THREE NEW TOYS  

Three neat new toys recently arrived from the U.S.

Electronic Rolodex card file This new model holds more than 1,000 names and numbers for instant retrieval, and features a one-touch telephone autodialer. Simply spin the dial to display a person's name, company, address and telephone and fax numbers. Hit the auto-dial button and it does the rest.

Additional names can be constantly added so files can be kept up-todate (once changes are punched in). The Rolodex comes with a slight smaller than standard keyboard. Names can be retrieved by personal or company name. The built-in, easy-to-read screen provides 40 characters on two lines of viewing. Pressing the "View" button allows additional lines to spring on to the screen. Requires just 6" X 7" inches of desk space. This efficient little device also contains a calculator, an electronic note pad to handle reminders of things-to-do and a built-in clock and date display. When entered by date, messages automatically appear on the day listed. An accompanying instructional video tape aids initial electronic learning. For people locked into the Gutenberg format, a printed instruction book is included. Comes with unit to phone jack attachment. Via mail order; the electronic Rolodex costs US $50. GST extra at the border. One surprise: it is made in China.

The "Tower of Power" CD storage system Even though CDs are almost indestructible, they are often left haphazardly laying around. This unit solves that problem. It's a powder-coated with scratch-free paint, black matte steel five-foot tower that can hold all the compact or CD-ROM discs you can afford to buy this year. That's 60 singles and three doubles. A 10" X 10" X 1" metal base provides stability. The unit can also be hung on a wall or bookcase. When it's full, additional towers can be hooked up side-by-side.

EZ SOIL This slick, state-of-the-art, high technology plant growing medium, is the lazy gardener's method of planting. If you can't handle plants with this, give up. One small re-closeable box is the equivalent of a 10 pound bag (or 5.5. quarts) of potting soil.

DuPont developed the process and licensed it to EZ SOIL. The chemists and managers who developed the technique own the company. This innovative company has compressed a pot full of compost soil, sphagnum peat moss and third generation superabsorbant polymer into a 2.5 inch in diameter fat chocolate cookie.

To activate drop one wafer into a four-inch pot and add 1.25 cups of water. Wait a few minutes. Pot full. Insert plant. Add additional wafers for larger pots. Accompanying instructions explain exactly how to do it. You can garden without getting out of your outdoor lounge chair! Advantages? You don't have to haul bags of potting soil ... and clean up overflow spillage. No loose soil. Watering every two-tofour weeks! That's the delayed release of the water's polymer action. EZ Soil reduces over and under watering. Fertilizer use is dramatically reduced.

More information: Rolodex electronic dialer: COMB, 720 Anderson Ave., St. Cloud, MN 56372-0030. Phone : 800/328-0609 via Camnet or: 612/654-4800. CD storage tower: Atlantic Representations Inc., 236 S. Oakhurst Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90212-3504. Phone: 310/273-3163. EZ Soil: EZ Soil Co., Route 3, Box 176, Idabel, Oklahoma 74745. Phone: 405/286-9447. Fax: 405/286-2141.

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