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JANUARY JUMBLEby Kathy Wolfe

Say “Welcome” to the new year by learning a little about some January commemorations you might not be familiar with. This week, Tidbits looks a few lesser-known celebrations. • January 7 is Harlem Globetrotters’ Day,

remembering the first game the famousbasketballteamplayedonthatdayin1927.They traveled 48 miles west from their ChicagohometoplayagameinHinckley,Illinois. The team was the brainstorm of Chicago businessman Abe Saperstein during a time when only whites were permitted to play professional basketball. The team had nothing to do with the New York City boroughofHarlem.Abechosethenametoemphasize the team’s ethnic heritage.TheGlobetrotters didn’t even play their firstgameinHarlemuntilthelate1960s!Sincetheir creation, they have played in front of 120 million fans in more than 115 countries.

• January 10 is Save the Eagles Day,reminding us of the importance of protecting the world’s 70 species of eagles fromextinction. Eagles can be found on everycontinent except Antarctica. America’snational emblem, the bald eagle, inhabits every state exceptHawaii. This enormousbird can have a wing span of up to 8 feet (2.5 m)andweigh15lbs.(6.8kg).Surprisingly,it is monogamous and mates for its entire 15- to 20-year lifespan.

• January 11 is officially Amelia EarhartDay, but not because that was the day she disappeared. It marks the date she became thefirstpersontoflysoloacrossthePacificfrom Honolulu to Oakland, California

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JANUARY JUMBLE (continued):• The nameMargaretGorman is probably not

familiar to most folks, but she is notable as the first Miss America, winner of thepageant in 1920. Originally initiated as alocal Atlantic City festival in an attempt to extend the tourism season past Labor Day, theeventbecamewasnotknownastheMissAmerica Pageant until 1922. Miss AmericaDay is now in January each year, with the next pageant scheduled for January 12, 2013. It wasbroadcastforthefirsttimein1954,witha record-breaking 27 million viewers, andremains the fourth longest-running live event in television history. The state of California has had the most winners with six, while 21 states, includingWashington, Idaho, Maine,Nevada,andMontana,haveneverhadaMissAmerica hail from their state.

•HappyCableCarDayonJanuary17!Thisyearmarks the 142ndanniversaryofthefirstcablecar railway patent bestowed upon Andrew SmithHallidie.Hewasinspiredtoinventthecable car after witnessing an accident with a horse-drawnstreetcaronSanFrancisco’ssteepstreets.Thecablecarmadeitsfirstappearancein that city in 1873. The cars move up anddownSanFrancisco’s inclines at a speed ofabout 9 miles per hour (14.5 km/hr).

• Sharpen your pencils! It’s time for NationalHandwriting Day on January 23, a dayestablished by the Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association to promote theuse of pens, pencils, and writing paper. This day was chosen because it is the birthday of JohnHancock,whosestylishandflamboyantsignature is easily recognizable on the DeclarationofIndependence.Evenhisnamehas become synonymous with the word “signature,” as we ask folks to “put their JohnHancock”onimportantdocuments.Thismember of the Continental Congress and later governorofMassachusettswastheveryfirstperson to sign the Declaration.

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► “Save egg cartons for children’s painting palettes. It’s very easy to give kids a small amount of many colors, and when they are each in their own cup, they don’t get spread out and run together as quickly. Plus, they are easy to carry.” -- O.L. in Utah

► Remove price-tag residue off hard surfaces with hairspray. Or WD40 works well too.

► Make your own frozen dinners by purchasing divided trays and using them to store leftovers. Slip each into a plastic bag and label. On busy nights, you can take your favorite out and microwave it.

(c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.

► “A beautiful but stained or worn tablecloth can find a new life at your dinner table. Cut into napkin sizes, and give any frayable ends a hemming.” -- A.S. in Oregon

► Here’s a great winter tip that’s double purpose: After your dishwasher has done its job, open the door and let the dishes air dry rather than machine dry. You’ll save on energy, while you add warmth and humidity to your home’s air.

► A damp cloth plus baking soda should by your first weapon against stains in the kitchen and bathroom. It’s eco-friendly and a mild abrasive, which works without scratching!

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].

Didyouoverspendduringtheholidays?Haveyouloadedupyourcreditcardswithdebt?It’seasy to do. Retailers go all out to get consumers toletgoofcash,andthere’sthenot-so-smalldesire to provide a happy season for loved ones.

Now,however,it’stimetotakeahardlookatthedebtthat’sbeenincurred.

When the bills arrive in January, open them immediately.Make a chart showing the totalbalance and the minimum monthly payment for each. Decide how much you can pay monthly on each one until all the balances are brought to zero. At the very least, pay a few dollars more than the minimum, as this is something that goes on your credit report.

Check the interest rates and put extra money into the payments for those cards with higher rates. Ideally, you should be able to pay off all your holiday debt in three payments, if not sooner.Ifyoucan’t,addextramoneytothosepayments to the extent you reasonably can. As you pay off one card, use that payment amount to put extra on another card payment each month.

Here’swhathappensifyouletthedebtslingerand only make minimum payments:

You’llkeeppayingmoreinterest.Asaleitemisno longer a sale item once you add months of interest to its cost.

