October 1990

GETTING BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS

The smiling lady pictured above has a lot to smile about these days. A short time ago, Mary (not her real name) was a homeless, physically abused wife with two small kids. Today she has a good job, lives in a nice house, and has completely turned her life around.

HELPING HOMELESS FAMILIES

Two-and-one-half years ago, Mary Olson (not her real name) was desperate. "My husband started getting abusive, and I didn't know what to do," she says. "I half believed him when he said it was all my fault.

GARDENER'S ALMANAC

Maples have long epitomized the glorious hues of autumn. Best known for large shade trees, the maple family also claims a little gem of equal grandeur.

ELEGANT ALLIUMS

Alliums win leading roles in today's garden dramas. Planted in the fall, these dependable bulbs will perform encores every summer. To stage your own display, choose among a vast cast of alliums, from 12-inch gems to 4-foot giants. Then sit back and enjoy the show.

ENDING THE HOMEWORK HASSLE

Each new school year, some parents wonder how much help they should give their children with homework. Still others worry about how best to structure homework rules. Here are some guidelines all parents can follow to help their kids discover the true lessons that homework teaches.

TV IN THE CLASSROOM

Michael Griest, a government-events teacher in Peekskill, New York, always had a current-events section in his Participation in Government class. But last year he changed his method of delivery-- to television.

A COLLECTOR'S PASSION

It happens to the best of us. We're in a new city, a great flea market, a foreign land (that we know we'll never see again), when there it is-- an object of desire.

ADDING UP

YOU LIKE YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, THE SCHOOLS AND FRIENDS, AND YOU WANT TO STAY PUT. BUT YOUR HOME IS ABOUT TO BURST AT THE SEAMS, AND YOUR LOT LEAVES NO ROOM TO ADD ON.

'90s Style

What will rooms wear in the '90s? We wondered, too. So we crossed the country for designs to buy, ideas to borrow, and trends to guide you through this decorating decade. For one, we see folks paring down-- tossing the clutter to focus on true loves. We're Breaking Tradition, putting classic beauties in stripped-down settings that show off each curve.

HOME STYLE

'Tis the time of year to pull a few decorating tricks out of the bag, or even pamper yourself with an occasional little treat. Either way, we've gathered some spook-tacular ideas to get you started.

AUTUMN GREETINGS

The opulent colors and enticing textures of autumn beckon you to gather up their riches. Now transform these harvests into inviting decorations for your home.

FROM RAFTERS TO RICHES

THE ADAMS FAMILY REAPED A MULTIPURPOSE RETREAT FROM THEIR ATTIC'S RAFTERS WITH CUSTOM BUILT-INS AND A WEALTH OF WINDOWS. TURN THE PAGE FOR SOME LOFTY IDEAS.

THREE-RING SUCCESS

It's sew simple. Solid percale sheets go the extra mile when it comes to covering your windows. And, they do it with a sense of style. These sheet panels swoop into dramatic folds, each panel suspended from only three rings. By day or night, light falls on the folds to give the draperies-- and the room they grace-- plenty of dimensional drama.

THE BIG PICTURE

Full of personality but low in cost, oversize posters wake up a wall-- and a whole room. Trouble is, framing these big beauties can mean big bucks-- unless you do it yourself. Here's how.

At-Home Entertaining

Let imagination and ingenuity take over when your stash of formal partyware falls short. Look to any surface and a mix-match of common wares for a comfortable, easygoing style.

NUTRITION INFORMATION

With each recipe we give important nutrition information. The calorie count of each serving and amount, in grams, of protein, fat, carbohydrate, cholesterol, sodium, and potassium help you keep tabs on what you eat.

PRESCRIPTION FOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Question: Where do you find the worst air pollution in the country?

QUESTIONS ON PETS? DIAL AN EXPERT

It's Sunday and your dog is experiencing flulike symptoms. What should you do? You think your cat might be overweight, but you don't want to pay a veterinary fee for advice on how to put her on a diet. Perhaps you're thinking about adopting a pet, but you're not sure which animal would suit your family.

AMERICA'S SURPRISING CITIES

Cities pack more wallopper square mile than just about any other travel destination. They let you select from a multitude of activities and offer a wide choice of restaurants and accommodations to fit nearly any budget.

BUTTON UP YOUR HOME

Shopping editor's choice

Discover the ease and pleasure of shopping by mail. Order from the convenience of your own home with complete confidence.

THE MAN NEXT DOOR

No matter how "all natural" the front of the cereal box describes the contents to be, notes Liz Randall, the back of the box always carries a long list of the chemicals therein. "All natural chemicals, of course," she says.