Category: Brandpoint Lifestyle

2024-03-02T02:01:00

(BPT) – Summer means school’s out, but that doesn’t mean your student has to stop learning. High school students can make the most of their summer by applying to an online summer program. Students who participate in a virtual summer program can explore new subjects and expand their skills while still leaving plenty of downtime to enjoy the warmer months.

Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes, a summer enrichment program, offers intensive study of a single online course that can feed the passions and intellect of curious students. Not only does a virtual summer program give students unique academic experiences, but such programs also provide memorable experiences they’ll carry with them for years to come.

If your student is on the fence about taking an online summer course, check out the program’s top five reasons to apply.

1. Accessible education

When it comes to accessibility, online summer programs can’t be beat! Instead of traveling to a different country or flying your student to a different state, bring summer education to you. Virtual summer classes allow students to focus on learning from the comfort of home, with no travel required. Online programs also tend to cost less than on-campus day or boarding summer programs, allowing more students access to a quality education.

2. Smaller classes

Summer classes held in large lecture halls make it difficult for students to receive personalized attention. However, online programs often offer smaller classes, so instructors can focus on each student’s needs. Small online classes can also foster a more interactive environment where students can engage with peers and instructors for a more enriching learning experience.

3. College-level academics

High school students should use their summer time meaningfully. Online summer programs offer rigorous academic content that can prepare your student for future higher education. Whether they explore a new, interesting subject or deepen their knowledge of a core subject, such studies can set students up for future academic success.

4. Global community

Online summer programs connect your student to a vibrant global community where they can meet peers from different backgrounds and cultures. By collaborating with students from around the world, they’ll gain new perspectives and broaden horizons that may not be accessible in their hometown. Some peers may even become lifelong friends!

5. Student life

In addition to engaging small class sessions, these programs offer fun outside of class. Student life activities may include virtual social events, community engagement opportunities and workshops on topics like health, wellness and leadership. These extracurricular activities create a well-rounded educational experience that goes beyond the classroom.

Don’t let summer opportunities slip by! Your student should apply to one of Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes’ online summer courses. Get a taste of a college classroom experience that challenges students with advanced content not typically found in the high school curriculum.

All classes are taught by knowledgeable instructors who are passionate about their academic disciplines and committed to teaching high school students in an interactive online environment. To learn more about Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes classes and more, visit summerinstitutes.spcs.stanford.edu.

2024-03-01T17:51:34

(BPT) – More and more people are keeping heart health in mind when deciding what’s for dinner. With heart disease being one of the leading causes of death in the U.S., it’s no surprise.¹ And it couldn’t be more important. However, leading health experts associated with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans note that following a healthy dietary pattern, which includes nuts like walnuts, can help people achieve and maintain well-being and reduce the risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease.²

Three decades of studies have demonstrated that walnuts can support cardiovascular health. Their nutritional profile makes them a delicious and convenient option for supporting heart health. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved walnuts as one of the first qualified health claims for a whole food 20 years ago and the world-renowned Mayo Clinic also supports walnuts as a heart health-supporting food, confirming that eating nuts, particularly walnuts, is beneficial for your heart.³ Research suggests that regularly eating a healthy diet that includes nuts may reduce the risk of early death due to heart disease.

Why are walnuts good for your heart, and how should you incorporate them into your diet? Here are some fast walnut facts from California Walnuts, including more reasons to eat a handful of walnuts every day and ways to make it easier to do so.

• Since 1993, published research has been investigating how eating walnuts affects various heart health markers such as LDL (“bad”) and HDL (“good”) cholesterol, blood pressure, inflammation and plaque formation.
• The American Heart Association certifies California Walnuts with their Heart-Check mark⁴ — a distinction that easily identifies foods that meet the nutritional standards set by the American Heart Association.
  
