News-blog-2019-2020

Falling Leaves, Football, Halloween, And A New Kitchen ( NewsUSA ) – Many people believe spring or summer is the best time of year to get your dream kitchen.Not so fast.Those seasons may be the most popular time of year for a project such as this, but when you take a deeper dive into the world of home remodeling, you’ll find October and November are actually the best times to remodel your kitchen. By taking advantage of the fall season, you can get your project done before the holidays (and save a ton of money.)  Slower season means better values  Spring and summer may seem the ideal time to begin a remodel project, but it’s the busy season for contractors and retailers know it. High demand can mean higher prices and longer lead times to get things done. More people are recognizing this and getting their kitchen done in the fall. They can find better deals and, just as importantly, get their house ready for the holidays.Here are some insider tips: * Watch for the sale. Retailers wil...

Knowing If It’s Alzheimer’s Or Just Typical Age-Related Changes ( NewsUSA ) – Maybe your mom forgot where she parked her car. Or maybe you had to resort to describing "the thing that gets the creases out of clothes" to a salesperson because you couldn’t remember the word "iron."In either case, part of you may have been worried it could be … Alzheimer’s disease. With good reason.Every 65 seconds, someone in the U.S. joins the more than 5 million Americans now living with this fatal brain disease, which slowly destroys memory and thinking skills before ultimately making even a simple thing like swallowing impossible. And with no current cure, it’s no wonder a recent poll found that no other life-threatening condition – not cancer, not strokes – instills more fear among those 65 and older."One in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia," says a spokesperson for the association. "But it isn’t just a disease of old age. Approximately 200,0...

Your neighborhood deer are gearing up for winter – Get ready ( NewsUSA ) – Like many mammals, deer physically prepare for winter by better insulating their bodies. In the fall, deer gradually trade their summer coats for a warmer winter one, which is more substantial and has thicker, longer, darker hair called "guard hairs" to protect their fur and skin from rain and snow.Their winter coat naturally absorbs more sunlight and traps more body heat than their warm-weather coat, which provides an exceptional amount of protection from the cold. Deer also have oil-producing glands in their skin that help make their hair, water resistant, which is especially valuable in the snow. For even further insulation, their bodies naturally begin to retain more fat in winter, for even more protection.Deer alter their behavior to survive the harsh winter weather. They generally become less active, sometimes dropping their metabolism by half, which allows them to save energy. Deer can hunker d...

Crucial Decisions Most People Fail to Make When It Comes to Estate Planning How best to put this? We’re all going to go at some point, and while you may not want to think about it, never mind, talk about it, you’re not immune. So what then? You might think your estate will get miraculously sorted out, and that squabbling relatives are just the stuff of TV dramas. But you’re not just leaving an estate. You’re leaving what Ken Cella, an executive with the financial services firm Edward Jones, calls “a legacy.” “You want to be the one who’s in control of what happens to what matters most to you, such as minor children, dependents, financial assets, even your own health care decisions,” he says. “Without a properly planned estate, or legacy strategy, your assets could be subject to the time-consuming, expensive and very public process where relatives and creditors can gain access to records and even challenge your will.” And yet, according to a recent survey by Edward Jones, while 77 ...

Pay Attention to the Warning Signs of Depression, Suicide Risk ( NewsUSA ) – While it is common for everyone to feel down or sad at times, a person whose symptoms last for more than two weeks may be having a major depressive episode, according to The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA).Data from Mental Health America’s 2017 State of Mental Health in America report shows the prevalence of these episodes, and their potential consequences, in New Hampshire:* 12 percent of New Hampshire youths (age 12-17) report having at least one major depressive episode in the past year, the eighth-highest figure among U.S. states.* More than 7 percent of New Hampshire youths experienced severe depressive episodes, defined as youths who "experienced very serious interference in school, home, and relationships."* More than 4 percent of New Hampshire adults reported having serious thoughts of suicide, above the national rate of 3.94.The warning signs of depression...

