Vol. 19: #13 • Muscle Cars • (3-26-2023) Tidbits of Coachella Valley

by Kathy Wolfe

Gentlemen, start your engines! It’s time for Tidbits to rev up some facts about our favorite muscle cars of the 60s and 70s -- those marvelous vehicles from back in the day when Detroit auto makers competed to out-do each other with mighty machines that added power, speed and classy flash to give their proud owners status on the streets!

• The classic muscle car era was from 1964 to 1974, although some would argue that it ended in 1971 when the manufacture of high compression engines with high horsepower torque ceased. Originally, these hot cars weren’t called “muscle cars,” but instead were referred to as “Supercars.”

• The term “muscle car” usually applies to two-door cars with rear wheel drive, high performance V-8 engines, dual exhaust and Hollywood mufflers, all directly aimed at the testosterone chemistry of young males, those eager buyers of that era who could cough up the sticker price in the $3,000 to $4,000 range.

1. AD SLOGANS: What company advertises its clothing with the ad slogan, “Quality never goes out of style”?

2. SCIENCE: What is the tallest grass in the world?

3. MOVIES: What is the name of the camp in “Friday the 13th”?

4. GEOGRAPHY: What is the term when two water streams join to form a larger stream?

5. INVENTIONS: What is Tim Berners-Lee credited with inventing?

6. ANATOMY: Where are the quadriceps located?

7. LITERATURE: Which poet wrote a six-volume biography of President Lincoln?

8. TELEVISION: Timothy Lovejoy is a minister on which animated TV series?

9. ANIMAL KINGDOM: Yaks are native to which region?

10. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Before he was elected president, which of the founding fathers attended the coronation of Napoleon at Notre Dame Cathedral?

Answers

PEOPLE WORTH REMEMBERING

1. Levi’s.

He was a man ahead of his time, creating cars with features like no one had before. Follow along as Tidbits explores the life of this visionary carmaker, who some refer to as last century's Elon Musk.

• Infatuated with automobiles at an early age, Preston Tucker learned to drive when he was 11. At 16, he began flipping vehicles, buying cars, repairing them, and re-selling. As a teen, he secured a job as a mail messenger at General Motors in Detroit, wearing roller skates to speed up his duties. At 20, he was working on the assembly line at the Ford Motor Company, while running his own gas station and selling Studebakers on the side.

with the wheels to improve visibility around corners, disc brakes, independent springless suspension, and self-sealing tubeless tires. His doors curved into the roof for more head room on entry and exit.

• Tucker incorporated many safety features including a padded dash, all instruments within the diameter and reach of the steering wheel, a roll bar within the roof, a laminated windshield designed to pop out during an accident, as well as seat belts and a chassis that protected occupants in the event of a side impact. He called his creation the Tucker Torpedo, later to be known as the Tucker 48 sedan.

• Tucker obtained an enormous factory in Chicago, a former aircraft engine plant where Cyclone engines for B-29 Superfortress aircraft had been manufactured.

ADVERTISING PROOF

• The Tucker 48 was unveiled in an extravagant ceremony and a colossal marketing campaign in 1947. The sedan resembled a rocket ship with its swooping fenders and six exhaust pipes. Investors and dealers were enthusiastic and signed on. Tucker raised over $20 million through the sale of stock and franchises. He also had the idea of raising funds by selling accessory add-ons, such as radios and seat covers.

• Tucker became a full-time car salesman for Stutz, Chrysler, and Dodge, and then as regional sales manager for Pierce-Arrow, followed by the presidency of a Packard dealership. He was building race cars for Ford in the 1930s, but with the advent of World War II, he turned to inventing, creating and manufacturing gun turrets for Navy ships.

• Tucker returned to his love of cars post-war, with the goal of building his own automobile company. His design ideas were ingenious and futuristic, including a rear-mounted engine made from modified helicopter engines, a third “Cyclops Eye” center headlight that turned

• But the company was in financial straits from the beginning. Tucker was selling dealerships and stock before the car was ready for production. More than 2,000 dealers had bought into the company that had no cars at the time, with the cost approaching $30,000 for the franchise. Stock was sold to the public. It was then that the Securities and Exchange Commission stepped in and launched an investigation in May 1948. It was their claim that it was never Tucker’s plan to build any cars, although by this time 51 cars had already been manufactured.

• With the SEC’s allegations, the stock price plummeted, investors were lost, and the dealership owners began filing lawsuits to recover their money. The factory was closed down on the very day that Tucker’s trial for stock fraud began. After a lengthy trial, Tucker was ultimately proven not guilty, but sadly, the damage was already done.

• Tucker died at age 53 in 1956, and in 1988, his story was told in the movie “Tucker: The Man and His Dream,” with Jeff Bridges in the starring role. Tucker’s once-sprawling factory is now the corporate headquarters of Tootsie Roll Industries, along with the Ford City Mall with 135 store units.

2. Bamboo.

3. Camp Crystal Lake.

THE PONTIAC GTO

• There’s some debate as to which was the first muscle car, but many enthusiasts agree that it was the 1964 Pontiac GTO. With its 389-ci (6.3 L) V8 engine, it could go from 0 to 60 in 5.7 seconds. Its namesake was the Ferrari 250 GTO, which stood for Gran Turismo Omologato, although some claim it stood for “Grand Tempest Option,” since the GTO option could be added to the Pontiac Tempest hardtop, coupe, or convertible for $295.

• Other GTO nicknames included The Goat, The Tiger, and The Great One. While GM expected sales of 5,000 the first year, GTO sales went beyond their wildest imagination with 32,450 cars. In 1966, the GTO was made a model of its own, setting a highest-ever sales record for a muscle car.

OLDS 442

• Oldsmobile’s response to the success of the GTO was the 442, an option package added to the Olds F-85 coupe for $285 or to the betterequipped Cutlass for $136. The 442 derived its name from its 4-barrel carburetor, 4-speed manual transmission, and dual exhausts. With its 310-horsepower engine, the 442 reached 60 mph in 7.5 seconds. Although the car handled better than the GTO, the sales were nowhere near the Pontiac numbers. Oldsmobile failed to market the 442 properly to young buyers as a fast hot rod as Pontiac had done, and sales were a dismal 2,999 units.

CHEVY CHEVELLE

• The first Chevelle rolled off the assembly line in 1964 and was produced for 13 years in ten different plants, eight in the U.S. and two in Canada. 1969 was the best year for sales numbers of the Chevelle. In the 1960s, the base model

price was $1,500, but with added options, such as trim, the price could inch up to around $2,500. In the late ‘60s, Chevy manufactured a Canadian version known as the Acadian Beaumont, with a different grille and trim.

