artCentral
By Sally ArmstrongI just read an article on winter
driving, and I want to make sure I understand
what is meant when they say, "Turn into the
direction of the skid." If the front of our
car is veering right, it means the rear is going
left, so which direction are you skidding in -
right or left? I want to make sure I understand
where I’m supposed to turn my steering
wheel. It seems that if my front is veering
right, and I turn my steering wheel to the right,
I’d just end up making a circle. Please
clarify. - Sylvia.
TOM: If the car starts to
slide, and the front of the car is pointing to
the right of where it’s supposed to be
pointing and the back end of the vehicle is
moving to the left, that’s usually referred
to as skidding to the left. In that case, Sylvia,
you would turn the steering wheel to the left to
try to straighten out.
RAY: Think about it this way.
Let’s say you plopped your car down on the
face of the clock. The front of the car is
pointed at the 12, and the back of the car is
pointed to the 6. You’re going straight down
the road, and all is right with the world.
TOM: Now, suppose, all of a
sudden, the front of your car is pointing to the
2. How would you get the car pointed straight
again? You’d turn left, wouldn’t you?
You’re pointing at the 2, and you want to
point to the 12, so you turn left. That’s
turning into the skid.
RAY: If the car was suddenly
pointing to the 10, and you wanted to be pointing
toward the 12, you’d turn the wheel to the
right, right? Right.
TOM: But even if you understand
the theory, it’s best to practice the
technique before you have to use it. So if
there’s a snowstorm and you can find a big,
empty parking lot (note: light poles don’t
count as empty), go out and, at a reasonably slow
speed, cut the wheel sharply and put the car into
a skid, then try to steer out of it. Or better
yet, Sylvia, make sure your next car has
electronic stability control.
Natural
Nutrition
by Mari An
Willis
I just love
Spring with its offerings.
Dandelion: a
bitter, but nutritious herb, may be used in many
ways. The earliest leaves are a delicious
addition to a salad. It has been traditionally
used as a digestive tonic, blood cleanser, mild
diuretic and an aid in weight loss. It has been
suggested to relieve inflammation of the liver
and gallbladder; as well as skin disorders. Some
have suggested it may be useful as a preventative
for high blood pressure.
Feverfew: a bushy
perennial, has been used in Britain for many
years as a deterrent to migraine attacks. The
flowers and leaves are used in the preparations.
The dosage used in Britain for prevention of the
headaches has been 50 to 100 mg daily. It has
been used by some as an anti-inflammatory and
anti-spasmodic. Of course, as the name implies,
it has been used to help bring down fevers.
Chickweed: growing
so profusely at this time, has been used in many
diet formulas as it is said to have the ability
to stop cravings and aid in digestion. Many folk
herbalists use it as a poultice to treat skin
disorders.
Brudock root: has
been used to cleanse the blood and
"heal" the liver and kidneys. It is one
of the best known blood purifiers. Some people
report when it is used on a regular basis, it is
useful for weight loss. To make a tea; bring
water to boil, pour in about an ounce of root,
simmer for approximately 20 minutes and allow to
cool. Drink between meals to curb appetite. Nice
mixed with some lemongrass.
* The Nature
Doctor ... Dr. H. C. Vogel
*Encyclopedia of
Natural Medicine by Dr. Murray and Dr. Pizzorno
GOOD
HOUSEKEEPING
Broiled
Brown-Sugar Bananas
A sweet,
satisfying dessert with just four basic
ingredients.
COOK: 5 minutes
TOTAL: 10 minutes
MAKES: 4
servings
4 ripe medium
bananas, unpeeled
2 tablespoons
brown sugar
1 tablespoon
lower-fat margarine
1/8 teaspoon
ground cinnamon
1. Preheat
broiler. Cut each unpeeled banana lengthwise
almost in half, being careful not to cut all the
way through and leaving 1 inch uncut at banana
end.
2. In cup, with
fork, blend together remaining ingredients. Place
bananas, cut side up, on rack in broiling pan.
