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TIDBITS® “SEES” THATTHE EYES HAVE IT!

by Patricia L. CookIf you see things 20/20, you have good eyes to observe our world and be amazed! Let’s see what we can learn about our amazing human eyes and some other eyes as well. • Seeing things with 20/20 vision is commonly considered

good vision in the United States. In Canada and the rest of the world that uses the metric system, normal vision is 6/6 (6 meters as opposed to 20 feet.) This term basically means that you have “good visual acuity at 20 feet” (6 m), which is normal distance vision.

• The Snellen chart was developed by Dr. Hermann Snel-len, a Dutch ophthalmologist, in 1862. This “eye” chart has 11 lines of block letters, beginning with a single letter at the top, usually E. The size of the letters gets smaller from the top of the chart to the bottom, so there are more letters on the bottom row than on the top. The eighth row of letters is usually the line for 20/20 (6/6) vision. Sixty-one percent of Americans wear corrective lenses to get to “normal” vision.

• So, are all letters of the alphabet on the chart? No. The letters used are only C, D, H, K, N, O, R, S, V and Z. These are the Sloan letters, which were designed by Lou-ise Sloan in 1959. These letters are called “optotypes.”

• Babies’ eyes are about 75 percent of the size of adult eyes at birth. The optic nerve, internal eye structures and visual function continue to develop in the first two years of life.

• Each component of the eye has a special function, and together the components are necessary for good vision. Eye professionals have to spend a lot of time figuring out all of the ways to “fix” vision problems. Imagine the days before eyeglasses, contacts and surgeries were available! Today, we are able to see well into old age.

• The Chinese claim to be the inventors of eyeglasses but apparently used them initially only to ward off evil spirits. These eyeglasses were for protection and probably lacked the ability to improve vision. Historians are unsure who invented the first eyeglasses used to improve vision.

• The first known artistic representation of eyeglasses was a painting by Tommaso da Modena in 1352. The glasses in his painting were perched on the nose of his subject even though most known early glasses for improving sight were not. Monocles, scissors-glasses and lorgnettes used for improving vision were either worn around the neck on ribbons or chains, clipped to clothing or just hand-held.

• Monocles were framed lenses attached to a chain or rib-

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Page 2 For Advertising Call 251-285-4116 bon and used for one eye when needed. Lorgnettes were two lenses in a frame that the user would hold up to the eyes. They were somewhat of a fashion statement, es-pecially for ladies. They were popular at the opera and masquerade parties. Scissors-glasses were two lenses on a Y-shaped frame that, like a monocle, were hung on a ribbon or chain.

• Have you ever heard the term “pince-nez?” These were two-lens glasses that “pinched” the nose in order to stay on. The name comes from French: pincer, to pinch, and nez, which means nose. They too were in frames and at-tached to a cord, ribbon or chain.

• London optician Edward Scarlett perfected the use of sidepieces or arms that attached to lenses in 1730. His new style eyeglasses that slipped over a person’s ears, eliminating the need for chains, also freed the hands. They were popular and rapidly spread worldwide.

• Contact lenses are not as “new” as you may think. The idea goes back to the late 1800s when glassblower F.E. Muller, a German known for making glass eyes, blew a protective lens for a man who had cancer. The patient wore the lens for 20 years until his death, without losing his vision. The term “contact lens” actually is attributed to a Swiss physician, Dr. A. Eugen Fick, who published the results of experiments with the lenses in 1887.

• Sometimes there is confusion over which eye professional to see for eye problems. Opticians manufacture and dis-pense glasses and contacts. They often deal with patients after they have seen an optometrist or ophthalmologist. An optometrist is a vision professional who can diagnose vision problems, prescribe contacts and eyeglasses, pro-vide treatment before and after eye surgery and prescribe drugs for various eye problems. Ophthalmologists are li-censed medical doctors and can do everything performed by optometrists plus they can perform eye surgery. An ophthalmologist must complete four years of medical school following a college degree and an internship that focuses on their desired specialty.

• Animal eyes are varied in their placement, size and acuity. Many animals have vision that is far superior to humans. Maybe that is why we never see animals with eyeglass-es! Do you know which animal has the largest eyeballs on earth? That would be the giant squid, whose eyes are about the size of beach balls (about 18 inches, 45.7 cm). Imagine meeting those underwater! Ostriches have the largest eyes of any land animal, measuring about two inches (5 cm) across. Ostrich eyes are bigger than their brains, which are about the size of a walnut.

