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In This Issue:

1) Healthy skepticism… a message from the Natural Handyman

2) Back at ya’… in appreciation for media citations or web links!

3) Sweepstakes Central... win great home repair stuff!!

4) News from the Basement Annex!!

5) Q&A with our readers

6) Linkmaster’s Corner

7) Pass the hammer, would ya?"... NH's readers speak out!

8) Featured in the Natural Handyman Bookshop...
“The Woodburner’s Companion” by Dirk Thomas

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1) Healthy skepticism… a message from the Natural Handyman

A few months ago, an article in US News and World Report caught my attention. It was about stretching… the slow bending and twisting motions that are supposed to make us more flexible and healthy. I’m no stranger to stretching, having studied Tang Soo Do Korean karate for a number of years. Yep, I used to do a great imitation of a pretzel… without the salt!

Entire books, careers and fortunes have been made around the stretching-for-health mystique. We have been told for over 25 years that stretching before exercise is essential for muscle, joint and tendon health and protects us from athletic and training injuries. In common language, if you didn’t stretch before exercise you were a self-destructive jerk!

Apparently not. More and more exercise specialists… not “trainers” but doctors and physiologists… are backing away from cold stretching as a “must-do” for both fitness buffs and athletes. According to recent studies, it appears that stretching may offer little protective value and in fact may help lead to injuries. As any women’s basketball fan knows, knee injuries plague these athletes, and stretching may be causing already loose knees to become dangerously unstable. Marathon runners of all sexes who stretch prior to races have more injuries than those who don’t.

Furthermore, stretching before exercise may actually decrease performance. Stretching causes tiny tears in the muscle, so a stretched muscle produces less force. Bodybuilders for years have known that stretching before weight lifting may be counterproductive.

Not to throw the baby out with the bathwater, the author concludes that stretching does have a place as part of an active “warm-up” to help the athlete attain the range of motion necessary for the sport. For example, light swings with a golf club or baseball bat warm muscles for the explosive movements of the sport. Also, stretching after exercise when the body is thoroughly warm is less damaging since it will not contribute to injury during exercise.

Are you surprised? I was. But we shouldn’t be. Medicine is not neat and pretty, and upon closer examination, there are very few “sure things” other than death, taxes and spam, especially when it comes to our bodies and health. Have you heard that coffee is bad for your health? Then you probably have also heard that it isn’t. Millions of adult women were urged to use hormone replacement therapy. What was helpful, safe and necessary THEN is now optional and possibly dangerous. Children were given antidepressants to ease them through tough experiences and trauma. These same drugs will soon carry warning labels because they have been implicated as a factor in youth suicide.

Years ago, we were told to get out and “run for life” by exercise gurus! Now, many former runners (including myself) suffer with permanent knee, back or foot problems because… surprise… many of us are not genetically designed to run long distances without wearing out! Indeed, I often wonder how many prescription orthotics for “Morton’s toe” have evolved into expensive doorstops?

And don’t get me started on diets! Low fat, high fat, low carb, no carb… How can so many doctors, dealing with the same human body, come up with so many solutions to the same problem? Let’s face it… we are a population that is overweight because much of our social activity and personal comfort includes eating or drinking. Eating in fun and feels good. And, in our wacky world, things that are fun and feel good are usually illegal… or fattening! The solution seems simple… eat no more than your body needs. Yet most people can’t seem to get it right. Could the doctors are wrong again. Could the “numbers game” of body mass indexes and cholesterol numbers be missing the point, increasing the pressure to lose weight to a level that turns people off from both doctors and healthy eating? Could there be a “cause and effect” that they are missing? Based on medicine’s history of stubborn arrogance followed by sudden spurts of knowledge, I can only conclude the truth may be out there”… but will anyone every find it?

The person who said “Whenever I want to exercise, I sit down until the urge passes” may have been onto something, though perhaps he should have said, “Whenever I want to exercise, I sit down until the “over-enthusiasm” passes… then I get up and do it right!”

Right? Unless what’s right today turns out to be wrong tomorrow!

NH

P.S. If you’re interested in reading the story on stretching that got NH all aflutter, here’s a link to the article on the US News website:
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/articles/040621/21ligament.htm

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2) BACK AT YA’.. in appreciation for media citations or reciprocal links…

REALTY QUEST is a full service real estate company with headquarters in Darien, CT., offering property and home sale services in Fairfield County and New Haven County, CT.
http://www.realtyquest.com
 

RIVER HOUSE TRADERS offers an interesting potpourri of discounted indoor and outdoor home furnishings and accessories for the home and garden. Everything for your Dream Home and Garden… Complete the Dream!
http://www.riverhousetraders.com

Want to “LINK UP” with the NATURAL HANDYMAN?
We REALLY appreciate links to our site… you might even get your site mentioned here! Click below for more information…
http://www.naturalhandyman.com/linkmeister.html

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3) SWEEPSTAKES CENTRAL

NEW CONTESTS…
We have two new contests on our site this month:

(1) Win a case of LOCTITE POWER GRAB adhesive from Henkel Consumer Adhesives! POWER GRAB is the latest technology in construction adhesive with instant grab, latex-based water cleanup and long life in the tube when opened!

