Home and Garden 06/03/17

Look inside for these specials and many others.

HOME & GARDEN • SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 2017

Get the

BLUES Homes with cool wall colors sell for more

Ken Moon: Water meter issues June garden calendar Pretty potted plants Fertilizer 411

Pretty pots

Proven Winners, one of the leading plant brands, came up with a catchy phrase to help un-complicate planting a basket or a pot. This is the “Thriller, Filler and Spiller” concept.

BY JULIE MCINTYRE, SUMMERLAND GARDENS

T

here’s no excuse for having ugly flower pots. Anyone can adorn their porch, patio, deck or balcony with a beautiful pot. In the age of pre-cooked chickens, readymade potatoes and cookie dough rolls, flowering pots are no different. It’s as simple as that to add some color to your special spot: cut off the wires to a hanging basket and you’ve got yourself a wonderful, full, flowering basket ready to set in any pot. Or, just buy one already planted in a decorative container and

you’re done. Full, vibrant and ready to perform for you all summer long. This article is over for you, move onto the next one — just come by Summerland Gardens and we’ll help you select the best combination for your conditions.

If you’re up for more of a challenge, or are one who prefers to make cookies from scratch, here are some guidelines.

Proven Winners, one of the leading plant brands, came up with a catchy phrase a few years ago, and it works well to help un-complicate planting a basket or a pot. This is the “Thriller, Filler and Spiller”

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concept. Every pot should consist of each one of these and will be all the more spectacular for it.

In a nut shell, the thriller is the tall plant that occupies the main focal point of a plant — usually a taller, vertical element. It can be anything that stands out and adds the drama to the pot, whether it’s grass, a tropical hibiscus or a tall flowering beauty. Once you pick that you’ll move onto the filler — a lower growing, mounding plant that fills the pot. A flowering petunia, coleus, fern, or any lower growing, mounding beauty

whose color and texture compliments the thriller and fills the lower space of the pot. Next comes the spiller, a plant that will cascade over the rim of the pot. This can be a flowering cascading petunia, a million bells of any color, sweet potato vine, ivy or moneywort, spilling over the edge, adding that finished, completed look to the container. It’s as easy as that and we’re here to help you select something in each of these categories.

Visit Summerland Gardens today to arrange your gorgeous flowering pot — 124 E. Cheyenne Rd.

Serving Colorado Springs Since 1934 We Proudly Feature

“Putting garden success in the palm of your hand since 1934.”

FERTILOME, NATURAL GUARD & HI-YIELD PRODUCTS Offering Local Solutions For Local Garden Problems With our wet weather, be on the lookout for fungus in lawns, powdery mildew on roses, vegetable plants, annuals, and perennials.

Late spring tree & shrub care

BY HEATHER GUNNERSON, SPENCER’S LAWN & GARDEN CENTERS

It’s a great time to plant trees and shrubs. Be sure to enrich the surrounding soil with compost and healthy organic material to give them a great start. Young trees need to be staked well into the ground after planting since wind can blow them down.

If you haven’t already, prune your springflowering trees and shrubs. Clipping off spent blossoms prevents the tree from spending energy producing seeds, and focuses instead on root growth and overall health. Pay special attention to branches with little or no foliage or leaves that are largely dead with no new growth.

The late freezes have stressed the trees, attracting insects that target their weakness. It’s more important than ever to invest in a systemic drench to prevent damage. Be on the lookout for aphid, borers and leaf rollers. Though small, they

VISIT SPENCER’S LAWN & GARDEN CENTERS TODAY! Colorado Springs Location: 430 S. Tejon St. Fountain Location: 4720 Center Valley Dr. are capable of deadly injury to a large tree.

Many leaves will be brown and burnedlooking due to the freeze. While not attractive, healthy leaves will take over.

Use a good fertilizer to boost the tree’s nutrients and vitality.

Bring a photo of the whole tree along with a branch to any local garden center for proper diagnosis of tree and shrub problems.

Look for these great products when treating fungus issues: • Natural Guard Copper Soap Fungicide • F-Stop • Neem RTU • Liquid Systemic Fungicide ll • Broad Spectrum RTU

VEGETABLE AND HERBS

We have one of the best selections in town of vegetable and herb plants perfect for all of your gardening needs. It’s never too late to plant your garden!

