by Jim RunyanColumnist
Jim Runyan is an avid tennis player, BBQ enthusiast and dart player. He enjoys craft beers and writing fiction and is the author of Ravage the Moon and Other Short Stories available on Amazon.
The Rolling Stones are still Rocking!
by Jim RunyanColumnist
Stylish and sustainable: Eco-Friendly home makeovers for the back-to-school season
Photo:Pexels/Pixabay
Sentinel News Service - As the autumn leaves fall, the back-to-school buzz resounds. However, the season isn't just about new books or outfits. It's an opportunity to rejuvenate our living spaces. Ponder this: Why not intertwine style with sustainability? Delving into eco-friendly home makeovers can transform your space into a haven of responsibility.
Furthermore, embracing a green lifestyle during this season sets a precedent for the whole year. This post will journey through sustainable ideas that marry function with flair. After all, cultivating an eco-conscious abode not only benefits our planet but also nurtures our well-being.
Why Sustainable Makeovers MatterEvery design choice makes a ripple. Consider the environmental footprint of that trendy yet non-sustainable coffee table. It's alarming. Now, think about the perks of green makeovers. First off, eco-friendly designs slash our carbon footprint. Secondly, natural materials often translate to healthier indoor air — no sneaky chemicals or pollutants. Moreover, this green switch promises financial savings. Imagine fewer replacements and lower energy bills. Therefore, sustainable transformations are more than just fashion statements. They're commitments — to the environment, our health, and even our wallets. To sum it up, sustainability is the new smart and something homeowners should champion.
Organization is essential, especially in kids' rooms that can quickly resemble the aftermath of a mini tornado if not carefully managed.
Embarking on an eco-friendly home makeover is more than just a design decision; it's a commitment to a healthier, sustainable lifestyle. Here's a look, area by area, of simple changes you can do to make your space more sustainable. Living Area
Shifting our attention to the living area, our central hub of relaxation. Seating solutions like jute or hemp sofas make for stylish yet sustainable choices. Moreover, throw pillows made of organic fabrics can add a splash of color without compromising eco-values. In terms of decor, recycled materials are your best allies. Old wine bottles can be transitioned into chic vases. Meanwhile, thrifted art or sculptures can be refreshing conversation starters. Electronics play a vital role in our daily unwind ritual. Hence, when purchasing, consider energy efficiency ratings. An energy-saving television or sound system reduces electricity consumption, ultimately trimming your bills. Bedrooms
Venturing into the bedroom, especially for kids, the realm of imagination meets reality. Firstly, ensure their beddings are made from materials like organic cotton or bamboo. Soft, hypoallergenic, and environmentally sound. Perfect for a restful night after school shenanigans. Regarding furniture, upcycled pieces reign supreme. Seek out pre-loved treasures at local thrift stores. Repainting or reupholstering can breathe new life into them. Furthermore, when painting the walls or furniture, aim for eco-friendly paints. They lack harmful chemicals, safeguarding both the environment and your child's health.
An old wooden crate, for instance, can be upcycled into a stylish bookshelf. It's about blending functionality with sustainability.
