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January 28, 2013 Vol. 3, Issue 2

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The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read®

TIDBITS® GOES OUT

IN THE COLD! by Patricia L. Cook

In winter most areas of North America are dealing with cold weather. Some people love it; some hate it. In this Tidbits we will look at ice fishing and icebergs, as well as how you can be left “out in the cold,” and that has nothing to do with the weather! • Cold is defined as “having a relatively low

temperature; having little or no warmth.” Also, in regards to behavior or personality it can be: “lacking in passion, emotion, enthusiasm” or “not affectionate, cordial, or friendly.”

• If you’ve ever been in a situation where you were ignored, neglected or forgotten, you probably felt like you were “left out in the cold.” In this situation, the term is used as an idiom. This idiom originated in the 1800s in reference to someone who was left outdoors without shelter. Hopefully this doesn’t happen often!

• Many fishermen (mostly men, but there are women enthusiasts as well) love to drill through deep ice and wait for fish to bite! Ice fishing is a major winter past-time in Canada and northern states in the U.S. that are cold enough for thick ice. Some great advantages of ice fishing: not as many anglers trying to get your spot, fewer insects “bugging” you, and you’re not likely to perspire!

• Because Canada has long winters, it is no wonder that they have a lot of people who like to ice fish. It is home to the greatest number of participants in the sport. In the year 2000, Canadian anglers spent a combined total of 4,489,296 days ice fishing!

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IN THE COLD! (continued):• A small fishing village on the south shore of

Nova Scotia, West Pubnico, was named for the native Mi’kmaq word, Pombcoup, which means: “a hole that has been cut in the ice for fishing.”

• More than 60% of the fish Canadians catch beneath the ice are caught and released. They eat less than one third of their catch. They practice CPR: “catch, photograph, release!”

• Minnesota is nicknamed the “Land of 10,000 Lakes.” There are actually 11,842 lakes in the state that are 10 acres or larger (4 ha). With so many lakes and cold winters it is no wonder that ice fishing is a popular sport.

• Minnesota is known for its abundance of ice shelters set up on the state’s lakes. If you’ve ever flown into or out of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport you have probably noticed all of the dots on the lakes! Each year it is estimated that around 150,000 ice fishing shelters are set up. The state’s Department of Natural Resources estimates that about 30% of the fish caught in the state are caught when the lakes are frozen.

• Ice fishing is a risky sport and the depth of the ice is something to be taken very seriously. In 2009, over 100 people were stranded on the Great Lakes. They became stranded when ice broke away where they were fishing. The Coast Guard rescued all, however, one died in route to the hospital due to hypothermia. This life threatening condition occurs when body temperature falls below 95° F (35° C).

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1. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What does it mean to be polydactyl?

2. TELEVISION: What TV series produced a spin-off series called “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C”?

3. U.S. STATES: Which state has only one syllable in its name?

4. MUSIC: What did singer Art Garfunkel do for a living earlier in his career?

5. GEOGRAPHY: What U.S. city is nicknamed “Beantown”?

6. LITERATURE: In Greek tragedy, what does the tragic hero need to possess in order for the story to unfold properly?

7. GEOLOGY: What kind of rock can float?8. ENGINEERING: What is a girder?9. MEASUREMENTS: How long is a fortnight?10. RELIGION: Who founded the Church of

England?

Answers

(c) 2013 King Features Synd., Inc.

1. To be born with extra toes or fingers2. “The Andy Griffith Show”3. Maine4. He was a math teacher.5. Boston6. Hamartia, or a fatal flaw7. Pumice8. A beam, usually made of steel9. Two weeks10. King Henry VIII.

Wind up the final quarter of the Super Bowl with homemade ice-cream sandwiches. Not too

rich and not too fussy, this classic dessert direct from your freezer is easy to slice up in the last minute to bring on extra cheers from your home stadium.

A day or two before game day, your school-age kids can have a part in measuring, whisking, beating and spreading out the chocolate cookie dough on a jellyroll pan. When it’s baked and cooled, pick your favorite ice-cream flavor or one with a color that represents your team, assemble and freeze. Ready for the cooking kickoff? Here’s how to make the snack, starting with the cookie.

ICE-CREAM SANDWICH MINIS

• 1 1/3 cups unbleached, all-purposed flour

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda• 1/2 teaspoon salt• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa

powder• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room

temperature• 1 teaspoon vanilla• 2/3 cup milkFor the inside:• 1 1/2 quarts ice cream

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Cut parchment paper to generously fit a rimmed 11- by 17-inch jellyroll pan.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt and cocoa, and set aside.

3. With a mixer, cream the butter and sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add and beat in vanilla. Add 1/4 of the flour mixture and stir until just combined. Add 1/2 of the milk and stir until combined, then continue to add the flour mixture and milk alternately.

4. Spoon the thick cookie dough onto the pan and spread as evenly as possible to all edges. Bake 10 minutes or until toothpick in center comes out clean. Cool.

