Sudoku

Sudoku is one of the most popular puzzle games of all time. The goal of Sudoku is to fill a 9×9 grid with numbers so that each row, column and 3×3 section contain all of the digits between 1 and 9. As a logic puzzle, Sudoku is also an excellent brain game.

Dave Says -By Dave Ramsey

Dear Dave, Should I cash in my 401(k) to pay off my car? I have just enough in the account to pay off the car and free up money in my budget.

-Marina

Dear Marina, If I were in your shoes, and I could pay off the car in 18 months or less, I’d live on rice and beans—plus a very strict monthly budget—and just push through until that car payment was out of my life. If that wasn’t realistic, then I’d take out ads online and in the local paper, and sell the car as fast as possible.

Cashing out your retirement plan to make this happen isn’t a good idea. I love that you want to get rid of your car payment, but if you use your 401(k) they’ll charge you a 10% penalty, plus your tax rate. That means you’ll lose anywhere from 30 to 50 percent of it to the government.

I don’t know about you, Marina, but I think those guys get way too much of our money already!

-Dave

Dear Dave, My husband was recently told layoffs are about to happen at his company, and that it might be a good idea for him to start looking for another job. He has found a couple of good possibilities, but the jobs are located 100 miles away. In preparation for a possible move, we spoke with a real estate agent who told us we’d have to remodel our kitchen to sell the house. We’ve got about $4,000 in savings, but the agent said remodeling would take between $2,500 and $3,000. Should we get a second mortgage to pay for the work?

-Natalie

Ask The Motor Medics®

From the Hosts of the Under The Hood radio show.

Dear Motor Medics,

I have a 2013

Dear Natalie,

For starters, I’d suggest cutting expenses any way you can, living on a strict budget and saving as much cash as possible. But taking out a second mortgage? No! You don’t want that hanging over your heads.

You might want to get another opinion on the kitchen remodel, too. Sure, a new kitchen would be nice, but would it be a make-or-break kind of thing if you decide to sell your home? Probably not, unless it’s in really terrible shape right now. Regardless, there’s no way I’d go into debt to make this happen. I mean, your house isn’t even on the market yet. There’s no reason to fix up a house that’s not for sale, especially when you’ve got just $4,000 to your names.

My advice is to wait and see how the whole job situation plays out before making any big decisions. Then if you end up selling the house and moving, you might take $500 or so from savings to freshen up the kitchen a little bit.

-Dave

* Dave Ramsey is a seven-time #1 national best-selling author, personal finance expert, and host of The Ramsey Show, heard by more than 18 million listeners each week. He has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Today Show, Fox News, CNN, Fox Business, and many more. Since 1992, Dave has helped people regain control of their money, build wealth and enhance their lives. He also serves as CEO for Ramsey Solutions.

Chevy van and I keep getting moisture on the driver’s side floor. I don’t know where it’s coming from. I thought if you could lead me in the right direction maybe it wouldn’t be so costly. I read your column in the Vandalia leader from Vandalia Mo.

Dear Bert,

-Bert in Curryville, Missouri

To find water leaks it takes some time, and here is one way we do it. Begin by mixing up some very sudsy dish soap in a water bucket. Next start the car and turn the blower to the vent position (not A/C) and set the blower on high. Close all the windows and doors then pour the mixture around any spot that is joined together like window trim, door seals, bolts that are exposed, etc. If you see air bubbles coming out, then you know you have a leak. A few bubbles around door handles are normal but door seals are not. Once you find the leak it will have to be addressed according to where it is. These vehicles have come to us with leaking windshields and door seals as well. If your vehicle has a sunroof you will want to make sure the drains for the roof are clear of obstructions. The drains are located close to the front edge of the door and on the rear edge of the doors and run from the roof to under the car.

-Take care, the Motor Medics Dear Motor Medics,

I am ready to purchase a set of new tires for my all-wheel drive car and have thought about purchasing two sets, one for winter and one for summer. I live in an area that does not see a huge snowfall amount each year, but we can get our share of slippery roads and ice. What should I be looking for if I go this route and are there any things you would suggest?

Dear Kate,

-Kate in Oklahoma City

On an all-wheel drive car a good set of all-season tires perform very well but many people like yourself want the very best traction they can get so they go with a second set of tires. This requires one of two things, either of changing and less chance of damage to a tire. There is a one-time cost involved in the wheels though, but sometimes less expensive alternatives can be found for the winter months. You may even go with some fancy aftermarket units for summer. For driving on ice and snow many manufactures offer a specialized tire that is purpose made and is best used just in the winter months as they wear faster on dry pavement. Ask your tire dealer which is best for you.

-Take care, the Motor Medics For entertainment only. Always consult your local shop and follow all safety procedures before repairs. Come visit the Motor Medics® online at Underthehoodshow.com.

Albany Senior Dining

Mon., July 10: Hamburger tomato casserole, garden salad, mixed vegetables.

Tues., July 11: Chicken ala king over biscuit, peas & carrots, orange wedge.

Wed., July 12: Salisbury steak, paprika potatoes, carrots.

Thurs., July 13: Special of the day.

Fri., July 14: Sloppy Joe, sweet potato, chuck wagon corn, apple slices.

