VERBATIM   VERBATIM - What happens if a big asteroid hits Earth? Judging from realistic simulations involving a sledge hammer and a common laboratory frog, we can assume it will be pretty bad. -- David Barry, Humorist. CNS Photo.    WHAT IS IT? - A leaf of the common sundew plant. CNS Photo.    NOW, IF ONLY HE'D SHAVE - ABC reportedly will soon begin airing a comedy series based on the cavemen in the Geico insurance commercials. CNS Photo.    'TRUE ... [full story]

Q: I'm about to do over our oldest son's room. He's going to be living with us for a year or so, waiting for his office to post him abroad. The room's not very big (12 by 14) and just has one window. My question is about that window: what kind of curtains would be suitable in a room for a 25-year-old guy? A: I'd suggest that, like the rest of humanity, 25-year-old guys have ... [full story]

Q: Our 17-year-old grandson is coming to visit for a few days. We don't get to see him often. In our retirement community there isn't much action for him, and we do not know anyone his age nearby. Do you have any ideas for making his visit enjoyable? A: Being able to communicate one-on-one with a grandson is a wonderful opportunity to bond. He will enjoy receiving your full attention, regardless of what activities you ... [full story]

For collectors of "advertiques," there are certain seminal characters, most of which have appeared in print ads, on television, and in three dimensional form. Among the favorites are the Jolly Green Giant, Charlie the Tuna, Tony the Tiger, the Pillsbury Doughboy, the Energizer Bunny, Mr. Clean, Reddy Killowatt - and Speedy Alka Seltzer. Speedy is a spunky redheaded boy with a dazzling white grin and almost Howdy Doody-like ears. His body is a round Alka ... [full story]

A lesbian gets disillusioned because her company offers pet insurance - even for unusual pets such as pigs, rats and snakes - but doesn't offer same sex domestic partner benefits. A female Asian attorney makes a typo and listens as her supervisor tells her, "There is an English problem here." The manager of a Latina information technology worker tells his employee that she is "too ethnic looking to be taken seriously." These things happen every ... [full story]

Football season is just around the corner. That means it is also time for fantasy football. Participants develop teams with NFL players and receive points based on their players' field performance. According to an estimate by a global outplacement agency, Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc., fantasy footballers could spend up to two hours a day working on their teams, meaning workplace efficiency will probably suffer. John A. Challenger, the agency's chief executive officer, says the ... [full story]

The Altima Hybrid is a roomy and attractive sedan sold in one well-equipped model with a base price of $25,015, which includes conveniences such as Intelligent Key push-button starting and six air bags. The test car included the Connection Package, $5,250, which created a comfortable environment featuring leather upholstery and other weighty things such as power, heated seats and a trunk-lid spoiler.   NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID - The Altima Hybrid still has a government credit of ... [full story]

The new Nissan Altima coupe is a good example of how less can be more. This sexy coupe, which went on sale May 27, is based on the Altima sedan, but the coupe is less car. It rides on a new, shortened platform. Its wheelbase is 4 inches shorter than that of the sedan. The coupe's overall length is 7.3 inches shorter, and its height has been shaved by 2.6 inches. Nissan says the coupe's ... [full story]

The world is very different today than it was 25 years ago. But if a couple of pop music fans had been placed in suspended animation in 1982 and suddenly awakened now, they might think time had stood still, at least when it comes to concerts and the most popular live performers.   ROCK OF AGES - Break out the Ben-Gay, concert venues are being invaded by stars of the past and they are ready to ... [full story]

Q: The "Mr. Ed" puppet seen in this photo is in the original box and has never been opened. Pulling a string makes him move his mouth and talk. He says 10 phrases and has a mane made of yarn.   MR. ED - This Mr. Ed puppet is in the original box and has never been opened. It is probably worth between $200 to $250. CNS Photo.    PEARL CHINA CO. MARK - Pearl China Co. located ... [full story]