• If someone says you are “blind as a bat,” consider this: Bats are not blind, but they don’t use their eyes to see. They use sound waves instead. They make high-pitched sounds and listen for the echoes when the sounds bounce off objects. This is called echolocation. Whales, dolphins, some shrews and a few species of birds also use echolo-cation.

• Horned toads (short-horned lizards) are interesting little reptiles that have a couple of very odd talents to help them ward off predators. They can inflate their bodies up to twice their size, looking like little spiny balloons, and some of the species have the most bizarre ability to shoot blood from their eyes. The blood comes from ducts in the corners of their eyes and can travel up to three feet (one meter). This “talent” is used to confuse predators and con-tains a chemical that is noxious to coyotes, wolves and dogs.

• Have you ever been told you have “eagle eyes?” If so, you must have great vision. An average person can see a rab-bit at about 550 yards (503 m), while an eagle can see it at about a mile (1,760 yards or 1,609 m). So, protect your vision and enjoy what you see!

1. MOVIES: Who played the role of “Pardner” in the Western musical “Paint Your Wagon”?2. GEOGRAPHY: Minsk is the capital of what former Soviet republic?3. LITERATURE: In “Gone With the Wind,” what were the first names of the Tarleton twins?4. HISTORY: When did the Suez Canal open?5. MYTHOLOGY: Who was the Norse trickster god?6. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What sport did Scotland ban in 1457 for fear that it was interfering with the practice of ar-chery, a vital part of the national defense?7. MUSIC: Frank Sinatra first gained major fame by singing for which Big Band leader?8. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Who served as FDR’s secretary of war 1940-1945?9. U.S. STATES: Which state’s nickname is the Pine Tree State?10. FOOD & DRINK: What type of fruit is known as a honey-dew?

Answers 1. Clint Eastwood 2. Belarus 3. Brent and Stuart 4. 1869 5. Loki 6. Golf 7. Tommy Dorsey 8. Henry Stimson 9. Maine 10. Melon

¥ On March 13, 1781, the German-born English as-tronomer William Hershel discovers Uranus, the sev-enth planet from the sun. Herschel’s discovery of a new planet was the first to be made in modern times, and the first to be made by use of a telescope.

¥ On March 11, 1918, a historic influenza epidem-ic breaks out at the U.S. Army hospital at Fort Ri-ley, Kan. The disease soon traveled to Europe with the American soldiers heading to the battlefields of France. The flu would eventually kill 675,000 Ameri-cans and more than 20 million people around the world.

¥ On March 12, 1922, author Jack Kerouac is born in Lowell, Mass. In World War II, he served in the Navy but was expelled for severe personality problems that may have been symptoms of mental illness. It was not until 1957 when he published “On the Road” that he became famous as a seminal figure of the Beat Gen-eration.

¥ On March 7, 1938, Janet Guthrie, the first woman to compete in the Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500 races, is born in Iowa City, Iowa. Guthrie drove in her final Indy 500 in 1979 and her last Daytona 500 in 1980. Her helmet and driver’s suit are in the Smithso-nian Institution in Washington, D.C.

¥ On March 10, 1945, 300 American bombers drop almost 2,000 tons of incendiaries on Tokyo. The at-tack destroyed large portions of the Japanese capital and killed 100,000 civilians. Ten square miles of east-ern Tokyo were entirely obliterated, and an estimated 250,000 buildings were destroyed.

¥ On March 8, 1951, the Lonely Hearts Killers -- Martha Beck and Raymond Martinez Fernandez -- are executed in the electric chair at Sing Sing Prison in New York. The odd couple had schemed to seduce, rob and murder women who placed personal ads in newspapers. Their story has been the subject of sev-eral movies, most recently “Lonely Hearts” (2006).

¥ On March 9, 1985, the first-ever Adopt-a-Highway sign is erected on Highway 69 in Texas. The highway was adopted by the Tyler Civitan Club, which com-mitted to picking up trash along a designated 2-mile stretch of the road.

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Almond Crunch Coffee Cake

Knowing this special breakfast treat is waiting makes it

worth crawling out of a warm bed on a cold winter morn.

Prepare it the night before and warm it up in the micro-

wave, and it will be ready before your eyes are wide open!

