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NOSEYby Patricia L. Cook

This issue of Tidbits is not just about nosey neighbors or co-workers (but they will be mentioned…shhh! Don’t tell them!), but also about noses that are superior in sensing aromas.• There have been a number of television

showsandmoviesthathavefeaturednoseyneighbors. Whether putting a glass against thewalltolistentovoicesinthenextroomor peeping through a keyhole, there are times when curiosity gets the best of a person and they just want to know what is going on! Examples of these “snoopy” tricks can befound in videos of I Love Lucy, Friends, Bewitched.

• One of the main characters of the show,Bewitched, was Gladys Kravitz. Shewas constantly spying on her interesting neighbor, Samantha, who happened to be a witch.Whentheshowwasontelevisioninthe 1960s and had quite a following, many would refer to their nosey neighbors as havingthe“GladysKravitzsyndrome!”

• In case you are wondering, nosey can bespelledwith orwithout the “e,” accordingto thefreedictionary.com. It is an adjectivemeaning: “offensively curious orinquisitive.” While people can be noseyin the inquisitiveway,manyanimalshavesuperior smelling abilities.

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NOSEY (continued):• Onesuchbeastwithanextraordinarysenseof

smell is the bear. A bear’s brain is only about a thirdofthesizeofahumanbrainbuthisnoseis approximately five times larger; the nasalmucous membrane in a bear’s head is 100 times larger than the membrane in a human! Theirnostrilshavefoldsthathousethousandsof smell receptors making their sense of smell better than bloodhounds and possibly the best of any land animal. Bears use their sense of smell to find mates, identify their cubs,find food, and detect and avoid dangeroussituationsinvolvingotherbearsorhumans.

•InCalifornia,ablackbearwasseentravelingupwindinastraightlineforthreemilestofindadeaddeer.Somestudieshaveshownthatabear’s senseof smell isactuallyseven timesbetter than a bloodhound’s.

•Speakingofbloodhounds;theyarepossiblythebestdetectivesknown!Theirsenseofsmellisso good that they beat the best man-made odor detecting machines. Even after several daysof a person’s trail going through streets, shops and more, a bloodhound can still follow the scent.Somedogshavebeentrainedtodetecttypes of cancer with greater accuracy than veryexpensivescreeningequipment.

•Detectingscentsunderwateriswhatashark’sbraindoeswell.Approximatelytwo-thirdsofa shark’s brain is focused on smell. They can detect a tiny drop of blood from more than amile (1.6km)away.Theycanevendetectnervousness in other fish,which helps themfindanddestroypreyveryeasily.

• Inmany instanceshumanshavebetter recallofsmellsthanvisualrecall.Onestudyfounda 65% accuracy for smell after a year, while visual recall of photoswasbelow50%afteronly three months.

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With the 2 percent payroll deduction going away, paychecks are that much smaller, and it’s more important thanevertofindwaystoreducegrocerybills.Retailersknow this, and they’re becoming even more ruthlessabout getting you to part with your shopping dollars.Here are 10 tips to help cut your grocery bill:

1.Check the salesflyers that come in themail or thenewspaper, and make a list of your meals for the coming week.Checkingredientsathometomakesureyoudon’tbuy duplicates.

2. Stores are laid out to get you to spend the most money. Bakeries will blow the scent of baked goods to entice you into that area. The deli section will put out samples of meats and cheeses, hoping you’ll try a sample and buy. Staples like milk and eggs will be in the back corner of the store, forcing you to go a long distance past other items. Look down each aisle. If there’s nothing down that aisle you need, don’t go there.

3.Setalimitonhowmuchextrayou’rewillingtospendif you come across real bargains while in the store.

4.Shopatnight,ifpossible,byyourself.Leavethekidsathomeortellthemtherewillbenoextras.

5. Eat before you go. You’ll be less tempted to buy items not on your list.

6.Buyinbulkonlyifitmakessense.Ifyoucansavemoneyonafive-poundpackageofhamburgerandfreezeitinone-poundpackages,dothat.Butifamega-sizeboxofcerealwill only go bad in your cupboard, it’s no bargain.

7.Check theunitpriceoneach item,especiallynowthatthepackagesizesofsomanyitemsarechanging.Thepricemight be the same, but with less in the package, it actually costsmoreperserving.

8.Buy“plain”foodssuchasriceorpastaandaddyourownseasonings. Buy plain cereal and add your own sugar -- or not.

9. Buy cheaper cuts of meat and use your slow cooker to make a meal. Add another meatless dinner to your meal rotation.

10. Get creative in the kitchen and look online for newrecipes.Experimentwithaddingingredientssuchascookedriceorpastaandvegetables toacanofsoupforaheartymeal.

DavidUffington regrets thathecannotpersonallyanswerreader questions, but will incorporate them into his column wheneverpossible.Write tohimincareofKingFeaturesWeekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send email to [email protected].

(c) 2013 King Features Synd., Inc.

10 Easy Ways to Cut Your Grocery Bill

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Q: The antique door to our bathroom is solid oak. Unfortunately, it’s no longer closing straight -- the door latch is lower than the hardware on the frame. It’s also scraping the floor when it’s opened and closed. How can we repair this? -- Cliff, West Hartford, Conn.

A: Fixing this problem can be as simple as adjusting the hinge pins of the door, or as complex as resetting them (which isn’t too complex, it’s just a two-person job).

