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Heloise asks: Has America grown dumb?

DEAR HELOISE: Yes, yes, yes! I was so pleased to see your note about the way that some people use the word “like”! For the past couple of years, I’ve had to listen to the way that some people consistently say “the L word” over and over, which is worse than nails on a chalkboard for me! Even worse yet, some well-known people -- including but not limited to actors, entertainers, talk show hosts, and more (whom we might expect to know better) -- are as guilty of using it as some 7-year-old. What’s happened? What’s with the “dumbing down” of Americans? — Sandy C., ...

Pinot Grigio is a great wine to beat the summer heat

This lovely Germanic-style white is perfect because of its intrinsic qualities. It’s not as rich and oaky as Chardonnay, but is fruitier and rounder than Sauvignon Blanc with “zesty acidity that makes the wine so clean and crisp to drink.” And we should take note because it goes well with food, because it tastes great — it’s light and refreshing. It is usually moderately priced as well. And given the Grand River Region’s location within the international Pinot Belt (a narrow band of latitude that stretches from France to Oregon where many great Pinots — including the ...

Red yeast rice can reduce LDL levels

DEAR DR. ROACH: I read your response to a recent question regarding drugs to reduce cholesterol levels. In your response, you talked about the risks of taking niacin and its potential side effects. You commented that statin drugs remain the first-line treatment for reducing heart disease risk and for people who are at an increased risk. As a follow-up, my cardiologist recommended several months ago that I take something called red yeast rice. I’ve been taking this product for many months now, and it does seem to have reduced one of my cholesterol components. What do you think of red ...

Helping sister Verena, and a garden bounty begins

We are having a break from the heat this week. The mornings are so nice and cool. Hmmm...now what excuse should I use since my garden is still full of weeds? Last week was just too hot to work in it. We do have to get to it this week though. The recent storm took a few big branches from the big maple tree at sister Verena’s house. Verena was afraid another storm would take the rest. Last night our sons-in-law tackled the tree, and it is all down now and cleaned up. The only way to land the big tree was across the road, but they did fast work getting the road open right away. They ...

Bridge by Steve Becker

Experience is a marvelous teacher, but one of the dangers in playing the game for a long time is that it may lead to occasional carelessness in commonplace situations. Take this case where South is in three notrump. Let’s say South ducks the opening club lead and wins the next club with the king. He then plays a heart and, when West follows low, finesses the nine. If East takes his queen, which seems the natural thing to do, South has no trouble scoring 10 tricks. Whatever East returns, declarer takes a second heart finesse and makes the contract with an overtrick, scoring four ...

Losing weight isn’t just about counting calories

BOSTON — When it comes to losing weight, it turns out the simple math of counting calories doesn’t always add up. Fad diets come and go, but the underlying message almost always follows a simple equation. If you consume fewer calories than you burn, the weight will melt away. In ...