Lois "News" Lane

Where you can get your news fix

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Get the Right Light for Your Media Room

Now that football season is well underway, it is easy to get your media room up to the task of hosting fans and providing the best atmosphere for cheering your team to victory. The American Lighting Association (ALA) offers great play-by-play tips to create an effective and enjoyable viewing atmosphere.

Brent Protzman, manager of energy information and analytics for Lutron Electronics Company Inc., says Lutron conducts extensive research to determine how lighting and shading controls influence visual entertainment. Often, people like to check their fantasy football teams or catch highlights on their laptops, tablets or smartphones while still watching the game on TV.

Protzman says, “Glare from the amount of daylight can be overwhelming on these devices. The trick is to lower shades and dim overhead lights to make it easier to do tasks.”

Joe Rey-Barreau is an education consultant for the ALA and an associate professor at the University of Kentucky’s School of Interiors and College of Design. “Using different lighting layers is always the best option for media rooms,” Rey-Barreau says. “A single lighting layer could be fixtures that are of the same type. For example, one layer could be recessed lighting in the media room, another layer could be wall sconces, a third layer could be an integrated architectural lighting system such as a cove or niche.”

Adding three layers of light, along with dimmers, gives homeowners the maximum level of control with their lighting, which effectively illuminates the room without too much glare.

Light fixtures, such as pendants and glass globes, tend to create bright spots in a room, which can be a problem for viewing television screens with direct glare and reflections on the glass. To create the perfect atmosphere, Protzman suggests dimming light fixtures to a very low level. “Your eyes will be able to quickly adjust and adapt to the changes in light levels,” he says.

According to Protzman, people tend to perceive smaller decreases in light level than what really changes. This means if you dim a light by what seems to be 30 percent in brightness, you will actually reduce the light level by as much as 90 percent. Not only do light dimmers allow you to create a media space to your liking, but, as an added bonus, they save energy as well.

To find professional expertise and the best product selection for your media room, visit your local ALA-member retailer.

For a list of ALA-member showrooms, please visit AmericanLightingAssoc.com.

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These Aren’t Your Grandma’s Pearls

Pearls are the perfect, malleable medium for today’s always-changing fashions. But don’t mistake some of today’s modern pearls with Grandmother’s simple strands. By adding a little high tech, color and carvings, you take a classic piece of jewelry straight into the 21st century. With these changes, today’s pearls are appealing to a new generation that is discovering their beauty and luster, while enjoying some amazing new characteristics.

If you think that pearls can’t be high tech, you’d be wrong. One designer in California, Chi Huynh of Galatea Jewelry by Artist, is known for creating numerous variations on the cultured pearl. His latest invention (patent pending) is called Momento Pearl. To create this innovative piece, Huynh inserted a tiny near-field communication (NFC) chip into a cultured pearl. When you use it in combination with the company’s proprietary Galatea App, you can upload voice and text messages, images, and web links. Simply tap the pearl against an Android phone to hear the voice message and see what has been uploaded.

Want a little color in your pearl? Huynh has also patented a cultured pearl with a colored stone bead inside. When the pearl exterior or nacre (pronounced “nayker”) is carved, the color is revealed. Described as one of the g greatest developments in pearl culturing since Kokichi Mikimoto invented the process in the early 1920s, the “Galatea Pearl” is one of the rarest pearls in the world. They are available as pendants, earrings, and rings in 14k gold.

If pearls as art is more to your taste, why not carve pearls like marble to make miniature sculptures? Hand-carving pearls have always been a hallmark of Huynh’s Galatea jewelry designs. More than 75 percent of the company’s jewelry use carved pearls rather than the more traditional smooth-surfaced pearls. Normally, pearls are valued for their color, luster, (the “shine” on its exterior), uniform, and blemish-free surface. Huynh revolutionized traditional beliefs about cultured pearls, calling his carved pearls, “Pearls without Boundaries.” They may not be for those who prefer a classic pearl, but that’s what makes these new pearl designs so appealing to a younger audience.

And speaking of that younger generation, the company’s “King Pearls,” are large, dark Tahitian pearls with unique carvings depicting dragons, dolphins, crosses, and other modern designs.

All in all, pearls are enjoying a renaissance and are finding a place center stage with fashionistas, and reemerging from the jewelry box. And Galatea is just the company to do it.

For more information, please visit www.galateausa.com.

