Charm and enthusiasm is how Sales Manager Marlys Wilcox greets her customers at Wilcox Jewelers, 130 W. Main St., Sullivan. When it comes to helping her customers choose the right diamond, Wilcox has a few easy steps to ensure just the right purchase.
(NewsUSA) - There are a few big purchases in life that you really don't want to mess up -- a first house, a health care plan, a new car, and especially, the engagement ring for your loved one.
(NewsUSA) - Getting engaged is a very personal and intimate experience for a couple. But for many guys, the purchase of the engagement ring can be a bit overwhelming. Color, clarity, cut, carat weight -; there's a lot to consider! But by understanding the basics of diamonds and keeping the future bride in mind, guys can find the process of selecting a ring much less daunting.
(NAPSI)—There’s good news for soccer players and their parents. A new type of goal is designed to make practice and competitive play safer.
(NAPSI)—It may come as a surprise to some, but the famous face that can encourage people to donate to charity more than any other is that of the First Lady.
(NAPSI)—Some American heroes can finally get the recognition they deserve.
(StatePoint) If you’re like most people, you have probably contemplated one of life’s greatest mysteries, what happens after death?
(NAPSI)—Good news for parents who wonder whether their children are getting a quality education, and if not, whether there is anything they can do about it. The experts at the Center for Education Reform, the leading voice in education reform issues in the U.S., have some suggestions about how parents can empower themselves to get the answers and results they deserve:
(NAPSI)—Any time of year can be the right time to take a fresh look at the contribution that volunteers make to an organization.
(NAPSI)—Many are surprised to find what a full life a veteran with a disability can lead.
(NewsUSA) - President Barack Obama's second inauguration, so serendipitously held on the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., wasn't just a transcendental moment for Americans. The day resonated for thousands, but for Nigerian noblewoman, economist, and banker, The Otunba Ayora, Bola Kuforiji-Olubi, it was magic, instructive -- a beautiful experience.
(NAPSI)—For many people born elsewhere, moving to the U.S. represents an opportunity for a new life. For young men, this opportunity comes with an obligation.
(NewsUSA) - Once or twice a year, oceanographer Amy Bower of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution puts on her sea legs and leads a research expedition to track ocean currents around the globe. In addition to a glittering array of highly technical moors, buoys, sensors, trackers and the like, Bower packs a digital audio player filled with books downloaded from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), the Library of Congress.
(NewsUSA) - It doesn't matter how you celebrate Father's Day, what matters is reminding Dads that they're appreciated, even admired.
When women choose to leave the workplace in order to stay at home and raise their young children, they make certain trade-offs. For example, they usually give up the chance to earn more money in exchange for the opportunity to spend more time with their children during their formative years.
(StatePoint) This year’s summer blockbuster season is shaping up to be a big one, full of some of the year’s most highly anticipated films.
(StatePoint) You may remember your parents telling you to turn off the television and go outside or read a book. But these days, it’s harder than ever to separate kids from media devices, especially as their options become more mobile.
(StatePoint) With summer travel season upon us, families across the country are taking to the open road for family road trips. But while the destination always leads to excitement, oftentimes the long car ride can be a drag.
SPONSORED CONTENT: Welcome to Little Rascals Preschool. They have been in the business of preparing little ones to have a bright future for 33 years.
(NAPSI)—There’s hopeful news for struggling writers. An annual contest is designed to encourage them and honor the best of their work. This year’s award ceremony was held at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles, California.
(StatePoint) For families, summertime is all about active fun -- from vacations to ballgames, and fireworks to poolside picnics. But being on-the-go can mean lots of downtime in transit and waiting for activities to start.
(NewsUSA) - This year marks the 150th anniversary of the turning point in the Civil War, the Battle of Gettysburg. As far as defining American moments go, it doesn't get much more iconic than that.
(NAPSI)—There’s good news for those who are tired of giving dad a new version of the same old tie for Father’s Day.
