2020-02-19T12:31:00
(BPT) – A recent study conducted by Post-it® Brand found that conventional whiteboard surfaces are outdated and inefficient. With new Post-it® Flex Write Surface, any work surface can be instantly transformed into a collaborative whiteboard, bringing more flexibility to the workplace. For more information visit www.post-it.com/flexwrite.
2020-02-19T08:35:00
(BPT) – Arkansas has become an increasingly popular destination for families, couples and even solo travelers looking for opportunities to embrace outdoor adventure and experience the state’s rich history. The state prides itself on its continuous efforts to provide exceptional recreational and educational attractions no matter what region you visit.
Recently, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and the Walton Family Foundation announced a historic $20 million matching grant to complete construction of the Delta Heritage Trail, an 84.5-mile biking and pedestrian trail, in the Arkansas Delta, extending from Lexa to Arkansas City.
“This is great news for cyclists and hikers, who have waited more than 20 years for the completion of this rails-to-trails project. The matching grant, combined with Arkansas Parks and Tourism funds, means that the wait is almost over,” Gov. Hutchinson said. “The $7 million in tourism that the 85-mile trail will attract, along with the 600 jobs it will create, will infuse renewed energy into southeast Arkansas along the trail. Hikers and bikers will see bottomland hardwood forests and views from the levee that we don’t see from our cars. This is a great project for Arkansas.”
The 50/50 matching grant will allow Arkansas State Parks to complete the construction of the Delta Heritage Trail over the next five years. The state is applying for federal grants to offset the match, creating a $40 million investment in the Arkansas Delta.
“The Delta Heritage Trail will connect the region’s expansive natural beauty and create new ways to experience its unique cultural offerings,” said Jim Walton, Walton Family Foundation. “This joint effort is a dream nearly 30 years in the making, a bold idea now being realized in a community that, with continued support, can reach its enormous, untapped potential.”
There are currently 44.4 completed miles in The Delta Heritage Trail State Park. This includes a 20.6-mile compacted crushed gravel section between Lexa and Elaine, a 14.4-mile shared-use roadway on the Mississippi River levee between Rohwer and Arkansas City, and another 9.4-mile compacted crushed gravel section between Rohwer and Watson. Portions of this project consist of abandoned railroad lines that have been converted to bike/pedestrian routes. The compacted, crushed rock trail leads visitors through a variety of natural settings. From the shaded canopy of native hardwoods to the vast open skies alongside agricultural fields, guests can enjoy the diverse robust beauty of the Arkansas Delta.
Ultimately, this trail will be 84.5 miles when completed and will be one of the longest dedicated pedestrian and bicycle routes in Arkansas.
The Delta Heritage Trail is just the latest example of Arkansas’ ongoing commitment to create a thriving recreational environment for visitors and residents alike. Whether you’re looking to explore one of its 52 state parks, take in spectacular views from the top of two distinct mountain ranges or make a splash in one of its countless rivers, lakes and streams, Arkansas has something everyone will enjoy.
To learn more about the Delta Heritage Trail project and other outdoor activities to experience in The Natural State, visit Arkansas.com.
2020-02-19T08:01:00
(BPT) – By Lata Reddy
A powerful new film opened recently. “Just Mercy” tells the story of Walter McMillian who was convicted and sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit. The film is based on a memoir written by the man who represented Mr. McMillian — the renowned public interest attorney and social justice advocate Bryan Stevenson.
In reading the book and now watching the film, I was taken back to my experience as a legal intern representing death row inmates in the deep South. At the time, I was a law student and had taken an internship with a public interest law firm called Southern Prisoners Defense Committee. Bryan Stevenson was my supervisor.
During my three years of interning with the committee, I made many trips to the federal prison in Talladega, Alabama. There I sat across from our clients, the men on death row. Each one told story after story tracking a similar pattern that led to being wrongfully convicted or denied a fair trial. Most of the men I met were African American, the result of a criminal justice system built on a legacy of racial injustice.
Their searing stories made a lasting impact on me. They influenced my career and how I try to live my life. The experience also built on lessons my father taught me, like about how too many people are being sidelined by a system intended to hold them back.
My father, Nallapu Reddy, grew up in extreme poverty in rural India. From that humble beginning, he would distinguish himself, becoming a professor of economics and chairing the Economics Department at the University of Michigan-Flint. It was there he spent his career educating first-generation college-goers like himself.