Yourbuyingpowerisdiminished.You’repayingtodaywithmoneyyouhaven’tearnedyet.

Your borrowing power is reduced. In the event of an emergency where you must take out a loan, you might be limited in how much you can borrowbecauseofthedebtyou’vealreadytakenon.

Yourcreditscorecantakeahitifyou’veputtoomuchonyourcreditcards.Goingoveracertainpercentage of total credit availability shows up as a negative in your score, and it will continue that way until you pay enough of the balance. If the excess debt leads to late payments or paying only minimum payments, your credit score will suffer.

Debt hangs over your head, day after day. It doesn’tgoaway--untilyoupayitoff.

If you received cash for holiday gifts, consider using that to bring down some of your debt.

DavidUffingtonregretsthathecannotpersonallyanswer reader questions, but will incorporate them into his column whenever possible. Write to him in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O.Box536475,Orlando,FL32853-6475, orsend email to [email protected].

(c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.How to Deal Quickly With Holiday Debt

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Happy New Year! While the holidays might not quite be over, planning for post-holiday cleanup can help combat the winter blues and keep you from being that one house on the block that has a holiday wreath hanging on the door until July.

Here are a few tips that might help holiday cleanup go a little easier:

--If you have a real tree, check with your local government to find out if and when there is tree pickup and disposal in your area. Otherwise, look for a tree disposal service nearby. Remove and pack away all the tree ornaments and decorations. The night before scheduled disposal or pickup, prep the tree. If the disposal service wants it in a tree bag, put the bag over the tree and cover the tree fully while it’s still in its stand. With a helper holding the tree in place, loosen the trunk from the stand and carefully lift away. Drain excess water from the stand into a sink, dry and store for next year.

--When removing the tree from the stand, don’t set the trunk down on the carpet or floor, as sap will create a sticky mess. Don’t use the tree as firewood: It’s not seasoned and the

By Samantha Mazzotta

Cleaning Up After the Holidays


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JANUARY JUMBLE (continued):• Whohasn’t used that handy little tool, the

Thesaurus?It’sthevolumethatlistssynonymsfor words, enabling a writer to avoid using the same word in articles, speeches, and papers. January 18th is officiallyThesaurusDay, celebrating the 1779 birthday of theauthor of Roget’s Thesaurus, Peter Roget.He was a British physician who struggledwith depression and used the compiling of lists of words to combat it. The brilliant Roget graduated with a medical degree at only 19, and served as chief surgeon of an Englishhospital.Inaddition,heinventedaslide rule that enables a person to perform exponential and root calculations.His firstThesaurus was published when Roget was 73, andwas entitledThesaurus of English Words and Phrases Classified and Arranged so as to Facilitate the Expression of Ideas and Assist in Literary Composition. Hiswork had 28 printings during his lifetime, and after his death, was carried on by his son and later by his grandson.

This delicious homemade corn bread is baked in an oven-safe skillet -- preferably one that’s heavy-weight, such as cast iron.

• 1cupall-purposeflour• 1 cup yellow cornmeal• 2 tablespoons sugar• 2 teaspoons baking powder• 1/4 teaspoon salt• 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper• 4 tablespoons margarine or butter, cold• 1 can (8 1/2 ounces) cream-style corn• 1 large egg, beaten• 2 ounces Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeno

chiles, shredded

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Grease 10-inch skillet with oven-safe handle.

2.Inlargebowl,mixflour,cornmeal,sugar,bakingpowder, salt and black pepper. With pastry blender or 2 knives used scissor-fashion, cut in margarine or butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs.Withfork,stircorn,eggandcheeseintoflourmix-ture just until blended (batter will be very stiff).

3. Place greased skillet in oven; preheat pan 5 minutes (to help brown bottom of corn bread). Remove pan from oven; spoon batter into skillet and spread evenly with small metal spatula.

4. Bake corn bread 15 to 20 minutes, until tooth-pick inserted in center comes out clean and corn breadisjustfirmtothetouch.Cutinto8wedgesand serve warm. Serves 8.

• Each serving: About 290 calories, 9g total fat (3g saturated), 34mg cholesterol, 375mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate,1gdietaryfiber,7gprotein.

For thousands of triple-tested recipes, visit our website at www.goodhousekeeping.com/recipe-finder/.

(c)2012HearstCommunications,Inc.All rights reserved

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branches may have been pre-treated at the tree lot with chemicals to prevent insects.

--Use a shop vac to vacuum up pine needles, tinsel and other small debris from where the tree once sat.

--Put used wrapping paper into the recycling bin -- don’t burn it in the fireplace.

--Tree sap on tile or wood floors, or on protective cloths, can be cleaned with warm water and soap. Sap on the carpet should be dabbed with a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol until the sap comes up.

--Take down outdoor Christmas lights and decorations in clear weather. Work with a partner and use a sturdy ladder for lights on the roof eaves. Some DIYers replace burnt bulbs when they take down the lights, but I usually don’t, as I often have to replace burned or broken bulbs next holiday season anyway. Wrap the strands around a piece of cardboard to keep them from tangling, and store in a dry, cool place until next year.

