Tidbits 4 CDA

www.tidbitscda.com For Ad Rates call: (208) 755-9120 [email protected]

of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #4 Jan 20th. 2014

TIDBITS® SWIGS ABEER

by Janet SpencerOn January 24, 1935, the first beer in cans was placed on sale in Richmond, Virginia. In honor of that event, come along with Tidbits as we take a look at beer! A CRUCIAL INVENTION • Ermal Cleon Fraze, born in 1913, grew up to found a tool and die company in the mid 1940s called Reliable Tool and Manufacturing Company. He invented a wide variety of prod-ucts for clients including General Electric, Ford, and even NASA. But his most famous invention came as a result of a picnic in 1959. • Ermal had brought plenty of beer to the picnic, but he had forgotten the can opener, which, at that time, was the only way to crack open a cold one. He was forced to resort to open-ing the cans using the bumper of his car. “There oughta be a better way,” he thought to himself. • Several months later, he couldn’t sleep, so he got up to spend a few hours puttering in his workshop. The result of his tinkering was the first pop-top pull-tab can. He received a patent for it in 1963, selling the invention to Alcoa. The first customer to use the new pull-tab can was the Pittsburgh Brewing Company, makers of Iron City Beer. By 1975, 75% of U.S. breweries were using them. Continued next page)

www.tidbitscda.com

From the Publisher’s DeskBy : Evelyn Bevacqua

TIDBITS ANNOUNCES A NEW CONTEST ENTER TO WIN A

RESTAURANT GIFT CERTIFICATE!

It’s FUN and Easy! Each week a different business logo will appear multiple times throughout the paper. The logo will be in color and different sizes Count the number of times it appears including the ads. Then call or email the answer to evelyn2318@ gmail.com or Call 208.755.9120. . The Winner will be contacted and announced each week with a photo in front of the participating restaurant. Answers must be submitted by 6:00 p.m.on Sunday.

This week's $25.00 gift certificate will be from Fuki’s Restaurant and the logo will be Anderson

Palmer George & Walsh

Winner of last weeks contest!Shelley Colombini from

Creative Healing Massage

WILL YOU BE THE WINNER?

Tidbits® of of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #4 Jan 20th. 2014

TO PEE OR NOT TO PEE Drinking beer makes the drinker uri-nate a lot— much more than drinking an equal amount of water or juice. The number of trips a beer drinker makes to the bathroom has noth-ing to do with the amount of liquid consumed. It has to do with something called anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) produced by the hypothalamus in the brain. ADH regulates urine production and the amount of water in the bloodstream, main-taining the balance between water and salt in the tissues. Alcohol inhibits the production of ADH, so the kidneys don’t receive the normal signals from the brain. They go on drawing water out of the bloodstream at a constant rate because they are not told to stop. This dehydrates the body. That’s why thirst is a main symptom of a hang-over. A good way to diminish a hangover is to drink a couple quarts of water before going to bed. Coffee is not a good thing to drink after get-ting drunk because caffeine is also an ADH in-hibitor, and coffee messes up the signals to the kidneys too. Coffee has never sobered anybody up. Drunkenness is caused by unprocessed alco-hol in the blood, and nothing can remove it but time. Alcohol plus coffee equals a wide-awake drunk.

Soda Fizzes; Beer Foams Why does soda fizz whereas beer foams? It’s caused by the chemical processes that occur during fermentation. Fizzing and foaming both involve carbon dioxide rising to the surface, but soda pop is not fermented as beer is. Brewer’s yeast feeds upon the sugar in the ‘wort’ which is the sugary substance in malt, which comes from barley. The yeast gives off carbon diox-ide as a by-product. During fermentation, that carbon dioxide dissolves into the liquid. When the pressure is released when a can or bottle is opened, the carbon dioxide rises to the surface. The chemical reactions that have occurred be-tween the carbon dioxide and the proteins in the wort make the bubbles last much longer than the bubbles in pop, champagne, or cider.