Growing up as he did, in a society where being poor meant being marginalized, my father could easily have gone down a different path. He credited many people who extended help at critical moments with enabling him to pursue his dream of an education which he knew would open doors of opportunity. There was the family friend who helped my father transition from his village school, which stopped at fourth grade, to the school in the next town over; the big city university official who agreed to provide him with room and board in exchange for tutoring services for his children, allowing him to further continue his studies. There was the friend of an acquaintance who drove my father to work every day when he didn’t have the means for his own transportation.
My father taught me what it’s like to face systemic barriers and what it takes to overcome them. It takes hard work, sure, but it also requires people who believe in you and recognize your humanity. My father was fortunate. People like Walter McMillian and the men I met on death row were not so lucky. They were caught in a web of racial bias and discrimination against the poor with devastating outcomes.
My experience at the Southern Prisoners Defense Committee reinforced this lesson and gave me a sense of purpose — to eliminate systemic barriers and help level the playing field.
This is what eventually drew me to Prudential, a company that was founded on the principle of equity. More than 140 years ago, we were the first U.S. company to make life insurance affordable to working-class families. We have strived since then to live our values. We affirmatively chose to stay in our hometown and headquarters city of Newark, New Jersey, following the civil unrest of 1967 and have been committed to revitalizing this great city. More than 10 years ago, we were an early adopter of a “ban the box” policy, removing the checkbox that asks applicants if they have a criminal record. And more recently, we committed $180 million to help young people around the globe secure quality jobs. These are just some examples of how we are building equity into our business practices.
As a legacy company, we have seen firsthand how America’s complicated history plays out. There were times when we lost our way, caught up in prevailing views of the moment. But we acknowledge it and most importantly we changed. I am proud that today we recognize the importance of confronting injustice in all its forms.
“Just Mercy” is a call to action to each of us to address racial and economic inequity. It’s a call to action that I learned from my father’s stories and one that is reinforced every day whether it’s in conversations I have with Newark residents or with young people in the favelas of Brazil. There is endless potential that resides in all of us — sometimes it just needs someone to open the door of opportunity.
Lata Reddy is senior vice president, Diversity, Inclusion & Impact, at Prudential.
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2020-02-19T07:01:00
(BPT) – As Americans think about eating for a healthy heart, many feel they’re forced to choose between a healthy diet and their love of beef. But, contrary to some misinformation on this topic, you can have both. The Mediterranean diet was just ranked the #1 Overall Diet in 2020 and the #2 Best Diet for Heart Health by U.S. News & World Report. And according to a report from the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, many Mediterranean countries eat as much, or more, red meat than the U.S.
While coverage of this popular diet can include recommendations to limit red meat, research from a recent 2018 Purdue University study found that following a Mediterranean-style eating pattern that includes lean red meats, like lean beef, is just as effective in supporting a healthy heart as a Mediterranean-style diet that limits red meats. This finding is the latest in the growing body of scientific research demonstrating lean beef can be part of healthy eating patterns to support heart health. This research also means people have more flexibility and options when it comes to healthy eating. A cut of cooked fresh meat is considered lean when it contains less than 10 grams of fat, 4.5 grams or less of saturated fat and less than 95mg of cholesterol.
More key findings include:
“The big takeaway from the growing body of evidence is that Americans who are trying to eat healthier and improve their heart health can still enjoy lean beef while improving cholesterol and blood pressure,” said Shalene McNeill, Ph.D., R.D. at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff. “By having this additional flexibility in their diets, Americans are more likely to stay the course and adopt healthy eating patterns long-term.”
Here are a few easy tips for integrating red meat into a Mediterranean-style eating pattern from the Beef Checkoff.
1. Look for lean cuts of fresh beef — When it comes to lean cuts the options are endless. Some fan favorites include:
Still feel lost? When shopping lean beef, look for the word “round” or “loin.” These words are a telltale sign of a lean cut.
2. Pay attention to portion size — To reap the benefits of including lean beef in a Mediterranean-style diet, focus on eating up to 18 ounces of lean beef over the course of a week. For reference, a 3-ounce cooked serving of lean beef is about the size of a deck of cards.
3. Aim for a complete plate — Mediterranean-style eating patterns are often characterized with high consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts/seeds and olive oil. Be sure to complement the lean red meat at the center of the plate with these Mediterranean musts.
Looking for satisfying recipes that can help you incorporate lean beef into a Mediterranean-style eating pattern? Visit BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com.
2020-02-19T08:05:00
(BPT) – Year after year, the most popular home improvement project for American families remains the same: remodeling the kitchen. Today, kitchen makeovers are more ambitious than ever, with homeowners willing to spend larger budgets to upgrade both the aesthetics and the functionality of what is, after all, the most used room in the house.
