Home and Garden 01/13/18

HOME & GARDEN • SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 2018

Time to replace your appliances

Update your home’s electric Wounded Warrior Project introduces veterans to gardening KEN MOON: Pro tips for sump pump, septic systems

Time to replace your

appliances

S

BY GINA CRONIN, HOME AND GARDEN

ometimes you replace your appliances for aesthetic reasons, sometimes safety reasons, sometimes because they simply don’t work anymore. Sometimes it’s just time. Both large and small household appliances serve essential purposes in the home on a daily basis: from keeping your food fresh to tidying your carpet to perfecting your hair-do. Because they’re so pertinent to a functioning household, it’s important to have your finger on their pulse and replace when necessary.

But how do you know when the time has come for a new fridge or dryer or vacuum?

Let’s explore to find out:

REFRIGERATOR

Generally, refrigerators can go strong for 10 – 20 years. If you’ve had your refrigerator for eight years or less, chances are you can hold onto it; and if something goes wrong, it would likely make more sense to get it repaired vs. replaced. Once you hit the 10 year mark, it may be time to start thinking about a new one, depending on the condition and type. According to the Energy Star website, most fridges that are 10-years-old or more use double the electric as newer, Energy Star rated models. At 15 years or more, it’s in your best interest to say goodbye to your trusty refrigerator and find a new one that will save energy and keep your food fresher.

VACUUM CLEANER

ConsumerReports.org states that vacuums last an average of eight years, but that can vary widely depending on the brand and how well the owner performs routine maintenance. According to Stephanie Smith, Manager of All Discount Vacuum & Sewing Center, “Vacuums need

to be serviced every year to keep them running properly. They will last longer.

If your vacuum goes too long without servicing, the motor won’t run as efficiently, it won’t clean as well, and will need to be replaced. Spending a little more money on a great vacuum up front will save you longer in the end. You need a good vacuum to deep clean the dirt that gets in the carpet and to keep from spreading germs.”

For more information about product and services, call All Discount Vacuum & Sewing Center at 719-597-5700 or stop in to 833 N. Circle Dr., Colorado Springs.

last as long as 12 years. Some signs that you need a new washer include excessive leaking and noise, water not filling the drum or moving aggressively while washing.

Signs that it’s time for a new dryer are your clothes not drying, unusual odor or strange sounds. It’s usually a wise idea to replace your washer and dryer together rather than separately. Reasons for this include matching load capacities, matching aesthetic style, comparable and complimentary performance, and the opportunity to save money with the many deals on buying as a pair as opposed to individually.

WASHER AND DRYER

HAIR DRYER

Washer and dryers typically have a life span of eight years, although some can

HG 2 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, JAN 13, 2018

This is the one that many can overlook.

Some people stick with the same blow dryer

for longer than they’d care to admit, and their hair takes the beating. With light use, a blow dryer can typically last about four or five years, but heavy daily use may bring that down to two years. Some tell-tale signs that you need a new blow dryer include a rattling noise or unusual odor, longer time to dry hair, or your hair looking frizzy, lifeless and dull after use. Newer hair dryers have sophisticated technology that make drying more efficient, fast and effective — and can even leave a better shine and bounce like you get from a salon.

Follow these guidelines to ensure appliances that work effectively and safely. If you push an appliance past its limit and ignore warning signs, it can become a hazard.

AROUND THE HOUSE

Pro tips for sump pump, septic systems

BY KEN MOON, SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE

KEN MOON

Dear Ken: You mentioned on your radio show not to add anything to your septic system.

We’ve always done it monthly for years. Why not continue?

– Chuck

My friends in the septic business are against adding anything extra, because you’re risking damage to the leach field. If you shock the system with extra bacterial additives, material can break down too fast. Instead of the digested matter falling to the bottom as sludge, particles may float out into the leaching system. That stuff can overload the dispersal channels beyond the tank, and eventually require a complete replacement — and that can cost thousands. Normal household waste

flushed into the septic system provides plenty of good bacteria to process the outflows from your plumbing system.

