Tidbits of Jefferson County

of Jefferson CountyIssue #18July 5 - July 11, 2010

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TIDBITS® CELEBRATES

INDEPENDENCE DAYby Rick Dandes

Independence Day is the most important national holiday in the United States. It commemorates the formal adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which broke the formal ties between the colonies and Britain after the American Revolution had begun. Canada observes its equivalent of Independence Day, the establishment of its federal government, on July 1. Now known as Canada Day, this holiday was previously known as Dominion Day and Confederation Day and commemorates the British North America Act of July 1, 1867, which gave Canadians home rule.

• The major objection to being ruled by Britain was taxation without representation. The colonists had no say in the decisions of English Parliament.

• In May 1775, after nearly a year of trying to resolve their differences with England, the colonies sent delegates to the Second Continental Congress. Finally, in June 1776, admitting that their efforts were hopeless, a committee was formed to compose the formal Declaration of Independence. Headed by Thomas Jefferson, the committee also included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Philip Livingston and Roger Sherman. On June 28, 1776, Thomas Jefferson presented the first draft of the declaration to Congress.

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PAW’S CORNERBy Sam Mazzotta

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INDEPENDENCE DAY (continued):• Although Americans celebrate Independence

Day on July 4, John Adams originally thought it would be celebrated on the second. Here is what he wrote to his wife on July 3, 1776: “The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God.”

• The signing of the Declaration was not completed until August 1776, but the Fourth of July holiday has been accepted as the official anniversary of U.S. independence. It was not declared a federal holiday until 1941. Today, it is celebrated in all states and territories of the United States.

• The 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence did not sign at the same time. The official event occurred on August 2, 1776, when 50 men signed it.

• The first Independence Day celebration took place in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776, four days after the Declaration of Independence was adopted. Some accounts claim that it was The Liberty Bell sounding from the tower of Independence Hall on that day that summoned citizens to gather for the first public reading of the Declaration, which was given by Colonel John Nixon.

• Within a few years of that first commemoration, the Fourth of July was observed throughout most of the new nation.

• The first two versions of the famous Liberty Bell were defective and had to be recast. The third version rang every Fourth of July from 1778 to 1846, when, according to legend, it cracked as it was being tolled for the celebration of George Washington’s birthday.

• In 1778, General George Washington marked the Fourth with a double ration of rum for his soldiers and an artillery salute. Across the sea, ambassadors John Adams and Benjamin Franklin held a dinner for their fellow Americans in Paris, France.

• An elaborate Fourth of July celebration was held in Philadelphia in 1788, following the ratification of the Constitution.

• The first public Fourth of July event at the White House occurred in 1801.

• The first Independence Day celebration west of the Mississippi occurred at Independence Creek, Kansas, and was celebrated by the explorers Lewis and Clark in 1804.

• Several important U.S. projects were started on Independence Day. Work on the Erie Canal in New York State began on July 4, 1817. Construction of the first railroad in the United States, the Baltimore and Ohio, was started on July 4, 1828. July 4 was the date selected in 1848 for laying the cornerstone of the Washington Monument.

• Two American icons who were instrumental in ensuring the country’s independence passed away on July 4. Both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on Independence Day in 1826.

• The patriotic poem “America the Beautiful” was published on July 4, 1895, by Wellesley College professor Katherine Lee Bates.

• The July 4 Coney Island Hot Dog Eating Contest was first held in 1916, the year Nathan’s opened its flagship restaurant on Surf Avenue in Coney Island, New York.

• Now, every July 4, a group of 20 steely-stomached individuals line up behind a 30-foot table at Nathan’s on Coney Island for the world hot dog eating championship. At 12 noon exactly, crushed by fans and media, the competitors begin the historic 12-minute contest.

• Several places in the United States have “independence” in their name. The most populous of these is Independence, Missouri, with 113,288 residents. Other places adopted the name “freedom.” Freedom, California, with 6,000 residents, has the largest population among these. There is one place named “patriot,” Patriot, Indiana, with a population of 202.

