(NewsUSA) - Whether it's across the street or a twenty-minute drive, a great school fit can be your child's path to opportunity, happiness, and success. While every parent may want to set their child on the learning path that best matches his or her skills, we can only choose from the options we know. That's why bringing awareness to families about all their school choices is so crucial.

All families have school choices, but some states offer wider access. Across America, families' options include traditional public school, public magnet school, public charter school, private school, online school, and homeschooling.

These various school choices offer kids different paths toward the goals all parents share. We want students to learn, succeed, thrive, and be happy. And while one child may enjoy traveling at his or her own pace through an online school or homeschool program, another child may benefit from the close-knit comradery at a neighborhood school or a private school's values-based curriculum.

Having various paths ensures that kids don't get stuck or give up if a particular route doesn't work well for them. It's not extreme to say that school choices can be the difference between a child being bullied in their classroom or being loved and respected, or the difference between dropping out of high school or going to college. I've seen this be true many times. For every child who isn't thriving in school, it's vital that families know other learning paths are available.

You can't choose a path if you don't know it exists. That's why National School Choice Week, a public awareness effort about learning options, will take place January 23-29. Since its founding in 2011, the annual celebration brings awareness about every single learning path around the country that families can choose from, as well as the community organizations that have sprung up over the last decade to help families navigate school choices.

If you love your chosen learning path, celebrate it this School Choice Week to spread the word. If you're not sure if your current choice is right for your child, discover your other options at schoolchoiceweek.com. Together, let's help every child get on the learning path that will take them most quickly to being happy, equipped academically, and ready to give back.

Andrew Campanella is president of National School Choice Week and the author of "The School Choice Roadmap: 7 Steps to Finding the Right School for Your Child."

(NewsUSA) - -In the wake of the ongoing pandemic, many people have taken the opportunity for introspection, and many are exploring spirituality and the meaning of the universe in a new way.

For Christians, God is the creator, and a new book explores a unique way of examining creation from the perspective of quantum physics, and the interaction of music, light, and sound.

Len Mink, a show business veteran, discovered his personal relationship with Jesus in 1971, a relationship that sustained him through a bout with a potentially terminal blood disease. However, he was cured and continued his work as a composer and performer.

Mink has produced more than 30 albums of contemporary Christian music as well as hymns projects.

Most recently, Mink channeled his musical background to delve into the relationship between music, science, and the realm of the Spirit.

In his book, "The Supernatural Power of Music -- A Quantum Leap Into Worship," he presents the essence of the connection among sound, light, music, worship, and quantum physics.

"It seems that 'quantum speak' and 'faith speak' are one and the same," says Mink.

"Science is the discipline of discovering things that already exist," he adds. Mr. Mink takes readers on a journey into the musicality of the universe, from quasars to crickets.

The relationship between music and quantum physics continues to be an area of intrigue and study.

A recent article on the PBS website's NOVA section notes that, in fact, the universe is built on harmonies, and that mathematical patterns not only define musical scales that make the tunes we love to hear, they also describe the waves and frequencies involved in quantum physics and studied by scientists over the ages.

"The well-known phrase, 'knowledge is power,' is visibly demonstrated in this treasure chest of revelation, giving us an exciting look into both the macro and micro-universe," Mink notes.

Mink's goal in writing the book is to awaken the spiritual in all people, breathe divine energy into every level of one's being, and "unlock the life that your heart has been desperately hungering for," he says.

"We live in an ever-revealing cosmos, teeming with the frequencies of life, bombarding you and affecting your emotions, your moods, your mind, and even your physical body. Open your whole being to the Divine Orchestrator and experience the 'Supernatural Power of Music,'

Mink urges.

The book is available in paperback direct from Len Mink Ministries or Amazon, through download on Kindle, and audiobook in MP3 and CD format (read by author).

For more information, visit lenandcathymink.org.

(NewsUSA) -People make New Year's resolutions to create positive change, from finances to fitness to focus. This year, consider a resolution that could save your life: listen to your heart.

In the United States, more than 650,000 people die each year from heart disease, which has been the leading cause of death for decades. Many heart disease deaths could be prevented with early action and intervention.

People with heart disease may experience "classic" symptoms, such as chest pain or heart palpitations. For others, an early warning sign might be something that doesn't initially seem to be related to the heart at all, such as shortness of breath, dizziness, swelling, or loss of consciousness.

Resolve to not ignore these or any other symptoms. Don't dismiss something you might think is minor -- especially when it's your heart, any issue (big or small) is important. Visit your doctor or seek emergency services as soon as possible. Even if you don't have underlying health conditions, never treat anything with your heart lightly.