Tidbits® of of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #4 Jan 20th. 2014www.tidbitscda.com

EVENTCALENDAR

BEER FACTS • Frothingslosh was a brand of beer made by Iron City Brewing of Pittsburgh exclusively at Christmas time. The advertisements breathlessly exclaimed, “Oh, my gosh, it’s Frothingslosh!” It was billed as the “pale, stale ale with the foam on the bottom.” How did they get the foam on the bottom? They pasted the label on upsidedown. • A little cobalt is absolutely necessary for good health, but a lot can kill. Brewers in Que-bec and Omaha at one time added cobalt salts to their beer because it gave the brew a better head. When beer drinkers began dropping dead, the practice was halted. • When escape artist Houdini attempted to escape from a large can filled with beer, the stunt nearly ended in disaster when he was overcome by the carbon dioxide. The alert stage manager noted the lack of sounds coming from inside the can and released him in the nick of time. • One kind of male Australian beetle al-ways seeks out the largest female to mate with. An Australian beer manufacturer unwittingly made their beer bottles in the shape and color of the female beetle, albeit at a fantastically large size. When it was brought to the company’s at-tention that thousands of male beetles were try-ing to mate with discarded beer bottles, they re-designed the bottle. • Linseed oil soaked rags burst into flames spontaneously late one night in a restau-rant in Alameda, California. The heat from the fire popped the tops on the bottles of ten cases of beer. The suds doused the flames. • In the course of the 1949 British Open, Harry Bradshaw drove a ball into a beer bottle by accident. The ball broke the bottle’s neck and ended up inside the bottom of the bottle. Rather than risk a penalty, Bradshaw decided to play it where it lay. He smashed the bottle with his club. The bottle traveled about 30 feet (9 m).

Jan 21, 2014 Live Soft Blues and Jazz - 315 Martinis & Tapas6:00 PM - 9:00 PM www.315martinisandtapas.comLocation: 315 Martinis & Tapas, 315 Wallace Ave, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814

Jan 24, 2014 DOWNHILL DIVAS9:30 AM - 12:00 PM $35 per session or $90 for 3 sessions.Looking to improve your skiing skills? Or just looking for other like minded women to ski with? This specialty women’s ski program has been designed with an emphasis on camara-derie and ski improvement in a fun, friendly and exciting group atmosphere. Participants quickly boost their confidence and meet newfriends in a supportive and social environ-ment. The Downhill Divas groups are lead and taught by our top female ski instructorswho create a safe, fun, learning environment for everyone. Location: Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area, I-90 Exit 0, Mullan, ID 83873

Jan 25, 2014 Black & White Ball7:00 PM Dance to live music with the Co-eur d'Alene Symphony or just come and listen to jazz, pop, waltzes, swing, and more. Bring your friends for a fun evening!Tickets are available from the Symphony Of-fice (208-765-3833) or online at www.cda-symphony.orgFurther Information: Jeanne Randolph208-765-3833 (M-W 10:00-2:00), [email protected]: Best Western Inn, Coeur d?Alene.

Jan 26, 2014 BAVARIAN BREWS/BRATS & MUSIC FEST All Day Event Location: Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area, I-90 Exit 0, Mullan, ID 83873

Tidbits® of Dallas County www.tidbitscda.com Page 4WORD ORIGINS • The focal point of Irish social life is the pub. This is a term derived from ‘public house.’ At pubs, beer is served by the pint or the quart, which are abbreviated ‘P’ and ‘Q’ on the pa-tron’s bar tab. If a bar owner was concerned that someone was running up too much of a bill, he might tell the person to ‘mind your Ps and Qs.’ A tab was often called a ‘scot’ and if the owner lost the scot or forgot to write the drink down on the scot, the drinker got off ‘scot-free.’ • In the 1830s a temperance society in Michigan was campaigning against the evils of drink. They offered their members two pledg-es: one was a pledge of moderate drinking, the other was a pledge of total abstinence. On the membership rolls those who had made pledges were identified as either “O.P.” for those who had taken the “Old Pledge” to drink moderately, or “T-Total” for those who embraced total absti-nence. This group eventually became known as Teetotalers. • In sailing, a sheet is a line that attaches to the lower corner of a sail. When you pull the sheet in, the sail is tight against the wind and the ship sails quickly. When you let the sheet out, the sail sags and flaps in the wind and the ship comes to a standstill. A ship that has “three sheets to the wind” is floating helplessly in the water, just as a person who has had too many drinks is helpless.

• “To speed the healing of bruises, try eating pineapple. Drink lots of water, too. I play contact sports, and this has always helped me.” -- R.E. in Missouri • “Need new tires? Don’t overlook big-box stores with automotive departments. Some-times the best deals aren’t at the tire places!” • Are you dreaming of a beach vacation right about now? Maybe you’re looking to make an early booking. Here’s a travel tip: Skip the ocean views from your hotel room. The rooms facing the ocean have a 20 percent to 25 percent higher rate. There’s usually a nice common area where you can admire the view, anyway. • “If you got a new flat-screen TV for Christmas, don’t forget about safety. Be sure to use a wall strap, or just go ahead and mount it to the wall!” -- E.S. in Virginia • Ease stress when dropping off a child at day care by creating a special, just-for-the-two-of-you ritual. Maybe a secret handshake or a kiss for your cheek and one in the hand to “save for later.” Reinforce with your attitude that it’s a good and fun thing to go to school. • Here’s a great school tip from a young reader, P.J. in Florida: Take a photo of your spell-ing words with your mom or dad’s cellphone, and you can go over them anytime, anywhere!Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Or-lando, FL 32853-6475 or e-mail JoAnn at [email protected].(c) 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.


