TIDBITS® SAYS HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO

NOVEMBER BABIESby Kathy Wolfe

Here’s a little research from Tidbits on all these folks, past and present, who claim November as their birth month.

● Probably best known for her role as Dr. Izzie Stevens on the ABC medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy,” actress Katherine Heigl got her start as a child model posing for the Sears catalog. She moved on from this $75-per-hour job to her fi rst commercial, a TV spot for Cheerios. Although she has recently starred in several movie blockbusters, she also has the honor of having starred in the lowest-earning movie in recorded history, 2006’s “Zyzzyx Road,” which grossed $30 at the box offi ce. ● The parents of Condoleezza Rice took her name from an Italian music-related term con dolcezza, which translates “with sweetness.” The life of this 66th U.S. Secretary of State was fi lled with music from the age of three, when she began music, fi gure skating, French and ballet lessons. At 15, it was her goal to become a concert pianist. Switching her college major to political science set the stage for many of her achievements. However, she has never abandoned her music, still practicing every day, and she even accompanied the celebrated cellist Yo-Yo Ma at Constitution Hall at a National Medal of Arts Awards recital.

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The firm, chewy texture of farro resembles Arborio rice but boasts the nutritional characteristics of spelt. Italians have enjoyed this alternative grain since the days of the Roman Empire.

1 tablespoon olive oil1 small onion, finely choppedSalt and ground black pepper1 1/2 cups farro (emmer wheat)1/2 cup dry white wine1 1/4 cups water1 can (14 to 14 1/2 ounces) chicken broth, (1 3/4 cups)1/8 teaspoon dried thyme1/8 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed1 (2-pound) butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus addi-tional for serving1/4 cup (loosely packed) fresh parsley leaves, chopped

1. In deep nonstick 12-inch skillet, heat oil over me-dium heat until hot. Add onion, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and cook 5 to 7 minutes or until onion is tender and lightly browned. Add farro and cook 2 to 3 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring constantly. Add wine and cook about 1 minute or until absorbed.2. To farro mixture in skillet, add water, broth, thyme and rosemary; cover skillet and heat to boiling over high heat. Stir in squash; reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer about 20 minutes longer or until farro is just tender (mixture will still be soupy). Un-cover and cook 1 to 2 minutes longer over high heat, stirring constantly, until most of liquid is absorbed. Remove skillet from heat and stir in Parmesan and parsley. Serve risotto with additional Parmesan if you like. Yields 6 1/2 cups. Serves 4.

● Each serving: About 415 calories, 9g total fat (3g saturated), 8mg cholesterol, 925mg sodium, 74g car-bohydrate, 6g dietary fiber, 16g protein.

For thousands of triple-tested recipes, visit our web-site at www.goodhousekeeping.com/recipefinder/.

Farro Risotto with Butternut Squash

Q: I am loving the second season of my favorite show, "The Walking Dead," on AMC. I know this might be a little early, but will it return for another season? -- Chad G., via e-mailA: Normally, this would be a bit early for renewal news, but since the show's return at the end of October, its ratings have been through the roof. Season two ratings have eclipsed the stellar ratings (especially by cable standards) of the first season, so AMC has already re-newed it for a third season. "The Walking Dead" depicts the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse following a group of survivors outside Atlanta, starring Andrew Lincoln, Jon Bernthal and Sarah Wayne Callies.

Q: I was sad to read in your column that "Sparta-cus" star Andy Whitfield had passed away. Will the production of the show continue after his death? -- Hallie E., Akron, OhioA: In March 2010, Andy was diagnosed with non-Hodg-kin lymphoma. Production on season two was delayed so he could be treated. Unfortunately, his cancer returned, and he dropped out of the series and was replaced by Liam McIntyre. Andy passed away at age 39 this past September. Season two, with Liam as Spartacus, will re-turn to Starz on Jan. 27, with the network already giving

the green light for a third season to begin production in early 2012.

Q: I have noticed the actress who plays Kensi on "NCIS: Los Angeles" appears to have two different colored eyes. Does she, or am I just seeing things? I think she plays a good strong female part and would like to see her in more shows or movies. -- Mary B., Virginia Beach, Va.A: Daniela Ruah, who has played Kensi Blye since the show's premiere in 2009, has a birthmark in her right eye, making it appear almost completely black, with her left eye being hazel. You'll get to see more of Daniela soon, as she co-stars in the feature film "Red Tails" with Terrence Howard, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Bryan Crans-ton. She also is rumored to be starring in the upcoming "Uncharted: Drake's Fortune" with Bruce Campbell.

UPDATE: Hot on the heels of the news that Life-time picked up "America's Most Wanted" after it was canceled by Fox comes the news of its premiere date. The 20-episode 25th season of the crime-fighting real-ity show will premiere on Dec. 2 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The show's passionate host, John Walsh, said of the return: "I am excited to be back in the saddle and working with Lifetime. We are the court of last resort, and with the show getting back to our weekly airing, we'll have the capability of getting more fugitives off the streets and behind bars where they belong. We hope our observant fans continue the mission with us, on our new night -- Friday -- and keep our capture number climbing while helping those crime victims who need us."

