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TIDBITS TELLS TALES OF FOLKS WHO'VE HAD A REALLY

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THE TAY BRIDGE DISASTER

TRIVIA NEWSFRONT

ew carefully. Double check:  Phone Number(s)  Spelling  Prices  Hours and Wormit near the edge of the North Sea in

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• Construction began in 1871 under the direction of engineer Tomas Bouch, who had a fine reputation of accomplishing many successful projects. It took 600 men six years to build the bridge with an expense of 20 lives lost during its construction.

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• Unfortunately, Thomas Bouch was preoccupied with so many projects that he didn’t spend as much time overseeing the construction of the bridge as he should have. Perhaps because of this, a serious miscommunication occurred.

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authorities even though several cracks appeared in girders before the bridge was opened for public use. • Even on calm days, the bridge would sway four to six inches (10-15 cm) whenever a train passed over it. • The bridge rose to its greatest height of 88 feet (27 m) above the high water line about 200 yards (183 m) from the southern edge of shore, the height prescribed in order to allow ships pass beneath.

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• The company smelting the iron for the bridge girders put in an order for the “best iron” from the firm that supplied cast-iron ingots. However, they were not aware that the firm graded their iron ingots in three levels of strength: “best,” “best best,” and “best best best.” So by ordering the “best iron,” they had unknowingly ordered the cheapest iron available. • The builders subsequently found that the girders were pitted and pockmarked. They disguised the flaws by filling in the holes using a type of iron spackling made of iron borings, beeswax, rosin, and lamp black, which did nothing to strengthen the girders and were easily dislodged amid the mildest tremors.

• The Tay Bridge was opened for passengers in 1878 amid much publicity and a gala celebration. Queen Victoria passed over it in 1879 and Thomas Bouch was knighted at Windsor Castle shortly afterwards in recognition of his marvelous engineering accomplishment. • The bridge only stood for 19 months before disaster struck. On December 28, 1879, a violent storm blew in with strong winds at right angles to the bridge. It was the worst storm in 20 years, with winds gusting over 70 mph (114 km/h). The bridge swayed precariously. • A small express train traveling from Dundee to Wormit barely made the trip safely because the bridge was shifting and shaking so badly, alarming both the railroad crew and passengers. • A short time later it was followed by the next train, which was larger and longer and full of holiday travelers returning home from their Christmas travels. It headed out from Wormit at 7:13 in the evening, with an engine, a tender, five passenger cars, and a luggage car. • Just as it reached the highest point of the bridge, the 12 highest girders collapsed. The entire train plunged engine-first into the water. • There were no survivors. 75 people died. Only 46 bodies were recovered. • All the sordid details came out at the inquiries which followed, but blame fell squarely on the shoulders of Thomas Bouch. His son-in-law had been a passenger on the train and died along with all the rest. Bouch died just ten months later at the age of 58, with his reputation as an engineer ruined. • The tragedy spurred investigation into wind loading and better forms of iron and steel to be used in similar such projects.. • A replacement bridge, completed in 1887, still stands today. 

• The inspectors failed to report the issue to

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kept on running. James and Matthews thought the race was finished and quit running. Evans finished the final lap but missed setting a new record by one second -- the second it had taken him to lift the tape and keep running.

Page 3

1. W s m s

off the coast, some five miles from the forest. The fire fighters, seeking to control the fire as quickly as possible, had called in a fleet of helicopters with very large bucket scoops. Water was dipped from the ocean and emptied at the site of the forest fire. ...and you can figure out the rest for yourself.

• Two animal rights enthusiasts were protesting the cruelty of sending pigs to a slaughterhouse in Bonn, Germany, when a loud noise suddenly spooked the animals in the stockyard. All two thousand of the corraled pigs immediately panicked and began racing helter-skelter in circles and broke through the fence. They rushed wildly out to the street toward the now terrified protesters, who dropped their signs and tried

• A drum major in a parade in Ventura, California, ceremoniously threw his twirling baton high into the air. It stuck power cables, which short- • Richard Horan of Westwood, Massachusetts, went snowmobiling in New Hampshire in 1983. circuited and immediately knocked out the power He parked his car and snowmobile trailer on a in a ten-block area, putting a radio station off the air and starting a large grass fire. Screaming fire Bad Day: Turn to page 15 trucks arrived -- and the parade was over.

• In 1977, Skip Swenson of Los Angeles ordered a personalized license plate that read “NONE.” Several weeks later he was shocked to receive $953 worth of overdue parking tickets and a warrant for his arrest. Swenson learned to his dismay that when police write a parking tag for cars without plates, they write “none” on the ticket.

• In 1982 a Memphis woman came home to find her husband in the kitchen shaking frantically with his eyes closed and almost in a dancing frenzy. She saw some kind of wire running from his waist towards their electric range. Panicking and intending to jolt him away from the deadly current, she whacked him with their son's wooden baseball bat, breaking his arm. Up to that moment he had been happily listening to a lively tune on his new Walkman.

to outrun the stampede. But the pigs were much faster and trampled them both to death.

• The average cost of rehabilitating indiginous wildlife after the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska was $80,000 per seal. At a special ceremony, two of the most expensively saved animals were being released back into the wild amid cheers and applause from a gathering of the press and a crowd of onlookers. A minute later in full view of the horrified spectators, a killer whale attacked and ate them both. • The International Track Association’s meet was held in L.A. in 1973. Lee Evans, Vince Matthews, and Larry James announced they were going to try to break the record for the indoor mile run. The race proceeded smoothly until the final lap. Evans was in the lead when he saw the officials had miscounted the laps and stretched the tape over the finish line when there was still another lap to go. Evans deftly ducked and quickly slipped the tape over his head and

2. W t f s

��

QUIZ BITS 1. What detail did workers discover had been overlooked upon completion of Baltimore's Howard Hotel in 1912? 2. The funeral home in Abilene, TX was once mistakenly listed under this category in the Yellow Pages.

