THE PUZZLE CORNER: OCTOBER 10, 2015

FUN FACT
Although being a left handed person is not an uncommon occurrence, more lefties are found amongst twins.

THE LETTER SHUFFLE
We're trying something different today. Clues to three different words are listed below. If you answer the first two correctly, their letters can be rearranged to spell the answer to the third clue. Ready?

(Hurt) + (Kingdom) = (significant)

TRIVIA TIME
By what former name did we used to know Belize?

We'll reveal all next weekend. But for now, let's open up THE ANSWERS BOX and discover the results of the October 3, 2015 Puzzle Corner.

REBUS
Something familiar is represented in the image below. Do you know what it is?

TIME, TIME

Whether you prefer the Cynid Lauper song or the 1979 movie, the answer is Time After Time.

BEFORE AND AFTER
Two separate items have at least one word in common, and can be combined to create something new. Based upon the clue below, do you know what it is?

A famous actor's preferred method of driving? = Tom Cruise Control

THE SUNDAY FUNNIES: QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS (misc. jokes)

"HUH?"

Hello Everybody! Waxy Dragon here!

Now being a young dragon, I go to Dragon School, where I learn all about being a dragon, interacting with humans (you folks are not crunchy and don't taste good with ketchup!) and all kinds of other neat stuff.

Yet from time to time, there are things that just leave me scratching my head in wonder. Like...


Canning is the preserving of fruits and vegetables for later use.
Yet why do they call it canning when everything goes in jars?

SPAM is short for SPiced hAM.
Yet even if you do like the stuff, how come nobody wants it in their e-mails?
If somebody was going to send me free food, I certainly wouldn't complain.

If universal remotes are supposed to work on anything, then how come Pluto is still not considered a planet?

Why do people go to someone called a "broker" to invest their money?
Shouldn't there be a "saver" or "multiplier" somewhere?

If James Bond is supposed to be such a great secret agent, how come there are so many books and movies featuring him?
Then again, if a government has a file they consider "Top Secret", why do they bother to label it?
Shouldn't they just keep it unmarked and hidden somewhere?

If wool shrinks when it gets wet, how come sheep don't shrink when they're out in the rain?

Why does night fall but day breaks?

And on that note, have a great week everybody and please be back here next weekend for more Sunday Funnies!—wd.

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: SEPTEMBER 27-OCTOBER 3, 2015

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.

FOR THOSE OBSERVING THE JEWISH FAITH, HOSHANA RABBAH BEGINS AT SUNDOWN TONIGHT.

OCTOBER 3rd IS GERMAN UNITY DAY, NATIONAL DAY IN IRAQ & NATIONAL FOUNDATION DAY IN SOUTH KOREA.
THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW CELEBRATES ITS 40th ANNIVERSARY.

AMONGST EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD THIS PAST WEEK...
THOSE IN THE PATH OF HURRICANE JOAQUIN ARE ADVISED TO TAKE THE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS. AFTER STRIKING THE BAHAMAS, THE ERRATIC STORM WILL EITHER GO STRAIGHT UP THE ATLANTIC OCEAN OR MAKE LANDFALL AGAIN SOMEWHERE ALONG THE EASTERN SEABOARD OF THE UNITED STATES.
MEANWHILE, BERMUDA IS ALSO PREPARING FOR THE STORM.

*Guyana claims Venezuela is gathering troops and weapons along the disputed border between the two countries.
*Russia has officially begun air strikes in Syria in support of the local government. France also reports successful air strikes against ISIS/ISIL forces in the region.
*Meanwhile neutral observers, from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe; along the Donbass border monitoring the current cease fire report the presence of a new Russian weapons system that was not there at the start of the separatist movement in the Ukraine.
*Because Israel allegedly has not been honoring them, Palestine has announced they will no longer abide by the Oslo Accords either.
*Although the Separatists Party won a majority in the recent general election held in Catalonia, Spain's charter does not allow any region to break away from the country.

