June 1982

EDITOR at large

Some world-renowned writer-- T.S. Eliot, I believe-- once said that naming a cat is the highest test of creativity. I can only wonder whether Eliot ever tried to name a room.

Are the Arts Endangered In Our Schools?

Theater attendance is up throughout the country, museums have never been more popular, and symphony halls are packed with concertgoers. But the story is different in our public schools, where budget cuts and the elimination of "frills" are hurting arts education programs.

HOUSING COSTS: RESHAPING THE AMERICAN DREAM

Throughout American history, home ownership has been a symbol of both personal achievement and community stability. But to many young people today, the dream of a one-family home on its own piece of land may seem like a fading fantasy. High interest rates, of course, have been a major part of the problem. But even if mortgage rates should drop considerably, the fact remains that some fundamental changes have taken place in the housing marketplace.

HOUSE STRETCHING ATTIC CONVERSIONS

In today's busy households, privacy and a little peace and quiet are often hard to come by. If the rooms seem to be shrinking and the walls seem to be getting thinner at your house, you can rise above it all by building yourself a snug little retreat under the rafters.

SMART NEW LOOKS FOR SHABBY KITCHENS

Old cabinets, old counter tops, and old appliances usually mean a worn-out kitchen-- and that's just what many of us are stuck with. No matter how faithfully an "old clunker" kitchen has performed over the years, it will be a lot more functional and pleasant to work in if it's overhauled. To demonstrate, we'll show you three average-size kitchens that were redone-- without moving walls or adding space. Check the old-fogy "before" photos and the dramatic "afters," and you'll see that there's hope for even the homeliest kitchen.

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR Car's Sound System

Car radios and tape players have it rough. They often must withstand oven-hot temperatures in summer and deep-freeze cold in winter. And year round, the equipment must cope with vibrations from the car, and interference from nearby electrical gear.

Picnic Paraphernalia

Gone are the days when picnic ware meant plain white paper ware. Today's picnic gear is a feast for the eyes, and it's practical too. You can take your pick from bright plastics, flowery tinware, and more.

Timesharing Vacations: ARE THEY RIGHT FOR YOUR FAMILY?

If high-priced hotel rooms and expensive resorts are threatening your family's vacation plans, timesharing is an option to investigate. In approximately eight years, this new idea in recreational real estate has blossomed into a business with over one billion dollars in annual sales, more than 550 timesharing properties, 350 developers, and approximately 300,000 timesharing families.

Protecting Your Home and Garden From Wildlife

Many homeowners are pleased to discover birds at their feeders, to find a nest of baby cottontail rabbits under the shrubbery, or to catch a glimpse of a raccoon making his midnight rounds of the neighborhood. Interest in attracting birds and other wildlife has increased tremendously in America.

BETTER TREATMENT FOR INSECT STINGS

PREVENTING HEART ATTACKS

BINGE-PURGE SYNDROME

AVOIDING MOTION SICKNESS

HELP FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED

SAVING ON PRESCRIPTIONS

HEALTHFUL READING

Shaped-Up Closets

If you're plagued by overstuffed closets, here's a solution. Build a bunch of tidy cubbyholes like the ones in these closets, and you'll be surprised how much more you can store in the same space.

CLEANING WONDERS

ENERGY MISER

PREMIUM PANELING

BETTER BATH FURNITURE

SPEEDY SPREADER

ELECTRONIC EYE

OUTDOOR LIVING

A holiday away from home is great, but what about the rest of the summer? With a little planning, you can turn your yard into an enticing setting or throw some parties that will help you "vacation" at home all season long. You can dine in a romantic lanai-style spot, enjoy coffee and the newspaper (every morning!) at a mini "sidewalk café" right outside your door, or while away a lazy hour in a hammock strung between two obliging trees.

PERFORMING ARTS FESTIVALS FOR VACATIONING FAMILIES

America's festivals for the performing arts are true celebrations of summer. As sunny days and starry nights lure performers and audiences away from big cities and into the countryside, hundreds of festivals pop up throughout the land.

Easy-to-Build Pet Projects

Like almost everything else, accessories for pets are going up in price. But if you know how to handle basic tools, you can build some items for much less than you'd pay for comparable ready-made accessories. For starters, here's a couple of simple pet projects.

How To Order Material From The Magazine

Gardener's log

Gypsy moths destroyed more than 13 million acres of trees in 1981, mainly in the northeastern United States. And the problem is becoming more widespread. In recent years, gypsy moths have been reported as far south as Florida, in North Central states such as Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan, and in the West Coast states of California, Oregon, and Washington.

Antiques & COLLECTIBLES

Like many other types of folk art, samplers originally served a more utilitarian than decorative purpose. They began as simple exercises to instruct young women in stitchery, numbers, spelling, and religion.

Dressed-Up Ceilings

Sprucing up a ceiling can be as easy as giving it a fresh coat of paint. But when you want your ceiling to look extra-special, try one of these treatments.

How to Choose Upholstery Fabric

When choosing upholstery fabric for your sofa or chair, consider more than just looks. Check the weave and fiber content of the fabric, too-- they'll largely determine how well it will wear.

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.

TheMan NextDoor

Chris and I are taking an exercise class at the Y, and I'm amazed to discover how much the interval between my fingertips and my toes has grown since my Army days.