Home and Garden 03/25/17

Look inside for these specials and many others.

HOME & GARDEN • SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 2017

seeds STARTING PL ANTS FROM

YEAR ROUND GARDENING: READY, SET, GET YOUR LAWN READY TO GROW KEN MOON: FIXES FOR THE GARAGE, ATTIC AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN ERN SOUTHA COLOR DO

N I A T S SU Y T I L I ABdoor Living & Out

EXPO

March 31-April 2 FRI. 1-7 • SAT. 9-6 • SUN. 11-4 FREE PARKING!

Colorado Springs Event Center

Tour Tiny Homes!

3960 Palmer Park Boulevard, just off Academy

Affordable Living!

The Mushroom King!

Urban Farming!

SeMinArS: Growing a Veggie Garden, raising Chickens, Herbal remedies, Food Preservation, Apothecary, Aquaponics & more!

KIDS FAg R E E ! e 16 & A d U lT u$n d e r S 6

Discount Admission Coupon: SustainabilityExpo.net 1-800-756-4788

•

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The Mushroom King, Tiny Homes featured at Sustainability and Outdoor Living Expo

T NEWSWIRE

THE MUSHROOM KING, TOM WEIPERT

••

he Southern Colorado Sustainability and Outdoor Living Expo will fill the Colorado Springs Event Center, 3960 Palmer Park Boulevard at Academy, March 31 through April 2.

This family-friendly event boasts over 150 booths and will connect area residents with services, products and businesses focused on affordable and sustainable living in our community.

The show will feature two of the hottest new tiny homes. The Tiny Home Co. offers an unrivaled selection of luxurious tiny homes. All models are built with only the finest building materials, full-sized appliances, over-engineered design and structure, and, of course, keeping green building at the front of all applications.

Schooner EcoHomes Inc. is a local veteran-owned business. They build sustainable off-grid homes and work spaces on a custom basis. “Our key focus is sustainability and building homes better with advanced building solutions, and that is what we are displaying with our Tiny Homes,” says Dan Rosenbaum, owner of Schooner EcoHomes, Inc. “I am very passionate about energy conservation for many reasons; some of them obvious in the fact that fossil fuels are finite resources and we should use them as efficiently as we can, but as a former military and government contractor I also believe it is a matter of national security.”

Attendees will also have a chance to meet The Mushroom King, Tom Weipert.

As his nickname suggests, Weipert knows a lot more about mushrooms than the average hunter. His father started bringing him along on mushroom hunts when he was just three years old. Through the years he learned about the unique relationship of mushrooms to trees, the best weather conditions and places to find them. Last year he traveled 54,000 miles hunting for mushrooms all around the country.

Weipert also works as a chef. Consuming wild mushrooms can be a hazardous

endeavor and in some cases even fatal, so before eating any mushroom collected from the wild it is absolutely critical that it is identified with certainty. An old mushroom hunters’ axiom states “When in doubt, throw it out.” Such an embrace of skepticism can save your life. “I also like to teach people about the health benefits of many types of mushrooms,” says Weipert. “Many don’t realize how healthy they are. Many are anti-viral, antibacterial and contain antioxidants. I focus heavily on educating attendees on this and teaching them how to cultivate their own mushrooms as well.” Weipert will be on hand for Q&A all weekend and hosting one seminar each day. “I love the sustainability show, this show is by far my favorite. It seems like Coloradans have great sense of keeping healthy. I save a lot of my products to share with the attendees of this show and am very excited to be there,” he says.

Dome Creations and Atlas Greenhouse are eager to see new generations take pride in their ability to see sustainable growth and ingenuity in place of the disparity that has come between the general populace and their food, income and resources. Greenhouses, of whatever shape or size, represent a step in the direction of consciously addressing that gap, and seeing it bridged. Greater education and greater production will help our children and their children succeed.

