Weekly Columns

Both current and archived weekly newspaper columns. The date of the column and a teaser of the column appears below. Click on the date to see the entire column.

July 4, 2016

            Dear Readers: If you live in the Security/Widefield/Fountain area of the county you are probably concerned over elevated levels of organic compounds called  perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) in your drinking water. PFC’s are found in firefighting chemicals and carpet cleaning compounds, and authorities are still trying to pin down the source of this contamination, which has drifted into certain aquifers in the area. That might take some time, but for now, if you have these anxieties, there...

June 27, 2016

            Dear Ken: Several years ago you highlighted steps toward a healthy lawn. Could you repeat those for me? Thank you, Mary

            Sure. It’s important to sprinkle at least twice on a given watering day. That allows the water to soak in slowly and so ensures a deeper, healthier root system. Water early in the morning just before sunrise, then again at the end of the afternoon when the wind...

June 20, 2016

     Dear Ken:  We recently made a furnace decision and want to know if we did the right thing. Our 1980’s furnace needed a new gas valve--for $300--so we decided to get a new furnace for around $2500. Was that a good decision? Bill

June 13, 2016

            Dear Ken:  We are shopping for new windows. The triple pane people say that's the only way to go. The double pane folks say just the opposite--that triple panes are overkill. Please give us your opinion. Michael

June 6, 2016

             Dear Ken: What's the best way to humidify a house and still have clean air? I have a son with allergies and am concerned about air quality. Michelle

May 30, 2016

            Dear Ken: We need a new furnace. Which of these would you choose? One is 90% efficient, and the other is a two stage unit that they say is 94% efficient, but costs about $400 more. Chas

May 23, 2016

            Dear Ken: I have a dimmer that is hot when the lights are on. Is that OK? Dee                          It depends what you mean by “hot”.  All dimmers produce some heat when they’re energized—especially at lower (dimmer) settings. Warm is OK, too hot to touch is not. First check the wattage. Add up the ratings of all the bulbs...

May 16, 2016

            Dear Ken: I have a toilet in my house which rocks when you sit on it. Is this a big deal? How can I fix it? Dana

May 9, 2016

            Dear Ken:  We live in an older neighborhood where lots of old houses are getting torn down and replaced.  A new one went in next door, and now we're starting to have drainage problems.  The roof drains are aimed right at our house and we're afraid we'll have flooding.  Is there anybody I can turn to for help?  Rich                                    ...

May 2, 2016

            Dear Ken: I need a way to figure out how far top pull my car in to the garage. I’ve tried tennis balls hanging from the ceiling, but they are always in the way. Any other ideas? Jim