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April 9, 2013 The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read

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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ©2007FREE

The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read

OVER 4 MILLION

Readers WeeklyNationwide! ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ©2007

FREE

Flying over land, whether foreign or domestic, is quite an adventure. Observing the checkerboard designs, circles, curves, lines and the greens, browns, blues and other color variations from above tells a lot about the land and water below. Irrigation causes many of the variations.

• Irrigation is defined as “artificial application of water to land to assist in the production of crops.” Some of the oldest civilizations on earth relied on irrigation to keep their populations alive.

• In many climates there is sufficient rainfall to grow crops, however in dry climates farmers must work out a way to get needed water to their fields. Irrigation has been a significant technology underlying the major developments of the world. Early uses of irrigation can be traced back to 6000 BC in Egypt and Mesopotamia (present day Iraq and Iran).

• Flooding occurs along the Nile River in Egypt and the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in Mesopotamia annually from July through December. Early farmers learned to divert the water to fields for 40-60 days and then drain it back into the river at just the right time in the growing season.

• A Nilometer was most likely the first device used for measuring a river’s rise and fall. It consisted of a water chamber with a graduated pillar to measure the depth of the river’s water and predict when floods would occur. One of the oldest structures in Cairo, Egypt is a unique historical Nilometer on Roda (Rawda) Island. While it has been rebuilt and restored numerous times, the basics of the structure date back to 715 AD.

• Many Nilometers were used in ancient times along the Nile and several others have also been preserved but the Roda Island building is one of the most picturesque. The use of Nilometers subsided when the first major irrigation project was undertaken around 3100 BC. This project included dams and canals to make the water accessible to the people.

• Other old methods of getting water where it was needed were used as well. An irrigation shaduf is a device used by early Egyptians. It was a container made of clay or animal skins that was attached to a lever and counterbalanced by stones. The container was dipped into the river and then

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Vol 2 Issue 15of the River Region

TIDBITS® WETS THE FIELDS WITH

IRRIGATIONby Patricia Cook

Page 2 Tidbits® of the River Region

IRRIGATION (continued): usually dumped into a canal that flowed to where it could be used.

• Egyptians also used water wheels with clay pots or buckets (called Noria) attached along the circumference. The river’s current turned the wheel. As the buckets or pots were filled they turned around the wheel until they were emptied by gravity into an aqueduct that took the water where it needed to go.

• Noria were the first non-human operated lifting devices. While Egyptians developed Noria water wheels there is a lot of historical evidence that the Chinese were using similar methods to move water in their country as well.

• There were other ancient devices that were used to help get water where it was needed for consumption as well as irrigation for crops. Windmills and canals played a great part in the early years. Canals and dams on rivers are the most important “big” introductions to irrigation from the ancient days that are still used today.

• In the year 1800 AD there were 19.76 million acres (7,996,588 ha) worldwide that were irrigated. Today that has risen to an estimated 600 million acres (242,811,385 ha).

• Irrigation is mostly used in areas with annual rainfall of less than 20 inches (51 cm).

• There are also regions that “overwater” using irrigation in order to grow crops that need lots of water. The two crops that use the most water are cotton and rice; two of the most essential crops for many lesser developed countries. In southern China, over 70% of the acres (hectares) being cultivated are for rice.

• In the arid western U.S., where dry weather is persistent, water rights and water regulations are big issues for landowners and anyone involved in growing crops. The first water regulations date back to King Hammurabi of Babylon in 1792 BC. The regulations then and now include: 1) distribution of water proportional to acres (or hectares) farmed; 2) the farmer’s responsibilities in maintaining canals that cut through his property; and 3) the administrative responsibility of the canal for all users

in its path. • Many patents related to sprinklers for residential watering were issued starting in the late 1800s. As more homeowners, farmers and ranchers moved west and the need for irrigation of lawns, gardens and fields grew, more needs were seen and more inventors got busy.

• Most sprinkling and irrigation is used for agriculture. In fact, 70% of all water use is for agriculture; land with irrigation grows 40% of the world’s food.

• Aquifers are the main source for water for irrigation in North America. An aquifer is “an underground bed or layer of permeable rock, sediment or soil that yields water.”

• The High Plains aquifer is one of the largest aquifers in the world. It is under approximately 175,000 square miles (453248 km_) of eight states: Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Texas, Wyoming, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. The area, considered the High Plains region, uses this important resource for irrigation and supplies about one-fourth of the agricultural production for the nation.

