tidbits issue 29

8/14/2019 Tidbits Issue 29

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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2008

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Issue 29June 20 - 26, 2008

417-297-0107417-230-7055

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TIDBITS GOES HIGH-OCTANE

ITS A GAS!by Murray MacLeodMany Americans are getting ready for summer vacation, and some will travel by automobile.This Tidbits offers you some fuel for thought. When the rst Model T cars hit the market, a

gas gauge on the dashboard was consideredan extra. Back then, there was no suchthing as a gas station; gasoline was sold at

pharmacies. Automobile owners lled their own containers with gas, and then used afunnel to pour it into their cars tank.

The rst American building built strictly for the purpose of selling gasoline was erectedin 1905 in St. Louis, Missouri. It bore thecreative name of Automotive GasolineCompany, and was a subsidiary of Shell Oil.The second gas station in the U.S. openedin Seattle two years later. It was tted with

pumps and hoses that allowed drivers to pour the fuel directly into their vehiclestank.

Prior to 1890, gasoline was treated as awaste byproduct of the oil re ning process.It was commonly used to fuel the equipmentat the re nery. Thanks to the popularity of the automobile, gasoline outsold keroseneand other fuels for the rst time in the U.S.in 1910.

What is the formula that oil companies use todetermine how much to charge for gasoline?Rumors abound concerning Petey the PetrolPrice Hamster and how hes let loose ona computer keyboard to choose randomnumbers. Trust us such a rodent doesntreally exist. In truth, many factors are takeninto consideration, from supply and demandto oil stock prices to the time of year.

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Why are gasoline prices posted in nine-tenthsof a cent? Its now a matter of tradition, butit started back in the 1930s, when a pennyhad much more value. Gas wars betweenstations on adjacent street corners becameso cutthroat that even a price reduction of afraction of a cent attracted customers. Today,those fractions of a penny dont mean muchat all, but customers still feel as if theyresaving money if the per-gallon price is listedas $2.99 9/10 instead of a full $3.00.

Is there a signi cant difference betweenregular and premium gas? Yes! When you

buy a new car, check the owners manual.Most automobiles are designed to use regular gasoline, but certain high-performance modelsrequire premium. Premium gas has a higher octane level, which means it is formulated to

burn slower than regular, making it less likelyto ignite without bene t of spark. The result isno knocks or pings when you push that pedalto the metal (carefully, of course).

The rst time U.S. gasoline at-the-pump

prices seemingly doubled overnight wasduring the 1973 Oil Embargo. In retaliationfor the Wests support of Israel during theYom Kippur War, OPEC placed an embargoon crude oil shipments to the U.S. The price

per barrel quickly rose 130 percent, and sinceoil supplies were limited, long lines at gasstations became commonplace for consumersworried that theyd be left without.

To prevent engine knock, researchers havecome up with many different types of additivesand alternate fuels. As early as 1916, aresearcher for General Motors sent a memo tohis boss which stated that ethyl alcohol (madefrom plants) was the fuel of the future. Theoil lobby was powerful, however, and bothautomakers and oil companies were quiteaware of their dependence on one another. Soinstead of trying to replace gasoline, chemicalengineers focused on developing an additivethat would boost its octane rating. Thatadditive was lead.

Some additives arent what they seem to be.In 1971, Shell launched a series of radio andtelevision commercials trumpeting an additivecalled Platformate. One ad depicted two cars

racing on a desert road straightaway. The onewithout Platformate sputtered to a stop long before the Shell car did. However, what Shellfailed to mention was that Platformate wasa standard additive that most oil companieswere already in the process of adopting. Theywere simply the rst to advertise it, ensuringthat any company who also claimed to offer Platformate would look like a Johnny-come-lately.

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The question of when NHRA PowerAde Top

Fuel driver Hillary Will would win has been answered-- at Heartland Park, Topeka, Kan.Will, driver of the KB Racing Top Fuel drag-

ster, picked up the rst NHRA national victory of heryoung career at the OReilly NHRA Summer Nation-als, the ninth event of the 2008 NHRA PowerAde DragRacing Series, with a nal round 4.744 seconds, 304.53mph victory over Larry Dixon.

