Home and Garden 09/03/16

Don’t miss today’s HOME & GARDEN • SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2016

specials inside.

FURNITURE ARRANGING:

Tips & tricks

SEPTEMBER GARDENING CALENDAR KID-FRIENDLY ROOMS

LIVING ROOM COURTESY OF RICH DESIGNS

YE AR ROUND GARDENING:

September gardening calendar

BY EILEEN TULLY, COLORADO MASTER GARDENER

S •

•

• •

• •

•

•

eptember is a time of transition.

Days are noticeably shorter, nights are cooler and the weather is usually stable. It’s a good time to plant, or transplant.

Harvest pears, apples and everbearing strawberries as they ripen. Cover new fruit on Heritage raspberries with bird netting.

Continue to harvest tomatoes, peppers, onions and winter squash.

Mature green tomatoes can be ripened indoors.

In early September plant radishes, spinach and lettuce.

Divide peonies. September and early fall is the optimal time to divide this long-lived perennial. While this plant does not require regular division to maintain successful blooming, you can divide the mother plant to increase the planting area. After digging up the main plant, divide it so each fleshy root division has three to five “eyes.” These are the shoots for next season. Plant carefully — 1-inch to 2-inches below the surface. Peonies won’t flower if they are planted too deep.

Daylilies and tall garden Phlox paniculata can be divided at this time.

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 gladioulus, cannas, caladiums and tuberous begonias. Allow them to air dry and store in dry vermiculite.

For ever-lasting dried arrangements, cut strawflower, statice, baby’s breath,

Upcoming events at extension Fall Gardening Seminar Sept. 10, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Harvesting Rainwater Sept. 24, 9 a.m.

This will be a make and take class.

Call 520-7690 or go to elpasoco.colostate.edu/ for more information and to register.

•

•

•

Annabelle hydrangea and celosia.

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

In late September, plant spring flowering bulbs. Select large healthy looking bulbs as the larger the bulb, the larger the flower. Cover bulbs with three-inches of mulch or plant shallow-rooted, low-growing ground covers like sedum Angelina that act like a living mulch and can help disguise the drying leaves of bulbs next spring.

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

Improve your garden soil by adding

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

HG 2 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, SEP 3, 2016

Photo by Eileen Tully

Create some space TIPS ON FURNITURE ARRANGING IN YOUR HOME

••

METRO SERVICES

The art of furniture arranging can be daunting, but you can make it easy and fun once you get the layout just right! Check out these tips on getting the most out of your space and furniture in your home.

MOVE IT AROUND

You may be able to change the look of a room without spending any money.

Interior designers know how to arrange furniture for maximum appeal, but the average homeowner can do it too. Find a focal point in the room and angle the furniture toward it. Don’t make the focal point the television, however. Try changing the placement of chairs and sofas. Simply moving a curio cabinet from one corner to another may make a huge difference.

CHOOSE FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES CAREFULLY

Adopt a minimalist’s eye. Begin looking around your home for furniture or accessories that overwhelm the space.

Interior designers recommend choosing low-profile or small-scale furniture for rooms with less square footage. Dualpurpose items, such as ottomans with storage chests inside, are a budgetfriendly way to save on space while staying organized.

DON’T LIMIT YOUR FURNITURE CHOICES

You may need to invest in new furniture depending on the layout of your home. Be flexible in your furniture choice, selecting modular pieces, like sectionals, at entryways because some may have small doorways or obstructions that make adding furniture more challenging.

UTILIZE YOUR OPEN SPACES

Great rooms and open-concept kitchens have steadily caught the eyes of designers and homeowners alike. Such rooms enable a free flow between lounging and entertaining spaces and the heart of the home — the kitchen. On the flip side, those who want to incorporate different color schemes and eclectic styles with an open-layout home may have difficulty deciding on where to “end” rooms or how to co-mingle furniture.

USE PLANTS

Empty corners or spots you’re not certain how to fill may benefit from a plant. Plants are an inexpensive way to add instant color and visual appeal to a room. Plus, having live plants can help improve indoor air by filtering out contaminants. A home with plants also feels cozier.

