April 1983

EDITOR at large

Doug Jimerson, our garden editor, has been raising plants and animals "since at least the age of three," he says. "The first animals I got were four guppies from Woolworth's. Then came an ant farm. Then tropical fish. Then hamsters and gerbils, which I bred for sale in pet shops.

How Computers Are Changing the Classroom

Computer technology is leapfrogging from the worlds of commerce, science, and industry into America's classrooms. Even so, the Electronic Age still is in its infancy in most schools, and there are controversies about the proper role of the computer in education. How can schools best use computers? What are the shortcomings? What's your role as a parent? Here's a report.

Gardener's log

April's the month to start cool-weather crops outdoors. Follow directions on each seed package for planting times and depths. For small gardens, use dwarf varieties. If you have a sloping garden, set the rows crosswise to prevent erosion down the rows.

Universal Life Insurance: A GOOD IDEA FOR YOUR FAMILY?

Does it make sense in these days of relatively high savings yields to buy whole life insurance, which builds up savings in the form of cash value? Why not buy less costly term insurance and invest the difference? "Universal life" insurance addresses this question, but investigate thoroughly first.

No-Wax Floors: What Care Do They Need?

If you have recently installed resilient floor covering in your home, chances are good that the flooring has a no-wax finish. A no-wax floor is about as maintenance-free as a floor can be-- but some care and cleaning are needed to keep it looking its best.

Four Great Gardeners, FOUR GOOD FRIENDS

Solid friendships often grow from shared interests. Neighbors Lori Lunn, Margy Mirick, Elise Schlaikjer, and Linda Milton, left to right, are all good friends --and excellent gardeners.

Foolproof Decorating

Most of us like to do our own decorating, but the thought of planning a whole room can give even the surest among us cold feet. Now, thanks to today's many design collections, you can decorate without worry. Collections provide foolproof ways to combine colors, mix and match patterns, and add professional flair to do-it-yourself projects.

Tips, Tools, and 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.

An Easy-Care Portable Run for Your Dog

Every outdoor dog needs his own special home where he feels comfortable and secure. Here's a roomy, easy-care dog run that can be scaled to suit the size of almost any family's pooch. You don't have to be a carpentry wiz to build it, and it costs less than most conventional ready-made models.

Auto Repair Disputes

If you're like most people, the quality and cost of auto repairs is one of your biggest consumer gripes. And arguing with a mechanic over a repair job or bill often gets you nowhere. But there is a way to settle sticky disputes without a shouting match. In many parts of the country, auto manufacturers and consumer groups now offer third-party arbitration programs to hear and rule on your complaints.

Bandanna TOYS AND TOGS

Round up a big batch of classic all-American kerchiefs, needles, and pins, and join us in our bonanza of prairie-fresh ideas to make from today's rough-and-romping bandannas.

Small-space DECORATING STRATEGIES

Small rooms can be among the most cozy and exciting areas in any home. Often, their warmth and special charm come from the creative decorating and furnishings solutions their diminutive size inspires.

A Charming Country Collection

Furnishing a room today can be as easy as flipping through the pages of a mail-order catalog or visiting a large retail store. More than ever before, one-stop decorating sources provide everything from sofas to fabrics to accessories-- so you save the time and hassle of shopping all over town. And besides showing new merchandise, most of the newest catalogs and in-store room settings give you good decorating ideas to use in your own home.

ORDER FEATURED ITEMS HERE

Aspartame: Low-Calorie Sweetener

Aspartame (as-PAR-tame), a new low-calorie sweetener on the market, can add a pleasant taste to your low-calorie eating. Aspartame is available in grocery stores as the sweetening ingredient in a tabletop sweetener called Equal-- currently the only brand offering aspartame.

What's Brewing In Herb Teas?

Herb teas are shedding their longtime mystical aura as their popularity for a dinner and/or refreshment beverage increases. There's nothing mystical, nor magical, about these smooth-tasting teas now available in most supermarkets. Here's why you'll want to try them.

Antiques & COLLECTIBLES

The development of lithographic printing revolutionized 19th-century advertising-- and the resulting early lithographed products are attracting many collectors today.

ACCENT LIGHT

FIRE ESCAPER

DOUBLE BOILER

AUDIO-VIDEO COMBO

HEAT-TRAPPING WINDOW

BEST BUYS IN FAMILY VACATION RESORTS

What does it take to make an outstanding family vacation resort? Plenty: a variety of activities to keep the whole family happy; comfortable accommodations; prices that suit the family budget; good food and service; a welcoming, hospitable atmosphere. Those were just some of the criteria used to evaluate scores of resorts visited coast to coast in our search for the best buys in family vacation resorts.

A Snazzy Play Space for Kids

Finding suitable indoor play space for children can be a problem, especially if you need to keep tabs on toddlers. A playroom in the attic or basement may save wear and tear on other parts of the house, but supervising play is easier if the children are within earshot. Here's how one family solved the problem.

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

Elaine Cowan says April 15 divides taxpayers into two groups-- the "ho-ho-ho's" who have refunds coming and the "owe-owe-owe's" who don't.