Published by Middle Man Enterprises, LLC • [email protected] • For Advertising Call (256) 797-7930 The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read OVER 4 MILLION Readers Weekly Nationwide! ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ©2007 FREE Vol. 1 Issue 20 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2025 TIDBITS® ATTENDS SOME MEMORABLE CONCERTS by Kathy Wolfe Calling all music lovers! This week, Tidbits recalls a few memorable concert events in the world of musical performance. • The Moondog Coronation Ball is considered to be the first-ever rock concert. Held in a Cleveland, Ohio, arena in 1952, it featured headliners Paul Williams and his Hucklebuckers, along with Tiny Grimes and the Rocking Highlanders. All 10,000 seats sold out on the first day of advance sales, but on concert day, counterfeiting and printing errors led to upwards of 20,000 spectators showing up. Fans broke through the gates and the police shut the concert down after just a single song. • In December, 2024, Taylor Swift concluded the Eras Tour, which set the record for the highest-grossing concert tour. Ticket sales grossed a record $2 billion, doubling that of any other tour in history, with more than 10.1 million people attending the 149 shows across six continents. Average ticket price was $204. She toppled the previous record of $1 billion set by Coldplay in 2024’s Music of the Spheres World Tour. The first tours to pass $100 million in revenue were Michael Jackson’s Bad World Tour and Pink Floyd’s A Momentary lapse of Reason Tour, both of which ran between 1987 and 1989. turn the page for more! Modern Solutions & Treatments for all types of pests. www.RedhawkPestControl.com 256-975-8817 • Crawl Space • Pest Control • Mosquito Mngmt. • Pest Exclusion Svc. Call us today to get rid of those pests that plague your home & lifestyle. Call for an appointment (256) 423-3952 30477 Ardmore Ave Ardmore, AL 35739 Hours: M, Tu & Th: 10a - 6p Friday: 12p - 10p Saturday: 12p - 5p Wed & Sun: Closed Lacey Clinard Owner & Artist Chiropractic CareFull Body Healing RevitalizeChiroAndSport.com 27453 Capshaw Rd, Athens, AL 256-343-4493 A Full-Service, Local Roofing Company Committed to Excellence. Call Today for a FREE Estimate 256-542-1448 Ask about our TidBits FREE GUTTER GUARD* special! We offer COMPLETE Residential & Commerical Roofing 256-542-1448 *Tidbits Gutter Guard Special may not be combined with other offers. Due to the significant savings of this offer, it is only available to home owners who mention it during our initial converastion. Naturally this is a limited time offer. • Gutter Replacement • Chimney Services MadisonALRoofRepair.com AthensTidbits.com Complete Auto Detail & Hand Wash For All Your Auto Cleaning Needs Give Me A Call No job too big or too small for me to handle. Cars, Trucks, RVs, Boats & Motorcycles 30050 Ardmore Ave. Ardmore, AL 35739 256-970-8423 Joshua Smith, Owner • Paint Corrections • Clay Bar Treatment • Full Detailing in & out • Buffing &Waxing Hours: Mon: by aptmt. only Tue - Sat: 9 - 5 Sunday: closed • Complete HandWash • CarWash • Headlight Restoration • Scratch & Swirl Removal Let’s Work Together Call Misty @ 256-763-3382 [email protected] Misty Pierce HomeWithPierce.com Does Your Agent work forYOU or the INSURANCE COMPANY? We are Independent Agents. We work for you, NOT an Insurance Company. This means YOU get an Agent that Looks Out For You and Your Best Interests! Get the RIGHTInsurance Protection at the LOWESTCost... burkettinsurancegroup Call us for ALL of your Insurance. We want to WORK FOR YOU! 256-704-7400 BurkettInsurance.com Scan to learn how we can help Your Peace of Mind is Our Priority! The Worshek Group Lanie & Ryan Real Estate Advisors Call Today: L: 205-587-5721 R: 205-261-3028 [email protected] 814 Palmer Rd. Suite E Madison, Alabama WorshekGroup.LeadingEdgeUnited.com 1908 Slaughter Rd, Madison, AL 35758 Hours: Tue-Sat: 12-7 Sunday: 12-5 313-525-2262 Piercings Available 256-423-5510 QualityFirstFinancial.com 30105 Ardmore Ave Ardmore, AL 35739 For ALL of your LOAN needs: BURIED in a TITLE LOAN?! LET US DIG YOU OUT! Quality First Financial, Inc. QualityFirstFinancial.com 30105 Ardmore Ave Ardmore, AL 35739 CALL 256-423-5510
