TIDBITS® UNCOVERS

LAST GOOD-BUY

by Blue Sullivan

There is something singularly satisfying about

finding a really good price on something. Pawn

stores and antique shops present opportunities

to experience this joy. It’s surely why so many of

us are drawn to them.

• The old stereotype about pawn shops was that

they were dirty places run by unscrupulous men

and women looking for every chance they could

find to cheat you out of a buck. Yet the massive

success of reality shows such as “Pawn Stars”

and “Hardcore Pawn” has done a lot to rebut that

inaccurate image.

• David Bakke of “Market Crashers” notes that

while you, “probably look for ways to save money

as often as you can… here’s one you may never

have considered: shopping at a pawn shop. It’s

actually a viable way to save money — and not

just on guns.”

• In his article, “7 Things You Should and

Shouldn’t Buy from a Pawn Shop,” Bakke outlines

the best things to buy.

turn the page for more!

September 12, 2012 Issue 56

215 W. KirwinSalina, KS 67401(785) 827-1311

Diane Duis (785) 826-4969 Ron Duis (785) 826-4969

M-F 9:00 AM -5:30Sat 8:00AM-12:00PM

We Recycle Our Papers!

AutoRVCommercial Autos

BoatCycle

2004 Mandalay 38 B.$75,000

For more information see www.harpercamperland.com

1-800-658-1765

Tidbits of Salina is a locally ownedand operated entertainment paperdedicated to our readers and advertisers.

We hope you enjoy our paper and look forward to doing businessin the Salina area.

MemberSalina Chamber of Commerce

Kansas Day is

January 29th

OVER 5 MILLIONREADERS WEEKLY

NATIONWIDE!

We accept Check, Debit Cards or

One Stop Shopping for...• Carpet• Luxury Tile• Vinyl• Q.S. Wood Laminate• Bruce Wood• CST Porcelain Tile

We promise the best at less than the rest!

929 NORTH Santa Fe - 785-827-4811

Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; Sat. 9am-2pm

Santa Fe

Please Callor come in

for monthly specials!

Tidbits of salina is a locally owned and operated intertainment paper

dedicated to our readers and advertisers.

We hope you enjoy our paper and look forward to doing business in the Salina area.

Member Salina area chamber of commerce

Tidbits of salina is a locally owned and operated intertainment paper

dedicated to our readers and advertisers.

We hope you enjoy our paper and look forward to doing business in the Salina area.

Member Salina area chamber of commerce

Got something special you want to sell? Sell it in the Tidbits.

It may just be the perfect itemto �ll somebody else’s need.

635 E. Crawford (785)404-1000

OVER 5 MILLIONREADERS WEEKLY

NATIONWIDE!

10% off any one item with coupon

*Please redeem by Aug. 31st

Constitution Dayis

September 17th

Member Salina Chamber of Commerce

Tidbits of Salina is a locally ownedand operated entertainment paper

dedicated to our readers and advertisers.

We hope you enjoy our paper and look forward to doing business

in the Salina area.

Recycling materials like like paper, glass, metal, paper, glass, metal, aluminum and cardboard aluminum and cardboard requires less energy than making new production! Give these materials a new Give these materials a new life and help preserve our life and help preserve our environment and resources. environment and resources. When you recycle, you save in more ways than one!

TIDBITS RECYCLESITS PAPERS!

Member Salina Chamber of Commerce

Tidbits of Salina is a locally ownedand operated entertainment paper

dedicated to our readers and advertisers.

We hope you enjoy our paper and look forward to doing business

in the Salina area.

Published Locally and serving Central Kansas For Ad Rates call: (785) 404-1000 www.tidbitsofsalina.com

PHOTO: Brian Austin Green

Q: One of my favorite shows was “Big Love,” and I especially loved Chloe Sevigny in it. What does she have coming up that I can catch her in? -- Tal-lulah G., via e-mailA: Beginning this January, you can see Chloe in a multiple-episode story arc on IFC’s hit comedy “Portlandia,” which stars Fred Armisen and Carrie Brown-stein. Season three is currently in production on 10 all-new episodes. Chloe

will play Fred and Carrie’s roommate, Alexandra. And don’t you worry, Kyle MacLachlan fans: He will return as Portland’s mayor, and many more guest stars will make appearances throughout the season.***Q: When will “How the States Got Their Shapes” be back with a new season? It’s such an interesting show! -- Greg D., Bangor, MaineA: “How the States Got Their Shapes” will be return to H2 for a second season with back-to-back 30-minute episodes on Saturday, Sept. 29, at 10 p.m ET/PT. Hosted by journalist and former “Daily Show” correspondent Brian Unger, the show has an added twist this season: Brian will be quizzing Americans about what unites us and what really divides the states -- and exposing some of our country’s most stubborn regional rivalries. Competitors can earn cash prizes and show their state pride by proving just how well they know their United States. This season, Brian will travel to Pittsburgh, Miami, Seattle, Chicago, St. Louis and Nashville, Tenn. ***Q: I’ve been following Brian Austin Green’s career since “Beverly Hills, 90210.” I especially loved him in “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles,” which was on Fox a few years back, as well as his guest appearances on “Smallville.” What does he have coming next? -- Deanna R., Jackson, Miss.A: Aside from pending fatherhood (as of this writing, his wife, actress Megan Fox, is due to give birth to the couples’ daughter any day now), Brian also has a new show to look forward to. He stars in TBS’s “Wedding Band” -- along with Melora Hardin (Jan from “The Office”), Peter Cambor, Derek Miller and Harold Perrineau. The shows centers on the friendship of four young men in a band who, in a very “Wedding Crashers” way, play at weddings, reunions and bar mitzvahs, and use said celebrations to pick up women. “Wedding Band” premieres Saturday, Nov. 10 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. ***Q: I read that Alan Ball stepping down as show runner/head writer for season six of “True Blood.” What plans does he have post-”True Blood”? -- Keith W., via e-mailA: Alan, who also brought us the brilliant “Six Feet Under” and “American Beau-ty,” is hard at work on a new Cinemax show called “Banshee,” which is slated to begin airing sometime next year. His production company has several other projects in development at HBO -- both series and movies -- and he has three screenplays in various stages of development. Alan also says that he has not ruled out writing a season-six episode or two.

