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TIDBITS® INVITES YOU TO

ENJOY SOME MELONS!by Patricia L. Cook

Whether your favorite melon is watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew or an exotic variety, this is the season for enjoying melons in the northern hemisphere. This Tidbits explores melon facts,

Cucurbitaceae, which is the family that

Because they grow on long, trailing vines,

to grow.

provide shade during the day, protecting the developing fruit from the hot sun. Melons need hot sun and a long growing season to grow to

pollination.

are spread throughout the middle of the melons

are concentrated in a middle cavity surrounded

cantaloupes! turn the page for more!

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The Veterans Benefits Administration devoted 37 percent of its rating staff to working on Agent Orange claims last year. By last month, they’d processed 230,000 claims, including 150,000 “Nehmer” claims.Nehmer v. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs was a lawsuit to force the VA to pay retroactively for the three newest medical conditions added to the Agent Orange presumptive list: hairy cell and other chronic B-cell leukemias, Parkinson’s disease and ischemic heart disease. Nehmer covered claims denied between 1985 and 2010, when a service connection was estab-lished between those additional illnesses and Agent Orange. The courts ordered the VA to be finished adjudicating those claims by Oct. 1, 2011. No, it didn’t make the deadline, but in VA time, a nine-month delay isn’t bad.Nehmer also included some helpful instructions to the VA: Payments are to be made within 21 days of veri-fication of entitlement. Benefits will go to the estate of a deceased veteran. A new claim doesn’t have to be

To Your Good Health By Paul G Donohue M.D.

DEDEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am a black woman writing on behalf of my boyfriend. He has a crop of little bumps on his face. I asked him if they are pimples, and he laughed. He said they’re shaving bumps. How does he get rid of them? -- R.C.

ANSWER: Men of any race can develop shaving bumps. Black men’s hair is more tightly coiled, and they, therefore, are quite susceptible to them. If a man cuts his facial hair too closely to the skin, it can spring back toward the skin and penetrate it. Tightly coiled hair is especially prone to this. The sharp end of the hair pushing back into the skin acts like a foreign body. It irritates the skin and inflames it. A little bump forms.It must be a chore for your boyfriend to shave. To get rid of the bumps, he has to stop shaving until they go away. He also has to dislodge all the hairs that have penetrated the skin. He can do this by taking a clean needle and slipping it under the loop that the hair makes. Then he pops the end of the hair out of the skin. When he frees all the ingrown hairs and stops shaving, his skin will clear.To prevent new bumps when he resumes shaving, he has to adopt a different shaving style. He must soften his beard with soap and warm water before using a razor. He will do himself a favor by buying an electric razor and putting it on a setting that doesn’t shave the beard too closely. With either a blade or an electric shaver, he should shave in the direction of hair growth, and he shouldn’t pull his skin taut.If he goes through all this and doesn’t meet with success, he’ll have to see a doctor. In fact, if his shaving bumps are crusted with dried pus, he should start out by seeing a doctor. The pus indicates infection, and he’ll need an antibiotic cream to get rid of any infection.If your boyfriend is squeamish about freeing the ingrown hairs with a needle, you can do the job for him. You’re the one who set all this in motion.***DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I wonder if you will answer my question, which concerns our medical records. Are we, as patients, entitled to request our medical records in order to deliver them to a new doctor?We have had to change to a new doctor and would like him to know our past medical history. He hasn’t received the complete file, including tests. Since our insurance pays for these tests, it seems to me that we should be able to request the originals or copies. -- P.S.

ANSWER: Laws regarding the ownership of medical records vary from one state to the next. However, in most states, the doctor and hospital own the medical records.However, you are entitled to get a complete copy of your records. The doctor or the hospital can charge a reasonable fee for copying them.If the doctor or hospital refuses to comply, contact your county or state medical society.

