(NewsUSA) - Nothing says annoying like having bird poop on your car, and the arrival of spring means even more unwanted bird activity. Why do birds like to poop on cars? No one knows for sure, but bird poop on your car is more than an unsightly mess. In fact, the uric acid in bird poop can damage your vehicle’s paint.  

Fortunately, Take 5 Car Wash® is welcoming the season with a giveaway of over 60,000 free car washes in select markets across the United States including Dallas, Nashville, Denver, Salt Lake City, Memphis, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Little Rock, Birmingham, New Orleans, and Columbus, Ohio. Free washes will be gifted starting on March 28, National Car Wash Day, to people who claim their car was pooped on by Take 5’s new, pesky mascot, the Take 5 Official Pigeon.

If you live in one of the select markets and suspect that the Take 5 pigeon has visited you, visit www.Take5.com/Pigeon for your chance at a free wash, and to see where the pigeon may strike next.

Take 5 Car Wash is the largest express car wash operator in the U.S. with 400 sites nationwide and is part of the Driven Brands family of automotive services. The retailer's washes tackle the seven signs of car aging: dull paintwork, fine lines, markings, permeability, surface dirt, under chassis rust, and fading color. Its washes are equipped with Take 5’s proprietary Pro5™ five-step process for a professional clean, powered by Armor All Professional® wash and wax formulas, including a Ceramic Shield formula with UV Protection exclusive to Take 5 Car Wash.

Visitors to Take 5 Car Wash also have access to Take 5 Car Wash’s complimentary Pro5 Detail Center, with high-power vacuums, Pro5, Armor All Professional®, Interior Cleaner, and Window Cleaner, and microfiber towels.

Driven Brands, headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., also includes Take 5 Oil Change®, Meineke Car Care Centers®, Maaco®, 1-800-Radiator & A/C®, Auto Glass Now®, and CARSTAR®. Driven Brands has more than 4,800 locations across 15 countries, and services over 50 million vehicles annually. Visit take5.com/car-wash for more information.

(NewsUSA) -            Fifty thousand people in the U.S. have had their skin cancer cured without going to hospitals or undergoing traditional Mohs surgery, avoiding that treatment’s pain, bleeding, surgical scarring and, often, need for follow-up reconstructive surgery.

          The nation’s 50,000^th case of curing common (nonmelanoma) skin cancer with GentleCure™, the non-surgical treatment using Image-Guided Superficial Radiation Therapy or Image-Guided SRT, occurred at Reading Dermatology, the private Pennsylvania practice of Jason Hendrix, DO.

          The patient was Jeffrey Keating, D.P.M., a 74-year-old retired podiatrist from Birdsboro, Pennsylvania, whose lifelong habits of golfing, sailing and driving in his top-down convertible likely contributed to his history of skin cancer.

          “I had Mohs surgery years earlier for a lesion on my calf,” Keating said, “but this time, with three lesions on my face, my doctor and I chose non-surgical GentleCure and the results were outstanding.”

          With GentleCure, doctors treat nonmelanoma skin cancer (basal and squamous cell carcinomas) using ultrasound imaging to direct low-level X-ray energy to targeted areas of the skin, killing cancer cells without surgery. Research shows that the technology produces a 99.3 percent cure rate for early stage nonmelanoma skin cancer, making it just as effective as Mohs surgery, and treatments are covered by Medicare and most insurance plans.

          Dr. Hendrix noted, "More than three million Americans are diagnosed with nonmelanoma skin cancer each year, making it the most common form of cancer. Sun exposure is the primary cause and year-round sun effects are cumulative over one's lifetime, so those who spend a lot of time outdoors plus seniors, those with light skin, users of tanning beds and people with family histories of skin cancer are especially susceptible. With all its advantages, GentleCure is the new non-invasive standard of care."

           Patient Keating added, “As a physician myself, I know that it’s critically important for patients to understand all their treatment options. Having experienced Mohs surgery, the idea of no pain or scarring with GentleCure was very attractive. Actually seeing the cancer shrink and disappear on the ultrasound imaging screen was so reassuring. I have a friend who had Mohs surgery on a facial lesion, and he had a flap of skin cut from his scalp and stretched over the site of his excised lesion; that was not something I wanted to experience. Today, I am fully cured and could not be happier with the GentleCure process and results.”

           For more information and to learn where Image-Guided SRT is available, visit GentleCure.com.

(PointSpreads.com) - The Masters Tournament, held annually at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, is one of the most prestigious golf events in the world. Many sports enthusiasts think they know the Masters but check out these facts and tips that add intrigue to watching and betting on the Masters.