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

Page 2 Tidbits® of Salina

California Breakfast WrapFilling and filled with good-for-you-ingredi-ents, this wrap is the perfect way to start your morning. It’s packed with protein from eggs and cheese, healthy fats from avocado, and cancer-fighting antioxidants and lyocpene in spinach and tomato.4 large eggs2 large egg whitesSaltPepper4 8-inch whole-wheat tortillas4 tablespoons goat cheese3 1/2 ounces (about 7 cups) baby spinach1 teaspoon canola oil1 medium (about 1 cup) tomato, seeded and finely chopped1 Hass avocado, finely chopped1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill leaves1. In medium bowl, beat eggs, egg whites and 1/8 teaspoon each salt and freshly ground black pepper.2. On microwave-safe plate, cover tortil-las with damp paper towel. Microwave on high 30 seconds or until just warm and pliable.3. Spread 1 tablespoon goat cheese on each tortilla; top with spinach.4. In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil on medium 1 minute. Add egg mixture. Cook 2 minutes or until almost set, stirring gently. Remove from heat; fold in tomato, avocado and 1/4 teaspoon salt.5. Divide hot egg mixture among tortillas. Top with dill; fold in half. Serves 4.Each serving: About 330 calories, 16g total fat (4g saturated), 191mg cholesterol, 565mg sodium, 29g total carbs, 6g dietary fiber, 16g protein.For thousands of triple-tested recipes, visit our website at www.goodhousekeeping.com/recipefinder/.(c) 2012 Hearst Communications, Inc.All rights reserved

LAST GOOD-BUY (continued):

• Bakke says that perhaps the safest buys at any

pawn shop are tools. He notes that the prices

are often far superior to those of new tools. This

is doubly true if you’re just looking for one or two

specific tools for home renovation or repair. “It’s

simply not worth it to pay full price for seldom-used

tools,” says Bakke.

• According to Bakke, the other great value found

at almost any pawn shop is jewelry. He explains

that it’s typical to find prices that are half what

they would be for new retail jewelry. Bakke chalks

this up to people’s distrust of the idea of “used”

jewelry.

• “Some people may have an issue with buying

‘used’ jewelry, but isn’t almost all jewelry ‘used’ in

some way, shape, or form?” Bakke argues. Since

so much jewelry, even retail jewelry, is comprised

of items made from melted down gold from other

sources and re-set diamonds, why not buy it “used”

for a much better price?

• As for items that are best left on the pawn-shop

shelf, Bakke is emphatic. He advises to never buy

electronics or home appliances with a lot of moving

parts. He singles out vacuum cleaners, computers,

digital cameras and televisions as things to avoid.

• Bakke thinks televisions are possibly the riskiest

pawn-shop purchase. “There is an implied risk with

purchasing anything from a pawn shop since it’s

all used merchandise, but this risk goes up even

farther with televisions, especially flat-screen LED

TVs,” says Bakke.

• Bakke warns that almost no pawn shops allow

money back returns. The most they offer is in-store

credit, so buyer beware. He advises, “Be sure to

inquire specifically about all aspects of any return

policy they may have.”

• Though he mentions that he has experienced

instances where something he bought at a pawn

shop broke soon after, Bakke thinks that the

positives easily outnumber the negatives. He says,

“The overall money that I have saved over the years

has far outweighed the replacement cost of the

few things that did break down.”

• The process of finding good value at antique

shops requires a little more time and thought,

1. MUSIC: Who composed the opera "Swan Lake"?2. LANGUAGE: What is the meaning of the Latin phrase "Ars gratia artis"?3. GEOGRAPHY: The island of Corsica belongs to what country?4. MYTHOLOGY: What is the name for the three Greek goddesses of vengeance: Alecto, Megaera and Tisi-phone?5. LITERATURE: Who wrote a semi-autobiographical travel book called "Roughing It"?6. TELEVISION: What detective series featured the theme song "Keep Your Eye on the Sparrow"?7. CHEMISTRY: What is the chemical symbol for bromine?8. AD SLOGANS: What was billed as "The Greatest Show on Earth"?9. FAMOUS QUOTATIONS: Who once said, "Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive."?10. MOVIES: Which Disney movie featured the hit song "A Whole New World"?

“Audrey Hepburn: A Charmed Life”by Robyn Karney(Arcade Publishing, $24.95)Reviewed by Larry Cox

Audrey Hepburn was born Eda van Heemstra in Brussels, Belgium, in 1929. Despite a rather complicated childhood in Nazi-occupied Holland, she trained as a ballet-dancer in Amsterdam and later at the Marie Ram-bert school in London, where she made both her film and stage debuts in 1948. But it wasn’t until three years later in the Broadway production of “Gigi” that she truly hit her stride.After winning acclaim on Broadway, she won an Oscar for her film per-formance in “Roman Holiday.” She quickly became an international ce-lebrity, and throughout the 1950s and ‘60s was box-office gold. Three of her most popular film roles were in “Sabrina,” “The Nun’s Story” and “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” -- all Oscar nominations.Although Hepburn died of cancer at her home in Switzerland in 1993, during her lifetime she left an indelible mark on our modern culture. In a new biography, Robyn Karney, editor of “Who’s Who in Hollywood,” captures all of the delicate, intangible facets of this remarkable woman. The 177 photographs chosen by Karney are stunning. Photographer Richard Avedon summed up the elegance of Hepburn when he said, “I am, and forever will be, devastated by the gift of Audrey Hepburn before my camera. I cannot lift her to greater heights. She is already there. I can only record; I cannot interpret her. There is no going further than who she is. She has achieved the ultimate portrait.” Indeed.Hepburn was more than an actress and international beauty. She worked tirelessly as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF and was directly involved in numerous charities, especially those that aided children. It was this devotion to helping the poorest children of the Third World that set her apart from many others in the entertainment industry.“Audrey Hepburn: A Charmed Life” shows why her style, poise, talent and inner warmth continue to fascinate, even two decades after her death.

but it’s just as rewarding. An advice column from

the website Antique-Marks.com entitled “Buying

antiques — how, where, when and why to buy”

gives 10 sure-fire tips on how to make a wise

purchase.

• Most antique dealers are happy to haggle over

their prices. The column strongly advises antique

shoppers to ask for a discount on any item they are

interested in. It notes that dealers usually assign

a private code to each item advising how much of

a discount they’re prepared to give (for instance,

25 percent off the sticker). Asking for a discount

prompts the salesperson to investigate this. Simply

ask, “What’s your best price on this item?”

• Another potential option for getting a discount is

paying cash, but don’t offer to pay in hard currency

up front. After negotiating a maximum discount

under the auspices of paying by check or credit

card, then (and only then) ask if there might any

further cash discount. Not every seller will offer

one, but some do.

• Another essential tip when antique shopping is

to thoroughly examine any item of interest before

buying. Antique-marks advises you to, “Look at the

bottom, the top, the sides. Look from odd angles

and use a magnifier to look close.”

• Examining each item of interest extensively

is vital, as is inquiring about any damage or

restoration the item might’ve undergone. As

Antique-marks notes, “If you don't ask, they don't

need to tell you.”

• One of the best ways to find a good deal is to look

for items that don’t fit the focus of the individual

antique shop. If you’re in a shop that focuses on

furniture, look for the odd bit of ceramics or jewelry.

Items that don’t fit in will often be discounted much

higher to get rid of them.

• Check if the shop is a member of any trade

associations. As Antique-marks notes, this provides

“a greater degree of security and protection” for

your purchases. Fake antiques are not uncommon,

and some are quite convincing.

• When completing your antique purchase,

make sure you a get a receipt. Make sure it lists

specifics about the item, including age, damage or

restoration, the material it’s made of and its value.

• Finally, if you decide to purchase antiques at

auction, do your homework! Know the rules of

auction bidding and familiarize yourself with items

shipped from outside the country. Valuable and

antique items must be declared through customs.

