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MARCHING BANDSby Patricia L. Cook

This Tidbits examines where and when marching bands originated and other trivial matters to help us stay in step with the bands. • The first marching bands started many

centuries ago with military organizations. The needs of military groups to get thousands of troops moving in the same direction quickly, without mishaps, were best met if everyone stayed in rows, the same distance apart. Orderly movement was easiest if it was done in an organized manner. Because many groups did not have musical instruments, chants of, “Left – left, left, right, left,” giving instruction on which foot should be down helped accomplish the tasks. As military troops grew around the world, choruses of encouragement and sometimes humor were added.

• When available, drums were added to help troops stay together as they progressed along the way. Musical instruments were added through the years and melodies were great for keeping soldiers encouraged and giving them a sense of pride.

• During the Revolutionary War in America, soldiers marched to fifes and drums. The Civil War brought the development of drum and bugle corps. During the big wars: World War I and II, full brass, percussion and woodwind bands formed.

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MARCHING BANDS (continued):• Early military troops in Scotland and some

places in Canada marched to drums and bagpipes. Some still use this style.

• Military traditions are still used by modern marching bands. Bands usually march in formation and use orders of “attention”, “about face” and “forward march.” Most marching band uniforms resemble military uniforms.

• The marching bands that most people think of are university, college, and high school bands that perform at football games and in parades. Halftime shows can be quite elaborate and require hours of training.

• The marching band credited with the first modern halftime show at a football game was the Marching Illini of the University of Illinois in 1907. It occurred at a game against the University of Chicago.

• The first band to break the tradition of military ranks and form a letter on the football field was Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. The letter, of course, was the “Block P” for Purdue. The first time it was on the field was in 1907 under the direction of Paul Spotts Emrick who was the first band director and served the university band for 49 years, from 1905-1954.

• Emrick came up with the plan for the “Block P” after seeing a flock of birds flying in a “V” formation. He decided that if birds could make a letter a band surely could replicate the action in a formation on a football field. The Purdue “All American” Marching Band still forms the P before every home game.

• Purdue is also known for what is considered to be the “World’s Largest Bass Drum.” The original drum built by Leedy Corporation in Indianapolis in 1921 is still used today.

• The large drum is about eight feet (2.4 m) in diameter, nearly four feet (1.22 m) wide between the drum heads and more than 10 feet (3 m) high when mounted on the field carriage built for rolling it around. A crew of four bandsmen handling the drum must have accurate timing and placement for the two beaters to keep accurate time with the band.

• Now, in case you have heard about “Big Bertha” and wonder where she fits in with the above story about the “World’s Largest Bass Drum,” read on.

• Big Bertha is the large drum that belongs to the University of Texas. Created for the University of Chicago, Bertha’s first game was when Chicago played Princeton on October 23, 1922. When Chicago stopped its football program, band at the university was also discontinued. At that time, the large drum was put in storage.

• Colonel D. Harold Byrd, a Texas Longhorn band supporter purchased Bertha from the University of Chicago in 1955. Bertha’s dimensions are eight feet (2.4 m) in diameter, 54 inches (1.37 m) wide and more than 10 feet (3 m) high when mounted on her trailer. Called the “sweetheart of the Longhorn band,” Big Bertha is escorted by the “Bertha Crew.”

• Members of the Kappa Kappa Psi fraternity of Purdue challenged their Texas fraternity

brothers to a drum showdown in 1961 to settle the question of which band had the largest

bass drum. They planned the showdown at the fraternity’s national convention in Wichita, Kansas. Purdue kept its side of the promise and loaded their drum on a truck and headed west. They stopped in Indianapolis, St. Louis, Kansas City and Topeka, pushing their drum through the streets showing off. • When the Purdue students and their drum

arrived in Wichita, they discovered that their Texas fraternity brothers didn’t bring their drum. By default, Purdue declared their drum as the “World’s Largest Drum.” Since then, the exact measurements of the Purdue Big Bass Drum have been kept secret, preserving the mystique of its existence.

• Marching bands exist in universities, colleges, senior and junior high schools for more than just football games. They also perform at other school events and parades. Many large parades

across the country are magnificent venues for marching bands.

• The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade is one of the famous parades that marching bands love to participate in. There are usually about a dozen bands that are chosen from entries received from the band directors. Having a unique feature helps a band get chosen. Participants have come from all 50 states and even as far away as Guatemala. A band that always performs and is a crowd favorite represents New York’s own police department (NYPD).

