October 1977

HOW TO GIVE YOUR CAR'S BODY A LUBE JOB

When you take your car into the shop for an oil change and lube job (or even if you do them yourself), you're looking after the lubrication needs of the engine and chassis. But a lot of things attached to your car's body need lubrication, too. Here's a list of body parts to lube.

IS A VAN A GOOD BUY FOR YOUR FAMILY?

If you think that vans are only suitable for florists, sportsmen, and plumbers, you're wrong. You can make a van do all the things a conventional station wagon does --and more-- if you carefully plan the interior layout and choose the right options for the uses your family has in mind.

How to set up a BUSINESS in your home

Going into business for yourself is a time-honored American tradition that is being born again. More and more couples and individuals are shucking their outside jobs, putting their favorite ideas to work, and starting their own businesses. For many, the home is the logical place to set up shop.

GRADING: New alternatives to an old question

Just how do you get an accurate picture of your child's progress in school? Grading systems are the time-tested tools of measurement, but interpreting them is rarely as simple as ABC. Too often, traditional grading systems seem to focus on how a youngster compares with other students in his class, rather than how he has progressed in his own education.

MAKE ROOM FOR PLANTS

Consider placement carefully when you decide to add a greenhouse. This lean-to unit snuggles up to the house in an ideal southwest corner. In cold weather the greenhouse gets the warmth of the sun and heat from the adjacent walls. And in summer, a spreading shade tree filters excessive sunshine.

TIPS TOOLS & TECHNIQUES

This feature is written by you. It's a wide-ranging collection of shop hints, installation tips, and repair shortcuts that you-- along with millions like you-- have picked up from your experience as a do-it-yourselfer. We pay $25 for each problem solver we publish. See the box below for submission details.

Step-by-step project scrapbook

SNEAK PEEK AT OUR NEW IDEA HOUSES

Getting the right new house is tough for any family-- and young people in particular. Inflated prices have placed most models beyond the means of young families. To come up with some solutions, Better Homes and Gardens teamed up with Armstrong Cork Company, a manufacturer that has extensively researched the subject of workable, affordable housing.

Think Spring! Set out some daffodils now!

Who cares if winter is waiting in the wings? It's time to lay the groundwork for spring! And since spring wouldn't be spring without a goodly showing of daffodils, we've chosen some likely candidates for you to consider-- and we've assembled some growing guidelines to help you get spectacular results.

SEWING MACHINE HIDEAWAYS YOU CAN BUILD

These handsome storage units lead a double life. Both cabinets attractively display family treasures. But when the sewing bug bites, you can open up either unit to reveal the machine, ready for action. The machine storage section mounts on casters to roll anywhere you like-- then whisks back into hiding when you want to clear away sewing gear.

How to feed houseguests and still have fun

Expecting out-of-towners for the weekend? If so, you're probably wondering how you can handle meal making without getting stuck in the kitchen while everyone else is having fun. Here are some ways to cope and enjoy the weekend, too.

What's Happening to the American Family

Is family life in America getting better or is it in trouble? We're asking you to tell us what you think. This Questionnaire (see Part 1 in the September issue) is designed to measure and assess the current state of the family.

TURNING THE TABLES ON EARLY AMERICAN

EARLY AMERICAN: FRESH NEW LOOKS FOR AN OLD FAVORITE

Early American continues to be the favorite furniture style of millions of home-loving people. But it's also a style that is overburdened with clichés. We think that's a shame. Because when stripped of triteness, Early American emerges as it is meant to-- warm and comfortable, solid and sensible, beautifully reminiscent of our historic past.

NEW LOOKS IN NEW YARNS A family of sweaters

Knitting is more popular now than it has been for years-- and no wonder with the yarns available today. The new yarns are exciting blends of natural fibers and synthetics, or 100 percent acrylics in such a profusion of colors you'll hardly know which luscious shade to pick.

A WELCOMING WORKABLE KITCHEN

What can you do if you live in a stately Victorian town house and have thoroughly modern ideas about entertaining? These homeowners pooled four undersized rooms and got this hospitable kitchen/dining area. To create even more space, they added a covered porch and a greenhouse at the rear.

