Tidbits of Loveland & Ft. Collins

The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ©2006

FREEALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2007

December 10, 2012Shoreline Publishing, LLC For Ad Rates call Dan: (970) 658-6347 [email protected]

4th Quarter 2012Week 50Dec 9-15Page 1

TABLE OF CONTENTSISSUE 2012.50

BELLSpages 1-4

LANDMARKS:MACHU PICCHU

pages 5-6

CHRISTMAS CARDSpages 7-8

Publish a Paper in Your AreaWANT TO RUN YOUR OWN BUSINESS?

We provide the opportunity for success!

Call 1.800.523.3096 (U.S.)

1.866.631.1567 (CAN)www.tidbitsweekly.com

TIDBITS® HEARS THE BELLS TOLL

BELLSby Patricia L. Cook

This Tidbits will ring some bells of history! Bells have been around for many centuries, including references in the Bible. Long before telephone ringers, ambulance sirens, internet, emails and “tweets,” bells summoned the masses for news, happy and sad. • Bells are rung at many major life events and

occasions, including weddings and funerals in some religions. In earlier centuries bells were also rung to make announcements at community squares. Many churches ring bells at Christmas to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

• A famous old poem written on December 25, 1864 by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow became one of our best loved Christmas Carols. “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” was actually a poem that Wadsworth wrote concerning the sadness of America’s Civil War and the hope for its end. Two stanzas were removed when the poem was set to music by John Baptiste Calkin in 1872. The words, “Peace on earth, good will toward men,” included in the song, come from Luke 2:14 in the Bible.

• Ringing of bells and other noisemakers may have originated with pagans, people who have “little or no religion.” They used the bells to scare away evil spirits.

turn the page for more!

Q: How do we know for sure that Santa Claus is a man?

A: A woman wouldn’t wear the same suit every year!

of Loveland & Ft. Collins

of Ft. Collins & Loveland

Read

OnlineClick on the QR Code with your Smartphone and read us online.

of Loveland & Ft. Collins

Complete automotive care- we’re not just mufflers anymore!

SINCE1973

WWW.KENSMUFFLER.NET970-484-6001

1219 N. College Ave, Fort Collins

324 West 37th St, Lovelandwww.anytime� tness.com

(970) 203-0800

New OwnershipPersonal Training Tanning 24/7Private showersClasses coming soon!

Reciprocity to over 1,900 Clubs WorldWide24 Hour secure access, 7 days a week, 365 days a year

FREE 7 DAY GUEST PASS

126 E. 29th Street

Loveland, CO 80538

Telephone: 970-635-4353

www.kindergrins.com

Katie Harmon, DDS

Locally owned and operated, Kindergrins is a general dentistry practice treating infants, children, and young adults.

FREE EXAM for children under 2!

$75 New Patient ExamIncludes Exams, Cleaning,

Flouride, X-Rays.One coupon per patient. New patients only and without insurance. Not valid with any other offer. Must present coupon at visit. Expires 12/31/12

Receive a $10 Walmart Gift Card

for each New Patient Visit.One coupon per patient. New patients only. Not

valid with any other offer. Must present coupon at visit. Expires 12/31/12

Issue 51

8248-PM0412-BB-TXTCLB

Join Our

Text Club!

For a limited time. Valid at participating locations only. Show text at store. Message and data rates may apply. Terms and conditions can be found at papamurphys.com/TermsAndConditions

text PAPAPHX to 95323 and receive a return text for

FREE Cheesy Breadwith the purchase of any Pizza at regular menu price

WHEN YOU JOIN THE TEXT CLUB

PAPADEN

with the purchase of any Pizza at regular menu price

95323

(970) 667-9700

986 E. Eisenhower Blvd.

Veteran Owned & Operated

BANKRUPTCY

S T O PWAGE GARNISHMENTSFREE Consultation

AFFORDABLEDivorce - Immigration

Larimer, Logan, Morgan & Weld Counties

970-373-5245 LLC

Queen Sets Starting $368.00

132 E. Seventh St.Downtown Loveland

970-669-1357Serta • Bellagio • Smartchoice

HELP WANTEDHELP WANTEDTidbits is looking to hire a qualifi ed Advertising Sales Person. Business to Business sales preferred. Advertising Sales a plus. Must have reliable transportation. Valid D.L. and Car Insurance a must. Must be Self Motivated and have a Positive Attitude.To download an application and to read more details, please visit our website at www.tidbitsweekly4you.com. To schedule an interview please call (970) 658-6347 Mon-Sat 9am-6pm only please.