PHOTO: Phyllis Diller

HOLLYWOOD -- A little more than a year ago, I attended the 25th anniversary party for former film star Zsa Zsa Gabor and Prince Fredric Von Anhalt. She was bed-ridden and never appeared, but friends and celebrities still came to toast the Hollywood royalty.I had a chance to chat there with the late Phyllis Diller, who left us on Aug. 20 at the age of 95. I recounted our meeting many years ago in New York just after she appeared on “The Ed Sul-livan Show.” As I took her picture, she asked me, “How do you like the boa I’m wearing?” It looked kind of ratty, but I said it was nice, to which she added, “I caught it under the sink this morning.” She was a very funny lady, on- or off-screen.This year, Prince Frederic again invited friends to celebrate their anniversary, but there was a marked difference. Their Bel Air

mansion has had a $300,000 face-lift, thanks to the Michael Doug-las/Matt Damon HBO film, “Behind the Candelabra,” using the house and grounds as Liberace’s ornate mansion. To accomplish the make-over, they brought in two priceless chandeliers and Liberace’s grand piano from the Liberace museum in Las Vegas. They put in new ‘60s white shag carpets, repainted the garden room and put silver metallic wallpaper on the ceilings. The pool was redone with a large “L” on the bottom with tile piano keys all around the pool. All of Zsa Zsa’s portraits had to be replaced with paintings of Liberace.The film shot for a week, then shooting was suspended to allow all the paintings of Zsa Zsa to be put back for the party. Afterward, eve-rything was switched again with portraits of Liberace for the final two weeks of shooting. On one shooting day, Michael Douglas visited with Zsa-Zsa in her bedroom, and they talked about the old Holly-wood. Apparently, the footage shot by director Steven Soderbergh is so good that HBO is reconsidering showing it on HBO first and may release it to theaters instead.The film also has Dan Aykroyd as Liberace’s long-time manager, Rob Lowe as the plastic surgeon who made over Liberace’s boy toy to look like a young Liberace, and Debbie Reynolds as his mother, Frances. On the plus side, for Prince Frederic, he was given a small role and shot three days on the picture.Funny footnote: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michael Douglas’ wife, said in an interview: “I caught Michael trying on some of my clothes and jewelry and told him to get his own!” That takes being a method actor a little too far!

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

(c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.

1. The Expendables 2 (R) Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger

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

3. ParaNorman (PG) animated4. The Campaign (R) Will Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis

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

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

7. Premium Rush (PG-13) Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Mi-chael Shannon

8. 2016 Obama’s America (PG) Documentary9. Hope Springs (PG-13) Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee

Jones10. Hit and Run (R) Charlie Bronson, Kristen Bell

Page 3For Advertising Call (785) 404-1000

The Tidbits® Paper is a Division of Tidbits Media, Inc. • Montgomery, AL 36106(800) 523-3096 • E-mail: tidbits@tidbitsmedia.com • All Rights Reserved ©2008

Information in the Tidbits® Paper is gathered from sources considered to bereliable but the ac cu ra cy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

Can’t Get Enough Tidbits?

Limited EditionBook Set

Limited Edition

T R I L O G Y

Send $24.95 (plus $5.00 S&H) by Check or Money Order to:

Tidbits Media, Inc.1430 I-85 Parkway, Suite 301

Montgomery, AL 36106(800) 523-3096

(Alabama residents add appropriate sales tax.)Reprints of Books I, II, & III.

RESERVE NOW!

WANT TO RUN YOUR OWN BUSI NESS?

If You Can Provide: Sales Experience · A Computer · Desktop Publishing Software · A Reasonable Financial In vest ment

We provide the opportunity for success!

Call 1.800.523.3096www.tidbitsweekly.com

Publish a Pa per in Your Area

$20.00/hourA LITTLE HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT

If you live in Salina or nearby call COMPUTER DOC when: you need some home tutoring, the printer ink needs changing,

the e-mail disappears, the printer won’t print, the bridge game won’t work, the computers runs S-L-O-W,

the e-mail won’t mail, the internet doesn’t go online, the picture won’t open or you

just don’t know what to do.

Senior Discount:Contact (785) 787-9311 or glakes@cox.net

for more information

‘Dry Basement’ Springs a Leak

Q: Our basement was outfitted as a “dry basement” sev-eral years ago and then finished to become additional living space, which we use as a rec room and for stor-age. I’ve noticed a musty smell for some time, and after heavy rains last week I saw water pooling near a corner of the basement. However, I can’t find the source of the leak. What can I do? -- Tara in St. Louis

A: It sounds like there is a leak somewhere in the foun-dation. You’re right to be looking at that one corner as the most likely source of the water leak, but determining where the water is entering may be difficult.Dry basements are made so through a number of techniques, including directing rainwater away from your home’s foundation. This is accomplished through surface drainage (such as your home’s gutter system) as well as subsurface drainage, which stops water which has percolated through the surface from entering the basement.Subsurface drainage is typically put in place at the time

of a home’s construction. This includes sloping the ground beneath the planned basement floor to direct water away from the house, adding a gravel layer and a nonperme-able layer above that, and then pouring the basement’s concrete floor. Basement walls should be sealed on the outside at the time of construction.Over time, concrete basement walls can develop tiny cracks that let more moisture through. This may be hap-pening in your basement. There may be a larger crack near your home’s foundation that is letting more water in, or perhaps something has changed in the way runoff moves away from your home’s foundation. Patch larger cracks in the driveway or in masonry or concrete sur-rounding your home.Check the exterior of your house. Is the gutter system in good repair? Where do the drainspouts end? They should extend out from the foundation. If rainwater is pouring directly onto the foundation, it could be seeping more rapidly into the basement.If none of these seem to be a problem or don’t clear up the leakage issue, contact a professional contractor who specializes in basement moisture problems to snoop out deeper issues.

HOME TIP: Use a humidifier in the basement during the summer months to combat excess humidity and minor condensation.

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.

LAST GOOD-BUY (continued):

By Samantha Mazzotta

Tidbits® of Salina Page 4

Slowing Macular Degeneration

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am an 82-year-old woman. My body cannot tolerate antibiotics, vitamins or painkillers. I am told I have macular degeneration and was advised to take Ocuvite once a day. My sister suggested I write to you to see if you have an idea of how to take Ocuvite in some other manner or some other way to get the ingredients in it. Help. -- L.M.ANSWER: In 2001, the results of the first AREDS report (Age-Related Eye Disease Study) was published. It showed that the combination of beta carotene (a form of vitamin A), vitamin E, vitamin C, zinc and copper could slow the progression of moderate macular degeneration to severe macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is a wasting away of the macula -- a small, round area of the retina necessary for clear central vision, the kind needed to read, sew and drive. Ocuvite is one capsule that incorporates all these nutrients. Currently a new study, AREDS 2, is being conducted. The vitamin-mineral combination has been altered a bit and new ingredients have been added: lutein, zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids. Some Ocuvite pills also contain these materials.Since you’re unable to tolerate vitamins, you’ll need to get these nutrients from foods. You might not be able to reach the high levels found in pills, but you’d be getting all the ingredients in those pills.Beta carotene is found in colored vegetables like carrots and peppers, in

