Home and Garden 09/09/17

HOME & GARDEN • SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2017

Study space YEAR ROUND GARDENING:

Expand the repertoir with fall shallots KEN MOON:

Vent updates and maintenance

Look inside for these specials and many others.

YEAR ROUND GARDENING

Expand the repertoire, with fall planted shallots

L

Photo by Fredricka Bogardus

BY FREDRICKA BOGARDUS, COLORADO MASTER GARDENER

ast autumn on a whim I ordered some French grey shallots to plant for summer harvest. I have grown fall planted garlic for many years with success and thought adding shallots might be fun.

Shallots, like garlic, are in the

Allium genus, which also includes onions and chives. They are true bulbs, and can be planted in autumn for early summer harvest. They can also be planted in the spring for a summer harvest.

True bulbs like onions can grow in two different ways. Onions grow by increasing the size of the single bulb planted. Shallots are like garlic in that when you plant a clove, it grows by forming multiple cloves, each with a papery wrapper. However there is no papery cover that creates a “head.� The cloves form a cluster. Shallots have a mild onion flavor, with a bit of garlic pungency. They are a good addition

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

to your pantry. If kept in a cool, dry environment they will last several months.

Purchase the initial shallot bulbs for planting at a garden center if possible.

Grocery store shallots have probably been treated to deter sprouting, and they may not grow. If you must use grocery store cloves, try to purchase organic shallots to increase the chance they will sprout. Planting should be done four to six weeks before a hard frost. In the Pikes Peak region that will be early to mid-October, about the same time you would plant daffodils and tulips. In future years, you can replant your shallots from

Want more information on growing shallots?

Go to www.gardening. cornell.edu/homegardening/ scene83de.html

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

AROUND THE HOUSE

Vent updates and maintenance

BY KEN MOON, SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE

Dear Ken: I can’t find the end of one of my long flex downspout pipes.

What can I do?

Stick a hose in the gutter and wait until KEN MOON you see a wet area somewhere out in the yard; it might take 20 or 30 minutes.

You’re right to be concerned. When the downspout extension pipes get plugged up or buried, it’s like having no gutters at all. During our strong summer storms, they will back up quickly, and then the gutters will overflow. That water then soaks in and may get under the foundation, causing structural issues as the soil swells in reaction to the moisture.

And of course, water trapped in a plugged pipe will freeze in the winter — leading to an icy backup that will creep all the way up to the gutters. Ultimately, that will encourage the formation of an ice dam — and a real mess!

You need to keep a constant eye on the outlets of all the downspout pipes: the kids may stick rocks and sticks in them or grass may creep inside. Also, don’t let a landscaper tell you that the pipe end can be buried under a dryscape rock bed; the water flow will still be retarded. The only answer is a wide open pipe end that will let the water escape as quickly as possible.

To keep them in the front of your mind, mark them with colored flags, like we use for sprinkler heads — or spray them with some fluorescent paint.

Dear Ken: I’m getting a new roof. I’m thinking that this is a great time to add ventilation. What do you think about a ridge vent?

I like the idea. A ridge vent is a plastic honey-combed baffle, which sits over a long slot cut into the plywood at the very apex of the ridge. After it’s in place, the roofer will lap a row of shingles over it to disguise it and keep the weather out. Since heat accumulates in the top of the attic first, it’s a very effective way to cool that interior space. Cooler air infiltrates though those little soffit

vents behind the gutters and convects upward to escape through the ridge vent. They are a little pricey, so the only cost effective time to install one is when a new roof goes on. In other words, your timing is perfect!

Dear Ken: The flapper on our bathroom vent fan makes a lot of noise when the wind blows. Any ideas to quiet it down? It’s driving us crazy.

You could apply a strip of foam insulation around the fixed side of the vent flapper. That will muffle the sound considerably. Also, how about switching to a different style? There is a three piece “louvered” variety you could try — like we use for clothes dryers. As a last resort, you could build a plywood box sticking out three inches or so from the house. Leave its bottom open. It will act like a baffle, since the wind will have to make a couple of 90 degree turns before it impinges on the flapper.

Dear Ken: I have an old railroad tie wall that is sagging and settling a lot.

Could I use some concrete blocks and just set the new wall in front of the old one?

You could, but I wouldn’t. If the wall continues to move, it could start pushing out against the new one, and you’ll have the same old problem — just with a different material. Use those lightweight, colored concrete retaining wall blocks, set far enough in front of the old wall that you can pull the ties out after the fact.

Of course, you’ll want to set the blocks on a new concrete pad/footer that will provide long-term stability. Also, when you backfill it with dirt, compact it in lifts and then stop and tamp it before you add more.

Finally, many building departments want to inspect a retaining wall installation when it gets over a certain height — usually four feet. So, you may need to pull a permit.

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.

HOMEWORK HELP

Creating a helpful homework atmosphere for your children

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lassrooms conducive to learning may go a long way toward helping students understand the subjects they study in school, but the environment kids encounter at home also plays a big role in how well kids do in their studies. A homeworkfriendly atmosphere at home can facilitate learning, and there are many ways parents can create such an environment for their school-aged children.

Designate a homework zone in a distraction-free area of your home Some youngsters are easily distracted, and those distractions come in many forms. A living room where the television is blaring, a noisy kitchen where dinner is being prepared and a room where pets can roam free are not ideal homework

areas, as each can take kids’ attention away from their assignments. Designate a room in your home that is quiet and well lit so kids can do their homework free from distraction.

Choose the right location for the homework room When choosing an area of your home where kids will do their homework, avoid rooms adjacent to the kitchen and living room, as these rooms tend to be popular and subject to heavy foot traffic. But don’t choose a room that’s too far away from the hustle and bustle, such as the basement, as that may make kids feel as though they are being punished.

In addition, you want to be able to periodically check in on kids to see if they need help and make sure they aren’t spending their homework time surfing the Internet or procrastinating.

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

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HOMEWORK HELP CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

Keep the homework room clean A cluttered homework room may be less appealing to children, and such disorganization also can distract kids from the tasks at hand. Encourage kids to keep their homework rooms clean, and help them clean up if need be. Supplies and other items kids need should be easily accessible in the homework room so kids are not wasting time looking for items they need to complete their homework.

Let kids rest or relax before starting their homework

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Another element of a good homework atmosphere is letting kids unwind between getting home from school and cracking open the books. A break between school and homework time can help kids focus better on their studies. In the interim between arriving home from school and

starting on their homework, give kids a healthy snack that can provide an extra jolt of energy they can use once they start their homework.

Evaluate how the homework zone is working Once an ample amount of time has passed, examine how kids are performing on their homework assignments. If they are doing well, then there is no reason to break up the current routine. If they are struggling, ask them if there is anything about the current setup they dislike and address those issues accordingly.

Kids rarely look forward to doing their homework. But the right atmosphere can make homework seem like less of a chore and more of an opportunity for kids to apply themselves.

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UNDERSTOOD.ORG MAKES HEADING BACK TO SCHOOL EASIER

New ‘First-Day Ready’ guide offers personalized tips for parents of the one in five children in the U.S. with learning and attention Issues, such as ADHD and Dyslexia NEWSWIRE

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he Ad Council and Understood.org have joined together to promote ways children and their families can be “First-Day Ready” for the new school year.

Understood.org is offering a free First-Day Ready Guide to help parents — with students of every age — successfully manage back-to-school transitions.

The guide offers customized tips based on three key questions such as a student’s grade or academic struggles.

Practical resources include teacher introduction letters, backpack checklists and suggestions for how to create a dedicated homework station, among many others.

The beginning of a new school year can be challenging for all children, but it is an especially difficult time for families with children who struggle with reading and writing, math, focus and organization. One in five children in the U.S. have learning and attention issues, like ADHD and dyslexia, and many never receive a formal diagnosis. Children with these types of challenges can feel especially stressed during the back-toschool season as they face new subjects, teachers, friends and schools.

“Our First-Day Ready Guide offers

parents and caregivers a personalized way to help their child start the school year on the right foot,” said Kevin Hager, managing director of Understood.org. “It’s important to keep in mind that all kids learn in different ways and at different paces. With the right support, kids with learning and attention issues can thrive in school and in life.”

Without proper awareness and support, students with learning and attention issues struggle. According to a recent report by the National Center for Learning Disabilities, students with specific learning disabilities are 31 percent more likely to experience high levels of bullying, more than twice as likely to be suspended, and drop out of school at three times the rate of children without these challenges.

For more information on learning and attention issues, visit Understood.org.

The First-Day Ready Guide is available in both English and Spanish.

Created by 15 nonprofit partners, Understood.org is a free online resource and community supporting parents of the one in five kids with learning and attention issues. Understood.org empowers millions of parents through personalized resources, daily access to experts, interactive tools and a supportive online and on-the-ground community.

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YEAR ROUND GARDENING

GOREN BRIDGE

WITH BOB JONES ©2016 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

weekly bridge quiz

the prior year harvest.

Before planting, make sure your bed is weed-free and well-cultivated. Shallots prefer slightly acidic, rich in organic matter, well-drained soil. Raised beds are a good choice in our region. Full sun exposure is optimum, while they may grow in part sun, bulb size will likely be reduced with less sun. I do not think that deer will eat these plants, however I had a very persistent rabbit try to nest amongst my shallots. I had to install a rabbit barrier (a buried hardware cloth perimeter) to stop the hole digging and filling wars. So be aware that critters might find this nice, soft soil appealing for their maternity wards and you may need to protect your crop with a physical barrier.

To plant, gently separate the cloves from the cluster — it is not necessary to peel the cloves. Plant each clove pointy side up one- to two-inches deep and six- to eight-inches apart. The tip should be almost at the surface of the soil.

The cloves should be covered with soil,

then mulched with leaves, wood chips (avoid aspen or poplar leaves) or straw.

Keep the area moist even through the winter (if there is snow on the bed that is sufficient). The bulbs will probably sprout in the fall, that is not a problem they should still survive the winter. In spring when the bulbs have started growing, fertilize regularly and keep the area weed-free. The bulbs will be harvested in early July when the foliage starts to dry out or falls over. When harvesting be careful to lift clusters carefully so bulbs are not damaged during harvest.

Damaged bulbs may not be usable after drying.

After harvesting, dry or cure the shallots in a warm, dry, well-ventilated location, such as a shed or garage.

Spread out the shallots in a single layer on a clean, dry surface. Cure the shallots for two to three weeks until the tops and necks are thoroughly dry. Once cured move them to a cool, preferably dark environment for storage. Enjoy this unique vegetable all autumn and winter.

q 1 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ A k q 7 4 ♥ q 10 ♦ q 10 9 6 ♣ 10 9 As dealer, partner opens three diamonds and right-hand opponent doubles. What call would you make? q 2 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ k J 10 ♥ k q 6 ♦ A J 6 ♣ k 9 6 3 SOuTH weST NOrTH 1NT Pass 2♦* ? *Transfer to hearts

eAST Pass

What call would you make? q 3 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ J 7 4 3 ♥ q 9 5 2 ♦ 10 5 3 ♣ q J Partner opens one spade and right-hand opponent bids three clubs, pre-emptive.

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

♠ A 6 4 ♥ A q ♦ k J 10 7 ♣ 7 6 4 3 SOuTH weST NOrTH Pass 1♠ 1♦ ?

What call would you make?

q 5 - Both vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ Void ♥ A q 7 5 4 2 ♦ q J 9 5 3 ♣ k 6 SOuTH weST NOrTH eAST Pass 1♠ Pass 1♥ ?

What call would you make? q 6 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠q♥Aq86♦q7642♣q93 As dealer, what call would you make?

Look for answers on Monday.

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

E-mail: tcaeditors@tribpub.com)

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1

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10:26 AM

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, SEP 9, 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, SEP 9, 2017

loS angeleS TimeS CroSSword

non SequiTur

by wiley

edited by rich norris and Joyce lewis

lola

by Todd Clark

BeeTle Bailey across 1 End with force 8 Percussion instrument 15 Contemporary of Plácido 16 Went deep 17 Agitated 18 Like the flame at Graceland 19 Singing voice, informally 20 Workout spot 22 Ax 23 Quick-footed 24 “I’m amazed!”

25 Springfield bar 26 Traditional March 14 servings 27 Venus, when appearing as the morning star 29 Paradise in “On the Road” 30 Minor employment needs, in some places 34 Longtime NBC hit 35 Blow away 36 Pittsburgh’s __ Park 37 Thanksgiving, e.g.: Abbr.

38 Helpful program for frequent fliers 41 Give under pressure 42 Joan of Arc, for one 43 Fill up 44 Close buds 46 Hardly fresh 47 Father’s ceremony 48 The first “A” in A.A. Milne 49 Great Plains st.

50 Maestro Doráti 52 Trattoria staple 54 Theater originally lit with oil lamps 56 Enter covertly 57 Self-gratifying pursuit 58 Picking up 59 Law groups down 1 Space for a ship 2 They started the Arab Spring 3 Like Pentatonix performances 4 Unlikely GoFundMe supporters 5 One taking a fall

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 21 25 26 27 28 30 31 32 33 39 40 43 44 45 47 48 49 51 53 55

Table for __ “Way to go!”

Dancers seen in strips?

Little bit Fr. title Put on Jack’s links rival Almost reaches Like some chatter Ridicule Pharmaceutical giant Whisper from a cheater, maybe Decrease Place for the undecided?

Hawked stuff “Good first step” “Not true!”

Knight who co-founded Death Row Records Impostors Barrier for Sisyphus Safe havens Play loudly “Ungainly fowl” of poetry __ jar Lob paths Lena of “The Unbearable Lightness of Being” Napkin holders?

Coty subsidiary that makes nail polish Brandy statistic

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, SEP 9, 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, SEP 9, 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, SEP 9, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 11

TAKE OUR ADVICE ADVICE

Dear Amy: I am in my early 20s, and have recently started seeing someone from a different race. He and I went to high school together.

He is honestly the best guy I’ve ever dated. He is honest, funny, AMY sweet, and caring. He treats me DICKINSON wonderfully.

My parents were OK at first, occasionally asking if we were dating (to which I answered no). However, my parents now say that if I want to live under their roof (I moved home to save money for law school), this relationship will not be happening.

They say, “This world already has enough problems; you don’t need to add this one (meaning an interracial relationship) to the mix.”

My parents have always been loving and supportive, and it seems so silly that they are basing their judgment of him purely on the color of his skin. Shouldn’t they only care about the way he treats me?

What should I do? — Upset

ADVICE

Question: I went to my optometrist because I’ve been getting headaches and blurry vision. He told me I have DR. OZ AND DR. ROIZEN computer vision syndrome.

Is this a joke, or is there really a new syndrome to deal with? — Dave D., New York

Dear Upset: Yes, your parents should only care about how you are treated. But — guess what — parents are human and fallible, and don’t always make choices their children appreciate.

Parents who have adult children living at home have the right to control the use of the family car, expect financial or chore contributions, and make conditions concerning smoking, drinking, drug use and occasional reasonable curfews. These are all lifestyle choices that have an impact on the household.

They don’t have the right to choose your friends.

However, your folks own the house you’re living in. They can set up whatever structure they want, even if it is unreasonable.

Your boyfriend sounds like a nice guy, and you should have a relationship with him if you want to. If they ask if you are dating him, tell them that you are in a relationship but you don’t want to categorize it.

If your folks draw the line and ask you to leave home over this, then you will have to make a tough choice.

Answer: It’s no joke, Dave. Computer vision syndrome, or digital eyestrain, comes from prolonged computer, tablet, e-reader and cellphone viewing. Its symptoms are eyestrain, neck and shoulder pain, dry eyes, blurred vision and headaches.

You see, digital type is made up of tiny pixels (not filled-in lines, like print), and your eyes strain to connect those dots. Plus, most digital devices have very harsh, blue-light emissions.

On top of that, the typical working American — and we bet that’s you — spends seven hours a day in front of a computer or electronic device, TV time not included! When you stare at a digital screen, your blink rate goes from a normal 15 times a minute to as low as seven to five times a minute. That dries out your eyes and causes blurred vision. And if a screen is too close or too far away, it strains your upper body and eyes.

To minimize eyestrain, the American Optometric Association suggests the 20-20-20 rule: Take a 20-second break, every 20 minutes, to look at something 20 feet away. We also suggest using saline eyedrops.

Also, make sure your computer screen is 2 feet — a full arm’s length — away from your eyes and that your eyes are even with the top of your screen. That way, your gaze to the center of the screen is angled a bit downward. And hold your phone screen a foot away from your face. If the type is too small, make it larger!

Fortunately, it’s likely that your vision will improve, along with your overall health, if you put down your digital devices, get outside, look at the scenery and walk 10,000 steps a day.

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: Who doesn’t enjoy watching cat videos online? Or any animal videos, for that matter? Or kids’ birthday parties, vacation videos, etc.?

Here are some hints to use when shooting video from your cellHINTS phone: FROM • It’s usually better to shoot HELOISE with your phone held horizontally (called “landscape” mode) to get more scenery in.

• Nobody can watch jumpy video. Hold the phone steady. Squeezing your elbows into your sides works to lock your frame.

• Walking while filming is not only dangerous, but will result in a bad video.

• Lights behind the cat, dog or child can cause glare and make it hard to see the subject.

• If you are posting your videos on social media, keep them short (less than 30 seconds or so). — Heloise Dear readers: Did you know that one of my favorite household helpers comes in different strengths? It is vinegar!

Vinegar that is used for pickling and salad dressings, etc., is typically 5 percent. Extra-strength vinegar is 9 percent, and usually is found in the aisle in the supermarket with the cleaning supplies. Extra-strength vinegar may cost a little more than the 5 percent, but it cleans great, and it is safe, nontoxic, friendly to the environment and cost-effective. I’ve compiled a collection of my best tried-and-true vinegar hints and recipes into a handy pamphlet. To receive one, send a stamped (70 cents), self-addressed, long envelope, along with $5, to: Heloise/Vinegar. P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001.

You might find vinegars with higher acidity online. Heat your vinegar for a more intense clean!

— Heloise Dear Heloise: When doing my makeup, I apply foundation first and then concealer to the under-eye area. This way, I find I use much less product around my eyes, which can age them. — Janet R. in Texas —

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) Initiative, enterprise and forthright attitudes will send you to the front of the line. If you were in the military, you might be picked out as someone likely to rise through the ranks.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Enjoy a spurt of confidence. Grab a picnic basket and enjoy some of the finer things in life without putting forth very much effort.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) The right demeanor makes all the difference. In the week ahead, keep the widest smile pasted on your face when you meet new contacts.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) Listen to your intuitions and rely on your instincts.

Being on the same wavelength with key people can give you the edge. Family members can assist you in successful career strategies and activities.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) It is time to turn over a new leaf and face your fears. Maybe skydiving or rock climbing isn’t your cup of tea, but new friends might have other exciting suggestions.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Tap into a storehouse of energy and determination.

You have the means to make admirable progress with a creative idea.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) The bird in hand might not have the brightest plumage, but it is worth two in the bush. Be content with what you have and who you are with.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) If you have time on your hands or must plan for a vacation, you should do something worthwhile.

Travel, a new hobby or beginning a new study could be in your near future.

HG 12 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, SEP 9, 2017

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Break free of constraints. Adopt an independent attitude. You can think for yourself and still maintain a wholesome relationship. Respect the freedom of others and they will respect yours.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Although you may place emphasis on career success and recognition, your home base may be the real focus now.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) What seems most compelling could be the call of competition challenging you to perform feats of daring. You may need to lace up your track shoes.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) Extend pitch-perfect hospitality to your most valued friends. This gives you more time to spend at home with your latest hookup. Be as nice as possible to everyone you meet.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sept. 9 You might be riding high on a wave of physical exuberance during the next four to five weeks. This can be a good time to begin a new exercise program or routine. Your business acumen reaches a peak in October, making it a good time to consider financial matters or your career and business plans. Your social life will include more group activities than usual in November and December. You may arrive at a crossroads next May