While different creatures have different menu choices to satisfy their food cravings they also rely on a variety of methods to secure their meals, many of which are quite unique and downright interesting. This week Tidbits gives us a closer look at some of the clever methods they need to first employ before they can settle down to din-din.
AMBIGUOUS ARACHNID
• The bola spider has a unique method of capturing and devouring its meals. The bola spins a normal spider web in order to capture unsuspecting moths, its primary diet. But the moths are equipped with detachable scales that break off in the web, often allowing them to escape. So the spider uses a type of built-in lasso by attaching a sticky patch of spider silk to the end of a throwing line. It skillfully launches the lasso at the moth as it flutters past, grabs it -- and hauls it in.
• The bola also emits a scent that mimics the pheromones of a female moth, attracting male
TRIV
TRIV
1. Which kind of fish is the smartest?
2. Which are smarter: carnivores or herbivores?
TRIVIA NEWSFRONTAIVIRT TNORFSWEN
3. Are coyotes, wolves, or foxes the smartest?
4. What state has the greatest number of spider bites?
5. How many spiders will you accidently swallow while asleep over the course of your lifetime, on average?
(Answers on page 16)
Bill LeGrave
Q: What do you call it when a swarm of insects goes to Italy to dine?
A: A Venice fly trip!
McDonald’s offered a set of Dalmatian figurines. Usually, their sets of collectible toys included just a few items, but this set included 101 different dog designs - all of which were basically identical except for a variety of poses. It was nearly impossible for anyone to collect them all.
“When spiders unite, they can tie down a lion.” -Ethiopian proverb
3/1/1954
Eddy Money 3/2/1949
Ira Glass 3/3/1959
Rick Perry 3/4/1950
Penn Jillette 3/5/1955
Michelangelo 3/6/1475
Brian Cranston 3/7/1956
1. U.S. STATES: Which state is home to the Acadia National Park?
2. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president was an avid dog breeder who gave his hunting hounds funny names like “Sweet Lips” and “Madam Moose”?
3. MOVIES: Who is the antagonist of “Shrek” in the first animated movie?
4. LITERATURE: What is the pseudonym of the 20th-century author who was born Adeline Virginia Stephen?
Rolfing in the Desert (1 of 6) 1/8 pg BW 6x disc. Nov. 24, 2024 Before After
Happy Meals have been a McDonald’s signature item since 1979 – and the surprise toy inside has proved to be a big hit with kids. But some of these toy items turned out to be a huge disappointment, with a few making their meals not so happy!
In a series of 10 sessions, Rolfing® actually changes the way your body is structured. You become straighter, taller, more graceful, flexible and free-moving. Possibly many aches and pains will disappear. How does this actually happen?
• To celebrate Earth Day, they released a set of gardening tools. It included a tiny rake that was useless, a trowel too small to dig with, a watering can that held only about 3 ounces of water, a miniature bird feeder too small for any bird, and a small greenhouse with a packet of flower seeds. The seeds actually sprouted, the only win of the set.
ADVERTISING PROOF
• One early toy was a secret compartment watch. The watch was just a plastic strap with a small compartment that opened to reveal a secret hiding space just big enough to hold about two pennies or a single dose of cyanide.
Please
ADVERTISING PROOF
ROLFING:® How Does it Work?
• The “Ronald Goes Camping” set was similarly disappointing. The set of eating utensils was too bulky and clunky to use effectively. The collapsible cup leaked. The canteen held about 2 ounces, and the mess kit was too small to actually hold any food.
We manipulate connective tissue called fascia, a type of body tissue that holds the body together and gives it shape. Fascial planes shape broad areas of the body. Dr. Rolf’s discovery was that if you put certain kinds of pressure on fascia, the shape of the tissue will change in a lasting way. She worked with a very firm level of pressure. Since then, we have found that lighter pressure combined with your movement makes the body reshaping occur quicker. Call to schedule an appointment or for a free consultation:
• The Ronald McDonald mask, made of flimsy cardboard and held in place with a string, was another flop. So was the Ronald McDonald glove-puppet, a flimsy glove made from the same material as a plastic grocery bag. It had one slot for the pinky finger, one slot for the thumb, requiring the rest of the fingers to be squeezed together in the middle. It sported a picture of either Ronald or Grimace on it. Kids were not thrilled.
TISOVERNICE
The official name for a creature that eats mainly bugs
Rolfing® in the Desert 760-219-5301
• The tie-in with a Spiderman movie also missed the mark. Boys received red-colored Spiderman cars, action figures, and trading cards, while girls received pink-colored Spiderman headbands, bracelets, heart-shaped stickers, and a tiny plastic purse.
Bill Peter LeGrave Certified Advanced Rolfer www.RolfingintheDesert.com
Over 30 years experience.
• When “American Idol” hit it big, the McDonald’s MP3 player showed great promise, until kids discovered that it only played a short and tinny version of the theme from “American Idol.”
“Pain”
• In 1991, McDonald’s released a set of Michael Jordan-themed sports-related items. It included a jump rope too short for anyone taller than a two-foot toddler; a water bottle that held about as much as a small juice box; a fake stopwatch that could only count up to 30 seconds; and cheaply made inflatable soccer balls, basketballs, and baseballs with no valve that would allow them to hold air.
Low back pain, neck stiffness, migraine headaches, pain down the leg, tingling and weakness in fingers and hands. These can all be attributed to the body being out of alignment.
• The McDonald’s sunglasses were downright ugly. Made of cheap plastic, colored a nauseating yellow, and topped by a grinning Ronald perched on the nose-piece, no self-respecting kids would be caught dead wearing them unless they really knew how to fight!
1. Sharks
in the Desert (3 of 6)
2. Carnivores, but omnivores are smarter still.
pg BW 6x disc.
for run dates
Try this: Stand in a doorway, have your friend take your picture from a side view. What you will see is your body leaning forward. In a series of 10 sessions a Rolfer ® realigns your body so that your ear, shoulder, elbow, hip and heel line up straight. A body in alignment does not hurt. Call to schedule an appointment or for a free consultation: Rolfing® in the Desert 760-219-5301
3. Coyotes are smarter than wolves, which are smarter than foxes..
4. Arizona
5. None
• Another flop was the Halloween tie-in. The marketing geniuses at McDonald’s thought kids would be excited to get a bucket to take with them trick-or-treating. The bucket, being too large to fit inside the Happy Meal paper bag, served as the container for their Happy Meal. But the kids, not understanding that the bucket was actually the treat, would dig under the French fries for the prize, only to be let down when they realized that the little bucket was all they got. No kid was about to use that tiny container to hoard all the treats awaiting them
ADVERTISING PROOF
Please review carefully.