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Hungry for a Way to Control Your Appetite? New Procedure May Help

If you are one of the millions of Americans that struggle with your weight and have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 to 45, you may have considered bariatric surgery to lose unwanted pounds. The rub is that while it may work, it’s invasive, and there can be significant long-term side effects: so much so that only a fraction of those who are obese seriously think about this option.

Now, however, the future of weight loss may lie in a first-of-its-kind, pacemaker-like device that reduces hunger and leads to prolonged fullness without altering or restricting the anatomy. Here’s how it works: The vagus nerve is the communicator between the brain and the stomach. If the communication is interrupted, the stomach tells the brain it’s full sooner. Thus, patients eat less and feel full, allowing for safe, sustained weight loss.

Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in January 2015, the vBloc Neurometabolic Therapy device is the first weight loss device to be available to patients in over a decade.

“Obesity is a global epidemic with consequences to both public and personal health,” said Sajani Shah, Tufts Medical Center bariatric surgeon. “From diet and exercise to bypass surgery, existing treatment options have failed to stop the advance of this disease.”

The vBloc Neurometabolic Therapy device, created by St. Paul, Minnesota-based EnteroMedics, is implanted in a minimally invasive outpatient procedure and allows patients to eat a normal, healthy diet without food restrictions.

“With this new weight-loss option, what’s really important to understand is that it’s less invasive, less complex and there are absolutely no restrictions to what you can eat,” said Shah. “Patients like that it’s reversible, they have more control over their hunger and they have more control over how fast they lose weight. They are able to go back to work within days, and it’s outpatient surgery,” she said.

For Erica Roy, who received her vBloc device over 18 months ago, the results speak for themselves. Down 45 pounds, Roy said she couldn’t be happier with the outcome.

“What is amazing to me about this device is that it doesn’t just affect me physically, it works on helping me address my relationship with food,” she said.

Roy said the device caters to that group of people that feels gastric surgeries like lap band and bypass are too extreme.

For more information, please call 1-800-MyvBloc or visit www.vbloc.com.

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Chiropractors Offer Advice to Those With Diabetes

If current trends are to be believed, 1 in 5 Americans will have diabetes by 2025 — and 1 in 3 a generation later.

So says the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which calls the figures “alarming.” But when you think about today’s lifestyles — too often sedentary, with unhealthy diets — is it really all that surprising?

“We simply cannot sustain this trajectory,” says the agency’s Dr. Ann Allbright.

Certainly genetics also play a part in explaining why 29.1 million Americans already suffer from the disease. It’s characterized by the body’s inability to produce (or properly use) the hormone insulin that’s needed to convert sugar, starches, and other food into energy.

But when it comes to those lifestyle issues — which, unlike genes, we can control — perhaps the best advice to limit the growing epidemic of diabetes comes from Dennis Marchiori, DC PhD, current president of the Association of Chiropractic Colleges: “Simply put, when you live healthier, you have a better chance of managing your blood sugar.”

The “DC” stands for doctor of chiropractic. And today’s chiropractors, with a minimum of seven years of education and clinical training, are helping to address the root cause of lifestyle-acquired Type II Diabetes (or Adult On-Set Diabetes) through their emphasis on healthy living and natural lifestyles. They’re also well-educated in nutrition, enabling them to construct individualized health regimens for patients that include:

• Eating well-balanced meals that are low in processed sugar.

• Consuming a variety of fiber-rich foods like fruit, vegetables, and whole grains.

• Weight management.

“Type II Diabetes is a preventable disease, and choosing a healthy lifestyle is critical,” says the not-for-profit Foundation for Chiropractic Progress’ Gerard Clum, DC.

And if you’re new to exercise, a chiropractor’s skill in manual care will also come in handy.

For more information or to find a chiropractor in your area, visit www.F4CP.org/findadoctor.

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Study Finds Millennials Are Determined to Lessen Kids’ College Debt

Poor parents of college-bound kids.

According to the just-released 9th annual national “College Saving Indicator Study” conducted by Fidelity Investments, while more parents are putting away money to finance their children’s college education — 69 percent nationwide, up 5 percent from last year — they’re still on track to save just 27 percent of their stated goals by the start of freshman year.

Even the most severely math-challenged can see what’s described as “the challenge ahead” implied by these numbers: $232 (the median monthly amount parents report saving) and $31, 231 (the current average annual cost of tuition and fees at private colleges).

