Home and Garden 01/06/18

HOME & GARDEN • SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2018

The benefits of green cleaning

What to buy every month of the year KEN MOON: Little fixes for floors, fixtures, appliances

Look inside for these specials and many others.

green cleaning

The benefits of

I

BY GINA CRONIN, HOME AND GARDEN

HG 2 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, JAN 6, 2018

t’s time to clean up from weeks and weeks of spilt eggnog, fallen pine needles and messy visitors. Before you pull out your conventional soaps, sprays and detergents, consider the alternative: green cleaning products. If you’re not a regular user of such products, three thoughts may have just gone through your

head: 1. They don’t work. 2. They’re hard to find. 3. They’re too expensive.

Let’s start by defining what a green cleaning product is. Green cleaning products are those made with natural, environmentally-friendly, sustainable, organic, fair trade and/or biodegradable ingredients; and without phosphates, chlorine, bleach, ammonia, artificial fragrances, artificial colors, and other harmful chemicals and additives. The CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

GREEN CLEANING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

natural compounds in green cleaners are effective disinfectants that can kill mold, destroy bacteria and cut through grime.

For some, green cleaning means scrubbing with lemon, baking soda and vinegar. For others, it may consist of buying one of the countless brands on the market, like ECOS, Seventh Generation, Mrs. Meyer’s, Green Works and many more. Lemon, baking soda and vinegar can be found at any and every market; and each ingredient is extremely affordable. Green cleaning brands can be found at Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Natural Grocers or Sprouts; and prices are often comparable to conventional cleaners, with an all-purpose spray starting at $2.85 and laundry detergent starting at $11.

Now, let’s take a look at the top three benefits of green cleaning products:

1. SAFER FOR HEALTH Breathing in toxic chemicals can have potential side effects for adults, kids and pets. Drain and oven cleaners, for example, contain corrosive chemicals that can cause severe burns on eyes and skin; cleaners with ammonia and chlorine bleach can result in eye, nose, throat and lung irritation; artificial fragrances have been found to result in respiratory irritation, headache, sneezing and watery eyes; and certain other ingredients, namely diethanolamine (DEA), triethanolamine (TEA), 1,4-dioxane, sodium laureth sulfate and PEG compounds, are known carcinogens.

Using green cleaning products, free of

all aforementioned chemicals and then some, can safeguard against the above health risks for you and your loved ones.

2. SAFER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Green cleaning prevents toxic chemicals from entering the environment’s air and waterways, which minimizes overall impact on climate change and ozone depletion. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has named phosphorus, nitrogen, ammonia and other chemicals as some of the worst environmental hazards in conventional cleaners, and refers to them as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). VOCs contribute to smog in the atmosphere and pollutant build-up in the waterways.

Additionally, green cleaners are often packaged in recyclable or even biodegradable materials, minimizing waste.

HOMEMADE ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER ½ cup white vinegar (disinfects, deodorizes, cuts grease)

10 drops lavender, tea tree, lemon essential oil (antibacterial, pleasant aroma) 2 tbsp. baking soda (cleaning agent that helps dirt and grease dissolve) Add ingredients (in order) to a clean, 12-ounce spray bottle (preferably glass). Mix gently before filling the remainder of the bottle with water. Shake gently again to mix all the ingredients. Use like you would any allpurpose cleaner.

3. BETTER INDOOR AIR QUALITY If you’ve ever cleaned with bleach and ammonia, you know that the scent can be overwhelming — often causing you to leave the room or even the whole house until the odor fades. With natural cleaners, there are usually beautifully fragrant essential oils that bring a fresh, pure scent into the home. Oftentimes, these essential oils even have a therapeutic effect on the body and mind.

Avoid indoor air pollution, especially during the winter months when all the windows are closed, by choosing natural cleaning products that can double as aromatherapy.

SATURDAY, JAN 6, 2018 I THE GAZETTE I HG 3

Jesus Reyes pushes a television down an aisle as he shops at a Best Buy store in Overland Park, Kan. Just before the Super Bowl, retailers normally discount their selections of HDTVs and other home-theater essentials making January a good month to shop for electronics. Photo courtesy of The Associated Press

What to buy every month of the year in 2018

I

BY COURTNEY JESPERSEN, THE ASSOCIATED

n 2018, you may resolve to save more, spend less or budget better. Whatever your money goal, the one common key to your success is shopping smart.

