Vol. 21: #35 • The Name's Been Changed • (8-24-2025) Tidbits of Coachella Valley

TIDBITS

SAYS the name’s been changed

by Kathy Wolfe

Did you know that many of the familiar names of people, places and things we all know aren't the names they actually began with -- back when? This week Tidbits focuses on those “formerly-known-as” monikers and gives you the stories behind them.

• Who can imagine saying, “I’ll just BackRub that” when searching for info on the internet? Yet BackRub was the original name of the search engine Google when the company began in 1996. Stanford computer science grad students Sergey Brin and Larry Page decided in 1997 that BackRub probably wasn’t the greatest name for their company, so after a brainstorming session they elected to go with Google.

• Why that name? It originated when they decided to change the spelling of the word "googol," which represents the number 1 followed by 100 zeros. They renamed it Google, inspired by the vastness of information it was designed to search.

• Two other internet pioneers, David Filo and Jerry Yang, established a guide to internet content in

TRIV

(Answers on page 16)

1. MOVIES: Which best original song from “Aladdin” won an Oscar?

2. TELEVISION: In what year did the animated TV comedy “South Park” debut?

3. HISTORY: Where did the Romans build Hadrian’s Wall?

4. GEOGRAPHY: What is the capital of Brazil?

5. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president was the first to be impeached?

6. MYTHOLOGY: What is the home of the Greek gods?

7. U.S. STATES: Which state is home to the U.S. Naval Academy?

8. MATH: What is the smallest prime number?

9. LITERATURE: What is the original name of the farm in George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”?

10. ASTRONOMY: Which planet is known for its large red spot, which astronomers believe is an ongoing storm?

Saddle up and ride along as Tidbits presents some facts you might not know about equestrianism.

• Equestrianism is simply the skill or sport of horse riding. The word has its roots in the Latin language, meaning “horseman or knight.”

• The sport has been around for many centuries. Equestrian events were introduced in the ancient Greek Olympics in 680 B.C. The ancient Romans popularized chariot racing during the third century with races held at Circus Maximus, the largest man-made structure in the Roman Empire. It’s estimated that as many as 800 horses participated in a single day of racing.

• The sport of polo played on horseback dates back to 600 B.C. in Persia. Polo was initially a training activity for cavalry troops, evolving into a competition sport frequently played by royalty. Each 7-minute period of a polo game is known as a “chukka.”

• Jousting tournaments were popular beginning in the 14th century, with medieval knights demonstrating their horsemanship and warfare skills while carrying a heavy lance weighing up to 25 pounds. Especially fashionable among European nobility, it was discontinued in 1559 following the death of British King Henry II after suffering a severe injury during a match.

• Today’s Olympic Games feature three equestrian events: dressage, show jumping, and eventing.

• Dressage, from the French word for “training,” involves executing a series of specified movements. This graceful and elegant discipline is often called “dancing with horses.” It requires a powerful horse, and frequently takes more than 10 years to develop the horse’s strength and skill.

• During show jumping, the horse and rider navigate an obstacle course of turns, jumps, and changes of direction within a certain time limit. Penalties are assessed when the horse and rider go over the time limit, knock down a fence, or the horse balks before a fence and refuses to jump.

• Eventing combines dressage, a cross-country course, and show jumping into a single event,

testing the horse’s versatility and endurance. The cross-country portion incorporates multiple jumps over natural and man-made obstacles –water, logs, ditches, slanted terrain, v-shaped jumps, and walls.

• Different breeds of horses each have distinctive characteristics that make them superior for various types of equestrian disciplines. Thoroughbreds, known for speed and agility, excel in racing and eventing. Warmbloods, a European breed, outshine in dressage and show jumping, while Arabians are best in endurance and versatility.

• The American Quarter Horse is the most popular breed used in rodeo events. They are known for their speed, agility, and athletic build, making them well-suited for various timed events like barrel racing and roping.

• Barrel racing requires a horse and rider to navigate three barrels in a cloverleaf pattern in the fastest time. Barrels are arranged in a triangle with one directly ahead in the center, and one each to the left and right. The race begins from a standing start, and riders travel zig-zag fashion from left to right and back. Striking or knocking over a barrel results in a penalty.

• Horse racing is known as "The Sport of Kings" because of its historical association with royalty and aristocracy, particularly in England. Kings, queens, and other nobility not only enjoyed watching the races but also owned and bred the horses themselves, making it a prestigious activity. This tradition dates back centuries and has contributed to the sport's reputation for elegance and prestige.

• The average jockey stands between 4’10” and 5’6” tall, and weighs between 108 and 118 lbs. Prior to a race, a racing commission assigns the amount of weight a horse must carry, usually a minimum of 116 lbs. and a maximum of 125 to 127 lbs. This includes about 7 lbs. of equipment.

• If the jockey doesn’t weigh enough, weights are added to the saddle pad. Jockeys over the weight limit are not allowed to race, often leading jockeys to engage in unhealthy habits such as skipping meals and taking laxatives.

• The Kentucky Derby, first run in 1875, has a maximum weight of 126 lbs., which means the jockey must weigh no more than 119 lbs. 

3.

Name Changes: (from page one)

1994 and dubbed it “Jerry and David’s Guide to the World Wide Web.” It only took the pair three months to realize that name was just too cumbersome and chose instead an acronym for “Yet Another Hierarchical Officious Oracle,” the name YAHOO! which became one of the original internet giants.

• Beaverton, Oregon was the site of the 1964 establishment of Blue Ribbon Sports, a distributor of Japanese running shoes. Eight years later, the founders, University of Oregon track star Phil Knight and his coach Bill Bowerman decided to manufacture and distribute their own running shoes, launching the line in 1971 and rebranding the company as Nike, named after the Greek goddess of victory.

• In 2010, Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger conceived the idea of a location and message application, calling it “Burbn.” Realizing that photo sharing was becoming popular, they switched things up on their app to focus on mobile photo sharing, changing the name to Instagram, a blend of “instant camera” and “telegram.” About 25,000 people used Instagram on its launch day in October 2010. Within three months, there were upwards of a million users.

