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If you are reading this in the print newspaper, you’ll have something to recycle when you are through.

There are quite a few ways to recycle your newspaper other than that recycling bin.

Seedling pots

Are you a home gardener? You can use a newspaper page to make a biodegradable seedling pot.

Fold a full page in half or in thirds, depending on the width of the page. Wrap the folded strip around a soup can, leaving enough room at the bottom to fold the ends in to make the bottom of the pot. Secure with a small piece of tape and then fold the bottom in and tape it.

Use potting soil and plant seeds or a seeding in your paper pot, which you should then place in a cup or plastic pot before watering it. When the seedling has grown enough to plant outside, you can just put the whole paper pot in the ground.

Gift bags

Cut a large rectangle from a newspaper page. Use two pieces of newsprint layered together if you want more strength. If you want a finished bag about 5 inches tall, 5 inches wide and 3 inches deep, start with a sheet that is 16.5 inches by 8.5 inches.

Fold down about an inch on the top of the long edge and fold up about 2 inches along the bottom of the long edge. Crease them and then unfold them.

Overlap the short edges about half an inch and tape. Then flatten and crease that loop. Open the loop and flatten and crease again about 3 inches from the first crease so that you now have creases that measure 3 inches and 5 inches apart.

Fold the top edge down an inch along the crease you made at the beginning and tape or glue. Fold the bottom edges up using the crease you made as a guide and tape them, making them look like the end of a wrapped box. Turn the bag over.

Use hole punch to make holes near the top for a ribbon on each side.

You can use the section of the newspaper that best fits the personality of the recipient.

A giant newspaper bow

Cut several strips of newspaper from the bottom to the top of a full newspaper page. You can make them in widths that vary from four to six inches. Fold the strips in half lengthwise and make cuts through the fold up to about half an inch from the other side and continue making these cuts every half inch for the length of the paper.

Roll the strip and secure around the uncut end and then fluff the “petals.� Gather all of the rolled strips together to make a large bow, putting the smaller ones on the outside. Tape them together and then attach them to the package, preferably one wrapped in newspaper.

Beads

This is a little more time-consuming and complicated, but the results could be beautiful.

Tear newspaper pages into small pieces and make them into pulp by soaking in boiling water for an hour, stirring occasionally. Drain as much of the water off as possible without losing the paper pulp.

Add a glue that dries clear to the pulp and mix. Most liquid school glues work fine.

Gloves may help at this stage, but school glue washes off, so gloves aren’t required.

Roll the pulp into beads of varying size and place them on waxed paper. Let them dry for several days, rolling again every few hours the first day or so, to keep them from getting a flat spot where they are sitting on the waxed paper.

Once they are completely dry, drill a hole through each bead, then paint with craft paint and varnish. String into a necklace or bracelet.

When it’s more than 100 degrees outside and the monsoon is still an expected event, we need to be careful about our water usage. Of course, since we live in a desert, we should be careful about water all of the time, but it’s more important when our throats, gardens and views are parched.

Here are some simple and easy ways to lower your water usage and bill:

• Catch water in a bucket or pitcher while you’re waiting for hot water to wash dishes or in the shower. We know even cold water is hot during ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ summers, but remember this for fall. You can use that water on plants, hand-washable clothing including your face masks, pour it in the washer before the next load or pour it in a basin to soak your hot, tired feet. It doesn’t have to go down the drain unused.
• If you have a double sink in your kitchen, fill one side with water and put used dishes in it to soak while you are cooking. They can then go in the dishwasher without rinsing, or be easier to hand wash without scrubbing under running water.
• Time your showers and pay attention to what you are doing while the water is running to see if you can reduce the time you spend in the shower. How many of us are guilty of just standing under the water spray trying to wake up?
• Water your outdoor plants in the early morning when it’s cooler so the water can soak into the ground instead of evaporating.
• Don’t wash your car yourself. Car washes save water by recycling. The same goes for washing dishes. Modern dishwashers — if you have one — are more water efficient than you can be handwashing.

Bonus tips:

These tips have been around for a long time and you have heard them before. But are you following them? They are: turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving; use a broom instead of the hose to clean off your driveway and patio; only run the dishwasher and washing machine with full loads; and turn off the water faucet when you aren’t actively using it.

If you’re adding cans of water to concentrated orange juice, for example, turn off the water between can fillings. If you are washing dishes, fill the sink part way with soapy water and then turn off the water. Wash all of the dishes and then rinse them all together quickly.

Proper maintenance can save water. Always listen for the sound of water running near your toilets and other places around the house and look for signs of water damage. If you hear or see something, check for leaks or have a plumber come in and check.

If you ever see water on the floor near toilets, sinks or bathtubs, make sure it isn’t from a leak. Check regularly for irrigation system leaks.

You’re stuck at home with the kids and trying to be healthy, but they won’t eat anything green except M&Ms. How do you get them eating something healthy without making them overweight?

Some of these methods aren’t really low calorie, but you have to start somewhere, and getting the fruits and vegetables in the diet are a good place to start. These also work for adults, but you shouldn’t be sneaky about it, and you really shouldn’t lie to your spouse.

If you have a mashed potato lover, mix the mashed potatoes with mashed cauliflower, equal parts of each. With gravy, it may not be noticed. You can also puree some vegetables into the gravy. Try using vegetable beef soup pureed into beef gravy or cooked carrots and peas. Pureed vegetables lose a little of their value, but not all. It’s better than no vegetables at all.

Add some pureed butternut squash to macaroni and cheese. Adding a little extra cheddar cheese might help mask the squash, but you might not need it.

Topping vegetables with cheese, especially if there’s a cheese lover in the family, might make them look like they’re worth a try.

Try using spaghetti squash instead of pasta for noodle dishes.

For kids who are more adventurous, you might be able to find recipes online that they can help you make. If kids help make them they are more likely to try them.

Freeze fresh, cut-up strawberries, whole raspberries, banana pieces and other fruit pieces and use them in smoothies with a touch of milk or yogurt, or water to lower the calorie count. It’s quite refreshing on a hot day and there’s no need for added sugar. This is probably the easiest thing to get your kids to try. After they star liking smoothies, you can begin to add some veggies like spinach or kale.

Keep fruit easily accessible so it’s easier for kids to grab the fruit than search for it in the refrigerator. Suggest cheese and crackers or nuts before candy bars or chips. Limit the amount of high-calorie, low-nutrition foods that are available.

In other words, find a really, really good hiding place for the emergency chocolate.

Photos: Black Lives Matter march in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ July 4

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Are you an early bird, often called a lark, or a night owl? If you’re up at 3 a.m. — probably an extreme example — is it because you are still up or because you just got up?

Research suggests that about half of the population isn’t really either a lark or an owl, but somewhere in-between.

But about 25% of us are early birds or night owls.

