshire Cat often appears in the branches of a tree, and has the ability to disappear gradually until nothing remains but the grin, leading Alice to comment, “I have often seen a cat without a grin, but never a grin without a cat.” The Cat speaks of its disappearance, “Most everyone’s mad here. You may have noticed that I’m not all there myself!”

• For over 45 years, comics lovers have adored Jim Davis’ fat orange cat Garfield. Davis named his creation after his grandfather, James A. Garfield Davis, who in turn, had been named after the 20th U.S. President James A. Garfield.

Cartoon Cats: Turn to page 15

QUIZ BITS

1. What feline was the "spokescat" for 9-Lives dry cat food from 1979 to 1983?

2. What pink-furred feline is Garfield the Cat's love interest?

(Answers page 16)

1.What’s

NUGGETS OF KNOWLEDGE

Penelope Pussycat is a cat, whether Looney Tunes skunk Pepe Le Pew wants to believe it, or . not. Penelope first appeared in a 1949 Oscar-winning cartoon short, "For Scentimental Reasons." She has the habit of squeezing under freshly-painted white fences, which unfortunately leaves a white stripe down her back, spurring on the unwelcomed affections of the amorous French skunk.

2.What

CLIP AND SAVE

By Lucie Winborne

* In 2014, there was a school in Turin, Italy, that had just one teacher and one student. Though the latter admitted to being lonely, officials decided to keep the school open as long as at least one pupil was enrolled.

* Altocalciphilia is the medical term for a shoe addiction.

* Embryonic bats go through a stage called “peek-a-boo,” when their wings grow to cover their eyes.

* Muhammad Ali’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is the only star that is not on the sidewalk, but on the wall of the Kodak Theatre, to honor the boxing champ’s request that he “did not want to be walked on.”

* Pennies are used to adjust the time in London’s famous Big Ben clock tower. The weight of a single cent can change the pendulum’s center of mass and alter the time by 0.4 seconds per day.

* Michael Bay filmed Megan Fox washing his Ferrari as her audition for “Transformers.”

* Halley’s Comet has two correct pronunciations. It can rhyme with “daily” or “valley” since its discoverer, Edmond Halley, spelled his name six different ways during his lifetime.

* The 2003 invasion of Iraq was originally dubbed “Operation Iraqi Liberation” but quickly changed due to the fact its acronym spelled out “oil.”

* After learning that her husband had been killed in World War II, Mariya Oktyabrskaya sold everything she owned to donate a tank to the Soviet Red Army, with the condition that she be allowed to drive it. When the tank was hit by gunfire, she would not only risk her own life to jump out and repair it, but ended up becoming the first female tanker to receive the Hero of the Soviet Union award.

Everyday CHEAPSKATE®

by Mary Hunt

What Do You Need to Be Happy?

When a University of Michigan survey asked people what they believe would improve their quality of life and make them happy, the answer given most often was “more money.”

Everyday CHEAPSKATE®

A recent gathering around the water cooler at Cheapskate Central (aka my office) stirred up some provoking conversation. One person suggested that we have a confusion of terms. When people say they want happiness, what they’re really looking for is contentment -that feeling of satisfaction that does not go away once the carpet is a few months old, the car has lost its newness or the holidays are over.

He went on to suggest that happiness is the result of a “happening,” and when the event is over, the happiness goes away, too. The contentment we seek comes with satisfaction and fulfillment that are not tied to specific events but rather based upon things that do not change like warm family relationships, connecting to God and expressions of sincere gratitude.

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***

Tell them you saw their ad in Tidbits!

Thought for the Day: “Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are.”

-- Malcolm Forbes

(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

Remember:

DON’T FORGET!

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Remember to TELL OUR ADVERTISERS

YOU SAW THEIR AD IN TIDBITS!

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In the book “The Day America Told the Truth,” James Patterson and Peter Kim asked, “If you could change one thing about your life what would it be?” The No. 1 response, at 64 percent, was “greater wealth.”

by Mary Hunt

More recently, a University of Southern California study found that greater wealth didn’t translate into greater happiness for many of the 1,500 participants surveyed annually over three decades. USC economist Richard Easterlin said, “Many people are under the illusion that the more money we make, the happier we’ll be,” but, according to the study, that isn’t true.

We know from other well-respected studies that fewer Americans are “very happy” today than in the 1950s despite having far more money, bigger homes and more stuff. According to Statista, there were 3,000 shopping malls in this country in 1950, and by 2010 there were 107,773. We have more money, and we have more stuff, but clearly, greater affluence has not translated to greater happiness.

Are there any circumstances under which more money will bring happiness? The truth is that if you are living in poverty, having more money will make a positive difference in your quality of life, and, yes, you will be happier. But once your basic material needs are met, many experts agree that having more money might be nice but is not likely to make you a lot happier, if even at all.

The problem is that most of us just don’t know what we really believe about money. We can’t live with it, but we can’t live without it either. We think that more of it will fix all of our problems even though we prove month after month that we aren’t very good at managing what we already have.

You read it in tidbits!

I think our water cooler philosopher is really on to something. If nothing else, he certainly made all of us think.

So where do you weigh in on this subject? In your heart, do you believe that more money would make you happier? How much would it take to make you really happy? Or have you discovered a source of true contentment and found that it's not tied to money?

* * *

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 2023 CREATORS.COM

In a world that idolizes football, baseball, basketball, and soccer, not that many people know much about lacrosse. But did you know it’s the oldest team sport in North America, dating back to the early 17th century? In fact, it's the fastestgrowing team sport in the United States today. Read on and get yourself up to speed on the sport of lacrosse!

• First of all, why is this sport called lacrosse? It takes its name from the French word for “stick” – “la crosse.” The first French settlers in Canada observed the North American natives playing a game they called “baggataway” or “tewaraathon.” The game had been played for centuries by the Iroquois in upper New York and lower Ontario, which makes it the oldest sport in North America.

