Month: November 2021

2021-11-18T11:01:00

(BPT) – Are you shopping for someone who is absolutely obsessed with fishing? If you’re looking for some unique gift ideas this year, SantaBass is back and has a few holiday-season gift suggestions that will make just about any angler happy.

1) Stay warm and dry – If your loved one is serious about fishing, they will encounter rain and cold wind at some point. There’s no better way of saying you care about them than by giving your favorite angler a rain suit (jacket and bibs) they can count on. Greg Brush, an Alaska salmon fishing guide with more than 30 years of experience, recommends the Rapala Pro Rain Jacket and Bibs, which combines advanced technology performance with premium waterproof and breathable components for extreme fishing conditions.

2) Catch some hawgs! – America’s fish is the largemouth bass. In fact, it’s estimated that more than 10 million Americans fish for bass each year. So if you’re giving to an angler who’s obsessed with bass fishing, slip an OG Slim 6 into their stocking this winter. Designed by one of the nation’s top bass fishing pros, Ott DeFoe, the OG Slim 6 is a flat-sided balsa bait with a medium wobble and tight side-to-side action that will catch your angler some big ones — guaranteed.

3) Less time filleting, more time catching (and eating) – Sometimes you want to keep and cook the fish you’ve caught. As fun as that sounds, it’s the filleting the fish part that few truly enjoy. But no more. The R12 Electric Fillet Knife makes filleting fish a breeze with twice the speed and three times the torque of standard fillet knives. Complete with two R12 lithium-ion battery packs, offering 80 minutes of continuous runtime, you’ll be spending more time eating and fishing and less time filleting.

4) Fishing the ice – Believe it or not, in the northern tier of the United States, winter means ice fishing. That’s right — angling through a hole cut through the ice. There is no lure more effective for ice fishing than the legendary Jigging Rap. Swimming in tantalizing circles under the ice or in open water for suspended game fish, the Jigging Rap features a balanced, weighted minnow profile that catches walleye, bass, crappies, perch — and many more species.

5) Stay cool on the water – When the temperatures start to rise, the best way to stay cool and comfortable on and off the water is with a performance hooded shirt. It offers style combined with function with a trend-forward design, UPF 50+ UV sun protection, and moisture-wicking performance.

6) Get a solid grip on toothy monsters – Rapala Elite Pliers are designed specifically for anglers dealing with big, nasty, sharp-toothed and spiny fish where it’s critical to avoid getting bit or spiked. These seven-inch premium pliers are armed with a high-performance, lightweight coating that protects against abrasion, corrosion and UV rays. A mag spring and lock keeps the jaws of the pliers open or tightly locked with an easy, flip switch. Hybrid jaws have interlocking front teeth that ensure a lock-tight clasp on hooks. Carbide cutters are replaceable and will cut all braid, monofilament and fluorocarbon line along with light wire up to 15 lbs.

7) The key to fishing – Getting to your favorite fishing hole will more than likely require getting in your car, truck, ATV or snowmobile. Keep all of your keys in order with a fishing lure key chain.

8) Tournament quality weigh-scale – If your angler values knowing exactly how much their catch weighs, a Touch Screen Scale adds ease and convenience to weighing and tracking fish. This large digital scale is packed with features, yet intuitive in use. Displaying weight in lbs./oz., decimal lbs. or kg., easily record and determine the position of your current catch in your weight total. Simply hang catch from the heavy-duty composite clamp. Tap on one of eight storage locations to enter fish into memory and add to total catch weight. Runs up to 400 hours on two AA batteries (not included).

9) Super strong fishing line won’t let the big ones get away – Sufix 832 Advanced Superline is the strongest, most durable small diameter braid on the market. It won’t let the big ones get away. Precision braiding and fiber technology provides superior strength, roundness and line consistency, delivering increased casting distance and accuracy, and reduced line vibration.

10) Winter beanies – Keep your dome warm with a winter beanie. It’s perfect for all kinds of winter outdoor activities — ice fishing, long walks in the woods, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and much more. Featuring fleece material on the inside of the beanie, your noggin’ will feel extra cozy.

2021-11-18T06:05:00

(BPT) – The flavor profiles of coffee and tea lend themselves to enticing food and beverage concoctions that pair these classic tastes with a variety of tasty ingredients. Capresso presents recipes for expanding enjoyment of two of the most popular beverages in the world.

