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Practical Uses for Household Ingredients
Practical Uses for Household Ingredients
Lemon juice, baking soda, salt, and vinegar are kitchen staples. Did you know that there are other uses for these common ingredients? Keep these items stocked to help with housekeeping and to reduce your need for multiple costly cleaners.
Lemon
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Freshen the air in your house by simmering a pot of sliced lemons and water on the stovetop.
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Dry out a poison ivy rash by applying lemon juice for about 15 minutes before rinsing off with cool water. Repeat as necessary.
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Lighten hair color by rinsing with a mixture of 1 part lemon juice and 2 parts water.
Baking Soda
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To soothe an insect bite/sting, apply a paste of baking soda and water.
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Remove gas and oil odors from clothing by allowing it to sit in a trash bag with baking soda for at least 24 hours prior to washing.
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Remove coffee stains from mugs and tomato sauce stains from plastic containers by wiping them with a damp sponge dipped in baking soda paste.
Salt-
Kill weeds in driveway cracks and between bricks and stones by pouring boiling salted water over them.
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To relieve a sore throat, gargle with warm saltwater (1/4 teaspoon salt to 1 cup water).
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Rub a paste of salt and olive oil over watermarks on wood with a sponge until removed.
Vinegar-
To loosen a bumper sticker, cover it for up to 5 minutes with a paper towel saturated in white vinegar. Slowly peel the sticker off and remove any bumper residue with a clean cloth wet with white vinegar.
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Apply white vinegar to disinfect wooden cutting boards.
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To deter ants, spray a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water on kitchen surfaces.
The 2025 Old Farmer’s Almanac is available wherever books and magazines are sold. Support local booksellers whenever possible! A full list of stores that carry The Old Farmer’s Almanac is available at Almanac.com/WheretoBuy. Print and digital copies of The 2025 Old Farmer’s Almanac are also available online at Almanac.com/Shop and on Amazon.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac—with its iconic yellow cover and classic corner hole—originates from Yankee Publishing Inc., a 100% employee-owned company in Dublin, New Hampshire. The Almanac’s editors also produce their annual Garden Guide, The Old Farmer’s Almanac for Kids (Vol. 10 now available), and a collection of wall and desk calendars including The Old Farmer’s Almanac Planner.
Daily Almanac wit and wisdom are available through Almanac.com, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and the Amazon Echo voice assistant.
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Award-Winning Author Nadine Haruni Releases Book Two in Teenage Fantasy Adventure Trilogy: The Hat Diaries: Discover the Portal
In her first novel for middle-grade (and older) readers, The Hat Diaries: The Secret Life of Ryan Rigbee, award-winning author Nadine Haruni introduced readers to Ryan Rigbee, a 13-year-old loner reeling from losing his dad who forms an unexpected bond with Merlo. The enchanted hats Ryan puts on before bedtime magically transform him into the role of the hat-wearer, and he is drawn into a world filled with nightly action-packed adventures with his dog, Shadow. In the trilogy’s second installment, The Hat Diaries: Discover the Portal (November 2024; ISBN: 979-8-890220139-1), Haruni takes Ryan’s adventures to an exciting and dangerous new level.
The Hat Diaries: Discover the Portal follows Ryan, his trusted dog Shadow, and his mentor Merlo, the magician turned proprietor of Harry’s Haberdashery, as they continue to explore the power of all kinds of hats—from sombreros and berets to an astronaut’s helmet—transporting them to incredible places worldwide (and beyond) and back in time.
Ryan experiences many harrowing adventures, including narrowly escaping being trampled by a herd of angry beasts during the Running of the Bulls event in Spain, barely surviving a violent mob on Bastille Day in France, and having a dangerous run-in with a band of angry pirates—with only moments to spare on the portal’s timer. In an interview, Haruni can talk about the following:
- How her books address various social-emotional learning (SEL) topics, allowing children to see themselves or their friends in the stories.
- Where the first installment of The Hat Diaries leaves off and where the second book continues.