HOME TIP: “To clean up tinsel stuck in the carpet, I put my grandkids to work by having them put on thick socks, stick folded-over duct tape all along the bottoms, and scoot around the floor! It works great! -- Mary B., Watertown, Mass.

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.

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JANUARY JUMBLE (continued):• Makeyourselfapeanutbuttersandwichon

January 24 in honor of National PeanutButter Day. Every year Americans eatenough of this spread to make more than 10 billion sandwiches, spending about $800 million annually. First introduced in 1904 at theSt.LouisWorld’sFair,peanutbutter isnow eaten in 90% of American households. Today’slawsstatethatinordertobelabeledas “peanut butter,” the product must be at least 90% peanuts.

•January25isobservedasWorldLeprosyDay,intended to educate people on this disease that damages the nerves that control the muscles in the hands and feet. Left untreated, it can lead to the inability to use the hands, paralysis of the feet, loss of sensation in the extremities, and even blindness. Everyday,620peoplearediagnosedwithleprosy–that’soneeverytwominutes!AlsocalledHansen’s Disease, leprosy is contagious,spread by droplets from the nose and mouth by coughing and sneezing. India has more leprosy than any other country. The good news in this century is that it is curable, and deformities can frequently be remedied with reconstructive surgery.

• Seeing Eye Dogs, who help their sight-impaired owners to safely navigate in their surroundings, are honored on January 29. The top three breeds used as guide dogs today are Labradors, Golden Retrievers,and German Shepherds. A dog undergoesspecialized training for four to six months to make sure they have the necessary qualificationstobeaseeingeyedog.

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1. Where did the band Procol Harum get its name?

2. Daryl Dragon played keyboard with which band before he hooked up with Toni Tennille?

3. Name the band that released the album entitled “Stand!”

4. Which early Beatles albums were releasedonCDin1987?

5. Name the song that contains this lyric: “In a lonely shack by a railroad track, I spent my younger days.”

Answers1. Legend says the name came from a

Burmese cat that used to hang around the band. The cat’s name was Procul Harum. If spelled slightly differently, it would be the translation of the Latin for “beyond these things.”

2. The Beach Boys. It was lead singer Mike Love who gave Dragon the nickname “Captain,”whichhekeptwhenheformed a duo with Tennille.

3. Sly & the Family Stone, in 1969. One cut from the album, “Sex Machine,” was a jam that ran over 13 minutes.

4. “Please Please Me” (1963), “With the Beatles” (1963), “A Hard Day’s Night” (1964), “Beatles for Sale” (1964) and “Help!” (1965).

5. “The Wayward Wind,” a 1956 hit by Gogi Grant. The song was covered with lesser success by others, including a 1980s versionbyflutevirtuosoJamesGalwaywith Sylvia as guest performer.


Beading your own jewelry continues to be a trend rolling its way back and forth across the country. Stop at

most any art fair or peek into a glimmering bead store, and you’ll see exquisite beads from around the world in all shapes and sizes that inspire us to be creative. Actually, there’s nothing new about beading. The popular art form has been around for centuries, passed from one generation to the next. I remember making beads from glossy magazine paper back in kindergarten class. We rolled the bright-colored paper into narrow beads, and wore them around our necks on shoelaces.

If you and your kids would like to create some dazzling designs for your own jewelry, here’s how to make paper beads and fashion them into necklaces and accessories. It’s easy!

1. Tear out illustrated pages from a magazine, or save a sheet or two from the Sunday comics in your newspaper. Gift-wrap paper also works well. The more colorful the paper, the brighter the beads.

2. Cut the paper into long, narrow triangles, approximately 5 inches long and 1 1/2 inches wide at the broad end.

3. To form each bead, carefully roll the triangle around a pencil or sturdy drinking straw (use a large nail or

toothpick for narrow beads), beginning with the broad end of the triangle and ending with the pointed end. Glue the point to the rolled paper. Remove the pencil or straw. Continue until you have a nice collection. Young children may prefer rolling several at a time and coming back to the project later. Let glue dry.

To make necklaces, string beads onto bright cording, yarn or string. Knot ends together. For variation, add buttons, aluminum washers and craft beads between the paper beads.

For a brooch or hair clip, use a glue gun to glue several beads together in a row on the top of a jewelry clasp or a plain, flat hairclip.

Note: To protect the beads and give them shine, paint over them

with non-toxic water-soluble varnish before you string the necklaces or make accessories. It’s also fun to add dots and designs with craft paint from squeeze bottles.

***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.”

(c) 2012 Donna EricksonDistributed by King Features Synd.

Make Your Own Jewelry With Paper Beads

Kinkade PaintingQ: I have a painting by Thomas Kinkade, the “Painter of Light.” In addition to the painting, I also have a tea-pot he produced with the inscription “Home Is Where the Heart Is.” Since Kinkade died recently, is his art-work now worth more? -- Barbara, Alton, N.Y.

A: Thomas Kinkade cranked out thousands (yes, thou-sands) of paintings, lithographs and related items dur-ing his very productive lifetime. Since he flooded the market with his art, when he died there was little or no bump in values. I spoke to several gallery owners who think interest in Kinkade has, in fact, declined. Texas Art Depot specializes in Kinkade’s artwork and might be a helpful second opinion. Contact info is 301 West Oak, Palestine, TX 75801.