Blame Ingrown Hairs for Shaving Bumps

made. If you have an illness, including the newest three added to list, you can still file. Per a VA.gov news release, veterans potentially are eligible if exposed to Agent Orange:¥ Based on duty or visitation in Vietnam or on its in-land waterways between Jan. 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975;¥ Along the demilitarized zone in Korea between April 1, 1968, and Aug. 31, 1971;¥ Due to herbicide tests and storage at military bases within and outside of the United States.The VA has set up an Agent Orange Fast Track Claims Processing System website [www.fastrack.va.gov] to walk veterans through the filing process. If you don’t have a computer, you can talk to Benefits Support at 1-800-827-1000, or go to your Regional Benefits Of-fice. Tell them you want the Fast Track claims forms.

Agent Orange Claims

ENJOY SOME MELONS! (continued):• True“cantaloupes”originatedinCan-talupo,Italy.Theyarehard-shelledmelons,withwart-likegrowthsontheirhardgreenskin.TruecantaloupesarenotgrownmuchoutsideofMedi-terraneancountries.• N.A.cantaloupesareactuallymuskmel-ons.Whileallcantaloupesaremuskmelons,notallmuskmelonsarecantaloupes!Someothermusk-melonsare:Honeydew,Casaba,CrenshawandPersiantypeslikeBender,MontrealandBanana.Whileyoumaynotbefamiliarwithallofthese,manyofthelesstraditionaltypesofmelonsarenowbeingcultivatedinNorthAmerica.Beadven-turousandtrysomenewmelonsfoundatyourgrocerystoreorfarmer’smarkets.• TheleadingstatesforproducingN.A.can-taloupesareCalifornia,Arizona,Texas,GeorgiaandIndiana.Theworldleadertodayforwater-melonproductionisChina.TheUnitedStatesisnumberfour.• Theleadingstatesforproducinghoney-dewmelonsareCalifornia,ArizonaandTexas.Thehoneydewisoneofthefewmelonsthatwillcontinuetoripenafterpicking.Anothernamesometimesusedforhoneydewmelonsis“tempta-tionmelons.”• Thisisprobablynotsurprisingnews,butmorethantwo-thirdsofallmelonsgrownintheUnitedStatesaregrowninCalifornia.FloridaandGeorgiaarethetopstatesforwatermelonproduc-tion.Manyofourmelonsareimported,usuallyfromMexicoandChile.TheUnitedStatesimportsmoremelonsthananyothercountry.• MosthistoriansbelievethatwatermelonsoriginatedintheKalahariDesertinsouthernAf-rica.MelonsseedsinancienttombsindicatethatmelonswereinEgyptabout4,000yearsago

The average interest rate for home mort-gages recently fell to a 30-year record low. According to Freddie Mac, the rate for a 30-year loan went to 3.66 percent from a previ-ous 3.71 percent.Many potential homebuyers look at that drop in the interest rate and consider it significant. But look at the figures: A $100,000 loan at 3.71 percent will cost you $460.85 per month in payments. A $100,000 loan at 3.66 percent will cost you $458.02 per month in

payments.That’s a savings of only $2 per month ... un-less you calculate the savings over the life of the loan.At 3.71 percent, that $100,000 loan will cost you $65,905 in interest alone, which means you’ll pay $165,905 over the 30-year course of the loan.At 3.66 percent that $100,000 loan will cost you $64,888 in interest alone, and you’ll pay $164,888 over the thirty years.That’s a savings of just $1,017 spread out over 30 years. There’s a much better way to cut the amount the interest you pay.What if you send the mortgage company $25 extra per month? Your interest, at the 3.71 rate, drops to $59,207 and you cut a year and a half off your mortgage.Let’s increase that to $100 extra per month.

Your interest, at the 3.71 rate, will drop to $45,583 and you’ll shave approximately eight years off the life of your 30-year note.If the idea of paying off your mortgage ear-ly appeals to you, let’s increase that extra amount per month to $200 and look at the figures. The interest over the life of the loan drops to $35,042, and you pay off the loan 12 years early.That, not in the tiny drops in interest rate, is where you’ll see your greatest savings.If you’re ready to buy, don’t quibble about small changes in the interest rate. Do your homework: Get your credit in good shape, assemble your documents (such as tax re-turns and bank statements) and when it comes to buying, spend less than you’ve been approved for. Send those extra dollars in with your payment each month and watch your balance drop.