A former standout in the Top Alcohol Dragsterclass, Will moved up to the NHRAs quickest and fastestclass in 2006 behind the wheel of a newly formed teamowned by Las Vegas businessman Ken Black and man-aged by Kalitta Motorsports, the multi-car team foundedand owned by drag-racing icon Connie the BountyHunter Kalitta. Several females have won events inNHRA Top Alcohol classes, including Carol BunnyBurkett, who won in her Funny Car at the KeystoneNationals as far back as 1986.

Kalitta, meanwhile, also receives credit forbringing along the sports all-time female championnitro driver, namely Shirley Muldowney. The story ischronicled in the 1983 movie Heart Like a Wheel,starring Bonnie Bedelia and Beau Bridges.

And to be politically correct, Hillary Will actu-ally won her rst Top Fuel event trophy in her rookieseason in an IHRA-sanctioned event at Norwalk, wherethe Top Fuel eld consists of just eight cars instead of the 16 at the more prestigious NHRA events. Will madeher rst NHRA nal-round appearance in Memphis,and nished the NHRA season in 10th place in Top Fuelpoints in 06.

Will now becomes the eighth female Top Fuelwinner in NHRA history and joins other auto-racing fe-male winners in what has become the year of the womanracer. Ashley Force became the rst female event win-ner in the NHRA Nitro Funny Car class, while DanicaPatrick, to no ones surprise, became the rst woman towin in the Indy Car Series earlier this year in Japan. Re-cently, Melanie Troxel became the rst woman to winevent titles in both of the NHRAs nitro-fueled classes-- Top Fuel and Funny Car -- after her win in Bristol atNHRAs Thunder Valley Nationals. The milestone wasthe fth victory of her career, including her four wins inTop Fuel.

At the rst two events of this seasons 24-event NHRA national event schedule, Will set the trackrecord for speed, for either gender, at the quarter-milesat Phoenix Intl Raceway (334.32 mph) and the AutoClub Raceway at Pomona, Calif. (334.56 mph). Willsspeedy blast in California established her as the fastestwoman ever in drag racing. She and the KB Racingteam were also the fastest of the racing weekend (tie) atthe third event in Gainesville, Fla., with a 330.63 mpheffort. They were again the fastest team of the fth eventin Las Vegas, at 331.85 mph.

We knew we had everything to win, and ev-erything went our way (in Kansas), Will said. Thankyou to all of our sponsors and everyone who has sup-ported us and stuck with us. Now that we have gottena win, Im sure its just going to make us hungrier formore.

This is de nitely the year of the woman racer.Its an honor for me to be mentioned with all of the greatwomen who have raced and won, Will concluded.

Write to Greg Zyla in care of King Features WeeklyService, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, orsend an e-mail to [email protected].

Women of Speed

(c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.

In a blender container, combine dietginger ale and strawberries. Cover andprocess on blend for 30 seconds oruntil mixture is smooth. Add half andhalf, Splenda, lemon juice and vanillaextract. Re-cover and process on blendfor 15 seconds or until smooth. Pourmixture into a large bowl. Add yogurtand sour cream. Mix well using wirewhisk. Cover and refrigerate at least 1hour. Makes 4 (1 cup) servings.

1/3 cup cold diet ginger ale4 cups sliced fresh strawberries1/4 cup fat-free half and half 1/3 cup Splenda1 tablespoon lemon juice1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3/4 cup plain fat-free yogurt 1/4 cup no-fat sour cream

Ingredients

Its strawberry season, and time to trysomething new. So why not a soup that iscool, refreshing and different?

CHILLEDSTRAWBERRY SOUP

ITS A GAS (continued): The very rst self-service gas station opened

in Los Angeles in 1947. As an independentretailer, the owner was able to sell gasolinefor ve cents less per gallon by eliminatingpump jockeys. He even advertised usinghighway signs that asked drivers: Why paymore? The self-service gas station didntreally catch on, however, until the oil crisis in

the early 1970s. Service stations were eager to lower prices, and eliminating employeesdid so. Still, by the end of 1974, only six

percent of U.S. gas stations were self-serve. Around the same time, air pollution caused

by automobiles had become a major concernin America. In 1975, the federal governmentmade catalytic converters mandatory on allnew U.S. autos. Of course, these convertersrequired unleaded fuel, which was slightlymore expensive. But as more consumers

purchased newer vehicles, the demand for unleaded gasoline increased. Leaded gasolinewas eventually phased out in the 1990s.