Page 2 Tidbits® of Ft. Collins & Loveland

The Hope Box

Some will chastise me, I imagine, for dealing with this topic during the holidays. But it’s the holidays that make this problem even more poignant: suicide among veterans.The suicide rate for veterans has been coming down. So say the compilers of the statistics. However, the number isn’t coming down fast enough. The last semi-reliable number is 18 veterans per day. The list of treatments and drugs thrown at the problem of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, surely a big cause of suicide, is long. Some veterans have done well with drugs or therapies, and some with combinations of those.Now there is a new ray of hope -- specifically, the Hope Box. This new tool is being tested at the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Portland, Ore. Staff at the medical center are using a smartphone app to collect items meaningful to the veteran as a way to manage suicidal thoughts: photos, videos of loved ones, music, games, phone numbers of help lines and more. The Hope Box has areas on the touch screen labeled Remind me, Distract Me, Relax Me, Inspire Me and Coping Cards. At this point, only a few dozen veterans have been enrolled in the program, but anyone with a smartphone who needs help can create a similar hope box. Go online and search for the app’s creator, Nigel Bush, and enter its title: Development and Evaluation of a Virtual Hope Box for Reducing Suicidal Ideation. You’ll find a .PDF file full of graphics that show what’s in the Hope Box. Even though your VA medical center might not have the Hope Box program yet, staffers have heard of it and will be able to help set up your smartphone.If you’ve struggled with PTSD and suicidal thoughts, please try creating a hope box. Write me and tell me what you’ve put in it.

Send email to Freddy Groves at [email protected].

(c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.

¥ On Dec. 30, 1853, the United States acquires 30,000 square miles of land in what is now southern New Mexico and Arizona for $15 million. The purchase settled the dispute over the location of the Mexican border west of El Paso, Texas, and established the final boundaries of the southern United States.

¥ On Dec. 28, 1869, the Knights of Labor, a labor union of tailors in Philadelphia, holds the first Labor Day ceremonies in American history. In 1894, Congress designated the first Monday in September a legal holiday for all federal employees and the residents of the District of Columbia.

¥ On Dec. 29, 1878, the first game is played between two teams of the first professional baseball league in Cuba. Baseball was introduced in Cuba around 1864, when some students returned home from studying in the United States and introduced their fellow islanders to the bat and ball.

¥ On Dec. 25, 1880, Layne Hall is born in Mississippi. When he died in 1990, Hall was the oldest licensed driver in the United States. In his nearly 75 years on the road, Hall never got a speeding ticket or citation of any kind.

¥ On Dec. 26, 1917, during World War I, President Woodrow Wilson announces the nationalization of many of the country’s railroads. The Railroad Control Act stated that within 21 months of a peace treaty, the railroads would be returned to their owners. In March 1920, the railroads became private property once again.

¥ On Dec. 27, 1932, at the height of the Great Depression, thousands of people turn out for the opening of Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Radio City Music Hall was designed as a palace for the people -- a place of beauty where ordinary folks could see high-quality entertainment. It remains the largest indoor theater in the world.

¥ On Dec. 24, 1979, the Soviet Union invades Afghanistan under the pretext of upholding the Soviet-Afghan Friendship Treaty of 1978. Within days, the Soviets had secured the capital of Kabul after overcoming fierce but brief resistance from the Afghan army.


by FreddyGroves

MOMENTS IN TIME

OFFICE LOUNGE BAR & GRILLCome Watch Every Broncos’ Game Here and

Receive Free Jello-Shots During Th e Game-Karaoke Tuesday Nights $2 Happy

Camper Shots & $2 Poppers-Daily Lunch Specials Under $8.00

-Family Owned & Operated for 37 Years

1710 W Eisenhower Blvd, #8, Loveland(970) 667-0408

BELLS AND WHISTLES (continued):• Traditionally in Anglican and Catholic

churches, the church day starts at sunset. So, for many churches the first service of Christmas Day will have bells ringing. These signify the start of Christmas services in many areas. In the United Kingdom (U.K.) it is traditional for the largest bell to be rung four times in the hour prior to midnight; then at midnight all of the bells ring to celebrate Christmas. Many old churches in the U.K. and other European countries have historic bells that have been ringing for centuries.

