The Galveston Daily News from Galveston, Texas • Page 6

6-A THE GALVESTON DAILY NEWS SUNDAY MORNING, MARCH 1, 1992 76 mushers start 20th running of iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Associated Press ANCHORAGE, Alaska Seventy-six mushers and their dog teams more than 1,200 animals pushed through a foot of fresh snow Saturday to start the 20th running of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Ten-time Iditarod veteran La von Barve led the way. Defending champion Rick Swenson, the only five-time winner of the Iditarod, was fifth out of the chute. He ran despite his father's death only days before. Mushers draw starting numbers and leave at two-minute intervals.

Each sled team has up to 20 dogs. Racers pass through 24 checkpoints before reaching the finish line at the Gold Rush town of Nome. The running of this year's race will be a little less grueling for the animals. Race officials changed some rules to emphasize dog feeding and care on the grueling route to Nome on the Bering Sea coast. It usually takes the leaders 11 to 14 days, depending on conditions that include frigid temperatures, treacherous ice and whiteout snow storms.

More than 30 volunteer veterinarians will monitor the dogs' condition and treatment throughout the race. This year's changes in some of the rules involving animal care and feeding followed criticism of the race from the Humane Society of the United States, but organizers deny a connection. Half the entrants this year are rookies; the veterans include defending champion Rick Swenson and four-time winner Susan Butcher, who last won in 1990. Other mushers come from as far afield as England, France and Switzerland. The purse is $375,000, up from $300,000 last year.

The winner gets $50,000. The race commemorates the historic Iditarod Trail, part of. which was used in 1025 to take life-saving diphtheria serum to Nome. NATION BRIEFS Moderate quake felt in Alaska FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) A moderate earthquake hit about 150 miles north of Anchorage in east-central Alaska, the Alaska Earthquake Center said. Residents of Cantwell and Healy, near the quake's center, did not feel the temblor, said state seismologist John Davies.

The quake measured 4.5 on the Richter scale and was recorded just before 7 p.m. Friday, Davies said. 100-year-old reaiiy only 24 GRESHAM, Ore. (AP) Irene Olsen turned about 100 years old Saturday. The number is approximate since it was only her 24th official birthday.

Mrs. Olsen was born in a leap year, on Feb. 29, 1892. She said she planned to relax on her birthday laurels. "Now that I'm over the hump, I think I'll go home, take a bath, and hang a sign on my bedroom door that says, 'Don't she said.

"Then I think I'll put on my red wig and surprise my family," Mrs. Olsen said. "They're always surprising me." This would be her 25th birthday except, she said, "There was an eight-year period at the turn of the century when we did not have leap year. So 24 it is." Years ending in 00 must be divisible by 400 to be leap years. That ruled out 1900.

Asked for the obligatory tip for longevity, she said: "No drinking, no smoking, and I love to dance." Women report for combat ship NORFOLK, Va. (AP) The first women assigned to a combat-equipped Navy ship have reported for duty aboard the USS Bowen. The Norfolk-based frigate had a all-male crew until Feb. 9, when 11 enlisted women and one female officer went aboard. "This is just great.

I always thought I would do my 20 years in the Navy ashore," said Valerie Marcus, a petty officer 2nd class. "The guys have been real gentlemen." The Navy first allowed women crew members on vessels other than hospital ships in 1978. Since then, the program has included certain support ships. The law still prohibits women crew aboard combat ships such as frigates, destroyers, submarines and aircraft carriers. But frigates such as the Bowen are beginning to take on a new role as training vessels for reservists.

Under that condition, women crew members are allowed. PUBLIC NOTICE Parking will be prohibited along the AAunchkin Parade route on March 1,1992, after 12:00 noon. Vehicles parked in these areas after the designated time will be towed at the owners expense. Check The Sports News Every Morning in The Galveston Daily News ERVOUS FEARFU TENSE Constantly worried Feeling anxious or on edge Trembling or shaking Muscle tension or aches Irritable Restless if this describes The Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program at The University off Texas Medical Branch is looking for outpatients suffering from these symptoms to take part in research studies evaluating the effectiveness of new investigational medications for anxiety in adults, both older and younger, without serious medical illnesses. Treatment wiil be at no cost for patients abie to participate.

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