Brenda Joseph, 75, of Bedford, Texas, was experiencing new symptoms, such as trouble breathing, especially when lying down, and swelling in her legs and feet. She didn't ignore what was happening. She sought treatment for her symptoms and was ultimately referred to a cardiac electrophysiologist, who diagnosed nonischemic cardiomyopathy, a type of heart disease often referred to as heart failure.

"If I hadn't gone [to the doctor], I wouldn't be here," Brenda says.

An "ejection fraction" (EF) is a measure of how efficiently the heart is pumping. Brenda's EF was at 25 percent. A normal EF is 55-70 percent.

A low EF is one of the risk factors for sudden cardiac death (SCD), which occurs when a failure of the heart's electrical system triggers a dangerously fast heartbeat -- so fast that it causes the heart to quiver or shake instead of pumping blood to the body and brain. This happens without warning and causes the individual to suddenly lose consciousness. Without treatment, SCD occurs in minutes.

Brenda's weak heart function, combined with her heart failure, meant that she had an increased risk of dying suddenly due to a dangerous heart rhythm. There are treatment plans that can help heart patients live better and longer lives, but patients must pay attention to their symptoms and seek care.

The most effective treatment is defibrillation, an electrical shock to get the heart back to a normal rhythm. If you are at risk, your doctor may recommend a LifeVest® wearable defibrillator so that you can have protection from SCD. LifeVest is designed to detect certain life-threatening rapid heart rhythms and automatically deliver a lifesaving treatment shock.

Brenda's doctors prescribed LifeVest for her protection, and Brenda was able to return home. Her doctor reinforced the importance of wearing LifeVest at all times to ensure she had protection.

Shortly after returning from the hospital, Brenda was sitting at her kitchen table when she would need that protection. She suddenly lost consciousness. LifeVest detected an abnormal heart rhythm and delivered a treatment shock that saved her life.

"I'm thankful that I had [LifeVest]," Brenda says, "I'm happy to be here."

Listen to your heart: Don't ignore your symptoms. It just may save your life.

(NewsUSA) -What if Grandma's cookbook could talk? What if lost recipes could be recovered and safeguarded for posterity? What if delectable treats from the past and present were readily accessible? The new DishtoryApp mixes it all together and makes it possible!

Nothing tells a family's history like the food they share and the dishes they prepare together, so Ohio natives and longtime friends Chris Kozak and Dan Zawisza created Dishtory.

It is the first mobile app to provide a platform for culinary artists, aspiring chefs and home cooks to record, save and share family memories through text, photo, audio, and video -- all in one place -- forever. More than a meal, Dishtory provides sensory memory of the tastes and aromas that deserve to be preserved.

The inspiration for the user-generated and crowdsourced Dishtory app began with a conversation between co-founder Dan Zawisza and his mother when he was seeking her Christmas sugar cookies that he remembered from childhood to share with his own family.

After playing phone tag, she left him a detailed message describing how to make the coveted cookies.

"After listening to the voicemail, I thought to myself, 'I will have this recipe now for the rest of my life and in my mom's voice,'" says Zawisza.

"This was a totally new concept, and I want to give everyone the ability to share the same experience."

Co-founder Chris Kozak, who has family roots in the restaurant business says, "With smartphone technology, we saw an opportunity for innovation to give everyone the opportunity to record, save and share recipes - from a tasty dish at a backyard cookout to recipes that have been passed down through generations."

Dishtory serves up the unique stories behind each dish from the primary source ensuring that family culture and legacy live on in the kitchens of future generations.

Unlike written recipe cards, the audio heirlooms cooked up on Dishtory remain and can be shared easily and bring the voice of the distant or departed loved one to life.

During holiday time, it's a fun, free gift to share with family and friends. The app can provide an original holiday experience at parties -- an interactive activity to share the history and recipes of your family's distinct and singular dishes. Modern families in various forms are embraced. The app can help recover long lost recipes through technology, provide inherited recipes for adopted children and blended families, offer healthier twists on old-fashioned recipes (e.g. alternative milks, gluten-free, etc.) and so much more.

(NewsUSA) - Whether it brings something as special as a handwritten card or something as necessary as medication, the U.S. Postal Service is the only institution capable of going the last mile to reach, serve, and tangibly link every American -- but now it needs our help.

In the shadow of COVID-19, demand for mail and appreciation for it surged. But then along came 2021, and our mail got slower, less reliable and more expensive.

During my four terms in Congress, I advocated for a strong U.S. Postal Service. That's because reliable mail is critical for our country. Nearly everywhere I go now, however, I hear people talking about their mail -- even rent, bills, and prescription medications -- being late and pricier to send.