• The 1970 Chevelle was the one to have! It had the most powerful engine available, with the 454-ci engine at 450 HP. The SS396 was 1970’s highest-produced muscle car, at 53,599 units. The SS454 LS6 model had 560 HP, 100 HP more than the other options, but could only come in as the second-fastest of the year, behind the Cuda, which weighed 500 lbs. less.

BUICK GSX

• Buick released the GS in 1965 as an option on its existing Skylark. The “Gran Sport” was a luxurious, comfortable, high-performance vehicle that used the full-size 401-ci V8 engine. About 16,000 were sold the first year. In 1968, Buick dramatically changed the look, with a reduction in wheelbase of 3 inches and 4.4 inches of overall length.

• The 1970 Buick GSX had a 455-ci engine, one of the most powerful muscle cars, and a special package that added front and rear spoilers, body stripes, upgraded tires, and heavy-duty suspension. The GSX was only available in Saturn Yellow or Apollo White. Only 678 were built, making them a rare collectible.

PLYMOUTH ROAD RUNNER

• The 1968 first generation of the Plymouth Road Runner was based on one of Plymouth’s success stories, the Belvedere. Richard Petty had won 27 NASCAR Grand National races in a 1967 Belvedere. Plymouth scaled back the amenities on the Road Runner to keep it under $3,000. There was no carpeting, air conditioning, trim, radio, cruise control, or bucket seats. Those options were available at a premium. It was the cheapest -- and the fastest! While Plymouth had sales expectations of 20,000 in the first year, the company was delighted when sales reached 45,000 units, third behind the GTO and the Chevelle in overall national sales.

• The Warner Brothers Road Runner cartoon was in fact the inspiration for the car’s name, and Plymouth paid dearly for the privilege of using the name and likeness -- $50,000. What would a Road Runner be without a horn that made a “meep-meep” sound? Plymouth paid an additional $10,000 for that license.

• Under the hood, the Road Runner had a 383-ci

V8, but offered the option of a 426-ci Hemi V8 for an additional $714. Out of the 45,000 cars sold, 840 buyers opted for the Hemi to leave Wile E. Coyote in the dust!

Muscle Cars: (from page one) by

• One year after its debut, the 1969 Road Runner was “Motor Trend’s Car of the Year.” One of the rarest muscle cars in the world is the 1969 Plymouth Road Runner convertible. There were only 10 made!

DODGE CHARGER

• The Dodge Charger was introduced in 1966, with production of just 37,300 units. With the roof sloping into the trunk’s tail, it was the largest fastback model available, and was nearly

Muscle Cars: Turn to page 15

QUIZ BITS

1. What pony car had a "Pierre Cardin" designer option?

2. The 1970 Oldsmobile Rally 350 came in only one color, Sebring ____?

(Answers page 16)

1.What’s

NUGGETS OF KNOWLEDGE

The

1970. All of the 1965 Shelby GT350s were painted Wimbledon White, but other colors, including blue, red, green and black, were added to the 1966 models.

1.VERNALEQUINOX

2.CROCUS

high-performance variant of the Ford Mustang, the Shelby Mustang was manufactured by Shelby American from 1965 to 1967, and by Ford from 1968 to

off for the cook.

SET THE TABLE

By Lucie Winborne

* Did you dislike Brussels sprouts in your youth? Turns out they don’t taste the same nowadays, thanks to Dutch scientist Hans van Doorn, who figured out which compounds in the sprouts made them bitter, then helped begin the work of selecting seeds that would produce more palatable results.

* The first gun was made in 1,000 AD in China.

* While ostriches can’t fly, no bird on Earth can match their speed on land, since they can not only sprint at up to 43 mph, but cover more than 10 feet in a single stride.

* A 50 by 50 foot area of healthy lawn generates enough oxygen to supply a family of four.

* Every year, 1.2 million students drop out of school. That’s 7,000 dropouts every day, or one every 26 seconds.

* Notorious gangster and bank robber Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd endeared himself to the American public by destroying mortgage papers at the banks he held up, freeing a lot of folks from their debts.

* The First Gulf War in 1991 technically never ended. There was just a ceasefire. The U.K. used that legal loophole to justify entering the Second Gulf War in 2003.

* In 2000, Sony invented a movie critic named David Manning and used his fictional quotes to promote the company’s movies. The ruse backfired when Sony ended up paying over $1.5 million to moviegoers in a class action lawsuit and over $300,000 to the state of Connecticut, where “David Manning” supposedly worked at a small weekly paper. ***

Thought for the Day: “Go out on a limb -- that’s where the fruit is.”

(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

Will Rogers

by Mary Hunt

What to Do When You’re Too Tired to Cook

If money is leaking out of your household and you aren’t quite sure where it’s going, I have an idea: fast food. Busy households mean tired parents, and that can easily result in getting takeout two or three times a week. Does anything here sound familiar?

I know you’re going to think this is nutty, but it really works. Set the dinner table for the next day before you go to bed at night. I learned this from Emilie Barnes, author of “More Hours in My Day” (Harvest House). Waking up to a nicely set table sends a silent message that dinner is important; we eat around a table, not in front of the TV. And it will help you to start thinking about dinner long before you run out of steam. Hint: Even a five-year old can learn to set a table, so delegate.

SHINE THE SINK

by Mary Hunt

The last thing you need is for someone to tell you to get a grip and plan ahead! So I won’t. Instead, I’m going to tell you what worked for me when I was in somewhat your situation (two boys 17 months apart, self-employed, debt-ridden) and a few things I’ve learned since.

FIVE-MENU ROTATION

Come up with five simple menus you know your family will eat, one for each night of the week. These don’t have to be gourmet or anything fancy at all. Example: Monday: Spaghetti, salad and bread. Tuesday: Meatloaf, baked potatoes, green beans, and so on.

WEEKEND DINNERS

Ask your spouse to handle one weekend dinner and give it a name like Daddy’s Delicious Dinner, or let the kids give it a title. That leaves one family fun night or some other reason to order in pizza.

Post your weekly menu on the refrigerator. Now everyone knows what to expect, including you. This will simplify your grocery shopping, too. As the children get older and you get more courageous, you can expand your repertoire, but for now stick to the five-menu rotation.

