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Issue #22The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read®December 10-16, 2011

Farmington Hills, Farmington, Novi & NorthvilleOver 30,000

readers Weekly Locally!

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TIDBITS® EXPLORES SOME OF LIFE’SCROSSINGS

by Patricia L. CookTidbits crosses many paths in researching information for your reading pleasure. This issue will look at some familiar crosses and crossings that we all encounter.• Thefirst typeofcrossing thatcomes tomind

for most is a railroad crossing. Many drivers encounter railroad crossings every time they drive. Rail lines are prevalent in North America, which highlights the fact that railroads play a huge part in transporting goods and people across this continent.

•Where railroads exist, crossings also exist. Railroad crossings are intersections where a roadway crosses a railroad at-grade. In the United States, they are referred to as grade crossings. In Canada and many other places, they are called level crossings.

•As of 2005, there were 147,681 public grade crossings and 94,583 private crossings in the United States. Public crossings are maintained by a public authority, but private crossings, not intended for public use, are not. They are for the use of the owners of the property and usually on farms or industrial complexes.

•Grade crossings in all countries have always been accident-prone areas. When vehicles or pedestrians cross the paths of trains, trains win. The good news is that in recent years, accident rates have gone down.

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Page 2 Tidbits® of MichiganCROSSINGS (continued):

•The U.S. Department of Transportation has reported that crossing accidents between vehicles and trains decreased 84 percent between 1972 and 2009. In 2009, there were 1,900 collisions, compared to 12,000 in 1972.

•Much of the improved safety at railroad crossings has been attributed to the Operation Lifesaver program that was started in Idaho in 1972.The Idaho governor’s office, IdahoPeace Officers and Union Pacific Railroadstarted the program with a six-week public awareness campaign. Fatalities fell 43 percent in the inaugural year, and within a decade, the program spread all around the country. Canada added Operation Lifesaver in 1981. Anationalofficewascreatedin1986forthenon-profitorganizationtosupport theeffortsof the states. The United Kingdom, Estonia, Mexico and Argentina also have Operation Lifesaver programs.

•The warning signs at railroad crossings are similar worldwide. The “crossbuck” or X sign usually contains the words “railroad crossing” in the United States and “railway crossing” in Canada. The “crossbuck” is also called a “saltire” or Saint Andrew’s cross. Saint Andrew was a disciple of Jesus Christ who was martyred on an X-shaped cross as opposed to a traditional cross. The saltire is used in many flags, including Scotland’s,where Saint Andrew is the patron Saint. Nova Scotia, Australia, New Zealand and the U.S. states of Florida and Alabama are others with thesaltireontheirflags.

• The Scottish flag, a white saltire on a bluebackground, isbelievedtobe theoldestflagin Europe. The village of Athelstaneford, birthplace of the Scottish flag, has a FlagHeritage Centre and Saltire Memorial.

•The idea for the Red Cross was born in 1859 when a young Swiss man, Henry Dunant, sawsoldiersinItalyonabattlefieldwoundedand dying and not receiving assistance. He organizedlocalpeopletocometotheiraid.

• In1863,fivemenfromGeneva,Switzerland,including Dunant, set up the International Committee for Relief to the Wounded, which later became the International Committee of the Red Cross. This led to the creation of the Geneva Convention, in which 12 governments agreed to offer care for the wounded, and paved the way for medical services to be “neutral”onthebattlefield.

•The emblem for the Red Cross was set as a red cross on a white background, the inverse of the Swiss flag. While that emblem has

changed a little through the years, the symbol oftheRedCrossisrecognizableworldwide.

•Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, was working in Washington, D.C., in 1861 when wounded Civil War soldiers needed help. She gathered supplies and distributed them for the soldiers. She also read to them, wrote letters for them and prayed with them. Barton was known as the “Angel oftheBattlefield.”

• Barton’s organizational efforts andcommitment to helping soldiers along with observations of the International Red Cross at work in Europe led to the creation of the American Red Cross in 1881. Barton was 60 years old and led the new American organizationfor23years.

•Today, the American Red Cross is a part of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which was founded in 1919.Theseorganizationsbringaidtovictimsof disasters throughout the world.