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

Q: I have a family Bible that originally belonged to my grandma and is dated 1876. Can you tell me its approximate value? -- Fred, Alton, Ill.A: Verily I say unto you, just because a Bible is more than a century old doesn't necessarily mean it has much value except as a family heirloom. I checked with several antiquarian book sellers and was told that most Victorian-era Bibles sell in the $50 to $150 range, depending on condition, rarity and if there is an interesting family tree documented. I found a leather-bound Bible from 1872 on eBay for $42. As with most collectibles, there are always exceptions to every rule.

Q: I have collector plates in the MGM series hon-oring such stars as Mickey Rooney and Clark Ga-ble. I also have the "Honeymooners" with Jackie Gleason, and "I Love Lucy" featuring Lucille Ball. I have a friend who plans to sell them for me on eBay, but I thought maybe you could help me set a price for them. -- A.B., Villa Park, Ill.A: Before you list them on eBay, why don't you visit the site to see how much similar collector plates are bringing.

Q: I have a cookbook edited by Prudence Penny, the home economist of the Los Angeles Examiner. It was published in 1939 by Prentice-Hall. -- Eliza-beth, Sun City, Ariz.A: Prudence Penny also hosted a radio show on the West Coast during the 1940s. She is credited with having written columns for the Seattle Post-Intelli-gencer, the San Francisco Examiner and the Los An-geles Times. Her 1939 cookbook retails in the $50 to $75 range, depending on demand and condition. You might check out the website, www.oldcookbooks.com.

Q: I have an old Coca-Cola ice chest. Any idea of its value? -- Evelyn, Wolcott, N.Y.A: You've provided too little information. What is the size of the chest? When was it manufactured? What is its condition? You might be able to find it referenced in one of the excellent guides available. I especially like "Coca-Cola Collectibles Price Guide" by Allan Petretti (Krause Books). You also might contact the Coca-Cola Collectors Club International, P.O. Box 49166, Atlanta, GA 30359.

Write to Larry Cox in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to questionsforcox@aol.com. Due to the large volume of mail he receives, Mr. Cox is un-able to personally answer all reader questions. Do not send any materials requiring return mail.

NOVEMBER BABIES (continued)● Most folks have heard of the Hubble Space Telescope, an instrument carried into orbit by a 1990 space shuttle mission. But most don’t know that it was named for the American astronomer Edwin Hubble, the first to confirm the existence of galaxies other than our own Milky Way, a discovery made in 1923. A Rhodes Scholar, he studied law and set up a legal practice before realizing that his passion was astronomy. ● Bo Jackson achieved fame as the first athlete to be named an All-Star in two major sports, baseball and football. His birth name was Vincent Edward Jackson, after his mother’s favorite television star, Vince Edwards of “Ben Casey” fame. Jackson achieved his nickname when his family described him as a “wild boar hog” constantly getting into trouble. He signed with baseball’s Kansas City Royals as a left fielder in 1986 and started playing for football’s Los Angeles Raiders as a running back the following year. ● Goldie Hawn has a distinguished ancestor, Edward Rutledge, the youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence. This famous blonde actress is also an accomplished ballet dancer, having begun lessons at age three. At 11, she debuted in “The Nutcracker,” earning $1.50.● The only child of famous automaker Henry Ford was born in November 1893. Edsel Ford grew up to marry into the Hudson’s department store family and founded Ford’s Mercury division. He also brought us the Lincoln Zephyr and Lincoln Continental. Fourteen years after Edsel’s early death from stomach cancer at age 49, the Ford Motor Company introduced its new brand of cars named after him. Unfortunately, the Edsel was considered a commercial failure and was discontinued after the 1960 models. ● If you’ve seen any James Bond movies, you’ve heard the musical work of composer John Barry, who wrote the soundtracks for 11 of the films. The winner of five Academy Awards and four Grammys, he also composed the music for “Out of Africa” and “Dances with Wolves.” ● That bump on November baby Owen Wilson’s nose is the result of having his nose broken twice, once in a high school fracas, the

1. MUSIC: Who had a hit single in 1972 with a song called "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"? 2. ADVERTISEMENTS: What was the name of the pudgy Michelin tire character?3. ANATOMY: What's the more common name for the patella?4. LITERATURE: What was the name of Tom Sawyer's aunt in the Mark Twain novel?5. RELIGION: When does Ramadan take place?6. ANCIENT WORLD: What animal was once worshipped by the ancient Egyptians?7. THEATER: How many years did the show "A Chorus Line" run on Broadway?8. TELEVISION: Which state was the main setting for the series "Knot's Landing"?9. MATH: What is the Arabic equivalent of the Roman numerals DIV?10. HISTORY: When was Prohibition imposed in the United States?

