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Articles by Norma Vally
Cozy fall décor that works in the desert
That first day I feel a little fall chill, I always chuckle to myself thinking about the “sweata weatha” exchange between Maya Rudolph and Amy Poehler from their SNL sketch. While much of the country is pulling on sweaters, downing pumpkin lattes, and decorating for fall, we’re still wearing flip-flops and kicking on the AC. Just because we risk our porch pumpkins turning into baked pie, it doesn’t mean we have to skip fall décor altogether.
The do’s and don’ts of living through 110-plus degrees
Living in Southern Nevada, we know there comes a point each summer when opening the front door feels more like opening up the oven. The thermometer reads 110-plus and suddenly your AC becomes disgruntled, decorative candles begin looking like Dali art and your hardiest desert plants start waving white flags of surrender.
Restore or refinish, either are doable DIY projects
You know that Progressive Insurance commercial that humorously depicts a “Parent-Life Coach” advising young homeowners on how to avoid turning into their parents? When the coach corrects homeowners to not chime in on strangers’ conversations, it made me realize, I’ve totally become my mother. (But I’m OK with it, because my mom was awesome.) I bring up this story because my being a buttinsky at our local UPS store is what inspired this month’s column.
Finding purpose for post-season pumpkins
Nothing signals autumn more than when bulk-bins of pumpkins pop up in the grocery store. Ever imagine how much one of those Jack-o-lantern sized pallets weigh? Nearly 1,000 pounds. Each year the United States produces 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins, mostly sold in October to decorate, carve and bake with. While that number is miniscule compared to China’s yearly 16.8 billion pounds, it’s still a lot of fruit—yes, pumpkins are botanically categorized as fruit, but part of the winter squash family.
Falls at home place seniors at significant risk
We may crack up watching slip and fall accidents on TikTok or “America’s Funniest Home Videos”, but in real life, especially for seniors, it’s no laughing matter. Fall statistics are downright alarming. According to the National Safety Council, the No. 1 cause of death for older adults is falling. Let that sink in for a moment. More than one out of four adults over 65 fall each year, with over 3 million ending up in the emergency department. Falls among adults over 65 are very costly.
Who’s supposed to weed out the weeds?
“In the weeds” is a phrase used in the restaurant industry to describe when the front and/or back of the house becomes overwhelmed with orders, creating kitchen chaos. It’s not a term we’d want to hear used to describe our beautiful Boulder City, but alas… It came to my attention that a production company was recently scouting film locations in our neighborhoods.
When household products overpromise and actually deliver
Every now and again you come across a product that makes you stand back and say, “Wow, that worked way better than I thought it would!” These gleeful moments come as a welcome surprise when we’re often disappointed by products that overpromise and under-deliver. When I find these little gems, I store them away in my mental DIY toolbox. This past month, I was happy to add a few more “must have” products that exceeded my expectations.
Flushing faux pas may lead to clogs, costly repairs
When it comes to plumbing clogs, we can definitely apply the adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”…or in this case, a quart of Liquid Plumr. Back in the days when I did a lot of plumbing work with my cousin, Sal, in Brooklyn, I unclogged more toilets, clean-outs, shower drains, sewer mains etc. than I care to remember. It never ceased to amaze me the crazy things we’d find in waste lines. I think the funniest of all colossal-clogs was in an Italian-American mama’s house.
Castile soap, the superstar multi-tasker
Soap isn’t typically something we give much thought to, but when Castile soap bubbled up in my world three times in one week, for completely different reasons, I took it as a sign. So, in scrubbing up on my soap knowledge it became clear—Castile soap is, well, soaprier. Mind you, I’ve used Dr. Bronner’s (notably the most well-known Castile soap in the USA) as a body wash on and off for decades. But a couple of weeks ago, it was because of my rose bushes that Castile soap found its way to my garden.
If you have a black thumb try planting herbs
I’m always delighted when I see our potted chives come back to life each spring. With no fuss or fanfare, these beautiful blade-like leaves show up, tall and proud, ready to be trimmed and sprinkled over our favorite dishes. Chives are one of the heartiest herbs I’ve ever seen. Even in the harsh winters of my hometown, Brooklyn, each spring our chives would resurrect from the frozen solid soil of a planter box on our stoop, sometimes topped with over a foot of snow.
Getting locked out of house triggers DIY project
Anyone who’s ever accidentally locked themselves out of their house knows that sinking feeling. But locked out while barefoot and in pajamas? That’s the makings of a funny story, however unfunny it appears in the moment. One morning, I went out to my porch to grab a delivery. I quickly turned to go back inside, but the thumb latch on the door handle wouldn’t press open. I knew I unlocked it to get out, but no matter how I tried, it wouldn’t budge.