• One of those old churches, St. Lawrence Church in Ipswich, Suffolk, England, has what is thought to be the oldest set of bells in the world. Dating from about 1450, the set of five bells had not been used for two decades because of the poor condition of the tower that housed them. They were in a tower that was built in 1883, that was very flimsy. In a restoration project funded by donations to the Ipswich Historic Churches Trust, the bells were moved to an older, sturdier part of the building that was built in the 15th century. In September, 2009, the bells rang again, much to the delight of the town. Now when the bells are rung, they are in a part of the church where they can be seen through a glass screen. The building is no longer a church but is part of the Ipswich Town Centre.

• In the Ipswich project, the bells were cleaned at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in East London. Whitechapel is Britain’s oldest manufacturing company, established during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I in 1570. In 1970 the Foundry celebrated 400 years, a quatercentenary! (It is

Santa Ships Here!

Holiday PackagingFriendly Sta�

974 E. Eisenhower Blvd(Jax Outdoors parking lot)Hours:M-F 8-6pm Sat 9-1Ph: 970-292-6706

FedEx ShippingUSPS Shipping

10 GROUND & EXPRESS%OFF Excludes Packaging Supplies and International Services

SHIPPINGFEDEX

1. PSYCHOLOGY: If you had choreophobia, what would you be afraid of?2. COMICS: What comic hero has a nemesis named Ming the Merciless?3. TELEVISION: Where were the characters of “Laverne and Shirley” employed in Milwaukee?4. ARCHITECTURE: Who invented the geode-sic dome?5. LITERATURE: What were the names of “The Three Musketeers” by Alexandre Dumas?6. MOVIES: What male actor starred in the 1981 film “Arthur,” and who was his leading lady?7. GEOGRAPHY: Where is the island country of Sri Lanka located?8. CHEMISTRY: What is the Periodic Table symbol for zinc?9. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What nickname did author Tom Wolfe give the 1970s?10. LANGUAGE: What are corsairs?

BELLS AND WHISTLES (continued): now in its 442nd year.)• Famous bells from Whitechapel include the

Liberty Bell, the Great Bell of Montreal and the largest bell it has ever cast, Big Ben.

• Big Ben at Westminster Abbey deserves its name; weighing 13 tons (11.79 tonnes). It was cast (or made) in 1858. While most of the work of the company is with large bells, including all of the equipment needed and installation in church towers, Whitechapel also makes handbells and other small bells.

• While bell ringing, called “change ringing,” is most popular in England where it started centuries ago, there are bell ringers all over the world. Most English church bell towers have at least six to eight, but sometimes as many as sixteen bells in a the bell chamber or belfry. There are more than 5000 churches with bells for change ringing in their bell towers in England, while there are fewer than 300 in the rest of the world.

• Change ringing is a performing art, similar to a team sport, in that the team must work together in harmony to ring the bells. It is similar to being a part of an orchestra. Each ringer must learn to do his or her part. There are many change ringing organizations in England. The oldest association is the “Companie of Ringers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lincoln” which was started in 1612.

• The first true “peal” was believed to have occurred on May 2, 1715 at St. Peter Mancroft Church in Norwich, England. A peal is “a true touch of at least 5000 changes.” This magical ringing typically takes around three hours to ring!

• A strange ban that occurred during World War II was the ringing of bells. Ringing was quickly reinstated when peace returned.

• On January 1, 2000, in celebration of the start of the new millennium, bells were rung all over the world.

• There has been change ringing in North America since 1744 with groups of ringers active in Quebec, British Columbia, South Carolina, Illinois and more at various times.

By the middle of the 20th century, change ringing in bell towers had almost completely died out on the continent. Change ringing was occurring some with handbells but the history is slim on that. In the early 1960s there were only seven active bell towers in North America: four in Canada and three in the U.S.

• The installation of change ringing bells at the new National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. in 1963 stoked the energy for new ringers in North America. Today The North American Change Ringers Guild, officially chartered in 1972, has more than 560 members with about 50 active bell towers in North America.

• The London-based “Ancient Society of College Youths” is one of the oldest ringing societies, started in 1637. They have members all over the world.

• While bell-ringing is an old and refined form of music, it is also popular in Christmas stories and songs that have nothing to do with classic bell tower tunes. Christmas bells are in many classic Christmas songs: “Jingle Bells,” “Silver Bells,” and “Christmas Bells are Ringing,” are three well-known Christmas carols that have been passed down for generations.

