Vol. 19: #17 • City Nicknames • (4-23-2023) Tidbits of Coachella Valley

by Kathy Wolfe

Every city develops a characteristic and personality all its own and eventually gets tagged with a fitting name or slogan that identifies it as unique. The origins of these urban monikers can be interesting, so follow along for a fun tour of the country as Tidbits digs into the stories behind the nicknames adopted by some of our U.S. cities.

• Chicago may be known as “The Windy City,” but it’s far from the windiest city in America. In fact, it’s not even in the top ten. Three Texas cities, Amarillo, Corpus Christi, and Lubbock, all have higher average wind speeds, as do the cities of Boston, Dodge City, Kansas, Oklahoma City, Casper, Wyoming, and Great Falls, Montana.

• Although Chicago has some pretty nasty winds in winter, the nickname has its roots in the late 1800s when some of the city’s pompous, boastful and untruthful politicians were described by newspaper reporters as being “full of wind and a lot of hot air.”

• It makes sense that Houston would be designated

TRIVIA NEWSFRONT

1. TELEVISION: Which drama focuses on the inhabitants of Wisteria Lane?

2. GEOGRAPHY: The Aswan Dam is located on which river?

3. LANGUAGE: What is the only word in the English language that ends in “mt”?

4. MOVIES: What is the name of Ryan Reynolds’ Alaskan hometown in “The Proposal”?

5. U.S. CITIES: How many buildings in New York City have their own ZIP codes, including the Empire State Building?

6. SCIENCE: Entomology is the scientific study of what?

7. CHEMISTRY: Which natural element is the most unstable?

8. FOOD & DRINK: What is the condiment tahini made of?

9. LITERATURE: What is the setting for John Kennedy Toole’s novel “A Confederacy of Dunces”?

10. ANATOMY: How many lobes are in the human brain?

Answers

1. “Desperate Housewives.”

2. The Nile River.

In commemoration of Hairstylists Appreciation Day on April 25, and in honor of all stylists everywhere, Tidbits centers its focus this week on Kenneth Batelle, or Mr. Kenneth, as he was known -- hairdresser of stars and celebrities.

• Kenneth Batelle’s humble beginnings couldn’t have predicted his career of styling the hair of Jacqueline Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Lucille Ball, and Judy Garland. After his father abandoned his mother in the late 1930s when Kenneth was 12, the adolescent became the main support for his mother and four sisters by washing dishes at the train station, shortorder cooking, working as an elevator operator, and selling beer at the baseball stadium.

• In the midst of World War II, at age 17, Kenneth enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and served for 18 months. Post-war, armed with his G.I. Bill and plans to study psychiatry, he learned that the bill only allowed for six months of schooling. An ad for an Academy of Beauty in New York promised graduates earnings of $100 a week in just six months, and, with $8.00 in his pocket, he moved to Manhattan.

• After four years of working at a salon across from the Greyhound bus station, Kenneth was offered a job at Elizabeth Arden in Lexington, Kentucky. Not wanting to leave New York, he sought a position at Helena Rubinstein on Fifth Avenue, where he met the wife of a Massachusetts junior senator.

• In 1954, Jacqueline Kennedy dropped in to Rubenstein for an appointment with her usual hairdresser, only to discover that he was out sick. Kenneth stepped in and suggested a new

style, one that Jackie adored, and he became her stylist.

• When John F. Kennedy was inaugurated as president, Kenneth became the official “Secretary of Grooming” for the administration. He created Jackie’s signature bouffant hairstyle, creating volume in her hair using custom-made, extra-large Lucite rollers. On the morning that the First Lady and her husband boarded the plane for Dallas in November 1963, Kenneth was on hand to cut and style her hair.

• In 1958, while filming “Some Like It Hot,” actress Marilyn Monroe complained to her fashion designer that over-bleaching and perming was making her hair fall out. Kenneth smoothed and straightened her hair, and became not only her stylist, but a close personal friend as well, accompanying Marilyn to the film’s premiere. He was responsible for her hairstyle the night she sang “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” to JFK at his 45th birthday in May 1962, as well as for her final photo shoot the following month.

• Mr. Kenneth launched his new 17,000-sq.-ft salon in 1962 in the former Vanderbilt mansion on East 54th Street. Here, customers could expect the ultimate degree of pampering, including a wig boutique, massage rooms, steam baths, whirlpool spas, a Pilates studio, and uniformed maids serving finger sandwiches in a relaxed, serene atmosphere. A Mercedes was available for bringing clients to the salon and taking them home afterwards. Clients who didn’t need services could drop in for lunch. For 28 years, the salon was Manhattan’s most prestigious. In 1990, the 1897 building was destroyed by fire.

• Kenneth Batelle continued styling hair until his death at age 86. □

SOLAR PANEL DOCTORS

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4. Sitka.

City Nicknames: (from page one)

“Space City,” due to its important role in space exploration, with the Johnson Space Center and NASA’s center of activity there. One of the city’s first nicknames, in use since the 1870s, was “The Magnolia City” because of the abundance of natural Magnolia forests in the area, which, sadly, were wiped out during urban expansion in the early 1900s. Some call Houston the “Energy Capital of the World,”which fits since it's also home to more than 5,000 energy-related companies.

• It’s easy to see why Denver, Colorado, is known as the “Mile High City,” as it sits at an elevation of 5,280 feet above sea level. Airline pilots leaving L.A. have to climb more than 5,000 feet just to be equal to ground level at the Denver airport.

• There are landmarks all around Denver marking the elevation, including at the state capitol where the 18th step of the structure is designated with a bronze marker at the exact one-mile level. Coors Field, the home of baseball’s Colorado Rockies, has indicated the official mile-high line with a row of purple seats in the 20th row of the upper deck, contrasting with the 50,000 green seats in the rest of the stadium. The city, part of the Kansas territory in 1858, was named after the Kansas Territorial Governor James W. Denver.

• Ask folks what the nickname of Seattle is and you may get a mixed response. Some call it “The Jewel of the Northwest,” while others use the name “The Emerald City.” Its first common nickname, “Queen City of the Pacific Northwest,” was devised by a Portland, Oregon real estate firm in 1869 as a means of promoting the city. With the advent of the Klondike Gold Rush in 1896, “Gateway to Alaska” became a

popular moniker. It's still true today as Seattle is home base for several Alaskan cruiselines. During the 1950s, “Jet City” was a frequent tag for Seattle, due to the long-standing presence of the aircraft manufacturer Boeing.