• One ounce of walnuts includes important nutrients for optimal health including 4 grams of protein, 2 grams of fiber, 18g of total fat, 2.5g of monounsaturated fat and 13g of polyunsaturated fat including 2.5g of alpha-linolenic acid. Walnuts are the only nut with an excellent source of the plant-based omega-3 ALA, an essential fatty acid that may play a role in heart health.^5,6
  
• Walnuts are versatile, making a great grab-and-go snack or delicious addition to a meal.
• Here’s an easy way to estimate how much is the right daily serving of walnuts: Grab a handful (~1 oz.) and you’ve got it right.
• Keep walnuts in the fridge to keep them fresh. A great home for them is in a sealed container in your deli drawer.

To inspire you to include walnuts in your next meal, here’s a delicious side dish that has earned the American Heart Association’s Heart-Check mark for meeting their criteria for a heart-healthy recipe. It’s a perfect example of how walnuts can elevate the taste and nutritional value of your meals.

Roasted Vegetables with Walnuts, Basil and Balsamic Vinaigrette

Brighten up your dinner table and help your heart with this colorful dish!

Ingredients

• 1/2 small red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/2 small orange bell pepper, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/4 medium red onion, cut into 1-inch cubes, separated
• 4 ounces baby Portobello mushrooms, halved
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 3/4 cup sugar snap peas
• 1 small zucchini, sliced into 1/4-inch thick slices
• 1 small yellow summer squash, sliced into 1/4-inch thick slices
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, snipped (may substitute 1 teaspoon dried basil, added with olive oil)
• 1/2 cup California walnuts, coarsely chopped

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Place peppers, onion and mushrooms in a large bowl and toss with olive oil and salt (and dried basil, if using). Place in a single layer on a large baking sheet, making sure not to crowd the vegetables. Bake for 10 minutes.
2. Add snap peas, zucchini, yellow squash and garlic, stir slightly. Top with walnuts and cook for 5 to 10 minutes more or until all vegetables are crisp-tender and walnuts are toasted.
3. Drizzle with balsamic and toss well. Sprinkle with fresh basil and serve!

For more information, or to find more delicious recipes, visit walnuts.org/american-heart-month.

References:

1. Tsao, C. et al. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2023 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2023;147:e93–e621. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001123

2. U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. 9th Edition. December 2020. Available at DietaryGuidelines.gov.

3. One ounce of walnuts provides 18g of total fat, 2.5g of monounsaturated fat, 13 g of polyunsaturated fat, including 2.5 grams of alpha linolenic acid, the plant based omega-3; 2g of fiber; 4g of protein. Supportive but not conclusive research shows that eating 1.5 ounces per day of walnuts, as part of a low saturated fat and low cholesterol diet and not resulting in increased caloric intake, may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

4. California walnuts are certified by the American Heart Association per one ounce serving. Heart-Check Certification does not apply to scientific research by an organization other than the American Heart Association, unless expressly stated.

5. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. Fdc.nal.usda.gov.

6. Sala-Vila A, Fleming J, Kris-Etherton P, Ros E. Impact of α-Linolenic Acid, the Vegetable ω-3 Fatty Acid, on Cardiovascular Disease and Cognition. Adv Nutr. 2022 Oct 2;13(5):1584-1602. doi: 10.1093/advances/nmac016. PMID: 35170723; PMCID: PMC9526859.

2024-03-01T10:31:00

(BPT) – Women veterans are dying by suicide at an alarming rate. Between 2020 and 2021, suicide rates among women veterans jumped 24.1%; that’s nearly four times higher than the increase among male veterans and vastly higher than that among non-veteran women, according to a new report released by DAV (Disabled American Veterans).

While there are many factors that contribute to the rise in suicide rates among women veterans, one consistent cause is military sexual trauma (MST), which includes sexual assault or sexual harassment at any point during military service. Among veterans enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), 1 in 3 women report experiencing MST.