Living room arrangement courtesy of Rich Designs Photo by Erica Fellion

Buy 3 Get 1 FREE! on Mums priced from $7.99 to $11.99!

SPLURGE ON DESIGN HELP

Though it may seem like interior decorators are a luxury reserved exclusively for the rich and famous, interior decorators work with people of all budgets.

Homeowners sometimes wrestle with the practicality of hiring a decorator, wondering why they should spend the money when they can do the work themselves. But just like homeowners may hire professional electricians or landscapers, hiring a professional interior decorator can ensure the job is done right, within budget and completed within a reasonable amount of time. Designers and decorators are trained to think differently and spatially to achieve concepts homeowners may never have envisioned for themselves. They can help tell stories through design and improve spaces immeasurably.

Harding Nursery Must present coupon at time of purchase. Offer expires September 9, 2016.

Photos are for illustration purposes only.

Come in and visit with our expert gardening staff 719.596.5712

Family Owned Since 1957

721 N. Powers Blvd www.hardingnursery.com

HOURS: Mon thru Sat: 8am to 6pm • Sunday: 9am to 5pm SATURDAY, SEP 3, 2016 I THE GAZETTE I HG 3

Mix and match

is the modern way to furnish a dining room HOW ARE YOU GOING TO USE THE TABLE AND CHAIRS — ARE THEY JUST FOR EATING, OR ALSO FOR HOMEWORK, KIDS’ PROJECTS AND WORK?

HG 4 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, SEP 3, 2016

BY SOLVEJ SCHOU, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

W

hen choosing the right dining table and chairs, there are no rigid rules. Think about mixing and matching pieces instead of plunking down money for a perfectly matched set, experts say.

“These days, we see people choosing opposite styles for the table and the chairs,” says Amy Panos, a Des Moines, Iowa-based deputy editor at Better Homes and Gardens magazine. “It makes the room interesting and gives it personality. Everybody wants a very personalized, ‘Oh I threw this together and it represents my style’ look.’ There are no ‘I have tos.’ There are only ‘I want tos.’”

So when my husband and I recently picked out a new dining table and chairs at a local furniture shop, we went for a rectangular wal-

nut table with a built-in leaf, and then chose 1960s-style chairs with curving wooden backs and green upholstery. We wanted the table to fit in with our vintage and midcentury modern-style furniture, and the chairs to be chic and comfy.

Think about your style, budget, the size of your dining area, how you like to entertain, and how you’re going to use the table and chairs — are they just for eating, or also for homework, kids’ projects and work?

Start by measuring the space, whether it’s a breakfast nook, kitchen, large dining room or small college dorm.

“You have to have room to pull the chairs in and out, and be able to move around the table,” says Panos, who suggested leaving 36 to 48 inches on all sides, away from walls and other furniture.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

We are thrilled to announce that TRAVIS TERRY has joined us here at RICH DESIGNS HOME! His resume is astonishing and the body of work around the globe is incredible…Travis has worked in Aspen, Dallas and Miami just to name a few of his stops! Like Rich and Greg, Travis was also raised in Wyoming. As fate would have it, their paths crossed again…

In collaboration, the plan is to combine their mad skills and designs to create amazing projects, both big and small!

Travis can capture a concept and translate it with his ability as a trained artist... renderings that completely bring to life the possibilities in your new construction or remodel project!

We at Rich Designs are excited to build a global portfolio together here in Colorado Springs…

We are loving the Burton James Select Two Program and we just had to share! Select your Sofa Style, Fabric, and Design Features such as Chrome or Bronze Metal Legs, Transitional or Mid-Century Wood Bases, Arm Width, Seat Cushions and even more additional options to include Nail heads and Bolster Pillows... all choices that fit your custom style!

PICK YOUR LEG PICK YOUR FABRIC & ENJOY AT 25% SAVINGS

Prices are starting at $1800 to $3900 for Chairs and Sofas…then you take 25% off of that price!

Other custom features may be added at an additional cost, but still on sale!

Please stop by or call for an appointment with a sales associate…We can’t wait to create your custom piece!