• Many refer to Seattle as the “Coffee Capital of the World,” because of the founding of the Starbucks chain there in 1971. Others call it “Rain City” – the average number of rainy days in Seattle is 150 – 155. In 1981, the city’s Visitors Bureau introduced a contest for a slogan for the city’s ad campaign to promote tourism. The winning nickname was “The Emerald City,” based on the area’s lush evergreen forests, a name that was officially adopted in 1982.

Before it was "The Big Apple," for a short time in 1673, New York City was known as "New Orange." The Dutch, who had captured New York from the English named it in honor of a Dutch prince, William of Orange.

• The city of Pittsburgh was named after a British statesman William Pitt, First Earl of Chatham in 1758. But it was the business of ScottishAmerican industrialist Andrew Carnegie who earned it the nickname of “Steel City.” Carnegie constructed his first steel mill in 1872, and was soon producing rails for the railroad.

• Carnegie sold his company to U.S. Steel in 1901 for an astronomical $492 million (about $15 billion in today’s dollars), earning him the title of the richest man in America. A noted philanthropist during the last 18 years of his life, Carnegie gave away $350 million (roughly $5.5 billion today), including the construction of 3,000 public libraries, concert halls and millions of dollars to establish universities. At the time of his death, $30 million remained, which was also donated to various charities.

• Another Pennsylvania city, Philadelphia, received its nickname, “City of Brotherly Love,” from a combination of two Greek words – “philos” meaning “love” and “adelphos,” translating “brother.” It was the hope of the city’s founder, English Quaker and religious writer William Penn, that the city would be known for its religious tolerance and for being “always wholesome.”

• Penn, who directed the founding of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, signed the city into existence with the Charter of 1701. He also was influential in the planning of the

city’s streets, carefully designing a grid of thoroughfares that were easy to navigate, anchored around four public squares.

• Hartford, Connecticut has nine times the percentage of insurance industry workers compared to the average American City, giving it the title of the “Insurance Capital

City Nicknames: Turn to page 15

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QUIZ BITS

1. What city is nicknamed "Brew City"?

2. Name the city nicknamed "The Q."

NUGGETS OF KNOWLEDGE

Nashville has been known as "Music City" since the 1800s, when it became a national publishing hub.

In 1871, the Fisk Jubilee Singers from the city's Fisk University launched the first around-the-world tour by a musical act, furthering Nashville's reputation as a global music city.

After performing for England's Queen Victoria, she stated that the group must come from a "City of Music."

(Answers page 16)

page 16. If

due to the Covid lockdowns you may be due substantial compensation from the IRS. See details on The Employee Retention Credit IRS program on back cover, page 16.

If you suffered business disruption and financial loss due to the Covid lockdowns you may be due substantial compensation from the IRS. See details on The Employee Retention Credit IRS program on back cover, page 16.

1.VERNALEQUINOX

2.CROCUS

By Lucie Winborne

* Seventy-five percent of all sesame seeds grown in Mexico wind up on McDonald’s hamburger buns.

* In 1998, a British man faked his own death by leaving his clothes on the beach and hiding to make his wife realize how much she missed him. Unfortunately, the prank backfired, as she divorced him after learning about it.

* Earthworms in the northern part of North America are a non-native, invasive species and a major factor in forest deterioration.

* The last duel in Canada wasn’t much of a fight at all, being between two men who were so terrified that one fainted and the other was seized by horror. As if that weren’t enough, their guns were loaded with blanks.

* Ever wonder why garlic is so anathema to vampires? One theory goes that it’s an antibiotic, and since vampirism was often thought to be a disease, it was harmful to them. Another holds that it was believed to repel mosquitoes, and since they’re both bloodsuckers, vampires would be repelled as well.

* Brazil has the largest Japanese community outside of Japan.

* A city in Sweden uses light therapy in bus stops to combat depression during the winter when 19 hours of the day are darkness.

* Astronomers have discovered a cloud of fiery gas about 3,000,000 light years across that reaches temperatures in the tens of millions of degrees and gobbles entire galaxies as it moves along.

Thought for the Day: “Nature has given us all the pieces required to achieve exceptional wellness and health, but has left it to us to put these pieces together.”

-- Diane McLaren

by Mary Hunt

My Sincere Apologies to Pawnshops Everywhere

recovered, the balance of the sale price, or some portion thereof, is paid to the pawner.

What if it’s stolen?

In many states, pawnbrokers are required by law to file a daily list of items that have been pledged, giving serial numbers and other identifying information. This gives police the opportunity to recover stolen items.

What’s best to pawn?

A pawnshop may not be the best place to liquidate items that you wish to sell outright like furniture, clothing and similar household items. Sites like eBay and Craigslist or the local classifieds would likely fetch a higher price.

by Mary Hunt

In the wake of America’s big economic wake-up call back in 2008, dollar stores and thrift stores saw a big resurgence in popularity. And now another kind of retail quasi-lender is commanding all kinds of attention from sellers and buyers: Pawnshops.

I admit to having grown up with a weird bias against pawnshops. To me, pawnshops were just one level above Vinny the Loan Shark operating illegally in some dark alley in the bad part of town, just waiting to break some knees.

Where did that come from? I have no idea, really, but let me quickly follow by saying it is a most faulty stereotype.

Pawnshops are respectable businesses that offer a viable service in many communities. And these days, thanks in part to Rick Harrison, whose family owns the Gold and Silver Pawnshop in Las Vegas and who stars in the History Channel’s “Pawn Stars” (one of my personal favorites) business is booming.

What is it?

A pawnshop, owned and operated by a licensed pawnbroker, makes secured loans on personal property left in the broker’s possession to be held as collateral. The property can be redeemed by the customer when the loan plus a finance charge (think: interest plus per-month service charge) is repaid.

What are the costs?

Total fees charged by pawnshops, which, in nearly all states, are regulated by state and local laws, can range from 5 to 25 percent per month. That’s high, I know. But remember we’re talking very short-term loans.

But for the person who needs some quick cash and is willing to put up something of value to secure that loan, a pawnshop could help meet an urgent need.

Popular items in a pawnshop are jewelry and coins. Other good choices are firearms, high-quality tools, historical artifacts, musical instruments, jewelry, clocks, computers, firearms, art, electronics and collectibles.

