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Gary Lipton Media Relations Manager Phone: 1-(800)-222-5551 Fax: 1-(800)-990-4329 Web site: www. napsnet .com e-mail: printmedia@napsnet.com NORTH AMERICAN PRECIS SYNDICATE, INC. 350 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10118-0110 PRESORT STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID North American Address Service Requested NE W Precis Syndicate, Inc. ! #2398 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 350 Fifth Avenue, 65th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10118-0110 Make Mango Memories This Holiday Season (NAPSA)—Ah the holidays, a time for family, memories...and mangos? You may be surprised to learn that the world’s most popular fruit is available year-round and makes a sumptuous addition to many fall and winter holiday classics. Why not freshen up your traditional yam recipe with mangos? When it’s cold outside, this Mango and Almond Yams dish will bring a taste of the tropics to your table. Your family and friends will delight in the unique flavor combination of yams, almonds, and exotic mangos with a touch of brown sugar. Mangos add a natural sweetness to the dish and provide important nutrients, such as vitamins A and C. Serve this tropical holiday treat and create a new tradition for years to come. Mango and Almond Yams Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 40 to 55 minutes Makes 12 servings 4 pounds yams or sweet potatoes 3 ⁄4 cup brown sugar 11⁄2 teaspoons cinnamon 2 medium ripe but firm mangos, peeled, pitted and diced 1 ⁄4 cup butter, cut into small pieces 3 ⁄4 cup sliced almonds Breakthrough Technology Aids Hearing Impaired (NAPSA)—A new device may be music to the ears of those with significant hearing loss. It’s estimated that as much as 10 percent of the U.S. population has hearing loss to a degree where it interferes with their lives. In extreme cases, hearing loss can lead to isolation and withdrawal from social situations, which has been proven to negatively affect overall health and quality of life. Peel yams and cut into 1⁄4inch slices; drop into a bowl of water to keep from discoloring. Drain water and transfer to a large pot fitted with a steamer basket. Steam yams for 10 to 15 minutes or until tender when pierced with a fork. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly butter a 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Stir together the brown sugar and cinnamon. Place half the yams and mangos in the baking dish and coat with brown sugar mixture. Disperse small butter pieces over first layer. Repeat layers. (Dish may be covered and refrigerated for up to 24 hours at this point.) Bake at 350F for 20 minutes; sprinkle with almonds and cook for 20 minutes more. Mango Tips • Mangos come in a variety of colors—many shades of green, yellow and red. • Color isn‘t the best indicator of ripeness. To determine if a mango is ripe, squeeze gently. A ripe mango will give slightly but not be too soft. • To ripen firm mangos, store at room temperature. They will continue to ripen, becoming sweeter and softer over several days. • Once ripe, store mangos in the refrigerator for up to five days to slow down ripening. • Learn more at www.mango.org. A new device is designed to enable a listener to easily hear up to three talkers speaking at normal conversation levels. The new device—called the Companion Mics ™ system—is a multi-talker noise-reduction system designed to help people who have difficulty understanding conversations in noisy situations. A listener can easily hear up to three other talkers speaking at normal conversation levels. The system, based on advanced wireless technology, similar to Bluetooth, was designed by Etymotic Research, a world leader in high-fidelity, noise-isolating, inear earphones. To l e a r n m o r e , v i s i t w w w. etymotic.com. Top 10 Concerns For Home Buyers And Sellers (NAPSA)—When buying or selling a home, people are often surprised to find how appropriate an old maxim—“The more things change, the more they remain the same”—can be. That’s because, no matter the age, style, size or location of a house, there are common problems that are likely to turn up during a home inspection. Knowing what these potential defects are, and preparing to deal with them, is key to making the most of the buying experience. Dan Steward, president of Pillar To Post, North America’s leading provider of home inspection services, identifies these problems as the 10 most common: 1. Structural damage: As the foundation settles, it can knock doorways, walls and support beams out of alignment. The end result could make the entire house a safety hazard. 2. Leaky roof: Roofs may leak due to poor construction or aging materials. The question is, will the subsequent repairs be minor (replacing shingles) or major (replacing the entire roof)? 3. Faulty wiring: Older homes often need electrical upgrades, especially if you plan on installing a lot of electronic equipment (computers, exercise machines) or a pool or hot tub. When electrical circuits are not overloaded, the risk of fire is reduced. 4. Defective heating system: If it’s an older system, it can pay to upgrade to one that uses less energy and is more efficient. If you’ve got gas or oil heat, a carbon monoxide detector is advisable. 5. Poor drainage: If the property is not properly graded, water may not run away from the house. In addition, gutters and downspouts should be checked and replaced if necessary. Having a home inspection can help a buyer find out about potential maintenance problems and repair bills. 6. P l u m b i n g p r o b l e m s : Older homes may have faulty pipes made of polybutylene— popular in the 1970s till the mid-1990s—which are prone to leakage and should probably be replaced with newer, more reliable materials. 7. Poor ventilation: Check the bathrooms. Without sufficient ventilation, moisture may have built up, potentially causing structural damage inside the walls. 8. Water seepage: If water’s coming in, be sure to add caulk and/or weather stripping to your shopping list. Water leaks can lead to mold, mildew and dry rot. 9. Improper maintenance: Any did-it-themselves, nonprofessional repairs could be a source of aggravation down the line. 10. Hazardous materials: Older homes may contain leadbased paint, asbestos, carbon monoxide, radon gas or toxic molds. Any of these could eventually cause serious health problems. To learn more or to find a home inspector in your area, visit www.pillartopost.com.
