NOW HERE'S A TIP

* If you like your coffee fresh and strong but not so hot, make a small tray of ice cubes out of coffee to cool your morning cup.

* “Always dust from the top down. My mom taught me that, since the dust falls and then you vacuum it up at the end. Also, don’t use too much furniture polish, since using a lot can actually attract dust.” — B.O. in Pennsylvania

* “Keep leftover slices of good meat and veggies in zipper-lock plastic baggies and freeze. When you make canned soups, just add the appropriate bits from your baggie. It really bulks up the soups, and you save money and don’t waste precious food.” — P.R. in California

* To calm flyaway tresses, rub ChapStick on your palms and then run your palms over your hair to smooth it.

* For a great springtime facial, mash up a small can (or a snack-size serving) of peaches in juice. Add to it 2 to 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar and gently massage into skin. Let sit for a minute or two and then rinse with warm water.

* “Styrofoam peanuts are great for adding to the bottom of plants for drainage. You can usually get some for free if you get packages in the mail. If not, you can ask your local shipping store for a few handfuls, and they are usually quite gracious. Mine is.” — A.R. in Florida

* To check for toilet leaks, add a few drops of food coloring to the toilet tank. If, without flushing, you see the bowl water start to change colors, you know you have a leak.

FLASHBACK

By Mick Harper

1. Name the group that netted Top Ten hits with “Rain on the Roof” and “Nashville Cats.”

2. “You Might Think” and “Magic” were hits for what group?

3. Which artist wrote and released “Yankee Rose” in 1986?

4. What was the Human Be-In? When was it?

5. What is Doo-wop?

6. Name the group that had a No. 1 R&B hit with “Just to Be Close to You” in 1976.

Answers

1. The Lovin’ Spoonful, in 1966. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.

2. The Cars, in 1984.

3. David Lee Roth. It’s said that Roth is one of a half-dozen male artists who can sing notes in four octaves.

4. The Be-In was a San Francisco counterculture gathering in January 1967 that led to the Summer of Love. Jefferson Airplane, The Grateful Dead and others provided music. In New York, it was called the Central Park Be-In.

5. Doo-wop is an R&B style that was created in the 1950s using vocal harmonies with nonsense syllables to replace rhythm instruments. “Sh-Boom” by The Chords in an example.

6. The Commodores. Lionel Richie was an original member of the group, but went solo in 1982.

(c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.