TIDBITS® IS CHEWING THE FAT WITH

IDIOMS

by Patricia L. Cook

This Tidbits delves into idioms. An idiom is “a group

of words whose meaning cannot be predicted from

the meanings of the constituent words.” In other

words, they really don’t make sense!

• If you live in the rainy Pacific Northwest, the steamy

Southern states or a rain forest, you have probably

heard the idiom “It was raining cats and dogs.” The

origin of the phrase is unknown. One theory is that in

olden days in England, dogs and cats would sleep on

the thatch or hay roofs of houses. When it rained, the

roofs became slippery and the animals would slide

off. Hence, it was “raining cats and dogs!”

• On the other hand, if you are sitting in a theater,

you may be in the “peanut gallery.” This term was

popularized in the late 19th century and referred

to seats located in the balcony of the theater,

the “cheap” seats. People in these seats would

sometimes throw peanuts, common theater food of

the time, on those seated below. The term was also

used for those seated in the first row on the floor

seats where the patrons could throw peanuts on

stage if they weren’t pleased with the performance.

• Regarding theater lingo, when “the plot thickens,”

it means that the situation is becoming more difficult

or complicated.

turn the page for more!

September 19, 2012 Issue 57

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A: The March release of Disney’s “John Carter” is indeed based on Burroughs’ Barsoom book series, which were published in various magazines as a serial from 1912 to 1943. Because of their popularity, they were then published as their own book series from 1917 to 1964. The film, however, didn’t prove to be quite so popular. It was received with mixed reviews and a dismal box-office take. The film was originally planned to be a trilogy, but that plan is on hold because of the film’s poor reception by moviegoers. “John Carter” is available on DVD and Bluray, so you can see for yourself whether it deserves a sequel.***Q: I am a die-hard “Young and the Restless” fan. I have a question about the actress who plays Katherine Chancellor in the series. I heard that she has sons who are also actors. Could it be the Baldwins? -- Janet C., Battle Creek, Mich.A: Jeanne Cooper, who’s played matriarch Katherine Chancellor on the series since 1973, does indeed have children (two sons, one daughter) who are ac-tors: Corbin, Collin and Caren. The eldest is Corbin Bernsen, who is best known for playing Arnold Becker on “L.A. Law” and Roger Dorn in “Major League.” He plays the recurring role of Father Todd Williams on his mom’s show, and he also is a series regular on the USA’s “Psych.” ***Q: What was Emily VanCamp in before she was on “Revenge”? I recognized her as soon as I saw her, but I cannot remember from what! -- Iris V., Suffolk, Va.A: The gorgeous Canadian actress has been in the business since she was 13, making her debut on Nickelodeon’s “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” But before “Revenge,” she was best known for her role on “Everwood,” where she played Amy Abbott. She also had a co-starring role from 2007-2010, playing Rebecca Harper, who initially was thought to be William Walker’s (Tom Skerritt) daughter with longtime mistress Holly Harper (Patricia Wettig). Take note that the sec-ond season of “Revenge” begins Sept. 30 on ABC on its new night and time, Sundays at 9/8c.***Q: When will Syfy’s “Merlin” be back for its fifth season? Please tell me it has not been canceled -- Gregory D., via e-mailA: The British sci-fi/fantasy series will indeed be back for a fifth season, which will consist of 13 all-new episodes. The series began filming in Wales and in France this spring, and if all follows according to previous seasons’ trends, sea-son five should premiere in the U.K. in December, and in the U.S. in late spring/early summer (although no official dates have been released yet).

Write to Cindy at King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475; or e-mail her at letters@cindyelavsky.com.

PHOTO: Emily VanCamp

Q: I was wondering if the “John Carter” movie you mentioned this spring is based on the science-fiction books by Edgar Rice Burroughs. I hope so, be-cause I’ve read them all and believe they could be made into a great series of sci-fi movies. -- Paul R., Marion, Indiana

Page 2 Tidbits® of Salina

Italian Spiced ShrimpQuick and flavorful, this healthful shrimp dish gets most of its flavor from a variety of Italian herbs and spices.1 small onion1 tablespoon fresh oregano leaves1 cup long-grain white rice1 3/4 cups hot water1 tablespoon olive oil1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper, to taste2 cloves garlic, crushed with press1 cup dry white wine1 can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, drained well1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper1 pound 16- to 20-count shrimp, shelled and deveined, tail part left on if you like8 leaves basil, sliced very thin, for garnish1. Preheat oven to 400 F. While oven heats, finely chop onion and oregano.2. In 3-quart shallow baking dish, combine rice and water. Cover tightly with foil and bake 20 minutes.3. Meanwhile, in 5- to 6-quart saucepot, heat oil on medium. Add onion, oregano and red pepper; cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and cook 30 sec-onds or until golden, stirring. Add wine and heat to boiling; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 6 minutes or until wine is reduced by half, stirring occasionally. Stir in tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Remove from heat.4. Arrange shrimp on top of rice in baking dish, in single layer. Pour tomato mixture evenly over shrimp; cover tightly with foil and bake 15 minutes or until shrimp turn opaque. Garnish with basil. Serves 6.Each serving: About 245 calories, 4g total fat (1g saturated), 93mg cholesterol, 300mg sodium, 35g total carbs, 2g dietary fiber, 16g protein.For thousands of triple-tested recipes, visit our website at www.goodhousekeeping.com/recipefinder/.

IDIOMS (continued):

• Many consider theater performances to be

luxuries for the wealthy, those who “live high on the

hog.” This expression came about because only

the rich could afford the choicest cuts of pork, like

loin, which comes from the top of the pig.

• The best cuts of pork were usually consumed

at the time of butchering. The other cuts were

salt cured for preservation to be eaten during

the winter. When spring arrived, people were

“scraping the bottom of the barrel” looking for any

scraps remaining. The term is now used to refer

to the last food in the pantry, money in the budget,

last one chosen for a team, etc.

• Another term for the wealthy is the “upper crust.”

This term comes from England, where the smell of

bread wafted from the kitchens of country estates.

The upper crust was the superior un-burnt part

of a loaf that was served to the “gentry” or high

society.

• In Biblical times, the “upper crust,” or upper

class, was offered the “fat of the land.” This meant

the fattest and best livestock.

• Another familiar expression with origins in

the Bible is “salt of the earth.” Salt was not only

expensive, it was also a vital preservative. People

referred to as the “salt of the earth” were and are

very precious.

• Again thinking of the precious commodity of

salt, a compliment that someone is “worth his salt”

means he is doing a good job and is a valuable

worker. Salt was so valuable in ancient days that

Roman soldiers were sometimes paid with salt

instead of or in addition to coins or currency.