1731 Mt. Washington Ave. | richdesignshome.com | 719.475.1200 | f SATURDAY, SEP 3, 2016 I THE GAZETTE I HG 5

DON’T BE AFRAID OF COLOR. YOU CAN GO LIGHT ON THE TABLE, COLORFUL ON THE CHAIRS AND VICE VERSA.

DINING ROOMS: CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

“Get something you love, that really speaks to you,” she says. “Are you in it for the long haul, to have that table as an heirloom, or are you someone who frequently wants to change your look?”

Tables and chairs can range from a $200 wooden dining table and $30 wooden chairs from IKEA, to $250 to $800 tables at chains Cost Plus World Market and Crate & Barrel.

Higher-end tables can cost thousands of dollars at boutique stores, antique stores and upscale outlets such as Restoration Hardware. Shipping furniture bought online can also bump up the cost, Panos says.

At Sunbeam Vintage, a Los Angeles store that sells new, on-site handmade, imported and vintage furniture, owner Ebee Martinez, 37, walked between tables and chairs of different shapes and sizes packed deep into the high-ceilinged shop. The store specializes in

midcentury modern and midcentury modern-inspired pieces, as well as ’70s-style Hollywood glam chrome, gold, copper and brass accented tables and chairs, which are making a comeback, Martinez says.

Tables start at $350, and prices generally hover between $750 and $950, with chairs around $250 each. The shop sometimes sells pricier items, such as a $2,500 dining table made of acacia wood, with steel legs.

“If you have a small space, a glass top dining table is really fabulous, since it creates the illusion of space,” says Martinez.

“In smaller spaces, pedestal tables — tables that don’t have legs in the corners, but only in the middle, like a tulip table — work well, and allow a lot of knee space. You can basically put any kind of chair around that table.”

Based on a late ’50s design by architect and designer Eero Saarinen, tulip tables —

HG 6 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, SEP 3, 2016

with a smooth central column resembling a water drop — have become popular. Sunbeam Vintage carries reproduced versions with wood, white laminate, Formica, marble, and less pricy faux-marble round, oval and rectangle tops.

“The white-top dining tables provide a contrast if you have a lot of wood in your house,” says Martinez. “Don’t be afraid of color. You can go light on the table, colorful on the chairs, and vice versa. Comfortable chairs, we’ve observed, usually have rounded backs. Your back kind of curves into it.”

Upholstered dining chairs can also be great accent chairs in a living room, she says.

Getting a table with a built-in leaf makes sense if you’ll be holding both cozy family dinners and Thanksgiving for 16 people, noted Panos. The built-in aspect means you don’t have to take the leaf out and store it.

“In kitchen areas, we’re seeing a lot more bench seats,” Panos adds. “You can have benches on the sides and chairs at the heads of the table. That way, you can fit more people and have that style contrast.”

Of course dining tables are often used for much more than eating.

Panos, who has three kids, offered some quick tips to avoid art-project messes on the dining room table: Cover the table top with a soft, fitted mattress pad, she said, and use round cork placemats. Parents of small kids should choose a dining table with friendlier rounded edges, she suggests.

A veneered or laminate table is easier to clean, and cleaning products are available to help remove rings on wood, says Martinez.

“We believe that furniture is expression.

It’s like art,” Martinez says. “People have fun with it.”

ASK A DESIGNER:

Y E AR-ROUND G ARDENING:

Homes that are kidand grownup-friendly

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

•

manure, compost and leaves to increase organic matter.

Mark your perennials with permanent tags, or create a map showing their locations.

FOR YOUR LAWN: DO YOU NEED TO REJUVENATE? •

This living room designed by Nathan Turner showcases cabinets with starfish-shaped handles which offers a space for hiding bins filled with toys. Photo courtesy of The Associated Press

BY MELISSA RAYWORTH, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

F

or new parents, the urge to keep little ones entertained and enriched can often lead to a home so full of baby gear and toys that grown-up style all but disappears.

It doesn’t have to be like that.

Designer Theodore Leaf of Los Angeles says he works with many clients trying to

keep their whole home from becoming a playroom.

“All my coolest friends have kids now.

