[The Mayor]

Fog, steam and shaving cream

Do your mirrors fog up after a long hot shower? Your eyeglasses, too? If you're tired of operating in the dark, even when your bathroom?s sunny and bright, you can thwart the fog by using shaving cream. Just rub some on your mirrors, eyeglasses, shower doors and windows. Then wipe them clean. Shaving cream keeps the fog away for several weeks.

[The Mayor]

A new use for CDs

Have you been getting lots of CDs for online service in the mail? And, have you been tossing them? Not so fast. Today you'll learn how CDs can save plants and trees. There is something useful you can do with all those free CDs. Instead of tossing them out, drill a hole in the edge of each CD and thread thin wire, twine or dental floss through the hole. Then hang them on your fruit trees. The silvery, flashy surface will scare birds away. You can protect low-lying fruit plants and vegetable gardens, too, by hanging these "digital scarecrows" on coat hangers (bent into hooks) and sticking them in the ground. Got pesky birds? Small critters that nibble? "The answer my friend is blowing in the wind".

[The Mayor]

Car Detailing Tips and Tricks

Let's face it, even a tiny scratch or a little ding in the paint job of a brand-new car is cause for upset. You see red, you're hot, you want justice -- and, most of all, and you want it gone. That's when you call in a pro to get the job done. You call guys like Louie the car detailer who knows how to deal with stuff like serious surface scuffmarks or Fido's claw scratches on your driver's-side door. You might have tried some car wax first with no success, but Louie knows better. He brings in the heavy ammo -- car polish, not wax. Wax is for lightweights, a little spiffy surface treatment at best. But polish contains a mild abrasive, and a polish wax has the best of both worlds.

[The Mayor]

Faucet Quick-fix

Got a faucet with a slow leak? A steady drip, drip, drip -- like Chinese water torture? Here's a quick fix for annoying and costly drips. First, remove the faucet handle and the escutcheon trim ring, then unscrew the stem to get to the washer. Carefully unscrew and remove the washer and inspect it closely. If it looks to be basically OK, flip it over and re-install it to stop the leak. Then, reassemble everything else in the reverse order from which it was removed. The result: a temporary but quick fix that'll stop the leak for a while, that'll save you some money for a while and soothe your frazzled nerves for a while. Then go to the hardware store.

[The Mayor]

Expand Your Mind

Maximize your brainpower with meditation.

Meditation may stimulate the growth of brain tissue and reduce cognitive decline sometimes associated with aging. In a small study, people who meditated exhibited increased thickness in brain regions involved in attention and sensory perception compared to people of the same age who did not meditate. Take a few minutes every morning and evening to calm your mind and focus your thoughts.

Taking care of your emotional health and well-being can make your real age up to 16 years younger.

[The Mayor]

Computer Ground Control

Recently a listener had his personal home computer plugged into a quality surge suppressor strip to protect it from nasty high-voltage power spikes. It had all the bells and whistles. Still, when a power surge happened, it cooked his computer -- in spite of the suppressor. He lived in a home built before 1963. These homes typically were not wired with grounded outlets. So, while our listener thought he was protected, in reality the electrical power surge had nowhere to go. Energy cannot be created or destroyed. It only can be changed from one form to another, like the intense heat that cooked his computer. Or it is channeled away to a safe location through a ground wire that sends it into earth. This is what a surge suppressor does unless it isn't grounded. It's useless, if ungrounded. In any home, old or new, be sure outlets for expensive electronics, like computers, are properly grounded -- or else have your checkbook handy.

[The Mayor]

Are you flaky?

Try this home remedy to eliminate dandruff. Mix ½ cup vinegar with ½ cup water and use to rinse hair before shampooing. Do this twice a week.

[The Mayor]

Air Conditioner Ready?

Being kept clean is what keeps air conditioners going. Of all major appliances, central air conditioners suffer most from poor maintenance. Yet investing just an hour or two of cleaning will not only help ensure your air conditioner will work when you need it, it will save money in operating costs and extend its life, as well. Dust that collects on compressor cooling fins is the No. 1 problem. The solution is to follow manufacturer instructions to vacuum interior coils and fins every spring, and to do it again at mid-summer. Change the filters, too. Keep your air conditioner clean and well- lubricated and you'll beat the heat all summer long.