At the heart of every academic triumph is a conducive study space. Let's initiate our eco journey there. Start with a sustainable desk, perhaps one crafted from bamboo or reclaimed wood. Not only are these materials eco-friendly, but they're also durable. Transitioning next to lighting, opt for LED lights. Bright, energy-efficient, and perfect for those long study hours. And don't forget about indoor plants. Beyond their aesthetic value, they purify the air. Succulents, for instance, are low-maintenance choices. Also, consider ferns for that touch of greenery, aiding concentration as well. Storage is key. And when selecting storage solutions, think of repurposed materials. An old wooden crate, for instance, can be upcycled into a stylish bookshelf. It's about blending functionality with sustainability. DIY Sustainable Decor Ideas
Crafting our own decor brings personal flair to eco-friendly home makeovers. First off, consider reusable fabric bunting. Bright, festive, and zero-waste. Perfect for any celebration or as a whimsical touch in kids' rooms. Moreover, upcycling old containers introduces a creative twist. Those discarded jars? Now, they're quirky vases or candleholders. But there's more. Nature provides a plethora of craft materials. Take pinecones, for instance. Gathered and arranged, they transform into rustic centerpieces. Similarly, dried flowers encapsulate beauty without the environmental toll of plastic decor. So, let's recap. Making our own sustainable decor champions the environment and ignites our creativity. Encouraging Sustainable Habits Post-Makeover
So, your home now sparkles with sustainable charm — what’s next? Maintaining these eco-friendly strides is crucial. Firstly, integrate recycling into your daily routine. Easy access bins can make a world of difference. Composting? That's a game-changer, especially for organic waste. As you bask in your green haven, consider embracing minimalism. Fewer items often mean less waste. And when shopping, remember: quality trumps quantity. Teach your kids this ethos, too. By doing so, you're planting seeds of sustainability in their minds. The eco-makeover journey doesn't end with decor. It's an ongoing commitment, a lifestyle. Let’s keep the momentum going and inspire others along the way. Green living? It's the gift that keeps on giving. Eco-friendly home makeovers offer more than aesthetic appeal. They intertwine style with responsibility. Such makeovers go beyond trends; they reflect conscious choices for a healthier planet. Each sustainable touch in your home echoes a commitment to tomorrow. So, as we've journeyed together through these green ideas, remember the lasting impact. Small changes, when collectively embraced, pave the way for significant transformations. So, why wait? Dive into the world of sustainable decor. Inspire, get inspired, and watch as your home evolves into an eco-haven. Together, we craft a brighter, greener future, one room at a time.
Volleyball milestone reached, SJO's McDonald reaches the 400th match win
Members of the St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball program pose for a group photo with head coach Abby McDonald after her 400th win on Monday. The milestone came after the Spartans defeated Hoopeston Area at home in two sets, 25-13, 25-22. Under McDonald's leadership the program has also won nine regional titles, two sectional sectional plaques, and two state trophies, one in 2016 and another three years later in 2019.
Modest about her accomplishment, she said the credit goes to all the players who contributed to the program's success. "Honestly, it's just a number on paper. What I hope it does is inspire them to continue the tradition that not only they have been a part of - this is going to age me - but also the hundreds of girls before them."
Now in her 18th year with SJO, 16 as head coach, with the exception of the abbreviated 2021 season, her teams have posted 20-plus wins every year. SJO is eight wins away from another 20-win season heading into Wednesday night's non-conference home match against the Danville Vikings.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
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Quick tips on how to reduce your stress for your next dental appointment
Photo: oswaldoruiz/Pixabay
NAPSI - If you experience anxiety and stress while visiting your dentist, you're not alone. For many people, the idea of going to the dentist stirs up anxiety; however, it's so important to combat those thoughts to keep your smile strong and healthy. To help, here are four tips so you can remain calm while your teeth receive care:
Talk to your dentist: Be open about your anxieties and stress before the appointment so the dentist can ease your mind. If you want to know what's happening during the appointment, they can explain the procedure to you. If you would rather not know, your dentist can tell you when to close your eyes or distract yourself. Work on a signal with your dentist for instance, if you raise your hand during your appointment, it could mean you need a break, or something hurts. Don't be afraid to communicate what you need for a successful trip to the dentist's chair.
Use tools to distract yourself: If the tools or sounds of the dental machines cause you anxiety, find ways to busy yourself. You can bring headphones to listen to your favorite music or podcast while you lounge in the dentist's chair. Objects such as stress balls or fidget spinners are also a great way to keep busy.
Practice mindfulness: To keep your mind off your dentist's appointment, you can practice mindfulness both before and during. Focus on breathing while you're in the waiting room or in the dentist's chair with slow, deep breaths. Relax all the muscles you can, one at a time, with a body scan. Start from your feet all the way up to your neck and shoulders while you're reclined for your appointment.
Bring a friend: Do not feel embarrassed or shy to ask for support! If you have a trusted friend or family member who makes you feel safe, see if they can help you in facing your fear of the dentist. While these tips may not get rid of dental anxiety completely, they are a great place to start so any patient can conquer any dentist appointment.
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Top recommended diet by nutrition experts could also reduce risk of dementia
Among the New Year’s resolutions worldwide, many people have pledged to find and stick with a healthy diet. But there’s a lot more to it than just grabbing every “reduced fat” item off the grocery store shelf.