NOVEMBER BABIES (continued)other in a friendly football game. Wilson is no stranger to mischief, having been expelled from high school as a sophomore for cheating on his geometry test. He spent his junior and senior years in military school. ● Back in 1930, 18-year-old Leonard Slye packed up his belongings and moved to California, hoping to make it big as a singer. He played in several groups over the next few years — The Hollywood Hillbillies, Rocky Mountaineers, Texas Outlaws —before forming Sons of the Pioneers in 1934. The following year, he appeared in the first of his 100 movies. Along the way came a name change to Roy Rogers. He acquired his golden palomino Trigger in 1938 and was seen astride that horse in every single movie and television episode. (Trigger died at the ripe old age of 33 in 1965.) At the height of his career, Roy Rogers received more than 75,000 fan letters a month. ● Back in 1968, clothing designer Calvin Klein, armed with $10,000, started out with just a coat shop in the York Hotel in New York City. Gradually expanding over the next several years, he added the original designer jeans in 1974, using Brooke Shields as a model. He sold $200,000 worth during the first week after their introduction. ● Baby boomers will recall the daily farewell message, “And that’s the way it is,” given by CBS anchorman Walter Cronkite as he wrapped up the television evening news. He started his broadcasting career on radio in 1937 and brought bulletins on World War II bombings and the Nuremberg trials. During his 19 years on the evening news, Cronkite reported the momentous events of Americans’ lives, including the death of Martin Luther King Jr., the Vietnam War, the Watergate scandal, the Iran hostage crisis and most notably, his emotional and tearful delivery of the news of the assassination of John F. Kennedy. He was the source for the news of the U.S. space program. Opinion polls named him “the most trusted man in America.”

HOLLYWOOD -- "The Twilight Saga" fans are anx-iously awaiting "Breaking Dawn," Part 1, due out this month. However, Part 2, won't be released until No-vember 2012. The original "Twilight" cost $37 million and grossed $392.5 million. The second in the series, "New Moon," cost $50 million and grossed $709.7 mil-lion. The third episode, "Eclipse," cost $68 million and grossed $698.5 million. "Breaking Dawn," parts 1 and 2, cost $263 million. There's no doubt this saga has made big stars of its three leads -- Robert Pattison, Taylor Lautner and Kristen Stewart -- but somehow it hasn't transferred to other films.Pattinson's $38 million "Water For Elephants," despite Oscar-winner Reese Witherspoon as his co-star, grossed only $117 million worldwide. He has "Cosmopolis," di-rected by David Cronenberg from his screenplay, with Paul Giamatti and Juliette Binoche, and "Bel Ami," with Uma Thurman, Kristin Scott Thomas and Christina Ric-ci, coming out soon. The same problem befell Lautner, whose $35 million "Abduction" grossed only $71.6 mil-lion.Stewart has fared even worse. Her $10 million film, "The Runaways," brought in a paltry $4.6 million. She has two films due out, "Snow White and The Huntsman," with ("Thor") Chris Hemsworth, as the Huntsman, due out in June (the first of a trilogy), and "On the Road" with Sam

Riley and Viggo Mortensen. It looks like they'll have to make more films in the same vein as "The Twilight Saga" if they want their fans to support them!

The Liberace bio film, "Behind the Candelabra," star-ring Michael Douglas and Matt Damon, has found a home at HBO. Producer Jerry Weintraub made his best-selling book, "When I Stop Talking, You'll Know I'm Dead", about handling Elvis, Frank Sinatra and John Denver, among others, into the hit HBO documentary, "His Way." "I knew Liberace when I was a kid," Jerry said. "He was Elton John and Lady Gaga before they ever dreamed of it! I picked HBO because of its huge subscription base." Steven Soderbergh will direct and shoot in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Palm Springs, where Liberace had homes.

Goldie Hawn's second husband, Bill Hudson, has writ-ten a tell-all book about his four-year marriage to Gold-ie and his relationship with their two actor children, Kate and Oliver. Goldie and Kate aren't thrilled with the content of the book, and in fact, Kate and her father aren't even on speaking terms. No word if the book will include his 18-year marriage to "Laverne and Shirley" star Cindy Williams and their two children.Look on the bright side, Goldie, he'll be telling all your secrets just for money, but you've always had more fame and money than he's ever had, which makes him nothing more than a ... Gold-ie-digger!

Send letters to Tony Rizzo's Hollywood, 8306 Wilshire Blvd., No. 362, Beverly Hills, CA 90211.