***Q: I have an old fishing reel that was never used and is still in its original box. I’d like to sell it to a collec-tor. Could you please publish my name and address so interested parties can contact me? -- Bernie, Albu-querque, N.M.

A: When I answer a letter for my column, it immediate-ly goes into my shredder. If it is an email, it is answered and deleted. That protects anyone who contacts me

about their collectibles, and there are no exceptions. You might be able to hook a buyer by contacting An-tique & Classic Fishing Reels, P.O. Box 7623, Jupiter, Fla. 33468.

***Q: My dad was one of the first people in our Chicago neighborhood to own a television. It was a RCA Model 8T241 with a 10-inch screen. What is it worth? -- Carl, Pasco, Wash.

A: According to “The Antique Trader Radio and Televi-sion Price Guide” edited by Kyle Husfloen, your set was made in 1948 and is worth about $150. For some reason, vintage radios have outpaced early televisions as far as desirability with collectors is concerned.

***Q: I have a ticket to the Democratic National Conven-tion of 1948. I have been offered $50 for it. -- Steve, Palm Beach, Fla.

A: Take the offer. According to several price guides I consulted, your ticket is valued in the $10 to $15 range.

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.



FAMOUS WOMEN OF THE WORLD:

CHRISTA MCAULIFFEJanuary28hasbeensetasideasChristaMcAuliffeDay, commemorating America’s first Teacherin Space. Tidbits honors this inspiring woman who lost her life in the Space Shuttle Challenger disasteronJanuary28,1986.• Originally from Massachusetts, Christa

movedtoNewHampshirewhenherhusbandaccepted a new job there. She settled into a teaching position at Concord High School,with classes in social studies, American History,andeconomics.Herteachingincludedan emphasis on the “impact of ordinary people on history,” a concept that was to play out in her own life.

•The“racetospace”beganwhenChristawasjusta young child, and she became enthralled with ProjectMercuryandtheApolloprograms.OnFebruary21,1962,thedayafterJohnGlenn’shistoricorbitof theEarthaboardFriendship 7, she told a high school friend, “Do you realize that someday people will be going to theMoon?Maybe even taking a bus, and Iwanttodothat!”

•WhenChristawastwoyearsintoherConcordtenure, President Ronald Reagan announcedtheTeacherinSpaceProject,aNASAprogramdesignedtosendthefirstcivilianintospace.NASA’sgoalwastofindan“ordinaryperson,”an educator to communicate with students whileaboardaspacecraft.More than11,000teachers applied for the position. Christa mailed her application form at the last minute, writing: “I watched the Space Age being born, and I would like to participate.”

•Thepoolofapplicantswasnarroweddownto114, then down to 10, and on July 19, 1985, ChristaMcAuliffe’snamewasannouncedasNASA’schoice.Theagencylikedher“infectious enthusiasm,” and declared her “the most broad-based, best-balanced person of

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1. MOVIES: What was the name of the planet where Luke Skywalker (ÒStar WarsÓ) grew up?

2. LITERATURE: Who wrote the childrenÕs book ÒThe Wind in the WillowsÓ?

3. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What is a common name for the dog breed Borzoi?

4. MYTHOLOGY: What was the name of the sun god in Greek mythology?

5. GEOGRAPHY: Where is the island of Curacao located?

6. HISTORY: In what U.S. state did the Battle of Bunker Hill take place?

7. GEOMETRY: How many sides does a quadrilateral have?

8. PSYCHOLOGY: What type of fear is represented by hedonophobia?

9. TELEVISION: What was the name of the lead character on ÒMiami Vice,Ó and who played the role?

10. MILITARY: What is the highest decoration awarded for heroism in the U.S. military?

Answers


1. Tatooine2. Kenneth Grahame3. Russian Wolfhound4. Helios5. Caribbean6. Massachusetts7. Four8. Fear of pleasure9. Sonny Crockett (played by Don Johnson)10. Medal of Honor


The Year’s Top Moments in Sports

I’ll start by saying this --without a doubt, theworstthings to happen in sports this year came not on the field,but from inside thecontrolboothsofNBCandCBS.

After watching a brilliant closing ceremony at the Lon-donOlympics(exceptforthepartwheretheguywhoplayed “Arthur” sang “IAm theWalrus”), NBC cutaway from the ceremony, just as The Who was set to close the entire shebang, for a sitcom starring a chimp. At least itwasn’t “Heidi” ... but comeon!CBSgetshonorablementionforcuttingawayfromthe“PaulMc-Cartney-Nirvana Reunion” at the 12/12/12 concerts for Sandy relief in order to show professional wrestling. (It gets the pass because at least there were other channels showingtheevent.Bytheway,thatguitarMcCartneywasshredding?It’scalleda“cigarbox”guitar.)

