tidbits mi 7-16-2011

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SQUASH THAT THOUGHT!by Patricia L. Cook

Home gardeners are busy this time of year in all areas of North America, and even where the growing season is very short, “squash” plants are often a favorite because they thrive. Let’s take a good look at the group of plants called askutasquash by the Massachuset Indians.•Early colonists on the East Coast learned a lot

from the Massachuset Indians. Askutasquash means “eaten raw or uncooked” and is the tribe’s term referring to the collection of vegetables we now know as squash. Early colonists were taught by the Massachusets to grow the “three sisters” to sustain life. The three sisters refer to beans, corn and squash grown together in a “family” hill.

•The three sisters were a vital part of sustaining many civilizations. The beans and corn made a complete protein, and the squash supplied potassium, omega 3s and beta carotene. If meat and other foods were scarce, these plants fedmany families.Thiswasoneof thefirstexamples of “companion plantings” where each plant helps the other. The corn stalks supply climbing support for the beans and shade for the squash during the hottest parts of the day. The large leaves of the squash shade the ground to help keep the weed populations in check and deter wildlife. The beans enrich the soil with nitrogen, helping the corn and squash to grow well.

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Don’t Remake Pets Into ChildrenBy Sam Mazzotta

Dear Paw’s Corner:I’m writing in regards to your recent column asking whether pets are more than just part of the family, and instead like another child. Some of your readers responded yes to that question.Like most pet owners, I have been very attached to our pets. However, I find the “pets as children” idea rather false as well as disrespectful to the animal. Animals should be accepted for what they are, not remade into children. Most dogs are intelligent, adult animals, and it is insulting to treat them like silly little children.Also, most pets are spayed or neutered, and we would never do that to children or any other family members. We could use procedures that would prevent pregnancy, without eliminating sexual behavior, but in animals that behavior tends to be a nuisance.Pets can be a real blessing, and they should be respected.

- Barbara B., via email

Dear Barbara:Those are very good points, and thank you for bringing them up! One of the most important things we can learn from caring for pets is compassion and respect for all animals, both tame and wild.Dogs and cats also require specific care, including, as Barbara points out, spaying or neutering to prevent unwanted litters and reduce the occurrence of abandoned or abused animals. Vaccines and licenses also are typically required by law. Your child doesn’t have to wear visible tags, but your dog (and often your cat) does.Does this mean that owners somehow love their pets less? I think not -- most are devoted to their pet and its welfare and happiness. That’s something to be valued.

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SQUASH THAT THOUGHT! (continued):

•All squash types — and there are many — are members of the Cucurbitaceae or the gourd family. There are two subdivisions of the genus Cucurbita, to which squash belong: tender-skinned summer squash and hard-skinned winter squash. Pumpkins, from the tiniest to giants, belong to the winter squash family.

•Most North Americans have grown up with summer squash, including zucchini and yellow squash, and eaten it raw, sautéed, stir-fried, grilled or breaded and fried. These tender, easy-to-grow vegetables are staples in most home gardens.

•While summer squash have been favorites for years with gardeners, winter squash have suffered a popularity slump in the past several decades. Winter squash was very important to early settlers and on the American frontier. It has an excellent “keeping” quality and was a staple for root cellars. Winter squash would be harvested in late summer and fall and kept for months, allowing families to eat vitamin-rich vegetables during the cold winter months.

•Today, with more emphasis on sustainability, winter squash are becoming very popular again. With more interest in purchasing local produce, farmers’ markets and home gardens are helping to reignite the appeal of eating vitamin-rich winter squash. Beta-carotene with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatoryproperties, vitamin C, potassium, dietary fiber,Bvitaminsandomega-3fattyacidsallcome with the addition of squash to our diets.

•So think squash are only available in yellow, green and orange? Think again! Visit local markets and fairs in the summer; you are sure to see some strange looking squash that are not only oddly shaped but also oddly colored.

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SQUASH THAT THOUGHT! (continued):

•Squash come in tan, orange, blue, green, even pink. They can be striped or solid colors and smooth or dimpled.