Espresso Dark Chocolate Chip Muffins make a perfect breakfast or afternoon snack. The magic ingredient is coffee ground right before baking. The Capresso Infinity Plus Grinder features commercial-grade, solid steel conical burrs with an advanced design for high precision.

Try something trendy and new: Espresso Flax Seed Energy Balls. Use the Infinity Plus Grinder to grind coffee beans, and then mix with flax seeds, hemp seeds, rolled oats, almonds, dark chocolate chips, cherry juice and other ingredients before rolling them into balls and refrigerating. This versatile grinder offers 16 fineness settings for the widest range of precision grinding, whether for cooking or any brewing method.

Tea-Infused Hot Toddy gets its tranquil fragrance from English breakfast tea, anise and nutmeg. Because different teas require different water temperatures, the Capresso H2O Select has variable temperature control, with 11 settings from 110° F to 212° F. Use it to heat the water to precisely 190° F to maximize the flavor of English breakfast tea, which will be combined with rum, maple syrup, lemon and more for this unforgettable beverage treat.

Froth up an Iced Mint Cooler with the Capresso froth Select automatic milk frother. Just pour almond milk into the pitcher with a bit of mint extract and maple syrup; then select “Cold” and press “Start.” Once frothed, pour over ice and garnish with fresh mint. The froth Select has simple one-button operation with illuminated control. Four settings — cold froth, hot froth, hot milk and hot chocolate — create endless beverage possibilities.

A decadent dessert, Bailey’s Espresso Milkshake is ready in minutes. Grind fresh coffee beans, and then brew two shots of espresso with the Capresso Café Select. Its 15-bar pump provides optimal pressure for rich crema, the thin layer of foam that marks a perfectly brewed espresso. Convenient double spout espresso filter can brew two espressos at once. Mixed with Bailey’s Irish Cream, vanilla ice cream and milk — and topped with optional whipped cream and sprinkles — it takes coffee dessert drinks to a new level.

2021-11-18T08:31:00

(BPT) – ’Tis the season to make up for lost time and host friends and family this holiday. Along with celebrating cherished traditions comes the revolving door of loved ones at your home. As a global leader in hospitality, Hilton is here to help you welcome your guests and provide an unforgettable experience with these seven helpful tips:

1. Cookies Baking Beats Chestnuts Roasting: Nothing’s better than the aroma of freshly baked cookies filling up a house, and guests (including Santa) will appreciate the taste as well! The classic, easy recipe found on newsroom.hilton.com/static-doubletree-reveals-cookie-recipe.htm will be sure to win your visitors over as the signature, warm DoubleTree chocolate chip cookie is the perfect welcome gift or sweet surprise.
2. Silent Night, Cozy Night: Elevate your guests’ stay with a hotel-like experience. Little things can go a long way, like offering bedding layers to cater to an individual’s body temperature and a down duvet for extra comfort. Clear space in drawers so guests have room for clothing. On top of a dresser, place a basket with a TV remote, reusable water bottles in case they get thirsty at night and fluffy towels and a comfy bathrobe. Finally, add a candle to the guest bedroom or bathroom for a little R&R; candle scents including pine, cinnamon, vanilla and gingerbread can boost your guests’ mood as well.
3. It’s Beginning to Taste a Lot Like Breakfast: The holiday festivities don’t need to end at night. Cook up fond memories the next morning with friends and family by serving up breakfast options that cater to all taste buds. You could provide fresh-baked waffles like those served at Hampton by Hilton, cooked-to-order omelets found at Embassy Suites by Hilton, breakfast sandwiches like Home2 Suites by Hilton, or a “Top It” Bar like Tru by Hilton.
4. Do You Hear What I Hear?: Music can spark happy memories and is often an important part of treasured family traditions, especially this time of year. Holiday music tends to spark nostalgia and get you in the spirit so be sure to curate a playlist that will keep guests singing, dancing and potentially caroling throughout their stay.
5. Santa Paws is Coming to Town: As pet ownership continues to rise, people are spending more time with pets now than ever before, and some loved ones won’t travel without them. Cater to their four-legged friends with a special pet-friendly area with toys and treats to reduce their anxiety — consider cashing in loyalty rewards, like Hilton Honors Points, to shop for a few items on Amazon.com while saving your wallet. Find out where the closest dog park is and inform your guests ahead of time so their furry friend can release some pent-up energy after a long car ride — before entering your home.
6. I’m Dreaming of a Wi-Fi Christmas: As guests take to social media to post photos and videos, a slow Wi-Fi signal can be a buzzkill. Before your party, move the router to a more centrally located spot in your home for better coverage, make sure there are no obstructions around it and then run a speed test. Also, post your password on decorative signs around your home for convenience.
7. Get into the Holiday Spirits: Stay on top of the always-changing drink trends and serve up some tequila, which has grown in popularity this year. Tequila is an excellent choice this holiday season because you can easily set up a cocktail station so your guests can help themselves to a variety of mixers including lime, club soda, ginger syrup and more.

