Dear Car Talk: Back in the days of bias ply tires, there was a standard X-plus rotation pattern that also involved the spare. When radials came along, we were told they were directional and should only be switched between front and rear, and had to be kept on the same side of the car. Now, when ...

Dear Annie: My husband and I are invited to my co-worker's daughter's midweek black-tie wedding at 3 p.m. My husband and I would need to leave work early to attend, and I feel it's a burden to both take time off work and purchase or rent black-tie attire for a warm weather event in the summer. ...

Dear Heloise: As a follow-up to the hint about using newspaper bags for doggie cleanup bags, I, too, use them for this purpose. However, I also donate all of my used newspapers and the majority of the bags to my local animal shelter. But do call the shelter first and ask if they take them. -- ...

Dear Annie: My neighbor "Rod" installed a motion-activated floodlight that shines directly into our bedroom window every time our dog (or another animal) moves in the yard -- which is often. It goes off all night long. I mentioned it once, and he said, "It's for security," and suggested we ...

DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm a 75-year-old man. I keep my cellphone in my left shirt pocket every day. Recently, my left nipple has become very sore. I asked my general physician about it, and he wasn't concerned. I'm concerned that the electromagnetic field from the phone may be an issue. Is there any ...

Dear Heloise: Portion sizes used to get out of hand in my kitchen until I put a muffin tin to use in a new way. Instead of guessing or overfilling bowls, I now divide snacks into each cup, which creates instant portion control without any measuring tools. Nuts, cut fruit, crackers and ...