Vol 22: #23 • Weird Landmarks • (5-31-2026) Tidbits of Coachella Valley
by Kathy Wolfe
Fasten your seatbelt as Tidbits hits the road this week for a tour of some unusual landmarks, monuments, and roadside attractions, both natural and man-made.
• In the midst of urban Los Angeles lie the LaBrea Tar Pits, a paleontological research site where crude oil seeps up from the earth and forms pools when it reaches the surface. This natural asphalt eventually oozes into mounds, but not before the thick, sticky pools can permanently trap animals and fauna.
• The pits have revealed the preserved bones of centuries-old animals that wandered into the area, became trapped, and died, with the asphalt slowly encasing their bodies. Over the years, paleontologists have recovered about one million fossils, along with wood, plants, mollusks, and insects. Remains of the wooly mammoth, mastodon, wolves, bears, saber-tooth cats, and even one ancient human being have been found as workers continue to unearth these discoveries.
Landmarks: Turn to page 3
TRIV
(Answers on page 16)
Who would think that a vinyl mat covered with colored circles would become all the rage? That’s exactly what happened in 1967 when Twister was introduced. Follow along as Tidbits uncovers the facts on this famous party game, the first one to use human beings as the playing pieces!
• When a St. Paul, Minnesota manufacturing company wanted to expand into the production of games and toys in the mid-1960s, they hired Charles Foley, who in turn hired Neil Rabens to work in product development to come up with some new ideas.
1. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a female fox called?
2. HISTORY: In what year was the first iPhone released?
3. MOVIES: What was the first U.S. movie to be rated PG-13?
4. GEOGRAPHY: What is the southernmost capital city in the world?
5. U.S. STATES: Which state is home to the world’s largest cave system?
6. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What category of writing are the Hugo and Nebula Awards given for?
7. TELEVISION: In what year did the comedy show “Saturday Night Live” debut?
8. MATH: What is a polygon with seven sides?
9. LITERATURE: What city is the setting for Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”?
10. ENTERTAINERS: Which New Jersey city has a statue of singer Frank Sinatra?
• As a curious child full of ideas and a creative mind, Foley had begun inventing things at the young age of nine. Over the course of his lifetime, he had eventually managed to secure 97 patents for his creations.
• He and Rabens modified the idea of another inventor, Reyn Guyer, who had earlier conceived a game he called King’s Footsie as a promotion for children’s shoe polish.
• Foley and Rabens came up with the unique idea of using a large mat printed with colored circles arranged in four rows, each row having a different color – red, yellow, green, and blue. A spinner board was used to tell players where to plant their left or right hands and feet, and to keep them firmly in place. Making contact with the mat either from a fall or a touch of the elbow or knee resulted in that playerʼs elimination. The two then applied for and received a patent for their design for a game they called “Pretzel.”
• They originally pitched the game to the Johnson Wax company, but were unsucessful. They then took the concept to the Milton Bradley Company.
• The well-established toy company took an
immediate interest in the new concept and bought the rights to the game through a standard licensing agreement. They then hired a business that manufactured plastic shower curtains, and had them print them with the colored circles.
• Because there was already a toy dog on the market named Pretzel, Milton Bradley renamed the game “Twister” and added the slogan, “the game that ties you up in knots!” Twister hit the market in 1966, and sales were modest.
• However, the new product received a major boost when a public relations firm added the game to the lineup on Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show.” That evening Johnny’s guest was Hungarian actress Eva Gabor and the pair played the game during the show. Their hilarious performance, complete with uncomfortable and awkward positions, led to the only store in New York City that stocked the game selling out completely the day after the broadcast.
• In 1967, the game sold upwards of three million units. Foley received just 2.5% in royalties from Milton Bradley, totaling approximately $27,000 ($267,000 in today’s money) over a three-year period.
• Hasbro acquired the Milton Bradley Company in 1985 and became Twister’s parent company.
• Country singer Thomas Rhett came up with a unique way of promoting the release of his new album, “Tangled Up.” In September of 2015, Rhett and his record label group arranged a gigantic Twister game at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. They placed 1,200 Twister mats together to comprise a game board measuring 27,136.98 square feet, taking up about half the field. Hundreds of fans joined in for the game that lasted more than an hour. Rhett followed up the game with his concert.
• The record for the most participants in a Twister game was set in 1987 in a wild event where 4,160 people participated in unison on the campus of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Landmarks (from page one) near Amarillo, Texas, lies Cadillac Ranch. It consists of a row of ten vintage Cadillacs dating from 1949 to 1963, buried nose-first with the rear halves sticking out, all in the middle of a cow pasture.
• Unsuspecting visitors to the Czechoslovakian city of Prague are stopped in jaw-dropping amazement when they happen upon the Dancing House Hotel in the heart of town. Standing before them in defiance of every architectural concept of symmetry and balance, is a grossly distorted, crumpled and warped multi-storied ediface (photo page 1).
• The strangely shaped creation was designed by world-famous architects Vlado Milunić and Frank Gehry, with construction eventually completed in 1996. Seeming to defy the basic laws of physics and gravity itself, the building is surprisingly safe and structurally sound. Together they designed the two separate towers of curving glass and stone to connect in the center and appear to embrace each other, resembling the graceful movements of the famous dance team of Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire
• Milunić and Gehry intended for the structure to reflect the energetic transformation of Czech society after the oppression of communism had finally ended. Today, the Dancing House stands as one of Prague’s most recognizable modern landmarks, admired for its bold deconstructivist design, which never ceases to amaze visitors.
• Casey, Illinois is the home of 12 of the world’s largest familiar objects, including a giant golf tee made from laminated lumber that stands 30 feet tall and weighs a whopping 6,659 pounds. This attraction also houses the world’s largest pitchfork, rocking chair, a 15-foot-tall barber pole, and an enormous working mailbox of 5,743 cubic feet, which allows visitors to climb inside to mail a letter. There are also a giant mousetrap, piggy bank, and pizza slicer on display -- with photo-ops galore.