[The Mayor]

Are You Garage-parking Challenged?

On this day in 1932, Babe Ruth pointed to center field in the fifth inning of game three of the World Series; he then parked a home run right where pointed. If you're always pulling into your garage too far when parking your car, and it's too close to the wall to get the door opened, here's how you can enter and, like the Babe, park it front and center -- right where you want it -- every time. First, carefully position your car in the garage precisely where you want it. Then put an eyehook in a rubber ball. Suspend the ball from another eyehook in the ceiling, carefully positioned so the hanging ball just touches the windshield dead center (where the rearview mirror is mounted). Every time you park thereafter, line up your car and pull in until the ball touches that designated spot.

[The Mayor]

Butterflies are free!

The sun is shining and flowers are in bloom. Today, you'll learn about one more thing that's colorful and free -- beautiful nature, in the form of birds and butterflies taking wing. Here's how to make your garden a hangout for these colorful creatures: To start a Disney-quality gathering of birds, create a shallow bird bath, with a drip tube attached to a hose that will keep it fresh and continually replenished. Add a nearby mix of seeds like millet and sunflower and bright, colorful blooms, like zinnias. Then, watch birds of a feather flock together. Want hummingbirds? Red or orange says ?nectar here.? To attract butterflies, leave out a slice of melon, especially near a clay pot saucer with moist stones.

[The Mayor]

Why do we use Antibiotics for a cold which is caused by a virus?

Viruses cause colds and flu. Antibiotics are used for infections caused by bacteria and have no effect on viruses. Why then are we given antibiotics for flu's and colds? Colds are caused by a virus, which our immune systems are supposed to fight.

Antibiotics in fact weakens the immune system, this is why one would get reoccurring infections which don't clear up. Cold weather does not cause colds; most cold viruses thrive better in colder temperature. There are 200 viruses that can cause a cold, and your immune system should be able to fight a cold within 7-10 days, if strong enough.

What to do?! Detoxifying the body is vital since your immune system is weakened by toxins and parasites. Make sure you have 1-3 bowel movements per day as constipation toxifies the liver causing a weak immune system. Add flaxseed oil to your diet 2-4 tablesthingys combined with ground flaxseed, or 4-10 capsules per day. Take herbs like Echinacea, zinc, garlic, olive leaf extract, elderberry, goldenseal and Vit C. A combination of herbs is better than just one ingredient like Vit C.

[The Mayor]

A Case for Peace

Quarreling with your partner may put the brakes on your body's ability to heal quickly.

In a study, researchers inflicted small blister wounds on couples and monitored them for 24 hours. The blisters of quarrelsome couples healed 40 percent more slowly than the blisters of more amiable pairs. Promote a peaceful partnership by practicing conflict resolution with your significant other and finding common ground whenever possible.

Long-term, loving relationships can make your real age as much as 6.5 years younger.

[The Mayor]

Quick tail light test

A burned-out taillight not only is dangerous, it's also an invitation for a traffic ticket. For quick and easy taillight testing, tape pieces of aluminum foil to the inside of your garage door directly behind each taillight. With the garage door closed, turn the key on to the accessory position, but don't start the car (for obvious reasons). Then, while looking in the side-view mirrors, turn the headlights on and see if the taillights are working properly. Check the brake lights, too, as well as the turn indicators and backup lights. You can leave the foil in place if you wish, or for more permanent peace of mind, add stick-on metal or plastic mirror tiles.

[The Mayor]

Checking up on Feeling Down

Do you know someone who's feeling down? Encourage him or her to get a checkup.

Research shows that people who are depressed tend to skip important checkups and health services, such as flu vaccinations, regular dental checkups, and clinical breast exams. Encourage your depressed friends or family members to get their healthcare back on track, and their mood disorder treated, with a timely checkup.

Taking care of your emotional health and well-being can make your real age up to 16 years younger.

[The Mayor]

First, Pretend You're Gumby . . .

Use your mind to help your muscles go from stiff to supple the next time you're doing a full-body stretch.
Put another way: pretend you're Gumby. Researchers have found that people who vividly imagine lengthening and moving their arms or legs find stretching easier to do. And that could lead to greater flexibility gains. So close your eyes and envision your muscles getting longer and looser whenever you stretch.

