Q. I have a small, portable one-room air conditioner that I've used for several years. Now, some of the grease has leaked from the rear of the unit onto the vinyl siding of my house. How do I clean it off?

A. Always try soap and water first or the cleaner that is recommended. Having said that, and because the grease you're describing is probably a petrochemical based material (not silicone), it can probably best be cleaned using something like gasoline or acetone.

First, make sure there are no flames or sparks nearby, and turn off and disconnect any nearby appliances that could spark while you're working. No smoking during this project.

Then, simply put a very small amount of gasoline onto the rag and wipe. The stain will disappear.
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Four killed, more than 20 hurt as storms slam region

Unseasonably warm temperatures and a cold front triggered heavy rains, high winds and at least one tornado that left four people dead and more than 20 injured Tuesday night in West Tennessee, according to emergency officials.

Madison County Sheriff David Woolfork said two people were killed in the Huntersville community in western Madison County. The two were killed in their homes, officials said. Their names were not released. U.S. 70 was closed in that area because of propane leaks.

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Lennox International Renews and Amends Existing Credit Facility

DALLAS, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lennox International Inc. (NYSE: LII) announced it has renewed and amended its revolving credit facility. The $650 million facility, an increase of $250 million from the existing credit facility, has a maturity date of October 12, 2012. LII will use the credit facility for the previously announced share repurchase program and for general corporate purposes.

The joint lead arrangers for the new facility are Bank of America Securities LLC and JPMorgan Securities, Inc.

All-New 2009 Dodge Journey Mid-Size Crossover Provides Room to Grow

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Dodge designers and engineers have answered the needs of the global passenger car market, as well as the needs of individual drivers, and delivered the all-new Dodge Journey: a global vehicle that meets life's changing demands by offering a unique combination of versatility and flexibility in a sporty, sexy package. With a starting U.S. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $19,985 (including $625 destination), this all-new vehicle takes the capability of a sport-utility vehicle (SUV) and the overall efficiency of a passenger car and blends all the best attributes of each into an all-new "right-sized" crossover for the Dodge brand.

"The all-new Dodge Journey gives our customers the complete package," said Steven Landry, Executive Vice President - Sales, Chrysler LLC.

Saturday Question

I'm almost all the way relaxed and ready to take on the day (as Dr. Laura Schlessinger might say, if you tuned into her program with a relational problem) when I return to work. I appreciate that you folks have played nice today and hope you continue to do so. I also hope you enjoy the nice weather that has moved in on Coeur d'Alene. You can find your next-to-last unattended vacation Wild Card here.

Without Fear of Contradiction - - -

Suppose I tell you that the government will design a product and make you buy it. If you say no thanks, that's too bad. The government will decide what you need and what you will buy.

If you say you can't afford it, we'll send in government investigators to check, and if they conclude indeed you can't afford it, we'll tax your neighbors and make them subsidize you so you can pay for it.

We'll set up a government bureaucracy to monitor and make sure you're cooperating. If they discover you haven't made the purchase, they'll go to your employer and have your wages garnisheed.

Let's assume further that total spending for this government-designed and -mandated product accounts for about a fifth of the nation's total economy.

The former Soviet Union? Communist China?

No, this is the new Hillarycare.