A few other reminders: if you have a garbage disposer, scrape all the excess food off your dishes into the trash can first; use biodegradable (sometimes labeled “septic safe”) toilet paper, laundry and cleaning supplies; spread loads of laundry throughout the week, so you’re not overloading the tank with detergent, bleach and large amounts of water all at once; and the brine output from your water softener should be run outdoors or otherwise collected (salt is a natural preservative and so can overwhelm and neutralize those beneficial bacteria in the tank).

And finally, the best gift you can give your septic system is to have the tank pumped out every four years or so.

Dear Ken: We installed a wooden fence around our small garden several years ago. It now looks very dry. What should we use to stain it?

– Dan

Two suggestions. The outlet pipe may be transmitting the vibration at points where it passes through wood framing members. If you can get to these areas, enlarge the holes and wrap some flexible Styrofoam around it. You can also install a piece of flex tubing (say, 12 inches long) in the same diameter as the outlet pipe just above the pump. Look for a check valve somewhere close to the motor (it prevents water from running back into the hole after the pump shuts off). Use pipe clamps to attach the new tubing just above this mechanism, and the transmitted noise should decrease significantly.

It should probably be power washed first. Then spray on the same material you would use on a deck — a good linseed oil based stain, like Super Deck or Behr. Choose one with some pigmentation in the mix, avoiding the clear or natural versions, and apply a couple of coats using a pump sprayer.

All Discount

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.

“We discount the price not the service”

Vacuum & Sewing Center

833 N. Circle Drive ∙ Colorado Springs, CO 80909

(719) 597-5700

While Supplies Last

Get an

XL®

UPRIGHT

• Incredibly lightweight NOW at about 9 lbs* $ 99 • Saniseal® bag locks in dirt • 102 mph airflow • Powerful pile-lifting rollerbrush removes dirt in virtually one pass

es Last

an

Dear Ken: I have a very noisy sump pump that runs frequently and is very annoying. Can you suggest anything to muffle the sound?

– Michelle

199

XL®

GHT

ght

s in dirt

NOW

$19999

g rollerbrush ually one pass

ght without cord. may vary by store.

7146 N Academy Blvd.

Colorado Springs, CO 80920 (719) 266-9204

*Approximate weight without cord.

Product appearance may vary by store.

Did you know all DYSON Vacuums require regular maintenance?

Keep yoru your Vacuum at it’s Peak Performance with All Discount Vacuum

NEW SEWING starting at $198 MACHINES CALL AND ASK

about our wide selection of high-quality sewing machines

DYSON TUNE-UP SPECIAL $44.95 (reg. $89.98)

Includes a routine clean and lube, suction test, check all seals and cleaning of roller brush.

Offer good only with coupon. Expires 1/31/18

SATURDAY, JAN 13, 2018 I THE GAZETTE I HG 3

Wounded Warrior Project introduces injured veterans to small-space gardening

G NEWSWIRE

ardening has long been known to be therapeutic and beneficial to physical and mental health, which is why Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) recently invited veterans and their families to learn more about small-space gardening. Veterans learned that no matter the size of your planting area, you can set up your own garden.

“This event inspired me to plan and start my little garden — from dirt and hard work to different vegetables and spices,” said Daniel Munguia, an Army veteran. “The class taught me to properly mix planting soil and set up specific planting locations in my yard for my garden. I already have

rosemary, a fig tree, different types of chilies, and other spices.”

The class instructor took warriors and their families through a virtual exploration of backyard microclimates, water usage and conservation, building a biodiverse garden, and various growing methodologies.

“I signed up for the class so I could grow some of my own food,” said Army veteran Michael Cumming. “I found this class, along with all the others I have taken through Wounded Warrior Project, to be something I can use in real life. I plan to sign up for more like it.”

WWP serves warriors by connecting them with one another and their communities and focusing on mental and physical health and wellness, financial wellness, independence, government

HG 4 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, JAN 13, 2018

relations and community relations and partnerships.

“I think of Wounded Warrior Project as a community,” Michael said. “They have helped me with my integration back into society and given me the tools I need to succeed. Their events have helped me enjoy quality time with my family, as well as other vets who have had experiences similar to mine.”