• Eighteen months after its launch, Instagram was sold to Facebook for $1 billion. There are now over two billion people using Instagram, which is the fourth most popular social media app worldwide. More than 60% of these users are under the age of 35.

• In 1965, Connecticut resident Fred DeLuca was 17 years old and looking for a way to earn the money for college. He asked family friend Dr. Peter Buck to loan him $1,000 to start a sandwich shop that offered healthy menu items.

He rented a small storefront in Bridgeport for $165 a month, naming his business Pete’s Super Submarines in tribute to his benefactor.

• A year later, the teenage entrepreneur had a second location. Three years later, while reading through copy for a radio ad, DeLuca realized that “Pete’s Submarines” sounded like “Pizza Marines,” and he and Dr. Buck changed the name to “Pete’s Subway,” further shortening it to just “Subway” a short time later.

• Within 10 years, in 1978 there were 100 Subways, and by 1987, the company had reached 1,000 stores. As of April, 2025, there are 20,456 Subway locations in the United States, with 10% of those in California. The city of Houston, Texas has the most number of Subways, with 203.

More than 50 million people worldwide use the popular dating app, Tinder. When the company first started, the name was Matchbox, but its resemblance to Match.com was a little too close. With the idea that the site would "ignite sparks and fan the flames of romance, the company rebranded under the name Tinder.

useable land. Only Beacon Hill remains today.

1.Whowasknownasthe MotheroftheCivil RightsMovement? 2.Whofrontedthe unusualbandThe Mothersof Invention?

• It’s certainly a lot easier to refer to Los Angeles as L.A. rather than its former name of El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles, which translates from the Spanish for “The 1. What was the former name of Mumbai, India?

2. What talented dancer was born Frederick Austerlitz?

These celebrities all opted for a name change in order to be more recognizable: Erik Marion Bishop selected Jamie Foxx as his stage name, while Peter Gene Hernandez chose Bruno Mars. Issur Danielovitch Demsky became wellknown by the name Kirk Douglas, and Mark Sinclair became Vin Diesel.

• “This company is going to be magic” may have been Jeff Bezos’ thought when he chose the name “Cadabra” for his new online bookstore in 1994, drawing from the magicians’ incantation “Abracadabra.” Bezos’ lawyer misheard the name as “cadaver” and advised his client to get rid of the word that is a synonym for a corpse. Bezos’ next choice was “Relentless,” but he finally settled on “Amazon” after the world’s largest river, symbolic of the huge flow of information on his website.

• In 1624, Dutch colonists settled at the southern tip of what is now Manhattan Island, calling the area New Netherland after their homeland. The city they established officially became New Amsterdam in 1653. In 1664, the British invaded and took over the area following their victory in the Anglo-Dutch War. The British renamed the settlement New York City after the Duke of York, the brother of King Charles II, who had been granted the lands. The Duke of York would later become King James II.

• The colonists held a meeting and drafted paperwork to officially rename their community, and in September 1630, Trimount officially became Boston. During the 1800s, the peaks were cut down and the excavated dirt was used to fill in bays in the area to increase the amount of Week of August 24, 2025

“Didn'tItellyounottoeatthatfruit?”theFirstParentasked.

• When colonists sailed to the New World in 1630, a large group from Boston, Lincolnshire, England, arrived on the coast of Massachusetts. They had determined to name their settlement Boston after their home city, but found that the area had already been given the name Trimount, taken from a nearby hill with three prominent peaks.

“Idunno,”Adamanswered. HispunishmentwasthatAdamandEve shouldhavechildrenoftheirown.

By Lucie Winborne

* Steve Jobs would eat the same fruit or vegetable for weeks on end, and believed that binging nothing but apples or carrots reduced his body odor to the extent that he would need to shower just once a week.

* Earth is the only planet in the solar system with rainbows.

* In 2020, researchers at Ohio State University found that smokers with better math skills were more likely to quit smoking, as they retained more of the risk statistics associated with the habit.

* A severe heatwave can make train tracks bend.

* “Mamihlapinatapai,” from the Yaghan language of Tierra del Fuego and defined as “a look shared by two people, each wishing that the other would initiate something that they both desire but which neither wants to begin,” was recognized in the 1994 Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s most succinct word.

* Until 1911, the MLB had a rule stating that if an umpire was “unable to see whether a catch has been fairly made or not,” he was free to appeal to the game’s spectators for a judgment.

* Silk is stronger than steel.

* If you want to listen to a song called “Chosen Priest and the Apostle of Infinite Space” by Bull of Heaven, you’ll need to reserve two months for the experience.

* Coconuts, in different forms, are antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial and antiparasitic.

* The eyes on Michelangelo’s statue of David look in different directions. Why is debatable, but some scholars believe the artist wanted to ensure the shepherd’s gaze was as impactful as possible from either side.

***

Thought for the Day: “There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.”

-- Will Rogers

2025 King Features Synd., Inc.

by Mary Hunt

How to Buy Unlocked Phones, and Why You Should Definitely Consider

locked models directly on their websites.

Trusted retailers: Best Buy, Walmart and Amazon (look for “factory unlocked” in the listing) all offer good selections. Just doublecheck that it’s not “carrier unlocked,” which might still be partially restricted.

Certified preowned: Want to save even more? Look at Swappa, Back Market or Gazelle. These sites specialize in refurbished and tested phones -- many for hundreds less than buying new.

HOW TO GET IT WORKING

This

by Mary Hunt

There was a time when getting a new cellphone felt like signing a mortgage -- except with worse terms. You’d walk into a carrier store, pick out a shiny new phone, and they’d practically hand it over “for free” -- as long as you promised to stick around for two years and not ask too many questions.

These days, you have options. Big ones. And the best-kept secret in mobile phones? Unlocked phones.

If you’ve never heard of an unlocked phone -- or you assumed it was code for “hot merchandise” -- you’re not alone. But don’t worry. I’m here to demystify it and maybe save you some serious cash in the process.

