Tidbits of the High Desert Iss 4

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of the High Desert

The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read ISSUE 4

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Need up to TIDBITS® VISITS THE

$700 fast, ARCTIC

like today fast? by Janet Spencer

Start preparing your taxes at Jackson Come along with Tidbits as we visit the
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on a prepaid card with a 0% APR Early
Refund Advance Loan from MetaBank® ARCTIC FACTS
• Early astronomers plotted the circle of the
All you need is your paystub or
other proof of income. Sun passing in orbit around Earth. The
circle passed through the constellation of
Book an appointment today. the Great Bear, whose name was Arktos,
which is the Greek word for “bear.” That
408 Pioneer Street is how northern regions became known as
Barstow, CA. 92311 the Arctic, and the southernmost region of
760-678-5268 the planet became the Antarctic, with the
www.jacksonhewitt.com Greek prefix “ant” meaning “opposite” or
[email protected] “against.”
• The Arctic Circle (66°30’ N) is a line that
circles the globe, marking the southernmost SPARKLE
boundary of the Arctic region. The Arctic Car Wash
Circle is 1,650 miles (2,655 km) south of
the geographic North Pole. It encompasses
parts of Alaska, Russia, Finland, Sweden,
Iceland, Greenland, and Norway.
• Every place within the Arctic Circle has
at least one 24-hour period during which
the sun does not set and one period when
it does not rise. At the North Pole, the sun
doesn’t set for 187 days in the summer, and
then it remains below the horizon for 178
days. However, even after the sun sets, the
region experiences “twilight” for several
weeks.
• The Arctic is also defined by temperature
zones, tundra distribution, and political
boundaries. (cont)

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of the High Desert

Diane Flores

Owner/Publisher

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Shortbread Bites for THE ARCTIC (cont)
Holidays • The Arctic region is not a frozen wasteland. In

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour fact, 60% of Arctic terrain is outside the zones
3 tablespoons sugar of permanent ice. The Arctic consists of coastal
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter (no substitutions), wetlands, tundra, glaciers, mountains, rivers, and
cold, cut into pieces the sea.
1 tablespoon red and green nonpareils or • There is more than one North Pole. The
sprinkles or 1/2 cup mini baking bits northernmost point on the Earth’s surface is the
geographic North Pole, also known as True North.
1. Heat oven to 325 F. South of that point lies the magnetic North Pole
2. In food processor with knife blade attached, which is the focus of Earth’s magnetic field. This
pulse flour and sugar until combined. Add is where all compasses point. The magnetic North
butter and pulse until dough begins to come Pole is constantly changing position. Generally,
together. Place dough in medium bowl. With the magnetic North Pole is about 250 miles (400
hand, gently knead in nonpareils or baking km) south of the geographic North Pole.
bits until evenly blended and dough forms a • If you stand at the North Pole, you would be in
ball. every time zone at once because all the lines that
3. On lightly floured waxed paper, pat dough demarcate time zones start at the North Pole.
into 8-by-5-inch rectangle; freeze 15 minutes. Every direction you travel would be south.
Cut dough into 1/2-inch squares. Place • In 1958, a submarine called the USS Nautilus
squares, 1/2-inch apart, on ungreased large sailed beneath the frozen ice of the Arctic Ocean,
cookie sheet. proving that the enormous ice sheet is floating on
4. Bake cookies 18 to 20 minutes or until water and not resting on land.
lightly browned on bottom. Transfer cookies • Tundra is composed of large stretches of bare
to wire rack to cool. Repeat with remaining ground and rock with patches of low vegetation.
dough. Store cookies in tightly covered Approximately 1,700 species of plants live on the
container at room temperature up to 1 week, Arctic tundra, including flowering plants, dwarf
or in freezer up to 3 months. shrubs, herbs, grasses, mosses, and lichens.
• Permafrost covers nearly 25% of the Earth’s
surface. In some northern areas of Alaska and
Canada, the permafrost is 800 to 1,500 feet (244-
457 m) deep but it’s even deeper in Siberia, where
the deepest known permafrost exceeds 2,000 feet
(609 m).
• At 5.4 million square miles, the Arctic Ocean
is about 1.5 times as big as the U.S. but it’s the
world’s smallest ocean, only 8% the size of the
biggest ocean, the Pacific. Still, the Arctic Ocean
supports more fish than any other place in the
world. (cont)