Pre-registration requested to dine daily. For more info. call 320-845-4070.

Upsala - All Ages

BREAKFAST: Mon.-Fri. 7-10 a.m.: Walk in & dine. Take out available, call ahead.

Mon., July 10: Country fried steak, mashed potatoes, vegetable, dessert.

Tues., July 11: Spaghetti hotdish, garlic bread, vegetable, dessert.

Wed., July 12: Cook's choice.

Thurs., July 13: Hamburger gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, roll, dessert.

Fri., July 14: Liver & onions, potato, vegetable, dessert.

Pick up or eat in by 11:30 a.m. For meals, call a day before: 320-573-4435.

Painting

• Propane Exchange

Groceries • Pep's Pork • Schaefer's Market

Harry's Pizza • Bait • ATM

CLASSIFIED ADS

HUGE GARAGE SALE: July 7-8: 8-5. Major down sizing collectible, glassware, camping and more. 34597 180th St., Swanville.

GARAGE SALE: July 14 & 15, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Grey Eagle United Methodist Church. Bake Sale and Luncheon on Saturday.

WANTED TO BUY: Butcher cows, bulls, fats & walkable cripples: also horses, sheep & goats. 320-235-2664. SC-odB

WANTED: 606 or 454 International utility tractor. Call 320-267-5632. RB-tfn

WANTED: 70 hp. tractor with cab & snowblower, reasonable. Call 320-267-5632.

RB-tfn

FOR SALE: '84 Corvette, top comes off, $10,500 or b/o. Call 320-267-5632. RB-tfn

Zebra mussels confirmed in Pine Lake in Stearns County

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in Pine Lake, near Saint Anna in Stearns County.

A lakeshore resident contacted the DNR after finding a zebra mussel on a rock in front of their property. In follow-up searches, a DNR invasive species specialist found another adult zebra mussel attached to a log on the south end of the lake.

Whether or not a lake has any invasive species, Minnesota law requires people to:

• Clean watercraft, trailers and equipment to remove aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species.

• Drain all water and leave drain plugs out during transport.

• Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.

• Never release bait, plants or aquarium pets into Minnesota waters.

• Dry docks, lifts and rafts for 21 days before moving them from one water body to another.

These additional steps reduce the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species:

Decontaminate watercraft and equipment – find free stations on the courtesy decontamination page of the DNR website (mndnr.gov/decon).

Spray with high-pressure water or rinse with very hot water (120 degrees for at least two minutes or 140 degrees for at least 10 seconds).

Dry watercraft and equipment for at least five days before using in another water body.

People should contact a Minnesota DNR aquatic invasive species specialist (mndnr.gov/invasives/ais/contacts.html) if they think they have found zebra mussels or any other invasive species that was not already known to be in the water body.

More information is available on the aquatic invasive species page of the DNR website (mndnr.gov/ais).

From the Desk of Pastor Bruce

Several years ago, I was the Facilities Manager at a Bible Camp in north central, MN. Lori and I had four children and it was a great place to raise our young children. The summer camping season was very busy, so when school started up and fall came it was nice and quiet at camp. When the kids came home from school, we would often walk down to the camp and play in the gymnasium. When it was time to leave for home, it was pitch black outside. We had huge pine trees on the property, and I know this is going to sound crazy, we could not see 6” in front of us. The darkness was so overwhelming.

When I remembered to bring a flashlight for the walk home, we could see, but only where the light was shining. Now, I just want you to think about that for a minute. If I turned on the flashlight, the light overtook the darkness. It wasn’t the other way around. Can you imagine what it would be like, in the winter, if you turned on the light and the darkness swallowed up the light? You would not be chosen to advertise for Eveready batteries, that’s for sure. It’s the same thing with a closet. If you are inside, and you open the door, the darkness doesn’t go out, the light comes in and illuminates the inside of the closet.

In the Bible, darkness is referred to as evil and light is referred to as good. Matthew 5:14-16 says “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” We are instructed here to show people the goodness that God gave us to do, so that unbelievers would see God and worship Him.

John 12:35 says “Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going.” In the same way that I was blinded by the darkness at camp, believers need to continue to walk “in light” because one day Jesus is coming back for us. But those caught in darkness will be eternally lost.

-Pastor Bruce Miller from Swanville Bible Church, 320547-2916

Sat., July 15 • Bake Sale: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Luncheon 10 AM - 2 PM

Call 320-285-8013

2 Miles South of Grey Eagle, 30422 County 2

FOR SALE: Germain diesel head with injectors, wire corn crib, grain cleaner, 4 row cultivator, riding lawn mower. Call 320252-9756.

FOR SALE: 2013 Forest River Surveyor Select travel trailer, 32 ft. sleeps 5-6 with many extra features. Call 320-493-5562, leave message.

FOR SALE: 1995 Hurricane deck boat and trailer, excellent condition, $4,500 or B/O. Call 320-250-7135.

FOR SALE: 12 Carbon Hunter arrows & Arrow Saw. Call 320-260-4551.

FOR SALE: 1998 5th wheel camper. Call 320-256-7178.

Stop at the Swanville Senior Center for some Ice Cream, Sundaes, Home Made Bars, Lemonade, Coffee, and Grab Bags!

Saturday, July 8th