And there’s just nobody giving up their cool card,” says Leaf, host of “Living Big Under 1,000 Sq. Ft.” on Apple TV’s new channel The Design Network.

For one thing, he says, “People are havCONTINUED ON PAGE 8

JUST ARRIVED! Fresh Green CHILES from HATCH, NEW MEXICO

Aeration, over-seeding or new sod.

This is the best time of the year to address any issues you might have in your lawn. Tall fescue grass can also be planted at this time.

• If you didn’t fertilize in late August, apply fertilizer by mid September at the rate of one pound nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.

• With cooler weather you can attack broadleaf weeds like dandelions, plantain, clover and bindweed while they are actively growing. Apply an herbicide such as 2, 4-D following directions on the package. What you do now will impact weed control next season.

Take plenty of pictures so you’ll be able to recall garden success and areas that can be improved when you’re planning next year’s garden.

HOUSE PLANTS:

Begin conditioning your poinsettias, Christmas cactus and Christmas kalanchoe to get them ready for the upcoming holiday season. These are all

short day plants and will eventually bloom at their own pace, but if you want them in bloom in time for the holidays for at least six weeks beginning in mid to late September.

Place the potted plant in a closet or unlighted room, or cover the plant with black cloth over a frame or a cardboard box. The plant must then be returned to the light each day and given a minimum of ten hours of bright light.

Poinsettias should be given an application of a 0-10-10 fertilizer this month and again next month to help encourage the development of flower buds. Feed your Poinsettia every two weeks with a high-nitrogen fertilizer once color has begun to show.

Christmas cactus needs the same general care, with the exception that they require cooler temperatures of about 50 – 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

THAT’S AMAZING, LLC. Carpet Cleaning Service •3 rooms $85 •5 rooms/hall/stairs $169 •Air Duct cleaning $80

Givethe Giftof A Free Estimates – Call Today!

124 East Cheyenne Rd. 477-0267 summerlandgardens.com

Mon-Sat 9am-5:30pm • Sunday 10am-4pm

719-216-1163

Givethe Giftof Art

183 Washi 719.487

Pesticide Free in Hot, Medium and Mild.

Discover why these are the best tasting chiles around.

Teflon/Protect/Upholstery Deodorizer/Vents

• Custom Framing Studio • Fine Art Gallery • Original Art by Colorado Artists

Our custom fram specializes in enh - Fine Art - Sports Memorab - Military Decorat

719.487.7691 • bellaartandframe.com 183 Washington Street Monument, CO 80132 SATURDAY, SEP 3, 2016 I THE GAZETTE I HG 7

This sophisticated living room designed by Nathan Turner has layered floor coverings perfect for playing on the floor and plenty of soft or curved surfaces to create a safe space for little ones. A child-friendly space doesn’t have to look like a playroom. Photo courtesy of The Associated Press

K I D - F R I E N D LY R O O M S : CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

ing kids older, so they have better stuff. The whole ‘Oh, this sofa is a jungle gym now’ thing has changed, because it’s an $8,000 sofa that they love.”

How do you make a home both kid- and grownup-friendly? Leaf and two other interior designers — Mike Welch and Nathan Turner — offer some ideas:

HIDDEN STORAGE

All three designers recommend built-in shelving with closed cabinets at floor-level.

Leaf suggests adding drawer pulls that are easy for little hands to grab, like a long bar that runs the length of the drawer.

“Kids open it, and know, ‘It’s for me,’” he says. And they learn that “that top shelf, with the cable box or whatever, ‘That’s not for me.’”

Instead of a traditional coffee table, consider an upholstered ottoman with space inside. The ottoman provides both storage and a soft surface for toddlers who are learning to walk. And it doesn’t have to be boring; there are a variety of ottomans for sale, or

you can buy one that’s the right size and have it reupholstered.

Or, Leaf suggests, try using a vintage trunk as a coffee table. If you find one at a flea market but can’t get the inside clean enough, just place a big plastic bin inside and store toys there. If you want to keep decorative items on top, situate them on a tray with handles so you lift it on and off easily.

One more hidden storage idea: Bench seating with space inside.

“I live in 800 square feet, so even hiding paper towels is an issue for me,” Leaf says.