• In stark contrast to a good worker stands one who

isn’t. A sorry or less-than-stellar worker may get

“canned” or “sacked.” This terminology came from

coal miners who were given a chit, a “statement of

an amount owed for food and drink,” which they

could use at the company store. When let go, their

severance pay was a can of food usually put in a

sack.

• Just as a bad worker can affect the attitudes

of his co-workers, a “bad apple” can ruin a whole

bag or box of apples. This term has been used with

all kinds of produce and people as well. You don’t

1. MOVIES: What was the name of Rocky’s boxing nem-esis in “Rocky”?2. MUSIC: Which 1980s rock band had a hit with the title “Roxanne”?3. HISTORY: Where did the Battle of Waterloo take place?4. SCIENCE: What does a mycologist study?5. TELEVISION: What was the name of the boyfriend in the “Gidget” surfing series?6. COMPUTERS: What does it mean when you get the message “Error 404” on a computer?7. LANGUAGE: What does the acronym “radar” stand for?8. LITERATURE: When was “The Cat in the Hat” first pub-lished?9. TEAM SPORTS: How many members does a cricket team have?10. GEOGRAPHY: What is the capital of Trinidad and To-bago?

“Worth It? Not Worth It?”By Jack Otter(Hachette Book Group, $19.99)Reviewed by Rose M. Croke

Credit or debit? Rent or buy a house? Buy or lease a car? Renovate the kitchen or finish the basement? Buy stocks or mutual funds? Accept or decline the rental-car insurance? Pay kids for chores or give them a flat allowance?“Worth It? Not Worth It?” answers life’s tough financial questions and real-world money concerns with either/or propositions and breaks the answers down into straightforward “do this ... not that” solutions. This easy-to-follow personal-finance book is organized around six basic top-ics of popular interest: Getting Started, Shelter, Automotive, Investing, Family Matters and Retirement.Written by Jack Otter, executive editor of CBS MoneyWatch.com, “Worth It? Not Worth It?” is a relevant and valuable resource for daily decisions, short-term matters and long-term life planning. With more than a decade of experience as a business journalist, having been on staff at Newsday, Dow Jones and SmartMoney, Otter is well-qualified to offer sound, sage and, dare I say, seemingly simple financial advice. Otter states that the vast majority of financial decisions in life are, in fact, very simple. “Most money decisions seem complicated only be-cause someone has a financial interest in confusing you,” he writes. The financial industry often charges for products that are overly complex and incredibly confusing. He claims that the simpler, less confusing and cheaper alternative is usually the right choice.“Worth It? Not Worth It?” offers readers invaluable advice on how to best use their hard-earned money. At only 144 pages long, it is filled with eye-catching graphics, colorful photos and matter-of-fact text. Readers will save time and money after reading this book, and their eyes won’t glaze over from trying to comprehend dull, stuffy economic jargon.This handy book deserves a rightful spot on your bookshelf. Over time, it will become a trusted dog-eared reference guide on money matters both book and small.

want to be the “bad apple” in the crowd!

• If you find yourself in the unsavory position of

being the person viewed as the “bad apple,” you

may find yourself “eating humble pie.” This saying

came about in a circuitous way. In the 14th century,

the heart, liver, entrails, etc. of animals were called

the “numbles” (noumbles, nomblys, noubles). In

the 15th century, they were called “umbles.” The

umbles were used as an ingredient in pies. Only

lower class folks ate “humble pie.” Hence, abasing

or lowering oneself was seen as taking oneself to

a lower class.

• Bakers in Europe were not usually baking

“humble pie” but pastries, cookies, rolls and

other fine treats. Because they could receive stiff

punishment for shorting customers, bakers would

usually put 13 or more pieces in their orders just

to be sure. This is where the “baker’s dozen”

originated.

• British sailors on war ships in the 1700s might

have appreciated some “humble pie” or a generous

“baker’s dozen.” Their ships did not have the best

living conditions. Usually, a sailor’s breakfast and

lunch was only bread and a beverage. The third

meal of the day included meat and was presented

on a square tray. Hence the term “square meal”

was coined to identify the most substantial meal of

the day.

• A popular topping for pizza, “Canadian bacon”

has hog geography behind its name. It doesn’t

have anything to do with the country of Canada

other than its location relative to the United States.

Traditional bacon is cut from the underbelly or

south side of the pig. Canadian bacon is cut from

the loin area, the upper part of the pig. Since it is

from the north — Oh, Canada!

• In England, it is customary to extend hospitality

to visitors, even complete strangers. However,

when the host chose to serve a “cold shoulder” of

beef, it signaled that it was time for the guests to

move on. Think about this the next time you snub

someone or give them the “cold shoulder.”

• When wood stoves were used to cook beef

shoulders and more, cooks used the front burners

for intense heat and for stoking the fire to avoid a

reach across the hot stove top. When it was time

to slow down or simmer the food, it was put on the

“back burner.” Now that term is used for putting

something on hold, such as a chore you need, but

don’t want, to do.

• Now for “a toast” to our Tidbits readers! Toasting

PHOTO: Ellen Barkin

HOLLYWOOD -- If you thought that censorship in television doesn’t hap-pen in today’s progressive society, you’d be wrong. “American Horror Story,” “Nip/Tuck” and “Glee” producer Ryan Murphy isn’t “Glee”ful these days, thanks to KLS-TV, the NBC station in Salt Lake City, Utah, owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, aka Mormans, who banned his upcoming show, “The New Normal,” even before its premiere. Seems they objected to the premise of a gay couple having a baby via a single-mom surrogate who has a “small-minded” grandmother, played by film star Ellen Barkin.Barkin immediately tweeted back, “Shame on u (KSL-TV), on (“Law & Order”) “SVU,” rape and child murder is OK? But, (a) loving gay couple having a baby is inappropriate?” The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLADD) said, “Same-sex families are a beloved part of

American television thanks to shows like ‘Modern Family,’ ‘Glee’ and ‘Grey’s Anatomy.’ While audiences, critics and advertisers have all supported (these kind of) shows, KSL (TV) is demonstrating how deeply out of touch it is with the rest of the country.”***The upcoming election has taken over our televisions. Big-name stars are choosing sides, while the media and the TV networks perpetuate the myth that the American people actually elect the president of the United States. In fact, it’s the people we elect to represent us in Washington, D.C., who make up the Electoral College that actually selects our president. In a perfect world, they’d vote the way we the people do, but it doesn’t always turn out that way.In 1824, John Quincy Adams was elected president, but Andrew Jackson won the popular vote. In l876, Rutherford Hayes won, but Samuel Tilden was the people’s choice. In 1888, the incumbent President Grover Cleveland won the popular vote, but Benjamin Harrison was elected to office. More recently, George W. Bush took office after the 2000 election, even though Al Gore was the popular vote-getter. So how much weight does our vote actually have? We would all be wise to stop accepting what the news media tells us and try to find a better way to pick our presidents in the future.***Ryan Murphy’s “American Horror Story” is going through major changes. When the show returns in October for its second season, it will be called “American Horror Story: Asylum.” Two-time Oscar winner Jessica Lange re-turns, but Dylan McDermott and Connie Britton are gone. Zachary Quinto, James Cromwell and Joseph Fiennes are main cast members, while Mark Consuelos and “The Voice’s” Adam Levine are recurring. You won’t hear Ad-am’s singing “Voice” on this one, else they’d have to call it “American Horror Story: The Musical Asylum”!