After watching only a few episodes of “Pawn Stars,” you’ll get the feel for what types of merchandise make a pawnshop tick.

Why look in a pawnshop?

And now, let me point out the upside of the pawnshop: bargains. Go to a pawnshop if you’ve never been in one, just to look around. It’s quite amazing and really fun!

Expect to find a large variety of jewelry, power tools, electronics, cameras, computer games and computers.

You do need to know your stuff. Don’t expect pawnbrokers to be experts in all of the items they offer. Even my favorite hosts on “Pawn Stars” often plead ignorance and need to bring in an expert for a consultation.

One last thing.

Need some quick cash and have something of value to put up as collateral? Head for a pawnshop. And never forget that a pawnbroker is in business to turn a profit -- nothing is set in stone. Whether you’re a pawner or a buyer, everything is negotiable.

ADVERTISING PROOF

What are the terms?

When a pledged item is not redeemed according to the agreed-upon terms, pawnbrokers are required to notify the customer that the loan period has expired, giving him or her a final opportunity to redeem the property.

Once expired, the broker has the right to sell the item. In some states, the pawnbroker gets to keep the entire proceeds from the sale. In others, once the loan (plus interest and fees) is

Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at https://www.everydaycheapskate. com/contact/, “Ask Mary.” This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book “Debt-Proof Living.”

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM

• The Dutch were the first Europeans to settle in what is now New York City in 1608. In 1626, the Dutch West India Company purchased the island of Manhattan from Native Americans for the equivalent of 24 dollars and named their community New Amsterdam. In 1664, The British captured New Amsterdam and renamed it New York City, in honor of James, the Duke of York, brother of England’s King Charles II.

• By 1760, New York City had a population of 18,000. Fifty years later, it became the largest city in the Western hemisphere with a population of 202,589. It served as the capital of the United States from 1785 to 1790.

• In 1898, the five different independent cities of the area – Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and Manhattan – were consolidated into the five-borough “Greater New York” with one new city charter. This changed the area and population of Manhattan from 60 square miles containing 2 million people to New York City with an area of 360 square miles, population 3,350,000.

• The largest borough is Queens, located on Long Island. It was established in 1683 as one of the original 12 counties of the Province of New York, and was named after the English Queen and Portuguese princess Catherine of Braganza.

• The borough of Brooklyn, located on the western edge of Long Island bordering Queens, was named after the Dutch town of Breukelen, home of many of the original immigrants.

• Staten Island was known as the Borough of Richmond until 1975. It takes its name from the Parliament of the Republic of Seven United Netherlands, Staten Generaal.

• The name of Manhattan, home of the world’s two largest stock exchanges, translates from the Native American language as “the place where we gather wood to make bows.”

• The Bronx is the city’s only borough not primarily on an island. In 1639, Swedish-born Jonas Bronck established the first settlement in the area, part of the New Netherland colony, and the Bronx is named in his honor.

Big Apple” to indicate that the city was home to the big-league jazz music clubs.

• A 1971 ad campaign sealed the moniker when “The Big Apple” became the official nickname of the city. But there are others that many people use to refer to New York. “The City That Never Sleeps” is an apt designation, since the Metro operates 24 hours a day, many restaurants never close, and the bright lights of Times Square are never turned off.

• Frank Sinatra cemented the label with his 1979 hit, “New York, New York,” in which he crooned, “I want to wake up in that city that doesn’t sleep,” and "The town so nice they named it twice!" Other handles for New York City include “Gotham,” “Empire City,” and

“The Melting Pot.”

• More than 40 million tourists visit New York City every year, making it one of the most visited cities in the world. □

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• New York City’s nickname, “The Big Apple,” dates back to the 1800s. The term was used in the 19th century to describe “something regarded as the most significant of its kind.” The name became common around 1920 at the racetrack. Jockeys and trainers referred to big prize money as “big apple.”

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• New York racetracks were considered a bigtime venue, and the horse people aspired to race in the city’s large races. A New York sports reporter overheard stable hands, jockeys, and trainers use the term, and he incorporated it into his newspaper columns many times, and the name stuck.

• In the 1930s, jazz musicians started using “The

1.Whohada#1hitin1961withthesardonic “Mother-in-Law”?

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by Dana Jackson

Q: I’ve been watching “You” ever since it began, first on the Lifetime channel and now on Netflix. Even though I’ve enjoyed every season, I figure Joe has to get caught sometime. Does the show have a plan for how it will all end? -- H.G.

A: “You” is one of those shows that had the good fortune of finding a huge audience on Netflix after a lukewarm response on cable television. Now that it’s done with its fourth season, Sera Gamble, the woman who ran the show since the beginning, is stepping down and leaving it in the capable hands of Michael Foley and Justin W. Lo, who are currently executive producers.

Netflix recently announced that its upcoming fifth season will be its last. Serial killer Joe Goldberg, played by Penn Badgley, will be returning to his roots in New York City. How it will all end is unknown, but hopefully Gamble and her remaining creative team have a satisfying conclusion in store. ***

Q: I’m really hooked on “The Night Agent” on Netflix. Will there be a second season, or is it a one-off series? -- C.H.

A: “The Night Agent” is based on a novel of the same name by Matthew Quirk and has quickly risen to the top 10 of current Netflix shows -- and that’s without any big names in the cast. According to IMDb, the addictive plot centers on an FBI agent who “works in the basement of the White House manning a phone that never rings -- until it does -- propelling him into a conspiracy that leads all the way to the Oval Office.”

It stars Gabriel Basso (“The Big C”) and Luciane Buchanan (“The New Legends of Monkey”), whose chemistry is a big part of the show’s appeal.

The show was actually renewed for a second season just days after the first one was released on Netflix. Having a talented supporting cast, too, cer-

tainly doesn’t hurt. Recent Oscar nominee Hong Chau (“The Whale”) and D.B. Woodside (“Lucifer”) are two standouts. ***

Q: When is “Manifest” returning, and will this be the last season? -- B.S.

A: ”Manifest,” a series about a group of plane crash survivors who suddenly reappear after being presumed dead for years, premiered on NBC in 2018. It was canceled by the network after three seasons, but became a big hit when reruns were picked up by Netflix. Viewer support led to a fourth season of new episodes on the streaming service,

the first half of which premiered in November 2022. The last and final 10 episodes of the series will launch on Netflix beginning June 2.

