'Gimme that chip'

Today's “Seinfeld” pop culture reference: What's a person to do when flu season collides with the holiday party season? Health experts say you don't have to cancel parties this fall and winter, but they do have some suggestions for keeping party-goers from sharing germs.

For instance: Stay home if you feel ill. Avoid using a communal punch bowl for beverages. Mark your glass. And for Pete's sake, don't double-dip that chip.

---

Wait, Oregon or Maine? Depending on the outcome of city council races on Tuesday, a proposal to change the name of Vancouver, Wash., to Fort Vancouver may have enough support. Proponents say the change is necessary to clear up confusion between it and Vancouver, B.C.

If the city council really hopes to clear up the confusion it should just change the name to something closer to the city's true nature: North Portland.

---

Beefeaters gin up trouble: Tower of London officials have confirmed they have suspended two of the fortress's famous yeoman warders, popularly known as Beefeaters, because they had harassed and bullied the first female member of the corps.

The offending warders have been busted in rank from Beefeater to Meathead.