• What could be more fitting than spending July 4 in a place called “America”? There are several such places in the country, with the most populous being American Fork, Utah, with 21,941 residents.

• On July 1, 1867, under the terms of the British North America Act, Canada East (Quebec), Canada West (Ontario), Nova Scotia and New Brunswick united to become the Dominion of Canada.

• Canada Day became a statute in 1879 but was initially called Dominion Day. There are not any records of early celebrations of Canada (Dominion) Day, except for two years. In 1917, it was used to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Confederation. It was also a backdrop for the dedication of the Parliament Building’s Centre Block, which was being constructed.

• The government extended celebrations beyond the Ottawa region in 1980 by sponsoring the development of festivities on a local level. In 1981, 15 major cities offered fireworks to commemorate the day.

• It wasn’t until 1982 that Dominion Day was officially changed to Canada Day.

Helping Dachshund to Improve Her Aim

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I have a 9-month-old Dachshund, “Betty,” whom I have trained to use “wet pads.” She has been very good, with one exception: When she has to urinate she gets her front paws on the pad and starts going, and the urine ends up half on the pad and the rest on the floor (thank God I have tile). It is hard for me to take her outside. I don’t want to scold her, as it would only confuse the situation. Any suggestions? -- Kay, via e-mail

DEAR KAY: I like that you’re keeping Betty’s training positive, and I think that a combined solution can work here.Use a piece of wood to create a bumper that can be placed against the edge of the pee pad. It doesn’t need to be very high -- three or four inches at most -- but it should extend to both edges of the pad where Betty usually hangs her butt. Duct tape the wood to the floor.Take Betty to the pee pad on a leash for the next few days, around the time that she typi-cally uses it. Let her investigate the bumper,

and then lead her onto the pad, facing her usual direction. Let her start peeing on her own.She should automatically move forward before squatting to pee. As soon as she does this and starts going, give her lots of praise and when she’s finished, add a treat and more praise.If she doesn’t automatically move up to avoid the bumper, stand in front of her while hold-ing her leash and give the command “come,” and then “stay” when she’s in position. Let her continue the pee ritual and follow with lots of praise.The idea here is to get her to go “Oh, I get it!” or at least associate the middle of the pad with good things. When she starts going straight to that position without prompting, remove the bumper board. Repeat the training ses-sion, with lots of praise when she goes in the middle of the pad.

Send your pet questions and tips to [email protected], or write to Paw’s Corner, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Find more pet advice and resources at www.pawscorner.com.

(c) 2010 King Features Synd., Inc.

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FIREWORKS

Compared to the big bangs of today, the first fireworks had humble beginnings. They were actually nothing more than green bamboo thrown into fires to scare spirits away in ancient China. • Believe it or not, in the 1400s, Florence, Italy,

was the center of the fireworks industry. At the time, fireworks were just one effect in a celebration rather than its focus. At religious festivals, Italians made plaster figures that spewed fireworks from their eyes and mouths.

• Fireworks were originally applied to warfare by attaching them to arrows. The first such use, in 1,200 A.D., involved placing powder into paper tubes attached to the arrows with a fuse or a trail of gunpowder wrapped in tissue paper.

• The 1533 coronation parade for Anne Boleyn included a papier-mâché dragon that belched fire.

• Fireworks became very popular in Great Britain during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. The great William Shakespeare mentions fireworks in his plays, and fireworks were so much enjoyed by the Queen herself that she created a “Fire Master of England.” King James II was so pleased with the fireworks display that celebrated his coronation that he knighted his Fire Master.

• The first fireworks recorded in America were set off by an Englishman, Captain John Smith. Smith, of course, gained fame in the story of Pocahontas.

• The first Independence Day fireworks celebration was in 1776 and was memorialized by then future President John Adams as follows: “The day (Independence Day) will be the most memorable in the history of America. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, bonfires and illuminations (fireworks) from one end of this continent to the other, from this day forward forevermore.”