Page 2 www.AthensTidbits.com • [email protected] • For Advertising Call (256) 797-7930 DEAR DR. ROACH: I have two bird feeders off my back deck. They hang from tall poles as a vain attempt to keep squirrels from eating all of the bird- seed! But to refill them, I must take them down and handle them, and I recently wondered if I might be exposing myself to the new bird flu. Is there any information about this possibility? Any possible transmission of the virus might have oc- curred to other bird lovers, too. -- J.F. ANSWER: The songbirds you are attracting to your feeders, such as cardinals, sparrows and woodpeckers, are not likely to be infected with avian influenza (“bird flu”). It generally infects waterfowl such as gulls and ducks. Most experts do not recommend taking down your feeders but do recommend a periodic cleaning of feed- ers and baths with a diluted bleach (10%) solution. You should wash your hands after refilling your feeders. Those who keep poultry such as chickens, ducks, geese or turkeys (which may also be infected by bird flu) should not use feeders or baths that attract wild birds. *** DEAR DR. ROACH: I see commercials about dif- ferent kinds of pillows, asserting that they are better for you medically in various ways, especially with enhancing your sleep experience. This implies to me that conventional pillows can be bad for you. Is any of this true? -- W.R.G. ANSWER: No, I wouldn’t say that conventional pil- lows are bad for you. However, there is evidence that in people with chronic neck pain, pillows made with latex or springs have been shown to reduce neck pain, waking symptoms and disability. They also enhance the satisfaction that people have with their pillows, but studies taken as an aggregate did not show an improve- ment in sleep quality. It seems that the height and composition of the pillow can affect the alignment of your neck bones. If you aren’t having any problems, there is no reason to change. But if you wake up with a sore neck or have chronic neck pain, a special pillow might help, although I doubt there is one pillow that is right for everybody. Bird Lover Is Troubled Over the Possible Transmission of Bird Flu CONCERTS (continued): • There’s nothing rare about a musical artist falling on or off the stage during a concert, some more than once. In 2008, Katy Perry jumped on top of a giant cake, and slipped and fell on the frosting that covered her. She tried to stand up several more times, each time resulting in another fall. Justin Bieber limped off the stage after falling in the midst of stunts, and a few years later fell into a stage hole. Beyonce suffered a huge fall at an Orlando concert when the tail of her long coat got caught under the heel of her shoe, sending her down a flight of stairs leading to the stage. She fell again a few years later during a concert in Brazil. Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler incurred serious injuries to his head and neck, along with a broken shoulder, when he fell off the stage while performing at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota, forcing the remainder of the band’s tour to be cancelled. The following year, Tyler tumbled again, this time in Toronto, coincidentally while performing the same song he had been singing when he plunged off the stage in Sturgis. • The record for the largest outdoor concert was set in 1997 by French musician Jean-Michel Jarre, an artist known for his impressive light and laser shows. The concert took place at the State University of Moscow in celebration of the 850th Anniversary of Moscow, Russia. More than 3.5 million people attended the event. Jarre broke his own record with the Moscow concert, having set the record for largest attendance in Paris in 1990, with a draw of 2.5 million fans. Jean-Michel is a secondgeneration musician, with father Maurice Jarre composing the movie soundtrack of many films, including “Doctor Zhivago,” “Lawrence ofArabia,” “Ghost,” and “Dead Poets Society,” [email protected] and winning three Oscars for his compositions. Randy Lee Owner/Publisher (256) 797-7930 Randy Lee rprises, LLC Owner/Publisher mestone Co. W A S H I N G 256-374-8130 •Houses •Driveways •Heavy Equipment •RVs •Campers & More Call Russ Peoples: Mobile Cleaning at Your Service The Department of Veterans Affairs' Fiduciary Program is set up to help veterans take care of their finances and benefits if they can't handle it themselves because they're sick, injured or elderly. There is a lot of money at stake: $2.7 billion in a recent year. Each of the hundred thousand veterans who fall in the category of needing assistance are assigned a fiduciary, someone who protects the veterans and their finances. The VA's Pension and Fiduciary Service, which manages the fiduciaries, is tasked with ensuring the proper handling of veterans' affairs through in-person examinations, fiduciary accountings and