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MY SUN DAY NEWS

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April 25, 2013

Baked Stuffed Mushrooms

This week’s recipe is from Edgewater resident Fran Holmstrom. Not only did she send in one of her recipes, but she also tells us about her recipe blog. Is that great or what? Here’s what Fran wrote in to me:

Cuno Barragan, a ball, and the trickster gods of Wrigley

It had to have been in the summer of 1962 that Cuno Barragan tossed me that ball.

More miracles of salt

Adrenal Gland Exhaustion – It is a known fact that the more refined salt and sugar we eat plays havoc on many glands of our bodies. Using unrefined salt helps with these conditions.

Laughter By Paul – April 11

A young college co-ed came running in tears to her father. “Dad, you gave me some terrible financial advice!”

A guide to the difficult process of choosing a landscaper

This is a column I have thought about writing for a year. I have hesitated because I wanted it to be educational, perhaps empowering, with the right mix of humor and completely void of any criticism of fellow landscape contractors. I wasn’t sure I could pull it off. I am still not sure, but here it goes.

Should I own or rent my home?

The recent downturn in the economy has brought this topic up more frequently than ever. Seniors have unique circumstances that need to be considered. These circumstances much different than when we were younger, searching out for our “starter” home.

A little dining gem in the country

Travel just about 20 minutes from Sun City and you will find a pearl of a restaurant called Art & Alma’s Century Inn. I planned to visit this establishment for some time and finally worked it into my schedule. Fellow musician Bill Brindell and his wife Loretta have been after us to join them for a meal at the Century Inn for some time.

Are you and your dog compatible?

It’s interesting to look at dogs and their human parents. Sometimes I can look at people and guess what type of dog shares their house. I, myself, am a laid back, confident person.

Refrigerator tips

Your refrigerator has probably been running for a few years with no problems. Here are a few things you should check to make sure it continues to perform.

Nixle keeps you up-to-date on road closures, utilities issues and more

Nixle is an online application that describes itself as a “community information provider.” Nixle brings together agencies such as police/fire/utility services and organizations for us to get really useful information.

Do-it-yourself dining at Jiang’s Mongolian Grill!

After returning from several months in Florida, it was time to catch up with three of my grandkids. I invited our 14-year-old twin grandsons, Jack and Nick, along with their sister, Sophia, age 9 (going on 20), out for a special treat: dinner at one of the recently opened restaurants in Algonquin Commons called Jiang’s Mongolian Grill.

House training 101

Do you know one of the top reasons owners relinquish their dogs to shelters is they claim their dogs can’t be housebroken? It’s sad but true.

Know what to look for when considering replacing a plant

Whenever I drive with my husband, he is consistently pointing out schools where he has overseen the construction of gym floors. I notice plants.
About 6 years ago I noticed an evergreen tree in early March that I could not quite identify. It had a nice shape, the needles were full and long, but the color was slightly different than the color of any other evergreen tree that I had seen. The tree was planted in the front yard of someone’s home on a well traveled street in Sun City.

The costs paid for not making a decision

One of the courses I love to teach at National Louis University is the Managerial Accounting course in our MBA Program. The majority of students who take this course come in to it needing it to graduate. They don’t share the passion and excitement I have for the course, at least not when they start it. Learning the “jargon” is one of the first challenges in this course.

Laughter By Paul – 03/28

A few years ago, Tom decided to visit a friend who was stationed in Germany.

Changing smoke alarms

I finally got around to taking my own advice and changed my 10-year-old smoke alarms. Smoke alarms have a 7-10 year life, so if yours are older than that there is a good chance they are no longer working. My original ones were Firex brand model ADC.

Natural (unrefined) salt for your health

Salt in its natural form is referred to as unrefined salt. Unrefined salt has over 80 minerals and has not been altered by man. Natural salt maintains the normal PH of the body, which should be 7.2 or a neutral state.

Ask An Angel – 03/28

I am hoping to take a well-deserved vacation early this summer. I take care of my father and am his only caregiver. Do you have suggestions of how I can have peace of mind while I am gone? I plan to be gone for 10 days.

The man who brought the Bossa Nova sound across the equator

This week I am featuring a man whose music is a favorite of many jazz artists and pop singers — Antonio Carlos Brasileiro de Almeida Jobim, or Tom Jobim, as he is known in the music world.

The long-ago laundry of the Days of Our Lives

Who can say where such memories come from?
Maybe a random sound. Maybe an errant smell. Maybe some snatch of words in the morning paper.

Shower temperature adjustment

Most Sun City homes have Moen shower faucets. These faucets have a feature called Posi-temp that allows you to set the maximum temperature. The temperature was set on installation so that when the handle is turned all the way counterclockwise, the temperature is ideal for showering.

A great gone before her time

This week I am featuring a relatively unknown American vocalist, Eva Cassidy. A few years back, friends gave my wife and me a recording by Eva; we instantly became fans.

Hampshire’s Rose Garden offers prime service, average food at great value

Here’s another restaurant that was recommended by a reader. Recently, we drove to nearby Hampshire for a lunch in a typical small town diner. It’s the place the “locals” come for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Laughter By Paul – 03/28

Darla had applied for a job and when she returned home, her mother asked how the interview went.

Getaways don’t have to be costly

Sue and I really enjoy getting away for a change of pace and to enjoy exploring new locations and experiences. We love cruises and trips east to see our relatives, but those getaways are for longer trips and can be a bit costly. So we try to take a number of short trips to recharge our batteries.
We were born and raised in the Northeast. The mountains, evergreens, and lakes of the Northeast are still in our blood.

Coincidentally, if the house starts a-beeping, forget about sleeping

My dream last night proves it — I am the King of Coincidence.

Spot animal damage and prevent it from happening next year

Much like me standing in front of that tray of cherries on Christmas day, rabbits are standing in front of your shrubs to enjoy the season to the fullest extent possible by eating the branches of those shrubs. Animals can cause extensive damage by eating the stems, bark, and foliage from plants.

Senior pet care, part 3

I have often been asked about senior dogs, “How do you know when it’s time to let your dog go?” That is such a difficult question. As with everything else, the answer varies for everyone. It is a question only you can answer.

Ask an Angel – 03/14

Q My husband is scheduled for a surgical procedure in the near future. His doctor spoke to us about getting care in the home once he is released from the hospital. After talking with several friends, I became confused about the different types of home services available. Can you help explain what is available?

What is refined salt?

Refined salt or table salt is 97.5 percent sodium chloride (NaCL) and 2.5 percent chemicals as moisture absorbents and iodine.