So what is an unlocked phone?

An unlocked phone is a phone that isn’t tied to a specific cell phone carrier. You can insert a SIM card from nearly any carrier (as long as the network is compatible), and it’ll just ... work.

No begging for unlock codes. No waiting until your “contract obligation” ends. No paying off the phone in full before switching. Just freedom. Sweet, mobile freedom.

Why buy one?

Let’s start with the big reason: flexibility. You’re free to shop around for a cheaper phone plan. And these days, with companies like Mint Mobile, Visible and Consumer Cellular offering serious bang for your buck, that freedom matters.

YOU CAN ALSO:

-- Travel internationally and easily pop in a local SIM card to avoid outrageous roaming fees.

-- Sell your phone down the road with less hassle (unlocked phones hold their resale value better).

-- Avoid bloatware -- those annoying apps that come preinstalled on carrier phones and won’t uninstall no matter how many times you shake your fist at the sky.

WHERE TO BUY AN UNLOCKED PHONE

Plenty of retailers sell unlocked phones, but you’ll want to shop smart.

Direct from the manufacturer: Apple, Samsung, Google and Motorola all sell fully un-

Getting started with an unlocked phone is easier than it sounds.

Pick your carrier: If you already have a provider you like, great. If not, this is a golden chance to explore budget-friendly options.

Insert the SIM card: If your phone doesn’t use physical SIMs (many new ones use eSIM), your carrier will walk you through activation. Power it on. Most phones will recognize the network automatically. If not, a quick call or online chat with the carrier can sort it out.

Tweak APN settings (rarely needed, but easy if your data doesn’t start flowing right away).

Done and done. You’re officially contractfree and cruising.

WATCH OUT FOR ...

Like anything else, there are a few caveats. Avoid shady sellers: Craigslist deals might be tempting, but blacklisted or stolen phones won’t work, no matter how cheap.

Check compatibility: Not all phones work on all networks. Look up your carrier’s “BYOD” tool to make sure your new phone supports the right frequency bands.

Warranty limitations: Some third-party sellers don’t offer the same protections, so read the fine print before you hit “buy.”

FINAL WORD?

Buying an unlocked phone is a simple, smart way to take back control from the big wireless carriers. It’s like finally getting your phone out on parole.

You get to choose your plan, your phone and your terms. No contracts. No bloatware. And no paying for 10GB of data when all you do is text your kids and scroll recipes.

If you’re in the market for a new phone -- or just fed up with your current plan -- consider going unlocked. It might feel like a small change, but trust me, your future self (and your phone bill) will thank you.

For even more info plus resource links, I’d love to meet up with you at EverydayCheapskate.com/unlockedphone.

* * *

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 2025 CREATORS.COM

Scorching, sizzling, scalding, and searing are some of the ways we describe “hot.” This week Tidbits turns up the heat with a few facts about some extreme temperatures.

• Georgia resident Willie Jones was rushed to an Atlanta hospital in July of 1980, suffering from heatstroke. It had been a hot day in Georgia with a 94 degree temperature (32.40 C) accompanied by 69% humidity. After doing some strenuous physical work, the 52-year-old collapsed. His fever was measured at an astonishing 115.7 degrees F (46.50 C). Jones needed to be hospitalized for 24 days in recovery.

• It’s considered heatstroke when the core body temperature reaches 104 degrees F (400 C). Severe cases can lead to confusion, slurred speech, delirium, hallucinations,

unconsciousness, brain damage, and even death.

• Bikram Choudhury created a new form of yoga in which participants do 26 postures in a studio that is heated to 105 degrees F (400 C), with humidity of 40%. The conditions are designed to replicate the climate of India, where Choudhury created “Bikram yoga,” more commonly called “hot yoga.”

• Located in the Sonoran Desert in Southern California, a heat record of 1250 F (51.10 C) was set on July 25, 2024 measured at the Palm Springs International Airport.

• In July 1913, Death Valley, California recorded what is thought to be the hottest temperature on record. The Valley’s usual July temperatures are around 125 degrees F, but on that July day, the temp reached a scorching 134 degrees F (56.70 C).

• But that’s just the hottest ambient air temperature. A blistering ground surface temp of 177.4 degrees F (80.80 C) was documented in 2018 on the surface of Iran’s Lut Desert.

• Mercury is the planet closest to our Sun, but it’s not the hottest planet. That title belongs to Venus, the second planet from the sun, where temps can reach 900 degrees F (4820 C), hot enough to melt lead. It’s hotter there because of its thick atmosphere which creates a greenhouse effect that greatly increases the surface temperature. Probes sent to the planet have failed to last any longer than two hours.

• If Venus’ temperature seems sizzling hot, consider the temp on the Sun’s surface of 10,000 degrees F (5,5380 C). The outermost layer of its atmosphere is 1.8 million degrees, while deep inside its core, the temp reaches almost 28 million degrees F (15 million0 C).

• Maybe you remember burning your backside zipping down a hot metal slide in mid-summer. What you didn’t realize is that the surface of that slide could reach temperatures of 175 degrees F (800 C), definitely hot enough to blister your butt!

• Water boils at around 212 degrees F (1000 C), but coffee fresh out of the brewer is about 175 F (790 C), still plenty hot enough to burn your tongue. Water above 1400 F (600 C) can cause

third-degree burns within seconds.

• Pottery makers might know that the interior temperature of their kiln reaches a temperature of about 2,3000 F (1,2600 C) as it heats soft clay into hardened pottery.

• How about these common household items? If you’re ironing your jeans, dialing the iron to maximum heat will generate a temp of 450 degrees F (2320 C). Your hair dryer reaches up to 140 degrees F (600 C), and depending on the

C). The tip of a burning match measures around

by Dana Jackson

Q: Is Macaulay Culkin going to do any more movies or television in the near future? He started making a comeback a few years ago, but I haven’t seen him in anything. Also, does he still speak to his dad? -- M.W.