• Independence Day (Fourth of July) parades across the nation are filled with patriotic floats and marching bands playing patriotic music. One of the largest parades is, naturally, the National Independence Day Parade in Washington, D. C. The 2012 parade had 28 bands mostly from military units and high schools. There were also marching platoons from all of the military services: Army, Marine, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.

• Marching bands put in many hours of practice and training to get their steps and tunes right. Many dedicated musicians get as much of a thrill by participating in marching drills as they do in hearing the music.

Tidbits® of the Foothills For advertising, call Aimee (303.842.8250) 3

Going Off-LeashDEAR PAW’S CORNER: My puppy, “Sky,” is approaching a year old, and she is still a bit rambunctious. I’d like to take her to a nearby off-leash dog park, but I’m worried about how she will act around other dogs and people. -- John

P., Portland, Maine

DEAR JOHN: First, I want to commend you for putting so much thought into your decision to bring Sky to an off-leash park. It’s important to be considerate of how your dog will behave in social situations. The question now is, how exactly will she behave? My guess is that Sky has not spent a lot of time with other dogs. She’s old enough now to start socializing, but first make sure she has had all needed vaccinations. Start small -- schedule a play date with a friend or neighbor’s dog, and gradually build the number of dogs she’s around. Supervise her the entire time to make sure she gets along well with other dogs. If it isn’t possible to do a limited play date, look into weekly group training sessions with a professional trainer. These will reinforce basic obedience skills with Sky with the added benefit of socializing, in a controlled environment, with other dogs. If neither option is available, slowly introduce Sky to the dog park. Pick a time when few dogs are in the park. (You’ll need to scout the park on your own beforehand.) Keep her on the leash for the first few visits, especially when she’s meeting new dogs. Be a good park patron, too. Talk with the other dog owners while you’re there -- they can offer helpful advice. Pick up after Sky. Make sure Sky will respond to you and your commands both on and off leash.

Send your questions or comments 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.(c) 2013 King Features Synd., Inc.

FINANCIAL FOCUSBe Aware of Risks of Not

Investing

Keep a level head in an up-and-down market

Dustin FriendFinancial Advisor

10184 W Belleview Ave, Ste 120Littleton, CO 80127720.922.3433

Member SIPCwww.edwardjones.com

You’ve no doubt heard about the risks associated with investing. This investment carries this type of risk, while that investment carries another one. And it is certainly true that all investments do involve some form of risk. But what about not investing? Isn’t there some risk associated with

that, too?In fact, by staying on the investment sidelines, or at least by avoiding long-term, growth-oriented investments, you may incur several risks. Here are some to consider:• You might not keep up with inflation. If you put all your money under the proverbial “mattress,” or, more realistically, you keep it all in “cash” instruments and very short-term investments, you might think you are “playing it safe.” After all, you might reason, your principal is protected, so even if you don’t really make any money, you’re not losing it, either. But that’s not strictly true, because if your money is in investment vehicles that don’t even keep up with inflation, you can lose ground. In fact, even at a relatively mild three percent annual inflation rate, your purchasing power will decline by about half in just 25 years. • You might outlive your money. For a 65-year-old couple, there’s a 50 percent chance that one spouse will live past age 90, according to the Society of Actuaries. This statistic suggests that you may need your investments to help provide enough income to sustain you for two, or even three, decades in retirement.• You might not be able to maintain your financial independence. Even if you don’t totally run out of money, you could end up scrimping by — or, even worse, you could become somewhat dependent on your grown children for financial assistance. For most people, this prospect is unacceptable. Consequently, you’ll want to make appropriate financial decisions to help maintain your financial independence.• You might not be able to retire on your terms. You would probably like to decide when you retire and how you’ll retire — that is, what sort of lifestyle you’ll pursue during retirement. But both these choices may be taken out of your hands if you haven’t invested enough to retire on your own terms.• You might not be able to leave the type of legacy you desire. Like most people, you would probably like to be able to leave something behind to your family and to those charitable organizations you support. You can help create this type of legacy through the appropriate legal vehicles — i.e., a will, a living trust and so on — but you’ll still need to fund these mechanisms somehow. And that means you’ll need to draw on all your financial assets, including your investments. Work with your financial advisor to determine the mixture of growth and income investments you need during your working years and as you move toward retirement to help you meet your retirement goals. However you do it, get into the habit of investing, and never lose it — because the risks of not investing are just too great.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

Energy Audits

Q: Recently, my wife received a call from someone claiming to be from our electric company, offering us a Òfree energy audit.Ó I’m suspicious.

