ALMOST USEFUL

THE NEFF ZONE -- BY JIM NEFF

CADILLAC NEWS -- JANUARY 17, 2026

When it comes to information, there is a fine line between useless and useful. Still, even seemingly useless items can sometimes become useful when you least expect it. Those useless things are sneaky. 

 

For instance, did you realize that 2026 is the Year of the Cabbage? Why? “Cabbage completely deserves the spotlight. It's budget-friendly because a single head of cabbage is a lot of cabbage—feels like hitting the jackpot. Cabbage is versatile because you can can roast it, grill it, braise it, eat it raw, ferment it, and put it in a crunchy salad. Finally, cabbage is nutritious. According to the USDA, one cup of shredded cabbage contains two grams of fiber, almost a gram of protein, and generous helpings of the essential Vitamins C and K.” More and five recipes at: https://www.realsimple.com/cabbage-it-vegetable-2026-11879584. 

 

Some of you may be saying “yuck” to cabbage, so you will probably be interested in something at the opposite end of the spectrum. “Fast food is one of the most familiar parts of American eating culture, but the fast food restaurants people love can be surprisingly different by state.”  The Visual Capitalist has a map showing these at: https://www.visualcapitalist.com/mapped-each-states-favorite-fast-food-restaurant/.

 

There is an oddity at play here. “The U.S. fast food landscape can feel both national and deeply local at the same time. When a chain’s 'hometown' becomes part of its brand story, it can turn everyday convenience into something closer to regional tradition.” Try to guess Michigan's choice and then consult the map to see if you were correct. 

 

Everyone, regardless of diet, wants to be healthy. DictionaryScoop.com gives some interesting clarity on the subject. “Health myths are everywhere! These ideas were simply passed down for so long that they became part of what we believed. But now science has stepped in to clear things up. Let's uncover the truth behind ten common health myths!”

 

I can attest to a myth. “Have you ever been told that cutting your hair will make it grow faster? We're sorry to say that's just a myth. Hair grows from the root, not the ends. So, trimming it won't boost growth.” 

 

Another misconception is appropriate for this time of year. Cold weather does not cause colds. “This is one of the most common health myths. Cold weather often gets blamed, but it's not the temperature that makes you catch a cold. During winter, we tend to stay indoors with others and keep the windows closed, an environment that makes it easier for viruses to spread.” Eight more at: https://www.dictionaryscoop.com/article/Eating-before-bed-Dont-fall-for-these-10-popular-health-misconceptions?. 

 

Some health myths endure just due to longevity rather than fact, but one myth has been contradicted (again) by science. “While we may temporarily feel tired after a workout, a new study supports the idea that exercise actually adds to our body’s daily 'energy budget' — it doesn’t deplete it. Researchers have found that our energy budgets are flexible and additive, meaning physical activity allows for an increase in the total amount of energy a person spends.”

 

The research also determined that having a robust energy budget has more benefits. “Those who were more physically active were less likely to stay sedentary for long stretches of time, which has been linked to negative health outcomes even for those who work out regularly.” (https://nicenews.com/health-and-wellness/exercise-increases-daily-energy-budget/)

 

If health myths make you feel wistful, a BuzzFeed article adds to the feeling: “71 Photos Of Forgotten Things That Will Be Instantly Recognizable And Nostalgic To Anyone Over 65.” Right off the bat is a photo of Tang in a glass jar with a screw-on metal top. 

 

There are seventy more of these photos. The “wayback machine” includes: Mercurochrome, ambrosia salad, mechanical typewriters, hot rollers (for hairdos), Fotomats, LePage's Mucilage Glue, and many more. See them all at: https://www.buzzfeed.com/briangalindo/nostalgic-things-boomers-grew-up-with-fs.

 

The animal kingdom is always fun to visit, so facts from there are interesting. Did you know you dog may bark with an accent? “Studies show that dogs, even those of the same breed, bark differently depending on where they were raised. In other words, there are regional variations in their vocalizations. Some change the way they bark after moving to a new area.” (https://www.dictionaryscoop.com/article/Why-does-your-dog-wag-its-tail-Discover-what-your-pet-is-telling-you)

 

Then there are the quacks out there. “You probably know the old saying, 'If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it just may be a duck.' But there’s a slight wrinkle in that logic, because not all ducks quack the same.”

 

See, ducks are extremely adaptable creatures. “Research has shown that ducks from different areas can develop regional accents, not unlike humans, that can be heard in their quacks.” This explains why a duck hunter in Michigan using a Tennessee duck call might not get positive results.  (https://interestingfacts.com/fact/ducks-quack-in-regional-accents/)

 

Finally, some intriguing news comes from the education field. “For generations, getting a high school letter was reserved for athletes. In recent years it has expanded into fields like theater and robotics - but one skill set has always been missing — until now. Snohomish High (Washington) is the first school in the state to offer a varsity letter in skilled trades.”

 

This move comes at an opportune time. “The U.S. will need an additional two million skilled trade workers over the next seven years. The lack of those workers is costing American businesses $1 trillion by 2030. Nearly eighty percent of construction firms in Washington state struggle to find qualified workers. School leaders say the letter program gives new graduates an immediate advantage.” (https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/snohomish-high-school-varsity-letter-skilled-trades/281-b4748eed-5f25-4a92-993d-b8e00d3d8052)

 

Back in my school days, I would not have qualified for such an honor. My only hope would have been if there were letters given for my best subjects – lunch and recess. 

 

Jim Neff is a local columnist. Read Neff Zone columns online at CadillacNews.com and NeffZone.com/cadillacnews.