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HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Aug. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Back-to-school shopping enters the virtual age with Sears' new E-Me shopping experience for tweens. The program is a partnership with myvirtualmodel.com and meez.com.
After creating a personalized E-Me, or avatar, a site visitor can dress it in a wide selection of Sears apparel and shoes, and save the selections in his or her closet. By printing the E-Me and closet and bringing a copy into the store, parents will not only know which clothing items their children want, but they will receive a 10 percent discount on those items.
"The Sears E-Me is all about making back-to-school shopping easier for mom and a lot more fun for kids," said Paul Miller, senior vice president of direct commerce for Sears Holdings. "The site also shows moms and kids that Sears has great looks for back-to-school, from The Cheetah Girls exclusive line and colorful camo skorts to hot jean looks and hoodies."
Other elements of the site include an E-Me Fashion Show, where kids can submit their E-Me outfits to be rated by other site users, a variety of interactive backdrops allowing E-Mes to dance, flip burgers and more. An E-Me and closet can be saved from session to session and no personal information is requested from users.
Games and other interactive elements will be added to the site in future updates.
To visit the site, go to http://www.sears.com/e-me.About Sears, Roebuck and Co.
Sears, Roebuck and Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ:SHLD) , is a leading broadline retailer providing merchandise and related services. Sears, Roebuck offers its wide range of home merchandise, apparel and automotive products and services through more than 2,400 Sears-branded and affiliated stores in the United States and Canada, which includes approximately 926 full-line and 1,100 specialty stores in the U.S. Sears, Roebuck also offers a variety of merchandise and services through sears.com, landsend.com, and specialty catalogs. Sears, Roebuck offers consumers leading proprietary brands including Kenmore, Craftsman, DieHard and Lands' End -- among the most trusted and preferred brands in the U.S. The company is the nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 13 million service calls made annually. For more information, visit the Sears, Roebuck website at http://www.sears.com/ or the Sears Holdings Corporation website at http://www.searsholdings.com/.
Source: Sears, Roebuck and Co.
Web site: http://www.sears.com/e-me
http://www.sears.com/
http://www.searsholdings.com/
http://www.myvirtualmodel.com/
http://www.meez.com/
YELLOW SPRINGS, Ohio, Aug. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- At a time when an estimated 40,000 children return to school after battling a pediatric cancer, a new Web site now makes it possible for students and teachers to welcome these young survivors back to the classroom.
Inspired by the critically acclaimed A LION IN THE HOUSE documentary, which last month was nominated for a primetime Emmy for Exceptional Merit in Nonfiction Filmmaking, the Web site -- www.mylion.org -- provides instant access to information about pediatric cancer and to service-learning projects where classmates can help a peer undergoing cancer treatment. Each project is correlated with national curriculum standards and has a 10-minute clip from A LION IN THE HOUSE.
A LION IN THE HOUSE, which had a national broadcast on the Emmy-award winning series Independent Lens in June 2006, galvanized public attention for childhood cancer by following the stories of five courageous children and their families. Insights from the documentary have been used to develop MyLion.
"Cancer is not fair, and childhood cancer is even less so," said MyLion project director Melissa Godoy. "Not everyone can find a cure for cancer, but we can all contribute to finding that cure, or we can make life better for patients and families."
To ease the anxieties for classmates returning to school after cancer treatment, MyLion.org offers access to service-learning projects, such as Welcome Back Bag, where students discuss the challenges of fighting cancer and then organize a welcoming project for a peer. Another project, Find Your Strength In Numbers: Save a Life, Plan a Blood Drive, shows students how to sponsor a blood drive to help children in the community undergoing cancer treatment. According to the U.S. Department of Education, a third of all schools and half of public high schools provide service-learning, a teaching method that engages young people in solving problems within their schools and communities as part of their academic studies.
"Back to school offers a wealth of opportunities for service-learning, including projects designed to help classmates batting cancer and their families," said Steve Culbertson, president and CEO of Youth Service America (YSA), a leading national organization focusing on service-learning for youth and a national partner of A LION IN THE HOUSE. "This is an ideal time for service-learning experiences that help students acquire academic skills and knowledge, but put them in a position to become more compassionate about other children who need empathy and support."
MyLion.org has also teamed up with SuperSibs! (a national support group for the brothers and sisters of children with cancer) to raise awareness of the impact pediatric cancer has on siblings, who often feel frightened, angry, jealous, grief stricken, stressed, depressed and even abandoned. Besides giving students and teachers access to service-learning projects designed specifically for siblings, MyLion.org offers classmates these tips for supporting the brother or sister of a child with cancer:
* Keep in mind that you can't "catch cancer" from someone else, and that
siblings didn't do anything to cause their brother or sister to have
cancer.
