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Does the President Actually Tweet?

April 20, 2013 By Admin3 Leave a Comment

Twitter has exploded in popularity in recent years, rivaling more established social networks like Facebook. From the very beginning, Twitter has been championed by celebrities like Ashton Kutcher and Taylor Swift as a perfect way to reach out to fans and share their thoughts. It didn’t take long for politicians to take notice either. Barack Obama’s campaign embraced the Internet and social media during his 2008 candidacy, and ever since he was elected, he has maintained an active Twitter account that currently has 30.1 million followers.

However, a vast majority of the tweets that come from this account aren’t written by the president. On the rare occasion that President Obama personally tweets, he signs it with a distinct “-bo”. While most people understand that the tweets coming from this account may no longer be tied to Barack Obama or even his staff, many still believe that each and every tweet from “@BarackObama” is tweeted by the president, or at the very least a White House intern who painstakingly writes each message to avoid typos, spelling errors, and other embarrassing gaffes. But in reality, the President’s social media accounts, while previously maintained by staff, are now maintained by a 501(c)4 called Organizing for Action.

The problem with this is that Barack Obama’s Twitter account is considered “verified,” which means it has been researched and deemed credible and trustworthy. Twitter verifies accounts belonging to celebrities and other noteworthy people to ensure they are the authentic sources of their tweets, as compared to people who create fake accounts and pose as others on Twitter. Is it possible accounts that may change hands over time no longer receive any scrutiny?

Whatever the answer to this question, it’s generally agreed that Barack Obama’s name and picture appearing on Twitter have done wonders for his career and campaigns, and other presidential hopefuls have taken notice and will certainly take advantage of the service in 2016 and beyond.

Filed Under: Professionals

Types of Living Facilities for Seniors

April 9, 2013 By Admin3 Leave a Comment

Many retired and elderly people prefer to spend their final years in some type of a retirement home that allows them to live comfortably and with little trouble. Below are various types of facilities that cater to different needs and desires to enjoy a well-deserved retirement.

1. Independent living facilities are recommended for people who need little to no help. The facility may offer meals, activities, transportation and recreation for seniors. Independent living facilities are also known as senior housing, retirement communities, or congregate living facilities.

2. Active-adult communities are housing developments that offer independent, fairly maintenance-free living to senior adults age 55 and older. Some communities are “age restricted,” which means 80 percent of homeowners must be 55 and over. Communities that are “age targeted” simply market to the 55+ seniors. Many residents in these types of communities continue to work part or full time. Active adult communities may offer golf, dance, yoga, crafts, cookouts and even academic classes.

3. Green and eco-friendly communities. Many elderly people prefer to live in communities that are environmentally friendly. Such communities use recycled building materials and therefore achieve a high standard of indoor air quality, while leaving a minimal footprint on the environment.

4. Advanced care facilities provide daily support and care. Advance care facilities usually provide meals, medication management, housekeeping and other services. These facilities are also known as assisted living facilities. Communities below fall in the advanced care facilities category:

Continuing care retirement communities provide independent living, assisted living, and nursing care. These communities cater to their residents’ particular needs; for example, if one spouse needs high-skilled nursing care, the other can keep on living in his or her own apartment. When the other spouse gets better, they are able to move back to the apartment.
Assisted living communities provide buildings with meals, medical services, housekeeping and transportation.

Retirement homes are increasingly for the very old. It is comparable to assisted living in several ways, but not as high skilled of care as a nursing home.
Nursing homes are usually the last stay for the elderly. These homes provide a high level of skilled care.

Filed Under: Health and Beauty, Home and Family

Job Hunting Tips for Recent College Graduates

March 17, 2013 By Admin3 Leave a Comment

After walking across the stage and picking up a hard-earned college diploma, most recent graduates immediately set their sights on the next goal: finding a job. But with the effects of the recession still being felt across the country, and steep competition from their peers, many freshly-minted graduates are finding it more and more difficult to get their foot in the door. It’s a tough job market right now, but with a little ingenuity and preparation, young job seekers can get a leg up on the competition.

The first thing recent graduates should do is perfect their resume. Many college campuses offer resume writing services for free, where an experienced career advisor can help identify the strengths and weaknesses of the resume and help restructure and rewrite it in a way that’s more appealing to employers. Resumes that are unclear, unfocused, or simply cluttered may quickly end up in the trash can.

Another important tip is to only apply for jobs for which the job seeker is truly qualified for. It’s tempting to spam resumes out to any halfway relevant job opening—especially when frustration, or even worse, desperation kick in—but it’s important to keep the search narrow. By sticking to jobs directly in their career fields or that relate to their education, recent graduates have a much higher chance of landing that all important first interview.

