Tool time

Published 10:23 pm Monday, March 9, 2009

We’ve got the lowdown on the basic tools you need but won’t be able to find in your junk drawer when it comes time to actually use one.

Men will probably press for a few additions to the list:

· A Makita 18-volt driver-drill ($129.95), for when you’ve got not just one but three screws to drive.

· A Porter-Cable 7½-inch, 15-amp circular saw ($159.99), when it’s time to cut any piece of wood thicker than a tongue depressor.

· A Tanaka commercial-grade chain saw with 20-inch bar ($489.99), for cutting up that load of firewood your brother-in-law dumped in your driveway instead of repaying the 500 bucks you lent him last fall.

Today’s birthdays include:

· Chuck Norris is 69. His roundhouse kicks now land on your shins.

· Actor Jon Hamm is 38. Good thing those cigarettes he smokes on TV’s “Mad Men” are herbal; otherwise he might next turn up in the “Passages” column.

A Moses Lake woman makes bars of soap in the shape of PlayStation 2 game controllers.

If this helps gamers step away from “MotorStorm” and take a shower, we’re all for it.