tidbitsmi 08-13-2011

Published and Distributed Weekly by Triumph Publishing House, Inc. • For Advertising Call 248-423-1765 • TidbitsMI.com

Issue #5The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read®August 13-19, 2011Farmington Hills, Farmington, Novi & Northville

of Michigan

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TIDBITS® TAKES A LOOK AT

STRANGE LAWSUITSby T.A. Tafoya

There is no shortage of lawsuits. Layers keep busy defending weird and wacky cases. Tidbits looks at a few frivolous lawsuits for a laugh, but don’t try them yourself! Frivolous lawsuits rarely make it through the courts and usually end up costing the plaintiff.•Richard Overton took the advertising message

of Anheuser-Busch a bit too literally. In 1991, he sued the company for $10,000 claiming to have suffered emotional distress, mental injury and financial loss because drinkingAnheuser-Busch beer did not bring to life the beautiful women in tropical settings as was advertised. The supposed false advertising led him to buy and drink more Bud Light. The case was dismissed.

•An episode of “Fear Factor” prompted Austin Aitken to sue NBC for $2.5 million in 2005. Aitken claimed to have suffered injury and great pain after watching contestants on the television eat rats. This caused him to become light-headed and dizzy, which resulted in him vomiting and running into a doorway. The judge threw out the lawsuit.

• In 2006, Allen Heckard sued Michael Jordan and Nike founder Phil Knight for $832 million. In the suit he claimed to suffer defamation, permanent injury and emotional pain and suffering because he was often mistaken for

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Know Your Pet’s ‘Safe Area’By Sam Mazzotta

Dear Readers:I recently received a report from the University of Missouri about a dog named “Sugar,” a Cocker Spaniel who was badly injured in the tornado that ravaged Joplin, Mo. When her owners grabbed her and ran for the safety of their basement shelter, “Sugar, sensing the increased fear of her owners, became panicky and bolted back upstairs to her own ‘safe area,” a spot under one of the beds.’ With the tornado almost atop their house, the owners could not leave the shelter to retrieve her.Sugar survived the tornado, although she was badly injured and had lost use of her hind legs. Veterinarians at the University of Missouri performed emergency surgery to correct the injury to her spine. After many days of physical rehabilitation and therapy, Sugar is recovering with her owners.In addition to this encouraging story of recovery, what caught my interest was that Sugar’s owners knew exactly where she preferred to hide when something scary

was happening. This doesn’t seem like much, but knowing your pet’s favorite hiding places can be a lifesaving advantage in an emergency. With Sugar, unfortunately, this was not the case, as she was found several blocks away. There was nothing more her owners could do without putting themselves in mortal danger (something else that is important to keep in mind in an emergency).But in a less extreme emergency, when there’s time to gather the family and pets, or when your pet is having a health emergency,you’llbeabletofindyourpetfaster, or direct emergency personnel to where your pet normally hides, if you know where that hiding place is.

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.

(c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

RENEWABLE ENERGYOn October 6, 2008, Public Act 295 was signed into law. This Act, known as the Clean, RenewableandEfficientEnergyAct,establisheda Renewable Energy Standard for the State of Michigan. The Renewable Energy Standard requires Michigan electric providers; Consumers Energy and Detroit Edison to achieve a retail supply portfolio that includes at least ten percent renewable energy by 2015.Manyfinancialincentivesexisttohelpencouragethe use of renewable energy systems. However, please review the information presented below withyourfinancial professional to knowwhichoptions, if any, will work best for your particular situation.

Residential and Small Scale• Tax credits and abatements• A thirty percent federal tax credit with no

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LAWSUITS (continued):

Michael Jordan. He said that continual public harassment because of the alleged resemblance “has troubled his nerves.” Heckard dropped the lawsuit later that year.

•After eating Cap’n Crunch with Crunch Berries over a period of four years, Janine Sugawara realized that the “Crunch Berries” in the cerealwere not real fruit. She filed aclass-action suit against Quaker’s parent company PepsiCo in 2009 for fraud and breech of warranty, seeking full restitution of all money gained through misleading labeling and a court order forcing Quaker to disclose to the public the true composition of Crunch Berries. The case was dismissed.

• In 1910, Olaf Olverson was desperate for cash, so he sold his body to the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, for medical research after his death. A year later, he inherited a fortune. He tried to “buy himself back” from the institute, but they wouldn’t cooperate. When Olverson refused to donate his body, the institute sued him for breach of contract. Olverson lost the case. The judge ruled that he not only owed his body to the Institute, he owed them money for the two teeth he had removed without the Institute’s permission, saying Olverson had illegally tampered with their property.

