A member of the Spartan Dance Team performs at halftime during St. Joseph-Ogden's home basketball game against Warrensburg-Latham at the Christie Clinic Shootout. The Spartan finished fourth at the St. Anthony Competitive Dance sectional on Saturday. Advancing to the state final prelims on Friday, SJO will perform at 10:39 AM for a spot in Saturday's championship round.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
EFFINGHAM — The Spartan Dance Team secured their third consecutive trip to the Illinois High School Association Competitive State Dance Finals after finishing fourth at the St. Anthony sectional on Saturday.
The eleven-member troupe earned a score of 80.17, placing behind Jacksonville (90.27), the defending Class 1A state champions. Clinton took second place, with St. Anthony finishing third, joining nine other small school programs at Bloomington's Grossinger Motors Arena for the state finals.
Four additional local teams competed at sectionals but did not advance. Villa Grove placed 7th, Unity 9th, and Rantoul 16th at Effingham. Mahomet-Seymour finished 11th in their sectionals, completing the area teams that did not advance.
In Class 2A at Mahomet, Champaign Central finished third behind Bradley-Bourbonnais and Washington. The Maroons are scheduled to perform at 1:49 PM on Friday.
The Spartan Dance Team roster includes Olivia Getty, Reese Wheatley, Adelyn Childers, Abigail Getty, Gracyn Sjoken, Abigail Bello, Alivia Learned, Hadley McDonald, Lilly Sollars, Ava Gallo, and Lilyah Jones. Alyssa Hudson coaches the Spartans, assisted by Kaitlyn Hess.
Tickets for Friday's preliminary competition are $12 at the door and can be purchased in advance online via TicketMaster or by phone at the City Box Office at (309) 434-2777.
Schedule for Friday
SESSION 1 - 1A & 2A Preliminaries
9:15 a.m. Doors open to the State Final venue site
10:00 a.m. Welcome
10:10 a.m. Announcements & National Anthem
10:15 a.m. First Performance (1A & 2A Alternate Performances)
12:15 p.m. Officials Break
2:21 p.m. Last Performance
2:40 p.m. Announcement of 1A Finalists
2:50 p.m. Announcement of 2A Finalists
CHILLICOTHE - In a clash between perennial rivals, Unity soared to a commanding victory over St. Joseph-Ogden in a dual meet that showcased the prowess of Unity's senior wrestlers. The match, held on Saturday, January 18, 2025, underscored Unity's dominance as they clinched a decisive 49-17 win over their opponents on the way to the Illini Prairie Conference title.
Unity, boasting a lineup featuring four seasoned seniors who were all state finalists last season, delivered a masterclass performance from start to finish. Leading the charge was Hunter Eastin, the defending state champion who stepped up in weight to 215 pounds for this encounter. Eastin's technical proficiency was in play as he pinned his opponent from SJO, Nathan Phillips, in 2 minutes and 10 seconds, contributing crucial points to Unity's overall score.
Unity's Hunter Eastin is declared winner after his 5-2 win over St. Thomas More's Brody Cuppernell in the 190 pound title match at the 2024 IHSA Individual Wrestling State Finals. See more photos from his state victory here. Eastin made short work of St. Joseph-Ogden's Nathan Phillips in their 215 pound match at the Illini Prairie Conference Meet.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Joining Eastin in Unity's formidable senior quartet were Kaden Inman, Holden Brazelton, and Ryan Rink, each bringing their own stellar track records to the mat. Inman, a senior standout who narrowly missed the state title last year, left no room for doubt in his match at 144 pounds, securing a dominant technical fall victory over SJO's Landen Butts with a commanding score of 19-4. Brazelton, who recently transferred to Unity from St. Joseph-Ogden, won his 150-pound match with a convincing tech fall, earning 17 unanswered points against his opponent, Thomas Ware.
Ryan Rink, another integral part of Unity's senior cadre, demonstrated his resilience and skill at 175 pounds, overpowering his counterpart from SJO with an 18-3 tech fall victory. These performances highlighted Unity's depth and experience, underscoring their status as a force to be reckoned with in the conference and beyond.