Localvore Colorado CoOp Store will be on hand demonstrating a variety of products related to gardening, canning, freezing, dehydrating, bees, fermentation, goats, chicks and many other items!

Enjoy Outdoor Survival Seminars by Pikes Peak Community College and a special Natural Health Section that includes an apothecary of herbal medicine.

Specials will be offered on energyefficient windows and Energy Star rated heating and cooling solutions.

Register to win great prizes including a Nordic hot tub valued at $3,000 from Bliss

by Arctic Spas!

HG 2 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, MAR 25, 2017

Southern Colorado Sustainability and Outdoor Living Expo Adults: $6, Youth 16 and under: FREE Parking is FREE all weekend!

Friday, March 31: 1–7 p.m.

Saturday, April 1: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.

Sunday, April 2: 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

For more information contact Tiphani Ruark at 816-676-0483, tiphanir@rjpromotions.com or Jessica Caylor at 816-676-0686, jessicac@rjpromotions.com.

YOUR LOCAL EXPERTS SPONSORED FEATURE BY ROBIN BOUTILIER, GOOD EARTH GARDEN CENTER

PLANT OF THE YEAR

2017

The Perennial Plant Association is a national organization dedicated to the use of perennials in the landscape. They also offer hardscape design awards, a scholarship program and the selection of a perennial plant of the year. The 2017 plant of the year is Asclepias tuberosa, better known as butterfly weed. This is an excellent choice for Colorado. In addition to being a butterfly magnet, it is droughttolerant and deer-resistant. The brilliant orange color would be a welcome addition to any garden.

Colorado’s front range is the destination for this year’s Perennial Plant Symposium

and trade show. This six-day event is packed with lectures, tours and seminars.

Speakers include Lauren Springer Ogden and Panayoti Kelaidis; as well as other experts from around the nation. These are the people responsible for the introduction of many of the plants we now take for granted in our landscape. Agastache, ice plant and several ornamental grasses are but a few of the plants made possible by “Plant Select,” our own regional organization dedicated to choosing plants for this area.

To learn more, visit GoodEarthGardenCenter.com.

ating 43 Gr r b e l e at Y e Ce ars!

With energy-saving tips, rebates and discounts, you can earn big savings and help our city at the same time. Take our pledge and join the movement to change the current.

Take the pledge and win prizes at changethecurrent.com.

Seed Potatoes & Onion Starts Never had an edible garden?

Stop by and let us help you choose the vegetables and herbs that best fit your lifestyle.

After all, what’s fresher than your own backyard?

Over 100 Varieties of Tomato Plants Available Mid-April

WALL O’WATER

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Regularly $1599

Protects Plants to 16° Expires April 16, 2017. Must present coupon.

1330 N. Walnut Street (2 blocks NW off Uintah & I-25)

Garden Center.com

473-3399

For more info visit our web site. Hours: Mon - Sat: 9:30 - 5 • Sun: 10 - 4 SATURDAY, MAR 25, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 3

YEAR ROUND GARDENING

Ready, set, get your lawn ready to grow!

BY FREDRICKA BOGARDUS, COLORADO MASTER GARDENER

S

pring lawn care is critical to a healthy summer lawn. There are several things to do before the warm weather comes on. This article applies to cool weather lawns such as blue grass and fescues.

If you have a buffalo grass lawn consult Buffalo Grass Lawns Garden Note 565: Ext. colostate.edu/mg/Gardennotes/565.pdf.

First on your agenda should be core aeration. Aeration addresses the problem of soil compaction. You can rent an aerator or hire a lawn service. Make sure you thoroughly water the lawn the day before aeration. You will end up with plugs on the lawn, leave them in place they will decompose rapidly.

Once the lawn is aerated there are two other early season tasks to think about, but you only get to choose one. Early April is the time to apply a pre-emergent herbicide.

This will help to control annual weeds such as crab grass. It may also help in control reseeding of perennial weeds, like dandelions.

