Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 30, 1995 TAG: 9505050014
SECTION: HORIZON PAGE: G-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Cox News Service
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
A: Yes. The person receiving the money also would receive a document from the IRS, called 1099 Miscellaneous, showing the amount of the reward and, possibly, any amount already withheld for tax. ``This would be in any type of reward with money paid by the federal government, not just the Oklahoma City case,'' explained Internal Revenue Service spokesman Eric Roberts in Atlanta. ``But that $2 million is what is on everybody's mind right now.''
Q: Where did the Coca-Cola Co. get the name Mr. PiBB for one of its soft drinks?
A: Coca-Cola says the name was conceived by an advertising copywriter seeking an ``easily pronounced name which might appeal to young consumers.'' The drink was introduced in 1972. It gave Coca-Cola bottlers and distributors a product to compete with Dr Pepper, which many people believe has a similar flavor. It also gave consumers a choice between a ``Dr'' and a ``Mr.'' beverage, both starting with a P.
Q: I have read that an organization accepts donations of used eyeglasses. Where is it?
A: Many Lions Clubs accept donations of used glasses for recycling. OR you can send your discarded prescription glasses to New Eyes for the Needy, 549 Millburn Ave., Short Hills, N.J. 07078.
Q: I just saw where Zeke Bratkowski, longtime NFL quarterback and coach, had been elected to the Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame. Where and what is that?
A: The full name is the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. It's housed in the Dombrowski Field House at St. Mary's College, 3535 Indian Trail, Orchard Lake, Mich. 48324; telephone 810-683-0401. Potential visitors are asked to call ahead, because the facility is small and not always staffed; appointments are preferred. Founded in 1973, it honors outstanding American athletes of Polish heritage. To be eligible for membership, an athlete must have been retired for two years.
Q: What is the origin of the saying ``Tippecanoe and Tyler too''?
A: It was the rallying cry of the Whigs in the U.S. presidential election campaign of 1840. ``Tippecanoe'' referred to the victory of Gen. William Henry Harrison in 1811 over American Indians led by Chief Tecumseh at the Tippecanoe River in west-central Indiana. The ticket of Harrison for president and John Tyler for vice president was victorious. But Harrison died a month after his inauguration, and Tyler became the first U.S. president by vice presidential succession.
Q: IRS tax forms ask for the taxpayer's occupation. Why do they need that? Doesn't the Census Bureau keep track of people's occupations?
A: There's nothing sinister involved, the IRS says. The information actually is likely to help taxpayers in case of careless errors when the forms are filled out, according to Anthony Burke of the Treasury Department in Washington. ``Let's say someone has not checked the box for a deduction for being 65 or older,'' he said. ``But then the examiner gets to the line about occupation and it says `retired.' That person would have been eligible for a deduction, but would have missed it.'' It's also a potential flag for examiners who might notice discrepancies between occupations cited and incomes claimed. Eric Roberts of the IRS office in Atlanta said the Census Bureau doesn't relate the type of work a person does to the wages paid.
Q: If all seasons are equal in length and spring lasts 92 days, then the four seasons, or a full year, would consist of 368 days. But they don't. So are the seasons equal or not?
A: The seasons are caused by the changing position of the Earth in relation to the sun. Each season lasts about three months, not exactly three months, and not exactly 92 days. In the northern hemisphere, summer begins when the summer solstice occurs on June 20 or 21. Autumn begins on Sept. 22 or 23, the autumnal equinox. The winter solstice, occurring Dec. 21 or 22, marks the beginning of winter. The vernal equinox marks the beginning of spring, March 20 or 21. Between now and the year 2000, spring will begin on March 20. These are beginning dates for the other seasons this year: summer, June 21; autumn, Sept. 23; winter, Dec. 22.
Q: I have a question about the Air Force plane that crashed recently. It took off from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland headed for Randolph Air Force Base in Texas. It crashed in Alexander City, Ala., after experiencing an emergency. News reports said the crash occurred 40 minutes after takeoff. Can a Learjet fly 655 miles in 40 minutes?
A: No. The time of the crash was reported erroneously because of time-zone confusion. Alabama is in the Central time zone, one hour earlier than Maryland, which is in the Eastern zone. The Air Force C-21 Learjet actually had been in the air one hour and 40 minutes. The C-21's top speed is listed as 559 mph.
Q: How can I write to Barbara Bush?
A: The address: Barbara Bush, 10000 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77024.
by CNB