ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, April 3, 1997 TAG: 9704040006
SECTION: QUICK LOOK PAGE: 3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: NANCY GLEINER
Avoid buying a lemon
``The Used Car Buyer's Manual'' can save you a headache down the road. It takes you step-by-step through the shopping process and includes a directory of reliable used cars, plus a vehicle inspection check list.
Send check or money order for $12.45 to the Car Care Council, Dept. SPE7-UC, One Grande Lake Drive, Port Clinton, Ohio 43452.
FRESH ON THE MARKET
Plants to plant, plants to eat
More and more bedding plants are starting to sprout on the Market - broccoli, cabbage and even tomatoes, for those with lots of faith - as well as pansies, herbs and geraniums. Fresh produce is becoming more plentiful, too, - spring onions, leafy greens, asparagus, potatoes and strawberries.
HEALTHY LIVING
Work early, be happy
Avoiding the morning rush hour can help you whistle while you work. A recent survey showed that workers who get to their jobs before 6:30 a.m. are happier and more productive than those who arrive after 9:30 a.m.
It's the amount that counts
If you're in real estate, the cheer is ``location, location, location.'' But if you're in the midst of a food lifestyle change (the politically correct term for ``diet''), it's portion control, portion... So, if you're not sure if a Big Mac is one or six protein portions (and 500 or 1000 of fat) here's a quick guide to size equivalents:
6 oz. of meat or fish = a ``TV Guide'' or thin paperback book.
medium piece of fruit = a tennis ball.
1/2 medium baked potato = a computer mouse.
1 oz. cheese = pair of dice.
KIDS' STUFF
Sign them up for signing
Don't you love it when your kids learn something under the guise of it being fun for them? They can learn the basics of sign language (for ages 6 to 10) Mondays from 6-7 p.m., beginning April 7, at the Hollins Branch Library. $27 covers supplies and materials. The class lasts eight weeks.
Just make sure they show you the sign for ``I love you.'' Call 387-6078 to sign up.
THE GOOD EARTH
Recycle those rings
There are some ringleaders at Mill Mountain Zoo. Zoo staff is recycling those plastic six pack rings found around beer, soda, juice and other cans. The rings will be returned to ITW Hi-Cone to make more rings.
The zoo also recycles paper, cardboard, plastic, aluminum and newspaper. Call 343-3241, ext. 14, for more info.
GREEN THUMB
And it still smells sweet
Make your roses stink, and bugs will leave them alone. Put garlic cloves in the soil around rose bushes, and they'll be less buggy. No, it won't affect the smell of the roses.
You can also make a spray by whirling fresh garlic and water in a blender, straining it and spraying it on the bushes.
WEB WORLD
IDs in cyberspace
In the days before caller ID, you couldn't avoid speaking to a bill collector or your mother-in-law. Now, that's easy. Even the guys at the other end of the Web pages have a similar system. When you connect, you're identified by something called an IP address. It's really not a way for Big Brother to keep tabs on you, just a way for computers to locate each other. But, then, again...
LENGTH: Medium: 77 linesby CNB