But lacrosse is on track once again to become an official sport at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

• A lacrosse team is made of up ten players – three attackers, three midfielders, three defenders, and a goalkeeper.

• The stick used in the game, the “crosse,” used to carry, catch, and throw the ball, consists of a staff with a long narrow handle that has a sharp bend at the top to form a hook. A wide, deep pocket is fastened to the shaft, made up of tightly-woven cords.

• Not every pocket is the same – its depth and the tightness of the strings might differ, depending on a player’s preference and ability. Likewise, the length of the lacrosse stick depends on a player’s position and level. Attackers and midfielders use shorter sticks, while defenders and goalkeepers use longer sticks. The length is not allowed to exceed six feet.

Stuck in a Cycle of Pain and Weight Gain

DEAR DR. CAMPOS: I am 70 years old and I have been active my entire life. I had knee surgery two years ago and now I feel less motivated to go to the gym. My back hurts and I feel tired all the time. I love to play golf but that is about the most I can get myself to do. I have discussed things with my medical doctor, and he says that I really need to be more active – I am gaining weight and my blood pressure has started rising. What can I do to get out of this cycle of pain, tiredness, and weight gain and back to the gym and playing golf pain free? - T.J.

• There is written documentation that the Native tribes were playing their version of lacrosse in the 1500s, although it’s believed the game dates all the way back to 1100 A.D. They used the game as a training method for combat, with teams numbering between 100 and 1,000 participants, with a game lasting several days. The Natives’ game was much more violent and there were frequent deaths.

• Lacrosse is a game requiring extreme endurance, with players in nearly constant motion, running, dodging, throwing, flipping the ball to a teammate, scooping it off the field while running at full speed. It’s the fastest game on two feet. In 2013, lacrosse player Mike Sawyer shot the ball at a extraordinary 114 mph.

ADVERTISING PROOF

Changes DUE:

• The lacrosse field is 60 yards wide and 110 yards long. Goals are 80 yards apart, with goal posts standing six feet high, with a crossbar in between. The netting between the posts is fastened to the ground to prevent the ball from exiting after a goal is made. The solid rubber ball has a circumference of between 7.75 and 8 inches and weighs 5 to 5.25 ounces. Prior to 1867, the official ball was made of deerskin and tightly stuffed with hair.

ANSWER: Yes, T.J., it sounds like you are caught in a vicious cycle, one I see all too often: pain prevents you from exercising regularly, which leads to decreased metabolism and energy production, weight gain, and diminished healing. You understand getting up and getting moving will improve things, but the pain makes it difficult to push yourself through…and you are not even sure if you will make things worse by doing the “wrong” movements.

carefully. Double check:  Phone Number(s)  Spelling  Prices  Hours 760-320-0997 email: valleybits@msn.com

• During the 1800s, the French settlers began changing the rules because the Natives’ lacrosse was too brutal. They worked with the tribes to establish a set of rules. The first official lacrosse organization, the Olympic Club, was established in Montreal in 1842. By the 1880s, it was a team sport at Princeton, Yale, and Harvard universities.

Fax: 760-320-1630 your Tidbits representative immediately with changes or corrections.

• Participation in lacrosse has increased by nearly 40% in the past two decades, making it the fastest-growing mens and womens team sport in the U.S. □

Property

• Lacrosse came to the Olympic Games in 1904, with three teams participating – Canada, the United States, and Great Britain. It was an Olympic sport again in 1908, but was dropped afterward due to lack of international interest.

Phone: 760.320.0997 Fax: 760.320.1630

valleybits@msn.com

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The very first thing I would address in this situation is the pain. Low back pain and knee pain may need different approaches, but if coming from the joints or muscles, a simple correction of these elements can make a world of difference. Sometimes muscles are tight and need a neuromuscular release. This is something a chiropractor can do, gently yet effectively. Some chiropractors use special wedged blocks, others special tables, yet all to one degree or another use their hands to address each area.

Once the pain starts to diminish –and mind you, it only needs to get to the point where you can move functionally –the doctor can then clear you for exercise. He or she should be able to advise you whether your desired activity will be helpful or harmful for your condition. If harmful, then he or she should be able to give you some alternate activities (exercises, stretches).

Regular exercise will help with weight loss, improved heart and respiratory function, better sleep, more energy, and believe it or not, less pain. There are so many benefits to moving your body regularly, it would take several pages to list them all. But first, you will need to get the pain under control, enough for you to exercise effectively.

Dr. Campos is a Cranial and Sports Chiropractic Doctor in Palm Desert. While he cannot answer every individual question via email, he will choose one or two each week to answer here. Readers may email questions to:

by Dana Jackson

Q: Is Kaley Cuoco’s series “The Flight Attendant” returning for a third season? I saw that she was in another show on Peacock. Is she able to act in both shows, at least once the strikes in Hollywood are over? -- L.J.

A: It used to be that when an actor had a regular role on more than one series at a time, it was considered rare. Think Heather Locklear in both “Dynasty” and “T.J. Hooker” back in the 1980s, Christopher Meloni on “Law & Order: SVU” and “Oz” in the early 2000s, to multiple examples during the modern streaming years.

One of those fortunate, highly employable celebrities is Kaley Cuoco. Once her smash hit sitcom “The Big Bang Theory” ended, she landed (HBO) Max’s “The Flight Attendant,” which has lasted two seasons. Cuoco then starred in the movie “Meet Cute” with Pete Davidson as well as the Peacock thriller series “Based on a True Story.”

When asked back in 2022 if “The Flight Attendant” will be back for a third round, she told People magazine, “I think for me, at this moment, the plane has landed.” However, a source from Max told TVLine.com that “no official decision” about future episodes has been made. ***

Q: In “Star Wars: Rogue One,” there’s a scene on the spaceship where a trooper is

passing a “tape” of something to the other side of the door just before Darth Vader comes on board. Is that person played by Leonard Nimoy? It looks and sounds like him. -- J.F.