The ying red horse that used to symbolizeMobil gas stations is one of the most prizednds among old sign collectors. The stylizedPegasus logo rst appeared in 1931 whenStandard Oil of New York merged with theVacuum Oil Company. A winged equine

became the symbol for the new brand:Mobil.

Q : Recently I consulted a doctor about having surgery tohelp me lose weight. I need to lose 100 pounds total, andmy physician has agreed to do the surgery, but ONLYif I begin changing my lifestyle to incorporate betternutrition and exercise. I really want to have the surgeryto lose weight, but exercise has always been a strugglefor me. I dont know where or how to begin. Help!

A : Starting an exercise program can be a challenge.What to do, where to start and how to continue are someof the questions asked by people beginning an exerciseroutine. Lets begin by taking one question at a time tohelp get you started.

What to do?Oftentimes, this is the reason many people start

and then quickly end their exercise regime. One way toanswer this question is to ask, What do I like to do?If you can nd a physical activity that you enjoy, or cantolerate doing, this is a great place to start. You mightnot mind walking, swimming, riding a bicycle or evenplaying tennis or shooting baskets. This can get you

moving, and as you begin to move more and more, itmay open you up to doing more exercise.If you begin an exercise program with

activities you dont enjoy or even despise, you may beable to grit your teeth and get through your workoutsfor a while, but youll soon lose interest and motivation.Find something you enjoy, and get moving.

Where to start?Now that we have started to think about what

we are going to do, its time to gure out how to begin.Start slow, but develop a schedule that can keep you

Taking the Struggle Out of Exercise


By Andrea Renee Wyatt, M.S.S., C.S.C.S.

on task. If you wait for the time to magically appearfor you to exercise, that time may never come. Withhectic schedules and other priorities, scheduling timeto exercise is imperative. Once you have scheduled thetime, start with a few minutes of exercise and build onit. You might only be able to walk a few blocks your rstcouple of weeks, but as you become more conditionedand your body begins to adjust to your moving, youllnd it easier to walk farther and farther. Start slow andcontinue to progress.

How do I stay motivated?This has to be the hardest question of all. There

are some people who truly do not like to exercise. If this is your situation, I would suggest understanding theimportance of exercise rst and why it is so important toyour body. To stay motivated, solicit the help of friendsor workout buddies.

Develop a support system of people in yourlife who will not only verbally encourage you, but bewilling to come by your house and pick you up whenyou are having a tough time getting yourself to exercise.

Hiring a certi ed personal trainer is another greataoption. Making a standing appointment with a personaltrainer can help you create a system of accountabilityand also maximize your time while completing anexercise program designed personally for your goals.Exercise can be a challenge, but the bene ts are worthevery bead of sweat.

Always consult a physician before beginningan exercise program. If you have a tness or trainingquestion, write to Andrea in care of King Features WeeklyService, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475

This Spot Available(the ad spot, not the dog!)

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The Of ce of the Inspector General forthe Department of Veterans Affairs has issued areport on yet another audit done on appointmentwaiting times for patients at VA medical centers.

This new audit was do ne after allegationsof continuing manipulation of data for patientwaiting times in Veterans Integrated ServiceNetwork 3, the New York and New Jersey area.According to the report, scheduling proceduresstill arent being followed, and the stats aresuspect.

Highlights from the new report: The OIG calculated that 28,000 veterans waitedmore than 30 days for appointments, and only2,900 were reported. Seventy-six percent of the schedulers saidtheyd used a desired appointment date later thanthe patient actually wanted, thereby skewing thenumbers even more. A clinic manager canceled appointments morethan 30 days old and rescheduled them, makingit look like patients werent waiting long forappointments. One clinic didnt input patients appointmentsuntil the day of the appointment, making it lookthere was a low wait time.

Question: Did upper-level managementreceive bonuses based on phony low-wait-timenumbers?

The VHA Under Secretary for Healthapparently didnt like either the recommendationsor the conclusion of the report, saying thatsingling out VISN 3 and holding it accountableis counterproductive. The OIG red back, sayingthat, We can only conclude that the VHAsstated intention to correct recognized and long-standing problems is not sincere.

To read the whole report, go towww.va.gov and put this in the search box:Audit of Alleged Manipulation of Waiting Timesin Veterans Integrated Service Network 3.

