Today’s Sound Off is about places that are too cold:

Dear Heloise: I love air conditioning, as I’m sure many people do, but I’ve been in far too many restaurants, theaters and stores where the air is absolutely freezing!

My husband and I recently went to a live performance at a theater where the air was so cold that people left at intermission. My hands ached from the chill, but we stayed until the end of the performance. I’m not sure I’d ever go back to that place again if that is how cold they keep their building.

I still like air conditioning, but not to a point where people are so cold they are either terribly uncomfortable or feel they need to leave because the cold has such a negative effect on them. — Grace T., Hollywood, Fla.

Grace, I’ve been in the same situation. I know that an audience of warm bodies will warm up a room, but there is no need for the temperature to be so low that people shiver and can’t enjoy the performance. — Heloise

SEND A GREAT HINT TO:

Heloise

P.O. Box 795001

San Antonio, TX 78279-5001

Fax: 1-210-HELOISE

Email: Heloise@Heloise.com

FAST FACTS

Here are some uses for those lone earrings we all have in our jewelry boxes:

— Break off the back and glue to a hair bow.

— Collect several and make a work of art.

— Collect several and make a bridal bouquet.

— Decorate a package with them.

CREAM OF TARTAR

Dear Heloise: What is cream of tartar used for? — KSK, Burbank, Calif.

KSK, cream of tartar is a byproduct of fermenting grapes, but it’s acidic, not creamy. You can combine cream of tartar with baking soda to make a leavening agent. Or add a pinch of cream of tartar to boiling vegetables to retain their color. It also will stabilize whipped cream and strengthen meringues. You can use it as a nontoxic cleaner as well. Add a little water to cream of tartar to make a paste to clean steel and aluminum pot and pans. — Heloise

GREASE

Dear Heloise: When I have leftover grease from frying meat, I pour it in an empty vegetable can and refrigerate it until it’s solid. When the can is full I throw it out in the trash. — Elizabeth C., Hamilton, Ohio

Elizabeth, that’s a good idea, but in this warmer weather you might want to place the can in something, such as a bag or old piece of plastic so you don’t have grease melting in the bottom of your trash can. — Heloise

GREETING CARDS

Dear Heloise: When shopping for greeting cards, put the envelope inside the card so that the barcode is exposed. This will make checking out faster and is appreciated by the check-out clerk. — Betty C., Selden, Kan.

SCRATCH PAPER

Dear Heloise: When my kids were younger, any correspondence that I received that had a nearly blank page, I would save it for them to write or draw on. They knew that was for them rather than writing or coloring on the wall. — Wayne W., Garden City, Kan.

Wayne, this is a great idea, and it gives your children room to be creative! — Heloise

FLUFFY PILLOWS

Dear Heloise: Got flat pillows? Or a sweater that’s not dirty but needs a little TLC? Just put them in the dryer for about 10 to 12 minutes, and they’ll fluff up nicely. If you want to add a nice fresh scent, toss in a dryer sheet. I’ve used this method for years, and it’s saved me a lot of money in dry cleaning bills. — Janet P., Stanton, Calif.

FLEAS AND TICKS

Dear Readers: Just a reminder that with warmer weather comes flea and tick season. Your vets have products to reduce or eliminate the problems associated with these insects. They can also check your pets for heartworm and make sure their vaccinations are up to date. A pet is a responsibility, so please make sure your pets are well cared for. — Heloise