• A recent discovery (2012) in Namibia, the driest country in Africa, may prove to be the most significant discovery in that country’s history. The Ohangwena II aquifer flows under the boundary Namibia shares with Angola. The aquifer’s area under Namibia covers approximately 43 miles by 25 miles (70 km x 40 km). If the water from the aquifer is managed properly, the country should see a huge increase in sustainable agriculture to help the residents survive. Researchers from Germany and other European countries are helping to set up proper well usage for the locals.

• When you hear the “click, click, click” or the swishing noises of modern center pivot irrigation systems or see the canals opened and fields “flood irrigated,” be thankful that people have studied and invented these items to have sufficient food to eat and crops that help to provide us with many other products we use daily.

Death isn’t an easy topic, but it is important to discuss it. When developing financial plans, couples need to consider what will happen when one of them passes away. The Census Department reports that in 2009, 2.4 percent of all men were widowed and 9.3 percent of all women were. After age 65, 41.3 percent of women were widows. The death of a spouse isn’t a theoretical number: It’s something that could very well affect your family. As part of your financial plan, you should con-sider what will happen to your family’s income and expenses when one spouse passes away. If the spouse was working, that income will be lost; if the spouse was retired, the pension could be. Social Security benefits may make up some of the lost income, especially if there are minor children in the household. Expenses may go down, but don’t depend on it. If there are minor children, then childcare expenses are likely to increase with only one parent in the household. If the family received its health insurance from the deceased spouse’s job, then those costs may rise. On the other hand, some of the deceased’s expenses will be eliminated. With retired couples, research by the Department of Health and Human Services on widows shows that household costs decreased about 20 percent when the husband passed away; in some cases, her income decreased by 50 percent or more when her spouse’s income was gone.

Careful planning for savings, pension elections, and life insurance may help your family avoid a financial crisis on top of personal sorrow. The proper option will be different for each couple, but the first step should be a discussion about what would happen should tragedy hit tomor-row.

Are You Financially Prepared For The Death Of Your Spouse?

by Keyesta Sherman, State Farm® Agent

“Be known before you’re needed” Advertise with Tidbits (334) 202-7285 Page 3

The seed for the creation of Earth Day was planted when Rachel Carson’s bestseller “Silent Spring” was published in 1962. It made the need to protect the environment and public health part of the national conversation. Earth Day and the birth of the modern environmental movement were based on an idea from Wisconsin Sen. Gaylord Nelson. The devastat-ing environmental damage of a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, Calif., in 1969 had a profound impact him. He wanted to start a national political movement to protect the earth from the ravages of air and water pollution.On April 22, 1970, some 20 million Americans took part in a national rally and organized protest against the deterioration of the environment, oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, freeways, the loss of wilderness and the extinction of wildlife. The first Earth Day led to the creation of the Environmental Protec-tion Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species acts.“It was a gamble,” Gaylord recalled, “but it worked.”Today, Earth Day is a worldwide movement reaching hun-dreds of millions of people. It uses social media to organize and inform people about current environmental issues such as recycling, global warming and clean energy. For example, A Billion Acts of Green launched an international initiative last year with “Avatar” director James Cameron to plant 1 million trees, and tripled its online base to more than 900,000 community members.Celebrate Earth Day with my recipe for Spring Stew with Tomato Garlic Pistou. It’s the perfect showcase for local, fresh and environmentally friendly vegetables.

SPRING STEW WITH TOMATO GARLIC PISTOU

Pistou is a French version of pesto without any pine nuts, almonds or walnuts. Adding the Tomato Garlic Pistou to the finished Spring Stew not only enhances the presentation of the soup, it also adds a burst of acid, brightening the flavors. Any extra pistou can be refrigerated or frozen. It’s a healthy accompaniment for grilled or steamed fish and shellfish. Or use it as a base for a salad dressing by whisking it with a little more olive oil and balsamic, red wine or sherry vinegar.

