Lunch Boxes

Hold it. Before you throw away that used backpack or lunch box, Shelley Laub of west Columbia wants you to donate them to help needy students.Laub's campaign to collect used backpacks and lunch boxes for less-fortunate students began Monday."

Now that August has arrived, I'm starting to get the kids ready for going back to school. I'm trying to get them to bed earlier. I'm nagging them to finish their summer reading assignments. And I have the 11-year-old practicing his multiplication and division. The kids are whining that I'm being too mean, but they don't know how easy they have it. I read a recent report from the National Retail Federation that says the average 13-to-17-year old will spend $36.48 on pens, papers, lunch boxes, etc. as they get ready for school.

Peace and love. Disco forever.The counterculture 1960s and the polyester 1970s have spawned a hot collectible market steeped in nostalgia and relentless television reruns.Collectors include not only Baby Boomers seeking to relive their past but also members of so-called Generation X, still in their 20s.Recent price run-ups in such memorabilia include anything and everything, with the greatest premiums paid for the outlandish or items tied to popular characters. They originally cost little, and it's still possible to hunt some of them up for a song if you know what you're doing.

Are there any herbal remedies for alcoholism or alcohol abuse? Yes. An extract from the kudzu vine - which grows wild all over the South, and in China and Japan - appears to be effective at reducing the amount of alcohol a person drinks, according to a placebo-controlled study published this spring by researchers at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Mass. The only catch is that the formulation of kudzu that proved effective in the study is not yet available in health food stores, though it may be within a year.

School supplies aren't what they used to be.Noticeably different are the lunch boxes children take to school nowadays. Out are the often rusted, metal lunch boxes with squeaky hinges and pictures of "Fat Albert and the Gang" and "Holly Hobbie."In are space-age, high-tech insulated lunch containers that have pouches to hold juice boxes and milk money, along with lightweight plastic lunch boxes adorned with Fred Flintstone and the Lion King that come with environmentally friendly reusable sandwich holders.

Are there any herbal remedies for alcoholism or alcohol abuse? Yes. An extract from the kudzu vine - which grows wild all over the South, and in China and Japan - appears to be effective at reducing the amount of alcohol a person drinks, according to a placebo-controlled study published this spring by researchers at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Mass. The only catch is that the formulation of kudzu that proved effective in the study is not yet available in health food stores, though it may be within a year.

Q: Where can I find information on old beer steins and their values, and where can I buy some?A: Glentiques Ltd. (Box 8807, Coral Springs, Fla. 33075) has three books: "The Beer Stein Book," by Gary Kirsner and Jim Gruhl, $41.95 postpaid; "The Mettlach Book," by Mr. Kirsner, $37 postpaid; and "German Military Steins," by Mr. Kirsner, $16.95 postpaid.The quarterly Stein Line newsletter is $25 a year from Box 48716, Chicago, Ill. 60648. Or write to stein auctioneer Andre Ammelounx, Box 136, Palatine, Ill. 60078, (708)

You wouldn't believe the stuff kids tote to school in their lunch boxes. While the rest of us have been worrying about polyunsaturates and dreaming up new ways to bake brie, children have been wolfing down buttered bread with pepperoni, string cheese, cold pizza and -- aack! -- Shark Bites.The latter are jelly candies in the shape of fish. In swapping power at the cafeteria, they're right up there with chocolate chip cookies, potato chips and fruit leather in the shapes of turtles, horses and planes.

The Yak's been tracking the cool stuff that has been showing up at school. Here are a few accessories that definitely make the grade.Scooby-Doo, where are you? On backpacks, pens and lunch boxes - that's where! There's tons of Scooby stuff at malls and discount stores like Target. But some of our favorite Scooby gear at the Warner Bros. Studio Store. Carry your Scooby snacks to school in the Scooby-Doo Lunch Kit ($15). The soft, blue lunch bag wipes clean and comes with a thermos.Keychains are still cool, but take this tip: Less is more.