How to Cut Mortgage Interest Payments

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1. Is the book of James in the Old or New Testa-ment or neither?2. From Judges 14, what animal took Samson by surprise attack? Bear, Fox, Lion, Boar3. Which denotes writings that were accepted as inspired by God? Septuagint, Canon, Abece-darian, Vulgate4. From 2 Samuel 6, who died after acciden-tally touching the Ark of the Covenant? Achan, Zedekiah, Naboth, Uzzah5. Who burned David’s city of “Ziklag”? Amale-kites, Nazarites, Gibeonites, Israelites6. From Acts 12, who was eaten by worms be-fore he died? Judas, Pilate, Herod, Malachi

New Orleans Bread Pudding

2 (4-serving) packages sugar-free vanilla cook-and-serve pudding mix4 cups skim milk1 teaspoon coconut extract1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg8 slices reduced-calorie French or white bread, torn into pieces1/2 cup raisins2 tablespoons flaked coconut2 tablespoons chopped pecans1 teaspoon rum extract2 teaspoons reduced-calorie margarine

1. Preheat oven to 360 F. Spray an 8-by-8-inch baking dish with butter-flavored cooking spray.2. In a large skillet, combine 1 package dry pudding mix and 2 1/2 cups skim milk. Cook over medium heat un-til mixture starts to boil, stirring constantly with a wire whisk. Remove from heat. Stir in coconut extract and nut-meg. Add bread pieces, raisins, coconut and pecans. Mix gently to combine.3. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Place baking dish on a wire rack while preparing sauce.4. In a medium saucepan, combine remaining package of dry pudding mix and remaining 1 1/2 cups skim milk. Cook over medium heat until mixture thickens and starts to boil, stirring constantly with a wire whisk. Remove from heat. Stir in rum extract and margarine.5. Cut bread pudding into 6 pieces. For each serving, place a serving of bread pudding on a dessert plate and spoon about 1/4 cup warm rum sauce over top.

¥ Each serving equals: 211 calories, 3g fat, 10g protein, 36g carb., 652mg sodium, 1g fiber; Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1 Skim Milk, 1 Fruit, 1/2 Fat.

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A: After a two-year delay, Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy are prepping to film “Mad Max: Fury Road” this summer. Charlize even shaved her golden locks into a buzzcut for her character, Furiosa, opposite Tom’s Max (aka The Road Warrior).***Q: A while back, you mentioned a sitcom by Vince Vaughn that would be on TBS. Has that aired yet? -- Daniel F., via e-mail

A: “Sullivan & Son,” which was executive-produced by Vince, premieres Thursday, July 19, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on TBS. The show centers on Steve Sullivan, a successful attorney from New York, who brings his girlfriend for a visit as his father and mother are preparing to sell the family bar to retire. Steve realizes

1. INVENTIONS: Who invented Lincoln Logs building blocks in 1916?2. SCIENCE: What is the symbol for the chemi-cal element tungsten?3. MOVIES: How many von Trapp children were represented in “The Sound of Music”?4. COMICS: Which comic strip features a char-acter named Jon Arbuckle?5. MEDICAL: What is the more common name for the involuntary spasms know medically as singultus?6. U.S. STATES: A resident nicknamed a “soon-er” would live in which U.S. state?7. GEOGRAPHY: What state capital is located near the Kennebec River?8. AD SLOGANS: What car company features advertisements that say “Drivers Wanted”?9. GAMES: In what country did the modern game of badminton originate?10. LITERATURE: What was the name of the caretaker’s cat in the “Harry Potter” book se-ries?

