Home and Garden 01/27/18

HOME & GARDEN • SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 2018

Simple, affordable home renovations PLUS:

Recipes for February fun Colorado Springs Home & Landscaping Show KEN MOON: All things water

Easy bathroom upgrades

I

BY GINA CRONIN, HOME AND GARDEN

f you can’t stand the sight of your bathroom, you are not alone.

Outdated countertops, messy grouting, unappealing decor and poor lighting can add some frustrating obstacles to your day.

Luckily, being a relatively small space, bathrooms can be quite simple to freshen up and upgrade.

DEEP CLEAN

Sometimes the bathroom area just needs an extra deep clean in order to feel fresh and new. Dedicate a bit of time on your day off to scrubbing down the bathroom and making it shine. Start with the shower area by washing shower curtains and liners — or replace the liner if mildew and soap scum spots are beyond repair — and hang to dry. Shower doors can be cleaned with a paste made from baking soda and white vinegar, which is applied and left on for an hour before scrubbed. For the tub, sprinkle with baking soda, and spray a vinegar and water solution. After it bubbles, scrub to form a paste and let sit for 15 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing.

Tiles, walls and ceilings can be sprayed with an all-purpose cleaner, and left on while a hot shower is turned on with door closed, and steam is built up for five minutes. Leave for 20 minutes then wipe down. For toilets, pour in a cup of baking soda, let sit for a few minutes, then use a toilet brush to scrub and flush. Grout can be cleaned by dipping a grout brush or toothbrush — clearly labeled to not use for teeth — into bleach and then scrubbing in between

tiles. Don’t forget to also scrub and mop the floors, including behind the toilet.

Finish off by spraying with some room freshener, lighting a scented candle or turning on a plugin fragrance diffuser.

UPDATE THE DECOR

Now that your bathroom is clean, you can start deciding how you’d like to update the décor. Decorations are a simple, inexpensive way to make a difference. Look into all of the beautiful shower curtain options available and have fun choosing one that’s right for you. Coordinate it with brand new bath mats and luxury towels hanging neatly from a towel rack. Don’t forget to add some bathroom art! Signs with words of inspiration are popular for the bathroom.

If you want to take it a step further, you can put a fresh coat of paint on the walls. Seafoam green, sky blue, lavender, grey-blue and ivory are some popular wall colors for bathrooms. You can also replace some of the fixtures and accents with sleek, matching designs for the faucet and handles, drawer knobs and vanity lights. Proper lighting alongside the mirror can make it much easier to get ready in the morning.

UPGRADE THE COUNTERTOPS

Upgrading the countertops is the one of the single best investments you can make for your bathroom. Quartz, marble, soapstone, limestone and travertine countertops are hugely popular and catch the eye of anyone who enters your bathroom — especially potential buyers when you go to sell your house.

HG 2 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, JAN 27, 2018

STYLIZE THE SINK

Why not install a trendy sink to complement your new countertops? Look into the abundance of beautiful vessel sinks available — with glass, tempered glass, bronze, ceramic, brushed nickel and many other artistic finishes to choose from.

REPLACE THE CABINETS

New cabinets and vanities provide the perfect opportunity to add some style to your bathroom. Keep it classic with vintage or antique furniture; rustic with reclaimed wood and barrels; modern with greys, silvers, metallic and glass; and high-end with designer oak, maple, cherry and hickory cabinetry.

MODERNIZE THE FLOORS

Now that everything from the walls to the ceilings are upgraded, it’s time to take a look at the floors. The floors make a bold statement in the bathroom, so look into some attractive design possibilities. Some popular bathroom flooring includes ceramic, porcelain, stone, engineered wood and vinyl.

For added appeal, tile floors can match the tile surround on a tub, which can make the room feel more spacious. Take it a step further by adding in-floor radiant heating beneath the tiles — providing a comforting touch. It may add a layer of top luxury, but it’s not as expensive to add as one would think; averaging around $600 for installation in a small bathroom, according to HGTV.

Trulia tips to renovate kitchen, bathroom and bedroom for under $10K

T NEWSWIRE

rulia@ Design Panel, Trulia’s expert group of interior designers, home stagers and professional organizers, released renovation ideas to refresh your home in the new year.