"Is Everyone HangingOut Without Me?"by Mindy Kaling(Crown Archetype, $25)Reviewed by Rose M. Croke

Emmy-nominated writer, actress and producer Mindy Kaling, who plays self-absorbed customer-service rep Kelly Kapoor on the hit TV show "The Office," can now add author to her already impressive resume.In her comedy memoir, "Is Everyone Hanging Out With-out Me? (And Other Concerns)," Kaling chronicles her childhood growing up with her parents (both Indian im-migrants) and older brother in Cambridge, Mass., and shares her funny observations on topics such as friend-ship, love, fame, writing and office work -- both real and staged.A self-proclaimed shopaholic -- she has her credit-card number memorized -- Kaling finds it relatively easy to channel the celebrity- and fashion-obsessed office gossip who entertains legions of "Office" fans each week with her spot-on delivery of droll one-liners.When she joined the show, Kaling was 24, new to Los Angeles and the only woman on a writing staff of eight. Now, at 32, she continues to write for the show and also has directed two episodes. Kaling typically works 16-hour days, yet doesn't complain. She has achieved the level of Hollywood fame she wants, which, to her, is be-ing so famous that she can never get convicted of murder in a court of law.Celebrity does have its consequences. The title of her book comes from a time when Kaling was working so hard that she sensed that friends had stopped inviting her to dinners, birthday parties and other social engagements because she had declined them so many times.In an age where many starlets are famous for being infa-mous, Kaling's collection of essays introduces readers to a good girl who made good. Her voice, which she admits she never tires of hearing, is refreshing and unapologet-ic. She takes great pride in being respectful, intelligent, opinionated and hardworking.Funny, inspiring content aside, the childhood photo of a bespectacled Kaling holding a scruffy-looking hand pup-pet on the back cover of the book is endearingly priceless.

1. Puss in Boots (PG) animated 2. Tower Heist (PG-13) Ben Stiller,

Eddie Murphy3. A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas

(R) John Cho, Kal Penn4. Paranormal Activity 3 (R) Chloe Csengery,

Jessica Tyler Brown5. In Time (PG-13) Amanda Seyfried,

Justin Timberlake6. Footloose (PG-13) Kenny Wormald,

Julianne Hough7. Real Steel (PG-13) Hugh Jackson, Dakota

Goyo

8. The Rum Diary (R) Johnny Depp, Aaron Eckhart

9. The Ides of March (R) Ryan Gosling, George Clooney

10. Moneyball (PG-13) Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill

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DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I don't remember you addressing this subject, so I thought I would write. In 1997, I had a mild heart attack and went on medicines. Six months later I had another mild incident that led me to angioplasty. Ever since, I have been eating well, exercising and taking all my meds. My cardiologist says I have great collaterals. I have sprouted new vessels for my heart. I thought I should have some kind of intervention, but the doctor says no. Can you discuss autogenesis? Am I related to a starfi sh? -- R.S.

ANSWER: You're the fi rst writer ever to use the word "autogenesis." If a starfi sh loses an arm, it grows another -- autogenesis. Humans have the same ability when it comes to blood vessels. They can grow new ones, and do so in many instances. Heart-attack victims often can sprout new arteries. It's a long process. It doesn't happen overnight. And it doesn't happen to all

Humans Can Sprout New Blood Vessels

people. Count yourself lucky.The booklet on CAD -- coronary artery disease -- discusses how vessels become plugged and how they are treated. To order a copy, write: Dr. Donohue -- No. 101W, 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: You are familiar with energy drinks, aren't you? Well, my teenage son has gotten in the habit of drinking them far too often. He says they really do increase his energy. I'm worried that they might be dangerous. Will you please provide some information? -- B.B.

ANSWER: One kind of energy drink is a mixture of caffeine and alcohol. In November 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration declared such combinations to be unsafe. I'm sure your son isn't using this sort of energy drink. Others are.Your boy is likely drinking caffeinated beverages. The amount of caffeine in these drinks ranges from 50 to 505 mg of caffeine per can. A 6-ounce cup of coffee contains 77 to 150 mg of caffeine.Adolescents drinking such large amounts of caffeine can suffer sleep disturbance, shaking hands and possibly a rise in blood pressure. One school district has banned these drinks at all practices and games. I think that's a good policy.

No-Fuss Slow-Cooker Beef Tacos

It's fi nally time to share my family's favorite "Too Good to Be True Slow-Cooker Beef Tacos" recipe. Passed on by word of mouth from one neighbor to the other, it's a recipe that's so easy to remember that I've just never taken the time to write it down. Simply put: "Place pot roast sprinkled with taco sea-soning in a slow cooker. Set on high and cook fi ve to six hours. Spoon tender, shredded beef into warm soft taco shells and add favorite fi llings." That's it! No-fail, no-fuss cooking that our busy lifestyles demand when we want to gather friends together for a robust and tasty evening meal.

Ingredients for 12 soft-shell beef tacos:2-1/2- to 3-pound boneless beef chuck pot roast, trimmed of fat1-ounce package taco seasoning mix, such as Old El Paso brand1 medium onion, peeled and sliced (optional)12 fl our tortillasToppings according to taste: cilantro, chopped to-matoes, chili peppers and onions, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, squeeze of lime juice

1. Sprinkle both sides of meat with seasoning mix. Reduce the amount according to taste. Place meat in slow cooker. If using onion, spread slices evenly over the meat. No need to add water.2. Cover, set on high and cook for fi ve to six hours or until meat is tender and easily falls apart. Remove from slow cooker with a large slotted spoon. 3. Using two forks, shred the beef into a large bowl. Add onion and remaining warm juices from the slow cooker. Toss lightly to keep moist.To serve, spoon meat into warm taco shells. Add fa-vorite toppings.