investigations into misuse. All goes well with this arrangement ... until it doesn't. A recent VA Office of Inspector General report details what they found when they investigated the Fiduciary Program. Over 300 veterans and their financial affairs were not being monitored or supervised by the Fiduciary Program for three years and in some cases longer. The hole in the system was because the program had no way to identify veterans who were in need of fiduciary services or because their records did not move from one system to the other, the Veterans Benefits Management System--Fiduciary (VBMS-Fid), after need was determined. Which left a whole lot of money out there without oversight: in excess of $24 million. A fiduciary is required to submit written reports about how the veteran's money is being spent, and those reports are reviewed by program staff. In the event there's a question, the fiduciary must clear it up. Failure to do that constitutes misuse, and an investigation is supposed to follow. If you are a veteran who has a fiduciary managing your benefits and if you suspect that person is not acting in your best interests, let the VA know. Call them at 800-827-1000 to report possible fraud and misuse of your benefits. Or call the VAOIG hotline at 800-488- 8244 to make a complaint. For a flyer about the VAOIG's crime alert, put "Protect Vulnerable Veterans from Fiduciary Theft" in a search box online. Holes in the fiduciary program KARAOKE Night every Friday 171 US-31, Athens, AL (Midtown Center near Publix) • 300,000+ Songs in our library! • 8 to 10 PM on Fridays Coupons on Page 5
www.AthensTidbits.com • [email protected] • For Advertising Call (256) 797-7930 Page 3 CONCERTS (continued): • In August, 1965, The Beatles performed a packed concert at Shea Stadium, home of baseball’s New York Mets. They sang on the stadium’s infield before 55,000 wild and screaming fans using the same P.A. system used to announce baseball games. They played just 12 songs in a brief 27 minutes, receiving $160,000 for their efforts. One year later, the Fab Four returned to the Queens stadium, taking home $189,000 from that show. The group’s final public performance, known as the Beatles’ Rooftop Concert, was performed on the rooftop of their London Apple Corps headquarters in January, 1969. The idea had been conceived just a few days before the performance and was unannounced to the public. The event began at 12:30 PM, playing before “an audience of chimneys” until workers in the area on their lunch break began to gather in the streets and on nearby rooftops. The 42-minute set was filmed and recorded and used in the 1970 documentary “Let It Be.” • Tragedy struck during a Rolling Stones concert at the Altamont Speedway Free Festival in 1969, resulting in the deaths of four attendees. Two fans were killed by a car that ran into a group huddled near a campfire next to the road. Another died when he launched on a slippery slide down an irrigation canal. Violence erupted when an 18-year-old spectator was killed during the concert. One-hundred Hells Angels members had been hired as security for the event, and one member grabbed the young man and stabbed him several times when he attempted to run away. The killer was later acquitted. Several other people were beaten by the Angels, and artist Stephen Stills was stabbed in the leg with a sharpened bicycle spoke. Metal Fabrication, Decorative Fencing & Handrails, Mailboxes, Sand Blasting, Powder Coating, CNC Plasma Cutting & Welding E. L. Ironworks 19227 East Limestone Rd, Toney, AL 35773 256-261-8400 www.ELironworks.com KB CONCRETE • Over 20 Years of Experience • ACI & OSHA 30 Certified • Sidewalks • Driveways • Patios • Garage Slabs • Foundations • Footings 256 -808 -6152 The Nutty Scientists of Rocket city is pleased to announce the following fun Nutty Summer camps!!!We have scheduled two weeks of each camp because we ran out of time to do all the fin experiments. You can sign up for one or both as each session will be unique. June 2-6 and July 7-11 Get ready to watch the most amazing chemical reactions and to get your hands involved in a lot of experiments while learning how incredible science is. June 9-13 and July 14-18 We “dig in” and learn about different dinosaurs and their time periods. We will have a dino dig and learn about fossils. June 23-27 and July 21-25 We learn about different inventions, and they will create their own devices, discovering a brand new passion for Science! 2025 Nutty Camps will be at the West Madison Pre-K Center. This is not a function of West Madison Pre-K Center or the city of Madison board of education. 256-800-3766 Register for a Program • After School Programs • Camps • In-Class Workshops • Celebrations & Parties • Special Events • Awareness Campaigns Fostering a Love of Science while developing children’s Creativity, Problem Solving skills & Self-esteem. NuttyScientists.com/RocketCity 2025 SUMMER CAMPS JUNE 2-6 JULY 7-11 JUNE 9-13 JULY14-18 JUNE 23-27 JULY 21-25