• Almost 150 years ago in 1882, James Lafferty, a city council member in Margate, New Jersey, was looking for a way to attract tourists to their area and promote real estate sales. He conceived
the idea of building a giant elephant to attract attention to their town. Lafferty commissioned architects to design a six-story elephant modeled after the famous circus elephant Jumbo. When completed, the wood-framed elephant covered in tin stood 65 feet tall, 60 feet long, and 18 feet wide. The huge structure weighed about 90 tons. Nearly a million pieces of wood, 200 kegs of nails, and 4 tons of bolts and iron bars were required to complete Lucy the Elephant. His plan worked, and folks traveling through the area had to swing by just to see the unique attraction for themselves.
• Throughout her century-and-a-half of existence, Lucy has survived a direct lightning strike, which blackened the tips of her tusks, and vicious storms including the ravages of Hurricane Sandy in 2012, which severely flooded Lucy’s park. Lucy has been ranked as the twelfth largest statue in America and can now even be rented as an airBnB, giving travelers boasting rights as having slept in an elephant.
• Lucy isn’t the only monument to pachyderms. Oquawka, Illinois, is home to the Norma Jean Circus Elephant Monument, constructed in memory of a 6,500-lb. circus elephant that was fatally struck by lightning in 1972 when the Clark & Walters Circus made a stop in the community.
• Norma Jean had been chained to a tree overnight, and when her handler stopped to check on her during a storm, a bolt of lightning struck the tree, sending the man flying back 30 feet and killing the poor elephant. Rather than trying to move the massive beast, Norma Jean was buried right where she died in a 12-foot deep grave right in the town square. A later fundraiser provided for a sign, picket fence, glass display case and, of course, elephant statuettes for tourists to buy.
The Hyperion is the world's tallest known tree, standing 381.3 feet (116.22 m) tall. The immense arbor, located in a remote area of California's Redwood National Park, is estimated to be between 600 and 800 years old.
• Volcanic eruptions over the centuries have created more than 800 lava tubes and caves to explore in northeastern California’s Lava Bed National Monument. They were formed when the molten lava stopped flowing, and the outer edges started to cool, eventually hardening. The longest one, Catacombs Cave, stretches for 6,903 feet, more than 1.3 miles in length.
• Along Old Route 66, off the I-40 frontage road
About 120 miles west of Salt Lake City, Utah, lies one of the world's most unique landforms, the Bonneville Salt Flats, a 30,000-acre expanse of hard, crusty salt on the edge of the Great Salt Lake Basin. The Flats are 12 miles long and 5 miles wide, with a crust that is nearly 5 feet thick at its center.
3/2/2026
• The cars are buried east to west, showing the
1. The third-largest statue in the U.S., Our Lady of the Rockies, can be found in ____________.
2. Where is the "Birthplace of Baseball monument located?
By Lucie Winborne
* In 1960, the average life expectancy of a person with Down syndrome was 10 years. By 2007, the average had risen to 47 years.
* The world’s oldest emergency phone number is the U.K’s 999 number, introduced on June 30, 1937.
* Jupiter contracts by about 2 centimeters per year as it radiates internal heat into space.
* The Zimbabwean dollar bank note holds the record for the greatest number of zeros shown (100,000,000,000,000).
* During the Middle Ages, people tried a number of ways to cure the black plague, including avoiding bad thoughts, eating and drinking in moderation, and not abusing the poor.
* The five-second rule is, sadly, a myth, since bacteria can live after four weeks on carpet.
by Mary Hunt
Home Equity Scams
Homeowners beware. These days, home loan scam artists are lurking around every corner. They’re hungry, they’re determined and they’re coming after your equity.
this scam could end up with you losing your home and all of the equity you’ve accumulated. Red flag: Any suggestion that you can qualify for a loan when you know the truth is you cannot reasonably make the payments.
BALLOON PAYMENT
Everyday CHEAPSKATE®
by Mary Hunt
Unscrupulous loan peddlers are known as predatory lenders because of their uncanny resemblance to vultures. These loans encourage people to consolidate their debts and suggest this will prevent them from ever overspending and maxing out their credit cards again.
Predatory lenders deal in asset-based lending: They make the loans based solely on the amount of equity a borrower has in a property rather than considering the borrower’s ability to repay the loan.
DECEPTIVE MARKETING
Victims of predatory lending frequently describe being subjected to a flood of phone calls and letters from brokers and lenders, encouraging them to take out a home equity loan.
Red flag: Lenders who engage in highpressure tactics, telemarketing, cold calling and deceptive advertising campaigns.
ADVERTISING PROOF
EXCESSIVE FEES
You’ve fallen behind in your mortgage payments. Another lender offers to save the day by refinancing your mortgage and lowering your monthly payments. But beware. The payments may be lower because the lender is offering a loan on which you repay only the interest each month.
Red flag: Unrealistically low payments.
LOAN CHURNING
Senior homeowners who are asset-rich but cash-poor are prime targets for this scam. A mortgage company contacts you offering to refinance your loan and throw in some extra cash along with it. The problem is, each time you refinance, the fees and interest rates are going up.
Red flag: Beware lenders that contact you and any suggestion that a loan is the way to get your equity to start “working” for you.
Not all lenders are predatory. The best way to protect yourself against those who are is to be keenly aware of their tactics and always on the lookout for the red flags. If you need an explanation, talk to someone you can trust who has nothing to gain or to lose by the decision you make.
* In 1946, two partners in a leading pest control company were tried by a British military court, convicted and hanged on genocide charges, the argument being that they must have realized the amount of Zyklon B they provided to concentration camps far exceeded that needed for delousing.
Contact your Tidbits representative immediately with changes or corrections.
Predatory lenders routinely charge borrowers fees totaling as much as 15% to 20% of the loan amount. Fees alone can have a ruinous impact on a homeowner’s equity. But add them to prepayment penalties and you’re locked into a high-rate, financially disastrous loan.
Red flag: You inquire about fees and charges, but you can’t get the facts. They stress that there are no “upfront” fees.
Be careful how often you refinance your mortgage. Talk to a HUD-approved housing counselor (www.hud.gov/counseling) if you have questions or concerns about any mortgage loan transaction. Then consider all the costs of financing and repayment before you agree to a loan.
* * *
* If the U.S. Army were a city, it would be the 10th largest in the country, having more people than popular cities such as San Francisco; Jacksonville, Florida; and Austin, Texas.