EXTRA IDEA: For a spicy pot-roast dinner, follow above steps. After three and a half hours in the slow cooker, add six peeled and quartered potatoes and six medium carrots, halved crosswise and lengthwise, on top of the meat. Add pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt. When meat and vegetables are tender, about two hours later, remove meat and vegetables with a slot-ted spoon and place on a serving platter. Spoon drip-pings over meat, and serve with a fresh green salad. Serves 6.

Inspector General Is On Our SideYou have to love the Department of Veterans Affairs Offi ce of the Inspector General. It's everywhere, and it's looking out for us -- probing, inspecting, asking questions.Here is a sampling of its recent reports, covering issues large and small. --The Offi ce of Information and Technology has some odd things going on with its contracts. Contractors were asked to do some work not in the contract -- which they didn't do. They also didn't complete all the work that was in the contract. Cost: More than $1.6 million. An anonymous tip got the OIG to investigate this one.--In one hospital, it was learned that staff was not prop-erly trained in using monitoring equipment. At another medical facility, the electroconvulsive therapy machine was not sent to the manufacturer on schedule for qual-ity-control checks.--VAOIG investigators found "signifi cant control laps-es" that might have resulted in the VA issuing thou-sands of Personal Identity Verifi cation credentials to employees and contractors whose backgrounds were not investigated and who were not checked against the terrorist watch list. This one is a biggie. To read the report, go to www.va.gov/oig/ and search for report 10-04037-295.At the bottom of the OIG reports is hotline informa-tion you can use if you see something that isn't right. It wants to know about patient safety issues, mismanage-ment of VA programs, waste of resources and criminal activity related to the VA. It can't help you with medical claims or similar issues.To contact the OIG, go to the website and click on Contact Us. You'll fi nd the Hotline link with informa-tion. You also can call 1-800-488-8244 or send email to vaoighotline@va.govOf course, you'd step up if you saw something wrong because it's the right thing to do. But did you know there's a potential reward up to $10,000 for disclosing criminal activity?

NOVEMBER BABIES (continued)● It should come as no surprise that movie hunk Matthew McConaughey was listed in his Longview, Texas, yearbook as “most handsome.” He spent one year of high school as an exchange student in New South Wales, Australia.● The world’s fi rst set of septuplets to survive infancy, Iowa’s McCaughey children, turn 14 this month. Born nine weeks early, the three girls and four boys consumed 42 bottles and required 52 diapers daily during their fi rst several months. These days the family goes through seven dozen eggs and fi ve gallons of milk every week.

OVERCOMING THE ODDS:MATT D. JONES

Prevailing over cancer is a challenging battle for anyone. Read on to learn of the triumph of one inspiring young man’s rise above his circumstances.

● Matt Jones was on the homestretch of completing his communications degree, entering his senior year of college. A few weeks into the semester, he just couldn’t seem to shake the cold, fl u and sore throat he had developed. An increasing lack of energy made it diffi cult to climb a fl ight of stairs, and before long he was sleeping 16 hours a day. Because his symptoms were consistent with those of mononucleosis, Jones went in for the test. ● A test for mono came back negative, but the doctor had more serious news. Jones’ white blood count exceeded normal by more than fi ve times. Following a bone marrow biopsy, the 23-year-old was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a condition fatal in just weeks to a few months if left untreated. ● Three months of chemotherapy followed, fi ve intensive treatments in all. At its completion, Jones was declared in remission, and given an 80-percent chance that the cancer would not return. ● Yet it was not to be. Just seven months later, Jones’ leukemia had returned. After another round of chemo, it became clear that a bone marrow transplant would be necessary to

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Q: When should I mow the lawn for the last time before winter? And do I need to take the blades off of my lawnmower before storing? -- Janet in Macon, Ga.

A: The timing of the "last mow" varies from region to region, but generally, it should take place shortly before the first hard frost. If the grass doesn't need mowing, use your discretion as to whether to mow it one more time or not.Once mowing is finished for the year, seed any bare or brown spots. Some of the seeds will sprout, but most should lay dormant through the coldest part of winter and then sprout well before your first mow come spring.Some lawnmower owners remove the blades from their mower before storing for the winter. It's recom-mended, but you don't have to do this. I would recom-

Storing Lawnmower for Winter

mend first removing the spark plug from the motor and carefully draining the gas from the tank and into a safe storage container (do this outside where spills can be quickly cleaned up). After that, tip the mow-er onto its side (unless it's a lawn tractor, in which case, don't do this by yourself, or at all) and, using a sprayer attachment on your garden hose, wash off all the grass, leaves and dirt from the underside of the mower and the blades. Allow the mower to dry completely and then apply a light coat of oil (such as 3-in-1 oil or WD-40) to the blades and the rotating mechanisms and wipe away excess. Store the mower upright in a dry part of your garage or shed.Other garden tools, including shears and clippers, shovels and so on, also should be cleaned and their blades lightly oiled. Store them upright and off the floor -- a pegboard is ideal for this purpose.