•The building housing the headquarters of the American Red Cross, located in Washington, D.C., was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1965. The building has many historical artifacts, writings and more from the organization’s past. An original set ofpaneled, stained-glass Tiffany Windows, commissioned in 1917 and designed and constructed by Louis Comfort Tiffany, are on display in their original state. The beautiful windowsillustratethemostsignificantvaluesof the Red Cross: hope, faith, charity and love.

•One of the most loved poets of Victorian-era Britain, Poet Laureate Alfred Lord Tennyson wrote the poem “Crossing the Bar:” It reads: “For tho’ from out our bourne of Time and Place,Thefloodmaybearme far, Ihope tosee my Pilot face to face, When I have crossed the bar.”

•Being a Poet Laureate meant being appointed as a member of the royal household for life. Tennyson was expected to write wonderful poems celebrating national and royal events in Britain.

•Written in 1889, three years before his death, “Crossing the Bar” was not his final work,but Tennyson requested that it appear as the finalpoeminallofhiscollections.Thepoemdescribed his attitude about death, using a sand bar to describe the barrier between life and death. Another image that many thought he intended to convey with the poem was that of “crossing” oneself as Catholics do in a religiousgestureofdevotion.■

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There are seven fundamental principles of the Red Cross, national and international: Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality. The Red Cross relies on donations of time, money and bloodtofunctionasanorganization.Anaverageof91cents of every dollar spent by the Red Cross is spent on humanitarian programs and services.

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The Gift of EmpowermentbySamanthaMazzotta

DEAR HAMMER: My daughter movedintoherfirsthomethisfall,andI want to give her a gift that will truly be useful. What I’d like her to know is the feeling one gets after successfully tacklingadifficulthomerepair,likealeaky faucet or a broken window pane. So I’m putting together a basic toolkit, most of which is in a rust-resistant toolbox, and wrapping it all in a pink bow. Here are some of the items I’m

including for her:• A claw hammer and a ball peen

hammer, and boxes of nails.• A set of screwdrivers with removablebitsinmanysizesandshapes, and a ratchet screwdriver with interchangeable bits.

• Pliers: one slip-joint and one locking pair of pliers, and a 10-inch adjustable wrench for big bolts. Also, a wire cutter.

• My favorite item: a cordless rechargeable power drill.

• Aflexiblesteeltapemeasureandacombolaserlevel-studfinder.

• A general-purpose handsaw for cutting wood, and a 10-inch hacksaw to cut metal.

• Putty knives in different widths.

• A metal file, a wood rasp,sandpaper block and assorted sandpaper sheets.

• A wire brush and a nylon brush.• Duct tape, electrical tape and

painter’s masking tape.• Scissors, a pocket knife and a

utility knife.• Safety goggles, leather work gloves and a filter mask withreplaceablefilters.

I hope your readers like this list!

I’ve enjoyed being able to handle minor repairs around the house on my own, and I can’t wait to pass on this tradition. -- Joyce G., Kansas City, Mo.

DEAR JOYCE: That’s a fantastic starter kit and a great gift idea! Your daughter likely will appreciate it even more knowing that it came from you and that you put thought into the items she’ll need for most repairs.Being able to handle minor repairs and emergencies gives one a great sense of empowerment. Kudos for putting together a wonderful gift.Send your questions or tips to ask@thisisahammer.com, or write This Is a Hammer, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.(c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

To prevent a metal file or wood rasp’s teeth from clogging up, rub the file or rasp with chalk before starting a job.

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book written by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey, two of the children of efficiency experts Frank Bunker Gilbreth, Sr. and Lillian Moller Gilbreth. The couple hadadozenchildren,andthebookisbasedon a comment that the father was often heard saying when people asked him why he had so many children. He’d say, “Well, they comecheaperbythedozen,youknow.”

• Twomore“CheaperBytheDozen”movieswere made in 2003 and 2005, but they were not based on the real family or book. The only similaritieswerethatthefamilyhadadozenchildren and a lot of chaos! Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt starred in those movies.