• When David Pearson was racing in the RebelADVERTISING PROOF Answers page 16 500 at the Darlington Raceway, he pulled his MON., OCT. 9 Final Changes DUE: 5:00 race car over for a pit stop. His crew went about Please review carefully. Double check:  Phone Number(s)  Spelling  Pr the business of changing all four of his tires, but CLIP AND SAVE Pearson didn’t notice what they were doingyour as Tidbits representative Contact immediately with changes or corre he was intent on watching on the leader the Office:of760-320-0997 email: valleybits@msn.com Fax: 760race who was also in for a pit stop. Pearson was under the mistaken impression that the crew was replacing the right tires only. They spun off all of the left tiresʼ lug nuts while others were ADVERTISING PROOF tightening the right side. When Pearson gunned Carl Moore Locksmithing Final Changes DUE: 5:00 p.m.. his engine and started to pull out, a crew member • Number(s) BW • 26x disc. Prices  Hours Please review carefully. Business Double check:Card  Phone  Spelling yelled, “WHOA!” but Pearson thought he saidContact your TidbitsOct. 15, 2023 Vol. 19 No. 42or corrections. representative immediately with-changes “GO!” -- and floored it. Fifty yards later, bothOffice: 760-320-0997 email: valleybits@msn.com Fax: 760-320-1630 left wheels flew off the car and went bouncing down the track ahead of him as his car abruptly spun to a halt amid a shower of sparks and dust CLIP AND SAVE and the horrified gasps of his pit crew. CARL MOORE

1. 2.

• Fire officials in California found a corpse in a burned-out section of forest while assessing the damage done by a forest fire. The deceased male was dressed in a full wet suit, complete with scuba tanks on his back, flippers, and face mask. A postmortem test revealed that the man died not from burns, but from massive internal injuries. Call me Dental records provided a positive identification. TODAY! Investigators then set about to determine how a fully garbed scuba diver ended up atop a tree in the middle of a raging forest fire. It was revealed that on the day of the fire, the man went diving

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S GET DGE G U N LE NOW K F O Famed cellist Augustinas Vasiliauskas of the Lithuanian Vilnius String Quartet received a standing ovation at the Kuhmo Music Festival in 1980. He was climbing to the podium to acknowledge his third round of applause when he tripped. He fell on his Ruggieri cello, smashing the priceless 300-year old instrument to pieces as the audience collectively gasped.

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Page 4

Everyday CHEAPSKATE

Vol. XXII Issue No.2

Mod Podge, the popular stiffening product crafters use, is available in craft stores and works well with fabric.

by Mary Hunt

By Lucie Winborne

* Shortly before auditioning for the part of Stanley Kowalski in Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire” at the playwright’s rented cottage, Marlon Brando repaired a clogged toilet and blown light fuse for him. * The goblin shark has a jaw that shoots outward to grab prey in what scientists have called “slingshot feeding.” It can deploy that jaw at 10.1 feet per second. * On average, people in India spend 10 hours and 42 minutes a week reading. It is the most time spent in this activity of any country on Earth. * Bedding was such a luxury in the Middle Ages that blankets and sheets were written into people’s wills. * Brazil’s prisons reduce inmates’ sentences for reading books and writing reviews. * In many skating competitions, judges can deduct a point if they consider a skater’s costume to be overly garish or provocative. * Orlande de Lassus, one of the greatest musicians and composers of the Renaissance, was kidnapped three times during his childhood. The reason behind those abductions? His beautiful singing voice. * Thomas Jefferson hated banks and believed they were more dangerous than armies. * One study claimed that men who kiss their wives every morning before leaving for work live five years longer than those who don’t. *** Thought for the Day: “Let not a man guard his dignity, but let his dignity guard him.” -- Ralph Waldo Emerson (c) 2026 King Features Synd., Inc.

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Drowning in Scraps of Fabric Longtime readers of this column may Everyday remember the reader who wanted to know where she could donate her fabric scraps. I offered CHEAPSKATE details on a small organization in Texas that turns by Mary Hunt new fabric scraps into quilts for shelters, churches and other charities. Apparently, reader G.W. was not the only reader with fabric scraps too good to throw away. “Everyday Cheapskate” readers sent so many donations, this group is set for years. Now they’re waving a white flag begging us to stop! Still the requests pour into my mailbox from readers with an apparent case of Fabric Scrap Overload Syndrome. So far, I am unable to come up with any alternative groups or individuals in need of fabric scraps. But not to worry. You may rethink your plans to give away your fabric stash when you discover all the ways to turn your scraps into fabric assets.

GIFT WRAPPING If your pieces are large enough, you can use fabric just as you would paper to wrap boxes and gifts. Or make unique gift bags on your sewing machine. You can make a formal structured bag or a simple drawstring bag. The great thing about making your own is that you can make it the exact size for the gift. You can tear fabric into long strips to use as ribbon, too.

CUT QUILT SQUARES Cut your like-content fabrics into 5- or 6-inch squares, put them in color coordinated sets and sell them on eBay. You’ll need to do a little research to see what other sellers are offering and what people are buying, but this is an excellent way to turn scraps to cash. SACHETS Place a small amount of potpourri in the center of a square of fabric. Pull the corners to the center and tie with a ribbon. Place in drawers and cupboards. For gifts, you may want to add lace to the edges of the fabric and additional ribbon accents. RAG RUGS If you’re good with a crochet hook, you can make fabulous rag rugs from strips of fabric. There are several techniques, including tying pieces of fabric onto a rug canvas. For ideas, photos and even patterns and directions, go online and search, “How to make a rag rug.” Or check your local craft store. Prepare to be amazed. FABRIC ART You can use scraps of fabric as you would paper to decoupage just about anything like picture frames, scrapbooks and checkbook covers.

TABLE GOODS You can use fabric scraps to make potholders, napkins, placemats and table runners. You may have to do some piecing, but that will result in what quilters call the “scrappy look,” which is very popular. Exposed raw edges are quite trendy, so don’t worry about perfection. In the meantime, if any readers know of legitimate groups, organizations or individuals who need new fabric scraps, please let me know. I’ll check them out. And also make sure that group is ready, willing and able to handle what Everyday Cheapskates can dish out!

* * *

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

Week of January 4, 2026

The Discovery of

PORCELAIN

• What’s the difference between mud and clay? Mud is made from deteriorating organic material, while clay is composed of deteriorating rocks. Different types of clay are composed of a variety of fine-grained minerals, particularly those rich in silicates and aluminum oxides. • Both can be molded and fired in a kiln, but there is a significant difference between the rough pottery made from mud, such as ordinary bricks, and the delicate, glass-like ceramics made from clay, such as teapots and plates. • It takes a particular type of clay to make a special high-quality ceramic called porcelain. This type of soft, white mud is called kaolin, which is particularly rich in powdered quartz and feldspar. • The Chinese were first to make this discovery around 200 B.C., which is why porcelain products are now generically referred to as “the good china.” Kaolin was named after the hill in China from which it was mined, Kao-ling, meaning “high ridge.”