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1. The Little Brown Jug is THE ARCTIC (cont) second largest body of ice. Only the Antarctic
ice sheet is larger.
a trophy awarded in the • The Arctic is mostly ocean surrounded by land, • The largest iceberg ever recorded in the
while Antarctica is mostly land surrounded by Arctic had an area of about 100 square miles
rivalry between what two ocean. Because of this, the Arctic is much (260 sq/km) which is four times bigger than
warmer than Antarctica. The average summer Manhattan. It broke away from a glacier in
college football teams? temperature at the North Pole is 32°F (0°C). northwest Greenland in 2010. The last time
But at the South Pole, the average summer such a large iceberg had been seen was in 1962.
2. Where did former temperature is -18°F (-68°C). The first half of 2010 had seen the warmest
average global tempe ratures since record-
British basketball • The lowest temperature ever recorded at keeping began. Observers noted the crack in
ground level on Earth is -128.6°F (-89.2 °C) at Greenland’s glacier and predicted it would
standout Pops Mensah- the Soviet Vostok Station in Antarctica on July calve.
21, 1983. By contrast, the lowest temperature • The Norwegian town of Longyearbyen on
Bonsu play college ever recorded in the Arctic was -89.9°F (–67.7 the island of Svalbard is the northernmost
°C) in Verkhoyansk, Russia. permanently inhabited settlement in the world,
basketball from 2002-06? although there are outposts and research
• In June of 2020, the same Russian town stations farther north than that. Longyearbyen
3. What defensive back was known for wearing a of Verkhoyansk soared to 100.4°F (38°C) is a coal mining town with a year-round
breaking an all-time record for the Arctic and population of about 2,400. The city was named
“pro cap” on his helmet during his career with alarming meteorologists worldwide. after an American businessman named John
Longyear who began coal mining operations
the Buffalo Bills from 1986-93? • On February 6, 2020, weather stations recorded here in 1906. Coal mining continued until the
the hottest temperature on record forAntarctica. market for coal collapsed in 2017. Now the
4. Who did Ashley Force defeat in the Top Fuel Thermometers reached 64.9°F (18.3°C) which town is sustained by tourism, research, and
was about the same temperature as Los Angeles maintenance of the nearby the Svalbard Global
Funny Car final race to win the 2008 NHRA that day. Seed Vault.
• The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, a storage
Summit Southern Nationals? • The Arctic ice contains 10% of the world’s facility run by the Norwegian government,
fresh water. It plays an important role in lies 800 miles (1,287 km) north of the Arctic
5. What Puerto Rican boxing great, a champion keeping our climate and sea levels stable, Circle. The structure, which was built into
especially because the white ice reflects the the permafrost, holds seeds for more than
in three weight classes, was shot to death in sun’s heat, while the dark ocean absorbs it. If 4,000 plant species, including life-sustaining
all the Arctic ice melted, sea levels would rise food crops, keeping them safe in the event
November 2012? by around 23 feet (7 m). However, if all the of natural or manmade disasters. The site is
Antarctic ice melted, global sea levels would located in an area that is high in elevation to
6. What two-time NFL rushing yards leader rise by 197 feet (60 m). prevent flooding; it is geologically stable; and
the area has low humidity. It is also the farthest
(1938, ‘40) went on to serve on the U.S. Supreme • In 2018, the Arctic Ocean experienced its north that scheduled airline flights go, making
second-biggest sea ice decline on record. Parts it very remote. If the electricity goes out or the
Court from 1962-93? of Greenland were exposed to open ocean for refrigeration fails, the seeds will still stay cold
the first time in a thousand years. due to their location. Each of the species stored
7. In 2011, who became the oldest player ever here has about 500 seeds on hand, all carefully
• 80% of the land surface of Greenland is stored.
-- at age 43 -- to score a goal in the Stanley covered by an ice sheet that ranges from one
to two miles (2-3km) thick. It’s the world’s

Winter 1. TELEVISION: What kind of pet did Robert Blake
Clothing have on the 1970s series “Baretta”?
2. MOVIES: Which 2002 movie tagline was, “With
Drive great power comes great responsibility”?
3. GEOGRAPHY: Which Balkan nation’s capital is
Help us keep our Sophia?
students warm this 4. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What day of the week did
the ancient Romans refer to as “dies Saturni”?
winter 5. LANGUAGE: What is the word that stands for “N” in
the NATO phonetic alphabet?
6. U.S. STATES: Which state features a body of water
named Lake Lanier?
7. HISTORY: When did World War II begin?
8. MEDICINE: What is trepanning?
9. U.S. PRESIDENTS: How many days did William Henry
Harrison serve as president of the United States?
10. ANATOMY: What is the largest part of the human
brain?