The dual meet began with early momentum swings, as SJO claimed forfeit victories at 106 and 113 pounds, courtesy of Ben Wells and Jackson Walsh, respectively. However, Unity quickly turned the tide with a series of strategic victories, starting with Zayden Mansfield's hard-fought decision over Camden Getty at 120 pounds, setting the stage for Unity's dominant run.
St. Joseph-Ogden's only bright spot was once again at heavyweight. Sophomore Cameron Wagner stuck Unity's Jaden Dene at 5:45 to give the Spartans their only contested win against the Rockets.
Throughout the match, Unity's conditioning and mental toughness, exemplified by Bryce Martin's controlled decision over Eli Birt at 126 pounds and Taylor Finley's decisive pin at 138 pounds. Keegan Germano and Abram Davidson continued Unity's winning ways with pins at 157 and 165 pounds, respectively, solidifying their team's dominant victory.
As the final whistle blew, Unity celebrated a resounding 49-17 triumph over St. Joseph-Ogden. With the postseason around the corner, Unity looks locked and loaded for another trip to Bloomington for the state team dual championships.
With state-ranked seniors Inman, Brazelton, Rink, and Eastin leading the Rockets, the program is poised take this year's Class 1A team title.
Box Score
106 - WELLS, BEN (SJO) over Forfeit, (Unity), FORFEIT;
113 - WALSH, JACKSON (SJO) over Forfeit, (Unity), FORFEIT;
120 - Mansfield, Zayden (Unity) over GETTY, CAMDEN (SJO), Decision 14-8;
126 - Martin, Bryce (Unity) over BIRT, ELI (SJO), Decision 11-4;
132 - Forfeit, (Unity) over Forfeit, (SJO), Double Forfeit;
138 - Finley, Taylor (Unity) over HUNDLEY, AIDEN (SJO), Fall 4:28;
144 - Inman, Kaden (Unity) over BUTTS, LANDEN (SJO), Tech Fall 19-4;
150 - Brazelton, Holden (Unity) over WARE, THOMAS (SJO), Tech Fall 17-0;
157 - Germano, Keegan (Unity) over DALY, NATHAN (SJO), Fall 3:55;
165 - Davidson, Abram (Unity) over MOORE, JONATHON (SJO), Fall 3:58;
175 - Rink, Ryan (Unity) over SWISHER, DEVAN (SJO), Tech Fall 18-3;
190 - Winfrey, Desmond (Unity) over Carter, Liam (SJO), Maj Dec 16-2;
215 - Eastin, Hunter (Unity) over PHILLIPS, NATHAN (SJO), Fall 2:10;
285 - WAGNER, CAM (SJO) over Dene, Jaden (Unity), Fall 5:45.
As President Trump takes office, one of his first agenda items is to slash taxes on corporations and the rich. The results will be more inequality and less revenue for the programs Americans rely on.
The good news? States can make their own tax codes more equitable. And everyday people can help.
With the help of public opinion, strategic communications, and messaging research firms, we spent over a decade talking to people in Washington to better understand their deeply held beliefs about taxes.
In our state, Washington, people voted overwhelmingly this past November to protect our state capital gains tax on the ultra-wealthy. This was a hard-fought victory by a movement of people who believe we need a better tax code.
Let’s back up.
Despite our “blue state” status, Washington’s tax code has long been one of the most inequitable in the country because it over-relies on regressive measures like sales taxes and property taxes. That forces low- and middle-income earners to pay the biggest portion of their income in taxes to fund the programs and services we all rely on.
In 2010, an initiative to enact a tax on high earners in our state failed miserably. Although many people — including lawmakers — proclaimed the death of progressive taxes in Washington, advocates came together with a long-term goal of building public support for progressive revenue.
Our organizations were two of many that did this work. From interfaith organizations to affordable housing advocates to union leaders, we created coalitions to hold lawmakers accountable to build an equitable tax system.
In addition to organizing and legislative strategies, our coalitions prioritized shifting the public narrative.
With the help of public opinion, strategic communications, and messaging research firms, we spent over a decade talking to people in Washington to better understand their deeply held beliefs about taxes.