Fertilome Triple Action Plus RTU bottle WITH COUPON

Now just $9.98 Reg. $12.98

SHADE CLOTH

We feature shade cloth in 5 different colors. Can be used not only for shade but also for hail protection.

6 ft. wide and is cut to length.

With coupon only, while supplies last, no other discounts or cash back. Coupon expires 6/9/2017.

4720 Center Valley Drive Fountain, CO • 392-2726

1430 South Tejon Street CO Spgs, CO • 632-2788

Hours: Mon. – Sat. 9 – 6, Sun. 10 – 4 WWW.SPENCERSGARDENS.COM SATURDAY, JUN 3, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 3

BEAT THE RUSH

YEAR ROUND GARDENING

June garden calendar

Lawn Mower Tune-ups

$49.95 (+ parts)

(Extra for riders/multi-blade commercial mowers)

We Sell and Service:

Mowers, Trimmers Chain Saws, Log Splitters Garden Tractors, Generators Pressure Washers Toro - MTD - Murray Husqvarna - DR - Troy Bilt Commercial/Residential

ASPEN LEAF OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT 777 Conrad St.

Colo Sps, CO 80915

1blk Southeast of Powers & Galley

719-591-2816

Photo by Eileen Tully

BY EILEEN TULLY, COLORADO MASTER GARDENER

EARLY- TO MID-JUNE

This is the recommended time for directseed planting.

• Plant corn, lima beans, cantaloupe, pumpkin, watermelon and zucchini now.

• Nasturtium, marigold, zinnia, sunflowers, hyacinth bean vine, morning glory and cardinal flower vine seeds can be sown directly in the soil.

• Herbs like basil, chives, cilantro and parsley, to name a few, can also be grown from seed. Most herbs need no fertilizer and little water. Cut herbs early in the morning and harvest just before flowering.

• Transplants of tomatoes, cucumber, summer squash and pepper can be planted early June. Plant tomatoes deep. Remove the lower leaves and bury two-thirds of the plant underground so the plant has a better root system. New

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• • •

• • •

roots will grow along the buried stem and you’ll have a stronger, healthier plant.

Check all containers daily, watering when necessary — they can dry out quickly.

Protect hanging containers from high winds.

Mulch two-to-three inches to retain moisture and reduce weeds. A fresh layer of mulch is an almost instant boost for your garden’s appearance.

It seems like weeds are more abundant this year and vigilantly pulling them will keep your garden healthy Plant tender bulbs — dahlias, cannas, caladiums and gladiolus.

Mow the lawn as often as necessary to maintain grass at a height of two-tothree inches. Leave grass clippings on the lawn. Fertilizing the second or third

week of June will help prepare your lawn during the hot days of July.

• Perennials can be planted throughout June.

• Gardens need an inch of water a week. If it doesn’t rain soak deeply in the root zone.

MID- TO LATE-JUNE

• Regular garden maintenance begins as June progresses. Deadhead perennials to encourage more blooms. Stake leggy plants like delphinium, liatris, penstemon and foxglove.

• Many fruit trees, especially apple trees, will shed small fruit around this time.

It’s a natural thinning process called June drop. You can do additional hand thinning: spacing fruit eight to 10 inches apart on branches, if you want to increase the quality of your harvest.

COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION: JUNE CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS SATURDAY, JUNE 10

Sustainable Succulents: Make and Take a Planted Container 9–10:30 a.m. $30 Learn about low water, cold hardy perennial succulents. Create an amazing planter.

Learn to make strawberry jam and take some home 1–3:30 p.m.

Participants will learn how to preserve strawberry jam using a water bath canner and will take their jam home. For more information, visit elpasoco.colostate.edu or call Briana at 719-520-7689.

Stop by and visit our new north location, a boutique garden shop at the Promenade Shops at Briargate. Featuring flowering baskets, succulent bowls, garden art and all the fun things for home and garden!

1885 Briargate Parkway.

Open everyday 10-6.

Buy any hanging basket or pre-planted container and save $5.

SATURDAY, JUNE 17

Herbs: Make and Take Container Herb Garden 9–10:30 a.m. $30 Learn to grow your own kitchen herb garden and save. Make your own parsley, rosemary, basil, oregano and chives planter.

