Your week
YOUR HOME
Ready for a new look in your living space in 2011? A new coat of paint just might do the trick.
Inviting, versatile neutral and pastel tones will be big this year, according to the Paint Quality Institute. Think warm whites, tawny tans, “barely there” coral and green for kitchens, bedrooms and baths – and blue, with its calming effects, for both walls and ceilings.
If you want to give your new colors a test run, check out Small Wall paint-sample boards. You can paint on their nonporous surface and hang them on walls using an adhesive strip to get an idea how the hues would look.
Look for them at select Ace Hardware stores, Sherwin-Williams (under the name Contractor Series Faux Technique Sample Boards) and online at amazon.com. Expect to pay $8 to $10 for two 12-inch-square boards.
» Find more home and garden ideas in Sunday’s Today section.
YOUR HEALTH
You wouldn’t think of going skiing without poles. But a new study shows they could come in handy when hiking season rolls around, too.
British researchers found that hikers who used trekking poles on ascents and descents had a lower “rate of perceived exertion” – meaning they didn’t feel like they were working as hard – as well as less muscle soreness and quicker recovery times than those who did the same hikes without poles.
» Find more health and fitness tips in Tuesday’s Today section.
YOUR FOOD
Next time you’re tempted to order takeout, try a quick homemade stir-fry instead. Veal (or chicken breast) paired with green beans is a tasty combination; for the recipe, see page C5.
» Find more recipes and restaurant news in Wednesday’s Food section.
YOUR FUN
Here’s what’s on the schedule for this week:
On CD (Tuesday)
Ella Fitzgerald, “Twelve Nights in Hollywood” (two 2-disc sets)
Soundtrack, “Faster”
Jake Shimabukuro, “Peace Love Ukelele”
On DVD (Tuesday)
“Dinner for Schmucks”
“Machete”
“Catfish”
“Case 39”
“Howl”
“The Last Exorcism”
In theaters (Friday)
“Country Strong” (music drama)
“Season of the Witch” (period action)
On TV
“Live to Dance”: Former “American Idol” judge Paula Abdul is back with her new reality competition show. (Previews Tuesday, 8 p.m., then moves to Wednesday, 8 p.m., CBS)
“V”: The alien invasion drama returns for a second season. (Tuesday, 9 p.m., ABC)
“People’s Choice Awards”: Queen Latifah hosts the 37th annual gala recognizing fan favorites in movies, music and TV. (Wednesday, 9 p.m., CBS)
“Bob’s Burgers”: Debut of the animated sitcom about a floundering family burger joint. (Sunday, 8:30 p.m., Fox)
“The Cape”: A cop who’s presumed dead resurfaces as a would-be superhero in this midseason premiere. (Sunday, 9 p.m., NBC)
On stage
Shen Yun Performing Arts: Tuesday-Wednesday, INB Performing Arts Center
Joe Satriani: Sunday, Bing Crosby Theater
Around town
Premier Bridal Festival: Saturday-Sunday, Spokane Convention Center
» Find a full arts and entertainment roundup in the Thursday and Friday Today sections.