1 1/2 cups reduced-fat baking mix

Sugar substitute to equal 1/4 cup, suitable for baking

2/3 cup fat-free milk

2 tablespoons fat-free sour cream

1 egg or equivalent in egg substitute

Ropa Vieja

That innocent-looking pudding you grew up with is, alas, packed with calories and fat. But here’s a sweet reprieve: By halving the cream and sugar, replacing four egg yolks with two whole eggs, and swapping in low-fat milk for whole, you save 243 calories, 19 fat grams and 95 milli-grams of cholesterol per serving. Go ahead, have a dollop.

1/3 cup sugar1 tablespoon sugar1/4 cup cornstarch1 pinch salt3 cups low-fat (1 percent) milk2 large eggs, lightly beaten1 teaspoon vanilla extract40 reduced-fat vanilla wafers, about half of an 11-ounce box3 medium ripe bananas, thinly sliced1/2 cup heavy or whipping creamChopped walnuts, for garnishBanana slices, for garnish

1. In 4-quart saucepan, combine 1/3 cup sugar with corn-starch and salt. Whisk in milk; heat to boiling on medi-um, stirring frequently. Gradually add eggs in thin, steady stream, beating vigorously to prevent curdling. Cook 1 minute, stirring. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla.2. In shallow 1 1/2- to 2-quart casserole or serving dish, place 20 vanilla wafers; top with 1 1/4 cups pudding, spreading evenly, and half of banana slices. Repeat lay-ering once. Top with remaining pudding, making sure to coat banana slices. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight.3. When ready to serve, in medium bowl, with mixer on medium speed, beat cream and remaining 1 tablespoon sugar until stiff peaks form. Spread whipped cream over pudding. Garnish with walnuts and banana slices if you like. Serves 8.

¥ Each serving: About 290 calories, 10g total fat (5g satu-rated), 77mg cholesterol, 180mg sodium, 45g total carbs, 1g dietary fiber, 7g protein.

Banana Pudding

The name of this Latin-style braised beef literally means “old clothes,” because the meat is cooked until it’s so ten-der it can be shredded into what resembles a pile of rags.

1/2 cup drained sliced pickled jalape–o chiles3 red, orange and/or yellow peppers, cut into 1/4-inch-wide slices2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced1 large (12-ounce) onion, cut in half and sliced1 teaspoon ground cumin1/2 teaspoon dried oregano1 bay leafSalt2 (1 3/4 pounds each) beef flank steaks1 can (14 1/2-ounce) whole tomatoes in juiceWarm tortillas (optional)

1. In 6- to 6 1/2-quart slow-cooker bowl, stir together ja-lape–os, peppers, garlic, onion, cumin, oregano, bay leaf and 1 teaspoon salt. Top with flank steaks, cutting steaks if necessary to fit in slow cooker bowl. With kitchen shears, coarsely cut up tomatoes in can. Pour tomatoes with their juice over steaks in slow-cooker; do not stir. Cover slow cooker with lid, and cook as manufacturer directs on low setting 9 hours.2. With slotted spoon, transfer steak and vegetables to large bowl. Discard bay leaf. With 2 forks, shred steak, with the grain, into fine strips. Skim and discard fat from cooking liquid. Stir cooking liquid into steak mixture. Spoon into serving bowls, and serve with warm tortillas if you like. Makes about 10 (1 cup) servings.

¥ Each serving: About 200 calories, 13g total fat (5g satu-rated), 66mg cholesterol, 455mg sodium, 8g total carbohy-drate, 2g dietary fiber, 36g protein.

1 teaspoon almond extract

1/4 cup chopped almonds

1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Spray a 9-inch round cake pan

with butter-flavored cooking spray.

2. In a large bowl, combine baking mix and sugar substi-

tute. Add milk, sour cream, egg and almond extract. Mix

gently just to combine. Spread batter in prepared cake

pan. Evenly sprinkle almonds over top. Lightly spray top

with butter-flavored cooking spray.

3. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted

in center comes out clean. Place cake pan on a wire rack

and let set for at least 15 minutes. Cut into 8 wedges.

