Home and Garden 09/02/17

Look inside for these specials and many others.

HOME & GARDEN • SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2017

Labor Day Kick back and enjoy

YEAR ROUND GARDENING: September gardening calendar The best time of year for bargains KEN MOON: Maximizing hot water heater efficiency

COMING UP AT EXTENSION

Fall Bulbs, Rhizomes, Tubers and Corms Thursday, September 7 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Cost $15 Go to elpaso.extension.colostate.edu or call 719-520-7690 for more information and to register.

Photo By Eileen Tully

YEAR ROUND GARDENING

September gardening calendar

W

BY EILEEN TULLY, COLORADO MASTER GARDENER

e live in a semiarid climate. I mention that all the time. But this summer with abundant rainfall we had a chance to see what almost daily rainfall can do. Everything is so green! Turf, flowers, vegetables and trees are thriving.

And, so are weeds. As the days get shorter, perennial weeds build up storage carbohydrates in roots to overwinter.

This makes fall an ideal time to control perennial weeds such as dandelions, plantain, clover and bindweed.

WEED CONTROL

• In landscape beds and vegetable gardens, dig all weeds and add mulch to squelch their return.

• If weeds are too numerous to dig, apply an herbicide such as two, 4-D following directions on the package.

Fall applications typically show better results than spring applications.

What you do now will impact weed populations next spring.

• • •

FLOWERS AND EDIBLES

• September is a good time to plant, or transplant perennials • Harvest pears, apples and ever-bearing strawberries as they ripen. Cover new

•

fruit on Heritage raspberries with bird netting.

Mature green tomatoes can be ripened indoors. Allow winter squash and pumpkins to cure on the vine.

In early September plant radishes, spinach and lettuce for harvest in October.

Divide spring and summer blooming perennials. Replant them no later than September 15 to allow sufficient time for rooting before the ground freezes.

Fall and winter watering is critical for the survival of fall plantings.

Divide peonies. Peonies don’t require regular division to maintain successful blooming. You can divide plants to get

additional peonies. Dig deeply and carefully to uproot the fleshy, brittle roots for separation. Separate so that each division has three to five ‘eyes.’

These are the shoots for next season.

Plant carefully one to two-inch below the surface to protect the eyes from freezing. Peonies won’t flower if they are planted too deep.

• Save coleus, wax begonias, impatiens, and fuchsia and bring indoors. You can dig up plants and cut them back about half or take cuttings of shoot tips and root in moist vermiculite, soil mix or perlite.

• Dig up tender bulbs like gladiolus, cannas, caladiums and tuberous CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

HG 2 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2017

bargains

BEAT THE RUSH

THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO FIND

S

Lawn Mower Tune-ups

METRO SERVICES

hop for patio sets in the late summer when stores are making room for autumn merchandise.

The savvy shopper knows there is no reason to pay full price if you don’t have to.

Timing is everything when bargain hunting, and with a little patience, most people can find deep discounts on items that might have broken the bank just a few weeks prior.

Shopping with coupons often requires clipping the coupon and then trying to match it up with a discounted price being offered by the store to maximize your savings. All of this has to be done prior to the coupon’s expiration date. Many veteran bargain hunters prefer to shop seasonally, instead. This means waiting until stores put items on clearance or run large sales.

Knowing the best times to buy certain products can save consumers hundreds or even thousands of dollars over the course of a year. The following is a list of items and the seasons during which those types of items are most likely to be sold at a discount.

APPLIANCES

The new models for most appliances arrive in the autumn. Therefore, most retailers are looking to clear out older inventory over the winter. Between October and January, expect to find deep discounts on major appliances. If shoppers can wait to replace an older unit, they will be rewarded with very good prices.

CARPET AND FLOORING

Prior to the holiday season, many homeowners are busy making home improvements so their home is welcoming and pristine for visiting guests. After the holidays end, however, such DIY projects often get placed on the back burner. To boost activity, home improvement stores usually cut prices on carpet and flooring during the month of January.

$49.95 (+ parts) (Extra for riders/multi-blade commercial mowers)

FURNITURE

Although furniture is usually updated in stores biannually, many furniture retailers also run sales close to major holidays.

Independence Day and the rest of July is a popular time for sales.