5. Loosen the cookie and invert onto a cutting board and peel away parchment. Cut the cookie in half horizontally and vertically to form four rectangles.

6. Let ice cream sit at room temperature until it is easy to cut and spread. Working quickly, slice and spread it evenly over two of the rectangles. (You may wish to have a different flavor on each one.) Top with remaining two rectangle pieces. Wrap both of the large ice-cream sandwiches with plastic wrap and freeze.

7. To serve, remove plastic and cut into serving portions according to taste. (I sliced mine with a large, sharp knife into 1- by 2-inch rectangles to yield 40 small servings.)

Extra idea: Think pink and make a batch with strawberry ice cream for Valentine’s Day.

***Donna Erickson’s award-winning series “Donna’s Day” is airing on public television nationwide. To find more of her creative family recipes and activities, visit www.donnasday.com and link to the NEW Donna’s Day Facebook fan page. Her latest book is “Donna Erickson’s Fabulous Funstuff for Families.”

Ice-Cream Sandwich Minis for Game Day(c) 2013 Donna EricksonDistributed by King Features Synd.

Call OwnerRick Pallante

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Q: After several days, I finally located the source of a mysterious leak along the inside wall of my basement. The flexible drain pipe from the back of my dishwasher cracked, so that water pours down the kitchen wall behind the cabinet. My dishwasher is pretty old, and I’m not sure I can find a replacement part. Should I just buy a new appliance? -- Bart C., Villa Rica, Ga.

A: Chances are, you’ll be able to find a similar-size replacement at your home-improvement store. And you can always check with the manufacturer, either through a phone call or via its website, to see if the part is still available.

At any rate, you don’t want the flooding to continue. Unplug the dishwasher (or turn off power at the circuit panel if there is no standard outlet) and gently slide it out of its cabinet so that you can access the hose. Disconnect the hose from the appliance and from the sink trap or garbage disposal, depending on how it was installed. Take the hose to the home-improvement store

By Samantha Mazzotta

Replacing a Leaky Dishwasher Hose


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SUPPORT YOUR lOCAL ECONOMY

IN THE COLD! (continued):• It is imperative when ice fishing to get expert

advice. Knowing the area and the ice conditions can make the sport fun; not knowing can lead to disaster. It is recommended that ice thickness for someone fishing alone (not really advisable) be almost four inches (10 cm). For groups, where more are standing on the ice, the ice should be about 7.5 inches (18 cm). When vehicles are taken on the ice, which does happen in some cold climates, the ice should be 11-12 inches (28 cm).

• Icebergs are much thicker than the ice that freezes over lakes in the winter. Icebergs are chunks of ice that developed on land, then break off and float in a lake or ocean. The word “iceberg” originates from the Dutch “ijsberg”, which means ice mountain.

• Icebergs are found in all shapes and sizes, from very small pieces to ice islands that can be the size of a small country. The term “iceberg” actually refers to ice larger than 16 feet (5 m) in diameter. Smaller icebergs are known as growlers and bergy bits. Even though they are smaller, they are harder to spot and therefore very dangerous for ships.

• Even though most icebergs are found floating

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to find a comparable size and length. (Don’t purchase a shorter length, by the way. The hose needs to be set up so that its middle part is higher than the inlet/outlet connections.)

Connect the new hose, first to the sink trap or garbage disposal, then to the dishwasher outlet. Plug the dishwasher back in (or turn on the circuit). Place a piece of plastic along the floor under the outlet and under the sink trap connection, then run the dishwasher empty for a full cycle and monitor for leaks from the connections. If you detect any, adjust the connections until the leak stops.

Once the leak is fixed, take a close look at the floor and wall behind the dishwasher as well as the basement ceiling, and note the location and extent of water damage. Damp drywall and flooring may dry without issues, but materials that get repeatedly soaked can develop a mold problem. If you detect mold, the affected drywall or ceiling should be cut out and replaced; flooring may not need replacement, but does need to be treated to remove mold.

HOME TIP: Avoid cleaning a dishwasher’s interior with bleach or products containing bleach, as it could break down seals and other components.

Send your questions or tips to [email protected], or write This Is a Hammer, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.

continued on page 5

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in oceans of salt water they are made of pure fresh water. Most of the icebergs on earth are found in the frigid waters surrounding Antarctica and in the northern Atlantic Ocean. Most icebergs originate near the west coast of Greenland.

• “Iceberg Alley” is the name given to an area from Baffin Bay, off the west coast of Greenland where many massive icebergs break into the water, to the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador on the east coast of Canada. The Newfoundland and Labrador area is known as the Iceberg Capital of the World.