•Bobby Mackey’s Music World in Wilder, Kentucky, was sued by J.R. Costigan in 1993. He claimed a ghost “punched and kicked him” while he was using the bar’s restroom one night. He sued the bar for $1,000 in damages and demanded that a warning sign of the ghost’s presence be put up in the restroom. The club’s lawyer filed amotion to dismissthe case, citing the difficulty of getting theghost into court to testify for the defense. The case was dismissed.

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Answer on page 12

Answer on page 12

LAWSUITS (continued):

• In 1976, at the University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, doctors removed John Moore’s spleen in a successful effort to cure his cancer. Doctors later found that the spleen possessed unique cancer-fightingcells. Experiments with the cells led to a new discovery worth an estimated $3 billion. Moore tried to sue the University of California, claiming his spleen was pirated. The spleen had belonged to him so he should share in the commercial value. He sued for partoftheprofits,butin1990,14yearsafterthe operation, Moore lost the case.

•Computer designers at Apple codenamed a new computer model Sagan in 1993. Traditionally, this is an honor. “You pick a name of someone you respect,” an employee explained, “and the code is only used while the computer is being developed. It never makes it out of the company.” This didn’t matter to Carl Sagan; his lawyers complained that the code was “an illegal usurpation of his name for commercial purposes” and demanded that it be changed. The designers changed it to BHA, which stood for “Butt-Head Astronomer.” Sagan sued again, contending “Butt-Head” is “defamatory on its face.” Apple won.

•Chicago lawyer Frank Zaffere sued his ex-fiancéMariaDillonwhenshebrokeofftheirengagement in 1992. Zaffere filed a suitfor $40,310.48 to cover his “lost courting expenses.” He did send a letter along with court papers to his ex stating: “I am still willing to marry you on the conditions herein below set forth: 1) We proceed with our marriage within 45 days of the date of this letter; 2) You confirm [that you] . . . will forever befaithful to me; 3) You promise . . . that you will never lie to me again about anything.” He closed with: “Please feel free to call me if you have any questions or would like to discuss any of the matters discussed herein. Sincerely, Frank.” The case was dismissed and so was the wedding.

•Andrea Pizzo, a former student of the University of Maine, sued her alma mater for failing to protect her from a cow with a “dangerous disposition.” While taking a class in livestock management, a 400-plus-pound Bovine head-butted her into the wall of its pen. Pizzo suffered knee and wrist injuries, so she sued the college for an unspecified amount.In her suit she claims the school “should have known that the heifer had a personality problem.” Verdict unknown.

•Cynthia Economou was sued by Karl Lambert in Florida court; he claimed that Economou stole his foot. Lambert’s foot was severed in a car accident, and Economu, the paramedic on site, took his mangled limb to help in the training of her body recovery dog. In her defense, Economu said, “It was anunrecognizablemassofflesh ... Itwasn’ta clean cut. You couldn’t even recognize it as a foot ... If I had thought it was somehow re-attachable and usable, I would have gone to my commander.” She was charged with second-degree petty theft and received six months of probation.

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OvERCOMING THE ODDS:FALLING FROM THE SKY

What would you do if you were in an airplane miles above the earth and the unthinkable happened — the plane breaks apart, and you suddenlyfindyourself ina free fall? Ifyouwere above 10,000 feet, you would quickly loose consciousness due to thin air. When you reached 10,000 feet, you may wake up. A free fall from 35,000 feet would take about three minutes with a landing speed of around 125 miles per hour! (Of course, the time and rate of speed depend on your weight and the amount of air drag created by the position of your body.) The following stories are about two amazing survivors of free-falling experiences.• In April 1944, Pilot Joe Herman of the

Royal Australian Air Force and his crew were on a mission to bomb munitions factories at Bochum. After dropping its bombs,theplanewasstruckbyenemyfire.Herman ordered his crew to bail out, but before he could secure his parachute, the plane exploded, and he was thrown into the night air.

•As he was falling, he bumped into what he thought was debris. In a panic, Herman grabbed on, but then realized it was the leg of mid-upper gunner, John Vivashand, who at that moment was opening his parachute. Theparachuteinflatedslowly,whichhelpedHermanmaintainhisfirmgrasp.The twomen came down safely with Herman hitting the ground first.His only injurywas twobroken ribs.

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•On Christmas Eve, 1971, LANSA Flight 508 from Lima, Peru, to Pucallpa, Peru, was struck by lightning at 21,000 feet. A fire started, and systems began failing,causing the pilots to loose control of the aircraft. The plane soon went into a dive.

•The turbulent forces on the wings caused them to tear away from the aircraft as it came crashing down into a mountainous region of the Amazon. Amongst the debris, 17-year-old Juliane Margaret Koepcke regained consciousness after an unknown amount of time, still strapped in her seat.