To learn and see more about how WWP’s programs and services connect, serve, and empower wounded warriors, visit newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org, and click on multimedia.

Wounded Warrior Project Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) connects, serves and empowers wounded warriors. Read more at newsroom.woundedwarriorproject. org/about-us.

Is it time to update your home’s

electrical system?

T METRO SERVICES

he invisible systems in a home often are taken for granted. When such systems are working as expected, daily life moves along smoothly.

However, when a system goes awry, it can negatively impact routines and may create a dangerous home environment. This is especially true when something goes wrong with a home’s electrical system.

Faulty wiring is a leading cause of residential fires. Many homeowners, particularly those who live in older homes, might be living in properties that have outdated electrical systems. The experts at Lowes ProServices state that having old wiring and/or insufficient amperage in a house can endanger residents. It also may damage appliances and make it difficult to sell a property in the future.

It can be difficult to gauge exactly when

DENVER

to overhaul an electrical system. Unless circuits routinely trip or lights often dim, homeowners may put off the work. But degrading wires or overextended circuitry can pose a fire risk, so it is best to address electrical systems promptly.

Home inspections may uncover electrical problems. Some homeowners may discover potential trouble while making renovations that require opening

DON’T RISK IT ...

LET US FIX IT!

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

James P. Hood Construction Company

“It is nice to know that I will not have to go up a ladder to clean out the gutters any more.” - John H.

2018 New Year’s Special!

Start 2018 with a...

20.18

$

INSTALL

100 NO GIFT CARD

PLUS

$

PLUS

FOR 12 MONTHS!

with purchase

Offer ends January 31st!

MONEY DOWN INTEREST PAYMENTS

WE OFFER MILITARY DISCOUNTS!

No Clog Warranty

“Lifetime”

No Pull Away/ No Fall Off Warranty

“Lifetime”

Manufacturer’s Paint Finish Warranty

“Lifetime”

Additions, Kitchens, Bathrooms, Basements, Decks and Other Projects

James P. Hood

719-252-0672 719 322 5517

Call NOW! Free In-Home Consultation!

( 719)

373-1515

ColoradoGazetteOffer.com

Our promise to you is that you’ll LOVE our People, Products, Process & Pricing.

Better homes begin with beldon. *$100 Bonus VISA gift card with purchase will be mailed after installation and payment in full. New orders only. Loans provided by EnerBank USA (1245 Brickyard Rd. Suite 600, Salt Lake City, UT 84106) on approved credit, for a limited time. Repayment terms vary from 24 to 132 months. Interest waived if repaid in 365 days.

16.73% fixed APR, effective as of 12/1/17, subject to change. Other restrictions may apply. Not valid with any other offer or previous job. Offer expires 1/31/18.

SATURDAY, JAN 13, 2018 I THE GAZETTE I HG 5

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

up walls or tearing them down, exposing the wires. Still other homeowners learn about electrical systems when they’re adding new, large appliances or other gadgets that consume more power than existing items. These devices may continually cause power outages in the house, such as tripping the circuit breaker or popping a fuse.

When it comes time to update the electrical system, it is always best to work with licensed and bonded electricians who have the expertise to work with electrical wiring without getting injured.

This is not a do-it-yourself type of job since it requires specialized training.

Electricians likely will recommend upgrading the electrical panel to bring more power from the utility poles into the home. This can include replacing the existing meter and circuit breaker box to allow it to handle more power or replacing items that are obsolete or dangerous.

Many older homes are only capable of handling a minimum number of amps, utilizing just a few circuits. But nowadays, when homeowners have far more

electronics in their homes than they once did, increased demand on electricity can overload a circuit (all of the outlets linked on one wire). Tripping a circuit breaker is a safety measure to prevent the wire from becoming overheated and causing a fire. However, in some old systems, the circuit breaker will not trip, and this can be problematic.

Rewiring a home is another step. Wire insulation can deteriorate over time, and new wires may be needed. This can be messy and time-consuming, but it’s a small price to pay for safety.

