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Karen Youso

Columnist/Reporter  |  Fixit

Phone: 612-673-4407

E-mail: fixit@startribune.com

Karen Youso writes Fixit, a column that answers readers questions on any subject; and also writes feature stories on consumer issues, especially about the house and yard.

Recent content from Karen Youso

• Fixit: LEDs mark I-35W express lane
  Q I noticed that the new commuter lane on Interstate 35W going into downtown Minneapolis has reflective bumps in the pavement. Although I've seen these lane markers in many other states, I understood that they couldn't be used in Minnesota because they would just be knocked off by the plows. Why are they used now?
  Nov 13, 2009
• Musty humidifier needs a cleaning
  Q Our humidifier has a musty odor when it comes on. What can we do about it?
  Nov 10, 2009
• Fixit: Make call to end phone-book drop
  Q How do my neighbors and I stop getting those Dex phone books? We don't want them and they're heavy to haul out to the garbage.
  Nov 9, 2009
• Fixit: If you're about to buy a new furnace, read this info first
  Q We want to replace our furnace with a new one and take advantage of the $1,500 federal tax credit. What should we look for in a new furnace?
  Nov 8, 2009
• Fixit: U, Historical Society might take old photos
  Q I'm puzzled about what to do with old photographs of relatives and trips to China and Australia. Do I just throw them in the garbage? I live in an apartment and don't have room for them.
  Nov 8, 2009
• Fixit: Fungus on maple tree a symptom of heart rot
  Q What would cause mushrooms to appear on the side of my mature maple tree?
  Nov 6, 2009
• Fixit: Dusty ducts and recycling rags
  Q How dirty do heating ducts get in a year? Is it necessary to clean them yearly as my wife insists?
  Oct 31, 2009
• Let's shed some light
  Sunday it's going to get dark earlier. Are you happy with your light? If you've got a brighter idea, it could be worth $10 million.
  Oct 30, 2009
• Must food workers at State Fair wear gloves?
  Q Our family enjoyed the State Fair this year, but we have a lingering question. Are the workers supposed to wear gloves when preparing and giving you food? Some did and some did not.
  Oct 24, 2009
• Fixit: Bedbugs, not spiders, are nighttime biters
  Q My wife and I are waking up with spider bites on our legs. My wife, who gets most of the bites, wants to spray for spiders around the house. Is this a good idea?
  Oct 23, 2009

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