Trulia recently commissioned a survey, conducted online by Harris Poll, of more than 2,000 Americans age 18 and older, about their home remodeling plans. We found 76 percent of Americans have plans to renovate or remodel their homes, and bathrooms, kitchens and bedrooms top their agendas. But budgeting is important: On average, Americans who plan to remodel or renovate their home are willing to spend $8,879 on their projects. So we asked the Trulia Design Panel for their tips on renovating each of those rooms for less than $10,000.

“With these renovation tips from the Trulia Design Panel, we hope to provide homeowners and renters with affordable

options for updating their home that aren’t overwhelming or out of reach,” said Lynnette Bruno, Trulia’s vice president of communications and research. “It’s no surprise that Americans want to focus on renovating the rooms they spend the most time in, like the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom, so focusing efforts on these rooms will have the biggest impact on your home overall.”

TIPS FOR RENOVATING A HOME UNDER $10,000 KITCHEN • Replace countertops • Paint the cabinets • Replace cabinet hardware • Create custom pantry storage

BAT HROOM • Integrate tile • Replace plumbing fixtures • Add storage for a streamlined look • Replace cabinets and vanity

BEDROOM • Incorporate rugs • Invest in your bed • Update lighting • Create an accent wall More details on these renovation tips can be found here: https://www.trulia. com/blog/renovation-tips-under-10k/.

The Trulia Design Panel publishes a monthly series to share their home décor insights on a variety of topics, from this month’s article on renovation tips under $10,000 to future articles on incorporating color into the home, providing the advice that homeowners and renters need to make their house a home once they’ve found their place.

The Trulia Design Panel will be available for custom media inquiries and interviews as requested. Please contact pr@trulia. com for inquiries.

To learn more about the Trulia Design Panel, visit info.trulia.com/ truliadesignpanel.

SURVEY METHODOLOGY

This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of Trulia from January 3 – January 5, among 2,105 U.S. adults ages 18 and older, among whom 1,567 plan to remodel or renovate their home.

This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact pr@trulia.com.

Trulia is a vibrant home shopping marketplace, focused on giving homebuyers, sellers, and renters the information they need to make better decisions. On mobile and the Web, Trulia provides house hunters with insights and unique information about properties, neighborhoods, and real estate agents.

Additionally, Trulia offers data and information about schools, crimes, commute times, and the real estate market.

SATURDAY, JAN 27, 2018 I THE GAZETTE I HG 3

RECIPES FOR

February fun METRO SERVICES

END A VALENTINE’S DAY DINNER WITH HOMEMADE DESSERT

HOMEMADE MAC AND CHEESE TAILOR-MADE FOR THE BIG GAME Hosting a Super Bowl party for friends and family is a big responsibility. Each year, well over 100 million people watch the championship game of the National Football League. In fact, according to Nielsen, 111.3 million people in the United States tuned in to watch the New England Patriots’ thrilling and historic comeback victory in Super Bowl LI in 2017.

While people anxiously anticipate watching the NFL’s biggest game of the year, many are equally excited to attend Super Bowl parties, where they can watch the game with loved ones while enjoying delicious food and drink. Some Super Bowl party hosts may prefer to have their parties catered, while others enjoy getting in the kitchen to prepare some homemade foods for their guests.

Hosts among the latter group can prepare familiar crowd favorites that are sure to please, such as this easily-prepared recipe for “Crusty Mac and Cheese” from Neal Corman’s “Virgil’s Barbecue Road Trip Cookbook” (St. Martin’s Press).

CRUSTY MAC AND CHEESE Serves 4 to 6 • 1 pound elbow macaroni

• • • • • • • • •

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper 1/2 cup chicken stock 3/4 cup heavy cream 1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1/2 tablespoon hot sauce 1/2 tablespoon Creole mustard 1 1/4 cup Cheese Wiz 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease a 2-quart baking dish.

2. Boil the macaroni in a 2-quart saucepan filled with water, until it is al dente, or still has some snap when you bite it. Strain the pasta and rinse thoroughly with cold water. Set aside.

3. Combine the remaining ingredients, except for the shredded cheese, in a medium saucepan over medium heat. The mixture should be barely simmering. Whisk periodically. Cook for 7 to 10 minutes.

4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cheese sauce with the pasta and about one-third of the shredded cheese.

Transfer to the baking dish, covering with the remaining shredded cheese, and bake covered for 10 minutes.

5. Uncover and bake for 15 minutes more, or until the top is golden brown.

HG 4 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, JAN 27, 2018

Those who want to make this Valentine’s Day extra special can forgo storebought chocolates in favor of homemade confections. The following recipe for “Swiss Mountain Ice Cream” from Maxine Clark’s “Chocolate: Deliciously Indulgent Recipes for Chocolate Lovers” (Ryland, Peters & Small) is a great way to end a romantic holiday dinner.

