Want to run your own business?Publish a paper in your area, and become

a part of the family.

1.866.859.0609www.tidbitscanada.com

Make a difference in your community today.

Bold Medias Publishing For Advertising Please Call (604) 454 - 1387 www.tidbitsvancouver.com♦ Armstrong ♦ Lavington ♦ Lumby ♦ Vernon ♦Over 4 million readers weekly! Nationwide!

Fun & Free

30YEARWARRANTY

Get Your Estimate 250.306.6901877.707.7427Call Now!

www.naturallightpatiocovers.com

Mar 28 - April 4, 2014 Issue #00166

4408 27th Street, Vernon, BC

250-542-6998www.parnells.ca

Your Source forWater Filters,

Appliance Parts,Cleaning Products

TIDBITS® PLAYS

CAT AND MOUSEby Patricia L. Cook

Whether you are dog tired (very tired), living a dog’s life (difficult life), or so busy you feel like you are chasing your own tail (working hard but not seeing progress), this Tidbits should give you a reason to go hog wild (become highly enthusiastic)!• An idiom is “a set expression of two or more

words that means something other than the literal meanings of its individual words.” The idioms we’ll explore in this Tidbits are those that deal with animals.

• Watch these pages like a hawk (carefully) to see if you recognize these sayings. You may find that many are very familiar to you. You may also find some that are complete hogwash (nonsense). In trying not to beat a dead horse (engage in pointless and repetitive discussion), you may want to read these at a snail’s pace (slowly) so that you can catch the meaning of each sentence!

• An expression that seems to have disappeared or just never caught on with current generations is “I’ll swan” or “I’ll swanee!” Mostly used in the south, this is an expression of surprise probably as a replacement for “I swear” or a curse word. If you’ve never heard this one you probably think it is for the birds (not for you.)! After all, birds of a feather flock together, (people associate with similar folks)!

Page 2 Cosita Publishing www.tidbitsvernon.ca For Advertising Call (250) 832-3361

CROSSWORDAcross

1 Williams’ partner in paint8 Vivid15 Former and current Yankee Alfonso16 “How sexy!”17 *Doing more than is necessary19 Decorates on mischief night, briefly20 Norwegian saint21 Bad marks in high school?22 *Where secrets are kept26 MD’s “Pronto!”29 Habituate30 New York governor before Spitzer33 Prefix with tarsal34 Mean: Abbr.37 *”The Elements of Style” co-author39 *”We’re even!”41 OK hours42 Hot stuff44 Toady45 “Blue Jasmine” director46 Map speck47 *Words before a flip53 Household name in household humor

54 Bologna bone55 Local center?58 Celebration suggested by words that end answers to starred clues63 Frequent park statue visitors64 “Show Boat” (1936) standout65 Gives a kick66 Hanging in the balance

Down1 Army NCO2 Earring shape3 Most massive known dwarf planet4 Dog star’s first name?5 It may be covered6 “__ Chicago”: 1937 Tyrone Power film7 Exploding stars8 Brit’s oath9 Balderdash10 Contented sigh11 “Say __”12 Contrive13 Actress Massey14 French royal name of yore18 Violinist Zimbalist22 The Colorado runs through it

23 R.E.M.’s “The __ Love”24 Bonkers25 Use a Pink Pearl26 Project detail, briefly27 They’re run at bars28 Chem lab abbr.31 Defeats, as a bill32 European prefix34 Green machines?35 Medical lab vessel36 Item in a pool38 “Did you __?!”40 Surplus store caveat43 “Three Sisters” playwright Chekhov45 Bits of advice from

gramps, perhaps47 Jalopies48 “Sesame Street” striped-shirt wearer49 Cuban girlfriend50 Latin stars51 Enjoys a lucky streak52 Editor Marshall and singer Lisa55 Toledo thing56 “Star Wars” creature57 Kin of -ess59 “Woo-__!”60 Old Opry network61 1942 FDR creation62 Asian occasion

CAT AND MOUSE (continued):

• Many expressions are ingrained in our vocabulary when we are only knee high to a grasshopper (very small.) Some are kept out of earshot of children because they may not be appropriate for young ears! (Those won’t be in Tidbits!)