• Approximately 90% of the icebergs that are in the waters near Newfoundland and Labrador originated from the glaciers of western Greenland. They are among the fastest moving icebergs in the world. Even so, by most standards, the four miles (7 km) per year that they tend to move seems slow. It takes an estimated two to three years for the massive icebergs to cover the 1600 nautical miles (2963 km) and reach the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. If icebergs reach the Atlantic Ocean before melting, they melt rather quickly in the warm waters.

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Sweet green pepper and corn added to seasoned chunks of sirloin beef up this Super Bowl stew from Country Living magazine.

• 2 1/2 pounds boneless beef top sirloin steak• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil• 2 medium onions, chopped• 3clovesgarlic,finelychopped• 1 can (28-ounce) tomato sauce• 1 tablespoon chili powder• 1 tablespoon ground cumin• 2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves• 1 teaspoon salt• 2 medium sweet green peppers, cut into 1-inch

squares• 1 package (10-ounce) frozen whole-kernel corn• Corn tortilla chips (optional)

1. Trim off any fat from sirloin and discard. Cut sirloin into 1-inch cubes.

2. In heavy 6-quart saucepot, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Add half of sirloin cubes. Saute until pieces are browned on all sides -- about 5 minutes. Remove sirloin to a bowl; repeat to brown remaining sirloin cubes.

Texas-Style Chili

3. Add remaining tablespoon oil to saucepot; add onions and saute until soft and translucent -- 5 to 7 minutes. Add garlic and saute 1 minute. Return browned sirloin and any juices to saucepot.

4. Stir in tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, oreg-ano and salt. Heat chili to boiling over high heat; reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 1 hour, stir-ring occasionally.

5. Stir green peppers and corn into chili mixture. Cook 30 to 45 minutes longer or until meat and vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.

6. To serve, stir chili and ladle into soup plates. Garnish with tortilla chips, if desired, or keep chili warm up to 2 hours over very low heat for guests to help themselves as desired. Serves 8.

•Each serving:About400 calories, 17g total fat(0g saturated), 108mg cholesterol, 974mg sodium, 19gtotalcarbs,4gdietaryfiber,44gprotein.

(c) 2013 Hearst Communications, Inc.All rights reserved

Transistor RadioQ: I understand that transistor radios have become collectible. I have a Coronet “King” pocket radio with two transistors. I have been offered $50 for it. -- Stan, Granite City, Ill.

A: Take the money and run. Your radio, working and in reasonable condition, is worth about $20.

***Q: I have Cabbage Patch dolls, reindeer from McDon-ald’s, Tonka toys, old books and other items. I need to know the values of these items so I can sell them. -- Dorothy, Cortland, N.Y.

A: I suggest you do some research into current values by visiting antique shops and malls in your area. Find a dealer and see if he or she will help you. Most deal-ers are more than willing to share their expertise, but don’t waltz into a shop with a long list expecting them to price each item. It won’t happen.

If that is what you need, you should hire the servic-es of a good, certified appraiser. I also think current price guides would be helpful. You can find some of the better ones at www.amazon.com. In this sluggish economy, finding buyers and getting top dollar will be difficult.

***Q: I have a Decca recording of Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas.” I have been offered $25 for it. Should I sell the record or keep it? -- Paul, Davenport, Iowa

A: By all means, sell it. Your recording is worth only a couple of dollars. Millions of copies were sold, and it is not rare. Incidentally, it is interesting to note that one of our most popular Christmas songs was written by a Jewish composer, Irving Berlin, while he soaked up the warm sunshine one winter poolside at a resort in Phoenix.

***Q: I have a copy of the Watkins Cook Book from 1938. Is it worth anything? -- Dolores, Platteville, Wisc.

A: The Watkins Cook Books often were given away by company representatives. A quick check revealed that most editions from the 1930s sell in the $10 to $25 range depending, of course, on condition. One of the better price guides is “Antique Trader Collect-ible Cookbooks Price Guide” by Patricia Edwards and Peter Peckham published by Krause. Check out the website www.OldCookbooks.com.

Write to Larry Cox in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to [email protected]. Due to the large volume of mail he receives, Mr. Cox is un-able to personally answer all reader questions. Do not send any materials requiring return mail.


• It was German-born theoretical physicist (and sometime philosopher) Albert Einstein who made the following sage observation: “An empty stomach is not a good political adviser.”

• According to research conducted at Rutgers University, graduate students who are studying business are more likely to cheat than students in any other field of study.

• You’ve almost certainly heard of Supreme Court Associate Justice Thurgood Marshall, the first black American to serve as such. You might not know, though, that he was known to call a court recess at 1 p.m. so he could watch the soap opera “Days of Our Lives.”

• Cheese has been around for a long time, and it can last longer than you may think. In Ireland 25 years ago, a hunk of cheese was discovered that dated back 1,700 years -- and it was still edible.

• If you’re like the average person, the hair on your head takes two to three months to grow 1 inch.

