Greetings from Ocean City, MD! OK, I actually wrote this last week back in the office before my vacation, but this week I am enjoying the sun, sand, crabs and cocktails. So you go ahead and enjoy this edition while I go ahead and order a Dirty Banana. Send your feedback directly to:  khuston@asicentral.com. It may be published in a future issue of Advantages magazine. For free information on products featured in Advantages, click here: www.advantagesinfo.com.

– Kathy Huston, editor 

Slap Happy
The Pitch: Kids will love this! The youth-sized digital slap-on watch from Sweda Company LLC (asi/90305) slaps right on the wrist and comes in many vibrant colors of silicone. It's perfect for school stores and fundraisers and any tween- and teen-related event. Pricing for item WE007 starts at: 50; $15.99-R. See it here: http://www.swedausa.com/.
The Bottom Line: It's time.

It's Tricky
The Pitch: You know Halloween is right around the corner. So, besides deciding what you're going to dress as (Lady Gaga?), also start encouraging your clients to think about their October promotions. When I was a kid, we worried about razors in apples. I don't know if that was an urban legend, or if weirdoes were actually putting razors in apples. Well, Noteworthy (asi/74360) has new trick-or-treat bags that feature a cute skeleton, ghost, black cat and bat, and also some safety tips: Go only to houses you know; stay in well-lighted areas; check your treats; never go out alone; and carry a flashlight. Pricing for item GHK-855 starts at: 250; $1.17-R. Check it out: http://www.noteworthy.com/.
The Bottom Line: Door-to-door sales.

That's Cool
The Pitch: This is a literally sweet and cool product. Item 10K344 from Mrs. Fields Original Cookies (asi/71750) is the Personal Medley Cooler and Cookies. The cooler holds six cans and comes filled with six cookies, six brownies and a half pound of deluxe mixed nuts. This is an excellent idea for incentive programs and rewarding loyal employees and clients. It's also a fabulous holiday gift. Pricing starts at one for $39.99-T. Click here: http://www.mrsfields.com/.
The Bottom Line: Hold on to your cookies.

Total Cuteness
The Pitch: This is the cutest thing: Teddy Count-With-Me is a bilingual toy. Press his belly for letters and numbers and sing along to nursery rhymes. He also giggles when turned upside down. It's for children ages 6 months and up. It's from Power Sales and Advertising (asi/79083) and pricing for item #600140 starts at: one for $42.43-T. This would be a fun fundraising item for preschools and daycare centers, or a nice reward for pediatric patients. Click here: http://www.psabrowse.com/.
The Bottom Line: Hola, amigo!