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Page 5

• The ingredients and process for making porcelain was a closely guarded secret for many centuries, with only China, Korea, and Japan knowing the secret.

also provided him with everything he wanted in order to continue his experiments.

• By the time the product had been shipped around the world to Britain, France, Italy, and Germany, the price of china was so high that only the wealthiest citizens could afford it, and it was valued as much as silver and gold. Many Europeans experimented in an attempt to unlock the closely guarded method, but it was a German chemist named Johann Friedrich Böttger who accidentally discovered the secret. • Johann was an apothecary and aspiring alchemist. Like many others, he was trying to unlock the elusive secret to turning ordinary substances into gold. Perhaps prematurely, he boasted that he had found a way to turn silver into gold. This brought him to the attention of Frederick the First, King of Prussia. • In 1701, Frederick ordered Johann Friedrich Böttger brought before him. But Johann distrusted Frederick’s motives and means, and tried to escape from the clutches of the king. In fact, he managed several times to elude the king’s men sent to capture him. • When he was eventually caught, Frederick imprisoned him. Fortunately, he was ransomed by the King of Poland. The King of Poland, wanting to cash in on Johann’s talents, promptly imprisoned him to prevent him from fleeing. He

• But Johann had a problem. He needed to heat his materials to high temperatures, and the crucibles he used, made from inferior clays, kept cracking. Tired of ordering cheap crucibles from local manufacturers, he started experimenting with making his own. • In a twist of fortuitous serendipity, a highquality kaolin deposit was nearby. Johann found that crucibles made from kaolin would never crack under any amount of heat, especially when mixed with 20% pure quartz and powdered alabaster (a gypsum product) used as flux, then heated to 1300°F (704°C). He had accidentally stumbled upon the ancient Chinese secret to making porcelain! • Johann worked side by side with his overseer and assistant Ehrenfried Walther von Tschirnhaus. Together, they perfected the recipe for porcelain. When Tschirnhaus died, Böttger continued his work without him. • Johann Böttger subsequently became head of the first porcelain factory in Europe, which opened in 1710 in the town of Meissen near Dresden in present-day Germany. It was hugely successful and is still in operation today. • He never did discover how to turn silver into gold, but he managed to transform the world of porcelain along the way. • He died in Dresden in 1719, a wealthy man. 

Tidbits of Coachella Valley

Page 6

by Dana Jackson King Features News Syndicate

Q: Is it true that Apple TV+ has canceled “The Last Frontier?” I thought it was a really underrated show. Will another network pick it up maybe? -- T.I. A: Yes, unfortunately, Apple TV+ has can-

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celed “The Last Frontier” after just one season. It starred Jason Clarke as the sole United States marshal in a remote area of Alaska, who finds himself in a major pickle when a prison inmate transport plane crashes in his jurisdiction. The odds were stacked against him when dozens of prisoners are on the loose, and he Jason Clarke comes to the (“The Last Frontier”) horrifying realization that it might have been no accident but instead planned. No other streamers or networks have picked up the show. There was just simply too

Vol. XXII Issue No. 2

much competition for this 10-episode series to gen- *** erate enough viewers to warrant a second season, Q: I just realized that Jonathan Bailey despite a talented cast that also included Dominic from “Wicked” was also in “Bridgerton,” but Cooper (“Preacher”) and Alfre Woodard (“Desper- is he in ever y season? I’d like to start watchate Housewives”). ing it since I’m a huge fan of his. -- P.S. I wouldn’t feel too badly for Jason Clarke, however. He’s very likely to earn an Emmy nominaA: While most people know Jonathan Baition next summer for his starring role as the mur- ley from the blockbuster movies “Wicked” and its dering patriarch in the Hulu miniseries “Murdaugh: sequel, he’s been makingTUES., viewersMAR. swoon28ever since Death in the Family.” Next up for him are two films he appeared in the Netflix period drama “BridgerPlease--review Double  Phone  Spelling  called “Wind River: Rising” and “F.A.S.T.” the lat-carefully. ton.” While hischeck: character, LordNumber(s) Anthony Bridgerter of which was written by “Yellowstone” mogul ton, has been present in all four seasons, he’s feaContact your Tidbits representative immediately with changes or co Taylor Sheridan. tured much more prominently in the second one. Office: 760-320-0997 email: valleybits@msn.com Fax: 76 *** Despite his recent success in movies and Q: I really enjoyed the latest batch being People magazine’s newest recipient of their of “Emily in Paris” episodes. Will it be back “Sexiest Man Alive” honor, he says he will always for another season? It was nice to see Minnie make time for “Bridgerton.” Season four of the seDriver in something again. I hope she sticksDesert ries will premiere on&Netflix Jewelry Mart Coin on Jan. 29, 2026. around. -- W.W. * * * 1/12 pg 4C 26x rate

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Week of January 4, 2026

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Tidbits of Coachella Valley

Swordfish Steaks: 4 (6 ounces each) swordfish steaks, 1 inch thick 4 teaspoons Ma”tre d’Hotel Butter

Good Recipes from

Swordfish Steaks with Maitre d’Hotel Butter Traditionally used to garnish fish and grilled meats, Maitre d’Hotel Butter is flavored with lemon and chopped parsley. Serve this broiled swordfish with a tomato salad. Maitre d’Hotel Butter: 1/2 cup butter or margarine 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 1/4 teaspoon lemon peel, freshly grated 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1. Prepare Maitre d’Hotel Butter: Mix 1/2 cup butter or margarine, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated lemon peel, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. 2. Prepare Swordfish Steaks: Heat broiler. Place swordfish on rack in broiling pan. Spread 1/2 teaspoon Maitre d’Hotel Butter on each side of each fish steak. Place pan in broiler, 4 inches from heat source. Broil swordfish, without turning, until just opaque throughout, 8 to 10 minutes. Spoon pan juices over fish to serve. Serves 4.

Sprinkle with Parmesan, and salt if you like. 3. Place pans on 2 oven racks, and bake crisps 12 to 15 minutes or until golden, rotating pans from upper to lower racks halfway through baking for even browning. Cool crisps in pans on wire racks. Store crisps in tightly covered container or large self-sealing plastic bag up to 1 week. Makes 80 crisps.  Each crisp: About 20 calories, 1g protein, 2g carbohydrate, 1g total fat, 30mg sodium.