Not to be missed: the OIGs rebuttal tothe Under Secretarys response to the report.Despite of the seriousness of the topic, I foundmyself laughing out loud.

Write to Freddy Groves in care of King Features WeeklyService, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, orsend e-mail to [email protected].

Audit: VA SkewsWaiting Times

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There is a wonderful mythical law of nature thatthe three things we crave most in life -- happiness,freedom and peace of mind -- are always attainedby giving them to someone else.


If youve ever been laid off work, you know what a terrible experience it can be. Imagine,though, how much more traumatic it couldhave been if your erstwhile employer didnteven have the decency to tell you in person.Thats exactly what Radio Shack did a coupleof years ago, ring 400 of its employees viae-mail.

Do you have a matutinal routine? Unless yourea hard-core night owl, you probably do.Matutinal simply refers to something thatoccurs in the morning.

At one time, the game checkers was known aschess for ladies.

If youre a man who shaves his face every day, you can gure that at an average of 10minutes per shave, you spend 60 hours every

year with a razor in your hand.

The next time youre in New York City and feel likeindulging yourself, you might want to considerstopping by the Wall Street Burger Shoppe.Thats the ne establishment where you canpurchase the citys most decadent -- andexpensive -- hamburger. This luxury starts witha pure Kobe beef patty and is topped withaged Gruyere chesse, wild mushrooms, black truf es and foie gras, and the brioche bun istopped with ecks of gold leaf. The price tagfor this extravagant indulgence? $175.

It was 17th-century Spanish writer BaltasarGracian who made the following sageobservation: It is better to sleep on thingsbeforehand than lie awake about themafterwards.

If youre like the average American, you eatroughly 17 pounds of potato chips every

year.

-- General Peyton C. March

Q: Maybe its the weather up here, but every spring when the snow melts, I nd anothercrack in the concrete walkway leading frommy door to the driveway. How do I x these,and can I prevent them from occurring? --Frank in Downeast Maine

A : Im not sure if theres a sure re way toprevent cracks from appearing in a concretesurface. Even in more temperate areas,

variable weather conditions, excessivedampness or extreme drought can hastenthe deterioration of concrete.

As long as the concrete is structurally sound -- there are no cracks going all the

way to the bottom of the concrete, and thematerial is not crumbling away -- you canrepair the surface cracks at the beginning ofeach warm season. If there are a lot of smallcracks or rough patches, rather than repairingthem individually, consider resurfacing theconcrete to improve its overall appearanceand extend the life of the walkway.

To repair individual cracks, clean outloose material and dirt with a wire brushand a jet of water from the hose. Brush alayer of concrete bonding adhesive into thecrack. Then, ll the crack with vinyl-reinforcedpatching compound and smooth out thesurface. Let dry at least 24 hours.

Resurfacing the walk takes a little more work, but costs much less than having the walk replaced. It also requires a bit moreinstruction than I can t into one column,so for now, I recommend checking outhome-improvement publications speci cally addressing concrete resurfacing, includingmaking cost and material estimates. This

way, you can determine if the walk needsresurfacing, and whether you want to do it

yourself or bring in a contractor.

Fixing a Cracked Sidewalk

HOME TIP: Allowing a concrete repairto cure properly is essential in orderfor the repair to last. Shield the areafrom direct sunlight and from rain,

while allowing fresh air to circulateover the section.

Send questions or home-repair tips [email protected], or writeThis Is a Hammer, c/o King Features

Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475,Orlando, FL 32853-6475.


By Samantha Mazzotta

HOLLYWOOD ... Many of you rememberOmar Sharif. Doctor Zhivago, Funny Girl,Lawrence of Arabia and on and on. Curly blackhair, a sexy smile, and a very fine actor. He also isknown in the bridge-playing world as one of thebest. Out of action for a while, he is now comingback to the big screen. Older, with grayinghair, graying mustache and a

graying beard, he will star asLibyan resistance leader OmarMukhtar, The Lion of theDesert. A direct quote fromSharif: Im an old man now,and Im trying to make filmsthat mean something. And

just in case you didnt know,he was born Michael Shalhoubin Alexandria, Egypt. ANDfrom the pictures I have seenof him in recent years, he isstill sexy!