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. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (PG) Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy

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

2. Rings ............................... (PG-13) Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz, Alex Roe

2. John Wick: Chapter 4 (R) Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne

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

3. Air (R) Matt Damon, Jason Bateman

4. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (PG-13) Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez

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

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

5. Scream VI (R) Courteney Cox, Melissa Barrera

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

6. His Only Son (PG-13) Nicolas Mouawad, Sara Seyed

7. Creed III (PG-13) Michael B. Jordan, Tessa Thompson

7. Sing (PG) animated

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

8. Shazam! Fury of the Gods (PG-13) Zachary Levi, Asher Angel

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

9. A Thousand and One (R) Teyana Taylor, Aaron Kingsley Adetola

10. xXx: Return of Xander Cage (PG-13) Vin Diesel, Donnie Yen

10. Paint (PG-13) Owen Wilson, Elisabeth Henry

© 2017 King Features Synd., Inc.

© 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

Good Recipes from Parsley-Pesto Salmon

1 cup chopped fresh parsley

1/4 cup olive oil

2 tablespoons lemon juice

Salt and black pepper

4 salmon steaks, about 3/4-inch thick (about 4 ounces each)

1. Heat oven to 400 F. In blender or in food processor, with knife blade attached, puree parsley, oil, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper until smooth.

2. Coat salmon steaks with parsley mixture. In oven-safe 10-inch skillet over high heat, cook salmon until lightly browned on both sides, about 2 minutes.

3. Place skillet in oven. Roast salmon until just opaque throughout, 8 to 10 minutes. Makes 4 main-dish servings.

 Each serving: About 334 calories, 23g protein, 2g carbohydrate, 1g fiber, 21g total fat (4g saturated), 67mg cholesterol, 366mg sodium.

ON THE SIDE: Watercress Salad: For each person, mix 2 teaspoons olive oil, a dash of vinegar or lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Add 1/8 teaspoon finely chopped garlic if desired. Add 1 cup watercress mixed with 2 cups milder-tasting greens, like romaine or butter let tuce. Toss until evenly coated.

Molasses Jumbos

Big and boldly spiced, these softies are reminiscent of Grandma’s gingerbread cutouts without the rolling and cutting.

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup packed dark-brown sugar

1/2 cup butter or margarine (1 stick), softened

1/2 cup dark molasses

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 large egg

1. Heat oven to 350 F.

2. On waxed paper, combine flour, baking soda, ginger, spices and salt.

3. In a large bowl, with mixer at medium speed, beat sugar and butter until creamy. Beat in molasses, vanilla and egg until blended. At low speed, beat in flour mixture just until combined, scraping bowl occasionally with rubber spatula.

4. Drop dough by 1/4 cups, 3 inches apart, on ungreased large cookie sheet. Bake cookies 15 to 16 minutes or until edges are firm; cool on cookie sheet 2 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire

rack to cool. Makes about 10 cookies.

 Each cookie: About 290 calories, 11g total fat (6g saturated), 3g protein, 47g carbohydrate, 1g fiber, 48mg cholesterol, 365mg sodium.

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

(c) 2019 Hearst Communications, Inc.

If you suffered business disruption and financial loss due to the Covid lockdowns you may be due substantial compensation from the IRS. See details on The Employee Retention Credit IRS program on back cover, page 16.

If you suffered business disruption and financial loss due to the Covid lockdowns you may be due substantial compensation from the IRS. See details on The Employee Retention Credit IRS program on back cover, page 16.

If you suffered business disruption and financial loss due to the Covid lockdowns you may be due substantial compensation from the IRS. See details on The Employee Retention Credit IRS program on back cover, page 16.

John Allen

Cody’s

Corner

Dog Talk with Uncle Matty

By Matthew Margolis Creators News Service

Confessions of a Dog Abuser

What do the following comments have in common?

“I’ve given her tongue lashings that would wake the dead and ostracized her to the point of feeling guilty like an abusive jailer.”

“I’ve bitten her on the neck and stared her straight in the eyes.”

“I use a pronged training collar, which makes a world of difference.”

“When she goes after my hand, I push it farther into her mouth.”

“What can I do? I have scolded her, slapped her, isolated her, but nothing seems to work.”

Answer: They are all confessions of dog abusers.

These were nonchalant comments dropped by ignorant people in the course of explaining to me the problem with their dog. What they don’t realize is that the dog is not the problem.

Their dog does not obey. His behavior is embarrassing. They are frustrated. Exhausted. At their wits’ end. And on and on. But none of the dogs subjected to the abuse laid out above were ever trained. In all fairness, how high should the expectations be?

One woman said, “He won’t come to me.”

I asked her whether he had been trained to “come.”

She said, “Well, I bought him. Shouldn’t he come to me?”

An exchange of cash means nothing to a dog -- and neither do the words “come” and “no” unless you teach him.

None of the “techniques” quoted above constitutes teaching or training. Most of them were bad ideas pulled from the Internet in a misguided attempt to fix a serious problem.

If you were diagnosed with cancer, would you turn to the Internet to nail down a treatment plan? Would you heed the advice found on Dr. Bob’s Free Oncology blog? Of course not. You’d turn to a professional, a specialist.

We’re not treating cancer here, but we are dealing with situations that become dangerous when not properly managed.

Cody's Corner: Turn to Page 10

SENIOR NEWS LINE

by Matilda Charles

Is AARP Membership Worth Having?

I remember feeling uneasy when the first AARP envelope showed up in my mailbox. It was one thing to quietly hit the Big Five-O, but it was a whole nuther thing to realize that I was then eligible for membership in a group for -- seniors?

It took a little while, but eventually I did sign up. Over the years I’ve stayed. The benefits are worth it. Here are a few:

I get a discount on my cellphone plan for having an AARP membership.

The list of benefits and discounts keeps growing, many of them local. Rental cars and travel, insurance of all kinds, flowers and groceries, transmissions and tires, paint ... and pizza.

There’s the Smart Driver online safety course that, once you pass it, could save you money on your auto insurance.

The monthly newspaper, the AARP Bulletin, is worth reading for the information it contains: money, investing, senior news and events in my state, government affairs, Social Security and health. Then there’s the bi-monthly AARP magazine, with a wide variety of articles, from dieting and money management to tests that predict cancer, places to retire and much more. The two publications are worth the $16 price of membership by themselves because of the information they present.