Nothing is really for free, and I’ve heard stories of fraudsters getting money from senior citizens by posing as utility employees. Have you heard of this energy audit before? How can I confirm that it’s real or not? -- Jesse F., Little Rock, Ark.

A: Many utility companies do offer energy savings programs. The programs vary, but they often include some type of review of your current energy usage (something like an energy audit).

Still, you’re always right to be a little suspicious of generous offers. Your utility may very well have a free energy audit program. The way to find out is to call the customer-service number on your latest utility bill.

Whether the original energy audit offer is legitimate or not, ask the customer service associate if the utility offers any sort of energy savings program -- particularly one for senior citizens. Some offer energy audit kits, while others may refer you to a third-party energy audit service.

An energy audit basically takes stock of how efficiently your home is heated or cooled, and tries to pinpoint areas of the house where air is escaping. This is sometimes done by setting up a piece of equipment known as a “blower door” in the frame of your home’s front door. The blower door changes the air pressure inside the house slightly -- enough for the audit provider’s sensors, often infrared, to detect where that air is escaping. From there, the provider recommends a few solutions.

Some energy audits are simple walkthroughs of your house, followed by recommendations to reduce energy use, such as replacing incandescent bulbs with newer flourescent bulbs. Other audits are do-it-yourself and might be as simple as filling out an online questionnaire. In any case, it’s worth it to find out if a low-cost or free energy audit is available.

Send your questions or home tips to ask@thisisahammer.com, or write This Is a Hammer, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.(c) 2013 King Features

Synd., Inc.

TO ADOPT A PET CONTACT Colorado Humane Society1864 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood, Colorado 80232 - 303-988-4465

www.coloradohumane.org/

HOME TIP: The Department of Energy’s website offers details on types of energy audits and tips on ways to save energy.

4 Tidbits® of the Foothills For advertising, call Aimee (303.842.8250)

His face has been a mainstay on Denver televi-sion since 1977. Whether it’s been on KCNC, KUSA or KDVR, many locals have either grown up or grown ac-customed to seeing Ron Zappolo on the nightly news. His trademark moustache has changed from dark to grey through multiple television formats, whether you remember him in black and white, color or high-definition. His last day on Fox 31 is April 2. His legacy will last forever, yet will be best remembered by those who know him as a gentleman first, a broadcaster second. Ron is the Kevin Bacon of Denver broadcasters. His six degrees of separation casts a wide net of those who have worked with him. And I count myself as one of the privileged to have sat next to him for more than a thousand broadcasts. I was a seasoned television veteran when I interviewed at Fox 31 in 2004 – coming off jobs in Chicago and CNN in Atlanta. I was excited for the op-portunity, but surprised by one of the questions during the interview. “How do you feel about working next to leg-endary sportscaster Ron Zappolo?” news director Bill Dallman asked me in a matter of fact tone. I had never really thought about it before walk-ing into the Fox 31 building that day. I became familiar with Ron when I interviewed to replace Kevin Corke at 9 News in 1999. I understood Ron was well-established and was excited to work with him. CNN wouldn’t let me out of my contract at that time and I thought that would be the last I would hear the name Ron Zappolo. Fast forward five years and the opportunity arose again, even though in a different capacity. Ron had moved to news and I was interviewing as the main sports anchor. There were no big shoes to fill –only a seat next to him. I told Dallman working in the same newsroom as Ron would allow me to tap into his vast knowledge of the Denver sports landscape and hopefully into his Rolodex. It would allow me to get up to speed faster than most starting in a new city. Apparently, Dallman liked my answer. I was hired. Our sports and sometimes life conversations mirror my radio show with Mark McIntosh on After-noon Drive with Mac and Goodman (3p-6p | AM 1510 and FM 93.7). They were spirited, yet respectful. And they usually happened during our dinner break when Ron would sneak back to the sports office to watch his beloved Red Sox on satellite. Ron taught me not only to be a better sports-caster, but a better man. He was the first person I sought in the newsroom when I needed someone to talk too whether it was about the job, sports or life. I would like to believe the respect was mutual, but then again, he made everyone feel important. And I always considered him the best sports anchor at Fox 31 throughout my entire tenure at the station. Less than one year after leaving Fox 31 to join Mile High Sports, I asked him in a wide-ranging Mile High Sports Magazine interview what his long-term plans were. “I’m not doing this,” said Ron in 2010 about his news-anchoring career. “Ten years from now, I might be doing a little play-by-play. Before you got here, I did a ton of that. Maybe I’m sitting in with you on your ra-dio show. Or maybe you won’t hear from me anymore because I’m out on the golf course. I don’t know. But I know I won’t be doing what I’m doing now. Look, this is a young man’s game. I’m 58. At 68 years old, I’m not reading the news. If I am, something has gone horribly wrong in my life. I think I’ll still be around. I’m not going anywhere. I might be involved in the world of sports in some fashion.” For a guy who never went to college, Ron has been able to pave an incredible path through the televi-sion business. But the time has come to step away for now. And when he eventually feels the time is right to join the Denver sports fraternity he helped build, I’ll be honored to be one of the first in line to say, “Welcome back! (c) 2013 Eric Goodman”