GARDEN TOOLS

Although many homeowners still may be cleaning up from winter storms and shoveling snow, those who want to get ready for spring can go shopping for garden tools in March.

ELECTRONICS

Economists urge American and Canadian consumers to purchase major electronics in the spring, notably April.

This is when the Japanese fiscal year ends, and many Japanese companies coincide the release of new models at this time of year. Therefore, older models might be slashed in price. Those interested in a computer may want to wait until August, when stores cut prices to coincide with back-to-school season.

Shoppers interested in televisions should do their shopping in January, when products are discounted prior to the Super Bowl.

AUTOMOBILES

Consumers interested in purchasing previously owned cars can shop in April.

For those who are waiting to purchase a new vehicle, October is the best time to buy because this is when dealerships receive new inventory and are looking to clear out last year’s models.

SUMMER SEASONAL PRODUCTS

Lawnmowers, air conditioners, patio furniture and pool equipment typically go on sale around September and October.

Stores are switching over to their fall merchandise and are looking to clear out any remnants of summertime, even if the weather is still quite warm. Some stores do this as early as August, when they are already getting ready to make room for Halloween and Christmas displays.

SWIMSUITS

Swimsuits go on sale in August to make room for fall accessories.

Although some people will argue there is never a good time to go bathing suit shopping, if a good price is a requirement, then August is the time to do so.

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 3

Labor Day weekend Making the most of

L

BY GINA CRONIN, GINA.CRONIN@GAZETTE.COM

abor Day is a time to kick back, enjoy an extended weekend, and recognize the incredible contributions that American workers have made to the prosperity of this nation. The first Monday of September became a Federal Holiday in 1884.

Colorado was one of the first states that introduced the holiday by legislative enactment in 1887 — along with Oregon, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York.

130 years later, people are still using Labor Day weekend for relaxing, partying, cleaning, hiking and more.

HOST A GATHERING

It’s been a busy summer. You haven’t had a chance to see everyone that you wanted to see. You’ve been running around from trips to weddings to work to nature trails, with little time to catch up with beloved family and friends. What better way to seal off your summer than

gathering and enjoying some quality time together?

Allow your Labor Day get-together to be as laid back as possible. This is a weekend for resting before a busy school year and holiday season commences.

Maybe make it potluck style so everyone can contribute with their favorite endof-summer delights; be it a casserole or cocktail. This way you are with your guests, rather than busy in the kitchen.

CLEAN THE HOUSE

For some, this is the last three-day weekend for quite some time. That presents the perfect opportunity to clean, clean, clean. Not just to fold your laundry and put it away — but to scrub the bathtub, power wash the concrete, shampoo the carpets, clear out the refrigerator, etc.

Cleaning doesn’t have to be a grueling process. When there are no time constraints, you can open up the windows to let the light and fresh air in,

HG 4 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2017

put on your favorite music, and make an event of it. It can be fun if you start bright and early and focus on one thing at a time.

TAKE SOME QUIET TIME

Don’t forget to carve out some time for solitude over the course of your weekend. You may be on overdrive with everything going on in your life, so step aside and breathe. Whether that means reading a book under a tree, a morning meditation in a tranquil spot of your home, working on a creative project, or getting a massage, don’t write it off as non-essential.

Alone time is paramount. It allows you to re-center, prioritize what’s important, release stress, and find some peace of mind. You will be much better able to enjoy the rest of your weekend if you start off early — ideally Saturday morning — with a solid hour (or more) of deep breathing, relaxing music and personal space.

HIT THE OUTDOORS

Coloradans are blessed with an unbelievable selection of outdoor activities. Within three hours of Colorado Springs is Great Sand Dunes National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Hoosier Pass — located on the Continental Divide, Mount Elbert — the tallest peak in Colorado, and Browns Canyon near Buena Vista — the most popular destination for whitewater rafting in the United States.

Use your weekend to visit one of these, or any of the countless other natural treasures nearby. Many spots are close enough to make a day trip, or you can enjoy camping or simple lodging off the trail. It’s still summer, so take in the remaining warmth and sunlight while you can.

The most important thing about Labor Day weekend is that you enjoy it. Don’t overwhelm yourself. Keep it simple and rejuvenating; and give yourself a pat on the back for all of the hard work you do throughout the year.