Sticking, dragging doors -- or doors that won’t close completely -- can have a number of causes. In newer houses, a door’s hinges might have been placed incorrectly, or the mortise of the door might not be deep enough (or too deep). Checking the depth of the mortise is simple: run a finger along the hinge leaf that’s set into the door. If the leaf isn’t flush with the wood, the trouble may lie there. The new wood might have swollen slightly, as well.

Because you’re in an older home, the door probably opened and shut for years with no problem, meaning the hinges are (or were) set just fine. However, the door frames of aging homes typically settle as time passes, and the frame could be slightly warped. The hinges also might have worked loose.The first (and easiest) fix is to check all the hinges -- tap them down into place if necessary -- and tighten the screws holding the hinges to the door. If a screw won’t tighten down, remove it, insert a wooden toothpick (or several) into the hole, and reinsert the screw.

If the door still sags, try putting a shim between the bottom hinge and the door. Remove the door completely from its hinges (this is where that second person comes in handy). Then, unscrew the bottom hinge leaf from the door. Using the leaf (the flat part) as a template, cut a piece of noncompressible cardboard, particle board or sheet brass (available in various precut sizes

By Samantha Mazzotta

Crooked Door Needs Repair


NOSEY (continued):• Rats can be trained, like dogs, to use their

extraordinarysenseofsmelltohelphumansinlife-savingways,oneofwhichistodetectlandmines. Rats can smell in stereo, with each of their nostrils working independently!

•Theadvantagetousingratsinsteadofdogsforthis type of defense work is not just because of dogs’ reputation as “man’s best friend”and the close relationships handlers form with dogs but also because they are cheaper to keep and train.

• Giant African pouched rats are used formine detection by APOPO, an acronymfrom the Dutch language which means Anti=Persoonsmijnen Ontmijnende ProductOntwikkeling. In case you don’t speakDutch, it is translated Anti-PersonnelLandmines Detection Product Development.APOPO conducts research and “developsand disseminates detection rats technology for humanitarian purposes.” It is a companyregistered in Belgium with headquarters in Tanzania.TheirratsarecalledHeroRATs.

• Three countries that have been helped withminedetectionratsareTanzania,Mozambiqueand Thailand. When the land is cleared of landmines, not only does it make an area safer for those livingnearbybut it alsomakes theland accessible for use and many times opens up water sources nearby as well.

• HeroRATs are also trained for tubercolsisdetection. Read about these super smellers at: http://apopo.org/home.php?lang=en.

at the hardware store) to match. Punch out screw holes in the same area as on the leaf. Lay the shim against the door first, then fasten the hinge leaf to it. Rehang the door and check the fit.

Conversely, if the door latch were higher than it should be, you would place a shim in the top hinge.

Now, what if the latch lines up but the door still scrapes or sticks? Try covering the sticking edge with chalk, and open and close the door. Mark spots on the door edge where the chalk has rubbed away. Lightly sticking doors can be repaired by sanding the contact points. Don’t sand too much, or the door won’t fit tightly.

HOME TIP: To easily sand away sticky spots from the bottom of the door, tape a piece of sandpaper to the floor and briskly move the door back and forth across it. Elevate the sandpaper with thin pieces of cardboard as the sanding process continues.

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


continued on page 5

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• It was Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist Pearl S. Buck who made the following sage observation: “All things are possible until they are proved impossible, and even the impossible may only be so as of now.”

• If you dread trying (and too often failing) to pair up socks on laundry day, you’ll be glad to know that your anguish is not unrecognized: May 9 has been designated National Lost Sock Memorial Day.

• Progress is not always universally embraced. In 1825, a magazine called The Quarterly Review scoffed, “What can be more palpably absurd than the prospect held out of locomotives traveling twice as fast as stagecoaches?”

• If in your studies of history you never ran across the Anglo-Zanzibar War, don’t feel educationally shortchanged; most people have never heard of the conflict. In 1896, the pro-British sultan of Zanzibar, Hamad bin Thuwaini, died, and his successor, Khalid bin Barghash, did not look as favorably upon the British Empire. Because a treaty signed 10 years earlier stated that any candidate to attain the sultancy must receive the approval of the British Consul, the British viewed Kalid bin Barghash’s accession as an act of war. The sultan barricaded himself in his palace, but the superior numbers and firepower of the British quickly defeated the embattled sultan. How quickly? The battle lasted all of 40 minutes, making it the shortest war in history.

• There are those who wonder if beloved actor Tony Curtis, with more than 100 films to his credit, would have been quite as successful if he hadn’t changed his name. His given name, Bernard Schwartz, just doesn’t quite have the same ring to it.

***Thought for the Day: “People need good lies. There are too many bad ones.” -- Kurt Vonnegut


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


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NOSEY (continued):•Ontoaprettieranimal–mothscansniffout

a future mate in flight 6-7 miles (9-11 km)away. The feathery antennae allow this finesearching ability.

• Snakes use their tongues in a flicking actionnot just to scare humans and animals, but to smellwith.Snakesdohavenostrilsandnasalcavitiesbutdon’tusethemtosmell.

•Peoplewithoversizednosestendtohavemanycritics.Somecelebritieshaveactuallybecomefamous in part because of their noses. Many refer to their noses as a proboscis, a facetious useof theword that isdefinedasa trunkofan elephant or a longflexible snout, usuallyreferring to animals.

•JimmyDurantewasaverypopularentertainerknown for his jokes about his nose and a silly song he called Inka Dinka Do he recorded in1934.Agreatpianoplayer, jazzmusician,band leader and one of the early stars of television, his nickname was Schnozzola, aname he coined himself for his large nose.

