Sunshine Slate

Expected to reach a global market value of over 800 billion dollars in the next five years, the beauty industry is booming. That enormous success doesn’t come without consequence though, as the beauty industry is one of the leading culprits in utilizing single-use or Virgin/non-recycled plastics in packaging due to low production costs.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Plastic-free Cosmetics ♻️ (@crittercosmetics) Every minute, the amount of plastic equivalent to the size of a garbage truck’s load is dumped into our oceans, resulting in an annual build-up of 350 million tons of plastic, 50% of which comes from single-use products alone . Our obsession with mass consumerism is not only destroying our oceans, killing thousands of land and sea animals who mistake plastic as food, it’s creating an uninhabitable planet for generations to come. It’s time for consumers and businesses to start taking action and recognizing th...

The Big Show, a thoughtful radio show on current events featuring Rusty Silber and Ron Grace on WRLR-FM 98.3 in Lake County, IL, had historian William S. Bike, author of the book Winning Political Campaigns, on May 24 to talk about President Joe Biden’s first 100 days. FDR Set The Pace In a wide-ranging historical discussion, Bike talked about how the president’s first hundred days was never an issue before President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who passed 76 laws in that period, many of which are still in force today. “While Biden has passed only seven, putting him on a par with President George W. Bush rather than FDR, he has nonetheless made significant achievements in that time period, particularly in the fight against coronavirus ( COVID-19 ),” Bike noted. A total of 235 million vaccine doses have been administered in the U.S., 219 million of those under Biden. The three also talked about how repeal of the Glass-Steagall Banking Act, which kept banks from speculating in the s...

As the nation observes Memorial Day , advocates for military families and veterans said many are going hungry. A report by the hunger-fighting group Mazon found food pantries operate on or near almost every military base in the country. The House Rules Committee recently held a roundtable highlighting persistent food insecurity in the military and among veterans. Lisa Lieberman, director of communications for Mazon, said service members typically do not call attention to their situation because of shame, stigma, and even fear of retribution. “So we don’t have the exact numbers unfortunately,” Lieberman explained. “But we know that there is increased need and that there has been for many years.” She added legislation such as the bipartisan Military Hunger Prevention Act ( Senate Bill 1488 and House Bill 2339 ), introduced by lawmakers earlier this year, would create a basic-needs allowance to help low-income military families put food on the table. Lieberman observed spousal u...

At the height of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, Americans hit the road, with the U.S. Forest Service reporting an increase of 19 million visitors last summer over 2019 numbers. Maureen Brooks, wildfire prevention program manager for the U.S. Forest Service, expects an equal number of people will want to get out and enjoy public lands this year. She said a list of tips has been created for those planning summer vacations in the forest. “It’s important for folks this year, as they’re planning their summer vacations, to plan ahead,” Brooks urged. “‘Know Before You Go’ is something we like to mention to people. Have some alternative plans should there be some closures or restrictions.” Brooks pointed to recommended tips and resources for a safe summer experience at beoutdoorsafe.org . In 2020, the Western United States experienced a series of major wildfires, and Brooks was especially concerned visitors to public lands practice fire safety. Due to severe drought, New Mexico’s fir...

With 2021 set to be the year of the BBQ, the MEATER Plus smart wireless meat thermometer will ensure meat is succulent, safe to eat and perfectly cooked each and every time. Is your Dad a cooking fanatic or a pro at all things BBQ? Does he use lingo like ‘reverse seared’ and ‘sous vide’? Maybe he simply likes to dabble in a traditional recipe now and again? Whichever it is, the MEATER Plus could be the perfect gift this Father’s Day. The MEATER Plus is a helping high-tech hand to ensure open-air culinary endeavours and indoor cooks end in juicy, tender, mouth-watering results. The MEATER Plus wireless meat thermometer takes all the guess work out of cooking meat and fish to absolute perfection. It’s simple to setup and simple to use – even non-techy dads will find using it a breeze. The MEATER Plus provides a smart guided cook system which will ensure satisfying, safe-to eat results, each and every time, and can be used with a large selection of meats and fish, from chicken and rib...

