If your New Year’s resolutions include maintaining a clean and tidy home, fulfilling that goal is made easier with pr

(NewsUSA) - Toys for Tots, the U.S. Marine Corps’ premiere Community Action Program, distributed over 24.4 million toys, books, and other gifts to 9.9 million children in need in 2022. The incredible support we received from the American public and our Corporate Sponsors enabled the Program to achieve astounding results and celebrate the Program’s 75^th year of spreading Christmas cheer to underprivileged children across the Nation.

Marine Toys for Tots has supported children in need at Christmastime since 1947, but, in recent years, the Program’s support reaches beyond Christmas. The Marine Reserve Toys for Tots Program now includes year-round initiatives to support disadvantaged children experiencing challenges and exceptional circumstances, with books, toys, and messages of hope beyond the holiday season.

The Toys for Tots Literacy Program delivered 6.3 million books to disadvantaged children as well as to Title I funded schools, while the Toys for Tots Native American Program supported over 200,000 children on remote Reservations. Our most recent initiative supported over 447,000 children in foster care with educational toys, books, games, and school supplies. We also provided one million toys, books, and games to non-profit partner Good360 to be distributed to families across the country facing hardships that restore hope and self-worth outside of the holiday season.

“I believe that these distributions outside of the holiday season continue to provide significant comfort and relief to impacted families, but it also means that we needed to work extremely hard to replenish our toy supply before the holiday season,” said Lieutenant General Laster, President & CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.”

He continued, “we were astounded by the support provided by our Corporate Sponsors and individual donors.  They helped us not only accomplish the mission, but greatly exceed ALL expectations.”

The year-round and Christmastime distributions reassure families, who face adversity and exceptional circumstances throughout the year, that Marine Toys for Tots stands ready to assist when emotional support is needed most. Although we partner with many local non-profit organizations outside of the holiday season, it's our 830+ local Coordinators that are the "Hometown Heroes". They are responsible for the success of each local campaign and dedicate their time to delivering gifts and hope to those less fortunate within their communities.

The American public and a record number of organizations serving as Corporate Partners “answered our call to action and made significant contributions allowing the Foundation to augment local toy drives with over 12 million toys valued at over $127 million,” says Lt. Gen. Laster. 

Today’s children are tomorrow’s future, and Marine Toys for Tots is dedicated to ensuring it’s as bright as possible for children living in challenging circumstances. The assistance given was astronomical, and we are grateful to the American public, our National Corporate Sponsors, and our Coordinators that allowed the Program to reach incredible milestones in its 75^th year—and deliver messages of hope to nearly 10 million less fortunate children.  Visit toysfortots.org to learn more about Marine Toys for Tots and to donate to any of the Programs.

(NewsUSA) - Whether you’re planning a honeymoon, time away to rekindle romance, or simply an opportunity to make new memories together – planning ahead can save you money.

To get started, decide on the type of trip you want to take and the best time to go.

Best Time to Get Away

Do you want a calm, relaxing stay at the beach, a couples’ trip to Europe, or a skiing vacation in the mountains? 

All vacation destinations have peak seasons, often summertime, when hotels, restaurants and attractions are at their most expensive. Traveling in the off-season can mean big savings. Try hitting the slopes in January when it's not as busy. Or if you want to visit a warmer, southern destination, consider going early in the new year or between Labor Day and Christmas. You’ll find smaller crowds and lighter lines. 

If your dream is a romantic getaway to a city like Paris or Rome, consider going during the week of Thanksgiving. Europeans don’t celebrate the holiday, so most attractions are open.