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Make cooking dinner a family activity: A pair of recipes for you and the kids
Family Features - Busy fall schedules often leave little time for the things that matter most – sharing special moments with those you love. This year, as time seems to speed up during another school year, making family bonding a priority in your household can start with a few simple tricks.
Connect with your loved ones this fall while juggling hectic routines with this advice:
Schedule Family Nights
Desiring evenings spent with your nearest and dearest and actually making them happen are two separate things entirely. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season with days that feel too long and evenings that are often too short. Putting dedicated family nights on the calendar is a good way to avoid last-minute commitments that take away from important bonding time. Incorporate some favorite activities, whether your loved ones are board game enthusiasts or movie buffs, to give everyone something exciting to look forward to.
Make Cooking Together a Family Activity
Making dinner for the family shouldn’t take up valuable time that could be used for quality moments together. Seeking out quick and easy recipes leaves more hours in the day to spend with family members – or you can even make preparing dinner a family activity.
Teaching kids how to make your favorite recipes creates great memories and can maximize time spent together. From making kid-approved lunchbox sliders together to preparing time-saving, weeknight-friendly sliders as a family after school, King’s Hawaiian Rolls and Slider Buns have the power to help unite busy parents and picky kids. Plus, they’re soft and fluffy with the right touch of sweetness, and sliders are customizable, easy, fun and always a crowd pleaser. These Ham and Swiss Sliders or Peanut Butter, Jelly and Banana Sliders offer ways kids can help, from layering meats and cheeses to spreading peanut butter. Everyone can lend a hand in the kitchen while enjoying quality time together.
Encourage Extracurricular Participation
Beyond those special moments at home, there are plenty of ways to connect with your kiddos. Encouraging them to participate in extracurriculars, like sports, band, theater, dance, choir or other activities, provides a great way to enjoy something together as you watch your children branch out and try new things. If they happen to try an activity you used to (or still do) participate in, it’s an easy way to make a unique connection by sharing your own memories, offering helpful tips or even passing down old equipment like sports gear or an instrument.
Ham and Swiss Sliders
Total time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4-6
- 1 stick butter
- 1 package (12 rolls) King's Hawaiian Original Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
- 1 pound shaved deli ham
- 1 pound thinly sliced Swiss cheese
- Heat oven to 350 F. Melt butter and set aside.
- Cut entire pack of rolls in half horizontally, keeping all top and bottom halves intact.
- In 9-by-13-inch pan, place bottom halves of rolls and cover with ham and cheese.
- Cover ham and cheese stacks with top halves of rolls. Drizzle butter mixture over tops of rolls.
- Bake, uncovered, 15-20 minutes. Separate rolls for serving.
Peanut Butter, Jelly and Banana Sliders
Prep time: 5 minutes
Servings: 4-6
- 1 package (12 rolls) King's Hawaiian Original Sweet Rolls
- 4 tablespoons salted peanut butter
- 4 tablespoons strawberry jam
- 2 bananas, sliced
- Cut entire pack of rolls in half horizontally, keeping all top and bottom halves intact.
- Spread peanut butter on bottom halves followed by strawberry jam. Top with banana slices then top halves of rolls.
How social media fuels today's gun violence - ‘All We Want Is Revenge’
Photo by Max Kleinen on Unsplash
by By Liz SzaboKaiser Health News
Juan Campos has been working to save at-risk teens from gun violence for 16 years.
As a street outreach worker in Oakland, California, he has seen the pull and power of gangs. And he offers teens support when they’ve emerged from the juvenile justice system, advocates for them in school, and, if needed, helps them find housing, mental health services, and treatment for substance abuse.
But, he said, he’s never confronted a force as formidable as social media, where small boasts and disputes online can escalate into deadly violence in schoolyards and on street corners.
Teens post photos or videos of themselves with guns and stacks of cash, sometimes calling out rivals, on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, or TikTok. When messages go viral, fueled by “likes” and comments, the danger is hard to contain, Campos said.
“It’s hundreds of people on social media, versus just one or two people trying to guide youth in a positive way,” he said. Sometimes his warnings are stark, telling kids, “I want to keep you alive.” But, he said, “it doesn’t work all the time.”
Shamari Martin Jr. was an outgoing 14-year-old and respectful to his teachers in Oakland. Mixed in with videos of smiling friends on his Instagram feed were images of Shamari casually waving a gun or with cash fanned across his face. In March 2022, he was shot when the car he was in took a hail of bullets. His body was left on the street, and emergency medical workers pronounced him dead at the scene.