For most of us, the human clock is about 24 hours long, which fits nicely with the Earth’s cycle.

Those with a naturally longer cycle tend to be night owls and those with a naturally shorter cycle are early birds. Some of this is likely genetic.

Your circadian rhythm can change over time. Younger children tend to be early birds and very few teenagers would choose to rise before 10 a.m.

If your occupation or school life doesn’t require it, it’s probably best not to try to change your nature.

It is possible to change your daily rhythm if you need to do so, but it’s easier to stay an early bird or a night owl if that’s what your body wants.

Just for fun, however, we decided to explore just a few advantages of each during ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ summers.

Five reasons to get up before the sun:

• You can watch the sunrise. They are almost as spectacular as the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ sunsets and sometimes exceed them.
• Nursery and gardening experts say it’s best to water you thirsty plants outside early in the morning before the hot desert sun is cooking them. The water can get deeper to the roots before evaporating.
• In the summer, it’s a great time to take a walk or walk your dog.
• You can get a lot done before you even watch the morning news shows, especially if no one else is up to distract you.

The people you meet while out early in the morning are likely to also be larks, so you are meeting kindred spirits.

5 reasons to stay up late:

• Late-night comedy shows are always good for a laugh or two and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s live late-night entertainment — at least once the COVID-19 pandemic has passed — is plenty of fun.
• It’s the best time to check out the stars.
• By 10 p.m., it may finally be cool enough during summer months to take your dog out for a walk without hurting its paws.
• The second-best time to water you outdoor plants here is after dark.
• You can still get some work done or solve some problems long after others have given up for the day.

The current pandemic has changed a few rules and made recycling a little more complicated. A few readers have said they can’t use their cloth grocery bags at stores or can’t find the plastic grocery bag recycling bins.

We checked with a few stores to get the scoop.

Albertsons and Safeway stores in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ will allow you to use your personal grocery bags. However, the store clerk won’t touch them, so you’ll have to bag your own groceries. If you end up with the plastic grocery bags, you can take them back on your next trip and recycle them. Bins or boxes are located near the entrance.

Bashas’ and Food City stores will bag your groceries in your cloth bags for you and they will also recycle plastic grocery bags with collection located near the entrance.

No other corporate offices responded immediately to questions, but common sense suggests that you take your reusable bags with you and give it a try. If you forget them, can’t use them or have plastic bags to recycle, take them with you the next time you shop — you can tie them all up into one bag —and ask a clerk if you can’t find the recycle location.

Another recycling question that has come up is what to do with batteries. A representative of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Environmental Services has said that alkaline batteries can be disposed of in the trash.

Lithium batteries, button batteries, rechargeables and some others are a different matter. Some of these can catch fire if they come into contact with the wrong materials. You are sure to use a lot of button batteries if you have garage door openers, a home security system, key fobs to unlock your car and other small electronic miracles. Unfortunately, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) facilities are closed until further notice.

This is a good time to try the iRecycle app, which can be found on the App Store for iPhones and the Google Play store for android phones. The app is free and can help you find where to take those questionable items even if you are out of town. We checked the app for lithium batteries. It suggested Batteries Plus Bulbs, which has four locations that will take these batteries. A phone number, address, hours of operation and link to the website are all there, along with a list of materials accepted for recycling.

We called Batteries Plus Bulbs and they do accept lithium batteries for recycling as long as they aren’t bloated, which they will still accept for a fee. Call first, in case some information is out of date during the pandemic.

The iRecycle app is a product of (earth911.com) which can answer a lot of recycling questions. Again, however, some information may be inaccurate during the pandemic.

We still recommend heading to for local information. There are several recent posts about batteries, but you can also ask questions. Even if you don’t live within ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s city limits, the information is sound and much of Pima County uses the same recycling center.

Photos: The Bighorn Fire in Coronado National Forest near ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥

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Bighorn Fire near Oro Valley

You have your snack and drink all ready and you settle in your recliner, feet up, to watch a movie. You are quite comfortable as you reach for the remote to turn on the TV. But the remote isn’t there.

You look around you, hoping you won’t have to get up, but no such luck. Who had it last? You holler to the kids, but they don’t know. Eventually, you’ll have to get up, only to find that you were practically sitting on it. The remote had slid between the cushion and side of the recliner.

Consider yourself lucky. You found it in a reasonable amount of time and didn’t have to tear the house apart.

Several years back, my son, home from college, was looking for the remote and had almost given up. I told him I had heard on TV that it is commonly found in the freezer. He was desperate enough to check and there it was. I didn’t mention that I’d seen him get ice cream just before that. I just let him think the “magical mom powers� he believed in as a child were still working.

Steve, a reader in Green Valley, had a story to tell: “I think our daughter was about 4 or 5. We searched everywhere for the remote to our brand new 26-inch TV (a huge TV for the late ‘80s). After days of looking, we gave up, went to Kmart and bought one of those newfangled universal remotes. Many years later, while re-arranging some things on a closet shelf, we found the remote tucked in between the folds of a rarely used spare blanket. She denies it, of course.�

So how do you find the remote?

Start near the TV and work your way out. But first, check your hand. Maybe you picked it up just as someone asked you a question, breaking your train of thought.

It will be easier if you don’t have lots of clutter, but if you do, pick up every piece of clutter from the coffee table and side tables. That remote can hide really well.

Check sofa and chair cushions and also look beneath the sofa and chairs. If you have a throw rug, look under the edges.

It may seem obvious, but look on the TV stand and the floor in front of it.

Check your pockets. Are you sure it was your phone you just put there?

Where did you go during the last commercial? That’s right, check the bathroom and the kitchen, including the refrigerator and freezer.

Do you have a dog? Ask him. If his tail doesn’t wag, he may be collecting treasures.

Get the family involved in looking. And whenever anyone suggests a place to look that makes you say, “There’s no way it could be there,� that’s the next place you should check.

If all else fails, check the car.

If the remote is truly lost, though, you don’t have to buy a new one. Most cable systems and smart TVs can be operated from your smart phone. With the make and model number of your TV or information from your cable box, you can check the Google Play Store or Apple Store for an app.

Many cable boxes also have a button you can push that will make the remote beep. If you can’t find it, call your cable company and ask.

There are also gadgets you can buy that give you tracers to stick on frequently lost items like remotes and key chains. You click the finder and the tracer on your lost item beeps. That works only if you didn’t lose the master, of course. It could be hiding with the remote control.

Also remember, you can get out of the chair, go to the TV, open a little door on the side and use the buttons there to change channels. That is the old fashioned way.

We’re all communicating by phone, email, video chat and in person from 6 feet away. Of course you can get closer to those who live with you.

But are there others you want to communicate with in a more personal fashion? There’s a memorable way to do that without defying the 6-foot social distance rule.