Page 4 www.AthensTidbits.com • [email protected] • For Advertising Call (256) 797-7930 * My family’s spring-cleaning checklist is in full effect. Some people dread seasonal chores, but I relish the sense of accomplishment that comes from a job well done. With the right planning, and some helpful tips, spring-cleaning can be a breeze. Here are some of the best we have to share. * “Stainless steel appliances are very popular, and in the kitchen, they get plenty of chances to get fingerprinted up. My appliance guy recommended using a light-mist, wax-based aerosol dusting spray once or twice a week to keep my stainless steel appliance fronts looking their best.” -- R.C. in North Carolina * In the closet, we all want to pare away unused items, but sometimes it seems like you wear clothes that you don’t. Turn all the clothes hangers the opposite way (facing out instead of in). When you use an item and it is returned to the closet, replace the hanger normally. In a few months, if an item has not been worn, it’ll be apparent. If it’s not likely to be worn, it should go. * Spring is a wonderful time to clean the walls inside your house. It clears away hidden dust and really freshens a room. Clean painted walls by dusting them first with a dry mop, then washing with a rag dampened in water. If you need a little extra oomph -- say, in the kitchen or bath -- add a couple drops of mild dish soap. * New drapes or even new pillow covers in a fabulous pattern can really jazz up a room. Consider switching smaller furniture accents between common rooms or a fresh furniture arrangement to change it up. * Keep a bottle of club soda handy for spot stains on carpets or upholstery. It’s good for more than just drinks. CONCERTS (continued): • The show must go on! That was the mentality of Weird Al Yankovic on April 9, 2004 when he was scheduled to appear at an Appleton, Wisconsin, venue. That afternoon, Al had received word that his elderly parents had perished in their home from carbon monoxide poisoning, the result of a closed fireplace flue. Yankovic chose to take the stage, saying, “Since my music had helped many of my fans through tough times, maybe it would work for me as well.” • Only one band has played on all seven continents. Metallica set this Guinness World Record in 2013 after completing the final concert at Antarctica’s Carlini Station, performing for 120 scientists and winners of a contest sponsored by the Coca-Cola Company. The concert was played without amplification in order to preserve the local environment from noise pollution. All the spectators heard the music through headphones. Metallica not only completed those concerts on all seven continents – they did it all within one year. • Milwaukee’s annual Summerfest music festival has been the scene of performances by hundreds of renowned artists, including Frank Sinatra, Prince, Whitney Houston, Fleetwood Mac, Maroon 5, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, Johnny Cash, and the Rolling Stones. First held in 1968, the event takes place downtown next to Lake Michigan. Attendance is about 800,000 each year, although it has topped one million on occasion. Six-hundred artists are slated to appear this year on 12 different stages over three different weekends. • During 2023, a Maryland couple nabbed the Guinness World Record by attending 135 concerts that year, including Beyonce, Sam Smith, Billy Joel, and Stevie Nicks. Tijan and Matt Brown spent $18,407.24 throughout the year. Although they take pictures before the concert, as soon as the music begins, the couple puts their phones away and lives for the moment, and engrossing themselves in the music. 1. Name the San Francisco 49ers tight end who caught a 14-yard touchdown pass with 9 seconds left to beat the New Orleans Saints 36-32 in a divisional playoff game for the 2011 NFL season. 2. Not to be confused with the NFL’s Lombardi Trophy award, the Lombardia Trophy in Italy is a competition in what sport? 