•Summer squash are fragile, bruise easily and don’t keep very long. They are at their peak from July until September. Winter squash ripen with hard shells; some so hard that an ax or cleaver is required to get to the edible insides. They are at their prime from September until February.

•Australian blue pumpkins and squash are rarely seen in North America but are the “norm” for the vegetable family “Down Under.” These “Blue Belt” plants are natives of Uruguay and Argentina and are also grown in South Africa.

•Blue Hubbards and blue bananas as well as Queensland blue and other pumpkins are enjoyed in Australia. A couple of popular treats for Aussies are Queensland blue scones at teatime and the rather odd “Grabben Gullen Pie.” The pie is made by hollowing out a pumpkin, filling it with possum joints andbaking it in a bed of hot coals. Doesn’t that sound appetizing?!

•The tasty blue banana squash and the pink banana squash originated in Peru. Popular on the North American West Coast, these specialty products are starting to get more recognition, and their seeds are being requested by gardeners. While they are usually 5 to 6 pounds (2-3 kg), jumbo pink banana squash can grow to be a monstrous 130 pounds (59 kg)!

•Squash that are common in North America are yellow crookneck, yellow straightneck, Patty pan and zucchini as well as hard squash like acorn, butternut, buttercup, Hubbard, delicious and banana.

•Spaghetti squash is a more unusual variety. Cooked spaghetti squash forms strands that pull apart and resemble pasta. This squash is delicious when covered with your favorite sauce or simply with butter and salt. Kids really think it is cool to pull the “spaghetti” strands from the squash!

•Didyouknowthatyoucaneattheflowersofsome squash? Try zucchini flowers stuffedwith ground meat and braised — yummy and different. The seeds, tender shoots and even leaves can be eaten on many types of squash.

•Many people make harvest centerpieces and front porch and door decorations from squash in the fall. Some of the interesting varieties to include in these are carnival, fairytale and turban squash.

•Carnival squash are a type of acorn squash with interesting colorations: cream colored with orange spots, pale green with dark green spots and even vertical stripes.

•The fairytale squash is, as you may guess, shaped like Cinderella’s pumpkin coach.

•Turban squash looks like a turban (or hat) on top. As an interesting replacement for an ordinary bowl, the top can be removed and soup served from inside this squash.

•While this Tidbits addresses some interesting members of the squash family, much more information is available to squash growers and eaters. An excellent book for “cucurbitaceans” (definedbythebookauthoras“apersonwhoregards pumpkins or squash with deep, often rapturous love”) is “The Compleat Squash” by Amy Goldman. It’s an interesting read for gardeners and those who love to cook and eat squash!


Dear Dr. Donohue:Please address Meniere’s disease in your column. I am 88, a female and in good general health. I do not smoke or drink alcohol. I weigh 125 pounds and am 5 feet 1 inch tall. My diet consists mostly of health foods. -- G.R.

ANSWER: Vertigo (dizziness), ear noises (tinnitus) and fluctuating hearing loss are the three signs of Meniere’s (men-YAIRS) disease. Vertigo comes in spells lasting 20 minutes or more, and they leave the person off balance for several days. Tinnitus can be ringing, roaring, hissing or other sounds that come and go but eventually stay permanently. The same happens with episodes of hearing loss. It becomes a permanent problem in time. All these signs are due to a buildup of fluid in the inner ear, the place where hearing and balance take place.Treatment of Meniere’s focuses on ridding the inner ear of the fluid buildup. A strict low-salt diet goes a long way in reducing symptoms. The reason is that salt brings on fluid retention. Restricting caffeine and alcohol also helps. Diuretics -- water pills -- might be needed to get rid of the fluid.

A hearing aid usually overcomes deafness.Dizzy spells are accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Antivert and Phenergan relieve all three.Should these measures fail, more-heroic efforts are called into play. One is an injection in the ear of the antibiotic gentamicin, which destroys the ear’s balance organ and eliminates dizziness. Another approach is the Meniett device, a little gadget that creates pressure pulses that are transmitted to the inner ear. The pulses pump fluid out. A doctor has to make a small hole in the eardrum so the pressure waves can make their way to the inner ear. An ear, nose and throat doctor can evaluate you and determine if you are a candidate for these treatments or for other treatments I haven’t discussed.The booklet on vertigo discusses its many causes and treatments. Readers can obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue -- No. 801W, Box 536475. Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Can. with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

Hearing, Balance Woes Can Signal Meniere’sBy Paul G. Donohue, M.D.