For Advertising Call (334) 505-0674www.tidbitscda.com Page 5Tidbits® of of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #4 Jan 20th. 2014

Tidbits® of Dallas County

Should I let my cat/dog have a litter before she is spayed?

Unless you are a professional responsible breeder, there’s no reason for a fe-male cat or dog to have even


Q. Where and when will your nonprofit, low fee spay/neuter clinic open? A. Our clinic will open Jan 29 at 5920 Government Way, #4, just 1 ½ blocks south of Hanley Ave and the Silverlake Mall. Come to our Open House Sat, Jan 25 from 1 to 4 PM.

Spay & Neuter FeesPain relieving medication before and after surgery is included.Cats: male $40, female $55Dogs under 50 pounds: male $55, female $70Dogs 50 – 80 pounds: male $75, female $90Call 208-719-0223 to schedule an appointment. The clinic will be open every Wednesday and Saturday and we are scheduling appointments now. We also have a Pet Products Thrift area at the clinic. You support our mission when you donate clean, gently used pet related items, and save big when you buy.

Help prevent future homeless petsSpay/Neuter for a Brighter Future.

For more information visit AnimalAlliesID.org208-719-0223

Q: Do you ever wonder what happens to the children that are behind these kinds of tragic but all too common headlines in the paper?

A: In Idaho, all children who are sheltered by the police or other state authorities as a result of neglect or abuse situations are as-signed to the CASA Program. CASA stand for Court Appointed Special Advocates. CASA Volunteers are community volunteers who undergo specialized training to be the

voice of the child in every court hearing and maintain regular monthly visits with each child. CASA volunteers represent the collective wisdom of the community in making sure that someone is looking out solely for the best interests of the child. North Idaho CASA covers the First Judicial District and is made up of the five northern counties. Over 500 children a year are referred to the CASA Program and at any given time between 70-80 trained volunteers are needed. The next training series which consists of 30 hours of in-person and on-line training and court observation spread over a 5 week period begins in early February. If you would like more information about being a volunteer please contact Nick at the CASA office at 667-9165. CASA is a non-profit orga-nization that only receives about 1/3 of it’s funding from the state. They depend largely on donations, special events, and grants to ensure they are always there for every child who needs their services. Tax deductible donations may be sent to North Idaho CASA, 816 E. Sherman Avenue, Suite 6, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814 or through their website at www.northidahocasa.com

As I approached the humble grocery clerk who sat taking a break on the bench, her expres-sion distant ... When our eyes met, I smiled at her and I enjoyed the moment of seeing her eyes light up and a smile rise upon her face. That is all; the simple things sometimes mean the most...

Candy InbodyKeller Williams Realty CRS,e-pro, SFR,BPOR, [email protected] www.candyinbody.com

“I have a great friend who lost someone very close to her years ago. That Christmas she received 12 days of Christmas from a "Christmas angel" that helped her cope with the loss. She now pays it forward each year to others who are grieving by giving them 12 days of Christmas. She was my Christmas angel in 2008!”Sent in to tidbits from anonymous

What goes around comes around - and with kindness it really does. Research shows that being kind to others increases our own levels of happiness as well as theirs. What's more it has a knock-on effect - kindness is contagious, so it makes our communities nicer places to be. Recent research into brain functioning has confimed that we are hard-wired for love and compassion. So it's not all chasing about individual success - our communities and society flourish when people look out for each other. When we're kind to people we know it strengthens our connections with them and provides a source of support. Research shows that we may benefit from giving support more than those receiving it - and we're also more likely get support in return when we need it. This may not be like-for-like support, or even from the same person, but being kind to others builds a wider support network which increases well-being all round.Doing kind things for strangers helps build co-operation, trust and a sense of safety in our communities. It also helps us to see others more posi-tively and empathise with them. These are the foundations of a thriving local community and a flourishing society - one which builds well-being all round.