- What are the differences between writing her first five-book series (Freeda the Frog) for little children, as compared to dreaming up the second of her third pre-teen sci-fi fantasy (The Hat Diaries), and how it is to change writing styles for different audiences.
- Why it’s important to encourage young people to read and write, and consider starting to journal.
- What you need to know to start writing your own book.
About the Author
Nadine Haruni is the award-winning author known for her captivating The Hat Diaries™ fantasy adventure series and the beloved Freeda the Frog™ children’s books. The second installment in The Hat Diaries trilogy, The Hat Diaries: Discover the Portal, follows the success of The Hat Diaries: The Secret Life of Ryan Rigbee. This trilogy, aimed at teens and adults, invites readers to explore the imaginative world of Ryan’s secret adventures. Meanwhile, the Freeda the Frog series offers stories centered on acceptance and provides comfort for children navigating real-life challenges.
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Dreamscape: Beyond the Veil. Reception, Thursday, November 21, 4 – 7 pm at San Diego Mesa College Art Gallery
San Diego Mesa College Art Gallery presents
Dreamscape: Beyond the VeilNovember 18 – December 12, 2024
Reception: Thursday, November 21, 4 – 7 PM,
Art Gallery, FA 103FREE and OPEN to the public.
Free Parking during receptions in Lot # 1.
Park in STAFF spaces ONLY.
Image Credit: Designed by Makena Jackson, Museum Studies student,Fall 2024
Can’t join for the events?
Visit us during our regular gallery hours:
Monday through Thursday, 12-5 pm.
Closed Thanksgiving Week: November 25 – 29, 2024San Diego Mesa College,
Fine Arts Building, Art Gallery, FA103
7250 Mesa College Dr. SD 92111
Closest entrance is through Marlesta/GeneseeParticipating Artists: Adan Abaquin-Brown, Luis Alderete, Gabrielle Berens, Beate Bermann-Enn, Abigail Brown, Elizabeth Brown, Sophia Ciuffa , Annie Claflin, Krista Cuellar, Gabriela Ponce Curlango, Eva D’Amico, Alexis Deming, Meghan DeRoma, Matthew Devoys, Sheena Rae Dowling, Dana Edwards, Christopher Ferreria, Patricia Frischer, Gal Crew (Jennifer Armer, Gaby Espina, Caiti Myth), Arie Galles, Junko Glawe, Jeff Kahn, John Carlos Keasler, Natalia Kozlova, Braulio Lam, Sami Leon, Evan Lopez, Rick Macaw, Evie Maher, Kamaal Martin, Isa Guadalupe Medina ,Teresa Mill, Chris Reilly, Michelle Montjoy, Alejandro Morales, Caiti Myth, James Nelson, Dakota Noot, christian olid-ramirez, Philip Petrie, Lulu Yueming Qu, Josie Rodriguez, Kayah Rybar, Alyanah Santos, Sandra Segovia ,Cheryl Tall, Alyssa Marielle Villagracia, Bryan Tipton, Ell Treese, Christopher Tucker , Patricia Valero, Kelsey Worth, Jessica Yambao
“A Dream of Earth’s Hope” by Lulu Yueming QuThe San Diego Mesa College Art Gallery cordially invites you to experience Dreamscape: Beyond the Veil, a student-curated exhibition. Human beings have always been fascinated with the mysteries of the subconscious and the visions that lurk beneath the surface of logic and reason. The Museum Studies class has curated an exhibition featuring 54 talented local artists whose work is inspired by dreams in all their forms.
Join us for the reception on Thursday, November 21, 4 – 7 pm to participate in a thought-provoking interactive piece by artist group Gal Crew. As guests enter the space they will encounter What Drifts Through Your Dreamscape?, a mesmerizing, multifaceted installation that explores whimsical and unsettling realms. This imaginative work creates a dynamic dialogue between light and dark, engaging the viewer from the moment they approach the gallery window.
