Vol2Issue49WeekofDec29

4RMeNaOadtIeiVLornsELwW4RiIedReOMeeNka!OaldNtyIeiVLornsELwWRiIedeOek!lNy FREE FREE

ALL RIGHTS RESERVEDA©L2L00R7IGHTS RESERVED ©2007

OF THE PASS AREA

Week of December 29, 2019 The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read [email protected] Vol 2 Issue 49

ietidbitTs.choem NeaFotreAsdtveLrtiistitnlgeCPalal:p(e95r1)E6v34e-r41R52ead

TIDBITS® ENJOYS

RAIN

Ascend Checking is our free personal
checking account that will not have any

monthly maintenance fees, ever.

Dividends earned on higher balances
No monthly maintenance fee
Free credit monitoring

866-976-1964

Visit AlturaCU.com/AscendTB for more information or
contact an Altura Credit Union representative.
Federally Insured by NCUA

NEW BRANCH IN BANNING

300 S. Highland Springs Ave, Banning, CA 92220

by Janet Spencer

Come along with Tidbits as we stand in the rain!

RANDOM RAIN FACTS

• Raindrops vary in size but never get larger than about
1/3 of an inch (9mm) in diameter.
• The speed of a falling raindrop ranges from 18
to 22 miles per hour (29-35 k/h). It generally takes
about two minutes for a raindrop to hit the ground
after leaving a typical cloud, considering the average
cloud height of about 2,500 feet (763 m).
• Raindrops are not actually shaped like tear drops.
Because air flow on the bottom of the raindrop is
greater than the airflow on top, there’s less air pressure
on top of the drop than on the bottom. Surface tension
on the top allows the drop to remain rounded while
the bottom of the drop is flattened. This results in a
shape that’s more like the top of a hamburger bun or
a chocolate chip.
• Rain contains dissolved nitrogen that is absorbed
from the surrounding air. When this natural fertilizer
reaches the ground, it actually makes grass greener
and more lush.
• It’s estimated that one droplet of rain stays in Earth’s
atmosphere for about 10 days.

• Antarctica is the driest continent, averaging just 6.5
inches (16.5 cm) of precip annually.
• Ten inches of snow is equal to one inch of rain in
water content.
(turn the page for more!)

WANT TO RUN YOUR OWN BUSINESS?

Publish a Tidbits® in your area

We provide the opportunity for success!

Call 1.800.523.3096 (US)

1.866.631.1567 (CAN)
w w w. t i d b i t s w e e k l y. c o m

Page 2 Tidbits of The Pass Area Vol. 2 Issue 49

RAIN TRIVIA (continued)
• When rain falls on dry surfaces, it traps air

bubbles under the weight of the water, which
then rise upwards and burst out of the droplet.
The air bubbles carry various trace chemicals,
which are released when the bubble bursts,
such as oils secreted by nearby plants,
bacteria that live in the soil, pollen, and mold
spores. When these items are released into
the air, it results in a characteristic odor. This
pleasant, earthy scent has an official name:
petrichor. Two Australian geologists coined
the term in a 1964 research paper, from the
Latin words “petra” meaning “stone” and
“ichor” meaning “ethereal fluid.”
• Scientists have found fossils containing
indentations of raindrops dating back as far
as 2.7 billion years ago when rain fell on
layers of ash from volcanic eruptions, and
then more ash fell on top, preserving the
dents from the raindrops.
• Forecasting the weather got a boost in the
U.S. after there were 1,914 shipwrecks on
the Great Lakes in the year 1869. People
in the region petitioned Congress to set
up some sort of early warning system to
track the formation and progress of the
storms that were routinely sinking ships.
In 1870, President Ulysses S. Grant signed
a resolution stating that all military stations
in the country should track the weather and
develop a warning system for storms. Once
the War Department was involved, weather
forecasting grew in importance because it
was a matter of safety for soldiers and sailors.
Information about the weather passed from
station to station via telegraph and a set of
signal flags was developed.
• The saying is that “it’s raining cats and dogs”
may spring from the Old English word for
waterfall, “catadupe.”
(continued next page)

VA's Expanding Use of Telehealth Care Smoked Ham With Fresh
Strawberry Sauce
The use of the Department of Veterans Affairs
telehealth services rose 17% in one year, with 900,000 veterans We created this impressive glazed ham for win-
opting to get care that way. That equated to 2.6 million instances ter entertaining, bit it's perfect for a buffet any
of care in one year. time of year.

