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HINTS FROM HELOISE: Get rid of stink fast from trash can

DEAR HELOISE: Trash cans can develop odors even after you empty them, but a quick step keeps smells under control. Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda at the bottom of the can before adding a new bag. The baking soda absorbs odors throughout the week. After noticing lingering smells in my kitchen, I added this to my routine, and it made a noticeable difference right away. For extra freshness, wipe the inside of the can occasionally with a mild cleaner. — Mark E., in Columbus, Ohio DEAR HELOISE: Foggy bathroom mirrors can slow down your morning routine, so here’s a ...

TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH: Exercise can prevent surgery on shoulders

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband, 79, has to get both of his shoulders replaced (a reverse total shoulder replacement) due to osteoarthritis. He had the first shoulder done two months ago. It is a very painful procedure and consists of a long and painful recovery. Physical therapy is helping. Now I’m concerned with every painful twinge in my shoulders. What, if anything, can people do to keep their shoulders healthy and keep themselves from needing surgery? He put off seeing his doctor for more than a year, even as his pain worsened. — S.Q. ANSWER: There are several different types ...

Bridge by Steve Becker

Assume you’re in four spades and West leads a club. The first thing you do when dummy appears is to count your losers, and this tells you that at most you will lose a club, a diamond and two hearts. You note further that if West has the king of hearts, you can eliminate a heart loser by finessing the queen. However, it’s more realistic to assume that East has the king since he was the one who opened the bidding. If you’re a conscientious declarer, you immediately begin to look for a way to avoid the heart finesse. Long experience shows that many contracts can be made by avoiding ...

What’s not to love about salvia?

For me, salvia (sage) checks all the boxes as a nearly perfect flower garden plant. They are easy to grow, drought tolerant once established, available in a range of colors and sizes, great in containers or beds, and finally, pollinator magnets. As a genus that boasts more than 1,000 ...

Pond management starts at the roots

If you’ve ever watched the “Andy Griffith Show,” you can probably recall the opening scene depicting Andy and Opie strolling down to the pond, fishing poles in hand. Over the years, that pond provided enjoyment and lasting memories for Andy, Opie and their loyal viewers. You can likely relate to the fun times had by the Griffith gang if you own a pond or know someone who does. The only difference between your pond and that iconic Andy and Opie hangout spot is that there is no crew behind the scenes making sure the water sparkles just right — in your case, that crew is you. ...