A: I watched the scene you’re referring to and did some digging, including asking some of my “Star Wars” expert friends, and I don’t believe it’s Leonard Nimoy. Best known as Spock from the original “Star Trek” series and several of the subsequent films, Nimoy didn’t appear in any of the “Star Wars” movies. He passed away in 2015, while “Rogue One” premiered in 2016. It’s certainly possible he could have filmed it before his death, but sadly, that’s not the case. I’m also unsure of the actor’s name who looks like him in that scene.

If you want to see Nimoy in his last onscreen role, I recommend the film “Star Trek Into Darkness.” Directed by J.J. Abrams (“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”), it features an all-star cast with Chris Pine playing an alternate version of Capt. Kirk, Zachary Quinto as Spock, Zoe Saldana as Uhura and Benedict Cumberbatch as Khan. Nimoy makes

a special cameo as Spock Prime. ***

Q: Did they ever find out the cause of LeBron James’ son’s heart attack? Will he be able to continue playing basketball? -- H.I.

A: Los Angeles Lakers star Lebron James’ oldest child, Bronny, suffered a cardiac arrest while practicing basketball at the University of Southern California this summer. Fortunately, he recovered after a stay in the ICU and hopes to be able to play college ball.

Bronny underwent evaluations in California and at the Mayo Clinic, which led to the discovery of a congenital heart condition that is said to be treatable. According to ESPN, his family expects him to return to the court.

* * *

Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com, or write me at KFWS, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.

(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

1. Split (PG-13) James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy

1. Gran Turismo (PG-13) David Harbour, Orlando Bloom

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

Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz, Alex Roe

2. Barbie (PG-13) Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling

3. A Dog’s Purpose ..................(PG) Josh Gad, Dennis Quaid

4. Hidden Figures ....................(PG) Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer

3. Blue Beetle (PG-13) Xolo Maridueña, Bruna Marquezine

4. Oppenheimer (R) Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt

5. La La Land .................... (PG-13) Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone

5. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (PG) Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr.

6. Resident Evil: The Final Chapter ...................................... (R) Milla Jovovich, Iain Glen

6. Strays (R) Will Ferrell, Jamie Foxx

7. Sing .......................................(PG) animated

7. Meg 2: The Trench (PG-13) Jason Statham, Jing Wu

8. Lion (PG-13) Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman

8. Retribution (R) Liam Neeson, Noma Dumezweni

9. The Space Between Us (PG-13) Gary Oldman, Asa Butterfield

9. The Hill (PG) Colin Ford, Dennis Quaid

10. xXx: Return of Xander Cage .................................... (PG-13)

Vin Diesel, Donnie Yen

10. Talk to Me (R) Ari McCarthy, Hamish Phillips

© 2017 King Features Synd., Inc.

© 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

Courtesy

Max

Kaley Cuoco in “The Flight Attendant”

Good Recipes from Creme Caramel

This custard dessert, also known as flan or caramel pudding, has a soft caramel layer on top, as opposed to creme brulee, which has a hard caramel top.

1/2 cup plus 1/3 cup sugar

5 large eggs

2 2/3 cups whole milk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon salt

1. Heat oven to 325 F. In heavy 1-quart saucepan, heat 1/2 cup sugar over medium heat until melted and amber in color, about 10 minutes, swirling pan occasionally. Into each of eight 6-ounce custard cups or ramekins, immediately pour about 1 tablespoon melted sugar, tilting cup so that sugar coats bottom.

2. In large bowl, with wire whisk, mix eggs and remaining 1/3 cup sugar until well-blended. Whisk in milk, vanilla and salt until well-combined. Pour milk mixture over melted sugar in cups.

3. Place cups in large roasting pan; place on oven rack. Carefully pour enough boiling water into pan to come halfway up sides of cups. Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Transfer cups to wire rack to cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours to chill.

4. To unmold, run small metal spatula around side of each cup. Invert each cup onto a dessert plate, allowing caramel syrup to drip from cup onto custard. Makes 8 servings.

* Each serving: About 175 calories, 6g total fat (3g saturated), 7g protein, 24g carbohydrate, 0g fiber, 144mg cholesterol, 150mg sodium.

Spicy Thai Noodles

1 package (16 ounces) linguine

1/4 cup soy sauce

1 tablespoon sugar

2 tablespoons chili sauce

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 small red pepper, thinly sliced

1 tablespoon grated peeled fresh ginger

1 garlic clove, minced

1 bunch green onions, chopped

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

8 ounces fresh bean sprouts (about 2 cups), drained

1 small tomato, cut into thin wedges

2 tablespoons salted peanuts, chopped

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1. In large saucepot, prepare linguine in boiling water as label directs but do not add salt.

2. Meanwhile, in cup, stir soy sauce, sugar, chili sauce and 1/2 cup water; set aside.

3. In nonstick 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat until hot. Add sliced red pepper, ginger, garlic and all but 1/4 cup chopped green onions, and cook until tender and lightly browned, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Push vegetables to one side of skillet.

4. To other side of skillet, add eggs and cook until set but still moist, stirring. Stir bean sprouts and soy sauce mixture into vegetables and eggs; heat to boiling.

5. Drain linguine. Toss linguine and tomato

wedges with mixture in skillet.

6. Spoon linguine mixture onto warm platter. Sprinkle with peanuts, cilantro, crushed red pepper and reserved green onions. Makes 5 main-dish servings.

 Each serving: About 470 calories, 18g protein, 80g carbohydrate, 8g total fat (1 g saturated), 5g fiber, 85mg cholesterol, 965mg sodium

* * * For thousands of triple-tested recipes, visit our Web site at www.goodhousekeeping.com/recipefinder/.

(c) 2023 Hearst Communications, Inc.