A: While the former bandmates would love to perform together again, it ain’t happening just yet. I spoke with Jeff Timmons recently, and he told me: “There was a tour set up for the summer, but not everybody was on board with it in the end. I was very excited to do it, but it just didn’t fit what everybody wanted to do, so we called it off. We decided when it’s a better opportunity for everyone, we’d decide collectively as a group that we’ll do it then.” In the meantime, Jeff is heating up the already-hot Vegas scene with his new show, “Wired!,” which is free at Green Valley Ranch Resort and Casino. Performing Fridays and Saturdays all summer, Jeff describes it as “the party before the party. You drink, have a good time, listen to us perform classic and current R&B, pop, my stuff, 98 Degrees stuff, and then go out to the club and hear a DJ spin it after-ward.”Jeff promises surprise guests who will sing with him, but you’ll have to come out there to see who. “That’s part of the element of surprise. Who’s going to be there next? We have a couple of people who we know are coming in July when they’re going to be in town, but most of it’s going to be spontaneous.”***Q: Will there be another “Mad Max” sequel? -- Jeremy T., Springfield, Mo.

Q: I keep hearing rumors about a “Dumb and Dumb-er” sequel with Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels. Is this true? -- Greg F., via e-mail

A: Jim and Jeff were all set to start filming the pur-posely grammatically incorrect “Dumb and Dumber To” this September, when Jim bowed out due to conflicts with New Line and Warner Brothers studios. “Entertainment Tonight” reported that Jim “grew increasingly frustrated by New Line and Warner Brothers, which he felt showed a lack of enthusiasm regarding the project.” When asked if the project would go on without Jim, Jeff replied: “No, nobody’s doing it without Jim.”***Q: Was there, or will there be, a 98 Degrees reunion this summer? -- Dawn D., Canton, Ohio

¥ On July 22, 1598, William Shakespeare’s play “The Merchant of Venice” is entered on the Stationers’ Reg-ister. By decree of Queen Elizabeth, the Stationers’ Register licensed printed works, giving the Crown tight control over all published material.

¥ On July 19, 1799, during Napoleon Bonaparte’s Egyptian campaign, a French soldier discovers a black basalt slab inscribed with ancient writing near the town of Rosetta, about 35 miles north of Alexandria. Called the Rosetta Stone, the artifact held the key to solving the riddle of hieroglyphics, a written language that had been “dead” for nearly 2,000 years.

¥ On July 18, 1925, Volume One of Adolf Hitler’s philosophical autobiography, “Mein Kampf,” is pub-lished. It was a blueprint of his agenda for a Third Reich and a clear exposition of the nightmare that will envelope Europe from 1939 to 1945.

¥ On July 16, 1935, the world’s first parking meter, known as Park-O-Meter No. 1, is installed on the southeast corner of what was then First Street and Robinson Avenue in Oklahoma City, Okla. Parking cost a nickel an hour. By the early 1940s, there were more than 140,000 parking meters operating in the United States.

¥ On July 17, 1955, Disneyland -- Walt Disney’s me-tropolis of nostalgia, fantasy and futurism -- opens. The $17 million theme park was built on 160 acres of former orange groves in Anaheim, Calif. Today, Disneyland hosts more than 14 million visitors a year, who spend close to $3 billion.

¥ On July 20, 1969, at 10:56 p.m. EDT, American astronaut Neil Armstrong, 240,000 miles from Earth, speaks these words to more than a billion people lis-tening at home: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Stepping off the lunar land-ing module Eagle, Armstrong became the first human to walk on the surface of the moon.

¥ On July 21, 1973, “Soul Makossa” is the first disco record to make the Top 40. It is now best remembered as the source of the rhythmic chant that appears in Michael Jackson’s “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” in 1982.

