Month: July 2022

2022-07-13T10:27:00

(BPT) – Whether your outdoor activity of choice involves walking, running, cycling or playing games with friends and family, getting outside to move the body comes with many benefits. From a boost of Vitamin D from the sun and breathing in the fresh air, to enjoying the sights and sounds that can only be experienced out of the house — there are many reasons to incorporate the outdoors into your daily activity.

Before lacing up and heading out, three-time World Champion and Paralympic bronze medalist Melissa Stockwell draws from her years of experience training for paratriathlons and her former life as a U.S. Army officer to offer tips for protecting yourself from the elements while getting your sweat on outside.

1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

You’ve probably heard this before, but it bears repeating. Working out means perspiring, which takes moisture from your body, and working out when it’s hot outdoors makes staying hydrated even more important.

“Don’t wait until you feel thirsty to drink water. Before heading out drink some water then make sure to keep a bottle (or two!) on you for during and after your workout,” says Stockwell. “Staying hydrated helps your body regulate its temperature, keeps your joints lubricated and energy levels up, as well as helps prevent more serious health issues arising from being in the heat.”

2. Pile on the SPF

Even on days when it is cloudy, the skin needs protection from the sun.

“I usually opt for a sweat- or water-resistant sunscreen and wear a hat or clothing made out of sun-protective fabric to help protect my skin,” advises Stockwell. “Further, instead of exercising mid-day, aim to get your workout in during the morning or evening hours when the sun’s rays aren’t as strong.”

3. Protect your pucker

The delicate skin on the lips is also especially vulnerable to damage from sun exposure, as well as from elements like the wind, heat or cold during any season of the year. Activities in salty water can also draw moisture from the lips. Stockwell recommends keeping her favorite form of lip protection on hand: ChapStick Moisturizer Original Lip Balm.

“I make sure to keep my lips protected and moisturized daily, especially while training outdoors. The ChapStick Moisturizer Original Lip Balm I’ve always trusted combines the classic ChapStick flavor with moisturizing ingredients to soften and protect, like Aloe and Vitamin E, plus broad-spectrum SPF 15 protection providing multi-benefit lip care for up to eight hours. The small size means it also fits in most pockets and into my workout gear, making it easy to tote along for any outdoor activities.”

4. Warm up, cool down

To help safeguard against pain or injury, warm up your muscles and start slowly. Try to mimic the exercises you will be doing at a slow, low-intensity.

“If I am running, my warm-up includes a walk that gradually builds up to a jog. If I am cycling, I’ll slowly cycle around the block a few times to get my muscles and joints ready to go. This helps my body get ready for higher intensity movements.” Stockwell says.

To cool down, incorporate static stretches after a workout to help gradually cool the body and muscles. Stretches like touching your toes or laying on your back and gently bringing your knee to your chest help tired muscles relax, increase flexibility and decrease the risk of injury post-workout.

5. Buddy up

Training outdoors can be hazardous, especially if you’re running, hiking or cycling in an unfamiliar area or on a new path. To stay safer, arrange to exercise with a friend or two so you are accountable for each other.

“Training with someone else means you know you’ll have a backup in case of the unexpected,” Stockwell adds. “Plus, it’s more fun — and motivating — to have company!”

With these tips in mind, you’ll be ready to take your workouts into the outdoors. To find more great products to help protect your lips, visit ChapStick.com.

2022-07-13T09:15:00

(BPT) – Preparing your home for sale may start with ideas for staging the house or spackling and painting over nail holes, however, it also requires a considerable amount of planning and organization. Before opening your home to tours, either virtual or in person, be aware of what buyers might notice.

“Getting your home ready for sale may seem like an overwhelming task, but it’s important to make your home as attractive as possible,” said Bonnie Lee, vice president of property claims at Mercury Insurance. “Not only does it give a favorable first impression, but it also shows that the home was well maintained and cared for. Most buyers expect to tour and eventually purchase a clean, well-cared for home.”

Walk through each room of your home and take note of what needs to be cleaned, repaired or replaced.

Eliminate clutter

For many homeowners the beginning of the home selling process is the chance to clear out any unwanted items. Take this time to throw away, donate or sell items that are no longer purposeful. Remember that potential buyers are likely to open closet doors and built-in cabinet drawers to determine the amount of storage space available, meaning you won’t be able to simply store unwanted items in a closet. Buyers want to visualize themselves and their belongings within the living space so depersonalize and remove any large visual distractions such as large, distinct artwork or family photos.

Bulkier items such as furniture can change the perceived size of a room. Make sure buyers are able to walk around living spaces without bumping into furniture. If you don’t plan to take certain large items with you, check if your local municipality will pick them up.

