El Paso Times from El Paso, Texas • 43

Section Things to do Mervyn's Kinder Concert 2E Music Legendary blues musician Junior Wells dies at 63 3E SATURDAY, JAN. 17, 1998 Living Comics 5E, 6E Columns 2E, 3E TV Listings 2E FEATURES EDITOR ED SHUGERT 546-614 3 rm pi wm wk mm O) FISH I I lyiNUIN uu SIM Bv Robert Seltzer Paso Times autumn is the time when trees shed those colorful garments known as leaves, then winter A stained expression Club soda, tap water it really makes no difference what you put on a clothing stain. That's according to Good Housekeeping magazine's Housekeeping Institute, which says the important thing is not letting the stain get dry. The longer it remains on the fabric, the harder it is to get out by laundering or dry-cleaning. Mulch ado about compost I Now that the new year is here, here's something you can do to get ready for the -new gardening year.

"Buy a trash can and drill holes in the sides," the Montgomery County, Cooperative Extension says. t- "Use chicken wire or hardware cloth with support stakes. Do one last round leaf-raking or mowing to clear up the yard and in the process fill up the bin with the leaves. Remove the wire or empty the" can in the spring and the decomposed material can be spread as mulch or, if fully decayed, worked right into the garden soil." Gaining the edge Inspect your borders. The ones in your house between the ceiling and the walls.

You may have been turned off by traditional floral borders. But Wallpapers to Go says manufacturers are finally coming out with new designs and styles, such as sports, vegetables, horses, hobbies, maps, globes and sailing. The sandman comes is the time when they shed their limbs. And they do it with a lot of help from their friends the homeowners. It is called pruning, but it is not as easy as a snip here, a snip there the arborescent equivalent of a visit to the barber shop.

It is a complicated procedure, and individuals need to follow certain precautions. "Unless you're very, very knowledgeable, I wouldn't attempt to do the pruning myself," said John White, El Paso County extension agent. "You're better off hiring an arborist (a tree-care specialist)." Winter is the best time of year for pruning, White said. Just because the trees lie dormant, there is no reason for you to do the same not when it comes to pruning. If you wait until the spring or summer, the pruning may cause a dwarfing effect with the trees, the extension agent said.

"You can prune all year round, but winter is the best time, because it has more of a renewal effect," White said. "There are some shrubs where it's better to wait, because they bloom in February or March. But the bigger trees can be pruned now." Robert Quintero, a homeowner who has been pruning his own trees for 10 years, refers to the practice as "sculpting." "I've learned on my own," said Quintero, 38. "Safety is an important aspect of the work. You should wear a hard hat, gloves and goggles.

And, as far as the tree is concerned, you have to be careful not to make real deep cuts." Vern Autrey, vice president of Tree Lawn Corp. in the Upper Valley, said this is his busiest time of year, with I oasmmmsyi Photos by Victor Calzada El Paso Times KMAZ switches to Spanish This weekend marks the switch for independent television station KMAZ-Channel 48 from a UPN network to Telemundo. The station, previously KZIA, is making the change to a Spanish-language format. "We're making the change because we believe the market can handle a second Spanish-language station on this side of the border," said Station Manager Dan Kempner. "We had a very tough time making a go of it as a UPN affiliate." Kempner said popular Telemundo programs include "Sevcec," "El Ella" and "Ocurrio Asi." CBS Telenoticias provides about three hours of news programming each day, and the network carries Mexico soccer.

KMAZ also will have "Star Trek: The Next Generation" Monday through Friday. The programming change took place at 12:01 a.m. Friday. Luncheon helps Pro-Musica Guild The El Paso Pro-Musica Guild will present "Table-scapes," a Valentine luncheon and table-design spectacular at 10 a.m. Feb.

10 in the El Paso Country Club. The luncheon will feature 30 tables individually decorated by El Paso interior designers, retailers, specialty stores and florists. All proceeds from Table-scapes will benefit the El Paso Pro-Musica's programs, including the International Chamber Music Festival, and programs in the public schools. Cost: $35. Reservation deadline is Feb.

5. Information: 581-9347. Nonprofit group receives grant The Assistance League of El Paso has received a $20,000 check from the El Paso Energy Foundation and El Paso Natural Gas Co. in support of the league's Capital Campaign Fund. The fund, which began in May, raises money for several projects.

Operation School Bell provides a set of new clothing to needy schoolchildren in the area. PASO Bear distributes teddy bears to children in crisis. The newest project is the Assault Survivor Kit, which provides rape victims a set of new clothing after their original clothing has been retained for evidence. Information: 584-7684. Council to honor Sheldon Hall The National Council of Jewish Women will honor Sheldon Hall with the Hannah G.

Solomon award at the annual Founder's Day Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 3 in the Camino Real Hotel. The council presents the award to an individual whose leadership has improved the quality of life for people of all ages and backgrounds. Hall has been involved with organizations like the El Paso Mission Trail Association, the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce, the American Heart Association, the Salvation Army and the El Paso Cancer Treatment Center.

He is the El Paso Quadricentennial Commission chairman. Cost: $25. Reservation deadline is Jan. 25. Information: 584-4437.

Cowboys to have annual stampede The El Maida Shrine Cowboys will present the llth-Annual Western Stampede at 6 p.m. Feb. 14 in the El Maida Shrine Temple, 6331 Alabama. The event will include a barbecue brisket dinner served from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and a dance from 8 p.m.

to midnight. The Electric Rodeo Band will perform. There will be raffles and door prizes. Proceeds from the event will go to the El Maida Shrine Horse Patrol. Cost: $15.

