Doing civic duty, while dog does his duty
BY JOANN DERSON King Features Syndicate

"Whenever I walk my dogs, along with doggie bags for cleaning up their messes, I also bring an extra plastic grocery bag with me. I often see empty bottles, cans and other trash that has been haphazardly thrown to the side of the road by environmentally unfriendly motorists and passersby. I'll pick up what I can along the route and throw the bag of garbage away in the Dumpster when the dogs and I return home." -- C.E. from Florida

Another great icepack idea: Keep a bag of unpopped popcorn kernels in the freezer to use as an icepack for bumps, bruises and swelling. It's easy to mold to any body part, and there's no melting!

To deter grass from growing in the crevices of patio stones, sprinkle the stones with a little salt, then sweep it into the cracks. Be careful not to use too much, though.

"I mash my guacamole with a whisk instead of a fork. It does a super job." -- O.L. in North Carolina

To make potatoes last longer, don't store them with onions. The onions give off a gas that can speed deterioration of the potatoes.

If you have an old rubber glove that has just about outlived its usefulness, don't toss it yet. Cut off the fingers and slip the tips over the handles of brooms and mops. When leaned against a wall, the handle won't slide down -- it's instant nonslip. You also can cut strips from the wrist portion and use them as large rubber bands for bundling newspaper or other materials.

"If you use a hair dryer to dry your hair, put a little of your favorite perfume on the back of it, near the air intake, and your hair will take on the scent of the perfume." -- S.H. in Ohio

Another use for Alka- Seltzer: Got insect bites? D.K. from South Carolina swears by dissolving two tables in a small glass of water and dabbing the solution on minor insect bites.

"To preserve the life of your cupcake pans, make sure to put water into any unused cups. I make cupcakes/muffins, and I like them larger than the recipe calls for. As a result, I usually only fill two-thirds of the cups. My pans have lasted a long time because I take good care of them." -- Amy, via e-mail

"Take 1 tablespoon of vinegar in a small glass of water after a meal for no heartburn and no more expensive heartburn medicine." -- F.F. in Colorado

Send your tips to Now Here's a Tip, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475 or email JoAnn at heresatip@yahoo.com.

(c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.