(NewsUSA) - Winter is coming. It may not seem that way on a nice autumn day, but some parts of the country are already starting to feel a chill in the air, and those who live in snowy areas are thinking ahead.

The increased opportunities for remote work prompted many people to relocate to other states, and some of them may be looking at their first experiences with snowy winters.

Whether you are new to northern climates or a seasoned veteran of many blizzards, having the right tools can be the difference between getting around and getting stuck.

To that end, a snow blower may become your new best friend.

To help keep your snow blower in top shape, Cub Cadet, an American manufacturer of outdoor equipment including lawn mowers, yard tractors, and snow blowers, recommends six simple strategies to keep your snow blower working at its best.

• Safety first. Before you begin a routine maintenance check, place your snow blower on a flat surface, and allow it to cool with the engine off. Be sure to remove the safety ignition key to avoid turning on the engine.
• Change is good. Change the engine oil in your snow blower at the end of every season and after the first five hours of use this winter.
• Spark it up. Check your spark plug at the start of the winter season. If it just looks dirty, cleaning may be all it needs, but install a new spark plug if you see rust or corrosion.
• Boost your belt. Inspect the belts on your snow blower at the start of the season and replace them if they look worn. A fresh belt will keep your thrower functioning at its best and reduce the risk of its breaking during use.
• Fill the tank. Drain the gas tank at the end of the season, and fill it with fuel that includes stabilizer. This ensures that the fuel stays fresh if you have a mild period during the winter when your snow blower is used less frequently.
• Keep it smooth. Be sure to check that all the parts of your snow blower are moving smoothly, and tighten any nuts and bolts that may have come loose.

For more advice on winter- weather preparation and snow blower options, visit cubcadet.com.

(NewsUSA) - - A surge in home cooking was a ripple effect of more time spent at home last year. However, even with more emerging options for carryout and delivery, many people continue to embrace the fun and challenge of making more of their own food at home, and they want the right tools to match their culinary ambitions.

A deluxe blender can be a true workhorse in the home kitchen. The best models are powerful, versatile, and capable of making everything from smoothies to soups, hummus, and even frozen treats and peanut butter.

The Braun TriForce Power Blender is a powerhouse that does the heavy lifting for meal prep. With 1600 watts of power that performs at four times the speed of previous blenders, the TriForce Power Blender brings extra ease and convenience to fit the bill for home cooks who are still juggling working from home with food prep and are unmotivated by the idea of leftovers for lunch to take to newly reopened schools and offices.

Customization also sets the Braun TriForce Power Blender apart. The unique iTexture Control and automated settings include a soup setting that simultaneously heats as it blends, 10 manual speed settings, and multispeed pulse functions that allow for maximum customization and creativity.

"The seamless intuitive interface makes it easy to quickly master recipes," says Stephanie D'Introno, the Communications Manager for Braun Household. "With the range of settings, you can effortlessly emulsify the toughest ingredients such as hearty root vegetables and dense chunks of ice, ensuring that everything from silky smoothies to savory spreads are equally enjoyable based on your preference."

An easy interface lets prospective chefs choose from six food programs (smoothie, soup, chop, ice crush, frozen dessert and spread) and three different textures (smooth, medium, and course), to create 18 possible blends that will suit any palate.

Other innovative key features include a triangular jug design to reduce waste by keeping ingredients from getting stuck in corners, and a German-forged Precision Edge blade for durability and performance over years of use.

But wait, there's more: The Braun TriForce Power Blender cleans up after itself with a self-cleaning setting and an easy-to-wipe surface.

Visit braunhousehold.com for more information.

(NewsUSA) - The number of women starting their own businesses continues to rise. According to data from American Express, women create more than 1,800 new businesses in the United States each day. As people reassess their careers and goals in the wake of the pandemic, more women are making the decision to start their own businesses and be their own bosses.

However, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that approximately 20 percent of new small businesses fail in their first year. The most common reasons that small businesses fail include: a lack of capital or funding, inadequate management and/or a bad business model.

Fortunately, smart financial planning can help avoid these common pitfalls.

Based on interviews with successful women entrepreneurs, Scott Ward, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, proposes creating a financial plan that incorporates three sequential stages of the entrepreneurial journey: the launch phase, the lead phase and the letting-go phase.

Launch. Ward advises women starting a business to transition into it, and not quit their day jobs just yet. This can be an effective way to manage cash flow. They should also pay themselves for their work and take a paycheck, maintain good credit and keep a close eye on their capital.