They were pink, green and purple, emblazoned with images of Aladdin, Barbie and the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. And there were hundreds of them: miniature backpacks, lunch boxes and thermoses, only slightly used.Shelley Laub eyed the pile of donated containers scattered at her feet with a mildly frazzled expression. Once again, she had collected many, many more backpacks than she had expected.About a month ago, Laub, a 42-year-old homemaker who also runs a home-based business, asked her Columbia neighbors to donate backpacks and lunch boxes they no longer wanted to the needy.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars make a sweet addition to a child's lunch box. Kids can help make the bars by stirring in the peanut-butter chips or spreading the jelly. Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars Makes 16 bars 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup sugar 3/4 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold butter or margarine 1 egg, beaten 3/4 cup grape jelly 1 2/3 cup peanut-butter chips Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

The Yak's been tracking the cool stuff that has been showing up at school. Here are a few accessories that definitely make the grade.Scooby-Doo, where are you? On backpacks, pens and lunch boxes - that's where! There's tons of Scooby stuff at malls and discount stores like Target. But some of our favorite Scooby gear at the Warner Bros. Studio Store. Carry your Scooby snacks to school in the Scooby-Doo Lunch Kit ($15). The soft, blue lunch bag wipes clean and comes with a thermos.Keychains are still cool, but take this tip: Less is more.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- Ask Sugar Ray Leonard, at the age of 40, with five weight titles on his boxing resume and millions of dollars reportedly safely invested, why he is climbing back into the ring tonight against Hector Camacho to fight for some obscure middleweight title, and his answer is succinct."

They were pink, green and purple, emblazoned with images of Aladdin, Barbie and the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. And there were hundreds of them: miniature backpacks, lunch boxes and thermoses, only slightly used.Shelley Laub eyed the pile of donated containers scattered at her feet with a mildly frazzled expression. Once again, she had collected many, many more backpacks than she had expected.About a month ago, Laub, a 42-year-old homemaker who also runs a home-based business, asked her Columbia neighbors to donate backpacks and lunch boxes they no longer wanted to the needy.

Hold it. Before you throw away that used backpack or lunch box, Shelley Laub of west Columbia wants you to donate them to help needy students.Laub's campaign to collect used backpacks and lunch boxes for less-fortunate students began Monday."

RIVER HILL Raptors emerged undefeated this summer in their division of the Columbia Neighborhood Swim League. Formed only last year in Columbia's newest village, the team includes 184 youngsters ages 5 to 18. They defeated teams from Harper's Choice, Clemens Crossing, Clary's Forest/Hawthorn, Dorsey's Search and Huntington."

Now that August has arrived, I'm starting to get the kids ready for going back to school. I'm trying to get them to bed earlier. I'm nagging them to finish their summer reading assignments. And I have the 11-year-old practicing his multiplication and division. The kids are whining that I'm being too mean, but they don't know how easy they have it. I read a recent report from the National Retail Federation that says the average 13-to-17-year old will spend $36.48 on pens, papers, lunch boxes, etc. as they get ready for school.

After their survey showed that Eldersburg Elementary School was discarding too much lunch trash, three fifth-grade students launched their own Earth-saving program. Now the 11-year-old boys are urging their schoolmates to pack environmentally friendly lunches.The school lunch crowd of 500 throws away bags, cardboard drink boxes, candy wrappers and plastic bags by the hundreds.All that refuse goes to the county landfill in 35 huge garbage bags a week."It's true; I helped count," said Philip Vanier.

I work for a public relations firm that has many clients in the fashion business. As one of them walked into my boss' office last week I heard her say, "That girl hasn't a clue what fashion is PTC about today." That really upset me, and I am desperate to know what to do.In a few weeks I'm going to a weekend party the client is giving. It's supposed to be casual, but I know everyone is planning to dress to the nines.What should I wear?It has to be separates that are fresh and unusual. The three major trends for spring are color, shine and pattern.

Q: I bought my son a metal lunch box and thermos in the 1950s. It has a picture of Hopalong Cassidy on both the box and thermos, and they are in perfect condition. I thought that it was just junk and was going to give it to my grandchildren to play with, but my son said not to let them have it, it could be worth something. Who's right?A: Your son wins this one. Find something else to amuse your grandchildren. It is currently listed in "Shroeder's Antiques Price Guide" at $385 in mint condition.