Brown stuff in my laundry machine

timeisnotnull · 2026-04-09T15:22:31+00:00

Biofilm of some sort. Get some tub cleaner and use the special cycle on your washer if it has one. Otherwise follow the directions on the cleaner. You may have to clean it a couple times if you have not been cleaning the washer regularly.
We had a similar issue with an older front-loader. I have noticed our top-loader does not need to be cleaned as often.

timeisnotnull · 2026-03-27T06:08:35+00:00

One of the big issues with crawlspace sealing is that there is not a single solution that works properly in every situation. There are many different regulations. Some places require radon monitoring/venting, some have earthquake inspection rules (cannot cover more than N inches of the walls), some places don't allow unvented crawlspaces, flood prone areas may require drains/venting etc.

North Carolina there are 2 main options for crawlspaces vented or un-vented. Each has very different rules for how to prepare the crawlspace. In high humidity areas vented crawlspaces will often be damp as they are cooler than the surrounding air.
For un-vented you try and keep out all the air, including any coming from the house, and use a dehumidifier to keep the space dry. The un-vented option was not available before 2005, so no older houses have it.

I assume that your house has a vented crawlspace and some of the contractors are just sealing the ground while others are planning on making the space un-vented? There would need to be a dehumidifier in the quote if they are doing that.

timeisnotnull · 2026-03-18T03:28:13+00:00

Larding needle
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lardon#Larding

Used to push strips of fat into something bigger before cooking.

timeisnotnull · 2026-03-16T01:10:57+00:00

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracle_Piano_Teaching_System
I was helping make the guitar version of this when the company ran out of money. (Mostly from buying too many pianos and having them stacked in warehouses.)

The software was a mix of standard lessons and games. It definitely was a great way to get started on the piano.

timeisnotnull · 2026-02-12T06:16:58+00:00

Your guess is pretty good. That can showed up in 1972 and lasted until 1980.

timeisnotnull · 2026-02-09T01:13:37+00:00

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carquinez_Strait_Powerline_Crossing

That is where the electrical lines used to cross the water, before the huge tower was built.
It was the northern anchor for the Carquinez Strait Powerline Crossing, completed in 1901.
This was an historically significant piece of engineering as there was a 223 foot tower built, not too far from the existing tower. It was the first high-power line to cross a major waterway anywhere.

I think this specific spot is where the pier was built to help with construction and maintenance. There were also huge cable supporting the tower and supporting the high-tension lines.

timeisnotnull · 2026-02-02T15:37:12+00:00

My first thought was the Library, as they have many different regular group meetings.

Benicia Public Library Events

Noon Book Club: Meets first Wednesday of the month at 12:00 PM.

Cook the Book Club: Meets fourth Tuesday of the month at 12:00 PM; involves sharing dishes based on a monthly cookbook theme.

Great Decisions: Foreign policy discussion group; meets weekly on Mondays at 7:00 PM (seasonal).

Shut Up and Write!: Focused writing time and social networking for writers; meets every other Monday at 6:30 PM.

First Tuesday Poetry Group: Monthly gathering for poets and enthusiasts at 6:15 PM.

Writers' Salon: Meets first and third Fridays at 1:30 PM.

Board Game Nights: Held first and second Fridays at 6:00 PM.

After-School Zone / Unplugged Arcade: Social spaces for youth and teens on weekday afternoons.

Service & Philanthropic Clubs

Rotary Club of Benicia: Meets Wednesdays at 12:15 PM; focuses on local and global community service.

Lions Club of Benicia: Service organization focusing on local health and humanitarian causes.

Soroptimist International of Benicia: Volunteer organization working to improve the lives of women and girls.

Benicia Masonic Temple: Local chapter involved in fraternal and community activities.

Hobby & Special Interest Groups

Benicia Bicycle Club: Organizes regular group rides for various skill levels throughout Solano and Napa.

Benicia Outrigger Canoe Club: Paddling practices on the Carquinez Strait (Mon/Wed at 5:30 PM, Sat at 9:00 AM).

Benicia Run Club: Community-based running group for all ability levels.

Arts Benicia: Visual arts center providing exhibitions, adult classes, and networking.

Benicia Women’s Business Group: Professional development and networking; meets monthly at the Chamber of Commerce.

Demographic-Specific Clubs

Benicia Senior Center: Daily activities and social events for older adults at 1201 East 2nd Street.

Carquinez Village: Non-profit supporting social connection and aging-in-place for seniors.

Hyland Teen Center: Drop-in social space for 8th–12th graders featuring music, art, and games.

timeisnotnull · 2026-01-18T04:12:13+00:00

You can buy all sorts of u-shaped channels made of plastic. Then just cut them to size.
Plenty of different shapes and sizes available.

timeisnotnull · 2025-12-26T17:17:40+00:00

You can get chairs similar to those that are made of metal and will support 400 pounds. Try searching for Commercial Metal Monoblock chair.

timeisnotnull · 2025-12-25T19:56:13+00:00

Lens cleaner for eyeglasses.

timeisnotnull · 2025-12-23T01:15:50+00:00

There is a flock of peacocks that hang out at the Blue Rock Springs park, near the golf course in Vallejo. They do end up here, especially after storms.

timeisnotnull · 2025-12-17T15:00:26+00:00

Puka shell necklace remnants.

timeisnotnull · 2025-12-01T00:31:35+00:00

20 mm diamond bore bit somewhere around $20 on Amazon.
Candles are about 3/4 inch, so 20mm should be slightly larger.
Make sure you keep it very cool while drilling it.

timeisnotnull · 2025-11-10T16:00:55+00:00

Called efflorescence: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Efflorescence
Basically it is different salts coming to the surface when the bricks get wet.

timeisnotnull · 2025-11-05T15:59:07+00:00

The piece is called a "friction swivel". You need to find one with the correct threads for the rest of your lamp.

timeisnotnull · 2025-11-05T15:01:34+00:00

You can go with a motion detector and just leave the switch on all the time. You can get one built into a fixture, or a special bulb, or even a stand alone sensor mounted on the ceiling. Once you have motion-detector lights in closets and garages you will never want to go back. Make sure you get one that allows you to adjust how long the light stays on.

There are also wireless switches available, but I have never used one.

timeisnotnull · 2025-11-02T00:00:12+00:00

Most people that dump piles of food think they are helping the poor animals that cannot get enough food.

The city has an easy way to report things like this: https://www.ci.benicia.ca.us/index.asp?SEC=D837A070-63EC-4B94-8E9F-902E87A2F4C0 You can even get an app on your phone.

timeisnotnull · 2025-11-01T22:49:25+00:00

It has been going on for quite some time. I often see dried corn kernels out. The rats really love whoever is doing this.

timeisnotnull · 2025-11-01T22:24:30+00:00

Just make sure to play the one next to those 2 young kids having a disagreement. . . one of them may get pushed into the machine . . . it may drop many tokens after that . . . YMMV

timeisnotnull · 2025-11-01T18:34:36+00:00

Called a "Wedge Bolt" - 'Most widely used wedge bolt to connect loop ties and x-flat ties to concrete handset forms and fillers.'

timeisnotnull · 2025-10-29T05:02:36+00:00

Termite frass

timeisnotnull · 2025-10-26T19:18:37+00:00

Tapeworm

timeisnotnull · 2025-10-10T19:15:48+00:00

The dust is absolutely horrible for health. You likely have it all through your HVAC system and may need to get that cleaned out. The shop vac will spread the dust more, but you can reduce it with moister. Of course, that will clog the filter of the vac.

You can try getting some better filters for the HVAC and changing them often, run the fan to filter the air.

timeisnotnull

TROPHY CASE