dark-green vegetables and in colored fruits. Vitamin E is widely available in many foods: meats, nuts, cereal grains, wheat-germ oil and sunflower oil. You find vitamin C in citrus fruits, tomatoes, potatoes and broccoli. Zinc is in meats, shellfish, nuts and legumes, like peas. Copper is in shellfish, nuts and organ meats.The new version of AREDS, not yet published, contains lutein and zeaxanthin, which you can obtain in kale, spinach, collard greens, corn, green beans, carrots, squash and tomatoes. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish like salmon and tuna.The booklet on macular degeneration explains this common malady and its treatment. To obtain a copy, write: Dr. Donohue -- No. 701, 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: My heart misses a beat every now and then. The doctor tells me this isn’t dangerous. He has said nothing about food or drink as being a cause of this. I drink two cups of coffee a day. I can’t tell any difference on the days I drink it or on the days I don’t. What’s the thinking on this? -- P.M.ANSWER: Moderate amounts of caffeine have little effect on the heart. Two to four cups of coffee a day shouldn’t affect your heartbeat. However, if a person is quite sensitive to caffeine, then that person should abstain from coffee. There appears not to be any relationship between coffee drinking and artery hardening, artery obstruction or heart pumping. Heart attacks and strokes are no more frequent in coffee drinkers than in those who never touch it. ***Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.

FAMOUS LANDMARKS OF THE WORLD:

Martha’s Vineyard

A quaint, beautiful island in the northern Atlantic

off the coat of Massachusetts, Martha’s Vineyard

is one of the United States’ most relaxing vacation

getaways. Listed below are the aspects that make

the island unlike any other.

• The world-famous island regularly hosts a variety

of occasions, including weddings, honeymoons,

corporate events, executive retreats, etc. Some

residents live on the island seasonally, others, year

round.

• The island provides sandy beaches, clay cliffs, bird-

watching excursions, elegant dining destinations,

great shopping and attractions.

• Martha’s Vineyard actually prides itself on the

uniqueness of its dining experiences — There are

no chain restaurants.

• The northern part of the island is covered in hills

and boulders, while the southern part is mostly

sandy beaches.

• Many artists live on the island, creating and then

selling their hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind pieces.

• Vacationers or residents reach the island via ferry

or airplane, as there are no tunnels or bridges linked

to the island. There are more than 100 lodging

destinations, ranging anywhere from cozy cottages

to campgrounds to swanky luxury resorts.

• Although the oceans around the island are freezing

with large waves and dangerous undertows, the

island offers many harbors with warmer water.

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.

We have new hours for Spring and Summer!THURS. 10-6, FRI. 10-7

SAT. 9-7 & SUN. 1-6800 N. 9th Salina, KS 67401

Forgotten TreasuresForgotten Treasures

Judy Bolton Books

Q: Although I have read several references in your column about Nancy Drew books, as a young girl I was fascinated by Judy Bolton. I have several early editions from the 1930s and wonder if they are worth keeping. -- Constance, Metarie, La.A: The first Judy Bolton title, “The Vanishing Shadow,” was published in 1932 by Grosset & Dunlap. The first 10 books in the series featured light-green cloth covers and were ex-tremely popular with young readers. First editions published between 1932 and 1940, with dust covers and in good condi-tion, generally sell in the $25 to $50 range.***Q: I am enclosing some pictures of antiques that I acquired, including a carved chest, a spool cabinet, a Norwegian trunk and a set of tables and chairs. All are in good condition, and I would like to know how much these items are worth. -- Michael, Benson, Minn.A: I suggest you contact antiques dealers in your area to see if there is any interest. You should be aware that the economy is sluggish and values vary from region to region. For exam-ple, your Norwegian trunk might be worth more in your area since it was settled by immigrants from Norway. A second thing you might want to do is have your antiques appraised by a certified professional. Even though this will not be free, you will have an expert’s opinion.***Q: I have a black-out bulb that was issued during World War II. When sirens were sounded to signal a drill, all blinds had to be pulled down and only bulbs of this type could be used, since they illuminated only the center of a room. I think it is unique. -- Shirley, Leola, Pa.A: Your black-out bulb is truly a example of wartime Ameri-cana. I have seen only two or three black-out bulbs in recent years, all priced in the $10 to $25 range. ***Q: I have two 78-rpm albums of Wayne King. What are they worth? -- Lorraine, Fredonia, N.Y.A: Not much. Most of Wayne King’s 78-rpm discs are worth about a dollar each and are of no interest to most collectors.

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.

Cool Summer Pudding From England

While the 2012 Summer Olympics in London were in full swing on screens across the U.S. and the world, I loved how the cameras put viewers like us in the middle of the action, as if we were paddling our own kayaks through a white-water course or leaping with the women gymnasts for the gold. But amidst all the excitement, there was one thing we missed out on -- the smells and tastes of the local English food enjoyed by spectators attending the event.I decided to make the Olympics a cultural experience at home and created a taste of London by preparing an old English late-summer dessert called “Summer Pudding.” For the Brits, the word “pudding” (“pud” for short) actually means “dessert,” and this fun recipe from across the pond can become a memorable finale to an August dinner. It’s full of fresh berries, and the easy prep doesn’t require any baking, so the kitchen stays cool. It’s a great use for day-old bread, too!Kids love to take part in the easy prep, so gather the ingredients and enjoy this fresh, beautiful dessert while it’s still summer.

ENGLISH SUMMER PUDDING

Ingredients:16 slices of day-old, firm white bread, without preservatives

6 cups assorted berries, such as blueberries, blackberries, raspber-ries and strawberries

1 cup sugar1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

Whipped cream

1. In a saucepan, combine berries, sugar and lemon juice. Stir over medium heat until berries release their juices, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and drain berries over a bowl, reserving the juice.2. Line the inside of a 5-6 cup bowl with plastic wrap. Trim and discard crusts from the bread and cut slices diagonally into four pieces. Dip each triangle into the juice, then arrange on the bottom and in a continuous pattern around the inside of the bowl to create a pinwheel effect. Fill any gaps with more bread, saving some bread for the next step.3. Fill the bread-lined bowl almost to the top with the drained berries. Place a single layer of the remaining bread on top of the berries to create a cover. Spoon remaining juice evenly over the top. 4. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and then set a small plate on top that just fits inside the bowl. Set a heavy, 2-pound can on the plate to provide weight. Refrigerate overnight.5. To serve, remove the can, plate and plastic wrap and carefully invert the colorful molded pudding onto a serving plate. Remove the plastic wrap liner. Slice into wedges with a large spoon and serve with a dollop of whipped cream. Makes 6-8 servings.***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.”