Spoon brown-sugar mixture into split bananas.
3. Place pan in
broiler at closest position to source of heat;
broil bananas 5 minutes or until browned. Serve
bananas in skins, and use spoon to scoop out
fruit.
Each serving:
About 150 calories, 34g carb., 2g total fat (1g
saturated), 20mg sodium.
COLLECTING
By Larry Cox
Punchboards
Q: My dad
remembers the old punchboards that were often
found in neighborhood bars throughout the 1940s
and ‘50s. For 25 cents, you punched out a
paper cover of a small hole, and if it had a
certain mark or color, you won $5. Other
punchboards could be played for 5 cents per
punch, and I’ve even heard some existed in
larger cities that required a dollar to play. Dad
has a birthday in August, and I would like
nothing better than to give him a punchboard. Can
you help me? -- Roger, Dayton, Ohio
A: Contact
Punchboards, 7610 S. Main St., Midvale, UT 84047;
and (801) 255-4731. If you strike out, I recently
saw several dozen vintage punchboards at Old
Pueblo Coin Exchange, 4420 East Speedway, Tucson,
AZ 85712; and (520) 881-7200.
***
Q: I have four
pieces of Steuben glass that I think are quite
valuable. Can you suggest someone who can help me
determine values? If my pieces are as valuable as
I think they are, I would like to add them to my
homeowner’s insurance policy. -- Louise,
Davenport, Iowa
A: Jeffrey Purtell
is an established dealer who specializes in both
the purchase and sale of Steuben glass. He is an
expert and has agreed to help you. His contact
information is 31 Pleasant Point Drive,
Portsmouth, NH 03801;
jfpurtell@steubenpurtell.com; and
www.steubenpurtell.com.
***
Q: I have a
Stratton convertible compact, complete with puff
and pouch. It is probably from the 1950s and
features images of cats on its case. Any
information about this unusual item? -- Cathy,
Hudson, N.H.
A: I recommend you
contact Roselyn Gerson, president of the Compact
Collectors Club, P.O. Box 40, Lynbrook, NY 11563;
compactldy@aol.com; and 516-593-8746.
***
Q: I have the
first issue of Sports Illustrated, dated Aug. 16,
1954, and would like to know what it is worth. --
Charlotte, Midwest City, Okla.
A: You can buy the
same edition for $250 at Headline Sports, (713)
672-2793. Check out other issues at www.headlinesports.net.
Cruisin’
By Greg Zyla
1942 Mopars
Q: Greg, your
recent column about the value of a 1942 Dodge was
right on. Also, you are correct that there was no
car production from 1943-45, but there was not
much during 1942 either, which is why there
aren’t many ‘42 models around today.
As you point
out, Dodge production was only 68,000 for
‘42 models. That’s because the federal
government ordered a stop to civilian production
in February 1942. It wasn’t until late 1945
that the factories began shifting production back
to civilian vehicles.
My favorite
‘42 Mopars are the DeSotos with the hidden
headlights. Also unique are the small run of
"blackout" models produced by many of
the manufacturers just before production finally
ceased. The blackouts are very rare and highly
collectable today. -- Chris Barbieri, Montpelier,
Vt.
A: Chris, thanks
much for your letter. The blackout models you
mention are indeed rare and interesting. They
were instituted by direct order from Washington,
D.C., so that no car manufacturer would have a
sales advantage while the use of raw materials
were regulated due to the war. Thus, no new cars
could be delivered with exposed stainless steel
or chrome trim with the exception of bumpers,
bumper guards, and windshield wipers. The
resulting cars were dubbed "blackout
specials" or "blackout models."
As for that 1942
DeSoto, it was indeed a very nice car, and was
officially dubbed the Series S-10C Custom Club
Coupe. DeSoto production in 1942 totaled just
25,000 cars, with your favorite two-door Club
Coupe model coming in at just 2,236 units. All
‘42 DeSotos were powered by inline 236-inch
six-cylinder engines producing 115 horsepower.
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