Whether you’ve invited family to stay over for the holidays or you’re hosting friends for cocktails, following these Hilton tips will provide the gift of great holiday memories for your guests — and put you on everyone’s nice list.

2021-11-18T08:01:00

(BPT) – The holidays are approaching and it’s time to shop gifts for the family including matching PJs made of soft cotton, stylish dresses, cozy puffers and more.

Carter’s, the most trusted brand in baby and children’s apparel, is a one-stop shop for dressing and gifting this holiday season. The festive and comfortable clothing ranges from the softest pajamas for the entire family to festive occasion wear for little ones, accessories and more. This season, Carter’s is partnering with model and mother of 3, Molly Sims, to share her holiday must-haves and help check off the holiday list for your little ones.

“No matter how you celebrate the holidays, the most important part is being together with loved ones and creating memories. For our family, that may be as simple as cozying up at home in our Carter’s PJs all day while playing games, watching movies, listening to music and baking tasty treats. I’m so thrilled to be partnering with Carter’s to help parents check off their holiday gift list,” says Molly Sims.

Check out some must-have holiday gifts curated by Molly Sims:

Pajamas

Carter’s offers the cutest matching holiday PJs for the entire family. The adorable PJ prints and patterns include a fun Santa print, plaid pattern as well as other great styles that range in size from newborn to adult.

Plaid Coat-Style Fleece PJs – Christmas 100% Snug Fit Cotton PJs – Christmas Tree Fleece Footie PJs

Holiday Dressing

Carter’s offers festive dresses, plaid shirts and 2-piece sets that will have your little ones dressed in style for all holiday gatherings.

Plaid Dress – Button-Front Plaid Flannel Shirt – 2-Piece Plaid Top & Legging Set

Outerwear

Gear up for outdoor winter play with cozy sweaters and puffer jackets from Carter’s. These cold weather must-haves will keep your little ones warm and comfortable all season long.

Full-Zip Fleece Cozie – Reindeer Sweater – Puffer Jacket

Family Pastimes

During the holidays, it’s always fun to come together and play fun games. The Skip Hop Zoo Crew Dominoes Set is designed for little ones to learn and play.

Zoo Crew Dominoes Set

2021-11-18T08:07:00

(BPT) – Small businesses are important parts of communities and a key driving factor of the current economic recovery. Modern technology and workplace trends are transforming how these organizations are run, not only to increase productivity, but expand the possibilities of the future.

Ahead of the national celebration of Small Business Saturday, new research found that the United States is home to 32.5 million small businesses employing 46.8% of the private workforce, according to the 2021 Small Business Profiles from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Combine small and medium-sized businesses, and you cover the vast majority of companies in the country — a powerful economic force.

“We see a bright future ahead for businesses in 2022,” said Eric Yu, Lenovo senior vice president, small and medium business segment. “Small to medium-sized businesses can utilize the best in technology to help overcome the challenges today and drive growth, engage employees and boost profits.”

Yu and the experts at Lenovo offer tips for SMBs based on their top technology predictions for 2022. Learn more at Lenovo.com.

1. Add hybrid workforce technology

Workplace culture continues to evolve with hybrid workforces here to stay. Technology is driving this momentum forward, enabling businesses of all sizes to remain agile and adaptable. SMBs should seek purpose-built technology solutions that bring equity, parity, presence and inclusion to hybrid work.

Emerging technology will also advance SMB growth, with augmented and virtual reality creating custom workplaces for employees, immersive training, efficient data analysis and enhanced productivity. Just imagine the possibilities of training employees virtually, tapping resources beyond what’s available locally and removing the need to travel. Technology makes this a reality.

