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 #2627 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 415 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017 Add Some Pop To Your Party With Popcorn (NAPSA)—Americans love a celebration, especially during the warmer months. For example, three of this country’s most important national holidays mark the beginning, middle and end of summer: Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. These holidays have an excitement that comes from more than just having a day off. They’re an opportunity to gather with family and friends and celebrate being an American. An All-American Food This summer, as you enjoy the many things that make this country great, from baseball to barbecue, blue jeans to blues, be sure to include another all-American favorite—popcorn. Popcorn is one of the oldest and most beloved American snack foods. It’s been around for countless years, yet over time, it has remained a simple little kernel of goodness. Wholesome and whole grain, popcorn costs just pennies per serving. For a star-spangled snack that’ll have you popping with pride, try this recipe courtesy of the Popcorn Board (www.popcorn.org). Red Hot Poppers Makes: about 24 balls Preparation time: 25 minutes Ingredients: 3 quarts popped popcorn 4 tablespoons (1⁄2 stick) butter or margarine 3 cups miniature marshmallows 1 ⁄2 cups red hot cinnamonflavored candies Red and blue confection stars Red licorice string Popcorn is one of the oldest and most beloved of all-American foods. Directions: 1. Spread a large sheet of plastic wrap onto a work surface and spray with cooking spray. 2. Spray a large mixing bowl lightly with cooking spray and place popcorn inside. 3. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in marshmallows until marshmallows are melted and mixture is smooth. Pour over popcorn, adding red hot candies, and mix well until coated. 4. Spray hands with cooking spray and form mixture into 24 balls. Gently press red and blue stars onto balls. Place a piece of licorice string on top of each ball. Recently Graduated? Registration Required (NAPSA)—Soon after graduation, young men who are 18 may find they need more than a diploma to get a job or enter a training program. Often, they find that they also have to produce proof that they have registered with the Selective Service System. Young men are required by law to register during the period of time beginning 30 days before their 18th birthday until 30 days after their birthday—regardless of where they live. Recent male graduates, don’t forget to register with the Selective Service System. Those who fail to register face the possibility of fines or prison or both. Plus, they will find that they must register to receive state or federal aid for higher education and be eligible for a federal job or a job-training program. Male noncitizens living in the U.S. must register to remain eligible for citizenship. Plus, some states demand proof of registration in order to receive a driver’s license. Fortunately, registration keeps getting easier and more convenient. It’s now possible to register online, at a post office, by mail or when applying for federal student aid. To learn more, visit www.sss.gov. Use Color To Revamp The Look Of Your Home (NAPSA)—Choosing a new look for your home can be a liberating, rejuvenating change that will pay off in the future. By choosing the right color, you can express yourself, freshen up an old look and increase the value of your home. According to a recent Cost vs. Value Report conducted by Hanley Wood, LLC, an exterior makeover —such as installing fiber cement siding—can be a great investment, returning more than 83 percent of the project cost upon resale. Here are several tips to help you increase the value of your home while boosting curb appeal: •Go Green. Color choice can affect the energy efficiency of your home. Darker colors absorb the sun and therefore warm the home, while lighter colors reflect the sun’s rays, keeping the home cooler. This is an important consideration depending on the amount of sunlight your home is exposed to on an average day. •Get Back to Nature. Look to your natural surroundings for inspiration. For example, in a wooded area, vivid greens and browns can help blend the style of a home with its environment. In an urban setting, bright, eyecatching colors can help to offset the sometimes drab hues associated with city living. •Go Back in History. If your home is from a certain historical period, play off that history. Find old pictures of your house or neighborhood to use a historically accurate color scheme. Try to select shades that were used at the time your home was built. This will add character and a certain amount of authenticity to your own little historical treasure. •Visualize the Finished Product. The ColorView free You can have a new home at the old address with paint and perhaps some shingles. online tool at www.certainteed.com lets homeowners picture their home complete with new color. You can even mix and match colors of roofing, siding, trim, rail and deck to choose the perfect style and look. •Make a Lasting Impression. The darker the hue, the more likely it is to fade over time, especially with homes exposed to direct sunlight. CertainTeed’s Monogram vinyl siding offers consistent quality and variety with over 40 colors and wood-tone blends. •Look Up. The roof accounts for roughly 40 percent of the exterior appearance of the home, so it’s important to consider roofing shingles. CertainTeed’s Presidential Shake Shingles deliver the charm and character of hand-split wood shakes with the durability and strength that preside over wood in virtually every surrounding. From aged bark and charcoal black to weathered wood and chestnut, the shingles are available in a wide array of dynamic color options and textures to match your home’s unique style.