Air Conditioning pg H 4-C 13x May 24, 2026 Vol. 22 - No. 22
* Warm Dr Pepper was once a popular Christmas drink and even thought to aid colds and other ailments.
Contact your Tidbits representative immediately with changes or corrections.
* The Statue of Liberty is made of more than 300 layers of copper.
You need money. You don’t have enough coming in each month to cover your expenses. You have equity in your home. A lender tells you that you could get a loan. This is a big shock because you know you will have difficulty keeping up with the payments. The lender encourages you to “pad” your income on your loan application to help get the loan approved.
Equity stripping is particularly dangerous for people who find themselves in financial
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
Air Conditioning pg H 4-C 13x May 24, 2026 Vol. 22 - No. 22
This week, as the nation moves closer to its 250th anniversary celebrations, Tidbits brings you the facts about the origin of Memorial Day, celebrating those who died in service to our country.
• The commemoration we now know as Memorial Day was created to honor those who died in the American Civil War, which claimed more lives than any other conflict in U.S. history, estimated at upwards of a million casualties. The high number led to the establishment of America’s first national cemeteries.
• Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day, a day set aside for placing wreaths and flowers on the graves of those lost in Civil War battles.
• There are several locations that have claimed their celebration as the first of its kind. One community, Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, was home to three women who began their decoration in 1864 before the war ended, and returned the following year with several local residents for a repeat commemoration.
• Charleston, South Carolina held a large ceremony the month after the end of the Civil War in April 1865, followed up with another formal observance the following year.
• By the end of the 1860s, several American towns were conducting ceremonies of remembrance for fallen soldiers. But it was Waterloo, New York, that finally laid claim as the birthplace of Memorial Day. In May of 1868, General John Logan, the leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans in Waterloo, proclaimed May 30 as the day for decorating the graves of those lost while defending their country.
• On that May 30, following General Logan’s edict, General James Garfield (later the 20th U.S. President) gave a speech at Arlington National Cemetery. Upwards of 5,000 people decorated
the graves of 20,000 Civil War soldiers buried there.
• It wasn’t until 1966 that Waterloo was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by the federal government. It received the honor since it was the first community that not only held an annual observance, but included a formal ceremony and the closing of city businesses for the day.
• After World War I, the day represented tribute to those who had perished in all U.S. wars, and the name was changed to Memorial Day to honor all who have given their lives. May 30, the date set by General Logan, continued as the date to be observed for 100 years.
• In 1968 Congress passed legislation known as the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, and Memorial Day was declared a federal holiday for the first time, with the holiday changed to the last Monday in May to create a three-day weekend.
• Under the new Act, Memorial Day and Washington’s Birthday were permanently moved, and Columbus Day was added as a federal holiday observed on the second Monday of October. The change was first effective in 1971.
• Every Memorial Day, Arlington National Cemetery holds a ceremony of laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, also known as the Tomb of the Unknowns, a 79-ton white marble sarcophagus that honors the nation’s unidentified war casualties. More than 260,000 American Flags are placed on the graves at Arlington and the Airmen’s Home National Cemetery. The ceremony includes music by the
CLIP AND SAVE
United States Marine Corps band.
• Around 5,000 people attend the official ceremony held at the Cemetery's Amphitheater. Additionally, more than 135,000 visitors typically visit the cemetery throughout the entire Memorial Day weekend to pay their respects and observe various tributes
by Dana Jackson
Q: What ever happened to French actress Marion Cotillard? She was everywhere for a long time. -- W.P.
A: After winning an Oscar in 2008 for the film “La Vie en Rose,” she filmed one movie after another, and another, and another. She gave birth to her son, Marcel, in 2011 and to her daughter, Louise, in 2017. She’s actually been quite busy acting since then, but she did take some time off to spend with her children.
Most recently, she played a European executive on season four of Apple TV+’s “The Morning Show,” while being very selective about her next film project. She currently has two very different movies debuting at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival -- the psychological thriller “Karma” and the comedy-drama “Roma Elastica.”
Q: I read that one of my favorite shows “High Potential” isn’t going to be back with new episodes until 2027. Why are they doing this? Wasn’t it one of the most highly rated shows last year? -- J.S.
1. Michael (PG-13) Jaafar Jackson, Nia Long
2. The Devil Wears Prada 2 (PG-13) Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway
3. Obsession (R) Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette
4. Mortal Kombat II (R) Adeline Rudolph, Karl Urban
5. The Sheep Detectives (PG) Hugh Jackman, Brett Goldstein
6. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (PG) Brie Larson, Virginia Dare Jelenic
7. Project Hail Mary (PG-13) Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller
8. Top Gun (PG) Tom
A: When ABC recently announced its fall schedule, several of its hits were noticeably absent, and ratings definitely weren’t the issue. “High Potential,” for example, drew in more than 12 million viewers for its season two finale in April. However, senior VP Ari Goldman explained during the presentation in May that they “want to give viewers a chance to watch these shows with as little interruption as possible across the season.”
Two other hit shows with ABC, “The Rookie” and “Will Trent,” didn’t debut new episodes until midseason in 2024 and 2025. Both are hits, so it looks like Goldman knows what he’s talking about. Fans of “High Potential” were annoyed last winter when the show took an early and exceptionally long winter break. This way, when it launches its third season in January 2027, there shouldn’t be too many breaks between episodes.
In the meantime, “R.J. Decker,” starring Scott Speedman (“Felicity”), will jump into the post”Dancing with the Stars” Tuesday night time slot that was once occupied by “High Potential.” While Speedman’s show generated much critical acclaim during its first short season, its ratings could use a boost. It’ll be interesting to see if it can attract close to 12 million viewers for its second season finale, but it certainly won’t be from a lack of trying on ABC’s part. ***
Q: Is it true that there’s going to be a Wordle game show? How will it work? Is it celebrities or just regular smart people? -- R.R.
A: Yes, the extremely popular New York Times word puzzle game is coming to NBC sometime in 2027. Filming will take place this summer in England. It’ll be hosted by “Today’s” Savannah Guthrie and produced by Jimmy Fallon (“The Tonight Show”).
According to NBCUniversal, “the most obsessed and competitive players will team up in squads and go head-to-head in the ‘Wordle’ arena.” I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a celebrity version, much like “Jeopardy!” does for primetime specials.