Of particular interest may be the behavior of millennial parents.

This is the generation, born between 1981 and 1997, who’s particular revelation from the 2008 recession was how tough it is paying off their own student loans while trying to establish a career (56 percent who graduated with such debt remain saddled with it)—all while the economy was tanking, and people were getting laid off. So it’s understandable, as the study found, that parents “appear particularly determined to help their children” avoid the same plight — specifically, by planning on covering 8 percent more than the 66 percent of their offspring’s college costs than parents overall.

“Millennials have weathered challenging conditions for much of their adulthood, and have adopted smart savings habits at a higher rate than their older counterparts,” says Keith Bernhardt, vice president of retirement and college products at Fidelity

Here are some ideas you might not have thought of to keep from underfunding your own kids’ higher education:

   • Consider opening a 529 Plan. According to the survey, 93 percent of parents using one of these state- or state agency-sponsored, dedicated college accounts say it helps keep them on target. Savings can be used for tuition, books, and other education-related expenses. And the best part? Federal income taxes are deferred on any earnings, and separate state tax deductions may also apply.

   • Get with the trend. No doubt you’ve heard of wedding registries set up to help finance a honeymoon in an exotic locale. The same is true for college. If you have a 529 Plan through Fidelity, for instance, its free 529 Gifting Service lets friends and family contribute to your account — with a private dashboard provided for you to send invitations and track gifts.

   • Reallocate pre-school dollars. If your  child has aged out of day care and after school care, that’s an average of $730 in monthly fees that could instead be socked away in a dedicated college savings account.

One other finding to emerge from the study: 70 percent of all parents say they need more “guidance” on the whole subject. Among the most popular Fidelity resource is an interactive, online College Savings Quick Check that lets you see how you’re progressing.

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Nonprofit Seeks to Bring Attention to Preventing Sports Injuries

It’s considered a “silent epidemic” and it’s threatening our nation’s youth.

We’re talking about sports-related injuries. Every day nearly 8,000 young athletes sustain injuries bad enough to send them to an emergency room, and, if that’s not upsetting enough, take a look at these statistics from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• In the past year alone, 48 youths died due to sports injuries. • About 30,000 high school athletes are hospitalized every year. • Concussions account for 90 percent of high schoolers’ 300,000 annual head injuries.

That explains why a new program called “Athletic TIPS” (Towards Injury Prevention in Sports) has garnered the support of everyone from healthcare providers to athletic directors to sports stars, like football legend Michael Strahan. The retired New York Giants defensive end, in fact, narrates the introductory video on behalf of the not-for-profit group behind the cause.

The program’s goal is to foster “a safer experience” for athletes at the kindergarten through college levels by focusing on the recognition, prevention and management of sports-related injuries — all done through community workshops, online learning and other grassroots initiatives.

“Athletic TIPS answers a critical need for educating school-age athletes, their parents, and advisors about sports-related injuries,” says Ed Goren, the former vice chairman of Fox Sports Media Group who’s backing the cause. “Hopefully, parents will feel more confident encouraging their sons and daughters to reap sports’ substantial benefits and life lessons.”

The workshops target four key areas: concussion recognition and prevention; nutrition in sports management; preventing dehydration and heat-related conditions; and preventing and caring for musculoskeletal injuries.

To learn more or schedule an Athletic TIPS Community Workshop in your area, visit www.TIPS4Sports.org.

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Seeking Chiropractic Care Can Help You Avoid Unnecessary Drugs and Surgery

It would appear that the odds are stacked against Americans when it comes to back pain. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults have an 80 percent chance of experiencing back pain in their lifetime.

To make matters worse, if you do experience such pain, you may be told — as is often the case — that the only options are either drugs or surgery. The former is potentially addictive, and the latter? Well, many believe this headline from a publication focused on natural health says it all: “Back Surgery: Too Many, Too Costly, and Too Ineffective.”

The reality is there’s a third option that a growing number of experts now say should be used before anyone even thinks of prescribing pills or surgery to patients.

That option? Chiropractic care.

“Medical care certainly has not solved the everyday symptom of low back pain, and even may be reinforcing and exacerbating the problem,” renowned orthopedist and spine researcher Gordon Waddell, MD, has said.

In fact, numerous studies have found that chiropractic care, with its adherence to a drug-free and non-invasive focus on spinal manipulation, results in:

• Better outcomes.

• Lower costs.

