Zibra Open It! package opener tool

Price: $9.99 -- $14.99 (plus shipping where applicable).

What it does: Cuts, snips, slices and unscrews hard to open objects and packages.

How it makes your life easier: This 3-in-1 tool makes getting into those hard-to-open cardboard/plastic toy and gadget packages a breeze. (Translation: No more broken fingernails or cut fingers the next time Christmas rolls around) The sharp, durable blades make it a cinch to cut through twist ties, zip cords and straps. A retractable spring-loaded blade slices easily through packing tape and CD wrappers, though it may be hard for older people or those with arthritis to maintain the pressure necessary to use it. A hidden and interchangeable Phillips and slotted mini screwdriver comes in handy for quick battery changes, though it was too short to do the job on my daughter's musical toy recently. Comparable in size to small garden shears, it closes securely and compactly for storage. It would fit easily in a glove compartment or kitchen drawer.

Who would use it: Parents, newlyweds, senior citizens, handymen, the elderly and disabled, Santa and his many helpers. A great gift idea.

Where to get it: Home Depot, www.walgreens.com, www.amazon.com, www.enjoyZibra.com/openit

-- Joyce Clark Hicks

A garden romp

You know it's spring when the Joslin garden opens for visitors to explore. Today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., roam the garden's more than four acres in Raleigh. Be sure to bring your comfortable walking shoes as the informal paths take you through garden areas that include exotic and rare plant specimens, swaths of trees, a native woodland and a formal patio garden. Admission is free. The garden is at 2431 West Lake Drive. Free parking is permitted on the west side of West Lake Drive. Call 513-7005 for more information.

Meet the challenge

The PBS kids design competition show "Design Squad," a sort of "Project Runway"-style program for young inventors and engineers, is coming to Raleigh's Museum of Natural Sciences on April 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cast members Kim and Deysi will challenge local kids and parents in design and engineering projects that range from building paper tables to designing zip lines. If the design bug bites, local kids might want to enter the Trash to Treasure challenge to recycle items from their home recycling bin into the next "big" thing. Children from grades kindergarten to high school can compete in the contest. It runs through June 30. And the $10,000 cash prize is a great incentive. Get in on the contest beginning Tuesday at www.bkfk.com.

Green, of course

A full-day course by Carrboro architect Alicia Ravetto and designer-builder Paul Konove will teach participants pointers on taking green building ideas and turning them into reality. The course, called Green & Passive Solar Case Study & Design Lab, costs $90 and will be held April 5 from 9 a. m. to 4:30 p. m. at Central Carolina Community College, Pittsboro Campus. To preregister, and for more information call 542-6495 ext. 223. On-site registration begins at 8:30 a.m.