• At the 1904 World’s Fair in Saint Louis, it was particularly hot. An ice-cream vendor was doing so much business that he ran out of the cups in which he was serving the ice cream. He looked to the other foodsellers to see if they had any spare containers that would be useful, but he had no luck. Finally, desperate not to lose any more business, he bought some waffles from a nearby vendor and wrapped one around each scoop of ice cream as he sold it. The result was even more popular than ice-cream in a cup, and thus the ice cream cone was born.

• The most common surname in Germany is Schultz. ***

Thought for the Day: “Life is hard. After all, it kills you.” -- Katharine Hepburn

By Samantha Weaver(c) 2013 King Features Synd., Inc.

• After the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, near Newfoundland, the United States, Canada, and eleven other countries formed the International Ice Patrol. The patrol uses airplanes and radar to track icebergs that make their way into the major shipping lanes. The U.S. National Ice Center monitors icebergs larger than 5,400 square feet (500 sq/m) near Antarctica using satellite data. Icebergs are not just studied and watched to protect ships, scientists use them as tools for studying ocean processes and climate.

• A way that some inventive Canadians have chosen to use the abundance of icebergs floating in their waters is in creating vodka and other alcoholic spirits. The Iceberg Vodka Corporation, based in St. John’s Newfoundland, produces spirits “made from naturally pure 12,000-year-old icebergs harvested off the coast of Newfoundland.” They use Ontario-grown sweet corn in making their beverages as well. They also make Iceberg Rum and Iceberg Gin.

• The largest iceberg ever recorded was found near Baffin Island in 1882. Eight miles long and three miles wide (13 km long/6 km wide), its height above water was 65 feet (20 m).


Keep an Eye on That KidAnyone who’s ever tried out for a sports team knows the drill: You announce your intentions, fill out some paperwork, lift a few weights and maybe run around the block a bit, and then you report to a gymnasium.

Gymnasiums have that odd smell of scorched wood, burnt rubber, sweaty socks and sporty spice deodorant. The dusty, splintered bleachers are dotted with active parents, semi-interested cheerleaders, kids waiting to practice, tryout or get picked up by their ride. A guy with a whistle clad in a ridiculous outfit -- presum-ably the head coach -- is making people run “suicide” sprints. He mutters agitated asides to a younger, usually more nattily attired guy, who nods intermittently and scrawls something onto his clipboard.

People make like to make fun of the clipboard and the stereotype, but don’t kid yourself -- that clipboard holds an outsized role in the destiny of young men and women everywhere who aspire to be athletes. For at the end of practice, right outside the coach’s glorified ball storage space of an office, the clipboard hangs on a single, solitary hook. The joking in the locker room stops, there is a deep collective breath followed by an anxious silence that will only be punctuated by the oc-casional “yes!” from those who made the cut.

Outside the gym, cued in their cars and idling in the fire zone (for the purpose of this column, we assume the suburban position), waits the parent, friend or guardian. They suffer their own ordeal. Most are well past their playing days, but ask them and they’ll tell you that their anxiety is far more intense than they ever remembered it being when they were the ones competing.

The doors of the gymnasium open and the first wave of kids sprint out joyously. Many will be met with enthu-siasm and pride -- some will be cautious, urge them to practice harder, noting their work has just begun.

The cars remaining are filled with empathy, but at least the heat is on and it’s warm inside. Their kids walk sullenly to the car, and they don’t make eye contact. They slide into the car with a sigh and they don’t want to talk about it, because whatever you’re about to say about how trying counts, how the coach was wrong and how proud you are of them still sounds like everything they’ve ever heard said about losers before. They stare at the curb as they drive off in a plume of exhaust.

And that’s when they notice that one “clean-cut” kid still sitting on the steps, patiently waiting for his ride. More than one of the drivers wonders if he needs a ride or some help, checking their rearview mirror as they turn out of the lot. That kid puts his hands in his pockets and rocks slowly back and forth. He tells the coaches, always the last to leave, that he’ll be fine. Late -- as usual -- comes his ride.

Maybe the person picking that kid up doesn’t see what the others see -- but that kid? Keep an on him. He’s the one you’ll be watching for years to come.

Mark Vasto is a veteran sportswriter who lives in Kan-sas City.


TEA CUPSWhile many China cabinets and hutches contain tea cup collections in the homes of wealthy and not-so-wealthy North Americans, these fine breakables are not just for special occasions. Many homes around the world use their tea sets on a regular basis. • The reason most tea cups are considered “China,”

is that they originated in that country. The first tea cups did not have handles and were called tea bowls. Some of the early tea bowls used in Europe were more like deep saucers and were used so that the tea cooled quicker.

• Saucers, as we know them, to accompany tea cups did not appear until 1700. Tea cups with handles were not seen until Robert Adams came up with the idea in about 1750.

• The English embraced Mr. Adams designs. They thought tea bowls were messy and people often burned their hands on them. Robert Adams designed cups that were taller and wider than the base and the saucers he introduced, more flat like small plates, were welcomed as a place to let a hot cup rest. His designs quickly became the standard for what became known as the “English Tea Service Set.”