More than a year later, Shamari’s death remains unsolved.
In Shamari’s neighborhood, kids join gangs when they’re as young as 9 or 10, sometimes carrying guns to elementary school, said Tonyia “Nina” Carter, a violence interrupter who knew Shamari and works with Youth Alive, which tries to prevent violence. Shamari “was somewhat affiliated with that culture” of gangs and guns, Carter said.
Shamari’s friends poured out their grief on Instagram with broken-heart emojis and comments such as “love you brother I’m heart hurt.”
One post was more ominous: “it’s blood inna water all we want is revenge.” Rivals posted videos of themselves kicking over flowers and candles at Shamari’s memorial.
Such online outpourings of grief often presage additional violence, said Desmond Patton, a University of Pennsylvania professor who studies social media and firearm violence.
More than a year later, Shamari’s death remains unsolved. But it’s still a volatile subject in Oakland, said Bernice Grisby, a counselor at the East Bay Asian Youth Center, who works with gang-involved youth.
“There’s still a lot of gang violence going on around his name,” she said. “It could be as simple as someone saying, ‘Forget him or F him’ — that can be a death sentence. Just being affiliated with his name in any sort can get you killed.”
The U.S. surgeon general last month issued a call to action about social media’s corrosive effects on child and adolescent mental health, warning of the “profound risk of harm” to young people, who can spend hours a day on their phones. The 25-page report highlighted the risks of cyberbullying and sexual exploitation. It failed to mention social media’s role in escalating gun violence.
Acutely aware of that role are researchers, community leaders, and police across the country — including in Baltimore, Chicago, Los Angeles, Oakland, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C. They describe social media as a relentless driver of gun violence.
Social media is an extremely powerful tool for metastasizing disrespect
Michel Moore, the Los Angeles police chief, called its impact “dramatic.”
“What used to be communicated on the street or in graffiti or tagging or rumors from one person to another, it’s now being distributed and amplified on social media,” he said. “It’s meant to embarrass and humiliate others.”
Many disputes stem from perceived disrespect among insecure young adults who may lack impulse control and conflict-management skills, said LJ Punch, a trauma surgeon and director of the Bullet-Related Injury Clinic in St. Louis.
“Social media is an extremely powerful tool for metastasizing disrespect,” Punch said. And of all the causes of gun violence, social media-fueled grudges are “the most impenetrable.”
Calls for Regulation
Social media companies are protected by a 1996 law that shields them from liability for content posted on their platforms. Yet the deaths of young people have led to calls to change that.
Photo by dole777 on Unsplash
“When you allow a video that leads to a shooting, you bear responsibility for what you put out there,” said Fred Fogg, national director of violence prevention for Youth Advocate Programs, a group that provides alternatives to youth incarceration. “Social media is addictive, and intentionally so.”
People note that social media can have a particularly pernicious effect in communities with high rates of gun violence.
“Social media companies need to be better regulated in order to make sure they aren’t encouraging violence in Black communities,” said Jabari Evans, an assistant professor of race and media at the University of South Carolina. But he said social media companies also should help “dismantle the structural racism” that places many Black youth “in circumstances that resign them to want to join gangs, carry guns to school, or take on violent personas for attention.”
L.A.’s Moore described social media companies as serving “in a reactionary role. They are profit-driven. They don’t want to have any type of control or restrictions that would suppress advertising.”
Social media companies say they remove content that violates their policies against threatening others or encouraging violence as quickly as possible. In a statement, YouTube spokesperson Jack Malon said the company “prohibits content reveling in or mocking the death or serious injury of an identifiable individual.”
As a company, we have every commercial and moral incentive to try to give the maximum number of people as much of a positive experience as possible on Facebook.
Social media companies said they act to protect the safety of their users, especially children.
Rachel Hamrick, a spokesperson for Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, said the company has spent about $16 billion in the past seven years to protect the safety of people who post on its apps, employing 40,000 people at Facebook who work on safety and security.
“We remove content, disable accounts and work with law enforcement when we believe there is a genuine risk of physical harm or direct threats to public safety,” Hamrick said. “As a company, we have every commercial and moral incentive to try to give the maximum number of people as much of a positive experience as possible on Facebook. That’s why we take steps to keep people safe even if it impacts our bottom line.”