Ginger MacCutcheon, a veteran of the Women’s Army Corps, survived several violent sexual assaults while in service. She kept what happened to herself for decades, through abusive relationships, periods of suicidal ideation, and even two suicide attempts. Then one day during a volunteer event, something triggered post-traumatic stress symptoms for MacCutcheon, and a fellow veteran took notice.

“He actually took me and signed me up for VA health care, and that was the first time I got any help,” she said. “I was grateful how the VA ‘rallied’ around me and got me into counseling, but if I had just gotten treatment earlier in my life it could have saved me from years of self-destruction and misery.”

DAV’s new report, Women Veterans: The Journey to Mental Wellness, takes a deep dive into the unique factors that have contributed to a surge in suicide rates among women veterans and offers informed recommendations to fill mental health care gaps that still exist.

“Women veterans face many unique challenges that when combined with their service, puts them at greater risk for suicide. That’s why it’s imperative that the VA, Congress and advocates turn their focus to creating a tailored, thoughtful approach to filling the gaps in mental health care for this population,” explained DAV National Legislative Director Joy Ilem.

Navy veteran Jennifer Alvarado suffered years of intimate partner violence and repeat military sexual trauma before she sought help. “I felt lost in a lot of ways, and I had to dig myself out of a very dark place while I was trying to be an exceptional sailor and wear my uniform with pride,” she said. “It was almost like I was living a double life.”

According to the VA, nearly 1 in 5 women veterans using VA care reported experiencing intimate partner violence in the past year.

When Alvarado turned to her leadership for help with the violence she was experiencing at home, she said she was met with sexual harassment at work. “I felt shame to begin with, but I felt even more shame when I reached out for help,” she said. By the time she left the Navy, Alvarado said her life was chaotic and unstable. At times, she found solace in drinking and, during one phase in her life, she considered suicide.

For many women veterans, sexual harassment and assault, in combination with stress from military service and other factors, can push them to a breaking point.

Alvarado’s hope is that no veteran experiences what she did. She said the VA must regain the trust of women veterans and make sure they know what resources are available to them. “Women veterans need to feel confident that they are going to get the care that they need and deserve.”

For more information and free assistance with VA healthcare and support services, visit dav.org.

2024-03-01T16:01:01

(BPT) – Do you love to get out in the world and visit new places, but often find yourself feeling uncomfortable while you’re en route to your destinations due to nausea? Unfortunately, many conditions — whether internal or external — can lead to unpleasant feelings of nausea, the most common being motion sickness.

Whether you’re flying, driving, on a train, a bus or a cruise ship, any kind of motion can leave you or other members of your family feeling queasy and unhappy. In addition, nausea can also be caused — or made worse — by many kinds of medications you may be taking, or may be due to migraines, morning sickness, hangovers or even stress and anxiety before and during your travels.

But whatever the causes may be, those feelings of nausea can put a real damper on your long-awaited trip, spoiling the journey you were anticipating with such excitement and enthusiasm.

The solution: A non-medication form of nausea relief

Although there are a number of medications available on the market that claim to target nausea, you may find that some of them can also cause other side effects that could make you feel worse.

If you’d prefer to find an effective non-medication solution to help you prevent nausea while you’re traveling, you may want to try specially designed wrist bands from Sea-Band Nausea Relief, which stimulate an exact acupressure point on your wrist by a plastic stud attached to the inside of the band.

This specific acupressure point in the wrist is called the P6 (or Nei Guan in Chinese medicine), and it can help relieve your nausea and upset stomach when pressure is applied. All you have to do is adjust the soft and comfortable wrist band to fit snugly on your wrist to help relieve feelings of nausea within minutes.

New product that’s suitable for any size wrist

If you worry that these bands won’t fit your wrists, or you’ve already tried them and they felt too snug for optimal comfort, Sea-Band has created a new size to help expand their use for everybody: XL Adult Sea-Bands. This new size is suitable for wrists with a circumference of 8 inches or more. Each pack contains one pair of XL acupressure wrist bands, one to be worn on each wrist, that can also stretch more to provide even more comfort.