(2) Win a Do-It-Yourself basement leak stopping system from WEBAC! WEBAC offers high-tech solutions to leaks in basements and other concrete structures.

***** More info on these new contests at our website!

CONTEST WINNERS
We have winners for two contests which closed in the last few months:
(1) The winner of the “E-Z Lift” cabinet support tool is:
Monte Lloyd of Friendswood, TX
The “E-Z LIFT” is a top-quality cabinet installation tool that makes one-man cabinet installation easier and more accurate. Visit their website for more information on this reasonably priced, professional-quality tool.
http://www.e-zspreadnlift.com
 

(2) The winners of “Practical Electrical Wiring” and “Wiring Simplified” from Park Publishing are:
G. Perham of Keene, NH
P. Skinner of New Hope, KY
S. Francis of Brantford, Ontario, Canada
N. Skyba of Rio Rico, AZ
B. Gump of Funkstown, MD
W. Cmelak of Pearson, WI
S. Newton of Sikeston, MO
Both “Practical Electrical Wiring” and “Wiring Simplified” are invaluable reference books for do-it-yourselfers, and are available from Amazon.com.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/subst/home/home.html/103-6886967-1506262

CONTEST CLOSED
Sept 1, 2004 saw the end of our giveaway of a Barkeepers Friend “Tote”. We will be selecting and contacting the winners shortly, with winners to be announced in a future newsletter.

FEATURED “OFF-SITE” CONTEST…

Enter the Heavy-Duty OUTDOOR ADVENTURE Sweepstakes from Milwaukee Tools! Here’s your chance to go after the “Big One”! Enter for your chance to win a hunting or fishing trip of a lifetime, Lund fishing boat package, heavy-duty Milwaukee tools or great Milwaukee merchandise.
Ends September 30, 2004
http://www.milwaukeetool.com/us/en/sweepstakes.nsf/frmHDOA?OpenForm
 

OTHER CURRENT CONTESTS…

(1) Win a $50.00 gift certificate from LAMPS-LIGHTING.COM (ends 1/1/05)
(2) Win a copy of the popular do-it yourself guide “DARE TO REPAIR” by Julie Sussman and Stephanie Glakas-Tenet (ends 10/1/2004)
(3) Win a “CLEAN-UP CREW” from GEL GLOSS (ends 12/1/2004)
(5) Win a copy of the 2-CD set HANDYMAN BUSINESS (ends 1/1/2005)
(6) Win the 2-CD set “How To Build Your Own Custom Spa or Hot Tub” from “CUSTOM BUILT SPAS” (ends 2/1/2005)

TO ENTER CONTESTS on our site, follow this link:
http://www.naturalhandyman.com/contest 

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4) News From The BASEMENT ANNEX

POWER SURGES were a yawner before we became so dependant on “delicate” electronics. From computers to refrigerators, from telephones to microwaves, our homes are loaded with devices that can be destroyed by voltage jumps! Here are a few articles, contributed by STATE FARM INSURANCE, to help you understand and combat power surges:

“Facts About Power Surges”
http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infelectrical/infsurge.html
 

“How To Choose Surge Protection”
http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infelectrical/infsurgeprotect.html
 

SELLING YOUR HOME? We have two new articles on getting the best deal! Click below to visit our new page of home sale articles.
http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infhomesale/infhomesale.html
 

TELL A FRIEND about our newsletter! They’ll appreciate it!
http://www.cumuli.com/ezines/rec.html?ez=handym

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5) Q&A WITH OUR READERS...

Dear NH,

I built a new home and am getting ready to put in hot water baseboard heating system. I would like to know how many baseboard radiators I would need for each room. Someone told me there was a formula for figuring this. Can you help me?

MS from Burke, NY

MS,

Because there is virtually no market for the installation of do-it-yourself baseboard hot water heating, there are few resources available for the amateur. There are "professional-oriented" books and software programs, as well as professional courses available... primarily to plumbers-in-training. Amazon.com, for example, doesn't seem to have anything relevant to your needs but some of the plumbing sites have relevant titles.