Rolfing® is a system of deep connective tissue manipulation and education in new movement patterns that guides the body toward anatomical order of increased balance and length, centering it around its vertical axis. Rolfed persons generally experience a marked increase in Flexibility by:
A: The physical manipulation of fascia, freeing layers of muscles that have become stuck to one another, and lengthening the myelin sheathing-enclosed muscle, which often become shortened with misuse and trauma.
B: By aligning the body in its most structurally sound arrangement, Rolfing® allows each muscle to do its designated job and not be forced to overwork to compensate for a body dragged down by gravity. Still the only Rolfer in the Coachella Valley.
• Then McDonald’s decided they would try to take the high road by promoting dental health in children, so they added a small toothbrush and toothpaste as part of their Happy Meal freebies. This went over about as well as getting some sprigs of broccoli in your trick-or-treat bag.
• When the film “101 Dalmatians” was released,
1st Quarter 2026
Week 10
5. TELEVISION: What’s the family’s last name in the TV sitcom “The Middle”?
6. HISTORY: Which famous nurse was known as the Lady with the Lamp?
Flamingoes can only eat with their heads upside-down. They are filter feeders and their pink color comes from tiny pink and reddish crustaceans that they eat.
7. GEOGRAPHY: Ringgit is the common currency in which Southeast Asian country?
8. ANATOMY: Which human organ stores bile?
9. LANGUAGE: What does the Latin phrase “Cogito, ergo sum” mean in English?
10. MATH: What is the next prime number after 7?
(Trivia Test answers page 16)
2.
Maine.
George Washington.
1. Tarantula, with 750
The banana spider, also called the
moths who are expecting to find a mate. The bola spider can even closely mimic the pheromones of two different species of moth, one which is active early in the evening and the other, which is active only at night.
FAST FOOD
• The spider-tailed horned viper, native to Iran, hides among the rocks of the desert with only the tip of its tail poking out. The tail, instead of having a rattle like a rattlesnake, sports a perfect imitation of a big juicy spider. When the passing bird swoops down expecting to grab an easy spider snack, the snake instantly strikes, and the hapless bird suddenly finds itself on the viperʼs menu for dinner.
SNAIL SNARES
• The geographic cone snail lives in tropical coral reefs, and sports a shell decorated with patterns resembling a colorful map. Because it’s a slowmoving snail and its prey is a small but quickmoving fish, itʼs equipped with a remarkable series of weapons to even up the score.
• First, when a school of fish swims nearby, the snail floods the water with insulin, not its own insulin, but that of a different formula. When the fish swim through this innocent-looking cloud, they suddenly become sluggish and confused as their blood sugar levels become unstable.
• At this point, the cone snail launches a built-in net, reeling them in towards its mouth where it deploys the final blow. Its specialized teeth are designed to act as poison-filled harpoons, and each fish in the net receives a deadly bite, allowing the snail to feast at its liesure.
• Because geographic cone snails have an attractive, colorful shell, unsuspecting humans have died as a result of picking up live specimens and receiving the cone snail’s deadly venom.
• Another type of aquatic cone snail shoots harpoons filled with a chemical cocktail at potential meals. The chemicals overload the Meal
neurons of the unfortunate fish, causing the neurons to go haywire and fire continuously. The fish essentially tasers itself to death.
STICKY STALKER
• So what’s a slow-moving centipede-like worm supposed to do to catch some supper? If it’s equipped like the velvet worm of Trinidad, it has two unique front legs that turn into glue-spewing cannons. Its unique legs launch strings of sticky strands to a distance of about 8 inches, solidifying almost immediately, capturing a variety of edible creatures.
• Up to 11 percent of the velvet worm’s entire body mass is made up of stored glue, which can be dispensed in large or small amounts depending on the size of the prey. The worm’s body is covered with extremely sensitive velvety hairs that can sense the slightest air movement, from the fluttering of a moth’s wings to the footfalls of a nearby beetle.
Flamingoes can only eat with their heads turned upside-down. They are filter feeders and their pink color comes from the tiny pink and reddish crustaceans that they eat.
AQUATIC ALGORHITMS?
• Archerfish lurk near the surface of calm mangrove swamps. This clever fish expertly spits streams of water at insects that alight on low-hanging branches just above the surface. The stream knocks them off their perch and into the water, where they are quickly devoured.
• The archerfish must calculate not only the refraction of the water, but also the effect of gravity as the jet of water bends downward. Furthermore, they direct the stream of water so that the first part of the jet moves more slowly than the second part of the jet. The faster-moving rear half pushes the slower-moving front half into a blob of water, hitting the prey with greater force, like a bucket full of water rather than a single narrow stream.
BALLISTIC BEETLE
• With the length of about half an inch (20 mm), the Australian tiger beetle has been clocked running at 5.6 mph (9 km/h). The fastest humans can run at a rate of about 6 body lengths per second. A cheetah’s top speed equals about 16 body lengths per second. However, a tiger beetle can run at an amazing 480 body lengths per second! This would be equal to a human running 480 mph (772 km/h). Its incredible speed allows
it to overtake slower prey as well as outrunning its numerous predators.
ASSASSIN BUG
• Found worldwide, the assassin bug ambushes its prey by lancing it with lethally sharp mouth parts that inject poison. After the assassin bug sucks its victim dry, it glues the dead, dried
1. What genus of spider has the most members?
2. What spider species has the deadliest venom?
A rat, after witnessing a munching morsel being buried, will remember the spot for only a few seconds. A chimp, however, will go directly to the spot and retrieve the reward after 16 hours.
By Lucie Winborne
* Eastern Russia serves breakfast while western Russia is serving dinner.
* Words have a lifespan of anywhere between 1,000 and 20,000 years.
* While inducting Bob Dylan into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Bruce Springsteen noted that he first heard Dylan’s song “Like a Rolling Stone” in the car with his mother, who liked the music but after a minute looked at her son and said, “That boy can’t sing.”
* The Oscar statue must always appear in an upright, vertical position and cannot be dressed, altered, rotated, stretched or embellished in any way.
* Oak trees are more prone to being struck by lightning than any other tree.
* A wildlife photographer documented an unlikely duo in northern Finland: a young female gray wolf and a male brown bear that met every night for 10 days. They weren’t observed fighting, but roaming, playing and even eating from the same plate.
* Broccoli contains more protein per calorie than steak.
* North Dakota has the most golf courses per capita out of any state in America.
* After the beloved TV series “I Love Lucy” ended, Desi Arnaz offered Vivian Vance (Ethel) and William Frawley (Fred) their own spin-off called “The Mertzes,” but Vance declined, primarily because she didn’t want to work one-on-one with Frawley. The pair’s onscreen chemistry notably didn’t mirror their offscreen relationship.
