Untitled Document How does one safely remove old vinyl flooring that contains asbestos — and what are some green alternatives? Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that can be used in a variety of industrial applications because of its strong flexible fibers, its resistance to heat and chemicals, and the fact that it does not […]
Community & Lifestyle
Posted inArts & Culture
Holiday cacti
Untitled Document Though the poinsettia may be the most popular holiday plant, the holiday cactus is a tradition for many families. These easy-to-care-for cacti generally live a long life. In fact, I often hear about holiday cacti that have been passed down from generation to generation as family heirlooms. Holiday cacti include the Thanksgiving cactus, […]
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Hey, lazy bum: get off the couch!
Untitled Document Let’s backtrack to Jan. 1, 2007. You swore you’d stick to your diet and finally rid yourself of that layer of fat that has come between you and your two-piece for years. Well, guess what: Bikini season has passed. The beach crowds are skimpy, but your waistline is still massive. According to Web […]
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Health briefs
Untitled Document Don’t assume you have to sweat Older, frail people can get a free “gym pass” and still benefit from activities that are not as taxing as physical fitness, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal. Low-level activities, such as playing cards and shopping, can provide the life-lengthening benefits as exercise, […]
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Healthy & happy
Untitled Document You’ve heard it all before: Mix fun with your fitness, the minutes will just fly by, and before you know it you’ll be 10 pounds lighter. The reality is a bit of a different story. Having fun while you work out is more than simply mounting a TV in front of your treadmill […]
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Take a deep breath. Yoga’s easy!
Untitled Document Erinn Tanner’s yoga class begins with pupils on brightly colored foam mats, lying flat on their backs, arms at their sides (think starfish washed ashore) in a position called savasana, or the corpse pose (not corpse in a morbid sense, Tanner says, but rather as a shedding of the old self, a clearing […]
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My best buddy
Untitled Document Like turkey and mistletoe and eggnog and fruitcake, there’s a tradition in the journalism business of wrapping up each year with a look back at the stories and events that made news. We get to reprint our favorite photos, revisit our favorite characters, and see how it all looks through 20/20 hindsight. I’ll […]
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Paving paradise
Untitled Document What is the impact of new roads and parking lots? The history of paving dates back to Roman times if not earlier, but our modern society has taken the practice to the extreme. Originally conceived as a way to make dirt- and mud-covered thoroughfares passable, roads (and parking lots) now cover the majority […]
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Not child’s play
Untitled Document In light of the massive recalls of Chinese-made children’s toys, what are the major issues associated with chemicals in toys? Recent concerns surrounding toxic chemicals in children’s toys have focused on “phthalates” (pronounced THA-lates), a group of chemical compounds typically added to plastics to increase their softness and flexibility, and bisphenol A (BPA), […]
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With malice toward none
Untitled Document In his family, Keith Harris is known as the favorite uncle who will take a few of the nieces and nephews for the day, go to the nursing home and hang out with the aged aunties, even bring their favorite pets to visit. In his neighborhood, he’s known as the guy who will […]
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Gift ideas for gardeners
Untitled Document With gardening being America’s No. 1 hobby, it is likely that you have several gardeners on your gift list. Here’s a short list of items that most gardeners will appreciate. • Garden knife. A garden knife can be used for a variety of gardening activities, including digging, weeding, and cutting. Desirable features include […]
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When cats attack
Untitled Document Should cats stay in or go out? They do kill wildlife, including birds, but aren’t they just taking the place of natural predators that once did the same? Most environmental advocates believe that keeping cats indoors is better for both the health of the felines themselves and for their prey. Scientists estimate that […]