Walt

NEXT WEEK in TIDBITS GIVES YOU THE

BEAR FACTS

Cody’s Corner

Dog Talk with Uncle Matty

By Matthew Margolis Creators News Service

Baby Talk

Our four-and-a-half-year-old miniature bull terrier, Baby, is the most loving and affectionate dog on the planet, but she will hunt and attack her brother at home. She came to live with us last fall from a family leaving the country. She wasn’t well cared for. She was undernourished and kept behind a couch in an apartment for four years. We loved her, gave her attention, socialized her and gave her more love.

I believe her behavior problems are territorial in nature, as she was not aggressive initially and is not aggressive to any dog at the dog park. But we have had to keep Baby away from our other dog, Rosco, for the past six months, with a baby gate and locked doors. She barks and is aggressive when she sees her brother through the gate. If they come in contact, she initiates a full-blown dogfight, including puncture wounds. Rosco only defends himself and is not aggressive in any way, shape or form. But the fights are bad. My wife usually is the one who gets bit. We have thought to use a muzzle, but we haven’t actually tried it yet. We are at our wits’ end and really don’t want to get rid of Baby, as she loves us to death -- and I really love her. What do you think?

I think it’s time to lose the love goggles and call a pro. You need an objective third party who understands canine behavior to help you determine whether peace can be achieved through training. I can tell you right now that it can’t be achieved through love. And if it’s decided that peace in your household is about as likely as Israel and Iran exchanging Valentines, then you’re going to have to find a new home for Baby -- a home in which she will be the only dog.

It’s clear that you love Baby. I’d like to think you love Rosco and your wife, as well. And if someone has to go, I’m betting Rosco and your wife would not be as conflicted about voting Baby off the island.

They’re getting bit. Puncture wounds. Poor Rosco never knows when he’s going to get pummeled, and your wife surely is tired of getting caught in the middle. It’s only a matter of time before someone sustains a serious injury.

Cody's Corner: Turn to Page 10

3. The Weekly “Brain Breaker”

SENIOR NEWS LINE

by Matilda Charles

Skip the Yard Sale

If all the decluttering you did over the summer has now left you with piles of belongings, you might be ready to just have it all gone. And you might say, “I think I’ll hold a yard sale and make a little cash for it!”

If you’re like so many other adventurous bargain seekers, you've been to more than a few yard sales. And holding one looks so easy.

But here's a reality check: Holding a yard sale is a lot of work! There’s all that sorting, and pricing, carrying and organizing, and recruiting friends and neighbors to help, not to mention making all the signs and flyers, and then going around to post them up (and taking them down after the event). Then you have to worry whether the weather will cooperate with a mild, non-rainy day.

And when it's over, you're then faced with having to carry back into the house all the things you didn’t sell - and pile them up again.

But there's an alternative to this. When all you really want to accomplish is to declutter your household and garage and attic, and to do it with-

out all the plalnning, organizing and hassle, you have a few other choices.

What you need to remember is the “handle-only-twice” rule. Just as it sounds, you pick up and carry an item only twice. It's pretty simple. You pick up the items you no longer want or need to keep, and place them in your vehicle. That's once. And then you pick up those items the second time when you've arrived at their final destination, and you leave them there.

A consignment shop near you can help you earn a few dollars for items in good condition. Some may accept only clothing, while others might prefer bric-a-brac and knick-knacks. Be sure to clarify the details before you take your items there to them drop off: How is the pricing decided and what percent does the shop take? Is there a time limit on how long your items can remain there? Is your agreement in writing?

Donations to charity organizations such as Goodwill or The Salvation Army won’t get you any cash, but you will receive a receipt that is valid for a tax deduction. Check their websites for information on how to calculate the value of your donations.

Remember: Only pick up an item twice!

Cody’s Corner (from page 9)

For now, absolutely keep the two dogs separate at all times -- for the safety of everyone under that roof. And if you can keep them from seeing each other as well, even better. But don’t isolate either one of them. They both need frequent and ongoing exposure to you and your wife; they both need exercise; they both need rules and boundaries and, yes, love and affection.

And call a trainer. Look for someone who has expertise in dog aggression. Avoid anyone who tries to curb dog aggression with human aggression. You say whe is the most loving and affectionate dog on the planet, so keep her that way. This is very important.

If you reach the conclusion that Baby needs to be an only dog, and you need to find her a new home, the job of finding wonderful new owners will be much easier if her only issue is an unwillingness to share her turf with another dog.

But it’s time to drop the Baby talk and be a grownup. This is no way to live, and it’s not a problem that will go away on its own.

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 2012 CREATORS.COM

by Joseph Publillones

Why White?

It seems like everything that’s old is new again. Throughout interior design history, time and again, designers are faced with the request to create an all-white decorating scheme. An all-white room can seem easy. Doesn’t it? What could possibly be so difficult about putting the same color on everything in a room? Well, sorry to burst your design bubble, but monochromatic rooms -especially all-white rooms -often have a dozen or more shades of white.

Technically, white is the lightest color, but as an achromatic color, it has no specific hue. However, white can seemingly take on hints of other colors, as it reflects light and other items around it. Therefore, it is normal to notice nuanced other colors in white, such as yellow, pink, green, blue and black. White is the ultimate neutral. It can be paired with any other color for an up-to-date color scheme. But for some, white is most powerful as a stand-alone color.

All-white decorating schemes can be beautiful, as they exemplify simplicity and elegance. For some, it is the holy grail of design, the ultimate chic interior design. This decorating scheme is quite flexible. It can serve as a good foil for antiques and contemporary furnishings with equal aplomb. It is effective as a clean backdrop for artwork, allowing each piece to seem to

float in the room and letting the colors of each work of art and furnishing shine on their own. Many homeowners swear by an all-white kitchen or an all-white bathroom. These are classic schemes that can be highlighted by colorful accessories, such as kitchen canisters and equipment as well as colorful towels and bathmats.