•All the other 91 people aboard — six crew members and 85 passengers, including Koepcke’s mother, were dead. Koepcke miraculously sustained only a broken collarbone. She spent the next 10 days alone and lost in the jungle with only a bag of candy for food.

•Her father once told her to survive in the jungle, follow water. Koepcke waded from tiny streams to larger ones until on the tenth day, she made it to the bank of the Shebonya River where she saw a canoe tethered to the shoreline.

•After climbing up an embankment, she found a hut. As it turned out, it belonged to a group of lumberjacks. They found her the next day.

•The incident was seen as a miracle of divine intervention in Peru, and free-fall statistics seem to support this thought. Her story hasbeenthesubjectoftwofilms,themostrecent being a Werner Herzog documentary called “Wings of Hope.”

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Q: Last December, my husband called the paramedics when I did not respond to him.

They rushed me to the hospital when I began convulsing. I have no recollection of any of this. When I woke one week later, I was in the ICU. I was told that I had broken-heart syndrome. I also was told it has to do with blood pressure. Canyouconfirmthatthereissuchathing? -- A.

A: Broken-heart syndrome is for real. It’s a recent addition to the catalog of illnesses.

Japanesedoctorsfirstdescribedit,andcalleditTako-tsubo cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy is a heart illness that affects the heart muscle, not the heart arteries or heart valves.The classical case is one where a person develops severe chest discomfort preceded by physical or emotional stress. The emotional stress could be the unexpected death of a loved one. An EKG shows a pattern that replicates the pattern of a heart attack. The heart’s function is greatly compromised. It doesn’t pump blood like it should, and that can lower blood pressure. Seizures are not included in the list of symptoms. However, a drop in blood pressure also drops theflowofbloodtothebrain.Thatcantriggerseizures.The explanation for this is a surge in the body’s stress chemicals that affect heart function. Damage to the heart muscle isn’t permanent. The heart returns to good health in a matter of weeks.

You didn’t mention any prior stress. Do you recollect any?On the plus side, your heart arteries are in good shape, and you ought not to suffer a recurrence.

Q: I have weak kidneys due to type 1 diabetes. My doctor has me eating three fruits a day

and four vegetables. He limited my meat to 6 ouncesdaily.Doesthislimitationofmeatbenefitmy kidneys? -- E.L.

A: Many times, when the kidneys aren’t working up to par (weak kidneys), doctors

put their patients on a reduced-protein diet. It slows the decline of kidney function. That’s why your doctor limited your meat (protein) intake.

Q: Is distilled water bad for drinking? Can you chew too much gum? My husband

chews about four pieces every day. -- P.M.

A: Distilling water involves boiling water and condensing the water vapor by cooling

it. Components dissolved in the water are left behind. You can drink distilled water. You will miss out on the minerals contained in most water andonfluorideaddedtocitywater,butyoucanget these elements in other ways.If you chew too much sugar-containing gum, you promote cavities. Too much sugarless gum can cause diarrhea. Four sticks are not too much.(c) 2011 North America Synd., Inc., All Rights Reserved

Broken Heart Not Just Figure of SpeechBy Paul G. Donohue, M.D.

Scammers At The DoorThe young guy at my door said the infamous words: “The offer is only good for today.” And he wanted payment in cash. That put me on alert. He was selling driveway resurfacing. Said he had enough asphalt left to do only one job, and he’d give me a good deal. I told him no.There are some rules of thumb in this experience, when it comes to home maintenance:•Beware those who come to the door

offering services. Take their card, yes, and ask for a price if you’re interested, but don’t agree to any work either verbally or in writing.

• If the work is something you’re truly interested in having done, do it a different way. Start by getting references from friends. Ask whether they’re happy with the job that was done, and whether any issues were taken care of promptly. Get legitimate bids from people you call, not

those who show up at the door.•Call the local Better Business Bureau to

check on any complaints.• If your job involves skilled labor, just as

with electrical or plumbing, ask for a copy of the license and verify it with the state agency.

•Askforacopyoftheinsurancecertificateand verify it with the company.

•Don’t sign a contract you don’t understand. Have a trusted adviser go over it with you. Refuse to be rushed.

•Beware giving a large down payment. If a supplier will be involved, call them and ask for a reference.

•Certain types of work require a permit. Verify with your local authorities.

Not all those who come to your door are scammers, but the odds are increased for any type of business relationship that you don’t initiate yourself.

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].