• Abaker’sdozenisacollectionof13items,instead of a normal dozen of 12. Thetradition, usually just used in the baking industry, started in the 13th century, and continues today at many bake shops around the world.

• Also called a long dozen, devil’s dozen,roughrider’sdozenorlongmeasure,givingabaker’sdozenmostlikelystartedbecauseofsevere punishments that existed in England when bakers shorted their customers. Bakers feared not giving their customers the proper weight of goods, so instead of not giving enough, they would give extra, just to be sure! An extra roll, pastry or loaf of bread would surely satisfy their customers and fulfill the law as well.

•Bake shops were regulated by the Worshipful Company of Bakers, a trade guild to which most bakers belonged in medieval England. The guild regulated bread prices, what types were available for sale and where new shops could be established. The motto for the company was and still is, “Praise God for All.”

•The next time you visit a doughnut shop or bakery, ask what their policy is concerning a baker’sdozen.Chancesare,they’llthrowinanextraforyou!■

I’ll Take A DozenThere are some units of measurment that are just odd. For instance, the words knot, carat, cubit, ream,baleanddozen.Let’sspendabout40dozenwordslookingattheins&outsofdozen.• A dozen equals 12 things. Eggs, doughnuts,flowersandmoreareoftenmeasuredindozens.

• Theword dozen is a contraction of theLatinword duodecim, which means two plus 10. The root “duo” also appears in duodenum, the first part of the intestines, which happens to be about 12 inches (30.48 cm) long. Some language and mathhistoriansbelieve thatadozen isoneoftheearliestgroupings,hencethereareadozencycles of the moon in a cycle of the sun. There are a dozenmonths in the year, andwatchesand clocks are based on 12 hours of A.M. and 12 hours of P.M.

• In the Bible, there are 12 tribes of Israel in the Old Testament, and Jesus chose 12 men to be his disciples in the New Testament. But these groupswereneverreferredtoasadozen!

• Doyouknowthesignificanceofgivingadozenroses? Even though many don’t think of this, it is said to convey that the gift giver is thinking of the recipient all 12 months of the year. True love!

• The originalmovie “Cheaper By theDozen”was based on the 1948 autobiographical

Page 4 Tidbits® of MichiganOvercoming The Odds:Florence Nightingale

Named after Florence, Italy, the city of her birth, Florence Nightingale was born to wealthy parents on May 12, 1820. She felt called by God to help others as a nurse.• In England in the 1800s, nurses were not

valued in society. Being from a wealthy family, Nightingale was expected to marry, raise a family and carry on life in “high” society. Her social circle didn’t look kindly at working-class women. She lived with her parents and sister in Embley Park, Hampshire, England.

•Nightingale was very close to her father. He did not have a son and took great pains to educate her. He taught her Latin, Greek, French, Italian, German, mathematics, history and philosophy. Yet with all of the education he provided, he was opposed to her seeking training as a nurse.

•Nightingale’s desire was not necessarily to be a career woman but to help others in need. She spent 11 years visiting the sick in hospitals. She was greatly encouraged when she visited two St. Vincent de Paul sisters at a convent in Alexandria, Egypt. She felt they were more caring and were better nurses than the ones she had seen in England.

•Nightingale was further encouraged to pursue a medical career when she met ElizabethBlackwell at a hospital in London. Blackwell was thefirstwoman toqualify as amedicaldoctor in the United States. Blackwell had overcome great obstacles in pursuit of her medical career and urged Nightingale to keep trying to convince her father to allow her to study. Finally in 1851, when she was age 31, Nightingale’s father gave her permission to

seek nursing training.•Nightingale studied at the Institute of

Protestant Deaconesses in Kaiserwerth, Germany. Two years later, she started work at a London hospital for women.

• In March 1853, Russia invaded Turkey, and Britain and France stepped in to help Turkey in what became known as the Crimean War. British soldiers soon became infected with cholera and malaria in great numbers. Nightingale volunteered her services to help the soldiers. She took 38 nurses with hertothearmyhospitalneartheconflict.

•Nightingale was appalled at the conditions of the army hospital. The lack of hygiene and good elementary care available to the British soldiers was causing and prolonging a lot of the health issues. She started a campaign to improve the quality of nursing in military hospitals. She also encouraged the soldiers by establishing recreation and reading rooms at the hospitals.