“Many architects, designers and homeowners are specifying hardwood as an essential part of any kitchen refresh,” notes Linda Jovanovich, of the American Hardwood Information Center. “That’s because wood not only offers a wide variety of looks and design possibilities, it also exemplifies the kind of material today’s environmentally conscious consumer wants: One that’s renewable, sustainable, plentiful, durable and easy to work with — all of which makes it an excellent return on investment.”
Replacing tired old kitchen cabinets with stylish new ones is a favorite starting point, but there are several strategies to help maximize their impact. “I like to specify one type of wood for an entire kitchen — cabinetry, furniture, millwork and flooring — but use different stains and finishes on each element,” says New York designer Laura Bohn. “That creates visual interest without losing a sense of overall unity.” In one all-walnut kitchen project, for instance, Bohn painted the Shaker-style cabinets a putty tone for a serene background. But she stained the wide-plank floor a darker shade than the granite-top island so that the latter stands out like a beautiful piece of furniture.
In a similar vein, a recently completed 1920’s Bungalow house renovation had quarter-sawn white oak used throughout for floors, interior doors and kitchen cabinets. While the floorboards were lightly white-washed and given a protective coating to create the look of bare wood, the base cabinets, supplied by Plain & Fancy Custom Cabinetry, received a slightly darker cerused finish just different enough to distinguish them from the rest of the woodwork. The oak wall cabinets were painted white to match the kitchen’s shiplap ceiling. “It’s peaceful rather than exciting,” said the homeowner. “And that’s exactly what we wanted.”
If you’re after a livelier effect, you might consider another emerging trend: mixing up wood species and cabinet-door styles. Wellborn Cabinets demonstrated this strategy at a recent kitchen and bath show where their Rustic Global Spice Kitchen incorporated not only two types of hardwood — oak and maple — but also three door styles each with its own stain. “To make this look succeed, you or your designer will need to find common stylistic threads running through the various elements — underlying kinships of shape, color, texture and proportion that will pull the disparate parts together into a unified whole,” advises San Antonio-based designer Melissa Morgan. “It’s takes a certain amount of confidence, but the results can be spectacular.”
Visit www.hardwoodinfo.com for more about kitchen remodeling and other applications and products using American hardwoods.
2020-02-18T08:07:00
(BPT) – Diarrhea and its accompanying symptoms of gas, bloating and cramps can strike during inopportune times, like when you’re heading out for a brunch with friends or about to catch a flight for a weekend trip. Even the best laid plans can go awry if you’re not prepared.
2020-02-18T14:37:00
(BPT) – In spring 2019, VisitPITTSBURGH launched a new national marketing campaign — Pull Up a Chair. You are Welcomed Here. The now award-winning campaign is built on a welcoming Pittsburgh message and the act of offering someone a chair — a universal sign of hospitality and respect. The campaign is raising awareness of Pittsburgh as a major travel destination, as well as driving hotel room nights. Now VisitPITTSBURGH, along with the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council (GPAC), is taking the Pull Up a Chair campaign to an all new level by using an offshoot of the campaign — the 90 Painted Chairs Program — to drive awareness of the city’s thriving arts and culture community while also benefiting a local arts-related charity.
Named for the city’s 90 unique and diverse neighborhoods, the program has pushed local artists into the spotlight and empowered them to paint parking chairs for a CHAIR-ity — the Teaching Artists Initiative. The infamous Pittsburgh parking chair, which is sometimes used to save neighborhood parking spots, is one of many chairs featured in the Pull Up a Chair campaign. Pittsburghers have latched onto the regional tie-in, embraced the campaign’s message and emerged as the city’s best advocates.
From a chair emblazoned with the face of famous Pittsburgh pop artist Andy Warhol, to a three-dimensional seat covered with lush, green sprigs, and a toy T. rex; to the Monongahela and Duquesne Inclines climbing up and down the legs of one chair and a re-imagining of “The Scream” with the Pittsburgh skyline peeking through in the distance … there truly is a chair for everyone.
All 90+ chairs will be auctioned off through an online service beginning Feb. 25; the auction will close on April 3. The chairs, along with artist bios, are available to view on VisitPITTSBURGH.com.
Launched early this year, the Teaching Artists Initiative is GPAC’s newest program where teaching artists connect for networking, professional development and peer-to-peer learning. The initiative was developed in response to a need from local teaching artists; these creatives have historically had fewer opportunities to connect as a group of working professionals than others in the education or arts sectors. With teaching listed as the top source of income for Pittsburgh artists, GPAC hopes the initiative will fill this gap with education and professional development.