• Santa Claus and his reindeer jingle bells as they fly through the sky. Bells are attached to the reindeer harnesses and Santa’s sleigh.

What Year Is It?

The front page featured headlines about Ameri-ca’s two theaters of war and the suffering of the Eastern European nations. Korea was a loom-ing threat. A Democrat was re-elected presi-dent. The sports pages heralded the upcoming championship game in college football -- No. 1-ranked Notre Dame vs. No. 2 Alabama. “Honey ...” I began to ask my wife, lowering the paper enough to peer across the table at my pretty wife, who was sitting there in a nice dress leafing through a catalog.(I start most of my requests with “honey.” It’s my cue to her to pay attention because I am clearly in need of something ... like the time we were running late for a function and I stood at the top of our stairs in my T-shirt and boxers, clearly in need. “Honey! What should I wear to this thing tonight?” Her reply: “Put on a pair of khakis and a polo shirt.” I nodded, went back to my closet and realized that all of the clothes I own are khakis and polo shirts. But I digress.) “Honey,” I asked again, “what year is this?” Forget the wars, Korea and the election thing for a moment. Those things didn’t seem out of place to me. But really? Notre Dame vs. Ala-bama? For the championship? And my wife is Donna Reed? What is this? 1950?I think I may have shared the fact before that I’m a lucid dreamer. That is, I have the ability to know when I’m in a dream. Typically, a sur-really preposterous event occurs in my dream ... like the person I’m talking to suddenly morphs into my dad or something. Alarmed, I will seek out a newspaper in my dream. I can’t read in my dreams, and since I write for a living, I know that can’t be true. (I have poor grammar usage both in my dreams and real life, how-ever.)But there it was, in black and white and not some weird kanji script. Notre Dame and Ala-bama. There is not column space enough to share the rich histories of these two fabled football programs. I suppose that in the days to come, plenty will be written about Grantland Rice, Rudy, Knute Rockne, the “Four Horsemen” and winning one for “the Gipper.” Bear Bryant, Gene Stallings and colorful hat selections, stock footage of Heisman winners from over the years and lots of other bronze ornamental artifacts will be displayed.I’ll just focus on the surreally preposterous for now (the 12-point line for Alabama being one of them ... bet on the Irish). Alabama has an el-ephant for a mascot. Notre Dame has a fighting Irish leprechaun and plays under the watchful eye of Jesus Christ signaling for a touchdown. I put down the newspaper and spread a little marmalade on my English muffin. I don’t care what year it is, I think to myself ... Rudy was still offsides.

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


To scan this QR Code, download ScanLife on you smart phone from your app store and follow the on-screen instructions.

We Specialize in New & Pre-Owned Firearms & Accessories

Northern Colorado’s Only Rokon Dealer

Buy-Sell-Trade & Consign

Lots of Quality Merchandise

Holiday Lay-A-Way, Only 1/3 Down Pick Up By Dec. 20

Knowledgeable And Friendly Staff to Help You Pick Out the Perfect Gift

900 East Eisenhower Blvd.

(970) 622-0219

Uptown Pawn& Gun

Uptown Pawn& Gun

Check Us Out, You Won’t Be Disappointed

$5GIFTCARD

Th is gift card is redeemable on any purchase over $25.00. Cannot be combined with any other off ers or discounts. Not redeemable for cash. In house only.

EXPIRES 12/31/12

FORT COLLINS-(970) 266-0124

2601 S. LEMAY(SCOTCH PINES

VILLAGE)

LOVELAND-(970) 685-4498

110 E. 29TH AVE.(PALMER GARDENS

CENTER)

Tidbits® of Ft. Collins & Loveland Page 4

Resolutions Made Easy

The New Year is coming, along with all that potential for a fresh start in the form of resolutions. It doesn’t need to be difficult

to make changes. All we need to do is start small and decide on what can add positives

to our life.Consider asking your doctor what you can

do in the New Year to increase your level of health. The answer might be rather simple, such as, “Get some 3-pound hand weights and strengthen your arms and wrists.” Or,

“Add one fruit to your diet each day. Canned is OK.” How easy that would be.

Vow to stay in better touch with friends. Make a list of people who’ve started to drift away from lack of contact and make a call or send a letter to each one. Stay in touch

with them every month.Learn a new skill. The senior center or

recreation department will have classes of all kinds. Pick one, but give it some thought. Choose something you can stick with. Does it have a writing class? A beginning drawing class? Photography? How about teaching a class and passing along a skill you have?

