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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 #2626 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 415 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017 Low-Maintenance Materials Key To A Relaxing Outdoor Living Space (NAPSA)—Having outdoor living space is important to today’s homeowners, but, according to MarketWatch, homeowners no longer want huge yards to maintain. They want smaller yards, complete with entertaining centers and grilling and dining areas. Designing these spaces is much like designing an outdoor living room. While many are looking to incorporate outdoor space that will improve their home’s curb appeal, no one wants the headache of maintenance, repair and upkeep. While a traditional wood fence or deck can look beautiful when first installed, it takes time and money each year to treat, stain, paint and keep up appearances after every winter. With both vinyl and composite options available, homeowners have high-quality, worry-free alternatives that can meet their maintenance needs. With a low-maintenance picket fence or backyard deck, they can rest easy knowing that all that is needed is a quick washing with a garden hose to keep them looking new. After a few years, a wood fence that has been exposed to the elements may rot, resulting in less stability and a shorter life span, not to mention the wood will quickly lose its luster. A low-maintenance vinyl fence is an ideal alternative to wood because it is beautiful, durable and built to last, providing years of enjoyment with virtually no upkeep necessary. Unlike wood, it will not warp, rot, splinter, peel or blister. Many low-maintenance materials such as vinyl also allow for unbelievably realistic woodgrain Reinventing The NeighborhoodVideo Store (NAPSA)—Increasingly, consumers are finding that a trip to their local video store might actually take them to a supermarket or convenience store. That’s because a well-known home-entertainment brand is reinventing the movie night rental experience. Blockbuster Express, The look of fine wood with the easy care of vinyl is available for fences and decks these days. textures and provide a wide array of color and style options. For example, CertainTeed’s EverNew decking and railing lines offer 19 rich shades and multichromatic colors that provide the deep, natural look of wood. While these alternatives to a wood fence or deck may cost more up front, they are a wise investment and will save homeowners both time and money over their lifetime. Many products also come backed by strong warranties, such as EverNew PT and LT decking— the only products on the market backed with a 20-year stain and fade warranty. Vinyl fence and vinyl or composite decking offer an excellent solution for homeowners looking to create a relaxing, outdoor escape. For more information on how to design your backyard getaway, visit www.certainteed.com or call (800) 233-8990. The retail kiosk has been reinvented as a place where you can find the movies you are looking for—including recent releases. owned and operated by NCR Corporation, has launched over 9,000 movie rental kiosks in the U.S. in the last two years. Blockbuster Express makes it easy for customers to rent the latest new-release movies at their local grocery and convenience store. Just like the neighborhood video store, Blockbuster Express will guarantee that the latest newrelease movies are always in stock, in some cases up to nearly a month ahead of other rental kiosks and mail-order services, while also offering a broad array of movies starting at only $1. Unlike your old video store, no membership is required and consumers can conveniently rent a movie from one location and return it to any other location in the United States. This is great news for consumers who are looking for inexpensive, convenient ways to entertain their family. So the next time consumers head to the grocery store to pick up a gallon of milk, it might just become a movie night, too. To learn more, visit www. blockbusterexpress.com or call (877) 300-2128. Using Vacation Time To Help Master Skills (NAPSA)—A recent report shows that when it comes to improving education skills, America’s students have some catching up to do. The three-yearly OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) report, which compares the knowledge and skills of 15-year-olds in 70 countries around the world, ranked the U.S. 14th out of 34 OECD countries for reading skills, 17th for science and a below-average 25th for mathematics. Vacations can be a great time to reverse the trend and enrich your child’s learning experience. Here are a few ways to help: 1. Lead by example. Take your favorite paperback (or two) and stuff it in your beach bag. Your child needs to see you reading for enjoyment. 2. Build vocabulary with a weekly “Word Workout.” Select a new word each week for your family to learn. Use it in conversations, play games with it and have contests using the new word. 3. Visit a library or bookstore together. Browse the shelves together and note what topics interest your child. Make sure you each have your own library card. Consider joining a book club. 4. Read aloud daily. Reading aloud is a great way to model your love of reading. Encourage your child to read along with you. Point out new vocabulary and ideas. Ask questions about the story and about the characters and their motivations. 5. Tell stories together. Storytelling is an art and a way to help develop language and listening skills. Tell your favorite childhood stories and stories about your families. Encourage your child to tell stories and even make up stories together. Then, write them down. Many students benefit from oneon-one support in the classroom. 6. Help kids see the connections between their personal lives and the stories or articles they read and hear. Ask questions and make comparisons as they read, watch TV and go to the movies. 7. Sign kids up for an enrichment program. Many students benefit from one-on-one support, an often-difficult thing to provide in the classroom. Fortunately, individualized online programs can help bridge the gap by supporting students in areas where they need help. Because such programs can be tailored to a student’s strengths and weaknesses, they can be an effective aid for literacy, especially during vacation time. For example, Achieve3000, which offers Web-based learning solutions, uses the concept of differentiated instruction for improving literacy and student performance. Differentiated instruction provides content at a student’s level, then brings students to the level they need to be at. By meeting students where students are, it’s easier to improve their reading level and help them achieve success across the curriculum. One-click reporting and management allow teachers to use performance data to inform instruction. For more information, visit www.achieve3000.com/parenttips.