Lead. The lead phase is when business owners need to assess how to be leaders in their industries. Women who inherit existing businesses may need to innovate and invest in employees with fresh ideas. Expanding businesses must also be aware of legal and financial hurdles.

Let go (or don't). Don't forget about succession planning. Even as you enjoy the success of your business, a financial plan can be especially helpful on all areas affected by succession -- including business transition, tax planning, investment strategies and estate planning.

When choosing a CFP® professional to guide the launch of a startup business, Lynn Ballou, CFP® reminds women to ask questions and make an informed decision. In addition to asking financial advisors the typical questions, women entrepreneurs may also want to ask them to share:

• A sample financial plan for a startup business,
• How privacy and cyber security are handled, and
• How to create a team of advisors (if needed) to address various elements of business, such as insurance or tax.

"You can ask these questions at your first meeting or send them in advance, so the planner is ready to address them when you meet," Ballou says. "You might also find some of this information on the advisor's website."

If you are a female entrepreneur (or are interested in becoming one) and would like to collaborate further on a specific planning strategy, connect with a CFP® professional today. More resources and articles on small business planning and financial topics relevant for women can be found at LetsMakeAPlan.org.

(NewsUSA)

"We invest in you."

What's not to like about a company that makes that the theme of this year's National Manufacturing Day - as the Whirlpool Corporation just did - in honoring its 15,000-strong factory workforce spread across plants in Ohio, Iowa, Oklahoma, Massachusetts and Tennessee?

Especially, as in this case, when those words are backed up by a bedrock commitment to provide employees with opportunities that are about as coveted as the last drumstick at Thanksgiving.

1.Employee advancement

As one of the world's leading major home appliance companies, Whirlpoool Corporation has invested about $4 billion over the last five years into innovation in its American plants, its products, and the people who keep the lines running day in and day out. Credit initiatives like its "Everyday Performance Excellence" system for empowering workers to plan their career development with the help of team leaders.

Take Ashley Lehner, for instance. She started out temping as an assembler building doors on the dryer line at Whirlpool Corporation's Marion, Ohio plant in 2010, and steadily worked her way up to now lead its suggestion and knowledge inventory systems. "I worked really hard to become a more valuable asset to the company, and I hope to continue to grow within the organization," says Lehner, who's featured in this video about opportunities at the company.

Or Mike Wagers, who went from being an assembly line technician to materials manager at the Tulsa, Oklahoma cooking appliances plant in just a few short years. "I was looking for long-term stability, and this job gave it to me," he says. "The people who've supported me here have been fantastic."

2.Educational reimbursement

The website Comparably.com gives Whirlpool Corporation an "A" for its perks and benefits. And, yes, thankfully for anyone who's checked out the cost of higher education these days, that includes tuition assistance for full-time employees with at least one year of service - whether for an undergraduate, associate or master's degree.

"It's helping me advance my career," says Joshwa Bachelder, currently in operations at the Findlay, Ohio plant while pursuing an associate degree in business management.

3.Volunteerism

Habitat for Humanity. Women's shelters. United Way.

Those are just three of the tons of charities and local initiatives Whirlpool Corporation encourages its workers to contribute time and/or money to.

"Most people want to work for an employer who cares about its employees and also about the people in the local community," says Don Metzelaar, Whirlpool Corporation's vice president of integrated supply chain and quality for North America.

In fact, the company reports that one in three employees wind up volunteering.

Which translates into 400,312 volunteer hours invested annually.

"How I benefit when I volunteer in the community is just having a better sense of pride within myself, knowing that I'm giving back to others," says Jenna Jess, a senior cost accountant at the Clyde, Ohio plant, who helped raise money for a local shelter noted for providing services like life-skill classes and job referrals during the up to 60 days people stay there.

(NewsUSA)

There's no such thing as too much storage space. And that goes double for thoughtfully designed, carefully constructed cabinets, closets, shelves, and other home stowage solutions. "The most successful built-in storage answers a specific need," notes Linda Jovanovich, of the American Hardwood Information Center. "It might be micro scale, like a drawer to store and charge electronic devices, or a macro project, such as outfitting an entire mudroom, but its usefulness, durability, and aesthetics will depend on how good the planning, materials, and execution are. Hardwood's versatility, strength, and good looks make it an ideal starting point when considering most home storage problems." Here are six inspiring examples of what Linda is talking about. 

