February 1978

Could a tutor help your child?

Educators estimate that two to ten percent of kindergarten through high school students have some disability that hinders their progress in school. Other children simply fall behind due to absence, lack of motivation, or emotional problems. Although tutoring cannot solve all learning problems, it can often help build learning skills and overcome minor problems before they become severe.

Concept House builders list

The first of three Concept Houses, cosponsored by Better Homes and Gardens and the Armstrong Cork Company, appears on page 50.

How to order material from the magazine

Complete plans for the home on page 50 include a list of materials, specifications for workmanship and materials, complete blueprint drawings and a complimentary list of energy-saving specifications. Five sets are usually recommended for your builder, mortgage firm, building permit, and your own personal needs.

HOW TO HAVE A FILM FESTIVAL AT HOME

Pass the popcorn and enjoy a good movie-- right in the cozy comfort of your own home. A private showing of a classic oldie or a contemporary is an Oscar-winning party idea for all ages. And, in many cases, the film is absolutely free.

A Walk in the Woods

To refresh your spirit-- and your creative impulses-- come along with us on this stitcher's "walk in the woods." Every step of the way on our invigorating "stroll," you'll find spectacular and imaginative needlework views of nature to inspire you to start stitching a natural scene of your own.

AN OPEN-PLAN HOUSE WE KNOW YOU'LL LIKE

How do we know you'll like this house? Because we researched what young families wanted and then had the house designed accordingly. This is the first of three houses that we sneak-previewed for you in our October, 1977 issue. Each is the result of a cooperative effort by Better Homes and Gardens and the Armstrong Cork Company.

THE NURSING HOME DILEMMA

As Americans, we generally count among our blessings an increasing life expectancy, now averaging 73 years. A boy born in 1977 can expect to live to about age 69; a girl, to 77.

TAXES: How do your deductions compare with other people's?

The IRS figures shown below can give you a good idea of how your tax picture stacks up against the national averages for your income group. Though family situations vary, and you should take every deduction you're entitled to, the averages shown in the chart below can provide some general guidelines.

CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION: FIRST AID FOR HEART ATTACK VICTIMS

Imagine yourself in a crowd-- at a basketball game, concert, or play. Suddenly the person next to you collapses. What do you do?

HOW TO CHOOSE A DOCTOR

Your doctor can be the most important friend you have, so it makes sense to choose one carefully. But the fact is, lots of people choose their doctors for patently absurd reasons. A doctor may be selected because he is young and therefore must be "up on all the new things"; because he is old enough to have lots of experience; or because he charges less than another doctor.

SHOPPING THE FULL-SERVICE AUTO CLUBS

If you travel a lot-- or if you feel more secure knowing there's someone you can call if your car breaks down-- a full-service auto club might be a good choice for you. Some "auto clubs" are really just fronts for insurance agencies or merchandising programs, but the following full-service auto clubs offer a wide range of benefits and services:

YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS: summer jobs for high schoolers

If you have a teen-age son or daughter, you're probably aware of how tough it can be for high schoolers to find summer jobs. And getting interesting summer employment is even tougher. The federal Youth Conservation Corps (YCC), which is now accepting applications for jobs this summer, may be the answer for your youngster.

HOW TO MIX WITHOUT MESSING UP

It's all very well for the decorating pros to say the eclectic look is in and the carefully matched look is out, but admittedly it's not all that simple. Turning a mix of furniture pieces (and that's what many of us have acquired over the years) into a pleasingly coherent whole does call for some know-how. Here and on the next four pages we'll show you how to use the power of pattern and color to pull together a miscellany of sofas, tables, chairs, what have you.

HOW TO MIX WITHOUT MESSING UP

For some people, marriage means furnishing a house from scratch. For others, it means trying to meld two households of furniture into one. This can spell confusion-- especially when two people's tastes differ. Fortunately, pattern is capable of unifying even the most incompatible of pieces.

HOW TO MIX DINNERWARE WITHOUT MESSING UP

Combine fine china and pottery on the same table? Why not! The days of peas-in-a-pod place settings are gone (and good riddance). Today you can play your hunches and come up with winning one-of-a-kind combinations.

FINISH YOUR ATTIC... FOR YOURSELVES ...FOR THE KIDS

Attics have a lot going for them: dramatic shapes, cozy angles, sky-high views, and away-from-it-all excitement, to name just four assets. But an even bigger plus is the fact that attics make cheap "additions," compared to most alternatives.

HERBS WE'VE GROWN TO LOVE

Let's hear it for herbs! Many of these reliable and versatile plants have been serving mankind for centuries as medicinal and culinary aids. Others were and are grown exclusively for their delicate and distinctive fragrances.

HOW TO DRY FLOWERS

You can use dried garden flowers as colorful additions to herb-and-spice potpourris or in charming winter arrangements. Collect and dry choice flowers during summer and fall. Come winter, you'll have a generous supply of preserved material on hand. There are several drying methods --all are easy.

HOUSEPLANT HOW-TO

Super scrubber

Ski security

Draft Evader

Automatic tea

Magic sunglasses

Solar water heater

TIPS TOLLS & TECHNIQUES

A REGULAR FEATURE DESIGNED TO MAKE AROUND-THE-HOUSE JOBS EASIER FOR YOU

CARING FOR AN OLD PET

Sooner or later the years start creeping up on your pet. When that happens, your trusty old companion probably will need special care and attention, along with extra understanding.

GUIDED NATURE EXPEDITIONS

Learning about nature seems so easy. All you need to do is walk out of doors, and there's your classroom spread out in front of you. But wait a moment. Where is the teacher? Who can tell you what kind of orange butterfly that is...

HOW TO SHOP FOR PACKERS AND GUIDES

Planning a wilderness vacation? Services of a backcountry professional can make the difference between enjoying a sublime, carefree experience and wishing you were somewhere else. Packers, guides, and river outfitters offer a whole range of packages, but selecting the operator who suits your needs calls for some investigating.

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

Grumpy Ned Carter complains that if the price of gasoline keeps going up, the neighborhood service station soon may stop honoring credit cards and start handing out loan applications.