2 tablespoons olive oil2 cups yellow onions, finely diced2 cups carrots, peeled, finely diced1 red bell pepper, cut in 1-inch chunks1 tablespoon kosher salt1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 3 quarts unsalted vegetable stock1 cup green beans, fresh or frozen, cut into 1/2-inch pieces2 cups asparagus, tips and tender parts, cut into 1/2-inch pieces1 cup shelled fresh peas (about 1 1/2 pounds unshelled) or frozen peas2 cups yellow squash, medium dice3 ounce ditalini, tubettini or other small pastaTomato and Garlic Pistou (recipe below)1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

1. Heat the oil in a 6-quart Dutch oven set over medium-low heat until oil is hot, but not smoking. Add in the onions and cook for a few minutes, stirring frequently until onions soften. Toss in the carrots, red bell pepper, salt and pepper. Turn up heat to medium and saute for about 5 minutes, stir-ring to prevent burning. Don’t let the vegetables caramelize. 2. Add vegetable stock and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat and simmer the soup for a few minutes before adding green beans, asparagus, peas, squash and pasta. Simmer for an additional 15 minutes or so, until the pasta is cooked and the vegetables are tender. Serve soup with a large dollop of pistou (recipe below) and freshly grated Parmesan. Makes 8 to 10 servings.

Pistou:4 large cloves of garlic, smashed and peeled1/2 cup tomato paste30 fresh, large basil leaves, washed and patted dry1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus 2 tablespoons for topping

Add garlic, tomato paste, basil leaves and Parmesan cheese to the bowl of your food processor. Pulse the mixture until it is a chunky paste. With the motor running, add the extra-virgin olive oil in a steady stream and process until it becomes creamy. Transfer pistou to a small container, and cover it with a thin layer of olive oil and an air-tight lid to keep the colors bright until ready to use. Makes 1 cup.***

Spring Into Earth Day

Tidbits® of the River Region Page 4

* On April 28, 1789, three weeks into a journey from Tahiti to the West Indies, the HMS Bounty is seized in a mutiny led by Fletcher Christian, the master’s mate. Captain William Bligh and 18 of his loyal supporters were set adrift in a small, open boat. Bligh and his men reached Timor in the East Indies in June, after a voyage of about 3,600 miles.

* On April 24, 1800, President John Adams approves legislation to appropriate $5,000 to establish the Library of Congress. The first library catalog, dated 1802, listed 964 volumes and nine maps. Twelve years later, the British army invaded the city of Wash-ington and burned the Capitol, including the then 3,000-volume Library of Congress.

* On April 26, 1937, during the Spanish Civil War, the German military tests its powerful new air force -- the Luftwaffe -- on the Basque town of Guernica in northern Spain. One-third of Guernica’s 5,000 inhab-itants were killed or wounded, and fires engulfed the city and burned for days.

* On April 23, 1954, Hank Aaron hits the first home run of his Major League Baseball career. Twenty years later, Aaron became baseball’s new home-run king when he broke Babe Ruth’s long-standing record of 714 career homers.

* On April 27, 1963, Margaret Annemarie Battavio’s very first single, “I Will Follow Him,” reaches No. 1 on the U.S. pop charts. At age 15, the singer better known as Little Peggy March became the youngest female performer ever to top the Billboard Hot 100.

* On April 22, 1970, Earth Day, an event to increase public awareness of the world’s environmental prob-lems, is celebrated in the United States for the first time. Millions of Americans participated in rallies, marches and educational programs.

* On April 25, 1983, the Soviet Union releases a letter that Russian leader Yuri Andropov wrote to Samantha Smith, an American fifth-grader from Manchester, Maine, inviting her to visit his country. Andropov’s letter came in response to a note Smith had sent him in December 1982, asking if the Soviets were plan-ning to start a nuclear war.

(c) 2013 King Features Synd., Inc.

Page 5“Be known before you’re needed” Advertise with Tidbits (334) 202-7285

Register to win at www.riverregiontidbits.com and click on “Tommy Tidbits” or click the QR-Code above. Fill out the registration information and tell us how many times Tommy appears in ads in the paper for this week. From the correct entries, a winner will be selected. You must be 18 years of age to qualify. The gift certificates will range in value from $25 to $50 each week. En-tries must be received at the website by midnight each Saturday evening or at PTK Corp, PO Box 264, Wetumpka, AL 36092.

