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HINTS FROM HELOISE: Avoiding messes in microwave

DEAR HELOISE: No more major cleanups for your microwave! Just cover the dishes with a paper plate or a paper towel. Also, you can place a cup of vinegar in the microwave and bring it to boil. Let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe the inside of the microwave with cloth or paper towels. Big messes come off easy this way. I read your column every day in the Roanoke Times. —Thelma, in Virginia DEAR HELOISE: My dishwasher has a screen basket, which is designed to catch food particles that don’t go out through the drain. Please be aware that if this basket isn’t emptied regularly, ...

TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH: Specialist needed for dysfunction in pelvis

DEAR DR. ROACH: My son was diagnosed with pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) by a urologist. He went to another doctor who never found anything conclusive. My son has complained of stinging and burning in his urethra, as well as an uncomfortable feeling when trying to sit. He’s on his feet most of the time. He quit his job because of the problems with this condition. He’s had two MRIs, a cystoscopy and an ultrasound. The problem persists. He uses a hot tub, which offers some relief but not much. According to his doctor, the tests are inconclusive without a diagnosis. Should he seek a ...

Bridge by Steve Becker

Good defense is mostly a matter of plain common sense. As a case in point, take this deal where South was in three hearts and West led the club ten, which held the trick after dummy and East followed low. West then continued with the nine, won by East with the queen. This was followed by the ace of clubs, on which West discarded the deuce of spades, and then the king of clubs, ruffed by declarer with the jack. West overruffed with the queen, but South had no trouble scoring the rest of the tricks and so made exactly three hearts. It might seem that the outcome was entirely normal, ...

YSU sees need for program

Youngstown State University is expanding its healthcare education offerings with the launch of a new hybrid Ophthalmic Clinical Assistant Certificate program through the Bitonte College of Health and Human Services beginning in the fall. The three-semester certificate program is designed to ...

Antibiotic ointment cures foot odor

Q. It was suggested that I apply a thin coat of antibacterial ointment on my feet when they get smelly. One application keeps the smell away from my feet for months. A. We have been intrigued to learn that over-the-counter antibiotic ointments such as Polysporin (bacitracin and polymyxin B) can sometimes help against nail fungus. That’s because some nail infections are bacterial rather than fungal (Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association, March 1, 2021). Your report suggests that bacteria may also contribute to some cases of foot odor. People should be aware that ...