DOUBLE UP

Once you have your base menu, as you are able and have sufficient ingredients, double the recipe. Example: Meatloaf. (By the way, I have the world’s best meatloaf recipe for you at EverydayCheapskate.com/meatloaf. Seriously, even the biggest meatloaf hater will beg for seconds, it’s that good.) It takes the same amount of time and effort to double the recipe to make two. Bake one for tonight’s dinner, freeze the second for next week. See where I’m going here? Time

Thank you, Marla Cilley, author of “Sink Reflections” (Bantam), flylady.net. Before you go to bed, clear out the sink of everything (either wash the dishes or load them in the dishwasher), scrub, rinse well and then shine it with a towel. Five minutes to a new attitude. There really is something magical about waking up in the morning to an empty, clean and shining sink no matter what condition the rest of the house is in.

DAYS ARE LONG, YEARS ARE SHORT

Surely, there’s no more difficult job in the entire world than parenting young children -- and nothing more rewarding. Make dinnertime an anchor in your day now while your kids are young, and the tradition will come back to bless you as they get older. Even though they’ll never tell you, dinnertime will become something they know they can count on in an otherwise uncertain world. Enjoy these precious days and take it from me: It gets easier! * * *

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.”

“Auto racing began five minutes after the second car was built.” -- Henry Ford

PONY CARS

• Although we often refer to several familiar automobiles as “muscle cars,” in actuality they were “pony cars,” which were shorter in length, lighter in weight, and with long hoods.

• Although Ford is given the credit for the first pony car with its 1964 Mustang, the Plymouth Barracuda was actually released on April 1, 1964, 16 days ahead of the Mustang. Pony cars leaped in popularity because they were sporty and affordable. The base price for the 1964 Mustang was $2,368.

• The 1964 Barracuda was really just a redesigned fastback version of the Plymouth Valiant, and was in fact known as the Valiant Barracuda until 1966. The feature that distinguished it from the original Valiant was its huge wraparound rear glass window, the largest piece of glass ever

used on a production car. By 1966, traces of the Valiant were being phased out and the Barracuda fish logo was introduced. In 1967, the bubble top window was gone, along with all signs of the Valiant.

• The Plymouth 426 Hemi Barracuda was named the fastest vehicle of 1970, with a 13.1-second quarter-mile at a speed of 107.1 mph. The 426ci, 425-horsepower car could be purchased for around $6,000 in 1970. The car is considered a classic today and the collector value has skyrocketed. At a 2014 Mecum auction, one 1970 Cuda was sold for $3.4 million.

• The Barracuda wasn’t much competition for the Mustang, with Mustang outselling the Plymouth 8 to 1. General Motors jumped into the ring with the 1967 models, introducing the Pontiac Firebird and the Chevy Camaro. The Camaro came first, hitting dealers’ lots on September 29, 1966.With a price tag of $2,600 to $3,500, Chevy logged sales of 220,000. The Rally Sport included hideaway headlights, backup lights under the rear bumper and a special trim molding package. In 1967, Chevy introduced its first Z28 with its distinguishing stripes on the trunk and hood, the most expensive of the Camaro coupes, starting at $3,273. Only 602 were built that first year.

The Jav became a serious contender in the pony car field, particularly in the racing world. Then in 1968, AMC debuted the AMX, a two-seater car touted as an alternative to Chevy’s higherpriced Corvette. It was the company’s attempt to change its image from plain economy cars to high-performance vehicles.

• The AMX was based closely on the Javelin, but about 12 inches shorter, with a wheelbase one inch longer than the Corvette. With a base price of $3,245, it was $1,000+ less than the price of the Corvette. Sales of the AMX never took off, and in 1971, the AMX name was transferred to the higher-performing Javelin. □

PROOF

Final Changes DUE: 5:00

• Mercury’s contribution to 1967 ponies was the Cougar, with a base price of $2,851, $390 more than the Mustang. Its wheelbase was 3 inches longer than the Mustang, providing more legroom, better suspension and sound insulation, resulting in a smoother and quieter ride. 151,000 were produced, and it ranked third in sales behind the Mustang and the Camaro. “Motor Trend” tagged the debut Cougar as its Car of the Year.

• Pontiac’s response to the Mustang, the Firebird, debuted in February 1967, coinciding with the release of the Mercury Cougar. The Firebird was a little heavier pony car, a little more luxurious, and more expensive. It was the creation of GM exec John Delorean, who had been tasked to come up with a vehicle that could compete with the other muscle cars. It was an immediate hit. The iconic Firebird decal that appears on the hood was created in 1970, but it wasn’t used until 1973. Nicknamed the “Screaming Chicken,” the decal option was an extra $55.

• Mustang sales were extraordinary in 1966, 607,000 cars, but with the competition from GM, sales dropped dramatically to 472,000 in 1967 and 317,000 in 1968.

• American Motor Cars produced the Javelin from 1968 to 1974, as their answer to the Mustang.

• Running your business successfully means making smart decisions. Make your advertising choice a wise one.

• An ad schedule in Tidbits means you reach a whole new audience that doesn’t see your advertising in the Desert Sun or in other valley publications. Plus, our lower Cost Per Thousand advertising rates save you money!

• Extensive valley-wide distribution in over 600 newsstand locations - including Wal-Mart neighborhood markets and Walgreens stores, restaurants, medical offices, and more!

• Over 70,000 faithful readers every week - cover to cover!

• Your 14 week ad campaign gets over 1 MILLION impressions!

• Survey results prove that 96.8% of readers notice and read the advertising in Tidbits (and you’re a perfect example)

by Dana Jackson

Q: I saw a picture in a magazine about Nancy Travis having a new show. What is it about, and when will it air? -- K.A.

A: Nancy Travis’ breakout role came in the 1987 blockbuster hit comedy “Three Men and a Baby,” followed by its sequel three years later. It starred Tom Selleck, Ted Danson and Steve Guttenberg. She would go on to co-star with Danson in “Becker,” one of Danson’s many hit sitcoms. She’s a talented comedic actress who has made the most out of playing the wife in sitcoms like “The Bill Engvall Show” and “Last Man Standing.”

While she hasn’t received any Emmy Awards or even nominations during her successful career in Hollywood, in recent years, she’s found herself on a critically acclaimed show called “The Kominsky Method.” The comedy series, where Travis played an acting student, won a Golden Globe Award in 2021, but alas, that was after she departed the show in 2019.

Next up for Travis is the new western family drama series “Ride,” which should be a surefire success on the Hallmark Channel. According to Deadline.com, Tiera Scovbye (“Riverdale”) plays a former rodeo queen struggling to find her place in a powerful family led by a “tough-as-nails family matriarch” (played by Travis).

Also joining the cast are Beau Mirchoff (“Good Trouble”), Sara Garcia (“The Flash”) and Jake Foy (“Designated Survivor”). Filmed in gorgeous Alberta, Canada, “Ride” will premiere on the Hallmark Channel on Sunday, March 26 at 9 p.m. ET.