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(248) 349-7100

Monday-Thursday: 9am-6pm Friday: 9am-6:30pm Saturday: 9am-2pm

BANKING

43059 7 Mile Road | Northville, MI 48167(free standing building in front of the mall)

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DR. RYAN C. COOPER

NEW PATIENT SPECIAL

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COMPUTER REPAIR

43003 W. 7 Mile Rd. | Northville, MI 48167(248) 348-1740

Cassel’s Restaurant

HOURS | Mon, Tues 8a-8p | Wed-Sat 8a-9p | Sun 8a-3p

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autoclinic

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24 Month/24,000 Mile › Limited Warranty Certified

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AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR

DONALD J. KISS, DDSGENERAL, FAMILY, COSMETIC DENTISTRY

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42927 West 7 Mile Rd. | Northville, MI 48167

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Consignment Clothiers“We Specialize in GAP to Gucci.”

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You could save up to $459 a year by switching to Auto Insurance through AAA.

Call Scott Hulverson248-349-2110

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Insurance underwritten by Auto Club Insurance Association family of companies.

INSURANCE

AmericanCarpet Center

Residential & Commercial Flooring

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Health for Life ChiropracticSpecialty: ChiropractorTel: (248) 449-1630Highland Park LaundromatSpecialty: LaundromatTel: (248) 349-7174Home to HomeSpecialty: Home ConsignmentTel: (248) 348-3750Kiss DentalSpecialty: DentistryTel: (248) 348-7997

KML Computer ServicesSpecialty: Computer RepairTel: (866) KML-IT99Little CaesarsSpecialty: PizzaTel: (248) 349-0556


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NORTHVILLEFamily Foot Specialist

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Spacious smoking lounge with couches, wireless internet and flat screen TVs.

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formerly Trader Tom’s

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VARIETY STORE

Our MissionTo provide temporary food assistance to Northville residents in need. Our goal is to build pride and self-confidence resulting in better decision-making and improved quality of life.

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42931 West Seven Mile | Northville, MI 48167(248) 348-8700

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→ New & gently used clothing, accessories, books, baby equipment, educational toys, room décor & bedding.

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Main Street Massage, LLCSpecialty: MassageTel: (248) 773-2027Mr. ThaiSpecialty: Thai CuisineTel: (248) 449-6109New Wing HingSpecialty: Chinese CuisineTel: (248) 348-8411Northville Civic ConcernSpecialty: Food BankTel: (248) 344-1033

Northville Family Foot SpecialistSpecialty: Foot SpecialistTel: (248) 349-3900Northville Family Medical CenterSpecialty: Family DoctorTel: (248) 348-8700Northville Paint CompanySpecialty: PaintTel: (248) 348-1599Northville Vision ClinicSpecialty: OptometristTel: (248) 348-1330

Smoky’s Cigar LoungeSpecialty: Cigar LoungeTel: (248) 348-8333Sweet Repeatz BoutiqueSpecialty: Maternity & Children’s ResaleTel: (248) 347-1943Temple TrainingSpecialty: FitnessTel: (248) 231-4945The Cleaning NinjasSpecialty: Cleaning ServicesTel: (248) 767-7551

Variety CastleSpecialty: Variety StoreTel: (248) 305-9200World Custom AlterationsSpecialty: Clothes AlterationsTel: (248) 348-8560


You Can’t Steal FirstBy Mark Vasto

Billy Sunday began preaching when he was 20 years old, but the congregation -- led by Cap Anson and the rest of the hardscrabble Chicago White Stockings of 1883 -- wasn’t easily converted. Sunday had approached Anson, bragging that he was “about the fastest fielder on earth.”Anson decided to give the kid, a former track star from Ames, Iowa, a chance. Speed was integral for the early game of baseball. Home runs were rare. The leader for the team in the categorywasanoutfieldernamedKelly.Hehitthree all year. They called him “King.”Sunday got off to a disastrous start: He struck outinhisfirst14atbats--stillamajor-leaguerecord. It occurred to members of the White Stockings that it would be hard to utilize Sunday’s speed if he couldn’t get on base.“Hey, Sunday,” the famously animated Anson was said to have yelled from the bench. “You can’tstealfirstbase!”Sunday eventually did turn out to be a pretty decentballplayer (buthewasapoorfielder).Even when he was struggling, Sunday stayed in the lineup because there was one place he could keep up: at the bar.The 1884 World Series ended in a tie, and Anson was said to have blamed rampant drinking as the reason for his team’s lack of execution. Try as he might, he lamented, he

could not get the team to come in early at night. Once the well-paid White Stockings hit State Street, they were in it until last call. That made it difficult for the players tofind their strokethe next day.It was on one such night that Sunday found more than his stroke -- he found God. Stepping out of a bar, he ran into a congregation of missionaries from Chicago’s Pacific GardenMission (which still stands on State Street to this day). Immediately struck by the singing of gospel hymns, Sunday listened and waved off requests from his friends to move on to the next bar. Turning to them, he announced that he had been saved. “Boys, I’mfinishedwiththis wild life. I’m going into the service of God. I’ve seen the light!”Sunday quit the game immediately, turning down large sums of money in the process, in order to become an evangelist. All but forgotten today, Sunday was the Billy Graham of his day,andhisfierysermonsagainsttheperilsof“booze” led to more than a million converts to Christianity and the passage of Prohibition.Sunday, like Anson, proved capable of turning a phrase, too. “Whiskey and beer are all right in their place, but their place is in hell.”Cheers!