*The government of Nepal has now begun regulating who can attempt to climb Mount Everest in hopes of reducing climbing related accidents.

*Citing rising costs versus actual returns, the Royal Dutch Shell Oil Company has halted drilling operations around the Alaskan Coast.

*After failing to come to an agreement with the pilots' union Air France/KLM says it will soon be cutting 2900 jobs.

*Pope Francis is back in Rome after completing his recent visit of Cuba and the United States.

*Although highly poisonous to life as we know it, NASA scientists have confirmed the existence of water on Mars!

*Scientists have not only discovered a new reptile that has been dubbed the Hawks' Bill Sea Turtle, but it is also the first known instance of bio-fluorescence in a wild reptile. The animal has also been declared an endangered species.

TERRIBLE TERRORIST ACTIVITIES...
*Taliban forces have seized control of Kunduz, Afghanistan. Afghan forces claim to have since retaken the city.
*There is a report that five girl suicide bombers attacked Maiduguri, Nigeria on behalf of Boko Haram, resulting in 9 innocent victims, not counting the bombers, and over 30 injured.

PASSING PARADE...
*Singer Denise Lor ("I'll Give My Heart To You") is no longer with us.
*Film director/producer John Guillermin (The Towering Inferno, 1976 version of King Kong) has passed away.
*Singer Frankie Ford ("Sea Cruise") is no longer with us.
*Actress Catherine E. Coulson (best known as The Log Lady on Twin Peaks) has taken her last bow on life's stage.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA...
POLITICALLY...

*Despite an unsuccessful witch hunt Congressional hearing into the matter, some  Republican members of Congress are still threatening a government shutdown unless Planned Parenthood is totally defunded. However, the government only reimburses the organization for some healthcare services rendered to low and no income patients. Otherwise, Planned Parenthood is not an item on any Federal budget.
*After the recent tragedy in Oregon, both sides of the debate are gearing up for new arguments concerning gun control regulations.
*Political analysts are concerned that Alabama closing most of their driving license offices may result in voter suppression.
ELSEWHERE...
*The gunman who killed 9 people and left 9 others injured after opening fire on the campus of Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon on October 1st was himself killed during the subsequent shootout with police.
*The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Francis did meet with the infamous Kentucky clerk who has been refusing to grant marriage licenses to same gender couples in violation of Federal law. HOWEVER, their meeting was as part of group prearranged months ago for while the Pope was in Washington, DC. It is unknown if the Pope knew specifically who she was and the controversy that has developed around her since the meeting was scheduled.
*A five-year old girl has been dismissed from a private Christian school in San Diego, California. The reason? She has two mothers.

*Citing rising costs versus actual returns, the Royal Dutch Shell Oil Company has halted drilling operations around the Alaskan Coast.

*T-Mobile has reported being the victim of a recent computer hack attack via the credit agency Experian, resulting in over 15 million customers' personal information being stolen.
*Mike Flowers is retiring from the Tuscaloosa, Alabama Police Department as a 35 year veteran who has NEVER taken a single sick day in his whole career!
*The Oakland Athletics have become the first team in Major League Baseball to employee a female coach by hiring Justine Siegal for their Instructional/Winter League baseball camp.

THE FREE CHOICE E-ZINE WOULD LIKE TO THANK ITS LOYAL READERSHIP FOR CONTINUING OUR MULTI-YEAR STREAK OF 2000+ PAGE VIEWS EACH MONTH, WITH 2,192 DURING SEPTEMBER!



For more news at any time, either scroll down to our IN OTHER NEWS feature at the bottom of your screen or visit any other reputable news source.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: OCTOBER 3, 2015

FUN FACT
It is estimated that exactly half of the world's population is age 30 or less.

REBUS
Something familiar is represented in the image below. Do you know what it is?