North Idaho CASA816 E. Sherman Ave Ste 6Coeur d’Alene ID 83814

208-667-9165

For Advertising Call (334) 505-0674 Page 7Tidbits® of of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #4 Jan 20th. 2014

Tidbits® of Dallas County www.tidbitscda.com

ANYBODY OUT THERE?

Sunny is a smart and friendly 1 year old fixed male wire haired Mini Doxie mix.

Sunny would love to find his perfect forever home.

Alternative Pet Rescue has a variety of friendly small dogs for adoption.

For more info go to our FaceBook Fan Page

Alternative Pet Rescue C.D.A. Id. (208)661-2286 Non.Profit.org.

Can animals communicate?

Yes, here’s a few animals that have been scientifically studied: Penguins communicate verbally with a sound. Each penguin has a unique click. Dolphins use what’s called echolocation to communicate, find food and detect enemies.They also use touch, dance, gesture and pos-ture. Otters use sounds to communicate. Some sounds include growls and squeals, chirps, screams, and chuckles to communicate their feelings.Seismic energy vibration is one way an elephant communicates. Elephants send an air vibration of 309m per second and a ground vi-bration of 248-264 m/sec

Bonnie Whiting Dog Training/Animal Intuitive

Alternative Pet Rescue & Adoptions Non. Profit.org (208) 661-2286

STOP SMOKING WITH ACUPUNCTURE There are over 300 acupuncture-based substance abuse programs in the United States. In a seminar I attended in the early 1990’s the statistics then showed acupuncture to be 81% more effec-tive than any other treatment methods for cigarette and drug use and the recidivism rate (the rate at which they start up again) was only 1% (compared to 11% nationally with other treatment options). Bottom line - acupuncture works! What does it do? There are several components of acupuncture that aid in the quieting of compulsive behaviors such as cigarette smoking. Acupuncture can help to detoxify the body of the chemicals that are causing the addictive component to be triggered in the patient, help to curb cravings, and can calm thoughtless actions, like reaching for a cigarette without thinking about it. Furthermore, acupuncture treatments release endorphins. Considered by many to be the natural “feel good” chemical of the human body, endorphins promote feelings of health, positive thought processes, upbeat attitudes, and promotes a sense of general well being. Many acupuncture patients report experiencing a feeling of calmness or even a faintly “buzzed” feeling after acupuncture. More than one patient has used the phrase “acupuncture glow” to describe the sensation they experience after their treatments, which can mirror the feeling many addicts experience when engaging in the behavior of their addiction, but without the compelling nature or harmful consequences of the addic-tion. Furthermore, acupuncture works to calm anxiousness, irritability, weepiness, anger and other emotional challenges. It also helps suppress overeating so the individual doesn’t gain weight. No other program I know of does all that. Does acupuncture hurt? Most patients are surprised at how comfortable they are during treat-ment and how easily the needles are placed. When acupuncture needles are mentioned, most people associate them with hypodermic needles. The two are very different. Hypodermics have a beveled, cutting edge, large diameter, and inject a fluid. Acupuncture needles have an even circumference at the tip which enables them to slip easily into the skin, separating, rather than cutting into the tissues. Acupuncture needles are also very small in diameter, about the thickness of a horse hair, and no fluid is injected to cause the burning, swollen feeling associated with the typical “shot”.What the patient does feel, is a prick described “like a mosquito bite” when the needle first enters the skin. When it reaches the meridian the patient may feel a slight sensation best described as a dull ache or heaviness. When the patient remains relaxed there is minimal to no discomfort involved, and generally experiences a very relaxing session.If you are looking for a safe, effective treatment to stop smoking, try acupuncture!

By: Bonnie Whiting

Dr. Holly Carling is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, Doctor of Naturopa-thy, Clinical Nutritionist and Master Herbologist with over 34 years of experience. Dr. Carling is currently accepting new patients and offers natural health care services and whole food nutritional supplements in her Coeur d’ Alene clinic. Visit Dr. Carling’s website at www.vitalhealthandfitness.com to learn more about Dr. Carling, view a list of upcoming health classes and read other infor-mative articles. Dr. Carling can be reached at 208-765-1994 and would be happy to answer any questions regarding this topic.