ENJOY SOME MELONS! (continued):• Somebotanistsbelievethatwatermelonsarenotactuallymelonsbutshouldbeconsideredcucumbers.Oneofthereasonstheysaythisisbecausemuskmelonseasilycross-pollinatewithoneanotherformingnewhybrids,butwatermel-onswillnotcross-pollinatewithothermelons.• Watermelonsare92percentwater,hencetheveryappropriatename,andthereasonitisadvisabletobuyheavymelons.Theycontainap-proximately6percentsugarandarerichsourcesofvitaminsAandC.Eventhoughmostpeopleonlyeatthered(oryellow,orotherspecialcol-ors)partofthewatermelon,everypartisedible.• Watermelonisusedmorelikeaveg-etableinAsiancountries.InChinesecuisine,watermelonrindisoftenstir-fried,stewedandpickled.Theseedsareoftenbakedforasnack.TheChineseeatmorewatermelonthananyotherpeople.• TheJapanesehaveproducedcube-shapedmelonsbygrowingtheminglassmolds.Themelonscostmuchmorethanregularmelonsbutfitinrefrigeratorsmoreeasily.Pyramidshapedmelonsarealsooccasionallyseen.Sincethesedon’treallyfitbetterinarefrigerator,otherthanthefactthattheywon’troll,thereasonfortheseisprobablyjustthenovelty.• Therearemorethan500varietiesofwatermelonworldwide,butonlyafewaregrowncommercially.SomeofthecommonvarietiessoldinlargenumbersareJubilee,DesertKing,SugarBaby,PeacockandHuckFinn.• Melons,probablymuskmelons,sincetheywereavailableinEgyptmanycenturiesago,arementionedintheBible.TheHebrewswhowan-deredinthedeserteating“manna”missedtheirmelons(Numbers11:5).

• Therearemanymelonfestivalsheldcel-ebratinglocalproduce.OnefestivalistheMilanMelonFestivalinMilan,Ohio,heldeveryLaborDayWeekend.Thisyear’sfestivities,the53rdannualevent,willbeSeptember1-3.Thereareusuallyover50,000fun-lovingpeoplegatheredtoeatwatermelon,muskmelonandmore.Festivalspecialtiesarewatermelonsherbetandmusk-melonicecream.• TheHopeWatermelonFestivalinHope,Arkansas,“HomeofPresidentBillClinton,Gov-ernorMikeHuckabeeandtheWorld’sLargestWatermelons,”originallystartedinthe1920sbutendedin1930becauseoftheGreatDepres-sion.Restartedin1977,ithasbeenheldeveryAugustsince.ThefestivaliswheretheBrightfamilyhaspresentedmanyworld-recordgiantwatermelons.IvanandLloydBrightpresenteda200-pound(91-kg)watermelonin1979thatheldtheworldrecordforfouryears.AfterlosingtoaTennesseefarmer,theyregainedthetitlein1985witha260pounder(118kg).In2006,the“Guin-nessBookofWorldRecords”certifiedLloydBrightwithanotherrecordfora268.8-pound(122-kg)watermelon.• Cavaillon,inCentralProvence,France,claimstobethe“WorldCapitalofMelons.”TheirspecialtyistheCharantaismelon,whichisasmall,round,stripedmelonwithorangepulp.• Becauseofreversedseasonsinthesouthernhemisphere,theChinchillaMelonFesti-valinAustraliaisheldinFebruary.ThebiennialeventwillbeFebruary14-17,2013.Thefestivalhasmanycomponentsincluding:melonbulls-eye,melonskiingandmelonironman.JohnAllwoodsettheGuinnessWorldRecordforMelonHeadSmashingin2009,cracking47watermelonsinoneminute—withhishead,nohandsorassis-tance! Ouch!

Page 5For Advertising Call (205) 552-5502

cancer. A dog or cat’s slowing pace also can lead to obesity, meaning owners need to regulate and monitor their diets closely so that senior pets get proper nutrition while avoiding excess calories.Many vets will recommend a twice-yearly exam once a pet reaches an age considered senior. (This varies a bit for dogs. Larger dogs are often considered senior pets after age 8 or 9; smaller dogs might be 10 or older.) It’s not a moneymaking move -- it’s a good recommendation. The exam should include a full physical, along with testing for developing conditions like diabetes or other illnesses that, untreated, can drastically shorten a pet’s life.Additionally, you should keep Akira’s vaccinations up to date and read up on pet care for senior dogs. There are many things owners can do to improve their pet’s quality of life beyond extra medications: special diets, specific exercises and modified play are among the steps owners can take.

