Month: October 2023

2023-10-12T12:29:00

(BPT) – Did you know that in some low-income communities in the United States, there may be as few as one book for every 295 children? This limited access to books coincides with the growing national literacy crisis, with more students struggling to achieve basic reading proficiency across the country.

To help meet the needs of these communities, the nonprofit organization First Book is dedicated to eliminating barriers to learning and inspiring young minds by providing educators and students in Title 1 eligible schools and programs with much-needed books, resources and access to leading experts.

Now you can join in to support their efforts and have a blast at the same time by teeing up for the Inaugural First Book Open, a month-long virtual golf tournament with a purpose, launched in partnership with World Golf Tour (WGT) by Topgolf and with the support of Build-A-Bear Foundation, a long-standing corporate partner of First Book.

“Education transforms lives, and at First Book we’re building a world where every child can benefit from the joy and opportunity of a quality education,” said Kyle Zimmer, Co-Founder and CEO of First Book. “Thanks to our partners at Topgolf and WGT, we’re spreading awareness about the barriers to quality education and the expanding resource gap in schools that unfairly burdens tens of millions of our nation’s children. The collective impact of small contributions throughout this event will translate to transformative reading materials and opportunities inspiring our youth.”

How to play

It’s easy to join in the fun. To kick off the festivities, The First Book Open will be hosting a livestream event on October 14 at noon EST. This will feature Kyle Zimmer, Co-founder and CEO of First Book, WGT guests, and special messages from First Book member educators, former NFL player Chris Long founder of the Chris Long Foundation, and Build-A-Bear Foundation — plus interactive gameplay. Details on how to donate and participate during the month-long tournament will also be provided.

The livestream event will be followed by 30 days of virtual golf that will help unite the collective strength of purpose-driven collaboration to support kids in need.

To get started, just download WGT on your mobile device or desktop any time between Oct. 14 and Nov. 14, select the First Book Open, and start playing to participate. All month long you’ll be playing virtually on the historic Congressional Golf Course in Washington, D.C. This is a free-to-play tournament open to eligible players within the U.S. Pre-paid gift card prizes will be awarded to the top three scores on the leaderboard.

The prizes awarded to the top three overall scores from the leaderboard will be: First Place $1,000; Second Place $500; Third Place $250; plus, each time you play a full round, your name will be entered into a drawing. At the end of the tournament, two winners will be chosen to send a First Book Marketplace gift certificate to an eligible school in their community. The First Book Marketplace provides new books and resources to educators serving kids in need. All tournament participants can choose to donate to First Book at end of game, helping to support kids and eliminate barriers to educational equity.

“Topgolf is rooted in our belief in the unlimited power of play, and we see this belief come to life with the First Book Open as people are invited to play WGT for such a worthy cause,” said JF Prata, chief operations officer for Topgolf Media. “It’s things like this that make all of us at Topgolf so proud and remind us why we do what we do.”

Learn more about how First Book helps educators and children all over the United States at FirstBook.org, and for more information about The First Book Open, you can visit FirstBook.org/home/first-book-open.

2023-10-11T09:01:00

(BPT) – Did you know nearly half of American consumers (46%) are in the market for a new washer/dryer within the next 12 months? That’s according to a new survey by LG that looked at habits, priorities — and problems — people face around getting the laundry done.

If you’re thinking about replacing your appliances, you may find that what you’re looking for in a new model has changed. Features that matter most to consumers have shifted, revealing concern for water and energy efficiency, plus an increased interest in technology that can save time and help ensure your laundry gets done well, the first time.

Conservation is top of mind

Water and energy efficiency ranked as top consumer priorities when it comes to finding their next washer and dryer. In fact, 56% said water and energy efficiency was the most important to them, surpassing factors such as cycle setting varieties (47%), convenience features (44%) and design aesthetics (37%). Survey respondents even expressed a willingness to pay more upfront for appliances that offer better efficiency, recognizing the potential long-term savings on water and energy bills, on top of benefiting the environment.

Water and energy efficiency was also the top reason current LG owners said they’d recommend LG washers and dryers to a friend or family member. For instance, LG’s 4.5 cubic feet Capacity Smart Front Load Energy Star Washer with TurboWash^® 360° and AI DD^® Built-In Intelligence stands as an example for water and energy efficiency. Its generous capacity means doing more laundry in fewer loads, saving time and water. With 5 powerful jets to spray clothes from multiple angles you also get a more thorough clean in under 30 minutes, using less water. The AI DD^® Built-In Intelligence feature automatically adjusts water levels based on load size, while Cold Wash technology penetrates deep into fabrics for cold water savings — with warm water performance.

