The elections are finally over - time for a "mental breather" from all the serious stuff:

Splitter

www.freewebarcade.com/game/splitter/

I'll warn you up front: This is an addictive game. The object is to get your smiley ball to reach the target ball by strategically cutting wooden planks and support boards in numerous configurations. It's a thinking game where you figure out how things will end up when they fall.

The first few levels are fairly easy - that's how they get you. It's like eating potato chips: You can't quit after just one or two. You gotta have more.

There are other fun games at this site, so when you need a break from Splitter, go to www.freewebarcade.com for more entertainment.

ChaCha

www.chacha.com

Another addictive online activity. You may soon find yourself inviting friends over to play, "Stump The ChaCha." Essentially, you post a question - any question - to ChaCha and, within minutes, you'll get an answer from volunteer experts.

The service is designed for mobile phones and online queries - land line phones won't work. Go to the Web site, sign up for a free account and then start asking questions.

ChaCha is handy for on the road questions like, "Where's the nearest Long John Silver's in Bismarck, N.D.?" or "Which is closer to Jamestown, Deadwood or Minneapolis?" You can type in or call in questions - your queries are archived in your account online.

But the best questions are the ones designed to stump the experts. Questions like: "Which lasts longer, eternity or forever?" or, "What pop song in the modern rock era (1955 to present) has had the most cover versions in the top 40?" or, "Which is more, a couple or a few?"

Sometimes, the answers you get aren't the ones you're looking for. In most of those cases, it's because your question was too ambiguous or open-ended.

Keep in mind the answers you get aren't necessarily authoritative, definitive or even correct. What you're getting is an answer a ChaCha expert was able to find for you at the moment you asked - no guarantees on accuracy here.

You also can sign up to be an expert ChaCha responder or a question facilitator, a person who examines incoming questions and directs them to the right people. Check it out - this is a fun and useful service.

Local Arrest Warrants

www.bismarck.org/city_departments/department/divisions.asp?dID=15&divID=83

Ever wonder who the Bismarck Police Department and Burleigh County Sheriff's Department are looking for these days? You can find out online.

View and download the combined warrant list of the two departments at this Web page. The list is in alphabetical order and identifies the type of warrant issued per person (bench warrant, NSF check, past due fines, failure To comply, possession of drug paraphernalia, etc.).

To view a list of active warrants issued by the Bismarck Police Department and the Burleigh County Sheriff's Department, please click on the Warrants List link listed below.

Pound animals

www.bismarck.org/city_departments/department/divisions.asp?dID=15&divID=79

Here's a great site to review and list and view photos of animals currently in the city pound. If your dog or cat is missing, try looking here. And if you do see your dog or cat, contact the Bismarck Police Department.

Veterans Day

Tuesday is Veterans Day, a time set aside to honor those who have served the country in military service. Below are some good Web sites for learning more about the day and its history:

History of Veterans Day

www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp

Veterans Day

www.military.com/veterans-day/

History

www.history.army.mil/faq/vetsday/vetshist.htm

Veterans Day

www.infoplease.com/spot/veteransday1.html

(Keith Darnay is the webmaster and designer for bismarcktribune.com. His Web site, featuring this column going back to 1995, is at www.darnay.com.iec.)