Write a letter. Write a real, honest-to goodness letter on paper, put it in an envelope, address it, put a stamp on it and stick it in the mailbox. The person who receives it will never forget, especially in these days of instant communication. The time you spent writing them a letter means they are important to you.

We hear that anything put online is forever. This is generally a warning to think first before hitting “send� or posting.

But a letter is forever, too. Family research is often enhanced by reading the letters kept by the recipients. Many biographies reference letters. But the main reason letters are forever is that they are now so rare that they are cherished.

My husband and I received letters from our son while he was in basic training in the Air Force. They were written on notebook paper. Every line was used on both sides of the two pages.

It’s been several years, but I still have them. I will never throw them away. He communicated more in those letters than he ever has in person. They were surprisingly well written for someone who had only previously written thank-you notes while I stood by to be sure he completed them when he was younger.

Of course, once he got his cell phone back, he was back to texts and emails. While I am always happy to hear from him, they are not the same.

Other benefits of writing letters include:

• It gives you time to organize your thoughts about what you want to say. You can rewrite it to get it just right. Don’t worry if you don’t think your writing skills are up to the task. You can write a few practice letters first if you are unsure, but you’ll be able to get your point across.
• It is therapeutic. You can get something off your chest. You can say exactly what you want to say but may have been afraid to say in person. You don’t even have to send it. Some letters are just written for the writer.
• It shows off your unique style. The recipient will get more from the letter than just the words. Your handwriting also tells a story, and your writing style helps the reader determine just what you really mean. These things don’t come through in a hastily written email.

Write a letter to your parents or grandparents telling them just what they mean to you. Write to your siblings and share some memories. Write to dear friends who are far away and tell what is happening in your life.

Write to someone who influenced you as you grew up: a favorite teacher, a mentor or just someone who was often kind to you.

Write to someone you don’t know personally, but who inspired you. Even if you can’t find an address to send it, the letter will benefit you.

Letters are good for the sender and for the receiver.

Photos: Park Place and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Mall reopen

Park Place and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Mall reopen

Park Place and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Mall reopen

Park Place and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Mall reopen

Park Place and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Mall reopen

Park Place and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Mall reopen

Park Place and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Mall reopen

Park Place and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Mall reopen

Park Place and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Mall reopen

Park Place and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Mall reopen

Park Place and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Mall reopen

Park Place and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Mall reopen

Park Place and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Mall reopen

Park Place and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Mall reopen

Park Place and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Mall reopen

Have you cleaned out a closet or two while sheltering in place? Have you cleaned out the garage as well?

That means now you have a pile of clothes, unused but working appliances, or furniture that needs a new home and you could use a tax deduction for your hard work.

There is no shortage of nonprofit organizations that can resell your donations at thrift stores. And these thrift stores could use your shopping dollars now that they are beginning to open up again. Keep in mind when you are shopping that stores may be limiting the number of customers at any one time. It never hurts to call first to avoid surprises.

Here is a list of places that will find someone who considers your cast offs to be just what they need:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥

520-624-7039

or schedule a pickup at Pickups will begin again on June 15, but can be scheduled now.

Donated items are sold at Savers stores and are tax deductible.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Free Store

4650 N. Flowing Wells Road (new location)

520-918-3333

Drop off times: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday

This unique store offers everything for free. That’s right, you won’t need money. Donations are sorted and made available in the store for all takers 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays.

Donations are tax deductible. If you have a lot of items to donate, the people at the Free Store can pick them up, but they charge a fee of $50, so it’s only a bargain if you have a lot.

The Free Store has contacts they use when such items as beds, dressers and other household furniture are donated so they can help displaced veterans and others who are in need.

Goodwill of Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Thrift Stores

520-623-5174

There are many locations. Go to for the nearest place to shop and go to for the closest drop-off location.

Many stores have been closed because of COVID-19. The website will show which are open.

Donations are tax deductible, but Goodwill no longer picks up donations.

Humane Society of Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Thrift Store

5311 E. Speedway

520-327-0010

Hours for donation and shopping: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays

Donations are tax deductible but there is no pickup service.

InJoy Thrift Store

250 N. Pantano Road

520-396-3361

Donation hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays

Shopping hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 9 a.m.-noon Sundays

Donations are tax deductible and support Christian-based ministries. Pickups can be scheduled.

Salvation Army Family Stores

800-SA-TRUCK or 800-728-7825

or

There are several thrift stores. Check the website for the nearest to you and to see what is open during the pandemic.

Donations are tax deductible and you can schedule a pickup. To save the Salvation Army a little money, call for the best place to drop off items if you only have a few things.

There are many other nonprofit organizations that operate thrift stores.

Casa de los Niños at 1302 E. Prince Road, 520-325-2573, has a store that has been closed because of COVID-19 and many veterans groups have stores.

An online search will yield many thrift stores that will accept donations.

So enjoy the extra space in your closets and help others.

UPDATE May 19, 2020:

St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Stores also take donations and are opening this week and next. The store at 5426 E. Pima St., 520-323-0734, opened Monday, and the store at 820 S. Sixth Ave., 520-622-2821, will open Tuesday, May 26, 2020. Go to to learn more.

Teachers often quote, “Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it.� That may have evolved from a quote of George Santayana, philosopher and novelist, who said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,� but that isn’t the point.

A look at the archives of the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ shows a time when the wearing of masks to mitigate the spread of infection was mandatory in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, public gathering places were closed and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ans were advised to avoid crowds at all costs and to stay 6 feet away from each other outside the home.

The subject, of course, was the Spanish influenza pandemic of 1918, that most historians say lasted at least until 1920.

That two-year span may give those of us frantic for human contact reason to moan.

An article in the Star on Oct. 10, 1918, tells of the acting ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ mayor ordering churches, movie theaters, schools and pool rooms closed. The order reads:

“Owing to the fact that there is present in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ what appears to be the beginning of an epidemic of Spanish influenza, as a protection to the public health, we hereby order you to close your place of business.

“By order of ‘MEADE CLYNE,’ City Health Officer.

“In compliance with above order, as acting mayor, I hereby declare for the public health and safety until further notice is given that the following places of business will be closed to the public:

“Churches of all denominations.

“Public and private schools.

“Moving picture houses.

“Pool rooms and other places of amusement where people congregate.

“This is in accordance with the orders of the surgeon general of the United States and also the superintendent of health, together with the city health.

“I urge upon every person, above named places of assemblage and all ministers of the gospel to strictly observe this request.

“We are not only fighting the enemy abroad, but also the enemy at home.

“In order to conserve all our forces and resources it becomes a necessity for each and every one to observe this request.

“A. C. BERNARD,

“Acting Mayor.�

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ans were ordered to wear masks when going out in public downtown, enforceable by police beginning Nov. 23, 1918. “Policemen will be stationed in every street by which the downtown district may be reached,â€� the Star stated.