¥ Each serving equals: 124 calories, 4g fat, 4g protein,

18g carb., 285mg sodium, 1g fiber; Diabetic Exchanges:

1 Starch, 1/2 Fat.

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Avon CallingQ: I have a large collection of Avon bottles. Even though I don’t have the Internet, I hope you can help me find out current values. -- Pauline, Manchester, N.H.A: Since so many readers have written me recently about Avon collectibles, a brief history lesson might be in order.The California Perfume Company was founded in 1886. Even though the “Avon” line was introduced by the company during the 1920s, it was not marketed as such until 1939. Collecting, especially the earlier items, is still brisk, but prices appear to have softened in recent years. For example, a 1960s globe bank that contained bubble-bath crystals was valued in a 1975 price guide for $35, and currently retails for about $15.There are several fairly good price guides available that you can find online at www.amazon.com.

***Q: I have an issue of Good Housekeeping, the Christ-mas edition, from December 1928. What is it worth? -- Linda, Cuba City, Wisc.A: As with most collectibles, condition is paramount. Does your magazine have its original cover. Has any-thing been clipped from it, and does it show signs of obvious wear. Who designed the cover, and is there anything exceptional about the magazine’s content? Good Housekeeping was first published in 1885 and was acquired by Hearst in 1911. It was without a doubt one of America’s most successful magazines. High-lights include covers and illustrations by such artists as Jessie Willcox Smith and Coles Phillips. Look, too, for stories by Kathleen Norris, Pear S. Buck, Sinclair Lewis, Agatha Christie and Stephen Vincent Benet. The Rose O’Neill kewpies also are collectible.If your magazine is fairly standard, it is probably worth about $20. If it has an exceptional cover or features any of the above mentioned talents, it is worth more.

***Q: I have a mint copy of “The Fires Burn No More,” as recorded by Little Anthony and the Imperials on Apollo during the 1950s. What can I get for it? -- Thom, Can-ton, OhioA: Your record is worth in the $15 to $60 range, de-pending on condition.

***Write to Larry Cox in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to antiquequestions@aol.com. Due to the large volume of mail he receives, Mr. Cox is unable to personally answer all reader questions. Do not send any materials requiring return mail.

(c) 2009 King Features Synd., Inc.

Studio GlitzStudio Glitz**

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Westside Veterinary Hospitala dba of Moffett Road Veterinary Clinic, P.C.

Sheila R. Palmer, DVMJoseph A. Long, DVM

Paul J. Hannon Jr., DVM

2410 Dawes Rd. Suite CMobile, AL 36695

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An Upset for the Ages

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- If you didn’t know better, you’d think the winner of the Daytona 500 was an English chap, per-

haps on holiday from the festival at Goodwood.But the winner of NASCAR’s biggest race, Trevor Bayne (not Trevor Howard, not Claire Trevor) only turned 20 on Saturday. Sir Trevor Bayne would have a nice ring to it, but, alas, the ac-cent he affects is from Knoxville, Tenn., not Liverpool or Kent, and when he praised the Lord afterward, he sounded as if he meant it.Truly, Bayne knew all about the power and the glory after win-ning at Daytona International Speedway, NASCAR’s sacred shrine. About all that could have been more surprising about his victory would’ve been a walk across Lake Lloyd on the way to victory lane.“If I tried to put this into words, I wouldn’t be able to do it jus-tice,” said Bayne, to which reporters replied, “Please try.”“Anybody I drafted with was headed to the front,” he said among all the gushing and hosannas, “and the big thing was that these guys (Wood Brothers Racing) gave me a rocket ship.”“When we were testing down here, he didn’t get to do any draft-ing because I wouldn’t let him,” said Bayne’s crew chief, Don-nie Wingo. “He wanted to, but I knew he had the poise to race it. Some young drivers can go fast but can’t race. I could tell Trevor was different.”How did this upset of epic proportions occur? Forget going back to the start of the race. The final laps read like a novel. With six laps remaining, Regan Smith, who is not exactly a household name, led. Bayne was 10th.Exit Smith on lap 197, jettisoned from his draft with Kurt Busch and relegated to fifth place (he finished seventh). Behind Smith and Busch, Ryan Newman, Clint Bowyer and Denny Hamlin crashed.That guaranteed a “green-white-checkered” finish and led to a “green-yellow-green-white-checkered” finish. A.J. Allmend-inger, Newman (again), Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Martin Truex Jr. crashed on lap 203, leaving first place in NASCAR’s biggest event to ... Trevor Bayne.Tony Stewart’s Chevy dropped quickly when he couldn’t get up to speed in a drafting tandem with Mark Martin. Carl Edwards’ Ford closed in but arrived too late. The third-place finisher