SWISS MOUNTAIN ICE CREAM Makes about 2 quarts • White Chocolate Sauce (see below) • 2 cups whole milk • 1 cup sweetened condensed milk • 3/4 cup granulated sugar • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa • 14 ounces premium milk chocolate (over 32% cocoa solids), chopped • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla essence • 11/2 cups whipping or heavy cream, chilled • 6 1/2 ounces white nougat, roughly chopped • 1 ice cream maker (optional) • 1 freezer-proof tray or container • 1 mountain-shaped mold (optional) 1. Put the milk, condensed milk, sugar, and cocoa in a pan, bring to a boil, then simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in the chocolate and let melt, stirring occasionally. Let cool completely, then add the vanilla essence and refrigerate for about 1 hour.

2. Stir the cream into the mixture, then churn-freeze in an ice cream maker in two batches. This will take 20 to 30

minutes. It will increase in volume as it thickens and freezes. Stop churning when thick and smooth, add the nougat, and churn to mix, then transfer to a chilled freezer-proof tray, cover, and freeze. If you don’t have an ice cream maker, put the mixture in a freezer-proof tray or container and freeze until it is frozen around the edges. Mash well with a fork and return to the freezer. Continue mashing with a fork and freezing the mixture until thick and smooth, about 2 hours. Stir in the nougat. At this stage, you can pack it into a mold and return to the freezer.

3. If the ice cream is in a mold, remove from the freezer and dip briefly in hot water to melt the outside. Invert onto a chilled plate, lifting off the mold. If the ice cream is in a container, transfer to the refrigerator to soften for 20 minutes before serving in scoops. Drizzle with White Chocolate Sauce and serve.

WHITE CHOCOLATE SAUCE • Makes about 21/2 cups • 1 cup light or heavy cream • 6 tablespoons milk • 8 ounces white chocolate (over 25% cocoa butter), chopped 1. Put the cream and milk in a small pan and bring to just below boiling point.

Remove from the heat and let cool for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the white chocolate and stir until completely melted.

Serve warm.

2. If reheating, do so over gentle heat.

Do not allow to boil or the sauce can thicken and seize.

Show dates, times and ticket prices are as follows: See TLC’s Joanie Sprague at the Colorado Springs Home & Landscaping Show Joanie Sprague will be speaking and doing demonstrations at the Colorado Springs Home & Landscaping Show Saturday, January 27.

Friday, January 26: 1 – 7 p.m.

Saturday, January 27: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Sunday, January 28: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Adults $7, Youth 16 and under are free!

For more info contact: Tiphani Ruark, at tiphanir@rjpromotions.com or call 816-676-0483.

NEWSWIRE

Improve the value of your home with ideas showcased at the Colorado Springs Home & Landscaping Show! The Home & Landscaping Show will fill the Altered Reality Event Center January 26 – 28 with hundreds of new and innovative products for remodeling and updating your home.

From interior home improvement designs to exterior home upgrades this show will display the hottest new trends with many at huge discounts. For landscaping and gardening enthusiasts, don’t miss your chance to see some of Colorado’s hottest landscapers in the landscaper’s challenge competition, and vote for your favorite display.

Simplify your home remodeling and solutions by visiting featured TLC guest, Joanie Sprague, who will be speaking and doing “How To” demonstrations Saturday, January 27 starting at noon and also 2 p.m. at the show. Carpenter Joanie Sprague is featured on TLC’s show “Trading Spaces.”

Along with Sprague’s informative demos, the show will feature kitchen remodel seminars from Winds of Change Contracting and informative seminars on the importance of hiring a professional contractor by DeckWorks. In addition, Michael Amosson with Viking Productions will offer antique appraisals all weekend — for free (limit two per person please). Bring those attic treasures to the show to see how much they are worth.

Interior home improvement vendors will

showcase the hottest new trends in kitchen and bathroom remodeling, organization ideas, fireplace updates, sun room additions, and color and texture ideas for floors and walls. Exterior home upgrades, vendors will showcase windows, doors, landscaping, siding, decks, roofing, guttering, garage additions and more — many at huge discounts.