Mapping Out Your Money

Anytime you travel, vacations can be costly. But if you plan in advance, you’ll know what you need and can alleviate a lot of stress. Here are some things to consider:

• Decide on the maximum amount you’re willing to spend. The cost will depend on where you go and what you plan to do. For example, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional Grace Yung explains, “Going to an international destination will likely cost more than heading to a beach or campground here in the U.S. Likewise, lodging in larger cities tends to be higher-priced than in rural areas.”
• Start saving now, even if the trip won’t take place for some time. Once you have an overall amount you'd like to spend on your trip, break it down and start setting money aside monthly. If you get a bonus at work or a tax refund, add it to your vacation fund. Look for other small ways to cut expenses (subscriptions you don’t use, etc.) to add to your savings.
• Find alternative ways to pay for travel-related expenses. If you have a credit card that offers airline miles or hotel points, use these to reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
• Track your spending. Calculate your costs as you go. If you’re spending more than you planned, make adjustments. Instead of dinner out, have a picnic on the beach. Or instead of paying for a guided tour, do a walking tour on your own.

Are You Financially Prepared to See the World?

A CFP^® professional can help you strategize for savings and plan your next vacation. To find a CFP^® professional near you, visit LetsMakeAPlan.org. 

(NewsUSA) - Theatrical essence, we know, relies upon a shared experience of space and time. How else does one describe the crescendo between the stage and stalls during a curtain call?

In Presence, the Play, William E. Jefferson’s protagonist puts it like this: “So many years, scripts scripted, performers performing, music scored, songs sung — it’s live, it’s real, it’s present. The theatre — what can be better, tell me? You can’t.”

Presence, the Play is an allegorical tale woven across multiple levels: Christian theology, media critique, the hero’s journey, poetic reimagining of classic works, and sheer entertainment. The work vigorously explores the concept of presence and its many manifestations, both divine and mundane.

This timely, captivating novel speaks to a growing hunger for a way of life that’s real and tangible -- the opposite of an artificial existence lived in a realm of mediated connectivity.

The novel’s meticulously crafted storyline evokes the imaginative prose of J.R.R. Tolkien, the spirited perception of C. S. Lewis, and the dramatic flair of Dante’s Divine Comedy.

Setting

On the Isle of Estillyen (an enchanting isle described in masterful and concise detail on the author’s website), lives a community of monks renowned for storytelling. One of the monks, named Script, has written a stage play, titled Presence, the Play. On opening night, a packed crowd eagerly awaits the performance while Script hurries to claim his balcony seat.

Amidst all the excitement, Script has a terrible fall. Medics rush the playwright to the sanatorium, where he lapses into a deep coma. The novel plays out in Script’s comatose state. Readers join Script on an epic mission to save the Isle of Estillyen from the forces of darkness, experiencing many daunting adventures along the way.

Script is a lovable, relatable and somewhat quirky character, and there’s much humor to be found as our unwitting protagonist bumbles his way to hell and back.

“The motivation for writing Presence, the Play was not a spark, or an idea that suddenly pressed upon my mind,” says the author. “Over time, the idea maturated until one day I began to view presence itself as an aspirational antidote to the distant mediated connectivity spurred on by social media platforms. It’s been said that the greatest gift you can give someone is your presence. I wholeheartedly agree.”

While Jefferson calls upon the works of Frost, Chaucer and Poe to add depth to the story, it is Dante’s Inferno and biblical texts that inform the novel as a whole. With each trip to hell, Script must pass through one of five doors that open onto a scene related to stories from the Gospels. He must observe the characters and their interactions, then find and follow a path to hell.

Jefferson’s visions of Hades are wildly imaginative, populated by armies of tussling swarms of demons and vast numbers of sinners getting their (often ironic and thoroughly modern) comeuppances.

All in all, Presence, the Play is a satisfying read for lovers of the spiritual, the literary and the fantastic. We invite you to venture forward.

Purchase at https://bit.ly/3iA9Wmn.

BookBites Presented by BookTrib.com
 

(NewsUSA) - Maaco, North America’s body shop, is celebrating the start of 2023 in rock and roll fashion by giving away 23 JBL speakers.

The sweepstakes, which invites entrants to share their favorite rock song of all time for a chance to win, can be entered at RockOnIn2023.com. It will run from Monday, February 6 through 11:59 PM on February, 20 2023, and is open to anyone in the United States.