We learned that most Washingtonians felt the impacts of our upside-down tax code but didn’t realize just how much it favored the rich. And in focus groups and community meetings, we heard people vocally support taxes when they understood the services they provide.
Our state capital gains tax is an excise tax on the sale of high-end stocks and bonds. Many extremely wealthy people are able to hoard wealth from selling these stocks.
In media interviews, legislative testimonies, community events, and town halls, we showed how creating a budget that funds our communities requires the wealthy to pay what they owe. We tied taxes to critical programs and services like child care, education, parks, and safety net programs.
We also highlighted how our tax code — which was designed to favor white, land-owning men over everyone else — is harmful to communities of color and low-income people.
Buoyed by grassroots organizing and legislative efforts, national momentum for taxing the rich, and some wealthy spokespeople who said “we want to pay this,” our coalitions helped our legislature pass a capital gains tax in 2021. We also helped pass a Working Families Tax Credit that year, a cash boost for people with low incomes. Together, these policies started to holistically fix our tax code.
Our state capital gains tax is an excise tax on the sale of high-end stocks and bonds. Many extremely wealthy people are able to hoard wealth from selling these stocks.
In its first two years, our modest capital gains tax on the richest 0.2 percent of Washingtonians brought in $1.3 billion to increase access to affordable child care and support school construction projects. But as soon as it passed, a handful of uber-wealthy individuals filed a lawsuit to repeal the tax.
Ultimately, the state Supreme Court upheld it. The last test was on the ballot in November. We soundly defeated Initiative 2109, a last-ditch effort to repeal the tax. Over 64 percent of voters — including majorities in right-leaning counties — supported keeping the capital gains tax in place to fund schools and child care.
Our win — which many thought impossible a decade ago — was a bright spot nationally this fall. We still have a long way to go towards a just tax code, but it’s possible to flip the script and build public support for progressive revenue. Wherever you live, we hope your community is the next to make that happen.
Eli Taylor Goss is the executive director of the Washington State Budget and Policy Center, a research and policy organization that works to advance economic justice. Treasure Mackey is the executive director of Invest in Washington Now, an organization working to remake our tax code so it works for everyone. This op-ed was distributed by OtherWords.org.
SNS - Berries are known as a superfood, essential to healthy living. In addition to being an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants, they are known to reduce the risk of many age-related conditions, including heart disease, cancer, and arthritis. However, berries, if not harvested and handled correctly, can make you super sick.
The FDA recently advised consumers to exercise caution when eating fresh and frozen imported berries due to concerns about potential links to outbreaks of enteric virus infections, including hepatitis A virus (HAV) and norovirus (NoV). These outbreaks have been associated with fresh and frozen berries exported globally, including to the United States. The Food & Drug Administration has adopted a new strategy to limit consumer exposure to the two viruses.
Photo provided
Frozen berries are commonly used as ingredients in various foods. While they are often baked into pies and other goods, they are also used raw in fruit salads and smoothies, which have been linked to foodborne illness outbreaks. Between 1997 and 2016, the FDA reported three hepatitis A virus outbreaks and one norovirus outbreak linked to frozen berries.
"While no enteric virus outbreaks associated with domestic berries have been reported in 35 years, there have been outbreaks linked to imported fresh and frozen berries," the FDA said in a statement. The most recent HAV outbreaks in the United States occurred in 2022 and 2023, with imported berries from the same grower identified as the source. "Outbreaks reported since 1997 have been linked to imported fresh and frozen berries. However, hygienic practices and challenges in controlling enteric viruses in berries and other hand-harvested produce apply globally."
Enteric viruses, such as hepatitis A and norovirus, are primarily spread through the fecal-oral route, which occurs when food, water, or surfaces contaminated with fecal (or vomit) matter is consumed. For example, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries can become contaminated with bacteria or viruses if handled by an infected worker who does not follow proper hygiene after using the toilet. Because berries are often eaten raw and are hand-harvested, they can be particularly vulnerable to contamination if strict hygiene practices are not followed.