* * *

 Each serving: About 10g total fat (4g saturated), 69mg cholesterol, 175mg sodium, 30g protein.

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Vol. XXII Issue No. 2

Tidbits of Coachella Valley

(Solution on page 16)

Donald Duck

by Walt Disney

Crossword Answers on page 16

NEST HEADS

By John Allen

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Week of January 4, 2026

Page 9

Tidbits of Coachella Valley

NEXT WEEK in

Cody’s

TIDBITS DISHES UP SOME

Corner

Dog Talk with Uncle Matty

Soup-er Facts

3. The Weekly “Brain Breaker”

By Matthew Margolis Creators News Service

Your Dog’s Personality

Holidays & Observances This Week 1/4 1/5 1/6 1/7 1/8 1/9 1/10

Print Your Answers Here:

“When Good Dogs Do Bad Things” is the title of a book on dogs that I co-authored with Mordecai Siegal. Chapter three is titled, “Your Dog’s Personality.” That’s right, your dog’s personality is weighty enough to warrant an entire chapter in a book. When we discuss a dog’s personality, it’s important to note the difference between personality and temperament. Temperament is one’s natural disposition, determined by genes. Personality, as written in chapter three, “encompasses genetically derived behavior along with environmentally influenced behavior, which can, to some degree, be modified.” Understanding your dog’s personality is infinitely useful. In fact, it’s wise to get to know a dog’s personality before he becomes your dog. Think of it as a chance to choose a relative. And choose carefully. This dog will be your responsibility and a big part of your life for the next 15 years or so. There are six canine personality types, and any one dog can have up to five of the six types. The only personality types that are exclusive of each other are “nervous” and “sedate.” There’s no such thing as a relaxed, nervous dog. The six personality types are: -- hardheaded/stubborn -- laid-back/sedate -- excitable/nervous -- timid/shy -- responsive -- aggressive There are five tests that will help you unravel the mystery of your pup’s personality. The tests and their general purpose are listed below. For detailed information on how to safely and effectively administer these tests, please read “I Just Got a Puppy. What Do I Do?” This book takes you through each test, step by step, and is available in your public library, your local bookstore or at unclematty.com. -- The Social Attraction Test measures your pup’s reaction to people. As you kneel down and talk to you dog affectionately or employ a highpitched whine, he’ll get excited or bark, back away or approach you playfully, whine back at you, stare

National Trivia Day Twelfth Night National Shortbread Day International Programmers Day Show and Tell Day Law Enforcement Appreciation Day Houseplant Appreciation Day

Wuzzles solution Page 16

Tidbits® Word Search

(CryptoQuip Solution on page 14)

“Bad Day Bummers” D

R G

K W

W C W O

R R

M M Y

W D

M M

M S

M K

M B

D O

R N

M Q

C M

M N

www.WordSearchMaker.com



� ANGUISH ANGUISH � DANGER DANGER � DISAPPOINTMENT DISAPPOINTMENT � DISTRESS � INCONVENIENCE DISTRESS � MISERY INCONVENIENCE � PAIN MISERY � PROBLEMS

●

Cody's Corner: Turn to Page 10



� SADNESS SADNESS � SORROW SORROW � SUFFERING SUFFERING � TORMENT � TRAVAIL TORMENT � TRIBULATION TRAVAIL � TROUBLE TRIBULATION � WOE

PAIN TROUBLE (Word Search solution page 16) PROBLEMS WOE

● Mega Maze solution Page 14

Page 10

SENIOR NEWS LINE by Matilda Charles

Avoiding Medicare Fraud Medicare is a pot of gold for scammers. There is a lot of money to be made by those who successfully commit fraud against seniors. You, however, can stop them in their tracks by not falling for the scams. Here are just a few of the scams: Genetic testing is a hot topic for those who want to be screened for a variety of potential illnesses. If you get a call offering genetic testing (or even at a booth at a senior fair), don’t believe the scammer who says that Medicare will pay for it, and that all you need to do is provide your Medicare number. Never give that number out! The only legitimate way Medicare will pay for genetic testing is if your doctor thinks it’s medically necessary and orders it. Even your medical provider shouldn’t be completely trusted. When you receive your Medicare Summary Notice showing what was billed and what Medicare paid, look closely at it. Check the dates and services to be sure that you really did receive those services.

IT'S NOT TOO LATE!

Tidbits of Coachella Valley

While errors could be honest mistakes, maybe they’re not. Call your provider and ask them to send you an itemized bill so you can see how they came up with their numbers and to send a corrected bill to Medicare. If they don’t, or if you suspect fraud, report it. Follow the instructions listed on your monthly Medicare statement to alert them of your suspected provider fraud, or simply call the Medicare hotline at 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227). To learn more, see the Senior Medicare Patrol (877-808-2468) whose job is to ferret out Medicare fraud. Look for them at smpresource. org. Don’t miss the Consequences to Beneficiaries section of the website. The health impacts of fraud are scary: Misinformation in our files, incorrect lab results and more. If you want to talk to a Senior Medicare Patrol representative, see the “Find Help in Your State” button. For an overview of the types of fraud against seniors, see elderaffairs.org/wp-content/uploads/FraudMaterials.pdf. You’ll be surprised how many there are! * * *

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

Vol. XXII

Issue No. 2

Cody’s Corner (from page 9) you down, and on and on. His reaction will give you insight into his personality. -- The Sound Response Test is designed to determine whether your dog is noise shy and is done in two parts. First, you’ll shake a can containing about 10 coins, obscuring the can behind your back. Second, you’ll toss the can about 10 feet away from the dog. The dog’s response to noise, both when the source is known and unknown, will tell you what kind of behavior problems you might be faced with and how to effectively deal with them. -- The Reaction to Discipline Test is used to determine whether your dog has been hit or punished by hand or with a newspaper on various parts of his body. This is an important test, as the dog may have negative associations with the human hand that could lead to aggression. It is a test that is given in two parts -- one using the hand, the other using a loud voice. Both parts require caution, and neither should be given to a dog that has previously displayed aggressive behavior like snarling, growling or biting. -- The Dominant or Subordinate Test will determine whether your dog has a dominant or subordinate personality. The test involves lying your dog on his back and gauging his reaction to your dominant position. Neither dominant nor submissive is bad. It will simply tell you what to expect and how to effectively relate to your dog. -- The Physical Sensitivity Test is not so much about personality as it is about your dog’s tolerance for pain and discomfort. Understanding how sensitive your dog is to pain will help you prevent dog bites. I recently administered all five personality tests to six golden retriever puppies from the same litter. The dogs had the same genes and were the same breed, yet all six dogs had their own unique reactions to the tests and, therefore, their own unique personalities. Please be sure to thoroughly educate yourself before putting your dog to these tests. Vital procedures must be followed in order to prevent harm to you or your dog, and in order to gain the valuable insight you seek. Getting safely acquainted with your dog’s personality is the smartest first step you as a dog owner can take. Woof! * * * Dog 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. COPYRIGHT 2014 CREATORS.COM