Send letters to Tony Rizzo’s Hollywood, 8306 Wilshire Blvd., No. 362, Beverly Hills, CA 90211.

1. The Possession (PG-13) Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Kyra Sedgwick

2. Lawless (R) Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy3. The Expendables 2 (R) Sylvester Stallone, Arnold

Schwarzenegger4. The Bourne Legacy (PG-13) Jeremy Renner, Rachel

Weisz5. ParaNorman (PG) animated

6. The Odd Life of Timothy Green (PG) Jennifer Garner, Joel Edgerton

7. The Dark Knight Rises (PG-13) Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway

8. The Campaign (R) Will Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis9. 2016 Obama’s America (PG) Documentary

10. Hope Springs (PG-13) Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones

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Mineral Buildup Around Faucets

Q: I have a recurring problem with mineral deposits building up around my faucets. How can I reduce these, and is there an easier way to clean it off the faucets and fixtures? -- Carl in Ocala, Fla.

A: Mineral buildup around faucets, also known as “scale,” is common in areas such as yours that have hard water -- water containing high levels of minerals, particularly those containing calcium or magnesium. Hard water makes it difficult for soaps to lather up, which is inconvenient for bathers. But more serious is the potential for scale buildup inside water heaters.The most effective way to reduce the prevalence of scale is to install a water softener where the water enters the house. The size and type of water softener unit depends on how much water you use per day on average and the hardness of the water. You can bring in a professional to test the water,

assess your needs and estimate the cost of the installation, or, if you’re experienced with plumbing, you can install the softener yourself.Some important points to remember are: Get more than one estimate if possible, and don’t allow work to begin until you’ve approved it in writing. Make sure the installer locates the water softener unit at least 10 feet from the water heater, and that a remote by-pass also is installed (this allows you to bypass the water-softener unit if it shuts down for any reason so that the house still gets water). Water softeners last for many years and operate with few problems, making them a good value for the amount of money you’ll spend on parts and installa-tion.In the meantime, clean scale buildup from faucets and showerheads by shutting off the water supply to the affected faucets, and unscrewing the shower head and faucet aerators. Wash them in soapy water and rinse well. Then, place in a stainless steel or Teflon lined pan with a solution of half vinegar and half water. Simmer the hardware for five minutes, cool, then scrub with a nylon brush to remove the deposits.

HOME TIP: To reduce mineral buildup and lengthen the life of your water heater, drain it twice a year via the drain spigot.

Send your questions or tips to ask@thisisahammer.com, or write This Is a Hammer, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.

IDIOMS (continued):

By Samantha Mazzotta

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Tidbits® of Salina Page 4

Leg Pain a Sign of Blocked Artery

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My wife’s doctor thinks she has intermittent claudication due to peripheral vascular disease. She also has diabetes. Would you describe it and its treatment? -- S.B.

ANSWER: Peripheral vascular disease also goes by the name peripheral artery disease, PAD. “Peripheral” refers to the outer boundary, and when speaking of the body, the legs are its periphery. Leg arteries are narrowed and often blocked by the buildup of cholesterol, fat and many other components found in the circulation. The buildup is called plaque. The buildup can be so great that no blood runs through the main leg arteries.Intermittent claudication is leg pain that develops when someone with PAD walks any distance. The person can tell, almost to the number of steps taken, when pain will arise. Taking a rest relieves the pain.About 15 percent of those 70 and older have PAD. Its main sign is intermittent claudication.Your wife can do many things on her own that will help her. If her cholesterol is high, she has to get it down. She has to maintain normal blood pressure. She must exercise within the limits prescribed by her doctor. Walking is one of the best exercises. If she starts out modestly and gradually increases the distance and pace, she should aim for 30 minutes of walking daily. When pain arises, she should stop, take a break and then

resume once pain has gone. One simple test for determining PAD is comparing blood pressure taken at the ankle with blood pressure taken in the arm. They should be nearly equal. If the ankle pressure is lower, that’s evidence of PAD.Your wife’s doctor will discuss the use of medicines like Plavix, Pletal and aspirin. With severe blockage of an artery, opening it up with a balloon-tipped catheter and inserting a shunt is one treatment. It’s the same procedure used for clogged heart arteries. Removing the obstructed artery segment and replacing it with a graft is another way to treat this illness.The booklet on PAD discusses the details of this common malady in depth. Readers can obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue -- No. 109, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Can. with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery. ***DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Ever since I was 10 years old, I have had this problem: If I set something down or reach or touch something, I have to touch it again to make it feel right. When I hang clothes, I reach for a hanger and then put it back for a different one. I do things like this all day. I am 55. Am I crazy? -- N.H.

ANSWER: You describe obsessive-compulsive disorder. You’re not crazy. Many people have it. It’s an irresistible urge to perform a certain ritual, like touching things a second time or constantly washing the hands. That’s the compulsion, an act that relieves inner unease, the obsession. Help is available. Ask the family doctor to refer you to a specialist in this disorder. You’ve put up with it for too long.***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.

is a medieval tradition that honored a host with a

gesture for long life. The gesture entailed placing a

crust of bread into a goblet of wine and raising it to

the host, an adaptation of Holy Communion.

FAMOUS LANDMARKS OF THE WORLD:

DEAD SEA

Even though fresh water is continually draining into

the Dead Sea, it is nearly 10 times as salty as the

oceans and twice as salty as Utah’s Great Salt Lake.

• One of the world’s most unusual places, the Dead

Sea is also called the Salt Sea. Located in the Middle

East, it is bordered by Jordan to the east and Israel

and the West Bank to the west. The Hebrew name

for the Dead Sea is Yam ha Maved, which actually

means “killer sea.”