AARP has an app now with good instructions on how to install it. If you sign up for AARP membership (the first year is reduced to $12), it will likely take a few months for your publications to start up. If you change your address, the same thing might happen, depending on where in the publishing cycle your change occurs. If you suspect something has gone astray, call them at 888687-2277. Meanwhile, you can read both of them online at the AARP website: aarp.org

Cody’s Corner (from page 9)

In dealing with dogs, our voices and hands are tools to shower love, praise and affection. The voice should be pleasant; the hands, soothing. This is how we earn the trust of our canine companions, and it usually isn’t hard to do. They want to please us. They’re ready to trust us. They love to love us. Far and away it is we who do not readily know how to love.

Stepping on paws, pulling tails, whacking noses with newspaper, shoving fists down throats, yelling, shocking, isolating, kicking, hitting -- all abuse.

I can understand ignorance; not everyone knows how to raise and train a dog. That’s why I have a job.

Final Changes DUE:

What I can’t understand or condone is abuse disguised as dog training. The dog learns nothing except to fear you -- rightfully so. And you accomplish nothing except to destroy the beautiful spirit of an animal and let loose on the world yet another fearful dog.

Why so many dog bites in the United States? Why so many dogs in our shelters? I’ll give you a hint: The dog isn’t the problem.

What interests me the most today is the 25% off discount on a first order from Silver Cuisine by bistroMD, especially the low sodium meals.

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

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

A Comfortable Home for Everyone

A comfortable home environment will relax you the minute you step inside. Great designs should always place comfort as the ultimate commodity. Of course, it should also look good. But what good is that if your room’s interior design is itself stressful.

Sometimes the design requires you to start all over again from scratch, but sometimes even poorly thought out projects can be given new life. Discerning what ails your room might be the hardest part of the game.

This is why I suggest doing a “psychological profile” of the room. Write down words that come to mind about your room: dark, clutter, incoherent, scrambled, empty, off balance, impersonal. These key words might give you a bit of insight as to what generally bothers you.

The next exercise should be a list that specifically addresses physical issues about your room: lack of comfortable seating, don’t like wallpaper, paneling is too dark, dated decor, always dusty, worn furniture. The goal here is to identify specifics.

After this exercise, plan a step-by-step guide to try and fix all the things that are wrong. Getting started is half the battle.

Changing your backdrop is the most noticeable and significant change one can make. With a couple of gallons of paint and a weekend,

you can change a room dramatically. Another relatively easy thing to swap out -- rugs. A trip to your local home improvement shop can provide a varied selection of carpets to accommodate most pockets. Installation can take a couple of days and your room is off to a new start.

Accessories are also easy to change out. Try a new color combination. If your room is brimming with browns and beiges, then introduce a chartreuse green color in pillows and accessories and add some live plants to accentuate the green. You will feel a new energy in that room. Discover endless, and sometimes unexpected, combinations of colors.

Furniture is the most visual component of a room. This can be pricey sometimes, but it needn’t. If your sofa is looking tired, try dropping a slipcover over it, or add colorful pillows. The slipcover can be bought off the shelf, or made custom. I know someone who uses inexpensive painter’s drop cloth from the home improvements store on upholstered pieces for a fresh, shabby chic look. You may also be surprised at what furniture items in perfectly good condition you can find at thrift stores.

A trendy technique is to paint your existing furniture and upholstered goods with chalk paint. This is inexpensive and another alternative to buying new fabrics and reupholstering. Finally, rearranging or changing out the artwork will modify the look of any room and make a lasting impression without spending much money. * * *

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.cre-

The Art of DESIGN

YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY

by Tom Margenau

Common Social Security Questions

Well, it’s been a strange week. My inbox is normally crammed with emails from readers. But this week, there has been just a sprinkling of questions. I’d like to think it’s because all of you have been reading my column for years, and maybe also have read my two books about Social Security, and so you’re all now Social Security experts who’ve got no questions left to ask. But it’s probably because Spring has sprung and you’re all out doing odd jobs around the house or working in the yard.

So, I thought what I’d do today is dredge up some of the most common questions I get and go over the answers one more time. Those answers are going to be short and to the point, just so I can squeeze in as many questions as I can in the limited space I have.

Q: I’m 62. My husband is 67 and getting Social Security. Can I file for spousal benefits on his record now and save my own until I’m 70?

A: No, you can’t do that. You always must file for your own benefits first. Only after you do that can you look to your husband’s record to see if you can get any additional spousal benefits.

Q: I am 60 and not working. My husband recently died. Can I file for widow’s benefits now and save my own until I am 70?

A: Yes, you can do that. A widow does not have the same restrictions that apply to a spouse with a living husband (as explained in the first Q and A). You can file for widow’s benefits now, and then switch to 100% of your own at full retirement age or wait until 70 and get about 130%. Or, depending on the money amounts involved, you might be ahead to file for retirement benefits at age 62 (the earliest you can do that), and then at full retirement age, switch to 100% widow’s benefits.

Q: If I die, what will my wife get?

A: The answer depends on several factors. But assuming you die well after your full retirement age, and assuming your wife is over her full retirement age when you die, as a general rule she will get what you were getting at the time of death. Quick example. You are 85 and getting $1,800 per month. Your wife is 82 and getting $1,200 per month. When you die, she will keep getting her $1,200, and then she will get an additional $600 in widow’s benefits.

Q: I took my benefits at 70, so I get an extra 32% added to my retirement rate. When I die, will my wife’s widow’s benefit be based on my augmented age 70 rate, or on my full retirement rate?

A: It will be based on your age 70 rate. And just to clarify a little further: A benefit paid to a spouse whose husband is still alive is based on his full retirement age rate. But as I just said, a widow’s benefit is based on the age 70 rate (assuming

the husband waited until 70 to claim his benefits).

Q: I did not pay into Social Security. I get a teacher’s pension from Texas of $3,500 per month. My husband gets Social Security. He gets $2,200 per month. When he dies, why won’t I get widow’s benefits on his record?

A: If you were getting a Social Security retirement benefit of $3,500 per month, you would not get widow’s benefits because your own benefit would offset anything you would be due as a widow. And the same offset rules apply to non-Social Security pensions like your Texas teacher’s retirement check.