• While little children may be cute as a bug’s ear (the smaller they come, the cuter they are), some are bullheaded (stubborn) and make a beeline (go toward) to trouble. After all, when the cat’s away, the mice will play (people misbehaving without supervision).

• Sometimes supervision is in the hands of the biggest frog in the pond (most important person in a group), while at other times it may be given to the leader who is as calm as a toad in the sun (calm and content). Either way, if there is conflict, it may be necessary to separate the sheep from the goats (distinguish the good from the bad).

• When conflict arises, there are times when people act like animals. A dumb cluck (person acting stupid) may be pigheaded (stupidly stubborn) and try to find a scapegoat (innocent person who is blamed) when things go wrong.

• A bullheaded (obstinate) person may try to butt heads (to argue fiercely) with a sheepish (embarrassed) friend only to find that she will pull the wool over his eyes ( fool him).

• It is easy to get fleeced (swindled) if you don’t pay attention to what is happening to you and just ignore obvious problems. If you make yourself a sitting duck (easy target) you may end up in a harebrained scheme (foolish plan).

• It is much better to have all your ducks in a row (be organized), than to go down a rabbit hole (enter a fantasy world) when you need to make decisions.

• Hold on if you think we are barking up the wrong tree (have the wrong idea), fantasy worlds can be fun and engaging. Just remember that it’s a dog-eat-dog world (there is a lot of competition in life) out there and you need to be careful not to be constantly chasing your own tail (working hard but not getting anything done)!

• If organizing gives you a burr under your saddle (causes you to be irritated), remember that the early bird gets the worm (start early

For Advertising Call (250) 832-3361 Cosita Publishing www.tidbitsvernon.ca Page 3

VERNON SPRING HOMESHOW 2014There’s never been a better time to...Renovate, Landscape, Decorate!

Saturday, Apr. 5, 10am - 5pm • Sunday, Apr. 6, 10am - 4pmVERNON CURLING CLUB • www.bctradeshows.ca

OVER 70 DISPLAYS!

CAT AND MOUSE (continued):

so that you have the best chance for success).

• Seeing an opportunity to improve your life or your situation, sometimes requires walking on eggshells (being careful not to offend others) or a somewhat opposite situation; taking the bull by the horns (tackling the problem).

• You sure don’t need to be told that you are not the sharpest quill on the porcupine (not very smart) if you are having a hard time with an assignment. Most people realize when they struggle and have butterflies in their stomachs (feel nervous) when they have bitten off more than they can chew (taken on too hard or big a task).

• Speaking of chewing, when you are hungry as a bear (really hungry), it is usually best to take your time eating anyway. Don’t be silly and wolf down your food (eat too fast) or you may find yourself sick as a horse (very sick)!

• Hold your horses (be patient) when you need to wait for your food, whether at your home, someone else’s home or a restaurant. Be a good egg (nice person) not a bad egg (bad person) and avoid fighting like cats and dogs (fierce argument). Don’t bite the hand that feeds you (harm someone who is helping you)!

• Take the bull by the horns (face difficulty) when you are strong and can rule the roost (be the boss), but don’t get egg on your face (be humiliated) by taking on more than you can handle. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch (don’t plan on having something until you actually get it)!

Last Weeks:

WeeklySudoku

• THREESTYLES• FULLYASSEMBLED• LOCALLYMADE• 10%OFF• LIMITEDTIMESALE• PICKUPWITHINTWOBUSINESSDAYS

VERNON250.558.1030SALMONARM250.833.4571431029thStreet120OkanaganAvenue

A Division of Westwood Fine Cabinetrycash&carry

10 X 10 kitchen starting from $1800.00

Page 4 Cosita Publishing www.tidbitsvernon.ca For Advertising Call (250) 832-3361

Say You Saw It In... UP FROM THE GROUNDSpringtime is a welcome time of year when the grass turns green and bulbs spring to life with colorful flowers. There are also other plants that spring up as the air and ground warms for the pleasure of people and animals! • Crocus are among the first flowers to burst from

their bulbs in spring when the ground gets warm. From “snow” crocuses, which are the first to bloom, to giant Dutch crocuses, the flowers brighten gardens in a variety of colors: red, pink, purple, blue, yellow, orange and more. Even though the latter are called “giant,” all crocuses are small, between 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) tall. Some have strong scents that lure bees out of their hives as early as February to start their honey-making process.