Do something for others on a regular basis. Schedule two or three days a month

when you’ll shelve books at the library, socialize dogs at the animal shelter to give

them a better chance of being adopted, answer phones at the food bank or anything

else you think is meaningful.Here’s one suggestion with a tangible

benefit: Pick one coin denomination, whether it’s a nickel, dime or quarter, and save it in a jar every time you get one in

change. Save the coins all year and reward yourself next December.

Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever

possible. Write to her in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to

[email protected].


Orchards Shopping Center, Loveland 970-292-8353

Orchards Shopping Center, Loveland 970-292-8353

Free Delivery on Orders over $20, below $20-$2.00

mention this ad for discount

order your holiday pasta party trays

• SIMPLICITY • ORECK • KIRBY • DYSON • HOOVER • BISSELL • EUREKA • SANITARIE • MIELE • TRISTAR

• ELE

CTRO

LUX •

SHAR

P • RA

INBOW

• KENMORE • ROYAL/ DIRT DEVILNEWOWNERS!

NOW OPEN!

“WE SELL THE BEST AND FIX THE REST!”

“Best of the Best”

Rated #1 on Consumers Buying Guide

Free Inspection

Any make or model of vacuum, sewing

machine or shampooerExpires 12/31/12

$50 OFFAny Made In USA Vacuum Purchase

Expires 12/31/12

Orchards Plaza - lovelandvacuum.com

aking your business thrivethis Holiday Season!M

Whether you need to attract customers for banking, construction, retail, automotive service or sales, we are here to help YOU. Our friendly, helpful staff has one goal in mind: to give our customers the

Shoreline Publishing, LLC• 970.658.6347

• www.tidbitsweekly4you.com

best service possible.

• F u l l C o l o r a d s a t n o e x t r a c o s t !• O v e r 1 8 , 0 0 0 r e a d e r s w e e k l y• W e ’ l l d e s i g n y o u r a d f o r f r e e

1. Is the book of Luke in the Old or New Testament or neither?2. From Matthew 1:18, when Mary became pregnant, she and Josephwere what? Married, Engaged, Just friends, Strangers3. For the journey to Bethlehem, how did Mary and Joseph travel? Bible not specific, Walked, Rode donkey, Boat4. At the birth of Jesus, who was king of Ju-daea? Solomon, Herod, Balak, Belshazzar5. What was the home city of Mary and Joseph? Capernaum, Nazareth, Aphek, Shechem6. Of these which wasn’t a gift from the wise men? Silver, Myrrh, Gold, Frankincense

Page 5For Advertising Call Dan at (970) 658-6347

FAMOUS LANDMARKS OF THE WORLD:

MACHU PICCHUOne of the most intriguing ancient sites in the world sits at a high elevation in the Andean mountains of Peru in South America. • The magnificent setting sits 9,060 feet (2,761

m) above sea level. Covering 5 square miles (12.95 sq km), Machu Picchu is the most unusual urban creation known that was built by the ancient Incan Empire. The terraces, ramps and giant walls look as if they were cut naturally in the rock escarpments but they were built by the Incans.

• Machu Picchu means “Old Peak” in the local Quechuan language. The Incas may not have been the first people to use the mountaintop site but they were the ones who turned the site into an extraordinary city.

• The ruins of the old civilization sit high in the clouds above the Urubamba River. There are remains of palaces, baths, storage rooms, temples and about 150 houses. The structures are carved from the granite of the mountain top and are architectural and aesthetic wonders. Many of the giant building blocks weigh 50 tons or more (45 metric tons +) but are fitted together in such a way as to not allow a thin knife blade to be inserted in the mortarless joints.

• The ancient city is invisible from below and

completely self-contained. The agriculture is and was sufficient for the residents with natural springs for drinking and crop production.

• Yale history professor, Hiram Bingham, is given credit for “discovering” Machu Picchu in 1911. In fact, the Incan people and others had already found the area! He “rediscovered”

it and brought it much fame by revealing what he saw in lectures, news articles and books after his return.

• The Inca civilization is one of the ancient cultures that has been studied for centuries. Back in the time of Columbus’ “discovery” of America, the Incan Empire was in control of most of South America. A mysterious culture, the Incans had phenomenal abilities in construction, agricultural, and organization that are still apparent in the high mountains of the city of Machu Picchu.