(BPT) - Imagine what it’s like to slowly lose your vision over time - until one day you no longer can read, see the faces of loved ones or participate in your favorite hobbies. While most people accept achy joints or muscle weakness as part of the aging process, eyesight is a critical factor in maintaining a high quality of life and independence.
(BPT) - Every day, about 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 and become eligible for Medicare. Not everyone will sign up, but it’s important to understand the importance of early choices when enrolling in Medicare for the first time.
(BPT) - American women spend more time taking care of their families, homes and jobs than themselves. With so much time invested in caring for others, women can overlook the importance of their own health. Yet, neglecting their own health needs can make it much harder for women to also take care of those they love.
(BPT) - For the estimated 3.2 million Americans living with chronic hepatitis C, talking to a physician about treatment options for the disease now is an important first step. Untreated chronic hepatitis C may lead to serious health consequences, including cirrhosis - or permanent scarring of the liver - liver failure and liver cancer.
(BPT) - People insure their homes, their cars and even their vacations without giving it a second thought. But many do not think about insuring their most important asset – their income – from a disability caused by illness or injury. And it’s not just income during working years that is at risk. A disability can also put a serious dent in your ability to enjoy retirement.
(BPT) - As the population continues to age at an unprecedented rate, the concern about age-related eye disease comes more into focus.
(BPT) - Does this sound familiar? You tell your spouse all about the aggravating thing that happened at work today. He or she seems to be nodding in agreement, until you ask what you should do about the situation. Your spouse’s response? “Um – could you repeat that?”
(BPT) - If you’ve ever felt sick or battled a bug, you may have asked your doctor for an antibiotic. Ever since the advent of these wonder drugs, these medications have one common goal: fight bacteria in the body to help maintain a healthy immune system. As new medical breakthroughs emerge, the role of antibiotics has also evolved and helped patients dealing with anything from ear infections to serious lung infections like pneumonia.
(BPT) - For baby boomers and beyond, a lot has changed since they first received their drivers’ license, from car technology and traffic rules, to even road conditions. Many older drivers are taking a proactive approach to staying safe on the road. Most wear a seat belt – 77 percent of drivers age 65 and older according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – and most obey the speed limit and avoid the road when conditions are bad. But a few surprising steps can help older drivers stay even safer.
Ups and downs in the current market and recent corporate and banking scandals have prompted many people to seek ways to have more control over their retirement funds. Self-directed IRAs allow consumers to use their knowledge and expertise to invest in assets beyond stocks, bonds and mutual funds. While self-directed IRAs provide a new way to grow retirement savings, they may not be the best option for everyone.
(BPT) - Al fresco dining is one of the great pleasures of warm weather. Whether you’re hosting a neighborhood barbecue or an intimate dinner party on your deck, outdoor dining is a great way to savor good food, company and the great outdoors. To ensure your meals are safe and enjoyable, it’s important to know how to prepare, transport and store food for outdoor eating.
(NAPSI)—While the bonds that unite families are usually associated with positive events, such as weddings or holidays, those bonds can be more challenging when entire families are impacted by a hereditary disease. Christie Hardin knows this firsthand. For years, she and more than 30 members of her extended family have lived with hereditary angioedema, or HAE, a rare genetic disorder that can cause severe swelling in various body parts including the hands, feet, face, gastrointestinal tract and airway. But now, on-demand treatments are helping generations of families affected by HAE take more control of their lives.
(NAPSI)—If you or someone you care about is among the estimated 40 million Americans who battle seasonal allergies each year, you know the condition is nothing to sneeze at. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to minimize your discomfort.
(NAPSI)—Shopping for a new baby should be fun and exciting. However, sometimes it can turn into a daunting experience. A targeted baby registry can alleviate the guesswork for friends and family, help you get just what you need and avoid unwanted or duplicate items. To get the most mileage out of your registry, “Do just as much homework as if you were paying the tab yourself,” says Sandra Gordon, one of the nation’s leading baby product experts and author of the new book “Save a Bundle: 50+ Ways to Save Big on Baby Gear.”
