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BEHIND THE WHEEL:

With bicycles being put to utilitarian, as well as pleasurable, purposes in these days of costly fuel, some means of toting goods and/ or passengers (items which have more weight than ordinary fender and handlebar baskets can manage) has become necessary. Hence the "Blue Sky Cycle Cart": It's a lightweight, all-welded, tubular-framed trailer that will carry 150 pounds . . . suspends the load below axle level for maximum stability . . . and can be quickly attached—without tools—to any bike. At $164.50, the cart comes with your choice of a heavy-duty plywood load platform or a lighter nylon bag -depending upon what kind of gear you plan to haul-and available extras include a twochild carrier and a fitted rain top. Write to Blue Sky (Dept. ME, 249 Blair Blvd., Eugene, Ore. 97402) for more details and where-to-buy information.

HOT NEWS:

The rituals involved in backyard cookouts can become considerably leas complicated if you use this broiler that looks like a bucket and cooks with a fuel as up-to date as today's news. In fact, the little device actually does burn newspaper, using the recycled fuel—plus your picnic meat's own drippings—to prepare delectable victuals. With the "Qwik-Cook Grill", there's no hassle about running out of charcoal and starter fluid, and no waiting for perfect coals. Just wad up some newsprint (black-and-white pages only . . . colored comics and so forth contain lead), drop in a match, and lay on the burgers or steak. The Qwik-Cook (complete with storage case, instructions, and recipes) is available at camping supply outlets or—by mail—for $24.50 postpaid from Klover Kompany, Dept. ME, Rt. 3, Box 165, Devils Lake, N.D. 58301.

FOOT WORK:

Everyone should know how to change a tire, of course, but that knowledge does little good if—when the big moment comes—he or she can't loosen the lug nuts! The "Strain Stopper", which was developed and tested by a senior citizens group in Canada, is designed to make that chore not only possible but almost painless: With the aid of this device, foot and leg power can provide the leverage to do a job that once produced considerable back strain. The Stopper is adjustable for all standard wheel and nut sizes . . . comes with its own high carbon steel wrench . . . and may be ordered for $8.00 (U.S. funds) postpaid from Patterson Associates, Dept. ME, 477 Raindance Crescent, North Vancouver, B.C., Canada V7P 1C3.

SEVERANCE PAYS:

The combination of an ancient design and modern metalworking know-how has resulted in "Snipssors'", an instrument—forged from a single piece of steel—that can be easily operated with either hand, or used with equal skill by both right- and left-handed people. The palm-sized (4-1/2-inch) cutter is said to be able to perform so many severing chores that it can replace a number of specialized scissor shapes. What's more, the tool also cuts the user's effort almost in half . . . because the honed blades spring open by themselves after each squeeze. Snipssors may be ordered for $10 apiece, postpaid (or two for $18), from Ellly, Dept. ME, 53 Barker Hill Dr., Guilford, Conn. 06437.

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