• In 1856, Nightingale met with Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and gave evidence of the horrible conditions to the 1857 Sanitary Commission. This resulted in the Army Medical College being formed.

•Also, Nightingale founded the Nightingale School & Home for Nurses at St. Thomas Hospital and became involved in training nurses for employment in workhouses that were established for the poor.

•Known as “The Lady with the Lamp” for her habit of making rounds at night, Nightingale was and will always be remembered as a national heroine in England. Worldwide recognition is given to her in the Nightingale Pledge that is taken by new nurses, and the annual International NursesDayisheldonherbirthday.■

▶ “Burned rice? No problem. While it’s still hot, carefully remove to a new pot any rice not browned or blackened.

Then top it with a single slice of white bread. Allow it to sit for several minutes under a tightly fitted lid. The burned smell is absorbed by the bread, and the rice is fit to eat.” -- M.U. in Michigan

▶ Plastic holiday tablecloths can be a festive addition to any family celebration. But what to do if you unpack yours and it’s wrinkled? Get those wrinkles out in a hurry with a hair dryer. Set the hair dryer to a low setting, and gently run the warm air over the wrinkles. Then smooth and set the table.▶ To freshen rugs without the heavy perfume smell of store-bought brands, simply sprinkle a little baking soda on your carpet and let it sit for about 10 minutes before vacuuming.▶ Wrap the lint from your dryer in 6-inch strips of wax paper. Roll it up, twist both ends and you have a perfect fire starter.▶ “For light and unbelievably fluffy pancakes, try subbing the water in your recipe with club soda. Yummo.” -- E.S. in Florida

▶ “Add a few drops of water to votive cups before adding a candle. The wax will float on the water, and when the candle burns down it won’t get stuck in the votive glass.” -- O.J. in Wyoming

Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475 or e-mail JoAnn at heresatip@yahoo.com.

(c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

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NaturalGasadditional interest tacked on to the original amount. The interest rates are more than you’d ever pay at a bank. To break the pawn-shop habit, set aside money until you accumulate an emergency fund.Payday Loans can be addictive because of the immediate payoff (you get the cash right now) and the delayed payback (you write a post-dated check). At the end of the agreed upon period, the lender will cash your check -- which is for the amount you borrowed plus interest. As with pawn shops, the interest rates can be astronomical. To break the habit of using payday lenders, open a savings account at a credit union. When you needaloan,asktherefirst.Rent-to-Own is considered an easy way to get furniture, televisions, appliances and even computers for your home by making small weekly payments. As with anything that sounds too good to be true, once you add up the fees and interest, along with the payments, you could enduppayingfiveorsixtimeswhat

Financial Crutches Can Be Addicting

Three addicting financial habitscan cost you extra money in the long run, according to The National Foundation for Credit Counseling. Here are the culprits:Pawn Shops will loan money in exchange for an item you own, such as a television or stereo. It’s considered an easy way to get money, and it can be addicting because of the immediacy. At the end of the agreed upon period, you can buy your item back -- by paying the original amount plus interest. If you can’t pay at that time, you can extend the loan period, with

you would have paid in a store. To break the rent-to-own habit, save your money and buy one item at a time. If you use a credit card, don’t charge more than you can realistically pay off in 3 months.While NFCC doesn’t mention it, buying a new vehicle every year can be an addictive habit as well. A shiny car or truck, without a scratch, with that new-car smell and brand-new tires -- it’s easy to want one in the driveway. The problem is that vehicles depreciate quickly. The longer you keep a vehicle, however, the less it depreciates each year. Invest in a complete vehicle detailing service twice a year, and keep the vehicle at least three years.

David Uffington regrets that he cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into his column whenever possible. Write to him in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to columnreply@gmail.com.(c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

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Dear Dr. Donohue: I am recuperating from a kidney infection (pyelitis). The doctor did a culture of my urine, which showed a gram negative rod. What kind of infection is that? -- S.B.