• Since the English started the tradition of putting cream and sugar in their tea, Mr. Adams also started designing tea pots, sugar holders,

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• On Feb. 8, 1587, after 19 years of imprisonment, Mary Queen of Scots is beheaded in England for her complic-ity in a plot to murder Queen Elizabeth I. Her son, King James VI of Scotland, accepted his mother’s execution, and upon Queen Elizabeth’s death in 1603, he became king of England, Scotland and Ireland.

• On Feb. 5, 1631, Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island and an important American religious leader, ar-rives in Boston. Williams alarmed the Puritan oligarchy by speaking out against the right of civil authorities to pun-ish religious dissension. In 1635, he was banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony by the General Court.

• On Feb. 6, 1917, a German submarine torpedoes and sinks the passenger steamer California off the Irish coast. The explosion of the torpedo was so violent that the 470-foot, 9,000-ton steamer sank just nine minutes after the attack.

• On Feb. 9, 1942, the Normandie, regarded by many as the most elegant ocean liner ever built, burns and sinks in New York Harbor during its conversion to an Allied troop transport ship. A welder accidentally set fire to a pile of flammable life preservers, and by morning the ship lay capsized in the harbor, a gutted wreck.

• On Feb. 10, 1957, Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the best-selling “Little House” series of children’s novels based on her childhood on the American frontier, dies at age 90 in Mansfield, Mo. In 1932, Wilder, then in her 60s, published her first novel, “Little House in the Big Woods.”

• On Feb. 7, 1970, Louisiana State University basketball star Pete Maravich scores 69 points in a game against Ala-bama, setting a Division I record that would stand for 21 years. He died of a heart attack at age 40 in 1988 during a pickup game of basketball in California.

• On Feb. 4, 1983, Karen Carpenter, a singer who long suffered under the burden of the expectations that came with pop stardom, succumbed to heart failure brought on by her long, unpublicized struggle with anorexia. She was just 32 years old.



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TEA CUPS (continued): cream/milk containers, and even matching tea

spoons. His sets were made from porcelain that was strong but looked beautiful and delicate. English porcelain tea cups have a translucent look when held up to a light.

• The Chinese still prefer to drink tea from pottery-ware. They use what is known as “purple clay” from the Yixing, Jianqsu, and Jinqdezhen regions of China.

• Chinese purple clay cups are thicker than most pottery and without handles. The thicker pottery protects hands from burns that are possible with thinner China cups.

• Japanese tea drinkers also use handle-less pottery or sometimes ceramic cups. They usually have hand painted designs with poems, flowers or even geisha girls. Some Japanese tea ware is made with innovative lids and strainers built into the cups.

• Middle Eastern countries enjoy tea in tea bowls or glasses. Tea glasses are preferred in Morocco. They are usually very festive and decorated with colorful artistic details.

• Tea in India is usually of the Chai variety and served in small glass tea cups or tea bowls.

• If you visit Tibet you are likely to be served their famous (or is it infamous?) yak butter tea. This different tea is not served using an English tea service but appears in a large tea pot and is usually poured and imbibed from wooden tea bowls.

• Russians embraced tea as a beverage in the early 1600s and it was a major part of a trade treaty with China establishing a border between the two countries. Russian tea service is centered on a massive tea vessel, called a samovar, similar to Tibetan pots used for yak butter tea. The tea is served in a glass that is placed in a silver (or other metal) holder called a podstakanniki. Tea and vodka are the most popular drinks in Russia.

• Wherever you travel it is likely that you will be able to order tea. It is one of the most popular drinks worldwide. The royal families of England were the ones who made tea services popular for formal and informal visiting. It was during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901) that the modern six piece tea sets were introduced to the public.


Social Security Goes Checkless

Social Security checks will soon become a thing of the past. Starting in March, allSocialSecuritybenefitswillbepaidelectronicallyorwithaDirectExpressdebit card.

If you’ve signed up since May 2011, whether for Social Security, government pension or veterans benefits, you’vebeen required to use the new system. If you signed up before that and are still receiving checks, you need to make a change -- quickly.

A big reason for the switch is that paper checks aren’t as safe as electronic payments. Checks can be stolen out of your mailbox, or before they even get that far. That’s not to say electronic payments are foolproof. If you become the victim of identity theft, scammers can get into your account and have payments to you sent elsewhere. (Remember that no one from Social Security will ever call you to ask for your banking information or Social Security number. If that happens, report it to the fraud hotline at 1-800-269-0271.)

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If you don’t want direct deposit to your bank, you can sign up to receive a Direct Express card. The benefitamount is added to your card, which you can then use to pay bills, get cash, make purchases and more. Most card-related activities are free, but some do incur a fee.