In only his second NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, 20-year-old Trevor Bayne takes the checkered flag at the 2011 Daytona 500, becoming the youngest champion in the Great American Race’s history.

wounding up being another long shot, David Gilliland.Attrition played a bigger role in this 500 than any in recent memory. Placing outside the top 20 were seven of the driv-ers who took part in 2010’s Chase for the Sprint Cup: Hamlin (21st), Jimmie Johnson (27th), Jeff Gordon (28th), Matt Kens-eth (34th), Greg Biffle (35th), Jeff Burton (36th) and Kevin Harvick (42nd).What was Ford’s 600th victory in NASCAR became the 98th victory for the Wood Brothers, who have been around just about as long as NASCAR itself. Glen Wood, with brother Leonard turning the wrenches, finished 34th in the first Daytona 500. Now Glen Wood’s sons Len and Eddie are the owners. The team has won through the years with its founder, David Pear-son, Cale Yarborough, Neil Bonnett, Marvin Panch, A.J. Foyt, Dan Gurney, Speedy Thompson, Kyle Petty, Donnie Allison, Curtis Turner, Tiny Lund, Buddy Baker, Dale Jarrett, Morgan Shepherd, Elliott Sadler ... and Bayne, the fifth driver of the team’s No. 21 to win the Daytona 500.The victory was worth $1,462,583, which was $10,838 more than Bayne’s earnings in 51 Nationwide Series races.Leonard Wood, the mechanical mastermind of the team’s glory years said, “You know, sometimes you wonder if rookies are capable of winning, you know? Today I told him that he had already proved to me that he could win, and then he goes and does it.“I have no doubt about this kid now. What an unbelievable day for him and us.”

SNOWFLAKESNature provides us with a plethora of beautiful things to observe. Snowflakes falling from the sky on a cold win-ter’s day are an amazing sight. • Is it really true that it can be too cold to snow? According to “Farmers’ Almanac,” that is false. The better state-

ment is: “It can be too cold to snow heavily.” As long as there is a source of moisture and some way to cool the air, it can snow. Most heavy snow events happen when air temperature near the ground is at or above 15º F (-9.4ºC).

• Wilson A. Bentley of Jericho, Vermont, was an early pioneer in the study and photography of snowflakes. An exhibit of the “Bentley Snow Crystal Collection” at the Buffalo Museum of Science at the University of Buffalo in Buffalo, New York, shows the deep interest in snow of the man known as “Snowflake” Bentley. A farm boy who was mostly home-schooled, Bentley had a great interest in nature, and being in one of the snowiest areas of the country, he spent a lot of time studying snow. He photographed snowflakes using photomicrography, which is photography through a microscope.

• The Jericho Historical Society has mementos of “Snowflake” Bentley in its Museum opened in the lower level of the Old Red Mill in Jericho. Bentley captured 5,000-plus snow crystal photomicrographic images during his lifetime. More than 2,000 of his images are in his book, “Snow Crystals,” published in 1931.

• The first research grant ever awarded by the American Meteorological Society was given to “Snowflake” Bent-ley in 1924 for his 40 years of “extremely patient work.” He had articles published in National Geographic, Country Life, Popular Mechanics, Monthly Weather Review and The New York Times.

• Kenneth Libbrecht, professor of physics at Caltech in Pasadena, California, has a website that shows diagrams of the 35 most common types of snowflakes. The website, snowcrystals.com, has some interesting facts and figures and even information on some great places for snowflake touring.

• You may recall a set of four commemorative snowflake stamps in 2006. The four stamps issued by the U.S. Post-al Service used four original photographs taken by Dr. Libbrecht. The photos were taken in Fairbanks, Alaska, Houghton, Michigan, and two in Northern Ontario. Dr. Libbrecht also has published a number of books about snowflakes. Look for them at a bookstore or your local library for much more fascinating snowflake information.

• Another physicist, Ukichiro Nakaya, who is actually a nuclear physicist, has studied snow crystals (or snow-flakes) for many years and was the first person to make artificial snow in 1936. His development made it possible to extend ski seasons all over the world. The Ukichiro Nakaya Museum of Snow and Ice in Katayamazu in Kaga City, Japan, is about 311 miles (500 km) west of Tokyo. Another snow museum in Japan is located at Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan. The Snow Crystals Museum of Asahikawa looks like an Austrian castle.

