NOW HERE'S A TIP

• “Revive the look of indoor plants by rubbing the leaves with mineral oil on a soft cloth. Just wipe nicely, and you’ll see a big difference. Through the years, I have used this tip for both my real plants and my plastic plants.” — J.D. in Alabama

• Lime juice and vinegar both make good meat tenderizers. You can purchase tougher cuts of meat, season with spices and lime/vinegar, and marinate for 10 to 15 minutes before cooking. It is a great way to ease your meat budget. Steaks are getting expensive!

• “To make onion rings easier to cut (less stinging to the eyes) and have the layers separate better, I put my onions in the freezer for about 10 minutes before peeling. They don’t freeze, but they do get nice and cold.” — O.F. in Florida

• Looking for a more natural way to clean? Here’s one for the bathroom: Clean chrome with baking soda on a soft, damp cloth. Follow up with vinegar for some shine. Spray lightly and wipe away with a clean cloth.

• “Men, make your own aftershave. Thin a bottle of baby lotion with a little rubbing alcohol. Put in a hand-lotion bottle, and use half a squirt. No sting, and soft, smooth skin.” — T.G. in Illinois

• Add a single teaspoon of rice to the saltshaker in order to keep too many grains from coming out at a time.

FLASHBACK

By Mick Harper

1. When did the Beatles arrive in the U.S. for the first time?

2. Name the all-instrumental group that outsold the Beatles in 1966.

3. Where did the band Mungo Jerry get its name?

4. Why were police called to a California radio studio in March 1972 when Donny Osmond’s “Puppy Love” was played?

5. How did Klaatu get its name?

6. In what year was the Rolling Stones’ last tour with longtime bass guitarist Bill Wyman. Hint: It promoted their “Steel Wheels” album.

Answers

1. Feb. 7, 1964. The two-week tour took them to New York City, Washington, D.C., and Miami.

2. Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass. Alpert had five albums in the Top 20 at the same time.

3. Mungo Jerry is a takeoff on a poem “Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer” from “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” by T.S. Eliot. Their first hit was “In the Summertime” in 1970.

4. Because DJ Robert W. Morgan of studio KHJ in Hollywood had repeatedly played the song for more than 90 minutes. Worried fans thought something was wrong.

5. Rock band Klaatu named themselves after the alien in the movie “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” no doubt the original black-and-white 1951 version.

6. The Stones’ Urban Jungle tour began in the Netherlands in May 1990.

(c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.