Contamination can also occur via water or surfaces during harvesting and packaging. Contrary to popular belief, freezing preserves berries but does not kill viruses, which can survive at low temperatures. Noroviruses, for example, can withstand temperatures as high as 145°F.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), norovirus outbreaks most commonly occur in healthcare facilities, restaurants, catered events, schools, childcare centers, and cruise ships, where food handling procedures maybe suboptimal due lack of training or compliance by workers.
What are Enteric Viruses?
Enteric viruses infect the digestive tract and cause symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Typically, a norovirus bout lasts 12 to 60 hours. These viruses are primarily spread through contact with feces or infected animals. People with weakened immune systems or underlying health conditions are at higher risk of severe illness. HAV symptoms can include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, jaundice, dark urine, and pale stool.
The FDA attributed the contamination of imported berries to lapses in food safety systems and prevention measures by overseas suppliers. "Key factors to consider in preventing outbreaks include proper hygienic practices by field workers, management of sanitary facilities, prevention of cross-contamination during field and processing operations, and monitoring viral carriage among farm and facility workers," the agency stated.
HAV is a vaccine-preventable, short-term infection that does not become chronic. Most infected individuals recover completely within weeks. However, untreated infections can lead to severe complications in older adults, immunocompromised individuals, or those with underlying health issues.
Promoting high compliance rates with FDA food safety requirements.
Encouraging the berry industry to implement consistent pre- and post-harvest sanitary practices globally and to use root cause analysis when food safety failures occur.
Expanding scientific knowledge about detecting and mitigating viruses in fresh and frozen berries, agricultural water, and production environments.
Incentivizing public health measures, such as immunization programs, to promote worker health.
The FDA aims to identify sources of contamination using a thorough scientific approach to improve virus detection and prevention before they become consumer health risks.
“Collaboration between regulators, the global berry industry, and other stakeholders has been critical for developing this strategy. We look forward to ongoing collaboration to ensure its success and to prevent foodborne illness,” said Conrad Choiniere, Director of the Office of Microbiological Food Safety at the FDA’s Human Food Program.
BPT - Americans are spending more time in their outdoor spaces - and want to maximize those spaces. Studies show that nearly 90% of homeowners consider their outdoor areas to be important to their health and well-being. Design trends reflect that people are showing more interest in connecting with nature in their own backyard and enjoying the comforts of indoor living while gathering outdoors. This means creating environments that are comfortable, multifunctional and cost-effective.
The outdoor design experts at Belgard®, the trusted leader in hardscape solutions from pavers to retaining walls, share exclusive insights into 2025 outdoor design trends to help homeowners plan their dream outdoor spaces.
Privacy and spaces of solitude
As property footprints continue to shrink year over year, homeowners are looking for aesthetically pleasing ways to incorporate more privacy from neighbors or their surroundings. Decorative screen panels, pergolas, built-in planters and other structures can add elements of both beauty and functionality that provide a sense of solitude, even in urban environments.
Sound gardens and water features can further enhance a feeling of solitude by adding audible privacy from neighbors or street traffic. For example, even a simple fountain or water bowl can enhance the ambiance and help muffle sound.
Shifting back to classic style
While minimalism remains a popular trend, there's also been a shift back to a more classic style in indoor and outdoor home design. Mixed materials and warm colors such as beige and sepia are re-emerging, which lend themselves to a more traditional aesthetic.
With modular options from Belgard, a mix of different materials with multiple textures and sizes can create limitless possibilities while keeping with a classic design aesthetic. Because they're available in many styles, shapes, and sizes designed to work together, a variety of paver patterns can be combined seamlessly to achieve any desired overall look.
Convenience in design
As outdoor spaces are now a must-have for homeowners, they must be convenient to access and offer the same amenities as the home's indoor spaces. Homeowners are looking for their outdoor space to transition easily from the house to the built environment while offering the same modern conveniences of lighting, eating, Wi-Fi, quality furnishing and accessories.
Health and wellness
Using outdoor spaces to improve your well-being is a top focus for many people today. Americans are looking to be more balanced and in harmony with their environment, favoring the use of native plants and sustainable materials like permeable pavers, which promote better water drainage and reduce environmental impact.