• A much higher degree of patient satisfaction, as evidenced by the 94.3 percent positive rating reported by the military health program TRICARE among participating active and retired Army personnel.

“It’s gratifying that patients and doctors are seeing the wisdom of considering chiropractic first, medicine second, and surgery last,” says the not-for-profit Foundation for Chiropractic Progress’ Gerard Clum, DC.

To learn more or to locate a doctor of chiropractic, visit www.F4CP.org/findadoctor.

(via Seeking Chiropractic Care Can Help You Avoid Unnecessary Drugs and Surgery)

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For Winter Roof Checkups, Look to the Attic

This might be hard to wrap your head around, but your attic could save you from breaking your neck this autumn.

In all seriousness, this is one of the two times each year when homeowners are supposed to check the health of their roofs. Among others reasons, they’re key to a home’s energy efficiency. But who wants to be climbing a ladder 25 feet into the air when the weather is turning inclement?

That’s where your attic comes in.

According to Jason Joplin, program manager of the Center for the Advancement of Roofing Excellence, that space you’re probably primarily using for storage can substitute, as a fallback, for the eyeball roof check that should normally be done every pre-winter and spring.

“Roofs actually create an insulated barrier that helps trap heat inside, and most attic spaces are located right below them,” says Joplin. “That makes them perfect for spotting potential problem areas and damage without worrying about falling off a ladder.”

While you’re up there, here’s what to look for:

• Water leaks. As sure as Tom Brady will never be a favorite among Deflategated Indianapolis Colts fans, it will soon storm. And when it does, shine a flashlight up in the attic to check not only for dripping water and condensation, but also water stains on the ceiling, walls and floors. These are all signs that H2O is finding its way beneath your roof’s shingles or behind its flashings.

• Ventilation. “Think of the attic as the lungs of the house,” advises Joplin. “It has to be able to breathe in order to function properly.” Which is to say, vents stuffed with debris need to be cleaned and cleared.

• Animal damage. You know those, “If you see something, say something,” Homeland Security ads? The same is true for damage done by animals. To avoid the havoc refuge-seeking birds, bats, squirrels and raccoons can create, warning bells should sound (followed by a call to a professional pest control company) if you spot any of these telltale signs: nests, droppings,  gnawed wood, wires or insulations.

• Structural problems. The mere hint of a sagging roof — look up for this one — could indicate potential structural weakness requiring professional repair.

And if prolonging your roof’s life expectancy is your goal, experts say it pays to consult a professional roofing contractor who’s insured and uses quality materials like the new triple-layer line of Glenwood Shingles — the thickest of its kind, with an authentic woodchuck look — from GAF, North America’s largest roofing manufacturer. A free service that makes it easy to find a factory-certified contractor in your area can be found at gaf.com.

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Greener Cities Crop Up, Starting in California

It’s not easy being green these days — especially when you share space with more than 3 million people. And yet, one Southern California company is making it its business to do just that.

BP Gardens, a subsidiary of GreenGro Technologies (OTC: GNRH), an Anaheim-based eco-friendly technology company, is taking local farming in a crowded urban environment to a whole new level by designing vertical gardens. Its hope, says CEO James Haas, is to provide communities, restaurants, and grocers with locally grown, pesticide-free fruits and vegetables.

BP Gardens began as a seed of an idea from Haas, who says, the thought was to use as little water and energy as possible, while still yielding fresh produce and herbs for customers.

According to Haas, there will be two separate locations and growing methods. BP Gardens Buena Park currently sits on 4.5 acres in Anaheim, California, and features a 50,000-seat full hydroponic grow system, while its sister company, BP Lincoln Gardens in northern California, employs zero-waste, 80 percent water-saving aquaponics solution with a 40,000-seat capacity.

“With California consistently facing severe droughts, these systems will help change the way we grow [food], modernizing its processes to become more sustainable for the future,” says Haas.

The Buena Park location has currently completed its construction and has planted its first crops, which is ideal for leafy greens, while Lincoln is in the process of installing floating race-ways and introducing fish in preparation for its first crops.

This location will focus on the growth of heavy greens and Sacramento Perch for its customer base. Between the two locations, Haas said he anticipates growing 45,000 heads of lettuce a month.

In addition to finding a way to combine technology and food production, while reducing the company’s own carbon footprint, Haas has also stumbled on a niche market in the medical marijuana industry. While GreenGro does not participate in the sale of medical marijuana, Haas said GreenGro’s equipment and advanced hydroponic systems benefit that industry as well.