HOME TIP: To keep birds away from a freshly seeded spot, place a few wooden stakes around the area and tie an old piece of cloth to each stake. The motion should scare most birds away.

Send your questions or comments to ask@thisisa-hammer.com, or write This Is a Hammer, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.

● "For that nagging toilet where the chain on the flush lever keeps getting stuck, here's what I do: Trash that chain and use some curling ribbon. Tie it on and adjust the length. Once you've got it set, you shouldn't have to mess with it again for a very long time!" -- M. in Min-nesota

● Need pumpkin pie spice? Mix 1/2 teaspoon cinna-mon, 1/4 teaspoon ginger, 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg and 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves for each teaspoon needed.

● "Clearance aisles and sales are a savvy shopper's best friend. I buy age-appropriate games and toys all year from the sales rack and with coupons, so that I'm always armed with birthday presents and donations for holiday drives." -- A.P. in Pennsylvania

● "I try to keep a backpack of 'just in case' items in my car trunk. In the summer, it has sunblock, bug spray, etc. I have just refilled it for winter. There is a bottle of water and snack items, large towels that double as blankets, tools and a road flare, socks, an extra pair of shoes, etc. It pays to be safe!" -- C.C. in North Carolina

● Make your own "hot pocket" using rice: Fill an emp-ty sock with rice to about three-fourths full. Tie or sew closed. Create a pouch by using a bandanna to wrap it up; either tie or sew the bandanna into a removable pock-et. To use, microwave the sock for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Remove carefully. Remove bandanna and wash from time to time.

● Here's a great cooking hint: When you want to sear meat, make sure you pat it dry using either paper tow-els or a kitchen cloth specifically for that purpose. Any moisture on the meat will cause it to steam-cook.

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.

MATT JONES (continued)save his life. It was his last semester of college, and, determined to graduate on time, Jones spent much of the final weeks in the hospital while completing his studies. ● After wrapping up both his degree and his chemo, he was once again in remission, but continued to wait for a bone marrow donor for his transplant. When he began experiencing extreme migraines, it was discovered that the cancer had spread to his cerebral spinal fluid, changing the odds to a 10 percent chance of survival. ● An experimental type of chemo was begun immediately, which brought on a severe infection with a skyrocketing fever and failure of one of his kidneys. After slipping into a coma, it appeared that Jones had reached the end of his journey. But this miracle man came out of it, although with memory and speech problems. He couldn’t remember how to take a step or tie his shoes. ● Eight weeks later, back on his feet, he was ready for his bone marrow transplant, followed by yet more chemo. In June of 2005, almost three years after his initial diagnosis, Jones’ treatments drew to a close. He has been cancer-free since that time.● Jones’ goal since re-learning how to walk had been to run a marathon. One year after his transplant, he completed his first marathon in San Diego. His goal has now been updated to complete the race on every continent.

BOARD GAME BITS

Although video games increase in popularity on a daily basis, there’s nothing like a good old board game! Check out the origins of some of these longtime favorites.

● If you’re familiar with the names of Mrs. Peacock, Professor Plum and Colonel Mustard, you’ve played Clue. This murder mystery game was invented in England in 1944 by a solicitor’s clerk who thought it would be a good way to pass the time while sitting in underground bunkers during World War II air raid drills. It was originally called “Murder!” The players

Tidbits® of Salina Page 6

For Real Bargains, ReadFood Labels

BOARD GAME BITS (continued)move throughout nine rooms of a mansion seeking clues as to which character committed the crime and which weapon — rope, revolver, wrench, candlestick, knife or lead pipe — was used. ● Two Canadian journalists conceived the idea of the popular game Trivial Pursuit, commercially released in 1981. An 18-year-old artist created the final artwork for the game. In 1984 alone, more than 20 million games were sold. ● It’s not surprising that the best-selling board game in the world is the game of Monopoly, with more than 200 million games sold. It’s estimated that 500 million people have played the game since its release during the Great Depression. It’s sold in 103 countries and in 37 languages. In the English version, the highest rent property is “Boardwalk,” but if you live in Spain, it’s Paseo del Pradeo named after a Barcelona street, and in France, it’s Rue de la Paix. During the game’s history, it’s been more than just a source of entertainment. During World War II, Monopoly games containing escape maps, compasses and files were smuggled to prisoners in German POW camps. Real money was even hidden inside packs of the play money to aid in prisoners’ escapes. ● A serious illness was the catalyst for the creation of one of the most popular children’s games, Candy Land. Eleanor Abbott was recovering from polio in 1945 and wanted to create something to entertain children afflicted with the disease. She devised a race to find the lost King of Candy Land covering 134 winding colored squares, so that no reading skills were required. Characters encountered along the route included Queen Frostine, Gramma Nutt and Lord Licorice, as players made their way through the Candy Cane Forest and Gum Drop Mountain. The first games sold for a dollar. There have been more than 40 million Candy Land games sold since. ● Chutes & Ladders was created to teach children good morals — Good deeds are rewarded with a trip up the ladder, while bad conduct results in a slide down. Originally called Snakes & Ladders, its origins are in India, with slithering serpents as the consequences of bad choices. Milton Bradley brought it to America in 1943 and changed the name and format.