On Friday, Sept. 5,CBS, ABC and NBC will airthe same program. It will belive and hosted by networkanchors to raise money for cancer research. Wereon the brink, but not fully there yet. And everypenny helps. The idea was set in motion by KatieCouric, Paramount Pictures Sherry Lansing andICM executive Ellen Ziffren. Titled Stand Up toCancer, watch it and g ive to it!

Ted Danson and wife Mary Steenburgenhave been happily married and living in theMalibu Colony. (Thats the posh, posh part of theposh Malibu area on the Pacific.) Now they havesold the Cape Cod-style manse for $18.5 millionand will be moving. As of now, I do not knowto where. But you do know, of course, that Tedplayed Sam the Bartender on Cheers for manyyears, making much moola. Mary also did very

well in several films and won an Oscar for herrole in Melvin and Howard.

For those of us who grew up on theMary Tyler Moore Show, it was great to seethe reunion on an Oprah outing. Mary, Ed Asner,Gavin MacLeod, Ted Knight, Valerie Harper,Betty White, Cloris Leachman and Georgia Engel.

All a bit older, some with obvious

face jobs, all hugging and kissingand reminiscing. And all still fullof spit and vinegar. Give that onefour big stars!

Aside to Mildred F. of Kenner, La. You ask how long Ithink Harrison Ford can continueto play Indiana Jones. Thats adifficult one to answer. First, aslong as he wants to, but second,how long will the powers that bewant him to. I suppose they cancome up with several more scriptsas he ages. So, well just have towait and see. And yes, as far asI know, he and Calista are stilltogether.

***BITS N PIECES : Tickets are already on sale forMadonnas Sticky and Sweet Tour, and it doesnthappen until November. ... Warners is restoringA Star Is Born starring Judy Garland and JamesMason. What a treat for a whole new generation!... You dont have to believe it, but its true. Earlyon, Sylvester Stallone was a beautician trainee. ...Sharon Stone is facing a boycott of her films inChina after stating that she didnt like the wayChina was treating ethnic Tibetans, AND thenshe added that she thought the recent devastatingearthquake might be karma.

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5/7





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While your local Tidbits paper attempts to screen advertisers, we advise readers to use good judgement in responding to ad claims. Bewareof too good to be true claims. Contact the appropriate consumer agency before sending payment. If a company offers you a loan for anadvance fee, never, never send a payment, give credit card, bank account or personal information. For information on such loans, write FTS:Washington, DC, 20580. Phone numbers beginning with the 900 pre x are toll calls and you will be charged for calling such numbers.

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Gas prices are keeping many families homethis summer. But there are ways to reduce costs andstill go on vacation. Here are some ideas:

--Pick a vacation spot that doesnt requireany extra driving once you get there. All-in-oneinclusive packages are great for this. If you want tosee the local sights, the hotel might offer bicyclesor mopeds for your use.

--Check the price of renting an RV for oneweek, and ask about mileage: How far will you beable to travel on one tank of gas? Mark a circle ona map and see if there is a potential vacation spotwithin that area. With the RV youll save on motelsand food as well.

--If you drive your own car, you dont haveto travel far to get a real vacation feel. A rentalcabin in the woods by a lake or at the shore couldbe affordable if youre not spending hundreds of dollars for gas. If the lodging has a refrigeratorand stove, your food costs will be dramaticallyreduced.

--If your time is exible, checkLastMinuteTravel.com for low-cost travel. Youwont have much notice in many cases, and littlechoice about when to go, but if youre adventurousand want to spend a few d ays in a new place, this is


an excellent way to sample travel destinations. Anextra feature on the site is the maps showing motellocations.

--Airfare Watchdog (www.airfarewatchdog.com) is another good site for low fares. It tracksairlines, and if you sign up for alerts, youll get faste-mail noti cation of fares from your departurecity.

--Bed and Breakfast (bedandbreakfast.com)is another site that will send alerts if you sign up.Its not limited to bed and breakfast places either-- search the site for listings covering resorts,working ranches and farms, country inns andmore.

--Priceline.com is a good source forreduced-cost travel. You can choose your departureand destination cities, the dates you want to leaveand return, and whether you want a car waiting atthe other end. While the prices are likely to be thelowest available, it doesnt hurt to directly call theindividual motel, airline and car rental companies

to see if you can get a better deal. David Uf ngton regrets that he cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into his column whenever possible.Write to him in care of King Features Weekly Service,P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to [email protected].