1. In-drawer charging station

Smart phones, tablets, and other personal electronic devices, along with their tangle-prone power cords, are a perennial source of clutter. A dedicated drawer equipped with a charging outlet, as shown in this Chappaqua, New York custom kitchen by Studio Dearborn, gets the gadgets out of the way-and looking great against the blond wood millwork-while they power up. Photograph: Adam Kane Macchia

2. Pots and pans drawers and pullouts

Studio Dearborn tackles an even bigger problem-how to keep pots, pans, and other culinary equipment close to a cooktop without creating a jumble-in this Sleepy Hollow, New York custom kitchen. A deep center drawer holding bulky saucepans is flanked by a pair of vertical pullouts for smaller utensils and bottles of cooking oil, a practical and elegant solution. Photograph: Adam Kane Macchia

3. Kitchen island storage

A custom kitchen in Chicago by 210 Design House featuring Plain & Fancy cabinetry makes exemplary use of the center island's inherent storage possibilities. Open shelves and deep cubbies not only help break up a visually massive piece of solid-walnut furniture but also provide neat pigeonholes for magazines and attractive display space for silverware, ceramics, and wickerwork. Photograph: Tony Soluri Photography

4. Under-stair storage

The wedge-shape void beneath a staircase is often underutilized real estate in multilevel residences. Specht Architects makes the most of this no-man's-land in a tiny New York loft with a triangle of custom built-in cupboards and drawers. Exquisitely calibrated to use the maximum available space, the storage wall also creates an almost sculptural work of decorative design. Photograph: Taggart Sorensen

5. Built-in wine storage

The space at the top of a staircase can be almost as problematic as the underside. In remodeling an Omaha, Nebraska house, Steven Ginn Architects and designer Marilyn Offut use custom hardwood shelving, cabinets, and wine-storage system to create a welcoming and practical cellar in what otherwise could be a wasted nook. Photograph: Kessler Photography

6. Mud room built-ins

Making the most of this Denver, Colorado mudroom's generous dimensions, Terra Firma Custom Homes has provided separate alder cubbies for each member of a family. While all share a bench for taking off boots, there are individual under-seat recesses for storing damp footwear, hooks for outdoor clothing, and wire-mesh-fronted lockers for personal items. Photograph: Kimberly Gavin Photography

Visit www.hardwoodinfo.com for more about built-in storage with American hardwoods.

(NewsUSA)

"Almost Happy"
by Dr. Brian Kaplan and Hephzibah Kaplan

It's a proven fact: We are healthier and happier when we are laughing. Not only is laughter good for our body, mind and spirit, but it can also help us face the uncomfortable challenge of dealing with our personal difficulties.

"Almost Happy: Pushing Your Buttons With Reverse Psychology" provides practical and accessible ways to use humor to effect change. Reverse psychology can provoke us to discover, own and enact authentic solutions to many of our issues. Are you ready to read a book that will gently tease you about your issues? Some 114 original buttons and provocative suggestions are offered with a twinkle in the eye and affection in the heart. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3iQFBf6.

"Worldmaker of Yand-Yildun"
by Andri E. Elia

On the planet Yand lives a species of winged humanoids. Yanara is a very powerful female wizard. She and her two spouses, her wife Mandolen and her husband Frost, fight a very savage enemy that came at them from space. The three of them defend their planet against genocide, while at the same time raising their very special and unconventional family. Their star, Yildun, is the second star on the tail of Ursa minor, below Polaris.

The author is a Ph.D. scientist and an astronomy buff. "I love this beautiful planet. Let's do our best to help it retain its beauty for the generations to come," she says. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3zNXCBY.

"How to Alleviate Digital Transformation Debt: post-Covid-19"
by Dr. Setrag Khoshafian

We are amid a digital revolution with unprecedented innovations. The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the requirements for "Digital Transformation." Organizations need to adapt and transform to survive and hopefully thrive.

At the core of digitization, there is an underlying principle of "debt." Technical debt "reflects the implied cost of additional rework caused by choosing an easy solution now instead of using a better approach that would take longer." If an organization ignores digital transformation for "easy solutions," the debt accumulates and can have disastrous consequences. What does Digital Transformation mean? What are the opportunities? What are the best practices? What are practical recommendations to alleviate the Digital Transformation Debt? Purchase at https://amzn.to/2Wl1j3l.

"The Quantum Effect: Mission Covid-19"
by Nicklois Leonard

Was the COVID-19 virus man-made, or naturally occurring? Was the virus accidentally or intentionally released? Does Area 51 really exist? This engaging action-adventure reveals how the White House, Department of Defense, CIA and Navy SEALs as well as the Chinese Ministry of Health are all caught in an intricate web of clandestine operations based on the discovery of a new highly advanced time-travel technology.