Unclogging a drain can be as simple as boiling water
Seems like every time I visit my brother in California I end up doing a DIY project. This holiday was no different. While I love helping out with projects, especially since they’re great teaching moments for the kids, I didn’t plan on spending hours on the guest bathroom floor unclogging drains. It all started late one night when I noticed the shower-stall floor covered in brownish-black gook. There was also a distinct odor I knew all too well from back in my plumbing days—a waste-line backup. Ick.
Destressing the holidays can start in your bathroom
“Tis the season to be jolly!” Indeed, but with elevated stress levels during the holidays, I sooner find myself saying “Calgon, take me away!” For those of you unfamiliar with this phrase, it’s from a 70s TV ad where a stressed-out woman is unraveling over “the traffic, the boss, the baby, the dog!” She rescues herself by losing her cares in the luxury of a Calgon bath.
Sometimes simple appliance DIY can spare you costly service calls
Wasn’t I embarrassed when I couldn’t figure out why my friend’s dishwasher wouldn’t start. I troubleshot as best as I could, given my limited time visiting her. It was getting power, the door was closed properly, yet when I pressed “start,” it just wouldn’t. I advised her to call a local appliance repair company. $85 later she was informed that it somehow went into its “locked function.” Simply holding down the Heat/Dry button for three seconds unlocks it. That’s all it needed. Boy did I feel dumb.
Trimming keeps trees healthy, property safe
Oh, how we love the cooling shade from a glorious tree, especially during this exceptionally hot Indian summer. With deciduous (leaf dropping) trees well through their growing season, it’s now that we find overgrown branches hanging over or hitting houses, encroaching on neighbors’ property, entangling power/cable lines, etc. There are many reasons to trim trees, and preventing them from causing harm is one. Branches scratching a roof can cause tiles to wear prematurely.
Dirty grills may make you sick
By this time of year your BBQ and/or smoker have probably seen a lot of action. No matter if they’re steel, porcelain coated, or cast-iron grates — stick happens. Sure, some grates are more prone to buildup, especially cast-iron ones that aren’t properly maintained with regular oiling (seasoning), but even the easier to clean porcelain-coated grates accumulate stuck-on food.
Xeriscape done wrong adds to Urban Heat Island
Homeowners, let’s use the completed Bureau of Reclamation hillside makeover as a cautionary tale. It’s probably safe to assume that few are happy with the rock pile that now serves as the backdrop of our beautiful Wilbur Square Park, especially the homeowners that are now forced to overlook the unsightly hillside. And in of all places, our treasured Historic District.
July 4 safety and awareness checklist
As we celebrate our great nation’s birthday, let’s run down this safety and awareness checklist so we can have a blast this 4th… but only the good kind. Be Mindful of Our Veterans As my friend and Army veteran, Rennie, reminded me, it’s a sad irony that so many combat veterans struggle on Independence Day. Loud blasts that sound like gunfire and explosives can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder.
Cool down your home with hot-weather tips
It’s that time of year again when triple digits fill the week’s weather forecast. We know with rising temperatures come rising utility bills (often accompanied by rising blood pressure, yikes). Here’s a list of hot weather tips to cool down your home and wallet. ■ Keep windows closed during the heat of the day, and draw blinds and curtains to keep the heat out. Consider adding blackout curtains that reflect UV rays.
DIY could be more costly and risky than DIFM
Back in the days of my home-show appearances, attendees would often ask me the same kind of question—“Do you think I could renovate my own bathroom (kitchen, bedroom…)?” To which I would always answer, “Do you know how to replace a light switch?” That would always make them chuckle. “But they make it look so easy on TV!” Then I would chuckle. I’ve always taken issue with DIY shows that film home improvement projects like cooking shows. “Ta-dah,” the perfect dish comes out of the oven.
Keep the fun in funny Valentine
If home is where the heart is, and the heart is the symbol of love, what better place to celebrate Valentine’s Day than home sweet home? If I may co-mingle a holiday term, “bah humbug” is the sentiment many feel about this love day. Their general opinion is it’s over-rated, commercialized and the only people really feeling the “love” are florists, greeting card companies, jewelers, restaurants and candy/chocolate makers.
A burning Christmas question
The Yule log—is it firewood, a cake, a TV show? Indeed, Yule log seems to mean many things, but what is it, exactly? To get to its root we first need to understand Yule. It’s believed the word Yule comes from the old Norse word Jól, meaning party. Norsemen celebrated midwinter events called Yuletide—“tide” from the ancient Germanic word “time.” Yuletide literally translates to “party-time.” There are a few theories as to what they were partying about.
Early home maintenance and prep makes way for happy holidays
Wake up and smell the pumpkin spice! The holidays are coming and your home is about to go into overdrive. Now’s the time to knock out both seasonal home maintenance and holiday preparation, before the days get shorter and the to-do list gets longer. Here’s a short November Get ‘er Done List: Trim Trees There are several advantages to trimming in November. Pine trees won’t drip as much sap, so less mess. Deciduous trees are better to trim once the leaves have dropped for less weight and waste.