That means knowing the best time to buy just about anything.

To help you out, we’ve created a purchase calendar to help you plan your shopping for the year.

JANUARY

With a fresh page on the calendar comes a fresh start for sales. These products are discounted in January : • BEDDING AND LINENS: Department stores hold bedding and linen “white sales” in January with deep discounts on sheets and towels.

• FITNESS EQUIPMENT: Retailers know

you want to get in shape. Expect fitness equipment and apparel sales to abound at sporting goods stores.

• TVS AND ELECTRONICS: Just before the Super Bowl, retailers normally discount their selections of HDTVs and other home-theater essentials.

products. Look for sales on apparel and winter sporting accessories.

• HOME GOODS: Presidents Day is Feb. 19 this year. Expect retailers to have home and apparel sales on that Monday and the weekend preceding the holiday.

FEBRUARY

There aren’t any major shopping holidays in March, but that doesn’t mean sales are lacking. Look for sales on these products: • GOLF CLUBS: Expect to find discounts on golf clubs in preparation for summer.

Whenever consumer demand is down, prices usually are, too.

• GRILLS: Buy your summer grilling necessities in March to avoid the spike in prices that will come when summer arrives.

• ST. PATRICK’S DAY ESSENTIALS: St.

It’s the month of love and gift-giving, but February might be a better time to buy major items for yourself than trinkets for your loved one. Options include: • TVS: TV sales spill over from January into February. Aside from Black Friday, this is one of the prime times to buy a new TV. • WINTER PRODUCTS: With winter winding down, stores will be looking to unload their inventories of cold-weather

MARCH

Patrick’s Day is March 17. Around that time, online retailers and department stores usually discount their selection of green-themed clothing, party supplies and jewelry.

APRIL

April has its fair share of spring deals and discounts, including: • VACUUMS: Buying a vacuum isn’t the most exciting purchase, but it’ll be less painful if you take advantage of a spring cleaning sale. Look for these at department stores as well as manufacturers like Dyson.

• JEWELRY: The general rule is to avoid buying jewelry close to major holidays.

Try to get a good deal when jewelers have a slower period and may be more motivated to make sales.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

HG 4 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, JAN 6, 2018

SHOPPING CALENDAR CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

• FREEBIES: Year after year, retailers and restaurants try to lighten the burden of tax day with discounts and freebies.

Keep an eye out for these around midApril. Tax day this year is April 17.

MAY

April showers bring May flowers — and sales blossom then, too. Here’s a look at some products to consider buying this month: • SPRING CLEANING NECESSITIES: Before summer arrives, act on spring cleaning discounts on vacuums and mops.

• SMALL KITCHEN APPLIANCES: Use May discounts as a perfect opportunity to buy small kitchen appliances, such as coffee makers and blenders. These products normally are included in Memorial Day sales.

• FURNITURE: Three of the biggest blowout shopping days are Black Friday, Labor Day and Memorial Day. This year, Memorial Day is May 28. Look for plenty of furniture and home-decor discounts from big-box stores.

JUNE

AUGUST

living products when summer ends.

• JEANS: Fall inventory arrives in stores in August and September, but you’ll pay top dollar unless you wait a few weeks.

October is a great time to buy a new pair of jeans.

• CANDY: The closer you get to Oct. 31, the better your chance at snagging a discounted bag of candy for your trickor-treaters.

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Close out summer by buying summer products? That’s right. Look for end-ofseason clearance sales in August: • BACK-TO-SCHOOL SUPPLIES: The start of school marks the need to buy small items such as pencils and expensive ones like laptops. Generally, the closer to the start of the school year you buy, the better your chances of getting a good price.

• LAWN MOWERS: Ride out the end of summer with a big deal on lawn mowers and other seasonal outdoor equipment.

• SWIMSUITS. There may not be many swimming days left by the time August rolls around, but that’s exactly why swimsuit clearance sales will crest.

Buy your swimsuits now to stock up for next year.

NOVEMBER

November is the month for Black Friday sales, which means some of the most popular tech products fall to their lowest prices: • TABLETS AND LAPTOPS: Electronics take center stage during Black Friday sales. Look for discounts on smartphones and activity trackers, too.

• GAMING SYSTEMS: Black Friday is the best time to buy a discounted gaming console or gaming system bundle like Xbox or PlayStation.