Heartwarming Holiday Programming Arrives on UPtv ( NewsUSA ) – Can’t get enough Christmas movies? If you are already hauling out the holly, you don’t have long to wait before UPtv, television’s family-friendly source of holiday entertainment, launches its biggest Christmas season yet. The uplifting, cheerful, and fun slate of programs includes 10 movie premieres over 60 days leading up to Christmas, plus a return of the GilMORE the Merrier Gilmore Girls marathon during Thanksgiving week.This season kicks off at 7 p.m. ET on October 27 with the appropriately titled A Christmas Movie Christmas, in which Christmas movie fanatic Eve and her cynical sister Lacy find themselves trapped inside their own Christmas movie and none of the usual rules apply as they try to find a way out of picture-perfect Christmas Town and back to the real world."We’re thrilled about the mix of stories in the movies viewers will see on UPtv this season," says Amy Winter, general manager and executive v...

What’s in Your Wine May Surprise You ( NewsUSA ) – The holiday season is fast approaching. In anticipation of entertaining and gift-giving, now is the time of year we really start to think about wine. Sure, there will be tons of flashy packaging and labels to help find "the best", but have you ever stopped to think about what’s actually in your wine? Heads up: there could be more than you think.  The Modern Wine "Factory"  Even under FDA regulations, US mass wine producers like many in California can include up to 70 additives in their wines. Colorings like "mega purple" or "ultra-red", synthetic fertilizers, tartaric acid, powdered tannins, and gum Arabic don’t even have to be disclosed on the label. Once again, consider California wines: overall, many aim for consistency year after year. Mass producing wine in some parts of the world is more like a factory than a vineyard. Though there is something to be said for uniformity, a lot of the magic...

Tweety, It’s Cold Outside ( NewsUSA ) – Wintertime. Love it or hate it, it arrives every year. Some of us dread the cold, some of us revel in it. While a lot of us head toward the equator, many of us ‘hibernate’ by hunkering down at home, protected from the elements. We stay warm in winter by layering clothing, wearing socks and hats, adding layers of blankets to bedding, blocking drafts and even baking which helps warm the house without touching the thermostat.Coping with the cold, dark days of winter can be challenging for humans and it’s also a trial for birds. Our feathered friends have evolved in some ingenious ways to cope with wintry weather.Some species migrate to warmer places, some flock together to share their warmth and if they stay put, many have developed some unique physical characteristics that protect and defend them from the cold.So how do wild birds stay warm in winter? They’ve adapted physically: many grow extra feathers or shed all their plumage (called molting) a...

Kick Off Your College Financial Aid Game This Fall ( NewsUSA ) – Fall is here, and high school seniors (and their parents) are in the thick of the college application process.But these days, the cost of tuition can seem daunting: 85 percent of parents believe the cost of college is more of a financial burden than in past years, according to a College Ave Student Loans survey of 1,072 parents conducted by Barnes & Noble College Insights. However, many families may not realize and take advantage of the range of financial aid opportunities and options available."Don’t let the ‘sticker price’ of a college sway you from applying," says Joe DePaulo, Co-Founder and CEO of College Ave Student Loans."The college ‘sticker price’ typically refers to the published annual cost of attendance for any given school, which includes tuition, fees, and an average estimate of other related costs like room and board. The actual price families will pay depends on how much financial aid th...

Replacing a Roof: 4 Things to Consider ( NewsUSA ) – Are you considering a home improvement project that will deliver value, curb appeal and performance? Replacing the roof is a good place to start.From an economic perspective, REMODELING magazine’s 32nd Cost vs. Value Report states that a new asphalt roof recoups more of its value at resale compared to other home improvements such as a major kitchen remodel, bathroom addition or backyard patio.Representing as much as 40 percent of a home’s exterior, the roof is an easy way to boost curb appeal. Homeowners are no longer limited to gray, taupe and other neutral shingle colors. New palettes and color selection tools make it easy to integrate color into the roof. Today’s calibrated shingles are infused with hues that add depth, dimension and subtle color.Unsure what shingle color will best complement your home’s exterior? Designer and style expert Chad Esslinger offers some tips: * Seek out Digital Design Tools: Technology makes it easy ...