Your best bet is to go ahead and sign up for electronic payments. To get started, call Social Security at 1-800-333-1795 or go to your own bank. Online, go to www.GoDirect.org. Either way, you’llneedthefollowinginformationinhand:

--Your Social Security number

--The amount of your most recent benefitcheck,aswellas that12-digitcheck number

--Your bank’s routing transit number and the account type.

Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible. Write to her in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to [email protected].


The AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans carry the AARP name and UnitedHealthcare pays a royalty fee to AARP for use of the AARP intellectual property. Amounts paid are used for the general purposes of AARP and its members. Neither AARP nor its affiliate is the insurer. AARP doesn’t make individual recommendations for health-related products, services, insurance or programs. You are encouraged to evaluate your needs and compare products. Insured by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company, Horsham, PA (UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of New York, Islandia, NY 11749 for New York residents). Policy Form No. GRP 79171 GPS-1 (G-36000-4). In some states, plans may be available to persons eligible for Medicare by reason of disability. All plans may not be available in your state/area. Not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the Federal Medicare Program. This is a solicitation of insurance. An agent/producer may contact you. AARP and its affiliate are not insurance agencies or carriers and do not employ or endorse insurance agents, brokers, producers, representatives or advisors. Call to receive complete information, including benefits, costs, eligibility requirements, exclusions, and limitations.

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ARIES (March 21 to April 19) You might feel bolder as each new success falls into place. But caution is still advised through the end of the week. Until then, a step-by-step approach is best.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) That cooperation you re-quest could come at too high a price. Since few can beat the Bovine at being clever and resourceful, why not see what you can do on your own?

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Aspects favor a quieter time spent getting closer to the people who are espe-cially important to you. There’s always much more to learn and appreciate about each other.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) The concerned Crab will act to resolve workplace misunderstandings before they get out of hand and cause more-serious problems. Co-workers rally to support your efforts.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) What the Big Cat might see as a disturbing act of disloyalty might just be a failure of communication on both sides. Take time for mediation rather than confrontation.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Be more patient with those who seem unwilling to accept your version of what’s right. The fact is, there’s a lot more to learn on all sides of this issue.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) It should be easi-er to assess the facts you’ll need to make an important

decision. But don’t commit if you still have doubts. There could be more you need to know.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Your excite-ment level remains high as you continue working on that new project. Expect some setbacks. But on the whole, all will move pretty much on schedule.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) It might be wise to be more prudent with expenses right now. But your financial situation should soon clear up, and you could be back shopping, happily as ever.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) You might prefer sticking with your current schedule. But some newly emerging information could persuade you to consider a change. Keep an open mind.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) You might want to reject a suggested change. But it could be wise to go with the flow, at least for a while. You can always return to your first plan if you like.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) You’re bolstered by both the practical and poetic sides of your nature as you maneuver through some unsettled emotional situations. Things ease up by week’s end.

BORN THIS WEEK: People reach out to your generos-ity and wisdom, and consider you a trusted and trea-sured friend.(c) 2013 King Features Synd., Inc.

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Horseback Riding Is a Tough Sell

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I’m 11 years old and really want to learn to ride a horse, and maybe own one someday. How can I convince my mom that I’m ready to ride? She thinks I’ll get hurt. -- Erin in Ocala, Fla.

DEAR ERIN: I can understand why your mom is worried. Horseback riding carries the risk of injury from falls as well as getting kicked or stepped on. Even when you’re not riding, there are hazards in the vicinity of the riding area and stables to be aware of and avoid. It’s certainly not as safe as the community soccer league!

At the same time, I was 11 years old too, once, and I loved riding whenever I got the chance. Horseback riding never developed into a lifelong passion for me, but I was always grateful that my parents let me do it.

If you want to convince your mom to give it a chance, you’ll need to do your homework. Check out organizations like US Pony

TM



Clubs (http://www.ponyclub.org/), which focuses on helping kids learn how to ride and has chapters throughout the country (including several in Florida). Read up on the rules of conduct around horses and stables at sites like www.cowgirldiary.com or www.equisearch.com/horses_riding_training/.

You and your mom should go together and check out riding classes specifically for kids in your area. Talk to the instructor and watch a lesson to see if the class is right for you. Find out how long the course is and how much it costs. And finally, always wear your riding helmet.

Send your questions or comments to [email protected], or write to Paw’s Corner, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. For more pet care-related advice and information, visit www.pawscorner.com.

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ALWAYS FUNALWAYS FUN► “If you lose a contact lens, try turning off the lights and using a flashlight held perpendicular to the floor. They sort of reflect the light, and as you move the beam of light across the floor, it will flash. This has helped me many times. I am a little clumsy when I put my contacts in.” -- R.E. in South Carolina

► Here’s a great diet control tip: When serving dinner, portion out the meal, then pack up the leftovers right away. You won’t be as tempted to go back and have seconds, nor stuff a few more mouthfuls in when cleaning up later.