If you’re interested in competing, sign up at Wordle.CastingCrane.com. * * *
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com.
(c) 2026 King Features Synd., Inc.
Cotillard (Upcoming in “Roma Elastica”)
Good Recipes from
Mixed Grill
1/2 cup orange marmalade
2 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves, chopped, crushed 3/4 teaspoon salt
6 fully cooked bratwurst, knockwurst or frankfurters
1 (3 1/2-pound) chicken, cut into quarters Tomato wedges, for garnish
1. In small bowl, mix orange marmalade, lemon juice, rosemary and salt.
2. Cut a few slashes in each bratwurst to prevent them from bursting while cooking.
3. Place chicken quarters on grill over medium heat; cook until golden on both sides, about 10 minutes. Then to avoid charring, stand chicken pieces upright, leaning one against the other. Rearrange pieces from time to time and cook until fork-tender and juices run clear when pierced with knife, about 25 minutes longer. During last 10 minutes of cooking, place bratwurst on same grill. Brush chicken quarters and bratwurst frequently with orange-marmalade mixture.
4. Garnish with tomato wedges to serve. Makes 6 servings.
Each serving without tomatoes: About 613 calories, 39g total fat (13g saturated), 41g protein, 30g carbohydrate, 162mg cholesterol, 875mg sodium.
Corn and Zucchini Sauté
Sweet sun-dried tomatoes and their packing oil give zucchini a tangy bite in this fast and healthful side dish.
2 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes in oil
1 teaspoon sun-dried tomato oil
2 medium zucchini, cut into 1/4-inch-thick half-moons
1. From jar of sun-dried tomatoes in oil, sliver enough tomatoes to equal 2 tablespoons.
2. Transfer 1 teaspoon of the oil to nonstick large skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add zucchini, and cook 4 minutes.
3. Stir in corn, the slivered tomatoes and 1/2 teaspoon salt, and cook 4 minutes or until vegetables are tender-crisp. Serves 6.
Steak Secrets
• Steaks that are at least 3/4-inch to 1-inch thick won’t dry out easily during grilling.
• Trim off excess fat and slash the fat edges at 1-inch intervals to prevent curling.
• Turn your steak with tongs once, halfway through cooking (don’t use a fork -- it will pierce the meat and let the natural juices escape).
• Many factors can influence cooking time -- including the weather (especially wind) when you’re using charcoal -- so test for doneness by cutting into the thickest part of the steak and checking its color.
• Let steak stand for a few minutes before serving. This allows the meat juices, which have been driven to the center of the meat by
the heat, to return to the surface, resulting in juicier meat.
By John Allen
by Brett Koth
Donald Duck by Walt
NEXT WEEK in
Holidays & Observances This Week
5/31
6/1
6/2
6/3
6/4
6/5
Dog Talk with Uncle Matty
By Matthew Margolis
Little Tips To Prevent Big Problems
“I have been through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened.”
-- Mark Twain
We all have the capability to create trouble where none exists, or to turn trivial matters into epic drama. And sometimes life drops real trouble into our laps -- problems, big and small, that we must scramble to resolve. But there is also such a thing as preventable trouble -- problems that, with prior planning, can be avoided.
There is an acronym in the business world that addresses this kind of trouble. The Five P’s: Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance. And the idea is equally effective in the dog world, where common behavioral issues sometimes grow to outof-control proportions because we didn’t know what to expect and so we did nothing to prepare. Knowledge is key to preparation. Know that your dog is a dog and is therefore prone to certain dog-like behaviors unless taught otherwise. The most common -- and easily preventable -- canine behavioral problems tend to be: housebreaking, barking and running away. Here are a few tips to help you understand and prevent these troublesome tendencies.
Housebreaking: Effective housebreaking requires an age-appropriate diet and strict adherence to a feed-water-walk schedule. The process is simple, but it requires discipline. If your goal is to housebreak your dog, I offer two suggestions that are crucial to your success:
-- Do not paper-train your dog. This only teaches him that it is OK to do his business inside your home. This is the opposite of what you want him to learn.
-- Do not give your dog the run of the house. Once your dog is 2 years old and has proved himself a responsible member of the family, you can revisit this rule. Before that time, keep your dog confined in a section of your home while you are gone, and keep him confined to an area you can easily supervise when you are there. Baby gates and crates work well and offer your dog good vis-
Here’s a short quiz for you. What do the following have in common: the local car wash, vitamins, printer ink, credit monitoring and razors?
The answer: They can all be subscription goods or services. And all of them could be expenses you’re paying for without being aware.
Per the research, our downfall is when the payments for those subscriptions are set to go into auto pay, either monthly or annually, making them easy to miss or forget. The research group asked participants to guess how much they spent on subscriptions. The actual spending turned out to be two times the estimate.
There are so many more: air filters, tech support, exercise bike online classes, meal kit delivery and internet access. And more: extended warranties, big box store memberships and exercise apps.
You can reclaim some of your money with a little work. Go through a year of bank
If Walls Could Talk
Some people say they can’t stand their four walls when they get cabin fever, and some really mean it. Four walls define most interior spaces. They are so important because they separate activities from public to private. Regardless of whether you live in a house, apartment, townhouse or loft, walls mark the realms of each inhabitant and interaction.
Walls are the main backdrop or canvas for artistic expression. They can transform a space with color, finish and their dimensions. They are extremely versatile and can reach the ceiling or serve as a half-wall that delineates an area.
Walls are like chameleons: They can be treated to come forward with a decorative finish or be the backdrop for the beautiful things placed on them. Most of us roll our eyes when we hear about faux finishes. Designers, however, strive to come up with new applied finishes, such as stone and ceramic, and new wallpapers that offer the look without the weight or messy installation.
and credit card statements to look for recurring charges. Did you sign up for a trial subscription and forget to cancel? Did the price of a subscription go up without you knowing? Have you previously asked to cancel but it wasn’t done?
Even if you don’t find that you have forgotten subscriptions, you could be overpaying for the ones that you do want. For example: By changing to a smaller cellphone plan, I was able to cut $20 off my monthly cost. Another example: By changing to a movie streaming service that included ads, I was able to save $10 per month.