• During World War II, the first bomb dropped on Tokyo, Japan, was made by a fireworks company in the United States. At that time of national need, most fireworks companies changed to wartime production, as was also the case in World War I and the Civil War.

• Fireworks central in the U.S.A.: New Castle, Pennsylvania, home to the nationally recognized display companies Zambelli Fireworks Internationale and Pyrotechnico, proclaims itself to be the “Fireworks capital of America.” Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks of Loveland, Ohio, also began operations in New Castle, before moving its headquarters to the Cincinnati area.

• The Zambellis are known as America’s “first family of fireworks.” Antonio Zambelli came to the United States from Italy and established Zambelli Fireworks Manufacturing Company in 1893.

• Workers who make firecrackers have to be sure to wear an ensemble that is entirely cotton so that the static electricity generated by their ordinary clothing will not set off the fireworks.

• The value of fireworks imported from China represents the bulk of all U.S. fireworks imports (about $217 million). U.S. exports of fireworks, by comparison, amount to $42.9 million, with the United Arab Emirates purchasing more than any other single country ($14.5 million).

DOLLARS AND SENSEBY David Uffington

The middle class is being hit the hardest when it comes to losing medical insurance. According to the Huffington Post, the number is up to 12.9 million people. Those with higher incomes have a better chance of affording insurance premiums, and those with lower incomes qualify for more help programs.If you lost your job between Sept. 1, 2008 and May 31, 2010, you might qualify for 15-month reduced-fee federal COBRA coverage.If you recently lost your COBRA, look into Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act coverage, a government insurance continu-ation program. It covers pre-existing conditions, but it’s expensive.Consider other avenues to find coverage that might be less costly:• If you’re sure you’ll land a job in the coming months, look into short-term policies. • Take any part-time job that comes with insur-ance. You’ll still have time to look for another job, but will be covered in the meanwhile.• Look at your professional associations. Many of them have umbrella policies for anyone in the group. If you don’t have a professional affiliation, consider joining something. While the market isn’t back up to speed, it might be worthwhile to become a real-estate agent, if only for the Limited Medical insurance through The National Associa-tion of Realtors.

Finding Affordable Health Insurance• Call your state’s insurance department and ask what help is available, especially if you have children. Most states have some type of coverage for children 18 and under.• Think about going back to school and signing up for campus medical insurance. You’ll likely only have to go part time, but check the details. Some schools offer a basic level of care for a low semester fee, while others offer full insurance through major insurers.• Get different coverage for everyone in your family. If the kids can be covered by the state, and you’re going to school, that only leaves your spouse who needs coverage.• If you’re married and your spouse is working, look into getting covered by that plan.• Consider getting a catastrophic policy with a high deductible. You’ll save money but will pay for all your care until you reach the deductible each calendar year.• If you’re self-employed and need cheaper insur-ance, look at National Association for the Self-Employed (www.nase.org) or the Small Business Service Bureau (www.sbsb.com) for group rates.

David Uffington regrets that he cannot person-ally 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 [email protected].