Four Tips for Boosting Exercise Motivation in Seniors ( NewsUSA ) – You’re never too old to develop or refine an exercise program. And there has never been more opportunity to find an array of programs that suit your interests, your fitness ability and your lifestyle.As an older adult, the reasons for exercise change: benefits include helping to control chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, strengthening muscles to prevent falls, and improving flexibility to maintain activities of daily living.An added benefit? Regular exercise can help boost your mood and improve your overall sense of well-being. And, you’ll make new friends! (Of course, always talk to your doctor before starting any type of exercise program.)Where to look for a new exercise program? Start with your local fitness or community center. The key is finding activities that you enjoy. Some tips to get started:- Follow your interests. Like to dance? Swim? Maybe yoga or Tai-Chi sounds appealing. There are fit...

Hispanic Homeowner Follows A Step-By-Step Plan to Buy A House ( NewsUSA ) – A national housing survey found 88 percent of Hispanics felt homeownership was a good long-term investment, with 92 percent reporting they planned to be homeowners.Jocelyn Vasquez is living proof of those statistics.At a young age, her parents instilled the belief that if you owned a home, you had achieved the American dream. That dream of homeownership carried a lot of weight for her Hispanic parents, who had immigrated from El Salvador in 1977.Jocelyn turned the dream into an aggressive goal for herself:"My goal, as a U.S. citizen, was to graduate college and get a house before turning 30," says Jocelyn. "And, I wanted to do it on my own."To accomplish this, the Los Angeles, California resident made a roadmap for herself. She saved, attended college and kept her student loan debt as low as possible – all without burdening her parents.After she graduated, Jocelyn got a job as a loan office...

Veterans, Here’s How to Maximize Your Health Benefits in 2020 ( NewsUSA ) -If you are a veteran considering Medicare options, you have the opportunity to maximize your coverage by electing to have a Medicare Advantage plan along with your Veterans Affairs (VA) health care benefits.Fortunately, finding a Medicare Advantage plan that works in tandem with VA health care benefits is easier than you think, as you can enroll in plans that are available to everyone eligible for Medicare, but that are designed to complement VA health care benefits.As a veteran, it’s important that you understand how a Medicare Advantage plan may balance out any VA benefits you have in order to maximize your health benefits. * Can Medicare Advantage and VA benefits work together? A Medicare Advantage plan that does not interfere with existing VA benefits you have may be an excellent fit for those who want to enhance their benefits and coverage. Enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan may provide access to add...

The Benefits of Shopping Small This Holiday Season ( NewsUSA ) – Small Business Saturday casts a national spotlight each year on independently-owned businesses, which includes a wide variety of shopping options, from the mom-and-pop storefronts in your local community to home-based e-commerce businesses. Since its inception in 2010, Small Business Saturday spending has reached an estimated $103 billion, according to American Express. Motivated by the potential for growth, small businesses across the country are taking advantage of this movement with more enthusiasm year after year, given strong consumer response. GS1 US, an information standards organization that helps small brands identify their products for commerce, recently spoke with small business owners who have run successful Small Business Saturday campaigns. They discussed three big benefits to buying from small businesses this holiday season. Unique Products Consumers are hungry for a wide variety of unique products, whi...

Energy-Based Devices Are The New Face of Beauty ( NewsUSA ) – Beauty, like health, goes beyond the visible surface. While many of us manage our wellness via diet, exercise and check-ups, we don’t apply the same 360-degree approach to our beauty regimen. It’s possibly due to lack of viable options.Neauvia International Group recognizes this incongruity and aims to transform the way we practice beauty and solve skin care challenges by extending its premium energy-based devices into the United States.In the hands of trained medical aesthetics professionals, Neauvia devices leverage sophisticated technology such as thermo-lifting and water peeling to deeply target your areas of concern. With years in the global skin care market, Neauvia’s approach pairs this advanced technology with specially formulated skin care for remarkable results."Over a decade of Neauvia’s international skin care success has taught us that a single product does not meet the overall demands of and desired outc...