3. In the final round of the PGA Tour’s 2014 Puerto Rico Open, what creature attempted to steal golfer Andrew Loupe’s ball from the green on the 16th hole? 4. Name the 1980s Houston Oilers head coach who berated an official by telling him, “This isn’t college. You’re not at a homecoming. This is N-F-L, which stands for ‘not for long’ when you make them [expletive] calls.” 5. What sport, originating in the Netherlands in the early 1900s, is similar to netball and has four male players and four female players per team? 6. Left-handed pitcher Mel Parnell played his entire Major League Baseball career from 1947-56 with what team? 7. What one-mile oval racetrack opened near Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 1997 and last hosted a major pro motorsports race in 2005? WANTED I WANT TO BUY YOUR UNWANTED HOUSE 256-797-7930 www.RandyBuysProperty.com Get a quote Jennifer Dahlke Agent •Auto •Home •Life •Business 256-258-5051 12100 County Line Rd, Madison 35756 Attn: Nursing Facility Entertainment Directors Randy Lee Singer & Songwriter is booking performances. To inquire & schedule contact Middle Man Enterprises at 256-797-7930 or visit: www.RandyLee.info 256-339-9961 www.HootenannnyBBQ.com Maylon Jones • Catering • Food Deliverey • Buffet Set-up & Serving • Event Menu Planning 256-434-1713 FOOD TRUCK BBQ sauce
www.AthensTidbits.com • [email protected] • For Advertising Call (256) 797-7930 Page 5 1. Is the book of Lamentations (KJV) in the Old or New Testament or neither? 2. In 1 Kings 20:29, how many footmen (soldiers) of the Syrians were killed in one day? 5,000; 10,000; 50,000; 100,000 3. Who made the first “piggy bank” by placing a chest with a hole in it near the altar? Ezra, Jehoiada, Ahab, Jethro 4. From Jeremiah 7:32, what did the Lord say that Tophet will be called? Syria, Valley of Slaughter, Galilee, Mount Zion 5. Who was the father of Elisha? Josiah, Shaphat, Zadok, Joshua 6. In Esther 1, how many provinces did Ahasuerus reign over? 11, 90, 127, 140 SPORTS STORIES: OSTRICH RACING If climbing on the back of a 290-lb. (131.5-kg) bird sounds like a good time, maybe ostrich racing is for you! This week, Tidbits heads to the track to investigate this unusual sport. • Maybe you’ve never heard of ostrich racing, but it’s been an event in the U.S. since the late 1800s. Before that, it was widespread in South Africa in an area known as the ostrich capital of the world because of the large number of farms that raised the birds. • The flightless ostrich is the largest bird in the world, and is the only bird that has been successfully ridden. With the fastest land speed of any bird, they can reach speeds up to 45 mph (70 km/hr), covering up to 16 feet (4.9 m) in a single stride. A fully-grown bird can reach a height of nearly 9 feet (2.75 m). • A jockey’s weight cannot exceed 198 lbs. (86 kg), and his/her only protective gear is a helmet. While most ride directly on the ostrich’s back, gripping its feathers tightly, others use a wagon, special saddles, or reins and bits. While a racehorse is domesticated and in tune with their jockey and trainer, an ostrich jockey has no idea what the unpredictable bird is going to do. They might run in a straight line, swerve to the sidelines, instigate a collision with another ostrich, or refuse to run at all. If they don’t like a rider on their back, they wiggle, shake, or jump in an attempt to rid themselves of the jockey. • Although the ostriches are capable of faster speeds, racers typically run at about 30 mph (50 km/hr). © 2023 King Features Synd., Inc. 171 Hwy 31 North • Athens, AL 36611 (256) 444-0569 “Every meal is tender, tasty and sizzling with flavor.” LaFinkaMexicanGrill.com Midtown Centre near Publix FREE small cheese dip with any purchase of $25 or more* *Not valid in combination with other coupons. Offer expires 4.30.2025 Buy 1 get 1 - 30% OFF on Any Dinner combination* *Valid on meals only. May not be combined with other coupons. Expires 4.30.2025 Hunny Bunny Custom Silk Flower Arrangements 256-795-0686 ~Saddles ~Sprays ~Casket Toppers ~Keepsake Gifts Flowers by Hunny Bunny Call or Text See our inventory at: RocketCityBarns.com Rocket City Barns The Original •Sheds •Carports •Metal Buildings 256-221-7062
