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 #2611 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 415 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017 You Can Help! Tips For Helping Deal With A Health Crisis Tips On Getting More Use Out Of Your Garage (NAPSA)—A growing number of homeowners are finding they can save money and get more from their home by reorganizing and remodeling their garage. It’s estimated there are more than 70 million garages (2007 Garage and Storage Shed Trends) in the United States and some say the average two-car garage has never been larger. Yet, due to the overflow of storage, few homeowners ever get to take full advantage of all the space it has to offer. Fortunately, there may be a way to change all that. Turning a garage into a room Many homeowners are starting to view their garage as yet another area of a home that, if properly organized, can become another fully functional and spacious room of the home. “By reclaiming the garage and making it a functional part of the home, families can get more entertainment and storage space than they’ve realized,” said Mario D’Ovidio, general manager, Gladiator GarageWorks. “Make the garage work for you. When everything has its place, you may just need a quick sweep of the broom to get the space in tip-top shape to host a tailgate party or a happy hour.” Space and convenience Start by looking at your garage and determining how it’s used and where the entry points are in the space. Then determine what areas should be created and where they should be located to maximize space and convenience. (NAPSA)—When a loved one is diagnosed with cancer or recovering from a traumatic injury, you might feel helpless, or wonder, “How can I show them I care?” In a recent survey of U.S. adults conducted on behalf of CaringBridge, 58 percent of respondents ranked help with keeping everyone updated as the most appreciated. Some say that by reorganizing a garage to make it more functional, families can get more entertainment and storage space. For instance, creating a recycling area near the entry door to the house limits the need to trek across the garage when tossing in those newspapers and aluminum cans. Think dual purpose Another way to save is to invest in pieces that are modular —items that can serve a dual purpose. For example, one such item is the Gladiator GarageWorks Bamboo Modular Workbench. The workbench, which is made of sustainable materials, was originally conceived as a workspace for garage hobbyists. However, the sturdy, natural work surface can also work as a buffet table, bar or kids’ crafting station. The company offers a full line of workbenches, cabinets, wall systems and components, such as shelves, baskets, bins and hooks, designed to help homeowners get more from their space. To learn more, visit www.gladiatorgarageworks.com. Sharing information quickly during a health crisis can be made simpler by doing it online. Sharing information quickly during a health crisis can be emotionally difficult and time consuming, especially while undergoing treatments, scheduling appointments, and dealing with the emotional stress of an illness. Other ways to show support: • Household help (52 percent of respondents rank this type of support highly) • Getting legal affairs in order (41 percent) • Bringing items to help pass time (24 percent) • Sharing personal mementos or pictures (17 percent) • Gifts such as flowers or candy (7 percent). To learn more about easily connecting with family and friends during a health crisis, visit www.CaringBridge.org. Getting The Most From Your Car’s Warranty (NAPSA)—In addition to the gleaming paint job and that special smell, there’s something else that the owner of a new car gets to enjoy—the warranty. A warranty is a promise, often made by a manufacturer, to stand behind its product or to fix certain defects or malfunctions over a period of time. The warranty pays for any covered repairs or part replacements during the warranty period. But can a dealer void your car’s warranty if you have someone else do routine maintenance on the vehicle? The answer is no, and the Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, wants to make sure consumers know it. Under federal law, it’s illegal for manufacturers or dealers to refuse to honor a warranty or to deny coverage simply because someone other than the dealer did work on the car. And dealers must be able to demonstrate that improper repair caused the damage that they refuse to cover. The FTC offers these and other tips for American consumers to help them make smart decisions and get the most out of their auto warranties. For example, if an independent mechanic improperly replaced a belt and the engine is damaged as a result, a manufacturer or dealer may only deny responsibility for fixing the engine under the warranty after demonstrating that the improper belt replacement—rather than some other defect—caused the engine damage. However, the warranty would still be in effect for other parts of the car. The same is true of “aftermarket” parts made by a company other than the vehicle manufacturer or the original equipment manufacturer: The manufacturer may not deny warranty coverage unless it can show that the after- It’s illegal for dealers to refuse to honor a warranty simply because someone other than the dealer worked on the car. market equipment caused the need for repairs. Other tips from the FTC include: • Read the warranty that came with the car, or check the “Owners” section of the manufacturer’s website. • Be aware of when the warranty period ends, and get any problems that arise checked out beforehand. • Service the car at regular intervals, following the manufacturer ’s recommended service schedule. • Keep all service records and receipts, regardless of who performs the service. This includes oil changes, tire rotations, belt replacement, new brake pads, and inspections. These receipts can be used to prove that the vehicle was properly maintained. • Complain. If you think a dealer’s service advisor denied your warranty claim unfairly, ask to speak with a supervisor. If you still aren’t satisfied, contact the manufacturer or go to another dealer. You might also want to complain to your state Attorney General, local consumer protection agency and Better Business Bureau. Visit www.ftc.gov for free information on buying, financing, leasing, renting and maintaining vehicles.