* Lint can be used as a highly efficient fire starter.
Thought for the Day: “What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have never been discovered.”
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson
by Mary Hunt
Don’t Throw That Out!
Have you ever walked into the kitchen to get that first cup of coffee only to discover someone left the ice cream on the counter all night? Or the milk? I don’t hate spoiled food as much as I did before since I've discovered many clever ways to use items I used to throw out.
microwave on “Defrost.” Check and stir it every few minutes until it becomes liquid.
No. 2: A pint of ice cream may not produce 2 cups once melted because some manufacturers pump air in during manufacturing.
*No. 3: In a pinch, you can leave out the eggs. I did once by accident, and my German chocolate cake mix with Haagen Dazs vanilla ice cream was awesome.
Everyday CHEAPSKATE®
by Mary Hunt
SOUR MILK
It often happens in warm weather, with even a limited milk supply; some of it turns sour before you can use it. Don’t throw it out, even if there is only a little. Sour milk can be a valuable kitchen asset.
Pour the remnants into a clean lidded container and keep it in the fridge until you have accumulated 1 cup. Then plan to use it as soon as it thickens because milk becomes bitter if it stands too long. Note: Recipes using sour milk must include baking soda.
SOUR MILK BISCUITS
2 cups flour
1 tablespoon shortening
1 cup thick sour milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Preheat the oven to 4000 F. Sift the flour, salt and baking soda together. Rub in the shortening with a spoon. Add the milk and stir lightly. The dough should be soft. Drop by the spoonful into greased muffin tins and bake in a hot oven for 15-20 minutes.
MELTED ICE CREAM
Use melted ice cream for baking a cake! Your liquid, fat and flavorings are premeasured in the ice cream. And if that ice cream just happens to have big chunks of chocolate, pralines, cookie dough, cherries or nuts, all the better. Like the ice cream, your cake will be filled with yummy goodness.
MELTED ICE CREAM CAKE
1 boxed cake mix (15.25 ounces)
2 cups melted ice cream, any flavor(s)
2 eggs*
Preheat the oven to 3500 F and move the rack to the middle. Lightly mist a 12-cup Bundt or angel food cake pan with vegetable oil spray, then dust with flour. Shake out the excess flour. Place the cake mix, melted ice cream and eggs (optional) in a large mixing bowl. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed for 1 minute to mix. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat 2 minutes longer, scraping the sides as necessary until the batter is thick and well-blended. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with the rubber spatula.
Bake the cake until it springs back when lightly pressed with your finger and starts pulling away from the pan’s sides, 38 to 42 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool for 20 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the cake and invert it onto a small plate or rack, then again onto a second rack so that the cake is right-side-up to complete cooling, 30 minutes more. Finish with a light dusting of powdered sugar or your favorite icing.
Notes:
No. 4: You can use any variety of cake mix with any combination of ice creams you might have on hand. Boring flavors will produce a bland cake. Get creative with flavors. I’ve used cake mixes with pudding, double pudding, no pudding, extra moist and ultra moist, all with good results. I’ve mixed together several flavors and brands of ice cream to come up with 2 cups and to use up those last bits covered with ice crystals hiding in the back of the freezer.
* * *
Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at https:// www.everydaycheapskate.com/contact/, “Ask Mary.” This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book “Debt-Proof Living.”
COPYRIGHT 2026 CREATORS.COM
STRANGE DIETS
• Gerard’s water snake of South Asia is the only species of snake that does not swallow its prey whole. It eats freshly molted crabs which are much larger than the snake itself. The snake coils around the crab and takes one bite at a time
• As a survival technique, tadpoles that were frequently eaten by salamanders grew into different body shapes so they were too wide to fit into the salamander’s mouth. But the salamanders eventualy learned to widen their mouths wide enough to gulp down the tadpoles.
• About one out of every 20 vervet monkeys, when offered an alcoholic drink, will become a binge drinker and drink to the point of passing out. About one out of every seven monkeys will not drink at all.
• When a minnow is attacked and eaten by a predator, special cells in the skin release a chemical that warns the entire school of minnows, which then quickly go into hiding.
• One particular species of crab lives off the coast of Taiwan near underwater hydrothermal vents. Occasionally these volcanic vents spew plumes of extremely hot water, killing everything in their path as they rise to the surface of the sea. The crabs quickly move in to feast.
• “Cleaner fish” dart in and out of the mouths of larger fish in order to remove parasites and other pests. But some cleaner fish actually prefer to eat the mucus secreted inside the mouths of their host rather than the pests.
• A female hippopotamus is able to eat so much that the contents of her stomach accounts for one quarter of her entire body weight.
• Piglets always suckle from the same nipple.
• When a mosquito bites a mammal, she gorges on so much blood that she swells up to twice her normal size. The extra weight makes flying difficult. To solve this, the mosquito excretes excess water and salts from the blood it has just ingested, urinating on the victim who has just donated the blood.
• A typical bee has to visit 75 flowers to collect enough food to raise a single baby bee to adulthood.
• The female golden orb weaving spider tends to eat the male right after mating, which gives her a protein-filled meal. Some male orb weaving spiders wait until the female is busy eating another bug before they mate, giving them a better chance of survival.
• The archer fish uses a jet of water to knock insects off foliage, where they land in the water. The archer fish not only has deadly accurate aim, but it also knows exactly where that insect will fall into the water, arriving at the point of splashdown milliseconds after the bug hits the water, so that nothing else can steal its meal.
• Ants seek out seeds that have fallen on the ground, eating the pulpy coating of the seed. Then they cover the hard kernel of the seed with an antifungal chemical they manufacture in their bodies. This coating gives the seed a greater chance of germinating.
• There are about 14,000 species of bugs that feed on the blood of animals, and around 300 to 400 of those regularly feed on humans, their livestock, and their pets.
• Many species of mammals play host to a variety of species of moth that feed from their tears. Elephants,
buffalo, horses, deer, and pigs each have a particular type of moth that generally land on the creature’s eyes while they sleep and absorb tears. Carnivores, birds, and marsupials never host any kind of teardrinking moth. □
by Dana Jackson
Q: What ever happened to the actress with blonde hair and blue eyes who starred in “Orange Is the New Black”? I haven’t seen her in anything since. Is the show coming back? -- Y.R.
A: You’re thinking of Taylor Schilling, who starred as inmate Piper Chapman in the hit Netflix series “Orange Is the New Black.” The series ended in 2019 after seven seasons, and there are no plans for its return.