• Snowflake, Arizona, is a place you might expect to be covered with a large amount of snow in the winter. The town, the northernmost community in Arizona’s White Mountains, actually receives less than a foot (30.5 c) of precipitation per year. Snowflake was not named for the winter flakes that fall but after two Mormon settlers, Erastus Snow and William Flake, who started the community in 1878.

HOLLYWOOD -- In the 1970s, I met an actor in the contract program of 20th Century Fox. They gave him small parts with a few lines until his big break came in the movie “Coma” -- he played a corpse. Next came a contract at Universal Studios, where his six TV pilots didn’t sell. Steven Spielberg wanted him to star as Indiana Jones in “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” With five days left on his contract, Universal talked CBS into buying a show, starring him, without a pilot, and off he went to Hawaii to

shoot the series. Then, the Screen Actor’s Guild called a strike, and he sat there, unable to work on the series, doing landscaping to pay his rent. As soon as the strike was over, “Magnum P.I.” became a mega hit. The actor -- if you haven’t already guessed -- was Tom Selleck.Post-”Magnum” he became a bona fide movie star because of films like “Three Men and a Baby.” In 2005, Tom became Jesse Stone, the police officer in Robert B. Parker’s series of nov-els. “Stone Cold” (the fourth book) was the first to air, followed by “Night Passage” (the first book), “Death in Paradise (third book out) and “Sea Change” (fifth book). Next came “Thin Ice” and “No Remorse,” original stories written by Selleck and Michael Brandman. All are available on DVD. Next up is “Innocents Lost,” also written by Selleck and Brandman and filmed in Hali-fax, Nova Scotia. It will air on Monday, May 9. CBS is so happy that it’s ordered an eighth film.

Tom passed on turning Jesse Stone into a weekly series, so CBS came up with “Blue Bloods,” his new hit series. It did so well in its Wednesday-night time slot that CBS should put it there permanently. In the 40 years I’ve known Tom Selleck, I’ve always found him to be a regular guy who just happens to be one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. Watch his show once, and you’ll be hooked.***When “Dancing With the Stars” returns on March 12 for its 12th season, it will be without three-time pro-fessional winner Derek Hough and his sister, two-time winner Julianne Hough. Derek will be filming “Cobu-3D” with Asian star BoA. It’s a modern Romeo and Juliet story, not unlike the recent “Step Up 3D” film. Julianne was in “Burlesque” and is starring in the new “Footloose,” due out in October. She’s currently dat-ing “American Idol’s” Ryan Seacrest. Mentioned for Season 12 are “Barnaby Jones” beauty Lee Meriweth-er, Charlie Sheen’s ex, Brooke Mueller, and “Falcon Crest”/”Renegade” star Lorenzo Lamas. They should change the name of the show to “Dancing With Celeb-rities,” because it rarely gets big-name stars! PHOTO: Tom Selleck

1. Robert Parissi was frontman for what 1970s group?2. Which group released “I’m Into Something Good,” and when?3. What was Fleetwood Mac’s first No. 1 hit in the U.S.?4. Who released “Lonely Teenager,” and when?5. David Lee Roth had most of his No. 1 hits with what band?6. Name the only album the Silver Bullet Band saw shoot to the top of the charts.7. Name the Millie Small 1964 release that’s been widely used, including being translated into Ital-ian, Swedish, Serbian, German and more.

Answers1. Wild Cherry. The group had a No. 1 hit with “Play That Funky Music.” Parissi now lives in Florida and plays adult contemporary jazz.2. Herman’s Hermits, in 1964. The song reached No. 1 in the U.K., but only No. 13 in the U.S.3. “Dreams” in 1977. The song was written by Stevie Nicks.4. Dion (DiMucci) in 1960. The song only reached No. 12 on the charts, but is an oldies standard today.5. Van Halen. His only No. 1 solo was “Just Like Paradise” in 1988.6. “Against the Wind” in 1980. It won a Grammy for best packaging and for best rock group performance with vocals.7. “My Boy Lollipop,” amazingly enough. It’s said that Rush Limbaugh has used it as an update theme on his radio show.

Upcoming MobileMardi Gras Parades

Dates, times and routes are subject to change.