Some of the stats are impressive. The use of the app, VA Video Connect, rose by a whopping 235% in 1 (12-pound) smoked whole ham, fully cooked
the past year, and more than 99,000 veterans opted to use it from home. Over 200,000 appointments 3 pints strawberries
were for mental health telehealth appointments. 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
We have a lot of choices for how we get our care, with more coming. Whether we want to go in person, 2 tablespoons cornstarch
talk on the phone or have a video visit, it's available. By the end of 2020, every mental health and 1/2 teaspoon salt
primary care provider will be able to communicate with patients in all these ways. 1 jar (10- to 12-ounce) orange marmalade
The VA is trying to consider all circumstances: If you have a poor internet connection at home, it's opening Radish sprouts or watercress sprigs, for garnish
other locations as tests sites, such as VFW posts and American Legion halls, as well as Walmart stores,
using ATLAS (Accessing Telehealth through Local Areas Stations). More will open as time goes on. 1. Remove skin and trim some fat from smoked
whole ham, leaving about 1/4 inch fat. With
It's all a result of the Anywhere to Anywhere initiative. Before this was enacted, doctors couldn't legally knife, score fat covering on ham crosswise, just
treat patients with telehealth across state lines. Veterans in rural areas, or near state lines, were having through to the meat, into 1-inch-wide strips. Place
to go long distances for in-person care. ham on rack in large roasting pan (about 17 by 11
If you want to explore using telehealth on your electronic device, go online to mobile.va.gov/app/va- 1/2 inches). Insert meat thermometer into center
video-connect. Scroll to the yellow note and use it to test whether your device is compatible with the of ham, being careful that pointed end does not
VA Video Connect app. There's an FAQ and how-to demo videos. If you run into a snag trying to set touch bone.
up the app or a connection, call 866-651-3180 Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET. 2. Bake ham in 325 F oven 3 to 3 1/2 hours until
To learn more about telehealth, go to telehealth.va.gov. thermometer reaches 140 F (15 to 18 minutes per
pound). If ham browns too quickly, cover with a
tent of foil.
3. About 30 minutes before ham is done, prepare
strawberry sauce: Reserve 1 pint strawberries for
garnish. Hull remaining strawberries. In 3-quart
saucepan with potato masher or back of slotted
spoon, mash strawberries. Stir in brown sugar,
cornstarch, salt and orange marmalade; cook over
medium heat until mixture thickens slightly and
boils, stirring frequently.
4. To serve, place ham on warm, large platter. Ar-
range radish sprouts and reserved whole strawber-
ries around ham. Serve with strawberry sauce.
Serves 24.

* Each serving: About 250 calories, 12g total fat,
60mg cholesterol, 1,770mg sodium.

Week of December 29, 2019 Tidbits of The Pass Area Page 3

RAIN TRIVIA (continued) "I admire the vibrancy and
enthusiasm that permeates
• In the 1800s, a meteorologist in Britain
named Luke Howard came up with the first your publication."
official classification of different cloud types.
He named cirrus clouds after the Latin word - Carol Murphy of Banning
meaning “fiber,” stratus for the Latin word
for “layer,” and cumulous for the Latin Email [email protected] for a rate sheet.
word for “heap.” Nearly a century later, a
coalition of meteorologists met in Paris to
refine Howard’s classifications, breaking
clouds into nine different categories. The
iconic towering puffy cloud was renamed the
“cumulonimbus” which is Latin for “heaped
cloud” and it was on top of the list of the nine
different cloud types specified in the new
list. This list of cloud types generated a new
saying: “being on cloud nine.” Later the list
was revised, and the cumulonimbus is now
actually #10 on the list.

• Seattle, Washington, and Portland, Oregon,
have reputations as soggy cities, but both
cities are drier than any major city on the
Eastern Seaboard. However, both Seattle
and Portland are cloudy an average of about
230 days per year when perhaps just a trace
of drizzle falls, compared to only 160 cloudy
days in Boston and 120 in Miami.

• On the west side of the Olympic Mountains
in Washington state, the area gets up to 170
inches (4.3 m) of rainfall a year. On the east
side of the same mountains just 30 miles (48
km) away, the town of Sequim, Washington
gets only 15 inches (38 cm) a year, which
qualifies the area as a semi-arid desert.