All Sizes, All Varieties

Coupon good at both locations!

Must Present Coupon.

Limit 3 Containers per coupon.

While supplies last. Expires 6/9/17

TUESDAY, JUNE 20

Integrated Pest Management Class 1–3 p.m. $10 This class will cover the main components of Integrated Pest Management. Topics will include cultural, mechanical and physical approaches; biological and chemical management methods of control; and the importance of proper identification and diagnosis and pesticide safety and use.

SAVE $5

Plants for the Western Garden

124 E. Cheyenne Rd.

near the intersection of S. Nevada & Cheyenne Rd.

719.477.0267 www.summerlandgardens.com

Registration is required for all classes. Register online at EPCExtension.eventbrite.com, or call 719-520-7690.

2017 HOURS: Mon thru Sat: 8am to 6pm Sunday: 9am to 5pm

• Harvest asparagus spears until they thin out. Leave some of the spears to grow into tall, fernlike plants that rejuvenate the roots for next year’s plants.

• Control the spread of raspberry plants by cutting back sucker growth.

• As Lupine blooms fade, check the plant for aphids. An infestation of these tiny white creatures can occur overnight and kill the plant. Spraying plants thoroughly with an insecticidal soap should get rid of them.

• Prune spring flowering shrubs such as lilac, weigela and forsythia after they finish blooming.

• Pinch back aster and mums for bushier plants and more flowers this fall.

• Lawn diseases become noticeable as June progresses. Three of the most common diseases in Kentucky bluegrass are ascochyta leaf blight,

necrotic ring spot and dollar spot. If you have areas of lawn in stress or dying, bring a shoebox-size sample of half-dead, half-alive lawn to the Master Garden Help Desk located at 17 North Spruce Street, second floor, during our business hours and one of the volunteers will analyze the problem.

When you have questions, Colorado State University Extension has research based answers. Get answers to your horticulture questions by calling a Master Gardener Volunteer at 719-520-7684 or emailing CSUmg2@elpasoco.com. Volunteers are available to help you Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. For current garden tips visit www.facebook. com/ColoradoMasterGardeners.EPC. For current classes visit elpaso.extension. colostate.edu.

Save $2.00 HARDING NURSERY’S SPECIAL BLEND FERTILIZER Must present coupon at time of purchase. Can not be combined with any other offer. Offer Expires 6/9/17.

Come in and visit with our expert gardening staff!

719.596.5712 721 N. Powers Blvd www.hardingnursery.com SATURDAY, JUN 3, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 5

Create and enjoy a

hummingbird & butterfly garden

C

COURTESY OF HARDING NURSERY

onverting your existing garden into a hummingbird and butterfly garden, or creating a new one, is easy. To attract the greatest number and varieties of native butterflies and hummingbirds, it’s important to include plants that last for the entire life cycle.

A wide array of flowers can produce a good source of nectar that will attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Also, using a variety of plants that bloom at different times of the season will help make your garden more attractive to a larger assortment of butterflies and hummingbirds. Plant the flowers in clusters and use perennials that will offer different colors and different heights.

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It is also beneficial to have sources of shelter in your garden. For instance, mature trees can present a place for butterflies and hummingbirds to sleep at night, as well as provide protection during bad weather. In addition, make sure your butterfly and hummingbird garden is in a sunny place for maximum blooming.

Some perennial recommendations that are terrific for hummingbird and butterfly gardens are columbine, delphinium, penstemon, phlox, beebalm, daylily, Veronica, blanket flower and hyssop, to name a few.

Please come by the nursery at 721 N. Powers Blvd., Colorado Springs for more details about creating your own hummingbird and butterfly garden.

AROUND THE HOUSE

Solving water meter issues and tending to the apple tree

Peter Piper Picked a Pack...

BY KEN MOON, SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE

KEN MOON

Dear Ken: I have a musty smell in the basement of my 1960s home. There’s also some moisture under the carpet down there. Any ideas?

— Carmela

I’ll bet you have those tiny basement windows that were popular in those days.

That means that you probably need more ventilation to get rid of the excess moisture.