• HOME APPLIANCES: Reserve your major home appliance purchase — refrigerator, washer, dryer, dishwasher, etc. — for Black Friday deals. Often,

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sales on these can be found throughout the month.

DECEMBER

The end of the year is just the beginning for discounts in some product categories.

Look for sale prices on these products in December: • TOYS: Since toys are a popular Christmas gift, stores generally host big toy sales as the holiday season draws to a close.

• CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS: Beginning the day after Christmas, shop sales for deep discounts — often upward of 50 percent — on decorations, wrapping paper, ornaments, artificial trees and similar seasonal fixings.

• CARS: The end of December is an ideal time to buy a car. That’s when dealerships are looking to meet end-ofyear sales quotas.

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June may be one of the shorter months of the year, but its supply of shopping events isn’t lacking. Smart purchases include these products: • LINGERIE: Stock up on undergarments in June. That’s when Victoria’s Secret has been known to host its famed SemiAnnual Sale. The sale usually occurs in December also.

• GYM MEMBERSHIPS: Consider buying a gym membership during the summer, and don’t forget to negotiate to get the best possible deal. Gyms may be more eager for sign-ups at this time.

• GIFTS FOR DAD: You don’t have to buy dad’s gift at full price. Expect Father’s Day deals this month, especially the closer you get to the holiday on June 17.

JULY

sporting goods, jewelry and furniture.

• PERSONAL ELECTRONICS: Black Friday is a big deal day that falls in November, but many retailers have begun hosting Black Friday in July sales, including Best Buy and Amazon. Expect discounts in nearly every product category.

The temperature usually rises in July, but the prices of certain products drop.

Consider buying these items this month: • APPAREL: If you don’t want to wait for end-of-summer sales, buy clothes in midsummer. You’ll likely find a better price than you would at the start of the season.

• PATRIOTIC ITEMS: Retailers like a reason to celebrate. In the days leading up to the Fourth of July, there is usually an abundance of sales on red, white and blue products (and products that are all three colors), as well as on

This article originally appeared on the personal finance website NerdWallet.

Courtney Jespersen is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: courtney@nerdwallet. com. Twitter: @courtneynerd.

SEPTEMBER

With deals on items as varied as electronics and back-to-school supplies, September is a surprising month for good buys. Pick up reasonable prices in these departments: • MATTRESSES: Year after year, September is the time for mattress sales. Expect these from department stores and mattress centers, usually as a part of Labor Day deals.

• IPHONES: Apple has been known to announce its new iPhone installments at the company’s annual keynote in September. Usually, the unveiling is followed by a drop in prices on the current phones in anticipation of the new models.

• APPLIANCES: This year, Labor Day falls on Sept. 3. Expect a series of blowout deals in the week leading up to the holiday, including promotions on appliances big and small.

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SATURDAY, JAN 6, 2018 I THE GAZETTE I HG 5

AROUND THE HOUSE

Little fixes for floors, fixtures, appliances

BY KEN MOON, SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE

Dear Ken: I see ads for a special brand of electric heater that’s supposed to be superefficient. It’s a little expensive, and I was just wondering what you thought of these in general?

— Cora

KEN MOON

Without disparaging any particular brand, I think you can spend less and get results just as good. If you think about it, the room you want to add heat to loses a specific number of BTUs on any particular day, and it takes a precise number of electric watts to satisfy that loss. Since electric heaters are almost 100 percent efficient, whether you get the replacement heat from an expensive

or low priced unit is, at the margin, irrelevant.

At the home center, there are two styles you might what to consider: a fan-driven, ceramic space heater or a quiet oil-filled, radiator style model.

The former will heat the room up a little more quickly, but the liquid filled one will provide more even heat over a longer time frame.

You can then pull the long faucet stem out of the opening. On its end will be a traditional rubber washer just like any other faucet setup. If your house — and consequently the hose bibb — is older, you might want to replace the typical flat washer with a cone-shaped one.

That will ensure a better fit against the inside seat, and so it will be less likely to drip.

Dear Ken: I have two outside faucets that drip all the time. Are they fixed the same way as regular ones?

— Alan

Dear Ken: I’ve always wanted hardwood floors. I have a couple of older dogs who sometimes make “mistakes” in the house. What do you think of that combination? OK or not?