Electrical Safetyby Samantha Mazzotta

Q: What is a GFCI? A contractor we’re considering to renovate our kitchen and

bathroom keeps mentioning them. -- Gayle S., Wheeling, W.Va.

A: The letters GFCI stand for “Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter,” a safety feature found in

power receptacles (outlets). GFCI receptacles are required in bathrooms and kitchens by law.GFCI receptacles detect when electricity is “leaking” and immediately interrupt the electrical circuit (e.g., shut off the power). This is an extremely important safety feature when operating electrical appliances like hairdryers or toasters near water. Even a tiny amount of excess electrical current will trip the circuit.The receptacles are reset by pressing a button, usually set between the two outlets.

Q: How can I know for sure that a circuit has been turned off to a room or larger area?

-- Jay S., via email

A: Plug a lamp or a radio into an outlet in the room, or turn the overhead light or fan on.

Have a helper stay in the area and tell you when the light or radio turns off. If you aren’t sure or are unable to check for power for any reason, turnoffpower to theentirehomebyflipping themain switch or circuit breaker. If you’re unsure the power is completely off (for example, power supplied from a source outside the home) or not confident you can make the repair, contact alicensed electrician.

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Commerce Twp. /Walled Lake / Wixom39550 W. 14 Mile Rd.(Inside Hillers Mkt Plaza, corneroff 14 Mile and Haggerty Rd.)

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ARIES (March 21 - April 19) You sometimes go to extremes to prove a point. But this time, you won’t have to. Supporters are ready, falling over themselves to help you make your case.TAURUS (April 20 - May 20) Venus might be your ruling planet, but Mars is in the picture as well. So don’t be surprised if your romantic relationships are a bit rocky at this time. But they’ll soon smooth over.GEMINI (May 21 - June 20) Geminis might rush into romance and risk being wrong about someone rather than be left with no one. But this is one time when it’s wiser to be wary of where your heart takes you.CANCER (June 21 - July 22) With all (or most) of those pesky problems behind you, take time for your family and friends. Travel aspects are favored, with long-distance journeys high on the list.LEO (July 23 - August 22) You might have started to question the wisdom of being open with someone you hoped you could trust. But be assured you won’t be disappointed. You’ll soon hear good news. vIRGO (August 23 - September 22) You have a reputation for honesty and integrity, and that will help turn around a situation that was not only disappointing but also quite unfair. Good luck.LIBRA (September 23 - October 22) A happy event creates a closer tie with a family member who seemed hopelessly estranged. Positive aspects also dominate in important career matters.SCORPIO (October - to November 21) Your ruling planet, Pluto, helps you adjust to change. So, stop putting off that long-delayed move, and make it with the assurance that you’re doing the right thing.SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 21) You have a wonderful capacity to learn quickly and well. This will help you when you are faced with an opportunity to move on to a new path in life.CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 19) Good news:Yousuddenlyfindthatyou’renotfacingthatnewchallenge alone. You now have someone at your side, ready to offer whatever support you might need.AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18) Your versatility -- which is just one of those aspects of yourself that make you so special -- helps you adapt to the challenges of a new and exciting opportunity.PISCES (Feb. 19 - March 20) Your sensitive nature picks up on the needs of others. But what about your desires? You need to take more time to assess what your goals are and, if necessary, redirect them.(c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

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Correction: It was recently reported in this column (as well as many other entertainment columns)

that Mariska Hargitay would be in only 13 episodes of this coming season’s “Law and Order: SVU.” Well, I am happy to amend that report with news from the Big Guy himself: Showrunner and executive producer Warren Leight contacted me to dispel the rumor. He told me: “Mariska will be in all 22 ‘SVU’ episodes this season. Rumor she is leaving at 13 just wrong.” With Christopher Meloni’s Detective Stabler leaving, it’s a relief to learn Mariska’s Detective Benson will be sticking around.