As for dryers, the LG 7.4 cubic feet Smart Front Load Electric Dryer with AI Sensor Dry & TurboSteam™ Technology provides built-in sensors and AI technology to detect fabric texture, load size and moisture levels to automatically adjust drying time for more advanced fabric care and energy savings.

Smart features help prevent laundry mishaps

If you’ve ever added too much (or too little) detergent, changed the color of clothes by choosing the wrong temperature or accidentally shrunk something doing laundry, you’re not alone. The survey shows more than 2 out of 5 adults admitted to shrinking items in the laundry, with the same number showing they’ve used too much detergent — and 38% reported ruining the color of an item due to a laundry mishap.

Only 60% expressed confidence with determining the right amount of liquid laundry detergent (with 40% less than very confident), and even less felt confident about being able to determine correct laundry cycles. In the survey, 4 in 10 reported detergent-related mishaps, which can result in issues like soap residue in clothes or machines.

For anyone who has experienced these kinds of mishaps, the latest technology can help prevent common laundry disasters. For example, LG’s auto-dispense feature helps you determine the correct amount of detergent needed for each load, ensuring precise usage and cost savings.

Furthermore, LG’s built-in intelligence technology removes the guesswork. AI technology selects optimal wash motions and settings, and the washer can even auto-select a compatible drying cycle to ensure your clothes are washed and dried correctly, reducing the chance of laundry disasters like ruining colors or shrinkage.

A brand consumers trust

According to the survey, LG is the most attractive brand to consumers in the market for a new washer/dryer, with 64% saying they would “definitely” or “very likely” purchase an LG when ready to buy. Convenience features valued by consumers include smart features that LG’s ThinQ^® app provides, like being able to start and monitor cycles remotely, and being able to anticipate maintenance needs for their appliances.

The LG ThinQ^® app helps you manage your appliances and more to make every day a little easier — and keep your home running smarter. It provides proactive smart alerts, sent directly to your smartphone to help you understand and address your appliance maintenance needs, averting potential problems and keeping your LG appliances running their best for years to come.

Learn more about LG washers and dryers to meet your family’s laundry needs at LG.com/us/laundry.

2023-10-11T07:01:00

(BPT) – No matter the size of your business, growth is typically a top goal. Your success depends on increasing customers, jobs and revenue year-over-year. However, it’s all too easy to lose sight of your big-picture goals when you’re busy with the daily operation of your company.

Here are some tactics for improving growth in your business.

1. Improve your marketing with co-branding.

While marketing may not be your best skill, it’s critical to let people know about your business — and make it easier for new customers to find you. Many vendors you currently work with may offer co-branded marketing opportunities that can help increase your brand visibility and credibility. By partnering with a well-known brand, you can tap into their existing network of customers and reach a wider audience than on your own. Being associated with a high-quality brand will also enhance your image and reputation.

2. Invest in digital marketing for lead gen.

Today, you need a digital presence: an easy-to-navigate website, presence on social media and ideally, enrollment in a paid search campaign.

• Be sure your website is mobile friendly, allows potential customers to request information or even better, allows them to schedule an appointment on the spot with your company.
• Using social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest allows you to visually share about your business using project photos and testimonials from satisfied clients. You can also share informative posts about design trends or maintenance tips to help position yourself as a trusted expert.
• Update your Google My Business profile to include project photos, services you offer, and reviews from past clients. Don’t forget to ask for a review when a job is done! Doing this will help boost local SEO and establish credibility and trust when potential clients are researching your business. Plus, it’s free!

3. Support your team.

While your business changes and grows, the industry itself is constantly evolving. Ensure your entire team is updated on the latest developments in construction by providing regular training sessions through vendors you work with or local industry organizations, so they have the tools they need to succeed.

4. Provide excellent products and service.

This may seem like a no-brainer, but top-notch products, like those certified by ENERGY STAR — backed by product warranties — result in happier clients. Making smart choices when it comes to products and services you offer will lead to positive word-of-mouth, which every business needs to grow.