The other task you can choose is reseeding thin or bare spots. This is an either or with the application of preemergent herbicides. If you apply a preemergent product, the seed will not grow

COMING UP AT EXTENSION successfully. Pre-emergent herbicides form a barrier, once the product is down do not disturb the soil. Wait about six weeks to seed after application of pre-emergent herbicides to reseed.

If you decide to reseed make sure your soil temperature is between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, to check use an inexpensive meat thermometer or similar device. Select a good quality seed – check with your local garden center for suggestions. Prepare the lawn by raking up well then drop the seed evenly. If you are filling in large bare spots you may want to mulch the seed very lightly with peat moss, compost or good soil to help resist the seed washing or blowing away. For the first few weeks after reseeding, water regularly. While the seed is germinating and for the seedlings, watering several times a day, for a short period is optimal.

If you did not fertilize in late fall, apply fertilizer in the spring. Otherwise wait until mid-June or early July.

Our weather has been unusually warm and dry, so it is time to water. It is a bit early to turn on automatic sprinklers as March and April can be cold and even snowy. In the interim water by hand when

HG 4 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, MAR 25, 2017

the grass looks like it needs watering.

Grass needs water when you see a bluishgray color and footsteps that last on the grass. Consider managing your watering this way even in the warm weather, and just use your automatic controllers if you are out of town. You will save water and minimize the risk of under or overwatering.

Get your mower blade sharpened before mowing is needed. Once the lawn starts growing you need to start mowing. Your cool season lawn will be healthier if you keep it two-and-a-half to three inches long.

Try not to mow more than one-third of the height at any time. If you do need to cut more than one-third, pick up the grass clippings for compost or mulch. Do not use for mulch if you have applied herbicides.

Otherwise leave the clippings in place — they will decompose rapidly.

Wait for a sunny day and relax with a lemonade while you enjoy the cooling effect of your beautiful lawn.

If you have lawn and garden questions, go to Ask.Extension.org for answers. To learn what events are coming up at the CSU Extension office in El Paso County, visit ElPasoCo.Colostate.edu/index.shtml.

Seed Starting Tues., April 18, 1:30 – 3 p.m.

A one hour presentation on starting plants from seed, followed by Q&A and planting a tray of seeds. $30.

Harvesting Rainwater Sat., May 13, 9 – 11 a.m.

Learn about the particulars of the new law and build a rain barrel to take home. $60 covers training and all supplies. Registration closes May 5.

Fill, Thrill, Spill Floral Container Gardening Thurs., May 18, 6:30 – 8 p.m.

Learn techniques to create and maintain sun/shade planters then take home a potful of plants that will bloom all summer. $30.

Registration is required for all classes.

Register online at EPCExtension. eventbrite.com

COMMUNITY EXPERT ADVICE

Seed SPONSORED FEATURE BY KRISTEN SHAW-BURNSIDE, HARDING NURSERY

S

starting tips

eed starting can be a very fun project for the late winter and early spring.

Starting your vegetables from seeds early will allow your seedlings to be very strong for our Colorado elements and allow you to get a jump start on your summer gardening.

Every variety of vegetables has a different harvest time, so be sure to look at the chart or your seed packet to ensure the right grow times. You will need little containers or seeding trays, seeding soil, plastic wrap, spray bottle, seeds and water. You need to make sure before you start your project that you have a space that either has great natural sunlight or artificial light such as a grow light. You also need to make sure you have a space that has great airflow — this will help the seedlings to not get leggy and unhealthy.

You want to make your seed selections and then fill the containers up with moistened soil, then put two to three seeds in each pot. Once you have

finished planting the seeds then you will put plastic wrap over the pots. This allows the humidity to help the seeds to sprout quickly. Once the seeds have sprouted then remove the plastic wrap.

Continue to water the seedlings with a spray bottle every day to moisten the soil; but be careful to not over-water.

