Home and Garden
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Deck the halls with plants aplentyDec 15, 2015 5:00 am - Many plants have long been associated with Christmas, thanks to both Christian and pagan legends. Lovers of the holidays bring them into their homes even today because o...
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Christmas cactus is in seasonDec 13, 2015 10:00 pm - Q. What makes a Christmas cactus bloom? A. Holiday cactuses add some bright Christmas cheer to the holiday season and a pop of color as our Midwest winter sets in. Many ...
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Which Christmas trees hold their needles the best?Dec 13, 2015 6:00 am - When choosing a Christmas tree, select one with firm needles that don't drop off when the tree is raised up a few inches and dropped to the ground. A small amount of nee...
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Home renovation costs may include a higher tax billDec 13, 2015 12:01 am - Most homeowners select a renovation project that will enhance their lifestyle and increase the market value of their property. While researching this selection, it's imp...
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Celebrating dual traditions in Cuba: Santa Barbara and ChangoDec 13, 2015 12:01 am - The history of Santa Barbara dates back to the third century. A rich pagan kept his daughter locked in a tower to keep her from having contact with the outside world. Sh...
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Take care of tools before storing for the winterDec 13, 2015 12:00 am - Many of us were still weeding and cutting back perennials when the first snowfall of the season put an end to our fall cleanup and signaled the time to put our garden to...
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For a thoughtful gift, think outside the boxDec 12, 2015 6:14 am - Gift wrappers tend to fall into one of two categories: Either they buy standard paper and ribbon from a local pharmacy and a bag of those trusty peel-and-stick bows, or ...
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Owning a home -- from mortgage to showersDec 12, 2015 12:00 am - Q. I own a home worth $150,000 - all paid, no mortgage and in excellent shape. My only income is $1,000 a month in Social Security. Can I get a refinance (second mortgag...
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Rules can differ on reserve allocationsDec 12, 2015 12:00 am - Q. Your Nov. 28 column indicates the budget for a condominium must identify a reserve contribution for each component for which the reserve fund is established. That see...
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Borrowers pay the piper for lender misdeedsDec 11, 2015 11:00 pm - Q. I have been turned down by two different lenders because my last year's tax return didn't show enough income from my business to qualify, despite a credit score of 80...