(NAPSI)—In surprising ways, American youngsters and their parents are helping children half a world away stay in school.
(NAPSI)—Recent health care changes may offer more Americans access to major medical coverage, but consumers should be aware of the effect that out-of-pocket health care costs will continue to have on their bank accounts. Consumers may find themselves financially unprepared for an unexpected illness or injury if they do not understand all aspects of the cost of medical care.
(NAPSI)—There could be good news for many people who take vitamins and other nutritional supplements to help protect their health. A new study from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) helps clarify which are most effective and safe for treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a common eye disease among people age 50 and over.
Millions of consumers will be faced with a choice to enroll in one of four different Obamacare “metal plans,” on Oct. 1. The metal plans are new categories of health insurance - nicknamed “metal” because each plan is named after a metal - created by the Affordable Care Act, a.k.a. Obamacare.
(BPT) - Warm weather is here, bringing barbecues, picnics and more time spent outdoors. Everyone should be able to enjoy these popular pastimes, including the up to six million Americans at risk for a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis. For these people, a bee sting, shrimp on the barbecue or a latex balloon may lead to a life-threatening emergency. That’s why it’s important to have a plan in place to help avoid allergens and be prepared if accidental contact occurs.
(StatePoint) In a world full of noise -- from everything from city traffic and lawnmowers to hairdryers and earbuds on personal music devices -- hearing problems are a growing issue. Chief among these problems is tinnitus, a medical condition affecting 50 million Americans.
(NAPSI)—The best way to protect your family during an emergency situation is to have a disaster plan in place. If you are a pet owner, that plan must include your pets. A little preparation can save their lives.
(BPT) - When you dine, do you prefer clean and attractive tableware? Does ambiance enhance your enjoyment of your food? Birds feel the same way about their dining habits – the type and cleanliness of your bird feeders directly affects the number and species of birds that will visit your backyard this season.
(BPT) - Few things are as exciting as bringing home a new puppy. Whether Chihuahua or Great Dane, a pup’s playful antics delight people of all ages. Having a dog can bring many years of companionship and precious memories, but before you ask, “How much is that doggie in the window?” consider a few expert tips for positive housetraining.
(BPT) - Are you killing your pet with kindness? We’re not talking about the compassion that motivates us to vaccinate our pets, or keep them warm in cold weather. Kindness that can be harmful to pets comes in the form of an overabundance of food and treats. The all-too-common result is a pet that becomes overweight or even obese.
(NAPSI)—Your four-footed friends could benefit from your taking four important steps to keep your pets in peak condition.
(NAPSI)—The next time you consider expanding your family to include a hamster, Guinea pig, bunny or other small pet, you won’t be alone. Some 16 million U.S. families currently co-habitate with small pets, according to the American Pet Products Association National Pet Owners Survey.
(NAPSI)If youre like most people with a mixed-breed dog, you may sometimes be surprised at certain behaviors and wonder just what breeds make up his ancestry. After all, experts on genetics contend that the dog is, at this point, the most diverse species of mammal. The many breeds recognized today are the result of careful selective breeding for functional attributes deemed beneficial to their human owners including hunting, guarding and herding, and desirable physical characteristics such as skull shape, size, and coat variation.
(NewsUSA) - While the season's warmer weather offers great opportunity for games of fetch with Fido, it also brings increased risk from exposure to pests, particularly ticks, fleas, mosquitoes and stinging insects. Safeguarding dogs and cats begins with discussions with your veterinarian, but in addition to prescribed healthcare repellents and preventatives, there are several things that can be done to make your yard inhospitable to the stinging, biting troublemakers.
(BPT) - Humans may sneeze and sniffle when trees and flowers start to bud in the spring, but many pet owners wouldn’t know if their pet was suffering from treatable allergy symptoms, which are likely to occur at the same time of year.
(NAPSI)—For many years, pet owners have given omega-3 fatty acids to their dogs to change a dull, dry coat into a more glossy one.