Week of January 4, 2026

YOUR

SOCIAL SECURITY by Tom Margenau

Some Light, PostHolidays Reading Around this time of year, who wants to read about boring old Social Security rules and regulations? So instead, I thought I’d share a few funny stories from the career of an old civil servant. And that would be me. Cheers! Let’s Give This Man a Round of ... Snoring! Very early in my career with the Social Security Administration, I was asked to fill in for a fellow employee who was sick. Here is the catch: I was a technician just recently hired and trained to take Social Security claims in an SSA office on the west side of Chicago. But the guy who called in sick was a long-time veteran of the agency who worked in public affairs. His job was to run around and give speeches to various community groups about the Social Security program. I was told I could take the rest of the day away from my claims-taking duties to prepare for this evening’s talk before the “ladies auxiliary” of a local church. The topic would be Social Security widow’s benefits. I spent the next several hours preparing for this event. It would be my first time ever speaking to a group about Social Security. I wrote out a series of talking points on dozens of index cards. I prepared elaborate flip charts outlining key provisions of Social Security law. (This was long before PowerPoint presentations!) I fixed up some handouts. I put together a collection of Social Security pamphlets to pass out to audience members. Just before 7 p.m. that evening, I showed up at the church in a quiet neighborhood in northwest Chicago. It took me several trips back and forth between my car and the church basement, where the meeting was being held, to get all of my paraphernalia and speaking materials organized. To my surprise, I noticed that this church’s ladies’ auxiliary was made up of less than a dozen older women -- and I mean “older.” It looked to me like there wasn’t a soul in the room under the age of 80! They held their own meeting first, which went on for almost an hour. By the time I was invited to get up and speak, two or three of the oldest ladies were already sound asleep! I dutifully “took the stage” and began my overly organized and way-too-detailed speech about widows’ benefits. It quickly became apparent to me that the audience members were almost all getting such benefits already. So I really didn’t have anything new or relevant to tell them. (I learned later that the president of the group was the only non-widow in the bunch. She was the one who requested the topic, but she failed to show up for the evening’s presentation!) Anyway, after about 20 minutes, I realized that all of my preparations had been for naught. By then, several more of the audience members had nodded off! I asked if anyone had questions. Not a single hand went up, and there was nary a peep from the crowd -- although there was some snoring! The lady in charge came up to the front and said (and these were her exact words): “Thank you, Mr. Margenau. We really don’t know what you said or why you came here tonight, but we appreciate it anyway.”

Page 11

Tidbits of Coachella Valley

Despite that terribly embarrassing performance, I would go on to make thousands of Social Security presentations to groups all around the country. In fact, I still do them today. And I haven’t put anyone else to sleep since! Flashing for a Disability Check A few years later in my career, I was taking claims at the Social Security office in Billings, Montana. One day, I had a 30-something woman at my desk who wanted to file for disability benefits. When I got to the question that asked her to explain her disabling condition, she said she had “this rash on my chest that itches so bad I just can’t keep a job.” I tactfully explained to her that a rash was probably not a condition severe enough to meet the rather stringent definition of a “disability” for Social Security purposes. She told me (rightfully so) that she had every right to file for disability benefits. So I proceeded with the claim, and tried to get her to explain what the rash was or how she got it -- and how exactly it prevented her from working. She grew increasingly frustrated trying to put into words the answers to my questions. She finally said, “Here, just let me show you.” And she proceeded to lift up the sweatshirt she was wearing -- with no bra, by the way -- to show me (and everyone else in the crowded office) her rash -- and everything else that was under her shirt! I was so flustered, I really don’t have too much of a memory of what happened after that. My coworkers told me later that my face turned redder than any rash that woman had. Oh, and by the way, her disability claim was denied. Just Another Day at the Beach At one point during my career, I worked in the Social Security office in Everett, Washington. My job took me to the far reaches of that office’s territory, including some islands in the Puget Sound. One day, I had to hand-deliver an emergency Supplemental Security Income payment to a

1. For possible New Year's resolutions, Proverbs 16:13 says, "Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be...." a) Resolved b) Established c) Directed b) Enlightened 2. Likewise, Psalm 37:5 instructs us to "Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to ...." a) Light b) Action c) Your heart d) Pass 3. From which book's 29:11 does the Lord declare plans to prosper you, thoughts of peace to give you hope and a future"? a) Jeremiah b) Isaiah c) Nehemiah d) Leviticus 4. 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Galatians 2:20 are among the verses to focus on what in a new year? a) Blessings b) Unbelievers c) Salvation d) Moving forward 5. In which month of the religious calendar did the new year begin in the Bible? a) 3rd b) 5th c) 7th d) 9th 6. From James 1:5, what may one lack, and if they ask God, it shall be given? a) Love b) Wisdom c) Truth d) Discernment (Answers on page 16) "Test Your BibleorKnowledge," bookgo with For comments more Bible aTrivia to 1,206 multiple-choice questions by Wilson Casey is www.TriviaGuy.com available in stores and online.

disabled woman who suffered from severe depression. (As I’ve explained many times in this column, SSI is a federal welfare program managed by the Social Security Administration. It is not a Social Security benefit and is not funded by Social Security taxes.) Anyway, when I got to her island home, which was really more of a shack, I was told that she was down on the nearby beach taking a walk. They pointed her out to me. I walked down to the beach, and after jogging for maybe a quarter mile to catch up with her, I called out her name. Instead of stopping, she took off running as fast as she could. Of course, she had no idea who I was. Among other things, I shouted, “I have money for you.” Finally, she slowed down, and just as I caught up with her, she quickly turned towards me, took a big stick she was carrying, and whacked me hard on the side of my head. The next thing I remember, I was coming to lying on the sand with lots of people around me. She and her family apologized profusely. She said when she saw me chasing her and shouting something about money, she thought I was trying to proposition her! Maybe I should have shouted: “I’m from the government, and I’m here to help!” * * * 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

Page 12

Tidbits of Coachella Valley I have high blood pressure that is controlled with losartan and amlodipine. -- T.M.H.