Information: 562-1444. Times staff reports Winter is the best time of year for tree pruning, says John White, El Paso County extension agent. White demonstrates pruning outside the Texas Research Center with gardening expert Connie Walsh. i i i i Tools to have on hand Forget water beds. How about a sand bed? Cows like it, so how bad can it be? Increasing numbers of Kentucky dairy farmers are using sand instead of straw or sawdust for stall bedding.

"It's not rocket science," one farmer says. "It's just that the sand is inorganic, so bacteria doesn't grow on it." We're home One of the best methods of deterring burglars is to create the impression that; someone is inside. That's where a timer-comes in handy, For people who have few, if any, lamp cords to plug into a socket timer, the answer may be a wall-switch Intermatic has a new one just out that's digital and covers each day of the week. The new timer can handle incandescent and fluorescent lamps, as well as heavy-, duty electrical loads such as fans and appliances. It can replace a single-pole or three-way switch.

Four programming options are available with up to six on-off settings a day. A random-setting program also permits irregular on-off hours with variances of 30 minutes each. Ask for the new Intermatic wall-switch timer at hardware stores and home centers. No cords here If every tool seems to be going cordless, it's not a misconception. Now Black Decker is introducing a cordless, rechargeable power sprayer for applying insecticides and sealants.

No more hand pump if you use this new gadget. The sprayer's pump maintains a pressure of 20 pounds PSI and can dis- charge up to 9 gallons of liquid per battery charge. The spray can reach a distance of up to 25 feet in a straight stream. It is powered by two VersaPak 3.6-volt batteries. The sprayer comes with two kinds of nozzles, batteries and charger.

Suggested retail price of the new sprayer is $99. Ask for it at hardware stores and most home centers, or call Black Decker at (800) 544-6986. More information is available at the Black Decker's Web site at http:www.blackanddecker.com. Times wire reports because the cuts are cleaner. Pruning saw, or pole saw, for cuts larger than 12-inch in diameter.

Lopping shears, also for cuts larger than 12 inch. Gloves, goggles, hard hat. Equipment do-it-yourself pruners will need, the total cost of which should run about $150 to $200 at a hardware store: Hand-pruning shears. The scissor type, or bypass blade, pruners are preferred over the anvil type, Si i4 i A i I -wJ" 1 Find help If you are searching for a reputable lawn-care specialist: Find out whether they are members of trade organizations such as the National Arborist Association. Find out whether they are fully insured, so you will not be responsible for any injuries the workers may suffer.

Avoid door-to-door businesses, Ask for references and then check them out. Find out whether they are members of the Better Business Bureau. Trees should be pruned when limbs are diseased or damaged and to develop a tree with a strong structure. Proper pruning involves trimming just past the ring at the base of the branch, leaving a small knob. Please see Pruning 3E Mulching takes mystery out of good gardening soil i John White tainable in many areas.

Easy to handle but can deplete nitrogen severely if not well-rotted and aged. Plastic film: Black polyethylene film is an excellent mulch, but unattractive where aesthetics are a consideration and detrimental to plant growth by blocking air and water penetration. Keeps soil temperature even and eliminates weeds entirely. Punch holes in it for water penetration. Geotextile fabrics: Expensive, but price is dropping with increased use.

Long-lasting. Can be bought in various thicknesses. Allows water and air penetration for roots. ening the watering chore. Availability is one factor to consider in selecting a mulch.

A mulch can consist of inorganic or organic materials. Here is a list of mulching materials, along with their advantages and disadvantages (if any): Ground bark: Inex- tensive, attractive, long-asting. Available in chip size or finely ground. Will lose color with time. Peat moss: Expensive and somewhat difficult to prepare.

Attractive at first, but can dry out, lose aesthetic appeal and shed water. Pine needles: Dis Are you aware of the advantages of using a mulch in your garden? In one stroke you can reduce weed problems, improve soil structure, attract beneficial earthworms, keep the soil moist and cool, prevent erosion and add nutrients to the soil. Mulch is a natural ground covering, and the springy carpet of a forest floor is a natural example. When it decomposes, it adds nutrients to the soil below. An organic garden mulch does the same thing adds humus to the soil and improves its structure.

Man simply takes his cue from nature, applying his own ground covering, natural or inorganra. able, resist wind disturbance, locally abundant. Potential fire hazard when dry. Slow to decompose. Grass clippings: Available to most gardeners.

Mats quickly, generating heat and disagreeable results if initial application is too thick. Spread thinly, allow to dry before applying to the garden. Do not use fresh clippings in your garden. Straw: One of the best choices. Long-lasting, can reduce moisture evaporation by as much as 70 percent.

Will deplete soil nitrogen, which should be replaced by adding nitrogen fertilizer. Sawdust: Easily ob Lessens erosion problems. Newspaper: Readily available, builds humus. Can be used shredded or in sheets to desired thickness Can be covered for better, appearance. The ink actually contains trace minerals beneficial to plant growth.

Most black inks are biodegradable; avoid coU ored inks. Your choice of mulch depends on your personal preferences, but you will be surprised at the time it will save you on your garden. The city of El Paso is offering free mulch at the Clint Landfill. For more information call 851-3043. JohirM.

White is the county exten- sion ent for horticulture. By depriving developing weed seedlings of light, mulch minimizes weed problems in the garden. This easy weeding is the result of another benefit: moisture retention. Mulch slows moisture evaporation, protecting tender new roots from overheated soi while also less-.