By Dr. Holly Carling


For Advertising Call (334) 505-0674 Page 8www.tidbitscda.com

VA Links 5 More Illnesses to TBI The Department of Veterans Affairs has added five illnesses to service-connected Trau-matic Brain Injury (TBI). What this means is that veterans who have those illnesses as well as TBI will have an easier time getting additional disability benefits. The VA based its decision on a report by the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine that found “sufficient evidence” to link moderate to severe TBI with the five conditions: Parkinson’s disease, certain types of dementia, depression, unprovoked seizures or certain dis-eases of the hypothalamus and pituitary glands. Those secondary illnesses will be considered service-connected and won’t require medical opinions to establish whether there is correlation to TBI. There’s a time period for three of the five illnesses, however. Parkinson’s disease or un-provoked seizures don’t have a time frame.„ Dementia, if it manifests within 15 years with moderate or severe TBI. „ Depression, if it manifests within three years with moderate or severe TBI or within 12 months with mild TBI.„ Diseases of hormone deficiency from hypo-thalamo-pituitary changes if they manifest with-in 12 months of moderate or severe TBI.Even if you don’t meet the guidelines for sever-ity of TBI or length of time between TBI and the onset of the second illness, file your claim anyway, says the VA. If you have questions or want to file a new claim, go online to www.eBenefits.va.gov/ebenefits or call toll free to 1-800-827-1000. If you’re still active duty but within 180 days of discharge, you can file a pre-discharge TBI claim at the same link to phone number. To see the whole final determination (the comment section is informative), go online to www.regulations.gov and put this in the search box: VA-2012-VBA-0029-0212 For information about VA and DOD pro-grams for brain injury, go to www.dvbic.org.

Freddy Groves regrets that he cannot personally answer reader ques-tions, but will incorporate them into his column whenever possible.

Send email to [email protected].(c) 2013 King Features Synd., Inc.

Comparing Hospital Infection Rates The Medicare Hospital Compare website now provides information about hospital safety into two areas that are especially important to seniors: prevention of Clostridium difficile in-fections and methicillin-resistant Staphylococ-cus aureus (MRSA) bloodstream infections. It gathered this information through the National Healthcare Safety Network at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. C. diff, as it’s called, can be life-threat-ening, as it causes severe diarrhea, which causes dehydration. It can develop after taking a course of antibiotics or being in a hospital. The spores that cause the illness can stay on surfaces -- bed railings, counters, telephones -- for months. Ac-cording to the Mayo Clinic, more than a half mil-lion people get C. diff every year, and it’s very difficult to treat. Seniors age 65 and older are 10 times more susceptible to C. diff. MRSA isn’t a walk in the park either. It’s a staph infection that resists the antibiotics usu-ally used to treat it. The infection can spread all over the body. It’s usually seen in people who have been in hospitals or health-care settings, or who have had invasive procedures.In other words, both of these illnesses are serious and potentially life-threatening. If you have your choice of hospitals for a procedure, don’t you want the one that’s more likely to keep you safe from infections?Go to the Hospital Compare site (www.medicare.gov/hospitalcompare) and enter your ZIP code. You can click up to three hospitals to compare. Click Compare Now and then click Readmis-sions, Complications and Death. Click Health-care Associated Infections. The information that’s posted now only covers the first three months of 2013, but check back in April 2014 for updates on the next six months.Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader ques-tions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible.

Send email to [email protected].



STRANGE BUT TRUEby Samantha Weaver

• It was Polish chess grandmaster Saviel-ly Tartakower who made the following sage ob-servation: “Victory goes to the player who makes the next-to-last mistake.” • In the late 19th century, a single female Bengal tiger, known as the Champawat Tiger, was solely responsible for an estimated 430 deaths in India and Nepal. After evading hunters and the Nepalese Army for years, she was finally killed in 1907 by a hunter named Jim Corbett. •A leech can consume 10 times its weight in its victims’ blood. • In 2011, during a tough financial time for the nation of Romania, the government insti-tuted a 16 percent tax on the incomes of self-pro-claimed witches, fortunetellers and astrologers. Those so employed were incensed and vowed retribution, some casting spells against the presi-dent and those members of the government who had supported the legislation. In an unrelated in-cident, the legislature also drafted a measure that would punish those who incorrectly predicted the future. • Famed magician Harry Houdini was born with the less-than-inspiring name Erich Weiss. • There is a planet named Gliese 436b orbiting a red dwarf star. It’s about the size of Neptune, and it’s very, very hot -- roughly 820 degrees Fahrenheit. None of this is terribly un-usual; what’s truly surprising is the fact that the planet’s surface is made up largely of ice (with an outer layer of hydrogen and helium) despite the heat. It seems that the gravity and atmospher-ic pressure are so great that water is forced into a solid form, creating so-called hot ice. • A Louisiana man once caught a grape in his mouth that was tossed from 252 feet away.