Answer: The more common urinary tract infection is infection of the bladder -- cystitis. Pyelitis (PIE-uh-LITE-iss), now usually called pyelonephritis, is an infection of the kidney itself. It is a much more serious infection, and one that usually makes people take to their bed.Pyelitis causes high fever often alternating with chills.Peoplehaveintenseflankpain,thesidearea between the lowest rib and the upper part of the pelvis. The infection also might make people urinate more frequently and with pain. These two signs, however, are more apt to indicate bladder infection.The most frequent cause of pyelitis is the bacteriumE. coli. Bacteria are classified intotwo large groups based on how they react to a stainusedtovisualizethemwithamicroscope.The stain is the Gram stain, named after the doctor who devised it. Bacteria are either gram positive or gram negative. A gram positive bacterium turns blue with the stain; a gram negative turns red.Bacteria also are classified by their shape.Some are elongated sticks -- rods. Others are oval-shaped. E. coli is a gram negative rod.Pyelitis is a situation that calls for immediate

Antibiotics Usually End Kidney InfectionBy Paul G. Donohue, M.D.

and usually intravenous antibiotic treatment. It responds promptly to such treatment. The temperature often returns to normal within two days.The booklet on urinary tract infections describes both upper urinary tract infections (kidney -- pyelitis) and lower urinary tract infections (bladder -- cystitis). Readers can obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue -- No. 1204W, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Canada with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

Dear Dr. Donohue: I have seborrheic keratoses and have had them for many years. Doctors say nothing can be done. I had them cut off and frozen off, but they come right back. Can you help? -- A.N

Answer: Seborrheic (SEB-uh-REE-ik) keratoses are brown, warty-looking spots on the back, chest, arms, legs and sometimes the face. They are not cancers and don’t become cancers. There may be only a few, but there can be hundreds of them. Their cause is a mystery, but they appear at older ages, so aging is somehow involved.Adoctorcanscrapethemofforfreezethem. They might come back, but they can be retreated if they do. The tendency to develop them is inherited.(c) 2011 North America Synd., Inc., All Rights Reserved

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The list of Medicare preventive services is long,andit’stoourbenefittouseasmanyofthese as our doctors think we need. Here is a sample of what is available:•Colon cancer screenings: Can include

a colonoscopy every 24 to 120 months, depending on your level of risk for colon cancer. A blood test can be ordered every 12 months.

•Bone-mass measurement: Tests for the risk of osteoporosis, and can be done every 24 months, or more often if indicated.

•Pneumococcal shots: Vaccine covers pneumococcal pneumonia, bacteremia, meningitis and otitis media, and generally only needs to be given once, although some at risk might need a booster shot.

•Glaucoma test: For those with a risk due to diabetes, a family history or other

indications, this test can be a sight saver.•Mammograms: Free yearly breast cancer

screening if the doctor accepts the assignment.

•Prostate cancer screenings: Both the exam andaProstateSpecificAntigen(PSA)testis suggested once a year for men age 50 and older.

To see the rest of the preventive services, go to the Medicare website (ww.medicare.gov), click Manage Your Health, then Preventive Services. There’s even a printable chart you can take to your doctor to ask whether the assessments and screenings are right for you.

Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible. Write to her in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to columnreply@gmail.com.(c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

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Nature or NurtureBy Mark Vasto

Scouts say you can pick them out when they’re little kids.“The rest of the good playing kids in little league are hitting a respectable .300, and then there’s that one kid hitting .700 with a dinger each game,” one such scout told me. “We can see the kid’s already gonna be a pro, and he’s not even in high school yet.”Maybe he’s got a hitch in his swing. Perhaps he’s unsuited for the position he’s currently playing. Doesn’t matter. “Everybody is coachable,” a coach once told me. “But the player has to respond to the coach, or you can forget it.”Larry Bird couldn’t stand Bobby Knight so he bailed on Indiana. Former Atlanta Falcons head coach Jerry Glanville once proclaimed that Brett Favre would never play a down in the NFL. Martina Navratilova was too chubby to ever become a real contender on the women’s tennis circuit. Heck, Reggie Jackson couldn’t get a guaranteed spot in the Yankee lineup underneath Billy Martin.There was a theory making the rounds a few years ago that posited anybody can attain expert level in just about anything if they spend 10,000 hours or more practicing that particular craft. If you spent every waking hour practicing, every day, that would come to about two to three years. For a more reasonable timeframe, let’s just say