Luckily, plenty of great stuff did happen during the year that was, and in no particular order, here are some of the most memorable sports moments of 2012:

MARQUEZ OBLITERATES PACQUIAO

In the fourth installment of their near-epic rivalry (they foughteachothermoreforthesakeofnotfightingoth-erpeople,i.e.FloydMayweather),JuanManuelMar-quezandMannyPacquiaoputonathrillingdisplay.Itwasathrowbackofafight...afightinwhichyoucouldseetracesoftheoldJackDempseyandMaxBaervibeasthesetwotradedhandsandknockdownsforthefirstfiverounds.Pacquiaolookedlikehewassettlinginfora long, hard-fought win as he was landing more and more punches with accuracy and seemed to be gaining hand speed.

AllofthatcametoanabruptendwhenMarquez,whoclearlyhada strategy tocomeoverPacquiao’s lowerleft jab with an overhead right, delivered the smash of thecentury.He’dlandedoneearlierinthebout,knock-ing Pacquiao down, but it wasn’t enough. Marquezmade sure the second one counted, however. I cannot recall ever seeing a more vicious (to the point of fright-ening) punch than the oneMarquez taggedPacquiaowith ... a muscle-rippling, neck-bulging, red-eyed and growlingepicsledgehammerofapunch.IthoughtPac-quiao was dead, and I mean it. I thought we saw death inthering.Pacquiaoneedstohangitup.Allheneeds


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CHRISTA MCAULIFFE (continued): the 10.” She and the first alternate, Barbara

Morgan,eachtookaone-yearleaveofabsencefrom their schools, with NASA covering their salaries. The Challenger mission was scheduled forearly1986.

• Itwas intended thatChristawould teach two15-minuteclassestothenation’sschoolchildrenfrom space, broadcast via closed-circuit television. The first was to have been “TheUltimate Field Trip,” including an introduction of the other six crew members and their duties, a tour of the spacecraft with a description of the equipment, and a summary of living aboard the craft. Her second lesson was tosummarizethebenefitsofspacetravel,entitled“Where We’ve Been, Where We’re Going,Why.” She was also set to conduct science experimentsinmagnetism,Newton’slaws,andchromatography.

• Just 73 seconds after takeoff, theChallenger explodedovertheAtlanticOceanofftheFloridacoast. The entire craft disintegrated, due to the failureofarubberO-ringsealintherightsolidrocket booster, which caused a leak in the joint it was meant to seal. This allowed pressurized hot gas to reach the external fuel tank. Christa, aged37,leftbehindherhusband,anine-year-old son and a six-year-old daughter.

• It’sestimatedthat85%ofAmericansheardofthe disaster within one hour of its occurrence.

•TwelveyearsafterChrista’sdeath,herbackupBarbaraMorgan,aformerIdahoschoolteacher,was chosen by NASA as an astronaut. She flewaboardtheChallenger’s replacement, the Endeavor, to the International Space Station in 2007.

to do is look at his trainer, Freddie Roach, to see what’sinstoreforhimifheclimbsbackinthering.

GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL

Theywerenevergivenachance,butEliManningproved his mettle once again, leading the Giantsthrough a hazardous playoff climate, beating the Packers,49ersandTomBradyyetagain(withan-other long bomb to seal the deal, a little more ex-pertlyhandledthanDavidTyree’sgrabafewyearsago).Theymightnotbeadynasty,butEliManning,Tom Coughlin and the Giants organization did itthe old-fashioned way -- through perseverance and clutch playing.

Andhey...atleastitwasn’ttheJets.

Morenextweek...

MarkVasto is aveteran sportswriterwho lives inKansas City.

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Resolve to Live a Less-Serious Life

I’ll share with you what my biggest New Year’s resolution is going to be. I resolve to become less serious this year.

To this end, I’m going to:

--Turn off the television completely at least one day a week. The news is rarely good, and the commercials are increasingly about drugs for serious diseases. If I need to know what the weather will be like tomorrow or the nextday,theWeatherChannelwillletmeknowwithoutalsofillingmyheadwith all the more serious news of the day.

--Read humorous authors. To name a few, Rita M. Brown, Fanny Flagg and Garrison Keillor come to mind. The librarian will be able to suggest others, I’m sure.

--Revisit the books of my childhood and see if I still love them. “The Boxcar Children,”afewNancyDrewmysteriesand “Huckleberry Finn” are on my list.

--Subscribe online to a joke a day. They’ll come by email, and they’re

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promised to be suitable for everyone. I’ll even take a few elephant jokes. (Remember those?)

--Order pizza (or something similar) delivered to my house once a month. No, it’s not on my diet, but that’s the point. On that day I won’t cook or do dishes after dinner.

--Revive my stamp collection. No, I won’t spend a lot of money on it, but therearea fewstamps that couldfillin some blanks on the pages. It’ll be relaxing to flip through the pages,attend the monthly stamp and coin show, and talk to people who are in love with stamps.

Who knows ... I might get to like this less-serious lifestyle. Want to join me? Start making your list!

MatildaCharlesregretsthatshecannotpersonally 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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• On Jan. 7, 1789, America’s first presiden-tial election is held as voters cast ballots to choose state electors. Only white men who owned property were allowed to vote. As expected, George Washington won the elec-tion and was sworn into office on April 30, 1789.

• On Jan. 12, 1928, a young pianist from Kiev named Vladimir Horowitz makes his Ameri-can debut at Carnegie Hall. Sir Thomas Bee-cham, guest conductor of the New York Phil-harmonic, was the headliner, but it was the young Russian pianist playing Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 who stole the show.