Thursday, February 24 ... 6:30 pm ... Order of the Polka Dot ParadeFriday, February 25 ... 6:30 pm ... Order of the Inca ParadeSaturday, February 26 ... 2:00 pm ... Mobile Mystics Parade 2:30 pm ... Mobile Mystical Revelers 6:30 pm ... Maids of Mirth Parade 7:00 pm ... Order of Butterfly Maidens Parade 7:30 pm ... Krewe of Marry MatesSunday, February 27 ... 6:30 pm ... Neptune’s Daughters Parade 7:00 pm ... Order of Isis ParadeMonday, February 28 ... 6:30 pm ... Mobile Mystical Ladies Parade 7:00 pm ... Order of Venus ParadeTuesday, March 1 ... 6:30 pm ... Order of LeShe ParadeThursday, March 3 ... 6:30 pm ... Mystic Striper Parade

Page 6 For Advertising Call 251-285-4116

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) You might feel more en-couraged about changes in your personal and/or profes-sional life. However, it might be best not to rush things but rather work with them as they evolve.TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) The Bovine’s business sense is especially keen this week. But remember that it’s always best to investigate before investing. Make sure there are no hidden factors that can rise up later on.GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Working on a family project could create tension between and among those concerned. Your good sense and your patience can help reduce bad attitudes and raise positive feelings.CANCER (June 21 to July 22) You should be seeing more progress in the development of your plans and more supporters joining in. News from the past could help change someone’s long-held position.LEO (July 23 to August 22) With personal aspects strong this week, Leos and Leonas might want to spend more time with family and others who are especially close to them. Also expect news of a possible career change.VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Taking a strong stand can be helpful this week. But be careful you don’t cross the line into obstinacy. Best to take a position on facts as they are, not as you want them to be.LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) You have a strong sense of the needs of others. This week, turn some of that sensitivity into an honest self-appraisal, and let it find places where you can help yourself.SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Creating an emotional comfort zone to handle a personal problem helps at first. But by midweek, you’ll realize you need to deal with it directly or it could linger for too long.SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Turn-ing the page on a mistake to start fresh might not be the thing to do. Better to go over each step that led up to the decision you made and see which one misled you.CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Goats enjoy a varied diet, but eating crow isn’t on the menu -- at least not this week. An embarrassing situation might have gone wrong before you got into it. Check it out.AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Your sense of honesty might impel you to speak up about a situation you disapprove of. That’s fine. But do so without sound-ing accusatory. You might not know all the facts behind it.PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Being asked to cre-ate a reassuring attitude in the middle of chaos isn’t easy, but you can do it. Support for your efforts comes slowly, but it does come. Enjoy an arts-filled weekend.BORN THIS WEEK: Your honesty about people and is-sues is expressed in a positive, not painful, way.

For Advertising Call 251-680-7052 Page 7AGAINST ALL ODDS:

CAPTAIN SCOTTY SMILEYScott Smiley graduated from The United States Military

Academy at West Point, New York, in 2003. He took the

motto of “Duty, Honor, Country” very seriously — and still

does. His life changed drastically on April 6, 2005.

• Smiley had been through Army Ranger training and was

a combat-diver qualified infantryman with plans to serve

in special operations. He was a lieutenant in charge of a

Stryker Brigade Combat Team platoon in Iraq when his

future plans were altered.

• On that April day when Smiley’s platoon came upon a

nervous-looking man in a suspicious car, he ordered the

man to get out of the car. The man hesitated but got out

with his hands up and then set off a massive bomb. The

last thing Smiley remembers seeing was, “that man’s

face, and his hands in the air.” The bomb sent shards of

metal through his left eye into his brain, also damaging

his right eye socket. Smiley was the only soldier hurt of

the eight in the armored vehicle.

• The story of Scotty Smiley is not really about the accident

but about his dramatic perseverance and determination.

He could have taken disability retirement from the Army

and sat around feeling sorry for himself.

• Instead, Captain Scotty Smiley has set a fine example,

showing his abilities and not bemoaning his disability.

Since his injury he has climbed Mount Rainier, surfed in

Hawaii, skied in Vail, Colorado, gone sky-diving, com-

pleted a triathlon, and graduated from Duke University’s

Fuqua School of Business with his MBA (Masters of

Business Administration).