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JILL JACKSON’S HOLLYWOOD By Jill JacksonHOLLYWOOD ... Winona Ryder is in the news again. This time it’s nothing bad like shoplift-ing, but raves for her portrayal of Lois Wilson in “When Love Is Not Enough: The Lois Wil-son Story” on the Hallmark Hall of Fame series. Also note Winona’s fresh and lovely looking face, maybe a tuck or two? Incidentally, if any of you out there are thinking about a Hollywood career, think about becoming a plastic surgeon. Business is BOOMING!Another actor in trouble: Charlie Sheen, with ups and downs in his trials. At this writing there is no set date for his “back to work.” Let’s hope young Mister Sheen can calm it all down and pick up his career. He is an excellent actor, and that’s what he should be doing: ACTING!I wish I could answer all the questions that come in about the “hairdos” on the femme stars. I can’t tell you whether or not their long, long golden locks are “ironed,” because I’m not there. However, the minute I find out the secret of “that look” be assured I will let you know.Hollywood is proud that “one of its own” could step in and offer aid in a disaster. Director James Cameron has been in Louisiana and the Gulf Coast aiding in underwater works for the oil spill. After months and months of “Titanic” filming, he is well versed in what goes on under the waves and has been a great help. So, hope-fully, will be actor Kevin Costner’s oil separator invention. Hollywood isn’t all glamour and glitz and fun, dear readers. Many is the time when the “industry” has come to the aid of something.Betty White is receiving more accolades than she can handle, but one of the most fun was the “Beastly Ball” sponsored by the Los Angeles Zoo. And who did the teeny baby monkeys hug and kiss. Why Miss Betty, of course. And who hugged and kissed them back. Why Miss Betty, of course.Uh-oh! That gadget on Lindsay’s ankle dinged that she had imbibed. That was a couple of weeks ago. But however and whatever, there’s

Winona Ryder

a tight watch on what she imbibed. And I have not heard from Paris. Mayhap she will pop up soon.Letter from Beverly Mazzia of The Villages, Fla., correcting my mistake about June Havoc and June Haver. Thanks, Beverly.***BITS ‘N’ PIECES: From the Reader’s Digest book titled “Laughter Is the Best Medicine.” One hypochondriac to another: “My doctor is on the cutting edge of technology. He told me to take two aspirin and fax him in the morning.” Lindsay, Paris and Zsa Zsa aren’t the only ones who have spent some time “behind bars” (and I don’t mean the drinking kind). Others jailed for a while include Robert Mitchum, Rory Calhoun, Stacy Keach, Fatty Arbuckle, Steve McQueen, Burt Reynolds, Al Pacino, Mae West (oh yes), Sophia Loren and Frances Farmer. ... And did you know that of all the films Burt Reynolds made, “Deliverance” is his favorite?


PICKS OF THE WEEK

“Last Chance to See” (Unrated) -- In 1990, writer Douglas Adams (“Monty Python’s Flying Circus,” “Doctor Who,” “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy”) and zoologist Mark Carwardine traveled the far-flung reaches of the planet in search of rare animal species on the verge of extinction. The result was the best-selling book and BBC radio series, “Last Chance to See.”Now, 20 years later, legendary television presenter/comedian/author and close friend of late Douglas Adams, Stephen Fry retraces the author’s footsteps along with Carwardine to see if any of the species have survived. The result is a brilliant, entertaining and thought-provoking six-hour television series.What makes “Last Chance to See” such a joy to watch is that it eschews the run-of-the-mill heavy-handed messages about saving the environment and is more of a celebration of our planet’s di-versity. And it does so many times with the aid of humor. My favorite episode involves the kakapo, a

COUCH THEATER -- DVD PREVIEWSBy DNA Smith

rare, flightless, five-pound parrot. In one scene, an extremely randy kakapo (dubbed Sirocco) mounts Carwardine’s shoulders and begins to ravish the back of the man’s head with the furious, libidinous gusto usually seen only in Japanese stag films. Yeah. You won’t see THAT on Animal Planet.

“Steamboat Bill, Jr.” Ultimate 2-Disc Edition (Unrated) -- For the past decade, Kino International have carved out a niche for themselves as the Crite-rion Collection of silent and Golden Age films. This release of the Buster Keaton classic “Steamboat Bill, Jr.” only enhances their reputation for high-quality digital remastering and outstanding special features.“Steamboat Bill, Jr.” is the 1928 follow-up to the legendary Buster Keaton epic “The General.” Both films are considered among his finest work. In “Steamboat Bill,” Keaton plays the college pud-din’ son of a Mississippi steamboat captain who has come back to help his pop, who is in the middle of a fierce rivalry with another captain. Trouble abounds as Keaton is not only inept at the job, but also is in love with the daughter of his father’s rival. The cli-max of the film involves a cyclone and some of the most amazing slapstick stuntwork you’ll ever see on film, as Keaton runs through the town and buildings literally collapse around -- and on top of him.There were two versions of the film made, and this two-disc set features both the theatrical release and the alternative version featuring different takes and angles. Also included is a documentary on the mak-ing of the film, a montage of the best moments of Keaton’s career and vintage recordings of the folk song “Steamboat Bill.”