Sheena Rae Dowling’s A Guide to Becoming Water was inspired by the painter’s own dreams, which she has cataloged over the course of 25 years. Invoking her recurring nightmares of the ocean, Dowling scrapes the edges of her psyche for the surreal imagery she delivers to the canvas. The artist highlights the cyclical nature and mystical properties of the sea, contrasting the terror and the beauty of the deep. Meanwhile, Patricia Frischer visualizes her dreams in a series of painted vinyl records – full of color and contrast that give a glimpse into the jubilant yet mysterious world of her subconscious. Hot-air balloons carry a silhouetted stranger who presides over a landscape of rushing seas and plateaus, a shadowy yet constant presence. Both artists pose questions that we often ask ourselves after dreaming: Who is that faceless figure? What is that bizarre place? And, perhaps most mysterious of all, why does this dream keep coming back?
Philip Petrie and christian olid-ramirez confront unsettling nightmares with their work. Petrie’s somber canvases, Approaching and Departure Mountain, mirror intriguing and disturbing dreams. christian olid-ramirez’s large oil paintings from his series The Gloaming depict a fictional “desert of the mind” –a mental sandbox exploring the darkest thoughts and impulses of the human soul. Bounty renders a pile of blocky severed limbs placed before a pyre. Haunted and surreal, these works dip into the shadowy recesses of the mind, challenging viewers to explore paths rarely walked in daylight.
Dreamscape: Beyond the Veil invites viewers to contemplate how dreams shape our understanding and experience of the world. Highlighting symbolic explorations of the natural and mythical, this exhibition promises a captivating encounter with the world of the unconscious. This intriguing and engaging exhibition was developed under the guidance of Professor Alessandra Moctezuma and Gallery Coordinator Jenny Armer.
Gallery Hours: M, T, W, TH 12 – 5 p.m. (Or by appointment.) Closed Fridays, Weekends & Holidays. For additional information, please visit: https://www.sdmesa.edu/art-gallery or call (619) 388-2829.
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Connectedness & Health: The Science of Social Connection
Staying connected and engaged with the important people in our lives has never been more critical—or more challenging. The widespread epidemic of digital addiction and device overuse has contributed to a near-complete breakdown in our ability to form lasting, meaningful relationships with those around us.
Scientific research underscores the importance of direct human connection for our health and well-being. Studies have shown that social connections can improve physical health, mental health, and emotional well-being. For instance, strong social connections are associated with a 50% increased chance of longevity, stronger immune systems, and faster recovery from disease. Conversely, social isolation can increase the risk of premature death by 29%, making it as dangerous as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
As a clinical psychologist, Dr. Lori Whatley has invested years into helping people manage their digital devices to live fuller, more vibrant lives. Born from her one-on-one interactions with patients, Connected & Engaged delivers actionable advice that transforms lives.
The insights found in Connected & Engaged empower readers to:
• Create strong relational connections
• Minimize the stress that comes from devices
• Employ more effective, in-person communication methods
• Set and maintain personal boundaries against digital distractionAre you ready to connect with the people around you, engage in the world, and create a life that makes you feel alive? Today is the day to truly get connected and engaged!
About the Author
Dr. Lori Whatley is a clinical psychologist who specializes in the effects of digital device usage on both individuals and businesses. Over her 25-year career, she has worked with thousands of clients to help reconnect and repair personal connections. To learn more or get in touch, visit DrLoriWhatley.com.
Praise for Connected & Engaged
“…equips us with practical suggestions to help us put people first.”
—Rory Vaden, New York Times bestselling author“An honest look at our digital lives with real-life solutions.”
—Kelly Jameson, PhD, LPC-S“…a powerful, yet simple blueprint to help us manage our distractions and focus on what matters most, the people in our lives.”
—Anton J. Gunn, MSW, CDM, CSP“…helped me use technology to increase productivity, reduce stress, improve my relationships, and feed my brain with the same intention I feed my body.”
—Kristen Coffield, Founder and CEO of The Culinary Cure“…gives refreshing and thought-provoking advice on how we can live our best lives in this age of technology.”
—Kaedy Kiely, Afternoon Drive Host at WSRV-FMConnected & Engaged
Written by Dr. Lori Whatley
978-1-961293-06-9, $18.00 paperback
978-1-961293-07-6, $9.99 ebookPublished by Hatherleigh Press.