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: How often should my 12-year-old mutt, “Akira,” see the veterinarian? He’s very healthy for an older dog, but my girlfriend says he needs to have more than a once-a-year physical. Is that true? -- Matt C., Longwood, Fla.

DEAR MATT: Twice a year is a good guideline for senior pets to visit their veterinarian, if they’re otherwise healthy. That’s because older dogs and cats can develop conditions common to pets of advanced age quickly -- conditions that sometimes go unnoticed but should be treated sooner rather than later so the pet’s quality of life doesn’t diminish.It’s normal for a pet to slow down as it ages. But the reduced activity that an owner sees as normal can mask developing conditions like arthritis, thyroid imbalance, heart disease or

Senior Pets Need Extra Checkups

By Samantha Mazzotta

FAMOUSLANDMARKSOFTHEWORLD:MISSISSIPPIRIVERWhetheritiscalledthe“MightyMississippi,”“OldManRiver”or“FatherofWaters,”theMississippiRiverisofgreatimportanceinNorthAmerica.Therivertravels2,350miles(3781km)fromMinnesotatotheGulfofMexico.• WhiletheMississippiisnotthelongestriverinNorthAmerica(itisNo.2),ithasthelargestdrainagebasinorwatershed.AccordingtotheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,awatershedis“anareaoflandwhereallofthewaterthatisunderitordrainsoffofitgoesintothesameplace.”• Thedrainagebasincovers1,837,000squaremiles(4,757,830km_),stretchingfromtheAlleghenyMountainsintheEasttotheRockyMountainsintheWest.Thewaterfromallorpartof31statesandtwoCanadianprovincesdrainsintotheMississippiRiveronitswaytotheGulfofMexico.• ThesourceoftheMississippiisLakeItascainnorthernMinnesotawhere,fromthislake,theriverbeginsasasmallstreamlessthanthreefeet(.914m)deep.• Asrainwaterandmeltedsnowfeedintothestreamalongthemassivewatershed,theriverwidensanddeepensalongitspathtotheGulf.ManyriversandstreamsemptyintotheMissis-sippiasitflowssouthward,withthelargestbeingtheMissouriandtheOhiorivers.TheMissouri,thelongestriverintheUnitedStates,enterstheMississippiatSt.Louis,Missouri,withitswatercomingfromthewest.TheOhioenterstheMissis-sippiatCairo,Illinois,flowingfromtheeast.• ThedeepestpartoftheriverisintheNewOrleansareawherethedepthsreach200feet(61m)

In a new study, researchers discovered that seniors who engage in tai chi, the gentle Chinese exercise, experienced an increase in brain size and improvements in cognition.

The research was done in a controlled trial, which means that the participants were carefully monitored. The group attended tai chi classes three times a week, as well as a social discussion afterward. The results showed an increase in brain function, as well as improved results on memory and thinking tests. It’s thought that the gentle movements of tai chi, as well as the social interaction, was able to reverse the gradual loss of nerve cells in the brain that leads to dementia.

Tai Chi has been explored in other research as well, with positive results.

Arthritis: Seniors with knee osteoarthritis improved physical function after learning tai chi, and experienced less pain. Participants took a 60-minute class that included instruction in breathing and relaxation, twice a week for three months. A control group received only diet instruction and did stretching exercises. At the end of the three months, those who took the tai chi classes experienced “a significant decrease in knee pain.” According to the research. 4.3 million seniors have knee osteoarthritis.

Depression: Seniors who attended a weekly tai chi class experienced improvement in their depression, memory, quality of life and energy.

Prevention of falls: Multiple studies have shown that tai chi’s slow exercise movements and deep breathing are effective in helping to prevent falls.

Ask your doctor if tai chi could be beneficial to your overall health. If you call your senior center to inquire about tai chi classes, ask whether the instructor is experienced in working with seniors.