Dont Nix That Summer Vacation

Heres something of a shocker: Theres aproposal to deny Medicare payments to hospitals if they make a serious mistake with a patients treat-ment. I had assumed they wouldnt be paid in therst place if they made errors.

Under the proposal, starting in October, if errors are made, Medicare wont pay the additionalamounts to cover the cost of care for a condition thepatient didnt have when he entered the hospital.The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services isadding to the list of conditions that are preventableif the hospital follows proper procedures in the rstplace.

Theres even a name for it: Hospital Ac-quired Conditions. In 2007, according to a surveyof 1,200 hospitals, 87 percent of hospitals did notfollow recommendations that could have preventedcommon HACs. Some of the preventable condi-tions on the list include surgical site infections, lungcollapse, ventilator-assisted pneumonia and staphinfections.

Medicare Wont Pay for Hospital Errors

Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer readerquestions, 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 [email protected].


HealthGrades, a health-care rating system, says thathospital mistakes killed more than 270,000 Medi-care patients between 2004 and 2006, at a cost of $8.8 billion. The types of mistakes made includedcomplications from anesthesia, accidental puncture,bed sores, objects left in the body during surgeryand reactions to transfusions. If all hospitals per-formed up to standard, 37,000 Medicare patientdeaths could have been avoided. (To look for yourlocal hospitals on the HealthGrades Web site, go towww.healthgrades.com.)

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Ser-vices has developed a Web site, Hospital Compare, tohelp us gather information about our local hospitalsand to make choices based on that information. Thesite (www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov) grades hospitalsin 26 quality areas of patient care, with 10 categorieson patient experiences.

Wonder Womanand Super Kid

I wasnt wearing the cape or boots, but lastweek I attempted to be Wonder Woman.

Summertime is generally busy with get-togethers, but usually reasonably spaced get-to-gethers. However, in true Wonder Woman fashionI planned two gatherings back-to-back. Both werevery fun, but neither could have been pulled off without the help of my kiddos.

They tidied and organized while I groceryshopped and cooked. And when my stress creaseappeared across my forehead (I can thank my dadfor this physical feature that we share), as it so of-ten does when Im readying for guests, my son anddaughter reminded me that parties are supposed tobe fun, not stressful. So we turned on the music,danced a little, and continued to work like busy bees-- Wonder Bees?

But long after my kids were nished, I con-

tinued to do what I do when I get ready for a party-- I overprepare.Mom, do you want to play a video

game?I cant right now, I replied.Lets watch a movie together.After the party, I said, knowing that after

the party we would all collapse like a card table (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.

ready to be put away in a closet.The Saturday after our gatherings, I took

off for a quick trip to see relatives. The trip was withone of my children, who would have my time and at-tention for the three-hour car ride. I couldnt put off interacting with my kid until I nished sweeping aoor or dusting a shelf. Of course, I couldnt watcha movie or play a video game; after all, I was thedriver.

But I could listen. My child knew I was acaptive audience.

Sometimes parents have to get things done.Thats life, and kids do need to know that they arenot always the center of the universe. But I realize asa parent I miss out just as much as my kids miss outwhen Ive been too busy.

I feel comfortable with you right now, like Icould tell you anything, my daughter said about twohours into the trip.

I readied myself for some juicy talk, butthere was nothing earth-shattering, just day-in-day-out stuff. But if there had been something big andimportant to tell, I was nally present to listen. Thatmust be a safe feeling for a kid, because I know asan adult it feels good to have someone fully present

to listen to the big and important stuff as well as themundane.Sometimes it takes a seatbelt, locked doors

and a speed of 75 mph to get me to this place in myrelationship with my children, where we are far awayfrom playing Wonder Woman and Super Kid.

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1. In 2007, San Franciscos BarryBonds established the record for mosthome runs by a person 40 or olderwith 78. Who had held the mark?2. On how many different teamsdid brothers Sandy Alomar Jr. andRoberto Alomar play together?3. In the 1999 NFL Draft, quarterbackswent in the top three spots (TimCouch, Donovan McNabb, Akili Smith)for the rst time since 1971. Whowere the top three then?

4. When was the last time before 2008 that the Cornell mensbasketball team made the NCAA Tournament?

5. Name the last season in which the Chicago Blackhawks won anNHL playoff series.

6. How many times has Tony Stewart won the Allstate 400 at theBrickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway?