Example: I was able to save $15 per month by canceling a movie service that I didn’t use often enough to justify keeping it. These three alone come to $45 monthly - now money that I get to keep. That’s $540 per year for these alone!
To be considered: The research showed that many seniors have as many as a dozen forgotten subscriptions they’re still paying for. The waste is staggering.
Take the time to check your autopay accounts. How many are bilking you?
* * * 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) KingFeaturesSyndicate2026
decade or so: What’s old is new again. Basically, anything goes when it comes to color, from Victorian-style painted interiors in hyper-bold colors to contemporary neutral palettes. In between these two extreme color schemes lie quite a number of approaches that are all valid depending on your decorating scheme.
As of late, in show houses throughout the world, darker, almost black walls are very popular. From deep bottle-green to brown-black, dark walls are all the rage. The amount of light will affect these edgy colors, so be cautious. Painting over dark colors requires several coats to make them go away.
Concentrating colors or texture on one or a few walls makes a room’s décor pop. It can help designate what activities should take place in an open floor plan. Popular finishes such as Venetian plaster, stenciling, sponging and marbleizing, when done right, accentuate and enhance the architecture.
ibility and a sense of security -- both very important to his comfort and well-being.
Barking: Barking can be a huge problem, especially when you have neighbors to consider. While the temptation might be to put your dog in a room and close the door, this is only likely to increase his barking. A good tool to curb barking is the citronella collar. It is self-correcting, nontoxic and not punishing to the dog.
Runaways: A dog that’s born to run will run as fast and as far as his body, his obstacles and his training allow. If you have an untrained sprinter on your hands, here are a few practical suggestions:
-- You need a secure fence -- one he can’t wiggle through, dig under or jump over.
-- Add a screen door to your front and back doors to create a double barrier.
-- Put his leash on him whenever you open doors to the outside. You can also use his leash when teaching him the “Stay” command, something every dog should know.
The details of the feed-water-walk housebreaking system, as well as additional tips to deal with other canine behavioral problems, can be found at unclematty.com and in my book “When Good Dogs Do Bad Things,” available in bookstores and at your local library.
Remember: Don’t get rid of the dog. Get rid of the problem!
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.
Colors are a serious question when considering your interiors. While some consider white ordinary and lackluster, others advocate that it makes a space brighter and sometimes larger, and they are correct.
As you can see, all walls are not created equal. Another trend inspired by the boutique hotel trend are architectural panels, some of which were originally intended for spas, such as waves and more specialized inspiration such as the Louise Nevelsoninspired wall panels in the image below. In this project, a neutral backdrop was accented by the “Louise” panel, thus requiring a minimal amount of art. With treatments such as these, it is hard to grow tired of your four walls.
Joseph Pubillones is the owner of Joseph Pubillones Interiors, an award-winning interior design firm based in Palm Beach, Florida. To find out more about Joseph Pubillones, or to read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www. creators.com.
People frequently ask me one of two rhetorical questions. Sometimes they will say, usually out of frustration, “Why is Social Security so complicated?” Even though they were probably not looking for an answer, I give them one anyway. I point out that Social Security is complicated because life is complicated. If we all lived simple lives, got married only once, held the same job all our lives, retired at the same age, never went back to work afterwards, never moved and died in the middle of a month -then Social Security would be so easy. But that’s not the way our lives work and that’s why Social Security rules can get complicated.
Other times, people will ask a similar question: “Why does Social Security have so many rules?” The answer to that question is that those rules have to cover every possible variable that can come into play when dealing with the complications that life offers. And I recently came across a good example of this.
A reader asked me when the benefits to his daughter would end. He is getting retirement benefits and has one minor daughter left at home collecting dependent benefits on his record. I responded by saying this: “Student benefits end when the child reaches age 18, but can continue until 19 if the child is still in high school.”
Out of curiosity, I checked the Social Security Administration rule book about this issue, which went on for about 10 pages, answering the same question I answered in that one sentence!
It started out by going over the general
1. The book of Simeon is found in the a) Old Testament b) New Testament c) Neither
2. In which book's 13:12 does Jesus predict children rebelling against their parents to be a sign of the end times? a) Matthew b) Mark c) Luke d) John
3. As found in 1 Chronicles 29, how many years did David reign over Israel? a) Ten b) Thirteen c) Twenty-two d) Forty
4. From 2 Samuel 4, what five-year-old boy was dropped by his nurse and lamed for life? a) Moses b) Mephibosheth c) Haman d) Adronicus
5. What prophet was the son of Elkanah and Hannah? a) Samuel b) Ezekiel c) Daniel d) Nathan
6. How many days did Jesus remain on earth after his resurrection? a) Three b) Fourteen c) Thirty three d) Forty
policy (essentially my one-sentence answer). But then it went on and on and on to cover all the possible exceptions that could occur. Here is just a brief summary. (In the sections below, “FTA” means full-time attendance. And when the rules mention “secondary school,” they essentially mean high school.)
No. 1: Student graduates and benefits terminate before age 19.
James attained the age of 18 in March and graduated from a secondary level program in May. He has no plans to continue attendance in a secondary-level program, so his benefits terminate in June.
No. 2: Student graduates before age 19 and continues in FTA in a secondary level course. Her student benefits terminate before age 19.
Emily attains the age of 18 in April and graduates from a secondary school in June. She is on vacation in July and August and plans to continue FTA at a secondary school in September through December. Her benefits terminate in January because she is no longer in FTA.
No. 3: Student graduates before age 19 and continues in FTA in a secondary level course. Her student benefits terminate at age 19.
Emily attains the age of 18 in April and graduates from a secondary school in June. She continues in FTA in a secondary level course in September, planning to attend through June. She receives benefits based on her FTA in a secondarylevel program through March. Her benefits terminate in April, the month she attains the age of 19, because she has already graduated from secondary school.
No. 4: Student attains the age of 19 in a month of nonattendance.
Tony completes his junior year of high school in May, is on vacation in June and July, attains the age of 19 in July and plans to return to secondary school in August. His benefits continue through June but terminate in July because he attains the age of 19 in a month of nonattendance.
No. 5: Student attains the age of 19 in a month of FTA and the school operates on a yearly basis; student benefits terminate the first day of the third month after the age 19 attainment month (payment to age 19 and 2 months).