A: The little “Home Alone” cutie will turn 45 at the end of this month, and while his career isn’t as celebrated as his younger brother’s, Oscar winner Kieran Culkin, Macaulay certainly seems happier than ever. He has overcome allegations of drug abuse, is now a doting father to two boys with wife/actress Brenda Song (“Running Point”), and hasn’t given up on acting.

He’s been steadily growing his resume since 2016 with recurring roles on “The Jim Gaffigan Show,” “American Horror Story,” and “The Righteous Gemstones.” He’s also set to appear in the upcoming season of “Fallout,” but it’s uncertain for how many episodes.

1. Weapons (R) Julia Garner, Josh Brolin

2. Freakier Friday (PG) Jamie Lee Curtis, Lindsay Lohan

3. The Fantastic Four: First Steps (PG-13) Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby

4. The Bad Guys 2 (PG) Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron

5. The Naked Gun (PG-13) Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson

6. Superman (PG-13) David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan

7. Jurassic World: Rebirth (PG-13) Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali

8. F1: The Movie (PG-13) Brad Pitt, Damson Idris

Together (R) Dave Franco, Alison Brie

As for his relationship with his parents, according to People magazine, Macaulay has been estranged from his dad since he was a teen, but he denies that he ever emancipated from his parents (as rumors had it).

***

Q: When are they going to announce the contestants for the new season of “Dancing with the Stars”? Doesn’t the show start soon? -- M.C.

A: Season 34 of “Dancing with the Stars” will premiere on ABC on Tuesday, Sept. 16. They typically announce all the contestants about two weeks before the premiere date, typically first on “Good Morning America” before it gets spread all over the internet. A few names have already trickled out, though.

Australian Zookeeper Robert Irwin will follow in the footsteps of his big sister, Bindi, who won the mirrorball trophy in season 21. Joining him will be two cast members from Hulu’s “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” Jen Affleck and Whitney Leavitt, as well as TikTok star Alix Earle.

***

Q: When is the spin-off of “The Office” coming out? I know it’s called “The Paper.” Is it also set in the same industry as “The Office”? -- K.S.

A: ”The Paper,” a spin-off of “The Office,” is about a struggling Midwestern newspaper called the Toledo Truth-Teller. Although many are skeptical that it could ever be as good as the British or American versions of “The Office,” it has the same mockumentary style and the name Greg Daniels behind it.

When Daniels recreated Ricky Gervais’ highly touted British original in 2005 for NBC, it was practically universally panned. Once it found its footing, it became a modest hit and eventually a

huge pop-culture sensation on Netflix. The only returning character from “The Office” so far is Oscar Nunez as accountant Oscar Martinez. Like the American “Office,” the cast of “The Paper” aren’t well-known -- yet. The biggest star besides Martinez is Domhnall Gleeson, who is best known as General Hux in Episodes VII, VIII and IX of the “Star Wars” franchise.

Look for Peacock to drop four episodes of “The Paper” on Sept. 4, followed by two new episodes every Thursday through Sept. 25.

* * *

Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com.

(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.

Good Recipes from

Grilled Shrimp With Black Beans

1 lime

2 cans (15 to 19 ounces each) black beans, rinsed and drained

2 ripe plum tomatoes (about 8 ounces), chopped

2 green onions, thinly sliced

1 small yellow pepper, seeded and chopped

1 jalapeno chile, seeded and finely chopped

1/2 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

1 tablespoon olive oil

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 pound large shrimp, shelled and deveined

Lime wedges

1. Prepare charcoal fire or preheat gas grill for direct grilling over medium-high heat.

2. Meanwhile, from lime, grate 1/2 teaspoon peel and squeeze 2 tablespoons juice. In large bowl, stir lime juice and 1/4 teaspoon lime peel with beans, tomatoes, green onions, pepper, jalapeno, cilantro, oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Set aside at room temperature. Makes about 5 cups.

3. In medium bowl, toss shrimp with remaining 1/4 teaspoon lime peel and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Place shrimp on hot grill rack (or hot flat grill topper) and cook 3 to 4 minutes or just until shrimp turn opaque throughout, turning shrimp over once.

4. Stir about half of shrimp into bean salad; top with remaining shrimp. Serve with lime wedges.

 Each serving: About 290 calories, 5g total fat (1g saturated), 180mg cholesterol, 890mg sodium, 41g carbs, 14g dietary fiber, 31g protein.

Spicy Southern Greens

Chef and TV host Carla Hall’s famous Southern greens, seasoned with crushed red pepper, make the perfect BBQ side.

1 1/2 pounds collard greens, washed

1 1/2 pounds kale, washed

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

1/2 tablespoon crushed red pepper

2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar

2 teaspoon sugar

1/2 cup water

3 tablespoons chow chow or pickle relish

Kosher salt

Black pepper

1. Remove tough stems from greens and kale. Roll leaves up tightly into cigar shape and thinly slice.

2. In 12-quart saucepot, heat olive oil on medium. Add onion; cook 6 to 8 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally.

3. To pot, add greens, red pepper, garlic, vinegar, sugar and 1/2 cup water. Cook 20 to 25 minutes or until greens are tender, stirring occasionally. If greens seem dry, add additional 1/4

cups water.

4. Stir in relish, 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Makes 4 servings.

 Each serving: About 190 calories, 9g total fat (1g saturated), 9g protein, 25g carbohydrate, 9g fiber, 485mg sodium.

For thousands of triple-tested recipes, visit our website at www.goodhousekeeping.com/foodrecipes/ (c) 2025 Hearst Communications, Inc.

Holidays & Observances This Week

8/24 William Wilberforce Day

8/25 Kiss and Make Up Day

8/26 National Toilet Paper Day

8/27 Rock Scissors Paper Day

8/28 Read Comics in Public Day

8/29 Lemon Juice Day

8/30 Toasted Marshmallow Day

Dog Talk with Uncle Matty

By Matthew Margolis

Canine-Love Crazed

In days of yore, it was the dog that got the leftovers: scraps from the dinner table, a pat on the head on the way out the door. Nowadays, it seems it’s the people in our lives that often have to settle for sloppy seconds.