7. Entering 2008, tennis star Roger Federer had won how manyconsecutive Wimbledon mens singles titles?


Since the 2000 season, nobody in the NFL hasrecorded more sacks than Jason Taylor. A quick look atthe record books shows Taylor holding at 100.5 sacksafter last season and the Giants Michael Strahan (theguy you thought who had the most sacks during thattime) at 89. The difference? Strahan has a ring, andTaylors Dolphins have gone exactly nowhere duringthat time.

Taylor, however, is everywhere. Just turn onthe TV and see for yo urself. Theres Jason on Dancingwith the Stars. There he is at his celebrity golf tourna-ment in Vegas. There he is on Extra, talking abouthow he wants to be an actor after he retires. Where heisnt at is the Dolphins training camp.

If Taylor is still a Dolphin by the time thiscolumn is published, Im going to have to say that BillParcells is getting soft in his advancing years. Dump-ing Taylor and his Hollywood image is just the sort of thing blue-collar Parcells and his new head coach, TonySparano, were brought in by the Fins to do.

And seriously, what harm could it do? TheDolphins were 1-15 last season w ith Taylor. How muchworse could they fare if they said so long to him andhis Louis Vuitton baggage?

Taylor, a six-time Pro Bowler, said he didntunderstand what all the fuss was about. Training forthe dance show was a great off-season workout, he rea-soned.

Everyones making this big thing about theoff-season program and all that. But when I won Defen-sive Player of the Year [in 2006], I made less than half of the workouts in the off-season. ... [The Dolphins are]making a big deal about nothing, Taylor blogged fromthe shows backstage.

A few weeks ago in an interview that ESPNdescribed as Taylors way of coming clean to thepress, Taylor said he would love to be a Dolphin andwin games and have it work out for everybody.

The problem is, Taylor is the one not workingout. While the Dolphins mini-camps are not manda-tory, Taylor was the only player who didnt show. Itsno wonder Parcells gave him the cold shoulder whenTaylor stopped in to say hi during a break in lming.A few days earlier, Taylor was in sequins dancing themambo while the rest of h is teammates were doing two-a-days.

Taylor says he doesnt get it. Its not likehes engaging in the self-destructive behavior plagu-ing much of the leagues younger players, he argues.Thats a point well-taken, and theres little to criticizeabout Taylors game on the eld. But hes right aboutone thing: He clearly doesnt get whats going do wn inMiami -- his own stock.

Mark Vasto is a veteran sportswriter and publisher of The Parkville (Mo.) Luminary.

Jason Taylor Just Doesnt Get It


ALL THE PRESIDENTS TIDBITSGEORGE WASHINGTON

Hes number one! So why does GeorgeWashington look so taciturn in all his portraits?

No, he did not have wooden teeth, but he did wear ill- tting dentures, so he rarely smiled.But hed probably crack a grin if he knewthat, nearly 220 years later, hes still the only

president to receive a unanimous vote of theElectoral College. George Washington was born on February

22, 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia.His aristocratic family made their money intobacco and timber, and so Georges limitedformal education focused on mathematics(needed for farming) and the proper manners and demeanor of a gentleman of that era. Lessons in literature, language,and similar subjects were not consideredvital to a young man destined to inherit a

plantation. At the age of 16, Washington took his rst

paying job as surveyor of ShenandoahValley. He smartly invested his salary in

plots of land. By age 21, he had purchasedmore than 1,500 acres of land using his

earnings. Thanks to his math backgroundand his surveying experience, George soondeveloped into an expert mapmaker.

In 1752, George took over an estate at MountVernon after his half-brother Lawrence

passed away. Still in his early twenties,Washington was not only a member of thelanded gentry, but hed also inheritedthe appointment as adjutant in the Virginiamilitia. With no want of money, George quithis surveying job in order to concentrateon the new civic duties placed upon him.His math and land knowledge served himwell, and Washington discovered he had aknack for military strategy while serving asa Lieutenant Colonel in the French & IndianWar.

Washington left the Army and returned toMount Vernon. He courted and eventuallymarried Martha Dandridge Custis, a youngattractive widow with two children. Georgefelt that his public service was done, andhe was looking forward to living the lifeof a gentleman farmer. But he couldntsit still while Great Britain continued to

place severe restrictions on the AmericanColonies.