Distributed through Penguin Random House.
Available wherever books are sold.
www.hatherleighpress.com -
Lone Star Flight Museum Honors Scott Rozzell at 2024 Jet Setters Ball 11/16
The Lone Star Flight Museum is hosting the Jet Setters Ball ’24 Presented by CenterPoint Energy on Saturday, Nov. 16. This year’s fundraising gala will honor Scott Rozzell, longtime museum supporter, board member and the museum’s Immediate Past Board Chairman.
The museum will recognize Rozzell with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his accomplishments and philanthropy in an evening filled with more than 400 guests and supporters.
Gala co-chairs Cheryl Boblitt King and Bill King, Penny and Dennis Murphree, and Diane and Steve Biegel, along with additional sponsors and host committee members will welcome guests to an elegant Italian atmosphere. The formal gala will be held in the museum’s Heritage Hangar. The museum is located at 11551 Aerospace Avenue at Ellington Airport in Houston.
In addition to CenterPoint Energy, the gala is also graciously supported by Joan Skipper and Ed Peine, Bette and Ralph Thomas, Anthony W. Hall, Jr., Million Air, and many others.
Gala attendees will enjoy fabulous experiences including a creatively themed dinner by Churrascos Catering, a Vespa-themed gelato station, and specialty cocktails throughout the evening. Tianna Hall will provide jazz standards that evoke timeless elegance and the Eternal City.
Khambrel Marshall, a longtime friend of Rozzell and former KPRC Channel 2 Meteorologist and Houston Newsmakers host, will serve as emcee for the program which begins at 6:30 p.m. The evening festivities include a cocktail reception, big board auction, wine pull, themed dinner, live auction, music, and a night filled with amazing aircraft and exhibits, all highlighted with a Roman motif.
The evening event will culminate with recognizing instrumental leader Scott Rozzell with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. Rozzell has dedicated more than 20 years of support for the museum, leading the board and staff to new heights. Scott was integral in the reimagining and relocation of the museum to Houston’s Ellington Airport in 2017 following the aftermath of Hurricane Ike in 2008, transforming the beloved aviation museum into an impactful STEM education center and world-class museum.
Anna Hawley, Lone Star Flight Museum president and chief executive officer, said, “We are thrilled to have CenterPoint Energy and all our generous sponsors not only support this year’s gala, but also honor Scott Rozzell. Scott has been a member of and led our board of directors for many years. His leadership and commitment to the museum’s mission has been invaluable to our growth. This gala represents the work that Scott, the board, staff and volunteers continue to do on behalf of the museum. Funds raised at our gala make our mission to celebrate flight and inspire young people toward futures in aviation and STEM, possible. We are looking forward to a great evening.”
The big board and live auction will feature amazing travel and entertainment packages such as an Italian vacation in a Tuscan villa, a stunning Breitling timepiece, a B-25 warbird ride, a zero-gravity weightlessness experience, a premier chef and master sommelier dinner and wine tasting for 10, along with other bucket list worthy experiences! The wonder of flight and gala fun will continue with tours inside amazing aircraft and space shuttle simulators, STEM-based exhibits and flight simulators with dance-worthy music spinning by Johnny Bravo Holloway entertainment.
The Lone Star Flight Museum’s Jet Setters Ball will benefit the museum’s aircraft collection and exhibits, STEM education programs, and the preservation of Texas aviation history. To learn more about how you can support the Jet Setters Ball, please visit www.lonestarflight.org/
jetsettersball/. About the Lone Star Flight Museum
The Lone Star Flight Museum (LSFM) is a 501c3 aviation museum and STEM learning center with a mission to celebrate flight and achievements in Texas aviation as well as educate and engage our youth through science, technology, engineering, and math. In addition to the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame, the 130,000 square foot museum is home to a flying collection of rare and historic commercial, general aviation and military aircraft. Guests can experience the wonder of flight in a warbird ride and get hands-on in the high-tech Aviation Learning Center and Flight Academy. Multiple public and STEM-focused education programs create an unforgettable museum experience for visitors of all ages. Located at Ellington Airport, just 20 minutes from downtown Houston, LSFM is open Tuesday-Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays Noon – 5 p.m. Tickets start at $12 with senior and military discounts. Memberships are also available. For details, visit lonestarflight.org or call 346-708-2517, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram.