Thought for the Day: “He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the

vices I admire.” -- Sir Winston Churchill (c) 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.


For Advertising Call (334) 505-0674 Page 11

Susan Ashley MD Family Medicine

Liberty Lake, 509-928-6700

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Although you’re getting kudos and other positive reactions to your suggestions, don’t let the cheers drown out some valid criticisms. Better to deal with them now than later.TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Following your keen Bovine intuition pays off, as you not only reassess the suggestions some people are putting in front of you, but also their agendas for doing so.GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) You continue on a high-enthusiasm cycle as that new project you’ve assumed takes shape. You’re also buoyed by the anticipation of receiving some good news about a personal matter.CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Your eagerness to immerse yourself in your new assignment is understandable. But be careful that you don’t forget to take care of that pressing personal situ-ation as well.LEO (July 23 to August 22) This is a good time to learn a new skill that could give a clever Cat an edge in the upcoming competition for work-place opportunities. Enjoy the arts this weekend with someone special.VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) You could risk creating an impasse if you insist on expect-ing more from others than they’re prepared to give. Showing flexibility in what you’ll accept could prevent a stalemate.LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Although you can weigh all factors of a dispute to find an agreeable solution for others, you might need the skilled input of someone you trust to help you deal with an ongoing situation of your own.SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) The good news is that your brief period of self-doubt turns into a positive “I can do anything” attitude. The better news is that you’ll soon be able to prove it.SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) This is a good time for Sagittarians to start making travel plans while you still can select from a wide menu of choices and deals, and not be forced to settle for leftovers.CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Like your zodiacal sign, the sure-footed Goat, you won’t allow obstacles in your path to keep you from reaching your goal. Don’t be surprised by who asks to go along with you.AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Let your head dominate your heart as you consider the risks that might be involved in agreeing to be a friend’s co-signer or otherwise act as his or her backup in a financial matter.PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Prioritize: Resolve to close the door and let your voicemail take your phone calls while you finish up a task before the end-of-week deadline. Then go out and enjoy a fun-filled weekend.

BORN THIS WEEK: Your capacity for care and compassion helps to bring

comfort to others.

(c) 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.

Common Lab Tests by: Susan Ashley MD


Doctors like to order lab, and there are com-mon ones that are routinely done. There is more information on these tests than meets the eye, and we'll go over a few of them. CMP - complete metabolic panel. This is a common chemistry panel that looks at electrolytes, liver and kidney function. The electrolytes - sodium (Na), potassium (K), and Chloride (Cl) should be in the normal range. A K of less than 4 increases risk of type 2 diabetes. A low Na can cause confusion and dizziness, and a common cause of low salt, or NaCl, is taking a diuretic, or water pill. Calcium should be in the normal range, but again a diuretic can lower the level. If calcium is too low, it can cause muscle cramps and heart arrhythmias. Kidney function is measured by the Cr, or creatine, and BUN, or blood urea nitrogen. A high BUN is usually caused by dehydration, or diuretics. A high Cr can be indicative of kidney failure and must always be taken seriously. Blood sugar, or glucose, is part of a CMP panel. Fasting glucose should not be > 100; optimally, not > 85. A higher fasting glucose can indicate diabetes or insulin resistance. Liver function tests are shown by looking at ALT, AST, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and albu-min. Elevated liver enzymes can be from hepatitis, gallbladder disease, obstruction of the liver, alcohol or certain drugs. But by far, the most common rea-son we see now for elevated ALT and AST is fatty infiltration of the liver, when abdominal fat cells in-vade the liver and cause it to stretch the liver cells, bumping the liver enzymes up. Any ALT > 18 is a problem, and is usually caused by this. This is the most common liver disease we now see, and can lead to liver failure. If your dr tells you that you "just" have fatty liver disease, this is a serious thing and the cure is to lose abdominal weight. Avoid tylenol as much as possible as it puts a tremendous strain on the liver, and especially avoid with alcohol. Chronic tylenol can suppress the #1 anti-oxidant made in the body, glutathione, which can then increase risk of cancer. A low albumin indicates low protein stores, and can be caused by kidney or liver disease, or sim-ply malnutrition. The next panel is a CBC, or complete blood count. This looks at hemoglobin and hematocrit, which is a measure of the thickness of blood; if low, indicates anemia. If too high, can indicate poly-cythemia, often caused by smoking. A white blood count indicates infection - viruses often cause a low WBC, while bacterial often causes a high WBC. Then look at something called the differen-tial. It will break down the types of WBC. If eosino-phils are high, it's usually from allergies. Look at monocytes, eosinophils and basophils - if they total > 10, it is often from food sensitivities or allergies. Platelets make the blood clot, and should not be too high or too low. Hemoglobin A1C - an indication of diabe-tes. It is a measure of a person's average blood glu-cose over the last 3 months. Diabetes is measured as 6.0 or >; pre-diabetes, or insulin resistance, is 5.7-5.9. However, a perfect A1C is 4.5-5.0; any-thing > 5 increases risk of stroke and heart disease, as it indicates insulin resistance is developing. If you're diabetic, your dr will measure your levels and keep you in the 6-7 range. I prefer to keep the A1C between 5.5-6 in my diabetics, if they are not elderly and can monitor for hypoglycemia. Always ask for a copy of your lab work and have your dr go over these with you.