SPORTS QUIZBy Chris Richcreek

1. Who was the last Texas Rangers pitcher before Yu Darvish in 2012 to have five straight starts of at least seven strikeouts?2. In 2012, Carlos Beltran became the eighth member of the career 300 steals/300 homers club. Name four of the first seven to do it.3. Coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady have made five Super Bowl appearances together. Name three coach/QB pairs to have made four trips.4. When was the last time before 2012 that Creighton won an NCAA men’s basketball tournament game?5. How many times was Montreal’s Steve Shutt on a Stanley Cup-winning team? 6. Who was the last American soccer player before Abby Wambach in 2012 to win the FIFA women’s World Player of the Year award?7. Who was the first boxer to have been featured on a Wheaties box?

Answers1. Bobby Witt, in 1987. 2. Barry Bonds, Bobby Bonds, Andre Dawson, Steve Finley, Willie Mays, Alex Rodriguez and Reggie Sanders. 3. Tom Landry and Roger Staubach, Marv Levy and Jim Kelly, and Chuck Noll and Terry Bradshaw.4. It was 2002, when the Bluejays beat Florida. 5. Five. 6. Mia Hamm, in 2002.7. Muhammad Ali.

(c) 2013 King Features Synd., Inc.

Spring TrainingAbout 3.5 million people make the pilgrimage to Florida or Arizona every February and March to take in a few baseball spring training games in the Cactus or Grapefruit leagues. Along the way, those pilgrims will drop a cool $1.1 billion for the opportunity to see an old baseball god or the team’s next savior.And after watching all of the batting practice, the stalking of your kid’s favorite player for his autograph, the shakedown at the hands of the popcorn, soda and memorabilia vendors, you still have a game to watch. While most fans really don’t care about the guys with the high numbers on their back (the Yankees had a kid wearing the number 98 at first base the other day), there’s always a few who really, really do.The profile is two to three older guys wearing mesh-backed caps or one of those floppy fishing hats. They eagerly tuck into their first round of beer but they don’t drink more than one or three a game. They’re the ones who like the peanuts in the Crackerjack. Heck, they’re the only ones eating the Crackerjack.They also clutch a magazine in their hand. It’s one of the top two baseball magazines for young-talent evaluation, and throughout the game they’ll be the ones pointing at number 98 and reciting how many doubles he hit at Wilmington. But there will be a few things said that they’ll get wrong. If you’re sitting within earshot and want to get in on the discussion, here are a few little-known facts and information you can drop to their displeasure: 1. “The Brooklyn Dodgers invented spring training.” Baseball teams have been traveling to the warmer climes since the late 1880s. (The 1921 Yankees took a Clipper ship to Bermuda ... they got seasick on the way home and didn’t win a game for the better part of a month). What the Dodgers did was build “Dodgertown” in Vero Beach, Fla. The City of Vero had an old Navy compound and the Dodgers had the league’s largest farm system with 26 minor-league teams. The barracks came in very handy for accommodating all of those players and families (and cost a lot less then a bunch of hotel rooms).2. “The Cactus League started so West Coast teams could be closer to home.”Traveling wasn’t really the problem ... though it was a lot tougher then. The Pittsburgh Pirates used to train in Honolulu, for instance. The Cactus League was born more out of the desire to avoid racism. Bill Veeck, the legendary baseball owner of the Indians and White Sox, moved the Indians to Phoenix as soon as he starting signing black baseball players like Larry Doby. He then used the “stay close to home” argument in order to lure the San Francisco Giants to state. 3. “War is stupid.”If those guys’ mesh-backed caps have the emblem of a battleship, destroyer, aircraft carrier or submarine, then they’re not talking about the statistic “wins over replacement.” Even if they are, thank them for the service, agree with them on this one and offer to buy the next round.