Q: I really love the show “Young Sheldon,” but realize it can’t go on forever. How old is the actor who plays the lead role? -- J.K.

A: The CBS sitcom “Young Sheldon” is in its sixth season and has one more left on its contract with the network. It could be renewed beyond that time, but even the show’s executive producer, Steve Holland, has admitted he has to start thinking about its conclusion sooner rather than later.

Both the character of Sheldon Cooper and his portrayer, actor Iain Armitage, are 14 years old. The precocious Sheldon has already entered college and will eventually become the genius played by Jim Parsons on “The Big Bang Theory,” which

aired on CBS for 12 seasons. I would bet that seven seasons will be enough to wrap up the show while still maintaining the same level of comedy since its debut, but nothing is set in stone yet.

***

Q: When is “Only Murders in the Building” returning for a new season? The first two seasons were so good, so I hope the next mystery is just as compelling and hilarious. -- L.A.

A: Hulu, the streaming service that carries “Only Murders in the Building,” recently released a teaser of the show’s upcoming season with a very special addition to the cast -- three-time Oscar winner Meryl Streep. She joins the cast of the critically acclaimed series in its third season, and surely she’ll fit right in with Steve Martin and Martin Short as they stumble into another murder mystery. Paul Rudd (“Quantumania”) also returns after his cameo in the season two finale.

On Aug. 8, look for the two-episode season premiere on Hulu.

* * *

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. Scream VI (R) Courteney Cox, Melissa Barrera

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

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

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

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

3. 65 (PG-13) Adam Driver, Ariana Greenblatt

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

4. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (PG-13) Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly

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

5. Cocaine Bear (R) Keri Russell, Alden Ehrenreich

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

6. Jesus Revolution (PG-13) Kelsey Grammer, Kimberly Williams-Paisley

7. Sing (PG) animated

7. Champions (PG-13) Woody Harrelson, Kaitlin Olson

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

8. Avatar: The Way of Water (PG-13) Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana

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

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

9. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (PG) Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek

© 2017 King Features Synd., Inc.

10. Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre (R) Jason Statham, Aubrey Plaza

Good Recipes from Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie

This recipe from our sister publication Woman’s Day gets to the heart of what makes pot pie so good: the creamy chicken filling. It’s so absolutely tasty, you can skip the puff pastry altogether and just serve it with some crusty bread on the side, if you prefer.

1/2 cup dry white wine

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Kosher salt and pepper

4 medium carrots

2 stalk celery

1 onion

1 1/2 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs

1 sheet frozen puff pastry

1 egg

1 cup frozen peas

3 tablespoons fresh dill sprigs

1. In a 5- to 6-qt slow cooker, whisk together the wine, flour, 1/2 cup water, and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper.

2. Add carrots, celery, onion and chicken, and toss to combine. Cook, covered, until chicken is cooked through and easily pulls apart, 6 to 7 hours on low or 4 to 5 hours on high.

3. When the chicken has 30 minutes left to cook, heat oven to 4000 F. Cut puff pastry into 8 rectangles and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush with the egg and bake until puffed and golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.

4. Gently fold peas and dill into the chicken and vegetables and cook, covered, until heated through, about 3 minutes. Spoon into bowls, sprinkle with additional dill if desired, and top with the puff pastry. Serves 4.

GH’s Classic Brownies

3/4 cup butter or margarine (1 1/2 sticks)

4 ounces unsweetened chocolate

4 ounces semisweet chocolate

2 cups sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

5 large eggs, lightly beaten 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1. Heat oven to 3500 F. Grease 13-by-9inch metal baking pan.

2. In 3-quart saucepan, heat butter and chocolates over medium-low heat until melted, stirring frequently. Remove saucepan from heat; stir in sugar and vanilla. Add eggs; stir until wellmixed. Stir flour and salt into chocolate mixture just until blended. Spread batter in pan.

3. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick

inserted 2 inches from edge comes out almost clean. Cool in pan on wire rack.

4. When brownie is cool, cut lengthwise into 4 strips, then cut each strip crosswise into 6 pieces. Makes 24 delicious brownies.

* * *

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

By John Allen

Brett Koth

Donald

Tidbits Word Search

Cody’s

Corner

Dog Talk with Uncle Matty

By Matthew Margolis Creators News Service

The Thrill of the Chase

From where the dog sits, there’s not much that beats the thrill of the chase. It’s in their blood -the prey drive, the chase instinct. It’s an urge once based on survival, one passed on from the dog’s early brethren: the wolf.

But times have changed. For the African spotted dog, also known as the painted wolf, the chase is still wrapped up in the kill, or survival. For your dog and my dog, the thing most likely to be killed by the chase is your dog or my dog.

As humans, we are blessed with the ability to connect dots, to weigh possibilities, to foresee consequences. And yet so many of us fail to consider the consequences of our dogs running loose in an increasingly close and crowded world.

It’s thought that hundreds of thousands of dogs are killed on U.S. roads every year. Liberal estimates reach a million. Some of these dogs were strays. Some were even wild. But many were chasing balls tossed by their owners, or taking advantage of an open front door, or freely wandering their neighborhood as they were permitted to do day after day.

I’ve known dogs who were permanently maimed by a run-in with a car. I’ve seen dogs hit by cars right before my eyes. One such dog was in an open garage with his owner when another dog on a leash, out for a run with his owner who was on a bicycle, trotted across his sightline. The scene was irresistible to the unleashed dog, and he ran smack into an SUV. The dog’s owner was in shock. The driver was hysterical. The dog was lucky. He survived. The other incidents I’ve witnessed did not turn out so well.

But it’s not just dogs who get hurt in these stories.

When people driving cars see dogs loose in the street, they swerve, they slam on their brakes, they do what they can to avoid hitting the dog. In doing so, they bring injury to themselves and others in the form of traffic accidents and collisions with joggers, cyclists, pedestrians and other animals on sidewalks or in intersections.

There have also been legal cases where a

Cody's Corner: Turn to Page 10

3. The Weekly “Brain Breaker”

SENIOR NEWS LINE

by Matilda Charles

Scam Messages on Cellphones

The scam artists never fail to come up with some new scheme to steal money from the many vulnerable seniors among us.

Somehow my cellphone number ended up on somebody’s hot list. Now I’m receiving daily text messages saying that my Amazon Prime account is about to be canceled for nonpayment -- unless I immediately click the link and give them my credit card number. Some of the messages say the account has already been canceled but I can get it back -- you guessed it -- by simply giving them my credit card number within an hour.