When rewiring an electrician also may suggest new outlets. Many home building codes now require outlets with ground fault interrupters, or GFIs, in kitchens, bathrooms and other rooms exposed to moisture. Some older homes may not even have three-pronged outlets, so this will necessitate an update as well.

Electrical systems are the heart of a home, delivering power where it is needed. It is essential to keep such systems up-to-date so they can handle the power demands of everyday life.

When it comes time to update the electrical system, it is always best to work with licensed and bonded electricians who have the expertise to work with electrical wiring without getting injured. This is not a do-it-yourself type of job since it requires specialized training.

GOREN BRIDGE

WITH BOB JONES ©2016 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

weekly bridge quiz

25% 25% OFF OFF *

Locally Owned

Locally Owned

q 1 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

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

♠ A 10 8 7 4 ♥ A 8 2 ♦ 7 ♣ k 10 7 2

♠ k q 10 7 ♥ k q 8 5 2 ♦ 7 2 ♣ k 10

Partner opens one diamond and rightopponent bids one spade. What *hand call would you make?

Partner opens one no trump, 15-17, and right-hand opponent passes.

What call would you make?

q 2 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:

q 5 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:

AllWindow Window All Coverings Coverings

* Additional discounts available for large orders! For Budget Blinds purchases only. * Additional discounts available for large orders!

Budget Blindsrestrictions purchases only.apply.

Excludes Shutters due to our everyday low For prices.

Some Shutters to our Discount everyday lowisprices.

Somewindow restrictionscoverings apply.

Not valid Excludes with any otherdue offers. for new only.

Not valid with any other offers. Discount is for new window coverings only.

♠ 8 ♥ A k q 10 9 8 ♦ J 3 ♣ q 10 94 NOrTH eAST SOuTH weST 1♠ Pass 2♥ Pass 3♦ Pass ?

What call would you make? q 3 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ k 10 6 ♥ q 9 6 3 ♦ k 10 3 ♣ A Schedule your In-home Consultation Schedule yourFREE FREE In-home Consultation J8

719-900-4272 719-900-4272 For Repairs please call 719-602-4260 For Repairs please call 719-602-4260

HG 6 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, JAN 13, 2018

Partner opens one no trump, 15-17, and right-hand opponent passes.

What call would you make?

♠ A q J 7 6 5 3 ♥ 10 5 ♦ k 8 7 ♣ 7 As dealer, what call would you make? q 6 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ k 2 ♥ A 10 7 6 3 2 ♦ k J 7 5 ♣ 5 SOuTH weST NOrTH eAST 1♥ Pass 2♥ 3♣ ?

What call would you make?

Look for answers on Monday.

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 13, 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 13, 2018

loS angeleS TimeS CroSSword

non SequiTur

by wiley

edited by rich norris and Joyce lewis

lola

by Todd Clark

BeeTle Bailey across 1 Video file format 5 Offenbach opera “Daphnis et __” 10 Jerk’s concern 14 Former Sony brand 15 Aggressive corporate tactics 16 Fast-food legend 17 Presently 18 Mail-order outlet for outdoorsy types 19 Harpsichordist Kipnis 20 ’60s counterculture slogan 23 Math ratios 24 Poetic night 25 Cry of dominance 30 “The Yankee Doodle Boy” composer 32 Big letters in toys 33 CBS Sports NFL analyst Tony 34 Map abbr.

35 Loosed 39 Neat ending?

40 After-lunch sandwich 42 Word with big or house 43 Together 45 20-mile annual Boston-area fundraiser sponsored by Project Bread 49 “Macbeth” character 50 Gay leader?

51 Excuse for rowdy behavior 57 Defeat soundly 58 Serve 59 Per 60 “No prob!”

61 Merci, across the border 62 Nigerian pop star 63 Cry of glee 64 Orson Scott Card protagonist __ Wiggin 65 Side for a dog down 1 Hat-tipper’s word 2 Fruit in un cóctel 3 Fuzzy Endor resident 4 Hindu god with the head of an elephant 5 Sings smoothly 6 “Family Feud” host since 2010

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 21 22 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 36 37 38 41 44 46 47 48 51 52 53 54 55 56 57

Exists simply Valhalla VIP ExxonMobil trade name Garb for schussing Transplant figure Way out Spanning: Abbr.