• Bing Crosby called his friend and fellowcomedian,BobHope,“OldSkiNose.”Hope’snose wasn’t especially big but was long and

Crack and peel away the shells of dyed and decorated hard-boiled eggs and transform these Easter “eggstras” into fanciful bunnies to garnish a supper salad. Let your school-age kids do the creating of this fantasy garden, and they’ll discover that mealtime preparations can be fun and full of whimsy. When completed, their edible artful accents will delight the whole family, bringing truth to the old saying, “The eyes eat first.”

First, show your kids how to wash, spin dry and toss together your favorite salad greens. Arrange on a platter. Now come the clever bunny garnishes.

Here’s how to make one edible egg bunny:

--Peel off the shell of one hard-boiled egg.

--Using an ordinary table knife, cut an even 1/4-inch slice off a long side of the egg to form a flat base for the body of the bunny. (The cut-off slice will have an oval shape.)

--Cut the oval slice evenly in half lengthwise to make two “bunny ears.”

--Cut a slit on top of the pointed, slimmer end of the egg body, squeeze gently to open, and tuck the two floppy ears in the space.

--Make a bunny face below the ears. Insert cloves or raisin bits to form the eyes and nose. Insert a baby carrot with a bit of parsley into the mouth area to make it look as if the bunny is eating a carrot. A

cauliflowerette or spring of parsley makes a fluffy tail. Make several and set amongst the greens on the salad platter. Chill until ready to serve.

Extra idea: Make edible radish mice to scamper in the greens.

For one mouse, choose a radish with a lengthy root to represent the mouse’s tail. Cut a slice off the long side of the radish to form a flat base for the body. Above the stem, insert two small cloves for eyes. For the ears, cut two thin, equal-size round slices from another radish. Make a slit above the eyes and place the slices in the opening.

Note: Remove cloves before eating garnishes.***

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

Easter “Eggstras” Salad Garnishes(c) 2013 Donna EricksonDistributed by King Features Synd.

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thinandhadabitofacurveup.Manycaricatureswere drawn of the comic’s nose. Hope joked about his nose saying that “mynosecameonscreen10minutesbeforetherestofmyface.”

• Another large-nosed entertainer was DannyThomas. He was the star of Make Room for Daddy,apopulartelevisioncomedyfrom1953-64. He left an honorable legacy by founding the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital inMemphis, Tennessee in 1962.

Perfume BottlesQ: I am not a collector but have managed to accumu-late several older perfume bottles, which I purchased at garage sales in the Chicago area. There are four I think could be valuable: “La Prairie” by Waterstone, “Nanette,” “Aluria” by Lucretia Vanderbilt, and “Para-dise for Two.” Are they worth keeping, or just more clutter? I think I probably paid a few dollars each for them. -- Sandra, Naperville, Ill.

A: I found all of your bottles referenced in “The Won-derful World of Perfume Bottles: Identification & Value Guide” by Jane Flanagan and published by Collector Books. According to Flanagan, “Paradise for Two” was manufactured in 1908 by Schaefer-Martin Co. and is worth about $50 with its original box. “Aturia” is from 1938 and sells in the $45 to $60 range. “Nanette,” your rarest bottle, was introduced in 1950 and often sells in the collector’s marketplace for $175. “La Prai-rie,” launched in 1993, is worth about $60. All things considered, you made four good investments.

***Q: I purchased a basket for $5 at a flea market and am enclosing a picture of it. I am curious about who made it and what it was used for. -- Betty, Jamestown, Tenn.A: Sometimes a basket is simply a basket. This is the type of basket often found at import shops. Since they are mass-produced and not signed, your ques-tion about who made it is impossible to answer. It is of recent origin, and you probably paid about what it is worth.

***Q: I have a 5-inch-high pitcher signed by Hohr Merkel. What can you tell me about it? -- Beverly, Lake Lillian, Minn.

A: I examined the pictures you sent me, and your pitcher appears to be from Copenhagen. Pitchers and vases of this type generally sell in the $15 to $25 range. I was not able to find the artist in any of my reference books.

***Q: I have eight Boy’s Life magazines from the 1960s, and I am wondering if they are worth keeping. -- James, Hooksett, N.H.

A: Not really, since most of the copies of this magazine I’ve seen from this period have been priced for about a dollar an issue.

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



SMELL THE ROSESWhenyoustopto“smelltheroses,”youaretakingthe time to enjoy life. This term, an idiom, is one which many of us should stop to consider in this age where information is available instantly withthe push of a few computer keys or a smartphone application and we stay too busy and too connected!• Roses have been popular for their beauty and

scentsforthousandsofyears.Historicalevidencehas shown that cultivation of rosesmost likelystartedinChina.

•Accordingto“TheUltimateRoseBush.”Therearethree groups of roses: wild roses, old garden roses recognized and established before 1867, andhybrid or modern roses. Hybrids are created when tworosesarecultivatedtocreateanewvarietyorbreed. Most new hybrids are bred to create great scents or for blooms that are longer lasting.

•Withthepopularityofrosescents,itisnowonderthat an idiom for slowing down in life was spoken many years ago. Rose gardens are great places to relaxandreflect.

•TheWhiteHouseRoseGarden is quite possiblythe most photographed rose garden in the world. President John F. Kennedy started the traditionof holding ceremonies andmedia events in thegarden close to theOvalOffice inWashington,D.C. Roses were first planted there in 1913.In 1987, President Ronald Reagan signed aproclamation naming the rose as the officialNationalFloralEmblemofAmerica.

