Q: I’ve bought several pepper mills over the years and every one of them scatters more pepper outside the intended target than on it. Does anyone make a pepper mill that doesn’t make such a mess? Thanks so much! Freda Kempson, Acworth
A: Freda, the ideal pepper mill is, indeed, an elusive piece of kitchen equipment. I find that the models with the crank on top are the most difficult to control, but everyone has something specific they want from their grinders. The best suggestion I have for you, or anyone else looking for a pepper mill, is to take several for a test drive. A good place to start is The Cook's Warehouse, 1311 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta, 770-565-8005. The store is loaded with a wide variety of pepper grinders, including battery-operated models (which I love), and you're more than welcome to grind away at a dozen or so models until you find the one that suits you best.
Q: I am no longer able to find Myoflex cream analgesic for joint pain in the Atlanta metro area. Please help. Thanks. Robert Lee, email
A: Robert, I found a local pharmacy that stocks Myoflex, an odorless cream formulated to relieve minor aches and pains using trolamine salicylate. You'll find 4 oz. tubes for $12.29 at Little Five Points Pharmacy, 484 Moreland Ave., Atlanta, 404-524-4466
Q: I love my Cheerwine soft drink from North Carolina. Diet Cheerwine is no longer stocked in the northern Atlanta area. Customer service at the grocery stores tell me it’s no longer made. That’s not true. If you check their website, it is available there, however, the shipping cost alone is close to $20 for a 24 pack. That’s too expensive. I have asked the Pepsi stockers at the grocery store, they tell me people ask them all the time about diet Cheerwine, but they don’t know why it’s no longer stocked. Help. Is the diet version available in the Atlanta area? Thanks. Tommy Armstrong
A: Yes, Tommy, Cheerwine diet cherry soda is available locally. You'll find it at Cost Plus World Market, 4733 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, 678-731-0014. A 12-ounce bottle of diet Cheerwine, which is flavored with artificial wild cherry and sweetened with Splenda, sells for $1.49.
Q: I was recently given a couple of lovely but older and worn teak patio chairs. I want to restore them and was told that I could easily do that with a product called Golden Care cleaner. Unfortunately, I’m not familiar with it and have not been able to locate any. I would appreciate any help you could provide. Thank you. S. Lin, email
A: Golden Care Teak cleaner not only cleans and restores outdoor teak furniture, but while it gets rid of surface oil and dirt, it also kills mold and mildew spores that turn your beautiful furniture green. Golden Care is formulated to return dark grey or green teak back to its original color. You'll find 1-liter bottles of Golden Care teak cleaner for $21.99 at AuthenTeak Outdoor Living, 1094 Huff Road, Atlanta, 404-525-1995.