Deep clean your home

Before scheduling tours of your home, do a deep clean, especially in areas like the kitchen and bathrooms. Home buyers are savvy and can detect when candles or air fresheners are being used to mask unpleasant scents of a home.

“A home that hasn’t been cleaned can be perceived as needing a lot of work or has underlying serious problems like water or structural damage,” Lee said. “Keeping your home clean will boost that ever-important first impression and maximize the selling cost.”

Make small repairs

Wear and tear from everyday living is normal. However, fixing these small repairs before listing your home might be a slight inconvenience for you, but might be seen as part of a larger, underlying issue to a potential buyer. Thoroughly go through each room of your home and touch up any dings on baseboards or doors. Make any minor repairs like filling in and repainting any holes left in the walls from hanging items. Check for leaking faucets or running toilets and replace any worn or damaged caulking around sinks, showers, bathtubs or windows.

Curb appeal
Your home’s exterior is the first thing buyers see as they approach the house. Trim any trees or shrubs outside of your property, especially along walkways, for a well-manicured look. Inspect any trees around your home to make sure they aren’t scraping shingles off of your roof or blocking gutters. Keep walkways and driveways free of clutter such as gardening tools or children’s toys. Replace or repair any damaged screens or windows and make sure that any house numbers are visible.

“A well maintained outdoor area that has been properly cared for is not only aesthetically pleasing but can also be a reflection of how well the home was cared for overall,” Lee said.

Get a CLUE

A Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) report provides a detailed history of any insurance claims that may have been filed on the house within the last seven years. While this report is extremely useful to buyers, it can be equally important to sellers. “Sellers whose homes have had no insurance claims within the last seven years can use a CLUE report as a selling tool. It gives potential buyers the assurance that they are not buying a home with a history of problems and increase a seller’s chance of selling their home quickly,” Lee said.

Under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, you can request a copy of your CLUE report from LexisNexis by calling 1-866-312-8076 or by visiting consumer.risk.lexisnexis.com.

2022-07-13T10:01:00

(BPT) – When you lose a spouse in the line of duty, your world is turned upside down. From the first anniversary spent alone and the first birthday with no one to celebrate, to the first time you check the box marked “widow.” Monica Frost is all too familiar with these moments. She lost her husband, Frank, an Army veteran who survived two tours in Iraq.

Like many survivors, not only was Monica faced with incomprehensible heartbreak and grief over the loss of her partner, she was also met with financial hardship. “No one prepares you for your husband’s funeral, but they really do not prepare you for what comes next,” said Monica. There were funeral costs, a mortgage, and bills to pay with one less source of income for support. As the widow of a veteran, Monica thought she was entitled to survivor benefits. But she had no idea which benefits she was eligible to receive or how to get them from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The unfortunate truth is that survivors are often faced with seemingly impossible hurdles when trying to access benefits to help with basic needs, like a roof over their head and food on the table. Legislation put in place, like the 10-Year Rule and the Remarriage Age, have left many veterans’ survivors by the wayside with no support or guidance on how to face their new reality and avoid poverty.

Luckily for Monica, she found DAV (Disabled American Veterans), a nonprofit charity that helps more than one million veterans and their families in positive, life-changing ways each year, all at no cost. Working with a DAV Benefits Advocate, Monica was able to secure the veterans’ survivor benefits she and her husband earned as part of his service.

The most crucial benefit Monica secured was Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). DIC is paid monthly to the surviving spouse to protect against spousal impoverishment after the loss of their loved one. Along with obtaining her DIC, Monica was granted ancillary benefits to cover the costs of her husband’s funeral.

DIC and ancillary benefits are not the only benefits survivors, like Monica, have access to. Other benefits include:

• Death Pension: a monthly benefit paid to a surviving spouse with honorable wartime service whose death was unrelated to their time served.
• Survivor Benefit Plan: an insurance plan the deceased veteran elected upon retirement from military service.
• Fry Scholarship: provides post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to eligible survivors to attend school for up to 36 months at full scholarship.

Monica was able to access benefits that have helped to relieve some of the financial burden following her loss. If you or someone you know is struggling to access survivor benefits, please go to www.dav.org to get the help you deserve.

2022-07-12T09:39:00

(BPT) – Are you your family’s resident genealogist? If you are or are just starting your family history research, you are part of a popular and growing hobby. While many Americans don’t know much about their genealogy, according to a survey by Ancestry^®, 66% are eager and want to know more.

It’s not always easy to figure out everything about your genetic inheritance from historical records alone, and it’s even more difficult if you don’t know your parents or grandparents or if they don’t know theirs.

“Our customers want to know where they came from so that they can better understand who they are,” said Brian Donnelly, Senior Vice President and General Manager of AncestryDNA and International at Ancestry. “In fact, for years the top request from Ancestry customers has been for more insights into which side of their family they inherited certain ethnicities and genetic traits.”