STRAIGHT TALK ON SAVING ENERGY $ AT HOME

Concerned about skyrocketing utility bills but don't know where to turn? Here's a book that can help you start saving energy in your home.

A KEY TO BUYING A PIANO

A piano isn't something to buy impulse. What you're choosing is entertainment center for family friends, a major piece of furniture and a musical instrument that show last a lifetime. A piano is also sizable investment-- $900 to ... To help you invest wisely, the National Piano Manufacturers Association offers these suggestions:

ALL THOSE TESTS YOUR CHILDREN TAKE AND WHAT THEY REALLY MEAN

Questions like that have a familiar ring to anyone who has attended our schools. In fact, throughout the school years, your youngster is likely to face a barrage of standardized tests. These tests are given throughout the school district or the state or the nation and are designed to measure ability and knowledge in comparison to certain "norms" representing a broader base of students.

A PANTRY THAT CAN HOLD IT ALL!

TAX-SAVING INVESTMENTS YOUR FAMILY CAN MAKE

Many people think that tax-saving investments exist only for the privileged few who can afford to invest lots of money plus pay experts to waltz them through the loopholes. Yet a number of sound, tax-saving investments do exist for the not-so-rich as well. Some methods were made possible by recent legislation; others have been around a long time.

BIG-CITY WEEKENDS: TWO ON THE TOWN

The kids are back in school. There's an invigorating nip in the air. And, America's big cities are at their best with theaters launching their new productions and stores displaying their wares for holiday buying. It's a perfect time for a husband and wife to indulge themselves in a very special city weekend together.

Storing your surplus vegetables

Do you have bumper crops to stash away? If so, follow these tips and your surplus root crops and winter squash should last for many months.

Timesaving drywall compound

Portable smoke detectors

Push-button pictures

Paint-on wallpaper

Theft proof CB

Helping hand for splitting logs

HOW TO LAY CUSHION-BACKED CARPETING

Whether you're remodeling a basement or a bath, a porch or a patio, you'll find cushion-backed carpeting as easy to install as it is to walk on. Here are a few pointers to help you get professional-looking results.

HOW TO COPE WITH HOUSE-DESTROYING TERMITES

As you read this in the comfort of your home, a squad of termites on the other side of your wallpaper may be methodically devouring the wall studs.

HOUSEPLANT HOW-TO

You're probably familiar with the more common ficuses-- the weeping fig, fiddle-leaf fig, and rubber plant. But did you know there are less common varieties that are every bit as versatile and interesting? To prove the point, we've chosen three examples. The first is the Ficus cyathistipula, shown below.

Step-by-step project scrapbook

A compact sleep center you can build

HOW TO CHECK (AND REPLACE) DRIVE BELTS

Checking the condition of your car's drive belts can save you a lot of trouble. Those belts-- sometimes incorrectly all referred to as "fan belts"-- actually might operate your car's engine cooling fan, water pump, alternator, power steering pump, emissions control pump, and air conditioning compressor.

ORIENTAL COOKING DOESN'T HAVE TO BE COMPLICATED...

NOW, ENJOY MEXICAN COOKING WITHOUT GOING SOUTH OF THE BORDER

POPULAR SEWING BOOK REVISED

BIRTH CONTROL FOR PETS

Should you raise a litter of puppies or kittens? Probably not. At last count, 2,000 to 3,000 dogs and cats were already being born every hour. That means you can expect to have trouble finding good homes for the offspring-- even if your pet is a purebred. Chances are you won't make a profit on the litter either when you figure in the time, effort, and expense involved.

GARDENING IN OCTOBER

Before calling it quits with the garden chores for another season, remember to winterize your young trees. Both evergreen and deciduous trees need some type of protection in cold winter areas for the first three or four years.

Squeeze in a vanity area

Shopping editor's choice

Discover the ease and pleasure of shopping by mail. Order from the convenience of your own home with complete confidence. If not delighted, each company will happily refund your money.

The Man Next Door

Christine says that one riddle urban planners have yet to solve is why a seemingly endless supply of playgrounds and parks still won't keep the neighborhood children from playing ball in the street.