You can start hardening the seedlings by placing them outside on nice days, for a few hours each day and two weeks before our last frost date, which is around Mother’s Day. Hardening will allow the little seedlings to get use to the elements, wind, sun and temperature fluctuations.

Once we have passed Mother’s Day it is officially okay to plant them in your garden. Happy planting!

To learn more, visit HardingNursery.com.

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SATURDAY, MAR 25, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 5

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

HG 6 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, MAR 25, 2017

by hector Cantu and Carlos Castellanos

Blondie

by dean young and John marshall

muTTS

by Patrick mcdonnell

Funky winkerBean

luann

by greg evans

PeanuTS

by Charles Schulz

by Tom Batiuk

SATURDAY, MAR 25, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 7

loS angeleS TimeS CroSSword

non SequiTur

by wiley

edited by rich norris and Joyce lewis

lola

by Todd Clark

BeeTle Bailey across 5 Hopeful’s term 1 Hot-button subject in 6 Ford or Chevy journalism 7 Ninth in a series 10 It may be on a dog 8 Cry over spilled Milch?

14 Sacred Aboriginal landmark 9 Waxed sports equipment 10 Conventional 15 Tendency 11 NFL games, e.g.

16 Like a meeting of the minds?

12 Holiday hymn opener 18 “__ so ...”

13 Took place 19 Jefferson Davis’ org.

17 Folded Italian fare 20 “Barefoot Contessa” 22 Pre-revolution bigwig host Garten 24 When needed 21 Still 25 Bit of successful research 23 Best Director between 26 Ancient pyramid builders Soderbergh and Polanski 28 Wind-borne grains 25 Unnatural register 30 An inch of snow, e.g.

27 Remove 34 What one might do after a 28 Firebrick cooker broken date 29 “Nebraska” star 35 Credit card bonus 30 Become twisted 37 Light ring 31 “Told you” 39 Superior, of all five 32 Bygone 40 Walks heavily 33 Congressional approval 41 “Quick, get that out of sight!”

36 Ceremonial cup 42 Indian Ocean arm 38 Settled 43 What’s left 40 Points at and yells, perhaps 45 Stanford-__ test 43 Petrol purchase 47 Fleeting puff 44 White wine grape 51 Storm dir.

45 Looked good on 52 Pig thief of rhyme 46 Attaches, as a new deck 53 Sweetie 47 Costumer’s suggestion 48 Edge Friday’s Puzzle Solved 49 Land shaped by erosion 50 Fall behind 54 It sticks out in the water 55 Model rocket components 56 Order to stop 57 Common college consequence down 1 __ set 2 Demolition candidates 3 Its only counties are Kent, New Castle and Sussex 4 Steaming state HG 8 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, MAR 25, 2017

by mort, greg, and Brian walker

hagar The horriBle

moTher gooSe

Tundra

by Chris Browne

by mike Peters

by Chad Carpenter

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

SATURDAY, MAR 25, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 9

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

HG 10 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, MAR 25, 2017

by Paul gilligan

TAKE OUR ADVICE ADVICE

Dear Amy: I have been married for 33 years. I love my husband, but I have totally enabled him — to the point where I am now feeling abused.

For instance, this morning, he was in a minor car accident.

AMY Through my business relationDICKINSON ships, I have an excellent contact in the repair business, and so I kindly took his car in, gave him mine to use in the interim and picked up the rental.

I asked him to drive the rental so I could have my car back and he refused. I told him I felt used.

He basically said I should get over it.

Because of my family background and decades of behaving this way, I am now at the point where I feel incredibly put upon because of all of the expectations, as well as the total lack of gratitude.

At this point I want to try and start pulling back from “doing everything” in our household: Making breakfast, lunch, coffee, laundry, cleaning, running the accounts, doing the taxes, etc. It is important for me to keep harmony in my house, but I also want to take care of myself. How can I change this? — Frustrated

ADVICE

DR. OZ AND DR. ROIZEN

Question: I’m thinking about using one of those mail-in genetics tests.