Online sources also seem to be minimal. I have found one site, HeatLoad.com, that has an online calculator for heating and cooling loads, but not specific information to design a system. You can access their software program by registering as a “student”. I checked with them and you don’t really have to be a formal student at a school… just eager for knowledge!
http://www.heatload.com

You might also want to contact the support people for the furnace brand you are buying. They may have resources available to help you design your system, especially if they sell a significant amount of product to nonprofessionals.
…………………………………..

Dear NH,

We have nearly three dozen Hi8 camcorder tapes that appear to have been slightly damaged. A friend tells me it is because they have been laying on their side for a few years, instead of standing upright. They are fairly clear, except that they seem to be running a little faster than normal. Also, they "skip" every 4 seconds.

He suggested running them fast-forward to the end, and then back to the beginning a few times. However, there was little or no improvement.

It seems odd that they are all damaged in this similar manner. Are these
repairable? Is there anything we can do to fix these?

RS from Albrightsville, PA

RS,

If there is truly physical damage due to improper storage, I don't believe there is any way to repair them.

Sometimes, though, erasing tapes with a “bulk tape eraser” can work wonders, especially when the tape is used in different machines. For example, some people find that old VHS tapes will not play properly in a newly purchased VCR. Due to differences in the head alignment, the new VCR may detect embedded commands (such as to change tape speed) because they are not completely erased when the tape is overwritten by the new machine. I use multiple VCR’s in my home, and I always use a bulk eraser before reusing a tape to avoid the aforementioned problems.

Perhaps your local audio-video store will let you “test erase” one tape to be sure it will help, rather than purchasing a bulk eraser without knowing for sure if it will work.

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Dear NH,

We have a fixer-upper house. All the wiring, plumbing etc. runs through the attic of the home because there is no access under the house. The electrical bills for air conditioning are about to put us in the poor house and we think attic insulation would help considerably. I suggested having insulation blown in, but my wife is concerned about the need for repair people to go up there to check wiring and plumbing etc. and thinks blowing in the stuff is not wise. Can you help us with some options that you believe are more appropriate

RN from Annandale, MN

RN,

Attic insulation will definitely help to improve your cooling and heating efficiency and lower your heat-related electric bill! And blown insulation is the easiest and cheapest way to do it since labor cost is minimal.

The problem with blown insulation, especially in an older home, is there may be fixtures in the attic that are not designed for “zero-clearance”. In other words, some light fixtures and exhaust fans require air space around them for safety reasons. Regardless of the type of insulation, this space must be maintained by keeping the insulation from making contact. So to take advantage of blown insulation, you should first map out the locations of all such fixtures. Then, after the insulation is blown in, go up into the attic and rake the insulation back from the fixtures. You can also construct an open-topped wood “box” to keep the insulation away. Cover the top during the spraying and remove it after the insulation is installed… thus maintaining the air space permanently.

If you have certain other connections in the attic that you think you may need access to such as shutoff valves or switches, they can be similarly protected. Modern electrical wiring and plumbing should not be adversely affected by blown insulation. If you are in doubt about the quality or safety of your wiring or plumbing, have a pro come in and take a look before you proceed.

Regarding maintenance, though contractors prefer insulation bats since they are more easily moved, blown insulation is workable and can be “raked” aside when necessary. Unless you have something in the attic that will require regular maintenance, using blown insulation should not cause any significant maintenance problems.

NH

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6) LINKMEISTER’S Corner

We’ve got a looooong list of links this month as we try to catch up on all the great home repair websites we discover each month! Don’t have time to visit them now? No problem… they’re listed in our website’s “Links Library” by category! Or you can look up this newsletter in our archives!

TRACK RECESS LIGHTING is the largest track lighting and recess lighting retailer on the web. Illuminate your home with resplendent interior lighting, or add an elegant touch to your business with low-voltage recess lighting. We also offer exit signs and emergency lighting.
http://www.trackrecesslighting.com
 

WARMZONE’s goal is to conveniently provide clear information through our website and consultants and then guide you to the ideal system. We offer sincere, non-biased recommendations based on your requirements and what makes the most sense from small remodeling projects to large commercial construction.
http://www.warmzone.com
 

SELECT BLINDS sells their own superior line of blinds, shades and window coverings including wood blinds, faux wood blinds, aluminum mini blinds, vertical blinds, honeycomb shades, roller shades, and bamboo shades.
http://www.selectblinds.com
 

TRUE SOUND CONTROL carries the complete “Auralex Acoustics” product line of professional soundproofing products - including acoustic foam, bass traps, diffusors, sound isolation barriers, foam kits and soundproofing construction materials. The same products use in recording studios!
http://www.truesoundcontrol.com
 