Page 6 www.AthensTidbits.com • [email protected] • For Advertising Call (256) 797-7930 1. LITERATURE: Who lives at 4 Privet Drive? 2. TELEVISION: Which 1980s sitcom featured the Keaton family? 3. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Who was the first Americanborn president? 4. COMICS: What is Deadpool’s profession? 5. AD SLOGANS: Which makeup company’s slogan is “Maybe she’s born with it”? 6. HISTORY: Which battles marked the beginning of the American Revolution? 7. INVENTIONS: The 1904 World’s Fair introduced which fluffy confection? 8. MOVIES: In which year were the first Oscars awarded? 9. MEASUREMENTS: What does 1 gallon of water weigh? 10. GEOGRAPHY: What are the colors of the Italian flag? OSTRICH RACING (continued): • Ostrich racing got its start in the U.S. in Jacksonville, Florida, where an ostrich farm opened as a tourist attraction in 1898. It wasn’t long before it was one of Florida’s most-visited attractions. In 1920, the technique included pulling a sock over the bird’s head as it was being mounted, since ostriches feel safer in the dark. The sock was pulled off, and the bird leaped forward. Riders had a 150-lb. (68-kg) weight limit and were charged 50 cents for the privilege of racing. An added attraction at the ranch was a display of sharpshooter Annie Oakley’s abilities. • Every year, Altoona, Iowa, hosts the Prairie Meadows Ostrich Races, but it’s not just for ostriches! The event hosts camel and zebra racing as well, with one of the organizers the owner of 70 camels, 40 zebras, and 60 ostriches. The race track’s motto is “Things are going to get wild.” • We might think of the state of Kentucky as the home of thoroughbred horse racing, but Henderson, Kentucky, holds its annual Ellis Park competition, with both ostriches and camels, but with an added twist – this event adds wiener dog racing. • There can certainly be dangerous drawbacks to ostrich racing. Male ostriches experience severe mood swings when the females lay eggs, or when they feel threatened, and can thrash about aggressively, striking those nearby with their two-toed, 4-inch claws, an action that has occasionally been fatal to humans. * A Spanish civil servant went unnoticed for six years after he stopped showing up for work until someone tried to give him an award for his long service. * The Spangler Candy Company named their famous lollipops “Dum Dums” because it was a word that was easy for any kid to say. * In the 1960s, the Goodyear tire company tested the bright idea of lighted tires, to be available in a range of colors. They looked pretty cool in the dark, but their unfortunate tendency to melt under heavy braking and poor performance in wet conditions doomed the concept to the dustbin. * A 2016 study revealed that only 27% of the words spoken in the biggest movies were uttered by women. * National Donut Day originally started as a way to honor Salvation Army volunteers who served donuts to soldiers in World War I. * When a man allegedly found a dead mouse in his can of Mountain Dew, Pepsi had an expert claim in an affidavit that the drink was so acidic it would have dissolved the mouse after 30 days. * The Hubble Space Telescope is so powerful that it can spot the glow of a firefly from some 7,000 miles away. * Professional wrestler and mixed martial arts champion Ronda Rousey confessed on the “Jim Rome on Showtime” TV show that she tries to have as much sex as possible before a match because it boosts her testosterone levels. The top five items tonight on my local news channel were automobile crashes caused by slick road surfaces. And these weren’t just little fender benders, although there was one of those that happened in a store parking lot. These five crashes produced crushed cars, serious injuries and yes, in one case, death of the occupant of the vehicle ... all because of the condition of the roads. And while I hate to think of myself as a coward, more and more there are things I just don’t want to risk. I check the weather news for the temperature before I venture out by car. If it’s too cold (or will be by the time I get home), the roads could be slick. Black ice is hard to see but once your vehicle is on it, there’s no steering. Too cold and I just stay home. During a recent storm we had yet another power outage. I keep thermometers in the fridge to keep track of how warm the temperature gets. For iffy items, I just don’t take the chance that they might have gone bad. While several sources say to be sure the foods have stayed below 40 degrees in the fridge, the CDC puts a specific time limit on it: four hours in a refrigerator without power. After that time, throw it out. Instead of waiting for a warm day (which isn’t going to happen soon) to melt the ice and snow on my walk and driveway, I hire someone to clear it, and I just pay the cost, even though it’s not a welcome expense. And in case you’ve never looked it up, it appears that over the age of 45 is when we’re advised not to shovel snow because of the risk of heart attack! For me, 45 was a very long time ago! Getting through the winter 256-677-9533 RandyBuysProperty.com Tired of being a Landlord? Call me or visit my site WANTED I WANT TO BUY YOUR UNWANTED VEHICLE 256-797-7930 RandyBuysCars.com Fostering a Love of Science while developing children’s Creativity, Problem Solving skills & Self-esteem. • After School Programs • Camps • In-Class Workshops • Celebrations & Parties • Special Events • Awareness Campaigns Learn more on line at NuttyScientists.com/RocketCity 256-800-3766 Register for a Program Book a Party
