Education/Innovation Articles

1. Volunteering Puts Seniors' Life Experience to Work

Volunteering is a perfect way for older adults to remain active, creative and productive in their later years. More older Americans are volunteering to help others in their community than ever before. Over half a million Americans age 55 and over lend a hand to local nonprofits, public agencies, and faith-based organizations. Thanks to the Internet, and a nonprofit Web site called Volunte... read more

2. Credit Tips for Newlyweds

Figuring out finances may not be romantic, but discussing your views on money and your fiscal fitness before getting married can save you and your spouse some unpleasant confrontations down the road. "People have different relationships to money," points out Maxine Sweet, vice president of public affairs for Experian, a global information solutions company. "Talking openly about things... read more

3. The Gift of Tradition A parent’s role in encouraging rituals that keep families connected

From the sugar-cookie-baking party at Grandma’s house to the way the ornaments adorn the tree, during the holidays many American families focus on tradition. Traditions are most obvious during the holiday season, but our lives are interlaced with them - some big, some small; some special, some everyday; some old, some new. The one constant in traditions is the role parents play in passing... read more

4. Travelers Rediscover the Joys of Oral Storytelling Through Audiobooks

It is an image as old as the collective memory of humanity: a family or an entire village sitting quietly, listening with rapt attention as the voice of a storyteller enthralls through the sheer power of the spoken word. It's also an image that seems completely incompatible with the hectic, on-the-go lifestyle of contemporary business or vacation travelers. Yet as more and more cars and miniva... read more

5. For Millions of People, Graduation Means ‘Welcome to the Rat Race!’

As the 1.3 million college graduates in the Class of 2005 exit academia for the work force - armed with a sheepskin and laden with debt - The Rich Dad Company, an educational products organization best known for its international best-selling book “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” offers this message: “Congratulations, grads - and welcome to the rat race!” That debt - $22,221 on average, as reported by... read more

6. Is It Done Yet? Tips for Using Your Food Thermometer to Prevent Food-Borne Illness

orne Illness (ARA) - Kids popping into the kitchen or dashing by a barbecue grill ask impatiently, “Is it done yet?” The answer to this hungry question is the basis of a national campaign to encourage the use of food thermometers when preparing meat, poultry and egg dishes, to prevent foodborne illness. The campaign, which is being led by USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is ... read more

7. Brain Tumor Trial Offers New Hope for Patients

In December of 2000, Dave Herbert, a retired airline pilot from Northern California, visited his doctor after experiencing sudden headaches, fatigue and blurred vision. A CAT scan and surgical biopsy revealed that Dave, 58 years old at the time, was one of 10,000 Americans who are diagnosed each year with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most aggressive and deadliest form of brain tumor. ... read more

8. Red As the New Neutral

Throughout history, red has grown to symbolize passion and power. Whether in hate or love, red stirs our emotions and passions, a life force. On stage it evokes danger and deceit. Ancient Egyptians, Chinese and Indians believed that the color would energize and heal, actually increasing heart rate and blood pressure. Some therapists say that people who favor this color know how to enjoy life and ... read more

9. Fabulously Functional: Tips for Remodeling with Beautiful, Efficient Windows

Despite the nation's bumpy economy, today's homeowners aren't scrimping on remodeling. They're spending more time at home, often taking advantage of low interest rates and refinancing to make improvements. Whether it's creating a comforting bedroom retreat or enhancing a kitchen to allow for more entertaining at home, one efficient way to increase a home's functionality as ... read more

10. Is Your Vehicle Ready for Winter? Maintenance tips to help your car survive winter

With winter right around the corner, we're preparing our closets by packing away summer clothes and unpacking warm, winter ones. Maybe you've even started replanting the greens around your home to keep them safe through winter. This is also the best time to start thinking about getting your vehicle ready for the cold months ahead. If you live where it snows, you know what snow, ice, loose grave... read more

11. Nonresident Aliens Taxed on U.S. Rental Income and Sales of U.S. Real Property

Nonresident aliens must pay a 30 percent flat tax on their U.S. rental property income. This tax must be paid in the year in which they receive the income. There is, however, an exception that allows nonresident aliens to claim a deduction for rental expenses and be taxed at graduated rates on the net income. They can elect to treat rental income from real property as income effectively connecte... read more

12. Gift Ideas for Dads with Diabetes A Thoughtful "Top 10" for Practical Pampering

Nearly 6 million men over the age of 20 have diabetes in the United States. If your dad is one of them, here are some gift ideas that will be much more useful and appreciated than another tie. 1. Diabetes-friendly cooking - whip up a healthy meal, or if dad enjoys cooking, treat him to a cookbook and make the meal together. The American Diabetes Association offers many diabetes-healthy coo... read more