M.D.

Pulmonary Nodules Appear, Leading To Concern About Cancer DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 76-yearold woman in what I thought was excellent health. On a recent coronary calcium CT scan that was ordered because of my age and slightly elevated cholesterol, an incidental finding was described in the report as “innumerable, tiny noncalcified pulmonary nodules bilaterally.” The largest of these is in the “left lower lobe with multiple additional 2- to 4-mm nodules,” and they recommended “clinical correlation and a consideration of a dedicated chest CT.” I found the report quite scary, especially considering my mother and grandfather died of lung cancer (although they were smokers and I never smoked). My primary physician has ordered the chest CT but wants to wait four weeks. She says that the nodules could be caused by inflammation or infection and might resolve on their own. My fear is that they’re actually lung cancer and waiting four weeks might be problematic, not to mention extremely anxietyproducing. I would appreciate your input. -- M.S. ANSWER: I certainly understand why you are concerned about lung cancer given your family history, but primary lung cancer is very unlikely. Since there are so many of these tiny nodules, I agree with your doctor that these are highly unlikely to be lung cancer, which is generally only a single nodule. Your doctor is correct that there are inflammatory and infectious conditions that can cause a similar appearance on a chest CT. Some of these infections are serious (including tuberculosis), but people generally have symptoms. So, I think this is unlikely. Exposure to lung toxins, especially silicosis and asbestosis, are generally occupational, but they are another potential cause. Some cancers can spread to the lungs. While the appearance of nodules on a CT scan in a person with no known cancer would be unusual, if the CT scan in four weeks shows that the nodules are enlarging, then this would be concerning. Getting another scan in less than four weeks might not be enough time to see a change. I am sorry about the unavoidable anxiety in waiting for the scan, but it’s likely that the scan won’t show a change and you will be able to stop worrying. *** DEAR DR. ROACH: I was experiencing hoarseness while taking ibuprofen. A friend got intestinal bleeding due to taking it. My doctor gave me 7.5 mg of meloxicam daily, but I’m not sure it’s OK for long periods of time. I am 73 with osteoarthritis and osteopenia. I exercise daily and eat a healthy diet, and

Coffee Tastes Best with Tidbits!

ANSWER: Ibuprofen is generally a safe drug, but it does have the potential for side effects -- some of them being serious. Gastrointestinal bleeding is a serious one, and it is most common in older women. I would not try a second nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like meloxicam in a person who has a history of serious bleeding with any other similar drug. Hoarseness could be due to an allergy, due to direct irritation of ibuprofen on the throat, or from the worsening of acid reflux, which can cause hoarseness if acid gets all the way into the throat. Meloxicam is also an NSAID but is chemically in a different class from ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil and others) or naproxen (Aleve and others), which are closely related. It’s reasonable to give it a try, but if it causes hoarseness again, then an NSAID probably isn’t a good choice for your arthritis. You could consider acetaminophen (Tylenol) or topical NSAIDs, which do not get absorbed enough to cause an increased bleeding risk. * * *

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) 2026 North America Synd., Inc.

Vol. XXII Issue No. 2

VETERANS  POST  by Freddie Groves

Changes to Community Medical Care Veterans who get their medical care from civilian facilities need to keep an eye on what’s coming. In 2026 the contracts (originally signed in 2018) between the VA and community health plan networks are expiring. An RFP (request for proposal) has gone out to solicit new contracts. Some changes are coming: • The five regions of VA health care are being reduced to two. • The new contracts will require the community providers to follow industry standards, which is shocking. Is that not already included in any contract to provide medical care to veterans? • At this point, 40% of veterans get their care from civilian providers. That will likely increase, as the new plan contracts will open the door for more providers. • Veterans who want to pursue getting medical care at a non-VA facility need to meet these eligibility requirements: -- Must be enrolled in VA health care. -- Live in a state with no full-service VA facility. -- The care needed isn’t available through the VA. -- The VA can’t meet quality standards. -- Qualifies under the old Choice Program: a 30-minute drive (or 20-day wait) for VA primary care or 60-minute drive (or 28-day wait) for specialty care. Remember that the two-step rule changed in 2025, and if your doctor agrees you need to see a civilian doctor, a second doctor doesn’t need to approve it. Depending on the care you need (there are 30 categories of medical care, such as cardiology and dermatology), you’ll likely be approved for one year. Here’s where you come in, should you choose to do so. If you’re getting civilian care, will their network administrators be putting in a proposal for the next round of contracts? In other words, will you be able to continue getting care there? Do they know the deadline for their proposal is March 16? I would ask. This is part of being proactive in your own care ... asking questions. To learn more about community care, see www.va.gov/communitycare. * * *

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. (c) 2026 King Features Synd., Inc.

Tidbits of Coachella Valley

Week of January 4, 2026

Page 13

loved one in a nursing home; and online at Medicare’s nursing home compare tool at Medicare.gov/care-compare. This tool will not only help you locate nursing homes in your area, but it also provides a 5-star rating system on recent health inspections, staffing, quality of care, and overall rating.

-- by Jim Miller

How To Find a Quality Nursing Home for Your Loved One

Also, keep in mind that it’s always best to choose a nursing home that’s close to family members and friends who can visit often, because residents with frequent visitors usually get better care.

DEAR SAVVY SENIOR: Can you give me some tips on choosing a good nursing home for my father? Since his stroke I’ve been taking care of him at home, but he’s now to the point where it’s simply too much for me to handle myself. He needs professional care, but how do I begin with this? -- Exhausted Daughter

Call your long-term care ombudsman: This is a government official who investigates nursing home complaints and advocates for residents and their families. This person can tell you which nursing homes have had complaints or problems in the past and can help you locate a good facility. Visit LTCombudsman.org for local contact information.

aging $324 per day nationally for a semiprivate room and nearly $371 for a private room, paying for care is another area you may have questions about or need assistance with. Medicare only helps pay up to 100 days of rehabilitative nursing home care, which must occur after a hospital stay of at least three days. Most nursing home residents pay for care from either personal savings, a longterm care insurance policy, or through Medicaid once their savings are depleted. Or, if your dad is a veteran, he may be able to get funds through the VA’s Aid and Attendance benefit (see VA.gov/pension/aid-attendance-housebound).