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AROUND THE HOUSE

Maximizing hot water heater efficiency

YEAR ROUND GARDENING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

BY KEN MOON, SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE

• Dear Ken: Is there any real value in purchasing a hot water heater blanket? The outside of the water heater always feels cool to me.

— Doris KEN MOON

Believe me there is heat loss anyway. Try this: Buy an insulating blanket at the hardware store. They are usually a fiberglass batt wrapped in heavy plastic and cost around $15. Use the sticky tape included to hold it in place, then give the system 24 hours to stabilize. After that, stick your arm between the wrap and the water heater tank. You’ll be surprised how warm it will feel, as the insulation retards heat transfer out into the room.

You may wonder — since the water heater is in the same room temperature space as the furnace, why worry about it? Water is harder to heat than air, so by cutting down that radiation from the tank you’ll shave 10 percent or so off the gas bill. And since the water heater is a yearround appliance, the savings will add up quickly. This is doubly true for water heaters in crawl spaces, in manufactured home exterior compartments and all electric water heaters.

The blanket is so cheap relative to its energy saving effectiveness that you’ll pay for it in a very short period of time, and then start saving real money. That’s not always true for so-called green investments; that’s why it’s so important to do the math first.

Finally — and most importantly — be very careful when you install your insulating blanket to avoid incoming air vents, the access panel, the controls and the pressure relief valve.

Dear Ken: Should I cover the air conditioning compressor this fall?

– Glen I think you should. The unit will stay prettier and shinier longer, and will rust and corrode less quickly. You’ll also keep out the leaves, pine needles and tree sap. I can’t prove it, but I’ll bet you’ll get another year or two out of the unit by covering it. You can buy an inexpensive

plastic cover with an elastic cord for around $15. If you want a fancier one or a custom size, try www.accovers.com.

Dear Ken: How can I get a hard water ring out of my toilet?

— Harry Use an oxalic-based product, like Barkeeper’s Friend, Zud or a product you’ll find on the web called Watkins Toilet Bowl Cleaner. After the product soaks for a while, use one of those green plastic kitchen scrubbers on the ring, but gently. Also, you could try a pumice stone available at a drug or department store. It’s a slightly abrasive — volcanic in origin — rock that will really get the job done. But again, easy does it.

•

•

• •

Dear Ken: Our water heater is in the basement. We have to wait a full minute to get hot water to the bathroom. How can we speed up this process?

— Brad If you have unfinished access in the basement underneath the appropriate spaces, you can install a third pipe from the bottom of the water heater tank and run it to that farthest bath. The natural convection will slowly circulate hot water to the fixtures.

However, most folks have a finished basement to contend with. But don’t despair, because there are a couple of clever devices available to you. One is called the Auto-Circ. It’s a small pump you install under the vanity in that far-away bathroom. It comes with homeowner-friendly fittings; simply bridge across the hot and cold lines with plastic pipe and plug it in. When the built-in timer turns on, the pump slowly pulls hot water up one line and shoves it down the other, and, presto: instant hot water.

Also, check out www.hotwaterlobster. com for a similar device that doesn’t need electricity. It relies instead on thermal sensing to open a valve.

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 6 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2017

begonias. Allow them to air dry and store in dry vermiculite in a place that does not freeze over winter.

For long-lasting dried arrangements, cut strawflower, static, baby’s breath, “Annabelle” hydrangea and celosia.

Bind them securely and hang upside down in a dry, well-ventilated area.

Late September plant spring flowering bulbs. Select large, healthy bulbs — the larger the bulb, the larger the flower. Mark where your bulbs are with stones, sticks, tags or create a map showing their locations. Otherwise you may mistakenly dig in to them next spring.

Reduce watering for established trees and shrubs so they can harden off in preparation for winter. Continue to water newly planted trees and shrubs.

Improve your garden soil by adding manure, compost and leaves to increase organic matter.

Turn your compost pile in preparation for the addition of fall leaves and garden clean up trimmings.

GOREN BRIDGE

LAWN

• Fertilize cool season grasses, like bluegrass and fescue, in September with a balanced fertilizer to benefit from the ideal conditions for growth. Apply a winterizing formulation in November.

• Tall fescue grass can be planted now.

Seed germinates in 10 to 14 days.

Fescue has a coarser blade than Kentucky blue grass, but is more drought-resistant and shade-tolerant.