One way to bridge this gap is to start with existing records then combine them with emerging DNA technologies to give people a fuller picture of their family history. With this in mind, the genealogy company has introduced SideView™.

This scientific innovation allows AncestryDNA^® customers to see which ethnicities and other characteristics they inherited from their parents, without their parents taking a DNA test. This technological advancement is huge for many people who, for one reason or another, don’t know all of their family history and want to know more about their genetic history.

How does SideView™ work?

To understand how SideView™ works and why this technology is groundbreaking, it’s important to understand genome phasing. Phasing is the technical term for determining what you inherited from your paternal and maternal lineages, which gives you a picture of your genetic inheritance.

This may sound simple, but it’s anything but, especially if you don’t or can’t have a parent’s DNA tested. Phasing human DNA into parental sides has been a problem that scientists have been trying to solve for decades.

Ancestry has taken an enormous step forward in solving the problems surrounding phasing. SideView™ technology can phase all of a customer’s DNA using identity by descent (IBD), which identifies the identical DNA that two or more people share because of a recent common ancestor. The accurate DNA phasing means that customers can now know from which side of the family they received each of their ethnicities.

SideView™ technology is possible thanks to the size of the AncestryDNA database, which is the largest consumer genomic database in the world with more than 20 million customers and growing, and the scientific innovation and rigorous scientific standards that Ancestry has put in place. Due to the size of the AncestryDNA network, for 90% of customers SideView™ can group their matches into paternal and maternal lineages with 95% precision. SideView™ technology uses the grouped matches to organize a customer’s DNA and tell which parts were inherited from each parent.

Why does it matter?

While this scientific discovery is impressive, you’re probably asking yourself, “So what? Why is this important?”

Let’s say that you’ve taken a DNA test and found your ethnicity estimate. You know that your individual estimate has five ethnicities, which is great to know, but you don’t know from which parent you inherited each ethnicity. Typically, you’d have to have your parents take a DNA test to compare the results and solve the mystery. You could always ask your parents or grandparents if you know them, but it’s also possible that a formerly unknown ethnicity pops up in your results, in which case they may not be able to help you.

“SideView™ technology gives us a glimpse into the next level of DNA analysis for family history,” said Diahan Southard of Your DNA Guide. “The ability to more accurately assign our DNA to a parent opens up all kinds of avenues for future study. The ethnicity inheritance feature has provided insight into my parents’ ethnicity breakdowns that was just not possible before. I am excited to see what other DNA discoveries the SideView™ technology will bring.”

SideView™ takes the guessing out of ethnicity inheritance and gives you a more detailed look into your genetic histories. To learn more about this scientific innovation and how it can help you in your genealogy projects, visit Ancestry.com/DNA.

2022-07-12T07:01:01

(BPT) – The past few years have been tough on schools everywhere. In many cases, motivation and engagement are lacking — for students and teachers alike. At the same time, many teachers and schools nationwide are finding innovative approaches to better engage with students, increase attendance and even improve grades.

An education program achieves tangible results

One of those innovative approaches focuses on helping students feel heard and seen, providing recognition and rewards that boost motivation and increase a sense of belonging in the school community. For more than 30 years, Jostens Renaissance Education has helped schools worldwide renew their climate and culture, and the pandemic has made this work more important than ever. Schools using Renaissance have witnessed:

This acclaimed educational enrichment program is designed to empower students and educators to recognize and inspire academic performance and character development. With unparalleled resources, a library of best practices and a vibrant community of educators, schools are driving tangible results. To support schools in their efforts, Jostens offers a kit including:

• Nine sections focusing on specific approaches and tools schools can use
• A digital video series showcasing strategies from Renaissance schools
• Worksheets and ideas from their Idea Exchange to support recommended activities
• Posters to jump-start changing your school’s climate, plus other digital resources
• The popular “Ideas, Ideas, Ideas” book by Renaissance Hall of Fame educator Steven Bollar

In addition, there are a variety of impactful resources on JostensRenaissance.com, including a character development video series, a leadership curriculum, and videos to support educator professional development. Selecting specifically for their school’s needs, from effective student attendance and performance recognition programs to energizing pep rallies, the change in school culture helps everyone in the school, from teachers and administrators to students and parents.

“I love the creativity of developing your own program,” said Michelle CarneyRay-Yoder, Ed.D., superintendent of schools at Somers Point School District, New Jersey. “Renaissance not only helps you create a tailored program specifically for your school, it provides you the resources with their posts, idea sharing, programs and school store. Jostens Renaissance is the total package in my book. I am excited to see where we go from here!”

