Restaurants throw away valuable food

Dear Readers: Today’s sound off is about edible food being tossed out at places that serve food. — Heloise

”Dear Heloise: I have heard that a lot of the uneaten food at restaurants is thrown out at closing time instead of being given to the poor or even to employees! Even animal charities can use some of the food. I know these places worry that someone will claim that he or she picked up food poisoning, but I seriously doubt the homeless, the disadvantaged or the elderly who live on next to nothing would mind if the food was left over from the day. If it’s still edible, why not feed those who can use it, rather than throwing it in a landfill? It’s waste of the worst kind!” — Jessica S. in Texas

Fast facts Dear Readers:

For the housebound, make up a basket with the following items:

■ Cellphone

■ Tube of hand cream

■ TV remote

■ Medications he or she will need

■ Small package of tissues

■ Bottled water (with a cap)

— Heloise

Hiding a compost pile Dear Heloise:

I want to start a compost pile, but they’re not very attractive. Any suggestions on where to put it and how to disguise it? — Holly D., Lake Charles, La.

Holly, probably the best place is in a back corner of the backyard. It’ll be easy to use, but to conceal it, try growing a double row of sunflowers or any combination of high- and lowgrowing plants. Be sure to use some kind of containment for the compost pile, such as concrete blocks, shipping pallets on end or a huge bin. — Heloise

Less mess Dear Heloise:

I save the lids from things like cottage cheese, yogurt, sour cream, etc., and use them under items such as bottles of oil, jellies and jams, honey or just about anything that is sticky and messy. It saves me having to scrub and scrape my shelves. — Meghan V., Los Gatos, Calif. Pearls

Dear Heloise: I inherited a beautiful black pearl necklace from my grandmother, but I need to have the pearls restrung. How do I keep them as nice-looking as my grandmother kept them? — Emily O., Lowell, Mass.

Emily, I love pearls! First, to clean them, use a very soft cloth and a cup of water with just a drop of shampoo in it. Gently clean each pearl, rinse with water, then dry with another clean cloth. To keep them looking good, wipe them down with a clean cloth after each wearing. When you have the pearls restrung, ask the jeweler to tie a knot between each pearl, so if the strand breaks, you will only lose one pearl. — Heloise

Hint from him Dear Heloise:

I have a bamboo backscratcher that I keep in the laundry room and use to pull clothes from the back of the dryer. No stooping and stretching to reach. — Tom F., Canyon Lake, Texas