Even if the walls and floors appear dry, there is always a little moisture escaping the damp soil behind the concrete and working its way into the basement as vapor. That raises the relative humidity down there and produces that musty smell.

You could put in those big, modern “egress” windows required by the codes these days, but most people find this prohibitively expensive. Instead, why not try to get some air moving through the basement. Find a location near one of the outside walls (the hallway is best), and attach an inexpensive bath fan to the ceiling.

Run its three-inch duct outdoors, wire it into a timer and let it run two or three hours a day. That will pull dryer, sweeter air from upstairs through the space and exhaust the damper air outside.

If you have some actual standing water under the carpet, take a look at the drainage elements above that area — like a too-close downspout or a low area that doesn’t drain well.

Finally, if anyone sleeps in the basement, you need to take extra care to keep them safe. They don’t have the luxury of those big windows to escape through if there’s a fire.

You can build in permanent ladders under the smaller windows, install an extinguisher in each room and add extra smoke detectors.

Dear Ken: I have an apple tree that hangs over the driveway, and the fruit makes a big mess each summer. I hate to cut the branches off, but what else is there to do?

— Mike You could climb up there and pinch off

blossoms one-by-one, but if it’s a large tree, that may get a little tedious. There are growth inhibiting chemicals — like Florel — that will kill the blossoms if sprayed on at the right time. It produces ethylene, a chemical that plants produce for themselves if they are under stress, and that gas will dry up the flowers that would ordinarily produce fruit.

Check with your landscape company to see if they will apply it — otherwise you can find concentrates at garden centers or on the web.

Dear Ken: I put in one of those GFCI plugs in the bathroom, and now both outlets are dead. What did I do wrong?

— Keith You may have it worked backwards.

There are two sets of screws on these plugs labeled LINE and LOAD. If you mix them up, either the plugs won’t work at all or you won’t have the ground fault protection you bargained for. You must connect the live wires from the panel to the LINE screws, and, of course the remaining wires to the LOAD side (downstream). It’s not always obvious which is which — if you can’t figure it out, it’s best to call an electrician.

Dear Ken: There is a surging noise where the water line comes in from the street – about two pulses per second. What do you think is happening?

— John It sounds like a water meter issue. The meter consists of two parts: the actual water measuring part — with spinning blades plus the electronics that count the rotations; and then send the information outside to ultimately generate your bill. I would suspect that the mechanical part of the meter may be wearing out, so the water supplier will probably want to replace it. Ask the technician to check your water pressure settings while he’s there. This will undoubtedly be a no-charge visit.

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.

YOU SHOULD TOO! PERENNIAL VINES • 30 Clematis Varieties • Trumpet • Silver Lace Honey Suckle Hedera • Virginia Creeper PRICES START AT $19.99 Not all Varieties at this price!

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.com For more info visit our web site. Hours: Mon-F 9-5:30 Sat 8-5 Sun 9-4 SATURDAY, JUN 3, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 7

Homes with blue bathrooms sell for $5,400 more than expected

For-sale listings with cool, neutral wall colors sell for more money, according to Zillow analysis; homes with white, yellow or red wall colors can sell for less than expected NEWSWIRE

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fresh coat of paint in the right color may help sell a home for more money. According to a Zillow analysis, homes with walls painted in shades of blue or light gray may sell for as much as a $5,400 premium. Zillow’s 2017 Paint Color Analysis looked at more than 32,000 photos from sold homes around the country to see how certain paint colors impacted their sale price on average, when compared to similar homes with white walls.

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Homes with blue bathrooms, often found in hues of powder blue or light periwinkle, sold for $5,440 more than expected, the highest sales premium of all colors analyzed. Walls painted in other cool, natural tones like pale gray or oatmeal were also present in top-performing listings.

A home’s exterior color may also have an impact on its sale price. Homes painted in “greige,” a mix of light gray and beige, sold for $3,496 more than similar homes painted in a medium brown or with tan stucco. For a pop of color, homes with front doors painted in shades of dark navy blue to slate gray sold for $1,514 more.

Some colors may actually deter buyers. Homes with darker, more style-specific walls like terra-cotta dining rooms sold for $2,031 less than expected. However, a lack of color may have the biggest negative impact as homes with white bathrooms sold for an average of $4,035 below similar homes.