Not only do consumers need to juggle brands and stores to find the best bargains on food, but deter-mining what's in the food is a minefield as well. In theory, the label and packaging will disclose this information, but they often need some translation.

Low sodium: "Low" is subjective. Check the per-centage of daily value on the label. It's not low if one serving can equal more than half your daily allotment of sodium.

Light: While generally meant to indicate fewer calories, it's not true across the board. Compare two cans of soup, the regular and the "light" ver-sion of the same kind by the same manufacturer. Is there an appreciable difference in calories?

Made with real fruit: How much fruit is actually in the food? If it's listed after the third item on the ingredients list, you're not getting much.

Organic: "Certified organic" food is regulated and promises to be grown on land that was pesticide free for the previous three years. With meat, the

animals would have been fed a special diet without antibiotics or hormones. "Made with organic ingre-dients" isn't the same as wholly organic.

Whole grains: The health benefit depends on how much is actually present. See where it falls in the ingredients lineup. If it's third or fourth on the list, you're not getting much. Note: Enriched bleached flour is white flour with vitamins added. If "en-riched" bread is dark, look for coloring that's been added to make it appear to be made of whole grains.

Fiber: Which form of fiber is in the food? You'll need to check the ingredients list.

Serving size: Be realistic. If a serving size is a half cup of a dessert, are you going to stop at that half cup? On the other hand, if the food is a main dish, will you family be satisfied with half-cup servings?

Know what you're spending your money on so you can get the most nutrition for your dollar. If you're not in the habit of reading labels, start by checking at least five things on every label before the food goes into your cart. Choose what those five things will be -- perhaps sodium, protein, sugars, fats and the first three ingredients. It's a start.

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.

Page 7For Advertising Call (785) 404-1000

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DEAR PAW'S CORNER: I see more and more dogs, of all sizes, wearing little booties when outside in winter temperatures. Aren't dogs' paws designed to deal with rough terrain and cold weather? Why do owners feel like they have to protect their pets' paws? -- Jerry in Kansas City, Mo.

DEAR JERRY: Actually, booties are a pretty smart idea for pets in wintertime, and it's not a new idea. Sled drivers in the Arctic have put them on their dogs' paws for centuries to protect them from rough terrain and jagged ice. Booties also protect existing paw or foot injuries.That booties are catching on among owners of pets of every size is perhaps due to the increasing variety available. But they serve the same practical purpose: They protect pets' feet from icy cold surfaces, rough ground and other winter hazards.The leathery pads on the bottom of dogs' paws can withstand mild temperatures and

most terrain, but they are not invulnerable. Extremely cold surfaces can cause frostbite or worse. Stepping on urban hazards like glass or sharp chunks of concrete can scratch or cut the foot pads, which is very painful for the dog. The soft skin between each pad also is very sensitive and easily can be scratched if debris gets caught between the pads.Owners who don't opt to fit their dogs with booties in the winter before bringing them outside should check their dog's paws each time it comes back inside to make sure the pads are uninjured and nothing is caught between them.

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.

Winter Is Rough on Pets' PawsBy Samantha Mazzotta

YOUR BUSINESS HEREfor more information call (785) 404-1000

● On Nov. 28, 1582, William Shakespeare, 18, and Anne Hathaway, 26, pay a 40-pound bond for their marriage license in Stratford-upon-Avon. Six months later, Anne gave birth to their daughter, Susanna, and two years later, to twins. Shakespeare's plays were not published until after his death, when two members of his troupe collected copies of his plays and printed the First Folio (1623).

● On Dec. 4, 1928, "Dapper Dan" Hogan, a St. Paul, Minn., saloonkeeper and mob boss, is killed when someone plants a car bomb under the floorboards of his new Paige coupe. The first car bomb was a horse-drawn-wagon bomb that exploded in 1920 outside the J.P. Morgan Company's offices in New York City.

● On Nov. 29, 1942, coffee joins the list of items ra-tioned in the United States. Rationing was generally employed to guarantee a fair distribution to all citizens and to give priority to military use in World War II.

● On Dec. 2, 1959, the Malpasset Dam in France col-lapses after a week-long rain storm, and the resulting flood kills more than 400 people. The city of Frejus, built by Roman Emperor Julius Caesar as a port city on the French Riviera, was devastated by the massive flood.