FOR RELEASE WEEK OF JULY 5, 2010

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Although you don’t like to change plans once they’re set, once again, you might find that doing so can make a big difference in your favor. Family matters dominate the weekend.TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) You continue to get encouragement for your proposals, includ-ing some support from unlikely sources. Use this positive flow to move forward with your plans. Good luck.GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Family matters are dominant this week. It’s a good time to be with those you love. It’s also a good time to contact and reunite with loved ones with whom you’ve lost touch.CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Be careful not to allow differences of opinion to create un-pleasant feelings, especially in the workplace. A neutral observer could check out the situation and suggest a resolution.LEO (July 23 to August 22) While the Lion’s Den is the center of attention this week, with family matters dominating much of your time, workplace issues are also important. Try to find a balance between them.VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) The fu-ture of a new relationship could depend on how much the usually impatient-to-get-things-done Virgo is willing to stop pushing and let things happen naturally.LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Worry over a loved one’s well-being is eased with good news from a sympathetic source. Your continued show of love and support is impor-tant. Stay with it.SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) This is a good time to consider mending fences with someone you wish was back in your life. Forget about blame, and focus on the good things you once shared.SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) This is a good week to start researching information regarding whatever changes you’re considering, whether it involves a new home, a new location or a new job.CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) A long-anticipated job opportunity could turn out to be less than you expected. But appearances might be deceiving. Check it out before you decide it’s not for you.AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Good news: Adapting to a new situation might come more easily than you expected. You can look for continued support from colleagues who appre-ciate your contributions.PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Someone you care for might need more reassurance from the typically “unemotional” Pisces. Go ahead. Open up, and you might be surprised at what you find when you do.BORN THIS WEEK: You are a romantic at heart, although you can be amazingly practical when you need to be.



1. When was the last time second basemen won both the A.L. and N.L. Most Valuable Player awards in the same year?2. Name the first manager

of the Seattle Mariners.3. When was the last time the University of Texas football team was not ranked in The Associated Press Top 25 poll?4. Who was the last NBA player to have a triple-double while also having at least 50 points in the game?5. How many times has Canada won the gold medal in men’s hockey at the Olym-pics?6. Who was the first male soccer player to score at least three goals in three different World Cups?7. In the 2010 Boston Marathon, Ryan Hall set a new record for U.S. men with a time of 2:08:41. Who had held the mark?

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Scammers Out to Hijack Your Phone

It seems like every week there’s a new scam aimed at seniors. Here are a few making the rounds.If you’re expecting a check from the government for a Medicare rebate (for the Part D drug cover-age gap), you don’t have to do anything to get that check. Scammers are out there now trying to con-vince seniors that a “fee” is required to sign up.If you have Call Forwarding on your phone, scam-mers could hijack your phone. Someone will call you, pretend to be a phone repairman and ask you to press *72 (or 72#) and a certain phone number so your line can be checked. What that does is put your phone on permanent Call Forwarding. Chances are that calls like this are coming from a prison. None of your own calls will come through until you realize there’s a problem and disable the Call Forwarding.If you surf the Internet, beware of social network-ing sites such as MySpace and Facebook. When so many people are gathered in one place on the Inter-net, there’s much that can go wrong. Don’t click on any links in messages, even from friends. It might start an automatic download of a program that sends out your password as you type it in. Once thieves have your password, they have control of your information. Keep your settings on Private.Feel free to be rude to those who call you on the telephone and ask for donations. Hang up, after saying, “Take this number off your list.” It’s your phone and your money. If you really want to make a donation to an organization, call and get informa-tion, but don’t do it because you got a phone call. You don’t know who’s really on the other end.