“Color can be a powerful tool for attracting buyers to a home, especially in listing photos and videos,” says Svenja Gudell, Zillow chief economist. “Painting walls in fresh, naturallooking colors, particularly in shades of blue and pale gray not only make a home feel larger, but also are neutral enough to help future buyers envision themselves living in the space.

Incorporating light blue in kitchens and bathrooms may pay off especially well as the color complements white countertops and cabinets, a growing trend in both rooms.”

Selecting the right paint color is one of many factors that may affect why a home sells faster or for more money. Walls painted in cool neutrals like blue or gray have broad appeal and may be signals that the home is well cared for or has other desirable features. Sellers can also consult Zillow’s Owners Dashboard to see in real time how their listing is performing compared to similar ones on the market.

Fertilizing plants

for healthy growth and optimum performance COURTESY OF HARDING NURSERY

W

hether you prefer organic or inorganic fertilizer, it’s a great time to fertilize your plants. Most soils do not provide the nutrients required for optimum plant growth, and even with great garden soil as plants grow they absorb the nutrients and the soil becomes less fertile. Fertilizing ensures your plants flourish day to day, year after year.

Keeping nutrients available allows healthy growth and optimum performance, which results in less insect and disease problems. This applies to all plants, from trees and shrubs to flowers and turf grass.

Fertilizers are typically applied directly to soil or sprayed on leaves (known as Foliage Feeding) and generally come in two categories — organic and inorganic.

Organic fertilizers contain naturallyoccurring materials such as manure,

composted plant material and seaweed or natural occurring mineral deposits.

They provide slow-released nitrogen, which benefits soil structure. Inorganic fertilizers are processed by man.

Both types have pros and cons. If you want steady continuous growth, the slow released nitrogen in organic fertilizer is best; or try an inorganic containing a slow released nitrogen. When your garden needs an immediate boost, an inorganic fertilizer provides it quickly.

Harding has developed a fertilizer for trees, shrubs and perennials that is ideal. It provides peak growth and performance. Our Harding Nursery Special contains the slow release nitrogen blue stone. We also carry a variety of organic fertilizers and lawn fertilizers as well as excellent inorganic fertilizers.

Stop by Harding Nursery and let our knowledgeable staff help you decide which fertilizer will work best for you: 721 N. Powers Blvd.

SATURDAY, JUN 3, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 9

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

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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, JUN 3, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 11

loS angeleS TimeS CroSSword

non SequiTur

by wiley

edited by rich norris and Joyce lewis

lola

by Todd Clark

BeeTle Bailey 7 Equivocate across 1 Pine 8 Ring material 5 Educational 9 They have their pride 15 Lump 10 Pay to play 16 Conforming phrase 11 Title for 25-Down: Abbr.

17 Not like in any way 12 Tyra Banks reality show, 18 Obsolescent book alternatives familiarly 19 Off the mark 13 “No joke!”

21 Like the title girl in a 2014 14 Wichita-based aviation David Fincher film company 22 Further south of the border?

20 Showy shrubs 23 Before Phelps, he held the 24 Burn the midnight oil record for most golds in a 25 Some European women single Olympics 28 Starbucks order 24 Govt. leaders 29 Online entertainment 25 1969 World Series MVP 30 Clouds from the Latin for Clendenon “curls” 26 Rx amt.

31 Mil. decoration 27 QB’s stat 32 Like some promises 29 Stumping sites 33 Israel’s Iron Lady 30 Rouen Cathedral series 34 Impartiality painter 35 For Mideast unity 34 So-called “Nobel Prize of 36 Thing to bash at a bash Mathematics” 38 Not sharp 35 Event for disabled athletes 39 Coax 36 Fact and fiction and flora and 40 Thefts, e.g. fauna, e.g.

42 Coal sources 37 Part of a chorus line?

43 Bravura 38 Include covertly, briefly 44 Hold (back), as tears 41 Calvary inscription 46 Put forth 42 Cabinet mem.

48 Quarrel 45 __ wind 49 Crossword legend Reagle 47 Indian bread 51 GATT successor 48 Updike title character 52 Once called 49 View from Tokyo, on clear days Friday’s Puzzle Solved 50 “Is it safe to talk?”