•Victoria,BritishColumbia, at the southern tipofVancouverIsland,onthewesterncoastofCanada,isknownastheCityofGardens.NotonlydoesVictoria boast the presence of the beautiful ButchartGardens,aNationalHistoricSite,butitisalsohometoHatleyPark.Bothhaveexquisiterose gardens.

•ButchartGardenshas55acres(22ha)offlowerswith a rose garden among them. The rose garden wasfirstplantedin1922.

•HatleyPark,withlandscapingdesigndatingbackto1912,ishometoRoyalRoadsUniversity.The565 acre (228 ha) estate has three showcase areas with a beautiful rose garden as one of the three. In the early days of the estate 100 gardeners were employed to tend the grounds.

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• On April 2, 1513, near present-day St. Augustine, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon comes ashore on the Florida coast and claims the territory for the Span-ish crown. Ponce de Leon is credited with the first re-corded landing and the first detailed exploration of the Florida coast.

• On April 3, 1776, because it lacked sufficient funds to build a strong navy, the Continental Congress gives privateers permission to attack British ships. Any goods captured by the privateer were divided between the ship’s owner and the government.

• On April 7, 1873, John McGraw, one of the winningest managers in baseball history, is born in Truxton, N.Y. McGraw’s career total of 2,763 wins ranks second only to Connie Mack. Between 1902 and 1932, the New York Giants won 10 pennants, came in second place 11 times and won three World Series championships.

• On April 4, 1949, the United States and 11 other na-tions establish the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a mutual defense pact aimed at containing

possible Soviet aggression against Western Europe. The signatories agreed, “An armed attack against one or more of them ... shall be considered an attack against them all.”

• On April 5, 1951, death sentences are imposed against Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, after they were found guilty of conspiring to transmit atomic secrets to the Soviet Union. The only seriously incriminating evidence came from a confessed spy who was given a reduced sentence to tes-tify against them.

• On April 6, 1968, Stanley’s Kubrick’s science-fiction clas-sic “2001: A Space Odyssey” makes its debut in movie theaters. The film clocked in at around three hours and contained less than 40 minutes of dialogue, with long stretches of absolute silence or of the sound of human breathing.

• On April 1, 1970, President Richard Nixon signs legisla-tion officially banning cigarette ads on television and ra-dio. In 1969, Congress had passed the Cigarette Smoking Act, requiring warning labels that stated: “Cigarette Smok-ing May be Hazardous to Your Health.”


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Easter is upon us, and along with it, an abundance of eggs. Eggs often go on sale at Easter time, so stock up on the typi-cally higher-priced, locally farm-raised eggs or organic, omega-3 fatty acidÐenriched eggs. Local farm-raised eggs come from chickens that were raised on fresh pastures with organic grain. These eggs can have twice as much vitamin E and 2.5 times the omega-3s compared with eggs from caged hens. Organic eggs come from chickens whose feed is not irradiated, treated with synthetic fertilizer or pesticides, genetically engineered or made with animal by-products

In general, eggs are packed with protein and are very good sources of riboflavin, iron, folate, phosphorus, zinc, vitamins B-6, B-12, E and vitamin D. The choline in eggs has been linked with lower levels of breast cancer, and eggs contain vision-sav-ing lutein and zeaxanthin. Contrary to previously published re-ports, eating an egg or two daily doesn’t raise cholesterol levels.

If you have leftover hard-cooked eggs after Eas-ter, make sure you keep them refrigerated. Hard-cooked eggs make a wonderful snack, are deli-cious when turned into egg-salad sandwiches, and are a great addition to green salads. They’re also delicious when pickled. Pickled Eggs are a great way to use up leftover Easter eggs.

To make a quick version of pickled eggs, all you need is the juice, jar, lid and spices from a jar of dill pickles. Just peel the hard-cooked eggs and drop them into the jar of pickle juice, making sure the eggs are covered with the juice. The hard-cooked eggs will absorb the pickle juices and flavors within three days. Keep the pickled eggs refrigerated.

My recipe for Easter Eggs Pickled in Beet Juice turn the eggs a beautiful color. The pickled eggs also are a great addition to an appetizer plate for your Easter holiday dinner or as a protein-rich, low-calorie grab-and-go snack. Have a wonderful holiday!

EASTER EGGS PICKLED IN BEET JUICE

Peeled, hard-cooked eggs turn a ruby color when pickled in beet juice. The colorful eggs also add a punch of flavor to an appetizer tray or a salad.

• 2 jars (16 to 24 ounces) pickled beets• 1 3/4 cups white vinegar or apple cider vinegar• 1/2 cup white or brown sugar• 1/2 tablespoon whole allspice or cloves• 1 stick cinnamon, broken in half• 1/2 teaspoon salt• 1/2 purple onion, peeled and sliced thinly• 8 hard-cooked eggs, peeled

1. Drain beet juice into a large pot, reserving the beets, the jars and the lids. Set the beets aside to use in an appetizer platter (see below) or store in a covered container and refrigerate for another use. Combine the beet juice, vinegar, sugar, allspice or cloves, cinnamon, salt and onion in medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, and stir until the sugar is dissolved, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes.

2. Arrange 4 peeled, hard-cooked eggs in each beet jar. Pour an equal amount of the hot vinegar and spice mixture over the eggs. Cover tightly. Allow to cool one hour to room tempera-ture. Pickled eggs should not remain out of the refrigerator for more than two hours. Refrigerate to blend flavors, at least several hours or up to one week. Refrigerated pickled eggs are best when eaten within 4 to 6 weeks.