• The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth, over

1,312 feet (400 m) below sea level. At its deepest

part, it is over 2,300 feet (701 m) below sea level.

The Dead Sea is 42 miles (67 km) long and 11 miles

(18 km) wide at its widest point.

• The main tributary into the sea is the Jordan

River. The Dead Sea does not empty out anywhere

— It is endorheic, which means it has no outlet

besides evaporation. It is totally landlocked, and the

deeper areas are the saltiest. There is an estimated

1.9 billion tons of potassium chloride salt in the

Dead Sea that are harvested by using a system of

evaporation ponds.

• The Dead Sea has a salinity reading of 33.7

percent, meaning nearly 35 percent of the water is

Collecting by

Larry Coxis brought to you by

Brass Bed

Q: I have a brass bed that I've been told is more than a century old. Any information you can provide me would be appreciated. -- Susan, Danville, Va.A: I examined the picture you sent, and your brass bed appears to be from the Victorian era. It was probably manufactured between 1890 and about 1915. Most beds of this type generally sell in the $350 to $650 range, depending on condition and demand.***Q: I have a Springfield Model 1863 rifle that was used by a family member during the Civil War. Can you tell me more about this firearm? -- Steve, Cottonwood, Ariz.A: It was a percussion rifle musket made by the National Armory in Springfield, Ill. By 1863, Springfield was the only government arsenal under Union control, since Harper's Ferry had been destroyed by a Confederate raid in 1861. According to Warman's Civil War Weapons by Graham Smith, the Model 1861 was such a success that both Springfield and private contractors rushed to produce as many rifles as they could. Since the Union couldn't interrupt production to introduce a new design, they slightly modified it, and it was sold as a Springfield Model 1863. This is a highly desirable Civil War weapon. To determine its value, you should consult a competent arms dealer.***Q: I have an umbrella stand that was made by the Roseville Pottery Company in about 1915. It is in the Mostique pattern. -- Ron, Alton, Ill.A: The Mostique pattern is one of the most common Roseville patterns after Pine Cone. According to Warman's Roseville Pottery by Mark F. Moran, most pieces had textured glazes of gray or tan, and many are not marked. I could not find an umbrella stand in this guide, but typical prices for this pattern are $350 to $450 for a wall pocket; a jardiniere, $110 to $140; and a matched pair of vases, $325 to $350.***Q: My late sister bought some rose-colored dishes. I would like to know how much they are worth. -- Bobby, Russellville, Ala.A: Your question is impossible to answer since you did not provide me with the name of the pattern and other pertinent information.

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

(c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.

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Forgotten TreasuresForgotten Treasures

Life Magazines

Q: I have several Life magazines from the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s. How do I sell them? -- Lorraine, Surprise, Ariz.A: Life magazines are not as rare as you might think. Even though certain issues are more desirable than others, most are currently selling for about $10 each. Collectors are especially interested in the Beatles, Elvis and Marilyn Monroe covers. To sell your magazines, you might contact the Brass Armadillo antique mall, 12419 N. 28th Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85029, to see if there is any interest.***Q: At a recent auction I purchased four large boxes of books, many from the early years of the past century. I suspect I might have a few that are quite valuable. How can I find out without hiring an appraiser? -- Ted, St. Charles, Mo.A: Go to www.abe.com. Type in the name and author of a book, and a list of dealers offering that book for sale will appear on your computer. The edition of a book is extremely important. For example, the first printing of Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” often sells for $25,000 and more; later edi-tions for much less. As with most collectibles, condition also is an important factor.***Q: I purchased a Thomas Jefferson bowl in Patriot Red slag by Fenton glass. The bowl with lid was limited to 3,600 pieces in red in 1975, with the same amount in a different color the following year, and then the mold destroyed. I cannot find this piece in any of the Fenton price guides. -- Sandra, Granite City, ILA: Your piece is valued at $135 in Warman’s Fenton Glass: Identification & Price Guide by Mark F. Moran.***Q: I have a Mountain Dew green glass soda-pop bottle in excellent shape. I think it is from the 1970s. Any value? -- David, Santa Monica, Calif.A: The original formula for Mountain Dew was developed by PepsiCo during the 1940s. The drink was first marketed in Virginia and Tennessee. In 1988, diet Mountain Dew was available. According to several collectors I contacted, your bottle is probably worth in the $5 to $10 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 questionsforcox@aol.com. Due to the large volume of mail he receives, Mr. Cox is unable to personally answer all reader questions. Do not send any materials requiring return mail.

(c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.

Spanish Tortilla Is Healthy Snack

When I return from a trip, some of my best souvenirs are recipes collected along the way. While photographs provide a visual journal of our adventures, preparing a new dish is like a journal of the senses. The aroma in our kitchen and robust tastes at first bite bring back the memory of people and places.Now back home from a trip to the Colorado mountains, I’m eager to prepare the Spanish tortilla recipe my friend Joana Iniguez, originally from Barcelona, taught me in her bright kitchen nestled in Aspen. “It’s Spanish tradition to make a ‘tortilla’ as a snack (tapa) or for picnics and serve slices warm or cool,” she said as she expertly sliced a zucchini into almost paper-thin disks. “It’s commonly prepared with potatoes, eggs, onions, olive oil and salt, but I prefer replacing the potatoes with zucchini for a sweeter taste. “Best of all, it’s a special hit with my 9- and 10 year-old nieces, who are generally picky eaters,” she added.While zucchini are still plentiful, prepare this tortilla with your kids and enjoy it as a healthy snack or evening meal on a busy school night. Serve with crusty bread, and do like the kids in Barcelona: Cut a juicy, ripe tomato in half, squeeze out some of the center portion onto a slice of French bread and drizzle with a bit of olive oil. Pure deliciousness!

SPANISH TORTILLA WITH ZUCCHINI

Ingredients:4 tablespoons olive oil

2 medium onions, thinly sliced6 medium zucchini (about 2 1/2 pounds total), cut in very thinly sliced rounds

using a knife or mandoline 6 eggs

1 teaspoon salt Pepper to taste

1. Put 3 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet and saute the onions on low heat for 5 minutes or until they are soft but still glistening. Stir frequently. Add

zucchini and 1/2 teaspoon salt, and saute 15 minutes or until zucchini are tender and ruffled around the edges. Spoon the mixture into a colander to

drain juices. 2. Let kids crack and whisk the eggs in a large bowl. Stir in drained zucchini

mixture and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. 3. Heat a 10-inch nonstick skillet drizzled with oil. Add the egg mixture and cook on low heat, stirring occasionally until eggs have set and bottom is

golden, about 10-12 minutes. 4. Run a spatula around the edges. Place a flat, rimless frying-pan lid that is larger than the tortilla over the skillet. Hold the lid handle with one hand and the skillet with the other, let the kids count to three, and then quickly flip the tortilla onto the lid. Slide the flipped tortilla back into the skillet and cook for

3-5 minutes, until firm. Slide onto a flat plate, slice and serve. ***

Donna Erickson’s award-winning series “Donna’s Day” is airing on public tel-evision 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.”