• Crocus means cheerfulness. Appropriately named, the little blooms are rarely bothered by deer, rabbits and squirrels. Snow and freezing temperatures can sometimes stop the blooms, leaving the greenery to peek out alone. Also, fall-blooming crocuses reappear in the spring but without their flowers.

• Some other small flowers that may sprout from bulbs even before crocus are: glory-of-the-snow, winter aconite, common snowdrop, spring slowflake and netted iris. (Notice: 3 of the 4 early bloomers have names associated with winter!)

Canadian Tid-bits

For Advertising Call (250) 832-3361 Cosita Publishing www.tidbitsvernon.ca Page 5

▶ Natalie Glebova, a 23-year-old model from Toronto, ON was named Miss Universe 2005 at a pageant in Bangkok. She was actually born in Russia and moved to Canada when she was 13. She is the second Canadian to win this title, the first being Karen Baldwin in 1982.

▶ On December 9, 1775 the first Post Office in Canada opened in Halifax, NS.

▶ Sam Whittingham of Victoria, BC holds the men’s world record for human-powered (bicycle) speed at 117 km/hr (72.7 mi/hr). His wife Andrea Blaseckie holds the women’s record at a speed of 87.5 km/hr (54.4 mi/hr).

▶ The Endeavour Hydrothermal Vents site is Canada’s first marine protected area. The Endeavour vents are located where the Juan de Fuca and Pacific tectonic plates meet 270 km west of the southern tip of Vancouver Island. They are about 2,250 meters below the surface of the Pacific Ocean.

▶ Canada has three islands that rank in the top ten biggest islands in the world. They are: Baffin Island (which is more than double the size of Great Britain) and Victoria Island and Ellesmere Island (which are roughly the size of England.)

CELINE DIONBorn into a musically gifted family, Celine Dion is

the youngest of 14 children. Her parents were both musicians and raised their children to be involved with music as well.

• Celine Marie Claudette Dion was born on March 30, 1968, in the rural French Canadian town of Charlemagne, Quebec, about 30 miles (48 km) east of Montreal. Celine’s parents were the operators of a small club where the entire family performed on weekends.

• Celine composed a French song, along with her mother and one of her brothers, when she was only twelve. When the demo tape with that song wound up in the hands of René Angélil, a personal manager, the course of Celine’s life was forever changed.

• Amazed by Dion’s voice, Angélil was intent on making Celine famous in January, 1981. He mortgaged his own home to finance the recording of Celine Dion’s debut album! (She was only 13!)

• By 1982, Dion was receiving international attention. She won the Gold Medal at the Yamaha World Song

Festival in Tokyo in 1982. In 1983, she was the first Canadian to ever receive a Gold Record in France.

• By the age of 18, Dion had nine French albums recorded and many awards. Her first English language album was recorded in 1990, containing the hit single, Where Does My Heart Beat Now.

• The real breakthrough album that propelled Dion to international stardom was her second English album, recorded in 1992, The album, Celine Dion, featured the theme song for Disney’s animated hit, Beauty and the Beast. She and Peabo Bryson, chosen to sing the duet, were rewarded with the hit reaching worldwide audiences.

• Celine Dion, became Dion’s first gold record in the U.S. and more than 12 million copies were sold internationally. She has earned awards from all over the world: Juno and Felix Awards in Canada, Grammys in the U.S., and many more.

• Dion announced at a New Years’ Eve 1999 concert that she would be taking some time off to start a family. She and husband, René, welcomed a baby boy, René-Charles Angélil, into their lives on January 25, 2001. After a two-year absence, Celine released a new

album, “A New Day Has Come” in March, 2002. • Dion began a three-year contract to appear at

Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in March, 2003. Her commitment was to appear five nights a week in The Colosseum, built especially for her and her show, “A New Day.” The 90-minute show was a “fusion of song, performance art, theatrical innovation and state-of-the-art technology.” The theater cost approximately $95 million!

• On October 23, 2010, Dion gave birth to twin boys, Nelson and Eddy. The mother of 3 boys returned to the stage in Las Vegas on March 15, 2011.

• Her new show features her biggest hits as well as classics from other artists. There is a full orchestra and band and 31 other musicians are featured in the 4,300 seat venue. Within a month of her return to Caesars Palace, the new show climbed to the #1 spot on Billboard’s Boxscore chart, which lists the top grossing concerts in North America.