Shop and support local artisans and homemade crafters in our Handmade Market! Enter to win amazing giveaways throughout the three-day event! Bliss by Arctic Spas will be giving away a $3,500 InnovaSpa Urbania Premium Hot tubs! Don’t miss one of Colorado Springs’ biggest home savings events of the season!

James P. Hood Construction Company

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

James P. Hood Hood James P. 719-322-5517

719-252-0672 www.jamesphood.com

719.602.5028

SATURDAY, JAN 27, 2018 I THE GAZETTE I HG 5

AROUND THE HOUSE

All things water

BY KEN MOON, SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE

Dear Ken: I saw this this device in a magazine that is supposed to prevent scaling. I’d rather not install a regular water softener. What do you think?

– Susan

KEN MOON

The gizmo you’re describing comes under the category of non-chemical water conditioning devices. These devices use, variously, electronic, ultrasonic or electro-magnetic fields to “de-scale” your incoming water. If you think about it, the water molecules are zipping by the contact point on the pipe at maybe 30 MPH, so how could any weak field affect them in some significant way? Answer: it can’t.

These devices never seem to hold up under any rigorous scientific analysis. Save your

money for a traditional water softener.

Dear Ken: What do you think of tankless water heaters? I’m thinking of replacing my old regular tank with one.

– Brian The theory behind them is quite logical: you’re not heating 40 or more gallons 24/7, so you’re bound to save on your natural gas or propane bill, right? The trouble is, they’re fairly expensive. For a model that will allow you to use more than one fixture at a time you’ll spend around $3,000. Why so much? In most cases the old gas line isn’t big enough to handle the BTU load, so it will need replacement. Plus the vent for your tankless heater will have to be separated from the one you use now and sent out in another direction.

It can be hard to justify that added

initial capital cost, which is three or four times the cost of a “regular” water heater.

It will take maybe 15 years or more in fuel savings to amortize the difference, and only then will you start saving money.

One other consideration. These units are finicky and can take themselves “off line” for no apparent reason, so they require an annual check and cleaning by a plumber.

I would stick with a conventional water heater. If you want to realize more savings on your heating bills, adding attic insulation, for example, gives a much better return on your investment.

Dear Ken: I can’t seem to keep water out of my basement from one window well. It fills up no matter what I do.

– Sandy Start from the outside and work your

GOREN BRIDGE

way in. You can raise the level of the dirt around the well after you add a row or two of redwood 2x10s set vertically in the dirt — sort of like landscape edging. Also, check the flow from your downspouts to make sure they are diverted well away from this area.

Finally, dig out the dirt in the bottom of the well so it’s about six inches below the sill.

Incoming silt can raise the bottom of the well so slowly that you don’t notice the increasing hazard. Once you’ve dug it out, add a layer of 3/4 inch decorative rock to eliminate splashing and to aid evaporation. If all else fails, you can dig out a hole in the center of the bottom of the well and add a sump pit and small pump.

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.

WITH BOB JONES ©2016 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

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HG 6 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, JAN 27, 2018

SOuTH weST NOrTH eAST Pass 2♦ Pass 1♥ ?

What call would you make? q 4 - Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠q98♥AJ92♦k8♣A864 weST NOrTH eAST SOuTH 1♠ Pass 2♠ ?

What call would you make? q 5 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ k q 10 5 ♥ A 10 9 5 2 ♦ A J ♣ k2 As dealer, what call would you make? q 6 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ k q 10 5 ♥ A 10 9 5 2 ♦ A J ♣ k2 SOuTH weST NOrTH eAST Pass 2♥ Pass 1♥ ?

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Look for answers on Monday.

(Bob Jones welcomes readers’ responses sent in care of this newspaper or to Tribune Content Agency, LLC., 16650 Westgrove Dr., Suite 175, Addison, TX 75001.

E-mail: 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

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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 27, 2018

loS angeleS TimeS CroSSword

non SequiTur

by wiley

edited by rich norris and Joyce lewis

lola

by Todd Clark

BeeTle Bailey 8 “Can’t argue with that” across 9 Brand sold at Pep Boys 1 Longtime employer of 2610 Official cocktail of New Down 10 Double shot?

Orleans 15 “Geek sighting!”

11 Agent that undermines from 16 “Mad TV” alum Lange within 17 Runway-ready 12 “Cure Ignorance” magazine 18 Boarding pass data 13 Victoria, to William IV 19 Pay stub abbr.