Next, graduates should treat each relevant job opening they find as if it’s the only job they’re applying to. That means they should do their homework, research the company, and retool their resume to be as close of a fit to the job requirements as possible. Call attention to tasks in previous jobs and achievements during school that are line with what the company wants rather than what looks best on the resume. Many resumes are “read” by computers that are simply searching for keywords, and if those keywords aren’t detected, the resumes get deleted before they’re ever seen by human eyes.

Finally, job seekers should be persistent and consider interning for a low or even no wage. Many employers are risk averse and may be hesitant to hire someone without experience. Internships—even unpaid ones—are often the key to landing that all-important first job. By showing work ethic and building experience and a portfolio, internships are often the difference between who gets the job and who doesn’t.

Filed Under: Professionals

Report on Americans and Poor Health

March 13, 2013 By Admin3 Leave a Comment

It’s been in the news for some time now that Americans’ state of health has been declining in recent decades, to the point where it’s now referred to by many as a national health crisis. In fact, the United States now ranks 17^th in 32 developed nations, with a life expectancy of 75 (Japan tops the list at 79.1 years). What are the factors leading up to this disturbing news? How did we get into this predicament?

Obesity still remains a real problem. Take a trip to the mall or the store, and you’ll most likely see more really big people than you did ten years ago. Why is that? It ties in to lifestyle and lack of exercise, of course. When people drive to work, get out and walk into the office, get back in the car and get fast food for lunch, then drive home again and stay sedentary until time for bed, they’re going to put on weight. But there’s more to it than just a sedentary lifestyle.

Corn and flour are cheap, and foods that are heavy in refined flour or corn products tend to be cheap…and the carbohydrates in those foods aren’t easily processed, so the body tends to convert them to fat. There’s a direct correlation between cheap processed foods and the number of obese poor people in America – and the low cost of corn, high fructose corn syrup and flour all ties in to agricultural subsidies that help keep those prices depressed. Obesity, of course, is a major contributor to orthopedic problems, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, cancer and numerous other ailments.

Some trends have started to turn in the other direction. Fewer people smoke, more people are getting at least some exercise, fewer people drink heavily, and more people are starting to become engaged and conscious of their own health. More Americans are getting tested for HIV, and more are staying current on their vaccines (including seasonal flu shots). 48.4% report regular aerobic exercise, the highest number ever recorded. Still, many adults avoid seeking health care due to the cost and their lack of insurance, and trends still seem to point to poor dietary choices as one of the biggest obstacles to good health in Americans. Hopefully as behaviors improve, America can turn the corner soon.

Filed Under: Health and Beauty

Stay Strong: Better Health During Winter Months

February 20, 2013 By Admin3 Leave a Comment

It is common for humans to sort of hibernate during winter’s cold months. Our calorie intake increases, physical activity decreases. Result: lack of energy, weight gain, colds and flus.

Q: Is it okay to exercise in the cold?

A: Exercise is a good way to strengthen the immune system during the cold months and to gain more energy. One of the biggest misconceptions people have about exercising in cold weather is the need to dress too warmly. Exercise produces lots of heat — it tricks you into feeling like it’s much warmer than it really is. But once your sweat dries, you can get very cold. It’s important to wear layers. Remove them as soon as you start sweating and put then put them back on as needed. Slim people may need more padding than someone who is heavier. Wear a scarf or a face mask to warm the air before it hits your lungs. Protect your feet with extra thick socks. Don’t forget about your hands and ears which are vulnerable to frostbite too.

Q: What are some good comfort foods to serve kids during winter?

A: Soups. Hot soups are one of the best comfort foods during snowy winters. You can make soup at home from scratch or buy ready-to-heat cans from grocery store. Soups are healthy and delicious and fairly inexpensive. They help prevent winter cough and cold and are also great decongestants.

Hot Chocolate: What’s tastier than a cup of rich hot chocolate, topped with whipped cream and marshmallows, when your hands are cold from the freezing temperature outside?

Q: How can I get more vitamin D in the winter?

A: Sunshine is the best source of vitamin D. But if you live in a place where most days are grey and gloomy, you need to find other ways to get enough sunshine for your daily dose of vitamin D. Spend as much time outside as you possibly can to take advantage of every sunray. Go for a walk or eat your lunch outside. Your hands and face will absorb some vitamin D. It may not be your required dose of vitamin D, but it’s better than nothing and the fresh air will be good for you on many levels too. Egg yolks and salmon are the foods with high amounts of vitamin D, so eat more of these foods in the winter. A last resort, take Vitamin D supplements.