• On Jan. 26, 1788, the first of 50,000 convicts banished from England to Australia land in Botany Bay. These were not hardened criminals; only a small minority were transport-ed for violent offenses. Among the first group was a 70-year-old woman who had stolen cheese to eat. • On Jan. 20, 1841, China cedes the is-land of Hong Kong to the British. In 1898, Brit-ain was granted an additional 99 years of rule. In September 1984, the British and the Chinese signed a formal agreement approving a 1997 turnover of the island. • On Jan. 25, 1924, the first Winter Olympics begin at Chamonix in the French Alps. Spectators were thrilled by the ski jump and bobsled, as well as 12 other events involv-ing a total of six sports. • On Jan. 23, 1957, the Wham-O toy company rolls out the first batch of aerodynam-ic plastic discs, now known as Frisbees. The story of the Frisbee began in Bridgeport, Conn., where students from nearby universities would throw empty Frisbie Pie Company tins to each other, yelling “Frisbie!” as they let go. • On Jan. 21, 1976, from London’s Heathrow Airport and Orly Airport outside Par-is, the first Concordes with commercial passen-gers simultaneously take flight to Bahrain in the Persian Gulf and Rio de Janeiro, respectively. The Concordes flew well past the sound barrier at 1,350 mph. • On Jan. 24, 1980, U.S. officials an-nounce that America is ready to sell military equipment (excluding weapons) to communist China as a reaction to the Soviet invasion of Af-ghanistan. An additional agreement was signed for the construction of a station in China that would be able to receive information from an American satellite. • On Jan. 22, 1998, in a Sacramento, Ca-lif., courtroom, Theodore J. Kaczynski pleads guilty to all federal charges against him, ac-knowledging his responsibility for a 17-year campaign of package bombings attributed to the “Unabomber.” The “Unabomber” was named after the UNABOM Task Force. The name came from the words “university and airline bomb-ing.”



REAL ESTATE TALK Rents have risen at the fastest pace in the last five years, while annual home prices are ris-ing at the highest rate in about 8 years. Recent and multiple housing reports point toward fur-ther progress in the ongoing recovery. It's pre-dicted that home values will continue to rise at a slow yet steady pace, but it is unlikely that we will see a decline. 2014 is estimated to see home prices rise at least 5 percent over the year. This year we will see less distressed prop-erties on the market for sale which will aid the continued rise in home prices. Also, home sell-ers are not having to compete with discounted homes. With recent Federal Reserve Policy changes, we will be likely to see mortgage interest rates increasing . So far, rates have only edged up slightly over the past 6 to 8 months. If you are a consumer who is on the fence, you may wish to take advantage of the current low home prices and lock in a mortgage rate that is still historically low. Contact your local Mort-gage lender and Realtor to help you know what your true options are for obtaining a home loan. Currently Rental prices have increased an average of $32 per month annually. With the higher prices in rents, a consumer may look into whether it is best for them financially to Rent or Buy. You don't always have to have money down. You do NEED to have at least money for an appraisal and an inspection. Contact a Realtor for a Free consultation on home buying. (some brokerages may charge a fee or surgarge) With there USDA extending once again the eligibility of the loan in the Post Falls area for home purchases , many buyers are currently taking advantage of the opportunity to obtain home ownership.

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FLASHBACKBy Mick Harper

1. Who wrote and released “Suzanne”?2. Name the musical number released in the same year by Carol Channing, Petula Clark, Bobby Darin, Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong.3. Which New Kids on the Block song was re-leased in two very different versions -- keyboard solo and guitar solo?4. Who released “No Matter What”?5. Name the song that contains this lyric: “Baby, is he looking after you? Is he showing you the same love, the warm love, just like we knew?”