It is important to note that all-white is not good everywhere. Light sources -- both natural and from lighting fixtures -- affect the how the color reads. White also changes appearance depending the finishes of a room’s surfaces. Shiny and glossy surfaces reflect light and help it bounce around, whereas matte surfaces will absorb almost any reflection.

White rooms, in order to create interest, rely heavily on textures, such as a fabric with a woven pattern. Also, the grain of wood in a piece of furniture adds to its aesthetic appeal.

Sometimes, a white room can look a bit stark. A white room can be tamed by adding different shades of white and off-white, creating a warmer feeling. White can also be manipulated by adding soft shades of gray -- from pale oyster white to more definitive pale grays.

White rooms are easy to accessorize and make changes to. This is part of their staying power. This classic design scheme is around to stay and is always interesting in its various iterations.

* * *

Joseph Pubillones is the owner of Joseph Pubillones Interiors, an award-winning interior design firm based in Palm Beach, Florida. His website is www.josephpubillones.com. To find out more about Joseph Pubillones and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2019 CREATORS.COM

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) KingFeaturesSyndicate

The Art of DESIGN

YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY

by Tom Margenau

Disability Myths

There are so many misconceptions about the Social Security disability program. I’ve written a book called “Social Security: 100 Myths and 100 Facts.” It puts to rest all the crazy rumors that are out there about the entire Social Security program. But I could probably write another book just setting the record straight about Social Security disability benefits.

For example, lots of people think it’s not really Social Security -- even people getting disability benefits. They will write to me and say something like, “I’m getting disability benefits and will soon reach age 65. When will I get real Social Security?” I answer that question by telling them they are already getting “real” Social Security. It just happens to be a disability benefit instead of a retirement benefit.

To further answer their question, I tell them that when they reach full retirement age, they will be automatically switched from the Social Security disability program to the Social Security retirement program. But the changeover will essentially be transparent to them because their benefit amount remains the same. And that’s because a Social Security disability benefit pays the same rate as a full retirement age benefit.

Others seem to think that Social Security disability is some sort of welfare program. It’s not. If you’ve worked and paid taxes for a specified amount of time and become disabled before reaching full retirement age, you would get disability benefits whether you are rich or poor -- just like you could get retirement benefits whether you are rich or poor.

What’s prompting this column is an email I got today from a guy who said: “They should take all the drug addicts off the disability program. My philosophy is this: if you have a disability you brought on yourself by poor life choices, then you should not be able to get Social Security disability.”

I had to clarify a couple things for this guy. First, you do not get Social Security disability benefits just because you’re a drug addict. However, if that addiction is bad enough that it’s led to other severe physical or mental impairments, those conditions might qualify you for disability checks.

And as far as his philosophy about poor life choices disqualifying you for benefits, what would he do about a guy who smoked all his life who at age 55 ended up with emphysema and lung cancer and started getting Social Security disability? Should we kick him off the program because of his poor life choices?

What about a woman who was in an abusive relationship and turned to alcohol for some form of relief and ended up an alcoholic who got cirrhosis of the liver and ended up on disability. Once again, do we kick her off the program because of her poor life choices?

I also know that many people think that Social Security disability benefits are handed out like candy to anyone who walks into a Social Security office claiming to have some minor problem. But the opposite is true.

Please, dear readers, believe me: As someone who’s worked with the disability program for about 50 years now, I know you must really be severely disabled to qualify for benefits. Of course,

I’m not naive enough to think that out of the millions of Social Security disability beneficiaries, there aren’t a few bad apples in that big barrel who are getting benefits they don’t deserve. But I assure you their numbers are few and far between.

The Social Security disability program is universally recognized as one of the most difficult programs to qualify for. You simply don’t get benefits if you have a bad back or a bum knee. You must have a severe physical or mental impairment that is expected to keep you out of work for at least 12 months -- or a condition that is terminal.

Let me clear up another myth about disability benefits, which claims that once you’re on the program, the monthly checks will just keep rolling in for the rest of your life. Actually, the law says that every Social Security disability claim must be reviewed from time to time to make sure that the person getting monthly checks from the government still meets the legal definition of disabled.

How often a claim gets reviewed depends on the severity of the impairment. In cases where the person’s medical condition is expected to improve, the rules say the claim must be reexamined every six to 18 months.

In situations where medical improvement is possible, but not probable, the claim should be reviewed every three years or so.

And even in cases where medical improvement is not expected, the law still requires that the case be reviewed once every five to seven years.

Finally, because I’m guessing most people reading this column are senior citizens, here’s a few quick words about older people who are disabled.

If you are over your full retirement age, forget about it. Once you reach that age, disability benefits are no longer payable. Or to put that another way, the retirement benefit you are getting pays the same rate as any disability benefits you might be due.

If you are under age 62 and disabled, then you should definitely file for Social Security disabil-

ity.

If you are over 62 and not yet on Social Security, then you should file for retirement and disability benefits at the same time. The Social Security Administration can start your retirement payments right away. Then if your disability claim is eventually approved, they will switch you to the higher disability rate.

But if you are between age 62 and your full retirement age and are already getting Social Security retirement benefits, you may or may not be eligible for disability payments. I don’t have enough space left in this column to explain, but the closer you are to your full retirement age, the smaller your disability boost will be -- and you may decide it’s just not worth all the hassle of filing a disability claim to get a few extra bucks per month.

* * *

If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has two books with all the answers. You can find the books at Amazon.com or other book outlets. 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.