Gardening is also a popular hobby that helps improve people's feeling of well-being, so enthusiasts can opt for raised garden beds or planters to pursue their growing goals in their outdoor spaces. For example, Belgard offers options to create built-in planters as part of your overall hardscape design with its Belgard Artforms modular outdoor panel system. You can use the panels, which are sized in modular shapes, to quickly and efficiently construct planters, seating, outdoor kitchens, fire features and more.
By designing outdoor environments that support their health and wellness, individuals can cultivate spaces that provide a retreat in their own backyard to improve their quality of life.
Value-added features
In every metro area, property sizes are smaller than ever. With this shift plus budget considerations, homeowners want to maximize small spaces through modular components that serve multiple purposes, like built-in seat walls, fire features, water features and planters that seamlessly blend into a living space - offering both functionality and visual appeal.
Homeowners can get creative with outdoor spaces with the right hardscape materials. For example, a small space can be transformed into a lush oasis by adding a vertical garden, or underutilized spaces like side or front yards can become cozy sitting areas. Even a small patio can serve as an al fresco dining space, and it doesn't take a lot to add an outdoor workstation with the right tools and tech. Patio pavers and wall units help define spaces, making them serve more than one purpose for any household.
These strategic investments not only increase the functionality and enjoyment of outdoor areas but also significantly boost curb appeal and the home's property value, making them a smart choice for homeowners looking to maximize their limited spaces.
To find inspiration for any outdoor space, visit Belgard.com.
While the future is uncertain for this White House initiative, Trump has dismantled a new school safety committee that included parents of school shooting victims.
ST. PAUL - President Donald Trump has been busy signing executive orders since his inauguration.
Gun violence prevention advocates in Minnesota hope he isn't aggressive in undoing recent work to keep communities safer.
The White House website for the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, created under the Biden administration, recently went dark.
Staffers insist sudden online changes are a formality as they retool under new leadership, hinting that landing pages for key topics will be restored.
But Maggiy Emery, executive director of the group Protect Minnesota, said she doesn't feel reassured much of the office's mission will be maintained.
"We were finally seeing some of those rates of gun violence go down," said Emery, "you know, especially here in Minnesota."
Gun violence deaths in Minnesota were down 5% in 2023, the last year for available numbers.
And the national Brady organization credits the Office of Gun Violence Prevention for supporting the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms in shutting down more than 800 rogue gun dealers in the U.S.
While the future is uncertain for this White House initiative, Trump has dismantled a new school safety committee that included parents of school shooting victims.
Trump administration officials say they want to prioritize national security matters.
But Emery said despite recent progress, gun violence is still a public health crisis in the U.S.
She added that the initiative under President Joe Biden was bringing to light how rural areas affected.
"We know that the Office of Violence Prevention on the federal level was looking at what can we do to reduce rates of gun violence," said Emery, "not only in urban areas, but in rural areas where folks are really the most impacted in Minnesota. You know, guidances and legislation around safe storage is now looking more unlikely."
More than 70% of gun deaths in Minnesota are from suicides, and Emery said most are in rural areas.
If federal solutions fall by the wayside, she said she hopes Minnesota lawmakers pass a state law for safe gun storage this year.
In Trump's first term, bump stocks - the rapid-fire gun accessories - were banned. However, the U.S. Supreme Court later struck down that order.
President Trump promises to make government efficient − and he’ll run into the same roadblocks as Presidents Taft, Roosevelt, Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower, Carter, Reagan, Clinton and Bush, among others
For over a century, presidents have pursued initiatives to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government, couching those efforts in language similar to Trump’s.
Many of these, like Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, which he appointed billionaire Elon Musk to run, have been designed to capitalize on the expertise of people outside of government. The idea often cited as inspiration for these efforts: The private sector knows how to be efficient and nimble and strives for excellence; government doesn’t.
But government, and government service, is about providing something that the private sector can’t. And outsiders often don’t think about the accountability requirements that the laws and Constitution of the United States impose on government workers and agencies.
Congress, though, can help address these problems and check inappropriate proposals. It can also stand in the way of reform.
