Closing the door on those unwanted ads

Dear Readers: Today’s Sound Off is about too many junk flyers:

“Dear Heloise: I want people to please stop leaving ads for various restaurants, child care, lawn and tree-trimming services, religious information and all the other info. It’s stuffed in my door, left on the porch or, more often than I like, thrown on my front lawn. I put a ‘No Solicitation’ sign on my door, but that hasn’t stopped anyone.”—Miranda L., Kennewick, Wash.

Miranda, this can be a problem, especially if you’re out of town for a while. Unfortunately, they are not going to stop! Most times, these are delivered by a separate company. Also, all of the piled-up papers signal that no one is home, and basically says to a thief, “Hey, break in!” If you are gone for a while, ask a neighbor (or pay a neighborhood teenager) to pick the stuff up daily.—Heloise

FAST FACTS

Dear Readers: Here are other uses for the cardboard tubes inside paper towels:

Slit one side and use to push all of your computer, phone and printer cords through the slit and out of your way. Store prints or posters inside.

Use to store plastic bags inside.

Close up the ends and use to mail letters, pictures or other items.

—Heloise TO RING OR NOT RING? Dear Heloise: I have some good advice for young men (Heloise here: or older ones, too) about surprising their girlfriend with an engagement ring. First, you don’t have to have a ring to ask her to marry you; find some unique way to ask. I asked my now-wife to marry me, then we went ring shopping.

We decided on a jeweler, and I went by myself to discuss a price I could afford. He was to have a tray of possible ring sets to show her the next day. We both went back, and she selected five sets she liked. I returned alone, chose one from the five sets and surprised her when I gave her the engagement ring a few days later. We have been married for 54 years.—Sheridan G., Fullerton, Calif.

Sheridan, what a lovely story, and one I hope will give others some insight that some things do NOT always have to be done in the traditional way.—Heloise

SEND A GREAT HINT TO: Heloise

P.O. Box 795000

San Antonio, TX 78279-5000 Fax: 1-210-HELOISE

Email: Heloise@Heloise.com