it’sfive to sixyears.Oneof theexamples theyused was The Beatles. They went off to Hamburg before they became famous, honed their craft by playing jet-fueled all-night sets and returned to Liverpool as stars.Sounds easy, right? Of course, the notion is pretty much absurd. If that were the case, every minor league baseball player would be in the show and everyone down at the country club would be competing in the Ryder Cup.With the exception of tennis players, quarterbacks, switch-hitting baseball players and, for whatever reason, Chinese violinists -- players who had parents who really take the time to drill them (which is why the coach’s kid is usually one of the best players on the team) -- most people practice what it is they’re truly talented at.There can be late bloomers, sure ... for instance, I recently had an epiphany that led me to begin playing the guitar. A friend of mine said something that clicked, taught me the A chord, andIwasoffandrunning.Now,Icanconfidentlysay that I am at the expert level at guitar, so long as you only want to hear “Wild Thing,” by The Troggs.My kid is 2. He wants to be a drummer. So I bought him some maracas and told him the ottoman was a drum, have at it. I’ll let you know in another 9,000 hours how that’s working out.(c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

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Dog’s Cough a WorryBy Sam Mazzotta

Dear Paw’s Corner: My friend has a Border Collie mix, “Jeffy,” who is about two or three years old. He snorts or coughs at least 10 or 15 times a day, and when he does, a copious amount of mucus comes out of his nose. Can you tell me what causes this and how to remedy it? -- B.P., Prince George, Va.

Dear B.P.: Coughing in dogs can have a number of causes, ranging from allergy to seriousinfection.Thefirstthingyourfriendneeds to do is take Jeffy to the veterinarian to rule out a dangerous illness like kennel cough or other infection, or an injury.Your friend should let the vet know how long Jeffy has had this cough, if he was recently boarded or regularly goes to doggy day care, and if his shots are up to date. Jeffy also should be regularly treated with a heartworm preventive; if he isn’t, your friend must let the doctor know. If Jeffy dealt with a recent fleainfestation,letthevetknow.If Jeffy is diagnosed with an illness -- respiratory infections can happen to any dog -- the vet will determine the type of infection and prescribe medicine to treat it. He also may prescribe a cough suppressant to give the dog a little relief from the coughing. If Jeffy gets a clean bill of health, your friend will want to look into other causes of his cough and mucus, such as seasonal allergies, a food allergy or an environmental allergy such as dampness and/or mold in the house. Treatment, along with reduced exposure to the allergen that’s causing the problem, can make a big difference.Send your question or tip to ask@pawscorner.com, or write to Paw’s Corner, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. For more pet care-related advice and information, visit www.pawscorner.com.

(c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.Answer on page 5

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ARIES (March 21 - April 19) Make your holiday preparations one step at a time in order to avoid being overwhelmed and leaving things undone. That confusing family situation continues to work itself out.TAURUS (April 20 - May 20) Ease this year’s holiday money pressures by letting your thrifty side guide you as you look for those perfect gifts that typically reflect your good taste and love ofbeauty.GEMINI (May 21 - June 20) You’ll have a good handle on potential holiday problems if you delegate tasks to family members, friends or co-workers -- most of whom will be more than happy to help out.CANCER (June 21 - July 22) Right now you are especially vulnerable to holiday scams that seek to take advantage of your generosity. Best advice: Check them out before you send out your checks.LEO (July 23 - August 22) The upcoming holiday season gives the Big Cat much to purr about. Relationships grow stronger, and new opportunities loomonthehorizon,justwaitingtobepouncedon.VIRGO (August 23 - September 22) A changing situation brings conflicting advice about how togo forward with your holiday plans. Your best bet: Make the decision you feel most comfortable with.LIBRA (September 23 - October 22) Holiday plans get back on track after some confusion about the direction you expected to take. A potentially troublesome money matter needs your immediate attention.SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21) Your holiday preparations are on track. But you need to confront a personal situation while you can still keep it from overwhelming everything else.SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 21)Tight financialmatters ease a bit during thisholiday season. But the sagacious Sagittarian is well-advised to keep a tight hold on the reins while shopping for gifts.CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 19) Don’t put off making decisions about this year’s holiday celebrations, despite the negative comments you’ve been getting from several quarters. Do it NOW!AQUARIUS (January - to February 18) The holidays will bring new friends and new opportunities. Meanwhile, be careful to use your energy wisely as you go about making holiday preparations.PISCES (February 19 - March 20) There’s good news coming from a most unlikely source. And it could turn out to be one of the best holiday gifts you have had in years. Remember to stay positive.