• Take plenty of pictures so you’ll be able to recall garden successes, as well as things you want to improve next year.

When you have questions, Colorado State University Extension has research-based answers. Get answers to your horticulture questions by visiting ask.extension.org any time day or night. Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. you can call 719520-7684 or email CSUmg2@elpasoco. com. For current garden tips visit www. facebook.com/ColoradoMasterGardeners.

EPC. For current classes visit elpaso. extension.colostate.edu.

WITH BOB JONES ©2016 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

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

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

♠kJ♥kq932♦A3♣kq9 4

♠4♥k974♦Ak954♣963

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

Right-hand opponent opens one spade. What call would you make? q 5 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:

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

♠ k 7 2 ♥ 10 ♦ q 10 8 2 ♣ k q 10 65

♠ 9 4 ♥ A 10 6 ♦ A 9 6 4 ♣ A J 9 5

weST NOrTH eAST SOuTH 1♦ 1♥ Pass ?

What call would you make?

SOuTH weST NOrTH eAST 1♥ Pass Pass 1♦ ?

What call would you make?

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

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

♠ 9 6 5 ♥ A 10 2 ♦ A k 8 7 ♣ q 7 3

♠ k J 9 7 ♥ q 9 7 5 ♦ 7 ♣ k J 10 7

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

NOrTH eAST SOuTH weST 2♣ Pass 2♦ Pass Pass ?

3♦ What call would you make?

Look for answers on Monday.

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

denniS The menaCe

The Family CirCuS

by hank ketcham

Sherman’S lagoon

PiCkleS

by Brian Crane

mr BoFFo

by Joe martin

by J. P. Toomey

by Bil keane

rhymeS wiTh orange by hilary Price

marmaduke

by Brad and Paul anderson

Baldo

by hector Cantu and Carlos Castellanos

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 7

Blondie

by dean young and John marshall

muTTS

by Patrick mcdonnell

Funky winkerBean

luann

by greg evans

PeanuTS

by Charles Schulz

by Tom Batiuk

HG 8 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2017

loS angeleS TimeS CroSSword

non SequiTur

by wiley

edited by rich norris and Joyce lewis

lola

by Todd Clark

BeeTle Bailey across 1 Most massive of all known elementary particles 9 Storage spot 15 Place frequented by John Jasper in Dickens’ “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” 16 Bird of baseball 17 Aptly named heavy-footed bird 18 Wow 19 High school gp.

20 Areas of interest 22 Night sch. staple 23 Twelve __: neighbor of Tara 25 Pre-fax communication 26 One who isn’t a pro 27 Repeated phrase in Ecclesiastes 29 Nile reptile 30 Body part 31 Stood for 33 2000s “SNL” alum 35 Eastern way 36 Game console with a Mini version 37 Where many have gone on vacation 41 __ zoo 45 Get going 46 Pickup hr.

48 Mexican title 49 Animal house 50 Polynesian people 52 Value 53 Take responsibility for 54 California city mentioned after Kingman in the song “Route 66” 56 “Yo!” 57 Aficionados’ creations that may infringe on copyrights, for short 59 Oscillating curve 61 Cactus spine source 62 Takes advantage of 63 Persian king 64 Hiker’s shelter down 1 Steinbeck protagonist 2 Run 3 Game item made of cow leather, actually

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 21 24 26 28 30 32 34 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 47 50 51 54 55 58 60

In the capacity of Ballpark figures Take responsibility for Lucille Ball, e.g.

Gets down, in a way Scrolls successor Prominent periods Tina’s “30 Rock” role Cough syrup alternative Home Run Derby competitor Unsteady Counts while working out Overwhelm Decision maker Online biz Skips Extended period Amaze U.K.-based personal organizer brand “That comes as no surprise” Fidget __ First or second, say Bach work Confused “Nice try!”

Most dreary, in Dublin Anybody’s guess Medieval clubs Like the Jefferson Memorial’s columns Nastiness Old TV host with an accordion Kit maker Quick thinking

by mort, greg, and Brian walker

hagar The horriBle

moTher gooSe

by Chris Browne

by mike Peters

Friday’s Puzzle Solved

Tundra

by Chad Carpenter

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 9

loS angeleS TimeS CroSSword

non SequiTur

by wiley

edited by rich norris and Joyce lewis

lola

by Todd Clark

BeeTle Bailey across 1 Most massive of all known elementary particles 9 Storage spot 15 Place frequented by John Jasper in Dickens’ “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” 16 Bird of baseball 17 Aptly named heavy-footed bird 18 Wow 19 High school gp.