Are they reliable? — Gini W., Brooklyn, N.Y.

Dear Frustrated: You sound like a nurturing and competent caretaker. Perhaps you feel disappointed when people don’t do things as well as you know you can, and so you do more, but then feel unappreciated. I’m trying to point out that you have a big part to play in this dynamic, because in order to change it, you’re going to have to learn to back off, and not immediately jump up to volunteer your services. This morning, for instance. Did your husband ask you to solve his problem for him? Or did you know you could handle it well and volunteered because you love him and love helping him, and because helping is an important part of your identity?

Couples are supposed to help each other. Your husband needs to be given the opportunity, and the expectation, to step up and help himself, and also help you. In order to change things at home, you’re going to have to risk your husband’s disapproval, as he struggles to adjust. (Now it’s his turn to “get over it.”)

Answer: You didn’t say why you wanted a mail-order genetic test done: To find out your ancestry? To determine paternity? To find out if you are at risk for, or may pass on, any inherited conditions? The wisdom of a mail-in test depends on the info you hope to get.

For ancestry: Variations in your DNA can reveal where your ancestors might have come from and with whom they might have comingled. The most inclusive test (works on men and women) is single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) testing: A large number of your SNPs (pronounced snips) are identified and compared with the SNPs of lots of other folks to determine your racial and/or ethnic background.

Oops! Results can change from one service to another depending on the DNA database they use for comparison. Home genetic ancestry tests are not FDA-regulated.

For paternity: These saliva or cheek swabs use around 15 markers to compare a child and a man’s DNA, so that’s pretty good. But it takes Mom, Dad and the child to raise the test’s reliability to 99.9 percent.

Oops! Labs analyzing home samples aren’t necessarily accredited or regulated Sample errors can happen with contamination in collection, shipping or analysis.

To assess disease risk: Mail-order DNA tests evaluate your potential risk for genetically transmitted diseases, such as some forms of breast cancer or sickle-cell anemia.

Oops! The test cannot say for certain that you or your offspring will develop a disease (many risks are modifiable with smart lifestyle choices), how severe symptoms will be or if the disorder will progress over time. You want expert genetic counseling and top-quality medical care before deciding how to act on the information.

Send questions to askamy@tribune.com or to Ask Amy, Chicago Tribune, TT500, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611.

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

—

—

ADVICE

Dear readers: My mother, the original Heloise (1919-1977), was every housekeeper’s helper, friend and cheerleader. She really championed her “housewifes” as she called her readers, because yes, they were housewives HINTS back then. She tried to tell her FROM readers that there is more to life HELOISE than just housework! But don’t forget: Cleaning, laundry and dusting go on and on and on!

She also would say that maintaining a schedule is important to running a household, but don’t worry if you fall behind a day or two. You always can catch up. Life is too short to worry about all the little what-ifs and what-would-have-beens!

Sound advice, I’d say.

Today, the entire family should be involved in caring for your home. But, as she would say, be yourself; do only what your energy allows for that day! — Heloise (II) Dear Heloise: This hint has always helped me put on the right amount of perfume. I dab a tiny bit of unscented body lotion or baby oil on my wrist and behind my ears, and then spray those areas with the scent. The fragrance lasts longer this way! — Tina C., Nashville, Tenn.

Thanks for the reminder. If you can smell your fragrance, then you probably have put on too much.

Heloise Hint: Don’t spray the scent in the air, then walk through it; you only get perfume on your clothes that way — not good. — Heloise Dear Heloise: I worried about my grandchildren fumbling around in the dark when they had to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

I painted the light-switch plate with florescent paint. Night lights along the way help, too! -Grandma Mary, Columbus, Ohio Dear readers: Who wants a smashed finger? A classic Heloise Hint: To keep a nail upright, hold it between the teeth of a comb while hammering.