“Pittsburgh-area artists work in many ways to make a living,” Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council CEO Mitch Swain said. “However, in 2018, 40% of our artists reported teaching as their main source of income, followed by other full-time work or selling their artwork. This is a shift from our 2016 report, where the No. 1 source of income was selling artwork. This underlines the importance of creating a space for our teaching artists to commune, learn and grow. We hope that the Teaching Artists Initiative will do just that.”
“Pittsburgh’s art community members serve as fantastic ambassadors for our great city,” VisitPITTSBURGH Chief Marketing Officer Tom Loftus said. “The artists — like all Pittsburghers — have embraced our marketing campaign with open arms and take pride in spreading the city’s welcoming message. I’ve been floored by the beautiful chairs that have been submitted for auction; creativity has no limits in Pittsburgh.
“With the launch of this auction, anyone can own an authentic piece of Pittsburgh artwork.”
As of February 2020, the Pull Up a Chair. You are Welcomed Here. campaign has won seven national and regional awards, including the 2019 PRNEWS Digital Game-Changer Award.
2020-02-18T10:09:00
(BPT) – With nationwide student loan debt over $1 trillion and many college graduates with four-year degrees struggling to find employment to make ends meet, younger generations are starting to consider the benefits of a career in the trades.
Parents are taking note as well because in many communities the demand for qualified trade professionals far outweighs the supply, meaning people who are trained and ready to work are in high demand in the construction, automotive, manufacturing and other industries.
How high is demand exactly? Three out of four contractors expect to keep adding workers in 2020, according to a survey by the Associated General Contractors of America. Even more respondents found it difficult to fill positions in 2019, and a majority anticipate it will be as hard or harder to do so in 2020.
The skilled labor shortage is a concern for many companies, but an opportunity for students. For example, better than average employment is projected in the building trades at least through 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. People becoming electricians, plumbers, brick masons and more should experience ample employment opportunities.
“You can get proper training for many trades through a two-year vocational college, certificate program or even apprenticeship,” says Joe Apolloni, Senior Vice President of Retail at Northern Tool + Equipment. “Compared to many four-year degrees, the overall cost is less to pursue trade careers and many people are hired immediately after graduation at respectable salaries.”
Parents and caregivers can help their children learn more about a possible career in the trades, while many companies, like Northern Tool + Equipment, are also supporting the cause by donating equipment and expertise to trade schools and their students to encourage and empower students to pursue a career in the trades.
To spark your child’s curiosity and help them take the first steps toward a trades career, Apolloni recommends these steps:
1. Talk it out
From wind turbine technicians to welders to elevator mechanics and beyond, there are hundreds of trades and many have been transformed significantly over the past decade due to technological advances. Start by having a conversation with your student about their interests, their desires for the future and which trades might be a good fit for them. Your support and guidance in narrowing down options will make a big impact.
2. Sign up for electives or extracurricular programs
Ask about school opportunities related to the trades. Many middle and high schools offer elective courses and after-school activities introducing a variety of trade skills. Set up a time to meet with the school counselor and ask questions about these types of classes. Sign up for any that spark an interest.
3. Find a mentor or community volunteer opportunity
Having someone a young person can look up to is an amazing way to support their career exploration. Many schools and communities offer mentoring programs that could help your child learn more about a potential trade and make some valuable connections. If no such program exists, consider volunteer opportunities nearby. If they can assist others in their profession of interest as a volunteer experience, it not only makes a difference, it’s a notable addition to their resume.
4. Attend local college fairs
Finally, college fairs can help any student learn more about trades and opportunities nearby. College reps are wonderful at answering questions and guiding students toward a study path that will lead them to a meaningful career.
“So many trade jobs are just waiting to be filled by the next generation of construction workers, manufacturers, welders, auto mechanics and more,” says Apolloni. “It’s a really exciting time to be involved in the trades.”
2020-02-18T08:01:00
(BPT) – If you’re a senior with diabetes, you’re not alone. The statistics are eye opening — more than 25% of Americans age 65 and older have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. What’s more, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports diabetes as the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S.
If you’re a senior and have diabetes or help care for a loved one with diabetes, you probably have a lot of questions. Thankfully, technology has advanced incredibly over the last decade, and can now change how people manage diabetes for the better.
Building a strong relationship with your doctor is one of the best things you can do to help manage your diabetes and stay healthy. Be sure to keep an open dialogue and come with questions before any appointments. To get you started, here are three important questions you should ask your doctor.
1) What is continuous glucose monitoring and how can it help me?
People with diabetes who take insulin must monitor their blood glucose levels frequently. Uncontrolled glucose can cause health complications and even death. The traditional standard-of-care for glucose monitoring has been a blood glucose meter, which is painful and time consuming, as patients must test their blood multiple times throughout the day.
A continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system can help people with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes to track glucose levels on a continuous basis. Unlike blood glucose meters, CGMs can help eliminate painful fingerpricks and provide vital health information. CGMs are discreet and easy to use, and relay a user’s glucose levels instantly to a compatible smart device or dedicated receiver, providing the direction and rate of glucose change with the touch or scan of a screen. The Dexcom G6 CGM, which is reimbursed by Medicare for eligible patients, also has an app option that gives patients the ability to share glucose information with up to 10 people who can view it through a separate Follow app.
2) How can I be more active?
Regular exercise is important for everyone, but it’s particularly important for people with diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, your cells become more sensitive to insulin when you’re active, so it works more effectively. Being active helps manage a healthy weight, which is also important.
You may think that due to your age or physical ability you can’t exercise, but talking to a physician can reveal options that fit your personal needs. By pairing real-time CGM use with a more active lifestyle, you can better understand the impact of physical activity on your health and glucose levels. Slow walks, stretching, yoga and even swimming are good, low-impact activities. Check community centers and local gyms for classes that are geared toward seniors. When beginning an exercise regimen, talk to your doctor to discuss any concerns you have and get his or her recommendations on what will work best for you in order to exercise in a safe manner.
3) How can I eat healthier?
Having a nutrition plan is important to managing diabetes. Patients with diabetes have extra nutritional considerations to keep insulin levels in check. Doctors can provide insight into healthy eating and explain how carbohydrates impact blood glucose levels. You can also see how certain foods impact your levels with the use of a real-time CGM, which is insight that can help you eat and meal plan more mindfully.
You can also consider speaking with a registered dietitian to help you evaluate your eating habits and create a nutrition plan with foods you enjoy that are also complementary to a healthy diabetes lifestyle.
Let these questions help guide you to a productive conversation about diabetes with your doctors and other members of your health care team. To learn more about the Dexcom G6 real time CGM and reimbursement options, visit dexcomnow.com.
2020-02-17T15:20:21
(BPT) – The vagina is a delicate ecosystem that must be maintained at a normal pH of 3.8-4.5. Everyday events like your period, sex, soaps, certain medications and the water in a douche can all change the vagina’s natural balance because those elements have a pH of 7.5 or 8. When vaginal pH is disrupted, you might experience burning, itching or an unpleasant odor.
What to do? OB/GYN Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, Clinical Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at the Yale University School of Medicine, offers the following tips to maintain good vaginal health on a daily basis:
1) Eat and drink for health: Drink plenty of water and cranberry juice, as it’s good for the bladder, and the acidity helps balance pH levels to relieve UTI symptoms. Foods high in sugar can increase the risk of yeast infections. So, avoid processed foods, alcohol and sugary drinks, and eat more fruits, veggies and whole grains to help prevent yeast issues and UTIs.
2) Avoid irritating wipes and soaps. Most vaginal odor is not the result of poor hygiene. The secret is to keep the vaginal pH balanced, instead of just masking the problem with scented soaps, fragrance sprays, irritating wipes and pads that can be harmful to delicate tissue. Over-the-counter RepHresh Gel keeps the pH balanced and eliminates odor for up to three days. Lingering bacteria can cause odor too. If you douche, remember to balance pH immediately after with RepHresh, or use their Clean Balance kit that includes a cleaning solution and pH balancer all-in-one.
3) Swap clothes after that sweat session. Yeast infections are common for avid exercisers because yeast tends to grow in warm, moist areas. Change out of wet bathing suits and tight exercise clothing right after that run, bike or hike and if you douche afterwards, remember it can actually destroy the healthy pH balance. That’s why it’s important to restore normal pH right after.
4) Be aware of BV. Symptoms of a yeast infection can include odorless and sometimes thick discharge, itching and burning. Many women think they have a yeast infection when they have bacterial vaginosis (BV), an increase of “bad” bacteria, usually caused by unbalanced pH. Symptoms of BV are often similar, but the discharge produced generally has an unpleasant odor. If you aren’t sure whether you have BV or a yeast infection, see your doctor for a proper diagnosis and solution.
5) Focus on the right probiotic. While there are yogurts that add probiotics to promote digestive health and immunity, no yogurts are shown to maintain vaginal health. RepHresh Pro-B is different from other probiotics, lactobacillus and acidophilus products because it is clinically shown to provide healthy probiotic lactobacillus that work to balance yeast and bacteria. With one capsule taken daily, you can help maintain healthy vaginal flora.
By following a few simple tips, you can stay healthy, feel confident, and decrease the risk of issues like unpleasant odor or itch.