“Following our 50th anniversary year, we are ready to continue our momentum into the next 50 years, thanking our valued customers for their continued support,” said Daryl Hurst, president, Maaco. “We’re hosting this giveaway to continue to show our appreciation to our customers and help them to keep rocking into this year and the future.”

Following the closing of the giveaway, 23 winners will be randomly selected on Wednesday, February 22. To receive their prize, the winner will be contacted through email and must respond within five business days.

“Our family of dedicated owners has worked day in and day out to uphold their commitment to providing their customers the best quality repairs at an incredible value, leading to strong customer loyalty from across the country,” continued Hurst. “I’m thrilled to see our momentum carry into this year and beyond, which could not be done without the incredible support of our valued customers.”

Maaco was founded in 1972 by Anthony Martino, beginning its operations with the first location in Wilmington, DE. From here, the company has grown to over 400 independently owned and operated franchises across North America that have repaired more than 20 million vehicles.

For more information, the rules governing the giveaway, and to enter, visit RockOnIn2023.com.

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About Maaco

Maaco is North America’s body shop, with over 50 years of experience in providing affordable auto body repair and car painting. Maaco, with more than 400 independently owned and operated franchises across the United States and Canada, has been named a top automotive franchise numerous times by Entrepreneur Magazine in its Annual Franchise 500 ranking and Franchise Times’ list of Top 200 franchises. Maaco is a member of Driven Brands, the largest automotive services company in North America. For more information about Maaco, visit Maaco.com.

About Driven Brands

Driven Brands™, headquartered in Charlotte, NC, is the largest automotive services company in North America, providing a range of consumer and commercial automotive needs, including paint, collision, glass, vehicle repair, oil change, maintenance and car wash. Driven Brands is the parent company of some of North America's leading automotive service businesses including Take 5 Oil Change®, Take 5 Car Wash®, Meineke Car Care Centers®, Maaco®, 1-800-Radiator & A/C®, Auto Glass Now®, and CARSTAR®. Driven Brands has more than 4,700 locations across 15 countries, and services over 50 million vehicles annually. Driven Brands' network generates approximately $1.9 billion in annual revenue from more than $5.3 billion in system-wide sales.

(Krissia Campos Spivey) - El 59% de los padres hispanos y latinos ha considerado encontrar una escuela nueva para al menos uno de sus hijos en los últimos doce meses, esto muestra como más de la mitad de los hispanos están buscando opciones para mejorar el rendimiento académico de su familia.

Si bien la elección de escuelas ha visto cambios en algunos estados del país, los mayores se han reflejado en West Virginia y Arizona, donde el gobierno aprobó programas para permitir que la comunidad tenga acceso a más opciones además de la escuela pública tradicional, donde son asignadas las familias de acuerdo a su lugar de residencia. Las familias hispanas también pueden acceder a todos estos beneficios y opciones.

¿Por qué es importante que las familias hispanas conozcan todas sus opciones? Según la Evaluación Nacional de Progreso Educativo (NAEP por sus siglas en inglés), matemáticas fue el área con mayor caida en los puntajes, la más grande de las últimas tres decadas (8 puntos en octavo grado y 5 puntos en cuarto grado). Los más afectados por estos descensos fueron la comunidad afroamericana e hispana.

Ahora que hay más opciones para los latinos, es invaluable conocer la información disponible y los recursos a los que pueden acceder las familias. Si cree que su hijo no encaja bien en su escuela actual, es importante saber que como padre tiene opciones y alternativas. Existe evidencia de que cuando facilitamos la elección para los padres, ellos toman buenas decisiones para la educación de su familia. Hemos visto el impacto positivo que han tenido las opciones escolares en lugares como Miami, Filadelfia y Phoenix.

Apoyar a la comunidad hispana debe ser una prioridad nacional, y una forma de ayudar a la comunidad es ofreciendo información de valor. Las familias hispanohablantes pueden resolver muchas de sus dudas en Conoce tus Opciones Escolares. Además, este año, la National School Choice Week (La Semana Nacional de Opciones Escolares), uno de los eventos educativos más importantes del país, ofrecerá asistencia personalizada para las familias latinas. Este evento tendrá lugar del 22 al 28 de enero de 2023.

