(NewsUSA) - Ongoing news reports of global supply chain challenges highlight the need for improvements and changes in the manufacturing infrastructure.

A report by McKinsey & Company describes sustainable infrastructure as "resilient to climate change, socially inclusive, technologically advanced, productive, and flexible."

What do these kinds of changes mean for the average consumer who wants quality products delivered on time? Global supply chains are susceptible not only to weather, but also labor shortages and cyberattacks. Today's smart consumers find opportunities to support companies that provide alternatives to these global manufacturing models.

Other factors that make for successful companies in the future include organizational design, digital tools, and joint involvement among all parties involved, according to the McKinsey article.

Custom furniture maker Baru, an American-based company, is one example of how putting these factors into practice on a local level supports the American economy, serves customers, and fosters environmental stewardship.

"Baru supports the American spirit of innovation by using technology to streamline the process and avoid costly inefficiency, and manufacturing nearby strengthens the local economy and conserves the environment in meaningful ways," says Baru founder and CEO Tino Go.

- Organizational design. Baru's organizational structure involves a network of local builders and suppliers of raw materials, ideally within 50 miles of customers. This strategy prevents the damage and delays associated with shipping a finished product long distance, because the manufacturing takes place close to the customer.

- Digital tools. Baru lets customers use customized programs to design products specific to their needs and sends these manufacturing instructions directly to local workshops. This customization reduces the creation of excess inventory that might end up are landfills.

- Joint involvement. Local manufacturing benefits communities by creating local jobs and supporting local artisans and craftspeople. Many customers are eager to support companies when they know the materials and workmanship is locally sourced and that the company is mindful of its carbon footprint. Baru also shows its commitment to the environment with an ongoing tree-planting initiative as part of its sustainable manufacturing model.

Visit hellobaru.com for more information about the way an American company is putting principles into practices that reflect a new way of manufacturing.

(NewsUSA) -If you witness someone having a cardiac arrest, don't be afraid to act, especially since that person may be someone you know in a familiar setting.

According to the American Heart Association, about 70 percent of cardiac arrests occur at home, but often family and friends who witness a cardiac arrest hesitate to perform potentially lifesaving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for fear of making the situation worse.

"Rather than waiting for first responders to arrive, performing immediate CPR in the case of cardiac arrest can double or triple a victim's odds of survival," says Comilla Sasson, M.D. and vice president of emergency cardiovascular care at the American Heart Association. "If you are willing and able to do CPR, you should do CPR, even during this pandemic. In fact, the simple, hands-only CPR technique recommended by the American Heart Association can save lives and does not require the mouth-to-mouth contact that many people associate with CPR."

World Restart a Heart Day, October 16, is a global initiative from the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) to raise awareness of the effectiveness of bystander CPR and educate more people about Hands-Only CPR. ILCOR and resuscitation councils around the world will use the hashtag #WorldRestartAHeart to link and track social media posts related to the value and effectiveness of Hands-Only CPR. If you or someone you love is a survivor, you can share your story on social media using #CPRSavedMyLife #WorldRestartAHeart.

The American Heart Association's Hands-Only CPR Campaign is nationally supported by the Anthem Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Anthem, Inc.

"When someone experiences a cardiac arrest being able to act quickly and provide Hands-Only CPR can improve the chances of survival," says Shantanu Agrawal, MD, Chief Health Officer at Anthem, Inc. "That's why the Anthem Foundation and the American Heart Association are working together to increase access to Hands-Only CPR training in our local communities to teach this simple technique and individuals can overcome concerns so they can be empowered and comfortable to respond in an emergency."

Hands-only CPR includes just two simple steps.

• First, call 911.
• Second, push hard and fast in the center of the chest of the individual having a cardiac arrest. How fast to push? That's easy. Push to the beat of a familiar song that has 100 to 120 beats per minute. For example, the classic disco hit, "Stayin' Alive," can help you stay on pace, but anything with a similar tempo will do.

Raising awareness about Hands-Only CPR is especially important in Black and Hispanic communities, where individuals are at least twice as likely to have a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital, according to a recent study.

Visit heart.org for the most up-to-date information on heart health and World Restart a Heart Day.

(NewsUSA) - October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, when people and organizations learn how to reduce their cybersecurity risks and protect themselves online.

Although people are becoming smarter in the way they handle cyberattacks, cybersecurity threats remain prevalent at financial services firms. In fact, the cyber and intelligence unit of BAE Systems found that 74% of financial institutions, such as banks and insurers, have experienced a rise in cyberattacks since the pandemic began.

This is why consumers need to stay vigilant when it comes to sharing their financial information.

"The online world makes many aspects of financial planning quicker and easier," says Felicia Gopaul, CFP®. "Unfortunately, it also opens the door to identity fraud."

Identity fraud is any instance of using someone else's identifying information without their permission. The most common instances of identity fraud are stealing a credit card number, insurance information, or a Social Security number to get a job or open an account.

"Older adults are often vulnerable to identity fraud by family members," adds Gopaul.

"As you age, you are more likely to rely on friends and family to assist you with making financial planning appointments and handling your banking. This trust potentially opens you up to becoming a victim if you don't monitor your banking and investment accounts," she emphasizes.

When hiring a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professional for any reason -- whether to establish future goals, manage debt or enter retirement -- make cybersecurity part of the conversation. Ask your CFP® professional how your financial and personal information will be protected, what security provisions are in place for transactions, and how they handle naming trusted contacts.

At home, be as conscious of cybersecurity as you would be in an office. No one wants to think ill of family or friends, but some people find it irresistible to peek if you leave bills, financial statements or financial planning documents lying around, or if you have passwords taped to the computer.