• Captain Smiley has won many awards and honors,

both civilian and military, in the five years since he was

wounded. He was named Soldier of the Year in 2007 by

The Army Times. He was awarded the Bronze Star and

Purple Heart for service to our country through the U.S.

Army.

• He won an ESPY award for Best Outdoor Athlete for

mountain climbing in 2008. (ESPY awards are presented

by ESPN television network. ESPY stands for: Excel-

lence in Sports Performance Yearly Awards.)

• He also was awarded the MacArthur Leadership Award

in 2009. This award honors officers who demonstrate

the ideals for which General Douglas MacArthur stood.

Recently Captain Smiley taught the core course in lead-

ership at West Point, and on February 1, 2010, he ac-

cepted command of the Warrior Transition Unit at West

Point’s Keller Army Medical Center. He is only the sec-

ond wounded warrior to hold a command position and the

U.S. Army’s first blind active-duty officer.

• Smiley is married to Tiffany, his high school sweetheart,

and they now have two sons. He attributes his recovery

and determination to his family, faith and friends. “It was

my wife, my family and friends who were in my hospital

room singing songs and reading the Bible that gave me

the strength during my recovery,” he says.

• September 14, 2010, was the release date for “Hope Un-

seen,” written by Captain Scotty Smiley with Doug Cran-

dell. The book chronicles his struggles and triumphs. His

inspirational story helps us see that we can make the best

of any situation that comes our way. Grab a copy at a

bookstore or library near you.

Page 8 For Advertising Call 251-285-4116

ALL MY CHILDRENCara explained how she was falsely accused of being a terrorist. Liza admitted to Colby that she slept with Da-mon. Jake lashed out at Amanda for calling the feds on Cara. David denied knowing Annie and Emma’s where-abouts. Scott asked Madison to be his roommate. Cara felt guilty for the friction she was causing between Jake and Amanda. Ricky stole the last page of Zach’s letter before Kendall could read it. Wait to See: Reese sics her

attorney on Bianca.

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFULAmber made a confession to Liam while he was unconscious. Steffy voiced her disdain for Stephanie’s new outlook. Dayzee took Thomas for his word and agreed to go on a date with him. Nick encouraged Oliver to take advantage of Hope’s availability. Bill made Amber an offer she couldn’t refuse. Liam’s condition took a turn for the worse. Steffy and Brooke argued about business. Wait to See: Amber moves in with Bill.

DAYS OF OUR LIVESEJ was shocked to learn that Taylor was Nicole’s sister, but married Nicole anyway. Rafe was subdued while trying to make an emergency call to Roman. A despondent Chloe wrote a goodbye letter and headed to the pier to commit suicide. Jennifer helped Daniel realize that he could still play a major role in Parker’s life. Chad realized that he was a DiMera no matter how much he tried to fight it. Wait to See: Nicole demands to know what’s going on between Taylor and EJ.

GENERAL HOSPITALBrenda and Sonny finally wed after several interruptions. Lisa and Johnny made love after baring their souls. Liz began to wonder if Lucky was Aiden’s father. Patrick and Robin were reminded of their wedding day and appeared headed for a reconciliation. Lucky offered to marry Siobhan so that she could stay in the United States. Kristina caught the wedding bouquet and teased Ethan that he would be her prospective groom one day. Gunfire erupted outside of Sonny and Brenda’s wedding. Wait to See: Brenda is held captive by the Balkan.

ONE LIFE TO LIVENatalie found out about Kelly and John’s one-night stand. Shane’s bully was revealed to be Jack Manning. Tea was surprised to see her brother, Tomas, in Llanview. Aubrey was hopeful that Vimal wouldn’t testify against Clint. Dorian suspected that Charlie had turned to Echo for com-fort. Brody and Langston raced to try to stop Ford and Jessica’s wedding. Wait to See: Talk-show host Wendy Williams hosts “Access Llanview.”

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESSBilly and Victoria hired Jana to be their new nan-ny. Nick took Victoria’s side in court against Vic-tor. Sofia cheated on Malcolm with his brother, Neil. Abby didn’t approve of Victor and Diane’s relationship. Kevin asked Jana to move out. Jack and Phyllis kissed and made up, which Nick hap-pened to witness. Diane told Michael that she was carrying a torch for someone else -- and it wasn’t Victor. Wait to See: Jana is threatened by someone from her past.

PHOTO: Billy Miller stars as “Billy” on “The Young and The Restless”

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