Last week a woman called to discuss her problem. She said, “I walk my dog every day, and every day he lunges at someone. He’s bitten eight people.”

I asked her what she plans to do to address this. “For starters, what will you do tomorrow come walk time?”

“Well, walk him, of course. He needs his exercise.”

Shortly after, a man called to vent his frustration. He explained that his 7-year-old dog has spent the last five years growling and snarling at his wife. I asked him what the problem was.

He said, “It’s my wife. She won’t stop bothering me about this, and it’s annoying.”

Over the weekend a mother of five called to share the story of her 7-year-old Golden retriever. He’s bitten two children outside of the family and one child within the family. And he growls at everyone -- man, woman and child.

I asked her why she did nothing when the dog first bit someone, and she insisted there were “circumstances.”

“What kind of circumstances?” I asked.

“The kid moved toward the dog.” End of story. Those were the circumstances.

As Lily Tomlin once said, “No matter how cynical you get, it is impossible to keep up.”

All of these people have one thing in common: They are more concerned about protecting the dog than they are about protecting the people around them.

According to CDC data, dogs bite more than 4.7 million people each year in the United States. I believe there is a causal relationship between that staggering number and the following:

-- poor breeding

-- poor socialization

-- lack of training

And for those repeat offenders whose dogs bite again and again until they are either removed

SENIOR NEWS LINE

by Matilda Charles © King

Save Money at the Habitat ReStore

It’s that time of year again. Summer will soon be fading and, if you live in the Northern climes as many of us do, it’s time to start thinking about what cold weather might bring. It also means revisiting items on the to-do list that are in danger of not being completed before we say farewell to summer.

In my house that incomplete portion of my list includes painting the stairs before the management notices the peeling and issues a fine, and having a new window installed in the living room.

The reasons for not having done those things yet are the price of a can of paint ($42 for a gallon when I need less than a quart) and over $500 for the window, installation not included.

Do you see a pattern here?

Yes, it is indeed the higher price of nearly everything nowadays that keeps so many of us from properly taking care of things like we should.

But take heart. I’ve just learned of a way to get at least a few things on my list: The Habitat for Humanity ReStore. They have 900 locations

across the country, and one of those just happens to be near me.

Started in 1976, Habitat for Humanity is the group that will build homes around the world that are then sold for affordable amounts to low and moderate income families. They also make improvements and repair houses for seniors so they can remain in their homes, plus they provide disaster response -- and much more.

Their Habitat ReStores are loaded with good quality used merchandise that they take in with donations. It not only keeps household items out of the landfills, but it allows people to buy those items at very reduced prices. They carry used furniture, building materials, appliances, housewares and so much more, some of it donated by corporations.

To find locations near you, go online to www.habitat.org, click “Shop” and then click “Habitat ReStores.” Enter your ZIP code, and it will show you their closest location. Try 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.

Cody’s Corner (from page 9)

from the home or destroyed altogether, the problem is denial. Some people simply cannot say the words: My dog is aggressive. They can’t admit it and they won’t deal with it.

But if a person were really concerned about the welfare of their pet, they would recognize problem behavior for what it is. If your dog is a biter, odds are good that ignoring the problem will only make things worse for everyone in the long run -including the dog.

We live in truly interesting times. A friend sent me a snapshot taken over the weekend. The photograph was of an elderly nanny pushing a stroller along a sidewalk in Beverly Hills. Inside the stroller: a dog. I can only wonder what became of the child.

Woof!

Dog trainer Matthew “Uncle

and visit

YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY

by Tom Margenau

Not So Common Questions

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a column about some of the most common questions I receive. This week, I thought it would be interesting to write a column answering some of the more unusual questions I get. Or to clarify, they may be unusual to you. But not to me. In the 50-plus years I’ve been dealing with Social Security issues, I don’t think there is a single question I haven’t been asked many times before!

Q: I am an 85-year-old woman in Tucson. I recently took a friend to one of our local Social Security offices where she had an appointment to resolve a Medicare matter. While I was waiting in my car in the office parking lot, I noticed many young people who appeared to be in their 20s and 30s entering the office. What kind of benefits could they be applying for?

A: They most likely were not there to file for any Social Security benefits. They were there to get a replacement Social Security card. (People are losing their cards all the time.) A very high percentage of the workload in any Social Security office is just that -- helping young people replace a lost Social Security card.

Q: I am getting my Social Security benefits, which I started at age 70. My 62-yearold wife is about to sign up for Social Security. She was a stay-at-home mom for much of our marriage, so her own Social Security benefit is very small. She will get much more on my record. Does that mean she simply forgoes her own benefit and just files for spousal benefits on my account?

A: No. She will be paid her own benefit first. Then that benefit will be supplemented with whatever extra spousal benefits she is due on your record. And as I’ve pointed out many times in this column, her spousal benefit will be based on your full retirement age benefit, not your augmented age 70 benefit. Although if you die first, her widow’s benefit will be based on your higher age 70 benefit.

Q: My father died several years ago. After he passed, the Social Security office contacted my mother and helped her file for widow’s benefits. Recently, my wife’s father died. But nobody ever contacted her mother, and she eventually got in touch with Social Security herself to file a widow’s claim. Can you explain why their cases were handled differently?

A: Yes, I can. Although there are all kinds of variables that could come into play, here is a very broad outline of how widows’ claims are usually handled.

If a woman was getting only spousal benefits on her husband’s record before he died (meaning she didn’t have any Social Security of her own), then once the Social Security Administration learns of her husband’s death, she will be automatically converted from wife’s benefits to widow’s benefits. No application is needed.

If a woman was getting some benefits on her own record and some additional spousal benefits on her husband’s record (meaning her name is already attached to her husband’s Social Security account), then the SSA will likely contact her to help her file for widow’s benefits.

But if a woman were getting only her own retirement benefits and no spousal benefits from her husband, then after he dies, the ball is in her court, so to speak. In other words, it would be up to her to contact the SSA to file for widow’s benefits.