THE CREATIVE HOME strives to bring you the information you need to create a beautiful home. Here you will find articles on proper interior design, ideas to spark your imagination, special DIY projects and much more.
http://www.the-creative-home.com
 

PURE AIR MAN’s air purifiers will eliminate any odor in your home, office or apartment and fight VOCs, biological contaminants, mold spores and mildew along with pet odors too! They have models for vehicles, homes and offices as well as commercial air purifiers. Make your indoor space fresh and clean smelling by eliminating the odors and contaminants not just masking them. Great prices, free shipping and money back guarantee
http://www.pureairman.com
 

FILTERS FAST features original OEM water filters and parts - exactly the same as the one that came with your refrigerator. Buy refrigerator water filters for all brands including: Amana, GE, Frigidaire, Kenmore, Kitchenaid, Maytag, Samsung and Whirlpool...
http://www.filtersfast.com
 

FIX MY BLINDS is a self-service blind and shade repair website. If you have the ability to do the repair but can't find the materials locally (most people can't), THIS is the site for you! Easy to follow instructions will help you repair your blinds in no time at all!
http://www.fixmyblinds.com
 

THE SKYLIGHT GUY distributes “Natural Light Energy System” tubular skylights and solar powered attic fans. These skylights are built to last and perform flawlessly... truly the "Contractor's Choice"!
http://www.skylightguys.com
 

WHOLE HOUSE FAN offers a radical new design in whole house fans. They use multiple small fans instead of a single fan, minimizing noise and power consumption. A special automatic cover provides an air-tight seal when the fan is off. They require NO seasonal covering for colder areas and keep the heat in the attic when the fan is not in use... great if you also use air conditioning during the day!
http://www.wholehousefan.com
 

HERITAGE CEILINGS are suppliers of a large range of unusual ornate tin ceiling panels. Prices, designs and photographs featured on website.
http://www.heritageceilings.com.au/tin-ceilings-patterns.htm 

We REALLY appreciate links to our site. We also accept suggestions of quality websites we may have missed! Click below to suggest a link or for more information…
http://www.naturalhandyman.com/linkmeister.html 
 

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7) PASS THE HAMMER, WOULD YA? ... NH’S readers speak out!

Dear NH,

It might be helpful for you to add a comment on your “Muriatic Acid article on how to dispose of unused acid.

BT

Dear BT,

Thanks for your observation. I had acid disposal and cleanup information elsewhere on our website , but never incorporated it into the muriatic acid article. Though our website has many pages that show up high in search rankings, some of our information tends to get lost, even in our own internal search!

After rereading the article, I also realized that it needed some serious “tweaking” for readability, plus added information on cleaning up small muriatic acid spills.

As always, input from attentive readers helps us keep our website as accurate and current as possible. All your suggestions were and are appreciated!

Our muriatic acid article is at this url:
http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infxtra/infmur.html

………………………………………………………..

Dear NH,

No question--I just wanted to thank you for making it so easy to find out how to remove a Molly anchor. This page was excellent! http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infanchor/infanchor.html

PM from Urbana, IL

PM,

The pleasure is all mine! I especially enjoyed writing that article, since much of the information was not easily available elsewhere. Glad you found it and, as always, glad our website was helpful for you!
………………………………………..

Dear NH,

You referred to WD-40 as a lubricant in one newsletter. I've heard WD-40 is a penetrant, not a lubricant. It unsticks things by drying up water.

TH from Sacramento, CA

TH,

It's definitely a penetrant, but also a protectant and a lubricant… though not the best lubricant in many situations. It's original purpose was to protect the metal skins of missiles from damage during launches! Around the house, I use it to inhibit rust on metal parts, such as on wheelbarrows stored outdoors all year. (No, I don’t own any missiles!) Read my article on WD-40 for more information:
http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infxtra/infwd40.html
 

NH

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8) Featured in the NATURAL HANDYMAN BOOKSHOP...

“The Woodburners’s Companion” by Dirk Thomas

Being a woodsplitting wonk who has heated with wood for almost 25 years, I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a warm woodstove in their life!

Dirk Thomas starts with a sober overview of woodburning... it will definitely save you money... but be prepared to pay with sweat equity! Topics covered include selecting the right stove, buying firewood, chimney construction and cleaning, dangers of wood heating, environmental concerns and much more!

See this and other fine books in our BOOKSHOP at:
http://www.naturalhandyman.com/bookshop

PURCHASE ALL YOUR BOOKS ONLINE THROUGH US!
By making a special AMAZON.COM bookmark through our site, you not only get the finest books available but also help our site with a small, essentially free donation with each purchase! Click below for more information…
http://www.naturalhandyman.com/amazon

                    COPYRIGHT 2004 G. George Ventures, Inc., All rights reserved.

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