Continued on pg. 9

Page 5For Advertising Call (785) 404-1000

THE HAND THAT NEVER WAS

South dealer.either side vulnerable.NORTH[S] Q 4[H] K J 5 4[D] 8 4 2[C] A K 7 3WEST [S] A J 6 5 2 [H] 9 8 7 2 [D] Q 7 [C] 6 5 EAST[S] 9 8 7 3[H] A 6[D] J 6 5 3[C] 10 9 4SOUTH

[S] K 10[H] Q 10 3[D] A K 10 9[C] Q J 8 2The bidding:South West North East1 NT Pass 2 [C] Pass2 [D] Pass 3 [C] Pass3 [H] Pass 4 [H]Opening lead -- ace of spades.

The scene was Monte Carlo in 1976. Italy, the favorite, was playing Brazil in an early round of the World Bridge Olympiad. Forty-five nations were entered in the event.Pedro Assumpcao was North for Brazil and Gabriel Chagas South when this deal occurred. The opening notrump bid showed 13 to 15 points, and two clubs was Stayman, indicating interest in a major. Two diamonds denied a four-card major, and three clubs by North was also an artificial bid, asking South to pinpoint his distribution.Three hearts announced precisely 2-3-4-4 distribution, and North -- knowing that his partner also had only a doubleton spade -- decided to take his chances in a 4-3 heart fit rather than in notrump.So, while the overwhelming majority of the 44 other North-South pairs floundered in three notrump, and went down one after the automatic spade lead, Assumpcao and Chagas found the best game contract of four hearts and easily made it after West led the ace and another spade. It was clearly one of the best-bid hands of the tournament, but, unfortunately, there was an ironic twist. It turned out that their Brazilian teammates at the other table had been incorrectly seated North-South in the 30-board match, instead of East-West, and the entire match had to be canceled -- even though the Brazilians had soundly trounced their world-famous Italian op-ponents at both tables.Instead of replaying the match, which would be normal in such circumstanc-es, the authorities decided to award each team an above-average score. Although this was somewhat unfair -- especially to the Brazilians, who had played so well -- justice was served in the end when Brazil wound up winning the Olympiad and its first world championship.

Your Family Tree

One of the best things you can leave future generations of your family is accurate genealogy information.Creating a family tree isn’t as difficult as it may sound. Start with yourself, your siblings and your parents. Accurate date and place of birth infor-mation is crucial to any future hunts. Go back as many generations as you can, at least giving names if you can’t also supply dates and place of birth.Write down stories about your family members (this will also jog your own memory of facts about the past.) If there are “rumors,” make notes of those as well. Even if you can’t verify whether your mother’s grandfather was a train engineer, someone else might be able to at a later date.If you have a computer and are comfortable roaming the Internet, Ancestry.com is one of the best places to start. On Ancestry, you can not only research your family, but you can create a family tree to save. The amount of information available is amazing: old military records, city directories, birth and death certificates, photos uploaded by others, Census through 1940 and so much more. There is a fee to subscribe to Ancestry, but if you join for six months and do a little every week, you should finish in that time.On Family Search (familysearch.org) you will likely find information that you can’t find anywhere else (for example, some of it goes back as far as Europe), but you have to be careful. Use Family Search as a hunting ground and verify information elsewhere.If you’ve never done genealogy, consider taking a class to get started. This might be a good winter project, with the end result benefiting your family for generations to come.

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 columnreply@gmail.com.

1. Which group had a Top 10 hit with “Born to Be With You” in 1956?2. Who released “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’”?3. Paul McCartney married Linda Eastman, John Lennon married Yoko Ono, and George Harrison and his wife, Pattie, were arrested on drug charges. What was the year?4. “Who’ll Stop the Rain” and “Lookin’ Out My Back Door” were on which album?5. Which group released “Run Runa-way”?6. Ronnie James Dio replaced which musician in the band Black Sabbath?

Tidbits® of Salina Page 6

Roddick Calls It Quits

What (were) Andy Roddick’s chances at winning the U.S. Open? “As good as anybody not named Roger,” said Andy ... perhaps the most quotable tennis player in the history of the sport.Andy called it in at this year’s U.S. Open, announcing his retirement after the first round of the tournament. I’m

sure there’s a joke in that headline somewhere -- that he usually retires around the first round of a championship but that would, of course, be a joke. For Andy Roddick was a champion ... albeit a champion with very bad timing. Andy Roddick held the torch of American tennis for the better part of a decade. And by “better part,” we mean “better part.” This guy at one time held the record for fastest serve (155 mph ... you just try doing that on the highway), he hosted “Saturday Night Live,” and he mar-ried Brooklyn Decker. Did I mention he had a really fast serve?But Andy Roddick had a problem at birth: He was born at the same time as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Unfortunately for the script, those guys played better tennis. It certainly wasn’t for lack of trying. Sure, Roddick was a fiery, tempestuous sort of player. He needed to get psyched up before every match as if he was Matthew Modine in “Vision Quest.” But when he won, he won big. There aren’t many tennis players or champs from any game that can say they won the U.S. Open (2003) and 32 career titles. Roddick had a flair for drama, and his announced retire-ment during the middle of a tournament didn’t seem too out of place for the man. Though not an outsized personality or multi Grand Slam winner like McEnroe

or Connors, he still managed to get into the club. In another decade or so, ask yourself who was a dominant male American tennis player at the turn of the century. You’re not going to say “Mardi Fish,” or anyone else for that matter. He’s only 30 years old. I bet he comes back, and if he doesn’t, something tells me he’ll find another line of work. For those of us in the post-game business, he’ll be sorely missed. Rarely has an athlete been more forthcoming at a press conference.Hey Andy, you just lost at Indian Wells to an inferior player and said your confidence was shot ... can you elaborate?“It comes from playing like s**t. Why would I feel confi-dent right now? If that was the case, I don’t think we’d be sitting here having this funeral-like press conference. It’s just weird because, I used to like, hit for a half-hour and then go eat Cheetos the rest of the day ... come out and drill forehands. Now I’m really trying to make it hap-pen, being professional, really going for it ... and I miss my Cheetos.”We’re gonna miss you too, Andy Roddick.

Mark Vasto is a veteran sportswriter who lives in Kansas City.