— Alice

Basically, yes. You’ll need a couple of pipe wrenches to take off the nut that holds the faucet (called a hose bibb) together. It’s called a packing nut, and it’s just behind the faucet handle itself.

I’d consider another option. Moisture is Public Enemy Number One for most hardwood floors. It opens up the grain

GOREN BRIDGE

WITH BOB JONES

weekly bridge quiz q 1 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

q 4 - Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠kq874♥k32♦kq52♣A

♠q2♥q65♦A9864♣k86

With the opponents passing, you open one spade and partner raises to two spades. What call would you make?

Right-hand opponent opens one heart.

What call would you make?

q 2 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold: “It is nice to know that I will not have to go up a ladder to clean out the gutters any more.” - John H.

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HG 6 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, JAN 6, 2018

Ken Moon is a home inspector in the Pikes Peak region. His radio show airs at 9 a.m. Saturday and is carried on KRDO, AM 1240 and FM 105.5. Visit AroundTheHouse.com.

©2016 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

DENVER

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and so makes the wood more vulnerable to the absorption of stains and odors.

Older dogs have enough problems without a frustrated owner scolding them for blemishing a new wood floor. So, I would stick with ceramic tile or vinyl. You could even choose a simulated wood grain pattern to get you close to that natural look you want.

Also, take a look at the vinyl planking option. These are heavy strips that lock together and are an easy install for the average homeowner. One brand is Luxe,

by Armstrong, but there are several other similar choices.

♠ A 10 8 5 ♥ A J ♦ k J 2 ♣ A k 6 2

q 5 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠43♥Ak♦kq8754♣AJ7

As dealer, what call would you make?

SOuTH weST NOrTH eAST 2NT Pass 3♥* Pass ? *Transfer to spades

q 6 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:

What call would you make?

♠3♥Ak52♦A762♣A632

q 3 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:

Partner opens one diamond and righthand opponent overcalls one heart.

What call would you make?

♠ A ♥ A 10 7 6 4 2 ♦ A 6 5 ♣ k 8 5 NOrTH 1♣ 1NT

eAST Pass Pass

SOuTH 1♥ ?

What call would you make?

weST Pass

Look for answers on Monday.

(Bob Jones welcomes readers’ e-mails: tcaeditors@tribpub.com)

denniS The menaCe

The Family CirCuS

by hank ketcham

Sherman’S lagoon

PiCkleS

by Brian Crane

mr BoFFo

by Joe martin

by J. P. Toomey

by Bil keane

rhymeS wiTh orange by hilary Price

marmaduke

by Brad and Paul anderson

Baldo

by hector Cantu and Carlos Castellanos

SATURDAY, JAN 6, 2018 I THE GAZETTE I HG 7

Blondie

by dean young and John marshall

muTTS

by Patrick mcdonnell

Funky winkerBean

luann

by greg evans

PeanuTS

by Charles Schulz

by Tom Batiuk

HG 8 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, JAN 6, 2018

loS angeleS TimeS CroSSword

non SequiTur

by wiley

edited by rich norris and Joyce lewis

lola

by Todd Clark

BeeTle Bailey 10 Some action in “Full Metal across Jacket” took place on it 1 Vaudeville show, e.g.

11 1844 Verdi opera 11 Cuban pronoun 15 Group formed in Cairo in 1945 12 Seem reasonable 13 Plot devices for 16 Make muddy sci-fi travelers 17 Reactionary ’60s genre 14 Liturgical dress 18 Unfeeling 21 Surprise bad guy 19 Identifies 23 One who gets it all 20 Just 24 Assembled artwork 21 Great canines?

26 Longtime pharmacy chain 22 Tart fruits 27 Christmas poem opener 24 Is bothered 28 Let in 25 More or less, informally 30 Pulitzer-winning 29 Brightly plumed songbird biographer Leon 31 Banned chem. contaminant 31 Wave generator?

34 Most lascivious 32 Controversial technology 36 Mess with involving carbon capture 37 Super Bowl MVP after Peyton and storage 38 Final hour?

33 Part of a fictional 39 Galoot six-million-dollar repair 40 Big automotive initials 35 Ancient Icelandic text 41 Like some observant Jews 44 Hits hard 42 Designing initials 46 Chihuahua neighbor 43 Place for porcelain, possibly 49 Ipso facto, e.g.