Q: I’m already getting my Social Security but I’m still working. Will my additional income and the taxes I’m paying increase my Social Security check?

A: It depends. Your original benefit was based on your average monthly wage using your highest 35 years of inflation-adjusted earnings. If the earnings you have now are higher than the lowest inflation-adjusted year used in your original computation, the SSA will drop out that lower year, add in the new higher year, and adjust your benefit accordingly. But don’t expect a windfall. Your benefit might go up by maybe $10 to $20 per month for a year of good earnings.

Q: When my father died, why did we have to return his last check?

A: Several rules come into play here. First, Social Security benefits have never been pro-rated. Second, benefits are always paid one month behind. And third, the law says you must live an entire month to be due a Social Security check for that month.

Here is a quick example. John dies April 24. The Social Security check that comes in May (the payment for April) must be returned. That’s the downside to the lack of proration.

Final

But there are two upsides. One: let’s say John started his benefits when he was 66 and that he turned 66 on June 22. He would get a check for the whole month of June even though he was 66 for only eight days of the month. Two: if John left a widow, she would get widow’s benefits for the whole month of April even though she was a widow for only six days of the month.

Q: We would like to talk to you personally about our Social Security situation. We’d be willing to pay you. Can we please call you to discuss this?

A: I sometimes think I should give up this column-writing gig and go into the business of doing personal Social Security consultations. I bet I could make a lot more money doing that than sitting here in my basement cranking out weekly columns! But I guess I’m just too lazy to start up a consulting business. So, I’m sorry, but I just can’t provide personal service, or work on individual Social Security cases.

But for ten bucks, I can give you the kind of help that might even be better than a personal consultation. Buy my little Social Security guidebook called “Social Security: Simple and Smart.” In that book, you’ll find 10 fact sheets that cover just about any Social Security situation you might encounter. Another of my books you’d find interesting is called, “Social Security: 100 Myths and 100 Facts.” You can find either book at Amazon.com.

If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has two books with all the answers. One is called “Social Security -- Simple and Smart: 10 Easyto-Understand Fact Sheets That Will Answer All Your Questions About Social Security.” The other is “Social Security: 100 Myths and 100 Facts.” You can find the books at Amazon.com or other book outlets. To find out more about Tom Margenau and to read past columns and see features from other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT

1. The book of Joel is in the a) Old testament b) New testament c) Neither

2. From Mark 8, Jesus healed a blind man by putting what onto his eyes? a) Blood b) Spittle c) Sand d) Matzo

3. What elderly cousin of Mary was the mother of John the Baptist? a) Rahab b) Dorcas c) Sarah d) Elisabeth

4. In Hebrews 13:17, how should Christians act toward elders? a) Respectfully b) Submissively c) Cheerfully d) Kindly

5. What old testament book of the Bible foretold the virgin birth? a) Jeremiah b) Zechariah c) Isaiah d) Malachi

6. Who wrote the book of Revelation? a) John b) Paul c) Luke d) Peter

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.

Cipro Prescription No Longer the First-Line Treatment for UTIs

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was diagnosed with a UTI on my yearly physical urinalysis, but I had no symptoms. I was prescribed Cipro. The five pages of warnings attached to the prescription scared me! So, I checked the FDA and Mayo Clinic websites. Both said that the “risks outweigh benefits” and it “should not be the first choice to treat a UTI.”

But my doctor says to take it, so I will -- 500 mg twice a day for seven days.Possible side effects include tendon ruptures (including the aorta), nerve damage and more. Scary!

I am 71 and in good health with high blood pressure as my only problem, but it’s under control. I wasn’t told if my UTI is complicated or uncomplicated, but I assume uncomplicated, as my blood work, including kidney tests, were all normal.

Is this drug safe? Why does the FDA say not to prescribe this as the first choice? -- C.J.

ANSWER: There is a lot wrong here. First off, asymptomatic bacteria in the urine does not normally get treated, so I wouldn’t have recommended treatment in the first place. I’m not even sure why your doctor ordered a urinalysis -- it’s not recommended as a screening test for most.

Second, I agree with your research that ciprofloxacin (Cipro) should not be the first-line treatment for symptomatic urine infections. Ciprofloxacin does increase risk of tendon rupture very slightly (three to four cases per 100,000 people treated); may damage the aorta (eight cases per 100,000 in one study, while another large study showed no risk); and may cause neuropathy in one case per 150,000.

Resistance to drugs like ciprofloxacin has been increasing. Other choices, like nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole or cephalexin, have more effectiveness with less risk of toxicity. That’s why Cipro is no longer a first-line choice. But it can be hard for doctors to unlearn behaviors.

Usually, Cipro is effective and doesn’t cause side effects, but practicing evidencebased medicine means changing behaviors to reflect new information, even if your personal experience has generally been good. An individual doctor isn’t likely to see damage to tendons, aorta or nerves, but if all doctors changed their behavior, there would be even fewer of these rare events.

When it is used, a short course of ciprofloxacin is normally prescribed for three days, not seven, for uncomplicated urine infections in women. The less a person uses this drug, the lower the risk of these rare but severe side effects. Three days is normally sufficient.

***

DEAR DR. ROACH: I want to know how to reduce my blood pressure because it is currently 142/90. -- S.L.

ANSWER: Treatment of mildly elevated blood pressure of the type you have starts with lifestyle changes. The first thing is to try to reduce sodium in your diet. Some sodium comes from what you add to food, but much more is in prepackaged foods, especially canned foods.

Potassium, found in most fresh fruits and vegetables, has a beneficial effect on blood pressure, especially when sodium is also reduced.

Regular exercise can drop blood pressure by 3 to 5 points. Avoiding alcohol can reduce blood pressure as well. Excess alcohol -- more than one drink a day for women or more than two drinks a day for men -- is particularly likely to increase blood pressure, so cutting down or stopping helps reduce blood pressure.

Combining all of this advice can reduce the risk of requiring medicines by almost half. Additional treatments, such as meditation and stress reduction, further reduces blood pressure and the need for medication. However, some people, even if they do everything right, can still benefit from medication, which can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke when appropriately given to patients.

VETERANS POST  

by Freddie Groves

Home Loans for Native American Veterans

A VA-backed home mortgage is currently in the neighborhood of 5.5% for a 30-year loan, and a refi is approximately 6.63%.