• Dion released her first English album in six years, Loved Me Back to Life, on November 5, 2013. Celine is the bestselling Canadian artist of all time and the second bestselling female artist in the United States.

UP FROM THE GROUND! (continued):

• Along with the bulbs planted in yards, ephemeral wildflowers are beginning to pop up in forests all around North America at this time of year. Ephemeral means “short-lived.” For the spring flowering ephemerals, they make an appearance as soon as the weather is warm, leaf out, bloom, spread a little and go dormant when hot weather intrudes. Spring ephemerals prefer damp areas like stream banks.

• Ephemeral wildflowers, as a group, make up one of the largest types of wildflowers. Unseen by many, they appear and disappear quickly. The small, colorful plants take advantage of sunlight that comes into forested areas before leaves grow on the trees over their heads. Once the leaves block the sunshine, the glorious display of little flowers goes away!

• With strange common names such as Skunk Cabbage, Bloodroot, Cutleaved Toothwort, Dutchman’s Breeches and Trout Lily, many of these plants emerge in April and are gone by May or early June. They emerge again each spring and if the ground has not been disturbed, usually in larger, more colorful numbers.

• Skunk cabbage is an ephemeral with an odor of rotten meat. It has the strange ability to raise the temperature inside its flowers to cause snow to melt around it.

Page 6 Cosita Publishing www.tidbitsvernon.ca For Advertising Call (250) 832-3361

Q: I recently added a 7-month-old kitten to our home of two other cats and two dogs. I rescued the kitten from up in a tree. When I took the new arrival for a checkup, the veterinarian said, “You already have two cats; this is going to have to stop.” He recommended I get rid of the kitten, calling her neurotic. Well, things soon calmed down, and now everyone is fine - except for me. I thought the kitten would benefit from being in our home, receiving her shots and being spayed. But now the vet says I’m a “cat hoarder.” What do you think?

A: “If you’re a cat hoarder, what am I?” asks Dr. Kate Knutson, president of AAHA. “I have six cats and two dogs, and I am not a hoarder. And I very much doubt you are, either. ‘Hoarding’ means that you continue to take in animals and can’t stop. What’s more, hoarders don’t offer medical care for the animals, which clearly you are doing.” Knutson, of Bloomington, MN, adds, “You did the right thing to take in this kitten, though when introducing cats or kittens to one another, a very gradual introduction is best.” She adds that if what you say is true, you might consider interviewing a new veterinarian, especially one certified as having a Cat-Friendly Practice (www.catvets.com).

Q: Could my cat have laryngitis? And could he be resentful and despondent about losing his voice?

A: “Yes, cats can get laryngitis,” says Dr. Ilona Rodan, of Madison, WI, a past president of the American Association of Feline Practitioners. “It can be that just as we sometimes talk too much and stress our vocal cords, this cat meows too often, and just has a lot to say. But a veterinary checkup is important to insure there’s no paralysis of the vocal cords or another medical explanation.” “Cats don’t get resentful about things, but the vocal cords may be painful,” Rodan added. “And being in pain may cause anxiety. Maybe not having her voice can make your cat anxious, though I’m not certain I’d say ‘despondent.’”

CAT AND MOUSE (continued):

• If things are going well in your family or work life, don’t kill the goose that lays the golden eggs (don’t destroy the source of your good fortune). Be thankful and don’t ruffle any feathers (don’t upset anyone) or you may find yourself eating crow (having to admit that you are wrong). Remember birds of a feather flock together (similar people stick together).

• Don’t be a fraidy cat (a coward) when it comes to trying new things. Carefully weigh the risks and wing it (improvise) as you are learning. If you get sent on a wild goose chase (to be sent searching for something that can’t be found), then learn from your search.

• It is better to let the cat have your tongue (be quiet) than to pretend to be a fat cat (rich and powerful person) when you really have nothing to brag about. After all, the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray (even careful plans can go wrong).

• Many times in our everyday lives the weather can be an influencing factor in our decision making. If it is raining cats and dogs outside (raining hard) then we are likely to be as happy as a clam (contended) staying at home reading a good book or watching a movie. If the sun is shining and it is nice and warm out, we are likely to go out to have a whale of a time (great enjoyment).