Providing clear information and consistent communication also improves customers’ trust in you and your company. Ask what makes the project more viable from their point of view. Offer financing options so your business becomes accessible to a wider range of homeowners who may prefer to pay overtime versus using cash all at once. Financing can also lead to increased sales, bigger projects and improved customer satisfaction.

5. Join a program to help grow your business.

If these tips sound challenging, there’s help available. Joining programs that offer dedicated support plus the tools and resources needed to best serve your customers and tackle any window or door installation project can help you grow your business.

The Andersen Certified Contractor Program offers exactly that. Participating contractors experience increased sales, access to in-home quoting tools, co-branded marketing opportunities, product and installation training, and pre-qualified homeowner leads. As an added perk, windows installed by an Andersen Certified Contractor qualify for an exclusive 2-year limited installation warranty, giving customers added peace of mind.

Here’s how the program has helped contractors around the country grow their businesses:

Marketing support: Andersen offers business development funds to use on turn-key marketing programs and co-branded marketing opportunities. “We doubled our appointments last year, and we’ve seen a 40% growth in sales on the window side,” said A.J. Ballantine at Cornerstone Remodeling, Maryland.

Pre-qualified homeowner leads: “We’ve done windows through the leads program that have turned into kitchens and bathrooms; that’s every contractor’s dream. I wouldn’t have been in that home for any reason other than my affiliation with Andersen,” said Justin Britton, Jay Bee Contracting, New York.

Training and support: Andersen provides in-home selling and quoting tools, product and installation training and a dedicated support team. “The number one thing to me is the support. If we need something special, if we need training or support as a team, they’re there for us,” said Jeremy Owens, 3 Generations Improvements, California.

Access to products, warranty and financing: The program also offers contactors access to the full portfolio of Andersen products, a 2-year installation warranty — plus consumer financing options. “I have tools at my fingertips. I’m not waiting for quotes to be done by a vendor or supplier. I’m able to get those done and turned around quick,” said Paul Unferth at Big Fish Contracting, Wisconsin.

Ready to grow your business? Learn about becoming an Andersen Certified Contractor at AndersenCertifiedContractor.com.

2023-10-10T08:01:00

(BPT) – The holiday season is all about making memories and spending quality time with family and friends. But the 44 million people in the U.S. living with untreated hearing loss may be struggling more than they realize to connect with loved ones and make those precious moments count. Bring more joy to your holiday season by helping your loved one take control of their hearing.

Risks and risk factors for hearing loss

Age is the biggest risk factor for hearing loss, which affects about a third of people over 65 and nearly half of people over 70. Fatigue, frustration and loss of confidence associated with mild to moderate hearing loss causes people to withdraw from the people and things they love, increasing their risk for cognitive, mental and physical decline.

Signs of hearing loss

The average person waits seven years from the time they notice hearing loss to get hearing aids, and many don’t realize their hearing has been deteriorating for years. Common signs of hearing loss include:

1. Keeping the radio or television at an uncomfortably high volume.
2. Regularly asking people to talk slower or louder, or requesting they repeat themselves.
3. Struggling to hear in noisy environments like restaurants, parties, or places with background noise.
4. Getting easily fatigued from social activities or avoiding them altogether.
5. Trouble keeping up with conversations or making misplaced comments during a conversation.

How to help someone you love with hearing loss

Hearing loss can be a source of stress for the whole family. Breakdowns in communication can lead to tension in the household that affects all family members and relationships. Plus, individuals living with hearing loss often experience a wide range of emotions, sometimes demonstrating patterns of grief.

You don’t have to let hearing loss interfere with your holiday season; instead, you can help your loved ones manage the holidays with ease by:

• Creating a comfortable environment. People with mild to moderate hearing loss often can’t easily distinguish between conversation and background noise. Help them have quality conversations by giving them a quiet space to talk to family and friends without TV, music or excessive background chatter. If they seem tired or overwhelmed, remind them to take a break outside or in a separate room where they can rest their ears.
• Noticing obvious signs of hearing loss. If someone you love is showing signs of hearing loss, help them take a free 3-minute hearing test online at lexiehearing.com to assess if they might have trouble with hearing / have hearing loss.
• Encouraging them to try a hearing aid. If an online hearing test indicates mild to moderate hearing loss, give over-the-counter hearing aids a try. Quality brands like Lexie Hearing sell them in pairs at pharmacies and big-box stores nationwide, as well as online at lexiehearing.com.