45 Stuffed fare 50 Fix 47 Zero, to Nero 51 Breaks in scores 48 Opposite 52 Killer whale 52 Come to pass 53 Surprise big-time 53 Cryotherapy offerers 54 Org. promoting veganism 57 Give significance to, in a way 55 Years in Granada 58 Travel in no particular 56 __ light direction 59 Land development aid 59 Trial records 60 “On Point” syndicating org.

61 Niggle 62 Collectible, maybe Friday’s Puzzle Solved 63 Charity 64 Double helix pair down 1 Improvises 2 King Triton’s daughter 3 2011 title cowboy chameleon 4 Sacred birds 5 Stately street adornment 6 __ spirit 7 School named for a Welsh merchant 8 Ingredient in the Japanese jellied dessert yokan 9 Means of correction

by mort, greg, and Brian walker

hagar The horriBle

moTher gooSe

Tundra

by Chris Browne

by mike Peters

by Chad Carpenter

SATURDAY, JAN 6, 2018 I THE GAZETTE I HG 9

Bizarro

by dan Piraro

argyle SweaTer

by Scott hilburn

CeleBriTy CiPher by luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

B.C.

by hart

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by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman

JumP STarT

Frazz

by robb armstrong

by Jef mallett

HG 10 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, JAN 6, 2018

dilBerT

by Scott adams

Sally ForTh

by Francesco marciuliano and Jim keefe

BaBy BlueS

by Jerry Scott and rick kirkman

PearlS BeFore Swine by Stephan Pastis

PooCh CaFe

by Paul gilligan

SATURDAY, JAN 6, 2018 I THE GAZETTE I HG 11

TAKE OUR ADVICE ADVICE

Dear Amy: Over the past dozen years,

a friend of mine has volunteered to stop by the house to let my dogs out during the day while I am at work.

This friend works from home and when out running errands, stops by to see the dogs. In return, I have AMY provided the family with a purebred DICKINSON dog from my breeding program, keep two of their dogs groomed, and order food for her dogs when I place my order.

Recently, I installed a security system at my place, and one of the features is tracking when the doors are opened and closed. I have discovered that the noon visits have mostly stopped, but yet I get emails telling me stories of the dog’s exploits, even though there is no record of a visit.

I have tested all of the monitors on the doors and they work perfectly fine, so basically I have discovered that my dogs have been in the house for 10-plus hours each day with no relief. I have noticed an increasing number of “accidents” in the house. This is an issue with our breed, a well-known health risk.

While I can find another option to take care of the dogs’ noon visits, I am most concerned about the fact that this friend is consistently lying to me, and yet acts as if nothing has changed. Should I confront the friend? This will certainly impact the friendship, which is a shame because we are involved in numerous activities together. — Dog Drama Dear Drama: Yes, you should confront your friend. You have these dogs that require a consistent level of expertise and care, and yet you are counting on a fairly casual arrangement with a friend for their daily care.

I realize that you have compensated this friend over the years, but it still seems like a large lift to expect someone to do this every day, basically as a favor.

Ask your friend if this has become too much for her.

You should be honest about your new security system and what it has revealed, tell her that you understand if she sometimes can’t make it to your house at noon, and simply give her an out, if she wants. Thank her sincerely for the many years she has done this.

Your dogs’ care and their health is really your responsibility (not hers), and it might be time for you to hire a compensated professional.

—

Send questions to askamy@tribune.com or to Ask Amy, Chicago Tribune, TT500, 434 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago IL

ADVICE

Question:

Last week I got up in the middle of the night and slammed my foot into a chair. I’m DR. OZ AND DR. ROIZEN pretty sure I broke my middle toe. It still hurts, but there’s nothing that can be done for it, right? — Charlie H., Mendocino, Calif.

Answer: Sorry Charlie, that’s a myth. It’s always best to have a broken toe evaluated, and the sooner you have it looked at, the better.

The first and most obvious reasons are that a doctor can give you the right diagnosis (sprain, bruise, break?), help you correct the injury/problem, prevent further injury (if your gait is thrown out of whack), and help alleviate the pain.

Your toe might not be broken, and you treat a bad bruise differently than a broken toe. For example: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation (R.I.C.E.) work for a sprain or bruise, but may not for a break.

Untreated, your pain could go on for a long time and your injury could develop complications ranging from infection, if the skin was broken when you injured it, to arthritis, if the bones heal in a position that isn’t lined up properly.