A fitness program that builds not only stamina and strength but also suppleness can make your real age as much as 8.1 years younger.

[The Mayor]

Artistic Walkways

Are you planning to repair or put in a concrete sidewalk? It doesn't have to be straight as an arrow. Before you bring out the cement, sand, stone, shovel, forms and wheelbarrow, read on about how to add a few swivels and swerves that will have folks saying "hey, nice curves." While straight walks and square corners are easy, so are rounded ones and gentle curves. All you have to know is how to build the form correctly. For long gentle curves, regular plywood is OK as long as it is closely staked for proper support. For a tighter radius, like rounded corners, purchase special wood called "bender board." It's far more flexible and is made for just this type of forming. It, too, needs to be properly staked, which means "close together" to maintain support. Before you walk the straight and narrow ask yourself, "does it have to be straight as an arrow" or would you rather have them say: "hey, nice curves!"

[The Mayor]

Duct-Duck Tape Controversy

When American troops fought World War II, thousands of rolls of "duck" tape went with them. Although it's now called "duct" tape, back then it was duck tape. During the war the army needed a strong waterproof tape to keep moisture out of ammo boxes. Johnson & Johnson created it, and because it was waterproof, everyone called it "duck" tape -- as in water off a duck's back. Soon troops were using it for everything from making jeep repairs to patching leaky tents. Some say it helped win the war. It became duct tape when, later on, many soldiers went into the housing industry and duck tape went with them. They found it was great for joining ductwork; soon good old Army green evolved into the silver tape we have today. So calling it either duct tape or duck tape is correct and acceptable.

[The Mayor]

Artificial grass

Want a lawn that stays beautiful 12 months a year with no weeding, watering mulching or mowing? With new, better-than-ever artificial grass, only sales are growing. Sales are up 25 percent -- and the increase is mostly for homes, not sports arenas as you would think. This isn't the cheesy, fake-looking stuff of the past, but rather is a lush and supple cushy green lawn that fools passers-by and even neighborhood dogs. And while the no-maintenance aspect is appealing, some neighborhoods frown on it because it looks too good. Consider homes with a perfect lawn in the dead of winter. On the other hand, some cities love it and they're giving homeowners tax credits -- because it reduces water consumption. Prices are around $10 a square foot, about 10 times more than a conventional lawn.

[The Mayor]

Good Reason to Go Overboard

You know how tempting all those luscious fruits and berries are at your local farmers' market? Go ahead, buy too much. It could save you from brain damage.
This is good news for fruit lovers, and inspiration for everyone else, because each additional juicy apricot, wedge of cantaloupe, or bowl of strawberries you eat during the day slashes your risk of a brain-crippling stroke by 11 percent. All that fruit lowers your heart attack risk, too. Veggies help as well -- they cut stroke odds by another 3 percent -- but researchers recently found fruit the most protective.

Eating a diverse diet that includes 4 servings of fruit per day can make your real age as much as 4 years younger.

[The Mayor]

Take a nap!

Taking a nap has fallen out of fashion, but there was a time when it was considered to be a natural part of everyday life. It still is in many parts of the world. Though judged by many to be best suited to children, the elderly and dogs, napping can benefit people of all ages.

Napping can be an enjoyable way to promote physical and mental health, and naps can improve mood and memory. Even a 15-minute nap can refresh and energise you and sharpen your senses. A good nap can leave you rejuvenated, restored and better ready to tackle the rest of the day or the evening ahead.

[The Mayor]

Lawnmower Hibernation

In 1812, Peter Galliard invented the lawnmower. Later, others added a gas engine and a tough chore became a lot easier. Spring's here and soon it will be time to bring yours out again after its long winter hibernation. There are things to do before firing it up and taking it out for a spin. First, remove the spark plug wire. Then check the blade for sharpness and balance. If dull, remove it and sharpen it with a file. To check balance, put the center hole on a screwdriver or on your finger tip. The heavy side will be lower; keep filing till it's balanced. Also, clean the housing inside and out. Lubricate all moving parts including wheels. Then fire it up and head out for a spin. But, don't use last year's gasoline -- it'll gum things up. Remember safety: Before you hit the turf, check for debris that could become deadly missles. With a little care and extra effort now, you'll have a beautiful lawn all summer long.