• On Jan. 11, 1937, nearly two weeks into a sit-down strike by General Motors auto work-ers at the Fisher Body Plant in Flint, Mich., a riot breaks out when police try to prevent the strikers from receiving food deliveries from supporters on the outside. The melee was later nicknamed the “Battle of the Run-ning Bulls.”

• On Jan. 10, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Lend-Lease program is brought before the U.S. Congress. It gave the chief executive the power to “sell, transfer title to, exchange, lease, lend or otherwise dispose of” any military resources he deemed in the ultimate interest of the defense of the Unit-ed States.

• On Jan. 8, 1962, at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, the Mona Lisa, is exhibited for the first time in America. The painting is a portrait of the wife of wealthy Florentine citizen Francesco del Gioconda.

• On Jan. 9, 1972, in Hong Kong harbor, a fire breaks out aboard the Queen Elizabeth, and by the next morning the famous vessel lies in a wreck on the bottom of the sea floor. After being purchased in 1970 by C.W. Tung, a Taiwanese shipping tycoon, the vessel was renamed the Seawise University.

• On Jan. 13, 1982, an Air Florida Boeing 727 plunges into the Potomac River in Washing-ton, D.C., killing 78 people. The plane was forced to wait 45 minutes for clearance after de-icing, and at the end of the runway was able to achieve only a few hundred feet of altitude.


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Pet Resolutions

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I’m very excited, because we adopted a puppy this week! Do you have any advice for a new pet owner? -- James C., Dallas

DEAR JAMES: Congratulations! I recently mentioned to the new owner of a cat that it’s important to schedule an appointment with the veterinarian as soon as possible to make sure it is healthy, and to get its vaccinations.

Once that’s done, pick up a few books on training and caring for your new dog. But with the new year, I want you to make some new resolutions that will last beyond just this year and the next:

--I will recognize that my pet is a “forever pet.”

--I will not abandon my pet when the novelty of being a pet owner wears off.

--I will not discard my pet when house training gets tough, or when it starts chewing up my shoes.

--I will take my pet for a regular annual checkup and keep its vaccinations and licensing up to date.

--I pledge to spend time with my pet every day.

--I will teach my family to respect animals, to have compassion for them and to care for them as they would another family member.

TM



--I will train my dog to respond to basic commands, and I will socialize it with other dogs so that it is better behaved in public or at dog parks.

These are just a few of the resolutions you should make regarding your new pet. You’ll probably come up with even more on your own. Whatever the case, appreciate that your pet is a part of the family for the rest of its life.

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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• 4 (4-ounce) lean tenderized minute or cube steaks• 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce• 1/2 cup chunky salsa (mild, medium, or hot)• Sugar substitute to equal 1 tablespoon sugar,

suitable for cooking• 2 teaspoons dried onion flakes• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1. In a large skillet sprayed with butter-flavored cooking spray, brown meat for 3 to 4 minutes on each side.

2. In a medium bowl, combine tomato sauce, salsa, sugar substitute, onion flakes and Worcestershire sauce. Spoon sauce mixture evenly over meat. Lower heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until meat is tender. When serving, evenly spoon sauce over meat. Makes 4 servings.

• Each serving equals: 217 calories, 5g fat, 36g protein, 7g carb., 603mg sodium, 1g fiber; Diabetic Exchanges: 3 Meat, 1 Vegetable.


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EXPENSIVE ARENASWith the footbal season beginning to wind down, you might be interest in what spectators have been paying for tickets at some of the stadiums. Tidbits presents the most expensive, the least expensive, and a glance at Super Bowlticketprices.•Thepricetagforgameattendanceisbased

ontheFanCostIndex,afigurederivedbythe Team Marketing Report. This figurerepresents the price for a family of four to attend an NFL game, including four tickets at the average price, two small beers, four small sodas, four hot dogs, parking, two game programs, and two adult caps. The averageleague-widefigureis$427.42.

•Thefifthmost-expensivestadium,ChicagoBears’ Soldier Field, carries a Fan CostIndex of $557.18. Home of the Bearssince1971, itholds61,500fans,andhasan average single ticket price of $101.55. Fans can have a beer for $8 and a hot dog for $5. The team has a season ticket renewal rate of 98%, and every game has soldoutforthelast27years.

• The third most expensive stadium belongsto theNewEnglandPatriots,with an indexof $597.66, and a single ticket averageof $117.84. Gillette Stadium also offers“premium tickets,” which include oversize plush seats, fancier foodandbeverages,flatscreen TV’s, and access to the field post-game. Want a season ticket? Get in line,there’sawaitinglist.

•TheDallasCowboysplayinthesecondmostexpensive stadium, with a cost index of $613.80. The $6 price tag on sodas is thehighest in the league, and fans fork over $75 for parking at the three-year-old arena.If money is a little tight, spectators can purchase a $29 “party pass” that allows a standing-room view of the game from platforms on the end zone and corners.

• MetLifeStadiumintheMeadowlandsSportsComplex inEastRutherford,NewJersey, isthe only NFL stadium shared by two teams. The most expensive stadium ever built and the largest in the NFL in terms of permanent seating capacity (82,500), it is home to both theNewYorkJetsandtheNewYorkGiants.