1. FOOD & DRiNK: What vegetable also is known as a pieplant?2. EXPLORERS: Which famous explorer also served as a governor of Arizona in the late 1800s?3. LANGUAGE: What does the Latin term “pro forma” mean?4. MEASUREMENTS: If something occurs every 12 years, what would be the correct numerical term to describe the event?5. HiSTORY: Where did American legend Davy Crockett die?6. MUSiC: What does the musical instruction “dolce” mean?7. THEATER: Who wrote the play “The Glass Menagerie”?8. SCiENCE: What vitamin also is known asriboflavin?9. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What was the name of the Native American chief who defeated Gen. George Custer at the Little Big Horn?10. PHiLOSOPHY: Ralph Waldo Emerson led which movement in the 1800s?

Answer on bottom of page 5

Picnic Food WarningThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning us about picnic food, and what it says applies especially to seniors. It seems there’s another potential food-borne illness: Listeria.

Picnic foods -- hot dogs, deli meats, prepared salads, meat spreads from the deli case and soft cheeses -- can contain bacteria called Listeria. Smoked seafood and unpasteurized milk also can harbor Listeria. Even if the bacteria has been killed by cooking, it can be recontaminated because the bacteria can grow at refrigerator temperature.

In addition to food poisoning, those with health risks can come down with a very serious infection after consuming Listeria-contaminated foods. Even for seniors without medical conditions, healing from an infection can include long hospitalizations -- or even death.

Here are some food safety tips from the www.isitDoneYet.gov website:•Useadigitalthermometertoensurethatfoods are cooked to the optimum temperature. For ground beef, that’s 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Poultry needs to be heated to 165 F. Cooked hams must be reheated to 140 F. Check the temperature of the food in several places.•Washhandsinwarm,soapywaterforatleast20 seconds before and after handling food.•Keeprefrigeratortemperatureat40degreesF or less, and freezers at 0 F or less.•Keepyourfood-prepsurfaceclean,andusepaper towels instead of dish cloths to dry the counter.•Rinseproduce--eventhekindwithrindsthat aren’t eaten.•Andthosehotdogsanddelimeatssopopular with summer picnics: They must be completely heated to 165 degrees before consuming

If you don’t have Internet access, call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-674-6854 to order the Food Safety for Older Adults pamphlet or if you have specific questions.

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OvERCOMiNG THE ODDS:ANDREA BOCELLi