Past Performance Predictions: According to betting analyst Sean Carter at PointSpreads.com, it's wise to consider a golfer's past performance at Augusta National. The challenging course often rewards those who have played it previously, so veterans may be safer bets.

Par-3 Curse: Since 1960, the Masters Tournament has held an annual Par-3 Contest on the Wednesday before the main event that includes past and current participants, often with family members as caddies. However, no golfer who has won the contest has gone on to win the Masters in the same year. Coincidence or risky bet? You be the judge.

Watch the Weather: The timing of the Masters is known for its unpredictable weather, which can significantly impact golfers' performances. Springtime in Georgia may mean sudden changes in wind direction, rain, or temperature that create challenging conditions for even the most seasoned professionals. Golfers who have a history of performing well in adverse weather conditions might have an edge over their competitors.

World Ranking Rules: World rankings are no guarantee of success at the Masters, but they offer valuable insights into the current form of the players. Since 2000, most Masters champions have been ranked within the top 30 in the Official World Golf Ranking. “Take these rankings into account, but keep in mind that underdogs can make a splash,” PointSpreads experts advise.

Amen Corner Climaxes: The stretch of Augusta National known as “Amen Corner” features the 11^th, 12^th and 13th holes. The 11th and 13th are daunting par 4s with over 500 yards from pin to cup, but the 12th hole is a spot where players are made and golf bettors pray to the heavens. This 155-yard hole, named “Golden Bell,” is a par 3, but features “Rae’s Creek” where players’ hopes may sink if their ball hits the water. Golf greats Jordan Speith and Tiger Woods have suffered the fate of the 12th hole, as did Tom Weiskopf, who shot a record high 13 there in 1983.

Green Jacket Grandeur: In addition to a cash prize and a trophy, the most recognizable symbol of victory at the Masters is the green jacket. Since 1949, each champion receives a green jacket to take home and wear for one year. The jacket must then be returned to August National and can be worn only on club grounds.

Sean Carter is a betting analyst with the sports odds and betting information portal, PointSpreads.com.

(Revised 3/28/2023)

(NewsUSA) - The financial services industry is changing and diversifying, and this includes women becoming financial advisors at a rate higher than ever before.

If you’ve ever considered a career in financial planning, now may be the perfect time to take the leap. Benefits include high earning potential, flexible work hours, professional growth, and more.

High Earning Potential

There’s a clear demand for financial advisors, and women are moving into those positions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts job opportunities for personal financial advisors will grow 15% in the next 8 years — much faster than the average for other occupations. With all that demand, financial advisors can potentially earn high salaries, including into the six figures.

Flexible Work Hours

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, more businesses have become open to employees working remotely and establishing flexible working arrangements, including in financial services. Women can tailor their career choices and create schedules allowing for balanced work and personal life.

Professional Growth

More firms and businesses are recruiting women with opportunities to become financial planners, investment advisors and wealth advisors. Many provide professional development programs, including assistance for those pursuing advanced training such as CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification. Additional support is available through CFP Board, which offers scholarships and mentoring programs.

“There is also a growing number of women who are willing to mentor younger women and make it their life’s work to make sure we’re reaching back down and pulling people up,” explains Kate Healy, Managing Director of CFP Board Center for Financial Planning. “It’s wonderful to see and really starting to have an impact.”

Helping Clients Achieve Financial Goals

One of the most rewarding aspects of becoming a financial planner is helping others achieve their goals and improve their quality of life. CFP® professionals can help navigate many of life’s big transitions, from saving for college savings to preparing for retirement.

Empowerment

As more women become advisors, they can empower other women to take control of their financial future. It's important that CFP® professionals reflect the public they serve, and women CFP® professionals can act as role models and provide guidance to other women interested in finance. Many women are even going on to start their own firms. The number of women-led firms is growing thanks to women supporting each other through networking, advice and feedback.

To learn more about the opportunities available within the financial planning profession, as well as financial planner training and compensation, check out CFP Board’s Career Guide. Explore how you can become a CFP® professional, with all the benefits that provides.  

(NewsUSA) - When will you break away from your 9-to-5 job so you can embrace the lifestyle of your dreams? “Hindsight 2020” author Kyle Corbett is motivating would-be entrepreneurs who are still in their 20s to make the leap now, before the economy tanks and life traps them at their desk jobs.

At just 38, Corbett owns and runs several businesses but doesn’t consider any of them to be jobs.

He started his first of several entrepreneurial efforts with $6,500. That business now grosses upwards of $650,000 a year. He runs sailing tours. He operates an ocean conservation and eco-tour business. He surfs, travels and lives his dream lifestyle. His book teaches others the skills to do the same.