www.AthensTidbits.com • [email protected] • For Advertising Call (256) 797-7930 Page 7 DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I’m writing to ask if you can call attention to search and rescue dogs, who do heroic work every day -- from the recent fires in southern California to avalanche rescues and more. I just think they’re amazing. -- Carlo in Missoula, Montana DEAR CARLO: You’re absolutely right: Search and rescue (SAR) dogs do amazing work nearly every day in the U.S. and around the world. They are unique, highly trained working dogs, often specializing in types of rescue or recovery. SAR dogs must be energetic but even-tempered, as they often work long hours in chaotic environments. They must be confident, motivated and responsive to their handler. Most are selected when they’re puppies, after a period of observation and interaction, and not every SAR candidate makes the cut, even at this early stage. Training can take at least two years, and most SAR dogs retire before they’re 9 or 10 years old, as the physical requirements can be demanding. There are two types of SAR dogs: air-scenting and trailing. An air-scenting dog detects and follows airborne or wind-borne scents over a large area (up to 150 acres or a quarter mile in some instances) and follows them as close to the source as possible; cadaver dogs are one example. They frequently work off-lead and return to their handler to lead them to the source. A trailing dog can discern a specific scent, such as that of a missing person, and follow the exact track of that scent; they usually work on-lead with the handler, proceeding more slowly. These dogs are so effective that they’re used in 70% of rescue missions worldwide, entering dangerous areas ahead of human teams to pinpoint survivors. So, hats off to search and rescue dogs! And to their dedicated trainers and handlers. By Samantha Mazzotta Honoring search and rescue dogs MOOD RINGS Can you really tell your frame of mind from a piece of jewelry? Lots of folks in 1975 believed you could, purchasing millions of the latest craze, mood rings. This week, Tidbits has the details on this popular fad. • The stories differ a bit as to the invention of the mood ring. Some say that in 1975, an American jeweler named Marvin Wernick came up with the idea of using liquid crystal elements that changed color in pendants and rings. He claimed that the color of the jewelry was an indication of the warmth of the wearer’s character. But Wernick failed to patent his invention, and that same year, a 33-year-old Wall Street executive named Joshua Reynolds and his colleague Maris Ambats stepped in. • Reynolds was burned out on his stressful New York City job and began studying biofeedback as a means of relaxation. He devised a “mood ring” to determine individuals’ emotional states to help them reflect on and control their anxiety. The ring’s “stone” was a hollow glass or quartz shell filled with thermotropic liquid crystals, which responded to changes in body temperature that changed their molecular structure and, subsequently, their color. The inside of the ring conducted heat from the wearer’s finger to the liquid crystals. • A person’s normal peripheral (skin level) temperature is 82 degrees F (28 C). At this temperature, the liquid crystals are a pleasing green color, reflecting “average” mood. When peripheral temperature increases in response to calm and happiness, the crystals turn a deep violet blue. When a body is stressed, blood flow moves toward the internal organs, which cools the fingers. When this occurs, the crystals turn yellow or amber. Being nervous or anxious can cause the stone to turn brown or gray. Cold weather brings about a black color, as will taking a mood ring off. © 2024 King Features Synd., Inc. TAX MONEY Buckets Full 955 Nick Davis Rd, Madison, AL 35757 256-837-9511 AUTO SALES,LLC Huntsville & Madison County’s Oldest Used Car Dealer • Serving You for 57 Years BRIDGES ‘18 Kia Optima 2014 RAM 1500 2013 RAM 1500 2014 BUICK ENCORE 2013 Subaru Outback 2018 KIA OPTIMA 2011 FORD F150 New Locatio we got N it!