TO CREATE AN EGG-CELLENT APPETIZER TRAY:Dip the small end of the pickled eggs in a little olive oil or mustard and coat the end of the eggs with some chopped dill weed, basil or parsley, or finely minced broccoli and carrot slaw or cabbage slaw. Or, for spicy eggs, crust the small end

with coarse black pepper and sea salt, or crushed red pepper flakes or chili powder.

To serve, place chopped slaw, con-fetti or decorative stones in the bottom of a tall drinking glass or a small vase. Place the large end of the eggs on salad forks and put them in a tall drinking glass or a small vase in the center of a serv-ing tray.

Or, you can slice the eggs or leave the egg whole to serve as finger food and place them on the ap-petizer tray. Arrange a bowl of sea salt, horseradish mayonnaise (or just stir a tablespoon of grated horseradish into a cup of mayon-naise), sliced beets, radishes, pep-peroni slices or thin slices of ham.

Cover and refrigerate until serving time. Add slices of melba toast, crackers or toasted slices of baguette bread to complete your appetizer platter.

WARNING: Pickled eggs that are stored at room temperature can develop botulism. Since the botulism bacteria can be deadly, it’s imperative that homemade pickled eggs as well as store-bought pickled eggs are stored in the refrigerator.

Angela Shelf Medearis is an award-winning children’s author, culinary historian and the author of seven cookbooks. Her new cookbook is “The Kitchen Diva’s Diabetic Cookbook.” Her website is www.divapro.com. To see how-to videos, recipes and much, much more, Like Angela Shelf Medearis, The Kitch-en Diva! on Facebook and go to Hulu.com. Recipes may not be reprinted without permission from Angela Shelf Medearis.

Easter Egg Overload

•The largest rosegarden inAsia is in the“gardencity” of Chandigarh, India. An annual rosefestivalisheldatDr.ZakirHussainRoseGardenwhere more than 2,000 varieties of roses and50,000 rose trees bloom annually. It covers 30acres (12 ha).

• Empress Josephine of France created the rosegarden of her dreams in 18thcenturyFrance.ShewasthewifeofNapoleonBonaparteandherrealnamewasactually“Rose.”Josephinepurchasedthe Château deMalmaison in 1799. The homeand grounds changed hands many times but were donated to the state in 1906. It is now one of the manyhistoricalmuseumsinParis.

• The oldest municipal rose garden in the UnitedStates is Elizabeth Park in West Hartford,Connecticut.Only two and a half acres (1 ha),there are about 15,000 roses of approximately800varieties.

•Portland,Oregonisthehomeofthe“oldestofficialcontinuously operated public rose test garden in theUnited States.”The InternationalRoseTestGardenwasfoundedin1917.Portlandisalsothe“CityofRoses”andhasbeenhostingthePortlandRoseFestivalfor105years!

•Whetheryoulivenearorfarfromrosesandrosegardens, take some time to appreciate the sights and smells of beauty around you!

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Fighting Back Against Scammers

Seniors are the biggest target of scammers, and their most common method of contacting us is the telephone. We need to beware.

You know all your routines, and if something new comes up, be suspicious. If the “bank” calls and wants to talk about your account, hang up and call them back to be sure you’re really talking to your bank and not a scammer. The same goes if “Medicare” or “Social Security” calls you and asks for personal information, or if the “electric company” says your power will be cut off if you don’t make a payment over the phone. Don’t be fooled. They’re not likely to call you on the phone.

Two of your biggest weapons again scammers: Caller ID on your phone and a shredder. By knowing who’s calling before you even answer the phone, you can protect yourself against aggressive thieves. And with a shredder you can destroy any mail or documents that have your name on them before they go in the trash.

Senior Bits


Remember the “granny scam,” where someone posing as a grandchild calls up and says he or she is in trouble and needs emergency money? Far too many grandparents have fallen for that scam and wired money to thieves. One state is now making it a law that companies who do the wire transfers notify the sender about where the money is actually ending up. Call your state senators and representatives and suggest that this be a law in your state as well.

If you’re near a senior center, ask it to put together a program to tell seniors about scams and how to handle those who call and pressure you about giving personal information on the phone.

If you’re ever in doubt about who’s calling you and asking for information, hang up.

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

FAMOUS WOMEN OF THE WORLD:

HARRIET BEECHER STOWE

Harriet Beecher Stowe was an author and an abolitionist. She wrote travel essays, articles,memoirs and books. Her most famous work was anovel,Uncle Tom’s Cabin. • Harriet Beecher was born into a prominent

religiousfamilyinAmericathatwasinvolvedinmanyreformmovementsinthe19th century.

• Stowebecamea student and thena teacherat Hartford Female Seminary, a schoolfounded by her sister, Catherine. HarrietmarriedCalvinStowein1836afterhershortteachingcareer.Calvin,ateacherandBiblicalscholar, welcomed Harriet’s supplemental income writing short stories about domestic life. The royalties she earned allowed her to hirehouseholdhelp to assistwith the sevenchildren born to the couple.

• In 1850when threats of seceding from theUnitedStatesstartedtorisefromthesouthernstates, Harriet Beecher Stowe started writing abouttheevilsofslavery.Whilesheexpectedto write three or four installments on the subject, she kept writing and the public interest kept growing. Her writing grew and waspublishedasanovelwithfortychapters.