[The Mayor]

Car Trunk

Ever put something in your car trunk that's going to be there for a while,? Like tools or emergency gear that keeps sliding from side to side, thumping and clunking every time you corner or make a quick stop? It's annoying and, after a few months, can wear out your trunk carpet. To keep nearly anything from slipping and sliding around while driving around town and country, take a few pieces of Velcro -- only the hook side -- and stick it on the bottom, side or handle of whatever you want to keep quiet and in place. The hook tapes will grab into the carpeting just like the loop side of Velcro.

[The Mayor]

The Bright Side Wins

It's not cockeyed to be an optimist. In fact, looking on the bright side can help keep you feeling strong and steady.
One study after another has found that an optimistic attitude can help people avoid illness as they age. But the benefits of an upbeat attitude don't stop there. Even if something bad does happen -- say, a broken hip -- optimists are more likely to bounce back, while others may slide into frailty. So if anyone gives you a hard time about always looking on the bright side, shrug them off. And enjoy the last laugh.

Taking care of your emotional health and well-being can make your real age up to 16 years younger.

[The Mayor]

Alka Seltzer: Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz

Got a clogged drain or a toilet that needs cleaning? Do you have pots and pans with burned-on grease? Did a bee just sting you? Grab an Alka-Seltzer; in fact, grab a handful. To clean a toilet, drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets, wait 20 minutes, brush and flush. The citric acid and effervescent action cleans vitreous china sparkling clean. In water it cleans jewelry. It unclogs drains when three tablets in water are followed by some white vinegar. Two tablets will clean gooey flower vases, and a tablet wrapped in a moist cloth will soothe insect bites.

[The Mayor]

Eating for endurance

If participating in an extreme sporting event such as a marathon, the best thing to snack on is bananas.

Make sure that you also take care of your protein requirements, in order to maintain a stable blood sugar level. Small portions of cheese are ideal for this purpose.

[The Mayor]

A Gym for Your Memory

Want to have the kind of mind that can recall directions with MapQuest-like accuracy? Get moving.

Take a walk, go for a bike ride, hit the gym. Exercise makes extra space in the "scratch pad" part of your brain, also known as your working memory. It's where you jot down bits of information that you need to act on immediately, such as which street to turn onto or what the chef's daily specials are.

Exercising regularly can make your real age as much as 9 years younger.

[The Mayor]

Earache

The following steps may help an earache:

*Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can provide relief for children and adults with an earache. (Do NOT give aspirin to children)
*A cold pack or cold wet wash cloth applied to the outer ear for 20 minutes may reduce pain.
*Olive oil or over-the-counter ear drops are gentle and effective, as long as the eardrum has not ruptured. Prescription drops, are also effective at pain relief.
*For children old enough to safely chew gum, chewing may help relieve the pain and pressure of an ear infection.
*If a child is uncomfortable lying down, resting in an upright position may help reduce pressure in the middle ear.

[The Mayor]

Take Your Heart for a Walk

Wondering if your walking routine is robust enough to really help your heart? Wonder no more.



Research has revealed that walking can do as much to keep you out of heart trouble as more vigorous forms of exercise, such as running, playing tennis, or doing pretty much anything that makes you break a sweat. In one study, women who walked briskly for 2.5 hours per week reaped the same heart disease protection benefits as women who did more intense exercise for the same amount of time.

[The Mayor]

Epoxy Glue / Cool It!

It never fails. You get everything ready. You mix up your epoxy glue and start spreading, and about halfway through your project you are straining to pull the speader out of the glue. A few seconds later it's stuck there for good, and your glue job isn't quite finished. Here's a tip for those who glue. To slow the setup time of epoxy glue, take a cold can of soda, turn it upside-down unopened, and mix the epoxy ingredients in the recessed bottom of the can. Contact with the cold aluminum will slow the chemical setup process. Don't set the can down till the epoxy ingredients harden or the can will be there for a while -- a long while.

[The Mayor]

The Mirror May Be Lying!

Do you see yourself as fat or frumpy? Blame it on your brain.

Here's why: Your brain routinely maps your body using visual cues and signals from your skin, joints, and muscles. But snags in this system can distort the image and make you mentally overestimate or underestimate your actual body size. So if you want an objective view of your body, don't rely on only your eyes; use your bathroom scale and the way your clothes fit as well.