Schilling has done steady work since, including two episodes of her former co-star Nathasha Lyonne’s Peacock series “Poker Face,” but her next project is a lead one. It is a crime procedural produced by Dick Wolf (“Law & Order”) and is based on the memoir “What the Dead Know” by former NYC medical examiner Barbara Butcher.
The series will carry the same title as the book but with Schilling playing a fictionalized version of Butcher named Ava Ledger. According to
1. GOAT
(PG) Caleb McLaughlin, Gabrielle Union
2. Wuthering Heights (R) Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi
3. I Can Only Imagine 2 (PG) Arielle Kebbel, Milo Ventimiglia
4. Crime 101
(R) Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo
5. Send Help (R) Rachel McAdams, Dylan O’Brien
6. How to Make a Killing (R) Glen Powell, Margaret Qualley
7. EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert (PG-13) Elvis Presley 8. Solo Mio (PG) Kevin James, Jonathan Roumie
Zootopia 2 (PG) Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman 10. Avatar: Fire and Ash (PG-13) Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana
TVLine, Ava works as a death investigator helping the NYPD “crack their toughest cases” and is “highly intelligent, hypervigilant, and really good with dead bodies.” The series is still in the early development stages, with only Schilling’s casting being officially announced.
***
Q: Is it true that HBO paid James Gandolfini to not take the role of Michael Scott’s replacement on “The Office”? Was this while he was filming “The Sopranos”? -- D.S.
A: Yes, according to B.J. Novak, one of the writers and stars of the NBC comedy “The Office,” he was one of several people who tried to convince James Gandolfini to join the show after Steve Carell exited in 2011. Reportedly, Gandolfini was a huge comedy fan, and his favorite movie was “The Rocker” starring Rainn Wilson, who played Dwight on “The Office.”
A: The actress was born as Myha’la Herrold but simply goes by Myha’la. She was born in California and studied musical theater at the prestigious Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. According to an article in Elle, she told her mother when she was just 6 years old that she was headed to the Big Apple someday because she wanted to be on Broadway.
“The Sopranos” ended in 2007, so scheduling for the show wasn’t the issue. According to actors Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa (also of “The Sopranos”), Gandolfini had a deal with HBO to do the miniseries “The Night Of” and paid him $3 million to decline NBC’s offer. Sadly, Gandolfini died in 2013, and James Turturro (“Severance”) replaced him in the miniseries, while James Spader (“The Blacklist”) was cast as the new boss on “The Office.”
Q: Who is the actress who plays Harper on the HBO series “Industry”? I’ve never seen her before. -- G.B.
“Industry” has quietly grown into a hit for HBO Max, but you can also catch her in the 2025 film “Swiped” opposite Lily James, “Dumb Money” with Paul Dano, and “Bodies Bodies Bodies” with Pete Davidson. Making her Broadway debut is still on Myha’la’s bucket list.
* * *
c/o Leap Creative Agency
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com.
(c) 2026 King Features Synd., Inc.
Courtesy of Netflix
Taylor Schilling as Piper Chapman in “OITNB”
Good Recipes from
Seafood Salad Cucumber Cups
Nestle sweet shrimp and crabmeat salad in a refreshing cucumber shell and top with tart, jewel-like pomegranate seeds for an elegant surprise appetizer.
6 sprigs fresh dill
2 lemons
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 pinch cayenne (ground red) pepper
Salt
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
8 ounces (approximately 16-20) shrimp, shelled and deveined
2 large (1 pound each) seedless (English) cucumbers
8 ounces refrigerated lump crabmeat, picked over
2 tablespoons snipped chives 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
1. Separate dill leaves from stems; reserve separately. From lemons, finely grate 1/2 teaspoon peel and squeeze 1/4 cup juice into large bowl. Reserve rinds.
2. To peel and juice, whisk in mustard, cayenne and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Whisk in oil in slow, steady stream, until blended. Dressing can be refrigerated up to 3 days.
3. In 4-quart saucepan, combine dill stems, lemon rinds and 8 cups water. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat to maintain gentle simmer. Add shrimp; cook 3 minutes or until just opaque, stirring. Drain. Rinse under cold water until cold; drain. Discard dill and lemon. Coarsely chop shrimp. Shrimp can be refrigerated overnight.
4. Trim cucumbers; cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices. With melon baller, scoop out centers of slices without cutting through bottoms.
5. Finely chop 1 tablespoon dill leaves. Gently fold into dressing along with shrimp, crabmeat and chives.
6. Fill each cucumber cup with 1 tablespoon salad mixture. Garnish with pomegranate and dill. Makes about 36 pieces; serves 12.
Each serving: About 75 calories, 4g total fat (1g saturated), 42mg cholesterol, 300mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate, 1g dietary fiber, 7g protein.
Chicken Apple Burgers
Shredded apple keeps these chicken burgers moist and flavorful without adding any extra fat. Serve with potato salad or coleslaw dressed with a mustard vinaigrette.
1. From each apple, cut 6 thin slices crosswise from center (for a total of 12 apple rings). From remainder, coarsely shred 3/4 cup apples. Spray ridged grill pan with nonstick cooking spray; heat pan over medium-high heat until hot.
2. In medium bowl, stir shredded apple with poultry seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper until blended. Mix in chicken and celery just until combined, but do not overmix. Shape chicken mixture into four 1/2-inch-thick burgers, handling mixture as little as possible.
3. Place burgers in grill pan; cook 10 to
12 minutes or just until chicken loses its pink color throughout, turning over once. Serve burgers on buns with apple rings and cranberry sauce. Serves 4.
Each serving: 385 calories, 12g total fat (1g saturated), 610mg sodium, 47g total carbohydrate, 4g dietary fiber, 24g protein.
* * For thousands of triple-tested recipes, visit our website at www.goodhousekeeping.com/foodrecipes/ (c) 2026 Hearst Communications, Inc.
Holidays & Observances This Week
3/8
3/9
3/10
3/11
3/12
3/13
"A lie doesn't become truth, wrong doesn't become right and evil doesn't become truth just because it's accepted by a majority." -- Booker T. Washington
Dog Talk with Uncle Matty
By Matthew Margolis
One Wrong Doesn’t Make a Right, Either
It is a well-known mathematical fact that two wrongs don’t equal a right. Lesser known is the surprising notion that one doesn’t, either. The following letter from a reader culminates with the explosive assertion of a single disturbing wrong:
“I just got this dog from the pound. She eats well and sleeps with me, and she’s very intelligent. But she keeps leaving me little poops and puddles in the house. I leave the door open and she still poops in the house, right by an open door. She is 4 years old or so, and the pound has no history on her. I have not beaten her yet, but I am about to.”