Mark Vasto is a veteran sportswriter who lives in Kansas City.

(c) 2013 King Features Synd., Inc.

STRANGE BUT TRUEby Samantha Weaver

President Harry Truman was once told there were ghosts in the White House. His response? “I’m sure they’re here, and I’m not half so alarmed at meeting up with any of them as I am at having to meet the live nuts I have to see every day.”¥ Pet food is the third most profitable item for supermarkets, following meat and fresh produce.¥ The warmest parts of your body are your eyes and nose, while the coldest parts (unsurprisingly) are your fingers and toes.¥ Those who study such things say that the rate of divorce increases during the winter months.¥ The Baltimore Orioles had a pretty bad season in 1988. After the team lost its first 10 games, Bob Rivers, a deejay at Baltimore radio station WIYY, announced that he would stay on the air until the home team won a game. He kept his word, sleeping only between songs, for 10 days. When the Orioles finally defeated the Chicago White Sox, Rivers played “I’m Free” by The Who, and finally left.¥ When respondents to a survey are guaranteed that the results will be anonymous, fully 40 percent of the people admit to cheating on their taxes. (c) 2013 King Features Synd., Inc.

LOCAL SPORTS with ERIC GOODMAN

Zappolo has left an indelible mark

By Eric Goodman

Eric Goodman Hosts aftErnoon drivE witH mac & Goodman

3p-6p wEEkday on milE HiGH sports radioam1510 // fm 93.7

Follow Eric on Twitter at @ericgoodman

Tidbits® of the Foothills For advertising, call Aimee (303.842.8250) 5

Corned Beef with Cabbage and Potatoes

1 (about 4 1/2 pounds) corned-beef brisket, trimmed of excess fat20 whole black peppercorns5 whole allspice5 clove garlic, unpeeled2 bay leaves4 pound all-purpose potatoes, peeled and each cut into quarters1 pound parsnips, peeled1 medium (about 3 pounds) head green cabbage, cut into 8 wedges, with core attachedChopped parsley for garnish

Horseradish-Mustard Sauce1/2 cup grainy Dijon mustard2 tablespoons pure maple syrup1 tablespoon prepared white horseradish

1. Prepare Corned Beef and Vegetables: In 8-quart Dutch oven or saucepot, place brisket, peppercorns, allspice, garlic, bay leaves and enough water to cover; heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 2 hours 30 minutes.2. Add quartered potatoes, whole carrots and whole parsnips to Dutch oven; heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 30 minutes or until meat and vegetables are tender. With tongs and slotted spoon, transfer meat and vegetables to platter; cover and keep warm.3. Add cabbage to liquid in Dutch oven; heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 5 minutes or until cabbage is tender.4. Meanwhile, prepare Horseradish-Mustard Sauce: In small bowl, with fork, mix mustard, maple syrup and horseradish until smooth; set sauce aside.5. Drain cabbage and add to platter with meat. Thinly slice meat and serve with vegetables and mustard sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley. Serves 8.

¥ Each serving: About 520 calories, 12g total fat (4g saturated), 105mg cholesterol, 1,450mg sodium, 64g total carbs, 10g dietary fiber, 41g protein.

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

(c) 2013 Hearst Communications, Inc.All rights reserved

THE KITCHEN DIVABy Angela Shelf Medearis

A Healthier Irish Holiday

Corned beef and cabbage is a traditional Irish dish, and a favorite meal on St. Patrick’s Day. While the flavor combinations are delicious, some may want to cut back on the fat and calories. By using my tips for preparing the brisket, and my recipe for Slow Cooked Brisket and Cabbage, you can have all the flavors of this Irish dish with far less calories.Brisket is a fat-marbled cut of beef from the front of the cow in the lower chest area. Slow cooking tenderizes this tough cut of meat. According to Bowes and Church’s Food Values of Portions Commonly Used, the lowest calorie brisket is the one in which all the fat is trimmed. The type of brisket also makes a difference. The flat half brisket would have 191 calories and 6 grams of fat per 3.5-ounce serving. The same amount of the point half brisket prepared the same way has 244 calories and nearly 14 grams of fat. Whole brisket has 218 calories and 10 grams of fat. Leaving 1/4-inch trim of fat almost doubles the calories in all of the brisket cuts. “Trimmed” brisket has almost all of the outer fat removed, while “packer-trimmed” brisket has a thick outer layer of fat. Using a few tips, you can reduce some of the fat in the less expensive, packer-trimmed cuts of brisket while saving money. Cook the meat a day ahead of time and put the pot in the refrigerator. Once the meat cools, the fat will harden and can be skimmed off. Market-trimmed brisket is a little more expensive, but saves time because it has already been prepped for you. This type of brisket is ideal for using in a slow cooker. The meat will cook in its own juices and come out moist and tender.Potatoes are another favorite Irish food. Potatoes are not that high in calories and have no fat, but making them with lots of butter and high-fat milk adds calories. This Slow Cooked Brisket and Cabbage recipe uses traditional ingredients in a flavorful, lower-fat Irish meal.

