Other Life Columns
Your Place / Home Q & A
We’re taking questions today on the topic “Getting your house ready for winter.” (Updated: 11/08/09 8:28 AM )
Bubbles rock Iron Horse
It is hard to imagine what Randy and Audrey Sterling saw in a neglected house and rows of abandoned vines when they gave an inauspicious launch to Iron Horse. Perhaps it was part of the vision—living in France for several years, Randy had his heart set on making burgundian wines when he moved to California. (Updated: 11/08/09 8:28 AM )
Keep holiday decorations
Q: I am president of the board of directors for a private gated community where a substantial number of Christians and Jews reside. Our clubhouse is decorated each year to celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah. However, a few residents feel there should be no decorations so no one will be offended. In the past, we’ve had a Christmas tree, menorahs and a creche. How can we satisfy all of our residents?— J., via
godsquadquestion@aol.com
(Updated: 11/07/09 8:38 AM )
Fees added to oil change for recycling
Dear Tom and Ray: I notice that businesses that lube and change oil for cars are now charging for recycling oil filters. Is this a scam, since I never see “recycled” oil filters for sale? Personally, I think oil filters would be too expensive to recycle. Thank you.— Chuck (Updated: 11/07/09 8:38 AM )
Duplicate Bridge: Nov. 7
A split Unit-rated game will be held today, Saturday, Nov. 7, at 11:30 a.m. at the Bridge
Center of Buffalo, 3362 Sheridan Drive at Sweet Home Road, Amherst, and at 1 p.m. at the
Lockport Duplicate Club, in the Lockport Senior Centre, 133 Ontario St., offering extra
masterpoints. Call the Bridge Center at 834-4222. In Lockport, call Marge Schomers at 434-8635
for partners or information. (Updated: 11/06/09 2:35 AM )
Cracking an intense Meyers
“Life seems to me now to be reduced to anecdotes,” says the genius Elaine May. (I may have used this quote before. It tickles me every time I think of it.) (Updated: 11/06/09 6:58 AM )
Find a quiet bathroom fan
Dear Jim: My old bathroom vent fan sounds like a low-flying jet and it does not seem to draw very well. I need a new quiet one that is also efficient. How should I go about selecting a new bathroom ventfan?— Paul J. (Updated: 11/06/09 6:58 AM )
Garden Expert
Will we ever get the spacing just right when we plant our perennials or landscape plants? So often we crowd our plants together, underestimating their mature sizes, and then we pay the price later. We have to rip out, divide and thin, or tolerate overcrowded landscapes. (Updated: 11/06/09 6:58 AM )
A creepy ‘Christmas Carol’
“Disney’s A Christmas Carol” (PG, 1 hr., 36 min.) It’s hard to know to what age group this dour, ultra-spooky animated adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” will appeal. Although the movie is a showcase for actor Jim Carrey and for advances in a particular type of computer animation, it seems too frightening and humorless for children under 10. (Updated: 11/05/09 7:24 AM )
Crucial drug data missing
When smart consumers want to buy a new car, a refrigerator or a computer, they often turn to an objective source like Consumer Reports. They get ratings of various products and recommendations about the “best buy” for the money. (Updated: 11/05/09 7:24 AM )
Jerry Hall’s loving the 50s
“Alot happens at 50, the best thing being that you just don’t care anymore. At 40, you still care. At 30, you care way too much and your 20s are quite frankly a nightmare. Bring on 60, I say: just imagine the joy of having grandchildren!” (Updated: 11/04/09 7:16 AM )
Hormone therapy pain
Q. I took bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) to handle my horrible hot flashes. After taking it for three months, I started having pains in my breasts. A mammogram did not show any problems, but the recommendation was made that I stop taking the compounded HRT. The pain went away when I did so. (Updated: 11/04/09 7:16 AM )
Carolyn Hax: Sister-in-law is tough to take
Dear Carolyn: I do not get along with my sister-in-law. She is nosy, rude and catty, and it is very difficult for me to be around her for more than a few minutes. However, it is important to my husband and me that we spend time with his brother and our nieces and nephews, and so we continue to be friendly and take whatever she dishes out (asking how much things cost, opening drawers in our home, eating our food without asking, asking personal questions about our relationship, gossiping about others, talking nonstop about herself, etc.). (Updated: 11/04/09 7:45 AM )
Bring on the chicken soup!
People have been catching colds since the beginning of time—and for just as long, we’ve been trying to cure them. In spite of our best efforts, the common cold remains one of the most frequently acquired illnesses in the world. (Updated: 11/03/09 7:11 AM )
People’s Pharmacy: Can omega-3, vitamin E boost sex life?
Q. I’ve suffered from vaginal dryness for several years and found a great help by accident. I started taking omega-3 and vitamin E capsules every morning to help with my dry skin. (Updated: 11/03/09 7:55 AM )