• The overcast city of Manchester, England,
gets an average of 30 minutes of sunlight
each day during the winter season. Although
it gets a whole lot of consistent drizzle, it does
not rank in the top ten of England’s rainiest
cites. The town of Seathwaite, just northwest
of Manchester, is drenched with 140 inches
(3.5 m) of rain each year, making it England’s
wettest town.
(continued next page)

TOP VIDEO
R E N TA L S

AND SALES

Top 10 Video On Demand

1. Angel Has Fallen (R) Gerald Butler
2. Good Boys (R) Jacob Tremblay
3. Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (PG-13)

Dwayne Johnson
4. Dora and the Lost City of Gold (PG) Isabela Merced
5. The Peanut Butter Falcon (PG-13) Shia LaBeouf
6. Where'd You Go, Bernadette (PG-13) Cate Blanchett
7. Frozen (PG) animated
8. Elf (PG) Will Ferrell
9. The Lion King (PG) animated
10. The Angry Birds 2 (PG) animated

Top 10 DVD, Blu-ray Sales

1. Spider-Man: Far From Home (PG-13) Sony
Pictures/Marvel

2. Aquaman (PG-13) Warner Bros.
3. Pokemon Detective Pikachu (PG) Warner Bros.
4. John Wick: Chapter 3 -- Parabellum (R) Lionsgate
5. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (PG-

13) Warner
6. The Lion King (PG) Disney
7. The Secret Life of Pets (PG) Universal
8. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (PG) Universal
9. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (PG-13) Sony Pictures
10. Toy Story 4 (PG) Disney

Sources: comScore/Media Play News
(c) 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

Page 4 Tidbits of The Pass Area Vol. 2 Issue 49

To Your Good Health ovum (egg) you would be carrying would come from another RAIN TRIVIA (continued)
woman and it is her age that determines the risk for the fetus. • The first TV weatherman was Jimmie Fidler
By Keith Roach, M.D. Older mothers also are more likely to carry twins (or more than
two fetuses). of Cincinnati’s WNBT in the 1940s. David
Risk of Surrogacy at Advanced Age Letterman started out as a news anchor and
Compared with younger mothers, older mothers have a higher weatherman in Indianapolis. Raquel Welch
DEAR DR. ROACH: Would you please comment on risk for: high blood pressure during pregnancy (15% vs. 5%); got her start as a weathergirl in San Diego,
common or uncommon issues that might be expected in a pre-eclampsia, also called toxemia (6% vs. 2%); diabetes and Diane Sawyer worked as the weathergirl
pregnancy at age 57? I am overall very healthy, with during pregnancy (18% vs. 4%); hemorrhage after delivery (26% in her hometown station in Kentucky.
no issues other than slightly elevated LDL. I have not gone vs. 15%); Caesarean section (78% vs. 33%); preterm delivery • The Weather Channel launched in 1982 and
through menopause. I had four full-term pregnancies, the last (22% vs. 8%); and admission of the baby to the intensive care took five years to break even. The channel got
at age 35 (after which I had my tubes tied), and no miscar- unit (3% vs. less than 1%). Miscarriage rate (after 11 weeks) in a big boost in popularity when cable TV took
riages. I asked my doctor two years ago if I would have an women over 55 is estimated to be about 10%, compared with 1% off, reaching 50 million subscribers during
issue being a surrogate and was told there was no reason I in younger women. Maternal death is much more likely for older Hurricane Andrew in 1992. NBC purchased
couldn't be, but my current physician told me that it can be women than younger; however, that risk is small, less than 2 per it in 2008 for a cool $3.5 billion.
very dangerous at my age. I am concerned that the practice is 1,000 in a separate Swedish study of mothers over 45. • Two towns called Cherrapunji and
just covering itself against any liability. I realize that this is my Mawsynram in the state of Meghalaya in
decision alone and I would not hold my doctors accountable, Overall, these risks are not small. You should think through India are the rainiest places on Earth. They
but I'd also like the real truth regarding any potential issues I your risks before making a decision. I'm disappointed in the average about 470 inches (12 m) of rain per
would be likely to encounter. I appreciate your thoughts. -- M.V. lack of advice you received. year. The world record for the greatest amount
of rainfall in one year is 1,042 inches (26.5 m)
ANSWER: I admire your willingness to consider being a DEAR DR. ROACH: The 71-year-old woman from a recent in Cherrapunji in 1860-1861. Most of the rain
surrogate. However, the risks of pregnancy in a 57-year-old column who finds sticking her finger to test her blood glucose occurs during monsoon season, between June
woman are significant. too painful to be willing to do it likely was never told that while and September. The word “monsoon” comes
sticking her finger at the tip IS painful, sticking at the side of from the Arabic “mausim” meaning “season.”
A study from the U.K. from 2016 quantified the risks pretty the end of the finger is barely painful, if at all. I find myself Meghalaya means “land of the clouds.”
thoroughly; however, of the 233 women studied, only two of surprised that those who stick fingers for blood at the hospital • Most rain in one minute: 1.23” (31 mm) July
them were older than 57, so your risks are probably higher don't seem to know this either. Shame on them. -- R.S. 4, 1956 in Unionville, Maryland.
than the average risk for an older mother in the study (which • Most rain in one hour: 12” (305 mm) June 22,
was defined here as 48 years or older at the date of delivery). ANSWER: There are more nerve endings at the tip of the finger, 1947 in Holt, Missouri
so that is more painful for most. There often is better blood flow • Most rain in 24 hours: 71.9” (182 cm) Jan.
Before I go over the risks, let me point out that one major risk on the sides as well. Thank you for writing with this reminder 8, 1966 in Cilaos, Réunion, during Tropical
for older mothers, Down syndrome, may not apply, since the Cyclone Denise
Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, • Most rain in 48 hours: 98.1” (249 cm) June
but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. 15-16, 1995 in Cherrapunji, India
Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med. • Most consecutive days with at least one-tenth
cornell.edu. (c) 2019 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved of an inch of rainfall: 331 days, Oahu, Hawaii
• The longest time that a place remained
Email [email protected] without any measurable rainfall was 14 years,
for a rate sheet. in Arica, Chile, from October of 1903 to
January, 1918.