Read PDFs of articles on the Spanish flu epidemic from the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ by going to tucson.com/morguetales

You’ve probably heard that it’s bad luck to walk under a ladder. Sometimes it’s even worse luck to climb a ladder.

About 20% of fall injuries among workers involve ladders, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Among construction workers 81% of fall injuries that require emergency treatment involve a ladder.

Staying at home during the coronavirus pandemic might have you thinking of doing those put-off home fix-ups.

If any of these chores involve a ladder, here are a few things you should know.

First, choose the right ladder for the job.

You’ll need to consider the surface the ladder will be standing on, the height it should reach and your weight, including the weight of anything you’ll be taking up the ladder.

There are many more choices than step ladders and extension ladders, including trestle ladders, step stools, articulated ladders, platform ladders and mobile ladders.

You wouldn’t want to use a step ladder to climb up on a roof or an extension ladder to change a light bulb.

Once you’ve chosen the right ladder, you need to be sure it is very stable before setting a foot on the first step. Once the ladder is set up, you must be absolutely sure it won’t rock or wiggle.

Use the four-to-one rule for stability as well. For every 4 feet of height you must climb, move the base of the ladder 1 foot from the wall.

An extension ladder should extend 3 feet above the top of the wall or the roof eave.

When climbing and working on a ladder, maintain three points of contact.

Always have two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand in contact with the ladder.

Wear slip-resistant shoes, use a tool belt so your hands can be free as you climb, remain centered between the ladder’s side rails and don’t even think about trying to move the ladder while you are on it.

Only one person should be on a ladder at a time.

If you are doing the kind of work that requires two hands, consider a scaffold instead. The cost is higher, but it’s often safer.

You should also inspect a ladder that you haven’t used in a while. Be sure it isn’t rusty and that everything is still sturdy and in good working order.

All of these rules are easily available at the website of the American Ladder Institute, where you can learn about the many different kinds of ladders available, how to care for them and how to properly use them.

Go to

You can also find many safety tips at the Occupational Safety & Health Administration’s website:

One more tip: Make sure someone else is around while you use that ladder. Sometimes falls happen no matter how much care is taken.

My small neighborhood has all of the mailboxes grouped together in a kiosk.

I would have preferred a mailbox at the end of the driveway, but these days I’m happier with the short walk to the end of the street.

If I come across a neighbor as I walk to the mailbox, one of us steps off the sidewalk to all for 6 feet of distance, but it’s nice to see a neighbor, even if he or she is masked like a bandit.

The other day as I walked down my driveway to go to the mailbox, I saw a painted rock at the edge of my yard.

It was small enough to fit in the palm of my hand, bright green and had the work “nurture� painted on it. “How cute,� I thought. I left it there because at first I thought someone might have dropped it and would look for it.

But as I walked along, I saw others at the edges of other front yards. They were all painted bright colors and had inspirational words on them: “Dream,� “Hoard hope� and “Keep smiling.�

Probably a kind and creative neighbor had gathered some rocks, washed and painted them and set them out to bring a bit of joy into the lives of those in the neighborhood.

Those of us working while we are staying home might not have time for such a kindness, but we can certainly find other small ways to spread a little joy.

Chalk drawings and well wishes on the sidewalks have been reported in other neighborhoods.

One may ask what this has to do with “being smarter in 2020,� but kindness is always smart. Pass it on.

Kindness rocks

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Sheltering in place and social distancing are things most of us never thought we would have to take part in, but they are now the new reality because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Did we ever think our Easter Sunday church services would be attended via video? Did we ever think we’d scurry through the grocery store wearing face masks and trying to stay 6 feet away from everyone else? Did we ever think we’d worry about running out of toilet paper?

It’s a new world and we’re all learning to adapt.

We’re making face masks or learning to wrap scarves around our faces so we won’t transmit a virus we hope we don’t have. We’re staying home and we’re doing our best to stay 6 feet away from everyone we meet when we must go out.

For many of us, 6 feet is easy to estimate. But there are a lot of people who just aren’t as good at that as others. How much is 6 feet?

A good way to estimate that is to imagine you and the next person holding out your arms toward each other.

The average single arm length from shoulder to fingertip is about 42% of a person’s height. So two people who are 6 feet (72 inches) tall would have arms that are about 30.2 inches. If they hold their arms out toward each other, they would need to leave about a foot more of space between their hands to be 6 feet apart. It’s easier to estimate a foot in distance than 6 feet.

But enough math. You have to get out before you begin knocking down walls.

What about hiking? Yes, you will come across other people if you go out for a hike.

Art and Sharon Ragland like to get out on some hiking trails around town and haven’t let COVID-19 stop them. They seek out the more open and wide trails so they can see more of what is around them. They know some trails that aren’t very crowded.

That way, when they see someone coming from the other direction, it is easier to see that it’s safe to step off the trail to allow 6 feet of space between them and the other hikers.

Now that more rattlesnakes are likely to be out, they said it’s important to look carefully before stepping off the trail, so they often look ahead for the best places to step aside.

The couple is quite familiar with the concept of social distancing.

Sharon is the senior pastor of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church on the northwest side. She and other leaders at St. Mark’s are becoming adept at video services and Zoom video conferencing meetings.

Art, who is retired, was careful to wear a mask when he volunteered at the church and was recovering from a cold a couple of months ago.

Now that masks are harder to find in the stores than toilet paper, we are learning to make our own. There are many how-to videos online with instructions. We recommend the simplest versions using such items as old T-shirts or bandannas for the material.

We can’t control the coronavirus, but we can control our safety, at least in part. So stay home, except for forays on hiking trails.

Keep your distance from others and offer a cheery word instead of touching.

And spare a thought or prayer for such people as health-care workers and grocery store workers who must be in contact with others.

We’re all stuck in our homes, places we might have considered sanctuaries until the day came when we were told not to leave.

It’s reminded me of my great-grandmother’s diaries. In 1921, her youngest son, my grandfather and the only one of her children still living at home, came down with scarlet fever at the age of 16.

An officer from the health department put a notice on the door of the house placing the family in quarantine for 30 days.

They were farmers, so there was no danger of starvation, but neighbors dropped off gifts and necessities at the end of the lane.

They were fortunate to have a phone and friends.

Family members and neighbors called to ask after Harry, my grandfather, and to hope out loud that his parents were still well.

In these days before antibiotics, Harry was in bed with a fever, but his friends still called.

Neighbors were much more invested in each other’s well-being, partly out of necessity, but in spread-out farming communities, it was important to help each other.

We need to be neighbors again. These days, many of us don’t know our neighbors even when the houses are just a few feet apart.

We can have groceries delivered and send one person out for those things that can’t be delivered, but what about those who can’t go out? What about the elderly and people who are ill, even if it’s not with the coronavirus? There are some people who need help and have no family around to pick up the slack.

This is when we can show our better selves.