Filed Under: General, Health and Beauty

The Fiscal Cliff Explained

January 31, 2013 By Admin3 Leave a Comment

The term “fiscal cliff” has certainly been kicked around in the news enough for the last year or so. For most, the term implies a financial doomsday, but there’s a pretty fair amount of misinformation and confusion about what it actually means.

The “fiscal cliff” refers to a series of tax increases and mandatory spending cuts that kicked in on January 1, 2013, when some 90% of Americans saw their taxes go up. At the same time, spending cuts that would affect defense, Social Security, Medicare and many other government benefits were proposed. The term “fiscal cliff” is shorthand for the shock waves that were expected to ripple through the U.S. economy.

To understand how we got to this juncture, in August 2011, Congress raised the country’s debt limit by $2.1 trillion. As part and parcel of that 2011 deal, Congress was to find a more long-term plan; if they failed, the tax increases and spending cuts would automatically start in January of 2013. This harsh medicine was designed to force the government’s hand into more responsible spending and revenue policy. While the U.S. debt-to-GDP ratio is still lower than most European countries, a more indebted country is still at a disadvantage when it comes to borrowing and responding to the unexpected. In addition, excessive debt can spook investors, giving rise to another financial crisis.

A spike in unemployment is still expected, as well as a drop in the deficit and debt-to-GDP ratio. In addition, the expiration of the current tax cuts may stifle investment and rattle small businesses, contributing to more unemployment and a collapse in consumer confidence.

The only remedy to this situation, according to many experts, is a program of cuts in entitlement and defense spending along with a spike in tax rates. Health care and social security could be hard-hit, with a likely increase in retirement and eligibility age for both programs. The meat of this problem is what bedevils Washington, as there’s little political will to make these tough calls. The members of Congress want to get re-elected; to do that, they need to stay loyal to their contributors (many of whom are defense contractors) and constituents…and therein lies the problem. That’s why many Americans spent New Years’ Even wondering whether or not Republicans and Democrats would lock arms to avoid marching off the fiscal cliff, or if they would fight with each other the entire way, taking the rest of the country with them.

Filed Under: Finance

Delectable Dangers for Dogs and How to Keep Them Safe

January 14, 2013 By Admin3 Leave a Comment

Even the most ardent dog lover has to admit that when it comes to our beloved canine companions, they think more with their stomachs than their heads. So if you have guests coming over who don’t know your dog’s routine, it’s vitally important to keep an eye on pups of all ages.

During special dinners, people tend to serve richer foods, and that food may tempt a pet to the point of obsession. It wants to eat that entire ham, turkey or chicken. So, keep main dishes up high where dogs can’t get a hold of them. And inform guests that feeding dogs under the table isn’t a great idea, too. If a dog eats too much fatty food it can get ill. Signs of pancreatitis are vomiting, diarrhea along with abdominal pain.

Also, don’t let anyone give a dog a leftover bone. Bones can splinter and puncture the stomach or intestine because they become brittle when they cook. They also pose a chocking hazard for dogs. The only bones that dogs should be offered as treats are the big and meaty bones from a butcher – not something from the dining room table.

Chocolate also poses a potential health threat for pups. Chocolate toxicity can occur within a day, and it can be very serious. The darker the chocolate, the more danger, especially in relation to the dog’s weight. So, make sure the kids (and adults) consume chocolate away from dogs. It’s not a bad idea to place the leftover wrapper as far down in the trash as possible to keep dogs from smelling the chocolate. Also many chocolates come wrapped in foil, which cannot only be a potential choking hazard – it can also get stuck in a dog’s intestines.

Another thing to watch out for is bread dough. Dough will expand in a dog’s stomach and can make it very ill. Also, the gas that it will produce in the digestive system could even potentially rupture a dog’s stomach or intestines. So when baking, it’s important to keep dough far out of a dog’s reach. Instead of letting it rise on a cutting board, it may not be a bad idea to put it on top of a shelf. (Bonus: it will probably be warmer the higher it is in the kitchen, which will make it rise faster!)

Hosting guests can be a happy and hectic time. But it’s important to keep an eye out for the furry members of the household, so that they stay safe, too.

Filed Under: Pets

A Gathering of Experts Suggests Travel as a New Year’s Resolution

January 7, 2013 By Admin3 Leave a Comment

When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, some people use them as the proverbial stick instead of the carrot. For many, January starts with things like unrealistic weight loss goals, learning a second language by the end of the month or “never eating candy again.” We think there’s a much better way to self-improve in the new year, and that plan comes wrapped in glossy brochure. Why not make traveling the “carrot” to achieve some of your goals?

