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Dear Debbie: What are your thoughts about painting stairs? We live in the country and don鈥檛 wear shoes in the house so I don鈥檛 think chipping is a concern.

Dear Reena: I recently boiled a stainless-steel pot completely dry. When I took it off the hot element, I put the pot on a dishcloth that must have had a lot of synthetics in it, most of which melted and adhered to the bottom of the pot.

Romania is full of surprises and wonderful people. And as you leave the capital of Bucharest, it gets even better. In the Romanian countryside, the nation鈥檚 unique history and traditional culture live on 鈥� vividly.

IN CONCERT What: The Sadies with Tremblers of Sevens When: Sunday, 7 p.m. Where: Upstairs Cabaret, 15 Bastion Sq. Tickets: $25 at Lyle鈥檚 Place and Ticketzone.

BIRTHDAY SATURDAY: The answers you seek won't be easy to find but they are certainly there. If the bad things that go on in the world get you down try shifting your perspective. Even bad things have their place in the cosmic hierarchy.

BIRTHDAY FRIDAY: The time for excuses is over. Either you resolve to make your mark now, and follow through and make it happen, or it will always be a case of what might have been. Take life a day at a time and make each and every day a masterpiece.

ONSTAGE What: Puppets for Peace festival with Roy Henry Vickers Where: Fairfield Community Association, 1330 Fairfield Rd. When: Saturday, 2 to 6 p.m., Sunday, 11聽a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets: Free or by donation More information: puppetsforpeace.

Vancouver pop-rock act Hedley will return to Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on Feb. 6 for a concert with fellow Vancouver hitmaker Shawn Hook and rising stars Neon Dreams.

At the heart of the best of Korea lies something loosely pronounced as 鈥淛eong.鈥� But its full meaning in English is almost impossible to translate.

What: Sidney and Peninsula Literary Festival Where: Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Ave. When: Friday to Sunday Tickets: $15 to $140 (single event or weekend pass) More information: sidneyliteraryfestival.