If you own a house, you’re going to need a plumber, eventually, unless you’re handy with one of those weird looking wrenches and can replace valves, faucets, tubes, shower heads, garbage disposals, water heaters, and can unplug nasty stuff when it gets clogged up. I happen not to be one of those handy-with-a-weird-looking-wrench fellows, so I frequently need a plumber. But plumbers … [Read more...]

Recently, we had the unfortunate duty of settling and liquidating an estate of a family member. It was a long and tedious process, but with the help of family and friends and some great local businesses, it went rather smoothely. One of the businesses involved, Jefferson Coin, was truly noteworthy. When ordinary people sell gold, silver or valuables, they really rely on the integrity of the … [Read more...]

Gas logs are an amazing addition to a home – when they are working, when you click the remote and the flame pops up. But when you have to get down on hands and knees, hold the pilot down and pray for ignition, they are not so much fun. About every two years, our gas logs throw a little temper tantrum (I suppose because dust, dirt and other stuff clogs the pilot and jets) and we make a call to … [Read more...]

The outside sign at Albemarle Square said, “Barber”, that’s it. I was intrigued, but never stopped by. But one day I was in a hurry and didn’t have time to make an appointment with the girl who had been styling my hair, so I gave the shop a try. All the barbers were Chinese and I wondered if I would get one of those “Moe” haircuts. I figured it would eventually grow out, so I took a chair. It … [Read more...]

I needed a car. Though the engine on my 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee was still going strong even after nearly 200,000 miles, the transmission fluid leaked – drip, drip, drip - on our driveway, which my wife Nancy noticed and remarked on frequently. It also started to rust on the roof above the dashboard, which actually helped me to be able to pick out my gray and orange vehicle among all the others … [Read more...]

  By Move Better Physical Therapy Attention students of all ages! Does Back-To-School mean Back-To-Pain because of heavy backpacks? To help avoid any back pain caused by wearing a backpack, there are a few simple things you can do: - Wear both straps so the weight is evenly distributed - Wear the backpack over the mid-back, which has the strongest muscles - Lighten the load … [Read more...]

Craig’s List was an amazing innovation. Buyers could list their products - for free - and be exposed to tens of thousands of potential buyers. The service started in San Francisco back in 1995 and spread like wildfire. It changed the used car industry and practically put the Want Ads in newspapers into mothballs. But now, crooks and scam artists are doing the same to Craig’s List. They have … [Read more...]

  I paid 89 cents a gallon at the gas pump this week. Filled my Jeep up for less than $20, and the tank was bone dry. How? I do most of my shopping at Kroger’s, and if you buy enough groceries, they give you a kick back on gas at the pump. I don’t know exactly how it works, but they keep track of your purchase when you use your Kroger Card. Sometimes, I just get a dime off per … [Read more...]