20 Areas of interest 22 Night sch. staple 23 Twelve __: neighbor of Tara 25 Pre-fax communication 26 One who isn’t a pro 27 Repeated phrase in Ecclesiastes 29 Nile reptile 30 Body part 31 Stood for 33 2000s “SNL” alum 35 Eastern way 36 Game console with a Mini version 37 Where many have gone on vacation 41 __ zoo 45 Get going 46 Pickup hr.

48 Mexican title 49 Animal house 50 Polynesian people 52 Value 53 Take responsibility for 54 California city mentioned after Kingman in the song “Route 66” 56 “Yo!” 57 Aficionados’ creations that may infringe on copyrights, for short 59 Oscillating curve 61 Cactus spine source 62 Takes advantage of 63 Persian king 64 Hiker’s shelter down 1 Steinbeck protagonist 2 Run 3 Game item made of cow leather, actually

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 21 24 26 28 30 32 34 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 47 50 51 54 55 58 60

In the capacity of Ballpark figures Take responsibility for Lucille Ball, e.g.

Gets down, in a way Scrolls successor Prominent periods Tina’s “30 Rock” role Cough syrup alternative Home Run Derby competitor Unsteady Counts while working out Overwhelm Decision maker Online biz Skips Extended period Amaze U.K.-based personal organizer brand “That comes as no surprise” Fidget __ First or second, say Bach work Confused “Nice try!”

Most dreary, in Dublin Anybody’s guess Medieval clubs Like the Jefferson Memorial’s columns Nastiness Old TV host with an accordion Kit maker Quick thinking

by mort, greg, and Brian walker

hagar The horriBle

moTher gooSe

by Chris Browne

by mike Peters

Friday’s Puzzle Solved

Tundra

by Chad Carpenter

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 9

Bizarro

by dan Piraro

argyle SweaTer

by Scott hilburn

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

B.C.

by hart

ziTS

by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman

JumP STarT

Frazz

by robb armstrong

by Jef mallett

HG 10 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2017

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, SEPTEMBER 2, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 11

TAKE OUR ADVICE ADVICE

Dear Amy: My 18-year-old daughter and I had dinner with another mother and her daughter recently. We’ve known one another since the girls were in kindergarten.

The daughters went to differAMY ent high schools and aren’t terDICKINSON ribly close, but we still see them on occasion and consider them friends. The mother and I are closer than the girls are.

Both girls are preparing to attend college out of state.

Away from the dinner table, in private, the other girl told my daughter that she is on Tinder and “flirts” with an older man. She says the man is 27.

She told my daughter that she sends him nude pictures of herself, and he sends her sexually explicit pictures of himself.

My daughter is shocked by this. I’m not sure how common this sort of thing is with young women their age. Should I tell my friend what my daughter reported?

I would really appreciate your advice. — Wondering Mom

ADVICE

Question: For the past three months I have been trying to do a daily combination of aerobic and strength-trainDR. OZ AND DR. ROIZEN ing exercise, but sometimes I just get plain weary. Shouldn’t I be getting stronger, not more worn out, from exercising regularly? — Charlene G., Savannah, Ga.

Dear Wondering: If you and this other mother are close friends, you need to approach this by asking yourself if you would want this sort of information about your own daughter. (I would, by the way.)

Both girls are headed to college, where presumably they will each have the freedom to make all sorts of choices — good and bad. As they head out into the world, parents should arm them with as much guidance and wisdom as they can manage.

Your daughter told you this for a reason. You should contact your friend and neutrally report what your daughter told you. Tell her, “I’m telling you this because I would want to know.” Don’t pile on with judgment or any specific reaction, and leave it to this other parent to decide what to do about it, if anything.

The daughters’ friendship, which is not close now, will likely end. I hope that you and this other mother can face this challenge to your own relationship with maturity.

Answer: It’s terrific that you have started such a health-boosting workout routine. A combination of moderate endurance (aerobic) exercise for at least 30 minutes, five days a week — occasionally upping the intensity — combined with regular stretching and two days a week of strength training is guaranteed to provide most folks with a younger RealAge. (At age 55, men can achieve a RealAge that’s 8.1 years younger than a typical guy, and women, like you Charlene, can take off nine years!) A good exercise routine is the best way to prevent chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular problems.