• In 1852, Stowe’s novel, titledUncle Tom’s Cabin,was released. Itdepicted the livesofslaveswithUncleTombeing thefirst black



► Soak your metal tools in Coca-Cola when they get gummed up. It does a great job of loosening the gunk, and after a few hours in a Coke bath, you can practically just brush stuff right off. Makes you wonder about drinking it ... but whatever works!

► If you get the Sunday newspaper, you likely get coupons. Perhaps there are others who would enjoy any coupons you don’t use rather than your recycling them. Ask your neighbors and friends.

► To make a cottage-cheese dip, blend it in your food processor until smooth and add your dip flavoring packet or season with flavors as you would sour cream.

► “You can use a Thermos to keep soup warm as a lunch option. Just get a clean funnel for the kitchen and use it to add soup to the Thermos. It


makes a good alternative for mixing up your lunch options, especially in cold weather. Before you fill the Thermos with your hot food, fill it with boiling water and let it sit for a good five minutes. Then empty out the water just before filling. The food will stay hot longer.” -- E.D. in Wisconsin

► If you have a smartphone (or just a cellphone that takes pictures), there’s a new, novel way of keeping track of printed information: Snap a quick pic. This works for store hours (get the store name in the picture with the hours), receipts, sales advertisements for reference when shopping and much, much more. You can delete the photo when you are done.

► If you have a tablecloth that is stained, you might be able to salvage it by turning it into napkins or a table runner. Edge it with a pretty and complimentary fabric to spice things up a little.

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

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Icky Algae

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: The water in my aquarium is green! What did I do wrong, and how can I clear up the view? -- James, Sarasota, Fla.

DEAR JAMES: The green water is caused by an explosive growth of aquarium algae. A small amount of algae is normal in aquariums, but too much can cause all sorts of problems.

One of three things -- or possibly all three -- may have occurred to turn your aquarium water green. You may be overfeeding the fish; the aquarium may not be getting regular maintenance (changing the water, etc.); or the unit is sitting in direct sunlight.The solution to this type of algae, then, is to monitor and adjust the fish’s food supply; stick to a maintenance schedule; and move the aquarium out of direct sunlight if needed.

Other types of algae can plague aquarium life and make the tank look just plain ugly. For example, if colonies of brown algae form in a tank, then the light levels are too low and the water has too many nutrients.

TM



Smelly, slimy blue-green algae (actually a bacteria) is caused by insufficient maintenance and is extremely difficult to clear up, but turning off the tank light for up to a week can slow its growth.

Change the water at least every week (two weeks at most), making sure the new water has had its chlorine content neutralized and that its temperature matches the water in the tank. Scrape away excess algae while the water level is low, and wipe the inside of the glass with a clean cloth. Don’t use algaecides to clear up the problem; you’ll clear out the fish population as well. Check all filters and intake tubes to ensure they’re not clogged.

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


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Annette had a hard time choosing between her two buddies so she sent us a picture of both!

Please meet Rosie, my “diva” and my buddy, Mojo Jo Jo who is the smartest member of our little family!

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TIDBITS® LOOKS AT

BASEBALL PITCHERSby Janet Spencer

In honor of spring training, come along with Tidbits as we remember some unforgettable moments brought to you by memorable pitchers.• Inthe1940s,BoboNewsomwasbattingforthe

YankeesagainstWhiteSoxpitcherJoeHaynes.He swung and nicked the ball, which rolled back to the pitcher. Realizing it was uselessto even try to run to first base,Bobo headedback to the dugout. But instead of throwing to first,HaynesjuststoodandwatchedBobowalkaway. When the crowd began to laugh, Bobo turned and saw the pitcher still had the ball. Sohebegantostrolltowardsfirstbase.SodidHaynes. He walked a little faster. Haynes did too. Suddenly he broke into a sprint. Haynes began to run, finally lobbing the ball to firstbase seconds ahead of Bobo.

• In 1934,DodgermanagerCasey Stengel hadpitcher Walter Beck replaced in the game. In a temper, Beck threw the ball and it hit the rightfield wall. The Dodger rightfielder hadbeen“restinghiseyes”whilerecoveringfroma hangover. He heard the ball hit the wall,scooped it up, threw it to second, and then discoveredthatnoonehadhitit.

• LukeApplingwenttobatfortheWhiteSoxina game against the Tigers in the 1930s. He hit 14 consecutive foul balls. On the 15th pitch,thedisgustedpitcherthrewhisgloveinsteadofthe ball. Turn the page for more!

• In1961,ClevelandIndianpitcherHerbScorewashit in theeyebya linedrivehitbyNewYork Yankee Gil McDougald. The ball bounced offScore’sheadandrolledtofirstbase,wheretheClevelandfirstbasemannabbeditandputthe batter out. Score was credited with an assist.

• WilliamKennedywaspitchingforBrooklynin1897 when the umpire called a close decision against him. Kennedy lost his temper and hurled the baseball at the umpire, intending to smack him in the head. The ball narrowly missed the ump, who called the ball in play. A runner on base scored before the catcher could retrievetheball.Brooklynlostthegame2-1.

• JoeEngel,pitchinginWashington,didnotdoaverygoodjob.Thequestionwasnotwhetherhispitcheswouldgoovertheplatebutwhethertheywouldstayintheballpark.ManagerClarkGriffith called him to his office one day andinformed him he was being sent to Minneapolis. “Who am I being traded for?” Engel asked.“Noone,”repliedGriffith.“It’saneventrade!”