Although Haas estimates that about 60 percent of his customers buy his gardening equipment to grow medical marijuana, he says he remains focused on his BP Gardens projects, and isn’t content to stop with the California market, but believes he can take his idea worldwide.

“BP Gardens want to go big,” says Haas. “We want to be the source for food and not have to have it travel, and save the Earth.”

For more information, visit http://bpgardens.com.

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More Space Meow! Learn to Keep Your Cat Happy in a Small Home

As more and more people move to urban areas or look to minimize and simplify their lives, small-space living is on the rise. This trend toward scaling back is great news for cat lovers. But sharing your small home with a cat isn’t without its chall

(via More Space Meow! Learn to Keep Your Cat Happy in a Small Home)

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How to Curtail the Rising Cost of Pet Care

No doubt there are enormous benefits to owning a pet, but the care needed to keep your pet healthy can also come with a hefty price tag and leave an indelible mark on your wallet. According to the ASPCA, owning a dog or cat can cost up to $1,000 in the first year, and for many people, much more. Fear not, however. The good news is that you can cut your pet care expenses without compromising your pet’s health and wellness. The following tips will help you save money on pet care for your dog or cat:

   1. Don’t skip the vet.

If you’re trying to save money, it might be tempting to decrease vet visits. But, according to Julie Ciarmella of the American Veterinary Medicine Association, “an investment in preventative healthcare can reduce your long-term pet healthcare costs.” Why? Like humans, regular check-ups can prevent expensive complications down the road.

   2. Get by with a little help from your friends.

Dog-walking, pet-sitting, and kennel services can be one of the most expensive parts of owning a pet. Save some green by taking the “you scratch my dog’s belly and I’ll scratch your cat’s back” approach, and tap into a network of other pet owners in your area. Neighborhood dog parks are a great place to meet likeminded pet lovers; or you could try good old-fashioned advertising.

   3. Choose high-value pet products that give you more bang for your buck.

Grabbing the cheapest product can feel like a thrifty move, but you may be surprised by the impact “cheap” products can have on your budget. For example, cheaper clay cat litter tends to have to be changed more often, so cat owners go through bag after bag at a much faster rate. World’s Best Cat Litter is an alternative that harnesses the concentrated power of corn for long-lasting performance. You’ll use a little less litter, replace it less often and save money for your efforts.

At the end of the day, what your pet needs most is love. Keep things simple and invest in high-value products where it matters, and you’ll be on your way to a pet care budget that works for you and your pet.

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Michelin Tires Helps Yellowstone National Park Go Green

Tourists visiting Yellowstone National Park’s famous geyser, “Old Faithful,” will even use tires once they get out of their cars for a closer look. Old Faithful, you see, now boasts a porous, clean, flexible walkway made almost entirely of recycled Michelin tires. The “paved” surface, known as Flexi-Pave and manufactured by the company K.B. Industries (KBI), is kinder to the environment than asphalt because the permeable composite material allows for better erosion control and preservation of the natural patterns of groundwater flow. In addition, the walkway surface is highly durable and tolerant of extreme hot or cold weather, and does not leach any oil into the surrounding environment.

“The material used to create KBI’s Flexi-Pave is completely benign and therefore can be used safely with the delicate aquifers here in Yellowstone,” said Kevin Bragnall, CEO and founder of KBI, in a statement. The Old Faithful Walkway Project covers 6,400 square feet and includes 900 Michelin tires. “The path allows 3,000 gallons of groundwater to pass per square foot. It also is designed to diffuse the water’s force, helping prevent erosion,” Bagnall noted.

“The Old Faithful Walkway Project is a great example of what a difference a company devoted to sustainability can make in the world’s first national park,” said Karen Bates Kress, president of the Yellowstone Park Foundation, in a statement. “We are fortunate to have a corporate partner as farsighted, public-spirited and generous as Michelin,” she added. Underscoring how important this project was to the 126-year-old tire company, Michelin flew in a team of employees from across the country to help complete the construction of the walkway. The 10 volunteers were winners of a company-wide contest to participate in the project.

Michelin is a major corporate sponsor of the Yellowstone Park Foundation, with a goal of helping the park curb operating expenses and reduce the consumption of raw materials. To ensure this, Michelin regularly donates and helps maintain thousands of tires for Yellowstone National Park’s more than 800 vehicles, including patrol cars, garbage trucks, snow plows and load-hauling tractor trailers. The tires feature the latest in green tire technology to help save fuel and reduce emissions.