Janice attains the age of 19 in February. Her school year runs from September through June and her school operates on a yearly basis. Janice receives payments through April and her benefits terminate in May, the third month after the month in which she attains the age of 19.
No. 6: Student attains the age of 19 in a month of FTA; the school operates on a yearly basis; student’s benefits terminate the first day of the month after the month the student completes the school year in which he or she is enrolled
Janice attains the age of 19 in April and attends high school through May. She is on vacation in June and July and plans to return for her senior year in August. She receives benefits through May, the month she completes the school year in which she is enrolled in the age 19 attainment month and her benefits terminate in June.
No. 7: Student attains the age of 19 in a month of FTA; the school operates on a semester or quarterly basis and requires re-enrollment; and the first day of the third month after age 19 attainment and the end of the course coincide
student’s benefits terminate the first day of the month after the month in which he or she completes the course in which he or she is enrolled in the age 19 attainment month (payment past age 19 and 2 months).
Jacob attains the age of 19 in September. The school official certified on the SSA-1372-BK that the school operates on a semester basis and requires re-enrollment each semester. The semester begins in September and ends in December. Jacob receives benefits through December, the end of the semester and his benefits terminate in January because the semester in which he attains the age of 19 ends in December and his school operates on a semester basis and requires re-enrollment.
I’m already out of space. And this section of the rule book went on for many more pages, giving even more examples of when student benefits should terminate.
People often complain that Social Security laws are so complex. I put all of this in today’s column just to show you why they have to be so. There has to be some rule to cover every possible scenario that can occur for every potential Social Security situation.
As I said earlier, Social Security is complicated because life is complicated.
If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has two books with all the answers. One is called “Social Security -- Simple and Smart: 10 Easyto-Understand Fact Sheets That Will Answer All Your Questions About Social Security.” The other is “Social Security: 100 Myths and 100 Facts.” You can find the books at Amazon.com or other book outlets. Or you can send him an email at thomas.margenau@comcast. net. To find out more about Tom Margenau and to read past columns and see features from other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2026 CREATORS.COM (Answers on page 16) For comments or
Trivia
www.TriviaGuy.com
Jacob attains the age of 19 on September 3. Per the SSA-1372, his school operates on a semester basis and requires re-enrollment every semester. The semester begins Sept. 18 and ends Nov. 30. Jacob receives benefits through November (age 19 and 2 months) and his benefits terminate in December.
No. 8: Student attains the age of 19 in a month of FTA; the school operates on a semester or quarterly basis and requires re-enrollment; the
Weighing Whether a Nerve Block Is Right for Case of Arthritis
DEAR DR. ROACH: I have bad knee arthritis. My doctor is suggesting a genicular nerve block. Is this a good idea? Will it fix the problem? -- P.O.V.
ANSWER: Chronic knee pain from osteoarthritis is a common problem in middle-aged and older adults. Before a person receives treatment, the diagnosis should be confirmed by an X-ray. First-line treatments are exercise and anti-inflammatory drugs, like naproxen (orally) or diclofenac (topically).
When first-line treatments are ineffective, there are other options. Knee injections with steroids have long been used, but recent studies cast doubt on their effectiveness and raise concern for damage to the knee cartilage.
Hyaluronic acid and plasma-rich platelet injections have been shown in recent trials to only be slightly better than saline injections, and they are much more expensive. Duloxetine, an antidepressant that has pain-relieving properties, is effective for some people but not for everyone.
Before considering knee-replacement surgery, a nerve block or ablation of the nerves that carry pain information (there are three genicular nerves) can be attempted when an expert is available. There is significant pain relief from this procedure, although the benefit is greatest within a few weeks and generally lessens after three to four months. About half of the people who got the procedure report being “much improved” or “very much improved” afterward. It’s generally safe with a low risk of side effects, and it can be repeated.
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 81 years old and have been diagnosed by my ophthalmologist with age-related macular degeneration (the dry type). I was advised to start taking the AREDS2 eye vitamin and mineral supplement.
Shortly afterward, I came across a magazine advertisement for AREDS2, which included a disclaimer from the Food and Drug Administration (in fine print, ironically) stating that the product is “not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.”
I’m confused. If the over-the-counter mineral supplement doesn’t do any of this, then of what value is it, and why take it? The disclaimer was easy to overlook and nearly impossible to read. -- E.D.
ANSWER: You are very wise to look at the disclaimer, and I appreciate your asking me. The FDA requires this disclaimer on all supplements, even ones with strong evidence that supports them. I often refer readers to this disclaimer when I’m trying to give them a realistic expectation of the benefit that a person can get from a supplement.
In this particular case, however, there is strong evidence that the AREDS and AREDS2 formulations of over-the-counter supplemental
vitamins and minerals do slow the progression of dry-type AMD. I agree with your ophthalmologist that it’s worthwhile for you to take this formulation. I recommend the AREDS2 formulation for current or former smokers, as the beta-carotene in the original AREDS formulation was associated with an increase in lung cancer risk.
I do want to emphasize that you should only take these supplements when your eye professional recommends them. They aren’t of proven benefit in people who don’t have AMD, nor in people with very early AMD.
There are mixed data about prostate cancer risk with vitamin E, which is in both the AREDS and AREDS2 formulations. The AREDS trials didn’t show any increased risk of prostate cancer with these formulations, but a 2011 trial did show a small increase in prostate cancer with the same dose of vitamin E that was used in the AREDS trials. Other studies have shown both small protection and no change in risk.
Still, because there’s a potential for risk, the AREDS supplements should only be taken when prescribed by your regular doctor or eye doctor.
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. All Rights Reserved
VETERANS POST
by Freddie Groves
When the Perps Get What They Deserve
It’s rare that we’re able to look under the hood of the court cases when thieves that steal from the VA are caught and sentenced. But here we have a case, thanks to online documents, this one allows us to do just that.
The crime: A man put together a scheme that involved billing the VA and Medicare through eight different companies for medical items the patients didn’t need. They used overseas call centers to prey on disabled veterans and the elderly. They paid kickbacks, laundered money, falsified documents and bilked the government (and taxpayers) out of a cool $197 million. He was caught, arrested, went to trial and could have received the max sentence of 35 years in prison.