To learn more about the payment options, ask the nursing home director. You can also get help from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which provides free counseling on all Medicare and Medicaid issues. To find a local SHIP ADVERTISING PROOF counselor visit ShipHelp.org or call 877Contact the nursing homes directly: Tues., 6/25/19 5:00 p.m.. Final Changes DUE: 839-2675. Once you’ve narrowed your search, Please review carefully. Double check:  Phone Number(s)  Spelling  Prices  Hours call the nursing homes you’re interested in Contact your Tidbits representative immediately with changes or corrections. And foremail: more information, see MediOffice: 760-320-0997 valleybits@msn.com Fax: 760-320-1630 to verify that they can facilitate your dad’s care’s booklet “Your Guide to Choosing a needs. Also, find out if they have any vacanNursing Home” (product # 02174). You can cies, what they charge, and if they accept view it online at Medicare.gov/PublicaMedicaid. tions. * * * Tour your top choices: Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, During your nursing home visit, notice P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and the cleanness and smell of the facility. Is it Home author of “The Ultimate Savvy Senior” book.Repairs homey and inviting? Does the staff seem Business Card, 4c, 26x Discount Rate responsive, polite and kind to its residents' June 30, 2019 • Volume 15: Issue #27 needs? Additionally, be sure to taste the CLIP AND SAVE food, and talk to as many residents and their PROFESSIONAL  Reliable  Expert family members as possible. They will give you the real story of their experience there, Handyman Services Repairing Desert apart from the glowing reports printed in their and home repair Hom es for over 20 years! brochures. It’s also a good idea to visit sevPlumbing • Carpentry • Electrical • Painting Property of AdVenture Inc. Fans Drywall • Vanities • Cabinets •Media, Ceiling eral times at different times of the day and Flooring • Laminate • Tile • Showers • Stucco different days of the week to get a broader Concrete • Pet Doors • Appliance Installs • MORE! FREE perspective. Phone: 760.320.0997 Fax: 760.320.1630 “Our repeat 10%

Dear Exhausted: Choosing a nursing home for a loved one that provides quality care is a very important decision that requires careful evaluation and some homework. Here are some steps you can take that can help you find a good facility and avoid ones that are not: Make a list: There are several sources you can turn to for referrals to top nursing homes in your area including the Area Agency on Aging (call 800-677-1116 or visit Eldercare. acl.gov for contact information); your dad’s doctor or nearby hospital discharge planner; friends or neighbors who may have had a

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ANTIQUE -- OR -JUNQUE by Anne McCollam Creators News Service

Fish Serving Set Is a Nice Catch Q: I have enclosed a picture of an an-

tique sterling silver knife and fork fish set. They each have either ivor y or bone handles and are in ver y good condition. The set is in the original blue fabric-lined box. Marked on the fork are the letters J.R.S. and also a crown. Can you tell me how old the set is and its possible value?

Fish serving set was made by John Round and Sons.

A: You have a Victorian silver-plated knife

and fork fish set that was made in the late 1800s or the very early 1900s. The set was used for serving fish dinners. As a rule, the knives were around 11 to 12 inches long and the forks were around 9 to 10 inches long. John Round and Sons used the mark you described. They were located in Sheffield, England, from 1874 to 1962. The handles were made of bone. Many similar sets were made in both England and the United States. Sterling silver serving pieces were always marked sterling. Since yours didn’t include that in the mark, they are silver plated. Silver plated fish sets with bone handles are selling in the range of $75 to $125. * * * Q: This mark is on the back of two ironstone dishes that I bought at a garage sale. Each dish is crescent-shaped and about 6 inches long. They are decorated with pastel flowers against a white background. I bought them to use as guest soap

Tidbits of Coachella Valley

Vol. XXII

Issue No. 2

dishes in the powder room. Since then, I was told they were used to place bones from fish and were part of a set of dinner ware. Anything you can tell me about the mark, vintage and value of my dishes will be appreciated.

Anchor Pottery was located in Trenton, New Jersey.

A: Anchor Pottery was located in Trenton,

New Jersey, from 1884 to 1927. It was founded by Israel Lacey, and James Norris was the plant manager. They made semi-porcelain, and both cream and white granite. They made mostly dinnerware and wash sets. When the plant closed in 1927, Fulper Pottery Company took it over. Bone dishes were crescent-shaped to fit snugly next to dinner plates and were usually part of a dinner set. Your semi-porcelain bones dishes were made around 1904 and would probably be worth $15 to $25 each. * * * Q: I have porcelain dinner ware that ser ves eight. Bought in the late 1940s, my mother’s set is still beautiful and in excellent condition. Marked on the back of each piece, you will see a crown and the words: “Breuther -Bavaria -- Germany -- U.S. Zone.” The set is priceless to me, and even though I would never part with it, I would like to know its worth.

A: Bareuther and Co. Porcelain Factory

made your dinnerware. They have produced porcelain in Waldsassen, Bavaria, Germany, since 1866. Objects marked “U.S. Zone” were made from 1945 to 1949 in the U.S.-occupied area of Germany after World War II. Your dinnerware set would probably be worth $600 to $1,000. * * * 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 Jan. 5, 1914, Henry Ford made the welcome announcement that he was doubling his assembly-line employees’ pay. However, there was a perhaps not-so-welcome catch -- home inspections to check for alcohol consumption and untidy living quarters. * On Jan. 6, 1996, snow began blanketing Washington, D.C., and the eastern seaboard in a blizzard that killed 154 people and ended up costing more than a billion dollars in damages before it ended. * On Jan. 7, 1891, future novelist and folklorist Zora Neale Hurston was born in Notasulga, Alabama. Though she would eventually publish more books than any other Black woman in America, by the time she died in 1960 she’d failed to gain a mainstream audience and was poor and alone in a welfare hotel. Today she is considered one of the most important Black writers in American history. * On Jan. 8, 1963, Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, the Mona Lisa, was exhibited for the first time in the U.S. at Washington, D.C.’s National Gallery of Art. More than 2,000 dignitaries, including President John F. Kennedy, came out to view it. The exhibit opened to the public the following day. * On Jan. 9, 1984, Angelo Buono, one of the Hillside Stranglers, was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the rape, torture and murder of 10 young women in Los Angeles. His cousin and partner in crime, Kenneth Bianchi, testified against Buono to escape the death penalty himself. * On Jan. 10, 1863, the London Tube, the world’s first urban underground railway, opened. Since its first tunnel ran under the River Thames and had no ventilation, it was always filled with smoke. * On Jan. 11, 1775, Francis Salvador, the first Jewish person to hold an elected office in the Americas, took his seat on the South Carolina Provincial Congress. In July he earned the nickname the “Southern Paul Revere” when he rode 30 miles to warn of a Cherokee attack on backcountry settlements, and just a month later he became the first recorded Jewish soldier to be killed in the Revolutionary War. (c) 2026 King Features Synd., Inc.