The book explores the origin of the Covid-19 virus and how it was unleashed on society. Follow Commander Maxwell as he leads his team on a high-stakes game of cat and mouse to learn the truth behind the virus once and for all. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3n5yvFF.

NOTE: BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.

(NewsUSA) - Medicare's annual enrollment period (October 15 - December 7) is an important time of year during which Medicare beneficiaries can review their current coverage and evaluate whether they want to remain with their current plan or switch to a new one that is a better fit for their health care needs. If you are interested in what Medicare Advantage plans have to offer, this is a good time to learn more and understand what's available to you.

While evaluating the various offerings, it is also a good time to consider what type of care works best for you and in what setting you feel most comfortable receiving health care. With many new options available, it is worth the time to learn more about what is available to you:

• Senior-Focused Primary Care Centers. These are stand-alone, primary-care practices designed specifically for seniors, where a care team oversees your health care, including your physical, behavioral and social health needs. The care team at each center is typically led by a primary care physician and often includes access to a nurse, social worker, pharmacist, behavioral health specialist and community engagement team that can help with transportation, food and housing. Both CenterWell and Conviva provide senior-focused primary care, with locations in many regions of the country.
• In-Home Primary Care. The pandemic has taught us that many things can be taken care of at home, including certain aspects of our health care. Telemedicine and -- in some cases -- home visits by a physician are increasingly popular choices for those who have routine issues that don't require a drive to the doctor's office. From the treatment of diabetes and high blood pressure to physicals and vaccines, organizations such as Heal provide health care from the comfort of your living room. For Medicare beneficiaries, some care providers may also offer medication review, fall-risk evaluation and home visits after a hospital stay.
• Urgent In-Home Care. Ever feel really sick, when even a drive to the urgent care clinic seems daunting? Receiving urgent care in your home may be an option, so long as your needs are neither life- nor limb-threatening. Where available, companies such as Dispatch Health will assess your need and, within a few hours, if medically appropriate, send a medical team to your home, treat your condition when possible and even call in prescriptions if necessary. Typical urgent issues that can be treated at home include shingles, sinus infections, bronchitis, flu and even food poisoning.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, be sure to educate yourself about plan options safely by using digital resources, including virtual educational events and one-on-one virtual meetings with licensed sales agents. Beneficiaries can also visit www.Medicare.gov; call 1-800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; or go to www.Humana.com/Medicare to learn more about Humana plans. Other providers may be available in the Humana network. Providers may also contract with other plan sponsors. Licensed Humana sales agents are available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time, seven days a week at 1-800-213-5286 (TTY: 711). With these resources, you'll be able to more confidently select a 2022 Medicare Advantage plan that suits your specific health care needs.

(NewsUSA) - The onset of harvest season means increased farm equipment traffic sharing the road with other vehicles, as farmers move their heavy equipment from field to field. These specialized, heavy-duty vehicles are not as maneuverable as your average sedan, so it is important for the farm workers who operate them and the drivers who share the road to pay attention to some important safety tips.

"The most important thing a farmer can do during harvest season when they're transporting their equipment from field to field is to have a plan," said Curt Blades, senior vice president of agriculture services at the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), an organization dedicated to supporting North America's manufacturers of construction and agricultural equipment.

A recent study from the University of Iowa Great Plains Center for Agriculture found that roads with higher speed limits and roads with limited visibility, such as narrow, hilly, or curvy roads, have a higher instance of traffic accidents between motor vehicles and farm equipment. The study also found that approximately one-third of accidents occurred in urban zip codes. Given the size and nature of the agricultural equipment in use today, these accidents can cause serious injuries.

Maximizing the safety of farmers in their equipment has long been a priority of AEM. This extends to keeping drivers on the road safe as well. So AEM would like to remind drivers and farmers of the following:

- Be Aware. "Drivers should be aware that they may encounter farm equipment on rural roadways," Blades said. "If they see a flashing light on a piece of equipment, just slow down and give them space."

- Be Predictable. "A farmer wants to know if you want to pass them," Blades continued. "If you can't see their mirrors, or inside the cab, they can't see you. You need to be predictable while driving and interacting with farm equipment."

- Be Patient. "A farmer will have a good indication of when it is safe for you to pass and will move over to create a clearer passageway," Blades finished.

AEM produces safety manuals for the industry that offer best practices for safe operation of off-road equipment. The manuals are available to purchase at https://shop.aem.org/promo/.