14 One of many taken in school 20 Kid gloves, so to speak 21 Rhapsodized 21 Turn down 22 Britt Reid’s alter ego 22 City on Lake Michigan 23 Shore weather phenomena 23 African capital formerly called 24 Med school admissions data Salisbury 25 __ of time 24 “Cool, dude!”

26 “Miracle on Ice” commentator 27 Court dance 27 Cooler 28 Hard-to-count quantity 29 Hog calls 29 Emit a powerful magnetic 30 Obey a court order force?

31 Parcel (out) 32 It’s all downhill from here 33 1980s-’90s Notre Dame 33 Hoofed it football coach Lou 34 Comics pooch 36 Medieval Turko-Mongol 35 They’re matched by settlers foundations 37 Comfortable 37 Take forcibly 39 National flower of Mexico 38 Like milk of magnesia 40 Jacket material 39 “You Gotta Be” soul singer 41 Strauss piece 40 Old-time feature film 42 Common applicator preceders 43 Like an Irish Terrier’s 41 Corduroy feature outer coat 42 Rose __: reddish mineral 44 Flaky mineral 43 Big name in hair trimmers 45 Long-distance calling org.?

44 Big Ten sch. that competes for 46 “Miracle on Ice” loser the Paul Bunyan Trophy 48 __ Romana 47 Singer __ Marie 49 Battle of Britain gp.

48 Exposes to public scorn Friday’s Puzzle Solved 50 Goldbrick 51 Ruins things?

52 Pains 53 1790s political powder keg down 1 “Honey, I’m Good” singer Grammer 2 “Sesame Street” roommate 3 Street __ 4 ’60s protest org.

5 Units of pressure 6 Owner of a legendary lantern kicker 7 Put through the wringer again?

by mort, greg, and Brian walker

hagar The horriBle

moTher gooSe

Tundra

by Chris Browne

by mike Peters

by Chad Carpenter

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Bizarro

by wayno and 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

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by robb armstrong

by Jef mallett

HG 10 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, JAN 27, 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 27, 2018 I THE GAZETTE I HG 11

TAKE OUR ADVICE ADVICE

Dear Amy: I have always tried to

raise my two children, now 17 and 18, to be independent, although I gave them guidance when they needed it. Now they don’t need me or choose to be with me for more than 10 minutes a day, in AMY general. Eating dinner only takes DICKINSON seven minutes, apparently. Then, “I have homework to do.”

The older one is in college and hacking her way through life’s challenges. The younger one is a great student, responsible and trustworthy, but basically a roommate.

They NEVER want to do anything with my husband or me unless it involves food or some unusual activity like going to a comedy club. They are in their rooms, at work or off with friends. I worry about their socialization and lack of activity.

They are going to be gone before I know it, so my question is: Do I let them continue to live their own lives, or do I occasionally force them to do things with us and ignore the complaining? I feel like I’m just giving up and not parenting well.

What do you think? — Befuddled Mom Dear Befuddled: I think that you should occasionally force your kids to do “family things.” This demonstrates that there are times when they should, in fact, engage in relationship-building activities just because other people want them to.

The place to start this campaign might be during your seven-minute dinners. Your children should in fact be forced to stay at the table and converse — or wait patiently with their phones elsewhere — until everyone is done eating. Then, unless they have cooked the meal, they should clear the table and clean the dishes. This is basic life skills 101.

And yes, occasionally you should force-march them through a family hike or into a museum with you and their father, simply because you are all in a family together. They should also be forced to attend celebrations or memorial services for family members, even if they have other plans. And yes, you should ignore the complaining. And yes, they will still love you.

—

Send questions to askamy@amydickinson.com or to Amy Dickinson, c/o Tribune Content Agency, 16650 Westgrove Drive, Suite 175, Addison, TX 75001

ADVICE

Question: If you

can give someone a shot to save them from a heroin or opioid overdose, couldn’t you give them the same DR. OZ AND DR. ROIZEN drug — sort of a vaccine — and stop opioid addiction in the first place? — Tim B., Alexandria, Va. Answer: Military scientists have been working on that problem since they received a $5 million research grant in 2012. What they’ve developed is a vaccine that may stop heroin abuse. But let’s back up a bit so we can explain how it works.

The reason that heroin and other opioids are so deadly is that they’re made up of very small molecules that pass swiftly between the blood/brain barrier and go right to the brain’s receptors. The “shot” you referred to is naloxone, and it works by binding to the opioid receptors in the brain, which blocks the effects of the opioid.