Brute force is never an effective teaching tool. Most people, if told their child’s eye had been blackened not by a bully but by his English teacher because of his inability to spell, would run to the nearest happy hour full of ACLU lawyers and scream “civil rights violation!” And the teacher’s defense would be embarrassingly lackluster: “No, I never taught him how to spell, but I left the dictionary right there on his desk.”
Dogs are not born housebroken. It is not a matter of better breeding, bad genes or big bucks. To date, with all that modern technology affords we humans and our canine counterparts, no breeder has been able to deliver into the world an inherently potty-trained dog. Or child.
If you want your dog to perform his bodily functions out of doors, you have to let him know that. This is done through training. Training is essentially the creation of a shared, albeit limited, language between man and beast.
The good news is that housebreaking is easy to achieve and takes less than a week to accomplish. The bad news is that a lot of people would prefer not to make even that minimal effort. Unfortunately, the headache that results packs enough of a wallop to lead a person down the wrong path -- toward abuse, squalor and abandonment.
The basics of housebreaking boil down to the regulation of three components: food, water and walks.
If you and your pooch are steadfast in your adherence to what I call the Feed-Water-Walk regi-
Remember when you signed up on a trial basis for a subscription, app or streaming service, then decided you didn’t like it and never used it? Are you still paying for that?
They say that many of us have nearly $20 per month in unused products, easily adding up to hundreds per year, that we’ve forgotten about -- but we’re still paying for.
With spring cleaning coming up in a few months, it’s a good time to also clean up our expenses. The way to get started on identifying services you aren’t using is with your monthly checking and credit card statements. Ideally you’re also saving at least a year of both, because some subscriptions and services only bill annually and won’t show up on your monthly statements.
Go through those statements and be sure you can identify each and every item. The annual ones might be hard to spot, but it’s worth find-
Radically Traditional
Traditional homes can be challenging to decorate. The most talented designers and the savviest homeowners know that striking a balance between the edicts of tradition and the comforts of contemporary furnishings is the key to successful design. The trick is not to swing too much in either direction. The project must walk a fine line to keep your traditional home from looking like a timepiece or like your grandmother’s place. The best traditional interiors include a mix of furnishings that read cohesively as one.
Antiques immediately come to mind when furnishing a traditional home. Of course, antiques are always a graceful and welcome addition to an interior design project. The number of antiques you incorporate will determine the flavor and level of sophistication of your project. I recommend using only a few antiques and choosing those that will resonate because of their beauty and quality. A jumble of old pieces will not allow your place to shine. Careful editing is crucial to traditional projects.
ing them as most are on automatic renewal and you will keep being charged every year until you cancel.
With some items such as a weekly newsletter, it might be going to a temporary email address you created and then forgot about.
Next to the deduction or expense on your credit card or bank statement should be a company name and phone number. Call them! Ask for the service or subscription to stop immediately, and ask for a partial refund. You might get some money back!
Another clue is to go back through your junk email. It’s possible your subscription info was waylaid and you never saw it.
For the future, it’s not that you should never again sign up on a trial for a service or product, but that you need to beware of when it will expire and you’ll start being charged. Make a note on your calendar to decide whether you want to keep going (and be charged) or contact them in advance to have it stopped.
Remember, it’s your money - don't just waste it!
Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible. Send email to columnreply2@gmail.com.
(c) KingFeaturesSyndicate2025
seen a traditional chair that couldn’t carry off a leopard print or zebra stripe.
Another approach to decorating a traditional room or home is to select fresh, bold wall colors inspired by the fashion world’s seasonal color. By the same token, wallpapers with an interesting pattern or motif are viable ways to freshen up a staid interior. Accessories and art can blast a traditional interior with a fresh, transitional feel.
Window treatments needn’t be heavy swaths and layer after layer of fabric. Instead, luxurious fabrics such as silks, taffetas, wools and cashmeres can be simply applied as side panels for a tailored, up-to-date approach. This simpler design allows the architecture of the room and the windows to shine on their own.
Applause goes out to those who mix contemporary art within traditional interiors. No, your art does not need to match your sofa, and art objects don’t need to be of the same period as your house. There are no rules for selecting art. Art should be purchased for either the enjoyment it brings you or the message it communicates. Art, although a decorative feature of any room, is above all a form of expression and a cultural language that exposes a thought, emotion or statement for contemplation.
men, he’ll catch on remarkably fast: He eats and drinks at the same times every day, and he relieves himself outside immediately after.
Your role? You provide the food and water at the same times every day, and you take him outside immediately after -- simply leaving the door open is not good enough.
To help matters along:
-- Lay down no paper or puppy pads on the floor in any part of your house, as this will only confuse your pup.
-- Confine the dog to one area of the house when you are not home.
-- Allow no buffet-style eating or drinking until the dog is successfully housebroken.
Should an accident occur along the way, proceed in one of two ways:
-- If you catch your pup in the act, interrupt him with a verbal correction, take him outside immediately and praise him when you get there. Then go inside and clean the soiled floor with an odor neutralizer.
-- If you stumble upon an accident, clean it up and forget about it. Accidents should be infrequent if you are upholding your end of the deal.
Consistent repetition is the key to successful training, and housebreaking is no exception. Beating a dog, on the other hand, will get you nowhere -- except the courthouse or the clink.
For detailed information on the Feed-WaterWalk housebreaking regimen and additional training techniques, check out “Good Dog, Bad Dog,” “When Good Dogs Do Bad Things” and “I Just Got a Puppy. What Do I Do?” You’ll find these books and more in your local bookstore, public library or at www.unclematty.com.
Woof!
trainer Matthew “Uncle Matty” Margolis is the co-author of 18 books about dogs, a behaviorist, a popular radio and television guest, and the host of the PBS series “WOOF! It’s a Dog’s Life!” Read all of Uncle Matty’s columns at www.creators.com, and visit him at www.unclematty.com.
Traditional interiors can be furnished with upholstered goods with clean lines that read almost contemporary, while at the same time using traditional fabrics such as damasks, jacquards and velvets to soften their impact. Never be afraid of making a bold statement. Every room needs a dose of the unexpected. Mixing your prints and patterns could be a way to breathe new life into traditional furniture and interiors. I have rarely
Finally, my best advice and recommendation for designing traditional rooms that are current and full of life is to not be afraid to mix the sublime with the ordinary, the expensive with the bargain. It is in the encounter of extreme items, regardless of value, that complement each other that the true art of design is created.
* * *
Joseph Pubillones is the owner of Joseph Pubillones Interiors, an award-winning interior design firm based in Palm Beach, Florida. To find out more about Joseph Pubillones, or to read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www. creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM
rules and guidelines for making Social Security disability decisions.
YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY
by Tom Margenau
Disability Claims Get Reviewed
For a couple of different reasons, a claim for Social Security disability benefits may be reviewed. One is what the Social Security Administration calls a “quality assurance review.” The other is what the agency calls a “continuing disability review.” I’ve gotten a couple of emails about this issue recently. Answering them will explain the difference between the two review processes.
Q: I applied for Social Security disability benefits about 3 months ago. I haven’t heard yet if my claim has been approved. But I just got a letter telling me that they are reviewing my case and want my cooperation. What is this all about?
A: I am sure your case has been selected for a “quality assurance review.” About one percent of all disability claims are selected for this kind of review. This review is essentially just a procedure that the SSA initiates to make sure your claim was processed correctly.
They will review all the medical evidence you provided, or that was obtained from your doctors and other health professionals, to make sure it supports whatever decision the agency’s medical examiners made about your case. Most people don’t know this, but the SSA (a federal government agency) contracts out medical decisions to state governments. In most states, the agency that does this is called the “Disability Determination Service.” These quality assurance reviews are a way of making sure that the DDSs are following all the
1. The book of Colossians is found in the: a) Old Testament b) New testament c) Neither
2. Whose first chapter begins, "Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month"? a) Ezra b) Ezekiel c) Malachi d) Micah
3. From Exodus 10, what was blown out of Egypt by a strong west wind? a) Frogs b) Vegetation c) Locusts d) Flies
4. In 1 Chronicles, who killed a seven-and-ahalf-foot tall Egyptian giant? a) Gideon b) Benaiah c) Baruch d) David
5. From Genesis 28, what city was the site of Jacob's famous dream? a) Bethel b) Lachish c) Perga d) Haran
6. How many stones did David take with him before he confronted the Philistine giant? a) One b) Two c) Four d) Five
That’s the good news. The SSA is making sure your disability claim will be adjudicated properly. The bad news is that it may slightly delay the decision-making process on your claim.
By the way, “back in the day,” meaning back when I retired from the SSA in 2005, the agency also conducted these kinds of reviews on a small sampling of retirement and survivor benefit claims. But all the research I’ve done recently online about this seems to indicate those kinds of reviews have stopped. I can only find references to quality assurance reviews of disability cases. If any readers had a recent review of a non-disability Social Security claim, I would love to hear from them.
Q: After a long process, I started getting disability benefits about a year ago. And now, out of the blue, I just got a letter from Social Security telling me they want to review my claim. I think this is harassment! It took me almost 12 months and several appeals to prove to them that I am disabled in the first place. And now they are turning around and threatening to take my money away from me! How can they do this? And can you please refer me to a good lawyer so I can fight this?
A: Your situation is an example of the other kind of review I mentioned at the beginning of this column. And that is an occasional review of every disability claim.
You asked, “How can they do this?” Well, the SSA can do this because the law requires them to do it. That law says that every Social Security disability claim must be reviewed from time to time to make sure that the person getting monthly checks from the government still meets the legal definition of disability.
How often a claim gets reviewed depends on the severity of the impairment. In cases where the person’s medical condition is expected to improve, the rules say the claim must be re-examined every 6 to 18 months. Obviously, your impairment must be in that category.
In situations where medical improvement is possible, but not probable, the claim should be reviewed every three years or so.
And even in cases where medical improvement is not expected, the law still requires that the case be reviewed once every five to seven years.
The good news is that you must have a condition that shows every sign of improving and you could be on your feet and off the government dole and back in the work force in the foreseeable future. But the tone of your email tells me you don’t see it this way. You obviously think you are still disabled and deserve to continue receiving the benefits you are currently getting. So let me tell you what’s going to happen.
You’re going to have to fill out a form in which you will explain what your impairment is and how you believe it continues to keep you from returning to work. At the same time, you will be asked to provide updated medical reports. You very likely may be sent to a Social Security doctor for a medical examination. You certainly don’t need a lawyer to deal with this first round of paperwork and possible medical exams.
Then, a couple of months later, you will either learn that your disability is still considered severe enough to merit continued monthly benefits. Or you will get a letter telling you that your condition has improved to the point where you no
longer qualify for disability. That letter usually says your checks will stop in three months. If the latter happens, then you will immediately want to file an appeal. And it’s at that point that you might want to start searching online for lawyers who specialize in Social Security disability cases in your area.
If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has two books with all the answers. One is called “Social Security -- Simple and Smart: 10 Easyto-Understand Fact Sheets That Will Answer All Your Questions About Social Security.” The other is “Social Security: 100 Myths and 100 Facts.” You can find the books at Amazon.com or other book outlets. Or you can send him an email at thomas.margenau@comcast. net. To find out more about Tom Margenau and to read past columns and see features from other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2026 CREATORS.COM (Answers on page 16)
Understanding Why People Still Die of Pneumonia
DEAR DR. ROACH: Why do people still die of pneumonia? With all the advances that we’ve seen in modern medicine, losing anyone to this ailment seems like such a waste.
Is it a question of pneumonia being difficult to pin down because of the root cause, whether it’s bacterial, viral or fungal? Is it due to a delayed diagnosis and/or delayed treatment? Is it the development of drug-resistant pneumonia strains?
I just don’t get why people still die from pneumonia or from “complications” of pneumonia. I’m a 73-year-old stroke and cancer survivor who is in relatively good health. How can I best avoid getting pneumonia myself? -- D.K.
ANSWER: Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that is sometimes called a “lower respiratory tract” infection to distinguish it from an “upper respiratory infection,” like bronchitis. The majority of pneumonias are bacterial or viral, but fungal pneumonia is a rare cause that is usually seen in hospitalized patients.
You did a very good job of identifying some of the reasons why people still get very sick (and even die) of pneumonia. But an important additional reason is that there are some bacteria that grow very fast and are able to overwhelm the body’s immune system within days. It is often true that late medical attention allows the infection to progress to the point where we still lose patients from pneumonia, even with all that modern medicine can offer.
Another reason is that when people are very frail, either because they are very old or have other underlying health conditions, the body’s defenses are weak. Antibiotics can only do so much; doctors still rely on the body to do most of the work by getting rid of the infection.
Drug resistance is a big problem, especially inside hospitals. I have seen cases where the bacteria are resistant to all the available antibiotics. There has been a race between the ingenuity of drug developers and bacterial evolution, and our ingenuity has been slowing down lately, with fewer types of antibiotics being discovered and released. Avoiding the unnecessary use of antibiotics helps reduce resistance.