(c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.

PHONE: 785-823-8142645 E. CRAWFORDSALINA, KS 67401

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Page 7For Advertising Call (785) 404-1000

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Tidbits® of Salina Page 8

EDITOR’S NOTE: DVDs reviewed in this col-umn will be available in stores the week of Sept. 17, 2012.

PHOTO: Greta Gerwig in “Damsels in Distress”

PICKS OF THE WEEK"Marvel's The Avengers" (PG-13) -- The blockbust-

er hit of the summer is now available for your home viewing. Earth's mightiest superheroes are as-sembled into one team to defend the world from an alien invasion led by Loki, the Norse god of chaos. Add that weird plot to truckloads of special effects and a star-studded cast wearing colorful costumes, and somehow it all works. Of course it's loud and silly, but it's also a very fun ride, even for those who own fewer than 100 comic books.Other super-movies have struggled to maintain focus with just one hero. This movie uses Iron Man, Captain America, The Hulk, Thor, Black Widow and Hawkeye without getting too distracted. Director/writer Joss Whedon took on the ambitious en-deavor and got audiences to suspend disbelief and cheer for the good guys.

"Damsels in Distress" (PG-13) -- Violet Wister (Greta Gerwig) is a socially conscious young woman at the center of a group of girls who care for the depressed and socially maligned populations of their university. Violet and her gals seeks to recruit Lily, a transfer student, into their little circle so she might learn their ways of dating only socially inept guys and civilizing the party-animal demographic.Director Wilt Stillman puts the humor into the ca-dence and delivery of the innuendo-laden dialogue. This isn't a National Lampoon-style college romp, but an eccentric, banter-heavy comedy about peo-ple with good intentions.

"The Tall Man" (R) -- In a remote town where the weather forecast is always ominously grey skies, the townsfolk spread a creepy little rumor. Children

go missing, and people say it's because of a tall man. Jessica Biel plays a local nurse who doesn't buy the story, until her own boy disappears. She goes on a parent's nightmare journey for her child, only to get lost in a series of plot twists, conspira-cies and missed opportunities for the movie to end on a reasonable note.

"Soldiers of Fortune" (R) -- Christian Slater is a tough ex-military kinda guy hired to protect some millionaires who want front-row tickets to a real war zone. Naturally and deservedly, the mission goes horribly awry and everybody's lives are put in danger (more than anticipated, I guess). This is one of those movies you see for rent that you've never heard of, but when you check the box it's got a decent cast (Sean Bean, Ving Rhames, James Cromwell). Yet should you cross the line and attempt to watch this movie at home, you will be treated to an early bedtime by this snoozefest of a convoluted action movie.

TV RELEASES“American Horror Story”“Desperate Housewives: The Complete Eighth and Final Season”“New Tricks: Season 8”“Gossip Girl: The Complete Fifth Season”“CSI: Miami -- The 10th and Final Season”“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation -- The 12th Sea-son”“CSI: NY -- The Eighth Season”

(c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.

TOP OF THE CHARTS as of Sept. 10, 2012

PHOTO: Trey Songz

Top 10 Pop SinglesThis Week Last Week

1. Taylor Swift No. 1 “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”

2. Flo Rida No. 2 “Whistle”3. Ellie Goulding No. 3 “Lights”

4. Maroon 5 No. 9 “One More Night”5. fun. No. 27 “Some Nights”

6. Carly Rae Jepsen No. 4 “Call Me Maybe”7. Katy Perry No. 5 “Wide Awake”

8. Maroon 5 feat. Wiz Khalifa No. 7 “Payphone”9. Owl City & Carly Rae Jepsen No. 2 “Good Time”10. Justin Bieber feat. Big Sean No. 8 “As Long As

You Love Me”

Top 10 Albums1. Trey Songz new entry “Chapter V”

2. Chainz No. 1 “Based On A T.R.U. Story”3. Various Artists No. 2 “NOW 43”

4. DJ Khaled new entry “Kiss the King”5. Justin Bieber No. 6 “Believe”

6. Maroon 5 No. 5 “Overexposed”7. Owl City new entry “The Midsummer Station”

8. Rick Ross No. 3 “God Forgives, I Don’t”9. Tenth Avenue North new entry “The Struggle”

10. One Direction No. 7 “Up All Night”

Top 10 Hot Country Singles1. Blake Shelton No. 1 “Over”

2. Little Big Town No. 3 “Pontoon”3. Josh Turner No. 4 “Time Is Love”

4. Hunter Hayes No. 8 “Wanted”5. Love And Theft No. 41 “Angel Eyes”6. Jana Kramer No. 9 “Why Ya Wanna”

7. Keith Urban No. 10 “For You”8. Jason Aldean No. 12 “Take a Little Ride”

9. The Band Perry No. 7 “Postcard From Paris”10. Dustin Lynch No. 11 “Cowboys And Angels”

Page 9For Advertising Call (785) 404-1000

dissolved salts. Ocean water is 3.5 percent dissolved

salts.

• Due to the high salinity of the Dead Sea, no fish or

any kind of swimming, squirming creature lives in or

near the water. Fish accidentally swimming into the

waters from one of the several freshwater streams

that feed the Sea are killed instantly, their bodies

quickly coated with a preserving layer of salt crystals

and then tossed onto shore by the wind and waves.

• There are, however, several species of bacteria and

one species of algae that are adapted to harsh life in

the Dead Sea. White salt crystals cover everything on

the shore. And this is no ordinary table salt; the salts

found in the Dead Sea are mineral salts — mostly

chloride salts of magnesium, sodium, potassium

and bromine — just like you find in the oceans of the

world, only in extreme concentrations.

• The leading attraction at the Dead Sea is the warm,

soothing, super-salty water. This water has attracted

visitors since ancient times, including King Herod the

Great and the beautiful Egyptian Queen, Cleopatra.

• Due to the high salinity, water in the Dead Sea is

extremely buoyant — A person can float effortlessly

on his or her back and not have to expend energy

treading water. Also, the high salt content and warm

temperature of the water provide therapy for ailments

such as rheumatism, gynecological diseases and

bronchial conditions.

• Dead Sea Works, Ltd. (DSW) is a company

dedicated to harvesting minerals from the waters of

the Dead Sea. DSW is located on the southwest side

of the Sea and employs 1,600 people.

• Potash is the most valuable of the minerals

extracted today and is used in the manufacture

of fertilizer. Other minerals extracted are used in

making products such as potassium chloride salt,

industrial salts, de-icers, bath salts, table salt and

raw materials for the cosmetic industry.

PEANUTS

If peanuts are your favorite nut, you are not alone.