The way a vaccine works for the flu virus is different from the vaccine against heroin and opioids. For the flu vaccine, a dead strain of the virus is introduced to the immune system, which then produces antibodies against it. So when the real flu virus shows up, the immune system attacks the virus before it can replicate and make you sick.

The pending heroin vaccine is a bit different.

It’s designed to stimulate the immune system to produce an antibody that latches onto the heroin molecule so that it’s too big to cross the barrier.

Then the drug can’t produce a “high.” Researchers hope that might make people immune to the drug’s effects and help overcome an addiction.

So far, the vaccine is working in rodent models.

The vaccine may prove useful in humans: Scientists are hoping it will prevent the withdrawal and craving symptoms for people who are addicted to opioids and heroin, and are trying to quit. That would help thousands who are desperately trying to be free of the addiction but don’t have access to the resources needed to make it happen.

—

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

ADVICE

HINTS FROM HELOISE

Dear Heloise: I bought a beautiful chest at an auction. It has the smell of mothballs, though, which I can’t remove. Needless to say, everything I store in it smells like mothballs. Is there anything I can do about this problem? — C.D., Monroe, La.

C.D., you can bank on this triedand-true Heloise helper: Mix equal parts rubbing alcohol and vinegar OR lemon juice. Moisten a cloth with this mixture and wipe out the inside of the chest. Important: Leave the lid open until the chest dries, and for a couple of days after that.

Another hint to try is putting a big bowl of baking soda inside the chest, along with some crumpled newspaper. Keep the chest closed for one week.

These hints should help lessen the smell of mothballs in your new-to-you chest! Thanks for writing in! — Heloise Dear Heloise: This time of year, there are lots of items on sale, marked down so they can sell and retailers can clear their inventory. I’ve spent my career in retail; I ought to know! Here is a partial list of items marked down in January and February: Appliances, art supplies, baby accessories, bedding, bicycles, boots, carpets, pre-owned cars, curtains, furniture, luggage, men’s clothing, toys and TVs. Have fun hunting down bargains! — Ken S. in San Antonio Dear Heloise: My cat, Mr. Kitty, likes his litter box immaculate. Most cats are very clean! I’ve found that a thin layer of baking soda under his cat litter keeps the box fresh-smelling.

I still clean it out every day, of course, and scrub it once a week, but the baking soda helps a lot! — Carrie W. in Pittsburgh Carrie, baking soda is a workhorse in the home — I’m sure Mr. Kitty would agree! It’s cheap, safe and readily available. — 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) Avoid giving in to impulses. You may be challenged to avoid arguments over policies and politics. Prove to loved ones you are reliable and trustworthy.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Take a run at having some fun. Social outings might be constrained within some very strait laces due to the presence of a business associate.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) “Seeing isn’t always believing” and sometimes you must be reminded to be more skeptical of appearances. When you are torn two ways it isn’t possible to make a sound decision or give a sincere promise.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) You must have the courage to follow your convictions, but the sensitivity to let others follow theirs.

Sometimes this causes a conflict when others don’t agree to follow the principle of “live and let live.”

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Enjoy the weekend by being creative, engaging in hobbies or indulging children. Avoid verbal sparring matches over ideology and dogma.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) You might have a passion for changing the world.

Your outlook could be altered, however, by seeing how the other half lives, which changes you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) You may too eager to take risks. You may dare to be different at the wrong time. Someone who seems stodgy, but is steady as a rock, might be the perfect person to balance your flighty tendencies.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) The Impressionist school of painting may speak to you. Some things are not based on rational thought and can’t be discussed in terms of black and white.

New friends can stimulate your thinking process.

HG 12 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, JAN 27, 2018

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) If you put too many eggs in a basket, some might break. You are a whiz when dealing with technology and can earn extra kudos for ingenuity.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Turn over a new leaf without stripping the entire tree. Sometimes you must give up something to win something better. Don’t defend an opinion that causes stress or a dispute within the family unit.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Wrap it up. Wise old owls will take advantage of leisure time by putting last minute touches on projects, so they are complete.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) You are in your element when surrounded by groups of people. Join an online forum or focus on your friends. Be disciplined about your spending.

Avoid risk-taking the next few days.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Jan. 27

You can stand on your own two feet but may alienate others by being too defensive the next four to five weeks. Funnel your excess energy into physical activities to offset your dissatisfaction with the state of your affairs in February. You may be ambitious in April but will be most successful if you focus on networking and community activities. Get a vacation in early July because by August you may be saddled with extra obligations.