“Helping build and provide material for this new pathway is very much in line with Michelin’s goal of working with the Yellowstone Park Foundation,” said Leesa Owens, director of community relations for Michelin, in a statement.

To find out more about Michelin tires, visit www.michelin.com.

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Consumers can save trillions of kilowatt-hours by turning off their AC and turning on a ceiling fan during National Ceiling Fan Day.

If you happen to live in a part of the U.S. that’s experiencing a heat wave, rest assured, cooler weather is on the way. For most parts of the country, mid-September means a break in the heat. That’s a good time to turn off the air conditioner an...

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What to Get That Special September Someone

If it seems as if you’re buying birthday gifts during September more than any other time of the year, you most likely are.

The reason is that it’s the month when most American babies are born. If you do the math, you’ll understand why. “The holidays may not be a popular time for birthdays, but they sure are a popular time for conception,” notes ancestry.com.

Trivia buffs will be interested to know that all 10 of the top birth dates are in September. And September 16—the most popular birthday of all—also happens to be shared by Mickey Rourke and David Copperfield (judge for yourself how that worked out).

If you’re into astrology, you know these birthday boys and girls have certain personality traits that offer clues into what gifts they might like. Here’s some ideas that might speak to the Libras and Virgos in your life:

   • Sensual. If only we could all afford to give the $160,000 worth of free goodies that top Oscar nominees went home with last March. Among the swag: French Mediterranean sea salts “harvested by man like it has been for 2,000 years.” If its $1,548 price tag seems to be something only Hollywood royalty could afford, try one of those beauty boxes-of-the-month subscriptions.

   • Intellectual. Clearly, the oeuvre of an Adam Sandler is beyond them, so consider a boxed set of Ken Burns documentaries. With horned-rimmed glasses thrown in for easier viewing.

   • Perfectionist. The Wall Street Journal used this word to describe Baume & Mercier’s Clifton line of watches for men earlier this year. The affordable 10052 model — epito-mizing the trend towards timepieces the paper notes “can be operated without a Ph.D” — screams class with its sun satin-finished silver dial, thick black alligator strap, and elegant blue steel hands that sweep past the hours and seconds.

And since diamonds are considered lucky for anyone born in September, the women’s polished steel Promesse 10178 from the same Swiss watchmaker is also a no-brainer. The diamonds — eight of them — are set in the indexes of the silver “drape guilloche” decor dial, and its shimmery oval bezel is carved from natural white mother-of-pearl. You can shop both watches at the Baume & Mercier e-boutique or by calling 1-800-MERCIER, where free engraving and wrapping are available. Click here to watch the video.

   • Occasionally moody. Obviously, they need some exercise to reduce stress. Agree or dis-agree with Ed Begley Jr.’s brand of environmentalism, he does seem to look pretty chipper riding that bike of his (hint, hint).

And, oh, Begley also happens to have been born on September 16.

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Must-Have Accessories for Going Swimming

Summer. The word rolls off the tongue and sounds so relaxing and soothing to the senses. And nothing is more soothing in the summer than swimming.

At the very least, there’s certainly nothing more refreshing than a quick trip to the pool. Indeed, with temperatures at their peak, and vacations in high gear, it’s prime time to take advantage of a resort pool, or plan a trip to your favorite beach and enjoy one of America’s favorite summer pastimes: swimming.

To ensure your next trip to the pool is as relaxing and successful as it could be, however, there are some essential items everybody should consider bringing. So, whether it’s just a casual day of cooling off, a special summer pool party or, family fun day, here’s a to-do list that covers all pool partygoers.

• First and foremost, lather up with lotion—suntan lotion, that is. And then bring more in your tote bag so you can reapply after a round or two in the water. There’s nothing more frustrating (and costly) than when you settle in and realize you forgot your supplies and need to buy more.

• Pack swimming gear. Regardless of whether you’re going to the beach or pool, make sure you have goggles, noodles and other flotation devices. Your time in the water will never be more enjoyable.

• Bring some snacks and drinks. After some rigorous swimming or leisurely tanning, you’re bound to build up an appetite or have a need to quench your thirst.