Continued on pg. 9

Page 5For Advertising Call (785) 404-1000

Food Safety

One of the best kitchen gadgets I’ve ever invested in is a digital thermometer. Within seconds, it tells me the temperature of the food I’m cooking and whether it’s done.Temperature is one of the most important safety steps in food preparation to avoid food poisoning. To help us stay safe, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has created a free booklet especially for us: Food Safety for Older Adults. It has information we need to know and keep handy: How we get a food-borne illness, and what can hap-pen to us if we do. How to choose lower-risk food options. How long food stays safe in the refrigerator. And much more.For example, did you know that lunch and deli meats need to be heated to 165 degrees Fahrenheit? The bacteria Listeria can grow even at proper 40-degree refrigerator temperature.My favorite part of the booklet, especially since I now have a high-tech digital thermometer, is the picture chart of the recommended internal temperatures of cooked food. Fish, 145 degrees. Beef, 160 degrees. And so on. (I also invested in two refrigerator/freezer thermometers to make sure the old refrigerator and freezer are keeping food at the correct temperature: 40 degrees for the refrigerator and 0 degrees for the freezer.)There are a number of steps involved in finding the booklet online, but it’s worth the trouble. Go to www.fsis.usda.gov, click Fact Sheets, At-Risk Populations, More Like This at the bottom of that category, then scroll down to the PDF version of Food Safety for Older Adults. If you can’t find it, send email to fsis.outreach@usda.gov to request the booklet.Or call the hotline and request it at 1-888-674-6854.

Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally an-swer 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 columnre-ply@gmail.com.

(c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.

1. The Otnorots, The Jordonaires and The Four Dukes finally settled on which new name for their group?2. Name the group that had hits with “Get Ready” and “I Just Want to Celebrate.”3. Eric Carr got his big break in 1980 with which band?4. Which well-known drummer pub-lished a book entitled “Ode to a High Flying Bird,” about jazz great Charlie Parker?5. Name the R&B artist who had No. 1 hits with “Never Too Much,” “Stop to Love” and “There’s Nothing Better Than Love.”6. Which female artist had a mega hit with “Torn Between Two Lovers”?

THE BIRD-IN-THE-HAND PRINCIPLE

North dealer.Neither side vulnerable.NORTH[S] K J[H] 8 4[D] K Q 6 4 2[C] K Q 6 5WEST [S] 9 6 2 [H] J 9 7 5 3 [D] 7 [C] A 10 9 7 EAST[S] 8 7 5 3[H] K 6 2[D] A 10 9 8[C] 4 2

SOUTH[S] A Q 10 4[H] A Q 10[D] J 5 3[C] J 8 3The bidding:North East South West1 [D] Pass 1 [S] Pass2 [C] Pass 3 NTOpening lead -- five of hearts.

When a contract can be guaranteed by adopting a particular method of play, it stands to reason that it would be wrong to choose another line of play that jeopardizes the contract. This principle is self-evident, but it is sometimes not so easy to apply in actual practice.Consider this deal where West leads a heart against three notrump. How should declarer proceed? If South does not give the matter much thought, he wins East’s king with the ace and leads a diamond to the queen, losing to the ace. Back comes a heart, and West’s suit becomes established.When the diamonds turn out to be divided 4-1, South goes down one because West has the ace of clubs as an entry to his hearts. The outcome could easily be attributed to bad luck, since it takes a very unlikely combina-tion of events to sink the contract. However, this view dodges the real issue.This is one of those hands where declarer can completely control his fate by playing his cards correctly. Luck is not a factor. To ensure the contract, all South need do is to take East’s king of hearts with the ace, lead a spade to dummy and return a low diamond.If East has the ace and goes up with it, South has at least nine tricks. If East has the ace and does not go up, South wins with the jack and attacks clubs to assure nine tricks.If West has the ace of diamonds, he can win South’s jack but cannot effec-tively return a heart. Anything else West does gives declarer time to establish two club tricks before West’s hearts can be established.Superficially, it seems unimportant whether the first diamond lead comes from the South hand or from dummy, but in the actual deal, the contract stands or falls on this decision.(c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.

Tidbits® of Salina Page 6

Get Rid of the Bums

In an uncharacteristic departure from my usual columns, I pointed out a few of the underachievers in sports last week. “Bums” was how I referred to them.And, of course, one of the players I put into the crosshairs, Luke Hochevar of the Kansas City Roy-als, went out there the next game and nearly tossed a no-hitter. He then followed it up with a complete

game loss, but still a great performance. So maybe Hochevar isn’t a bum after all ... maybe he’s just a bust. (Andruw Jones, though? Still a bum.)Roger Clemens came out of retirement. He’s pitching for the Sugar Land Skeeters, and he absolutely dominated the Bridgeport Bluefish over 3 1/3 innings. The Royals and Astros were scouting him. He holds the record for most Cy Youngs. The Royals later said they were not going to sign him. That sounds silly to me ... he was pumping 88-mph fastballs. Sounds like a pretty solid deal, at least from a marketing standpoint.But Clemens cheated everyone over his "roid-rag-ing" career, turning the baseball record books into a meaningless mess of statistics. So letting him stay under some mosquito-laden port bridge like a bum is fine by me, too.Speaking of people I wouldn’t mind seeing skulking around on the benches of the world, there is wide receiver Terrell Owens. Owens holds a zillion NFL records. Great for him. He’s also one of the more annoying characters in the history of sports. You can’t blame the guy for keeping his career going ... a man has a right to earn a living. But he won’t be making it in Allen, Texas, where he was cut from the

Indoor Football League’s Wrangler franchise, and he won’t be making it in Seattle either, as he was released just before this writing.So that means we’ll be subjected to more “TO” eve-rywhere else. On our TVs, the Internet, in the gos-sip rags and in retweets around the world. He has a right to make a living, sure, and we can always turn the station or page, but you can basically spend half your life trying to avoid the guy.Finishing off the trend of just bummin’ around is Chad Johnson, the wide receiver formerly known as “Ochocinco.” He’s another guy who let his flamboy-ance get in the way of his actual fame. He owns a trillion NFL records too, but in recent years he’s been bouncing around, even going so far as to try to play professional soccer. He’s another guy who will do just about anything to get his mug in your face. And that’s exactly what he did a few weeks ago when he headbutted his wife in the face. That led to his release from the Miami Dolphins on-cam-era during HBO’s “Hard Knocks.”That’s really using your head, Chad. You’re a bum; now get out. Mark Vasto is a veteran sportswriter who lives in Kansas City.

Minneapolis High School

www.amfam.com

Steve Sprinkle, Agent645 E. CRAWFORD, STE E3SALINA, KS 67401

Office: 785-827-0447Fax: 785-827-2841E-Mail: ssprinkl@amfam.com

1-800-MYAMFAM (800-692-6326)Website: www.stevesprinkleagency.com

300 S. 9th, Suite 101Salina, Kansas 67401

785-452-8177 Cell 785-820-5900 Office 785-820-8066 Fax

Page 7For Advertising Call (785) 404-1000

McPherson High School

Football Varsity Schedule

Friday, Aug 31, 2012Game 7:00PM El Dorado

Friday, Sep 7, 2012Game 7:00PM Hays

Friday, Sep 14, 2012Game 7:00PM Away vs. Rose Hill

Friday, Sep 21, 2012Game 7:00PM Buhler Friday, Sep 28, 2012Game 7:00PM Winfield Friday, Oct 5, 2012Game 7:00PM Away vs. MulvaneFriday, Oct 12, 2012Game 7:00PM Away vs. Smoky Valley Friday, Oct 19, 2012Game 7:00PM Abilene Thursday, Oct 25, 2012Game 7:00PM Away vs. Chapman

Bring this in torecieve 15% off

one visit!!!