Being exposed to sights, cultures and new experiences is a fantastic way to shape awareness of the world – and oneself. It’s also a fun way to learn a second language and to work off some holiday calories.

When traveling, it’s a good idea to have at least the basics of the language. Even if it’s only a few phrases, being able to communicate with the local community is a huge advantage when traveling. People tend to be more hospitable to tourists who are respectful enough to try to speak the language, instead of gesturing wildly.

Traveling to a foreign country is also a great way to self-motivate when it comes to working out. Hitting the pool at the gym is much more fun when it’s an incentive to become a stronger swimmer for learning how to surf or go snorkeling.

And traveling is also an incentive to hit the books. Going to Italy? Now’s a great time to read up on wine or to bone up on art history. Traveling to Mexico? Why not learn about the Aztecs before getting there. Traveling is much more rewarding when a visitor knows some of the history of a country or region.

Many airlines offer winter discounts, so traveling outside of the U.S. doesn’t have to be cost prohibitive. There are even websites that send out alerts for last minute travel deals. So, start that passport application and plan to do a little traveling in 2013.

Filed Under: Travel

A Gathering of Experts: Tips for Office Holiday Parties

December 19, 2012 By Admin3 Leave a Comment

When it comes to the holidays, one of the biggest social minefields can be the annual company holiday party. And a Gathering of Experts wants to help people avoid any common blunders that may make the season a little less merry and bright.

One of the most common mistakes employees can make is to complain about the venue, food or lack of an open bar. No one enjoys being around someone with a sour attitude, but it can be particularly bad if the employer overhears one of his or her employees running down the event–let alone the person who planned it. If an office party seems sub par it’s best to keep complaints to oneself and try to enjoy oneself anyway. Not everything is going to be perfect for everyone, but it’s always a good idea to be gracious – even if the feast is just a hot dog party on the roof.

Giving appropriate gifts at appropriate times is always a good idea. If someone is friendly with the employer, don’t give a personal gift in front of others at the office. It comes across as rude to other co-workers. And don’t give co-workers a “joke” present re-gifted from a crass brother-in-law. No one likes junk and very few people like off-color gifts as well. When in doubt just give co-workers a cheerful holiday card and try to stay away from any gifts that could offend.

When it comes to alcohol, less is more. A little self control usually means more dignity on Monday morning. The general rule of thumb is to avoid over indulging, because while it may seem hilarious at the time, drunkenly dancing isn’t going to do anyone’s career any favors.

Finally, remember that not everyone may be in the mood to celebrate at all. The holidays can be stressful, and forcing people to partake in an event can come across as overbearing. Simply wish co-workers a “Happy Holiday” and pay attention to social clues as to whether or not they want to take the conversation further.

The holidays can tricky, especially in an office. But by keeping these general rules in mind, the office party can be a much more harmonious occasion.

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Tips

Bucket List Tips: Landing a Spot on a Reality Show

November 12, 2012 By Admin3 Leave a Comment

At one time, children dreamed of growing up to be movie stars and pop singers, but today the word ‘celebrity’ has much broader connotations. Twenty-somethings create audition tapes to land a spot on a reality show and find instant celebrity…at least until the next reality show airs and everyone forgets about it.

If your lifelong dream is to have a camera crew follow your every move, here are a few tips on getting that coveted spot on a reality show.

Think it through. Many people underestimate just how exposed they’ll feel. Not only will the cameras follow you, but your fellow show-mates will talk about you behind your back—with the results aired on national TV. The result can be humiliating, to say the least. Also, take a look at your life. Can you leave your job, family, and friends for several weeks to several months to do whatever show you’re contemplating?
Watch the show. You’ll have an edge if you do make it on the show by knowing how the show works. Carefully consider participating in a new show, keeping in mind that not all reality shows are “real.” You may get into a situation that’s scripted or, worse, heavily edited to make it appear as though things happened that didn’t.
Check the show’s website. Many reality shows have information on what it takes to get on the show. Some shows ask for video auditions, but these days, one of the best ways to get on a reality show is to attend a casting call. Keep in mind, these calls can attract thousands of people, so don’t feel overwhelmed when you get there.
Be unique. Before attending the audition, make sure you have a high-quality photo to present to the casting directors. While most reality shows feature their fair share of beautiful people, if you’ll watch the people that are usually chosen, you’ll notice there are usually unique qualities to each of them. Be yourself but present the side of yourself that makes you stand out from the thousands of other people.

Getting on a reality show is by no means easy, but if nothing else, showing up for the casting call will give you an interesting experience you can take with you.

Filed Under: Personal Tagged With: reality show, Tips