13. The Must-Have Remote Control for Father’s Day Technology That May Bring Dad Sweet Dreams

ave Remote Control for Father’s Day Technology That May Bring Dad Sweet Dreams (ARA) - Father’s Day. The official holiday in which to celebrate the man who taught you to ride a bike, read you bedtime stories and scared away the monsters under your bed. Will you thank Dad with another personalized coffee mug or ugly tie this year? Or will you spoil him with the latest technological gadget or... read more

14. Planning Creative Holiday Parties By Lillian Vernon

"You're invited . . ." are always popular and welcome words around the holidays. If you're like me, you love to host a party. But if you're a hostess with the "leastest" amount of time, a party is a lot of work. Entertaining requires considerable planning and preparation because there are so many things to do. Think about the parties you've attended and what made them special. ... read more

15. Moving? Remember to Update Your Address Information

Have you moved since you filed your last tax return? Are you planning to move before your tax refund will be sent back to you? If so, be sure to take the necessary steps so that your refund isn't lost or returned to the Internal Revenue Service. Set aside a few minutes in your busy moving schedule and add the IRS to your list of people and places to notify about a change of address. If the IRS d... read more

16. Manage Your Time or Others Will do it for You By Harvey Mackay

I'll never forget an important time management lesson I learned in a seminar many years ago . . . especially how the instructor illustrated the point. "Okay, time for a quiz," he said, as he pulled out a one-gallon wide-mouthed mason jar and set it on the desk in front of him. Then he produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one at a time, into the jar. When the jar... read more

17. New Wireless Internet Appliance Lets You Surf in Your PJs

From Anywhere in Your Home (ARA) - As computers become commonplace in many American homes, hardware gadgets and software accessories are making holiday wish lists everywhere. One such gadget, which the whole family can enjoy, is a new, wireless Internet appliance that allows you to surf the net and receive and send mail from anywhere in your home or yard. Tired of surfing the Web in the ... read more

18. Lack of Health Care Keeps More Workers from Going Solo

You've thought about leaving your job and working for yourself, but the security of your company's health coverage is holding you back. You're not alone. More than half of U.S. workers would consider exiting their current jobs and flying solo as free agents if they were guaranteed the same health benefits as found in traditional employment, according to a recent study. The U.S. De... read more

19. Make Sure Your New Life Together is Well Protected

If you or your sweetheart just popped the question, your mind is probably racing with exciting plans. But among those thoughts of gowns, gifts, rings and receptions, make sure that insurance doesn't slip your mind. Adding insurance to your wedding checklist will help protect you from whatever bumps may lie ahead on your journey together. Renters coverage If you rent, it's important... read more

20. Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer Remains High Among American Men Men Are Encouraged to Get Annual Screenings; Post-Treatment Education Is Essential

reatment Education Is Essential (ARA) - With a new diagnosis every three minutes and more than 230,000 estimated new cases expected in the United States this year alone, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed non-skin cancer among American men. Yet despite its prevalence, prostate cancer and its associated treatment-related side effects, including incontinence, remain topics that are no... read more

21. Summer Activities: Tips for Parents of Children with Diabetes

The summer months mean longer days, increased activity and schedule changes for children. With this in mind, parents of children with diabetes should consider adjusting their activities accordingly to keep their children active, healthy and safe during the summer months. “Before summer approaches, it is important for parents to contact their child’s healthcare professional to properly p... read more

22. Celebrating Earth Day Every Day

Motorists can and should practice gasoline saving tips year round, note officials with the nonprofit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). And it's just a matter of changing unconscious habits. So here's how to help the environment and save a bit on your own finances. * Keep the engine running at its peak performance - a misfiring spark plug can reduce fuel efficienc... read more

23. Eight Steps to a Safe Kitchen

Safety is priority number one when it comes to designing your brand new kitchen. More building codes cover the kitchen than any other room in the house. That's because so many accidents occur there. The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) suggest the following steps when designing for safety. 1) Use proper lighting. Good general lighting, supplemented with proper task ligh... read more

24. The Proof Is When The Pudding Comes Off

Learning doesn't have to stop when school is out for the summer. For many parents it represents a chance for more quality time with their children. And that can mean something as simple as teaching them how to do the dishes. Thanks to the plethora of super-efficient dishwashers and time-saving cleaning products, post-meal tidy-ups are so easy and quick that children really enjoy helping out. read more