He’s added banquette seating that flips up to reveal empty space.

“I could put a whole jungle gym in there,” he says.

GROWN-UP ITEMS

If you’re setting up a seating area for children to draw or do craft projects, resist the urge to buy a table and chairs designed for a child. You can find smaller-scale furniture that suits your style, says Turner, host of the food and home design series “Snack Chat”

HG 8 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, SEP 3, 2016

on The Design Network.

Choose fabrics that are durable and forgiving with spills, he says. Many companies now make outdoor fabrics that are soft to touch and perfect for indoors too.

Lighter colors — perhaps even white — can work if it’s the right fabric, says the Chicago-based Welch, a former “HGTV Design Stars” competitor.

Along with more grown-up furniture, you can also add stylish toys. Leaf suggests searching flea markets or the web for antiques. One client of his found a chic, midcentury-style dollhouse that’s become a focal point of their living room.

COOL KIDS’ ROOM

Welch recently designed a nursery that had chic, black-and-white stripes on the walls instead of baby pastels. “I didn’t feel like the room needed to be really juvenile,” he says.

“A lot of times people feel boxed in,” he adds, but “you don’t need basketballs on the walls” for boys or princesses for girls.

Turner agrees, and adds that babyish decor can be impractical.

“Children grow so quickly and their tastes change and they start wanting to have their own environment,” he says. If you choose “very juvenile things, you’re going to have to do it all over again.”

So instead of the bed shaped like a racecar, choose a simple, classic bed that a school-age kid won’t think is immature.

And make sure it offers storage space underneath. “Not only is it a neat way to store items, but it’s also low enough for little hands to help pick up after themselves,” Welch says.

Teaching kids to help clean up is a great way to keep the chaos at bay throughout your home, the designers say. Leaf recalls that when he was growing up, “our house was a disaster all the time,” but his cousins’ house seemed perfect, thanks to a label-maker.

“Those kids knew where everything belonged,” he says, “and they were trained from birth to put things away.”

CALL FOR A FREE ESTIMATE WITH A PRICE TODAY! (719) 593-0580

SERVING EL PASO COUNTY FOR OVER 16 YEARS

peakviewroofing.com 4605 Town Center Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80916 SATURDAY, SEP 3, 2016 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

HG 10 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, SEP 3, 2016

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, SEP 3, 2016 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 “Either/Or” author across Kierkegaard 1 Subject of the 1998 Supreme 8 Muscles strengthened by Court case New Jersey v. New muscle-ups York 9 Shipping nickname 12 Information __ 15 “Tristes apprets” from “Castor 10 Longtime Seattle Mariners’ majority owner et Pollux,” e.g.

11 Jersey homes 16 Billy’s reply?

12 “Couldn’t agree with you 17 Group sharing a name with a more!” cranberry cocktail 13 It has its kinks 18 Docs’ work areas 14 Basic kids’ book 19 Slip or clip follower 22 Key to backing up?

20 Rich rocks 23 Regale 21 Hot 24 Some royals 23 Satyr’s kin 25 Betty Crocker brand 24 Rear of instant mashed 25 Obvious 26 Indigenous Tasmanians 28 Holiday decor item 27 Show biz nickname 29 Final announcements 28 Gelato units 30 Comes across 30 Kindles 31 “__ Crossroads”: Bone 33 Hitchhike Thugs-n-Harmony song 34 __ splints 32 Hue 36 Every Skull and Bones 33 Game with a varying number member, until 1991 of cards 37 Serf 34 Like many horses 39 Hood’s weapon 35 __ Nova 40 Convertible carriage 36 Turkestan tents 42 “I’ll show you!”

37 Full moon, e.g.

44 Acting coach’s banes 38 Sports nail-biters 45 Bundle in a field 40 Felix __, CIA friend of Bond 46 Maverick on TV 41 Siouan tribe 42 Portrayer of Buddy’s father in 47 Game divs.

50 Unembellished “Elf” 51 Med. number that’s better 43 Acrimonious when it’s higher 44 Prince in “Frozen” 45 Wise chip flavor Friday’s Puzzle Solved 48 Low numéro 49 Actress in “Spy” (2015) 52 Wet blanket 53 “Grown Ups” star 54 Loan application fig.

