‘Backyard Getaway’In response to the economy, many families are opting for “Backyard Getaways”-fabulous parties thrown at home, as opposed to leaving town for lavish vacations. Party City has partnered with celebrity event designer Samantha Goldberg to help inspire party planners with savvy and budget-friendly tips for the ultimate Backyard Getaway.

• Sunset Movie Night—Relive the magic of a drive-in theater by simply renting a projector, hanging a large white sheet and serving movie popcorn in vintage popcorn boxes to complete this outdoor cinematic experience.

• House of Sweets Cupcake Party—Delight guests young and old with showstopper, gourmet cupcakes specially crafted from local baking products nearest you and then artfully displayed in elegant cupcake stands.

• Lobster Boil—Bring the charm of the New England seashore right to your doorstep by using custom lobster invitations and nautical-inspired stripes and solids in your tableware.

• Neighborhood Carnival and Games—Invite your neighbors and friends over for a spirited and playful carnival bash full of novelty candy favors, face-painting booths and classic carnival games such as Party City’s Can Toss, Inflatable Tic-Tac-Toe and Egg Relay Race.

Just about everything from customizable tableware and vibrant invitations to eye-catching decorations and novelty party favors can be found at specialty stores and malls nearest you.

For more ideas visit www.PartyCity.com.

Go Green
Here’s how to go green and turn your neighbors green with envy at the same time: vinyl siding. It has a strong reputation as an affordable, low-maintenance and long-lasting material that brings color and beauty to the exterior of a home. A recent study by the Vinyl Siding Institute, Inc., however, reveals that vinyl is also a very eco-friendly material that can help homeowners “green” their home.

Consider the ingredients that make up vinyl and work your way through the product’s life cycle.

Vinyl is primarily made up of two simple materials: common salt-one of Earth’s most common compounds-and natural gas. In the manufacturing process, scrap material can be reworked into the production process, resulting in virtually zero waste at the plant and alleviating the burden on landfills.

Vinyl requires less than half the energy and fuel needed to manufacturer brick and mortar, making it an extremely efficient, more sustainable process.

A high-recycled content can be incorporated into vinyl siding, which is one of the most coveted green product attributes. Products such as CertainTeed CedarBoards Double 6-inch insulated siding boast a 60 percent recycled content-the highest recycled content in the industry for this type of siding. Additionally, vinyl siding is lighter than other cladding materials, which means less fuel and few carbon emissions to transport.

Designed to withstand prolonged exposure to the elements, vinyl is built to last. In fact, many vinyl siding products are backed by lifetime warranties. New technologies that enhance color retention and impact resistance contribute to long-lasting curb appeal. Ultimately, the longer the siding stays on the house, the longer it will stay out of the landfill. However, when homeowners are ready to replace their siding, it can be recycled-yet another green benefit of using vinyl siding.

Few resources are needed to maintain vinyl other than soap and water. No painting, staining or caulking is required, which helps eliminate the release of harmful toxins into the environment. Also, vinyl is impervious to termites and resistant to stains and moisture.

For those homeowners who love the look of wood, there are new technologies that transform vinyl material into unbelievably realistic wood grain textures. And, with such innovations as CedarBoards insulated siding, homeowners can reduce their energy bills and their carbon footprint.

Given the wide range of eco-friendly attributes vinyl siding brings to a home, it’s an excellent choice for homeowners looking to go green.

North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.