When Andrea Bocelli was a tiny baby, only a few months old, his parents became aware of terrible pain he suffered in his beautiful blue eyes. They enlisted the aid of many specialists in their home country, Italy, for guidance, and Bocelli was diagnosed with congenital bilateral glaucoma, a disease that would lead to total blindness.•Bocelli’sparentssoughthelpfrommanydoctorsandevenpeoplewho claimed to be healers. Because of the pain, it was hard to keep baby Bocelli calm. One day while in the hospital, he became unusually calm. He could hear music in the adjoining room, and it made a true difference in his countenance. From that point on, his family and friends began giving gifts of music to the young Bocelli.• Living among the olive groves and vineyards of the Tuscancountryside in Italy, Bocelli’s parents wanted the best for their son. They enrolled him in a boarding school several hours away from their home in order for him to be taught Braille at a young age. Even though it was difficult for him to live apart from his family, he remainedemotionally close to them. It was at the school that his musical talents began to be noticed. He received musical instruction there, and his singing ability was recognized at the school as well as at church. His parents encouraged his musical abilities with piano lessons at age 6. Healsolearnedtoplaythesaxophone,trumpet,flute,trombone,harp,guitar and drums. His beautiful voice, self-described as “a modern but old-fashioned tenor,” is now recognized worldwide.•WhenBocelliwas12yearsold,hewashitintheeyebyasoccerballwhile playing. The hit took away his sight permanently.•After completingprimary and secondary school,Bocelli receiveda law degree from the University of Pisa. He played at piano bars during college to pay for singing lessons from Franco Corelli. He also received lessons from Maestro Luciano Bettarini.• Bocelli’s big break into music came when he won a singingcompetition at the Sanremo Festival in 2004. Since that time, he has sold over 65 million records in opera, classical and pop genres. He has collaborated with other artists for recordings and has been a major contributor to relief efforts for Haiti and other places that have suffered natural disasters.•“MyChristmas,”Bocelli’sChristmasalbumreleasedin2009,hassold more than four million copies.•Hewas honoredwith a star on theHollywoodWalk of Fame inMarch 2010 and is one of just a few Italians to receive this honor.•AninterestingtheaterthatBocelliwasinstrumentalinestablishing,the Teatro del Silenzio (or Theatre of Silence), opened in his hometown of Lajatico, Tuscany, in 2006. Only one concert is performed there each year, in July, and the theater remains silent for the remainder of the year. Bocelli, the honorary president, agreed to sing at the theater onceayearforthefirstfiveyears.•Bocelliwasatonetimeanagnosticbutchangedthroughtheyears,even performing for the Pope. The humble man gifted with the beautiful voice has said, “The more I immerse myself in singing, the less I understand. I only know that God has given me a voice which allows me to express what I feel and in this sense, I believe I can describe it as a recognizable voice...”

Trivia Test Answers: 1. Rhubarb / 2. John Charles Fremont / 3. A formality 4. Duodeccenial / 5. The Alamo / 6. To play sweetly / 7. Tennessee Williams / 8. B-2 / 9. Crazy Horse / 10. Transcendental movement

Answer on page 7

Magic MazeAnswers


A SPORTING VIEW: DOUBLE TROUBLEBy Mark Vasto

Growing up, we all knew at least one set of twins. It’s as if it was a pre-requisite for most American elementary schools to feature them, wearing the same clothes on picture day, speaking that weird “twin-speak” that nobody but them could understand (or care about). They seemed to have an advantage.Later on in life, we would hear about the “uncanny” abilities twins had that we common babies, born from a single embryo, did not possess. Like, twins could just think about each other and one of them would immediately pick up a phone from Oregon and call the other in Pennsylvania and discuss the disposition of their cats.But, like most things in life, the whole “twin thing” began to lose its luster the older and, presumably, wiser we all became. The whole split zygote thing didn’t seem to offer as much of an advantage as was believed. Aside from a few (alleged) cases where one twin would substitute for the other during exam time, little more was made of the distinction (and even then, it was only if you were an identical twin, so good luck). There have been plenty of times when one half of the twin equation fails to achieve heights enjoyed by the other. Nowhere, perhaps, is that more amplifiedthanintheworldofsports.Jim Thorpe had a twin brother named Charlie. Jose and Ozzie Canseco hardly shared the pages of the record books (if not the needle). And did you know that John Elway has a twin sister named

Jana? Where’s her Super Bowl ring?And while some believe the Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko heavyweight brotherhood are the result of twinship, they arewrong:Vitali is five yearsolder and has a slightly different nickname. Venus and Serena? Not twins.The world of sports actually records very few “twin” wins. Ronde and Tiki Barber both set records for the respective teams, but they never came near the heights achieved by Bob and Mike Bryan, the twins from Camarillo, Calif. Those two have dominated the doubles tennis field inrecord-setting fashion.They have won more doubles titles than any team in history -- 72 as of this writing -- and have been the world No. 1 doubles players for almost a half-decade. They have set records in match wins (more than 600) and they even hold the record for attracting the largest crowd in tennis history at 27,200 (the Billie Jean King exhibition victory over Bobby Riggs in front of 39,472 at the Astrodomewasn’tan“official”match).So there you have it. In one fell swoop of their tennis rackets, the Bryan brothers have dispelled the notion that for every Mario Andretti there must be a non-racing brother Aldo, and that the U.S. cannot be competitive in worldwide tennis competition.When taken together, they rewrote the record books -- and they did so doublehandedly.