However, peanuts are not nuts: They are legumes,

related to beans, peas and lentils.

• Peanuts originated in South America. They are

now grown in warm areas of Asia, Africa, Australia

and North and South America. Fifteen states in the

United States grow peanuts, with Georgia being the

top producing state.

• Peanuts are the official state crop of Georgia, and

the state produces almost half of the total U.S. peanut

crop. Most people are aware that President Jimmy

Carter was a peanut farmer from Plains, Georgia. But

many are unaware that he was the second peanut

farmer to serve as President of the United States.

Thomas Jefferson was the first.

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DEAD SEA (continued from pg. 4 ):

Tidbits® of Salina Page 10

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• Peanuts have been grown in the United States

since the 1800s. Peanut popularity surged during

the Civil War, with soldiers on both sides eating the

protein-rich legumes for energy and sustenance.

• Peanuts are powerhouses of nutrition; they are

cholesterol-free, contain about 26 percent protein

and are a good source of vitamin E, potassium and

fiber. They are an excellent source of magnesium,

folate and niacin as well.

• Even though Georgia is the No. 1 state for

peanut production, the peanut capital of the world

is Dothan, Alabama. About half of the peanuts

grown in the United States are grown within a

100-mile (160.9-km) radius of Dothan. The 69th

National Peanut Festival will be held in Dothan from

November 2-11, 2012.

• The first National Peanut Festival was held in

1938. The honored guest speaker for the inaugural

event was Dr. George Washington Carver, who is

known as the father of the U.S. peanut industry.

Dr. Carver developed over 300 uses for the peanut

in his work at the Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee,

Alabama.

• Because of Dr. Carver’s extensive work with

peanuts, many believe he invented peanut butter,

but he did not. Several doctors experimenting with

peanuts in the late 1890s wanted a peanut product

or paste that would be easy for their patients with

bad teeth.

• Dr. John Kellogg was one doctor who wanted the

healthy, protein-rich peanut paste for his patients.

He and his brother, W.K. Kellogg, worked together

and actually patented a peanut butter process in

1895. The brothers went on to develop their cereal

company and let others sell peanut butter.

• The public introduction to peanut butter in the

United States happened at the 1904 St. Louis

World’s Fair, called the Louisiana Purchase

Exposition. C.H. Sumner’s concession stand

sold over $700 worth of peanut butter. From that

point on that peanut butter became a standard in

most cupboards. The United States is the biggest

supplier and consumer of peanut butter.

• Peanuts are different from other crops in many

ways. “Digger” and “shaker” machines are used

for harvesting peanuts to bring them to the top of

the ground to dry. Much care is taken in getting the

peanuts to dry correctly in their shells to prepare

them for market.

New Layaway Options

To snag more of your holiday shopping dollars, one big-box store is extending its layaway season by a month and changing the rules.Walmart’s layaway season starts in mid-Septem-ber, one month early this year, giving customers a full 90-day layaway period. You’ll put down 10 percent of your total (or $10, if greater). Each individual item must cost more than $15, and your whole purchase must be more than $50. The ben-efit is that your account fee payment ($15, up from $5 last year) will be refunded to you in a gift card if you complete the layaway contract. The number of products has expanded as well, and now includes some sporting goods and small appliances. Check your local store, as down payments vary by state.Best Buy has a layaway program at selected stores. Items must total more than $250, and you’ll pay a hefty 25 percent down as well as a nonrefundable 5 percent layaway fee. You’ll make payments every two weeks until it’s paid for. Many items don’t qualify for layaway: Clearance, limited quantity, closeout and promotional items aren’t eligible.Kmart’s layaway seems to be the same as last

year: $5 to open an account, $10 cancellation fee, and $15 down payment (or 10 percent if greater). Make a payment every two weeks during an eight-week contract.Sears offers layaway with $5 to open an account, $20 down (or 20 percent if greater) and a $15 can-cellation fee. Payments are made every two weeks for an eight-week contract.Toys “R” Us layaway requires a 20 percent down payment and a $5 service fee, but customers have 90 days to pay. Half the total must be paid by the 45-day mark.A typical layaway transaction involves a 10 per-cent to 20 percent down payment and a $5 service fee to open the account. Payments are made weekly until the items are paid for. Generally, there’s a $10 fee for cancellation.As the holiday shopping season gets under way, keep your eyes open for other stores to follow Walmart’s lead with more attractive layaway op-tions.If in doubt, call your favorite stores and ask whether they have layaway programs. With stores wanting to capture all the consumer dollars they can get this season, stores that have never had a program before might have one now.

David Uffington regrets that he cannot person-ally 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 columnreply@gmail.com.

(c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.

PEANUTS (continued):

Page 11For Advertising Call (785) 404-1000

On Sept. 24, 1789, The Judiciary Act of 1789 is passed by Congress and signed by President George Washington, establishing the Supreme Court of the United States as a tribunal made up of six justices. By 1869 the number of justices was increased to nine.On Sept. 30, 1868, the first volume of Loui-sa May Alcott’s beloved children’s book “Lit-tle Women” is published. Alcott dedicated most of her life and writing to supporting her family after her father’s failure at run-ning Transcendentalist school. Her works include “Little Men” (1871) and “An Old-Fashioned Girl” (1870).On Sept. 28, 1901, Ed Sullivan, who would become the host of the long-running TV variety program “The Ed Sullivan Show,” is born in New York City. During the peak of its popularity in the 1950s and 1960s, Sul-livan’s program showcased a wide range of entertainers, including The Beatles and Elvis Presley.On Sept. 29, 1913, Rudolf Diesel, inventor of the engine that bears his name, disap-pears from the steamship Dresden while traveling from Belgium to England. On Oct. 10, Diesel’s body was found in the water. Conspiracy theories began to fly almost im-mediately. Many people believed (and still believe) that Diesel was murdered.On Sept. 25, 1957, under escort from 1,000 paratroopers in the U.S. Army’s 101st Air-borne Division, nine black students enter all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Ark. Three weeks earlier, Arkansas Gov. Orval Faubus had surrounded the school with National Guard troops to prevent court-ordered racial integration.On Sept. 26, 1960, for the first time in U.S. history, a debate between major party pres-idential candidates is shown on television. John F. Kennedy debated Richard M. Nixon in a Chicago studio. Nixon refused to wear makeup.On Sept. 27, 1989, Zsa Zsa Gabor, on trial for slapping a police officer, storms out of the courtroom in the middle of the district attorney’s closing argument. She had been pulled over for expired tags on her Rolls Royce, as well as having an open container of alcohol and an expired license.