Los estudiantes latinos van a representar casi el 30% de las escuelas públicas para fines de la década, y este es el momento de actuar y ofrecer a la comunidad hispana la mejor oportunidad para lograr la igualdad.

Tener varias opciones asegura que los niños no se queden frustrados por el hecho de no ser felices en su escuela actual. No es una locura decir que las opciones escolares pueden ser la diferencia entre que un niño sea acosado en su salón de clases o un niño que sea amado, respetado y apreciado en otra escuela. Con la elección de escuela, podemos reducir las tasas de abandono escolar y aumentar las posibilidades de éxito. Es vital que las familias sean conscientes de sus posibilidades.

Krissia Campos Spivey es directora de Conoce tus Opciones Escolares, un proyecto de la National School Choice Awareness Foundation, que ayuda a las familias estadounidenses que hablan español a explorar sus opciones educativas K-12 y elegir una excelente escuela para sus hijos. Krissia es salvadoreña-estadounidense y vive con su familia en Wake Forest, Carolina del Norte.

Theatrical essence, we know, relies upon a shared experience of space and time.

(NewsUSA) - La enfermedad cardíaca es la principal causa de muerte en los Estados Unidos. Una de cada cinco muertes se debe a una enfermedad cardíaca, a pesar de que la enfermedad se puede prevenir en gran medida.

Mantener su corazón saludable comienza con llevar un estilo de vida saludable para el corazón. Pero primero, debe ser inteligente con su corazón. Saber qué causa la enfermedad cardíaca, qué le pone en riesgo, y cómo puede reducir esos riesgos puede ayudarle a tomar decisiones informadas para proteger su corazón y mantenerlo fuerte.

¿Quiere poner a prueba su conocimiento? Responda a este breve cuestionario sobre el corazón:

Cuestionario sobre el corazón

1. ¿Verdadero o Falso? La presión arterial alta también se conoce como hipertensión y ocurre cuando su presión arterial es constantemente de 130/80 mm Hg o superior.
2. ¿Verdadero o Falso? Su índice de masa corporal, o IMC, muestra si su peso está en un rango saludable para su altura y es una medida de su riesgo futuro de enfermedad cardíaca.
3. ¿Verdadero o Falso? El colesterol ayuda a producir hormonas, vitamina D, y sustancias que ayudan a digerir los alimentos. Su cuerpo lo necesita para una buena salud, pero en las cantidades adecuadas.
4. ¿Verdadero o Falso? Comer muchas verduras, frutas, y granos integrales, consumir productos lácteos sin grasa o bajos en grasa, y limitar los alimentos con alto contenido de grasas saturadas o bebidas azucaradas son parte de una dieta saludable para el corazón.
5. ¿Verdadero o Falso? No dormir lo suficiente o tener un sueño de mala calidad de manera regular aumenta el riesgo de tener presión arterial alta, enfermedad cardíaca, y otras afecciones médicas.
6. ¿Verdadero o Falso? Para fortalecer su corazón, los adultos deben aspirar a realizar al menos 150 minutos de actividad aeróbica de intensidad moderada, como caminar a paso ligero, cada semana.

Clave de respuestas: todas las respuestas son Verdaderas.

¿Como le fue en el cuestionario? Conocer sus propios factores de riesgo de enfermedad cardíaca puede ayudarle a guiar sus elecciones de estilo de vida, así que hable con su proveedor de atención médica para asegurarse de que está bien de salud. Igual de importante: conozca sus números. Su peso, el tamaño de su cintura, su presión arterial, su colesterol, y sus niveles de azúcar en la sangre afectan su corazón. Si no están donde deberían estar, comprométase a comenzar a mejorarlos.

Agregar más actividad física a su día, comer una dieta saludable para el corazón, controlar el estrés, dormir lo suficiente, y no fumar puede ponerle en el camino hacia una mejor salud del corazón.