• The Incas were overthrown by the Spanish in 1532 and their culture became virtually unknown until discoveries such as Bingham’s revealed much of their history years later.

• It is believed, through much of the archeological evidence, that Machu Picchu was an important ceremonial center for the Incas. In 2001, Peru’s first president of Andean Indian descent, Alejandro Toledo, celebrated his inauguration at Machu Picchu.

• Even though the ancient city is not easy to get to, there are thousands of tourists who flock there every year. In fact, the Peruvian government introduced new tourist limits in 2011 to protect the historical sites.

• Train and bus rides now take tourists to the top of the mountain that is Machu Picchu today. In Bingham’s time in the early 1900s mules and hiking were the only way to go. When the trails and old city were cleared of overgrown brush after years of neglect, well-constructed roads with pavement and drainage were discovered. The Incas had set up a nice system that was ahead of their time.

• Hiking is still possible for tourists who prefer more adventure. There are many stairs at Machu Picchu; in fact, more than 100 individual staircases, many of them carved somewhat miraculously from single slabs of stone.

USA INCORPORATEDTM

970.292.6706In the Jax Outdoor parking lot974 E. Eisenhower Blvd.Loveland, CO 80537www.mailncopy.com

USA INCORPORATEDTM

970.292.6706974 E. Eisenhower Blvd.Loveland, CO 80537email: [email protected]

15% offUnlimited Color Copiesloveland loCation only

call todayto get noticed

Dan Mason

Published by: Shoreline Publishing LLC


Owner/[email protected]

P.O. Box 2565Loveland, CO 80539Bus: (970) 658-6347

- F i n d t h e S t a r o n T h i s W e e k s F e a t u r e d C a r d

USA INCORPORATEDTM

970.292.6706In the Jax Outdoor parking lot974 E. Eisenhower Blvd.Loveland, CO 80537www.mailncopy.com

USA INCORPORATEDTM

970.292.6706974 E. Eisenhower Blvd.Loveland, CO 80537email: [email protected]

15% offUnlimited Color Copiesloveland loCation only

call todayto get noticed

Dan Mason

Published by: Shoreline Publishing LLC


Owner/[email protected]

P.O. Box 2565Loveland, CO 80539Bus: (970) 658-6347

Pesky Relatives Mess Up Workshop

Q: My wife’s relatives are coming in next week to stay with us through the holidays. They tend to sit around the house, run up the electric bill and mess around with the tools in my workshop. Any tips for handling them? -- Bill in Kissimmee, Fla.

A: Unfortunately, I’m not Dear Abby, so I don’t want to step into personal territory by suggesting how to handle relatives. I might be able to provide some suggestions on cutting the electric bill a bit and preserving some of your sanity.You probably won’t be able to change their sitting-around habits (presumably watching television or tapping away on their laptops, if you say they’re running up the electric bill). Talk with your wife about getting away together for an evening or two during their visit, or schedule a get-together with your friends one night.To save electricity turn the heat a few degrees cooler (or turn the air conditioning a few degrees warmer, since Florida weather can be tricky in December). Not out of your comfort zone, but just a little less intense. Running the central air or heat less can knock a little bit off of that electric bill. Shut off any unused rooms by closing the registers and then shutting the doors. If you have Christmas lights indoors or out, light them for only a few hours each evening.As far as your workshop goes, that’s pretty easy. Set limits. Politely ask, or have your wife ask, your in-laws to stay away from the

Mrs. Goodthrift offers a wide variety of items! We sell funiture, appliances (large and small), clothing, books, dishes, shoes, jewelry, movies, music, tools, vehicles, you name it we might have it!

*excluding vehicles

2400 N. Lincoln AveLoveland

(970) 619-8144www.mrsgoodtrhift.com

BUY FOR LESS

OFF20% Be thrifty.Spend over $10 and Receive

of your entire purchase.*

shop area. You don’t need to give an excuse. As added insurance, lock the door to the shop -- as long as it doesn’t impede safe exit from the house in an emergency.

HOME TIP: The home workshop can be a welcome escape from a hectic holiday schedule. Make some time to work on a project or just organize your workspace this season.

Send your questions or tips to [email protected], or write This Is a Hammer, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.


Don’t Hit The Trail Without Your Survival BraceletYou Never Know When You Might Need It!!

