HELOISE: Here's a checklist for hotel managers

Dear Heloise: Here is some information for the hospitality industry. Hotel managers need to tell housekeeping to make sure that rooms are completely ready for occupancy. That means not only the obvious things, such as changing the bed linens and cleaning the bathroom, but also that:

•A spare roll of toilet paper is available in the bathroom.

•The bathtub drain flows freely, and water does not rise in the tub when a guest is showering.

•Every light fixture works and has light bulbs that work.

•There are working batteries in the television remote control.

•The bedside clock is set to the correct time, and the alarm function is not currently engaged to set the alarm ringing in the middle of the night.

Thanks, Heloise! L.T.S., Omaha, Neb.

Valid hints! Most hotels do a good job most of the time. However, there are times when things are overlooked. I check the points you mentioned before unpacking so I can call housekeeping or the front desk and move to another room if need be. Heloise

Fast Facts

Dear Heloise: Here are some clothespin uses:

•Hold rose stems when pruning plants.

•Hold poster board or paper when applying spray adhesive.

•Hold hems (especially pant legs) while basting.

•Use painted ones for rewards (bronze, silver, gold) or warnings (green, yellow, red) with toddlers.

•A friend glued one to the inside of her gate, where she leaves notes for others. Ella in Texas

Dear Heloise: At work, we usually go to a fast-food restaurant for a quick lunch or to order takeout. I found a few hints for eating healthy. I try to avoid high-fat foods such as fried chicken, fried fish, french fries and double burgers. A good choice for me is a regular-size hamburger (no fries), a garden salad with low-calorie dressing or lemon juice and a glass of iced tea. I bypass the milkshakes and pies.

These hints help me to be health-conscious and still enjoy lunch out with the girls. V.R., Colorado Springs, Colo.

Isn’t it nice that most people can visit a fast-food restaurant and usually find something to eat? Here’s an e-mail from Carol about visiting a fast-food restaurant: “Here is my hint to prevent an aggravating dilemma when getting food from a fast-food restaurant. Park the car and go inside to order. Go through the bag contents at the counter without annoying other drivers who are behind you in the drive-through.” Heloise

Sound Off

Dear Heloise: It really upsets me to have to wear a bra without being able to adjust the straps in the front. I cannot begin to imagine whose idea it was to put the adjustments in the back, where no one I know is double-jointed enough or has enough arms to be able to do this. Surely a man was in charge of this. A Reader, via e-mail

SBlt Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.

King Features Syndicate