Q: As we all know, more than a few men have had multiple wives. If such a guy dies, will all those women get widow’s benefits on his record?

A: It’s possible, but not probable. Why? For a couple of reasons. Some of those ex-wives will likely have remarried. And once they do that, they won’t be due any Social Security benefits on the prior husband’s account. Also, if any of the exwives worked, they might be due higher benefits on their own record.

Q: My partner and I have been living together for almost 30 years. But we’ve never gotten married. We think of ourselves as a common-law couple. We are both getting close to our 60s and are now starting to think about Social Security. I always made more money than she did. If I die, will she get any widow’s benefits on my record?

A: As a general rule, Social Security follows state law concerning the legality of a marriage. So, if the state you live in recognizes common law relationships and considers you married, then the Social Security Administration will also consider you married and pay your partner widow’s benefits after you die. But if your state doesn’t recognize common law marriage, you could be in trouble. Of course, you could make things much simpler for Social Security purposes if you just got legally married.

Q: We have a conservatorship for our two grandchildren. Our son and his wife are just unable to take care of these kids. When we recently signed up for our Social Security benefits, they told us the grandkids can’t get dependent benefits on our records. Why not?

A: Social Security law says children can only get benefits on a grandparent’s record if both natural parents are deceased or disabled. Apparently, that’s not the case in your situation. Your only other option would be to adopt these kids. If you did that, they would be eligible for benefits on your Social Security records.

Q: I’d like to learn more about the rate of interest earned by the Social Security trust funds. Where can I find that information?

A: You can find out everything you might want to know about the financing of Social Security and the operation of the trust funds from the Social Security Administration actuaries. It’s all online. Do a Google search for “Social Security Office of the Chief Actuary” and once at their site, just start noodling around.

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 Easy-to-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.

1. The book of Ezra is found in the a) Old Testament b) New Testament c) Neither

2. From Acts 10, who had a vision of heaven opening up with a sheet knit of four corners being let down to earth? a) Paul b) Timothy c) Peter d) Ananias

3. What are the laws of the church, the collection of writings considered to be God's word? a) Eccliastes b) Covenant c) Holy Scripture d) Canon

4. Which prophet experienced an earthquake while standing on a mountain? a) Elijah b) Jeremiah c) Elisha d) Joel

5. What Moabite woman became an ancestress of King David through her marriage to Boaz? a) Sarah b) Ruth c) Rahab d) Esther

6. "The Lord is my strength and my shield" is found in which book? a) Ephesians b) Proverbs c) 2 Timothy d) Psalms

(Answers on page 16)

comments or more Bible Trivia go to www.TriviaGuy.com

Weight Loss Not a Simple Cure for All with Sleep Apnea

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was diagnosed with sleep apnea decades ago. While I was not obese, I was a little overweight at the time and made a commitment to eat better. I lost 10-20 pounds, and I’m down to under 250 pounds at 6 feet, 1 inch tall. Voila, my sleep apnea was cured! I kept the weight off and have not snored since. While you note the connection between excess weight and sleep apnea, I didn’t see any mention of weight loss as a cure. Is it really this easy, or was I just lucky? -- D.K.

ANSWER: Weight loss is effective at treating sleep apnea in many people. However, losing and keeping the weight off in the long-term is very hard for most people. The GLP-1 drug tirzepatide (Zepbound) was recently approved for obstructive sleep apnea in people who are obese, in combination with a healthy diet and physical activity. GLP-1 agonists are quite effective at helping people lose weight and keeping the weight off (as long as the person keeps taking the medication).

It’s critical to note that not everyone with obstructive sleep apnea is obese. Some people just have the anatomy in the back of their throats that makes sleep apnea more likely, despite having a normal weight. Weight loss may not help them at all in these cases.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m a 61-yearold male in excellent physical health. However, out of nowhere, I started having severe anxiety attacks when driving over 60 mph on the highway. I now have to frequently exit the highway in order to calm down, and I’m constantly worried about having additional attacks while driving.

Do you have any insight on how to treat this? -- P.R.

ANSWER: According to the reading I did, some people will develop a fear of driving on the highway after an accident, but it also may come out of nowhere. Highway driving does tend to be more problematic as there is greater danger due to faster speeds -- but even more so because of a higher perceived danger that is sometimes blown out of proportion.

From what I have read, cognitivebehavioral therapy is one treatment, while exposure treatment (sometimes using virtual reality) is another. The sooner you begin treatment, the more likely it is to be successful.

Since it sounds like you are having panic attacks, SSRI medications like sertraline may also be helpful, but some other medicines for panic attacks are inappropriate for people who drive. Consult first with your doctor before trying any of these medications.

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.

(c) 2025 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved

VETERANS POST  

by Freddie Groves

Avoiding Foreclosure

Veterans who are in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure have just been given protection with the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act. Just passed, the act offers help just as the previous program, Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase (VASP), expires.

The old VASP program helped veterans by purchasing their VA home loans and changing them to incorporate more manageable repayment terms. This typically meant stretching the repayment period out to 40 years and lowering the interest rate.

The new Partial Claim Program will involve the VA taking out a lien (a claim) on the home and paying off part of the overdue mortgage, thus canceling the foreclosure and bringing the loan current. The veteran doesn’t have to pay back that money until either the home is refinanced or it’s sold. In other words, the past due amount will be put at the end of the loan with no interest.

The program will run for five years and any help given cannot exceed 25-30% of the unpaid principal, depending on when that default occurred. Victims of a declared disaster (and unable to make payments because of that) can qualify for assistance. That’s good stuff.

Not needing to pay the money back immediately, and not having it rolled into what they currently pay, will give veterans the breathing room they need to reduce their financial outgo over the long term -- and keep their homes.

If you’re a veteran in a bad situation (and have missed three mortgage payments) that could end with the foreclosure on your home, there are steps you can take now: Call either the VA regional office nearest you, or the VA home loan guaranty department (877-827-3702) or your lender to see if you qualify under the new Partial Claims Program.