* Ask siblings how THEY'RE doing - and then really listen. (Don't always
ask them for the medical report on a brother or sister. Siblings want
to know that people genuinely care about them, too).
* Introduce a sibling by his or her own name (not as "Jimmy's brother or
sister").
* Send fun mail addressed to the sibling - individually, by name.
* Invite siblings to join in fun activities or outings. Siblings need to
laugh, have fun and be themselves, even (and especially) during this
challenging time for the family.
* Remind siblings they're not alone and to reach out for support.
* Celebrate the siblings' own accomplishments. Remind them that they're
special - just for being who they are.
* Teen siblings are often thrust into a "third parent" role, with extra
responsibilities. Offer to help do these chores with them.
* Remember that this is a long journey for siblings. Don't expect them to
"just get over it" after a certain period of time. Your supportive
friendship (for many years) can help siblings have strength, courage
and hope.
"A pediatric cancer diagnosis affects everyone in the family," said Melanie Goldish, SuperSibs! Executive Director. "Siblings need to know, especially during the fight against cancer, that they are special and important people, too, and that their classmates and friends are there to support them during this difficult time."
A LION IN THE HOUSE is a co-production of the Independent Television Service (ITVS), which funds and promotes independent films in the U.S. and presents them on PBS. Information about the additional educational tools produced in conjunction with A LION IN THE HOUSE is available at www.lioninthehouse.com.
Source: MyLion.org
Web site: http://www.mylion.org/
http://www.lioninthehouse.com/
COSTA MESA, Calif., Aug. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- With millions of students getting ready to head back to school soon, the experts at NADAguides.com (http://www.nadaguides.com/) -- a leading vehicle pricing and information website -- today released tips to help teens, college-age students and parents navigate the back-to-school car buying process.
"Buying a car for a teenager or a young adult is a unique situation," said Don Christy, Jr., president and CEO, NADAguides.com. "Things like credit history, budget, safety and reliability play a large part in the car buying equation. These tips are designed as a guideline to assist students in finding the perfect vehicle, at the right price, to meet their needs."
1. Do your Homework
The car-buying process starts with homework to determine the type of vehicle that best fits your needs and your budget. In addition to determining whether you're buying new or used, you'll need to know the type of vehicle that's ideal for your own personal situation. For example, hybrid cars are great for commuters while four-wheel-drive SUVs, pick-up trucks and crossovers work well in all kinds of weather. There are also a variety of standard gas-powered compact cars that are economical, popular among younger car buyers and ideal for small parking spaces or crowded city driving.
NADAguides.com offers a side-by-side car comparison tool that allows students and their parents the ability to compare price, safety features, standard equipment and vehicle specifications for up to four different new and used makes, models and model years -- side-by-side, in real-time -- at the new car section of its website http://www.nadaguides.com/, for people who need help making the best car buying decision possible.
2. Check your Math
Next up, it's time to check your math. Start by researching the vehicle's retail price (if you're buying used) or MSRP (if you're buying new) at NADAguides.com to see if the vehicle fits within your budget, if the seller's asking price is fair, or if there are any incentives and rebates programs currently being offered that help offset the overall sales price -- you can research Current Offers at NADAguides.com to find out. Then, it's time to determine whether you'll pay cash or whether you'll need a loan. NADAguides.com offers an online car payment calculator, a free Credit Check service (so you know ahead of time exactly what your credit score is), online finance programs and detailed pricing information to help you evaluate the "math" involved with buying a car.
3. Complete your Paperwork
If you finance, there are a variety of lending companies (including financing at car dealerships) that specialize in loans for people with little or no credit. Be sure to factor in any down payments and trade-in allowances when determining what your overall monthly payment will be. Even though teenagers and young adults typically have little or no credit, parents or trusted family members can co-sign a loan to help a student qualify for financing they typically would not have qualified for on their own, while helping them establish a credit history in the process. Finally, review the documentation thoroughly to make sure you fully understand the terms of the financing, including the length of the loan, the interest rate and the overall amount of the monthly payment.
4. Buy an Apple (Not a Lemon)
If you're buying a used car -- either from an accredited dealer or a private party -- NADAguides.com suggests getting a Vehicle History Report, like the service offered at its website, to check whether the vehicle has suffered from frame damage, fire damage, water damage or from other problems in the past (such as a salvaged or damaged title or odometer rollback). "Even if the vehicle's history report comes back 'clean', it's still a good idea to solicit the help of a certified mechanic to inspect the vehicle prior to purchase, to ensure it's mechanically sound," said Christy.