• See you later, alligator (good-bye for now)! After while, crocodile (good-bye to you, too)! Tidbits will be back next week.

Pet Bits

Community Events

Do You Have A Local Event? submit the details online at

www.tidbitsvernon.ca

For Advertising Call (250) 832-3361 Cosita Publishing www.tidbitsvernon.ca Page 7

CLASSIFIEDS14’ Mirrorcraft Boat 2012 with trailer (& spare tire) & loader guides. Bimini Top, Scotty Rod Holders, Hummingbird Fish Finder + 30 horse, electric start Tohatsu Motor. All barely used, like new. (Salmon Arm) Call Ron (250) 832-2855

Great Pay for Hard Work – Please see Jemco Display ad for details. (front page)

Looking to Purchase Vintage

�shing rods, reels & tackle,

Coleman products, compasses,

bird & game calls, small oilers and knives. Call Dan (250) 545-8116

Cell (250) 938-2646 (Vernon)

Alfa Grass Mix cow hay round bails. Large quantity

available. Call John (250) 540-2475 (Lumby)

Paper Mobiles Inspired by Alexander Calder Saturday, March 29, 2014 from 1pm to 3pm at Vernon Public Art Gallery at 3228 31 Avenue , Vernon. This month, participants will learn about kinetic art and American sculptor Alexander Calder, famous for creating large mobiles that move through the air! Build your own mobile with any shapes and colours for you to take home and enjoy. All materials supplied. Cost: $3/members, $5/non members For more info: (250) 545-3173 www.vernonpublicartgallery.com

After School Writing Lessons (Vernon) Monday, March 31, 2014 and April 7, 2014 from 3:30pm to 4:30pm at Vernon Branch of the ORL , 2800-30th Avenue, Vernon. Join the Vernon Branch of the Okanagan Regional Library Writer-in-Residence Harold Rhenisch for After School Writing Lessons. For kids aged 8 to 15. No registration necessary for this free program.Runs Mondays from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. The Writer-in-Residence program is generously paid for by the Vernon Friends of the Library. For more information please visit www.orl.bc.ca or call the branch at 250-542-7610. http://www.orl.bc.ca/branches/vernon

Book Design is Writing TooMonday, March 31, 2014 at 12pm at Vernon Branch of the Okanagan Regional Library, 2800 30th Avenue, Vernon. Join the Vernon Branch Library’s Writer-in-Residence, Harold Rhenisch, for a workshop on book design. An exciting avenue for clearing writer’s block or generating inspiration or creativity is to change the shape of the book or the page spaces you are filling with your words. At this workshop, we will explore this method of extending your writer’s toolkit. http://www.orl.bc.ca/writer-in-residence

Help Wanted

Services

For Sale

RED DOG CEILING PRO PAINTING AND

DECORATING.Ceilings Dirty? Why clean them when you can have them refinished professionally and economically.

NOW IN KELOWNAWWW.REDDOGPAINTING.COM

info@reddogpainting.com(250) 859-9081

(Kelowna)

Wanted: Purchasing old Canadian & American coin collections & accumulations. Old gold & sterling! Private, Prompt & Confidential. 250-548-3670 (Shuswap).

FARM RAISED FREEZER BEEF No additives or hormones. Gov. Insp. By The Side--$3.50 lb. Cut, Wrapped and Frozen

(250) 307-3430 or (250) 546-6494 (Armstrong)

Wanted

For Sale

$ CASH $ CASH $ CASH $TOP DOLLAR for

Unwanted Vehicles.DANDON TRUCKING

Local & Long Haul.Servicing BC, AB & SK.Call (250) 260-8056

(Win�eld)$ CASH $ CASH $ CASH $

1940’s 3/4 Bedframe Primed and ready to be painted. $140 obo Call (250) 299-9608 Located in Kamloops but can be brought to Vernon

Wanted5 piece Bedroom Suite, Oak - Style, good condition. Asking $500.00 OBO

(250) 542-1449 (Vernon)

To Place A Classified Ad: www.tidbitsvernon.ca or call 250-832-3361

Visa & Mastercard accepted

CL ASSIFIED SPECIAL!

$10 per week $30 per month

Submit online OR call(250) 832-3361

Page 8 Cosita Publishing www.tidbitsvernon.ca For Advertising Call (250) 832-3361