If you’re struggling right now and have fallen behind in making your mortgage payment, don’t delay in finding out if you qualify for help. You won’t be alone; they’re expecting to assist 70,000 veterans to keep their homes.

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.

-- by Jim Miller

Tips and Treatments for Restless Leg Syndrome

DEAR SAVVY SENIOR: What can you tell me about restless leg syndrome? Over the past year or so I’ve developed an uncontrollable urge to jerk and stretch my legs when trying to sleep because of an annoying tingling sensation. It's a major nuisance for me and it’s keeping me awake at night. Is this common for seniors?-- Always Tired

Dear Tired: If an irresistible urge to move your legs has you kicking in your sleep, then chances are pretty good you have restless leg syndrome (or RLS), a condition that affects about 7 to 8 percent of Americans, and not just seniors. Here’s what you should know:

RLS, also known as Willis-Ekbom Disease, is a nervous system problem that causes unpleasant or uncomfortable sensations. It is often described as an uncontrollable creepy-crawly, tingling, itching, aching throbbing, pulling or mild shocking feeling. It results in an irresistible urge to move one or both legs while you’re sitting or lying down, and the symptoms often get worse with age. It typically happens in the evenings or nights while resting. Moving or stretching the legs eases the unpleasant feeling temporarily.

While RLS is not a life-threatening condition, the main problem, other than it being uncomfortable and annoying, is that it disrupts sleep, leading to daytime drowsiness, difficulty concentrating and even depression.

What exactly causes RLS is not conclusively known, but researchers suspect it could be linked to several things including iron deficiency, an imbalance of the brain chemical dopamine and irritation of spinal nerve pathways. Genetics also likely plays a role as about 60 percent of people with RLS have a family member with the condition.

Treatments

While there’s no cure as yet for RLS, there are things you can do to alleviate the symptoms. The first line of defense is usually to avoid certain substances like alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and refined sugar, which can

aggravate the problem.

Certain drugs including antinausea drugs, antipsychotic drugs, some antidepressants, and cold and allergy medications containing sedating antihistamines can also make RLS worse. If you take any of these medications, ask your doctor or pharmacist if something else can be taken.

Iron and magnesium deficiencies are also believed to be contributors to RLS, so make an appointment with your doctor and get a blood test to check for this. If you test positive for iron and/or magnesium deficiency, your doctor may recommend supplements.

You may also benefit from self-care treatments such as leg/calf stretches and massage, hot baths or applying hot or cold packs to affected areas. Pressure can also be effective for some people, so you may want to try wearing compression socks.

Getting moderate, regular exercise like walking, cycling, water aerobics and yoga can relieve symptoms too, but overdoing it or exercising late in the day may intensify them.

Medications

but they don’t eliminate the leg sensations, and they can become addictive so it’s best to avoid them if possible.

For more information, visit the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation at RLS. org * * *

Palm Springs Pointe c/o Leticia Barcelona 1/4 pg. BW 13x disc. Aug. 24, 2025 Vol. 21 - No.

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.

Announcing the Re-Opening of Our Waiting List

This Charming, renovated 116-unit Section 8 community for Seniors (62+) and their household offers;

• One Bedroom apartments

• Professionally Designed and Maintained Landscape

• Elevator

• On-Site Maintenance

• On-Site Management

• Resident Services Portal with Online Payment & Maintenance Request Options

• Pets Friendly

• Pool

• Spa/Hot Tub

• Rent Plus

If the previously listed tips and selftreatments don’t reduce your RLS, there are various medications your doctor can prescribe that can help, including:

Anti-seizure drugs: These medications affect nerve cell activity to reduce symptoms. Examples include gabapentin enacarbil (Horizant), gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica).

Please review carefully. Double check:

Dopaminergic medications: These drugs, which are taken before bedtime, work by increasing dopamine, a chemical in the brain which helps reduce RLS. Examples are ropinirole (Requip), pramipexole (Mirapex), and the transdermal patch rotigotine (Neupro). But be aware that while these drugs, taken short-term are effective, long-term use may make symptoms worse.

The anti-seizure medicines have become a first-choice drug treatment option for most doctors because they seem to be as effective as the dopaminergic medications, with fewer side effects.

Sometimes, other medications like benzodiazepines – alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium) – may be prescribed for more restful sleep,

Affordable rents are income-restricted in accordance with the HUD Section 8 and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) programs and other regulatory agreements (see income limits below).

Palm Springs Pointe Senior Apartments will be opening its wait list beginning August 25, 2025 at 10am and closing October 31, 2025 at 4:30 pm. The Pre-Application and Property information forms are available in person, via mail, or by email to all applicants requesting an application. The application will be collected in person, by fax, mail or email.

Palm Springs Pointe Attention: Pre-Application Review 3200 E Baristo Road Palm Springs Ca, 92262 www.palmspringspointe.com Email: palmspringsapts@peakliving.com

(760) 320-8420 TYY-711

To enable us to process your applications, please make sure to submit a completed pre-application signed by each adult applicant. Incomplete pre-application will be rejected. Each household may only submit one pre-application.

Assistance is available for completing pre-applications during office hours of 10am-3pm Monday to Friday at Palm Springs Apartment. Reasonable Accommodations and Language translation services are available upon request.

There is no minimum income requirement at Palm Springs Pointe Apartments. The tenant portion of Section 8 rent is approximately 30% of the family’s monthly adjusted income in accordance with HUD regulations.

Admission is subject to program eligibility criteria and unit occupancy standards. Applicants are subject to Resident Selection Criteria and third-party income and asset verification to determine the household’s combined annual income in accordance with the Low-income Housing Tax Credit Program requirements and other regulatory agreements. Restrictions on full-time student households also apply. We strongly encourage all to apply. Let our team help you determine eligibility.

by Anne McCollam Creators News Service

Collectors Clamor for Cow Butter Molds

Q: Enclosed is a photo of an antique clear-glass butter mold. When the butter is extracted from the mold, it produces an impression of a cow on the top of the butter.