Logano Experienced Beyond His YearsJoey Logano, who won the Sprint Cup Series’ Rookie of the Year award in 2009, turned some heads at Infineon Raceway bywinning the pole.The 21-year-old had won a pole before, at Bristol in 2010, but few expected him to record the fastest time at a road course. Race day wasn’t bad, either, as Logano finisheda creditable sixth inhisNo. 20 Home Depot Toyota. It was easily his best-ever finishat the series’ two road courses, InfineonandWatkinsGlen.

At 21 years old, Joey Logano is keeping up with the big boys of NASCAR.

The Sonoma, Calif., layout provided a welcome and unexpected lift in Logano’s fortunes. The Middletown, Conn., native remains only 23rd in thepointsstandingsafterfinishing20thin2009and16thin2010.TheInfineonfinishwasonlyhisthirdtop-10oftheseasontodate.“ThisisthelastplaceIfiguredwe’devergetapole,”saidLoganoafteraveraging more than 93 mph around the 11-turn, 1.99-mile course.After the sixth-place finish, he added, “I can’t tell you how badly Ineededsomething like this. It’sdefinitelygoing tohelpourseason. Ithinkit’sdefinitelygoingtogetussomemomentum.”Logano was NASCAR’s youngest top rookie ever, and he also became the youngest driver ever to win a Cup race on June 28, 2009, when he won a rain-shortened race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.At Sonoma, Robby Gordon and Logano clashed during the race.

“That’s no big deal to me,” said Logano, referring to Gordon. “I don’t know. He was running me all over the race track. He knocked my fender in for no reason. We were a lot, lot faster than him. I just had enough. I wasn’t going to get pushed around. He pushed me around before, and I was sick of it.“I think that’s a small story. That’s not a big deal. We finishedsixth.I’mprettyhappyaboutthat.”What would be a big story would be a Logano comeback, now that he has some momentum. To make the Chase, he would have to win at least one race and somehow get himself into the top 20 in points.Thanks to changes in the Chase format implemented this year, he’s still got a shot, albeit a small one.

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OIL CHANGE, COOLING SYSTEM SERVICE, TIRE ROTATION, FULL INSPECTION

Some vehicles extra. Not valid with any other offers. Expires 12/31/2011.

Plus tax & shop charges.

(248) 344-0066www.xpauto.net

Owned and Operated by Automotive Enthusiasts.We love What We Do!

Exhaust Work•Turbo Kit•Suspension•Electronics•Engine Repair

OPEN 9-6MON-FRI

Must present coupon at time of rental. One per customer. Damage waiver & tax not included. Not valid with any

other offers. Expires 8/15/2011.

Must present coupon at time of rental. One per customer. Not valid with any

other offers. Expires 8/15/2011.

$1800Any RentalMaximum Discount $100

20 lb. Propane Fill

Out The Door With CouponReg. $19.81 + Tax

HOMEOWNERS • CONTRACTORS • INDUSTRIAL • RENTALS • SALES • SERVICE

44475 Grand River Ave.Novi, MI 48375(248) 348-1530

10% OFF


Q: i was sad when Thad Luckinbill left “The Young and The Restless” last year,

so you can imagine how happy i was to see him on the CW’s “Nikita.” Will his character be back for Season Two? - Charlene

A: Thad, who you also can see this month in Hallmark Channel’s “Keeping

Up With the Randalls,” gave me the scoop: “I think that’s yet to be determined. They were honest about it and told me that they weren’t sure exactly what to do with it, so that is why they left it open. It’s like anything, I think if the story’s right and it matches up to bring him back, then that would be great. I would love it. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t.“I think it would be a good twist if they decided to bring him back. It was really a fun group to work with and a really cool show. I love how stylized that show is. I think that was what I was most impressed with. Not just the way they shoot, but the way it looks. It’s just a really pretty show.”

Q: i recently found out that Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz were dating, and now i

hear they’ve married! is that true? - Hannah D.