Custom Colors Men’s BraceletsWomen’s BraceletsKid’s Bracelets

Dog CollarsKey ChainsCarry StrapsGun Slings

970-510-NOCO

www.nocobracelets.com

Survival Bracelets

Get yours today at these fine retailers--jensen arms-colour u tan-liberty usa arms-p.m. guns & supplies

EDDL�ER S� CH CE�P�

D�e�l�i�v�e�r�y�t�o�F�t�.�C�o�l�l�i�n�s�,�L�o�v�e�l�a�n�d�,�W�i�n�d�s�o�r�

Gluten-free Bakery�Soy Free, Non-GMO�

Some Dairy Free�

(970) 217-9090�www.peddlerschoice.com�

IN TIDBITS!

Page 7For Advertising Call Dan at (970) 658-6347

PETBITS SPONSORED BY:Pet Club Fort Collins1107 W. Drake Rd.Fort Collins, CO 80526(970) 204-4800

Pet Club S. Ft. Collins2226 E. Harmony RD.

Fort Collins, CO 80528(970) 226-1300 www.thepetclub.net

Playing Fetch Is Fun Training

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I’ve heard that playing fetch with your dog teaches him bad habits and isn’t effective training. What do you say? -- T.J., via email

DEAR T.J.: I heard something like that several years ago, but not from a professional trainer -- from an acquaintance who likely misheard a trainer or misread something. Fetch is both a fun game and a method of dog training.Of course, one original use for the game of fetch was to teach dogs to retrieve small game. Certain breeds, like retrievers, were bred for this purpose. But most dogs have the instinct

to run after a thrown object, though not all like to bring it back.The greatest benefit of fetch is that it’s a game you and your dog can play together. It can be part of your daily walks or additional playtime.Here are the basics of fetch: Show your dog the ball or stick. Bounce the ball or wave the stick to get him excited about it. Throw the ball or stick a few feet away -- not too far at first. Let the dog run after it. When he picks it up, call him back, giving him copious praise when he brings back the ball or stick.Keep in mind you’ll probably have to walk out and pick up the ball or stick for awhile

until your dog “gets” it. Consider it extra exercise for you. Once your dog understands that he should pick up the ball and bring it back, extend your throwing distance. Keep the game light, and only play it for as long as your dog is interested.

Send your questions or comments to [email protected], or write to Paw’s Corner, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. For more pet care-related advice and information, visit www.pawscorner.com.


1. When was the last time the Chicago White Sox finished last in their division?2. True or false: In his only season as manager of the Minnesota Twins, Billy Martin led the team to the playoffs.

3. Who led the NFL in rushing the one year that Cleveland’s Jim Brown didn’t during his nine-year NFL career?4. How many times has Brigham Young’s men’s basketball team made the NCAA Tournament without ever reaching the Final Four?5. Name the first eighth-seeded NHL team to eliminate a No. 1 and a No. 2 seed in the same season. 6. In 2012, Kamron Doyle (14 years, 218 days old) became the youngest bowler to finish in the top three in a PBA event. Who had been the youngest?7. Who was the youngest U.S. boxer to win an Olympic gold medal?

PAW’S CORNERBy Sam Mazzotta

FT COLLINS 4643 S Mason St . . . . . . . 970-223-6656 1612 N College Ave K . . . . 970-221-9090 1075 Pennock Place . . . . . 970-221-3948 2567 S Shields . . . . . . . . . 970-224-2225

LOVELAND 2188 W Eisenhower Blvd . . 970-203-9999 237 E 29th St . . . . . . . . . . 970-203-1111

BIBLE TRIVIAMagic Maze

Answers1. Dancing2. Flash Gordon3. Shotz Brewery4. Richard Buckminster Fuller5. Aramis, Athos and Porthos6. Dudley Moore and Liza Minelli7. Off the coast of India8. Zn9. The “Me” Decade10. Privately owned warships


¥ It was beloved American film star Katharine Hepburn who made the following sage observation: “Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get, only with what you are expecting to give -- which is everything.”

¥ You might be surprised to learn that one out of every 18 people has a third nipple.

¥ The epic 1939 film “Gone With the Wind” was awarded 10 Academy Awards and is a beloved classic to this day. Given the astounding success of the movie, it’s shocking that one of the stars, Vivien Leigh, was paid only $15,000 for her role as Scarlett O’Hara.

