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 #2525 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 350 Fifth Avenue, 65th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10118-0110 Big Changes On A Small Budget (NAPSA)—Redecorating your home may be easier and less expensive than many people realize. You can update your dwelling with a few inexpensive decor changes. Rachel Ashwell is the designer behind Simply Shabby Chic for Target, long considered the destination to find great designed products at a great price. She offers tips and tricks that can update your home’s look without busting the budget. Shine Some Light—Many overhead lighting systems can be expensive and the lighting can be harsh. Try creating ambience with three key points of lighting: Table, desk and floor lamps can create an intimate atmosphere while adding to a room’s decor. You can find lamps to light up any style at Target stores. Candles are also a nice way to add an extra-warm glow. You don’t need a pricey glassed candle—instead, buy a glass votive and replace the candle yourself. See Eye to Eye—Wall art can hide imperfections, add color and complete the look of a room. A good tip is to keep artwork at eye level, which will give the room a warm feeling. Old Is New—Dig through your attic, basement and closets for heirloom pieces. Your grandmother’s forgotten vase or picture frame can add a vintage touch. Antique windup clocks are charming and do not require batteries or electricity, plus the ticktock of an antique clock can be quite soothing. Get Out the Paintbrush— One very easy and inexpensive way to update your space is by adding a fresh coat of paint. If you don’t have the time or budget to paint the entire space, select one wall to create as the focal point and paint it with one of the room’s accent colors. Don’t like the look of your floor? Consider painting it with a design. A harlequin pattern of squares would look lovely layered under a textured rug. Save Your Skin You can have a new home at the old address with a little paint and other low-cost changes. Breath of Fresh Air—A great money-saving decorating tip is to bring the outdoors in with potted plants and fresh-cut flowers. No need to tidy up your centerpiece. Just let dropped flower petals and leaves linger and incorporate them into the decor. Don’t sweep stragglers off the table straightaway. Let it Shine—Decorative window treatments provide much more than shade. Devote a bit of budget to classic window treatments, which provide a focal point, design and vibrancy to the room. A useful design tip: Extend window treatments from ceiling to floor to add height and drama to a room. Believe In the Beauty of Imperfection—Showcase your personal style by mixing and matching your favorite pieces of anything from dinnerware to bedding. Work within a theme to keep the decor cohesive but accept the eclectic. Easy themes to work in include color, flowers or novelty prints. Mix and Match—Dress up a neutral-hued couch with inexpensive throw pillows or blankets to bring color and texture to your room. For example, you can turn to Target for some walletfriendly throw pillow designs. Choose tried-and-true themes to keep your choices from looking too hodgepodge. For more low-cost home-decorating options, visit Target.com. (NAPSA)—Using sunscreen to protect your family from harmful sun exposure is important, but not all sunscreens deliver equal protection. Here are a few tips for buying sunscreen without overspending: • Pick a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays and has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. For children, make sure the SPF is at least 30. Sun protection is vital for people of all ages. Select a sunscreen with the proper level of protection and quality ingredients. • Be aware that more expensive does not always mean better. Costly national brands are not necessarily more effective than a store-brand product. In fact, a recent study by the Environmental Working Group found that of more than 1,000 brand-name sunscreen products, CVS/pharmacy brand sunscreens ranked in the top three for quality and protection. • Read product labels. Look for a waterproof brand, such as CVS/pharmacy Continuous Spray Sunblock, if you’ll be swimming or perspiring. • Replace sunscreen every year to maximize effectiveness. • Reapply sunscreen during hours of highest sun intensity— between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. • Wear sunscreen every day regardless of season or weather. Make sure you play it safe before you have fun in the sun. Garlic And Olive Oil Kabobs Make Tasty Cookout Fare (NAPSA)—Now that summer is in full swing, it’s time to transform your traditional cookout menu into a truly tasty feast featuring lighter flavors for the grill. Garlic and Olive Oil Chicken Kabobs string together succulent chicken with fingerling potatoes, summer squash and fresh red and orange bell peppers. Tangy soy sauce and a healthy dose of extra virgin olive oil, combined with grated gingerroot and minced garlic, offer a refreshing alternative to heavier barbecue marinades. Choose other summer garden vegetables or grilled meats for different taste sensations. Garlic And Olive Oil Chicken Kabobs Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 8 minutes Total Time: 28 minutes 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 11⁄2-2-inch pieces 12 fingerling potatoes 1 ⁄4 large red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 4 pieces 1 ⁄4 large orange bell pepper, seeded and cut into 4 pieces 4 slices (3⁄4-inch) yellow squash or zucchini 3 cloves garlic, pressed or minced 1 tsp. grated gingerroot, optional 1 ⁄2 tsp. salt 1 ⁄2 tsp. coarse ground pepper 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 1 Tbsp. soy sauce 4 baby portobello (cremini) mushroom caps, optional Olive oil A light coating of olive oil can help bring out the flavor of grilled vegetables. Heat grill to medium direct heat. Meanwhile, in 1-quart microwave-safe casserole, combine potatoes and 2 Tbsp. water. Cover and microwave at High power for 1 minute; drain well. Combine chicken, potatoes, pepper chunks, squash, garlic, gingerroot, salt and pepper in large bowl; toss to coat evenly. Drizzle with olive oil and soy sauce; toss to coat. (If desired, refrigerate up to 4 hours, turning occasionally.) Add mushrooms; toss gently to coat with oil mixture. Thread ingredients on 4 (16inch) metal or wooden* skewers. Place skewers on grill; grill covered 8 to 10 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked, turning once. Brush with additional olive oil, if desired. Makes 4 servings. *Note: If using wooden skewers, soak in water 1⁄2 hour before threading with chicken and vegetables. For more recipes, and information about olive oil, visit www.aboutoliveoil.org.