5. Learn to be Safe
In addition to finding the right vehicle at the right price, NADAguides.com strongly urges teenagers and young adults to enroll in a driver safety program. "For most kids, buying and owning their first car is an enjoyable rite-of-passage," said Christy, "but safety should be the number one priority. We all want our kids to have fun, but above and beyond anything else, we want them to be safe in the process."
The editors at NADAguides.com have compiled a list of their favorite Back-to-School Vehicles for the Fall 2007 school year. Following is a list of their top picks in a variety of 'Who's Who' categories.
Best All Around 2007 Honda Civic Coupe, MSRP - $15,610
With its affordable price tag, cool styling, responsive handling, excellent fuel economy and solid safety ratings (as well as a wide range of aftermarket accessories and customization possibilities), this year's Honda Civic Coupe won Best All Around in the NADAguides.com Favorite Back-to-School Vehicles list.
Most Popular Among Girls 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible, MSRP - $22,240
The 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible was chosen as a NADAguides.com favorite among girls this school season, with its uniquely-rounded design, an enjoyable top-down driving experience and more than a dozen exterior and interior color configurations, including Sunflower Yellow.
Most Popular Among Guys 2007 Jeep Wrangler, MSRP - $18,610
Completely redesigned for 2007, the Jeep Wrangler boasts all the utility off-roaders could possibly want, with cool convertible driving thrown in. With a base 205 horsepower 3.8-liter V6, more-than-enough cargo room for plenty of skiing and school gear, locking differentials and off-road tires, the NADAguides.com editors chose it as a favorite among guys for the upcoming school season.
Most Likely to 'Play it Safe' 2007 Subaru Forester, MSRP - $21,195
The Subaru Forester offers ABS brakes, traction control, advanced driver and passenger-side airbags, rear seat head restraints and a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in frontal and side crash tests (as well as an affordable price tag compared to other comparably equipped, ultra-safe cars on the market) -- great news for students, as well as their safety-conscious parents.
Most Athletic 2007 Nissan Xterra, MSRP - $20,050
Available in 4WD, with excellent off-road features and towing capacity, the 2007 Nissan Xterra is equipped with a powerful base 4.0-liter V6 that generates 261 horsepower and 281 lb.-ft of torque, with passenger capacity for up to five and all their gear. Not only is the Xterra a tough little workhorse, it's geared towards a younger crowd, making it a top NADAguides.com Back-to-School Vehicle favorite.
Most Environmentally Conscious 2007 Toyota Prius, MSRP - $22,175
If it's fuel economy you want, there's nothing better than the 2007 Toyota Prius, with EPA estimates in the 60 City/41 Highway range -- a perfect car for long commutes to and from school. What's more, the Prius comes nicely equipped with plenty of amenities, including a navigation system and an AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system, sure to please today's technically-savvy youth.
Best Dressed 2007 Ford Mustang, MSRP - $19,250
Since the beginning of its production life, the Ford Mustang has always been a fan favorite due in large part to its overall design, and the 2007 model year doesn't disappoint. With a base 210 horsepower 4.0-liter V6 and 240 lb.-ft of torque -- as well as throwback design cues reminiscent of classic Mustangs -- this year's model easily 'made the grade' as a NADAguides.com Favorite Back-to-School Vehicle pick.
Most Likely to Succeed 2007 Acura TSX, MSRP - $28,090
Even though the 2007 Acura TSX is considered an entry-level Sedan, there's nothing elementary about it. From heated leather lumbar seats to steering wheel audio controls, the Acura TSX is luxuriously equipped, safe and more affordably priced than comparably-equipped vehicles in its class. The TSX was designed for distinguished go-getters in mind -- kids on a fast track to the finer things (even though mom and dad will probably need to pick up the tab).
At NADAguides.com (http://www.nadaguides.com/), students can research pricing and specification information for virtually every new and used car on the market today, as well as side-by-side car comparisons, car buying and selling services, Vehicle History Reports, new and used car reviews and test drives, finance and insurance programs, Credit Check services and 360-degree new car interior and exterior photos, as well as a variety of new and used car buying tips -- for all the vehicles mentioned here and more.
N.A.D.A. Appraisal Guides (NADAguides.com) is the world's largest publisher of vehicle pricing and specification information for new and used cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs, as well as van conversions, limousines, classic and collectible cars, boats, RVs, motorcycles, snowmobiles, personal watercraft and manufactured housing. The company's consumer website, NADAguides.com (http://www.nadaguides.com/), offers a variety of new and used vehicle services in addition to valuation information. Throughout its 74-year history, N.A.D.A. Appraisal Guides has earned the reputation as the recognized authority for vehicle valuations. Its website, NADAguides.com, is the most comprehensive vehicle information resource on the Internet today.
Source: NADAguides.com
Web site: http://www.nadaguides.com/