Proposing reform is nothing new
Perhaps the most famous group to work with a president on improving government was President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Committee on Administrative Management, established in 1936.
That group, commonly referred to as the Brownlow Committee, noted that while critics predicted Roosevelt would bring “decay, destruction, and death of democracy,” the executive branch – and the president who sat atop it – was one of the “very greatest” contributions to modern democracy.
The committee argued that the president was unable to do his job because the executive branch was badly organized, federal employees lacked skills and character, and the budget process needed reform. So it proposed a series of changes designed to increase presidential power over government to enhance performance. Congress went along with some of these proposals, giving the president more staff and authority to reorganize the executive branch.
Since then, almost every president has put together similar recommendations. For example, Presidents Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower appointed former President Herbert Hoover to lead advisory commissions designed to recommend changes to the federal government. President Jimmy Carter launched a series of government improvement projects, and President George W. Bush even created scorecards to rank agencies according to their performance.
In his first term, Trump issued a mandate for reform to reorganize government for the 21st century.
Most presidential proposals generally fail to come to fruition. But they often spark conversations in Congress and the media about executive power, the effectiveness of federal programs, and what government can do better.
Most presidents have tried the same thing
Historically, most presidents and their advisers – and indeed most scholars – have agreed that government bureaucracy is not designed in ways that promote efficiency. But that is intentional: Stanford political scientist Terry Moe has written that “American public bureaucracy is not designed to be effective. The bureaucracy arises out of politics, and its design reflects the interests, strategies, and compromises of those who exercise political power.”
A common presidential response to this practical reality is to propose government changes that make it look more like the private sector. In 1982, President Ronald Reagan brought together 161 corporate executives overseen by industrialist J. Peter Grace to make recommendations to eliminate government waste and inefficiency, based on their experiences leading successful corporations.
In 1993, President Bill Clinton authorized Vice President Al Gore to launch an effort to reinvent the federal government into one that worked better and cost less.
The Clinton administration created teams in every major federal agency, modeled after the private sector’s efficiency standards, to move government “From Red Tape to Results,” as the title of the administration’s plan said.
Presidential attempts to make government look and work more like people think the private sector works often include adjustments to the terms of federal employment to reward employees who excel at their jobs.
In 1905, for example, President Theodore Roosevelt established a Committee on Department Methods to examine how the federal government could recruit and retain highly qualified employees. One hundred years later, federal agencies still experienced challenges](https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-03-2.pdf) related to hiring and retaining people who could effectively achieve agency missions.
So why haven’t these plans worked?
At least the past five presidents have faced problems in making long-term changes to government.
In part, this is because government reorganizations and operational reforms like those contemplated by Trump require Congress to make adjustments to the laws of the United States, or at least give the president and federal agencies the money required to invest in changes.
Consider, for example, presidential proposals to invest in new technologies, which are a large part of Trump and Musk’s plans to improve government efficiency. Since at least 1910, when President William Howard Taft established a Commission on Economy and Efficiency to address the “unnecessarily complicated and expensive” way the federal government handled and distributed government documents, presidents have recommended centralizing authority to mandate federal agencies’ use of new technologies to make government more efficient.
But transforming government through technology requires money, people and time. Presidential plans for government-wide change are contingent upon the degree to which federal agencies can successfully implement them.
To sidestep these problems, some presidents have proposed that the government work with the private sector. For example, Trump announced a joint venture with technology companies to invest in the government’s artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Yet as I have found in my previous research, government investment in new technology first requires an assessment of agencies’ current technological skills and the impact technology will have on agency functions, including those related to governmental transparency, accountability and constitutional due process. It’s not enough to go out and buy software that tech giants recommend agencies acquire.
The things that government agencies do, such as regulating the economy, promoting national security and protecting the environment, are incredibly complicated. It’s often hard to see their impact right away.
Recognizing this, Congress has designed a complex set of laws to prevent political interference with federal employees, who tend to look at problems long term. For example, as I have found in my work with Paul Verkuil, former chairman of the Administrative Conference of the United States, Congress intentionally writes laws that require certain government positions to be held by experts who can work in their jobs without worrying about politics.