Here are some information about seven projects and promotions that could help generate tremendous new advertising revenues for newspapers and multimedia companies. The proposals were developed by Robert Barrows , President of an advertising agency called R.M. Barrows Advertising and Public Relations in San Mateo, California. Here is a brief summary and description of these projects and promotions: 1) An Advertising Giveaway promotion that could be set up to begin immediately… This is a proposal for an advertising giveaway promotion that would be set up in a very special way that could help generate a tremendous amount of new business very quickly. 2) A proposal for a new kind of Nature and Home type section that could also be set up to begin immediately… 3) A proposal for an online Halloween Promotion that would be set up in a very special way…and it could begin as early as mid-September… This is a proposal for a very special kind of Halloween promotion that would be set up onl...

Hannah Y Kim, a Korean American woman with a mission to honor Korean War veterans, has unveiled a website that features photos of almost 180 Korean War Memorials she has personally visited, traveling 132,1000 miles across 6 continents in 30 countries that participated in the Korean War (1950-1953), as well as all 50 states in the United States plus 4 U.S. Territories of Puerto Rico , U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and the American Samoa. The online portal presents 400 videos with stories of nearly 1,200 veterans she has met altogether in her journeys, including her 90-day tour across America in 2018. The U.S. content includes more than 1,000 photos of nearly 100 memorials Kim visited, with a video of her interviewing local veterans and supporters at each site. “Each state lost precious sons, husbands and fathers in the Korean War. May we all remember and honor those who died fighting for our freedoms,” said Kim. “I hope we can observe Memorial Day by visiting a nearby memorial, albeit ...

Master business development strategist N. D. “ Indy ” Brennan released the highly anticipated Top 51 Business Hacks For 2021 on May 23, 2020.  The book is available in paperback and as an eBook on all Amazon distribution channels and on the author’s website . The book is written in a style designed to appeal to business professionals and entrepreneurs from the Fortune 100 level to small and midsize companies. “ Hacks ” is a popular expression used by many professionals today when referencing tips or new techniques for branding, marketing, gaining new clients, or simply running your company.  The Top 51 Business Hacks For 2021 was taken directly from recommendations and conversations between the author and entrepreneurs and business professionals.  It is written in a style that is easy to read and highly suggestive. United States bankruptcy courts reported nearly 500 companies filed bankruptcy between January and September 2020.  This report was limited to pub...

If you drive a car or pickup to get around in Arizona , odds are you eventually will have to deal with it being involuntarily towed. Experts say while it’s not the end of the world, a little knowledge of Arizona laws and regulations can make getting your car back a lot easier. A new report from the Arizona Public Interest Research Group Education Fund highlighted towing protections the group believes should be available to consumers in every state. Teresa Murray, consumer watchdog for the Fund, helped prepare the report, and said having your car towed can leave you feeling stranded and confused, so it’s important to know your rights. “If you park someplace improperly, or you park for too long, you may face towing,” Murray explained. “And we’re not saying that you shouldn’t be towed. But everybody has the right to be treated with decency and not be subject to abusive behaviors that have been reported pretty much all across the country.” Murray stressed the bottom line is, if you a...

This spring, pollinator gardens are gaining popularity – but some well-meaning gardeners may not realize they could be harming the species they’re trying to protect. Plants sold at many retail nurseries to attract bees and butterflies actually contain pesticides that can kill or sterilize pollinators. Aimee Code, pesticide program director at the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation urged consumers to ask questions before they buy. “To make sure that we’re doing the right thing for those pollinators,” said Code, “it’s worth going to your nursery and asking them, ‘Are you using neonicotinoids on these plants? Do you talk to your supplier about their practices to protect bees?'” You can find a tip sheet with other questions to ask on the Xerces Society website. They also have a guide for nurseries on how to repel pests without using harmful pesticides. A 2019 study from the University of New Hampshire found 14 bee species native to the Northeast are in decline, incl...

Today is World Hunger Day, and as the U.S. recovers from the pandemic, food banks in places like Connecticut say there’s greater awareness now of the prevalence of food-insecurity – although it was an issue long before COVID-19. 2019 data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture show Connecticut’s rate of food insecurity, at 13%, was already higher than the national average of 10.5%. But in the last 15 months, the number of people served by Foodshare and Connecticut Food Bank has boomed, according to President and CEO Jason Jakubowski. “What I hope people take away is that it can affect anybody,” said Jakubowski. “And I think that’s one thing that we’ve definitely seen during this pandemic. There’s a lot of people who came through our lines, who said, ‘I never in a million years thought I would have to utilize this service.'” He estimated food insecurity has risen about 32% in Connecticut during the pandemic. A projection for this year from the nonprofit Feeding America puts...