A: That sound you just heard was the collective sigh of millions of women worldwide who

wouldn’t have minded becoming Mrs. James Bond themselves one day. It is true: Daniel and Rachel married in a super-secret ceremony (befittinga superspyandhis lady love) inNewYork on June 22. A source close to the couple told “News of the World”: “They are madly in love, and couldn’t wait to be husband and wife -- but they wanted minimum fuss. They had a couple of friends as witnesses and their children from previous relationships, and that was it.”

Q: i can’t wait for Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit” to

hit the theaters, especially after seeing some first-look pictures in “Entertainment Weekly.” Can you tell me which actors from “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy will be back for “The Hobbit”? - Patrick L.

A: So far, Elijah Wood, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Ian

McKellan, Christopher Lee, Andy Serkis, Ian Holm and Hugo Weaving are set to return to Middle Earth. Liv

Tyler, who played Arwen in the trilogy, is keentomakeacameointhelatestfilms,however,as of this writing, there are no plans to resurrect her character.

ARiES (March 21 - April 19) You’re not Sheepish when it comes to asserting your opinions on what you think is right or wrong. Be assured that you’re being heard, and something positive will follow.TAURUS (April 20 - May 20) Your sense of justice makesitdifficultnottospeakupaboutarecurringmatter involving a co-worker. But, once again, you need facts to back you up before you can act.GEMiNi (May 21 - June 20) Romance is still dominant, and if Cupid misfired before, don’tworry. He’ll take better aim at someone new this time around. Expect favorable news about a financialmatter.CANCER (June 21 - July 22) The zodiac’s Moon Children can expect things to work out pretty much as planned. One negative note involves a minor relationship problem that suddenly turns serious.LEO (July 23 - August 22) You’re suddenly being asked to make choices between two practically equal offers. Which one to choose? Easy. The one most likely to gladden your Lion’s heart.viRGO (August 23 - September 22) Once again, you’re confronted by a workplace problem you thought you’d already resolved. This time, you mightneedtogohigheruptofindajustresolution.LiBRA (September 23 - October 22) Good for you: You’re determined to stick with your goals and ignore those naysayers who might try to discourage you. You’re on the right track. The challenge now is to stay on it.SCORPiO (October - to November 21) You’ll soon get news that is supposed to help you with a troublesome situation. Use your sharp Scorpion instincts to determine if the information is reliable.SAGiTTARiUS (November 22 - December 21) If you learn someone has betrayed your trust, don’t just accept it and walk away. You need to know why that person decided to do what he or she did.CAPRiCORN (December 22 - January 19) A painful familyrelationshipproblemcouldfinallybegin toheal.Bepreparedtoshowmoreflexibilitythanyoumight like. But it could be worth it.AQUARiUS (January 20 - February 18) It’s a good idea to enhance your career skills so you’ll be prepared to accept a more responsible position when it’s offered. A friend returns a favor just when you need it.PiSCES (February 19 - March 20) Show that strong, steely backbone that you usually hide, and demand to be included in any family decision-making that could affect the well-being of a loved one.

Thad Luckinbill


38410 Grand River | Farmington Hills, MI 48335In America’s Auto Village between Motel 6 & BMW Dealership

Quality Express Lube

FULL SERVICE OIL CHANGE

WINDSHIELD CHIP REPAIR ON THE GO!

TRANSMISSION FLUSH

FUEL FILTERS

RADIATOR FLUSH

FUEL INJECTION SERVICE

4x4 DIFFERENTIAL SERVICE

POWER STEERING FLUSH

No cost with qualifying insurance.

For repair - Regular

Synthetic fluids extra charge.

Most vehicles

Up to 3 gallons. Dexcool & Extended Life fluids extra charge.

Most vehicles. Most vehicles.

Synthetic fluids extra charge. Diesel extra charge.

$19.99

$30.00

$69.95

$39.95 $39.95

With coupon. Not valid with any other discounts.One coupon per customer. Expires 7/31/2011.