Thanks, but I don’t think so.

I’m on another phone list, this one claiming to be from Netflix. I called Netflix and no, my account is not about to be suspended. The representative assured me, “You’re on automatic pay. If somehow a payment isn’t made, it’s our fault for not processing it. Just hang up on them and hope they get caught.”

I have several accounts on auto pay, and

The Art of DESIGN

by Joseph Publillones

Doors

Doors and windows are said to be the eyes and ears of buildings. Doors are great communicators. When they are open wide, they mean welcome. When doors are opened slowly, they can cause anticipation. If they creek, a door can instill fear. A slammed door ... Well, it could mean someone is upset or someone is in a rush. Doors often create a first impression upon arriving at a place. Sometimes they let you see in to give you a glimpse of the inside, and sometimes they are solid to keep prying eyes at bay. Doors are a very important element in any building that defines the boundaries between the public and the private room, and even in between rooms. Their design can also serve as a prelude to the architecture and the decor inside.

Doors can be made of different materials depending on their use and location. They can be made of panels, wood (both solid or hollow styles) or veneered in exotic woods and painted in any color or finish, such as gloss or matte.

They can also be made of innovative materials such as stainless steel, aluminum and tempered glass -- or a combination of all of the above.

A solid door has the power to convey a solid construction, which is why many builders and homeowners don’t mind spending some extra cash on this particular item. Architects and designers also like to choose the largest door possible for your home, as it gives an impression of grandeur. Of course, you must keep it in proportion to the architecture and the size of the

I'm planning to get some others on the same payment plan as well.

Another good reason to switch to the auto pay plan is the horrid mail service lately. The Post Office can’t keep people, and the ones they do have are spread so thin that around here we’re lucky to get mail delivery three times per week. This means that bills are arriving several days late, and even if I send my payment in right away, they are too often getting there past the due date. This is costing me some aggravating late fees, which then get tacked on to my next month's bill.

If you’re getting those “you’re late” text messages on your cellphone, beware. Whatever you do, don’t accidentally touch the link in the message. It will take you to a website that looks real but is fake. And just connecting to it can download a virus on your phone and allow them to pirate your private information. Take your time and back out carefully, being sure you have deleted the text message.

Do not try to contact the scammers to ask to be taken off their list. It only verifies that yours is a good number and it will be sold to others.

If you want to report these scams, you can do so at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

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.

home.

A plain design on the door can serve a utilitarian function, while a more ornate or embellished door can symbolize the entrance to an important space.

Those that follow feng shui know that the positioning of the door has a lot to do with the well-being of those that live in the home. They also believe that a red front door brings good fortune and is a sign of welcome. Americans also believe in the color red as a positive force, which explains why there are so many churches and homes with red doors.

The hardware selected for doors throughout your home is equally important. Traditionally, doors have been hinged, allowing the doors to swing open and shut. The current trend that is being used more often is a derivative of a pocket door; it is a hangling sliding door with surface mounted hardware reminiscent of an old barn door. These floating doors have quite a contemporary appeal, and the hardware can be quite slick, in materials like stainless steel and titanium.

The cleaning and maintenance of your front door is equally important for the health of your home and your family. It is believed that a regular cleansing of the front door is beneficial physically and spiritually for your home. This maintenance will make sure to take away dust and dirt that can harbor bacteria and illnesses. It is also a good practice to open doors periodically to allow fresh air into your home. It also represents to your neighbors that you are open to friendship. Just make sure that your door doesn’t slam!

* * *

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.

Cody’s Corner (from page 9) loose dog chased a person into the street, and that person was then hit by a car. It is the owner, not the dog, who is sued -- and possibly charged -- in those instances. For most of us, being the cause of the death of a person is a huge burden to shoulder, regardless of whether the offense is determined punishable by law.

And being the cause of the death of your own dog is no easier to bear. When a domestic dog is killed by a car, it almost always could have been prevented.

To dramatically increase the odds that you’ll never have to feel the painful regret that comes with losing a dog this way, take these simple steps:

--Add a screen door to any doorway that opens to a road or unsecured area.

--Secure any yard the dog spends time in with a fence he cannot jump over or otherwise get around.

--Keep your dog on a leash whenever he isn’t inside your home or in a secure yard. If his leash attaches to a collar, make sure the collar fits properly: loose enough to breathe comfortably, but not so loose that he can slip out of it.

--Teach your dog the “stay” and “place” commands. “Place” should be a good six feet from the door.

In Africa, the chase still has its place. Out of Africa, the chase, wild and unbounded, is better gone to the wolves.

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.

by Tom Margenau

Change Is Nothing New to Social Security

I continually remind my readers that they shouldn’t worry too much when they read or hear reports of Social Security’s imminent collapse. Once Congress works up the nerve to deal with the issue (and once the American people accept the fact that the program needs reform), they will get around to passing amendments to the Social Security laws that will keep the program solvent for generations to come. And this will really be nothing new.

Almost every year since the Social Security Act was passed in 1935, there have been amendments to that original law. Many years, they are simply minor technical adjustments. But some years, they include major changes to the program. Here is a brief summary of how the Social Security program has evolved over the years:

THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT OF 1935

The original law provided benefits only for a retired worker aged 65 or older.

THE 1939 SOCIAL SECURITY AMENDMENTS

Even before the first monthly benefits were paid in 1940, these amendments added many provisions to the original law. They included benefits for a dependent wife 65 and older and for the minor children of a retiree. They also added the first survivors benefits: for a widow aged 65 or older; for the minor children of a deceased worker; for a widowed mother of any age caring for those children; and for dependent parents of a deceased worker.

THE 1950 SOCIAL SECURITY AMENDMENTS

Congress must have realized the 1939 amendments were sexist because this year they added benefits for a dependent husband of a retired woman and for a dependent widower aged 65 or older. They also provided benefits for a retiree’s dependent wife of any age as long as she was caring for his minor child. And for the first time, Congress realized that not all marriages last forever. They included benefits for a divorced widowed mother caring for the minor child of a deceased worker, but only if she was married at least 20 years.

THE 1956 SOCIAL SECURITY AMENDMENTS

These amendments added a major new Social Security program: disability benefits. This first law offered monthly benefits only for disabled people over age 50. But in a few years, disability benefits were made available to people of all ages. Provisions were also added to pay monthly benefits to disabled adult children of retired, disabled and deceased workers. And for the first time, Congress recognized that not all senior citizens wanted to wait until age 65 to claim benefits. Initially, they offered earlier benefits only to women. They provided reduced retirement benefits for women between ages 62 and 64 and reduced spousal benefits for dependent wives and widows between ages 62 and 64.