Answers1. Leonard Cohen. The words originally came to life as a poem Cohen wrote in 1966, “Suzanne Takes You Down.”2. “Hello, Dolly!” from the musical of the same name. Armstrong received a Grammy for his version in 1965.3. “Hangin’ Tough,” 1989. Of the two, the guitar solo version is more widely recognized.4. Badfinger, in 1970.5. “Things I’d Like to Say,” by New Colony Six in 1968. Between 1966 and 1971, the group saw 10 of their releases hit the Hot 100 list. The group wore Colonial costumes on stage at the same time as Paul Revere and the Raiders, and once showed up at the same audition as the Raid-ers, all of them wearing the same outfits.



Tidbits® of Dallas County www.tidbitscda.comTidbits® of of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #4 Jan 20th. 2014

THIS IS A HAMMERBy Samantha Mazzotta

Time Takes Toll on Brick Walkway Q: Years ago I laid down a brick walkway in my backyard us-ing old building bricks. Lately I noticed that the bricks have become uneven. Some are crooked, but in other areas the bricks are sinking slightly, creating dips in the walkway. What’s going on? Can I fix this problem? -- Chet B., Ocala, Fla.

A: Walkways built with bricks (also known as pavers) can become uneven over time due to normal ground movement or a shift in the sand base on which such walkways are typically built. This leads to the problems you’ve described, with bricks that are out of alignment and a few depressed areas in the walkway.

If the uneven bricks don’t present a safety problem, consider delaying a repair on these sec-tions. You can try to move the bricks back into alignment, but that might not work without under-taking more time-consuming or costly repairs. The depressed bricks can be lifted back into place by repairing the base underneath them. Use a pry bar or other lever to carefully lift up a sunken brick. Then, using one end of a sturdy piece of wood such as a two by four, tamp the existing sand down into place. Put the brick back into the tamped-down section, tapping with a mallet if it doesn’t go in. Measure the different in height between the sunken brick and the surrounding bricks. Remove the sunken brink and fill the section with sand (that has rocks and larger particles screened out of it) up to the height of the measurement you took. Tamp down the new sand and remeasure the height, adding sand if necessary to bring the brick level.

Once the brick is in place and flush with the surrounding bricks, pour sand over and around the repaired brick so that it fills the crevices. Use a broom to sweep sand from the top of the bricks and into the crevices.

HOME TIP: Pull or treat weeds that spring up between paving bricks as soon as possible, before their roots have time to spread. This helps keep a brick walkway even over time.

Send your questions to [email protected]. (c) 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.

Dear Auntie M., I’m a widow in my 70’s. I’ve been dating a man my age for several months now. Recently it has come to my attention that he wears silk underwear. I don’t know why this bothers me, but it does. He is a nice man, very polite and kind, and fun to be with. He was a farmer all his life so it’s not like he’s high brow or anything. We enjoy each others company, and lately things have gotten a bit more intimate. Do you think there is something strange about a man his age wearing silk underwear? My cotton un-dies seem pretty dull compared to his fire engine red silkies. I’ve lived a pretty sheltered life. Is there a hidden meaning I should know about?Just Wondering in Jerome

Dear Just Wondering,As far as I know there is no cause for alarm. I’m curious, though, is it the fabric or the color that bothers you? Silk feels luxurious against the skin. It keeps you warm in cool weather, cool in hot weather, and it’s very popular for long un-derwear. As early as the Middle Ages aristocrats and merchants wore silk underwear. I would say this is more a personal choice than a peculiarity. Sit down with coffee or a cocktail and ask him. I’d say the color was a bit flamboyant for you and responsible for the (red) flag. My bet is he has other colors, too. Before you pass any judg-ment try some silkies yourself. There’s nothing like first hand experience. Now, if he was wearing a thong I’d probably suggest a bit more caution! I say just have fun!

Please send your questions or comments to [email protected]. I shall be

frank and honest with my response and provide resources where appropriate.

Asparagus Turkey Bacon Omelet Recipe

1 package turkey bacon1 dozen or so stocks of asparagus4-5 eggs3/4 cup milk 4-5 tablespoons of cream cheesecoconut oil for pan

Cook turkey bacon and asparagus on hot griddle while cast iron pan is heating.Mix eggs and milk in bowl and when pan is hot, pour just enough to cover the bottom - the equivalent of about one egg plus milk. Add chopped, cooked asparagus and 1 tablespoon of cream cheese. Loosen sides, fold in half serve with fruit salad

and bacon.Happy Eating, Bretta Provost

[email protected]

www.joinbretta.comwww.heirloomjungle.com


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