Can you give me an idea of how old it is, where was it made, and what its current value might be?

A: Glass butter molds were made from around 1875 to the early 1900s. Wood molds were also available.

People often preferred the glass molds, because they were cleaner and didn’t retain unpleasant smells. Images of cows, flowers or stars were embossed in the bottom of the glass. The wood plunger was used to push the butter out and then revealed the image imprinted on the butter.

Cow molds were preferred by collectors by a country mile. Check your glass mold. Some were marked with the name of the manufacturer or a patent date. There are reproductions on the market, and they generally have no identifying marks.

Your butter mold was made in the late 1800s, and if it is in pristine condition, it would probably fetch $150 to $300 in an antiques shop. One with some wear and a chip or two would probably sell from $50 to $100.

Q: This mark is on a set of Noritake dishes that we recently inherited. There are 94 pieces in the set and not a chip or scratch on any of them. Each dish is decorated with

a scrolled burgundy border and gold trim. Also within the scroll are bouquets of flowers. The background is white. We have researched books on Noritake and cannot find this pattern.

I know this is very little information, but can you give us any idea of the value of our dishes? We doubt that we will intend to sell it; we are just curious.

A: Noritake China Company is located in Japan and began selling their porcelain dinnerware for the American market in 1904. Its dinnerware was also sold on military bases, especially after World War II. Anything marked “Occupied Japan” was made during the United States’ occupation of Japan from 1946 to 1952.

Identifying Noritake patterns can be very difficult if the name of the pattern or a pattern number is not included with the mark. An Internet search can sometimes turn up answers.

Your Circa 1946 dinnerware should be insured for $900 to $1300.

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.

To find out more about Anne McCollam and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM

* On Aug. 25, 1921, Franklin D. Roosevelt was diagnosed with polio -- also known as infantile paralysis because it usually strikes much younger people -- at the age of 39. He never regained the full use of his legs.

* On Aug. 26, 1936, suffragist Susan B. Anthony’s likeness appeared on a 3-cent U.S. postage stamp that soon sparked some controversy: While some critics claimed it was an election-year ploy for women’s votes, others insisted that it showed a cigarette in her lips.

* On Aug. 27, 1967, Beatles manager Brian Epstein was found dead from an accidental overdose of Carbrital, a drug used to treat insomnia. A “scared” John Lennon later said that “I knew that we were in trouble then. I didn’t really have any misconceptions about our ability to do anything other than play music.”

* On Aug. 28, 1987, the Arcadia, Florida, home of Richard, Robert and Randy Ray burned down in what was almost certainly an act of arson. The three young siblings, who were not at home at the time, had already faced severe discrimination due to their HIV status in an era in which the virus was considered a “gay disease.”

* On Aug. 29, 1914, the Women’s Defence Relief Corps was formed in Britain. Women’s rights organizations in Britain at first opposed the country’s entrance into the war, but reversed that position after recognizing the war effort’s potential to gain advancement for British women on the home front.

* On Aug. 30, 2006, the California State Senate passed the Global Warming Solutions Act, which made California the first state to place caps on carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, including those found in automobile emissions.

* On Aug. 31, 1888, prostitute Mary Ann Nichols, the first known victim of a London serial killer called “Jack the Ripper,” was found murdered and mutilated in the city’s Whitechapel district. In 1892, with no leads found and no more murders recorded, the Ripper file was officially closed, but criminologists, historians and amateur sleuths still debate his true identity to this day.

(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.

"The detection equipment cost him a fortune, but he says it's still cheaper than paying for all his lost balls."

Name Changes (from page 3)

Town of Our Lady the Queen of Angels.”

• Due to the large number of wild gourds growing in the area, the Arizona city now known as Phoenix was originally known as Pumpkinville. However, in 1868 the name was changed to Phoenix since it was believed by some to be a city that was rising from the ruins of a former civilization, much like the mythical phoenix bird.

• Chicago was known as Fort Dearborn, the site of a U.S. Army fort. As more and more civilians came to the area, the community adopted the name Chicago, from the Native American term for “smelly onions.”

• English singer-songwriter George Michael was one of the best-selling recording artists of all time, scoring 10 Number One songs on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 charts. At age 18, just as success was around the corner, he legally changed his name to George Michael, believing it was a lot easier to remember than his birth name, Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou.

• Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner changed more than his name – he also underwent a dramatic change in careers. Sumner was a school teacher at Cramlington, England’s St. Paul’s First School, playing musical gigs on the side. He wore his favorite sweater to each performance, a black and yellow number that prompted his bandmate to tell him he looked like a wasp, leading to Sumner’s new nickname, Sting. He and two others formed the rock group The Police in 1977, a year after he left his teaching career.

• After continual teasing and bullying at school, Ralph Lifshitz at age 16 legally changed his name to Ralph Lauren. From his humble beginnings as a necktie salesman, Ralph Lauren has since amassed a fortune worth nearly $9 billion encompassing clothing, fragrances, stores, and restaurants. At age 28, he started his own line of neckties, expanding to a full array of Polo menswear at age 29. Bloomingdale’s sold his line exclusively. He is probably correct in assuming the success of his business would likely not have blossomed without avoiding the company name -- Lifshitz. 

by Jason Jenkins

There might not be a more frustrating comment from golf analysts and commentators than, “He must have decelerated on that chip!” I simply cringe when I hear that being said because it typically has nothing to do with a mishit chip around the green. Worse yet, every member guest is full of the same comments when their buddy just cost them a hole.

To prove my point that acceleration and deceleration have little to do with effective chipping, try hitting a few chips with your bag about a couple feet in front of your ball. Hit the ball and ground but don’t hit the bag!

Impact needs a leaning shaft and a firm left wrist. You can literally stop the follow through and hit great little chips if impact was correct. Acceleration implies the need to apply increased force through the strike and a high finish. That’s what I see when a player has “stubbed” or “chili-dipped” one around the green. Put the brakes on a couple real chips around the green to see if they don’t perform just as well as normal techniques.

Linda Thistle