Old Oak Barrels Find New Life as Furniture ( NewsUSA ) – Chris Deffenbaugh first saw the potential in repurposing old oak barrels when he saw pieces of an old one in the corner of a friend’s basement."Looking at the curve of the old barrel staves, the wooden lids and the rusty rings that once held it all together, I was struck by the shapes and threw it in my pickup truck to take home and see what I could do with it," Deffenbaugh recalls.Despite having no barrel-making experience, Deffenbaugh put the barrel back together and decided to take it a step beyond serving as an unusual table in his home. He cut out one side and turned the pieces into a bar cabinet that could store wine and liquor bottles on the deck when he had guests.Then, when the guests started asking him to make something similar for them, he had an inspiration that led him to quit his career in human resources, draw up plans, rent a truck and head for Kentucky, returning with 90 barrels and an idea that would ...

Must-See Travel Destinations for 2020 ( NewsUSA ) -Today’s sophisticated travelers can enjoy once-in-a lifetime experiences in luxurious locations that are off the beaten path. If you crave the ultimate in adventure, eco-conscious settings, and magnificent service, put these unique destinations on your travel bucket list for 2020. 1. Hangaroa Eco-Village + Spa, Easter Island, Chile ( hangaroa.cl ). Located on the mysterious Easter Island in the South Pacific (home to mythical Moai statues), Hangaroa allows adventure-seeking travelers to get an inside look at the Rapa Nui culture and history. Guides lead guests to centuries-old archeological sites to unravel the mystery of how the giant, hand-carved heads came to be. Must-sees include the Rano Raraku volcanic crater (home to the island’s largest statue) and Anakena Beach, where Polynesian culture first came ashore 800 years ago. For those wanting something more adrenaline pumping, opt for an ATV to explore the island.The hotel stays t...

Create Your Own Virtual Video Memories ( NewsUSA ) – How would you like to relive and let others experience the most important moments of your life? The dance floor at your wedding, your child’s first birthday, your team’s victory parade? Now, you cannot only watch these events but feel as if you were actually there, right in the middle of the action. With today’s technology, it’s possible, and it’s never been easier to get started.Humaneyes Technologies, an innovator in camera technology, has developed a consumer-friendly, dual camera that combines 360-degree photography with immersive 3D Virtual Reality (VR), all in one simple-to-use solution that costs about the same as a decent DSLR camera."360-degree pictures and video continue to change how we use cameras to capture the world around us," says media expert Jim Malcolm of Humaneyes Technologies, "and the global adoption of VR headsets, combined with 3D cameras is providing even more ways to create virtual content an...

Scientist’s Book Warns of Lethal Emerging Pandemic Viruses ( NewsUSA ) – In 1918, a mutated, deadly strain of the "Flu" (or Influenza), swept around the world to cause the third deadliest plague in recorded human history. Published research suggests the final global death toll may have arguably been as high as 100 million. Yet, despite two decades of biologic event preparedness at the cost of well over $80 billion, the U.S. remains unprepared to handle a flu pandemic of a similar scale if one should occur, contends Dr. Steven Hatfill, a specialist physician and virologist with training in mass casualty management and emergency response.His view is supported by a National Intelligence Estimate, multiple Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports and testimony, and the recently released new Global Health Security Index by the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.After more than a decade of study, Dr. Hatfill and his team have published a comprehensive book, "Three...

Five-Star Caribbean Resort Caters to Every Taste ( NewsUSA ) – Many of today’s travelers seek a sense of community and connection at their destinations. Travelers seeking a Caribbean getaway with a welcoming feel and local flavor need look no further than the Bay Gardens Resorts on the beautiful island of St. Lucia.The Bay Gardens Resorts properties are ideally situated to take advantage of the best restaurants, activities, and events that the community of St. Lucia has to offer. For example, the month of October featured the Saint Lucia Arts & Heritage Festival, and included music, theater, lectures, art exhibitions, and street parties, all conveniently located in nearby Rodney Bay Village for easy access by Bay Gardens guests who booked its Creole Heritage Special.The feeling of community at Bay Gardens Resorts is mirrored in the resort’s local ownership, which conveys a different vibe than a large, international chain resort.Throughout its 25-year existence, the award-winning r...