Obtenga más información sobre la prevención de la enfermedad cardíaca de The Heart Truth® en www.hearttruth.gov (en inglés) y descargue la hoja informativa Heart Smart Basics para mejorar su conocimiento sobre la salud del corazón.

(NewsUSA) - Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. One in five deaths is due to heart disease, even though the disease is largely preventable.

Keeping your heart healthy starts with living a heart-healthy lifestyle. But first, you need to get smart about your heart. Knowing what causes heart disease, what puts you at risk for it, and how you can reduce those risks can help you make informed decisions to protect your heart and keep it strong.

Want to test your knowledge? Take this short Heart Smart Quiz:

Heart Smart Quiz

1. True or False? High blood pressure is also known as hypertension and occurs when your blood pressure is consistently 130/80 mm Hg or higher.

2. True or False? Your body mass index, or BMI, shows if your weight is in a healthy range for your height and is one measure of your future risk for heart disease.

3. True or False? Cholesterol helps make hormones, vitamin D, and substances to help you digest foods. Your body needs it for good health, but in the right amounts.

4. True or False? Eating lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, using fat-free or low-fat dairy products, and limiting foods high in saturated fat or sugar-sweetened beverages are all part of a heart-healthy diet.

5. True or False? Not getting enough sleep or getting poor quality sleep on a regular basis increases the risk of having high blood pressure, heart disease, and other medical conditions.

6. True or False? To strengthen their heart, adults should aim to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity such as brisk walking each week.

Answer Key: All answers are True.

How did you do? Knowing your own risk factors for heart disease can help guide your lifestyle choices, so talk to your healthcare provider to make sure you’re clear. Just as important: know your numbers. Your weight, waist size, blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels all affect your heart. If they aren’t where they should be, make a pledge to begin improving them.

Adding more physical activity to your day, eating a heart-healthy diet, managing stress, getting enough quality sleep, and not smoking can put you on the path to better heart health.

Learn more about heart disease prevention from The Heart Truth® at www.hearttruth.gov and download the Heart Smart Basics fact sheet to improve your knowledge about heart health.

(NewsUSA) - New and emerging technology is changing how wars are fought, even the nature of war, and the United States needs to embrace these changes, according to a new report from the Special Competitive Studies Project, a bipartisan nonprofit with the goal of strengthening American competitiveness in technology such as artificial intelligence.

Technology including cyber warfare, constant data collection, and artificial intelligence is changing traditional ideas of frontlines and battlefields and bringing global conflicts closer to home. For example, China and Russia have leveraged technology in the form of cyberattacks, theft of intellectual property, sabotage, and disinformation to wage a persistent, but often invisible conflict with the United States.

In addition to cyberattacks and intellectual property theft that costs the United States hundreds of billions of dollars annually, this “persistent conflict” could ultimately include micro-targeting of leaders, diplomats, warfighters, and their families with smear campaigns, psychological pressure or, even biological warfare, the report notes. Additionally, anything that relies on computer systems and the internet could be vulnerable. However, there are no international guidelines or conventions to restrict technology attacks. 

An example of the new style of warfare is on display in Ukraine, the report observes. The Ukrainian government works with civilians to track Russian forces on messaging services and apps, uses AI to identify soldiers, raises money with Internet-based, non-fungible tokens and connects to the Internet via the Elon Musk-developed satellite service Starlink. 

To help combat the use of technology in a “technology war,” the United States must step up and counter these tech tactics, the report says.

The report recommends 10 initiatives as part of a plan to “offset” high-tech threats. These initiatives include pursuing software advantages in every aspect of military activities and capabilities, and creating human-machine collaborations. 

“‘Offset’ means that we will never try to match our opponents or our competitors tank for tank, plane for plane, person for person,” says Robert O. Work, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense and board member of the Special Competitive Studies Project. “So, what we do is we seek ways in which to ‘offset’ our potential adversary's advantages.”

This year’s military and defense budget has the largest budget request ever made for technology research and development and calls for more government partnership with private sector tech companies to support American troops and prepare them for the new generation of technology-focused war and peacekeeping.

Visit scsp.ai to learn more.