If you don’t know your neighbors, now isn’t the time to knock on the door and introduce yourself, but there are ways for neighbors to help each other.

Create a neighborhood Facebook group. Then post a flier on the mailbox kiosk if your neighborhood has one, or mail out postcards to the neighbors. This is easier if you have a homeowners association. You can have the management company help out with mailers, but really, anyone can drive around the neighborhood and get the addresses.

Then those who join the group can ask for help, offer help and share stories.

Of course some seniors may not be on social media. One neighbor can volunteer to be a go-between for those not on social media. When those cards are mailed to the neighbors, they can include the phone number of a neighbor who will post needs on social media.

That 80-something neighbor who lives alone and needs a few groceries can call the volunteer’s number, the volunteer will post the need on Facebook, and a neighbor who is going to the grocery store anyway can pick up the needed items and leave them on the front porch, ring the doorbell and back away.

Payment can be worked out in the original phone call, or perhaps those neighbors who haven’t lost jobs can contribute to a fund to help out the neighbors in difficulty.

It doesn’t have to be Facebook; there are other social media platforms that can serve the same purpose, but more seniors are on Facebook than other platforms.

When this crisis is over, the neighborhood can have a block party to celebrate and put faces to the names they learned online. Then it will be a real neighborhood, where neighbors know each other, look out for each other and help each other.

If you are like many in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, you have found yourself working at home instead of in an office with coworkers. Unfortunately, some are home because they are not needed at their jobs during the COVID-19 crisis.

To make matters more complicated, children are home from school. While they are doing some home schooling, online education and the like, once school time is over, they still cannot spend time with their friends.

If you have to get work done, you need activities to keep the children busy. You may need some diversion for yourself as well.

That’s where the Pima County Public Library can help. You may think the library is closed to you if you are isolating yourself to prevent exposure to the virus. But there are many digital services you can access if you have a valid library card.

The ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Festival of Books was canceled because of the coronavirus.

However, had it gone on, visitors would have been able to visit the Digital Bookmobile.

This bookmobile travels across the United States and Canada, visiting libraries and schools to talk about Libby, the free library app, said Joe Skelley, who travels with the bookmobile and is an expert on its services.

Those on the bookmobile help patrons download the app, get signed in with their library cards and learn how to access ebooks and audio books.

Interactive displays, tablets and touchscreen TVs help brand-new users learn about digital content.

Take a virtual tour at

While the Digital Bookmobile is a great help, you can do most of this on your own. Then visit the Digital Bookmobile at the 2021 ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Festival of Books — it will be there — and you are bound to learn something new.

Start by downloading the Libby app on your smart phone, tablet or smart TV. You’ll find it in the Apple store or Google play store.

If you are limited to a desktop device, you can go online to or the Pima County Library’s digital website,

When you download the Libby app, it will prompt you through entering your library card number and pin. Then you can browse e-books and audio books and download what you want if it’s available.

Just like the physical library, there are a certain number of each e-book or audio book based on the number of licenses the library purchased. If the book you want is checked out, you may place a hold and the app will tell you about how long it will be until the book is ready.

This is where “hold re-delivery� is helpful. When your turn comes, the book won’t automatically download. Instead you will get an email telling you it’s ready.

If you want to finish the book you are currently reading first, you just tell the library you aren’t ready.

The book will go on to the next person in line, but you’ll still be first in line after that.

You may check out up to 20 items at a time, for three weeks each.

There are read-along books for children, especially for early readers and those not quite at the point of reading. These titles work like a sing-along: As the book is narrated, the words are highlighted. Of course, you probably want to do the reading to your children, but this is a help if you have work to do.

You do not need a library card from the Pima County Public Library to use these digital services. You can sign up using your mobile phone number to gain access to the library’s ebook and audiobook collection.

All Pima County Library locations and book drops are closed during the current crisis.

The library has extended check-out limits for physical items indefinitely; don’t try to return anything you have from them right now.

However, due dates apply to digital items.

So download Libby and start taking advantage of all of the free services the library has to offer — even if you are stuck at home.

How many times have you heard you should wash your hands frequently, and for at least 20 seconds? In these days of coronavirus fears, it’s even more important than ever.

How long is 20 seconds?

No one puts a stopwatch near the bathroom sink, and if they did, it would be a germ factory like everything else because you’d have to start it before you wash.

So you sing a song. Kids are often taught to sing “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,� “Baa Baa Black Sheep� or the “A-B-C� song. They all use the same tune and take about 20 seconds.

You can also sing “Happy Birthday� twice. Either way, you’re likely to get sick of these ditties.

Never fear. There are plenty of other ear worms — um, we meant songs — that have 20-second choruses.

You can choose a different one each day.

“Africa,� by Toto, has a chorus that’s about 20 seconds: It’s gonna take a lot to drag me away from you / There’s nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do / I bless the rains down in Africa / Gonna take some time to do the things we never had / Hurry boy, she’s waiting there for you.

— Written by David F. Paich and Jeffrey T. Porcaro.

“Stayin’ Alive,� by the BeeGees, works and it’s rhythm is also perfect for CPR:

Whether you’re a brother or whether you’re a mother / You’re stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive / Feel the city breakin’ and everybody shakin’ / And we’re stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive / Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive / Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin’ alive.

— Written by the BeeGees.

If you’re a child of the 1970s, try a little “Dancing Queen,� by ABBA: You are the dancing queen/ Young and sweet / Only seventeen / Dancing queen / Feel the beat from the tambourine, oh yeah/ You can dance/ You can jive/ Having the time of your life/ Ooh, see that girl/ Watch that scene/ Dig in the dancing queen.

— Written by Benny Andersson, Bjoern K. Ulvaeus and Stig Anderson.

If those don’t work for you, try the choruses of Prince’s “Raspberry Beret,� Beyoncé’s “Love on Top,� or Dolly Parton’s “Jolene.�

And, yes, there are newer songs that work as well, but we all need something we know well.

“Bear Down, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€� takes closer to 30 seconds, but there’s nothing wrong with a little extra washing.

Nerds can hum the Star Wars Imperial March or recite the opening speech to Star Trek: “Space, the final frontier…� — if you’re a Trekkie, you know it by heart.

Just remember to sing (even if you are only singing in your head) in the rhythm you’ve heard the song as performed by the artist; don’t just recite the words quickly.

If you have a favorite song you’d prefer to wash to, you’re in luck. An enterprising man named William Gibson has adapted a graphic from the World Health Organization and combined it with song lyrics from .

Go to , put in the name of the song you want and the artist, and you’ll get a downloadable hand-washing poster with the song lyrics beneath each picture.

They last a bit longer than 20 seconds because they include turning on and off the water — off with your elbow — and drying your hands with paper towels.

It’s not perfect, but it’s close enough for cleanliness. We tried it successfully with “Yesterday,� by The Beatles, and “We Will Rock You,� by Queen. Maybe it even works with “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.�

At election time, we all see signs at every street corner telling us who to vote for, only to realize the options at most street corners are not running in our district. Once the election is over, you may not even remember what district you live in.