Congress also writes the laws the federal employees administer, oversees federal programs and decides how much money to appropriate to those programs each year.
So by design, anything labeled a “presidential commission on modernizing/fixing/refocusing government” tells only part of the story and sets out an impossible task. The president can’t make it happen alone. Nor can Elon Musk.
Nearly half of older Americans can’t even afford basic needs
I worked hard my whole career and retired feeling secure. Then I lost every last dime in a scam. I was left with $1,300 a month in Social Security benefits to live on in an area where monthly expenses run about $3,700.
I’m a smart woman, but scams against older Americans are increasing in number and sophistication. Whether through scams, strained savings, or costs of living going up, half of older Americans — that’s 27 million households — can’t afford their basic needs.
I find myself in dire need of sincere counsel, as I am increasingly convinced that my romantic life has taken on the unfortunate semblance of a rom-com wherein I alone remain bereft of the script. I'm 31, will defend my thesis this May, and have a great job lined-up.
My boyfriend, aged 32, embodies the quintessential extrovert—gregarious, enamored with nightlife, and perpetually surrounded by a coterie of approximately twenty friends who reside in close proximity and convene incessantly. Initially, I admired his vivacity and character.
Budget-Friendly renovation ideas to modernize your home
Renovating your home can be affordable with the right approach. Simple changes, like repainting walls or updating fixtures, can create a fresh, modern look without a high price tag. Whether you’re improving outdated spaces or enhancing functionality, these budget-friendly renovation ideas to modernize your home will help you achieve a stylish, updated space while staying within your budget.
Protecting your valuable works of art when you move, here is how
Transporting artwork can feel daunting, especially when it holds significant emotional and financial value. You want to ensure that your cherished pieces arrive at their destination in Illinois without a scratch. This guide will explore expert ways to transport valuable artwork safely. With the right approach, you can protect your investments and preserve the beauty of your art. Let’s dive into practical tips that make the process easier and more secure.
Protecting cherished pets from highly pathogenic avian influenza: A guide for pet owners
As the threat of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) looms over both avian and domestic populations, pet owners face an urgent challenge: protecting their beloved companions from a virus that can turn a playful afternoon into a perilous health crisis. HPAI, primarily affecting birds, poses significant risks to pets, particularly those that may ...
What da funk? A stinky body can be a sign of a health issue
Death, taxes and body odor.
They’re things we can all expect in life, no matter how clean you are. But health care providers want you to know when body odor is a sign of a more serious health problem.
B.O. basics
Luis Garcia, MD, an OSF HealthCare pediatrician, says sweat and bacteria are the main culprits behind body odor. Warmth and moisture in parts of the body (like your armpits and feet), plus going through puberty and general poor hygiene, can make the smell worse.
Gardening is also a popular hobby that helps improve people's feeling of well-being, so enthusiasts can opt for raised garden beds or planters to pursue their growing goals in their outdoor spaces. For example, Belgard offers options to create built-in planters as part of your overall hardscape design with its Belgard Artforms modular outdoor panel system. You can use the panels, which are sized in modular shapes, to quickly and efficiently construct planters, seating, outdoor kitchens, fire features and more.
By designing outdoor environments that support their health and wellness, individuals can cultivate spaces that provide a retreat in their own backyard to improve their quality of life.
Homeowners can get creative with outdoor spaces with the right hardscape materials. For example, a small space can be transformed into a lush oasis by adding a vertical garden, or underutilized spaces like side or front yards can become cozy sitting areas. Even a small patio can serve as an al fresco dining space, and it doesn't take a lot to add an outdoor workstation with the right tools and tech. Patio pavers and wall units help define spaces, making them serve more than one purpose for any household.
These strategic investments not only increase the functionality and enjoyment of outdoor areas but also significantly boost curb appeal and the home's property value, making them a smart choice for homeowners looking to maximize their limited spaces.
To find inspiration for any outdoor space, visit Belgard.com.
My boyfriend, aged 32, embodies the quintessential extrovert—gregarious, enamored with nightlife, and perpetually surrounded by a coterie of approximately twenty friends who reside in close proximity and convene incessantly. Initially, I admired his vivacity and character.