Q: It seems like every other year, there is a rumor that “Jurassic

Park 4” is going to made. But so far, no movie. Will it ever happen? -- P.G., Miami

A: All signs point to “yes.” Producer/director Steven Spielberg told a

crowd of enthusiastic sci-fi fans at lastmonth’s San Diego Comic-Con fan convention that there will be another “Jurassic Park,” and it might be only two to three years away. Steven said that he has a story and a screenwriter ready to go for the fourth movie of the dinosaur-clone series, and Steven himself will serve as producer.

Mariska Hargitay

Q: I really love MTV’s new teen comedy, “Awkward.” The actor who plays Matty looks really familiar.

Can you tell me what else I might have seen him in recently? -- Cara D., via e-mail

A: Beau Mirchoff, 21, plays Matty, the nice-guy jock with a heart -- and it appears he also has a thing

for our heroine, Jenna. You might remember Beau from “Heartland,” or from his turn as Drea de Matteo’s son on “Desperate Housewives.”Of his year on “DH,” Beau told me: “I learned so much from all the people on that set. They are pros, and they know what they’re doing. I learned a lot from Jeffrey Nordling, who played my father, and Drea de Matteo, who was my mother. I had a big crush on Drea. I hope it didn’t read on camera. That would have been creepy.”

Playing a teen on “Awkward” has Beau remembering his own awkward time in high school: “Everything seems like such a dire situation. Like it’s the last time you’ll be able to do something. Or it’s the end of the world if you can’t go out with that girl. But it’s really not, and it’s soinsignificantlookingback.Butyou’regrowing up and you’re figuring thingsout.”

Q: I was so sad to hear about the passing of singer Amy Winehouse.

Do authorities know what caused her death? -- Grant D., via e-mail

A: Toxicology reports will probably take weeks to get back, so it might

be a while before we know what killed the troubled songstress, who was only 27 when she passed away on July 23. Amy had publicly battled addiction, but police say there were no signs of drug or paraphernalia in her home at the time of her death.`

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By Samantha Weaver• It was noted psychiatrist and sleep

researcher William C. Dement who made the following sage observation: “Dreaming permits each and every one of us to be quietly and safely insane every night of our lives.”

•For reasons that aren’t entirely clear in the record at hand, it’s illegal to wear a hat while dancing in Fargo, N.D.

•Despite the fact that the English language is very large in terms of the number of words available to those who can use them, it seems that much of our writing is made up of only a few words. In a study once conducted by lexicographer G.H. McKnight, it was found that approximately one-quarter of all the words in any given sample of writing in English is one of the following nine: and, be, have, it, of, the, to, will and you.

•Some species of squid can swim up to 35 mph.

• If you’re an avid hiker, you might want to keep in mind that the most dangerous trail in America, according to Backpacker magazine, is located in Canyonlands National Park in Utah. The trail known as The Maze earned this distinction thanks to numerous dead-end canyons, few sources of water and temperatures that soar to over 100 degrees F. in summer.

• If you’re like me, you’re a turophile: a lover of cheese.

•When the eggs of the Darwin frog hatch and the tadpoles emerge, the babies are swallowed by a male frog. They’re not victims of cannibalism, however; the father keeps the tadpoles in his vocal sac for two months. Once they’ve matured and become tiny frogs, the young ones are coughed up and have to fend for themselves.

Thought for the Day: “It’s not a good idea to put your wife into a novel; not your latest wife, anyway.” -- Norman Mailer

“A Dance With Dragons”By George R.R. Martin(Bantam, $35)Reviewed by Ealish Waddell

One season into a successful TV adaptation and nearlysixyearsafterthelastinstallment,thefifthbook in George R.R. Martin’s sprawling fantasy saga“ASongofIceandFire”hasfinallyarrivedto transport readers back to the land of Westeros and the never-ending machinations of its game of thrones.

To the glee of fans, favorite characters absent from the previous volume have returned, like sharp, sardonic dwarf Tyrion, now a fugitive from the wrath of his sister, the queen. He, along with many others, has journeyed across the sea to seek out Daenarys, last of the previous royal line, hoping to aid her in her ongoing campaign to win back her family’s throne. But even armed with three powerful dragons and a host of warriors, the young rebel queen is having trouble holding on to the lands she’s already conquered, as foes emerge from all sides, and even within her ranks.

Back in Westeros, Night’s Watch commander Jon Snow does his best to strengthen the mighty barrier Wall against the foul magic forces that threaten it from the far north. Surprising faces from the past reappear,andeverywheremenfight,wordsbetrayand allegiances change with the ever-icier winds as the long winter grows ever nearer.