55 Al Jazeera and Yomiuri Shimbun down 1 1960s-’70s Orr teammate, to fans 2 Prime cut 3 OR teammates 4 Needle 5 Apia natives 6 Suffering from ennui HG 12 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, SEP 3, 2016

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, SEP 3, 2016 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, SEP 3, 2016

by Paul gilligan

TAKE OUR ADVICE ADVICE

Dear Amy: I got married last year. My husband and I are both in our 50s with grown children. I am the primary breadwinner.

“Billy” is a kind and loving man, who spoke strongly on the importance of being faithful beAMY fore we were married.

DICKINSON We seem to have grown apart over the past year and have not been sexually intimate as often as we used to be.

I am the reason for this, as I get busy with working full time and spending time with the grandchildren. Plus the fact that I do all the housework.

He also has ED problems and doesn’t like to take a pill. He feels I just need to keep trying.

I get tired of the “keep trying” part. He is impotent, and this doesn’t change.

He accidentally left his Facebook page up on the computer the other day. I don’t use Facebook, but out of curiosity I went to his home page and found messages with different women where he was telling them how beautiful and sexy they are and offering to pleasure them.

He is staying somewhere else for now and has called several times. Sometimes he says how sorry he is and that nothing ever happened, it was just talk. But other times he says, “Well, you weren’t giving me enough attention and I had to get it somewhere.” He is right about me not giving him enough attention, but to do this instead of talking to me?

Should I talk things out with him and see if we should try again, or should I get a divorce and be done with him? I’m not really sure if I could ever forgive him. — Angry

ADVICE

Question: I trained all summer for a swim across the Hudson River.

My trainer and I made sure I stayed hydratDR. OZ AND DR. ROIZEN ed, but I still cramped up during the swim. Is there any way to avoid muscle cramps? — Brent H., Nyack, N.Y.

Dear Angry: You two should definitely talk things out. A marriage counselor can provide the setting, along with some guidance to both of you.

I think you probably could forgive your husband’s behavior, if you truly believed your situation could be radically different. However, from the tone of your letter, you don’t seem motivated to try. Even if you decide to permanently part ways, doing so peacefully and with insight into your behaviors and reactions will help both of you in the future.

Answer: People believe muscle cramps are caused by a lack of hydration; a lack of electrolytes, such as salt and potassium; or a combination of both. And that’s true. But there’s a relatively new theory that muscle cramps also can be a result of the misfiring of motor neurons. In other words, some muscle cramps don’t start with the muscle, they start with the nerves. This would explain why athletes who are well-hydrated get cramps, why folks get them in bed at night and why loading up on potassium and salt doesn’t necessarily prevent them. And it could be why drinking dill pickle juice (or other highly spicy or tart liquids) seems to prevent and relieve symptoms.

This new approach to controlling muscle cramps is being championed by Nobel Prize-winning neurobiologist and biophysicist Rod MacKinnon. After experiencing what could have been deadly hand and arm cramps while kayaking, he and his fellow seafaring pal, Harvard neurobiology professor Bruce Bean, set out to find out how to prevent them. What the duo came up with was a theory about the effect on the nervous system of drinking spicy or highly tart substances: They think that a strong sensory input can stimulate receptors in the mouth and esophagus to the point of overloading (calming) the nervous system’s excessive misfiring, thereby preventing muscle cramps. This year, they started marketing a spicy drink that they claim will prevent muscle cramps for five hours. Does that new marketing ploy bias their science? No matter; you also can try a good swig or two of dill pickle juice the next time you feel a cramp coming on (or to prevent one), and see for yourself what happens.

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: Food safety is important not only for people, but for pets, too. If you have a concern about a pet food, or if your pet gets ill after consuming a pet food, the Food and Drug Administration (fda.gov) would HINTS like you to report it.

FROM Here is some information you HELOISE need: the name of the food, how it was packaged and stored, the bar code, lot number and expiration date.

You’ll also need to report if the packaging was damaged, or if there was any tampering to the food. And of course, provide all relevant medical information about the animal.