You can learn more about them and order a couple of pairs online just in time for your next vacation at Sea-Band.com.

To Antarctica — and beyond

The top travel media brand Travel + Leisure has recently named Sea-Band as the “Best Non-medicated Seasickness Prevention” to stash in your luggage for The Ultimate Antarctica Packing List. So if you’re planning a trip to Antarctica — or anywhere else, for that matter — be sure to pack along some Sea-Band wrist bands of whichever size suits you best to help you enjoy every trip you take, nausea-free.

Planning a family or group adventure? You can purchase a couple of bundles that are available from their website only, such as their Family Pack or Large Family Pack, which provides you with both Adult and Kids wrist bands, along with Ginger Capsules and Ginger Gum to further help with relieving symptoms of nausea while you’re on the road, at sea or in the air. Bon voyage!

2024-02-29T09:01:00

(BPT) – The cybersecurity field is booming. According to the Cybersecurity Infrastructure and Security Agency’s (CISA) National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies, there are over 570,000 open cybersecurity positions in the U.S. alone. With open positions increasing by 35% in the last year, there is a growing need for experts in the field. However, a significant portion of the country’s workforce may be left out.

Despite making up nearly half of the nation’s workforce, women only hold 26% of the cyber workforce. According to CIO Magazine, women of color are at an even greater disadvantage, with only 3% of computing-related jobs filled by African American women, 7% by Asian women and 2% by Hispanic women.

What’s holding women back from entering the cybersecurity field? According to a recent survey sponsored by DeVry University, women in all industries face persistent barriers to upskilling. If women, particularly in technology, lack chances to acquire new skills, they will face challenges in enhancing their performance in their present roles or advancing their careers.

Women face persistent upskilling barriers

Upskilling is crucial to future-proofing careers in an economy shaped by swift, continuous technological change, and many companies have taken note. According to the survey, nearly 80% of employers offer company-paid upskilling benefits.

However, the availability of resources does not necessarily ensure that they are accessible to everyone. The majority, 55% of the women surveyed, said upskilling is essential for their future career development. But only a meager 37% of surveyed women say they have used company-paid upskilling compared to 56% of men.

Gender seems to have a significant impact on access to upskilling resources, with 73% of men having access compared to only 56% of women. In terms of barriers, a lack of time (41%) and family obligations (35%) present the largest obstacles for women in their pursuit of upskilling. Concerningly, this lack of access to upskilling leaves women twice as likely to leave their jobs compared to men.

Who should and how can they address these inequalities and create opportunities for women in the tech industry?

“Our nation’s colleges, universities and nonprofits must create shorter, more agile processes of education and training to solve the critical workforce shortage,” said Lynn Dohm, Executive Director at Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS). “However, higher education institutions are not alone in this effort. Corporate organizations must develop new work-and-learn models to train people on the job and embrace hiring approaches that rely less on traditional credentials and more on job-specific skills and career experiences.”

Building a brighter, equitable and diverse future

DeVry is leaning in to help address and close the gender gap in the tech industry through its Women+Tech Scholars Program. Designed to combine curriculum, DeVry’s Formula of CARE and partnerships with WiCyS and other industry organizations, the program aims to attract and retain women in tech roles.

The program offers various access to tools and resources to help women take the first step in pursuing a tech career, including mentorship, industry-related internships, job opportunities, basic CompTIA industry association membership and professional certification reimbursement assistance.

“We believe in the value that women can bring to industries that require digital talent, and financial hurdles should be the last thing to stand in their way, said Scarlett Howery, vice president of Public Workforce Solutions at DeVry. “That’s why we’re committed to helping women launch their careers in tech, providing support that’s specially designed for them.”

The Women+Tech Scholars program isn’t the only way the university is providing access and support to women in tech. DeVry also offers the Future Cyber Defenders Scholars Program, which provides DeVry and Keller students with the resources and support to succeed as cybersecurity professionals. These programs not only offer continuous pathways for women in tech today but could serve as an inspiration for other programs around the country to help build a brighter, equitable and diverse future for the tech industry.