And as we head into the Christmas holiday, people across the country are legitimately wondering if presents will get to their destinations on time. That's because in October, the up-to-three-day service standard for First-Class Mail rose to five days, with consumers across the country reporting even higher delivery waits.

Why? The U.S. Postal Service has a 10-year plan in place not only to slow the mail but also to make it more expensive.

In fact, the cost of first-class mail and "forever stamps" are increasing at an unprecedented rate for everyone. But even more concerning, charities and other nonprofits, magazines, community newspapers, and catalogs are facing even bigger postage hikes which could even drive them out of business.

So, what can we do about it? Well, the Postal Service does have legitimate reasons to save money, but putting the squeeze on mail isn't the right way to do it -- especially if you consider that business-related mail generates 90% of Postal Service revenue.

One answer lies in passing bipartisan federal legislation called The Postal Service Reform Act. It would guarantee six-day mail delivery while freeing the Postal Service from a 2006 law requiring it to set aside funds for retiree health benefits 75 years in advance -- a huge liability that has added more than $40 billion in losses to the Postal Service's balance sheet

The Postal Service Reform Act not only has bipartisan support, but it has also been approved by U.S. Postal Service leadership and labor unions. The legislation presents a rare opportunity for Congress to easily make a positive difference in the lives of all Americans -- every voter, every family, and every business in the nation.

Another way to fix the Postal Service is to keep massive rate increases from happening every few months. Higher postage drives more mail from the system, especially when combined with service delays and consumer complaints.

Some might claim that private couriers like FedEx and UPS could replace the U.S. Postal Service, but that's not true. The Postal Service is obligated to serve every American, no matter how remote. Now it's our job to fix it -- and make sure it can keep delivering for all of us. 

Kevin Yoder is a former Republican Congressman from Kansas who spent four terms serving in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is executive director of "Keep US Posted"-a campaign aimed at preserving the U.S. Postal Service. For more information, visit www.KeepUSPosted.org.

(NewsUSA)

"The Armageddon Secret"
by Robert Earl Burnham

"The Armageddon Secret"takes the German A-bomb project and a real-life, elite anti-Nazi conspiracy and tills them as rich soil for speculation with the harrowing tale of Alex Drake, an American foreign correspondent in Berlin on the cusp of World War II. It's a tale in which scientific facts and historical figures and events combine with plausible fiction to create a vivid and convincing espionage thriller.

Against the well-realized historical backdrop of Nazi military secrets, Hitler assassination attempts, gruesome beatings, brutal murders, time bombs and underground tunnels, Burnham creates a satisfying, action-packed concoction that will keep you hooked until the last page. Whether you are a WWII buff or not, the book has its own believable version of history to reveal. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3cghi7P.

"Head Shot"
by Otho Eskin

Perfect for fans of David Baldacci and Daniel Silva, here's the most elusive assassin in the world versus D.C. homicide detective Marko Zorn. Zorn is assigned to protect the visiting prime minister of Montenegro, the beautiful Nina Voychek. Political enemies are planning her assassination, but now it's apparent that he, too, is a target. He pulls out all stops to hunt whoever is targeting him and prevent an international tragedy.

Decoded messages, Supermax prisoner interviews, mafia lawyers and an ancient Black Mountain curse swirl among the icons of D.C. as Marko and his young partne, Lucy face down what may be multiple assassins. Or are they facing one assassin, the deadliest and most elusive on the international stage? Purchase at https://amzn.to/3rGWkEe.

"Shelter from The Storm"
by Dorothy K. Fletcher

Elementary school teacher Sarah Palmer had a secret, one that even she found hard to face. But only after her teacher friends witnessed one of her debilitating panic attacks did she ever consider confronting it. "Shelter from the Storm" is her journey toward salvation and renewal.

It is a sensitive story about how two young girls -- one black, one white -- try to overcome the status quo in a time when Jim Crow laws prevailed. It is also a story that considers how two people can live through the same event and experience very different outcomes; some become stronger while others are swept away like cottages in a hurricane. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3FE3lxR.

"Floating Underwater"
by Tracy Shawn

Part psychological fiction and part mystical fiction with a dash of magical realism, "Floating Underwater" follows a woman's astonishing journey through the extraordinary and, ultimately, to her own self-actualization and power. Fearful that her lifelong premonitions not only predict the future but can also change its very course, Paloma Leary is devastated when her latest vision predicting a third miscarriage comes true.

Falling into a mystifying world of increasingly bizarre phenomena, including a psychic connection with her mysterious neighbor, out-of-body experiences and visits from her long-dead mother, Paloma grows desperate for answers. She is also desperate to start a family. But when a life-changing vision reveals a tragic secret from the past, Paloma embraces a far different future than she ever imagined. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3I6lohi.

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