The vast majority of pet foods on the market are completely safe and nutritious for your pet. But if a trend occurs, the FDA needs to know about it.

Visit the FDA’s website for complete details.

Submit your report to www.safetyreporting.hhs. gov. — Heloise Dear readers: The beauty industry is booming.

Women — and men, too — spend billions on beauty each year, but there are other methods you can use to save money. One sure way is to head to the pantry and grab the baking soda.

Here are some baking-soda beauty budget-busters: • Baking soda makes a mild exfoliator for your face. To deep-clean, about once a week combine three parts baking soda and one part water.

Lightly rub in circles on your skin, avoiding the eye area. Rinse thoroughly.

• Scrub nails and cuticles clean before a manicure. Run an old toothbrush through some baking soda and then over the nail beds.

• Run out of deodorant? Put on baking soda to absorb sweat and odor.

Over the course of my career, I have compiled dozens of helpful hints that use baking soda into a handy pamphlet. If you’d like to receive one, head over to my website, Heloise.com, to order.

Or you can send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope (68 cents), along with $5, to: Heloise/ Baking Soda, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. — 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) Precision is the key word. Invent the very best “new you” by focusing on achieving more realistic goals.

Pursue hobbies that require a delicate touch.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) It is insane to think you can gain without pain. Flex some muscles with vigorous physical activity. Use your storehouse of energy to run a marathon or focus on long-term moneymaking projects.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Get a relationship back on track. Make a peace offering to someone who has had ruffled feathers and it won’t be refused.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) Make sure to brew enough tea for two. Invite a friend along on an excursion, sightseeing trip or shopping expedition. Your experience will be twice as enjoyable with someone else along.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Some personal exchanges may feature a rehash of problems or gossip. The best remedy is some vigorous outdoor activity.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) An extra cup of coffee might be needed to stir up the energy to move forward. Leave the past behind and rebuild trust that has been compromised by misunderstandings.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Wander wherever the wind takes you. This is a good day for long walks, bike rides or to participate in a competitive sport.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) The tires of your social circle might be flat. By the end of the day, your engagement calendar may be filled again. Search for free events in the community so that you won’t put a dent in the budget.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Get out and about. Restore your joy in life by participating in a friendly sports competition or a walk in the woods with someone you admire.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Discussions provide an opportunity to make amends or accept apologies. Avoid a tendency to go around in circles without coming to a satisfactory conclusion.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Throw caution to the wind and take off on an adventure. You may spend a little money, but you’ll be sure to enjoy every penny.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) Turn a disadvantage into an asset by asking for advice from others. Your good taste is back in place, so this may be a good time to make reasonable household or decorative purchases.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sept. 3 During the next five to six weeks, take care of existing obligations to the best of your ability but don’t sign contracts, add to your debt load or begin any important new project.

In October and November, your energy levels are high, so this is a good time to start an exercise program or join a health club. New friends and group activities will bring you a great deal of satisfaction. Lay low in December and avoid new hookups and investments.

SATURDAY, SEP 3, 2016 I THE GAZETTE I HG 15

interested. 6 p.m., Lifetime.

GOREN BRIDGE

WITH BOB JONES ©2016 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

Weekly Bridge Quiz Q 1 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

EVENTS

Farmers Market — 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Bancroft Park, 2408 W. Colorado Ave.; pikespeakfarmersmarket.com.

Storytime — “If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don’t!” by Elise Parsley, 11 a.m., Barnes & Noble, 795 Citadel Drive East; 637-8282, barnesandnoble. com.

Magic Monarchs — 1-2:30 p.m., Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Peppergrass Lane, Fountain, $5. Reservations: 520-6745.

“The Old Man & The Mermaid” — 2:30 p.m., Simpich Showcase, 2413 W. Colorado Ave., $14; 465-2492, simpich.com.

Gold Hill Mesa Summer Concert Series — With Chris Daniels & the Kings, 4 p.m., Gold Hill Mesa, 142 S. Raven Mine Drive; 633-2202, goldhillmesa.com.