In June 1775, Washington was appointedCommander-in-Chief of the ContinentalArmy. He took control of an undisciplinedarmy of 14,000 men and turned them into

soldiers. As the American Revolution progressed, Georges troops experienced both triumphant victories and soul-crushinglosses. Through them all, he demonstratedan uncanny knack for negotiations on alllevels. He could persuade Congress justas well as he could deal with the localauthorities in whatever tiny hamlet histroops happened to occupy.

The president personally visited each of thestates to foster the transition to a stronger central government. While he had no

plans to run for a second term, the FrenchRevolution changed all that. When Francedeclared war on Britain in 1793, our countryneeded strong leadership. Washingtonsmilitary experience was available if needed,

but it was his skill as a negotiator thatallowed the U.S. to remain neutral duringthe con ict. Many historians believedthat this decision kept our young nationfrom certain trouble at one of the weakestmoments in its history.

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7/7


Fly a Patriotic Windsockon the Fourth of July

Heres how:MAKE a cylinder for the top of the windsock by rolling

a 12-inch-by-18-inch sheet of blue craft foam, overlappingthe shorter sides and gluing them together. Let dry. (Non-toxic tacky glue dries quicker than white craft glue.)

CUT out stars from a sheet of white craft foam. Cookiecutters and stencils make great patterns. Glue the stars on theoutside of the blue tube. For variety, make stars in large andsmall sizes.

PUNCH four holes an equal distance apart from eachother at the top of the tube. Loop and knot a 22-inch lengthof cording or ribbon through one hole, then knot the otherend through the hole across from it. Repeat with a secondlength in remaining two holes.For a hanger, attach a metal loop onto both ribbons and knotin place.

TEAR nine strips of red, white and blue fabric intolengths of 2 inches by 39 inches for the tail. Punch nineholes, spaced about 2 inches apart, around the bottom of thetube. Slip each strip in a hole and knot.

Let your patriotic colors y! Donna Ericksons award-winning television series Donnas Dayairs on public television nationwide. Visit www.donnasday.com to nd out when it airs on your local PBS station and to sign up for Donnase-newsletter.

Its good to get out once in a while.Out of the house.Out of the neighborhood.And maybe even out of the country.

Thats exactly what I did a

few weeks ago when I traveled toFrance, Spain, Sweden and Russia.The inspiring mix of countries madefor distinctly different languages, food, dress, politics andpeople. No matter where I went, I was always remindedof what country I was in by the colorful national ags thatew in the foreign skies.

Fly your own red white and blue on the Fourthof July with this patriotic windsock that dances in theslightest summer breeze. With a little measuring, knot-ting, gluing and tearing, its an easy-to-do, fun project forthe whole family.

DEAR PAWS CORNER : One of my pet hamstersdied just a week after I got it at the pet store. I would re-ally like to know why it died, because the pet store wouldnot tell me. The only clue I have is that it had a wet tailbefore it died. Id like to get another hamster, but howdo I know if Im getting a healthy pet from the store?-- Hamster Lover

DEAR HAMSTER LOVER : Thats an importantquestion, and one all potential hamster owners shouldpay attention to. Many, if not all, pet stores have as ispolicies regarding hamsters and other very small petslike gold sh, because so many of them fall ill or die soonafter being purchased. But you certainly dont want tobring home a hamster thats already sick -- not only areyou stuck with trying to make it well, but the illness canquickly spread among your other hamsters.

When purchasing a new hamster, look for thesetelltale signs of illness or injury:

--Wet tail (indicates diarrhea, a clear symptom of illnessor worms)

--Lethargic, with dull eyes--Huddles in one corner for a long time, doesnt respond

quickly to being picked up or petted--Runny nose and watery eyes--Rough, matted or patchy fur--Bites or scratches from other hamsters

If you notice any of these signs, dont buy thathamster, and notify store management so that it canisolate the sick hamsters from the healthy ones.

I also recommend that anyone wanting tokeep a hamster collect as much information on caringfor these small pets as possible. A smaller pet is not nec-essarily an easier pet to keep -- it depends entirely uponyou for its health and welfare.Send your tips, questions and comments to Paws Corner, c/o KingFeatures Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or e-mail them to [email protected].

Neutered Male Cat Still Sprays


By Samantha Mazzotta

(c) 2008 Donna Erickson / Distributed by King Features Synd.

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