No ouch! — Heloise —

Send hints via email to heloise@heloise.com or via post to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000.

TODAY’S HOROSCOPES BY JERALDINE SAUNDERS ARIES (March 21-April 19) Some people look up to you as a role model and someone very special finds you especially appealing. Create a family-friendly atmosphere if you invite someone over.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Kindness is king. Openness and sincerity will win friends and may favorably influence the most important people in your life.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) It isn’t necessary to be an artistic genius to be a whiz kid. You could trim a bush so that it is more pleasing to the eye, try a new recipe or play a few hands of pinochle.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) Your judgment could be somewhat off base, so think carefully before adding a new name to your dance card.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) An issue that has been placed on the back burner may be brought front and center. New insights and shifts of perspective may shed light on a constructive solution.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) A sincere apology alters the atmosphere. There could be a dustup caused by a difference of opinion where money or values is concerned.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) When you feel secure with finances and relationships, you can help others. Your worst fault is extravagance while your best characteristic is generosity.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Juggle the jingling coins in your pocket. You may be challenged to stretch your money to meet obligations.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Put your best foot forward, as some people will be viewing your appearance with skeptical eyes. It is better to hang out on your own front porch and concentrate attention on problems at home.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Welcome constructive criticisms. You can make it your mission to start making things better and brighter. Don’t get drawn into petty squabbles.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) When you become fully aware of the limitations that hold you back, you can detour around them.

Move full throttle into a social situation that fills you with confidence.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) Weekend events may fail to fulfill your fantasies.

Facts hold your attention better than fanciful funfests.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY March 25 You can succeed at anything close to your heart for the next six to eight weeks. This is an excellent time to widen your social network and to make material success a reality. In May, however, your eyes are bigger than your wallet and you could be easily fooled into thinking you can make a profit with a get-rich scheme. Stay on track in July and August, when you can be overly ambitious or a romantic fling could prove disappointing.

SATURDAY, MAR 25, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 11

AROUND THE HOUSE

Fixes for the garage, attic and everywhere in between

Saturday, March 25, 2017

GOREN BRIDGE

GOREN BRIDGE

WITH BOB JONES ©2017 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

WEEKLY BRIDGE QUIZ

BY KEN MOON, SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE

KEN MOON

Dear Ken: Our garage door is driving us nuts.

This time of year the sun affects those sensors, so the only way to get the door to go down is to hop out of the car and hold the button.

Any ideas to help this situation?

– J.P.

You need to add some shadow to keep the sun from impinging on the sensors. There are two ways to get this done. Measure the diameter of the “eye” and then check in at a local auto parts store. Purchase a 12-inch chunk of radiator hose that most closely matches the measurement. Use a tiny amount of an all-purpose adhesive, like Liquid Nails, to attach a few inches of the hose to the business end of the sensors. That will ensure year round-protection from the sun’s impact. After you’re done fooling with them, you may have to re-aim the sensor boxes so they line up. Check the owner’s manual for tips on this procedure.

Here’s a way to eliminate this vulnerability without having to buy anything. Simply unhook each sensor from its bracket and move them farther back from the edge of the door. You may have to mount a short two-byfour-inch on the walls to accommodate each device. Again, they will have to be re-aimed.

Dear Ken: I removed wallpaper in the hallway that had been up for many years and in the process damaged the texture on the wall. I have scraped it and removed the glue, but I don’t think it’s going to be okay without re-texturing. Can the average person do this?

– Carol You could try applying a texture compound with a roller or stiff brush, or you could hire a drywall contractor to do it — although a small job like this one won’t be very appealing to a busy firm. No matter which way you choose to go, the end product probably won’t match your existing walls. Also, hallways are the worst case because their length emphasizes and exaggerates the differences in a very visual way.