Colition Cartell — 7 p.m., The Black Sheep, 2106 E. Platte Ave., $10-$15; 227-7625, blacksheeprocks.com.

ON TV In the new TV film “Backstabbed,” Josie Davis (“Beverly Hills 90210”) plays an upscale real estate agent — a murderous upscale real estate agent. OK, now you’re

S

♠ J 9 3 ♥ A J 10 7 6 4 ♦ Q 4 ♣ Q 10

Q 5 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you With the opponents passing, you open two hearts, hold: weak, and partner bids two no trump. What call would you make? ♠ J 9 4 2 ♥ A k 2 ♦ 10 6 5 ♣ A J 4 Q 2 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ A J 8 3 ♥ 10 6 5 ♦ Q 9 7 ♣ 9 6 5

SOuTH WeST NOrTH eAST 1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass ?

What call would you make?

BIRTHDAYS

NOrTH eAST SOuTH WeST 1♣ 2♠ Pass Pass dbl Pass ?

What call would you make?

“Beetle Bailey” creator Mort Walker is 93.

Singer-guitarist Al Jardine of The Beach Boys is 74. Actress Valerie Perrine is 73.

Drummer Donald Brewer of Grand Funk Railroad is 68. Guitarist Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols is 61. Guitarist Todd Lewis of The Toadies is 51. Actor Charlie Sheen is 51. Singer Jennifer Paige is 43. Musician Redfoo of LMFAO is 41. Actress Ashley Jones (“True Blood”) is 40. Actor Nick Wechsler (“Revenge,” ‘’Roswell”) is 38. Guitarist Tomo Milicevic of 30 Seconds to Mars is 37. Actor Garrett Hedlund (“Tron”) is 32.

Q 3 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you NOrTH eAST SOuTH WeST hold: 1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass ? ♠ Q 10 ♥ k J 8 3 2 ♦ k 10 9 ♣ A 10 8 What call would you make? eAST SOuTH WeST NOrTH Look for answers on Monday.

1♣ 1♥ 1♠ Pass 2♠ ?

(Bob Jones welcomes readers’ responses sent What call would you make? in care of this newspaper or to Tribune Content Q 4 - Both vulnerable, as South, you hold: Agency, LLC., 16650 Westgrove Dr., Suite 175, Addison, TX 75001. E-mail responses may be ♠kQ952♥J763♦75♣72 sent to tcaeditors@tribpub.com.)

Q 6 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ Q 10 7 3 ♥ A 9 8 7 6 5 ♦ Q 10 ♣ 3

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

MITH FARMS Text

Partner opens one heart and right-hand opponent passes. What call would you make?

Fresh to 77948 for Updates & Specials

Now Roasting Chilies!

al tSinT GC G Y aroLdlE L“IFrFielE eonrM ”s SA tapT u retT ESeR rH e!! arlS She’s NO

Pueblo Hot, Dynamite, Big Jim, Mild & Hot Anaheim’s

VINE RIPENED

FIELD TOMATOES Now In Season

BLUEBERRIES Case Of 12 6 oz Containers $6.95

PALISADE

PEACHES $17.95/box 25lbs MIX AND MATCH CANARY MELONS & SWEET TUSCANS

3 for $5

Local Honey, Beef, Pasta and Much Much More! en

dm

o Wo y 24

Meridian

Hw

Smith Farms

6985 Meridian Rd., Falcon, CO 80831 10am-7pm daily

facebook.com/smithsfarmmarket

HG 16 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, SEP 3, 2016

All Glazed Ceramic

Pottery

WHY REPLANT?

Great Selection!

100’s of New Arrivals.

No Limit.

Whichever is greater on Fountains $200 or more.

Perennials Fountains 3 $100 OFF 50% OFF BUY GET A OR 20% OFF 4TH FREE 20% OFF (10” diameter or smaller)

(All Other Sizes)

No Limit. Hundreds to Choose from.

Expires September 11, 2016.

Must present coupon.

Expires September 11, 2016.

Must present coupon.

Garden Center Hours: Mon-Fri 9-5:30

Sat 9-4

Expires September 11, 2016.

Must present coupon. No limit.

Sun 10-4