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 [email protected].


THE KITCHEN DIVABy Angela Shelf Medearis

Have a Red, White and Green Holiday With Watermelon

A Fourth of July picnic, an ice-cold watermel-on, patriotic songs and lots of loud, brilliantly hued fireworks are my idea of a wonderful holi-day celebration. Watermelons serve two pur-poses on a hot July day -- they’re a sweet finish to a meal, and a source of nutrititious hydration. Watermelon also is low in fat and cholesterol-free. It has a vast nutritional profile including high levels of the antioxidant lycopene, an excellent source of the important amino acid citrulline and is a good source of vitamins C, B-1, B-6 and a source of vitamin A.Watermelons are classified as a fruit, much like the pepper, pumpkin or tomato. However, as a member of the cucurbitaceae plant family of gourds, watermelon also is related to the cu-cumber and squash. Watermelons are planted from seeds or seedlings, harvested and then cleared from a field like a vegetable. Since watermelon is grown as a vegetable crop using vegetable production systems, it can also be considered a vegetable. Some refer to water-melon as a “fregetable” -- a combination of a fruit and a vegetable.Watermelons are now available all year long in mini, seeded and seedless, and yellow- and orange-flesh varieties. They also come in vari-ous sizes, as well as two colors: red and yellow. This “fregetable” is especially plentiful from April through October. About 200 to 300 variet-ies are grown in the U.S. and Mexico, although only about 50 varieties are very popular.There’s an art to picking the perfect watermel-on. Look the watermelon over and pick it up. The watermelon you select should be one that is firm, symmetrical and free from bruises, cuts or dents and heavy for its size. Watermelon is 92 percent water weight. To find out if a water-melon is ripe, knock it, and if it sounds hollow then it is ripe. The underside of the watermelon should have a creamy yellow spot from where it sat on the ground and ripened in the sun.Compared to most fruits, watermelons need a more “tropical” climate -- a thermometer reading of 55 F is ideal. Maintain the purchase temperature of watermelons. If you purchased it at room temperature, you can keep it at room temperature. If you refrigerate it after pur-chasing, be sure to keep the watermelon cool. Whole melons will keep for seven to 10 days at room temperature. Store them too long, and they’ll lose flavor and texture. According to the FDA, you should wash all fruits and vegetables, including all melons with rinds, in clean, running water before eating them. Don’t forget to dry them, too! Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before cutting the watermelon. Wash all food-contact areas and equipment such as cutting boards,

countertops, peelers and knives with hot water and soap to avoid cross contamination.After cutting the watermelon, store the wrapped pieces in a refrigerator (32-40 F) for no more than three to four days. After two days of re-frigeration, watermelons develop an off-flavor, become pitted and lose color. Freezing causes the rind to break down and produces a mealy, mushy texture. Peeled and/or fresh-cut fruit should be refrigerated if not consumed within two hours, and leftover fresh-cut fruit should be discarded if left at room temperature for more than two hours.Although a majority of the watermelons that are available are seedless, these instructions will help you remove seeds quickly and easily:1. Wash and quarter a whole watermelon.2. Cut each quarter into three or four wedges.3. Cut lengthwise along the seed line with a par-ing knife,and lift off the piece.4. Using a fork, scrape seeds both from the removedpiece and the remaining flesh on the rind.5. Cut into desired sizes.Now that you know how to select and prepare a watermelon, use the cubed pieces in this recipe for Sweet and Sour Watermelon and Cucumber Salad. This is the perfect salad for a picnic as it keeps well and is easy to transport. Enjoy a sweet, delicious slice of watermelon at your Fourth of July picnic and all year long!(Information and recipe courtesy of The Na-tional Watermelon Promotion Board, www.watermelon.org.)