● On Dec. 3, 1979, 11 people are killed in a stampede outside a Who concert in Cincinnati when a crowd of general-admission ticket-holders surges forward through shattered doors in an attempt to secure prime unreserved seats inside. After the crowd cleared, 11 concert-goers were found on the ground, dead from asphyxiation.

● On Nov. 30, 1989, Aileen Wuornos, America's first female serial killer, picks up her first victim in Palm Harbor, Fla. She would kill a total of seven men in the next year. When caught, Wuornos confessed but claimed that they had all been killed in self-defense.

● On Dec. 1, 1990, workers 132 feet below the English Channel drill through a final wall of rock, opening the "Chunnel" and connecting the two ends of an under-water tunnel linking Folkestone, England, and Calais, France.

1. In how many of his 17 major-league seasons has New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter hit at least .300 or better?2. Who had the biggest single-season jump in home runs in major-league history before Toronto's Jose Bautista went from 13 in 2009 to 54 in 2010?

3. Name the last player before Detroit's Jahvid Best in 2010 to score his team's first five TDs in a season.4. Who has had more Final Four men's basketball appearances -- North Carolina or UCLA? 5. In the 1980-81 season, the New York Islanders' Mike Bossy became the second player in NHL history to tally 50 goals in the first 50 games of the season. Who was the first? 6. In 2011, David Toms tied a PGA record for lowest score after two rounds (124). Whose mark did he tie?7. In what year did the U.S. win its first men's Olympic Alpine skiing medals?

s of Nov. 14, 2011

Top 10 Video Rentals1. Captain America: The First Avenger (PG-13)

Chris Evans2. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (PG-13)

Johnny Depp3. Bad Teacher (R) Cameron Diaz

4. Horrible Bosses (R) Jennifer Aniston5. Green Lantern (PG-13) Ryan Reynolds

6. Transformers: Dark of the Moon (PG-13) Shia LaBeouf

7. Fast Five (PG-13) Vin Diesel8. Zookeeper (PG) Kevin James9. Bridesmaids (R) Kristen Wiig

10. Scream 4 (R) Mary McDonnell

Top 10 DVD Sales1. Captain America: The First Avenger (PG-13)

(Paramount)2. Winnie the Pooh (G) (Buena Vista)3. Green Lantern (PG-13) (Warner)

4. Horrible Bosses (R) (Warner)5. Bad Teacher (R) (Sony)

6. Spooky Buddies (G) (Buena Vista)7. Fast Five (PG-13) (Universal)8. Bridesmaids (R) (Universal)

9. Wrong Turn 4: Bloody Beginnings (R) (Fox)10. Zookeeper (PG) (Sony)

Source: Rentrak Corp.

1. Eleven.2. Davey Johnson went from five home runs for Baltimore in 1972 to 43 for Atlanta in 1973 -- a gain of 38.3. Dutch Sternaman of the Decatur Staleys (later the Chicago Bears) did it in 1920.4. They are tied with 18 appearances apiece.5. Montreal's Maurice Richard did it in the 1944-45 season. 6. Pat Perez did it in 2009.7. In 1964, Billy Kidd won a silver medal and James Heuga a bronze.

Page 8 Tidbits® of Salina

● It was 18th-century German scientist Georg Christoph Lichtenberg who made the following sage observation: "Everyone is a genius at least once a year. The real geniuses simply have their bright ideas closer together."

● "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" (popularly known by a line from the chorus, "Glory, glory hallelujah") was written by Julia Ward Howe in November of 1861 after the author made a trip to Washington, D.C., and reviewed Union troops near the city. The song was published the following Feb-ruary in The Atlantic Monthly magazine, earning Howe a grand total of $4 for what was destined to become one of the most popular songs of the Civil War and a perennial American classic.

● When cartoon icon Bugs Bunny first appeared, in 1935, he was called "Happy Rabbit."

● If you're a cat owner, it probably will come as no surprise that cats spend approximately 80 percent of their time sleeping.

● Becoming a sports star is the dream of many young people, so you might think that someone who is signed to a professional baseball contract has it made. You'd be wrong, though; only one out of every 10 athletes who sign such a contract ever becomes a major-league ballplayer.

● You've certainly heard the old adage "light-ning never strikes twice" but, strictly speaking, it's not true. Technically, lightning [SET ITAL]always[END ITAL] strikes twice. Each lightning bolt is made up of multiple bolts that travel the same path and strike the same spot in swift suc-cession.

Thought for the Day: "I've noticed that men gen-erally leave married women alone and treat them with respect. It's too bad for married women. Men are always ready to respect someone who bores them. And if most married women, even the pretty ones, look so dull, it's because they're getting too much respect." -- Marilyn Monroe

1. Roberta Flack2. Bibendum, or the Michelin Man3. Kneecap4. Polly5. Ninth month of the Islamic calendar6. Kaffir cat 7. 15 years (1975-90 for 6,137 shows) 8. California9. 504 10. 1920

If you want to place an ad in Tidbits,please contact Jim Brown at

(785) 404 -1000or e-mail at

jimbrown@tidbitsofsalina.com

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