Only NFC team that hasn’t played in a Super Bowl Talks acronym Area of expertise Nasser’s org.

Caviar Key of Beethoven’s Ninth: Abbr.

Tie on the farm Talk big Not esta or esa “Foucault’s Pendulum” author Crew member Apollo 11 lander “See ya later” Fish market offering NFL threes Facebook reversal Word in Hamlet’s “To be or not to be” soliloquy “My man!”

Cross a stream, perhaps English : John :: Slavic : __ Girasol, e.g.

Sci-fi character voiced by Frank Oz Expel strongly Green moisture

by mort, greg, and Brian walker

hagar The horriBle

moTher gooSe

by Chris Browne

by mike Peters

Friday’s Puzzle Solved

Tundra

by Chad Carpenter

SATURDAY, JAN 13, 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

ziTS

by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman

JumP STarT

Frazz

by robb armstrong

by Jef mallett

HG 10 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, JAN 13, 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 13, 2018 I THE GAZETTE I HG 11

TAKE OUR ADVICE ADVICE

Dear Amy: Many years ago, I

started a musical group with two members of my extended family. We were good! One day out of the blue, “Keith” said, “I don’t want to do this anymore,” and quit. This broke my heart. Later, AMY I found out he had joined anothDICKINSON er band and had taken our other band member with him; this new group recorded a number of albums, toured part of the world and had critical success.

Approximately 20 years later, I got a letter from Keith, saying he wanted forgiveness for hurting me. I wrote back that it was not a big deal. In retrospect, that was the kind of response that I felt I should give, but it was certainly not how I felt. I was not honest with him or with myself.

In the years since, I only feel more anger. I was tossed aside. They could have done any number of things to ease the separation, but they didn’t.

What should I do? Should I speak my feelings after all this time? I want to be generous, but I do not know if I am that noble — or forgiving — after all that has happened. — The Old Guy

ADVICE

My doctor suggested that I get a liquid biopsy to determine what therapy will be most effective for treating my DR. OZ AND DR. ROIZEN prostate cancer, even though my insurance won’t pay for it. Is it more accurate, less risky? What’s the deal? — Jack H., Orlando, Fla. Question:

Dear Old Guy: “It’s no big deal” is very different from, “I accept your apology and forgive you.”

When “Keith” wrote to you after 20 years asking for forgiveness, he was basically telling you this episode was a big deal in HIS life and that he carried 20 years’ worth of regret about it. “It’s no big deal” is really you denying your own feelings and his. “It’s no big deal” is a put-down to both of you.

This long-ago rejection should not have prevented you from playing music — then or now.

Perhaps you’re still angry about this because you’re mad at yourself for letting this stop you, musically. But you literally have nothing to lose, and much to gain, if you communicated with Keith now. Ideally you would say honestly that this did hurt you and that you’ve been ruminating about it for years. I hope you would also gain some perspective and choose to see this as a youthful mistake; we all make them.

Pick up those instruments. Start a geezer band in your garage.

Answer: The concept of a liquid biopsy is a great one: It uses a simple blood draw to see what DNA mutations related to prostate cancer are present in your circulation. No incisions, no risk of infection or complications from the biopsy itself.

Identifying those mutations is supposed to help doctors predict a patient’s response to immunotherapy, and if it turns out that the DNA mutations are not responsive, then the doctor can select another therapy that may be more effective.

Sounds perfect. And one day it might be, but not now. A new Johns Hopkins study took blood draws to obtain DNA samples from 40 study participants, and then divided each one so that identical samples could be sent to two separate, well-accredited labs for analysis. Unfortunately, the lab results matched only 7.5 percent of the time (that’s 3 of the 40 participants), and only 15 percent of the time did the two companies’ results match for at least one mutation.