Tai Chi Benefits

• TheMississippiRivertouchesorformsthebordersoftenstates.Fromnorthtosouththeyare:Minnesota,Wisconsin,Iowa,Illinois,Missouri,Kentucky,Tennessee,Arkansas,Mis-sissippiandLouisiana.• TheMississippiimpactstheentireUnitedStatesbutespeciallythestatesalongitspath.Theriveranditstributariesprovidedrink-ingwaterforover18millionpeople.• ManyNationalParkServicesitesarepresentalongtheriver,reflectingtheitsimpor-tanceinthegrowthandhistoryoftheUnitedStates.TheJeffersonNationalExpansionMonument(theSt.LouisArch)andVicksburgNationalMilitaryParkaretwopopularstops.• TheMississippiNationalRiverandRecreationArea,establishedin1988,includes72miles(116km)alongtheriverinMinne-sotafromDayton/RamseysouthtoHastings.Includedinthisareaareseveralinterestingsites,includingSt.AnthonyFalls,theriver’sonlytruewaterfall.• TheNationalMississippiRiverMuseum&Aquarium,locatedinDubuque,Iowa,isanaffiliateoftheSmithsonianInstitutionandanothergreatplacetolearnabouttheriver.• Anotherpark,openedin1982,thathon-orsthegreatriverisMudIslandRiverParkinMemphis,Tennessee.TheparkisnotactuallyonanislandbutapeninsulathathastheMis-sissippiRiveronthewestandtheWolfRiverharborontheeast.Theparkhasariverwalk,monorail,adventurecenter,pedalboatsandmoretokeepvisitorsbusy.Anamphitheater,museumandahydraulicscalemodelshowingthelowerMississippiRiverfromCairo,Illinois,toNewOrleansalsoenhancetheeducationalandrecreationalopportunitiesatthepark.

Tidbits® of Hoover, Pelham, Alabaster & Helena! Page 6

he wants to return to the old neighborhood and take over Sul-livan & Son.

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T. Craig Edmonds

Page 7For Advertising Call (205) 552-5502

PO-BOYSTherearemanynamesforsandwichessuchassubs,heroes,hoagiesandgrinders,butifyouarelookingforatraditionalsandwichinNewOrleans,youwantapo-boy.(Muffalettasarealsopopular,butthat’sanotherstory!)• TherearenumerousstoriesinNewOr-leans’historyabouttheoriginofthepo-boy.Thecityisknownforitscreativefoodaswellasitscolorfulstorytellers,whomanytimesclaimtobeabsoluteauthorities–regardlessofthesubject!• ThemostwidelycirculatedstoryisthatthesandwichwasinventedbyClovisandBenja-minMartin,brotherswhowerestreetcardriversbeforeopeningtheirrestaurantonSt.ClaudeAvenueinthe1920s.ThebrotherscreatedaninexpensivesandwichofgravyandsparebitsofroastbeefservedonFrenchbreadwhenstreet-cardriverswentonstrikein1929.Theyservedthestrikingworkersfreesandwichesoutoftherearoftherestaurant.Whentheworkerswouldshowup,thekitchenstaffwouldsay,“Herecomesanotherpoorboy!”Thesandwichnaturallygainedthename“poorboy,”whichwithcommonusageandlocalslang,became“po-boy.”• LouisiananativeswilltellyouthatthefreshFrenchbreadiswhatmakesapo-boyspe-cial.NewOrleansFrenchbreadhasalightcenterwithacrunchycrust.InthepastthereweremanycornerbakeriesthatmadetheirownFrenchbread,todaythereareonlythreeoftheoriginalbakeriesremaining—Gendusa’s,Binder’sandLeidenheimer’s.ThesebakeriesbakespecialFrenchbreadthatis3feet(.9m)inlengthand

about6inches(15cm)incircumference.Also,asacrediblealternative,manygrocerystoresbakeexcellentbread,butitisnotbakedinoldbrickovenslikethebreadfromtheoriginalbakeries.