SWEET AND SOUR WATERMELON AND CUCUMBER SALAD

3 cups seedless watermelon balls or small chunks2 cucumbers, peeled, seeded and sliced 1/2 cup cider vinegar1 cup water1/2 cup sugar1 tablespoon poppy seed1 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon pepper1 bunch green onions, trimmed and chopped

Mix together the vinegar, water, sugar and poppy seeds in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Stir in the chopped green onions. Place the watermelon and cucumber in a serving bowl and pour the marinade over the top. Toss gently before serving. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate a couple of hours before serving. ***Angela Shelf Medearis is an award-winning children’s author, culinary historian and the author of six cookbooks. Her new cookbook is “The New African-American Kitchen.” She is known as The Kitchen Diva and is the execu-tive producer and host of “The Kitchen Diva!” cooking show on Hulu.com. Visit her Web site at www.divapro.com.



Tidbits of Jefferson County is now offering Classified Space

Classified Rates10 words or less......$7.5011-25 words...........$10.0026-40 words...........$15.0041-60 words ..........$20.00

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14 Ft. Cajun Fiberglass Bass Boat - 40 HP Mariner motorw/trailer & many extras in mint condition $3,500.314.892.0971

Riverfront Lot on Scenic Gasconade River w/ 16’ x 20’Metal Bldg, Carport, Water & Electric...............573.294.1030

Professional Pilot’s First Officer Hat - Never worn Size 75/8 $50.....314.606.3741

Display Ads in Classified1.5” x 3” - $25 per weekCall for other sizes & pricing available - 1-636-209-8288

FOR SALE FOR SALEFOR SALE FOR SALE12 Ft. V-Bottom Boat & Trailer9.8 Mercury Outboard - $800..................................636-294-1870

8N FORD Tractor - 59” WOODS finish mower w/72” grading blade & utilityarm. $3,200..................... 314-606-3741

By Samantha Weaver

HELP WANTED - Work from home• FREE phone and service • Unlimited talk/text & web-data

314-620-3382www.timothystaples.wsMotorola Q

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$59.95No Contract!

• It was multitalented Robert Anton Wilson -- he was, at various times in his life, a nov-elist, essayist, psychologist, editor, philoso-pher, playwright and mystic -- who made the following observation: “It only takes 20 years for a liberal to become a conservative without changing a single idea.” • The U.S. Department of Agriculture recent-ly released its study on the costs of raising a child. Those who have children may not be surprised to learn that the average two-par-ent, middle-income family spends a whop-ping $222,360 on the child through the age of 17 -- and that figure, or course, doesn’t include the cost of a college education. • The blue whale is the largest animal known to have ever existed. The marine mammal is so large, in fact, that a grown man could swim through its largest blood vessels.

• The company known as Ulysse Nardin, based in Switzerland, is known for its line of luxury watches. They’ve recently ex-panded their offerings, though, so the next time you’re in the market for a cell phone, you might want to check out their version of Google’s Android model. You also might want to check your bank account; this gold-plated piece of technology will retail for $50,000. • Here’s a sign of our increasingly cluttered lives: When the National Association of Pro-fessional Organizers was formed, in 1985, it had five members. Today there are more than 4,000 registered organizers with the group. • According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Sta-tistics, those who hold the most dangerous job in America aren’t firefighters or police officers; they’re taxi drivers, with 22.7 homi-cides for every 100,000 workers each year. ***Thought for the Day: “It’s not the genius who is 100 years ahead of his time but the average man who is 100 years behind it.” -- Robert Musil(c) 2010 King Features Synd., Inc.

MOMENTS IN TIMEThe History Channel

• On July 9, 1777, New York elects Brigadier Gen. George Clinton as the first governor of the independent state of New York. Clinton would go on to become New York’s longest-serving governor, as well as the longest-serving gover-nor in the United States, holding the post until 1795.

