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Bridge by Steve Becker

There is obviously a big difference between a bidding sequence that goes 1 [S]-1 NT-3 [S], and one that goes 1 [S]-1 NT-4 [S]. The one-trump response indicates six to 10 points. Therefore, if opener rebids three spades, he is asking responder to continue bidding if he is in the upper half of the range for his notrump bid, and to pass if he is not. Expressed pointwise, responder is being urged to bid on with eight, nine or 10 points, and to pass with six or seven. The three-spade bid is thus an invitation — not a command —to responder to bid again. A four-spade bid is made by ...

Health notes

To include or update items in the weekly Health News list, email information to tmunnell@tribtoday.com or dbigelow@tribtoday.com. The deadline for inclusion for next week’s list is noon Sunday. ST. JOE’S AT THE MALL Open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. • EXERCISE CLASSES AVAILABLE — Call 330-652-7542 to inquire and register. • FREE BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENINGS: 9 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays, and 9 a.m. to noon Wednesdays and Thursdays. • DIETITIAN AVAILABLE: by appointment every first and third Friday; no cost — call 330-652-7542. • CAR ...

How to deal with pesky fruit labels

DEAR HELOISE: How can I deal with plastic produce labels that won’t break down in compost? — Gordon C., in Corona, California Gordon, these stickers cause a lot of trouble for anyone who composts. Plastic fruit labels refuse to decompose, so you’ll find them scattered in your finished compost, even if one slips by. Your best bet is to handle them right at the kitchen counter. Peel the labels off as soon as you put away the groceries and toss them straight into the garbage. Set a dish or cup nearby so that you have somewhere to drop them; otherwise, they get buried under ...

Often overlooked gardening tool

How is your soil? Is your garden ready for the growing season? Does the soil contain the nutrients needed for healthy plant growth? Is it rich in organic matter? These are important questions that can only be answered by obtaining a soil test from a reliable laboratory. Soil testing ...

Let’s take another look at mayapples

In another article on ephemerals, I mentioned mayapples as spring flowers. I needed to get some for a forest area in my yard, so I began to research. Mayapples, Podophyllum peltatum, grow as colonies in shady forests. They come up in early spring and bloom between April and May. Everyone ...

Valley Grows Calendar

Here are upcoming gardening events through the Ohio State University Extension Office. For more information and a complete list, contact: • OSU Mahoning County Extension Office, 490 S. Broad St., Canfield. 330-533-5538. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. • OSU Trumbull County Extension Office, 520 W. Main St. Suite 1, Cortland. 330-638-6783. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Plant and Pest Clinic You can submit your questions by calling the Mahoning County office at 330-533-5538 or emailing us at ...