► “I have a medicine that I take with every meal. Surprisingly, it’s difficult to remember whether I took it already when I’m eating on the go or out with friends. I keep small containers in my purse labeled ‘lunch’ and ‘dinner,’ each with one pill inside. Before I eat, I look in the


container. If a pill is there, it means I forgot to take it. I refill the container when I get home and it’s ready for next time.” -- E.L in Texas

► “Last year, I had a large wall calendar at the office. It was a wet-erase calendar with the year on one side and a ‘planning space’ on the back. When the year was over, I needed a new calendar, but the blank side was still useable. I took it home and cut it to fit inside my kitchen cabinets. Now I have a handy space to jot notes and such.” -- R.W. in Colorado

► “Here’s a fun game for kids to play with cookies: Stamp alphabet letters into the top of mini cookies, or use a kebab skewer to write words. Then let the kids spell out their name or make sentences or silly phrases.” -- B.D. in Mississippi

Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475 or e-mail JoAnn at [email protected].



FAMOUS WOMEN OF THE WORLD:

QUEEN VICTORIAQueen Victoria holds the title of the longest reigning monarch in the United Kingdom. She ruled from 1837-1901; for 63 years and 7 months. The current queen, Queen Elizabeth II, has been in power for almost 61 years.• Born on May 24, 1819, at Kensington Palace

in London, Victoria was the only child of Prince Edward (Duke of Kent) and Princess Victoria Mary Louisa of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. Christened “Alexandrina Victoria” and called “Drina” by her family, the future queen’s formal name from birth was Her Royal Highness Princess Victoria of Kent.

• Queen Victoria’s father died when she was only eight months old. Her mother was very protective and she was taught at home. Her first language was German but she was taught to speak French and English when she was only three years old. (Later in life she also learned to speak Hindustani since she became ruler of India.) She studied history, geography and the Bible and was taught to play the piano and to paint.

• Victoria was the granddaughter of George III and inherited the throne from her uncle William IV. Her father was one of four sons of George III but since none of his brothers had legitimate children in line for the throne, she became William IV’s successor. Victoria was elevated to the throne at the young age of 18, with her coronation held a year later on June 28, 1838.

• When Queen Victoria was 21 years old she married German Prince Albert, who was her cousin. In her first years as queen her main advisers were her Prime Minister Lord Melbourne and her uncle, King Leopold of Belgium.

• After marrying Prince Albert, he became her major confidant and advisor. He helped her learn to rule in the constitutional role where the monarchy had much influence but the powers were mostly with Parliament.

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There are three things I don’t usually discuss: my age, my dress size and my physical fitness.

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Yes, I was out of shape and looked it. I wasn’t exactly a poster child for the anti-aging healthcenter that my husband, a vascular surgeon, and I operate in Bradenton.

It’s not like I didn’t know about the importance of staying fit. I’m a registered nurse.I know that after age 30, we lose 8 to 10 pounds of muscle a decade. For people over50 like me, it gets worse. The less fit we are, the more susceptible we are to a wholerange of ills, from bone thinning, hip fractures and diabetes, to cholesterol and bloodpressure problems.

It’s also not like I didn’t have good intentions. I mean, I had a gym membership. Buthere’s the thing: a gym membership really only works if you actually USE it. I never did.

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You read that right: 20 minutes a week. It’s done on special physical therapy equipmentunder the watchful eye of a personal trainer.

Like many people, I didn’t believe it at first. Then I met Virginia Phillips, who operates 20 Minutes to Fitness, the company that brought this form of fitness training to the

Sarasota area. She was my age, but had arm muscles that a 25-year-old would kill for.

So I tried it. (The first session was free, so what did I have to lose?) Long story short – I was hooked.

The results? Forget about the health benefits, which are certainly there. I can hit a golf ballfurther. My knees don’t creak. I feel great. I’ve dropped two dress sizes. (Yes, I wasn’t ALWAYSa size 4.) And how about this: I’ve got actual muscle definition in my arms. Yes, I can gosleeveless!

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Remember how great it felt to get 2 percent more in your paycheck two years ago when the Social Security tax was reduced? For 2011 and 2012, the rate for employees went from 6.2 percent down to 4.2 percent.

Now that 2 percent tax is back, and your paycheck will be 2 percent smaller. Even if you were lucky enough to receive a raise in the meanwhile, the price of groceries alone has followed suit. With 2 percent taken from your current paycheck, you’ll likely feel the pinch.

There are places, however, where you can find money to make up that 2 percent, and maybe more. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling has offered up a list of 10 suggestions for adding dollars back into your budget.

--Adjust your withholding. If you receive a tax refund every year, you’re essentially giving the government an interest-free loan. Adjust your deductions so you get more of that money in your paycheck. Use the worksheet at www.irs.gov.

--Pay with cash. You’ll save the interest and fees you would be charged using a credit card.

--Refinance. If you own a home, investigate whether refinancing will get you a lower monthly payment.