1. Jose Valverde set the record for the Detroit Tigers in 2011 with 49 consecutive saves. Who had held the franchise mark? 2. How many times did Juan Gonzalez have more home runs than walks in a season during his 17-year major-league

career?3. Who is the only college football coach to win a BCS title with two losses?4. In 2009-10, Aaron Brooks set a Houston Rockets record with 209 3-point field goals made. Who held the old record?5. How many Edmonton Oilers have won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie?6. Name the last female before Danica Patrick in 2012 to secure the pole in NASCAR’s Nationwide Series?7. How many times did Chris Evert reach the women’s singles final at Wimbledon, and how many times did she win?

TOP TEN VIDEO, DVD as of Sept. 10, 2012

Top 10 Video Rentals1. The Hunger Games (PG-13) Jennifer Lawrence

2. The Dictator (R) Sacha Baron Cohen3. Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax (PG) (animated)

4. Bernie (PG-13) Jack Black5. Lockout (PG-13) Guy Pearce

6. Freelancers (R) 50 Cent7. American Reunion (R) Jason Biggs

8. Dexter: The Sixth Season (TV-MA) Michael A. Hall9. 21 Jump Street (R) Jonah Hill

10. Silent House (R) Elizabeth Olsen

Top 10 DVD Sales 1. The Hunger Games (PG-13) (Lionsgate)2. Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax (PG) (Universal)

3. The Dictator (R) (Paramount)4. NCIS: The Ninth Season (TV-14) (Paramount)

5. Dexter: The Sixth Season (TV-MA) (Paramount)6. Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World (G) (Disney)

7. The Rescuers: Down Under (G) (Disney)8. The Aristocats (G) (Disney)

9. House: Season 8 (TV-14) (Universal)10. Glee: The Complete Third Season (NR) (Fox)

Source: Rentrak Corp.

(c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.

It was British playwright and noted wit Oscar Wilde who made the following sage observation: “Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.”

If you’re like the typical human, your brain makes up only 2 percent of your body’s weight, but it uses about 20 percent of your body’s energy.

Some people, it seems, have more money than sense. For example, in December of 2008, some unknown person paid $5,300 to buy a single tissue off eBay. What was so special about the tissue? Reportedly, it was used once by actress Scarlett Johans-son. Fortunately, proceeds from the sale benefited a nonprofit organization.

The average ant lives less than two months.

Using leeches as a form of medical treat-ment is archaic, right? Maybe not so much. As recently as 2004, a request to market

leeches as medical devices was approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

When the infamous Titanic was being built, shifts were 14 hours a day, and workers only had one day off a week. Each day, each worker was allowed a total of seven minutes for bathroom breaks.

Those who study such things say that marriages involving so-called mail-order brides have a lower rate of divorce than marriages that come about in more tradi-tional ways.***Thought for the Day: “Among men, it seems, historically at any rate, that pro-cesses of co-ordination and disintegration follow each other with great regularity, and the index of the co-ordination is the meas-ure of the disintegration which follows. There is no mob like a group of well-drilled soldiers when they have thrown off their discipline. And there is no lostness like that which comes to a man when a perfect and certain pattern has dissolved about him. There is no hater like one who has greatly loved.” -- John Steinbeck

Answers1. Willie Hernandez had 32 straight saves in 1984.2. Seven times.3. LSU’s Les Miles, in the 2007 season.4. Rafer Alston, with 192 in the 2006-07 season.5. No Oiler has ever won the award.6. Shawna Robinson did it in 1994, when it was the Busch Grand National Series.7. She was in 10 finals between 1973 and 1985, winning three.

Page 12 Tidbits® of Salina

Answers1. Apollo Creed2. The Police3. Belgium4. Fungi5. Moondoggie6. Webpage not found7. Radio detecting and ranging8. 19579. Eleven10. Port of Spain

Trivia QuizFlash Back Answers1. The Chordettes. They followed up in 1958 with a near chart topper in “Lollipop.”2. Judas Priest in 1982 on their “Screaming for Vengeance” album. It’s still their bestselling album.3. 1969. Five days after their wedding, Lennon and Ono held a “Bed-In” for a week from their hotel suite. The press was invited to visit and interview the couple, who talked about world peace.4. Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Cosmos Factory,” in 1970. Six songs from the album went to the Top 10.5. Slade, in 1984 on their “Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply” album. The U.K. version of the same album was entitled “The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome.”6. Ozzy Osbourne, in 1979.

PHOTO CUTLINE: Denny Hamlin won at Atlanta over Labor Day weekend to become the only driver to win four races so far this season so far. (Getty Images for NASCAR photo)

One More Race to Set the Chase

The outcome of the first 26 races determines eligibility for NASCAR’s Chase for the Sprint Cup and, by extension, the field of drivers with a shot at the championship.In the penultimate regular-season race, Denny Hamlin became the only driver to win four races to date, meaning that he will be the top seed. Hamlin, 31, has won the two most recent races at Bristol Motor Speedway and Atlanta Motor Speedway.Hamlin came close to winning the champion-ship in 2010, when he led Jimmie Johnson entering the final race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.“I did an interview at the beginning of last year, and I said, ‘Just put me back in the same situation, and I promise I’ll win the championship when we leave Homestead.’ All I can hope is for that opportunity again, and if I do, I’m going to live in the moment and focus everything I can do to win that race instead of worrying about the outcome,” Hamlin said. “I’m going to have a lot more fun and enjoy it.”For each of his four victories, Hamlin, from Chesterfield, Va., will receive three bonus points. The 12 Chase drivers will each be awarded 2,000 base points. The two wild-

card selections are ineligible for bonus points. Hamlin could win a fifth race in the regular-season finale at Richmond Inter-national Raceway, the track closest to his hometown. By the same token, a victory by Jimmie Johnson, Brad Keselowski or Tony Stewart would result in a tie at the top when the Chase commences on Sept. 16 at Chica-goland Speedway.Stewart ranks 10th in the standings, only 18 points ahead of 11th-place Kasey Kahne. Even if Stewart falls to 11th, he would still make the Chase as a wild-card entrant, but in order for Stewart to receive bonus points for his three victories, he would have to remain in the top 10.Preservation of the status quo in Richmond’s Federated Auto Parts 400 would put Kahne and Kyle Busch in the wild-card spots. A Richmond victory could still put either Jeff Gordon, Marcos Ambrose, Ryan Newman or Joey Logano in the field. The long shot is Carl Edwards, who must win at Richmond and make up 27 points on Busch.

Monte Dutton covers motorsports for The Gaston (N.C.) Gazette. E-mail Monte at nas-carthisweek@yahoo.com.

(c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.