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Creston News Advertiser Thursday, April 24, 2014

ENTERTAINMENT

Time for lawn care Dear Readers: Spring is here, and many homeowners are beginning to get outside to start working on the LAWN. Here are some hints to get the beautiful lawn you hope to have: • If you didn’t aerate the lawn in the fall, do so now. Remove all dead leaves and grass while pulling out any weeds. Look for twigs and other debris that may have accumulated during the winter. • Use a mulching lawn mower if you can, and mow only 1/3 off the top of the grass at a time. Don’t scalp the yard! • When you do water the lawn, the best time is in the morning. Of course, where you live and what the climate is will determine how often to water. — Heloise P.S.: Here in San Antonio, where I live, we are under severe water restrictions because of the horrible drought. So for us, not having a “green” lawn is not that big of a deal. TANGLE OF CORDS Dear Heloise: If other households suffer, as ours does, from the accumulation of tiny, unidentified electrical chargers, and if they have a way of massing together in

FAMILY CIRCUS® by Bill Keane

Hints from Heloise a jumble of tangled cords, this tip may be helpful. Use a white-ink felt-tip pen, and as soon as a device comes into the house, write directly on its black plastic power supply what device it belongs to. Then put each one in a small zip plastic bag. It doesn’t hurt to label each bag, too. From then on, you will know what each does, and the tangle of cords should be vanquished. — B.A.F. in San Antonio STAYING ON BUDGET Dear Heloise: Grocery shopping is a major part of my family’s budget. And as other mothers know, grocery shopping with kids is hard. One way I try to cut down on expenses is to go grocery shopping without the kids, if I can. I love them, but boy, they can put things in the basket that I’m not even aware of! — A Reader in Pennsylvania Dear Reader: Isn’t it amazing how many “goodies” are at eye level for little ones? — Heloise

LOCKHORNS® by Hoest & Reiner

SUMMER STROLLING Dear Heloise: I love to do things outside with my son: the zoo, playgrounds, walks, etc. During the summer, it can get really hot. I bought a cheap, clip-on, battery-operated fan. I simply clip it onto his stroller, and he gets a nice, cooling breeze. Or if we have a picnic, we can unclip it from the stroller and prop it up to blow on us while we eat. — Dana in New Mexico SHOWER CAP OVER SEAT Dear Heloise: I ride a bike instead of driving places. I always carry a shower cap with me, and I use it to cover the seat of my bicycle when I am not riding. This way, I don’t have to worry about the seat being dirty or wet when I sit BEETLE BAILEY® by Greg & Mort Walker on it. — A Reader in New York Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or email it to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column. (c)2014 by King Features Syndicate Inc. BLONDIE® by Dean Young

Horoscope Friday, April 25, 2014 ARIES (March 21 to April 19) You are interested in finances and cash flow today. (Perhaps your own earnings.) Whatever it is, you will go after what you want. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Today the Sun and Mercury are aligned in your sign, which means you communicate with gusto and emphasis! You will put all of yourself into what you have to say. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) This is a great day for research. You will not stop until you find what you’re looking for. You are relentless. You’ll be like a dog with a bone. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) You can persuade others to follow your lead today. Your enthusiasm captures their attention, and they will easily believe in you. Rally your forces! LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22) Conversations with people in authority will be dynamic and energetic. Both parties will come on strong and be convincing. VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22) This is an excellent day to study or teach, because you are curious and enthusiastic about learning more. You also might make adventurous travel plans today, because you want to expand your horizons. LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22) If you have to defend yourself in disputes about shared property, inheritances or insurance matters, you will do a good job today. You are strong and willing to speak up for yourself. SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21) You will attract someone who wants to talk to you, perhaps enthusiastically, today. This could be a partner or close friend or a member of the general public. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21) This is a productive day at work because you are geared up for action. In particular, you want to tackle jobs in a hands-on way. You might teach a co-worker how to do something. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19) Enjoy fun diversions today like parties, sports and playful times with children. See a movie or make a date with someone because you want to have fun today. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 to Feb.

18) Family discussions will be enthusiastic today, especially about home repairs. In fact, this is a good day to begin a project to improve your home. PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20) This is a strong day for writers or salespeople or anyone who needs to communicate for a living. If you teach, act, edit or market, you will be successful. YOU BORN TODAY You have strong physical presence. (People know when you are in the room.) You are proactive,

decisive and vigorous in everything you do. You are talented in your use of language. You also are attracted to challenges that make you prove yourself. This year, something you’ve been involved with for nine years will end or diminish in order to make room for something new. Birthdate of: Ella Fitzgerald, jazz vocalist; Hank Azaria, actor; Jeffrey DeMunn, actor. (c) 2014 King Features Syndicate, Inc.

MUTTS® by Patrick McDonnell

Crossword Puzzle

BABY BLUES®

by Rick Kikman & Jerry Scott

HAGAR THE HORRIBLE® by Chris Browne

ZITS® by Scott & Borgman

CRANKSHAFT® by Batiuk & Ayers