Here are just a few participant metrics:

• Horizon Middle School, Colorado: The number of students who earned a 3.0 GPA or higher for the school year increased from 397 in 2014 to a staggering 1,753 in 2020. They also saw an average 3-12% increase in test scores across all subjects.
• Greenbrier High School, Tennessee: An increase of composite ACT scores from 19.5 to 21.3 over a 3-year span.
• Marshall County High School, Tennessee: The Average senior composite ACT score has increased from 17.7 to as high as 20.4, and the graduation rate has grown from 82% to 95%.
• Mountain Ridge Middle School, West Virginia: A drastic reduction in student discipline referrals, including a 30% reduction in referrals over the previous 3 school years to the start of this year, and a 16% reduction in referrals from last year.
• Summerville High School, South Carolina: Teacher retention went from 80.6% in the 2019-2020 school year to 95% retention in 2022.

These are just a few examples of what happens when students feel seen, heard and loved. The Jostens Renaissance Education program helps students feel like they matter. This improved school culture boosts student and educator morale and, as result, makes them more likely to show up and try hard.

“Jostens allowed for students like myself to be more involved in decisions and events at our school,” said Karl Rice, rising senior at North Stafford High School in Virginia. “It helped add pride and confidence in our school, as well as involving students who otherwise would have never felt comfortable enough to stand up and contribute.”

Read more school success stories at JostensRenaissance.com.

How to get involved

The good news? If your school already uses Jostens for caps, gowns, rings or yearbooks, access to these groundbreaking Renaissance resources is included, so you can receive this groundbreaking education program for free. If your school is new to Jostens, learn more about Renaissance at JostensRenaissance.com/resources.

2022-07-11T18:17:16

(BPT) – Electric vehicles (EVs) are increasing in popularity as drivers consider the operating cost of owning an automobile as well as the environmental impact of their commutes. The number of electric vehicle models available has nearly doubled in the last few years and the market is getting charged up. The rising demand for electric vehicles has led to a larger inventory of new and used plug-ins in the auto market.

“EVs have high safety ratings and offer a quieter ride,” said Kevin Quinn, vice president of auto claims at Mercury Insurance. “Add in low maintenance costs and the opportunity to reduce a vehicle owner’s carbon footprint, and it becomes very appealing to consumers who are looking to buy a new car.”

With more than 2 million electric cars on the road in the U.S., EV owners know that home charging is one of the most important aspects of owning an electric vehicle. Other than driving, cold weather zaps batteries of energy quickly. Using the air conditioning or heater, as well as uphill drives, also reduce range. Knowing that there might be more frequent charges under these demands makes home charging more appealing.

Charging at home

According to the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Home Charging Study, 84% of EV owners regularly charge their vehicle at home. It costs about half as much to charge an EV at home as it does to charge at a public station. Home chargers also offer the convenience of being programmed so they draw power during off-peak hours, saving EV owners money.

Most EVs come with a Level 1 charger allowing drivers to charge at their residence from a standard 120-volt household outlet. This method can take several hours, typically overnight, to get back most of the car’s range. For this reason, many EV owners purchase Level 2 charging stations to be installed in their home. Level 2 charging allows for a quicker charge using a 240-volt outlet.

EV owners looking to install a 240-volt power outlet or hardwired charging station to their home should speak with a trusted electrician who is trained, licensed and insured to install NEMA 14-50 outlets. These outlets are similar to what an electric dryer or oven is plugged into. Once installed, the charger would be considered part of the home and will need to be covered by supplemental insurance in the event of any type of loss.

Home chargers and insurance

“A standard homeowners’ policy excludes coverage related to motor vehicles and their equipment, accessories and parts,” said Bonnie Lee, vice president of property claims. “It’s important that EV owners who install a Level 2 charger protect their homes as well as their vehicles. We had a policyholder put 300 battery packs together to charge his car and it didn’t end well. The battery packs overheated and burned down the garage. Fortunately, his homeowners’ insurance claim was covered, but it’s best to have an electrician handle any EV charging station installations.”

EV owners can also charge their vehicles with portable chargers, but how owners obtained those chargers could make a difference on which type of insurance would be needed. If the portable charger came from the dealership with the vehicle, it would be covered by their auto collision or comprehensive insurance. However, if EV owners purchase a portable charger after buying their vehicle, they may need special equipment coverage.

“Those using portable chargers to charge their vehicles should consider carrying comprehensive auto insurance coverage,” said Quinn. “A standard homeowners’ insurance policy excludes coverage related to motor vehicles, which means losses to vehicle equipment, accessories and parts are not covered.”

While reports of fires happening while EVs are parked and charging are rare, owners should always be mindful when charging their vehicles. “Electric vehicles are still relatively new to the marketplace so automakers are still perfecting them,” said Lee. “EV owners need to do their due diligence and make sure they’re properly educated about their manufacturer’s recommendations for proper charging.”