Taking a Breather in 2020 • Consider loading up on jigsaw puzzles and inviting a few
friends over. New puzzles can be expensive, but Goodwill
I think we can agree that 2019 was a long, tough year. We has them for $3. Put on tea or coffee, turn on some quiet
all know why. Is it time to tune out? music in the background and talk about anything but poli-
tics while you put puzzles together.
Here are some thoughts on how to have a better 2020: • Vow to have better nutrition in 2020. It doesn't have to be
• Turn off the TV now and then, especially those news a huge overhaul of your diet, maybe just a few small steps.
shows. We've been around long enough to have figured out An extra piece of fruit each day, brown rice instead of white
the political stuff years ago. We don't need to continually ... it can all add up to better health.
have it thrown at us. • Winter won't last forever. Eventually spring will arrive
• If we do want to watch TV, we can flip to PBS, or maybe and thoughts of planting. Begin now to consider what you
the History channel or Discovery. For those of us with Net- might grow: a few pots of flowers outside the door, veg-
flix or Amazon Prime, there are plenty of shows, more than etables in a community space. Make plans.
we could ever watch. Check out travel videos: wine coun- • We need to do something for others for our own peace of
try in France, narrowboats on the canals in Britain or the mind. Consider signing up for an afternoon each week at
scenery in Iceland. the food bank, or walk a small dog at the shelter once the
weather warms up.
Just turn off the TV.

Week of December 29, 2019 Tidbits of The Pass Area Page 5

• On Jan. 5, 1643, in the first record of a legal divorce in 11. When was the last time before 2018 that the Boston Red Sox were at least 40 games
the American colonies, Anne Clarke of the Massachusetts
Bay Colony is granted a divorce from her absent and above .500 at some point in the season?
adulterous husband, Denis Clarke, by the Quarter Court 2. In 2018, the Angels' Mike Trout became the second major-leaguer to hit at least 30
of Boston. homers and steal at least 20 bases in a season three times by the age of 26. Who else
• On Jan. 1, 1818, "Frankenstein; or, The Modern did it?
Prometheus" is published. The book by 20-year-old 3. Name the last team before the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2017 to win a playoff game
Mary Shelley is frequently called the world's first without scoring a touchdown.
science fiction novel. In Shelley's tale, a scientist animates 4. How many consecutive years has Gonzaga's men's basketball team made the NCAA Tournament?
a creature constructed from dismembered corpses. 55. Who holds the Edmonton Oilers' franchise record for career shutouts by a goaltender?
• On Jan. 4, 1896, six years after Wilford Woodruff, 66. In 2019, LAFC's Vela reached 20 goals in a season faster than anyone in Major League Soccer history
president of the Mormon Church, issued his Manifesto (20 games played?) Who had been the fastest?
reforming political, religious and economic life in Utah, 77. What was the biggest upset in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile race before Storm the Court won with 45-1
the territory is admitted into the Union as the 45th state. odds in 2019?
Woodruff's 1890 Manifesto included a renunciation of
the traditional Mormon practice of polygamy. Answers: 1. It was 1949. 2. Willie Mays. 3. Indianapolis, in 2006. 4. Twenty-one consecutive seasons
• On Dec. 30, 1922, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics entering 2019-20. 5. Tommy Salo, with 23 shutouts (1999-2004). 6. In 2018, Atlanta United's Josef Martinez
(USSR) is established, comprising a confederation of needed 22 games to tally 20 goals. 7. Vale of York won the 2009 Juvenile at 30-1 odds.
Russia, Belorussia, Ukraine and the Transcaucasian
Federation. In 1991, the Soviet Union was dissolved by
following the collapse of its communist government. Jo Ann
• On Jan. 3, 1961, President Dwight Eisenhower closes Derson
the American embassy in Havana and severs diplomatic
relations between the United States and Fidel Castro's • Movie Theater Hack: "When buttering up
government in Cuba. The action signaled that the U.S. your popcorn, grab a straw and stick it down
was prepared to take extreme measures to oppose into the tub. Line up the straw with the butter
Castro's regime. dispenser, and you can distribute butter into
• On Jan. 2, 1974, President Richard Nixon signs the the lower layers of your popcorn. Remove the
Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act, requiring straw and finish off with butter over the top."
states to limit highway speeds to 55 mph or lose federal -- P.A. in Florida
highway funding. It was a result of fuel shortages caused
by the Arab oil embargo. • "Defog your bathroom mirror with a quick
• On Dec. 31, 1999, the United States officially hands shot of shaving cream. Smear all around and
over control of the Panama Canal, putting the strategic wipe off with a clean, dry face cloth."
waterway into Panamanian hands for the first time. -- L.A. in Georgia
The 50-mile canal, which links the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans, officially opened when the SS Arcon sailed • Use one leg of a pair of stockings over the
through in August 1914. hose of a vacuum cleaner to "dust" a bookcase.
If you have small knickknacks they won't get
(c) 2019 Hearst Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved sucked up, but dust will. If your stocking gets
clogged by a dust bunny, just wipe it off and
continue.