(c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

Q: I really like “Grimm” on NBC. Can you tell me about the actress who plays the beautiful blond Reaper? -- David S., via e-mail

A: Claire Coffee plays Reaper assassin Adalind Schade (who also happens to be a lawyer). Claire, 31, also is on TNT’s “Franklin and Bash,” playing Mark-Paul Gosselaar’s ex and James Van Der Beek’s current girlfriend. Claire and I joked about how she is living the fantasy of every girl who grew up watching James and Mark-Paul in the ‘90s, including herself: “It’s too bad I didn’t get a job like thiswhenIfirstcameto town--ormaybe it’s good thing, because I probably would have lost my mind.”She’s thrilled about her role on “Grimm,” telling me: “I really wanted this one, because I’ve never gotten to play any sort of supernatural character before. I’ve never played an evil witch who has fightscenesandkillspeople.Igottoput some new special skills on the resume through this job.”Q: When is my favorite show, “Southland,” coming back to TNT? -- Johnny C. in New Hampshire

A: You don’t have to wait much longer for the season four premiere on Jan. 17. This season will feature returning stars Michael Cudlitz, ShawnHatosy,ReginaKingandBenMcKenzie,andwill

Michael Cudlitz

guest-star Lucy Liu. This season will also reunite Regina King with her “227” co-star Marla Gibbs, who guest-stars as a family member of a suspect that Detective Lydia Adams (Regina) is investigating for murder.Q: Now that Eddie Murphy is no longer hosting the Oscars, do you think he’ll host the Golden Globes? -- Peggy G., via e-mail

A: That gig has gone to actor/comedian/writer/producer Ricky Gervais, who’s hosted the previous two Golden Globes ceremonies. Most of you know I wholeheartedly approve of this choice, as do many of the Hollywood royalty that Ricky teases. Liam Neeson has voiced his approval of Ricky, saying: “Hollywood needs a shake-up. He’ll be great.” Robert DeNiro showered Ricky with praise after

last year’s controversial telecast, telling Ricky he’d be happy to set anyone straight who was offended. Johnny Depp guest-stars on Ricky’s new TV show, “Life’s Too Short,” poking fun of himself and Ricky in a hilarious sketch (Google it and see for yourself). The Golden Globes Awards telecast airs live Sunday, Jan. 15, on NBC.Q: How is Demi Moore doing? Will she divorce Ashton Kutcher for his alleged infidelity? -- Renee R., Clearwater, FL

A: Demi recently announced her decision to file for divorce fromAshton, stating: “It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I have decided to end my six-year marriage

to Ashton. As a woman, a mother and a wife there are certain values and vows that I hold sacred, and it is in this spirit that I have chosen to move forward with my life.”

Write to Cindy at King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475; or e-mail her at letters@cindyelavsky.com.(c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

Stewart Wins by (Literally) NothingHOMESTEAD, Fla. -- One isn’t actually the loneliest number.It’szero.