The Women+Tech Scholars Program is open to new students who identify as female and enroll in technology programs at DeVry. To learn more about this and other programs, visit DeVry.edu.

2024-02-28T11:23:00

(BPT) – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is known for its 14 unique communities and over 60 miles of beaches that have delighted travelers of all ages for generations. This year, the Grand Strand is premiering a host of all-new activities, experiences and culinary delights. Whether you’ve never visited The Beach before or it’s your family’s favorite getaway, you’ll find an array of new and exciting experiences in 2024. Check out this curated list of 11 new additions hitting Myrtle Beach this year.

1. Myrtle Beach Classic

Golf fans rejoice! The inaugural Myrtle Beach Classic (May 9-12, 2024) will be the first PGA Tour event in The Beach’s history and the first major professional golf tournament to hit the Grand Strand in the past 24 years. The event will take place at the Dunes Golf & Beach Club, a championship golf course and premier country club with a scenic view of the Atlantic Ocean.

2. Carolina Country Music Festival

Are you ready to put on your cowboy boots and party? The Carolina Country Music Festival returns to Myrtle Beach June 6-9, 2024. The three-day outdoor country music festival will feature over 40 of the hottest country music artists, including Carrie Underwood and Morgan Wallen.

3. PopStroke

If you’re looking for family-friendly golfing, then look no further than PopStroke. In partnership with Tiger Woods, the golf and dining experience will open March 2024 at Broadway at the Beach, a popular shopping and entertainment complex. Whether you’re a novice or expert, the two 18-hole putting course will challenge you with its fairways, bunkers and rough. Don’t forget to check out the full-service restaurant where you can enjoy creative twists on your favorite meals.

4. Myrtle Waves Water Park

Myrtle Waves Water Park — South Carolina’s largest water park — has delighted locals and visitors alike with more than 20 waterslides, a wave pool and lazy river. This year, the park has added a “Wild Water Racer” mat slide. This exhilarating ride will allow up to four people to lie on a mat and slide down headfirst. The water park will also expand its cabana and shaded seating area so you can relax in style.

5. Coffee & Cream Cabana

Coffee & Cream Cabana is the newest addition to Heidi’s Corner, the latest dining experience by award-winning chef Heidi Vukov. The ice cream shop offers 16 hand-crafted seasonal flavors of ice cream, homemade waffle cones, cookie ice cream sandwiches and ice cream cakes, as well as specialty coffees, light fare foods and treats. There’s a sweet treat for everyone in the family to enjoy!

6. Greg Rowles Legacy Theater

Prepare to be captivated by local performer Greg Rowles and family at the Greg Rowles Legacy Theatre, opening this spring. Spend an evening taking in diverse and captivating performances from world-class singers and musicians in a unique setting unlike anything on the Grand Strand.

7. Swig & Swine

Beloved barbecue restaurant Swig & Swine will open its fifth location in Myrtle Beach’s Arts and Innovation District, its first venture outside of Charleston. Offering award-winning barbecue and a diverse selection of craft beer, you’ll be glad to stop in for a bite and brew after an afternoon exploring downtown.

8. The Tasting Room on 9th

This spring, the Arts and Innovation District will welcome its first official wine bar, The Tasting Room on 9th. With a thoughtfully curated wine program, this inclusive, community-centered space offers a wide variety of wines and innovative food pairings. From wine novices to experienced connoisseurs, this welcoming establishment is the perfect place to try something new.

9. DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront

The DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront has undergone a $30 million renovation that will welcome visitors to an all-new lodging experience this spring. The hotel covers 27 acres at the southern end of Ocean Boulevard and is right next door to Myrtle Beach State Park. The renovations include the transformation of the former North Tower into a Tapestry Resort by Hilton that will offer luxurious waterfront amenities.