Meta platforms generated revenue of over $116 billion in 2022, most of which came from advertising.
A spokesperson for Snapchat, Pete Boogaard, said the company deletes violent content within minutes of being notified of it. But, Fogg noted, by the time a video is removed, hundreds of people may have seen it.
Even critics acknowledge that the sheer volume of content on social media is difficult to control. Facebook has nearly 3 billion monthly users worldwide; YouTube has nearly 2.7 billion users; Instagram has 2 billion. If a company shuts down one account, a person can simply open a new one, said Tara Dabney, a director at the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago.
“Things could be going great in a community,” Fogg said, “and then the next thing you know, something happens on social media and folks are shooting at each other.”
Playing With Fire
At a time when virtually every teen has a cellphone, many have access to guns, and many are coping with mental and emotional health crises, some say it’s not surprising that violence features so heavily in children’s social media feeds.
High school “fight pages” are now common on social media, and teens are quick to record and share fights as soon as they break out.
“Social media puts everything on steroids,” said the Rev. Cornell Jones, the group violence intervention coordinator for Pittsburgh.
Like adults, many young people feel validated when their posts are liked and shared, Jones said.
“We are dealing with young people who don’t have great self-esteem, and this ‘love’ they are getting on social media can fill some of that void,” Jones said. “But it can end with them getting shot or going to the penitentiary.”
While many of today’s teens are technologically sophisticated — skilled at filming and editing professional-looking videos — they remain naive about the consequences of posting violent content, said Evans, of the University of South Carolina.
Police in Los Angeles now monitor social media for early signs of trouble, Moore said. Police also search social media after the fact to gather evidence against those involved in violence.
“People want to gain notoriety,” Moore said, “but they’re clearly implicating themselves and giving us an easy path to bring them to justice.”
They can come and scream and I won’t fuss at them.
In February, New Jersey police used a video of a 14-year-old girl’s vicious school beating to file criminal charges against four teens. The victim of the assault, Adriana Kuch, died by suicide two days after the video went viral.
Preventing the Next Tragedy
Glen Upshaw, who manages outreach workers at Youth Alive in Oakland, said he encourages teens to express their anger with him rather than on social media. He absorbs it, he said, to help prevent kids from doing something foolish.
“I’ve always offered youth the chance to call me and curse me out,” Upshaw said. “They can come and scream and I won’t fuss at them.”
Workers at Youth Advocate Programs monitor influential social media accounts in their communities to de-escalate conflicts. “The idea is to get on it as soon as possible,” Fogg said. “We don’t want people to die over a social media post.”
It’s sometimes impossible, Campos said. “You can’t tell them to delete their social media accounts,” he said. “Even a judge won’t tell them that. But I can tell them, ‘If I were you, since you’re on probation, I wouldn’t be posting those kinds of things.’”
When he first worked with teens at high risk of violence, “I said if I can save 10 lives out of 100, I’d be happy,” Campos said. “Now, if I can save one life out of 100, I’m happy.”
KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.
Under the lights, SJO soccer team drops home contest on new turf
Despite the efforts of Illineks' Robert Tu, St. Joseph-Ogden keeper Jacek Slowikowski makes a save during second half action of the SJO's home match against University High. The sophomore made 12 saves on 18 shots defending the Spartans' goal. The game on Saturday was the first soccer game under the lights at the newly renovated Dick Duval Field. Physical and disciplined on the pitch, Uni-High prevailed over St. Joseph-Ogden, 6-3. Look for a photo gallery from this game later this week on The Sentinel.
PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
SJO football tied at #1 with BCC after Week 3 game
St. Joseph-Ogden Sam Shonkwiler blocks Prairie Central's Jacob Vega during first half action of their Week 3 game at St. Joseph-Ogden High School.
PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
St. Joseph - After three weeks of play, St. Joseph-Ogden and Bloomington Central Catholic remain undefeated and at the top of Illini Prairie Conference competition. The two teams will meet at Dick Duval Field on Septemeber 29. The Saints, who have scored 163 points this season, have given up just two touchdowns against in their wins over Pontiac (1-2, IPC), Rantoul (0-3 overall - 0-2, IPC), and Paxton-Buckley-Loda (2-1, overall - 1-1, IPC). Challenging BCC for the top spot in the conference, St. Joseph-Ogden beat Monticello (1-1, overall/IPC) and Prairie Central (1-2, overall/IPC) at home on Dick Duval Field. Week 2, the Spartans capitalized on a late game turnover to survive at Hicks Field over Unity (2-1, overall/IPC), 38-35. SJO looks to extend their unblemished record to 4-0 later this week when they host Illinois Valley Central for Homecoming on Friday. Meanwhile, Unity, who crushed IVC 49-9 last week, will host St. Teresa in a non-conference match-up at 7 pm.
Week 3 Illini Prairie Football Standings
1. Bloomington Central Catholic 3-0 1. St. Joseph-Ogden 3-0
3. Tolono Unity 2-1
4. Monticello 1-1
4. Paxton-Buckley-Loda 1-1
6. Prairie Central 1-2
6. Pontiac 1-2
8. Rantoul 0-2
9. Illinois Valley Central 0-3
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Photo Gallery | Spartans posts road win at Unity
34 great photos from this year's gridiron thriller at Hicks Field.
Photo Gallery | 3-and-0!!! SJO off to a solid start after hosting Prairie Central
James Barron (left) and Tim Blackburn-Kelley celebrate in the end zone after Blackburn-Kelley took the ball 60 yard on a pass from Logan Smith for a first-quarter Spartan touchdown. Locked In, St. Joseph-Ogden took care of business at Dick Duval Field on Friday night beating the Hawks, 26-19. SJ0 improves to 3-0, a feat last performed at the start of the 2018 season.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Top-left: St. Joseph-Ogden's Coy Taylor takes the ball for a 14-yard run through the Prairie Central defense for a first down. Taylor, a junior, finished the game with 49 passing yards and 3 yards rushing. Top-right: Spartans' Nolan Earley plows into Hawks' quarterback Avery Elder, who got rid of the ball a split-second before impact between the two. Bottom-left: With Garrett Denhart holding, senior kicker Joe Frasca hits an field goal for SJO. Bottom-right: Logan Smith pitches the ball out to running back Justice Wertz. Smith threw for 189 yards on 21 plas and ran for another 39. Wertz finished the conference game with 69 yards.
Photos: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Linebacker Caleb Ochs puts a lick on Prairie Central quarterback Avery Elder to break up a fourth-quarter pass play. The Spartan football team plays at home again this Friday when they will host Illinois Valley Central. The 0-3 Grey Ghost will come to Dick Duval Field looking to spoil SJO's Homecoming plans for their first victory of the season.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Turn TikTok from social media to a learning tool
Did you know that short, digestible TikToks are making it easier than ever to learn to play music or learn a new language?
Photo: Olivier Bergeron/Unsplash
StatePoint Media - While TikTok often gets a bad rap as a time-waster, in reality, there are thousands of influencers on the app sharing content designed to inspire, educate and encourage creativity.
It’s no wonder then that a recent survey by Study.com found that 1 in 4 Americans use TikTok to enrich their education, with over half doing so because it’s easier to understand. So, rather than tell your kids to stop scrolling, here are three ways to leverage TikTok to enhance your children’s learning outside the classroom:
1. Music-making: Did you know that short, digestible TikToks are making it easier than ever to learn to play the piano online? From @gray_toven, who offers quick tutorials of trending music to @thepianopath, who provides time-strapped prospective piano players tips for getting started, there is an array of content to suit the needs of students looking for instruction and motivation. Just be sure to pair these resources with a great keyboard. The CT-S1, the spiritual successor to the original Casiotone CT-201, allows anyone to make music, regardless of skill level or budget. A stylish, ultra- portable keyboard offering great sound quality, it’s an ideal musical partner for beginners and seasoned players alike. Plus, it connects to the free Casio Music Space app, which acts as digital musical score, music teacher, live performance simulator, and all-round tool to enjoy learning and playing music.
2. Language learning: The best way to get fluent in a new language is to hear it spoken aloud and to have actual conversations. Fortunately, there are plenty of TikTok accounts making it easy to pick up new vocabulary, absorb grammar, learn common phrases and even connect with a community of students. Check out @yospanishofficial, which in addition to quick TikToks packed with tips and short lessons, also offers a weekly role play on Zoom so that students can practice conversational Spanish with others on the same mission. Or, to get familiar with Chinese words and phrases you’ll need in common scenarios, such as ordering food in a restaurant or asking for a Wi-Fi password, @chinesewithyan is a great place to start.