• Althoughthefirstpo-boysweremadewithroastbeef,therearemanypopularvarieties.Theingredientsarelimitedonlybytheimagination.Friedseafoodpo-boyswithoysters,shrimp,catfishand/orsoftshellcrabaredelicious.Sausage,meatballandhamandcheesepo-boysarealsoonmostmenus.Roastbeefandfriedshrimparethetoptwopo-boysellers.• InNewOrleans,“dressed”isnotarefer-encetofashion—atleastnotintherestaurantbusiness.A“dressed”po-boymeansthatlettuce,tomatoesandmayonnaiseareadded.Theotherwaylocalsordertheirpo-boysis“naked”orwith“nuttin’onit!”• Louisianaisknownforitsmanyfesti-vals.So,itshouldcomeasnosurprisethattheirfamouspo-boysarehonoredwithone.Originallycalledthe“NewOrleansPo-BoyPreservationFes-tival,”itisnowthe“OakStreetPo-BoyFestival”andisheldannuallyinNovember.Eventhoughthisfestivaldoesn’thavealongheritageof50ormoreyearslikemanyLouisianafestivals,itissignificantbecauseitwasstartedin2007,inpost-HurricaneKatrinaNewOrleans.Theeventwascreatedbythelocalsasawaytoattracttouristsbacktotheircity.• Manyrestaurantsacrossthecountryre-createNewOrleansclassicpo-boysandwiches,butmaybeit’stimetoplanatriptothe“BigEasy”toeattheoriginalwiththelocals!

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Phone: 205-901-2909

BIBLE TRIVIA ANSWERS: 1) New; 2) Lion; 3) Canon; 3) Uzzah; 4) Amalekites; 5) Herod Answers

1. John Lloyd Wright, son of architect Frank Lloyd Wright2. W3. Seven4. “Garfield,” the cat’s owner5. Hiccups6. Oklahoma7. Augusta, Maine8. Volkswagen9. India10. Mrs. Norris

handle. Sometimes the blade of such a tool would be improperly fastened to the handle, and would therefore be sent flying when the axe was being used.

¥ The composer who wrote the famous song “Que Sera, Sera” also wrote the theme song to the 1960s TV show “Mr. Ed.”

¥ Those who study such things say that England’s Elizabeth I owned 3,000 dresses.

¥ If you make a trip to Venice to see the famous canals, keep an eye out for any gondola not painted black. If you see one, you can be sure that it belongs to a high official in the government; they are the only ones permitted by law to have gondolas in any other color.

¥ The world’s single largest consumer of fossil fuels is the United States military.

¥ You might be surprised to learn that, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, half of all American children suffer at least one dog bite before the age of 12. The ASPCA also says that most of those bites aren’t from strange animals; rather, it’s the family pet or a friend or neighbor’s dog that does the biting.***Thought for the Day: “Where we have strong emotions, we’re liable to fool ourselves.” -- Carl Sagan

¥ It was beloved cowboy humorist Will Rogers who made the following sage observation: “Nobody wants to be called common people, especially common people.”

¥ Do you think you could eat 80 pounds of chicken? If you’re like the average American, that’s how much you will consume this year.

¥ You’ve probably heard or even used the term “fly off the handle” to describe someone losing their temper. You probably don’t realize, though, that the handle referred to was originally an axe

The Greater Birmingham Humane Society, found-ed in 1883, is the largest and oldest humane soci-ety in Alabama. Over the course of our history we have witnessed the changes in our community and yet have never left the original mission of Dr. Phil-lips “to promote respect for life through education and prevention of cruelty to animals and people”

AnimalAdoption-205.942.1211-300SnowDrive,Birmingham,AL35209-WWW.GBHS.ORG

MaggieFemale,AdultJackRussell

Terrier

StarfishFemale,Puppy

Labrador Retriever

ArleneFemale,Kitten

DomesticShorthair

BuckMale, Adult

Hound (UnknownType)

BillMale,Puppy

Labrador Retriever

SalinaFemale,Puppy

Terrier (UnknownType,Medium)

ChesterMale,YoungDomesticShorthair

JasonMale,Puppy

Labrador Retriever

OliverMale, AdultSnowshoe

RufusMale,PuppyShepherd

(UnknownType)

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AnyQuestionsorConcernsEmailusat:kkeith@gbhs.org