Zero was Tony Stewart’s margin in the closest championship battle in NASCAR history. Zero was no margin at all.Try to tell Carl Edwards that.Edwardsfinishedsecondforthethirdweekinarow,andasaresult,hefinishedsecondfortheseason.Twoisn’t supposed to be lonely, but on this Sunday night at Homestead-Miami Speedway, it was. Two was the positionofthefirstloser.ThegentlemanlyEdwardslost to the aggressive Stewart.During the latter of 2 rain delays, Stewart did exactly what he had been doing for a month. He talked smack. Then he delivered the smack he talked about.“Wearefixingtowearhim(Edwards)out,”Stewartsaid. “We get up there and get some more track position, and we’ve got a pretty good Chevy. We’ve been able to match his lap times, and we just have to hang in there with him. We’re going to make this interesting before it’s over if we haven’t already.”Edwards led 119 laps, nearly twice as many as Stewart.Stewart,however, led thefinal36.Stewartdidn’tpitwhentheraceresumedunderayellowflag,and Stewart stayed on the track for track position, which he never relinquished. For 33 of those final36 laps Stewart led. Edwards was in second, but he could never get much closer than a second behind

and crossed thefinish line trailingby1.306,whichmaynotbemuchbutwas,yes,infinitelygreaterthanStewart’s wacky and extraordinary Chase margin of, uh,zeropoints.“At least we know we can compete with any of these people,” Edwards said. “We know we can compete withathree-timechampion(Stewart)whowinsfiveraces in the Chase and still wind up with the same number of points as he got.”In the end, it was small consolation. No, it was cold consolation. Ruthless consolation.Stewart won the race. Edwards, who began the twice-rain-delayed Ford 400 three points ahead, finishedsecond.Theyeachfinishedwith2,403points.Stewartwon the championship by tie-breaker.Hewon fiveraces. Edwards won only one.

“Whether we won tonight or lost, tonight is the start of the next season,” Edwards rationalized. “I wasprepared for anything. I knew this was a possibility. I told myself I’d walk back to that motor home, win, lose or draw, and be a good example for my kids. We’ll be better next season.”Edwards’averagefinishintheChase,4.9,wasbetterthan any previous Chase (2004-present) champion but not enough to beat Stewart, who won more Chase races than anyone in history.Stewart overcame a lousy break at the beginning -- a mysterious hole poked in the grille of his Chevy -- and took advantage of a good break later, when he ran outofgastryingtostretchhisrunbutbenefitedafterrain brought the race to a halt for a while.(c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

Tony Stewart celebrates after winning the Ford 400 and the 2011 Sprint Cup at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Stewart won the championship by the narrowest margin possible. (Getty Images for NASCAR photo)

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Page 8 Tidbits® of Michigan

Recycle Old Records Into Groovy GiftsHoliday songs abound on the grooves of old 45s and LPs that are no

doubt scratched and warped in attics everywhere. But your stored-away keepsakes can have a new life if you get into this holiday gift-making activity. It’s all about warping them even more to create terrific bowls, picture frames, clocks or even aplanter for a small holiday poinsettia.First the bowls. You and your kids can change your “oldies but goodies” into unique shapes in less than 30 seconds with these easy directions.An adult or teen should do the first step of theproject. In a well-ventilated room, place a record on a sheet of aluminum foil and set in a preheated, 300 F oven. Keep your eye on the record the entire time it is in the oven. If your oven doesn’t have a window, leave the door slightly ajar to observe the warping of the record, which will occur within 15 to 20 seconds. As soon as it begins to warp, immediately remove it from the oven using oven mitts. You don’t want the record to melt!With the mitts still on, remove the foil and place the record into a glass or metal mixing bowl that is smaller in diameter than the record, centering the hold of the record in the middle of the bowl. Press the center portion of the record toward the bottom of the bowl. It will harden within seconds into its new, curvy shape. Remove.

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Mold several records, and then get the whole family involved in the decorating with some of these ideas:1. Place a picture in the middle and, using paint in squeezebottles,drawdesignsaroundit.2. Leave a large molded record as is and use for a tray to hold your collections or holiday cards. It’s especially fun if you chose a record with a holiday song. Or, set a napkin inside and use as an eye-catching container for popcorn, chips or cookies. 3. Glue a mirror in the center and add a self-sticking hanger on the back to display on the wall.4. Buy an inexpensive clock mechanism at a craft store such as Michael’s, and attach it through the center hole of the record. Glue colorful buttons around the hole to represent each of the 12 hours. 5. Use the molded record as a planter for a growing plant. The hole provides drainage.(c) 2011 Donna Erickson, Distributed by King Features Synd.