So how do you find your congressional and legislative districts, or for that matter, which county supervisor’s district or ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ city ward you live in? It can be confusing. Go to and submit your address to get your congressional district (U.S. House of Representatives) and legislative district (Legislature).

Then go to , click on government and then elected officials and click on the office for which you are seeking your representative and find contact information.

If you live in unincorporated Pima County and need to know which supervisor district you live in, go to to find a list of the supervisors and a map of their districts.

If you live inside the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ city limits, go to for ward maps and council members.

Other municipalities’ council websites are:

• Green Valley:
• Marana:
• Oro Valley:
• Sahuarita:
• South ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥:
• Vail:

Current elected officials for Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ are:

U.S. senators

Martha McSally (Republican), 404 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. ,20510, 1-202-224-2235

Kyrsten Sinema (Democrat), 317 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C., 20510, 1-202-224-4521

U.S. representatives

• District 1: Tom O’Halleran (Democrat), 324 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, D.C., 20515, 1-202-225-3361, website:
• District 2: Ann Kirkpatrick (Democrat), 309 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, D.C., 20515, 1-202-225-2542, website:
• District 3: Raúl Grijalva (Democrat), 1511 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C., 20515, 1-202-225-2435, website:

State senators

• District 2: Andrea Dalessandro (Democrat), 1-602-926-5342, adalessandro@azleg.gov
• District 3: Sally Ann Gonzales (Democrat), 1-602-926-3278, sgonzales@azleg.gov
• District 4: Lisa Otondo, minority whip (Democrat), 1-602-926-3002, lotondo@azleg.gov
• District 9: Victoria Steele (Democrat), 1-602-926-5683, vsteele@azleg.gov
• District 10: David Bradley, minority leader (Democrat), 1-602-926-5262, dbradley@azleg.gov
• District 11: Vince Leach (Republican), 1-602-926-3106, vleach@azleg.gov
• District 14: David Gowan (Republican), 1-602-926-5154, dgowan@azleg.gov

State House of Representatives:

• District 2:

Rosanna Gabaldón (Democrat), 1-602-926-3424, rgabaldon@azleg.gov

• Daniel Hernandez Jr. (Democrat),

1-602-926-4840

,

dhernandez@azleg.gov

• District 3: Andres Cano (Democrat), 1-602-926-3027, acano@azleg.gov
  • Alma Hernandez (Democrat),
  1-602-926-3136, ahernandez@azleg.gov
• District 4:

Charlene R. Fernandez, Minority Leader (Democrat), 1-602-926-3098, cfernandez@azleg.gov

• Geraldine Peten (Democrat),

1-602-926-4842

,

gpeten@azleg.gov

• District 9:

Randall Friese, assistant minority leader (Democrat), 1-602-926-3138, rfriese@azleg.gov

• Pamela Powers Hannley (Democrat),

1-602-926-4848

,

ppowershannley@azleg.gov

• District 10:

Domingo DeGrazia (Democrat), 1-602-926-3153, ddegrazia@azleg.gov

• Kirsten Engel (Democrat),

1-602-926-5178

,

kengel@azleg.gov

• District 11:

Mark Finchem (Republican), 1-602-926-3122, mfinchem@azleg.gov

• Bret Roberts (Republican),

1-602-926-3158

,

broberts@azleg.gov

• District 14:

Gail Griffin (Republican), 1-602-926-5895, ggriffin@azleg.gov

• Becky A. Nutt, majority whip (Republican),

1-602-926-4852

,

bnutt@azleg.gov

Pima County supervisors

• District 1: Ally Miller, 724-2738
• District 2: Ramón Valadez, 724-8126
• District 3: Sharon Bronson, 724-8051
• District 4: Steve Christy, 724-8094
• District 5: Richard Elias, 724-8126

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ City Council

• Mayor: Regina Romero, 791-4201, Mayor.Romero@tucsonaz.gov Ward 1: Lane Santa Cruz, 791-4040, Ward1@tucsonaz.gov
• Ward 2: Paul Cunningham, 791-4687, Ward2@tucsonaz.gov
• Ward 3: Paul Durham, 791-4711, Ward3@tucsonaz.gov
• Ward 4: Nikki Lee, 791-3199, Ward4@tucsonaz.gov
• Ward 5: Richard Fimbres, 791-4231, Richard.Fimbres@tucsonaz.gov
• Ward 6: Steve Kozachik, 791-4601, Ward6@tucsonaz.gov

For many of us, property taxes are a little invisible.

You get a notice in the mail about the valuation of your home, and later you get a bill, but for those with a mortgage, these taxes are paid by the mortgage or escrow company. You can file the bill and forget it.

Unless you think it’s wrong.

So what do you do if you think the valuation or tax calculation is wrong?

First, you should note that your 2020 tax bill, which you will probably receive in March, will be based on the value of your property as of Jan. 1, 2019. If you made improvements to your home in 2019 that increased the value, that won’t show in your 2020 tax bill or valuation.

That’s a good thing. The higher your valuation is, the more you’ll be expected to pay in taxes. Who wants to pay more taxes?

Unfortunately, that also means that if your property lost value in 2019, that won’t be reflected on your 2020 bill either.

If you still think your valuation is wrong, call the Pima County Assessor’s Office at 724-8630.

If you think your tax rate is too high, check your tax bill to find out what jurisdiction your property is in. You can find tax rates and phone numbers by jurisdiction online at . Tax rates vary by jurisdiction because of school districts, fire districts and other things based on where you live. Make sure you are listed in the correct jurisdiction.

If you think the tax calculation was off based on your valuation and tax rate, call 724-8650 or 724-8750.

If you’ve paid off your mortgage, congratulations. Contact the Treasurer’s Office at 724-8341 to learn about the billing process and due dates.

Most of this information is available online at .

The Pima County Assessor has no control over the tax rate. If you plan to file an appeal, know that you can appeal the valuation of your property, not the tax rate.

Your chances are better if you can prove that something affecting the value was stated incorrectly on your property record, like the year your house was constructed or square footage.

Learn more about the process online at .

It’s almost impossible to stop spam emails. Junk mail filters help, but they don’t stop everything and sometimes they stop email you do want. What good is a filter if you have to check it?

You might consider clicking the unsubscribe link at the end of the spam email, but many experts have said that this lets the spammer know the email is valid and doesn’t really unsubscribe you.

If you are getting email from a company that you signed up with, but now you don’t want it anymore, the unsubscribe link should work. That email was something you asked for and now you are asking for it to stop. Since it is a legitimate company, it should honor your request.

Some spam emails are simply trying to sell you something. Others are trying to steal your information.