• In 1918, Otis Crandall was pitching for LosAngeles against Salt Lake City. He had aperfect no-hitter going. There were two out in the ninth inning and not a single man had reached base. Then his brother Karl came to bat

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

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

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

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

And frankly, who has the time or the interest? Not me. I was busy. I was tired.

All that changed on October 11, 2005. That was the day I tried a medically-proven form of fitness training that takes just 20 minutes a week and changed the way I look at exer-cise forever.

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

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

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

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

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

Here’s the best part – this workout is so safe I can keep doing it for pretty much the restof my life. And that’s what I intend to do. It’s the smartest money I’ve ever spent.

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Catholics Are on the MoveIt is a process shrouded in secrecy.

Fromaroundtheworld(well...inthiscase,justAmeri-ca), a small group anointed members will come togeth-er inasecretconclave.Theywillblowsmoke,selecta chosen few and cast their final ballots.Outside, inbaitedanticipation,thepresswillwait.Formany,itisasupreme sacred moment, and it will occur on a Sunday this March.

Selection Sunday. The day the 10 appointed athletic di-rectorsfillouta68teamballotinwhatisessentiallyaconclave,onlyinthiscasewithinthewallsoftheholycity of Indianapolis.

TheheadlinesoflatehavebeendominatedbythenewsofPopeBenedict’sresignation.It’saprettygoodstorywhen you consider more than 30 percent of the world’s people are RomanCatholics -- the largest single de-nomination in theworld.Thishasn’thappened in sixcenturies, a pope resigning. And now the world waits to see who is selected by a bunch of guys in uniform at theVaticanCity.

Because of the timing, it’s hard not to draw parallels. It’s“MarchMadness,”asweliketosayinthesportsandmarketingworld.Butforthefirsttimein600years,weprobablyhaveappareloutfitterswonderingiftheycangetalogoonaCardinalwho’snotfromSt.LouisorArizona.Ibetmorethanafewcardinalscouldusealittle“heatgear”...sometimesitgetsstuffyinthosechapels ... particularly the one that Michelangelo laid on his back to paint.

TheCatholicsareonthemove,andnotjustwhenitcomesto the papacy ... they are reshaping college basketball as we know it.TheBigEast division is currently reform-ingintoanall-Catholicdivision,andontheWestCoast,shockingly,aRomanCatholicschoolinSpokane,Wash.,isleadingthecharge:Gonzaga.Theyare,asofthiswrit-ing,theNo.1basketballprogramintheNCAA.

Forthepast13years,MarkFewhasbeentherockuponwhichtheGonzagabasketballprogramhasbeenfounded.UnderFew’s leadership,Gonzagawent fromaperenni-allyoverlookedmid-majorwithasmall6,000-seatarenato a program that cannot be deniedby theNCAAcon-clave.Nowtheyareamid-majorwithaprivatejet,andthose 6,000 followers just witnessed the team make it to 30winsforthefirsttime.

Sincetheendofthepastcentury(1999-2000),theNCAAhashadvisionsofGonzagaintheirtournament...briefly.Unfortunately for their devout followers, they’ve nevermadeitpasttheSweetSixteen,andtypicallyflameoutinthesecondround.Now,asalleyesareonRome,thefaith-fulofSpokanealsowatchtoseeiftheirbeloved“Zags”-- truly a class organization, school and community re-gardless of creed -- can overcome theBlueDevils andexciseenoughdemonstotakethemtothepromisedland.

MarkVastoisaveteransportswriterwholivesinKansasCity.

(c)2013KingFeaturesSynd.,Inc.


DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have had heartburn for many years. I take Prilosec for it, and it works fine for me.

My doctor scheduled me for a gastroscope exam. I haven’t had one for quite a while. The doctor who did the scope called me and my family doctor to say that I had changes seen in the biopsy he took. He says I have Barrett’s esophagus, which can turn into cancer. Naturally, this has me worried.

Will you elaborate on Barrett’s esophagus and what I have to look forward to? Neither of my doctors has suggested a change in medicines. Do you? -- T.M.

ANSWER: Barrett’s esophagus is a change in the kind of cells that line the lowermost part of the esophagus, the part that attaches to the stomach. That change brings with it a chance of further, cancer changes. The risk is quite small, about 0.5 percent per year.

Barrett’s esophagus happens to people who have GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease, more popularly called heartburn. You take a medicine, Prilosec, that suppresses the production of stomach acid. Medicines that act similarly sometimes can retard the progression of these cell changes into cancer cells. They most definitely control heartburn. Barrett’s also can happen to people who do not have GERD.

The chance of cancer developing depends on a number of criteria. One is the kind of cells that have evolved. If they show low-grade changes, the likelihood of cancer is not as great as it would be if they show high-grade changes. The length of the area involved with these changes is another factor in determining the cancer risk.

Health Bits

You must not have had signs that raise the risk for cancer, or the doctor would have recommended immediate treatment. About the only thing you need to do is comply with the suggested follow-up scope exams so the doctor can see if any procedures are needed to eradicate these new cells. You don’t have to sit around and worry. You have not received a death sentence.

The booklet on GERD (heartburn) explains this common disorder and its treatments. Readers can obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue -- No. 501W, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Canada. with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

***DEAR DR. DONOHUE: At a recent cocktail party, a nurse admonished me for chewing ice. She said that it indicates an iron deficiency.I get blood work done every six months. My doctor has never said anything about an iron deficiency or any other issue. I am 65 and in good health. -- C.H.