As more folks are vaccinated and reopening continues, mental-health experts say it’s important to acknowledge and treat the trauma many children and teens experienced during the pandemic. Kids were concerned about a deadly, contagious disease during a time of political turmoil, and were separated from friends or family without the stabilizing influence of schools, said Bob Sheehan – CEO of the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan . He said 34% of Michigan children reported feeling anxious for seven days in a row during October 2020, and 22% reported feeling depressed . That’s a 50% increase from the previous year. “It’s not surprising,” said Sheehan. “They’re responding appropriately. That’s a rational response, to be anxious and depressed. The impact of these crises will last for years, and the way to make sure we address that is to be attentive to it, and provide services and supports throughout the years that come.” The entire nation has seen a rise in childhood tr...

The pandemic may have long-term consequences on women’s ability to earn degrees and make inroads in the workforce, and higher-education leaders across the state say schools should be coming up with better ways to help women achieve their goals. Western Governors University Regional Vice President Alison Bell said she works frequently with women who want to increase their skill sets so they can get better jobs – but the pandemic forced many to abandon their studies to care for children or other relatives. “Prior to the pandemic women spent four hours each day on unpaid work, on average,” said Bell. “And now, it’s increased to 15 or more hours each week of unpaid work.” According to the Indiana Institute for Working Families , about four in ten Hoosier women have experienced a loss of employment income in their household since March of last year. Bell added that higher-ed institutions across the state, especially community colleges and schools catering to a working population, shou...

Today, the American Freedom Law Center (AFLC) filed a federal civil rights class action lawsuit against President Biden , Twitter, and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, alleging that Twitter is censoring speech critical of the administration’s COVID-19 vaccination policy on behalf of the Biden administration in violation of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution . The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona on behalf of the named plaintiff, Dr. Colleen Huber, a well-respected and licensed naturopathic medical doctor in Arizona.  After posting a “tweet” on her Twitter account from a well-known Israeli newspaper reporting on findings of mortality rates relating to the COVID-19 vaccinations used in Israel, Twitter permanently suspended Dr. Huber for purportedly violating Twitter’s COVID-19 Policy.  As the complaint alleges, Twitter is in reality enforcing the Biden administration’s policy to silence anyone critical of COVID-19 vaccinations. In ...

Digital Marketing has evolved from being a simple process of gaining exposure to become a very complex process. There is so much involved in implementing an effective Digital Marketing strategy. This type of marketing strategy helps you promote your business and brand at the same time. It can help you sell products and services at a lower cost, increase the visibility of your brand and website and create relationships with your target audience. A digital marketing strategy is typically implemented as a part of an overall internet marketing plan. What is Guest Blogging? Guest blogging is an example of digital marketing. Guest blogging is an approach in digital marketing where you post blog content or other content on sites other than your own. Guest blogging started as a means for two websites to gain mutually beneficial financial impacts of sharing content. Today, it has evolved into a very powerful method for building brand awareness and connecting with potential customers. When yo...

A lawyer in Fairfax had a sudden heart attack and was saved by a friend’s knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Next week is National CPR and Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) Awareness Week, and now he’s challenging folks to join a fundraiser to support research for these life-saving procedures. In 2016, John Harrity was a healthy, 49-year-old athlete who followed a strict diet and had no family history of heart disease. Playing in a weekly basketball game, he felt like he couldn’t breathe and suddenly fainted. Harrity had what he described as one of the worst types of cardiac arrest – a so-called “widow-maker.” “Luckily, that night my friend called 911 immediately, and within seconds of me hitting the ground, they were performing CPR – and that saved my life,” he said. “I mean, it is the reason that I am here today.” Harrity encouraged people to watch the American Heart Association’s Hands-Only CPR video to learn how to help in a heart-attack emergency. Another...

At 51%, women constitute a majority of the U.S. population, but when it comes to holding political office, they account for only 30% or less of those elected at both the highest levels of government and in their own communities. A first-of-its-kind study by the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University found women hold just over 30% of positions in mayoral offices, city councils or similar municipal bodies throughout the country. That’s slightly more than the 25% of all seats in the U.S. Congress. Claire Gothreau, research associate in the Center, said the numbers don’t reflect how women vote. “On the math level, in many respects, women actually participate more than men,” Gothreau explained. “They vote more than men. But yet that doesn’t really translate to women being represented in higher office.” Only incorporated cities and towns with populations of more than 10,000 were included in the research. The numbers are similar to those seen at the state leadersh...