SLOW-COOKED BRISKET AND CABBAGE

1 (3-pound) trimmed, boneless beef brisket2 tablespoons Dijon or stone ground mustard1 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon black pepper2 large baking potatoes (about 1 1/4 pounds), peeled and cut into 4-inch pieces1 large onion, peeled and cut into 8 wedges4 garlic cloves, peeled and cut in half3 large carrots, cut into 4-inch pieces1 small head green cabbage (about a pound), cut into 8 wedges1 teaspoon ground ginger1 teaspoon ground cloves1 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes2 whole bay leaves1/4 cup apple cider vinegar4 to 5 cups hot water, to cover the meat by at least 1 inch

1. Rub the brisket on both sides with the mustard and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and 1/2 teaspoon of the black pepper. Set aside on a plate. 2. Place the potatoes, onions, garlic cloves, carrots and cabbage in the bottom of the slow cooker. Season with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and pepper, the ginger, cloves and red pepper flakes. Place bay leaves in the pot. Stir to combine. Place brisket on top of the vegetables.3. Pour in the apple cider vinegar, and the hot water to cover the meat by at least 1 inch. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 9 hours, or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours, until the meat is fork tender.4. Remove the brisket from the slow cooker to a cutting board and let it stand for 10 minutes before slicing. Thinly slice brisket across the grain and put on a serving platter. Remove the vegetables with a slotted spoon and put them on a platter. Pour the juices from the cooker into a gravy boat and serve with brisket.

Angela Shelf Medearis is an award-winning children’s author, culinary historian and author of seven cookbooks. Her new cookbook is “The Kitchen Diva’s Diabetic Cookbook.” Her website

is www.divapro.com. To see how-to videos, recipes and much, much more, Like Angela Shelf Medearis, The Kitchen Diva!, on Facebook and go to Hulu.com. Recipes may not be reprinted

without permission from Angela Shelf Medearis.(c) 2013 King Features Synd., Inc., and Angela Shelf Medearis

6 Tidbits® of the Foothills For advertising, call Aimee (303.842.8250)

Q: Kevin Sorbo has always been one of my favorite actors, ever since “Hercules.” I loved seeing him earlier this season on “Don’t Trust the B---- in Apt. 23.” What has been up to since? Any chance we’ll see him in a comedy again soon? -- Sherri P., via e-mail

A: On March 23 at 8/7c, you can catch Kevin in the Hallmark Movie Channel’s “Shadow on the Mesa,” which also stars Wes Brown (“Deception”), Gail O’Grady (“NYPD Blue”) and Meredith Baxter (“Family Ties”). The movie takes place in the Old West, and Kevin plays rancher Ray Eastman, who is trying to protect his property from a land grab by a corrupt neighbor.I asked Kevin if he’d like to do another comedy, and he told me: “I would love to. I’ve done a lot of guest spots “Dharma & Greg,” “Two and a Half Men,” “Just Shoot Me” ... all those different things. I did have my own sitcom back in 2005. It was a half-hour comedy called “Bobby Cannon,” where I played an end-of-the-year quarterback for the Chicago Bears.“It tested No. 1 for ABC, but then the then-president of ABC decided not to pick it up. To this day we are shocked. There’s no doubt in my mind we’d be in our eighth season right now. Oh well ... welcome to the business of Hollywood.”***Q: Isn’t it about time for a new “Dancing With the Stars”? -- Gina W., Columbus, OhioA: It sure is, Gina. And this year has your usual crop of actors, singers and athletes, all of whom are ready to heat up the dance floor beginning Saturday, March 16, at 8 p.m. EDT with a two-hour premiere. The 16th season of the hit dancing-competition show stars country singer Wynonna Judd, gymnast Aly Raisman, skater Dorothy Hamill, boxer Victor Ortiz, football player Jacoby Jones, reality star Lisa Vanderpump, country singer Kellie Pickler, comedian D.L. Hugley, comedian Andy Dick,

soap-opera star Ingo Rademacher and Disney star Zendaya Coleman.***Q: Has CBS canceled “Vegas”? Visually and stylistically, it’s different from the usual cop programs on TV, and it’s a joy to watch. -- Marcia A. in New York