ANSWER: The nurse was talking about pica. It’s a craving for materials not considered foods, like ice, clay, starch and dirt, to mention a few. Sometimes it is an

indication of iron deficiency, but far from always.In someone like you, who has lab tests done twice a year, you’re not anemic and don’t have pica.You do, however, have a habit that will ruin your teeth if you don’t stop. Chewing on ice can cause microscopic fractures in tooth enamel, which can become larger fractures.

***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.

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for Salt Lake. He made a base hit — the only known instance where a no-hitter was broken by the pitcher’s brother.

• BobFothergillwasabigman.Hewasagoodhitter,buthewassensitiveabouthisweight.AsLeo Durocher got ready to pitch against him, hecalledout,“Stopthegame!”andapproachedthe umpire. When the ump asked what was wrong, Durocher replied, “Don’t you knowthe rules?” he asked, pointing at Fothergill.“BOTHthoseguyscan’tbatatthesametime!”Fothergill was so angry he couldn’t bat welland struck out.

• TyCobb,playingfortheDetroitTigersin1912,was suspended from play when he jumped into thestandsandbeatupanabusiveheckler.Hissympathetic teammates went on strike. So the manager advertised for new players to fill inthe next day at a game in Philadelphia.Thisimpromptu team went up against the world

PITCHING SHENANIGANS (continued)


1. GEOGRAPHY: The Gulf of Sidra lies off what African nation?

2. TECHNOLOGY: What kind of computer file is indicated by a .htm extension?

3. MEASUREMENTS: What is a nanosecond?4. MUSIC: What kind of instrument is an

Appalachian dulcimer?5. LANGUAGE: What is an interrobang?6. FAIRY TALES: What kind of poisoned fruit does

the evil Queen give Snow White?7. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which four U.S. presidents

were assassinated in office?8. INVENTORS: What is Robert Fulton famous for

inventing? 9. HISTORY: When was the Magna Carta imposed

to prohibit arbitrary royal acts?10. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What is the early

Roman term for the month of July?

Answers

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1. Libya2. A hypertext file3. One billionth of a second4. Stringed5. A punctuation mark that combines a question mark and an exclamation point6. An apple7. Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, William McKinley and John Kennedy8. The steamboat9. 121510. Quintilis



championOaklandA’s.Thepitcherallowed25hits and 7 walks in 8 innings, but did manage to get one strike-out. An infielder was hit inthe mouth by a ground ball and lost two teeth. Anoutfielderwashitontheheadbyaflyball.This pick-up team got 4 hits and made 10 errors andthefinalscorewas24-2.Thenextday,theregular team members ended their strike, paid their fines, andwent back to work, except forCobb,whowassuspendedfor10days.

• CharlieGrimmwasmanagingthelosingChicagoCubs.Onedayhegot an excited call fromhisscout saying that he found a pitcher who struck out 27men in a row.Only oneman had evenmanaged to hit a foul. He asked if he should sign the pitcher. Grimm replied, “Sign up the guywhohitthefoul.We’relookingforhitters!”

• In1939,BobFellerwasthebestknownpitcherinthecountry,playingforCleveland.OnMother’sDay, he brought his mother from her Iowa farm toChicagososhecouldseehimplay.AChicagoWhite Sox batter slugged a foul ball into thestands—whereithitFeller’smother,knockingher unconscious.

• Germany Schaefer was batting against NickAltrock. There was a man on first. Schaeferswung and missed a fast ball. Then the pitcher, pretending he was getting ready to throw to thebatter,letloosewithafastballtofirstbase,where the runner was leading off.

• Whenhegottheballback,Altrockletflyanotherscorcher of a fastball. Schaefer got a second strike. He threw down his bat and walked back to thedugout.“Hey,”calledtheump,“You’veonlygot two strikes!” “No,” replied Schaefer, “It’sthree strikes — I swung at that pitch he threw to firstbase!”

• In theearly1900s,RubeWaddellwassuchagreat pitcher that all batters feared him.Oneday the pitcher on the opposing team got a great idea: if he could tire Waddell out before the game, his pitching would be off. So he challenged Waddell to a pitching contest. Whicheveroneofthemcouldthrowthefarthestwould win $5. They both showed up before the game and threw the ball as far as they could. Waddell’s throw went farthest. The opposing pitcher challenged him to throw that far again. He did. In fact, he threw the ball that far around 50times.ConvincedthatWaddell’sarmwouldbe worn out, the rival pitcher handed overthe $5. That afternoon, Waddell struck out 14 batters and his team won handily. As he was walking to the clubhouse, he called out to the otherpitcher,“Hey,thanksfortheworkoutthismorning.Thatwasswellpractice!”

• TexasUniversitywasup against theYankeesinanexhibitiongamewhenLouGehrigcameup to bat. There were two runners on base and it was three and two for Gehrig. The catcher signaled the pitcher, the pitcher nodded — then threw a straight ball right to home plate. Gehrig sent it clear out of the park. The catcher marched up the pitcher, ranting at him for not payingattentiontothesignals.“Whydidyouthrowhimsuchanicepitch?”heyelled.Thepitcherwas not sorry. “I got to thinking: I’llneverpitchaBigLeaguegameandmaybeI’llnevergettoseeagameattheYankeeStadium,andIsuredidwanttoseeGehrigbustjustone!”

PITCHING SHENANIGANS (continued)

gulf coast tidbits

Documents

bank guarantee u

nw corner of bee ridge

plumbing problem

tamimai trail venice

nosey neighbors

fdic insured u

corner of bay street

counselwills trusts