The 29-page presentencing document (the defense attorney’s last stab at eliciting a short sentence from the judge) is an interesting piece of legalese and heartstring pulling.
Twenty-nine pages of why his client should not be given the max 35 years -- many pages of complicated math to calculate prison sentences (“calculated offense levels”), sentence lengths assigned to certain behaviors by other courts and the labeling of eight levels of criminal activity as “a single course of conduct.”
The perp was at the head of a group that bilked the government out of $197 million. That’s not a single course of conduct.
I was also not swayed by the many pages describing the perp’s small town upbringing, the perp rushing to his mother’s side when she needed surgery, having two children and a widowed mother, raising his niece when her family couldn’t ...
No, I’m not impressed. All those sweet things could be said of millions of people.
Most of us manage to go our whole lives without soliciting, defrauding, conspiring, forging, bribing, etc. And most of us manage to go our whole lives without attempting to swindle the government out of $197 million.
I was heartened that, for once, the courts did not apply a hand-slap punishment, which seems so prevalent nowadays. The perp received a sentence of 16 years 4 months, forfeiting $17 million and paying back $111 million.
Freddie Groves regrets that he cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into his column whenever possible. Send email to columnreply2@gmail.com.
We request that you do not make a reservation if your medical appointment is after 12 Noon as the van must return to the desert at that time. You can ask your doctor to schedule you for an early morning appointment if you explain that your transportation must return by 12 Noon.
You must make your reservation in advance by calling the reservation dispatcher at: (760) 832-8712
Do Men Get Osteoporosis?
DEAR SAVVY SENIOR: I would like to know if men can get osteoporosis or if it is mostly a problem for women? When I fell and broke my wrist last winter, the ER doctor told me I might have osteoporosis. I never followed up on that diagnosis, but have been wondering about it ever since. What can you tell me? Is this something I should be concerned about?-- Almost 70
Dear Almost: A lot of people think osteoporosis is only a women’s issue, but men can get it too – especially as they get older. And like women, men often don’t realize they have it until a bone breaks.
Osteoporosis is often called a silent disease because it weakens bones gradually over time, making them thin, brittle and more likely to break. This usually happens without any warning signs. While women are about four times more likely to develop it, men are not immune. About 2 million American men have osteoporosis, and another 12 million have low bone density, known as osteopenia, which can eventually progress to the disease.
One of the biggest problems is that men are less likely to be tested. Even after a fracture like yours, many never get a bone density scan. Doctors sometimes overlook it in men, and men
themselves may not realize they’re at risk. The bones most often affected are the hip, spine and wrist. Hip fractures in particular can lead to serious complications and long recoveries.
Who is at risk
Menopause speeds up bone loss in women, but it usually happens more gradually, wth men. In either case age is still a major factor. Your risk rises if you are over 70, thin or underweight, drink heavily, have a parent with osteoporosis or have already broken a bone, as you already have.
Certain medical conditions can also increase your risk. These include rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, low testosterone, overactive thyroid, COPD and kidney or liver disease. Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis or a past stroke can raise the risk because they affect balance and mobility. Long term use of corticosteroids, some prostate cancer treatments, acid reflux drugs, antidepressants and anti-seizure medications can weaken bones as well.
Testing
A smart next step is a bone density test. All men 70 and older should talk to their doctor about being screened. Men over 50 who’ve had a fracture or have other risk factors should get tested too. The scan is simple, painless and takes only a few minutes. Medicare and most private insurance plans usually cover it.
Prevention
When it comes to protecting your bones, the basics really matter. Get enough calcium from foods like milk, yogurt and cheese, leafy green vegetables, beans, almonds and canned salmon or sardines. Men under 70 need about 1,000 milligrams a day. Those 71 and older need 1,200 milligrams.
Vitamin D is just as important because it helps your body absorb calcium. Most adults over 50 need 800 to 1,000 international units daily, through sunlight, food or a supplement if needed.
Regular weight-bearing exercise such as walking, along with strength training two or three times a week, helps build and maintain bone. It also improves balance, which can prevent falls. You should also limit alcohol and caffeine.
Treatment
If testing shows significant bone loss, medications such as Fosamax, Actonel, Reclast, Prolia, Forteo or Tymlos may be prescribed. Your doctor can explain the benefits and possible side
effects and help you decide what is appropriate.
Since you have already had a fracture, this is not something to ignore. A simple test and a plan now could help you stay strong and avoid a more serious break down the road.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
-- by Jim Miller
made sometime in the early to mid-1900s and would probably fetch $150 to $200 in an antiques shop.
JUNQUE
by Anne McCollam Creators News Service
Porcelain Cockatiel
Has Mysterious Background
Q: Enclosed is a picture of a porcelain parrot figurine. It stands about 9 inches tall, is decorated with a shiny glaze and is in mint condition. My parents were stationed in West Germany in the early 1950s. It was probably purchased from the East German black market.
My parents were told the parrot figurine belonged to an opera singer and it was a genuine Meissen piece. Marked on the bottom is a windmill with the letters “E. N. S.
Could you confirm it is actually Meissen porcelain and perhaps its value?
A: Your figurine looks more like a cockatiel than a parrot. It was made by the Karl Ens Porcelain factory. They were located in Volkstedt, Thuringia, Germany, from 1919 to 1972. The mark you described was first used around 1898.
Meissen porcelain has been made in Saxony, Germany, from 1710 to the present. Many German porcelain factories produce pieces similar to those made by Meissen. Karl Ens Porcelain factory is known for their porcelain figurines and other decorative pieces.
Your porcelain cockatiel figurine was
* * *
Q: The enclosed mark is on a porcelain plate that I bought at a yard sale for $5. It is decorated with a blue and white scene of a Detroit civic building and titled “New County Building.” I bought it because I’m originally from Detroit.
What can you tell me about my plate?
Rowland and Marsellus were New York importers.
A: This mark was used by Rowland and Marsellus. They were New York importers of souvenir and historical wares. Their wares were made by several different potteries in Staffordshire, England, including British Anchor Pottery Company and S. Hancock and Company. Much of their wares were marketed for the United States buyers. They often used blue and white transfer ware designs.
