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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. ! #2391 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 350 Fifth Avenue, 65th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10118-0110 Active Play Alert: Helping Children Get Moving, Learn And Have Fun (NAPSA)—According to the American Heart Association, more than 11 million children between the ages of 2 and 19 are overweight, with an additional 13 million on their way. With so many children at risk, it’s no wonder that childhood obesity has become a national concern. While the lack of good nutrition and diet are key factors associated with this epidemic, it is important to note that kids today just don’t get enough exercise. Making exercise fun is a big part of the solution. That’s why Fisher-Price developed the Smart Cycle™, an innovative new stationary bike that combines physical play with learning and gets preschoolers interested in a more active lifestyle with a ton of fun. To help get preschoolers pedaling in the right direction, Richard Simmons, one of the nation’s most revered fitness experts, teamed up with Fisher-Price to emphasize the importance of building an ongoing, active, healthy lifestyle. “It is important to recognize that America’s children are overweight and out of shape,” says Richard Simmons. “I have made it my personal crusade to bring physical fitness back into the lives of our children. By partnering with Fisher-Price, we’re able to bring attention to this growing problem and perhaps take a few minutes to lay the groundwork for a better, healthier lifestyle for our children.” Fun, Fit Cycle The Fisher-Price Smart Cycle is a whole new way to provide learning to preschoolers. It’s an exciting encounter that brings the arcade experience home and allows kids to be active while learning. Global Gifting Resource (NAPSA)—When it comes to gifts, it’s the thought that counts, but imagine an affordable global network at your fingertips—to show just how thoughtful you are. For 35 years, a unique gifting company has guaranteed delivery almost anywhere—to hotels and resorts, cruise ship passengers and residences and businesses worldwide, even on short notice and to remote locations. The latest stationary bikes combine physical play with learning and get preschoolers interested in a more active lifestyle. Using plug-and-play technology, parents simply plug the stationary bike into their TV’s A/V jacks. Now kids are ready to hop on and start pedaling and steering to play fun learning games right on the TV. Kids can even customize their “on-screen” vehicle. The Smart Cycle comes with one software title, “Learning Adventure,” which includes three ways to play and learn. In the Driving mode, kids learn valuable academic skills while pedaling through fun environments. In the Learning Arcade Games mode, kids can use the joystick to play games while learning letters, numbers, shapes, colors, spelling, problem solving and more. Finally, in the Big Race, kids can time themselves and race against other vehicles on the TV or against a friend. Additional software is available, including titles that feature such favorite characters as Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob SquarePants, Barbie and Diego. To learn more, visit the Web site at www.fisher-price.com. It’s now possible to deliver gifts for any occasion to almost anywhere in the world. Well Wishers Int’l is relied on for holiday, corporate, “bon voyage,” birthday or anytime gifting, and its personally selected global vendor network allows it to expertly navigate customers through the entire gifting process —ultimately saving time and money. Whether it’s a themed gift basket, imported champagne, fresh flowers or a customized specialty order, gift givers are assured of the highest service and quality and beautiful packaging. The company can fulfill nearly any gift request and is usually limited only by one’s imagination (and budget). For details, or personal shopping expertise via its gift concierge, visit www.wellwishers.com. Seven Steps For A Healthier Home (NAPSA)—Many Americans may be breathing a little more easily if they heed a few hints on how to clean up the air in their homes. The Problem That’s because according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, levels of some indoor air pollutants can be two to five times higher—with some as much as 100 times higher—than the levels outdoors. Today’s tightly sealed homes help conserve energy. However, they also can trap pollutants such as pollen and dust mites, mold, carbon monoxide and other toxic gasses that can aggravate allergies and asthma as well as other health problems. Homeowners can overcome these problems by removing particulates from the home and preventing pollutants from getting in. Some Solutions Here are seven steps from engineers and other experts that may help: 1. Don’t let anyone smoke in the house. 2. Invest in a carbon monoxide detector to ensure the air is free of deadly carbon monoxide gas. 3. Maintain low relative humidity in the house to control dust mites. Consider purchasing a humidity detector or dehumidifier. 4. Wash bedding at least once per week. Consider allergenimpermeable covers for mattresses, box springs and pillows. 5. Use paints, stains and solvents labeled low VOC for Volatile Organic Compounds. These are products that don’t emit toxic gasses. And make sure to have adequate ventilation in any room where chemicals are used. Keeping the air inside your home clean can be good for your health. 6. Properly vent fireplaces, wood stoves and other hearth products, stoves and dryers to the outside. 7. Consider installing a central vacuum system. It can remove up to five times more dirt and allergens than a conventional vacuum, without blowing air into the living area that can stir up dust. In fact, a clinical study of allergy patients found that the superior dust removal of a central vacuum system improved patients’ symptoms by up to 61 percent. What’s more, homes with builtin vacuums such as Beam Central Vacuum Systems offer more appeal and value to buyers than homes without them, often increasing the value of a home by more than the cost of the system. Professionally trained dealers can install a central vacuum system in virtually any existing home, without damaging walls. Learn More For more information on improving air quality, visit www.beam.com.