--Find $10 in each of 10 categories per month. Shave $10 off the grocery bill. Rent a movie

instead of going to a theater. Use the library instead of buying books. Turn down the thermostat one degree F. Take your morning coffee from home instead of stopping on the way to work.

--Do it yourself. Don’t pay for things you can do yourself, such as lawn mowing, house cleaning and easy interior projects such as painting.

--Change your habits. Don’t automatically buy weekly lottery tickets. Read newspapers online.

--Declutter, especially if you have a rented storage space. You’ll save the monthly fee, and if you sell the extra items, you can pocket that money, too.

--Get comparisons on all your insurance policies -- auto, home, life. Ask about discounts for combining policies or good driving.

--Check your bank statement for avoidable fees. Get enough cash so you don’t have to use non-network ATMS. If fees are not negotiable for other bank services, consider changing banks.

--Turn your skills into cash. Not everyone knows what you do, and others might pay for your abilities.

David Uffington regrets that he cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into his column whenever possible. Write to him in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send email to [email protected].


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DEAR DR. DONOHUE: This year I retired, at age 66. Since retirement I’ve been tormented with drenching sweats nightly. I mention the retirement because it’s the only thing in my life that has changed. Could there be a connection? I have to change my pajamas every night, and sometimes the bed linens. I feel well otherwise. I will appreciate anything you can tell me. -- D.D.

ANSWER: You and your doctor have to look for the rare but serious causes of night sweats. In the past, infections were the major cause, and tuberculosis headed the list of infectious causes. That’s no longer true. Diabetes, an overactive thyroid gland and cancers -- especially lymphomas (lymph node cancers) -- are other possible causes. It’s most unusual for night sweats to be the only sign of such illnesses. I can’t link your retirement to the problem.Have you taken your temperature at night? A normal temperature points to causes that are less indicative of something that has health consequences.

Medicines might provoke sweating. Antidepressants, some of the diabetes medicines and thyroid hormone are examples. Aspirin resets the body’s thermostat. When its effect begins to wear off, profuse sweating can result.

The following tips for controlling sweating are banalities, but they’re always mentioned. The heat and humidity of the bedroom have to be on the low side. Humidity of less than 40 percent is optimum.

If sweating isconfined toaparticularbodyarea,like the palms and soles, the face or the underarms, you have more treatment options. For generalized sweating, the choices are not as plentiful. Fans and air conditioners are another banal solution, but they often work. Some have found that Robinul (glycopyrrolate) or ProBanthine, each taken 45 minutes before going to bed, stop the production of excessive sweats.

***

Health Bits

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Can you give us some information on adult drooling? My husband, 87, is normal in all other ways, but cannot control his drooling. He won’t leave the house because of it. --E.K.

ANSWER: With aging, we have less-effective swallowing mechanisms. In our younger years, saliva is constantly, automatically and imperceptibly swallowed throughout the day. At older ages, it stays in the mouth, and its only exit is through the lips.

A second cause of drooling is the sagging of tissues around the mouth, another consequence of aging. The lips and mouth tissues cannot hold saliva in the mouth like they used to.

Readers have made good suggestions on how to combat this problem. R.M. suggests applying a dab of ElizabethArdenEightHourCreamtothecornersof the lips to create a dam that blocks salivaoverflow.Vaselineworkstoo.

Robinul (glycopyrrolate) and scopolamine, the patch used for prevention of seasickness, slow the production of saliva. But they can have other unpleasant side effects that make them less useful for this purpose.

Botox injections diminish saliva volume. Doctors can tie off some of the salivary ducts to achieve the same end. Start with the dam-building technique. It has no side effects and is inexpensive.

***Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.

(c) 2013 North America Synd., Inc.All Rights Reserved

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QUEEN VICTORIA (continued):• The British Empire became very powerful

during Queen Victoria’s reign. She ruled about one quarter of the world’s landmass and approximately one quarter of the world’s population; about 450 million people. The land under British rule was so large that many said “the sun never set on the British Empire.” It stretched around the globe from Canada to the Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand, Africa and India. India was considered the “Jewel in the Crown” and Queen Victoria was given the title of Empress of India in 1876.

• Queen Victoria’s long reign became known as the Victorian era: a time of great industrial, scientific, political, military, and trade advancement for Great Britain.

• The Queen and Prince Albert had 9 children and 42 grandchildren. The queen was called “Grandmother of Europe,” by managing the marriages of her children and grandchildren into other European royal families.

• When Prince Albert died in 1861, Queen Victoria mourned, rarely seen in public, for about ten years. Known as the “Widow of Windsor,” she wore black for the remaining 40 years of her reign. She was the last monarch of the House of Hanover.

• Her son, Albert Edward, became King Edward VII at her death in 1901. King Edward was the first monarch of the House of Windsor, which is still in power today. Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, are both great-great-grandchildren of Queen Victoria.

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