Why not texture with wallpaper? A muted gray, beige or off-white textured wallpaper will appear to be a plain wall but will hide

all the unevenness. Choose a nice heavy vinyl for this job. Lightly sand the “hills and valleys” on your hall walls beforehand — but not too much — since older drywall taping compounds can contain small quantities of asbestos. Use common sense and appropriate safeguards — like a water spray bottle for wetting, gloves, goggles and a good mask.

Dear Ken: I thought I heard you suggest (on the radio) that it was okay to vent a dryer into the attic. I’m worried about excess moisture. Are you sure this is okay?

– Bill What you heard me say is that BATH fan vents were, for a long time, allowed to discharge into the attic space — providing there were enough vents. We would aim their three-inch discharge pipes directly at a roof or gable vent. Even though this arrangement worked well, the rule is now changing, so most building departments now require them to blow directly outdoors.

A dryer vent expels large quantities of really damp air which will deteriorate the insulation, and perhaps encourage mold formation on the wood underpinnings of the roof. So they must always vent directly to the outside air.

Dear Ken: I have a garbage disposer with a strong moldy smell that won’t go away. Any ideas?

– Jan The innards of a disposer can be scoured occasionally by grinding up a half of a lemon or lime and a handful of ice cubes; but the usually-neglected part is the underside of that rubber splash guard.

Take a round toilet bowl brush soaked in ammonia to clean the entire opening and hidden topside of the disposer; I promise that its breath will be sweeter after that.

Also, remember our disposer protocol: cold water only, no grease or oil down the drain, and let the water run for at least 10 seconds after you’re done grinding 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

HG 12 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, MAR 25, 2017

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

As dealer, what call would you make?

♠J5♥ Q5♦ AJ95 ♣A9642

Q 5 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:

Right-hand opponent opens one diamond. What call would you make?

Q 2 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ A J 8 6 5 ♥ Void ♦ K Q 7 4 2 ♣ Q J 4

Partner opens one spade and righthand opponent jumps to three hearts.

What call would you make?

Q 3 - Both vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ A 10 ♥ K 9 ♦ 7 2 ♣ A K Q J 10 5 3

Right-hand opponent opens one spade. What call would you make?

Q 4 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ A K Q J 9 ♥ K 7 3 ♦ A 7 3 ♣ A 10

FREE SPRING SEMINARS! Saturday – April 1, 2017 9 to 10:30 a.m. – Larry Stebbins, Pikes Peak Urban Gardens Saturday – April 8, 2017 9 to 10:30 a.m. – Dave, Bonide – Integrated Pest and Disease Management 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Dave, Lake Valley Seed Company – All About Seeds Saturday – April 15, 2017 9 to 10:30 a.m. – Lisa, Gard-N-Wise 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Camilla, Harding Nursery – Plants for Small Places

♠42♥ AJ4♦ AJ753 ♣KQ8 EAST 1♠ Pass

SOUTH WEST NORTH Dbl 2♠ 3♣ ?

What call would you make?

Q 6 - Both vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ 8 6 ♥ K 10 9 8 6 ♦ K 9 7 4 ♣ 5 2 NORTH 1♥

EAST 1NT

SOUTH ?

WEST

What call would you make?

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)

Spring is Here, Time to Start Planting!

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All Seeding & Cutting Supplies Offer Expires 3.31.17

Saturday – April 22, 2017 9 to 10:30 a.m. – Molly, Colorado Springs Utilities Xeriscape Gardens – Ideas for Colorado Xeriscape Saturday – April 29, 2017 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Arbor Day Open House and Customer Appreciation Day: 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Lisa, Colorado Springs Utilities Xeriscape Gardens Saturday – May 6, 2017 9 to 11 a.m. – Larry Stebbins, Pikes Peak Urban Gardens – Growing the Best Tomatoes in the Pikes Peak Region 1 p.m. – Sara, Harding Nursery – Fairy Gardening

HOURS: Mon thru Sat: 8am to 5pm Sunday: 9am to 5pm

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