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"It's not a severe frostbite, but he'll be suffering with it for a while. If I were you I wouldn't let him try golfing in January from now on."

Tidbits of Coachella Valley

Week of January 4, 2026

Page 15

Bad Day: (from page 3) back road and left for a day of adventure fun. He returned later that afternoon to find his rig had been run over by a train. Unbeknownst to him, he had parked in the middle of the Maine Central Railroad tracks, which were hidden under snow. When he returned to his wrecked vehicle later with a tow truck, he found a ticket on the windshield for improper parking. • A man was working on his motorcycle on the patio, his wife nearby in the kitchen. While revving the engine, the motorcycle accidentally slipped into gear. Still holding onto the handlebars, the man was dragged along as it burst through the glass patio doors. His wife ran in to find the motorcycle with the engine still running and her husband badly cut and bleeding. • She called 911 and paramedics soon arrived. While they were bandaging and loading her husband, the wife managed to right the damaged motorcycle and push it outside. She blotted up the pool of spilled gasoline with paper towels, hastily tossed them into the toilet and began moving the furniture back into place. • After being treated and released, the man returned home, looked at the shattered patio door and the damage done to his living room and motorcycle. He went to use the bathroom and consoled himself with a cigarette while attending to his business. About to stand, he flipped the butt into the bowl between his legs. The wife, who was in the kitchen, heard a loud 'whump!' and her husband screaming loudly. Finding him lying on the bathroom floor in great pain with his trousers down and burns on his buttocks, legs and groin, she once again called 911. • The same paramedic crew was dispatched. As they carried the man down the stairs to the street and the awaiting ambulance they asked the wife how he had happened to burn himself, and she told them. They started laughing so hard one of them slipped and lost his grip on the stretcher, dumping the husband out. He tumbled down the remaining stairs, breaking his arm. -- There now, feeling better? 

STAN SMITH'S TENNIS CLASS

Game Changers by Jason Jenkins

Play Better Golf with JACK NICKLAUS

Expanding Man Steely Dan spoke of the “expanding man” in Deacon Blues as one who is “thinking of all the possibilities of life”. Golf, on the other hand, has another version of the expanding man. This refers to the change of distances in the arms and body as forces are pulling the club out away from them through impact. Golfers start in a given distance from the ball, yet by impact may feel the arms “expanding away” from them. Centrifugal forces in golf are attempting to pull the club away from the body into impact. Players can combat this force in several common ways: 1. Start with the ball on the toe end of the club like Zach Johnson and others. 2. Back away from the ball through impact by standing up or away from the ball. 3. Try feeling the club swing through a space interior of the ball by impact. Usually players prefer ideas one and three, but many golfers do back away from their address posture/position in order to hit the ball more centrally on the clubface. The key is understanding these forces are normal, and if you suffer heel hits, it’s a concern to address.

ADVERTISING PROOF Final Changes DUE: 5:00 p.m.. Please review carefully. Double check:  Phone Number(s)  Spelling  Prices  Hours JasonJenkins Jenkinswas wasaa 16-year 16-year member of the Jason the Jim JimMcLean McLeanGolf Golf Contact your Tidbits representative immediately with changesTop or 100 corrections. School teaching staff one Magazine’s School teaching staff.and He was was one ofofGOLF GOLF Magazine’s Top 100 Teacher Nominees 1999-2010. He Fax: was one ofone the of Golf Teacher Nominees 1999-2010 and has named been named the Office: 760-320-0997 760-320-1630 Golf Digest Top Teachers in California. Jason teaches at GOLFTEC Digest Top Teachers in California in 2011. CENTER Indio. at Contact him at jjenkins@golftec.com ContactinJason 760-485-2452 or devgolfinstr@gmail.com

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1. GEOGRAPHY: What body of water lies between Ukraine and Russia? 2. SLOGANS: Which company uses the advertising slogan “Think Different”? 3. MOVIES: Which actor plays himself in the movie “Zombieland”? 4. HISTORY: Which U.S. president authorized the Indian Removal Act, which forcibly relocated Native Americans? 5. BIOLOGY: How do plants take in oxygen and carbon dioxide? 6. TELEVISION: What’s the name of the bar in “The Simpsons”? 7. MUSIC: Which pop singer refers to her fans as “little monsters”? 8. ANATOMY: Where is the deltoid muscle in the human body? 9. FOOD & DRINK: What is the primary ingredient in the Greek dish moussaka? 10. LITERATURE: Who wrote by Linda Thistle GtheO F Ibook G “Where U RtheEWild! children’s New Year's resolution: Answer peeking verboten! TRIVIA TEST Things Are”? The idea of Go Figure is to arrive at theAnswers figures Answers Answersgiven at Weekly Weekly SUDOKU SUDOKU the bottom and right-hand Seathe of Azov. columns1.of diagram by fol-Answer2. Apple. lowing the arithmetic signs in the order they are given (that 3. Bill Murray. is, from 4.left to right Andrew Jackson.and top to bottom). Use only the numbers 5. Tiny pores on the underside of below the diagram to complete leaves called stomata. its blank squares and use each 6. Moe’s Tavern. only once. of the nine numbers 7. Lady Gaga. DIFFICULTY: � 8. Shoulder. 9. Eggplant.�� Difficult � Moderate �� GO FIGURE! 10. Maurice Sendak. ©©2006 King Features Syndicate, 2010King King Features Synd.,Inc. Inc. ©©2020 2025 Features Synd., Inc. 2022 © ©2025 2022 2025King KingFeatures FeaturesSynd., Synd., Inc. Inc.

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1. They forgot to install chimneys for the furnaces 2. Wholesale frozen foods

5. The Dating Game BIBLE TRIVIA Answers

1. (B) Established 2. (D) Pass 3. (A) Jeremiah 4. (D) Moving forward 5. (C) 7th 6. (B) Wisdom

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