This week’s winner receives 2 VIP Back-stage Passes to the Wetumpka Crater Festival

Last Week’s Ads where Tommy was hiding:

1. Truck-N-Trailer Outfitters, p. 1

Tommy Count______

Tidbits® of the River Region Page 6

1. Is Song of Solomon in the Old or New Testament or nei-ther?2. From Genesis 19, who pre-pared a meal for two in Sodom? Lot, Abel, Ishmael, Hagar3. What was the more common-ly known name of Hadassah? Ruth, Esther, Sarah, Michal4. From Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goeth before ...”? Failure, Lust, Destruction, Forgiveness5. Where is the headquarters of the Lord’s Church? Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, Heaven6. Who was the father of Ja-cob? Moses, Isaac, Abraham, Noah

1. When was the last time Washington had a major-league baseball team in the playoffs before 2012?2. Name the last player to win a major-league batting title without hitting a home run in that season.3. Who was the last Florida State running back to rush for 1,000 yards in a sea-son?4. Who was the last NBA player to be on a title-win-ning team after leading the league in minutes played during the regular season?5. Who was the last NHL player before Anaheim’s Teemu Selanne in 2013 to have a four-point game at age 42?6. In 2012, Brad Kesel-owski became the second driver to win NASCAR’s Cup season championship after having won a title in the Nationwide Series. Who was the first?7. Earlier this year, Serena Williams became the old-est player (31) to hold the No. 1 ranking in women’s tennis. Who had been the oldest?

Page 7“Be known before you’re needed” Advertise with Tidbits (334) 202-7285

Can Clincal Hypnosis Improve Your Health?

Absolutely yes. Clinical hypnosis is both a natural alternative medicine and a therapeutic tool used in traditional medicine and psychology. It can produce physical and mental relaxation, eliminate unhealthy habits and long-term emotional problems. Clini-cal hypnosis can increase motivation, alter negative thoughts, attitudes and beliefs that lead to psychologi-cal suffering and lifestyle issues. Hypnotherapy has been used for decades in various specialties such as psychiatry, dentistry and obstetrics. Self-hypnosis can be taught to reinforce change and prevent relapse. The American Medical Asssociation approved clinical hypnosis in 1958 for its therapeutic effects in pain management.FREE Consultations at hypnosisworksnow.com.

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1. The Washington Senators went to the World Series in 1933.2. Rod Carew, with the Minnesota Twins in 1972.3. Warrick Dunn, with 1,180 yards in 1996.4. Norm Nixon, with 3,226 minutes in the 1979-1980 season for the Los Angeles Lakers.5. Tim Horton, in 1972.6. Bobby Labonte, in 2000.7. Chris Evert was not quite 31 when she was the No. 1 player in 1985.

BIBLE TRIVIA ANSWERS:

1) Old; 2) Lot; 3) Esther; 4) Destruction; 5) Heaven; 6) Isaac

“Over the freeway and through the ‘burbs, to grandmother’s house we go!” That’s how urban families are likely to begin the traditional singalong song nowadays. And lucky they are if grandparents and grandkids are living only a ZIP code away.I recently met Nancy, an energetic early-60-something grandmother who lives in the same metro area as her three young grandchil-dren. She shared with me her ideas and enthusi-asm for making the precious time she has with her preschool grandkids really count.To make together time extra special, invite one grandchild over at a time. The one-on-one ap-proach to grandparenting is key to their rela-tionship-building. And it really works because the kids feel extra special when they receive a grandparent’s undivided attention.If a sleepover is planned, Mom or Dad can help pack the child’s overnight backpack and talk about the activities they’ll get to do away from home. Mornings with grandma can be spent at a children’s museum, community nature center or at a storytime hour at the public library. Plan these special outings with fun coupons, which have been a hit with my own kids. An eye-catching pack of these personalized “Cou-pons for Togetherness” can be redeemed for an afternoon at a baseball game, a trip to the zoo or a breakfast, making Grandpa’s famous flapjacks. Write and illustrate each activity on a separate piece of paper about 3 inches by 7 inches. Put a date on the coupon when you are able to plan ahead. If you have a sewing machine, use it for some-thing other than its intended use! Make “Tear off” coupons. Remove the thread, and then run the machine 1/2 inch from the left short edge of each coupon. The needle will make a row of holes for perforation marks. Clip or staple together a pile of coupons and add a cover to protect them. Your grandchild can rip out each coupon along the perforation marks whenever he wants to redeem a coupon.***Donna Erickson’s award-winning series “Don-na’s Day” is airing on public television nation-wide. To find more of her creative family reci-pes and activities, visit www.donnasday.com and link to the NEW Donna’s Day Facebook fan page. Her latest book is “Donna Erickson’s Fabulous Funstuff for Families.”

(c) 2013 Donna EricksonDistributed by King Features Synd.

One-On-One Time With Grandparents

Tidbits® of the River Region Page 8