These results come on the heels of an earlier study in JAMA Oncology that found that mutations identified in tumor tissue samples and in liquid biopsy results from the same patients had what Johns Hopkins calls “a similar lack of congruence.” That means doctors looking at differing results may come to different conclusions about which treatments will be most effective for you.

Ask your doctor about the Johns Hopkins findings, and offer this quote from the researchers: “Liquid biopsy is a promising technology, with an exceptional potential to impact our ability to treat patients, but it is a new technology that may need more time and experience to improve.”

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

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

—

—

ADVICE

Dear Readers: When it comes to housework, organization is key.

You’ll save steps, get more done and have more time for other things. A daily schedule, with all of your tasks listed, can help get chores done. Here’s an example: HINTS Monday. Bathrooms. Deep FROM clean sinks/toilets/tubs/showers.

HELOISE Tuesday/ Kitchen. Tackle the fridge and throw out spoiled foods. Wipe out the microwave. Clean the floor.

Wednesday. Living room. Thorough dusting and vacuuming. Flip the couch cushions, and pick up newspapers and clutter.

Thursday. Bedrooms. Change the sheets. Dust, and clean the floor well.

Friday. Pickup day for little chores.

Saturday and Sunday usually are laundry days for many families. Get the family on board and have them pitch in. Everyone can help, even with a simple chore. — Heloise Dear Heloise: How can I clean the office coffee machine? It gets clogged with minerals because it is on all day, and we go through a lot of pots of coffee. Help! — Amy W. in Ohio Amy, don’t panic. Help is here. Of course, you should check the manual or look it up online.

However, my trusty buddy, full-strength white or apple-cider vinegar, will do the trick safely.

Fill the water reservoir with 1 or 2 cups of vinegar, and turn on the machine. Run the hot vinegar through a second time. Pour the vinegar down the drain in the break room for freshness.

Run the machine with several cycles of water to remove any trace of vinegar.

For more hints on using vinegar, send for my pamphlet. Go to www.Heloise.com to order, or send $5 and a stamped, self-addressed, long envelope to: Heloise/Vinegar, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. Wash the coffeepot and basket with warm, soapy water, then rinse and dry to prevent water spots. Also, the drip area of the machine can accumulate oil; clean it, too. — Heloise —

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) Be careful what you wish for, because you will surely receive it. Counteract boredom by finding something safe to pass the time.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) You might be in the mood for love, but love might not be in the mood for you. You could be serious about a flirtation when the object of your interest is only being friendly.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) You may waver between complete certainty and partial doubt. Whatever begs for tweaking or alteration is best left alone for the time being, especially a relationship that has come to an impasse.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) Those pats on the back feel very good, but may be mere flattery. Remain skeptical of offers or proposals put on the table today.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) You might pace like a lion in a cage this weekend.

You may be restless for novel experiences or to meet new people. You might be surprised by someone’s reactions and find it difficult to concentrate.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Ignore spur-of-the-moment impulses. Don’t take offense over an imagined insult. Someone could vacillate about the direction to take.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Like ships passing in the night, a new romance might not be there for the long haul. A fascinating new hookup that sparks your interest might not be dependable or reliable.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) If you want to fly a kite, do it on your own time. You might enjoy spending your time on personal enthusiasms, but others might not be quite as inspired.

HG 12 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, JAN 13, 2018

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Buying something new could make you blue. Hold off on major purchases or financial commitments because terms or conditions could change swiftly.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Avoid being sidetracked. While looking for fame, fortune or excitement you could take a wrong turn.

There’s an urge to resist authority or flout tradition.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Taking a dare can be your downfall. Don’t try to prove that you have business skills or financial expertise in the face of a challenge.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) You might feel guilty about dedicating a day to leisure, but a special someone needs to have your full attention. You are wise enough and bighearted enough to weather a difference of opinion or a change in plans.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Jan. 13

Keep a handle on your temper the next three to four weeks when you might feel competitive and may do something rash. February is an excellent time to join a club or organization as you will fit in well and have an opportunity to meet new friends and contacts.

March is a good time to begin an exercise program or to participate in sports and outdoor activities while energy levels are high. July may bring you the answer to heartfelt prayers.