The easiest thing a person over 50 can do to avoid pneumonia is to get the available vaccines, especially the pneumococcal vaccine (PCV20 or PCV21, called Prevnar). But for a person with health issues in their 70s, you should get the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Because influenza damages the lung’s ability to fight off infections, getting pneumonia after the flu is particularly dangerous, so the annual flu vaccine remains important.
Smoking also damages the lung’s ability to fight off infections, so quitting smoking reduces pneumonia risk. Excess alcohol consumption also predisposes people to pneumonia, so men shouldn’t exceed two drinks at a time (one drink for women).
Proper nutrition and good dental health are important for everyone. Diabetics should have their diabetes under good control. Chronic
liver, lung, kidney and heart disease all predispose people to infections, so making sure that these are optimally managed reduces the risk further. Both cancer and its treatments can affect the immune system.
People who are at risk for pneumonia should know the signs and seek medical care quickly if pneumonia is suspected. Although the classic symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath can occur at any age, older people often experience confusion and a low fever. Their heart rates are often raised.
Some symptoms can be subtle -- new falls, incontinence, and loss of energy. A significant, unexplained change in overall functioning might signify a serious infection like pneumonia and deserves an evaluation.
* * *
Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual questions, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu.
VETERANS POST
by Freddie Groves
Second Amendment No Longer Trampled
For the first time in three decades, the VA will no longer assist the FBI in depriving veterans of their right to own firearms.
This is a very big deal.
For too long, any veteran who needed fiduciary help to manage his finances was reported to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) and was deemed a “prohibited person.” There went the veteran’s right to own a firearm -- all because he needed help writing a check for his electric bill.
Yes, a fiduciary does more than just make payments. Their job is to protect the veteran who can’t manage financial affairs because of age, injury or disease. A fiduciary is appointed only after medical determination that the veteran is in need of help. The fiduciary then undergoes a background check, credit report check and more to be certain who is going to be managing the veteran’s affairs.
The fiduciary then (supposedly) spends a lot of time filling out forms, submitting information, verifying school attendance for any dependents, reporting on illnesses and medical conditions, and so much more.
Needing help managing finances shouldn’t mean that a veteran cannot own a firearm -- but it has, for decades.
Being denied approval to own a firearm, courtesy of the FBI’s NICS, can be for any number of serious reasons, such as having domestic violence convictions, being put in a mental institution and being addicted to controlled substances. Nowhere on the list is needing assistance with writing monthly checks or doing paperwork. And now, finally, the VA is going to right this wrong.
Additionally, the VA is going to be sure the FBI goes back and removes any of the info that saw past veterans deprived of their right to own a firearm after being reported to NICS. Plus the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) is going to review its own rules to be certain veterans’ rights aren’t being trampled this way. It’s about time.
* * *
Freddy Groves regrets that he cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into his column whenever possible. Send email to columnreply2@gmail.com.
goes wrong.
Is Your Aging Parent Safe at Home?
DEAR SAVVY SENIOR: After watching the recent coverage of the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case, I’m worried about my own elderly mother who lives alone in another state. I want to make sure she’s safe without being intrusive. Are there simple, affordable ways to just check in on her from afar?
--Concerned Son
Dear Concerned: You’re not alone. Highprofile cases like this often heighten fears, especially for adult children whose parents live alone and may be vulnerable. The good news is there are several free or low-cost ways to stay connected and gain peace of mind without infringing on your mother’s independence. Here are some nice options to consider.
Check-In App
If your mother uses a smartphone, a simple solution is Snug (snugsafe.com), a free app that provides daily check-ins to confirm her welfare and that she’s OK. It’s used by tens of thousands of older adults who live alone and want their loved ones alerted quickly if something
Here’s how it works: After downloading the app, your mother selects a daily check-in time. Snug sends several reminders leading up to that time, prompting her to confirm she’s OK by tapping a large green button on her screen. If she doesn’t check in within 10 minutes after her scheduled time, the app automatically notifies her emergency contacts and shares her last known location so help can be sent promptly.
For added peace of mind, Snug also offers a Dispatch Plan ($20 per month or $200 per year) that includes multiple daily check-ins. If she misses one, Snug will call her directly to see if she’s OK. If there’s still no response, they can request an in-person wellness check by local authorities, who will visit her home to make sure she’s safe. The app works with both iPhone and Android devices.
Check-In Calls
If your mother doesn’t use a smartphone, a daily check-in call program can provide similar reassurance. Many police or sheriff’s departments nationwide offer telephone reassurance programs, often free of charge.
Typically, an automated system calls at a set time each day. If she answers, all is well. If she doesn’t pick up after repeated attempts, or the call goes to voicemail, her emergency contact is notified. If that contact can’t be reached, backup contacts are called. As a last resort, local police or emergency services may be dispatched to her home.
To see if this service is available in your mother’s community, call her local police department’s nonemergency number or the Area Agency on Aging at 800-677-1116. If no local program exists, private companies like CareCall or ConfirmOK offer similar services for a monthly fee.
Technology Aids
You might also consider simple home technology to enhance her safety. Monitored medical alert systems are among the most common – wearable “help buttons,” some with fall detection, that allow her to call for help 24/7 while immediately notifying you. These typically cost around $1 per day.
so it’s important to discuss them with your mother beforehand.
While no solution can eliminate every risk, these tools can provide meaningful peace of mind, for both you and your mother, while preserving her independence.
Where do insects do their grocery shopping? The Flea Market!
Q: Where do insects go to do their grocery shopping?
A: The Flea Market!
1. What genus of spider has the most members?
2. What spider species has the deadliest venom?
Other options include motion or contact sensors placed around the home to track daily routines and alert you to unusual activity, or a small security camera with night vision, motion detection and two-way audio that allows you to check in visually and even speak directly with her. Basic sensors and cameras can cost under $35, though they require Wi-Fi and under some circumstances may raise privacy considerations,
1. Which kind of fish is the smartest?
2. Which are smarter: carnivores or herbivores?
3. Are coyotes, wolves, or foxes the smartest?
4. What state has the greatest number of spider bites?
5. How many spiders will you accidently swallow while asleep over the course of your lifetime, on average?
“When spiders unite, they can tie down a lion.” -Ethiopian proverb
Q: What do you call it when a swarm of insects goes to Italy to dine?
remember the spot only for a few seconds. A
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
-- by Jim Miller
JUNQUE
by Anne McCollam Creators News Service
Porcelain Tea Set Made In Czechoslovakia
Q: I would appreciate if you would tell me the value of the porcelain tea set seen in this photo. It was given to me by my aunt and must be 75 years old. The set is a service for six and consists of cups, saucers, dessert plates and a sugar bowl and cream pitcher. The dishes are decorated with multi-colored flowers and gold trim all against a white background. Marked on the back of each piece are the words “Phoenix China” above an eagle. Below that are illegible numbers or words. Thank you for any information you can provide.