A: While CBS hasn’t canceled the Dennis Quaid/Michael Chiklis drama as of

this writing, things aren’t looking good for it. The ratings aren’t as

high as CBS expects from its dramas, especially one that’s so expensive to produce, and CBS downgraded its episode order from 22 to 21. “Vegas” returns with new episodes on Tuesday, March 19, after a month-long hiatus.

***Q: Did you ever find out if

“The Witches of East End” is going to be a regular series on

Lifetime? -- Callie D., via e-mailA: Lifetime recently announced that

it did indeed pick up “Witches” for a 10-episode run to launch later this year. The drama stars Julia Ormond, Jenna Dewan-Tatum and Rachel Boston. As soon as I get a firm date, I’ll let you know.

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

(c) 2013 King Features Synd., Inc.

CELEBRITY EXTRABy Cindy Elavsky

FLASHBACKBy Mick Harper

1. Name the 1979 song by KC and the Sunshine Band that was covered by KWS, Basshunter and Timmy T.2. What were The Platters’ multiple lawsuits about during the past 40 years?3. Who released “My Forbidden Lover” and “My Feet Keep Dancing,” and when?4. Which 1966 album included “Leaves That Are Green,” “Kathy’s Song,” “Anji” and “April Come She Will”?5. Name the song that contained this lyric: “Why should you sacrifice, If you’re not satisfied, He’s just a canine runnin’ ‘round in heat”

Answers1. “Please Don’t Go.” The song was written as a love ballad and in several incarnations was a techno dance number.2. In short: trademark rights and infringement. Over the years, The Platters have had hundreds of personnel changes. As members left, they would spin off their own “Platters” pretender group.3. Chic, in 1979. Their “Le Freak” was originally written as a message to the doormen who barred them at Studio 54, a club in New York City, except the word wasn’t “freak.”4. “Sounds of Silence,” by Simon and Garfunkel. The album title was altered slightly but named after their song “The Sound of Silence.”5. “Girlfriend,” by Pebbles in 1987. The song was originally written for Vanessa Williams.

(c) 2013 King Features Synd., Inc.

Tidbits® of the Foothills For advertising, call Aimee (303.842.8250) 7

Eleanor Roosevelt was shy as a child but became one of the most outspoken First Ladies to ever live in the White House.

• Born October 11, 1884, in New York City, to Anna Hall and Elliott Roosevelt, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was named after her mother. When Eleanor’s mother died in 1892 she and her siblings went to live with their maternal grandmother. Her father died two years later in 1894. He was the younger brother of Theodore Roosevelt, president of the United States from 1901-1909,

• Eleanor was a very shy child but being of wealthy Roosevelt heritage she received an excellent education at Allenswood, a boarding school in London from 1899 to 1902. With the education and maturity, E l e a n o r developed self-c o n f i d e n c e that lead her to become a leader among women of her era.

• After her return from England, Eleanor met a handsome Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) in her affluent circle of friends. The distant cousins became engaged in 1903 and married in 1905.

• According to genealogical records Eleanor and FDR were fifth cousins, once removed. The closest mutual ancestor was Nicholas Roosevelt. One of his sons was FDR’s great-great-great grandfather; another son was Eleanor’s great-great-great-great grandfather.

• President Theodore Roosevelt, Eleanor’s uncle, walked her down the aisle and had the honor of “giving her away” in marriage.

• Franklin and Eleanor had six children in the next eleven years; one son died as an infant. They also had to contend with Sara, FDR’s mother who tried to run their lives in their early years of married life!

FAMOUS WOMEN OF THE WORLD:

ELEANOR ROOSEVELT• With Eleanor’s encouragement and support

FDR entered politics and served in the New York state senate from 1910-1913. It was in Albany, the state capital of New York, that Eleanor started her own rise to fame as an able political helpmate.

• When FDR served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy from 1913-1920 during Woodrow Wilson’s presidency, Eleanor gained tremendous knowledge of Washington and national politics.