1. The book of Samson is in the a) Old Testament b) New Testament c) Neither

2. From Luke 6, what did Jesus tell His disciples to do in response to those who curse them? a) Remain silent b) Bless them

c) Walk away d) Present the Good News

3. What instrument did David play for Saul, causing an evil spirit to depart? a) Flute b) Sitar c) Shofar d) Harp

4. From John 3, who lifted up the serpent in the wilderness? a) John the Baptist

b) Jesus c) Abraham d) Moses

5. What horrible things did Ezekiel see filling a valley? a) Satanic spirits b) Locust

c) Dry bones d) Serpents

6. Who was the father of James and John? a) Zebedee b) Nahum c) Haggai d) Hizkiah

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

(Answers on page 16)

For comments or more Bible Trivia go to www.TriviaGuy.com

Inc.

Spinal Cord Injury Misdiagnosed as Blood Pressure Stroke

DEAR DR. ROACH: Have you ever heard of a “low blood pressure stroke”? That was my husband’s (incorrect) diagnosis several years back when he suddenly could not move his arms and legs. He was told that not enough oxygen was getting to his spine. (His blood pressure is historically low, usually around 90/60.)

That lasted about seven months, and he was bedridden the entire time. He then went to a neurosurgeon and was (correctly) diagnosed with a spinal cord injury. He had C1-C2 surgery and had use of his limbs the next day. After months of physical therapy, he regained a lot of function.

We’ve never heard of that diagnosis before or after his experience. Does it really exist? -- E.S.K.

ANSWER: The brain has tremendous ability to regulate its own blood flow under a very wide range of blood pressures, but there are some limits. When a person is used to very high blood pressure levels, such as 200/110 for months or years, a sudden drop to 90/60 (or even 120/80 sometimes) can cause a stroke.

That’s the main reason we don’t lower blood pressure too quickly in people who have had very high blood pressure levels for a long time. It takes weeks or months for the brain to recover its ability to regulate blood flow.

In a person who has a heart attack, prolonged low blood pressure (or no blood pressure) will also cause brain damage. That’s why starting CPR as quickly as possible is so critical in order to preserve brain function.

In both of these cases, not enough blood is getting to the central nervous system (the brain, the spinal cord and the retinas), which can lead to cell death -- the hallmark of a stroke. But these are extreme cases.

A healthy person whose normal blood pressure is around 90/60 is at risk for fainting when suddenly standing; however, they are at a lower-than-average risk for heart disease and stroke.

The diagnosis of “a low blood pressure stroke” for your husband doesn’t make any sense at all to me, and advanced imaging of the brain should have made it abundantly clear that it was not the right diagnosis.

I’m shocked that he wasn’t treated correctly for that long. But I’m very happy to hear that his neurosurgeon did not assume the diagnosis of a stroke, instead making the correct diagnosis and performing the procedure to help him recover.

Your husband is fortunate that he still had neurological function to recover after such a long time, since spinal cord injuries generally heal better when treated promptly.

***

DEAR DR. ROACH: My primary care physician and blood specialist claim there is nothing that will increase white blood cell count. Are there any supplements that I can take or foods I can eat to improve the low count? -- R.J.L.

ANSWER: The question is, why is your white blood cell count low? Some people have low white blood cell counts for no reason; it runs in families, so there aren’t any health concerns there. However, there are a large variety of blood diseases that cause low white cell counts. Some affect the lymphocytes, while others affect the granulocytes (the two main types of white cells).

Nutritional deficiencies are extremely rare in North America (vitamin B12, folic acid and copper are the exceptions that should be looked for), so neither diet nor supplements are usually helpful. If there’s an absence of blood disease or symptoms, low white blood cell counts usually do not need treatment.

* * *

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

VETERANS POST  

by Freddie Groves

The VA OIG Strikes Again

Anyone who calls in advance with threats to kill staff, and then tries to enter a federal building with a loaded firearm, can’t be too bright. The man who did this, demanding prescription drugs in his voicemail message, couldn’t have been surprised when he was met by Veteran Affairs Police and relieved of the gun in his pocket.

And what was he going to do with those zip ties he had? His mother, who had driven him to the Department of Veterans Affairs clinic and claimed not to know her son planned violence (and then bailed him out the same day on a $500 surety bond), told investigators her son’s motive would have been to take his doctor hostage.

It wasn’t until a day later, when he told an acquaintance he planned to return to the VA that the police took it seriously and grabbed him. When the VA OIG talked to him, the bail amount suddenly went up to $500,000.

And then there’s the guy who tried to get an increase in his VA disability benefits for serviceconnected degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis. He claimed he had trouble walking, getting out of bed, lifting anything, bending and so on. Sounds quite painful, truthfully, and his exam videos showed that he did indeed have trouble with those activities.

A) B)

Except it wasn’t the truth. He neglected to mention his fitness club membership when he went for his physical exams. VA OIG investigators filmed him at the club lifting, bending, squatting ... and completing leg presses with 800 pounds of weights. They even discovered his personal stash of online videos showing him doing all those activities. He went to the fitness club the same day as (and the day after) one of his medical exams for Social Security disability, which he’d also applied for.

When he’s sentenced he could get ten years, not to mention a $250,000 fine, plus an order to pay back the money he stole from the VA.

* * *

A medical clinic is bombed. A 54-year-old woman from Kiev has rheumatoid arthritis and no longer has access to her medication. Her doctor and medical clinic are gone.

Prior to the war, she was treated with Humira, a biologic therapy proven to reduce pain and the crippling effects of rheumatoid arthritis. The Humira was donated for her use by AbbVie Pharmaceuticals. The annual cost for Humira is $70,000. Her pain and loss of function has returned, but she cannot afford $70,000. What can she do?

The Ukrainian woman recently moved to the United States. AbbVie, sponsor of the clinical program, asked Desert Medical Advances, a local clinical rheumatoid arthritis office, to step in. Desert Medical Advances (DMA) is a clinical research office working in the Coachella Valley since 1987 in RA and lupus. DMA has provided $160 million in free biologic medications via FDA approved grant programs for more than 30 years. DMA will now provide the Humira through the original FDA approved clinical program to the refugee at no cost.