Rowland and Marsellus were in business from 1860 to around 1900. Most of the plates were decorated with blue borders that featured flowers and fruits or vignettes of buildings.
Your souvenir plate would probably be worth $35 to $85.
* * *
Antiques expert and columnist Anne McCollam has since 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 2026 CREATORS.COM
* On June 1, 1926, Norma Jeane Mortenson, who would later become famous as the voluptuous, platinum-blond actress and sex symbol Marilyn Monroe, was born in Los Angeles, California.
* On June 2, 1985, Leonard Lake was arrested near San Francisco, California, ending one of the rare examples of serial killers working together. Lake and his partner, Charles Ng, committed a number of brutal crimes against young women in the 1980s. Lake committed suicide by ingesting a cyanide capsule while in custody, but Ng has remained on death row at San Quentin State Prison since 1999.
* On June 3, 1754, Lieutenant Colonel George Washington began construction of the makeshift Fort Necessity, designed to defend his forces from French soldiers angered by the killing of Ensign Joseph Coulon de Jumonville by Washington’s Native American ally while he was in Washington’s custody. A month later, the French, led by Jumonville’s half-brother, succeeded in getting Washington’s surrender and signed confession (in French, which he didn’t read) to the murder.
* On June 4, 1972, Angela Davis, an activist and former UCLA philosophy professor, was acquitted on charges of conspiracy, murder and kidnapping. She had been accused of supplying weapons to Jonathan Jackson, who had stormed a courtroom in an effort to take hostages he hoped to exchange for his brother, a radical incarcerated at San Quentin. Jackson died in the subsequent police shootout.
* On June 5, 2004, Ronald Reagan died, a decade after his announcement that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Nicknamed the “Great Communicator” and one of America’s most popular presidents, he had lived out his final years on his beloved ranch with his wife, Nancy, and was laid to rest at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.
* On June 6, 1933, eager viewers parked at the very first drive-in movie theater, the Camden Drive-In, in Pennsauken, New Jersey, to watch the English comedy “Wives Beware,” starring Adolphe Menjou.
* On June 7, 1692, a massive earthquake destroyed the town of Port Royal in Jamaica, killing thousands. Aftershocks discouraged the possibility of rebuilding, and the city of Kingston was constructed instead.
(c) 2026 King Features Synd., Inc.
"You replaced our wedding photos with that huge picture of your golf instructor, and you're wondering why I'm not okay with that?"
E.N. S. porcelain factory was located in Germany.
Landmarks: (from page 3)
progression of the Caddy’s unique tailfins. Visitors are encouraged to spray-paint graffiti and decorative artwork on the cars, which are occasionally repainted to make way for new graffiti to be added.
• Another junked car enthusiast built a replica of England’s prehistoric Stonehenge north of Alliance, Nebraska in 1987. Jim Reinders laid out 38 cars ranging from a 1950 De Ssoto up to a 1975 AMC Gremlin, planting them in the same alignment as the ancient stone circle, with about two dozen in upright position, and more welded on top horizontally. The structure stands 15 to 17 feet tall. The cars were spray-painted gray to match the colors of Stonehenge.
• Speaking of Stonehenge, visit Centreville, Virginia to view a full-sized replica of the circle composed entirely of Styrofoam. Artist Mark Cline was at his local insulation manufacturer when he spied giant foam blocks, which inspired him to arrange the 420-lb., 16-foot-tall blocks into a replica of Stonehenge to generate tourism in the area. After six weeks of assembly, including spray-painting the blocks gray, the structure opened in 2004, a substantially shorter time than Stonehenge’s 1,500 years of construction.
• In 1947, the nation was fascinated with stories of alien invasions when a New Mexico rancher discovered metal debris and a giant trench on his property outside of Roswell. Although the news broke that the U.S. military had recovered a crashed extraterrestrial spacecraft, the government quickly back-pedaled, claiming it was simply a faulty weather balloon.
• But the public didnʼt buy it. Then, in 1978, a retired U.S. Air Force officer exposed the balloon cover story claiming that the wreckage was likely from an alien spacecraft, not a balloon, and public interest in the story only intensified.
• In 1992, Roswell opened the International UFO Museum filled with exhibits on alien sightings and the government cover-up. In addition, the site of the crash on Brazel’s ranch, 75 miles away from Roswell, after 71 years of being closed to the public, was opened up to curious visitors for the first time in 2018.
Give your golf-related advertising message targeted visibility in full color in this weekly 2” x 6” fixed location $159 per insertion reaches 70,000+ readers each week at the low cost of only $2.27 per 1,000 reader impressions!
Game Changers
by Jason Jenkins
Soft Arms
Many golfers have a false belief that the lead arm must be straight or locked throughout the golf swing. In an attempt to keep the lead arm rigid, excessive tension in the hands and shoulders usually results. Some of the world’s best players have a bent lead arm in the backswing such as major champions Angel Cabrera, Darren Clarke, and Geoff Ogilvy. By allowing the lead arm to be “softer”, you’ll be able to create a freer swinging motion and more clubhead speed.
Hale Irwin used a simple drill with his feet together, partial swings, and an attempt to keep the arms soft as a staple in his practice routine.
By keeping the feet together, it promotes more of an arm and hand swing with little concern for body weight shift. Try hitting balls with this set-up and be sure to:
1. Tee the ball up slightly like a par 3 tee shot. Makes it easier to have contact success.
2. Use a lighter grip pressure than normal. You can’t have soft arms with excessively tight grip pressure.
3. Allow the elbows to fold particularly on the finish. Too many amateurs stiffen up through impact causing poor shots.
GO FIGURE!
10. ENTERTAINERS: Which New Jersey city has a statue of singer Frank Sinatra? Answers
by Linda Thistle
1. A vixen.
2. 2007.
The idea of Go Figure is to arrive at the figures given at the bottom and right-hand columns of the diagram by following the arithmetic signs in the order they are given (that is, from left to right and top to bottom). Use only the numbers below the diagram to complete its blank squares and use each of the nine numbers only once.
3. “Red Dawn,”1984. 4. Wellington, New Zealand. 5. Kentucky. 6. Science fiction and fantasy. 7. 1975.
DIFFICULTY:
8. Heptagon. 9. Verona, Italy. 10. Hoboken, New Jersey.
