You can receive Featurettes by e-mail daily, weekly or monthly by request. We can e-mail by your choice of topic or all stories as you may prefer. To make it even more convenient for editors to use our stories, NAPS has added an RSS syndication feed to our Web site. Simply hit the RSS button on our site for automated updates on available content. Please contact us to arrange to receive Featurettes in the format that works best for you at (800) 222-5551 or e-mail your request to us at printmedia@napsnet.com. We can provide Featurettes on CD-ROM or you can download it online at www.napsnet.com. 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 #2456 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 350 Fifth Avenue, 65th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10118-0110 Avoiding Medication Errors (NAPSA)—Knowing more about the medications you take could save your life. That’s because medication errors cause at least one death every day and harm approximately 1.5 million people annually in the United States, according to the Institute of Medicine. As medication use continues to rise, it’s more important than ever that patients and health care providers work together to improve communication. So how can patients stay informed and take medication safety into their own hands? The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) believes a medication list is an effective tool to help facilitate the necessary and critical line of communication between patients and those in the health system to reduce the number of medical errors that occur each year. The organization offers the following tips to help you avoid medication errors: • Ask questions. Learn the name of the medications you take, including the dose, what each drug is used for, and how often you should take it. • Use the same pharmacy to fill prescriptions. That way, the pharmacist can detect possible drug interactions. • Jot it down. Keep a list of all the medications you take. To make it easier for you, ASHP and the ASHP Foundation developed My Medicine List™, a free online tool available at SafeMedication.com. American Athletes At Home In Beijing (NAPSA)—U.S. Olympic athletes and their families will be getting support they can bank on when they arrive in Beijing for the 2008 Olympic Games. A unique hospitality experience, the Bank of America Hometown Hopefuls Family Center, will act as a home base for friends, families and over 600 qualified U.S. Olympians during the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. “We know that behind every athlete who makes the U.S. Olympic Team, there are families and friends who have made personal sacrifices to support and Here’s a healthy idea: Keep a list of all the medicines you take and show it to your doctor and pharmacist. • Don’t leave home without it. Take your medication list to all your health care visits and make sure it includes the medication name, who prescribed it, the dosage, frequency and notes about any side effects that have bothered you. Don’t forget to include nonprescription medicine, vitamins and herbal medicine. • Don’t share. Never take medications prescribed for someone else, which may be the wrong dose for you and may interact with other medications you take. • Learn more. For more information about using your medications safely, visit www. SafeMedication.com. A family center in Beijing will bring American athletes closer to their dream and let them stay connected with family and friends. encourage that athlete’s Olympic dream,” said Bank of America’s Anne Finucane. The bank, a major corporate sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team, “is proud to recognize these very special people, and we hope that participation in this program adds to their enjoyment of watching America’s team in its quest for Olympic gold,” she added. The multilevel 15,500-squarefoot Family Center facility, located in the western part of Beijing, will feature many of the comforts of home. For more information or to learn more about Olympic programming, visit www.AmericasCheer.com. Ham’s The Easy Way To Make Meals More Memorable (NAPSA)—If you’re looking for a healthful, simple way to add flair and flavor to any meal, shine the spotlight on ham. As an ingredient that is low in both fat and carbohydrates, and a great source of lean protein, ham is a quick and easy way to add valuable nutrition to a family’s diet, say chefs around the country. Plus, with the option of being served hot or cold, ham is a versatile way to liven up any breakfast, lunch, dinner or brunch. “Ham is often forgotten as a hearty, healthful and flavorful ingredient, but it offers almost unlimited recipe possibilities,” says Philip Jones, a professionally trained chef, father of three and president of Jones Dairy Farm. “And because it’s fully cooked, ham is perfect for quick everyday meals, no matter if you’re eating for one or entertaining family and friends.” Whether it’s added to soup, salad, pasta, eggs, sandwiches, pizza or eaten on its own, ham, as well as Canadian bacon, can make any mealtime memorable. Jones offers this recipe for “Supreme Salad,” a delicious dish featuring Jones hickory-smoked ham, fresh seasonal vegetables and a tangy vinegar dressing. Supreme Salad 4 pints mixed salad greens or torn Bibb lettuce 2 cups Jones ham, julienne sliced 16 asparagus spears, trimmed, cooked and chilled Hot or cold, versatile ham can add protein and taste to mealtime. 2 cups red or yellow cherry or teardrop tomatoes 4 hard-cooked eggs, peeled and quartered 1 ⁄4 cup fresh tarragon, chopped 1 ⁄4 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons balsamic or raspberry vinegar 1 clove garlic, minced 1 ⁄2 teaspoon salt 1 ⁄4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Arrange greens over four large plates or bowls. Arrange ham, asparagus, cherry tomatoes and eggs over greens. Sprinkle tarragon over salads. Combine oil, vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper; mix well. Drizzle the dressing over salad. Makes four servings. For dozens of easy-to-prepare recipe ideas featuring Jones ham and Canadian bacon, visit www.jonesdairyfarm.com.