Anyone with Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis can contact DMA for FREE biologic medication.

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.

A medical clinic is bombed. A 54-year-old woman from Kiev has rheumatoid arthritis and no longer has access her medication. Her doctor and medical clinic are gone.

(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

Prior to the war, she was treated with Humira, a biologic therapy proven to reduce pain and the crippling effects of rheumatoid arthritis. The Humira was donated for her use by AbbVie Pharmaceuticals. The annual cost for Humira is $70,000. Her pain and loss of function has returned, but she cannot afford $70,000. What can she do?

The Ukrainian woman recently moved to the United States. AbbVie, sponsor of the clinical program, asked Desert Medical Advances, a local clinical rheumatoid ar thritis office, to step in. Desert Medical Advances (DMA) is a clinical research office working in the Coachella Val ley since 1987 in RA and lupus. DMA has provided $160 million in free biologic medications via FDA approved grant programs for more than 30 years. DMA will now provide the Humira through the original FDA approved clinical program to the refugee at no cost.

Anyone with Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis can contact DMA for FREE biologic medication.

-- by Jim Miller

How Seniors Can Protect Themselves from Cybercrimes

DEAR SAVVY SENIOR: I spend a lot of time online and love the convenience of paying bills, shopping, and keeping up with my grandkids on Facebook. But a few months ago, my computer was infected with spyware, and I later found out someone managed to open up a credit card using my identity. They made some major purchases in my name, causing me a mountain of headaches. I try to be careful, but these cyber thieves are smart. Do you have any simple tips to help seniors like myself stay safe while online? --

Paranoid Patty

Dear Patty: Unfortunately, cybercrimes against seniors continue to be a big problem in the U.S. According to the FBI 2022 Elder Fraud Report, cybercrime cost Americans over age 60 more than $3 billion last year, a whopping 84 percent increase from 2021.

While anyone can be subject to cybercrimes, seniors are frequent targets because they tend to be more trusting and have more available money than their younger counterparts. But there are a number of things you can do to protect yourself from online fraud, hacking and scams. Here are a few tips to get you started.

Strengthen your passwords:

A strong password should contain at least 12 characters and include numbers and a special character, like an exclamation point or asterisk. Be sure to change up your password across different sites to ensure a hacker would not gain access to all accounts through one password. And keep a written list of all your passwords stored in a safe, secure place.

On your smartphone or tablet, be sure to set up a four or six-digit PIN to protect your device.

Opt out of pop-ups:

To protect yourself from computer viruses and other forms of malware, make it a habit to avoid any pop-up style message when you’re on the web. Sometimes hackers disguise their malware as pop-up advertisements or “special offers” when you’re shopping or reading online. Clicking on these popups can lead to viruses or data breaches.

If you encounter a suspicious pop-up message, don’t click on anything in the window. Simply delete it altogether.

When in doubt, throw it out:

Sometimes online hackers will send you an email or text message and pretend to be someone they’re not in order to convince you to share valuable information with them, such as your Social Security Number, address or credit card information. This is called phishing. Choose the "Block Sender" option to permanently keep them out of your inbox, which also deletes it immediately.

If you receive a message from an unknown sender, do not respond or click on any links or attachments. Instead, either ignore the message or delete it.

Share with care:

There is such a thing as oversharing, and it definitely applies to online profiles. On social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, online hackers can easily gather information about you from what you

post – like where you live.

Ensure that your privacy settings are up to date so that only people who follow you or are your Facebook friend can see your posts.

Verify websites:

Before you shop or access your bank online, double check the validity of the website you’re using. Reputable sites use technologies such as SSL (Secure Socket Layer) that encrypt data during transmission. You will see a little padlock icon in your browser and usually “https” at the front of your address bar to confirm it’s a secure connection. If you don’t see it in the web address that you’re on, do not trust that website with your passwords, payment or banking information.

Use Anti-Virus software:

Practicing safe habits will protect you and your information, but you don’t have to rely on just yourself to stay safe. Anti-virus software works in the background to detect and protect your computer from a variety of malware and helps to make it safer for you to avoid these threats while using the web.

For more information on how to safeguard your personal technology devices and information, visit Consumer.ftc.gov and search “Protect Your Personal Information and Data.” To report fraud and identity theft go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov and IdentityTheft.gov

PM

Wednesday 10:30 AM - 6:00 PM

by Anne McCollam Creators News Service

Berry Dishes Go With the Flow

Q: My mother-in-law gave me four small matching flow blue dishes. I have enclosed a photo of one of the dishes. She had a complete set of flow blue dinnerware and gave most of the pieces to her daughters and daughters-in-law several years ago. The set has been in my husband’s family for several generations. My mother-in-law’s mother brought the dishes with her when she emigrated to the United States.

Marked in cobalt blue on the bottom of each dish is the word “Scinde” in a cartouche. Also the words “J. and G. Alcock” and “Oriental Stone” are impressed on the bottom of each dish. The pattern is an Asian scene of water, trees, a figure, a building and flowers. The rim is decorated with stylized flowers and leaves. Each dish is five inches in diameter and in excellent condition.

This set is a treasured family heirloom and will be passed down to the next generation. Anything you can tell me about its history will be greatly appreciated.

blue and white porcelain that was exported to England in the early 1600s. Most of the Staffordshire potteries decorated their ware with transfer prints. The cobalt blue would flow or bleed during firing having a two-fold effect. The blurry blue designs were attractive to the buyer, and they camouflaged the flaws in the design. “Scinde” is the name of the pattern and is a province in India.

Your berry dishes were made around 1840 and would probably fetch $100 to $150 each in an antiques shop.

Q: This is the mark that is on a set of dinnerware that was my grandmother’s. The set is a service for eight, and each piece is hand painted in a yellow and brown plaid design.