World Hunger Day is Friday, and Minnesota -based groups say hunger has become an even greater problem during the pandemic, across the globe and in your own neighborhood. They say cutting food waste is an important part of helping everyone get access to a meal. Data from Hunger Solutions Minnesota show that last year, more than 3.8 million state residents visited a food shelf. Cathy Maes, of Loaves and Fishes , said its meal-distribution program has seen a lot more activity as well. She urged everyone to think twice about throwing away food from their kitchen that otherwise could go to someone in need. “Look down your street,” she said, “and see if there’s a neighbor that might need it, or could use it in a different way that you didn’t think of.” She was referring to food that’s still edible and safe to share. Maes said that even though the pandemic is easing and federal food aid continues, many households have empty cabinets. Non-perishable items also can be boxed up and donated....

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined that people two weeks out from receiving their last dose of the COVID-19 vaccine can interact with others without a mask on, and without social distancing. However, COVID-safe behavior will have to continue on public transit, even in states such as Florida that have ended mask mandates. Gov. Ron Desantis lifted the statewide mask mandate on May 3, but the Transportation Security Administration still requires masks at airports and onboard airplanes. Tampa International Airport communications manager Danny Valentine said the airport has workers who enforce the measure. “If they see someone without a mask on or wearing it improperly,” he said, “they can either ask them to pull up their mask over their nose, or they can offer to give them a mask if they don’t have one.” The CDC continues to advise that masks, when worn properly, are an effective way to prevent transmission of the virus, and that anyone older than 2 ye...

Being charged with any criminal offence is stressful and overwhelming, not for you or your family members too. Until proven innocent, there is so much mental, physical, social, and financial burden on everyone. A well experienced criminal lawyer will offer the right consultation charges. This is the opportunity for you to ask the most relevant questions about your case; this will also help you gauge if the criminal lawyer is the best for you. Experienced Criminal Lawyer Here is Some Basic But Important Question: What Is Your Experience in Handling Clients Who Are Charged with The Same Criminal Offence? An experienced criminal lawyer will have extensive experience, and they have dealt with many clients with the same criminal offence as yours. This is important because the lawyer is well-versed with all the offence regulations, which will also showcase his knowledge. This will save you money and time as this will give you confidence in the lawyer to handle your case. How Muc...

Even before the pandemic, seniors were experiencing increasing mental- and behavioral- health challenges, according to a new report. The annual report from the UnitedHealth Foundation showed between 2016 and 2019, there were increases in drug-related deaths, suicide and frequent mental stress among people 65 and older nationwide. Dr. Rhonda Randall, executive vice president and chief medical officer at UnitedHealthcare Employer and Individual, noted although the numbers varied geographically and there were disparities between racial and ethnic groups, the trends were further exacerbated by COVID-19 . “We saw a risk of social isolation continue to increase in this year’s report,” Randall reported. “We know that there is a significant correlation between social isolation and overall health and, in particular, behavioral health.” The data showed seniors in Florida saw a 28% increase in frequent physical distress in the three years before the pandemic. However, the state’s seniors a...

Pinpointing the cause of headaches is sometimes complicated. Focusing on where exactly your head hurts and the accompanying symptoms can help you and your doctor determine what type of migraine or headache you suffer from. There are different types of migraines and headaches. When you hear the term migraine, you may think of a severe headache. But did you know that a migraine is a neurological disease and there are a number of different subtypes of migraine? Complicated Migraine – Migraine with Aura About a quarter of people who experience migraines also experience aura. Aura sets in shortly before or during a migraine and can last anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes. Common Migraine – Migraine without Aura Diagnosing migraines without aura can be difficult because the symptoms are similar to several other types of migraines. Migraine without Head Pain A migraine without head pain is also called a silent or acephalgic migraine, this type of migraine can be very alarming. Hemipleg...

When it comes to house painting, it can be a very daunting job. You need to consider several factors in this regard, like making a list of areas that need painting work, listing down the paint color and type of paint, selecting the right man or the company for the job, decide your budget, and searching for the best painting solutions.  Out of these, choosing the right paint is a more tedious and confusing task, hence we have listed down different types of paints that you can choose from for your house painting. There are different types of paints available for interior and exterior house painting . You cannot use the paint for the exterior of the house which is designed for the interior, and you need to hire the best paint for your outdoor to make your walls weather resistant. These are further divided into water-based paints and oil-based paints. Here, you can find some paints for your interior and exterior: Exterior house paints There are only 2 types available for exterior ...