TIME, TIME

BEFORE AND AFTER
Two separate items have at least one word in common, and can be combined to create something new. Based upon the clue below, do you know what it is?

A famous actor's preferred method of driving?

We'll reveal all next weekend. But for now, let's open up THE ANSWERS BOX and discover the results from the September 26, 2015 Puzzle Corner.

COMMON BONDS
The items in each subset have something in common. Do you know what it is?
01. {stairwells, airlines} = Flights
02. {time, kites} = They both fly when you're having fun

TRIVIA TIME
What is the only bird that turns its head upside down to eat? = Flamingos

SUNDAY FUNNIES: EVEN MORE CELEBRITY CITINGS (celebrity quotes)

"Woof!" And you can quote me!

Hello Everybody! Autumn the Puppy here.
Quoting celebrities on various things has become a popular feature whenever I host The Sunday Funnies, so it's time to do it again.
This time, the topic is the thoughts of people who work in the entertainment industry on the entertainment industry and, as usual, my thoughts are in italics afterward. Ready?

Bogie, circa 1945

"I act because I love the craft, because the only point in making money is so you can tell some big shot where to go."
Actor Humphrey Bogart (1899-1957)
Money may not be able to buy you happiness or love, but it can give you a little independence once in a while. Then again, I just can't see anyone ever being able to push Bogie around.

Martin, circa 1963

"I believe entertainment can aspire to be art, and can become art, but if you sell out to make art, you're an idiot.
Entertainer Steve Martin (1945—)
Art who? Just kidding. Seriously, art reflects life, but life inspires art. As long as we're alive, we're creating art every day, even if we're not actually aware of it.

"I don't think I could do my work if I didn't believe there was some kind of hope for humanity."
Entertainer Sandra Bernhard (1955—)

Bikel, circa 1980s

And art does inspire hope, let alone life...

"The play is always fresh to me. It's not the audience's fault that I've said the words before."
Theodore Bikel (1924-2015)
That a performer can bring something new to every production, no matter how many times they've done it before, says something unique about that person.

"Drama is like a plate of meet and potatoes. Comedy is rather the dessert, a bit like meringue."
Woody Allen (1935—)
Then I say life's short. Eat dessert first!

That's all the time and space I have for this weekend.
Have a great week everybody, and please be back here next weekend for more Sunday Funnies!—AtP.

Images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: SEPTEMBER 20-26, 2015

TODAY IS FLAG DAY IN ECUADOR & DOMINION DAY IN NEW ZEALAND.

BANNED BOOKS WEEK, IN HOPE OF ENDING CENSORSHIP IN LITERATURE, BEGINS SUNDAY.

THE PEANUTS COMIC STRIP CELEBRATES ITS 65th ANNIVERSARY OCTOBER 2.

AMONGST EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD THIS PAST WEEK...

*Pope Francis has had a busy week between visiting Cuba and the United States.
*Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, is visiting the United States on his first diplomatic mission, meeting with technology leaders on the west coast.
*A stampede during the Hajj pilgrimage near Mecca has left over 750 dead and 900+ wounded. Reason(s) as to why the stampede took place have yet to be discovered.
*Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn has resigned over the scandal that the car manufacturer has tampered with diesel emission readings.
*Following the failure of its attempted coup in Burkina Faso, the Regiment of Presidential Security has been officially disbanded.
*Nepal has officially began governing under a new constitution.
*Many parts of the world will get to witness a lunar eclipse during the "super" moon Sunday, September 27th.

TERRIBLE TERRORIST ACTIVITIES....
*Several European countries are still reporting influx of refugees from the Middle East, a long term result of continuing terrorist activities and other fighting there. Meanwhile, Croatia has reopened its border with Serbia.
*There are confirmed reports of Boko Haram forces attacking the Nigerian city of Maiduguri.
*Iraq reports that Iran, Russia, and Syria are officially helping with that country's battle(s) against ISIS/ISIL forces.