10. Holiday Inn Club Vacations Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort

Opening in April 2024, the Holiday Inn Club Vacations Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort is a brand-new 11-acre resort along the Grand Strand. The property features 152 one-to-four-bedroom villas, each with ocean-view patios, perfect for groups of all sizes planning a beach getaway.

11. Fly to The Beach fast

With more than 50 nonstop destinations, Myrtle Beach International Airport makes planning a trip to The Beach easy. This year, Breeze Airways will also begin nonstop flights to Myrtle Beach from Providence (RI), Charleston (WV), Tampa (FL) and Hartford (CT).

These are just a few of the many exciting new vacation experiences you can enjoy at The Beach. For more information on what’s new in Myrtle Beach and to plan your next trip, head to www.VisitMyrtleBeach.com.

2024-02-28T09:01:01

(BPT) – As a pet parent, you may often find yourself thinking about ways to enjoy spending quality time with your pets, while also ensuring that they’re enjoying their home even when you can’t be with them. Whether your household is a quiet sanctuary or a bustling hive of constant activity — or a little bit of both — it’s good to take steps to ensure that your feline family members are safe and comfortable.

Here are some tips to help you be proactive when it comes to caring for your cats and their health.

1. Understand litterbox habits

Your cat’s litter box habits can provide important insight into their overall wellness. However, inspecting a litter box is not a cheery chore. Fortunately, this is the golden age of pet tech, and keeping an eye on your cat’s litter box habits is now as simple as opening an app.

Solutions like the Petivity™ Smart Litter Box Monitor System help pet parents better understand their cat’s health by monitoring their litter box habits. Developed by a team of Purina behaviorists, veterinarians and data scientists, the system’s artificial intelligence is able to learn each cat’s unique litter box patterns and identify subtle changes that can potentially have big implications. Even small fluctuations in weight, frequency in litter box visits and the types of elimination can be early signs of a health concern that requires a veterinary diagnosis.

Like with all good smart tech, setup is simple. Monitors are placed under a litter box to track each cat’s data and habits. Then, if anything requires the owner’s attention, an alert is sent automatically to their phone. It’s a slick process and an easy way to better understand and monitor your cat’s litter box habits all year round.

2. Be aware of common cat toxins

Cats are curious creatures, and this unfortunately means that they can sometimes get into things that aren’t good for them. It’s a good idea to read up on common household items such as plants that could be poisonous to cats if ingested.

Some potential toxic temptations, like chocolate, are already well known. But there are also a variety of plants and flowers you should be aware of. For example, lilies, amaryllis and azaleas are popular flowers that are toxic to cats who can be tempted to chew on them. When possible, keep food and plants, plus medications or vitamins, up high or away where cats can’t reach them to avoid ingesting anything that may potentially harm them.

While the Petivity™ Smart Litter Box Monitor System can help provide meaningful insights about their well-being, you should always contact your veterinarian if you believe your cat may have eaten anything that could be toxic to them.

3. Keep an eye on your cat’s behavior

Another healthy step pet parents can take is to monitor stress. Whenever you’re hosting friends and family, consider creating a quiet room where cats can retreat away from guests. This gives them a safe space to use as needed so they can rest, relax and recharge.

Keep in mind that stress alone can potentially cause digestive issues for cats and can lead to changes in litter box habits and elimination patterns, both of which the Petivity™ Smart Litter Box Monitor System can help detect. If the duration and frequency of litter box visits change, it’s a solid sign that kitty could use some calm. In addition to quiet spaces, some love from their favorite human — you — is often welcome when cats feel anxious.

Share the gift of knowledge

Is there a cat lover in your life who could benefit from the opportunity to be proactive about their health? If so, you can let them know how smart tech like the Petivity™ Smart Litter Box Monitor System can monitor their cat’s litter box habits.

2024-02-28T10:35:43

(BPT) – Spring is just around the corner! As you make your list of spring cleaning chores, don’t forget to add lawn care to the to-do list.