Also, if your injury doesn’t heal correctly and you’re limping around for an extended time, you could develop muscle strain in your legs and back or even arthritis in your ankle, knee or hip joint.

So go see a doc and have it looked at. There’s a chance he’ll send you on your way, but he/ she might tape it to the toe next to it (called buddy taping), surgically reset it, or put a pin in the toe (really a screw) to make sure the bones heal properly. Then, down the road, you’ll be able to go down the road without pain or a limp.

—

Email your health and wellness questions to youdocsdaily@sharecare.com.

ADVICE

Dear Readers: Oh, the great ceiling-fan direction debate! In which direction should the ceiling fan rotate to make your room comfortable, and to lower your energy bill to save money? Here’s the scoop: HINTS In wintertime, the ceiling fan FROM should rotate clockwise as you HELOISE look up at it. This pushes down warm air that’s up at the ceiling.

Circulating warm air makes you feel warmer, so you can set the thermostat a bit lower.

In summer, the ceiling fan should rotate counterclockwise as you look up at it. This will create a light breeze you should feel. This won’t lower the temperature in the room, but it will feel cooler.

Look for a switch on the motor, right below the blades. This will change the direction of the ceiling fan blades.

Note: If you have a cathedral or vaulted ceiling, changing the direction of the ceiling fan does not affect the temperature of the room, but will still move warm or cold air and help some.

This topic usually generates lots of discussion!

So please, before writing, check your manual or online. — Heloise Dear Heloise: During the colder winter months, we love to go to indoor flea markets. There’s so much to see and bargains galore! Here are some hints that our family has learned over the years: • Cash is king. Some places take checks and credit cards, but love cash.

• You can wheel and deal and negotiate, but be willing to buy. Merchants will be more likely to work with you if you’re a serious shopper.

• Fitting rooms are scarce.

• Most items are sold “as is.”

• Wear comfortable shoes. — Betty W., Fargo, N.D. Dear Readers: I keep some stainless-steel spoons in the freezer. When I’ve brewed a hot cup of coffee or tea, stirring with the frozen spoon can cool the drink down quickly. — JoAnn P. in New York —

Send hints via email to heloise@heloise.com or via post to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio TX 78279-5001.

TODAY’S HOROSCOPES BY JERALDINE SAUNDERS ARIES (March 21-April 19) You might be in the mood to be friendly, but someone might misinterpret your flirtatiousness as harassment. Hold off on amorous activity until you have explored all facets of a relationship.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Being pampered is possibly one of your priorities.

Your warmth and kindness might be interpreted as an invitation to someone who has just one thing on his or her mind. Don’t stir up a hornet’s nest.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Check the facts before you act. If you receive a challenge, sidestep it gracefully. People will be swayed by your charm and original approach.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) Minor frictions can be swept away by an open-door approach. You and a partner should do something to burn off excess energy in constructive ways.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) A tug of war can be avoided. Develop potent insights about business matters and moneymaking options by catching up on a backlog of reading.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Gauge reactions. Don’t discuss matters that cause an argument. Tearing apart a clock to see what makes it tick may simply create a mess.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Inquisitiveness could cause a rift in a relationship.

Some people may have secrets that they aren’t ready or willing to reveal. Use your famous tact and diplomacy to avoid confrontations.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Live and let live. Let everyone do their own thing while you do yours in a pleasant way. You can keep up with the Joneses without compromising principles or being overly competitive.

HG 12 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, JAN 6, 2018

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Anything worth doing requires a twosome, so look for a congenial companion. Try out the latest hot spot for roller skating, dancing or bowling.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Separate desire from need. Analyze the intense passions that grip you. Rather than trying to control everything, focus on making relationships better. Don’t make new commitments.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Curb a tendency to overeat, oversleep and overspend during the weekend. Sports, exercise, or even a walk in the woods may restore balance.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) Avoid a rude awakening this week. A pleasant flirtation could turn sour or you could be briefly troubled by jealousy. Stick to the tried and true even if this seems a bit boring.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Jan. 6

You may have your nose to the grindstone the next four to five weeks. This is a time to get your surroundings organized so that you can function at a high level of proficiency. You must be industrious to make permanent improvements and to enjoy material gain. In early April, someone’s wise advice or an opportunity can change your life for the better. This is the best time to put your most important plans into action or to make key decisions.