Starting from

Starting from

$44.95Starting from

$49.95Starting from

$79.95Starting from

Starting from

13 Point Check Cabin Filters Tire Check Top Off All Fluids

Window Washer Fluid Radiator/Coolant Fluid Power Steering Fluid Air Filters

Grease Ball Joints Check Belts Radiator Hoses Transmission Fluid Check

Check Battery Brake Fluid

Monday thru Friday 8:00am - 6:30pm / Saturday 8:00am - 5:30pm / Sunday 10:00am - 3:00pm

Telephone: (248) 474-2555

Up to 5 qts., 5W20, Synthetic Oils, (Extra Oils Dexos, Special Filters - Extra Charge).

Tire rotation also available.

10 MinuteOil Change

$69.95

$99.95$59.95

$49.95

Of Michigan

To advertise with us,call (248) 423-1765

38479 WEST 10 MILE FARMINGTON HILLSBETWEEN HAGGERTY AND HALSTED IN FREEWAY PLAZA | 248.477.9100

PITA PAIR FREE!FREE!$999

*ANY TWO LARGE PITAS

*SALAD FOR YOUR CATERED PARTY MINIMUM 10 PEOPLE

*FOUNTAIN BEVERAGE

+50¢ per Hot Pita

Choose from Garden, Greek, Antipasta, or Pasta Salad

With the purchase of any Large Sandwich

VALID ONLY AT THIS LOCATION$300

from 4-7PM

Clean. Fresh. Friendly. Fast.

Come in for our daily Lunch Specials.

PITA *HAPPY HOUR

www.mrpita.com

Mention you received this ad from Tidbits®*Limited Time Offer

*Not valid with any

other offers.Choose from any regular size pita for only

Safe Summer FunBy Samantha Mazzotta

Even in the northernmost reaches of the country, we’re now well into summer and its routine of barbecues, swimming and general outdoor fun. Of course, with all these activities, an element of risk is always present. Here are a few suggestions to keep your family and yourself safe this summer:■ Keep barbecue grills at least 5 to 10 feet away from the house. Grills give off tremendous heat, which will melt vinyl siding easily and cancauseahousefire.■Placeafireextinguishernearthegrillwhenit’s in operation.■ Prevent excess sparks and flare-ups on thegrill: Heat the charcoal properly, and don’t place too many high-fat items over the charcoal at once. If the fire flares up, close the grilllid for a few seconds, then open and remove

greasy foods from the grill.■ If using an inflatable swimming pool toentertain the kids, assign a responsible adult to watch the pool at all times. Toddlers can drown in just a few inches of water.■ The same goes for any type of backyard activity with children: Have a responsible adult supervise all activities to prevent accidents or stop kids from wandering off.■ Repair or replace any broken or splintered outdoor furniture before your event, and put away lawn tools and pet toys.■ Wear high-SPF sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses when outside on a sunny day. Drink plenty of water throughout the event, and limit alcohol consumption.■ Check yourself and the family for ticks at the end of the day, and remove them immediately. You can reduce the chance of having one jump on you by trimming the grass beforehand, pruning back low-hanging tree branches, and wearing hats and long sleeves when possible.

Try using a charcoal starter to preheat charcoal more evenly; this provides more consistent heat and gives off fewer sparks.

$9 CAR CHARGER With this coupon. Not valid with other offers. Limit 1 coupon per customer. Expires 7/31/11.

WIRELESSUSAPh: (248) 395-222230780 Grand River Ave.Farmington Hills, MI 48336

Finally. The amazing iPhone 4 is now available on America’s most reliable network.Authorized Dealer

Bringing aCLEARERIMAGEto the industry!

Professional

Cleaner, LLC

Detail Cleaning Includes: Windows (inside & out) | Screens | Frames| Ledges | Sills | Cobwebs & Bugs Removal

Residential & Commercial(810) 208-0457

10% OFF CLEANINGN E W C U S T O M E R S P E C I A L

With coupon. Not valid with any other discounts. One coupon per customer. New customers only. Expires 7/31/2011.

Insured

We will meet or beat any competitor’s price!

tidbits mi 7-16-2011

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