¥ The world’s smallest spider is about the size of the period at the end of this sentence.

¥ You may not realize it, but not all “light” beers have fewer calories than brews without that label. A beer simply

has to be lighter in color to be called “light.”

¥ The African ostrich lays an egg that weighs a whopping 30 pounds. It’s so sturdy that a grown man can stand on it without causing it any harm.

¥ When the Titanic sank in 1912, many passengers perished in the frigid waters because no ship came to their aid until the Carpathia arrived more than two hours after the disaster. However, there was another ship nearby as the liner sank: a freighter, the California, was only 10 miles away. The crew even saw emergency flares fired from the liner, but they thought it was part of a celebration rather than a signal of distress.

¥ Although a normal human infant is born with 350 bones, the normal human adult has only 206 bones.***Thought for the Day: “I’m an excellent housekeeper. Every time I get a divorce, I keep the house.” -- Zsa Zsa Gabor


ANSWERS: 1) New; 2) Engaged; 3) Bible not specific; 4) Herod; 5) Nazareth; 6) Silver

Contact Wilson Casey at [email protected]


Answers1. It was 1989, when they were 69-92.2. True. The Twins won the A.L. West in 1969.3. Green Bay’s Jim Taylor rushed for 1,474 yards in 1962.4. The Cougars have been to 27 NCAA Tournaments.5. The Los Angeles Kings, in 2012.6. Wesley Low, at 14 years, 344 days old, finished third in a PBA event earlier in 2012. 7. Jackie Fields was 16 when won a gold medal in the featherweight division in 1924.


¥ “Digital picture books are very easy to make these days, and they make great gifts. But here’s a way we use our digital photos to keep the kids engaged at family gatherings. Each family prints out a selection of photos. We let the kids make their own books using half sheets of paper, glue and markers. They design frames, etc. After they have several pages done, we tie them together and make a cover of heavy cardstock. It’s a great take-home craft, a special souvenir for visitors and it gets them talking about family moments.” -- R.E. in Alabama

¥ Want to mix it up a bit with your traditional chocolate chip cookies? Try rolling them in different types of chopped nuts or sprinkles. Even crushed pretzels are really good. Or change the flavor of the chip. Add minced dried fruit, quick oats or other seeds for a change of taste. Melt chocolate chips and dip one side in it, then let dry on waxed paper. Endless possibilities!

¥ At a loss for what to do with Christmas cards from years past? Why not make a wreath? Cut out a large ring from a cardboard box or other sturdy material. Arrange cards at different angles around the circle. Add decorative holiday picks or sprays, and ribbon or bow for depth.

¥ Having a holiday party? Put food and drinks in separate areas, as these are places that guests tend to linger. With different stops for each, guests will not bunch up in one place trying to do both, and it actually encourages mingling!

¥ Looking for a great cause for gifting this year? Go to www.charitynavigator.org to find out more about how your prospective charities rank in areas like CEO pay, money spent on fundraising, etc.

Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475 or e-mail JoAnn at [email protected].


Walker Realty Group ’s

Drop off any new toy OR new or gently used children’s coats, gloves, & winter hats. We’ll also be accepting canned goods at one of our sponsor locations listed below to be distributed to the needy

children of Northern Colorado.

All Toys Donated Will Be Given To Families and Victims of the High Park Fire

DROP OFF LOCATIONS: Walker Realty Group · 2625 Redwing Road, Suite 315, Fort Collins Fidelity National Title · 343 W. Drake Road, Suite 200, Fort Collins

Fidelity National Title · 3003 E. Harmony Road, Suite 100, Fort Collins Cool Berry Yogurt (3 locations) · 1135 Eagle Drive, Loveland/238 E. Harmony

Road, Fort Collins/1180 Main Street, Windsor Touch of Style · 2293 W. Eisenhower Blvd., Loveland Aqua Bay Tans · 2293 W. Eisenhower Blvd., Loveland

Leanne Walker, Broker/Owner Cell: 970.690.8111 . Office: 720.341.8127

[email protected] www.walkerrealtygroup.net

2625 Redwing Road, Suite 315, Fort Collins, CO 80526

Proudly Sponsored by Your Friend and Partner in Real Estate:

For hundreds of Northern Colorado families, the

holidays are a hard time to celebrate.

This year, you can help deliver joy and cheer to local needy children and

their families.

Documents

Tidbits of Loveland & Ft. Collins