Happy Fathers’s Day!

Dad is from Mars, Mom is from Venus.

It has been said that men are from Mars, women are from Venus. With that in mind, it's only natural that what Dad wants for Father's Day will be completely different than what you got Mom last month. Here is a comparative guide to help you shop for that special man in your life.

Tips For Selecting The Best Summer Fruit

Summertime brings with it a bounty of fresh fruits, but consumers often have no idea how to choose the best fruit.

This can lead to the frustration of lackluster fruit, which can make all the difference in the quality of your dining experience. Keep these handy tips in mind when choosing summer fruit and you'll always get the pick of the crop.

Blueberries
When buying fresh blueberries, look for firm, dry fruit that is smooth and relatively free of stems and leaves.

Cantaloupe
Look for a nice rounded shape. A ripe cantaloupe should give off a mild melon aroma.

Honeydew Melon
Like the cantaloupe, ripe fruit will give off a mild sweet melon aroma.

Kiwi Fruit
Ripe fruit should give to gentle pressure but not be overly mushy. Look for uniform brown color and fuzzy skin.

Mango
Ripe mangos will yield to gentle pressure but should not be overly mushy.

Papayas
Ripe papayas can range in color from yellow-green to yellow-orange. Look for smooth unblemished skin.

Peaches/Nectarines/Plums
Look for fruit that feels heavy for its size, a sign of juiciness. Look for smooth unblemished skin.

Pineapple
The most important indicator of a ripe pineapple is scent. Pick up a pineapple, turn it over and smell the bottom. If it has a mild, sweet aroma of pineapple, you have a ripe fruit. The less scent, the less ripe the pineapple. If the scent is overpowering, the fruit may even be too ripe and won't keep long.

Raspberries/Blackberries
Avoid containers of berries with juice stains, which may be a sign that the berries are crushed and possibly moldy.

Strawberries
When buying, look for plump, bright red, fully ripe berries. The top leaves should be attached, green and fresh looking.

Watermelon
The bottom of the melon should be pale green to pale yellow or even beginning to turn white.

Flag Day Fun Facts

The first American flag was made in 1776 by a woman named Betsy Ross. At that time, there were only 13 stars on the flag for the 13 states. The stars were meant to stand for "13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."

The American flag today has 13 alternate red and white horizontal stripes which signify the first 13 confederate states of the country. There is also a blue square in the top left-hand corner with 50 stars. These signify the current 50 states.

The American flag inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem, "The Star Spangled Banner" on September 14, 1814. It later became the National Anthem.

The white on the American flag stands for purity and innocence, the red for hardiness and valor, and blue stands for vigilance, perseverance, and justice.

Astronaut Neil Armstrong placed the flag on the moon on July 20, 1969. The moon is the most remote place in which the American flag is displayed, although it can also be found at the North Pole and on top of Mount Everest.

Summer Skin Care

The Skin Cancer Foundation has done their research and published many tips for safe and healthy skin in the summertime, when UV exposure and skin damage are the worst. Read below for the most important...

Avoid unnecessary sun exposure, especially between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., the peak hours for harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

When outdoors, use sunscreens rated SPF 15 or higher. Apply them liberally, uniformly, and frequently.

When exposed to sunlight, wear protective clothing such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts, broad-brimmed hats, and UV-protective sunglasses.

Stay away from artificial tanning devices.

Teach your children good sun protection habits at an early age. The damage that leads to adult skin cancers starts in childhood.

Examine your skin from head to toe at least once every three months.

Also, did you know...?

The sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation can penetrate many types of clothes?
It can also go through automobile and residential windows?

It can damage your eyes, contributing to cataracts, macular degeneration, and eyelid cancers?

Also, be sure that you know your skin type, and your vulnerability in the sun, as determined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, so that you can take the right care and buy the right products to protect yourself from the sun's dangerous rays!

Graduation gift ideas

Below are some Ideas for great gifts to give high school graduates that are useful and will be appreciated.

With the arrival of spring comes the arrival of high school graduation announcements. Some of these announcements are from students you are well acquainted with and others are from students you only know through their parents or some other indirect route. Regardless of your connection, it is often difficult to pick out a gift that will be both useful and appreciated. Below are a few ideas to get you started.

Tool kit - While this may not sound like the most glamorous gift in the world, it may very well be the most useful gift you can select.

Monogrammed beach towel - Big beach towels are great for taking to the beach, to the pool, or simply using as bath towels.

Basket of shower gear - Many college students who live in a dorm have to share a bathroom with at least a few people.

Dry erase board - Many college students who live in dorms enjoy putting a dry erase board on their dorm room door so that friends can leave them messages.

Gift certificate - If all else fails, a gift certificate is always a safe bet for a high school graduate.

Simply add a nice card to any of the gifts mentioned above and you'll be all set. Now that you have some ideas, hopefully you will not be so overwhelmed when you start receiving high school graduation announcements.

5 Tips for a Successful
Day of Yard Sale Shopping

Yard sale season is now in full swing. For the true bargain hunter, nothing is more exhilarating than coming home from a day of garage sale shopping with a trunk full of steals and deals. Here are some tips for making your yard sale shopping trip as pleasant and profitable as possible.

Even if you don't get the newspaper every day, you'll probably want to buy or borrow one the day before your shopping trip. Although the online versions of most major newspapers have yard sale listings, the most complete listings are usually found in your newspaper's Classified section.

Your yard sale shopping experience will be more pleasant if you are comfortable. Wear weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes. Sunscreen and a hat can also be helpful if you'll be out in the sun for long periods. And don't forget to hit the bathroom before you leave the house!

Negotiating is the name of the game. Most sellers are willing to deal as long as you are fair with them. Asking the seller to take $2 for an item that is marked $20 is pushing your luck; however, the seller may be more than willing to sell the item for $15 or even $10, depending how late in the day it is.

Going to yard sales early in the day (as soon as the sales open) has the advantage of getting the best selection. If you are looking for a big-ticket item such as furniture or electronics, you'll probably have to go early. But going later in the day has its advantages too. Sometimes sellers are willing to practically give their stuff away rather than pack it up and carry it back in their homes.

Be sure to carry lots of change and small bills. Wiping out the seller's entire change supply with a $20 for a $1 sale is inconsiderate. Save your change throughout the week to use for your Saturday yard sale trip.

Remember to have fun!