A: Phoenix China Company made your tea set in the early 1900s. They were located in what was at that time, Czechoslovakia. Phoenix China Company was founded in 1876 by Carl Wiedemann.
After World War I, in 1918, the country of Czechoslovakia was formed. Bohemia emerged as a cosmopolitan area and the home of many successful porcelain manufacturers. In 1993, Czechoslovakia became two countries, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Your tea set was made around 1920 to 1940 and would probably be worth $150 to $200.
Q: This mark is on the bottom of a carnival glass pitcher that was my grandmother’s. It is purple, decorated with grapes, leaves, cables, stands about 8 inches tall, has
a saw-tooth rim and a smooth handle. It is in mint condition. Someone told me the pattern is “Grape and Cable” and it was made by Northwood.
Anything you can tell me about its history, age and value will be appreciated.
A: Your information on the pattern and the maker is correct. Northwood Glass Company was founded by Harry Northwood in Wheeling, West Virginia, in 1901. Northwood produced both pressed glass and blown glass. They made beautiful carnival glass from 1908 to 1915.
The “Grape and Cable” pattern was available in a myriad of shapes that included pitchers, bowls, plates, berry dishes, creamers, sugar bowls, tumblers and spooners. The most popular colors of this pattern were amethyst (purple), marigold, green and blue.
Northwood discontinued making carnival glass in 1915 due to the high cost of manufacturing. After years of producing beautiful glass, the company closed in 1925.
Your amethyst water pitcher would probably be worth $225 to $250.
Q: I still have a 1966 U.S. Beatles concert tour program book along with my used ticket. The cover has a color picture of all four Beatles, and it is in mint condition. Does it have any value?
A: There is a collectors market for all kinds of Beatles memorabilia. Your program book would be worth $150 to $250 -- or more to the right buyer.
* * * Antiques expert and columnist Anne McCollam has recently retired and no longer receives inquiries nor answers reader letters. Due to the popularity of her column, this publication will continue to reprint previous columns of interest to our readers.
* On March 9, 1841, at the end of a historic case, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled, with just one dissenting vote, that the enslaved Africans who seized control of the Amistad slave ship had been illegally forced into bondage and thus were free under American law.
* On March 10, 1982, all solar system planets aligned on the same side of the sun in an event called a syzygy. Fortunately, and contrary to the natural catastrophes predicted in the 1974 bestselling book “The Jupiter Effect” by John Gribbin and Stephen H. Plagemann (including an earthquake in the San Andreas fault), Earth went on with business as usual.
* On March 11, 1997, former Beatle Paul McCartney added “Sir” to his name when he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his “services to music” at London’s Buckingham Palace. Three of his children accompanied him, but wife Linda was unable to attend as she was dealing with breast cancer, which would end her life a little more than a year later.
* On March 12, 1988, a sudden hailstorm caused a stampede of fans at a soccer match in Kathmandu, Nepal’s National Stadium, killing at least 70 people and injuring hundreds more.
* On March 13, 1942, the Quartermaster Corps of the United States Army began training dogs for the newly established War Dog Program, or “K-9 Corps.” More than a million dogs served on both sides during World War I, the most famous being Rin Tin Tin, who made his film debut in 1922.
* On March 14, 1979, Judy Chicago’s art installation “The Dinner Party” debuted at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, earning praise for its feminist focus as well as controversy over its use of genital imagery. It remains on permanent display at the Brooklyn Museum in New York City.
* On March 15, 2021, Deb Haaland became the first Indigenous person in American history to serve as a cabinet secretary when she was sworn in as Secretary of the Interior.
(c) 2026 King Features Synd., Inc.
Phoenix China Company was located in Czechoslovakia.
Northwood Glass Company made carnival glass.
Meal Methods: (from page 3)
husks onto its back, until it’s topped by a heap of its vanquished foes.
• Why this odd practice? The bug pile disguises the assassin bug’s own scent, allowing it to approach more unsuspecting victims. Another benefit is that it makes the assassin bug unpalatable to potential predators. Even further, the assassin bug will lurk above the entrance to an ant hill or termite colony, dangling one of its dead comrades in the doorway. The colony is quick to dispose of dead and dying members, and rushes to do the clean-up work – only to find themselves its next victims.
TARSIER TRAJECTORY
• A small primate native to Southeast Asia is called the tarsier because its ankle bones are extremely elongated. The tarsal bones are located in the ankles and feet. The tarsier is the smallest primate on the planet, fitting easily into the palm of the hand. However, the extraordinarily long foot bones enable it to jump 15 feet (4.6 m) in a single leap. This would be equal to a human long-jumping a distance of 180 feet (55 m).
• Sticky pads on their fingers prevent them from falling when they land, while also aiding in the capture of the insects that make up the entirety of their diet.
TERRIBLE TERMITES
• Termites are social, wood-eating insects often called "silent destroyers" because they cause billions in property damage annually by feeding 24/7 on cellulose. They live in large underground or wood-based colonies, using pheromones to communicate and vibrations to defend, rarely biting humans. Key indicators include mud tubes, damaged wood, and swarming winged adults.
• Termites devour not only all kinds of wood and wood products, but also wool, animal horns, ivory, rubber, plastic, and manure. They have been known to eat the corks right out of wine bottles. One kind of Panamanian termite can gnaw through lead sheathing on cables and even eats through concrete. Voracious Australian termites can reduce an abandoned ranch to dust in a matter of a few years.
• The termite's natural enemies are fire ants, spiders, wasps, centipedes, lizards and various other reptiles/birds that feed on termites, especially during swarming events.
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TODAY
Game Changers
by Jason Jenkins
Real Head Turner
Many golfers have been told, “keep your head down” or “don’t look up” on many shots around the green in order to achieve good contact.
Skulls, blades, chunks, and chili dips have been blamed on what many consider faulty head movement. Following this advice leads golfers to glue their eyes and head down well after the shot has been struck.
Top golfers have a simple head movement principle that every level of golfer should follow: turn the head to follow the ball flight. By prompting the head to turn to the target in the early follow through, the body can turn allowing the arms and wrist to extend through the strike.
The head down syndrome prevents the body from turning which inhibits the arms from extending through impact.
The key in the practice strike is to watch a spot of the turf you want to hit but allow the body and head to turn toward the target as if watching the ball flight. Look for extended arms and the body weight to finish on the left side in the finish.
Next time you miss the grass through impact, blame your hands, arms, or a change in posture but not your head.