If a hearing test reveals severe hearing loss, make an appointment to see a hearing health care professional.

How to choose hearing aids that give you the best benefit

Choosing the right hearing aids will give you a personalized experience, restoring confidence in most situations. Most over-the-counter models come at a much lower cost than traditional hearing aids, but among OTC options, quality and features vary. Here are some tips for choosing the right over-the-counter hearing aids to ensure you get the best benefit:

• FDA labeling. Be sure to get a model that meets FDA standards. Look for product descriptions that say FDA-cleared to ensure you are getting a good quality product.
• Hearing aid support. Transitioning to hearing aids takes time and support. Choose a hearing platform with great hearing aid support so you can be confident you’ll have help acclimating to your new hearing aids when you need it. Lexie hearing aids come with Lexie Care, giving wearers access to highly trained support services available seven days a week to ensure they have a great hearing experience. Lexie also offers incentives for hearing aid wear to help wearers more fully acclimate to their new devices.
• Easy-to-use app. Hearing aids that pair with a mobile app give you more control over your hearing experience in any situation. Look for options with app-based controls that allow you to adjust your hearing experience for different environments and save preset customizations that fit your lifestyle.
• Self-fitting technology. Look for “Self-Fitting OTC Hearing Aids,” an important designation for high-quality models so you can be confident in your choice of hearing aids. Self-fitting technology gives wearers more confidence by providing total control to customize their hearing wherever they are. If you use a smartphone, look for devices that provide the option to connect to it, as they provide more visual control than those with only physical buttons on the hearing aids themselves.
• Generous return policies. Look for brands that have generous return policies so you can confidently try them out in different settings. For example, Lexie offers a 45-day risk-free trial period for returns on all products to give customers enough time to properly adjust to their over-the-counter hearing aids. Lexie recommends wearers use new hearing aids for at least three weeks to adjust to better hearing.
• All-day comfort. Consider behind-the-ear designs. While in-ear designs more easily mask as earbuds, behind-the-ear styles are intentionally designed for comfortable, all-day wear, so you can get the most benefit from your hearing aids all day long.

This holiday, make the most of your time with family by helping your loved ones get back to better hearing so they can enjoy the moments that count.

2023-10-10T08:01:00

(BPT) – An American Legion nationwide survey of Veterans found they overwhelmingly prefer a physician over a nurse to provide anesthesia care during their surgery and expect the same quality of health care as provided at the top-rated civilian hospitals. The survey results revealing Veterans’ views and concerns were included in a statement submitted by the American Legion for a recent House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health hearing.

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) testified at the hearing and urged Congress to block a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Nursing Services’ proposal to remove physician anesthesiologists from the surgical care of Veterans. The nurses’ proposal would change the standard of care for Veterans by dismantling the anesthesiologist-nurse team-based model of anesthesia care and move VA to a rarely used nurse-only model.

ASA President-Elect Ronald L. Harter, M.D., FASA, testified and outlined key facts and evidence illustrating how Veterans’ health is best served by VA’s existing physician-nurse anesthesia team-based model of care — a model used in the nation’s top hospitals.

“ASA is committed to Veterans and knows that the physician-led anesthesia care team model serves Veterans best,” Dr. Harter said. “This issue is not about what ASA wants or even what the VA Office of Nursing Services wants. The issue is what is best for the health and well-being of our nation’s Veterans. VA has the right policy in place right now and we need the Subcommittee to continue to support it.”

The American Legion’s survey found that that Veterans also want the same level of care as the nation’s top hospitals. Among the American Legion’s survey findings:

• 61% preferred a physician administer anesthesia care while only 4% chose a nurse. The remainder had no preference.
• 91% expect the same quality of health care as the top-rated civilian hospitals.
• 71% believed VA will have a different standard of care if nurse anesthetists replace physician anesthesiologists.
• 52% said they would seek care outside of VA if their only choice was to have a nurse administer anesthesia.

During the hearing, Dr. Harter testified that VA already addressed this issue and made the right decision in their multi-year 2016 rulemaking when they prioritized the needs of Veterans and maintained the anesthesiologist-nurse anesthesia care team model — the most common model of anesthesia care in the country.

“Anesthesia and surgery are inherently dangerous for anyone, and VA patients often have poorer health status, such as diabetes, congestive heart failure, coronary and peripheral vascular disease, renal failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,” Dr. Harter said. “It is an imperative that Veterans have an anesthesiologist involved in their care.”

