Humidity for Musical Instruments (and Humans!)

Winter is here -- and the air is getting dryer -- particularly when the heat is on. This is especially true in the northern areas of the country.  Below is some info on humidity levels; please run your humidifiers to protect your musical instruments, your skin -- and prevent static shocks!

• Piano:  one of our friends, a piano tuner -- says that 42% humidity is ideal for a piano.
• Instruments such as fine violins like humidity in that range as well.  
• Less than 30% humidity is dangerous for valuable wooden instruments. 
• 35% is on the low side; 40% or more is safe.  

You can run humidifiers and use hygrometers to monitor the humidity in your home.  Increasing the humidity in your home during the dry winter months will make your musical instruments happier -- as well as your skin!

Refrigerator and Freezer Temperature

Do you know what temperature your freezer and refrigerator are? Your freezer should be set to zero degrees F. Yes: that's way colder than the freezing temperature (32 degrees F) of water -- but certain yeasts and bacteria can start growing at 15 degrees F. Freezer temperatures shouldn't reach more than 5 degrees F. Note that if your freezer can't keep ice cream hard, then it is above the recommended level. Keep the freezer at 5 degrees or colder, preferably 0 degrees F.

The temperature in your refrigerator should be between 34 degrees F and 40 degrees F. You don't want things to freeze, but you also want to keep your food from spoiling as much as possible. Bacteria can really start growing fast at 40 degrees or higher. Get a thermometer and move it around to different parts of your freezer and refrigerator. It's actually sort of fun and interesting -- and most importantly, will keep your food happier.

2010 Fall TV Premiere Schedule

http://tvdramas.about.com/od/tvshowsaz/a/fallpremiere07.htm

Most Premieres start the week of Sept 20:

• Some as early as Sept 9;
• Lie to Me is the latest at Nov 10.