Much of this installment takes place in previously unseen corners of the continent across the sea, whose ancient civilizations differ intriguingly from the medieval European ambience of Westeros, giving Martin a chance to draw his universe ever larger and more complex. The density of the world-building and the intricacy of the interwoven plots have drawn comparisons to Tolkien, but Martin’s world is a grittier sort of place, raw and earthy, oftenbrutalandcruel,butwithafiercedevotiontoits own realism. This may be a fantasy realm, but here good and evil is never black and white.


Recommended Reading


Fate Turns on Jamie McMurrayWhat a difference a year makes.A victory in the 2010 Brickyard 400 was quite

an accomplishment in itself for Jamie McMurray. Except that he also won the Daytona 500, not to mention the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte.Yet, in spite of victories in NASCAR’s two most prestigious races, McMurray, 35, failed to make the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Though the Joplin, Mo., native has won six Sprint Cup races in his career, he hasneverfinishedaseasoninthetop10ofthepointstandings.This year, to date, has been a disaster. McMurray’s numbers aren’t just disappointing. They are ruinous. He is 29th in the point standings, with only two top-10finishesandnoneinthetopfive.HestilldrivestheNo. 1 Chevy of Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. The difference, for McMurray and crew chief Kevin “Bono” Manion, is that McMurray’s Impala hasn’t been fast nearly as often.“There is certainly nothing wrong with our cars,” said McMurray. “We just haven’t hit on it. New tires have thrown us off at a lot of tracks ... and man,

Last year, Jamie McMurray had two of the biggest wins of the Sprint Cup season. This year, the Earnhardt Ganassi Racing driver has just two top-10 finishes and none in the top five. (John Clark/NASCAR This Week photo)

we’ve just really struggled.”McMurray has a knack for Indianapolis Motor Speedway,though.HisfirstBrickyard400,in2003,yieldedathird-placefinish.He’sfinishedseventhorbetter four times.A year ago, McMurray led only 16 of the 160 laps,mostnotably thefinal11, tooutduel anotherperennial Indy contender, Kevin Harvick.“I’m running the last 10 laps of this race and just praying every lap there isn’t going to be a caution

(period) and that my car was going to have to grip it needed,” said McMurray afterward. “It’s remarkable to be put in this position, and honestly, I’m in shock right now. ... Man, when it’s your day, it’s your day.”“I’m a big believer in fate, and this was just meant to be.”Fate has largely turned on him during the current season. Perhaps McMurray is due for a rally in the second half of the season.(c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

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15 Point Check Cabin Filters Tire Check Top Off All Fluids

Window Washer Fluid Radiator/Coolant Fluid Power Steering Fluid Air Filters

Grease Ball Joints Check Belts Radiator Hoses

Check Battery Brake Fluid Light Check

Monday thru Friday 8:00am - 6:30pm / Saturday 8:00am - 5:30pm / Sunday 10:00am - 3:00pm

Telephone: (248) 474-2555

Up to 5 qts., 5W20, Synthetic Oils, (Extra Oils Dexos, Special Filters - Extra Charge).

Tire rotation also available.

10 MinuteOil Change

$69.95

$99.95$59.95$26.95

$49.95

Transmission Fluid Check Wiper Blade Check

Must present coupon at time of rental. One per customer. Damage waiver & tax not included. Not valid with any

other offers. Expires 8/31/2011.

Must present coupon at time of purchase. One per customer. Not valid w/any other offers. Expires 8/31/2011.

$1800Any RentalMaximum Discount $100

20 lb. Propane Fill

Out The Door With CouponReg. $19.81 + Tax

HOMEOWNERS • CONTRACTORS • INDUSTRIAL • RENTALS • SALES • SERVICE

44475 Grand River Ave.Novi, MI 48375(248) 348-1530

10% OFF

+ Good Credit+ No Credit+ Credit Bruises

FREE TANK OF GAS ORFIRST OIL CHANGE

SKYLINE AUTO SALES

Specializing in 0 Down Financing

29666 Grand River | Farmington Hills, MI 48336(248) 615-2277 | skylineauto.biz

With coupon. Not valid with any other offers. One coupon per customer. Expires 8/31/2011

NO PROBLEM

with a car purchase

ALL NIGHT AUTOFULL SERVICE AUTO REPAIR CENTER

33729 Plymouth Rd | Livonia, MI 48150(West of Farmington Rd, Next to Woodland Lanes)

(734) 427-3100 | www.AllNightAutoLivonia.com

HOURS: Mon-Thur: 7am-10pm | Friday: 7am-9pm | Saturday: 8am-6pm | Sunday 10am-6pm

▪ Over 11 years in business▪ Towing available▪ Open Sundays

Full Service Lube, Oil & Filter

Check Engine Light On?

Brake Sale

Includes up to 5 qts 10W30 or 5W30. Synthetic oil additional.