THE 1961 SOCIAL SECURITY AMENDMENTS

Finally, Congress authorized reduced re-

tirement benefits to men. These changes also provided for reduced benefits for dependent widowers between ages 62 and 64.

THE 1965 SOCIAL SECURITY AMENDMENTS

For the first time, benefits were offered to divorced wives if they were at least 62 years old and if they had been married for at least 20 years. (The 1950 amendments had provided benefits only for divorced widows.) The 1965 amendments also added the Medicare program. But Medicare is NOT a Social Security program, and an entirely separate funding mechanism was established for these health care benefits, so I am not including Medicare changes in the rest of this column.

eliminated. Also, for the first time, Social Security benefits became taxable.

1996 SOCIAL SECURITY AMENDMENTS

The earnings penalty provisions were eliminated for anyone over full retirement age and were liberalized for people between age 62 and the FRA. Provisions in these amendments also led to the “file and suspend” and “restricted application” loopholes in the law -- discussed ad infinitum in this column. Those loopholes were closed several years ago by yet more amendments to the law.

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* * *

Final Changes DUE:

THE 1972 SOCIAL SECURITY AMENDMENTS

The concept of a “delayed retirement bonus” was added for the first time to offer an incentive to workers who wait to file for retirement benefits until beyond age 65. Over the years, this bonus has been liberalized.

THE 1977 SOCIAL SECURITY AMENDMENTS

Congress closed a big loophole in Social Security law. A Social Security retirement pension had always offset any spousal benefits a retiree might be due on a husband’s or wife’s Social Security record. But folks getting non-Social Security retirement pensions (like many teachers and government employees) were still able to get such spousal benefits. Congress changed the law to treat teacher and government pensions in the same way as Social Security retirement pensions. Also this year, the length of marriage requirement for divorced spouses was lowered to 10 years.

1983 SOCIAL SECURITY AMENDMENTS

When these changes were implemented, the Social Security system was much closer to insolvency than it is today. These amendments bumped up the retirement age from 65 to 67. A minor tax increase was implemented, and Social Security benefit payments to children over age 18 were

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 Colossians is in the a) Old testament b) New testament c) Neither

2. Who hid 100 prophets in a cave when Jezebel was trying to kill them? a) Achan b) Obadiah c) Rachel d) Rahab

3. In Revelation 21:1's vision, what will not exist in the world to come? a) Sky b) Mountains c) Sea d) Darkness

4. What is the only animal/creature in the Bible that tells a lie? a) Donkey b) Dove c) Camel d) Serpent

5. In which book is the phrase, "The nations are as a drop of a bucket"? a) None b) Numbers c) Isaiah d) 2 Kings

6. Which city was famous for its fallen walls? a) Jericho b) Corinth c) Derbe d) Capernaum

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

© 2019 King Features Synd., Inc. © 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

Men With Factor V Leiden Can Still Receive Testosterone Therapy

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have Factor V Leiden, but I have been wanting to do testosterone replacement therapy. I have heard that testosterone causes blood clots. Obviously, with FVL, that would be a huge deal for me. Is this true? Does it cause clots, or is it safe for me to do? --

R.C.

ANSWER: Factor V Leiden is a common genetic variant that increases a person’s risk for developing a blood clot. However, a person who has never had a blood clot, but who is identified as heterozygous (meaning they only have one copy of the gene) for factor V Leiden, is still not likely to have a blood clot during their lifetime and is not recommended for treatment to prevent a blood clot.

Testosterone replacement therapy in men with FVL does increase the risk of blood clots in some studies, but not in others. In the studies that have shown an increase in risk, the risk has been estimated as approximately one person per thousand treated with testosterone each year. However, the risk occurs mostly during the first three months, and after two years on treatment, there is no additional risk. Thus, roughly one man per 500 who has FVL and gets treated with testosterone will get a clot, according to the studies that show an increase in risk.

This is a small risk, but a blood clot is a significant potential problem. So, the risk of getting a clot should certainly go into the discussion about whether to give testosterone replacement to a man with FVL and symptomatic low testosterone levels. Most of the men I have seen with this issue have elected to take the replacement. ***

is that MCTs are not likely to prevent them, but they may be useful at slowing progression of the disease in people with existing dementia.

I want to emphasize that the benefit appears to be small. Of course, there aren’t any treatments right now (not even the prescription medications for Alzheimer’s disease) that dramatically improve Alzheimer’s, so MCTs may be worth trying. They are generally well-tolerated and can be taken as a powder or an oil, but may cause nausea or diarrhea in a few people who take them.

Dr.

VETERANS POST  

by Freddie Groves

Stand Downs for 2023

Stand Downs for 2023 are gearing up across the country, with more to take place as the weather warms up.

Stand Downs are one-, two- or three-day events for homeless veterans with varying services offered, depending on the length of the event.

A location might have services ranging from medical screenings and dental care, benefits counseling (this can be for Department of Veterans Affairs, Social Security and food stamps) and legal advice, to housing assistance, clean clothing and showers, job search help, haircuts, substance abuse referrals/recovery and much more.

A wide variety of government agencies, individual groups and veteran service organizations are on hand at each event to provide help to homeless veterans who attend. Some of those groups and agencies include Department of Labor, community service providers, VA medical centers and more.

To see the schedule for this year, go to www.va.gov/homeless/events.asp and either filter by date or state. More will be added as time goes on, so check back if there’s nothing in your area right now. You can also check the site for the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (nchv. org/current-stand-downs) for a list of 2023 Stand Downs.

If you find an event and know you want to participate, contact the people listed for that event. If you’ll likely need transportation, be sure to tell them and then keep in touch.

And if you can volunteer, sign up soon so event organizers will know how much help they’ll have. Can you cook? Can you drive to pick up participants for the event? Are you a barber? Any of those services and more will be welcome.

If you’re part of an organization and want to provide services, contact the nearest VA medical center and ask for the VA Stand Down point of contact. Depending on the services you propose to provide, your group might be eligible for a grant to help with costs.

FILLERPAGE2

2Q08-WEEK19

NEWSFRONTANSWERS TRIVIA

DEAR DR. ROACH: I would like to hear your views on the use of medium chain triglycerides (MCT) to slow down memory loss and dementia. Several articles I have read extol the biological process of MCTs, which -when ingested by an individual -- are quickly converted into ketones that provide energy to brain cells. It seems logical to provide such neurobiological support to brain cells, to help keep the brain working longer. -- K.J.W.