• A toilet paper or paper towel roll slit down
the side makes a handy clamp for keeping
wrapping paper from unraveling.

• Go Green Tip: Most large chains have
really gotten on the bandwagon with reusable
shopping bags. Here's a tip to help you have
one with you at the right moment. Keep several
in the trunk. Purchase one or two foldable
bags. There are some that fold small enough
to fit comfortably in a woman's purse. Keep
one of them hanging from your gearshift, and
if you attach it to a carabiner clip, you might
remember to clip it right to your belt!
-- Send your tips to Now Here's a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive,

Orlando, FL 32803 (c) 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

Page 6 Tidbits of The Pass Area Vol. 2 Issue 49

1. Is the book of Immanuel in the Old or
New Testament or neither?
2. Which Old Testament prophet said the
most about the birth of Christ? Isaiah,
Daniel, Ezekiel, Jeremiah
3. From Matthew 1:18 when Mary became
pregnant, she and Joseph were ...?
Married, Engaged, Just friends, Strangers
4. In Luke 2:8-11, how did the shepherds
learn of Christ's birth? Magi informed,
Joseph announcement, Mighty wind,
Angel appearance
5. Where did the wise men go first when
they arrived in the Holy Land? Nazareth,
Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Hebron
6. What does the Bible record as to when
Jesus was born? Late September,
Dec. 25, March 17, Does not

ANSWERS: 1) Neither; 2) Isaiah; 3) En-
gaged; 4) Angel appearance; 5) Jerusalem;
6) Does not

Visit Wilson Casey’s Trivia Fan Siteat www.patreon.com/triviaguy.©
2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

Week of December 29, 2019 Tidbits of The Pass Area Page 7

Holiday Celebrations Hold Dangers for Pets

DEAR PAW'S CORNER: Please remind your readers to keep their
pets away from Christmas decorations, wrapping paper and all the
other shiny accoutrements of the holiday. Several years ago, I lost
one of my little mutts after he ingested a glass ornament that I failed
to notice in time. No one else should have to remember such a tragedy
at the holidays. -- Juliet in Reno, Nevada

DEAR JULIET: I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your pet.
Thank you for reminding readers to put in the extra effort to keep their dogs and cats safe this
Christmas and New Year.
It's best to keep pets out of the room entirely when presents are being unwrapped. All the
excitement can be stressful, and when the humans are distracted a pet may grab an ornament
or a small toy and make off with it. Pick up all the debris before letting your pets back into
the room.
In the same vein, be very watchful of pets as the holiday feast is being prepared and served.
Fatty foods can cause indigestion in pets, but other ingredients can be downright dangerous.
Onions, garlic and raisins (or grapes) are poisonous to dogs and cats. So is chocolate. The extra
spices in holiday foods can make them sick. And alcohol -- from a spilled drink or bottle -- is
dangerous, too.
Check on pets frequently throughout a celebration. If their behavior changes dramatically, or if
they become lethargic or begin vomiting, contact the veterinarian immediately.

Send your tips, questions or comments to [email protected].

Next week
read
about

Unicorns

Page 8 Tidbits of The Pass Area Vol. 2 Issue 49