Most cars. With coupon. Not valid with any other offers.

Expires 10/10/11.

Plus Tax & Environmental Fee

$25 OFF PER AXLEOffer includes both disc & drum

brake replacementMost cars, light trucks & vans. Not valid with any others offers.

Must present coupon prior to service. Additional parts & labor may be required. Exp 10/10/11.

Must present coupon prior to estimate. Not valid with any other offers. Shop fees apply. Most cars. Expires 10/10/11.

$1797 $3990$50OFF

Cheaper Ways to Watch Movies at HomeFor millions of families, the cost of movie night at home just

went up.Netflix, the popularDVD rental company,unexpectedly raised its rates by as much as 60 percent last month. No longer can you get movies and all the streaming you want for one low price. Now the movies and the streaming have separate costs, and to get both the DVDs delivered to your door and streaming will cost more.There are other ways to watch inexpensive movies, however, if you know where to look.If you don’t already have a means of streaming

movies, check into the Roku [www.roku.com], a niftylittle streaming box. It comes in three levels: $60, $80 and $100.Priceisdeterminedbyhigh-definitionlevel(720por 1080p), but all come with built-in wireless. Be sure to hunt around the settings to see all that’s offered with Roku -- more than 300 channels with music, movies and shows.Many of the services, such as Crackle, are free. Hulu Plus and Amazon offer inexpensive access to movies. Pandora, themoviechannel,isfree.You’llfindEPIXmoviesandon-demand sports. Additionally, with Roku you’ll have access (some free) to some international movies and televisionshows.Andyes,youcanaccessNetflixifyouhave the streaming option.If you only want to stream to your computer or mobile phone, checkZediva [www.Zediva.com] for$1.99newmovie rentals. And here’s a bonus: You don’t have to pay

with a credit card on its site. You can pay with PayPal if you prefer. Bigger bonus: If you pay for a package of 10 movies, the cost drops to a dollar apiece. However, due to the way Zediva has set up its relationship with the movie studios, only a certain number of copies of a given movie are available at any one time. Read the FAQ to be sure you understand the limits.If you’re a parent and going to be in the market for a new DVD player soon, consider getting one of the inexpensive combo DVD and VCR players. You can save money on the kids’ movies by shopping yard sales, whereyoucanfindhundredsofolderVHSmoviesfora fraction of the cost of the DVD version. (You’ll also be less upset when the kids unwind a movie tape than you would be if they scratch a new DVD.)



TO ADVERTISE WITH US CALL(248) 423-1765

Shrimp Bahn MiYou can make the crunchy, marinated carrot topping for this traditional sandwich ahead of time and store it in an airtight container. If daikon radish isn’t available in your area, use 1/4 cup peeled and shredded red radish as a substitute.

▪ 1/2 cup carrots, peeled and shredded▪ 1/2 cup daikon or red radish, peeled and

shredded▪ 2 tps sugar or sugar substitute▪ 1/4 tbs salt▪ 1 tbs cider vinegar▪ 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro▪ 2 1/2 tbs reduced-fat mayonnaise▪ 2 1/2 tbs low-fat plain Greek yogurt▪ 1 tps soy sauce▪ 3/4 tps fish sauce▪ 1 tablespoon lime juice▪ 1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce, or 1/4

teaspoon cayenne pepper▪ 3 (12-inch) baguettes, halved lengthwise▪ 1 pound peeled, cooked (16-20 count)

shrimp, tails removed, cut in half ▪ 18 thin slices of cucumber▪ 3 scallions, thinly sliced lengthwise and

cut into 2-inch pieces▪ 1 kiwi, thinly sliced, optional

1. Place carrot, radish, sugar, salt and vinegar in a small bowl; stir to combine. Let marinate while preparing the rest of the ingredients.

2. Place cilantro, mayonnaise, yogurt, soy sauce,fishsauce,limejuiceandSrirachaor the cayenne in a medium bowl; stir to combine. Spread 2 teaspoons of this sauce on the bottom half of each baguette. Add shrimp to the remaining sauce; toss to coat.

3. Using a slotted spoon, divide carrot mixture among the baguettes (discard vinegar). Top with shrimp, cucumber, scallions and the kiwi fruit slices, if desired. Cut each baguette into two 6-inch sandwiches. Serves 6.


Mix EnoughI put together special seed blends for my feeders. Something that I like to do is mix enough to last me a whole week. That way I’m not constantly mixing seed every time a feeder needs to be filled. Feeding the birdsdo not have to be time-consuming. Enjoy!

Email: [email protected]©2011 King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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Of Michigan

Photo courtesy of Kevin Lynch

tidbitsmi 08-13-2011

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