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Bellabu Bear Holiday Collection: The Elf On The Shelf Bamboo Pajamas – A Must-Have Gift for the Holidays
This holiday season, cozy up in style with Bellabu Bear’s Elf On The Shelf Bamboo Pajamas collection, a perfect gift for the whole family. Crafted from luxuriously soft, eco-friendly bamboo fabric, these pajamas bring festive charm and ultimate comfort, making them an essential addition to your holiday wardrobe. Whether you’re looking for the perfect family gift or something special for the holiday enthusiast in your life, these pajamas offer a blend of playful elf-inspired designs and high-quality craftsmanship that will delight everyone on your list.
Bamboo Pajama Sets for Men and Women
Bellabu Bear’s bamboo pajama sets for both men and women are designed with comfort and style in mind. The men’s set features a classic button-up style with a collared neck and long sleeves, paired with straight-leg pants with deep pockets (perfect for a cell phone). The super soft waistband with ribbon ties ensures a cozy fit, while the breathable bamboo fabric keeps you comfortable all night long. Ideal for lounging around the house or enjoying festive movie marathons, this set adds a fun, festive flair to any activity.
The women’s pajama set offers a flattering fit for all body types, complete with a button-up top and drawstring waistband for ultimate relaxation. The soft, tagless design is perfect for sensitive skin, and the eco-friendly bamboo fabric is hypoallergenic, moisture-absorbing, and breathable—ideal for cozying up during holiday gatherings or while wrapping gifts.
Fun for Kids and Babies
The collection also includes matching pajamas for kids, so the entire family can join in on the holiday fun. These pajamas are designed with the same luxuriously soft bamboo fabric, ensuring your little ones stay snug and warm throughout the festive season. With playful Elf On The Shelf designs, they’re perfect for family photo opportunities or holiday traditions like decorating the tree and baking cookies.
For the tiniest elves in your family, Bellabu Bear offers an adorable Convertible Footie set. The convertible style makes dressing and diaper changes a breeze, while the slip-resistant feet provide extra safety. The footie is made from the same breathable, thermoregulating bamboo fabric that will keep your little one comfortable all night long.
A Thoughtful Gift That Gives Back
Bellabu Bear’s holiday collection doesn’t just provide cozy, festive sleepwear—it also makes a positive impact. With each purchase, a portion of the proceeds goes towards supporting charities dedicated to children, animals, and the environment. You can feel good knowing your holiday gift contributes to meaningful causes.
The Perfect Holiday Blanket
For those chilly winter nights, Bellabu Bear offers a luxuriously soft bamboo blanket, perfect for snuggling up with loved ones. The reversible design features bamboo rayon on one side and plush Sherpa on the other, making it the ideal companion for watching holiday movies or staying warm during family gatherings.
Why Choose Bamboo?
Bellabu Bear’s entire holiday collection is crafted from eco-friendly bamboo fabric, known for its incredible softness and comfort. Bamboo is hypoallergenic, moisture-absorbing, and thermoregulating, making it suitable for all skin types and perfect for wearing in any climate. The fabric is also Oeko-Tex certified, meaning it’s free from harmful chemicals and pesticides, ensuring the pajamas are safe for you and your family.
Make Holiday Memories with Bellabu Bear
Whether you’re shopping for the perfect family photo pajamas or looking to gift someone special, Bellabu Bear’s The Elf On The Shelf Bamboo Pajama Collection is the perfect way to elevate your holiday celebrations. From the cozy fit to the whimsical designs, these pajamas will keep the holiday spirit alive in style and comfort. Give the gift of festive coziness this season with Bellabu Bear—because everyone deserves to feel merry, bright, and comfortable!
For a gift that combines style, comfort, and a charitable impact, Bellabu Bear’s collection is the ultimate choice for spreading holiday cheer.