Questions? Contact Melissa at
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By Samantha Mazzotta

Cat-Scratch Fever Leaves Sofa in Shreds

MISTLETOE DEAR PAW’S CORNER: My new cat, furniture. Put a scratching post next to the sofa.
“Corky,” is absolutely shredding the fabric When he reaches up to the sofa leg, gently reach
by Kathy Wolfe legs of my sofa! I buy plenty of toys for him, under his paws and lift them up and away. Then,
• Mistletoe has long been viewed as the holiday so why is he so attracted to my expensive place Corky in front of the scratching post and
furniture? -- Leo in Little Rock, Arkansas pet him. Repeat this every time.
season’s romantic plant, but it is in fact a A faster way to stop the problem is to shake a
harmful parasite that attaches to trees, plants, DEAR LEO: Welcome to cat ownership! can of coins or hiss loudly, but this is negative
and shrubs, drawing out their nutrients and Shredded furniture frequently comes with the reinforcement that provides no alternative for his
water. Once a tree is infected, the mistletoe’s territory. But please don’t think I’m telling you to scratching. And cats need to scratch! Once Corky
roots grow through the bark, up and down get used to it. This is a common problem. starts going to the scratching post first, gradually
within the branches. New sprouts of mistletoe You will find plenty of advice online on ways to move the post away from the sofa.
can grow from inside the host, weakening and stop your cat from scratching up all of the vertical To save your sofa fabric during this time, cover
eventually killing the plant. Its white berries surfaces in your house. Cats adore fabric sofas; it with a thick layer (or multiple layers) of
each contain a sticky seed that attaches to birds they are ideal because the wood underneath plastic sheeting either stapled or duct taped into
and mammals for transmission to a new host. sharpens their claws while the fabric provides place. The added benefit is that plastic is not a
The berries can also explode, spewing seeds at just the right amount of resistance. pleasurable scratching material, so Corky will
speeds of up to 60 mph (96 km/hr) for as far as You’ll need to attack this problem from a few eventually start ignoring it.
50 feet (15.2 m). angles. First, by teaching Corky not to scratch
• Mistletoe also contains a poisonous ingredient
called phoratoxin, with a heavy concentration Isaiah Garcia Affordable Hauling,
in the leaves. Ingesting the plant can cause 760-577-9455 Yard Cleanups
drowsiness, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea,
and even seizures. Although the berries are EstFimreaetes Letduisrdtoyywouorrk.
toxic to humans, mammals such as deer, elk,
squirrels, and porcupines, and birds including Isaiah Best
robins, chickadees, bluebirds, and doves eat Lawn Care
the berries during the winter when other foods
are scarce, with no negative effects. NEW KINESIOLOGY
• Yet for all of its negative properties, the European
varieties have been used for centuries for TRANSFER PROGRAM
medicinal purposes as a treatment for illnesses
ranging from arthritis and hypertension to Requirement Subject/No. Title Units
leprosy and infertility. In Europe, the extract of
some types are even injected for treatment of Required 3.0
colon cancer with optimistic results. 5.0
• The mistletoe is critical for the survival of three KINL 1 Introduction to Kinesiology 5.0
types of North American butterflies, the great
purple hairstreak, the thicket hairstreak, and BIOL 4 AND Human Anatomy 1.0
Johnson’s hairstreak. The butterflies lay their BIOL 5 Human Physiology 1.0
eggs on the plant, and the newly-hatched eat 1.0
the leaves. The adults also partake of the plant’s Movement based courses 1.0
nectars, along with a few species of bees. Selected one (3 unit minimum) from three of the following areas: 1.0
1.0
Area 2: Combatives KINA 30A OR Beginning Self-Defense and Karate 1.0
KINA 31A Beginning Cardio Kickboxing 1.0
1.0
Area 4: Fitness KINA 3A OR Circuit Weight Training - Machines Only 1.0
KINA 4A OR Basic Weight Training and Conditioning 1.0
KINA 5A OR Cardiovascular Lab 1.0
KINA 6A Fitness Walking, Jogging, Running
4.0
Area 5: KINA 21A OR Beginning Tennis 5.0
Individual Sports KINA 22A OR Beginning Badminton 5.0
KINA 23A Beginning Golf 3.0
23-25
Area 6: KINA 16 OR Beginning Volleyball
Team Sports KINA 17A OR Beginning Basketball
KINA 18A Beginning Softball