National Fire Prevention Month hits home with BCFD
Seems like there’s a National Day, Week, or Month for just about anything these days. According to the National Day Calendar, Oct. 5 alone marks National Apple Betty Day, National Get Funky Day, and National Do Something Nice Day. These “awareness” calendar designations can be fun and random, but also strike important subject matters, like October being the official National Fire Prevention Month.
Damaged or disturbed asbestos in home presents health hazards
When my friend learned there was asbestos in the roof of a house he was looking to buy in Boulder City, it reminded me that the scarlet letter ‘A’ of building materials is something to be wary of when you own a home. Indeed, asbestos continues to be a shameful mark on the U.S. that still imports this dangerous product. We import 680 tons per year of asbestos containing material (ACM).
Outdoor shade can cool, bring energy efficiency to home
We all know cool shade is a hot commodity during summer months. The amount of shade around our home determines whether outdoor living spaces are something we can enjoy as days get longer and sun gets stronger. Besides making us feel more comfortable, shade can help keep the sun from fading or damaging our yard furniture, plants, equipment, etc. Shade abutting a home can reduce heat gain, making indoors cooler and more energy efficient.
Rain brings proliferation of weeds, bugs and allergies
We’ve certainly experienced record-breaking rain, snow, and cold weather this year. The cold has made some plants timid to “spring forward,” delaying certain sprouts and blooms. The rain, however, is bringing and will continue to bring some unpleasant and even destructive things to our gardens and vegetation that we should immediately take steps to prevent. Indeed, seasonal allergy suffers are all too aware of how rain has made allergy symptoms worse this year.
City works to increase power reliability
By Norma Vally Boulder City Review April 13, 2022 - 4:01 pm Last month there were two quick and unexpected outages in my “alphabet street” house, around 10 a.m., then around 3 a.m. I happened to be home and awake for both, although if I weren’t, the blinking digital clocks would have been telltale. Because we live in a 1940s home, I immediately thought we overloaded a circuit. That wasn’t the case and I heard from a few neighbors they experienced the same thing.
Shining a (UV) light on sanitizing surfaces
By Norma Vally Boulder City Review July 29, 2020 - 3:43 pm As COVID-19 persists in our lives, so too is the manner in which we’re combating it. Best practices for business cleaning and sanitizing during the pandemic are in place from CDC, FDA, EPA, and OSHA. Residentially, we should be upping our disinfecting game as well. Advice from professional cleaners is a good place to start.
Get your home in gear for new year
The story of how this Brooklyn girl lands in Boulder City reads like a Lifetime movie script … and am I glad to be here. Likewise, I’m honored to be penning a new column where I can bring 20-plus years experience as a DIY and home-improvement expert to my neighbors. Ten years renovating in my family’s construction business followed by a career in television hosting “Toolbelt Diva” on Discovery Home Channel, I’ve worked with homeowners around the country.
Live Through This: The Many Faces And Stories Of Suicide Attempt Survivors
Live Through This is a portrait series by Brooklyn-based photographer and suicide attempt survivor Dese’Rae Stage that takes a unique approach to suicide prevention by showing the faces and telling the stories of people who have attempted suicide, yet survived. After surviving her own attempt, and getting the help she needed, Dese’Rae became a suicide awareness advocate and has dedicated much of the last decade attacking the issue from various angles.
“Girls Don’t Like Toys?” President Takes Annual Toys For Tots Sort Event From Stereotypical To Awesome
Earlier in December, President Obama joined the First Lady in delivering about 1,000 toys from the President’s staff to the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots campaign, an annual holiday toy drive. Declaring himself the “Big Elf,” the President’s job was to sort the toys into girls and boys bins.
Fly It Forward: Women Pilots Introduce Girls To Aviation By Giving Them Their First Flight Experience
In late 2009, airline transport rated pilot Mireille Goyer was searching for events celebrating the 100th anniversary of the first female pilot license earned worldwide by Raymonde de Laroche on March 8, 1910. To her dismay, she found none. Determined to not let this important milestone for women pilots go unrecognized, Mireille launched Fly It Forward™, a global campaign designed to honor the pioneers by inspiring the next generation of women aviators.
Hall Of Heroes: Illustrator Creates Print Featuring 80 Of The Most Awesome Women From TV And Film
We all know that the TV and film worlds could use more strong female characters, so it’s sometimes easy to forget all of the kickass, fictional women who have inspired us over the years. That’s why we love what illustrator Scott Park has done to help us remember… he’s packed a colorful print with 80 of the most awesome women from TV and film.
NJ College Tells Women To Use Anti-Rape Facial Expressions To Avoid Sexual Assault. We Kid You Not.
What does your anti-rape face look like? Last week Ramapo College in NJ told students that they should take preventative measures to avoid sexual assault by practicing “anti-rape” facial expressions.
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