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 #2683 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 415 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017 Top Tips For Growing Tasty Tomatoes (NAPS)—Americans are crazy about their tomatoes! Tomatoes are the #1 vegetable grown in gardens all across the nation. More and more, they’re grown at home—for a number of reasons. Not only is homegrown produce tasty and fresh, it could save you thousands in grocery bills every year. Fortunately, it’s easy to grow tomatoes, even if you haven’t got a green thumb, with these simple tips: Plant 1) Sow seeds indoors, into individual containers, 1⁄4” deep and one to two seeds per cell. Keep moist and under good-quality light. Seedlings emerge in seven to ten days at 70 to 75 F. When seedlings have at least two pairs of leaves, acclimatize in a sheltered place outside for a week. 2) Pre-grown plants are a great alternative to homegrown seedlings. Grown and nurtured by trained horticulturists, plants should be available at the optimum time for planting into the garden. 3) To reduce disease, set plants 11⁄2’ to 21⁄2’ apart if a bush or compact variety, 3’ to 4’ if a full-vining garden type, in a sunny area with average soil. Tomatoes are vines and can be planted deep, up to the two topmost sets of leaves. 4) Water thoroughly but not too often, early in the day so that plants will dry off before evening; 1” to 2” per week is best during the growing season. 5) Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Use newspaper, grass clippings, salt hay, or straw to a depth of 3” to 4”. 6) Use slow-release fertilizer at planting time to nourish young tomato plants and again when first fruits form. Duct Facts (NAPS)—Be warned: Dirt, allergens and pollutants may be lurking in the cleanest home, hidden away where you can’t see them—but you can get help getting rid of them. Why The mold, fungi, bacteria and dust clogging your home’s heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system can affect your family’s health. Homegrown tomatoes like this giant SteakHouse can be both tasty and budget friendly. Protect 7) All tomatoes benefit from staking and caging. Emerging fruits gain improved air circulation and reduced ground pest problems. 8) Scout plants for harmful insects and disease often. Remove insects simply by picking them off or use natural soaps and beneficial insects. Pick 9) Pick tomatoes when fully colored and soft to the touch. Pick regularly to keep plants productive. Almost-ripe tomatoes can be ripened in brown bags or spread on newspapers at room temperature. 10) Exciting new varieties, such as Burpee’s ‘SteakHouse’ tomato, can be enjoyed with any meal and to flavor cooked dishes, soups, sauces, stews, ketchup, paste, juice, quiche and pies. You may care to try them in curries, casseroles and chutney, too. Learn More For more information, gardening ideas, videos and non-GMO seeds and plants, visit www. burpee.com or call (800) 888-1447. For a healthier home, don’t duck duct cleaning. When Frequency of cleaning depends on whether there are pets or smokers in the house, there’s been water damage or remodeling done or anyone has allergies or asthma. How The most effective way to clean air ducts and ventilation systems is to have a professional contractor place the system under negative pressure, through the use of a specialized, powerful vacuum. Who Ask if the contractor you’re considering is a member of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA). These have a Code of Ethics and follow NADCA Standard. Where Find a nearby association member at www.nadca.com. Tips To Help You Get Active (NAPS)—With many people juggling the demands of work, family and other commitments, it may seem impossible to add something else—like physical activity— to the mix. You are not alone. With some planning and adjustable tips, you and your family can build physical activity into your routine. To help, here are some tips from the Weight-control Information Network (WIN), a national information service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health: Get Started •Try a new activity each day, like brisk walking or dancing, to find out what you enjoy. Stick with what you like best. •If you must spend a lot of time sitting down each day, try to take breaks to stand up and move around every 30 minutes. Craft a Plan That Fits Your Day and Your Budget •If you have a hard time fitting in exercise, do 10 minutes at a time. Spread these bursts of activity throughout the day. •If cost is an issue, try activities that are cheap or free, such as walking. Also, find out if your local recreation or community center offers reduced rates or pay-asyou-go options. Keep Up the Good Work •Make it social. Involve your family and friends in physical Involve your family and friends in physical activity to have fun, spend quality time together and stay on track. activity to have fun, spend quality time together and stay on track. •Once you start meeting your goals, reward yourself! Take a relaxing hot bath or shower, try a new healthy recipe with friends, work out to new music, or join an affordable sports team, recreation center or exercise class. Learn more from WIN’s “Tips to Help You Get Active.” The brochure presents the federal government’s physical activity guidelines, offers more ideas to help you get active, and includes places for you to write down goals and ways to stay on track. To find out more, visit www.win.niddk.nih.gov or call 1877-946-4627, or follow WIN on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ win.niddk.nih.gov.