“Anyone can do the stuff I do. The tools are right there in front of us,” he confirms. “You can travel the world. You’re just used to telling yourself that you can’t. It’s often easier to hang onto your career as your security blanket. You pursue the American dream: a mortgage and white picket fence. Before you know it, you can’t quit your job because you’ve taken on financial obligations you can’t get out of. Even if you’re capable of changing, you may be too afraid.”

Corbett stresses having what you want means believing in yourself. “I often ask my consultation clients: What are you waiting for? Find that one thing that you are truly passionate about and you will not be able to see any barriers. Then educate yourself and set yourself up for success. From the time your eyes open in the morning to the time they close at night, you are in school.”

His book describes how being in constant learning mode gave Corbett the tools to do more than stay financially afloat despite operating within the tourist industry during the pandemic. This enabled him to pivot, thrive and discover fresh ways to pursue his passions.

Here is where you can start, if you want to empower your dream lifestyle.

Manifest your mentors

Think of yourself as a university with one student: you. Mentors are all around you.

Someone who lives down the street can teach you more important lessons than what you might learn in a classroom.

“Those who manifest their mentors go the farthest in life. Talk with people in the field you are considering. We are all storytellers. As humans, we always want to share information with others that we think will help them,” advises Corbett, adding that his ‘baker story’ often creates epiphanies for would-be entrepreneurs.

“Maybe your dream is to own a small business. You have a relationship with Bob, the man who owns the bakery on the corner, and decide to make him a mentor. One morning, you arrive five minutes early and help him carry in inventory. You ask him about his business. You can get a life lesson in five minutes.”

What are you looking for in life?

Do you want to be your own boss and exchange the employee badge for one that says 'owner'? You can. “If you stay stuck, the worst-case scenario is that you’ll be in the exact same chair five years from now, and you still won’t want to be there,” cautions Corbett. “The best thing you can do for yourself, and your family may be to start creating your dream career and lifestyle right now.”

Find what will keep you motivated, then go for it! “The world needs small business people who are willing to get up in the morning and go to work.”

He concludes, “If you want to set yourself up for success and keep your motivation high even during hard times, “Hindsight 2020: An Inspiring Change” is the book to read right now.” Today is the day to start making your dream a reality.

(S. Phillips) -  

What does the technology of the future look like? Batteries made of molten salt, fusion energy, 6G networks, synthetic biology, and quantum computing may become as familiar as taking pictures with your phone.

These technologies are already reshaping the global economy and the United States’s place in it, according to a new report from the Special Competitive Studies Project, a bipartisan nonprofit organization.

For the U.S., staying ahead on the technology of the future is essential to creating a climate of uplifting privacy laws and maintaining human rights rather than encouraging surveillance and interfering with democratic governance. Attention to emerging technology also impacts the U.S. economy–the country where the platforms are created is where many of the jobs will be. 

Some key technologies that will be battlegrounds for the next decade include:

Artificial intelligence: Simply put, artificial intelligence (AI) is a computer that mimics the human brain, but answers questions and solves problems faster than a person. To lead in AI, the U.S. needs computing power, strong algorithms (programming), large high-quality data sets, effective applications and integrations, and the talent to create it all. Right now, the U.S. leads in developing algorithms and in developing talent. 

Next generation networks: Most American phones don't work on 5G, but sixth generation, or 6G, broadband is here and potentially 100 times faster.  Low-earth orbit satellites could also bring wireless—without the cell towers—to millions of people and remote areas. The People’s Republic of China currently has the most next-gen wireless patents of any country.

Synthetic biology: No single definition of synthetic biology exists, but most experts define it as the concepts, approaches and tools that allow organisms to be created or changed, whether to make rice more vitamin-rich or to create a new medicine. The U.S. continues to make advances in this field with companies conducting research and producing publications and patents.  

Advanced manufacturing: Advanced manufacturing involves an integration of cutting-edge hardware, networks, robotics, and AI to create products more efficiently at home. On the global level, current data give the U.S. a slight edge in robotics.

Fusion energy: While usable fusion—the clean energy used to power the sun—doesn’t exist yet, the U.S. is home to the majority of fusion companies and could be the world leader in this area if commercial fusion energy becomes available in 2024 and goes on the power grid after 2030.

Quantum computing: A completely theoretical concept even 30 years ago, quantum technologies have entered practical reality, completing tasks in minutes that would take older generations of computers 10,000 years to finish. Although the U.S. leads the world in quantum computing patents and papers, China is dedicating significant government funding to the field.

Visit http://www.scsp.ai to learn more.