Unless you qualify as a Native American or are married to a Native American. Then, starting in March and for the next 24 months, a home loan can be had with a mortgage interest rate of 2.5% through the Native American Direct Loan program (NADL). The loan can be to either buy, build or improve a home.

The fine print has important details, of course. “Native American” includes Native Americans, native Hawaiians, Alaska Natives and Pacific Islanders under the Native American Programs Act of 1974, which includes American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas and Guam. The home must be on federal trust land, and the tribe must have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the federal government.

On an individual level, you’ll need the typical COE, a certificate of eligibility. You can get an application at www.va.gov. Look for VA Form 261880. If you’re uncertain about your eligibility, you can call the VA at 877-827-3702.

To qualify for a VA home loan, you’ll need a decent FICO score, the higher the better. Somewhere between 580 and 640 should be enough, depending on the demands of individual lenders. Ideally, you’ll have a good debt-to-income ratio.

You’ll also need to meet the minimum service requirements. Different time periods require different lengths of service, ranging from 90 to 181 days to 24 months.

You won’t need to make a down payment or pay private mortgage insurance (PMI), although you might be required to pay the funding fee. (Sometimes you can roll this into the loan amount and not pay it out of pocket.)

If you have an existing NADL and the interest rate is 3.5% or more, you’ll be able to refinance at the new 2.5% rate.

For info about the NADL, call 888-349-7541. You can also go online to www.benefits.va.gov and search for Native American Direct Loan (NADL).

* * *

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.

M.D.

-- by Jim Miller

Tips and Tours for Traveling with Grandchildren

DEAR SAVVY SENIOR: My husband and I are thinking about taking our two grandkids on a big trip this summer and are looking for some good ideas for helping us plan. Can you recommend some travel companies that offer special travel tips and packages for grandparents traveling with youngsters?

-- Doting Grandma

Dear Doting: Grandparents traveling with just their grandchildren has become a growing segment of the multigenerational travel industry. Not only is this type of travel fun, it’s also a terrific way to strengthen generational bonds and create some lasting memories.

To help you with your traveling aspirations, there are a number of travel companies today that offer specialized grandparent/ grandchildren and multigenerational trip

packages. This is a nice way to go because they plan everything for you with most activities together, but some just for adults so you can get an occasional breather.

Available in various trip lengths and price ranges, these tours are designed for children, typically between the ages of six or seven up to 18, and are usually scheduled in the summer, or sometimes during winter breaks when the kids are out of school. Here are some top tour companies to check into that will take you and your grandkids on a fun, well-planned vacation.

Road Scholar (RoadScholar.org): This well-established not-for-profit organization has offered educational travel to older adults since 1975. They currently offer 83 different programs geared to grandparents and grandchildren. About 75 percent of the grandparent trips are domestic; 25 percent are international.

Some of the many popular trip destinations include the U.S. National Parks, Washington D.C., Canada, France, Italy, Iceland, Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands. The average cost per person per night is around $265 for domestic trips, $365 for international.

Intrepid (IntrepidTravel.com): An adventure travel tour operator that offers “grandparent holiday” tours that bring together the young and the young at heart. They offer 35 one and two-week tours in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East, as well as in Alaska and Wyoming. To find these trips, go to Intrepidtravel.com/us/theme/family/ grandparents

Leaving

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Bermuda, or other areas of the Caribbean by land or sea, grandchildren 15 and under will need certified copies of their birth certificates. And if your grandkids are 16 or older, or you’re traveling to these locations via air, passports will be required.

Tauck (Tauck.com): This is a large tour operator that offers 19 foreign and domestic multigenerational trips called Tauck Bridges Family Tours. Some of their most popular trips are Costa Rica, the European riverboat cruises, and the Cowboy Country, which tours you through Wyoming and South Dakota.

Smithsonian Journeys (SmithsonianJourneys.org): They offer 10 different family journey trips to Iceland, New Zealand, Italy, Greece, Japan, Ireland, Costa Rica, South Africa, Yellowstone and a Rhine River cruise.

Journeys International (JourneysInternational.com): They offer customized multigenerational trips primarily to Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific.

Grandkids Travel Documents

Depending on where you go and your mode of transportation, you’ll need to gather some documents for your grandchildren to make sure everything goes smoothly. In general, most travel experts recommend you bring a notarized travel consent form (letter of permission from the parents), and a medical consent form in case any emergencies or problems arise. Also bring copies of insurance cards.

If you’re traveling domestically, you should know that airlines and trains don’t require any form of ID for children under 18. But if you’re traveling to Mexico, Canada,

DUE:

If you’re traveling overseas, all children, even infants, must have a passport. Some countries also require a visa for entry, and vaccinations may be required in some cases. Before booking a trip, check the U.S. Department of State’s website at Travel. State.gov for country-specific information

5:00 Please review carefully. Double check:  Phone Number(s)  Spelling  Office: 760-320-0997 email: valleybits@msn.com Fax: 760-320-1630 Contact your Tidbits representative immediately with changes or corrections. FREE The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read of Coachella Valley Published by: AdVenture Media For Advertising Call (760) 320-0997 valleybits@msn.com Property of AdVenture Media, Inc. Phone: 760.320.0997 Fax: 760.320.1630 valleybits@msn.com All Rights Reserved

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by Anne McCollam Creators News Service

Legend Has Some Holes

Q: This is a photo of a secretary desk that I have. It was purchased from a friend in 1974 for $75. It is walnut, has the original finish and, with the exception of a few small scratches, it is in excellent condition. It is in two parts and the finial at the top can be removed. In the cubby holes, there are two hid den drawers that can be pulled out. It has ball and claw feet and the original pulls. I plan to give it to one of my children and would like to know more about its his tory, age and value. I hope you can help.

A: Your secretary is a Colonial Revival desk that was made in the early to mid-1900s. It is often called a “Governor Winthrop” bookcase/secretary.

According to legend, John Winthrop, the first governor of Massachusetts, had a desk like yours. The fact is the drop front design was not seen until around 50 to 100 years after Governor Winthrop existed. Some historians attribute the “Governor Winthrop” to the Winthrop Furniture Company in Boston. A Colonial Revival secretary debuted in 1924 and they dubbed the new model the “Governor Winthop.”

Today similar Governor Winthrop secretaries are selling anywhere from $700 to $1,200.