PASSING PARADE...
*Playwright and actor Jack Larson, best remembered as Jimmy Olsen on The Adventures of Superman, has taken his last bow on life's stage.
*Legendary baseball player Yogi Berra is no longer with us.
*Famed romance novelist Jackie Collins has passed away.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA...
POLITICALLY...

*During his visit to the United States, Pope Francis formally addressed Congress, the first Pope to ever do so. He spoke on many important issues facing both individual nations and the world, but whether or not his words will be heeded remains to be seen.
*Republican John Boehner has officially announced his resignation as both a member of Congress and Speaker of the House, effective the end of October. Pundits and Analysts are left wondering about the future of Congress, depending upon who replaces him as Speaker.
*Scott Walker, known to some in Wisconsin as the Governor who hates the working class, has officially dropped out of the 2016 Republican Presidential Nomination race. Former Texas Governor Rick Perry's campaign is still just officially suspended.
*The saga of the Kentucky clerk who would not issue marriage licenses to anyone so same gender couples couldn't get married isn't over yet! She may face possible jail time again for removing her name from the certificates, in violation of Federal law. Meanwhile, she has officially joined the Republican Party, although many already thought she was a member!
ELSEWHERE...
*A rash of shootings in Chicago, Illinois has left at least 8 dead and over 40 wounded.
*After buying the manufacturer and raising the price of the drug Daraprim (to treat toxoplasmosis during food born illnesses) from $13.50 a pill to $750 a pill, the original owners have regained control of the company, but have only lowered the price to $35 a pill. Federal authorities are investigating.
*16 year old Olivia Hallisey has won the 2015 Google Science Fair developing a quicker/cheaper way to test for the presence of the Ebola Virus in potential victims.
*DC Entertainment has decided to right a decades old wrong by finally giving Bill Finger his much deserved credit as the co-creator of Batman and related characters. HOWEVER... this will only be in other media, NOT THE COMICS! Because DC Comics arrangement with his estate to give Bob Kane sole credit for creating the character still stands, although many people realize this is not the case.
*A Federal judge has officially ruled that the song "Happy Birthday To You" has fallen into public domain, meaning no one can collect royalties from its use.
*During the 67th annual Prime Time Emmy Awards, Game of Thrones has won Outstanding Drama series with Peter Dinklage as Outstanding Dramatic Supporting Actor. Veep won Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Comedy Actress for Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Tony Hale for Outstanding Supporting Comedy Actor. The Daily Show with Jon Stewart was declared Outstanding Talk/Variety Show.
*A Seattle school had the casual dress theme of "Blue Friday", but one teacher wouldn't let a student wear a blue outfit supporting the Denver Broncos when she thought the blue should have been for the Seattle Seahawks. Meanwhile,
a teacher in Oklahoma told one of her students that being left handed is evil and a sign of the devil!
An investigation has since begun into the situation.

For more news at any time, either scroll down to our IN OTHER NEWS feature at the bottom of your screen or visit any other reputable news source.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

FUN FACT
A "super" moon is when a lunar body is closest to its orbital host.

COMMON BONDS
The items in each subset have something in common. Do you know what it is?
01. {stairwells, airlines}
02. {time, kites}

TRIVIA TIME
What is the only bird that turns its head upside down to eat?

We'll reveal all next weekend. But for now, let's open up THE ANSWERS BOX and discover the results from the September 19, 2015 Puzzle Corner.

TRIVIA TIME
Without casting any dispersions upon the two, what started in America in September of 1966, but not in England until January 1, 1970?

The advent of full time, color television broadcasting, although some programs were already filming in color beforehand.

THE LETTER SHUFFLE
The same four letters can be arranged to form the answers for all of the following clues.
How many can you figure out?

The letters in question are O, P, S, and T; creating the following responses...

1. Chooses = OPTS
2. Stain = SPOT
3. Lids = TOPS
4. Mail = POST
5. Cookware = POTS
6. HALT! = STOP