117 West 6th StreetConcordia KS 66901785-262-4HIM

ThreadsForHim.comwww.facebook.com/ThreadsForHim

Info@ThreadsForHim.com

www.amfam.com

Steve Sprinkle, Agent645 E. CRAWFORD, STE E3SALINA, KS 67401

Office: 785-827-0447Fax: 785-827-2841E-Mail: ssprinkl@amfam.com

1-800-MYAMFAM (800-692-6326)Website: www.stevesprinkleagency.com

NCK Carpet PlusMohawk Color Center

511 WashingtonConcordia, KS 66901

(785)243-1141(785)243-1669

nckcarpetplus.comnckcp@kitusa.com

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: Maggie Smith

PICKS OF THE WEEK“Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” (PG-13) -- A hand-ful of English retirees elect to outsource their golden years to a little place in India. Lured by brochures and sales pitches, the group discov-ers upon arrival that their retirement resort is really a run-down mess in a crowded, un-sanitized part of a country they know nothing about. Each thinks they’re old enough to know everything, but now they all have to learn how to appreciate what’s around them.Yes, it is that predictable, but in a sweet way. I neglected to say that the cast playing the old fogeys comprises some of the most seasoned and respected British actors: Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Billy Nighy and Tom Wilkinson deliver top-notch performances that make the cliches acceptable and save the overall experi-ence.

“Cabin in the Woods” (R) -- This is the movie that slashes the horror genre to ribbons. A bunch of hyper teenagers head out to a cabin in the woods. Anybody could predict that psy-cho slashers and malevolent spirits will cer-tainly ruin the weekend. Just when you think you know what’s about to happen, when you are just so sure you know how things play out, everything changes.Is it still scary? Yes. How scary? As scary as the thought of being already terrified when your brain actually explodes. It’s also very funny. Writer Joss Whedon proves his mastery of parody by making a horror movie about horror movies that is scarier and funnier than most horror movies.

“The Magic of Belle Isle” (PG-13) -- Short on ideas and enthusiasm, a curmudgeonly old

writer with a soothing voice (Morgan Freeman) heads for a quaint island town in upstate New York. Once a married man and a celebrated author of Western novels, he’s since been wid-owed and spends his time drinking and making barbed comments toward his nephew (Kenan Thompson). But when he meets the pretty single mom next door (Virginia Madsen), his heart grows more tender with each scene they share. Conflicts are resolved slow and easy, with cheesy, trite one-liners. Tension? Surpris-es? There’s no room for those on this island. Morgan Freeman is a pro and gives a good per-formance, but the magic just isn’t there.

“Detachment” -- Depending on your point of view, this movie is either high-powered and artistic, or just an unrelenting bummer. Adrien Brody plays a talented teacher who is so sad on the inside that he chooses to remain a sub-stitute to avoid making emotional connections with students or colleagues. Bryan Cranston, James Caan, Lucy Liu and other fine actors play similar struggling professionals pour-ing themselves into education. The movie is so sulky that it loses the profound emotional impact that it’s going for.

TV RELEASES“Supernatural: The Complete Seventh Sea-son”“The Mentalist: The Complete Fourth Sea-son”“Modern Family: The Complete Third Sea-son”“Hawaii Five-O: The Second Season”

(c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.

TOP OF THE CHARTS as of Sept. 3, 2012

PHOTO: Taylor Swift

Top 10 Pop SinglesThis Week /Last Week

1. Taylor Swift No. 72 “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”

2. Flo Rida No. 1 “Whistle”3. Ellie Goulding No. 2 “Lights”

4. Carly Rae Jepsen No. 3 “Call Me Maybe”5. Katy Perry No. 4 “Wide Awake”

6. fun. No. 8 “Some Nights”7. Maroon 5 feat. Wiz Khalifa No. 5 “Payphone”

8. Justin Bieber feat. Big Sean No. 12 “As Long As You Love Me”

9. Maroon 5 No. 15 “One More Night”10. David Guetta feat. Sia No. 7 “Titanium”

Top 10 Albums1. 2 Chainz new entry “Based On A T.R.U. Story”

2. Various Artists No. 1 “NOW 43”3. Rick Ross No. 2 “God Forgives, I Don’t”

4. Insane Clown Posse new entry “Mighty Death Pop”5. Maroon 5 No. 11 “Overexposed”

6. Justin Bieber No. 7 “Believe”7. One Direction No. 8 “Up All Night”

8. Adele No. 9 “21”9. Zac Brown Band No. 6 “Uncaged”

10. Yellowcard new entry “Southern Air”

Top 10 Hot Country Singles1. Blake Shelton No. 4 “Over”

2. Love and Theft No. 1 “Angel Eyes”3. Little Big Town No. 5 “Pontoon”

4. Josh Turner No. 6 “Time Is Love”5. Gloriana No. 2 “(Kissed You) Good Night”

6. Kenny Chesney No. 3 “Come Over”7. The Band Perry No. 7 “Postcard From Paris”

8. Hunter Hayes No. 10 “Wanted”9. Jana Kramer No. 8 “Why Ya Wanna”

10. Keith Urban No. 9 “For You”

Page 9For Advertising Call (785) 404-1000

• Martha’s Vineyard is referred to as “Noepe” by

the American Indians, which means “Land amid the

streams.”

• It is believed that Martha’s Vineyard was discovered

in the year 1000 by explorers called the Northmen,

who named the island Vineland. When Verranazo

stumbled upon the island in 1524, he named it

Claudia, honoring the mother of France’s Francis II.

• The first explorer to give the island its current name

was Bartholomew Gosnold, who also discovered

and named Cape Cod. While lost in the Atlantic, he

stumbled upon a smaller island outside of Martha’s

Vineyard and gave this island the name. The next day,

he discovered the larger island and after exploring,

switched the names and titled the smaller island

No Man’s Land. Martha’s Vineyard came from his

mother, Martha.

• The first school on Martha’s Vineyard was

established in 1651 to teach native Indians who were

willing to learn.

• Martha’s Vineyard was considered part of New

York until 1692.

• At one point in its history during the mid 1800s,

after generations and generations, Martha’s Vineyard

had such a high deaf population that the residents

developed their own sing language, Martha’s

Vineyard Sign Language (MVSL).

• In 1911, the Colonial Inn opening, thus sparking

its transformation into a vacationer’s paradise.

• Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster hit “Jaws” was

filmed on the island in 1974.

• When famous actor John Belushi died in 1982,

he was buried on Martha’s Vineyard in the town of

Chilmark. Many residents and vacationers visit his

grave to pay their respects.

• Long-term island residents tend to be affluent,

as the cost of living on the island is about 60 percent

higher than that of the United States mainland, and

the cost of real estate is a striking 95 percent higher.

In 2010, the island’s population was 16,535.