Q: This mark is on the back of a plate that belonged to my great-grandmother. The

Puzzle Solutions

plate measures approximately 12 x 6 inches and is in mint condition. It is decorated with a hunting scene. There is one woman riding a horse and four men also on horseback and a boy standing on a fence.

We plan to keep the plate in the family and pass it down to the next generation. Anything you can tell us about the manufacturer, where it was made, its age and value will be greatly appreciated.

Buffalo Pottery has been located in Buffalo, New York, since 1901.

A: Buffalo Pottery made your plate and they have been located in Buffalo, N.Y., since 1901. The pottery was owned and operated by the soap manufacturer, the Larkin Company. They were a mail-order business and produced pottery to give as premiums to their customers.

Your plate is an example of their Deldare line relish dish that was produced from around 1907 to 1925. Deldare was decorated with transfer print designs against an olive-green background. The scene you described is one of their Fallowfield Hunt scenes and titled “The Dash.” The date of manufacture is 1909 and is included in the mark you sent.

Similar Deldare dishes are selling in the range of $500 to $600.

* * *

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

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

* On April 24, 1895, merchant captain Joshua Slocum, the first person to solo circumnavigate the globe, began his groundbreaking voyage out of Boston on the sloop Spray. His return to the States three years later went almost unnoticed, due to the earlier outbreak of the Spanish-American War, but the trip was immortalized in his 1900 book “Sailing Alone Around the World.”

* On April 25, 1792, French highwayman Nicholas Jacques Pelletier became the first person to be executed by guillotine after stealing a man’s wallet and killing him. The anticipated large crowd that witnessed his death was dissatisfied with the process, feeling it was too swift, even calling out, “Bring back our wood gallows!”

* On April 26, 2010, “Boobquake,” a rally inspired by blogger Jennifer McCreight that aimed to protest news reports of controversial beliefs blaming “immodestly dressed” women for causing earthquakes, took place with an estimated 200,000 people participating worldwide.

* On April 27, 1992, Baroness Betty Boothroyd became the first woman to be elected Speaker of the British House of Commons in its 700-year history. At the time, there were just 60 women in the 651-member House. A former professional dancer, she earned a reputation for fairness and impartiality over the course of her career, even issuing reprimands “with good humor and charm.”

* On April 28, 1789, the HMS Bounty was taken over in a mutiny led by master’s mate Fletcher Christian. Captain William Bligh and 18 of his faithful supporters were set adrift in a small boat but managed to navigate a journey of 4,000 miles over 42 days to safety without a single loss of life.

* On April 29, 1945, the U.S. Seventh Army’s 45th Infantry Division liberated the Dachau concentration camp. Some of the soldiers were so horrified by conditions there that they gunned down at least two groups of captured German guards.

* On April 30, 1927, Hollywood couple Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford were the first celebrities to officially leave their handprints and footprints in concrete at Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood.

(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

What do you call somebody who stops using an illness-treating substance? A medicine dropper.

"Okay, enough of your budget golf idea. Now let's either head back to the country club or l'm going home."

Governor Winthrop Secretary made in the 1900s.

of the World.” Hartford’s location on the Connecticut River and near the Atlantic Ocean was conducive to merchant and trade traffic.

• As trade thrived in Hartford, merchants became worried about the risk of fire at their warehouses. In 1810, a group of merchants set up the Hartford Fire Insurance Company, with the group contributing $15,000 toward the set-up. Policies were offered across the nation – Abraham Lincoln insured his Illinois home with the Hartford Fire Insurance company. The Aetna Company followed in 1819, with the name chosen in reference to Sicily’s volcanic mountain, which, “though surrounded by flame and smoke is itself never consumed.” Life insurance policies were introduced in 1820.

• New Orleans is considered the birthplace of jazz and Dixieland music, which perhaps contributed to the city’s nickname “The Big Easy,” because early-20th-century musicians were able to find work very easily there. Some also claim the label refers to NOLA’s lenient attitude toward alcohol consumption during Prohibition. New Orleans is also called “Crescent City,” referring to the course of the Mississippi River around and throughout the city. During the 1930s, it also became known as “The City that Care Forgot,” indicating the easy-going, carefree temperament of the locals.

• The Pilgrims were introduced to a favorite dish of the Native Americans in the 1600s. The Natives were cooking beans with maple syrup, venison, and corn, and the meal became a recurring one for the settlers. When merchants brought molasses to the Massachusetts area, the Pilgrims began baking beans for hours in the sweet, sticky syrup, a delicacy that came to be known as Boston baked beans, and leading to the city’s nickname of “Bean Town.” In the early 1900s, the tourism slogan was, “You don’t know beans until you come to Boston.” Even the city’s baseball team latched onto the name, calling themselves the Boston Beaneaters (although they later became the Braves). □

Game Changers

by Jason Jenkins

STAN SMITH’S TENNIS CLASS

Long Equals Long

Lag putting is an essential part of the game that can either add or subtract strokes from your score each round. Controlling the speed on long putts can be more important than how accurate your read or aim of the putt had been. Hitting the first putt inside a makeable range should be the goal for most golfers when the putt is outside thirty feet.

A good finish should have the left leg straight, the right thigh up close to the left leg, the right foot up on the toe, and the upper body arching back slightly. The trick is that the hips are now “tucked under” the upper body or the stomach is pushed forward. Many beginners, or players who don’t have good core strength, will finish with their hips pushed out behind their upper body. Learn to correct the finish by tucking the hips under or pushing your belt buckle forward in order to feel the correct position. Good leg work will assist in correct hip positioning as well.

One of the common mistakes seen in the long putting game is a belief that that backstroke is short or the same length for all putts. This re stricted backstroke leads to an attempt to overly “accelerate” the putterhead through impact to create proper speed. This can be a very inconsistent and difficult way to control long putts.

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When I work with a lot of beginning to intermediate players, the finish position requires extra attention. The body is contorting into an unusual position and needs to be balanced to be effective. Advanced players take the finish position for granted, especially when it comes to the small arch in the lower back.

Top players strive to achieve balance in the backstroke and follow through for any putt, especially the longer ones. Therefore, the longer the putt, potentially the longer the backstroke and follow through.

Tuck It Under

Game Changers

By creating a more pendulum like swinging of the putter, speed is created easier through momentum and keeping a brisk tempo to each putt. Allow the wrists to give a little with long strokes so that the putter can swing freely without a rigid looking arm movement.

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