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ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Shutting people out to avoid distractions, even under a deadline, can cause hurt feelings. Instead, return calls and emails, and explain why you need a zone of privacy for now.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Although your keen Bull’s eyes usually can discern what’s fact from what’s faux, that upcoming decision will need really solid data before you can risk a commitment.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) As your confidence grows, you should be able to work toward your goals with more enthusiasm. Open your mind to sugges-tions. Some of them might even work for you.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Reconnecting with someone from your past stirs up that old sense of adventure. But before you do anything else, be sure to get answers to those still-lingering questions.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) Some people might re-sent the way you plan to resolve a difficult situation. But your commitment to making tough but fair deci-sions soon wins you their respect and support.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Mixed signals could be causing that vexing workplace problem. Before you choose to leave the project, ask for a meeting so you can get things out in the open.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Your good in-tentions could backfire if you’re not careful with oth-

er people’s feelings. Try using persuasion, not pres-sure, to get others to see your side of the situation.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Your dedica-tion to finishing the task at hand is laudable. But be careful not to overdo the midnight oil bit. Take time for relaxation with someone very special.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Al-though your intuition will help you make some tough choices in the first half of the month, you’ll need more facts to back up your actions later on.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) All that hard work and research in the workplace finally pays off as you hoped it would. Ignore comments from jeal-ous types who are out to get the Goat riled up.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) An unfair de-cision creates unnecessary problems. But avoid an-ger and move carefully as you work this out. Expect to get support from an unlikely source.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) A fuzzy financial vista persists until midmonth, when things begin to clear up. You’ll also gain a better perspective on how to handle those pesky personal problems.BORN THIS WEEK: You have a wonderful way of being there for those who need your help in difficult times.

(c) 2012 King Features Syndicate, Inc.

STADIUMS (continued): The cost index differs between the two teams,

withtheGiantsthefourth-highestintheleagueat $592.26 and a whopping $464.75 for apremium seating ticket. The most expensive tickets in the league belong to the Jets with the indexat$628.90. Ifyou’d like to reserve twotickets for the Jets in the premium club area, youcandosoforafive-yearperiodfor$24,340.

•How about the cheapest prices in the league?That honor belongs to EverBank Field, homeof the Jacksonville Jaguars.Although it’s thefifth-largest stadium in theNFL, its FanCostIndex is just $316.50, and an average ticketpriceof$58.90.It’sclosetothebottomintermsof attendance.

• The average ticket price for last year’s SuperBowlwas $2,900.Tickets for the 2013 gameare slated to be much higher, with the cheapest in the $2,500 range and the most expensive over$9,500.Thiswillbe the7thyear for thecontestatNewOrleans’Superdome,thelargestfixed-domestructureintheworld,whichhasaseatingcapacityexceeding76,000.NewYork’sMetLife Stadium is scheduled for the 2014matchup


DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I need help with acidreflux.Ihavebattleditforsevenyears,and until recently I have used Prilosec, but it has stopped working for me. I tried AcipHex and Protonix but didn’t feel well when taking them. Now I’m on Prevacid. Is it OK to take indefinitely? I wonder about Nexium. Mydoctor told me to take any acid reducer that works. What do you consider the best long-term medicine? -- F.H.

ANSWER:Acid reflux,heartburnandGERD(gastroesophagealrefluxdisease)aredifferentnames for the same thing -- the upward splashing of stomach acid and digestive juices into the esophagus, the long tube that brings food from the throat to the stomach. The esophagus can’t handle those corrosive juices, and the result is burning pain.

Can you identify any foodor drink that brings on your symptoms? If you can, eliminate it. Potential troublemakers are fatty foods, fried foods, spearmint, peppermint, chocolate, tomatoes, citrus fruit and caffeine. You prevent nighttime heartburn by putting 6-inch blocks under the bedposts at the head of your bed. In that position, gravity keeps stomach acid in the stomach. Weight reduction almost always lessens symptoms.

I like your doctor’s approach. Use the cheapest medicine that keeps you free of pain. Antacids oftencanfitthebill:Tums,Rolaids,Mylanta,Maalox and the many others. The most effective medicines are those called proton pump inhibitors: Dexilant, Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec, Protonix and AcipHex, some of which are available without a prescription. They practically turn off acid production. Some doctors like to have their patients stop use after a year to see if symptoms remit. If they do, so much the better. Less expensive are Tagamet, Pepcid, Zantac and Axid, which cut back on acid production and are obtainable without prescription.

Onedownsideofindefiniteuseofprotonpumpinhibitors is the possibility of vitamin B-12 deficiency. Acid is needed to absorb it. Thesame goes for iron, calcium and magnesium.

The booklet on heartburn (GERD) explains this common condition in great detail, along with its treatments. Readers can obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue -- No. 501W, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Canada with the recipient’s printed

Health Bits

name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

***DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My wife is a healthy 66-year-old woman. The problem is that she wakes up at night, screams for a second and then goes back to sleep. The following day, sometimes she remembers, but sometimes not.

This has been going on for two to three years. She uses no medicines. What could this be? -- J.V.