3. Homework help: Students no longer need to do their math homework alone. TikTok “tutors” abound that help guide students through their lessons, often in unique and creative ways. For example, @melodiesformath explains important math concepts through songs, whereas @your.bummy.math.tutor dishes tips for saving critical time on tests and acing important exams, like the SAT. TikTok tutors are also familiarizing students with their scientific or graphing calculator, so they can arrive at the answer quickly and easily with their device. Pair these virtual lessons with the latest in calculator technology, such as the fx-991CW ClassWiz, which can store and recall up to nine variables that can contain integers, computations and functions. The variables will remain in the calculator’s memory between sessions. Plus, by partnering the ClassWiz with an internet-capable mobile device, solutions can be graphed and visualized through ClassPad.net, a free online workspace for computation, graphing, geometry, statistics and more, by scanning a QR code on the calculator’s screen.
While TikTok may not seem like a learning tool, by digging a little deeper, you’ll find complicated concepts and information explained in bite-sized chunks on a familiar and fun interface.
Myths about hospice care: A bunch of things people think that aren't true
Photo: Use at your Ease/Pixabay
StatePoint Media - Hospice is intended to provide comfort and support to patients at the end of their life so that they can experience their remaining time in the best ways possible. Experts say that unfortunately, misconceptions about hospice often lead people to make uninformed decisions at a critical, complex juncture in their lives.
"There is often an idea that hospice equates to giving up. But hospice is actually about taking control," says Paul Mastrapa, president and chief executive officer of Interim HealthCare Inc. "It’s the job of the hospice team to understand what a patient’s goals for end-of-life care are, and help them live that last trajectory of their life the way they want to."
To help patients, their caregivers and family members, and those in the healthcare industry better understand the services and benefits hospice provides, Interim HealthCare is dispelling some of the most common misconceptions:
Myth: Hospice means giving up.
Fact: The primary goal of hospice is delivering comfort, support and specialized medical care to those ready to forgo curative treatment. Research has shown that a person who spends time on hospice has a greater quality of life at the end of their life. And while the goal is not to prolong life, there are statistics that show that hospice gives patients more time compared to patients who had the same disease trajectory and didn’t receive hospice.
Myth: Hospice is only appropriate for the last few days of life.
Fact: Hospice can actually last for months, and entering hospice sooner rather than later translates to fewer hospitalizations, better symptom relief and greater comfort.
Myth: You must give up all your medications.
Fact: While the hospice care team will make recommendations about which medications are still beneficial to a patient at their stage of illness, patients and families get the final say.
Myth: Hospice is a place.
Fact: Hospice can entail in-patient care, but more typically, services are delivered wherever a patient calls home. The nurse, social worker, spiritual care provider, aide and other members of the hospice care team meet the patient where they are, be that in a residential home, an assisted living community or in another institutional setting.
Myth: Hospice is only for patients with specific diseases.
Fact: Anyone with a life-limiting chronic disease, from congestive heart failure to pulmonary disease to Alzheimer’s, can choose hospice.
Myth: Hospice ends when the patient dies.
Fact: Hospice providers often offer support to those who have lost a loved one. In the case of Interim HealthCare, bereavement services are offered for 13 months.
Myth: Hospice work is draining.
Fact: When done right, hospice work can be extremely rewarding. Hospice care workers help patients and families find peace of mind, and reach a place of acceptance during a complicated and emotional time in their lives. Hospice workers believe in the mission of providing compassionate, patient-centric medical care and support to those at the end of their life, and they’re given a voice in the individualized care they provide.
The hospice market is the second-fastest growing healthcare segment nationwide, according to Bank of America research, which translates to a growing number of job opportunities. Hospice providers are currently recruiting candidates just starting out in their career and those looking to make a change. To learn more, visit careers.interimhealthcare.com.
For more information about hospice care services for yourself or a family member, visit https://www.interimhealthcare.com/services/hospice/.
"Although people don’t always feel comfortable talking about end-of-life care, having these conversations can ensure one’s final days are peaceful and fulfilling," says Mastrapa.
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