• In 2011, Martha’s Vineyard celebrated its 100th

year of being a supreme vacation destination spot in

the United States.

Cleaning Out The Garage

Having dedicated some ink to antiquing and pawn

shops, Tidbits explores another of our major methods

of retail “recycling” — the garage sale. Every single

weekend, individual mini-entrepreneurs open their

garages and yards to sell used (and occasionally

new) items from their homes to bargain hunters from

their neighborhoods and beyond. Here are some

interesting bits about this popular underground

economy.

Your Logo Here

Floyd Harper

M-F 9:00-6:00 Sat 10:00-2:00

Save 10% on one item with coupon (not good with any other offer)Please redeem by 11-30-121833 S. 9th (785) 823-1515

Emporium Sewing & VacuumCenter

We Sell, Service & Trade Vacuum Cleaners &Sewing Machines

edible images-classes1807 S. Ninth St. Kraft Manor

Salina, Kansas 67401785-643-1661785-404-2300

7 days a week 10:00AM-10:00PM$40.00/hour Body Massage

$25.00/half hour Body Massage$30.00/hour Foot Massage

785-404-2626 1803 S. 9th St. Salina, KS 67401

.

Neck, Back or Shoulder pain?Legs or Feet Hurt?

Floyd Harper “Always

Dress to theNines!”

Also Big & Tall825-0689

In Kraft ManorOpen Mon. thru Thurs. 9-8

Fri . & Sat. 9-6Find us on SalinaFYI.com

Martha’s Vineyard (continued from pg. 4 ):

Tidbits® of Salina Page 10

A completely clean home from a team you can count on.

________________________________________________________________________

Same teamBonded and insured

Customized cleaningSalina & Abilene

merrymaids.com785-825-8636785-263-2779

• Most of us think of garage (or yard) sales as a

series of decentralized, unconnected, weekend

family “stores” set up in the front yard, and for

the most part, they are. However, every year, right

before Labor Day weekend, there is a garage sale

that stretches from Maryland to California.

• This past May celebrated the 13th annual “Great

US 50 Yard Sale.” This celebration was held May

18-20 this year.

• The event includes a loose collection of

businesses and towns along US Highway 50.

Highway 50 is one of the longest highways in

the United States. It stretches from Ocean City,

Maryland, to Sacramento, California, over 3,073

miles! A 1997 article in Time magazine declared it

the “backbone of America.”

• Though the Great US 50 Yard Sale isn’t

formally organized nationwide, its organizers have

coordinated steadily with counties all along the

route who have given their support. This support

has grown steadily every year, with media outlets

picking up the story. Although official numbers

were too numerous and difficult to tabulate, one

writer covering the story found over 75 yard sales

in just one 25-mile stretch of highway.

• Organized garage sales like the Great US 50

Yard Sale aren’t the sole province of the United

States. In fact, other countries have approached

them from a unique perspective.

• Calling itself the “World’s Longest Yardsale,”

The 127 Corridor Sale stretches from Addison,

Michigan, to Gadsden, Alabama, over 690 miles.

Yet that’s not even half the distance of the Great

US 50 Yard Sale.

• While the descriptor “World’s Longest” may not

be wholly accurate, this sale is highly organized,

with headquarters in Jamestown, Tennessee. The

2012 event took place August 2-5.

• One popular celebration in Bondi, Australia,

organized 126 different yard sales for its “Garage

Sale Trail.” The idea was the brain-child of a

company named “Republic of Everyone” as part

of a larger competition to come up with innovative

ways to recycle.

• The Garage Sale Trail was a big success. In

addition to connecting 126 different sales, it was

estimated that nearly $100,000 of goods changed

hands. It was the equivalent of 15 metal shipping

containers (each housing about 1,600 cubic feet)

full of stuff that would’ve otherwise ended up in a

landfill.

Hang Up on Robocalls

If you get an automated recorded-message call (called a robocall), it’s likely a scam. And it’s il-legal. It doesn’t matter whether or not you’re on the Do Not Call registry -- automated sales calls are illegal.In one month alone earlier this year, 212,000 com-plaints were lodged with the Federal Trade Com-mission, with billions of robocalls being targeted by the FTC in the past two years. If you get a robocall, your best bet is to hang up. Don’t press any numbers, don’t speak -- just hang up. If you press any button at all, it means there’s a human at your end, and it surely will result in even more robocalls to your number.The FTC has put two new videos on its website (ftc.gov/robocalls) to let consumers know how to handle these calls: “Robocalls Gone Wrong” and “What to Do If You Get a Robocall.”It takes time, but report the call at www.donotcall.gov or by phone at 1-888-382-1222. If your phone-service package includes call blocking, then block any robocall numbers you get. Beware of pay-ing extra for the service, however. The source of robocalls changes so often that it’s not worth the

expense to keep blocking numbers.The problem with robocalls has gotten so bad that the FTC is going to hold a summit in October to ex-plore how to trace and stop these illegal calls, as well as Caller ID spoofing. Illegal spoofing servic-es provide the means to make calls that appear to originate from another number or an “unknown” number. The danger is that calls can appear to come from people or businesses you know.The key is to assess each call that appears to come from a person or business you’re familiar with. For example, if you get a call supposedly from your bank and it asks for your account information, be suspicious and hang up. The bank already has your information, and the call is likely a scam. Be leery of giving out any information to anyone who calls.Unfortunately, it’s still legal for political candi-dates and charities to call you, even with robo-calls, and even if you’re on the Do Not Call list.One additional warning: The robocall software is available on the Internet and has been used to perpetuate pranks.

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.

Cleaning Out the Garage (Continued):

Page 11For Advertising Call (785) 404-1000

On Sept. 22, 1776, in New York City, 21-year-old Nathan Hale, a captain in the Continental Army, is executed by the British for spying. Before being hanged, legend holds that Hale said, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” There is no historical record to prove that Hale actually made this statement.

On Sept. 18, 1793, George Washington lays the cornerstone to the United States Capi-tol building. The building would take nearly a century to complete, as architects came and went, the British set fire to it, and it was called into use during the Civil War.

On Sept. 23, 1846, German astronomer Jo-hann Gottfried Galle discovers the planet Neptune. The blue gas giant, which has a diameter four times that of Earth, has eight known moons and a ring system containing three bright and two dim rings.

On Sept. 21, 1938, a powerful Category 3 hur-ricane slams into Long Island and southern New England. Charlie Pierce, a junior fore-caster in the U.S. Weather Bureau, was sure that the hurricane was heading for the North-east, but the chief forecaster overruled him. All told, 700 people were killed by the hurri-cane.

On Sept. 19, 1959, in one of the more surreal moments in the history of the Cold War, So-viet leader Nikita Khrushchev explodes with anger when he learns he cannot visit Disney-land. Government authorities feared that the crowds would pose a safety hazard.

On Sept. 17, 1965, four adventurous English-men arrive at a motor show in Germany after crossing the English Channel by Amphicar, the world’s only mass-produced amphibious passenger car. On land, the cars used a four-speed-plus-reverse manual transmission. In the water, they used a transfer case that had two speeds: forward and backward.