“The key to a healthy, robust lawn is preparation. Don’t wait until the weather warms up! Early spring is a great time to revive and revitalize your lawn so you can enjoy it the rest of the year,” says Matthew Koch, Ph.D., director of biotechnology, genetics, lawn fertilizer, and grass seed at The ScottsMiracle-Gro Company.

To help fellow lawn-owners, Dr. Koch and Scotts, a leader in lawn care, offer the following three expert lawn care tips to grow lush and healthy natural turfgrass throughout the season and beyond.

1. Feed and seed

After a long, sleepy winter, your lawn needs some help waking up. Dr. Koch recommends feeding your lawn, so it knows it’s time to grow. Try a feed like Scotts Turf Builder Triple Action Built For Seeding. The formula prevents dandelion and crabgrass for up to 6 weeks without harming new grass, jumpstarts grass development, and feeds to protect against heat and drought.

Once your lawn is fed, it’s time to seed! Look for small areas of grass that aren’t growing and patch them with Scotts EZ Seed Patch & Repair Sun and Shade. The grass seed easily fills in bare spots on your lawn, even in tough conditions, including full sun, dense shade, high-traffic areas and on slopes. With a little TLC, your lawn will flourish in no time!

2. Prevent disease

As the spring months continue on, increased humidity and moisture create the perfect conditions for lawn disease to thrive. Look for brown or yellow patches, brown or black spots on the grass blades (leaf spots), white dust (powdery mildew) and red or pink webbing (red thread).

Even if you don’t see signs of disease, Dr. Koch emphasizes the importance of taking steps to prevent disease before it takes hold, and mid to late spring is the ideal time to take preventative measures. Scotts Turf Builder Healthy Plus Lawn Food is the first ever 2-in-1 fungicide and fertilizer that uses broad-spectrum and systemic fungicides to help prevent and control 27 types of lawn diseases. Best of all, the fertilizer helps your lawn grow thicker and greener by strengthening each blade of grass down to the roots.

3. Mow high

As your lawn comes in, don’t cut it too short. When the grass grows tall enough, begin mowing at the highest setting. Mowing high allows grass to grow strong roots and thick blades, providing shade that can prevent weed growth.

Early lawn care will set up your grass for success this spring and beyond. Follow these three simple tips, and your grass will flourish so you can enjoy the stunning landscape around your home ahead of summertime festivities.

2024-02-27T16:41:57

(BPT) – The world of online commerce has provided more options for businesses and consumers. For the automotive aftermarket industry, it has allowed retailers to source tires, parts, and services that would have been impossible — or at least incredibly difficult — to find in the past.

However, to find all the products and services needed to run their business, technicians must surf the web one platform at a time. Between remembering and inputting multiple logins, keeping track of order forms from multiple sources, and spending time browsing, retailers lose valuable time they could spend servicing customers.

At the end of the day, the automotive aftermarket industry needs to embrace innovation to boost sales, drive growth, and improve customer relations. One company has taken on the challenge and created a comprehensive digital marketplace that connects the industry and ultimately connects retailers to their consumers.

One platform for all

American Tire Distributors (ATD), one of the largest independent suppliers of tires to the replacement tire market, has created Radius, a digital hub that integrates tires, parts, services, and solutions into one connected experience. The platform is built on ATD’s customer-centric principles, taking the guesswork out of parts and service searching to focus on what really matters.

“This new digital marketplace, Radius, was designed to support our customers through every step of their journey,” said Stuart Schuette, President and CEO of ATD. “We heard firsthand about the challenges they face every day, and Radius is our solution to help make it easier for them to do their job.”

Radius’ suite of digital tools seamlessly integrates into business operations and offers a scalable and customizable experience, providing retailers big and small with what they need to serve their customers. By automating customer marketing and communications — including personalized messaging campaigns, appointment reminders, and customer reviews — retailers can focus on growing their businesses.