Never click the links in unsolicited emails, even those that appear to be from companies with which you do business. Those links often lead you to sites that look legitimate but are designed to steal the information you submit, often credit card information or a social security number.

For example, you might get an email saying your account needs to be updated because your credit card is expired and the email includes a link. If you’ve never done business with the company, ignore it and delete the email. If you have done business with the company, don’t click the link in the email. You could end up giving your credit card information to a thief.

Instead, go directly to the company’s website in your browser and log in. If your account needs updating, you’ll get a message there.

Another clue is that the email address doesn’t include the company name. There will be something wrong with the address. The company name may be misspelled or it will be something other than .com, perhaps the code for another country. Many of these scammers are outside the United States.

Find out if a company has sold your email address

We can’t promise that any of the following tricks will work. They won’t stop junk email, but they might help you identify which companies are selling your email address. Then you can fill up their email inboxes with angry missives.

suggests that if you have a gmail address, for example: name@gmail.com, when you give your email address to a company, use name+website@gmail.com, with “website” being the name of the company you are giving your email.

Gmail automatically ignores anything from and including the + up to but not including the @ symbol.

If you get a solicitation email from a company you’ve never done business with and the address it was sent to is name+website@gmail.com, you’ll know who sold or shared your email address.

Caveat: some forms don’t allow a + sign in email addresses. Many spammers know about this and have programs running to strip out everything from and including the + to the @.

When you sign up for something online and they ask for your name and email address, use what you are signing up for as the name, suggests .

For example, say you are signing up to receive a free sample of dog food. In the name field, not the email address, instead of submitting your real name, John Doe, put “Sample� in the field for the first name and “Dogfood� in the field for last name. Or use the name of the company or anything that will help you remember what site this is.

Later if you get an email from another company that you don’t recall signing up with but it address you as “Dear Sample Dogfood,� you’ll know who sold your info.

It will be even more fun if you get put on a call list. They’ll have to ask for “Sample Dogfood,� and you’ll be able to say “There’s no one here with that name.�

Many internet resources suggest making new email addresses for each company with which you sign up. If you have your own domain, you can create a separate address any time you need to submit your email address on a form. If your real email is myname@mydomain.com, you can create a new one for company@mydomain.com, with “company” being the company with which you are creating an account or filling out a form.

Then if you get something at that email address from another company you never signed up for, you’ll know who sold your address.

Most of us know the feeling. As you approach your car you see that something is on the windshield. You hope it’s just a flyer for a new restaurant, but no, it’s a parking ticket.

You have two choices. Either accept responsibility and pay the fine, or fight the ticket in court. You could also ignore the ticket, but that usually ends up costing more (See “Boots and Barnacles� below).

The parking ticket should have all the information you need, but we’ll include some here.

If you’re going to fight the ticket, take pictures before you drive away. If you plan to claim the “no parking� sign wasn’t visible, you should document it. If there’s time on the meter, show that. If you are claiming that the red paint on the curb had completely worn away, take a picture to prove it. Just know that it may be an uphill battle, and if you lose, you will have to pay the fine plus additional fees.

In the city of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, you can request a hearing through the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ City Court. The request must be received within 30 days of the citation. Print your name and address in the space on the back of your ticket and sign it and mail it to the address provided. A hearing will be scheduled and you will be notified by mail.

Guilty or not, sometimes it’s easier and cheaper just to pay the fine.

If you decide to accept responsibility — perhaps you knew the meter would run out before you got back to your car but you hoped you would get lucky — just pay the fine. If you got the ticket in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, you can pay online, by mobile app, by phone, by mail or in person (in person is the only way to pay in cash). Payments must be received within 30 days of the citation. Go to for the details on paying the fine.

Unless you are a frequent scofflaw, you may request a community service sentence in lieu of a fine. You may state that on the back of the ticket and mail it in or go in person to the address on the ticket and make your request. You should hear from City Court in 30-60 days with instructions.

Pima County considers a parking violation to be a civil traffic case.

Information will be on your ticket telling you that your first court date is your arraignment, but it will actually take place with a window clerk who will give you your options.

Again, you can decide to accept responsibility and pay the fine right there, but if not, you will be told what you should do if you decide to fight the ticket.

If you plan to pay the fine, you can mail the payment. That information will also be on your citation.

See more about civil traffic citations online at .

For similar information on civil traffic citations in Oro Valley, go to , and in Marana go to .

Most parking tickets and traffic citations will have such information available on the ticket. The municipality that charges you with an offense wants to make it easy for you to pay up.

Boots and Barnacles

If you have ignored a few parking tickets, you may want to think twice about parking downtown in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ beginning in March.

When a car is ticketed for a parking violation, and it has three or more outstanding parking violations, the car may get a barnacle on the windshield.

The barnacle, similar to a boot except it doesn’t go on a wheel, is a windshield block that prevents the car owner from driving it. Attempts to remove it without the proper equipment will damage your car.

You’ll have to contact the City Court to take care of your tickets if you want to have that barnacle removed. If you haven’t taken care of your fines within 48 hours, the car will be towed and you’ll be charged impound fees as well.

What should you do when a wild animal makes its way into your house or yard?

A lot depends on what kind of animal, where it is and if they could put family members or pets in danger.

If the “wild animal� in your house is of the small rodent variety, call an exterminator or visit a hardware store for humane traps. Then search for the ways the critters may have made their way in to your home and seal them.

A bobcat in your back yard will probably leave within a few hours. It’s only a problem if your small pet was out there and is now missing. Don’t go out to look. Of course, if the bobcat doesn’t leave in a reasonable amount of time, say a day, don’t try to chase it out. Call ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Game & Fish for help. Any wild animal that gets into your house could be dangerous. This includes rattlesnakes, javelina, bobcats and others. If you can get out of the house, do so, and call the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Game & Fish Department at 628-5376.

The runs a wildlife hospital and will pick up and, if possible, rehabilitate injured animals. They are open every day. Call them at 520-290-9453.

Game & Fish officers or the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildlife Center can also be called if you find unattended babies (never touch them).

Those babies are probably not really unattended, but waiting for their mother to come back with food. You don’t want to meet mother if you are hanging around her babies. But if you are unsure whether their mother is nearby, call for help instead of touching the babies.

By the way, baby javelinas may be cute, but their bite is ugly. Don’t try to pet them. An injured animal could be dangerous or sick. Let the experts deal with it.

Game & Fish personnel are law enforcement officers who try to keep both humans and wildlife safe. They know the best ways to handle wild animals that have found their way into an unfamiliar environment.

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Once upon a time, we looked forward to checking our mail. There might be a letter!

These days, you are more likely to see a notice that you are pre-approved for a credit card, catalogs, coupons, charity solicitations and similar items.

Communication from friends and relatives is more likely to appear in your email inbox.

So what should you do with that junk mail?

You can — and — should recycle it, but still, it’s a waste of resources. Stop it at the source.