• On July 8, 1853, Commodore Matthew Perry, representing the U.S. government, sails into Tokyo Bay, Japan. The Japanese accepted let-ters from President Millard Fillmore, making the United States the first Western nation in two centuries to establish relations with Japan.

• On July 10, 1887, a dam breaks in Zug, Switzerland, killing 70 people. The resulting wall of water was so powerful that rescue boats launched to assist people caught up in the sud-den flood were ineffective as they capsized in the roiling waters.

• On July 11, 1922, the Hollywood Bowl, one of the world’s largest natural amphitheaters, opens. Its stage was a wooden platform with a canvas top and audiences sat on moveable benches set on the hillsides of the surrounding canyon. In 1926, a group of Los Angeles archi-tects built the Hollywood Bowl’s first shell.

• On July 5, 1946, French designer Louis Reard unveils a daring two-piece swimsuit at a swim-ming pool in Paris. Reard dubbed the suit the “bikini,” inspired by a news-making U.S. atomic bomb test that took place off the Bikini Atoll in the Pacific Ocean earlier that week.

• On July 7, 1962, “The Stripper,” by David Rose, becomes the No. 1 pop hit in America. When a Los Angeles disc jockey heard the piece, he thought it was so funny that he played it almost continuously during his program one day. Soon “The Stripper” was a national hit, and well on its way to becoming a permanent piece of American pop culture.

• On July 6, 1976, in Annapolis, Md., the Unit-ed States Naval Academy admits women for the first time in its history with the induction of 81 female midshipmen. In May 1980, Elizabeth Anne Rowe became the first woman member of the class to graduate.

NOW HERE’S A TIPBy JoAnn Derson

• Stick a return-address sticker on the inside of your eyeglass case. If you leave it behind some-where, you’ll up the odds of having it returned to you.

• To remove grass stains, try dabbing with rub-bing alcohol and blotting with a white, clean cloth. Repeat as necessary.

• “Make a drink cover with aluminum foil. Cover drink tightly, then poke a straw through the foil. This will keep pesky bugs away from your beverage. And you can jot your name on top, to boot. We’ve done this at our barbecues for ages.” -- T.C. in Minnesota

• To clean your oven, simply fill a small dish with ammonia and set it in the oven overnight. In the morning, you’ll be able to wipe the baked-on foods away.

• “Baby oil will make a stainless-steel sink look superb. Just squirt a little on a paper towel and use it to shine the sink and surrounding area.” -- A Reader, via e-mail

• One way to untangle jewelry is to set it in a shallow dish of baby powder and then try to work out the kinks. The powder acts as a lubri-cant, but won’t make your hands or fingers feel messy or greasy.

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 [email protected].


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Publish a Pa per in Your Area

1. In 1914, Eddie Col- lins (Philadelphia) and Johnny Evers (Boston) each won an MVP award.

2. Darrell Johnson, who managed the club from 1977 to 1980.3. It was Oct. 8, 2000.4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, with 50 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists in a game in 1975.5. Eight times -- 1920, ‘24, ‘28, ‘32, 48, ‘52, 2002, ‘10.6. Germany’s Juergen Klinsmann (1990, ‘94, ‘98).7. Bob Kempainen had a time of 2:08:47 in 1994.(c) 2010 King Features Synd., Inc.

Glenn Waggoner JR. [email protected]

Tel: 636-931-1101Fax: 636-931-1102Cell: 636-954-1251

Amalia M. LaViolettea Singer For Every

Occasion

636.225.5831

FENTON AUTO SALVAGE636.375.5336636.375.5336

6650 Treasure Dr.Off Dulin Creek Rd.

House Springs, MO 63051

6650 Treasure Dr.Off Dulin Creek Rd.

House Springs, MO 63051

We Buy Cars and TrucksWe Buy Cars and Trucks

Open Mon - Fri 9-5Sat - 9-3Closed on Sunday

Open Mon - Fri 9-5Sat - 9-3Closed on Sunday

Parting out over 3,500 VehiclesParting out over 3,500 Vehicles

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