53 Tag line?

54 Fashion VIP 55 First name in mystery 56 Strong six-pack 57 Bar array down 1 Appalled 2 Necklace holders 3 Lead on a horse?

4 Pulitzer-winning film critic 5 Clout 6 Physics Nobelist Steven in Obama’s Cabinet HG 12 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, JUN 3, 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, JUN 3, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 13

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 14 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, JUN 3, 2017

by Paul gilligan

TAKE OUR ADVICE ADVICE

Dear Amy: I hope you can help solve a disagreement between my sister and me about phone call etiquette.

When my sister calls and I miss the call, she expects a quick callback, because I saw her missed AMY call pop up on my phone.

DICKINSON I do not deliberately ignore her calls, but I don’t have my phone glued to my hip. When I see a missed call but no voicemail or text, I assume that it is nothing important. She feels that I should always call her back, because this is a simple courtesy.

I tell her to either leave me a voicemail or send a text to call her back, so that I know she has something specific to discuss.

Who is correct? Should I return every missed call from her, or should she send a quick message asking me to call her?

I am hoping to get a resolution from you so we can lay this issue to rest. — Phone Tagged

ADVICE

DR. OZ AND DR. ROIZEN

Question: Why is there a measles outbreak in Minneapolis? Doesn’t that state have a high vaccination rate? — Kevin Q., Rochester, Minn.

Dear Amy: I loved your thoughtful response to “K” regarding how to heal from heartbreak — except when you suggested that she “rethink” her use of antidepressants. I used an antidepressant for a short period when I was grieving, and it really helped me get through the worst of it.

— Recovered Dear Recovered: Many people have responded similarly. Thank you.

Answer: Minneapolis has a large community of Somali immigrants, refugees who have fled their civil war. Measles kills about 10,000 children a year in Somalia, so when the refugees arrived here, they were glad to have access to the measles vaccine and gave it to their children.

Between 2010 and 2011, Somali Americans thought they were experiencing a high rate of autism among their kids. They asked local and national authorities to investigate. Researchers found autism rates in Minneapolis’ Somali community were higher than the national average.

However, the rate was identical to autism rates in Minneapolis’ white population. But that data came too late to prevent antivaccine activists from swooping in with a misinformation campaign.

In fact, The Washington Post reported that one of the antivaccine movement’s founders, Andrew Wakefield (the doctor who was alleged to have reported data in a biased way and stripped of his medical license), was among those who had met with Somali parents. Local health authorities in Minnesota are still dealing with antivax activists spewing misinformation about vaccines.

So let’s help set the record straight! The cause of autism continues to elude the scientific community, but we know it’s not vaccinations. We spent a month reviewing every study on vaccine safety and interviewing 150 experts on all sides of the issue. Our conclusion: Vaccines aren’t perfectly safe, but the chance that a vaccine will effectively and safely prevent disease is more than 40,000 times greater than the chance it’ll cause any serious side effect. Read about it in “YOU: Raising Your Child” and at www.doctoroz.com/article/ book-excerpt-you-having-baby-vaccines.

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.

Dear Tagged: My reaction to this is that, of the two of you, your sister is the one who wants something specific: a call back. You have told her how to get what she wants from you. She is refusing to do this, so she is not going to get what she wants.

I don’t think this is an etiquette question, so much as an issue regarding human nature, as well as the strength of specific relationships. I happen to follow the same basic practice you do.

You might compromise by shooting her a text saying, “What’s up? Can I call you later?” when you see a “missed call” notification, but given your sister’s overall demanding attitude regarding contact, I give you props for returning her calls at all.

—

—

ADVICE

Dear Heloise: We are getting ready to sell our home, and first impressions count, right? We decided to upgrade its “curb appeal.” There are lots of small details of the house and front yard that we focused on to get the whole house looking great. Here HINTS are some ideas we used: FROM HELOISE • Pink flamingos and other yard art are tacky. Dump ‘em.

• Lighting not only brightens the house, but adds to safety.

• The lawn must be trimmed neatly, flowers planted evenly, and trees should be cut back away from the house, but should not look raw.

• Crisp new paint on the front door is an eye-catcher.