Free time for learning

Radius simplifies the day-to-day operations, allowing technicians more time to grow their knowledge and better serve their customers. Many industries, including the automotive market, are struggling to find quality staff.

According to Tire Business, between new auto tech positions created by industry growth and the need to replace existing positions, the industry needs more than 86,000 new technicians to meet demand. Even if a dealer can find technicians, it can be difficult to find time to properly onboard new team members, potentially having a negative impact on customer retention.

ATD designed Radius to make technician upskilling and retention easier. The online platform incorporates Spark for retail, an e-learning resource that shop owners, sales associates, and technicians can use to further their professional development. Integrated webinars, videos, and quizzes facilitate more streamlined onboarding and improve customer service skills. Not only does e-learning help new technicians skill up, but it also allows operators to keep their eyes on their trade.

Sustaining business and the planet

Waste has long been a pain point for the automotive industry. According to ATD, 235 million tires are produced every year and today, 17% of used tires are sent to landfills. While that is an improvement compared to previous decades, that number adds up.

Sustainability in business is more important than ever before. According to Harvard Business Review, sustainability promotes trust in brands, particularly among younger generations. In turn, trusted companies outperform others by up to 400%. Taking care to recycle products like tires isn’t just good for the planet. It’s also good for business.

Since 2022, ATD has helped retailers invest in sustainability by helping them recycle used tires. The process has been further simplified by Radius. The platform makes it easy to schedule pickup and recycle tires, which are delivered to recyclers to create new material down the line.

These are just a few ways Radius is connecting the industry while always keeping customers top of mind. To learn more about ATD and Radius, visit ATD.com/Radius.

2024-02-27T13:11:01

(BPT) – On Jan. 10, 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved several exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that invest directly in Bitcoin, paving the way for “the largest debut month of any ETF in 30 years” when they opened for trading the very next day, according to Cointelegraph.com. Reuters reported that U.S.-listed bitcoin ETFs Grayscale, BlackRock and Fidelity led the field in heavy trading volumes of Bitcoin ETFs as soon as the market opened on Jan. 11.

This evidence of a surge of interest in Bitcoin, while many financial professionals still regard it as involving significant risk, shows no signs of slowing down, at least in the near future.

A platform that makes it easy to use cryptocurrency

If your business is interested in having the ability to use Bitcoin, you might think that doing so would be overly complicated.

But today, Bitcoin is becoming more usable, thanks to software-as-a-service (SaaS) style products like those from industry-leading Bitcoin-development platform Voltage. Voltage allows businesses to provide customers with a technological solution designed to make Bitcoin transactions seamless via the Lightning Network, which helps speed transaction times and decreases network congestion.

Voltage empowers engineering teams with Bitcoin-centric infrastructure that enables enterprise-grade experiences. By leveraging Voltage, your company will receive the fastest and most scalable Lightning Network solution that meets the highest security and privacy standards.

Upgraded features

Voltage has recently revamped several of its processes and services to meet all of its customers’ needs and requests. Top updates include features such as:

• Streamlined dashboard combines the ability to manage your node and view your data in one dashboard, making it more straightforward to see everything happening with your account.
• Team collaboration features allow you to add users to your team, granting them specific types of access.
• Simplified pricing options make it easier to pay only for those services you need and to scale and adapt your plan as your needs grow. The Voltage billing platform now conforms closer to a standard SaaS product, so all users can select a plan based on their usage and required features.

“Based on the recent upsurge in trading in Bitcoin ETFs alone, we anticipate a significant increase in network participants for Bitcoin on-chain and the Lightning Network in 2024,” said Voltage Founder and CEO Graham Krizek. “To meet this influx, we constantly strive to provide the best possible experience and rock-solid platform on the market today.”

Experiencing the next generation of building on Bitcoin via the Lightning Network is now easier than ever. Voltage is a one-stop shop for your organization’s Bitcoin payments, data, and analytics needs during rapid technological changes and market shifts. Learn how at Voltage.cloud.