Page 8 www.AthensTidbits.com • [email protected] • For Advertising Call (256) 797-7930 1. Vernon Davis. 2. Figure skating. 3. An iguana. 4. Jerry Glanville. 5. Korfball. 6. The Boston Red Sox. 7. Pikes Peak International Raceway. 1. Harry Potter and the Dursley family. 2. “Family Ties.” 3. Martin Van Buren, born after the Revolutionary War. 4. Mercenary. 5. Maybelline. 6. Battles of Lexington and Concord. 7. Cotton candy. 8. 1929. 9. 8.34 pounds. 10. Green, white and red. ANSWERS: 1) Old, 2) 100,000, 3) Jehoiada, 4) Valley of Slaughter, 5) Shaphat, 6) 127 MOOD RINGS (continued): • ASeptember,1975issueof “People”magazine touted the ring’s benefits: “The mood stone you can trust…Mood Stone reveals all.” • First-year sales exceeded $20 million. Reynolds’ sales would have been higher if other manufacturers hadn’t flooded the market with cheaper versions than his product. Although most of the rings were cheap, low quality, and one-size-fits-all, some fine jewelers jumped into the market, producing rings out of precious metals, such as sterling silver and gold. Pendants, chokers, and bracelets were also created. Some rings sold for $2, but Neiman-Marcus had styles that retailed for $250. • By the end of 1977, the market was saturated, the demand for mood rings fell, and within two years, the fad was over. Joshua Reynolds made a small fortune in a short period of time, but when the mood ring hoopla concluded, he went on to invent the Thigh Master exercise machine. • How accurate were mood rings in detecting emotional sensitivity? Truth be told, the rings were more sensitive to outside elements and exterior temperatures than changes in mood. Taking the ring off, sitting on it, or running it under hot or cold water would create a color shift much more quickly and effectively than changes in emotions. Never mind that finger temperature is not a reliable gauge of mood. Additionally, mood rings had a limited life span, as the liquid crystals would only create color changes for about two years before settling permanently into dark gray or black. • Mood rings experienced a revival in 1991 when two young women established a business that sold 100,000 rings in less than three months to buyers that included Walt Disney World. Epic Vacations Made Easy! Ryan & Lanie Worshek 256-932-3637 Seamless, Stress-Free, Adventure-filled cruises ExploreBreathtaking Alaska! Call to plan your Unforgettable Alaskan Excursion RLtravelAdvisors.com We Take Care of ALL of the Details... Modern Solutions & Treatments for all types of pests. www.RedhawkPestControl.com 256-975-8817 • Crawl Space • Pest Control • Mosquito Mngmt. • Pest Exclusion Svc. Call us today to get rid of those pests that plague your home & lifestyle. 15728 East Limestone Rd (across from East Limestone High School) www.TheVillagePizza.org Hours: Tues, Thur, Fri & Sat: 11 am - 8 pm Sunday: 4 pm - 8 pm Closed on Mondays & Wednesdays Tuesday Special: 2 Medium 1 Topping Pizzas: Just $34 WING Special: 1.5 LBS WINGS (bone in or boneless) +8 Breadstix & 2 Large Drinks Just $34 (256) 232-3388 See our Entire Menu! TheVillagePizzaEastLimestone Weekend Special!!! (Friday, Saturday & Sunday) Get a Large 1 Topping AND ONE POUND of Wings for only $34 FREE 8 Breadstix with any Large Pizza* *Must present this coupon at time of order. May not be combined with other discounts. 15728 East Limestone Rd 256-232-3388 Make Every DayPawesome Paws Awhile 256-423-3039 Grooming & Boarding 26944 Main Street Ardmore, AL 35739