• New house numbers look great and are necessary for guests and emergency personnel to find you.

• Power-washing the driveway and sidewalk eliminates years of grime, can reduce oil spots and generally makes things sparkle.

Ask your Realtor for more hints and ideas to boost your home’s curb appeal. — Brenda and Dan in Dallas Dear Heloise: A big help when going to the vet with our dog is to bring an old bathmat to use on the cold and slippery stainless-steel exam table.

If the dog is fighting being up there, at least he is not slipping and sliding all over the place, and he is easier to hold for the exam. — Candace in Hagerstown, Md. Dear Heloise: The stunning bright green of wheatgrass looks beautiful in white containers, and it is easy to grow, cheap and available. My nursery, pet stores and big-box stores carry it, too.

My cat started eating it. At first, I was concerned, but I called my veterinarian, and he assured me that wheatgrass is perfectly fine and healthy for animals to consume. — Ramona R. in Chicago Dear Readers: Got a deep wrinkle on clothes that you want to banish quickly? Sponge on some white vinegar, use a pressing cloth and press with a warm iron. Voila! It’s gone! —Heloise —

Send hints via email to heloise@heloise.com or via post to

TODAY’S HOROSCOPES BY JERALDINE SAUNDERS ARIES (March 21-April 19) Get in touch with your romantic side. Quiet time with a loved one will be well spent, while pursuing a new love could produce promising prospects.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Someone knows the words that you long to hear.

Prepare to get swept off your feet by someone who has all the tools to get your heart beating faster.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Negotiate rather than argue. More progress will be made if you find a way for everyone to benefit. Let that special someone know exactly how you feel.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) Push it to the limit. You’ve worked hard, and it’s time to give leisure activities equal time. You may need to stray from the beaten path to find interesting and exciting activities that satiate your need for adventure.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) It’s all about whom you know. Make difficult tasks much easier by calling in markers or favors from key contacts and colleagues.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Crunch the numbers. Take some time to go over your books, and you may find some innovative ways to increase your cash flow.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22.)

Don’t settle for second best. Use your good taste to select only the finest things in life, whether a bottle of good wine or an exquisite painting.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Roll the dice. Taking a minor gamble could pay off for you, but don’t push your luck and know when to walk away. A close friend could have an objective view of what you need to do to jumpstart a relationship.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Be transparent about your intentions. Trying to carry out plans in secret could arouse suspicions or prevent you from receiving assistance you need.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Accentuate the positive. Resolve that you’ve made the right choices or that plans will turn out for the best. Doubt is your only real enemy.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Go with what feels right. Follow your instincts to find the perfect words to get your point across or make the correct choice.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) Get away from it all. You’ll be far more comfortable in quiet, intimate settings with a loved one than crowd surfing in social situations. Use the weekend to recharge your proverbial batteries and concentrate on rest and relaxation.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

June 3

Your judgment is at a peak through the next six to seven weeks. This is an excellent time to make crucial decisions, form long-range plans or launch major initiatives. Embrace any opportunity as it will surely lead to bigger, better things. In August you may lose momentum because you are wrapped up in social activities or preoccupied by romantic dreams. Extra responsibilities will require careful organization in November.

SATURDAY, JUN 3, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 15

GOREN BRIDGE

WITH BOB JONES ©2016 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

WE GOT YOU COVERED! Rain or Shine!

weekly bridge quiz q 1 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ J ♥ q 9 8 6 ♦ 9 2 ♣ k q J 10 7 6 weST NOrTH eAST SOuTH 1NT Pass Pass ?

What call would you make? q 2 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ A 10 5 ♥ A k 9 7 5 3 ♦ Void ♣ 7 5 3 2

SOuTH weST NOrTH eAST 1♠ Pass 1NT Pass ?

What call would you make? q 5 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ q J 10 6 4 3 ♥ q J 9 8 ♦ J 2 ♣ 3 As dealer, what call would you make? q 6 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:

Partner passes and so does right-hand opponent. What call would you make?

♠qJ65♥kq7♦AJ8♣Aq6

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

Right-hand opponent opens one spade.

What call would you make?

♠ k 5 3 ♥ J 10 4 ♦ A 9 8 7 4 3 ♣ 3

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

(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)

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