NEWSFRONTANSWERS TRIVIA

1.ErnieK-Doe

1.ErnieK-Doe

2.necessity

3.Loretta

VOLUNTEER DRIVERS NEEDED

MAY4-MAY10

2.necessity

3.Loretta

ANSWER: There is some evidence that MCTs slow progression of dementia in people with Alzheimer’s disease, although the degree of benefit seen was small. There is no evidence that ingesting MCTs will prevent a person from getting dementia in the first place.

4.DannyDeVito

4.DannyDeVito

5.CandyLightner

5.CandyLightner

Not every treatment that is used to treat a condition will be effective at preventing it. My opinion, based on what is known about what causes Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia,

PRESENTS

American Veterans (AMVETS) Post 66 in Palm Springs is seeking volunteer drivers. The drivers will drive a 9 passenger van known as the “AMVETS Express” from Cathedral City and Palm Springs to the Loma Linda VA Hospital and then return to the desert.

The driver will work one day per week. The van departs Cathedral City about 6:30 AM and returns to the desert in the afternoon of the same day. The van operates Monday through Friday.

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

Applicants for the position of driver do not have to be veterans. Applicants are required to study a training manual and pass a complete physical exam. The drivers cannot be over age 70. The drivers are volunteers and are not paid a salary.

2.Accordingtotheproverb,whatis“the motherofinvention”?

The AMVETS Express has operated since 2004 and it is the only free van transportation from the desert to the VA Hospital. Drivers are not permitted to accept tips from the passengers. The AMVETS Express takes homeless veterans and veterans who are having a mental health crisis to the hospital. We also transport many disabled veterans who cannot drive a car. For many veterans the AMVETS Express is the only way for them to receive their medical care. We transport about 22 veterans per month. Because we only have three drivers right now on some days we cannot operate for lack of a driver. To apply please call

Tom

Hernandez at (760) 324-5670. For

3.WhatwastherealfirstnameofAfricanAmericancomedienneMomsMabley?

ThrowMomma fromtheTrain

4.Whatfilmactorwantedto in1987?

* * *

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.

-- by Jim Miller

How to Appeal Medicare Surcharges When Your Income Changes

DEAR SAVVY SENIOR: Is there anything I can do to reduce my high Medicare premium surcharges? Because of my past income, I pay $329.70 per month for my Part B premium and $64.50/month for Part D, but I've since retired and my income has dropped quite a bit. Do I have any options for getting these costs reduced? -- Overcharged Andy

Dear Andy: If you’re getting hit with a higher premium for Medicare Part B and Part D and you think it’s unjustified, you can ask Social Security to revisit its decision and perhaps reduce your cost. Here’s what you should know:

Medicare Surcharges

Many retirees don’t realize that monthly premiums for Medicare Part B (coverage for doctor’s services and outpatient care) and Part D (prescription drug coverage) are based on your modified adjusted gross income from two years earlier. So, to determine your 2023 Medicare premium, Social Security uses your 2021 tax return. In those two years, however, your life can change in ways your 2021 tax return and current Medicare premium no longer reflect. Sometimes, those changes are enough to convince Social Security that your Medicare premium should be reduced.

Part B’s standard monthly premium in 2023 is $164.90 for individuals earning $97,000 or less; it’s $194,000 or less for joint filers. Anyone whose income exceeds those thresholds pays a higher premium, also

known as an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA), or surcharge.

The higher monthly premiums rise steadily from $230.80 to $560.50 through five income tiers. The same tiers apply to IRMAAs for Medicare Part D, with enrollees paying an extra $12.20 to $76.40 per month depending on their income.

About seven percent, or 4.4 million higher-income Medicare beneficiaries pay a surcharge on their monthly Part B and/or Part D premiums.

Reasons for Appealing

In certain situations, Social Security will recalculate your premiums – known as a redetermination – for Part B and Part D, particularly if the agency based the cost on a tax return that was later amended.

Appeals Council and finally to the federal district court where you live.

For more information on the premium rules for high-income beneficiaries see SSA. gov/benefits/medicare/medicare-premiums.html

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Otherwise, there are seven life-changing events that qualify for a redetermination if they hurt your income: marriage, death of a spouse, divorce or annulment, reduced work hours or retirement, involuntary loss of income-producing property, the loss or reduction of some types of pension income, and an employer settlement payment because the company went bankrupt or reorganized.

How to File a Claim

Final

To ask Social Security for a redetermination, you’ll need to complete Form SSA44 (SSA.gov/forms/ssa-44-ext.pdf) and include supporting documents, such as the death certificate for a spouse or a letter from a former employer stating that you’re now retired. If you filed your federal income tax return for the year that your income was reduced, you will also need to provide a signed copy.

A decision usually takes a few weeks, but if you had one of the events that Social Security considers life-changing, you should win the appeal. In that case, Social Security will reimburse you for the additional premiums by adding it to your benefit one month. If you are on Medicare but haven’t started collecting Social Security, you should see a credit on a future invoice.

If your request for a redetermination is denied, there are three additional levels of appeals you could try: to the Office of Medi care Hearings and Appeals, to the Medicare

“BEFORE YOU slip

When You Need a Helping Hand

provides security and safety in your bath, or any other area in your home. We provide professional installation and a selection of styles and finishes.

• Extensive valley-wide distribution in over 600 newsstand locations - including Wal-Mart, Walgreens, and Revivals, as well as restaurants,

for your business. Your ad in

can help you get there.

by Anne McCollam Creators News Service

Sewing Machine Hums

Q: Enclosed is a photo of a sewing machine that belonged to my great aunt. It was converted from a hand crank to electric around 1950. Marked on the machine are the words and the patent dates “The Singer Manufacturing Co. -- Patented Oct 7, 1879 -- July 6, 1880, Sept. 18, 1887 -- July 18, 1887.” It still works.

Can you tell me something about my sewing machine?

jug and an egg cup. The dishes have a graywhite background and the designs are turquoise and black. Each piece has a hot air balloon in the design.

I was wondering if my set is collectible. Any any information you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

Eric Ravilious created his Travel series for Wedgwood.

A: Wedgwood made your Windsor Gray set in Etruria and Barlaston, England around 1950. It was designed by artist Eric Ravilious. His travel series featured different types of travel. He also created other dinnerware sets and commemorative pieces.

During World War II, he was designated as a war artist. In 1942 he failed to return from an air-sea mission off the coast of Iceland. Because of war regulations, many of his designs were not produced until the 1950s.

Your set was made around 1950 and would probably be worth in the $300 to $500 range.