Here are ways to stop at least some of the junk mail from making it to your mailbox in the first place. Most require a computer, but if computers aren’t your thing, we hope you have a friend or relative who can help.

There is also a bit of work involved, but we hope you’ll only have to do each thing once.

Pare down those credit card solicitations at or by calling 888-567-8688 or 888-5-OPT-OUT. You can choose a five-year or permanent removal.

Then call your credit card companies using the customer service number on the back of the card or on your statement and ask them to stop selling your name by placing you on their “in house� list.

The companies with which you do business can still send you mailers, but they have to stop selling your name when you tell them to.

It could take up to three months to see results because your requests have to filter to all of the companies and some mailings are set up months in advance.

DMA Choice is a bit like the “do not call� registry. It can stop a lot of the mail you don’t want by removing your name from mailing lists, but it will take up to 90 days before you see results, since many mailings are already in production. Register at

This was once a free service, but now costs $2 for 10 years. That’s still a pretty good deal since you can even stop some unwanted emails.

will help you unsubscribe from catalogs that land in your mailbox. You can choose which catalogs to unsubscribe, so you won’t be canceling the ones you really want.

If you haven’t used a real phone book in several years, you can stop getting them, too. In fact, you can save Dex money when they print fewer phone books. Go online to where you’ll find a link for opting out.

Are you getting tired of charity solicitations? Perhaps you gave once, but now they send you something requesting money every month. If you still want to contribute but only want to send something once a year, ask them to only send a solicitation once a year — there should be a phone number on the solicitation or you might be able to find one online. You’ll be saving them a bit also. If you don’t want to hear from them at all, say so.

If you still get their solicitations after a couple of months, you can drive your point home by sending a note in their return envelope. Yes, it’s a little mean, but you tried to be nice first.

Stop the direct marketers. If you get envelopes full of coupons for new garage doors, duct cleaning, carpet cleaning and other household maintenance items, you can reduce those mailings, too. Keep the address labels from the envelopes and check them against each other. You’ll need to register every variation of your name and address.

For Valpak, go online to and fill out the form using the information from your mailing label. If you want some of those coupons, go to and print the ones you want based on your location.

For Valassis Direct Mail Inc., Redplum or Retail Me Not, go to and fill out the form. Again, use the information from your mailing label.

Other direct marketers may send mail to you. Try Googling the company name to see if you can find an unsubscribe link.

If you get promotional mail that has such phrases on the envelope as “return service requested,� “forwarding service requested� or something similar, write “refused, return to sender� on the envelope without opening it and put it back in the mailbox. If the mail was addressed to “Resident� or “Current resident� and it has one of those phrases, you can mark it “Return to sender.� If it was sent by First Class mail — these are often sent at a commercial bulk mail rate — you can also return to sender. Since the company doesn’t want to pay return postage, one try may solve your problem.

Download the app on your phone. It allows you to take a photo of your junk mail and the app will unsubscribe for you. The app is available on Google Play and the App Store.

When you do business with a new company, send in a warranty card or give your address for any purpose to a non-governmental entity, it never hurts to write on the warranty card or wherever you are writing your address, “Please do not share my information with other companies without my permission.� Reputable companies should honor your request.

Sources: , and

The Better Business Bureau serving Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ can help resolve consumer complaints against a business. But it’s also a good place to find a business that has earned accolades from the BBB.

If you’re planning to hire a company, there are many services one can use to get suggestions, but the BBB has been around a while and has earned its own reputation. At the BBB’s website you can file a review of a business, make a complaint, search for BBB accredited businesses, check the scam tracker and nominate businesses for awards at certain times of the year.

Go to (type this into the URL field on your browser, not into a Google search) or call 888-5353. Phone hours are 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Are you tired of that pothole you just can’t avoid? Are you wondering why it hasn’t been filled?

You might assume it has been reported, but maybe everyone else is making the same assumption.

To report a pothole to Pima County Roadway Maintenance, call 724-6410 or go online to

To report one to the City of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, go to

You can also report graffiti, lighting maintenance and other concerns.

If you feel the potholes you have reported are being ignored, we like the solution of Paige Breithart, although we can’t recommend it.

According to , Breithart was a student in Michigan in 2015 when she decided to drive around town filling the potholes with flowers. The story went viral and now it happens all over the world.

While it may encourage local governments to fill the potholes more quickly, possibly from embarrassment, there is the danger that these flower-filled potholes will distract drivers — though it will certainly help them avoid the potholes.

You’d be wise to check local ordinances before taking such action.

The Social Security Administration, the Internal Revenue Service and other government agencies will never call you unless you have asked them to do so.

These federal government agencies do not call people to make threats if they believe you have broken the law. They will send you a letter if your taxes are in arrears or they need information, but they will never suspend your social security number.

If you have committed an illegal act, depending on how egregious your lawbreaking was, law enforcement personnel will show up at your home. They won’t call you and give you a chance to run.

Any calls in which you are told you may clear up a legal problem by buying gift cards and sending them to an address given in the call are scams. Police and other government agencies do not accept gift cards to pay tickets or any other debt.

Hang up on these calls and report the number to the Federal Trade Commission. Instructions are near the end of this article.

To get on the “Do Not Call� list

Online: Go to and submit your number.

By phone: 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4236)

Numbers on the Do Not Call registry do not expire; however, it can take a month before your number has been disseminated to all telemarketers that follow the law.

Robocalls

Robocalls are illegal unless you have given that company written permission to call you that way. Your pharmacy might get your permission for a robocall to tell you your prescription is ready and you may not even realize you gave such permission. But most other robocalls are illegal.

There are legal robocalls. Those are robocalls for purely informational purposes, political calls or charity calls. If they then try to sell you something, they become illegal robocalls.

If you get a robocall you believe is illegal, hang up. Do not press a number. Make note of the number and the time and date you received the call and report the call to the FTC.

You can also block numbers on your cellphone after you’ve decided they are spam. Then you won’t receive calls from that number. Unfortunately, spammers and scammers use many different numbers, so blocking will be of limited help.

Calls from “Spoofed� numbers

If you get unwanted sales or robocalls from numbers that appear to be local, you should report them to the FTC. Even if the call appeared to come from the real phone number of a friend, you should report it. You will not get your friend in trouble. The FTC has the ability to figure out that someone else was using the number illegally.

Reporting calls to the FTC

You may report unwanted calls and illegal robocalls after you have been on the “do not call� registry for 31 days. Calls that are legal are those from charities, political organizations and telephone surveyors.

To report a call:

Note the time and date of the call, the phone number it appears to be from and the subject of the call.

Go to (the FTC wants complaints online, not by phone), decide what kind of illegal call you received and fill out the online form. A support team can help via chat if you have problems. You can even report fraudulent emails here.

You can call the “Do Not Call� registry to file a complaint as well: 1-888-382-1222.