• Don’t forget your spittoon. Being at the pool in a bikini or trunks can leave one feeling exposed. If you’re a smokeless tobacco user, there’s even less opportunity to take a discreet “dip” while you’re taking a dip in the pool.

That is, unless you own a portable spittoon created by Atlanta-based FLASR. These new 4-ounce pocket-sized spittoons are brilliantly designed to allow users to easily open and close with just one hand, making them ideal items to bring to the pool or any other public setting so you can still enjoy your smokeless tobacco product of choice. Another advantage to the FLASR flask is its advanced closing mechanism that ensures it stays securely closed when not in use, eliminating the risk of any messy spills or leak in the pool that come with those gaudy bottles or drink cups of old.

For more information, please visit www.flasr.com.

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Firm Creates Niche for Clients With Small Ad Budgets

There’s no doubt that the advertising industry has taken a hit over the last 20 years and has had the difficult job of recreating itself. To its credit, it has found a foothold through the millennium’s new favorite buzzword: branding. It’s more than a slogan (although the words may be interchangeable), but rather something short and snappy that symbolizes an organization, such as “Where’s the Beef?” “Just Do It” or “Don’t Leave Home Without It.”

While these Fortune 500 companies have deep pockets to spend on promotional advertising, be it a national ad campaign or a one-time, million dollar Super Bowl ad, your average business does not.

So what’s a fledgling business with a small budget to do? Well, if you’re smart, you consider matte releases like those written and produced by Washington D.C.-based NewsUSA, a boutique content marketing firm.

For those unfamiliar with this rarely used but effective strategy, a matte story is a pre-formatted feature article that print and online editors can use when they don’t have enough copy to fill space.

“When companies don’t have million-dollar budgets, how do you show investors and your sales team what you’re doing? This is where NewsUSA comes in,” said Rick Smith, founder and CEO of NewsUSA.

For a small fee, Smith said a client is guaranteed somewhere between 1,000-1,400 placements per story with media outlets in all 50 states. Clients are sent tear sheets and screenshots to prove the placements. Currently, Smith said NewsUSA guarantees to place its clients’ content on television sites and hundreds of digital and print newspapers.

Smith said NewsUSA will write and format the content around the message the client wants to get across and provide images for client approval.

“Everything is a competition,” he said. “For clients who have small budgets but want to get their message nationwide, what are the options?”

In terms of mass marketing to the consumer for that amount of money, “you don’t,” Smith said.

In this way, Smith said he believes he’s created a nice niche for people who are trying to do something, but may not have a big media budget.

“It’s not surprising that clients who have even a modest budget will spend it with us,” he continued. “We’re a pretty attractive alternative.”

For more information, visit www.newsusaadvantage.com.

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How to Be More Confident in Public

Why are certain things out of your comfort zone? What’s holding you back? After all, there’s a reason you always need a wingman (or woman) with you when you go to parties, or why you’ll never try parasailing on vacation, even though you know you’d have fun.

Now, imagine your life in which you feel confident enough to try a new sport, or take the riskier business deal, or ask for the raise you know you deserve.

Is it possible to get out of your own way? The answer is a resounding yes. Here is a list of ways that you can break out of your insecurities and start feeling more confident today.

Stand Tall

Turns out Mom was right when she said told you to “sit up straight” and keep your shoulders back. Experts agree that great posture equals greater confidence. So, stand tall. Use your body to trick your mind, and before long you’ll be one inch closer to a more confident version of yourself.

Play the Mental Game

Think about one moment that you completely owned. There must have been at least one. Like that time you gave the perfect toast at your friend’s wedding or landed that sweet summer gig. Just a few minutes of thinking back on these successes can boost your confidence, helping you arrive anywhere feeling your best.

Speak Up

What hurts confidence more than being caught totally off guard? Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If it’s a party, ask the host or hostess questions to get the answers you need. Is the party BYOB? What’s the dress code? Knowing these details allows you to be one step ahead of the game from the moment you arrive.

Prepare Yourself

Feel confident in public knowing that you are as prepared as possible. For smokeless tobacco users, this means investing in the accoutrements you need to do your thing. Check out the sleek portable spittoons made by FLASR, an Atlanta-based company that specializes in these types of trendy accessories.

The FLASR flask has an advanced closing mechanism, which essentially means that you can be confident that this small container won’t leak or spill while you are out and about. With FLASR, enjoy your smokeless tobacco product in public, insecurity-free.

For more information, please visit www.flasr.com.