What can you tell me about the maker, vintage and value?

Vernon Kilns were in business in California, from 1931 to 1958.

A: Vernon Kilns located in Vernon, Calif., made your dinnerware. They were in business from 1931 to 1958. “Organdie” is the name of the pattern and was made in the 1940s and 1950s. Your circa 1950 dinnerware set would probably be worth $250 to $350.

* * *

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

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

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM

A: You have a set of semi-porcelain individual berry dishes that were probably part of a set that included a master berry bowl.

John and George Alcock established their pottery in Cobridge, Staffordshire, England, around 1820. Flow blue was inspired by Chinese

Puzzle Solutions

If you apply a heating pad to an ache for a brief period, it could be a two-minute warming.

* On Sept. 11, 1885, British author, essayist and poet D.H. Lawrence made his debut on the world stage. Best known today for his novels “Sons and Lovers,” “Women in Love,” “The Rainbow” and “Lady Chatterly’s Lover,” Lawrence was also once notably accused of being a British spy, while “Lady Chatterly’s Lover” stood trial with its publisher for obscenity (both were acquitted).

* On Sept. 12, 1953, in what was unquestionably “the wedding of the season,” photographer Jacqueline Bouvier married Massachusetts senator John F. Kennedy in Newport, Rhode Island. The ceremony even included a personal blessing from Pope Pius XII.

* On Sept. 13, 1974, three members of the Japanese Red Army (JRA), a communist militant group formed in Lebanon, overtook the French Embassy in the Hague and took 10 hostages, including the French ambassador. The siege ended after the group’s demands for the release of another JRA member, cash and a plane were met.

* On Sept. 14, 1985, “The Golden Girls,” a popular American sitcom about the adventures of four single, older women sharing a home in Miami, premiered on NBC. The series ran for six seasons -- with each of its titular characters earning an Emmy for their role -- and also won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series and three Golden Globe Awards for Best Television Series.

* On Sept. 15, 2008, the financial services firm Lehman Brothers Holdings filed for bankruptcy, marking the climax of the subprime mortgage crisis. After the company was notified of a pending credit downgrade, the Federal Reserve called on several banks to negotiate financing for its reorganization.

* On Sept. 16, 1893, history’s largest land run was launched with a single pistol shot as more than 100,000 people, on horseback and in carriages, rushed into the Cherokee Strip of Oklahoma in their bids to claim valuable land that had once belonged to Native Americans.

* On Sept. 17, 1796, George Washington prepared the final draft of his presidential farewell address. Two days later, it was published in Claypoole’s American Daily Advertiser in Philadelphia, officially notifying the American public that Washington would voluntarily step down as the nation’s first president.

(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

"This crowd is the biggest Celebrity Golf Day ever. I can't think of a single famous name that isn't already out there!"

John and George Alcock Pottery was located in Staffordshire, England.

• “Garfield” holds the Guinness World Record for the most syndicated comic strip, published in close to 2,600 papers, with upwards of 260 million readers across the globe. Garfield lives with his owner Jon Arbuckle, who happens to be a cartoonist; however, Jon is only seen at his drafting table in the very first comic strip, and never shown there again.

• Garfield shares the house with another pet, the playful dog Odie. Odie was originally the pet of Jon’s wacky roommate Lyman, who departed after five years of the comic. While Jim Davis has complete control over Garfield’s final daily strips, he no longer draws the feisty cat.

• Those who follow The Simpsons, the longestrunning animated television series in U.S. history, are familiar with the cat named Snowball. There have been five cats in the Simpson family since its 1989 premiere, with the current cat named Snowball V.

• The first Snowball, a white Persian, was already dead by the end of the first episode, with Marge mentioning that the feline had been run over by a Chrysler. After 15 seasons, Snowball II was also run over. Snowball III was adopted from a shelter and drowned in the family’s aquarium. Snowball IV perished after jumping out of a window. So far, Snowball V continues to survive!

• The 1955 Disney film “Lady and the Tramp” introduced us to the two villainous identical twin Siamese cats known as Si and Am. They are the pets of character Jim Dear’s Aunt Sarah, who dislikes dogs, and most of all the cocker spaniel Lady, belonging to Jim Dear and Darling. And her two cats are no exception, tearing apart the house and pinning their dirty deed on innocent Lady.

• The two cats were voiced by jazz singer Peggy Lee, “We are Siamese, if you please...”. The song was later cut from the film due to perceived racial overtones. Peggy Lee also voiced Darling and a stray Pekinese named Peg. □

Captain Hook

Sometimes you just have to create a hooking (curving right to left) shot to get yourself back into play. For example, when your ball is on the left side of the hole and you’re blocked by a row of trees, you’ll need this recovery shot to salvage a decent score.

Step One: Pre-close the face a quarter turn, and then take your normal grip. You’ll need the face to be closed in order to help create the side spin.

Step Two: Rehearse arm swings that intentionally “cross-over” in the early follow through. You can’t hold on tightly with excessive grip pressure when you want to create the hook shot.

Step Three: Aim the shot significantly away from the tree line in order to start the ball out into open space.

Many amateurs don’t give themselves enough room in their alignment due to fear of not producing

right amount

It helps to practice this shot on the range so you can see how much curvature can be expected on repetitive efforts.

Try to keep the club alignments consistent on these sweeping hooks. Understand that hooks will fly lower and roll more upon landing, so adjust your yardage accordingly.

THERE'S STILL TIME TO ENROLL

GO FIGURE!

10. ANATOMY: What is the anatomical name for the kneecap? Answers

by Linda Thistle

TRIVIA TEST Answers Answers

The idea of Go Figure is to arrive at the figures given at the bottom and right-hand columns of the diagram by following the arithmetic signs in the order they are given (that is, from left to right and top to bottom). Use only the numbers below the diagram to complete its blank squares and use each of the nine numbers only once. DIFFICULTY: