Home and Garden 12/30/17

HOME & GARDEN • SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2017

Healthful resolutions for 2018 Celebrate safely this New Year’s Eve Denver votes to require ‘green’ roofs KEN MOON:

Revamping the driveway

Look inside for these specials and many others.

THE TRUTH ABOUT HOLIDAY SPIRITS:

How to celebrate safely NEWSWIRE

We all want to celebrate during the holidays, and more people are likely to drink beyond their limits during this season than at other times of the year. Some will suffer adverse consequences that range from fights to falls to traffic crashes. Sadly, we often put ourselves and others at risk because we don’t understand how alcohol affects us during an evening of celebratory drinking.

MYTHS PERSIST

Despite the potential dangers, myths about drinking persist, which — for some — can prove fatal. Scientific studies supported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism provide important information that challenges these widespread, yet incorrect, beliefs about how quickly alcohol affects the body and how long the effects of drinking last.

ALCOHOL’S EFFECTS BEGIN QUICKLY

Holiday revelers may not recognize that critical decision-making abilities and driving-related skills are already diminished long before a person shows physical signs of intoxication.

Initially, alcohol acts as a stimulant, so people who drink may feel upbeat and excited. But don’t be fooled. Alcohol soon decreases inhibitions and judgment, and can lead to reckless decisions. As we consume more alcohol, reaction time suffers and behavior becomes poorly controlled and sometimes even aggressive — leading to fights and other types of violence. Continued drinking causes the slurred speech and loss of balance that we typically associate with being drunk. At higher levels, alcohol acts as a depressant, which causes the drinker to become sleepy and in some cases pass out. At these levels, alcohol can also cause blackouts — which are when a person does not remember what happened while he or she was intoxicated. At even higher levels, drinkers face the danger of life-threatening alcohol overdose due to the suppression of vital life functions.

EVEN WHEN DRINKING STOPS — ALCOHOL’S EFFECTS DO NOT During an evening of drinking, it’s also easy to misjudge how long alcohol’s effects last. For example, many people believe that they will begin to sober up — and be able to drive safely — once they stop drinking and have a cup of coffee. The truth is that alcohol continues to affect the brain and body long after the last drink has been finished. Even after someone stops drinking, alcohol in the stomach and intestine continues to enter the bloodstream, impairing judgment and coordination for hours.

BEFORE YOU CELEBRATE — PLAN AHEAD

Of course, we don’t intend to harm anyone when we celebrate during the holiday season.

Yet, violence and traffic fatalities persist, and myths about drinking live on — even though scientific studies have documented how alcohol affects the brain and body.

Because individuals are so different, it is difficult to give specific advice about drinking.

But certain facts are clear — there’s no way to sober up faster and no way to make good decisions when you are drinking too much, too fast.

So, this holiday season, do not underestimate the effects of alcohol. Don’t believe you can beat them, or they may beat you.

Here are some tips to keep in mind if you host a holiday gathering: Offer a variety of nonalcoholic drinks — water, juices, sparkling sodas.

Nonalcoholic drinks help counteract the dehydrating effects of alcohol. Also, the other fluids may slow the rate of alcohol absorption into the body and reduce the peak alcohol concentration in the blood.

Provide a variety of healthy foods and snacks. Food can slow the absorption of alcohol and reduce the peak level of alcohol in the body by about one-third. It can also minimize stomach irritation and gastrointestinal distress the following day.

Help your guests get home safely — use designated drivers and taxis. Anyone

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getting behind the wheel of a car should not have any alcohol.

If you are a parent, understand the underage drinking laws — and set a good example.

SOBERING UP — MYTHS AND FACTS

Myth: You can drive as long as you are not slurring your words or acting erratically.

Fact: The coordination needed for driving is compromised long before you show signs of intoxication and your reaction time is slowed. Plus, the sedative effects of alcohol increase your risk of nodding off or losing attention behind the wheel.

Myth: Drink coffee. Caffeine will sober you up.

Fact: Caffeine may help with drowsiness but not with the effects of alcohol on decision-making or coordination. The body

needs time to metabolize (break down) alcohol and then to return to normal. Also, when caffeine wears off, your body will need to deal with post-caffeine sleepiness. There are no quick cures — only time will help.

Myth: The warm feeling you get from drinking alcohol insulates you from the cold of winter. When you’re drinking, there’s no need to wear a coat when it’s cold outside.

Fact: Alcohol widens the tiny blood vessels right under the skin, so they quickly fill with warm blood. This makes you feel warm or hot, and can cause your skin to flush and perspire. But your body temperature is actually dropping, because while alcohol is pulling warmth from your core to the skin surface, it is also depressing the area of your brain that controls temperature regulation.

In cold environments, this can lead to hypothermia. So, wear a coat when it’s cold outside, particularly if you are drinking.

Healthful resolutions

FOR THE YEAR AHEAD METRO SERVICES

Many people see the dawn of a new year as the perfect time to implement changes that they hope will have positive impacts on their lives in the year ahead.

New Year’s resolutions have a way of falling by the wayside as the year progresses, but sticking with the following healthy resolutions can have lasting impacts on the lives of men and women.

READ MORE

Many adults wish they had more time to read, but busy schedules filled with commitments to work and family can make it hard to pick up a book every day. But perhaps more men and women would find time to read if they knew doing so could add years to their lives. In an analysis of 12 years of data from the University of Michigan’s Health and Retirement Study, researchers at the Yale School of Public Health found that people who read books for as little as 30 minutes a day over several years lived an average of two years longer than people who did not read at all.

SLEEP MORE

More time to sleep might seem like an unattainable goal for many men and women. But the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute notes that ongoing sleep deficiency can increase a person’s risk for chronic health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends adults age 18 and older get between seven and eight hours of sleep per night.

TURN OFF YOUR DEVICES

As recently as 15 years ago, many

adults made it through their days without smartphones, tablets, e-readers, and other devices that are so prevalent today.

While it might seem impossible to live without such devices in the 21st century, turning them off can have profound impacts on people’s quality of life. A 2013 survey of more than 1,000 people conducted by the resilience platform meQuilibrium found that 73 percent of respondents felt their devices contributed to stress in their lives. The American Psychological Association notes that stress can negatively affect the musculoskeletal system, the respiratory system and the nervous system and potentially increase a person’s risk for heart disease and gastrointestinal problems.

Committing to healthful New Year’s resolutions can have profound and unexpected consequences that can greatly improve one’s quality of life.

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WORK LESS

Working fewer hours may help many professionals cut back on their stress, as the APA notes that 65 percent of Americans cited work as their primary source of stress. But working fewer hours may also make men and women more productive. A recent experiment funded by the Swedish government compared nurses at a retirement home who worked six-hour days on eight-hour salaries to Locally a control group that worked the more traditional eight-hour workday. NursesOwned in the experimental group reported having more energy in their spare time and at work, which allowed them to do 64 percent more activities with facility residents. Nurses in the experimental group also took half as much sick time as those in the control group. As a result, the study’s authors ultimately concluded that productivity can increase with fewer hours worked.

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Proponents say green roofs can help cool off urban “heat islands,” which occur when dark, exposed city surfaces bake in the sun all day and release the heat into the air at night.

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Denver votes to require ‘green’ roofs

BY DAN ELLIOTT, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Denver became the latest city to require rooftop gardens or solar panels on big new buildings, which backers say will keep the outdoor air cooler, make storm water easier to manage and reduce the amount of energy burned by air conditioners.

A ballot initiative mandating environment-friendly roofs in Denver had 54 percent approval in final but unofficial returns.

Denver joins San Francisco, New York, Paris, London and other global cities that require or encourage builders to put “green roofs” on large new buildings.

Rooftop gardens and solar panels absorb some of the sun’s heat or put it to work generating electricity. Greenery absorbs rainwater and releases it more slowly, so storm sewer systems aren’t overwhelmed, advocates say.

“The world-class cities are realizing that roof space is an asset for the city’s residents and for the building owners, so they’re either requiring, or incentivizing or both the use of that roof space,” said Steven Peck, founder and president of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities in Toronto.

Denver’s measure goes further than most, requiring many existing buildings to be retrofitted with green roofs

HG 4 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, DEC 30, 2017

whenever the old roof wears out and is replaced. Older buildings that can’t support the heavier weight of a green roof can get an exemption.

Opponents worry the mandate will be costly and hurt nonprofits and affordable housing programs. They also argued the city should have tried incentives to encourage green roofs, not require them.

Advocates concede green roofs cost more, but they argue that they pay for themselves in about six years by keeping buildings cooler, resulting in lower utility bills, and they protect underlying roof materials from wear, so they last longer.

Proponents also say green roofs can help cool off urban “heat islands,” which occur when dark, exposed city surfaces bake in the sun all day and release the heat into the air at night.

Peck and others claim a host of other benefits: Rooftop gardens are amenities for building residents and office workers, they raise the value of the property and they make buildings more attractive to tenants.

Opponents said it can cost up to $27 a square foot (0.1 square meter) more just to make a new building strong enough to support the weight of a green roof. That doesn’t include the price of the soil and

plants or the cost of watering the plants in a dry climate like Denver’s, said Kathie Barstnar, co-chairwoman of Citizens for a Responsible Denver, a coalition that campaigned against the measure.

Barstnar also said the wording of the measure means owners of older buildings that are exempt from the green roof mandate must pay a fee every time they replace the old roof with a new conventional one.

Barstnar said her group has not decided what to do next but has not ruled out some type of legal challenge.

Brandon Rietheimer, who managed the Denver Green Roof Initiative campaign, acknowledged the wording is confusing.

He said backers never intended to make owners of existing buildings pay for an exemption, and they will ask city officials to clarify that.

He defended use of a mandate, saying incentives are too slow.

“Incentives will only do a building here and there,” he said.

The mandate will also create a more certain market for builders, he said.

“They can really allocate funds and really bring that industry here to the city, which really drives cost down,” he said.

SATURDAY, DEC 30, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 5

AROUND THE HOUSE

Options for revamping the driveway

BY KEN MOON, SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE

Dear Ken: How do you test the water pressure in the house? And how do you adjust it?

– Rick You can buy a pressure gauge in the sprinkler section of the hardware store for less than $10. Screw it on to the cold water spigot that feeds your washing machine; the pressure should be 60 pounds or less. If it is too high, locate the pressure reducing valve (PRV) on the water line where it comes in from the street — it’s a brass doohickey about the size of a soda pop can. It will have an adjusting screw on top.

Screwing it in (clockwise) raises the water pressure, and vice versa. Turn it about a half rotation at a time. Then open a cold water faucet somewhere in the house to stabilize

KEN MOON

the system and then take a new reading.

If you have a sprinkler system, it helps to have what’s known as a split regulator arrangement. That is, you add a second PRV set at a higher pressure to feed the yard zone valves (mine is set at 75 pounds).

Dear Ken: Could you give me the pros and cons of asphalt and concrete driveways? I’m thinking of replacing my concrete one, and want to know which way to go.

– Mike The choice depends, to a great deal, on what’s underneath. If yours is bad enough to rip out and replace, I’ll bet you have expansive soil on your lot. This is the claylaced stuff most common in the foothill areas along the Front Range. When it gets wet, it swells up to such an extent that it

can lift concrete into a new shape, replete with cracks and gaps. Concrete is a very brittle material after it cures, so it doesn’t do well when it’s disturbed. Asphalt, on the other hand, is a little more flexible and so can shift around somewhat with impunity.

It, too, can crack, but these are more easily filled — and look better afterward — than similar concrete blemishes.

However, asphalt is the more porous material, so it requires a bi-annual seal coat to fill the pores; and it’s more vulnerable to scrapes and gouges from snow removal — although snow will melt faster on this darker surface.

One way to help with the decision is to get your hands on the builder’s soil report for your lot. If it indicates a relatively high expansion potential for the underlying soil, the more flexible asphalt material may be the way to go.

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These guys can wreak havoc on lawns by creating a network of “runways” just under the surface — they can also destroy plants, shrubs and trees. Trapping or using repellents only provides limited relief. Poison applied judiciously works well. One chemical exterminators use is a blue, crystalline material called zinc phosphide. They put a little down each hole, cover the openings with some leaves and dirt. For more detailed information, on vole eradication visit www.ext. colostate.edu/Pubs/natres/06507.

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.

WITH BOB JONES ©2016 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

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

HOMEOWNERS: HOMEOWNERS: ♠ A q 7 2 ♥ A k q 10 4 ♦ k J 4 HOMEOWNERS: REDUCE REDUCEUTILITIES UTILITIES ♣ 5 REDUCE UTILITIES With the opponents passing, you % %% UP open one heart as dealer. Partner UPTO TO UP TO responds two diamonds. What call

52 52

Dear Ken: I have voles in my yard. How can I shoo them away?

– Susan

would you make? q 2 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠qJ7♥5♦A63♣kq8762 SOuTH weST NOrTH eAST Pass 1♣ Pass 1♥ ?

What call would you make? q 3 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ 10 5 ♥ k 7 3 ♦ A k 3 2 ♣ q J 8 5 SOuTH weST NOrTH eAST Pass 1♥ Pass 1♦ 2♥ Pass 3♥ Pass ?

What call would you make?

q 4 - Both vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ k 10 6 ♥ k 8 ♦ A 8 ♣ A k J 7 5 2 Right-hand opponent opens two diamonds, weak. What call would you make? q 5 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ k 7 5 3 ♥ Void ♦ k 9 8 7 6 4 2 ♣ k6 weST NOrTH eAST SOuTH 4♥ 5♣ 5♥ ?

What call would you make? q 6 - Both vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ A 4 2 ♥ A k 9 8 4 ♦ 10 ♣ k J 7 2 Partner opens two spades, weak.

What call would you make?

Look for answers on Monday.

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

denniS The menaCe

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TAKE OUR ADVICE ADVICE

Dear Amy: One of my sisters and

her husband live two hours from me and my husband. There are events in our town that my sister and her husband like to attend.

When they want to attend an event here, they ask if they can AMY spend the weekend at our house.

DICKINSON The number of times they want to stay with us keeps increasing to the point where it’s about every other weekend, six months out of the year.

If my husband and I are not in the mood for company, we don’t know how we’d ever say “no” to their requests to stay with us. If we said we were planning to be out of town on one of these weekends, they’d say they want to stay in the house, even if we weren’t there.

Am I being selfish? And if we were going to be gone, how would I tell them I didn’t want them to use our house? They have plenty of money to afford a hotel — or they could drive back home.

I’m wondering if I need to just “buck up” and get over it, since it is family. Hoping you’ll steer me in the right direction! — Rudderless

ADVICE

I’ve had chronic joint pain for years. Unfortunately, I can’t take ibuprofen anymore because it messes DR. OZ AND DR. ROIZEN with my guts. I tried a couple of creams that contain arnica and discovered that they provide relief! Should I be wary of them? Are they FDA-approved? — Jack B., Portsmouth, N.H. Question:

Dear Rudderless: Yes, you do need to “buck up.” In this context, however, bucking up means occasionally saying “no” to this intrusion.

Saying no is so easy, as long as you say it when you want to say it, and don’t pile on with excuses or explanations. Eager (or pushy) people tend to take elaborate explanations as an invitation to plow right through. Once you master the art of a firm and friendly “no,” you will be liberated.

So say this: “I want to be helpful, but this has gotten to be too much for us. We’re going to start being very honest with you regarding staying over. If it doesn’t work on any particular weekend, I’m just going to be honest and tell you.” And if a two-night weekend is too much, you can say, “We can have you here for one night, but not two.”

If you don’t want your sister staying in your house while you’re away, then don’t offer it. If she pushes, you must learn to say, “That’s just not going to work for us. I’m sure you’ll figure something else out.”

Answer: If you want to find an alternative to ibuprofen, trying a cream or gel-based remedy containing Arnica montana (the FDA does not regulate such herbal products) might be right for you. Careful, though — it’s liver-toxic and can be poisonous if ingested orally.

Generally, arnica is sold as a homeopathic cream or gel to treat joint and muscle pain and to resolve bruising. Because there isn’t a lot of solid research backing its effectiveness, its benefits often are written off as a placebo effect. We say, if arnica cream or gel works for you, then it works for you.

And emerging science may explain how.

Back in 2011, Dr. Russ Greenfield appeared on “The Dr. Oz Show” to talk about homeopathic remedies for pain. One of the favorites (Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen use it) was arnica. As the docs explained, the idea behind homeopathic remedies is that they use very small, diluted amounts of a substance to alert your body to a problem like inflammation, and then nudge the body to fix things on its own. And just recently, a study sponsored by a company that makes homeopathic products and the University of Verona in Italy was published in Plos One. It suggests that topical arnica may switch gene expression on and off, and mobilize cells in the skin to ease inflammation and promote wound healing.

In the meantime, before you use it, check with your doc. You may have adverse reactions even to small amounts of some topical pain relievers (especially if they contain salicylates) if you’re taking aspirin, blood thinners or other meds.

Send questions to askamy@tribune.com or to Ask Amy, Chicago Tribune, TT500, 434 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago IL

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

—

—

ADVICE

Dear Readers: You may have some downtime right now — use it to get organized for the new year.

Here are some hints: • Clean out a couple of drawers in the kitchen or bedroom. Donate unused things, and throw HINTS out anything broken or worn.

FROM • Check the fluid levels and HELOISE maintenance schedule for your car.

• Change the batteries in your smoke detectors and alarms.

• Replace any burnt-out light bulbs. — Heloise Dear Readers: Fireworks safety and pets — it’s that time of year. Fireworks noises can be terrifying for dogs and cats. Our furry felines typically will go off and find a safe place to hide.

Dogs are different. Taking the dog for a long walk before a fireworks show is a good idea. Feed Fido, and hopefully he will drift off to sleep.

If he’s awake, create a safe haven for him — close all blinds, and turn on the TV or music to help muffle outside sounds.

If your dog is prone to anxiety, let your veterinarian know. There are meds that can be prescribed. — Heloise Dear Heloise: I have a simple hint for the reader who sent reasons to wear shoes in the house: To keep bacteria, chemicals and dirt out of the carpet and flooring, you need a pair of shoes you wear ONLY inside.

My feet get cold, too. I wear orthotic inserts, and my feet just feel better in indoor athletic shoes. — Mindy in Omaha, Neb. Dear Heloise: Regarding cleaning the dog’s dish with vinegar: The bowls do get yucky after a spell.

Vinegar works well, but how about the liquid in a jar of pickles? I recycle it (more than once), and it is already paid for! — A Reader in Trenton, N.J. Well, pickle juice does have vinegar in it. However, vinegar is pretty darn cheap and has a multitude of uses around the house! — 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) Looking up a long-lost pal could bring back pleasant memories and start a wave of nostalgia.

A physical attraction may fade quickly once you realize there’s not much beneath the surface.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) There may be a tendency for you to go overboard and over-indulge in certain things that you enjoy.

So try to maintain some discipline and self-control.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Learn from the past. You can use your accumulated experiences to chart a course toward a bright and successful future. You may later regret it if you shirk family traditions to indulge a passing fancy.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) Mum’s the word. Show someone that you are worthy of the trust they’ve placed in you by keeping confidential information private.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Others are counting on you to come through for them so be sure to honor all promises and commitments. A romantic interlude with someone special may be the perfect way to finish off the day.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Don’t cry over spilled milk. It would be preferable not to have made the error, but put it behind you.

Avoid taking on too many responsibilities.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Being in the right place at the right time could put you in a very advantageous position to make an informed decision. Others will appreciate it if you show them the common courtesy of being punctual.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Consolidate your goals. Discussing the future with a friend or loved one could reveal long-term objectives may be easier to reach if you work as a team.

HG 12 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, DEC 30, 2017

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) A penny saved is a penny earned. Keep that piggybank well-nourished as the cash you squirrel away now could blossom into a small fortune later.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) A fool and his money are soon parted. There’s a vast difference between a friend in need and someone just feeding you a line to get a free handout.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Keep in touch with old friends. Reaching out to someone you haven’t seen in a while could provide a breath of fresh air and stir up memories of the good old days.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) Keep your friends close. You’ll be at the top of your game when spending time with the people you care about the most and just shooting the breeze.

Business matters may be difficult to focus on today.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Dec. 30

You’ll find that whatever, and whoever, is good for you will grow closer the next two to three weeks. Put New Year’s resolutions into action as soon as possible, because almost any plans you launch the first week of the year are likely to bear fruit. Your networking abilities are enhanced throughout January making it an ideal time to meet new people or join a group. Late March and early April can be both inspiring and tiring.