LIST A: (6 units)

MATH 2 Introduction to Statistics

CHEM 2A General Chemistry 1

PHYS 2A General Physics 1

KINL 23 First Aid and Safety

Total Units for the Major

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BCC CARES Enroll Now! MISTLETOE (continued):

STAY CONNECTED . . . MOVE FORWARD 9 Week Classes • The name “mistletoe” has its origins in the
start January 11th language of the ancient Anglo-Saxons. When
the ancients noticed that the plant grew with
- Fully Online - a high level of bird droppings, they used their
word “mist,” meaning “dung,” and combined
www.barstow.edu Sign Up for: it with “tan,” translating “twig.”

BCC Faculty is Here to • Technology Loan Program • As early as the third century B.C., the Druids
Support YOU! • Free WiFi hung mistletoe in their homes to keep evil
• Chat with Caring Counselors spirits away and bring good luck. English
Adapting to YOUR needs! women in medieval times tied the plant around
and Instructors their waists, believing it would enhance
• Student Mental Health Support fertility. During World War I, mistletoe was
• Free Tutoring used as a symbol of peace, and was a common
• Student Food Pantry item pictured on postcards sent to soldiers
during the war. It’s also viewed as a symbol of
New Transfer and renewal because it stays green all winter.
Certificate Programs
• Legends differ as to how mistletoe became
• Studio Arts associated with kissing. In Norse mythology,
• Communications the goddess Frigga and her husband Odin
• Cyber Security had a son, Balder, who was the god of love,
• Chemistry peace, forgiveness, and justice. When Balder
• Biology was killed by an arrow made from mistletoe,
• Computer Science and more! Frigga’s tears of sorrow brought her son back to
life. The goddess promised that all who passed
For More Information on FREE under the mistletoe should receive a kiss. The
Student Services and Resources Europeans were observing the custom in the
1500s. In the U.S., author Washington Irving
Call 760-252-6796 mentioned the practice in an 1820 collection
of essays and stories. According to Irving’s
#BCCcares “Christmas Eve,” whenever a couple kissed
under the mistletoe, they would remove one
BCC loves our active of the white berries. When the mistletoe was
military and veteran empty of berries, there was no more power in
that sprig. Later in that century, the magazine
students “Harper’s Weekly” began featuring pictures of
couples kissing under the mistletoe.

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1. The Michigan Wolver- TRIVIA TEST
ines and the Minnesota
Golden Gophers. 1. A cockatoo named Fred
2. George Washington 2. “Spider-Man”
University. 3. Bulgaria
3. Mark Kelso. 4. Saturday (Saturn’s Day)
4. Her father, John Force. 5. November
5. Hector “Macho” Ca- 6. Georgia
macho. 7. Sept. 1, 1939
6. Byron “Whizzer” White. 8. Making holes in the skull
7. Mark Recchi, Boston to relieve pressure
Bruins. 9. 32
10. Cerebrum

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* Adult mayflies have no functional
mouth. Because of this, they die of
malnutrition. This is an evolutionary
occurrence that happens so aging
mayflies don’t pass on genetic defects
to the next generation.
* Steven Spielberg, who executive-
produced the film “Gremlins,”
requested the effects team make
Gizmo’s fur orange and white to
match his beagle, Chauncey.
* If you do a Google search on the
word “askew,” the resulting content
will tilt slightly to the right.
* St. Lucia is the only country in
the world named after a woman.
Originally called the Island of the
Iguanas by early Carib settlers, the
name was later changed after French
seamen were shipwrecked there on
Dec. 13, the feast day of St. Lucy.
* The color of Facebook is blue
because Mark Zuckerberg is red-
green colorblind.
* Ever noticed how some mass-
produced ballpoint pens, such as the
Bic Cristal, have a hole in the cap?
No? Well, in case you someday do,
now you’ll know why -- it’s not just to
prevent leaks, but choking as well.
Lots of folks like to chew on pen lids,
and in the event they accidentally
swallow the cap, the hole ensures it
won’t completely block their airway.
* After an 8.0 magnitude earthquake
hit Mexico City in 1985, nearly all
newborn babies survived a collapsed
hospital for seven days without
nourishment, water, warmth or human
contact.
* Major League Baseball umpires are
required to wear black underwear
while on the job in case they split their
pants.

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