On Sept. 20, 1973, in a highly publicized “Bat-tle of the Sexes” tennis match, top women’s player Billie Jean King, 29, plays Bobby Riggs, 55, a former No. 1-ranked men’s player. Riggs, a self-proclaimed male chauvinist, had boast-ed that women were inferior. King beat Riggs 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.

(c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.

1. How old was Pete Rose when he had his last 200-hit season?2. Ernie Banks of the Chicago Cubs was the first shortstop to hit three home runs in a game. Who was the second?3. In 2011, Patrick Peterson tied

an NFL record with his fourth punt return for a TD in a season. Whose mark did he tie?4. Name the only conference to have three No. 1 seeds in one year in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. 5. When was the last time before 2012 that the St. Louis Blues won an NHL playoff game?6. Name the last country other than South Korea in the modern Olympic era to win a gold medal in the women’s archery team competition.7. How many times in his career did golfer Jack Nicklaus finish as the runner-up in a major?

TOP TEN VIDEO, DVD as of Sept. 3, 2012

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

2. Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax (PG) (animated)3. Lockout (PG-13) Guy Pearce

4. American Reunion (R) Jason Biggs5. Silent House (R) Elizabeth Olsen

6. The Three Stooges (PG) Sean Hayes7. 21 Jump Street (R) Jonah Hill8. Get the Gringo (R) Mel Gibson

9. Friends With Kids (R) Jennifer Westfeldt10. Dexter: The Sixth Season (TV-MA) Michael A. Hall

Top 10 DVD Sales1. The Hunger Games (PG-13) (Lionsgate)2. Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax (PG) (Universal)

3. Dexter: The Sixth Season (TV-MA) (Paramount)4. Glee: The Complete Third Season (NR) (Fox)

5. Jaws (PG) (Universal)6. The Raid: Redemption (R) (Sony)7. Hatfields & McCoys (NR) (Sony)

8. Community: The Complete Third Season (NR) (Sony)9. Grimm: Season One (NR) (Universal)

10. Wrath of the Titans 3D (PG-13) (Warner)

Source: Rentrak Corp.

(c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.

It was American singer Josh Groban who made the following sage observation: “There’s no half-singing in the shower, you’re either a rock star or an opera diva.”

If you’re considering having a child sometime in the near future, you might want to consider this: It’s said that the cost of caring for a newborn during its first year of life is more than $6,000.

In 1986, actor and director Clint East-wood took on a new and unfamiliar role: political candidate. He ran for mayor of Carmel, Calif. He defeated the incumbent mayor in a landslide, and he kept the po-sition for two years. His salary? A whop-ping $200 per week.

Often these days you’ll see someone carrying a tiny dog around with them, but you might be surprised to learn that this is not an entirely new fashion. In ancient Rome and Greece it was not uncommon for a noble lady to carry her tiny Maltese dog around in the sleeve of her robe.

In the early days of motion pictures, Will H. Hays became known as the “Czar of Hollywood.” He presided over the earliest incarnation of the MPAA, charged with ensuring the morality of movies. Some of the changes the so-called “Hays Office” insisted upon were removing the image of a cow’s udder from a Walt Disney car-toon; and removing any direct reference to adultery in the 1935 adaptation of the Tolstoy novel “Anna Karenina” -- despite the fact that Anna’s affair is at the heart of the novel.

Those who study such things say that a woman’s sense of smell tends to be bet-ter than that of a man. ***Thought for the Day: “I think that I am better than the people who are trying to reform me.” -- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

(c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.

Answers:1. He was 38 in 1979, when he tallied 208 hits for Philadelphia.2. Freddie Patek did it for the Angels in 1980.3. Detroit’s Jack Christiansen (1951), Denver’s Rick Upchurch (1976) and Chicago’s Devin Hester (2007) all returned four punts for touchdowns.4. The Big East, with Connecticut, Louisville and Pittsburgh as No. 1 seeds in 2009.5. It was 2004.6. South Korea has won every gold medal since team competition began in 1988.7. Nineteen times.

Page 12 Tidbits® of Salina

Answers1. Peter Tchaikovsky2. Art for art's sake3. France4. The Furies5. Mark Twain6. "Baretta"7. Br8. Barnum & Bailey Cir-cus9. Elbert Hubbard 10. "Aladdin"

Trivia QuizFlash Back Answers1. The Four Lads. Their biggest hit was “Moments to Remember” in 1955. (Note: “Otnorot” is “Toronto” spelled backward.)2. Rare Earth, in 1970 and 1971. “Celebrate” was the last time the group hit the Top Ten.3. Kiss. Carr, born Paul Charles Cara-vello, took the stage personae of The Fox. He died in 1991 at the age of 41.4. Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts, in 1965. The hand-drawn book, if you can find one, sells for thousands of dollars.5. Luther Vandross, in 1981, 1986 and 1987 respectively.6. Mary MacGregor, in 1977. The song has been translated into multiple languages and was originally written to be sung by a man.

PHOTO CUTLINE: A spot of rain put Casey Mears on the pole before the Bristol race. The Ford driver led the first 26 laps before finishing 21st on the night. (John Clark/NASCAR This Week photo)

Casey Mears Runs Out Front

Casey Mears got quite a boost from the circumstances surrounding the Irwin Tools Night Race.He started on the pole. He didn’t win the pole, but he started there. It wasn’t just luck, though. When rain canceled qualifying, Mears advanced to the top of the lineup because his Ford had been fastest in practice.The Bristol Motor Speedway surface had been reworked since the Sprint Cup Series last visited in March 18.“Where they actually worked on the track (it had been ground near the tops of the turns), we actually haven’t been all the way up there yet,” Mears said before the race. “I’ve seen some guys flirting with the edge of it, so it’s really going to be hard to say. If it keeps guys from running up against the wall, I think it could make it a little bit more competitive just because, when guys are running right up against the fence, it’s really hard to pass guys down underneath.”Many didn’t expect Mears, 34, to remain at the front for long. Some didn’t expect him to lead the first lap, but he did. In fact, Mears’ No. 13 Geico Ford, owned by Steve Germain, led the first 26 laps. He wound up finishing 21st after spinning on the 414th of 500 laps.Mears had an impact on the race. He was running 12th as late as lap 375.

The Bakersfield, Calif., native was right about it being difficult to pass high. What he and others didn’t fully grasp was that it would also be difficult to pass low.While competing at Hendrick Motorsports, Mears won the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May 2007. He began his career with Chip Ganassi’s team, finishing a career-best 14th in the Sprint Cup point standings in 2006. He then spent two years at Hendrick and moved to Richard Childress Racing for the 2009 season. Since then, Mears has driven for Germain, Team Red Bull, Tommy Baldwin Jr. and Raymond Key.Mears comes from one of America’s great racing families. His uncle, Rick, is one of three men to win the Indianapolis 500 four times. His father, Roger, is a legend in off-road racing, which is where Casey began his career.Casey has won in NASCAR, ARCA, Grand American and Indy Lights.***Monte Dutton covers motorsports for The Gaston (N.C.) Gazette. E-mail Monte at nascarthisweek@yahoo.com.

(c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.