ANSWER: It could be what’s called sleep terror. It’s more often seen in childhood, but occasionally adults have it. You describe it perfectly. The person suddenly wakens and screams in what appears to be panic. Then she or he returns to

sleep. Most have no memory of the event the following day, and don’t recall a frightening dream. If this doesn’t interfere with her normal functioning, she doesn’t need to pursue it.

***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) 2012 North America Synd., Inc.All Rights Reserved

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At age 62, I was walking with a severe limp, ready to see an orthopedic specialist, and getting myself mentally prepared for knee replacement surgery.

That’s when someone suggested I visit 20 Minutes to Fitness. I’d heard about this unique 20-minute, once-a-week workout before. And I’d heard it was safe for people of all fitness levels.

I decided to give it a try for a month, hoping it might alleviate my pain. Between you and me, I secretly feared it might make things worse.

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TOILET MUSEUMSThey’vegotmuseumsdedicatedtoeverythingelseon earth, so why not toilets too?• In India, the Sulabh International Museum

of Toilets in New Delhi exhibits all manner of potties. The museum follows the history of toilets dating back to 2,500 B.C. Find outaboutthefirstelectricchamberpot,whichpre-warmed the seat. See the medieval porta-potty shapedlikeatreasurechest.There’stheFrenchcommode disguised as a stack of books, each carrying the title of a literary classic. (Lift the lid by opening up the volume on top.)You’llfind a replica of King Louis XIII’s throne,who had a commode installed under his throne sohedidn’tneed tobe takebathroombreaks.Also displayed are modern toilets such as the microwave toilet which incinerates waste without using any water. If you want to findout about the technology, social customs, or etiquette of the toilet, this is the place for you.

• Curators at the Gladstone Pottery Museumin England opened an exhibit described as a“celebration of the toilet” in 2001. The area surrounding the museum has historically been a hub of pottery and ceramics, and many of the world’s toilet manufacturers are based in thearea, making it the perfect spot for a museum exhibit dedicated to the cause. The exhibit, called “Flushed with Pride,” honors ThomasCrapper, a real-life plumber who improved the design of several parts of the toilet but did not actually invent it. There are seven gallery rooms displaying over 150 objects related to the toilet. It begins with a realistically re-created pit toilet from an 1840s tenement slum, shared with realistically re-created pigs, complete with realistically re-created odors formed by combining various noxious chemicals.

• The Gladstone Pottery Museum’s displayof pre-sewer system toilets is billed as “an immersive theatrical experience.” Visitors climb into a sewer pipe to view a video showing modern sanitary engineers doing their work. There’s a hands-on interactivegallery which traces the development of the toiletwithvisitorsinvitedtodosomeflushingof their own. The collection of Victorian toilets is billed as the most complete showcase of historictoiletsonearth.There’salsoagallerydevoted to the development of the bathroom, including the story of how color was introducedtobathroomfixtures.Ahighlightisthe avocado bathroom suite displaying green porcelainfirstusedinthe1960s.Wannaknowhow astronauts go to the bathroom? Find out in an exhibit devoted to telling how people accomplish the feat in extreme environments. Finally, toilets of the future are considered. Waterless toilets? Composting potties? Toilets that check waste products to identify health problems? The possibilities are discussed in detail.

• In Wisconsin, the Madison Museum ofBathroom Tissue displayed a collection oftoilet paper from the time it opened in 1992 until it closed in 2000. Nearly 3,000 different rolls collected from restrooms all over the worldwereshown,includingTPswipedfromsuch notable places as Ellis Island, Caesar’sPalace, the Alamo, and Graceland. Proudlypresented were the “roll of the week” as well as a complete history of T.P. from leavesto Sears catalog to Charmin. There was the European Collection, theAfrican Shelf, andthe Mexican Display. The museum is nowclosed. The paperwork is in storage, awaiting a new home.

• It was iconic pop artist Andy Warhol who made the following observation: “Employees make the best dates. You don’t have to pick them up, and they’re always tax deductible.”

• At one time in Alabama, it was illegal to wear a false mustache to church.

• The English word “toast” to describe a piece of browned bread comes from the Latin word “tostare,” which means “roasted.” The word “toast” to mean kind words spoken while sharing wine also comes from the same root, though in a roundabout way. In the Middle Ages, wine was not always of the highest quality; as a gesture of goodwill and hospitality to guests, a piece of toast was sometimes added to improve the flavor. Eventually (as vintages improved, one might assume), the browned bread was forgotten and only the words remained.

• You might be surprised to learn that the man who was the lead designer for the original GI Joe action figure also designed the inaugural medal for the John F. Kennedy-Lyndon Johnson administration.

• If you’re an arachnophobe, it you probably don’t want to know that a tarantula can live for up to two years without eating a thing.

• Have you ever noticed the small bumps that seem to cover your tongue? Many people think that these are taste buds. In fact, there are more than 200 taste buds on each of those bumps.

• Those who study such things say that the 15 most commonly used words in the English language are, in descending order: I, you, he, she, it, we, they, me, him, her, them, what, the, a and an.

***Thought for the Day: “The greatest accomplishment is not in never failing, but in rising again after you fall.” -- Vince Lombardi

By Samantha Weaver(c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.

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