However, you can end up with less endurance and get worn out if you don’t build in appropriate recovery time between your strength-training sessions AND between strength training and aerobic workouts.

That’s the news from a study in the journal of Sports Medicine. Australian researchers found that “the physiological stress caused by a typical resistance-training bout of 40 to 60 minutes can continue for several days post-exercise, as opposed to a full recovery within 24 hours following a typical endurance-training bout.”

So, always put 24 hours between your aerobic workouts, or between a strength-building workout and an aerobic workout. Limit strength building (at least at first) to 20 to 25 minutes, and put at least 48 hours between strength-building routines.

And when doing strength-building exercises, rest for a full minute after each one to maximize muscle building.

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

HINTS FROM HELOISE

Dear Heloise: San Antonio has great dog parks, and I love to take my dogs there. I jumped on the city’s website and read the rules — here are some: • The dogs have to be up to date on their shots and rabies vaccines, and they have to be microchipped and wear a collar.

• There is a separate play area for small breeds — this is for

safety.

• Owners have to clean up after their dogs.

• There’s no skateboarding, biking or glass containers allowed in the dog park.

• The park is open from dawn until dusk.

• If there’s something I’m not happy about, I can call the city to let them know.

I’ve met some nice people at the dog park, my dogs have a blast there, and they may get dirty, but that’s OK — they’ve had fun! — Helen B. in San Antonio Yes, we do have great dog (and people) parks here in San Antonio! Readers, check out your municipal parks for fall fun! — Heloise Dear Heloise: I saw on a luxury retailer’s site a distressed, washed and ripped sweatshirt for over $100. This is a trend, apparently! I decided to make my own.

I bought a pretty pink sweatshirt from the discount store for $8, and snipped a couple of cuts around the neckline, and a few at the bottom hem. Then I tore the snipped sections to create a raw edge that will fray.

I laundered, stretched and tumbled it dry. It looked as cool as the $100 shirt! (It may take a couple of washes for the fraying to appear.) — Heather G. in California Dear Heloise: Once a month or so, I use a dry brush and gently “brush” my skin before showering. This helps to remove dead skin. It can boost circulation, too. — Leigh M. in Wisconsin Talk to your doctor to make sure this is safe if you have any skin issues. — 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) Pick a new friend rather than a feud. This is a great time to take up physical activities for fun as well as companionship.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Go for the gold to reach your goal. Some enthusiasms may be briefly dampened or you may be discouraged, so rally your inner strength to wait it out.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Nothing is ever completely black and white. Don’t stray by getting involved with anything that skirts the gray areas of the law or politeness.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) Think outside the box when a financial situation demands your attention. Take charge and refuse to be molded by circumstances. This is a good time to give your wildest ambitions some free rein.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Intoxicating chemistry with an ideal partner is impressive. The ties of affection that are forged now might become permanent.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Rest on your laurels. Don’t let enthusiasms run away with you this weekend. Under these stars you may feel an urge to start something risky without making the proper preparations.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Enjoy the royal treatment. You might feel like running your household and directing the action like the king of his castle.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Exert extra effort to be sympathetic and generous.

Ignore that little voice that urges you to do the selfish or underhanded thing. Your ability to cope with emergencies is at its best this weekend.

HG 12 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2017

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Don’t allow small emotional concerns to cloud your judgment. Pump up the heart rate with exercise or a trip through gorgeous scenery.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Long-range financial planning might be right up your alley as this weekend commences. Your ambitions and goal-seeking ways won’t interfere with fun or an ongoing romance.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Spread yourself around like butter. High energy and a happy attitude seem to be contagious, so people will enjoy your company.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) Avoid showdowns and confrontations. Loved ones or personal contacts could be restless or confusing. Strive to attain a reasonable balance between sympathy and trustworthiness.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sept. 2 Focus on business, finance and material success during the next four to five weeks. Expect smooth sailing with your business and financial affairs while your skillful negotiation techniques pay off with more money in the bank. You may be more romantic and creative than usual as the next six to eight months unfold. You may be recognized for your leadership abilities in January, when your chances of obtaining a new position are enhanced.