2. Enhance digital security

Digital threats are as much a concern for SMBs as they are for large companies. Whether it’s private client data, proprietary company information or financial accounts, security must remain top of mind in 2022 as cybercriminals become savvier every day.

Prioritizing security with seamless authentication driven by artificial intelligence and biometric technology (such as fingerprint scans) will be key for SMBs as they further transition to public key infrastructure (PKI)-based device security, like those used today to access mobile banking applications, and multifactor authentication, for application and device access.

3. Invest in modern monitors

The desktop monitors SMB employees use can transform their work experience for increased comfort and capabilities. Investing in modern monitors makes sense, especially for remote employees and those in technology roles. For example, SMB employees can seamlessly multitask through modern desktop monitors that offer larger screen real estate and single cable management for easy connections.

What makes these monitors different? Next-generation monitors feature higher resolution, new aspect ratios such as ultra-wide and low blue light tech to reduce eye strain. Monitors will extend functionality for SMB employees as they can provide a docking hub for connection of other devices such as smartphones, speakers, headphones and tablets.

4. Upgrade your accessory ecosystem

Beyond modern monitors, other aspects of home office technology are transforming, too. Creating an up-to-date and efficient workspace at home is important for productivity but also for personal well-being. Providing employees with complementary tools that bridge the gap between home and office will elevate the experience and empower hybrid working trends.

When researching new accessories for SMB employees, consider the most common pain points of power anxiety, poor audio quality and physical stresses of inappropriate input devices resulting from longer working hours. Power banks, noise-canceling headphones certified for unified communications platforms and ergonomic mice and keyboards will become more mainstream in 2022, allowing teams at SMBs to improve their work-from-anywhere capabilities and productivity.

5. Support agility and flexibility

The growth of hybrid and remote workplaces has elevated the need for work tools that allow employees to work when and where they want. Evolving form factors and better connectivity will become more ubiquitous, allowing SMB employees to set up shop almost anywhere. This flexibility can add strain to IT resources, and impact business capital expense.

SMBs need to consider as-a-service subscription-based models, not just for hardware but to support their solution lifecycle. Successful businesses will embrace this trend and seek vendors with end-to-end capabilities to securely deploy to remote users, offer hardware and software managed services and provide end-user tech support. As-a-service solutions reduce pressure on capital, allowing SMBs to redirect investment into new growth opportunities.

2021-11-17T12:01:00

(BPT) – The statistics are in — and it’s quite clear that America’s teens are in crisis. The cause? A freewheeling social media environment where cyberbullying and exploitation are rampant and where the companies that do nothing to stop it are not held accountable, according to the Social Media Victims Law Center (SMVLC).

With the advent of digital technologies, social media has seen a boon over the past 10-15 years. Most people don’t go anywhere without their smart phones and spend more and more time on social media. While it brings many advantages in keeping people together, a lack of regulation and responsibility opens the door for many dangers, especially for children and teenagers.

These dangers, such as cyberbullying, are taking their toll on teens’ mental health. Suicide among teenage girls increased 56% since 2012, according to a 2019 study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Suicide attempts, eating disorders and major depression are also up, according to the study. Many other studies have come to similar conclusions.

Despite a deepening crisis, social media companies earn billions in profits without having to bear the costs of injuries to users of their products, according to the SMVLC.

‘Brave pioneers’

While government regulation can play an important role in solving the issue, it can only address problems after they become publicized either by company whistleblowers or investigations. The only true path to lasting change is through the court system, the group says.

“Social media companies have been knowingly putting our children and young adults at risk in the name of profits and increased market share without the fear of legal repercussions for far too long,” said Attorney Matthew P. Bergman, founder of the SMVLC.

The SMVLC seeks to leverage product liability principles to force social media companies to elevate consumer safety in their economic analysis; and to design safer platforms that protect children and teens from cyberbullying.

The firm recently filed three cases on behalf of victims of social media cyberbullying. They argue the companies never warned parents of the harms of social media and didn’t provide them with tools to monitor and protect their children.

“Victims who initially seek to hold social media companies legally accountable are brave pioneers whose courage will make it easier for future victims to get the compensation they need and eventually force social media companies to make social responsibility a priority,” said Bergman.

Social media cyberbullying victims, as well as those who have been the victim of targeted harassment, hate speech and other online harassment, and whose mental health was affected, are encouraged to visit www.socialmediavictims.com or to call 800-634-6994 to learn about available legal resources.