• When her husband was stricken with polio in 1921, and lost the use of his legs for the remainder of his life. Mrs. Roosevelt devoted her time to caring for him. She also became active

in the State D e m o c r a t i c C o m m i t t e e w o m e n ’ s division to keep FDR’s interest in politics piqued.• E l e a n o r e n c o u r a g e d and supported her husband as Governor of

New York and later, in 1933, as President of the United States. She “became his eyes and ears” and the closest confidant for her husband, helping and understanding during the trying times of his presidency, which included the “Great Depression” and World War II.

• Mrs. Roosevelt changed the role of First Lady. She greeted and entertained thousands with her charm. She expressed her opinions in a daily syndicated newspaper column entitled “My Day,” gave press conferences, travelled all around the country, gave lectures and participated in radio broadcasts.

• After FDR’s death in 1945, Eleanor was selected as a delegate to the United Nations General Assembly, serving from 1945 to 1953. She became the chair of the UN’s Human Rights Commission and helped write the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. She considered this one of her greatest achievements.

TOP OF THE CHARTS as of March 4, 2013

Top 10 Pop SinglesThis Week Last Week1. Baauer new entry “Harlem Shake”2. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Wanz No. 1 “Thrift Shop”3. Rihanna feat. Mikky Ekko No. 57 “Stay”4. will.i.am & Britney Spears No. 3 “Scream & Shout”5. Taylor Swift No. 5 “I Knew You Were Trouble”6. The Lumineers No. 4 “Ho Hey”7. Bruno Mars No. 2 “Locked Out of Heaven”8. Bruno Mars No. 9 “When I Was Your Man”9. Justin Timberlake feat. Jay Z No. 8 “Suit & Tie”10. Drake No. 63 “Started From the Bottom”

Top 10 Albums1. Mumford & Sons No. 4 “Babel”2. Various Artists No. 11 “2013 Grammy Nominees”3. Bruno Mars No. 8 “Unorthodox Jukebox”4. Taylor Swift No. 12 “Red”5. Josh Groban No. 1 “All That Echos”6. The Lumineers No. 10 “The Lumineers”7. fun No. 14 “Some Nights”8. Various Artists No. 3 “NOW 45”9. Andrea Bocelli No. 5 “Passione”10. Maroon 5 No. 20 “Overexposed”

(c) 2013 King Features Synd., Inc.Baauer

8 Tidbits® of the Foothills For advertising, call Aimee (303.842.8250)

¥ To get a really good shine on your windows, try using newspaper instead of a paper towel. Spray the window with your cleaner, and then just use the newspaper like a towel. Practically no lint!

¥ “We save the bread ends and any too-hard or stale bread in our freezer until we can get down to the lake and feed the birds and fish. The ducks especially love it.” -- E.F. in Wisconsin

¥ Drop a couple of crackers (saltines) in your sugar canister if you have problems with clumping. Just remember they’re there if you dip a measuring cup into the canister. You don’t want a bunch of cracker crumbs in your sweet recipe!

¥ To stretch your gravy, add a spoonful (or two) of bouillon mix to a glass of hot water. Add enough cold water to a tablespoon of cornstarch to make a loose paste, and add both the bouillon and the cornstarch to your regular gravy. Mix well.

¥ If you have a hard time skinning fish, like salmon, that comes “skin-on,” try freezing it just long enough to firm up the flesh in order to easily peel it off or trim it.

¥ “Keep a container or baggie of wet wipes with your shoes so it’s easy to give them a quick wipe-down either before you put them on or before you put them away. They will always stay nice and clean.” -- E.W. and V.O.

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.

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1. GEOGRAPHY: Where are the Cape Verde islands?2. U.S. PRESIDENTS: How many presidents have won Nobel Peace Prize?3. ANATOMY: Where is the sacrum in the human body?4. LANGUAGE: What is meant by the term “fifth column”?5. HISTORY: In what year did the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations merge into the AFL-CIO?6. MILITARY: What is the moral code of the Japanese samurai?7. GAMES: What kind of game is “Millipede”?8. FOOD & DRINK: What is arrowroot powder used for?9. MUSIC: What were the first names of the Allman Brothers?10. THEATER: Who wrote the play “The Iceman Cometh”?

Answers1. Off the coast of West Africa2. Four -- Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama3. At the base of the spine4. Enemy sympathizers who might give aid to an invader5. 19556. Bushido7. Arcade game8. A thickening agent9. Duane and Gregg10. Eugene O’Neill

(c) 2013 King Features Synd., Inc.

Answers