PACT Act Veterans exposed to Agent Orange, Burn Pits and other toxic substances require an even higher level of care under anesthesia. “It makes no sense for VA to spend billions of dollars to treat PACT Act Veterans with respiratory disease and then put them at greater risk by adopting a lower standard of care,” Dr. Harter added.

Anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists are not interchangeable health care professionals. Nurse anesthetists are excellent nurse practitioners, but their education and training are far less extensive and in-depth than anesthesiologists’ training. An anesthesiologist’s education and training include 12 to 14 years following high school, including medical school and residency, and 12,000 to 16,000 hours of clinical training. In contrast, a nurse anesthetist’s education and training ranges from four to six years after high school — less than half a physician’s training and an average of approximately 2,500 hours of anesthesia care training — less than one-fifth that of physicians.

Other key points Dr. Harter made:

• VA’s current anesthesia policy is one of the most thoroughly researched, studied and reviewed policies existing in VA. The current policy, Anesthesia Services Directive 1123, represents a safe, well-established and functional compromised approach to anesthesia care delivery. No changes are clinically appropriate or necessary.
• There is no demonstrated shortage of anesthesia clinicians necessitating a change in the delivery of anesthesia care within the VA.
• VA’s reliance on nursing organization’s self-funded studies is ill-advised. There is no unbiased literature to support the safety of the nurse-only model of anesthesia. To the contrary, VA’s own analysis raised questions about the safety of the Office of Nursing Services’ proposal to remove anesthesiologists from the care team model.

Visit SafeVACare.org for more information and to voice your opinion.

2023-10-10T04:01:00

(BPT) – If you ask anyone you know about purchasing their first car, chances are they’ll be able to recount every detail (good or bad) about the car and the process of how they got those keys into their hands. Purchasing a car is oftentimes one of the first major decisions for young adults.

That said, car buying can be a daunting task, especially if you aren’t familiar with the process or are overwhelmed by the current auto market. Here are five tips to help you navigate getting behind the wheel of your new car with ease:

1. Take an in-depth look at your finances.

The sticker price of the car is not the only cost you should factor into your budget. Other costs, such as dealership and registration fees, insurance, taxes and just general maintenance, play a big part in your overall affordability of a vehicle. With all of this in mind, you can better figure out how much you’ll need to finance the vehicle. There are many tools online to help you get a clearer picture of your budget. For example, Navy Federal Credit Union has online calculators on its website to help members get a sense for what their monthly payments could be, compare loan terms and more.

2. Differentiate between your wants and needs.

With all of this in mind, you’ll need to list out your wants and needs in a vehicle. Create a list of non-negotiable items (e.g., number of seats, safety features, rear camera) and another list of nice-to-have features (e.g., keyless entry, navigation system, heated seats). Try to resist add-ons you weren’t already planning to get.

With so many vehicles and options to choose from, listing out must-haves and nice-to-haves can help you to avoid overspending while also making sure you get everything that you need out of the vehicle.

3. Look at funding options.

With the prices of both new and used vehicles on the rise, most people will need an auto loan. See what’s available in the market — comparing rates and financial options from a dealership and your trusted bank or credit union. Shop around to find the best rate possible. Financial institutions, such as Navy Federal, offer great rates and even pre-approved loans, so you can walk into a dealership with a check in hand just like a cash buyer. On top of that, getting pre-approved gives you more negotiating power since you’ll know exactly how much you can reasonably afford to pay each month for your vehicle.

4. Negotiate price before mentioning trade-in.

If you are looking to get a new car and have a vehicle to trade in, negotiate the selling price of the new car first. Don’t even mention to the dealer that you have a trade-in until after they draw up a buyer’s order for the new vehicle and you see everything you are paying for in total.

If you were to tell them about your trade-in, oftentimes dealers will pad the value of your trade-in to make you think you are getting a better deal than you really are. Then, they will adjust the sales price of the new car to be higher than if you didn’t have a trade-in. Make sure to negotiate each separately so one doesn’t have a negative influence over the other.

5. Doing your homework gives you purchasing power.

Before making any major financial decision, like buying a car, always do your research. Online resources can be helpful for determining a car’s value along with listing safety features and recalls and giving honest dealership reviews so that you have all the information available in your back pocket.

When you’re armed with expert knowledge and take the time to prepare, you position yourself to get the best deal possible.