* * * 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

A: I.M. Singer and Edward Clark established I. M. Singer and Company in 1851. The name was changed to the Singer Manufacturing Company in 1865. The gold design on the machine is a decal and features an Egyptian sphinx. The decal is fragile and should only be cleaned with gentle cleaners. Modern cleaners can harm the decal and greatly diminish the value.

Many sewing machines were made in Elizabeth, N.J. Singer made the first zigzag machine and the first electronic machine. Currently, the Singer Company is located in Tennessee.

Your sewing machine was made around 1900 and would probably be worth $250 to $350.

Q: This mark is on a tea service from my home in England. Also included in the mark are the words “Travel -- Designed by Ravilious.” The set includes a tea pot, two cups and saucers, two cereal dishes, a milk

Puzzle Solutions

Even though both beasts of burden are covered in dense fur, that one is the harrier carrier.

TRIVIA

Mae C. Jemison, who flew on the space shuttle Endeavour, appeared as Lieutenant Palmer in an episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation."

* On March 27, 1909, fingerprint evidence was used to solve a murder case for the first time. The world’s first official Fingerprint Bureau had already been created in Scotland Yard in 1901, while the first Fingerprint Bureau debuted in Calcutta, India, in 1897.

* On March 28, 2000, racial tensions showed no signs of abating in the African country of Zimbabwe as President Robert Mugabe pushed forward with his plan to remove Zimbabwean farms from white ownership. The latest death occurred when a white farmer was shot by squatters occupying his land.

* On March 29, 1943, Americans who had already been subjected to the rationing of gasoline were given books allowing them to purchase only set amounts of meat, cheese, butter and cooking oils per month as well.

* On March 30, 2011, Peru welcomed the return of hundreds of Inca artifacts with a lavish ceremony after they’d been out of the country for nearly a century. The items were taken from the ancient site of Machu Picchu and held at Yale University, prompting the Peruvian government to launch an extended campaign against the school, insisting the artifacts had only been on loan.

* On March 31, 1943, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s first musical, “Oklahoma!” (originally titled “Away We Go”), debuted on Broadway. Based on the 1931 play “Green Grow the Lilacs” by Lynn Riggs, the beloved theatrical staple about a young farmgirl named Laurey and her two suitors continues to be produced across the country.

* On April 1, 1999, David Smith was arrested and charged with originating the “Melissa” email virus, which infected more than a million computers worldwide and caused more than $80 million in damage.

* On April 2, 1992, mob boss John Gotti, aka the “Teflon Don,” was finally convicted in New York of racketeering, murder, obstruction of justice, hijacking, illegal gambling, extortion, tax evasion and loan sharking, thanks largely to the testimony of a former high-ranking Mafia member. Gotti received a life sentence without the possibility of parole, and died in prison in 2002.

c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

"We've been playing over two hours now and we're only on the fourth hole. Why don't you just admit that this 'Tournament in the City' thing is a very bad idea."

BITS: (D)

Singer Sewing Machine Company was founded in 1851.

Muscle Cars (from page 3)

two feet longer than the Mustang. Production decreased in 1967, with total production at 15,788. The price of the 1969 Charger was between $3,000 and $4,000, depending on options. Customers could add the solid-state AM/FM Radio for $134.95, with $15.15 added for a rear speaker. The addition of the 426 Hemi engine boosted the price by $648.20. Production soared to 104,978 for 1969.

CLASSY COLORS

• Besides added speed and performance, automakers looked for other ways to differentiate their products from the competition. Dodge was all about fancy colors on cars produced from 1969 to 1973. Their “High-Performance Colors” included Hemi Orange, Plum Crazy, Bright Green, Go Mango, Butterscotch, Green Go, Panther Pink, Citron Yellow, and the vibrant lime green color known as Sublime. Plymouth’s “High Impact Colors” for the same time period included Bahama Yellow, Rallye Green, Sassy Grass, In Violet, LimeLight, and the shocking pink color they called Moulin Rouge.

END OF AN ERA

• As the popularity of muscle cars soared in the early 1970s, insurance companies responded with a soar of their own. They boosted premium prices on any vehicle fitting the requirements of the term “muscle car” due to actuary statistics showing their high propensity for claims. Although a car retailed for $3,500 to $4,000, the insurance needed to cover it might cost up to a whopping $1,500 a year.

• Changes in the petroleum industry and new government restrictions on vehicle designs all contributed to the demise of the muscle car. Among them were stricter government emission standards, a change to unleaded gasoline that produced a drop in power ratings, and a fuel shortage that resulted in skyrocketing gas prices. Added to that was a lower speed limit, and increased safety regulations that required larger, heftier bumpers, all of which contributed to the decline of the muscle car era. But while all things must eventually come to an end, it was fun while it lasted. □

STAN SMITH’S TENNIS CLASS

Game Changers

by Jason Jenkins

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.

It can be quite difficult to make breaking putts where you have to aim more than a foot to the left or the right of the hole. It’s partly a guess on the line to take and then how hard to hit it on that intention. While many golfers will say that speed is everything, you’ll need a proper mix of line and speed to make those putts.

When practicing larger breaking putts, try dozen illustrated Start with be balls the You’ll ball how the and visualize entire putt you tion better and need putt. perfect keep in softer” less three range.

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.

Tuck It Under

42390 Bob Hope Drive Ste. 1B

760-797-8496

2. SCIENCE: What is the tallest grass in the world?

3. MOVIES: What is the name of the camp in “Friday the 13th”?

4. GEOGRAPHY: What is the term when two water streams join to form a larger stream?

5. INVENTIONS: What is Tim Berners-Lee credited with inventing?

6. ANATOMY: Where are the quadriceps located?

7. LITERATURE: Which poet wrote a six-volume biography of President Lincoln?

8. TELEVISION: Timothy Lovejoy is a minister on which animated TV series?

9. ANIMAL KINGDOM: Yaks are native to which region?

HOURS:

& Tuesday;

10. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Before he was elected president, which of the founding fathers attended the coronation of Napoleon at Notre Dame Cathedral?

GO FIGURE!

by Linda Thistle

1. Levi’s.

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:

2. Bamboo.

3. Camp Crystal Lake.

4. Confluence.

5. World Wide Web.

6. Thighs.

7. Carl Sandburg.

8. “The Simpsons.”

9. Tibet, China.

© 2023 King Features Synd., Inc. SERVICE, 32803 800-708-7311 EXT. 257 1. (B) New testament 2. (B) Obadiah 3. (C) Sea 4. (D) Serpent 5. (C) Isaiah 6. (A) Jericho