If you discover that you are a victim of identity theft, whether from a friend or an unseen stranger online, take these three steps immediately:

* File a police report. Even if you suspect a friend or family member, failing to file a report will leave you liable for any expenses.

* Put a lock on your credit file. This will prevent others from applying for credit using your personal information. This strategy keeps an identity thief from continuing to take out credit using your information.

* Get professional help. If you work with a CFP® professional, tell them what has happened. They can support you in monitoring your accounts during your reviews. Whether you have experienced identity theft or not, some CFP® professionals might be able to set up triggers similar to those sent by banks that ask, "Did you make this transaction?"

The most important thing you can do is keep your private financial information secure. A dose of caution about the financial information you leave unprotected will reduce the opportunity for you to be a victim of identity theft. A CFP® professional can guide you and help ensure that you have confidence today and a more secure tomorrow.

Have you already been a victim of identity fraud, or want to better prepare? At LetsMakeAPlan.org, you can learn how you can recover your finances and bring all the pieces of your financial life together in a safe and secure manner with the help of a CFP® professional.

(NewsUSA)

"Living in Color: A Story of Love, in Sickness and in Health"
by Michael Murphy

This is the extraordinary true story of the last six months of the life of Margot Murphy after a nine-year battle with cancer, written by her husband.

Unflinching in its honesty and transparency, the story is a riveting inside look at a love for the ages, one that men and women only dream of, but may never experience in their lifetime.

Every family that has been touched by cancer will identify with the scenes in this saga, which is masterfully written like a novel. Every human who longs to love and be loved, to live well and to die well, will be greatly enriched by the story's lessons and deep wisdom. Purchase at https://amzn.to/37FISsO.

"The Zima Confession"
by Iain M. Rodgers

Can one man bring down the world's financial systems?

Glasgow, 1977. Anarchist Richard Slater comes up with the idea that if he was to hide in deep cover until he was in a position of responsibility he would be able to unleash a devastating act of sabotage capable of starting a revolution. Party activists develop the plan -- code name Zima -- and lie in wait.

London, 2013. Richard has held onto the Zima plan all this time and has been signaling he can activate it. Is anyone listening?

Tension mounts as the battle for power and control moves to Moscow. As the coil of agents, misinformation and mind-control-experiments connected to Zima unravel, where do allegiances lie? Purchase at https://amzn.to/3sajk0i.

"Throwing Shade: A Humorous Paranormal Women's Fiction (Magic After Midlife) "
by Deborah Wilde

Here's a sassy, slow-burn romance perfect for fans of K.F. Breene, Darynda Jones and Shannon Mayer.

Miriam Feldman is killing it in the midlife crisis department. She's mastered boredom, aced invisibility and graduated Summa Cum Laude in smiling and playing nice in her post-divorce life. But when a drink with a "good guy" goes sideways, Miriam snaps and unleashes a rare and powerful shadow magic.

Then her best friend goes missing and Miri is thrust into a world of hidden magic, vampires and a legacy of hatred aimed directly at her. Which is more dangerous: this spiderweb of supernatural power plays, the grumpy French wolf shifter she's teamed up with, or Miri herself as she rediscovers the woman who got lost along the way? Purchase at https://amzn.to/3jgkyEu.

"Life and Other Complications"
by Heather Mullaly

Aly Bennet has been in love with her friend Luke for years. She hasn't told him how she feels because she has HIV and she lied about how she got it.

Aly never meant to lie. The words just slipped out on her first day of a support group for kids living with life-threatening conditions. It was the day she met Luke and Caroline, who would become her best friends. After so many years, Aly doesn't know how to tell her friends the truth, so she tries not to think about the future she can't have.

But when a Boston prosecutor asks Aly to testify in a trial -- and her relationship with Luke intensifies --things become complicated. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3mC0tdB.

NOTE: BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.

(NewsUSA) - Remember the pile of hair on the salon floor when you finally got your first real haircut after coronavirus restrictions were eased?

Even in normal times, the beauty industry creates more than 877 pounds of waste every single minute when you combine all the hair clippings, color tubes, used foils, excess hair color, aerosol cans and the like. That's over 421,000 pounds of usable materials needlessly heading straight into landfills every day.

How to deal with all those pounds in an environmentally friendly way has become a real issue. Enter Green Circle Salons, a beauty waste recovery service that started out 12 years ago in Canada before going on to help U.S. businesses recycle and repurpose up to 95 percent of their beauty waste.

Want to do your part for the planet? Green Circle Salons makes it easy to find a Certified Sustainable Salon near you through its online directory.

See full-sized image here.

(NewsUSA) - The past year-and-a-half has brought unprecedented levels of stress to everyone, but parents in particular shouldered an extra load, as children's schedules (and emotions) were turned upside down. In fact, Gallup's 2021 Emotions Report shows that women with young children at home were hit the hardest in terms of pandemic stress and worry.

As the pace of daily life begins to pick up with the back-to-school season, it's more important than ever for busy parents to find a few minutes of 'me' time to decompress every day. Yet, finding the time can be a struggle.

That's exactly why the mental wellness app, Breethe, meets parents (and anyone needing stress relief) where they're at, ensuring that self-care becomes a reality and not just a hopeful wish. Breethe's personalized approach -- which easily integrates self-care into your day instead of just adding another item to the to-do list -- delivers customized, relatable stress relief right to your phone.

"Breethe is personalized for you and your needs. When it comes to wellness and self-care, there is no one-size-fits-all approach," says Breethe co-founder Lynne Goldberg. "The more we can meet someone where they're at in their day and life, the more lives we can change for the better."

Can't sleep? Feeling anxious? The app is designed to figure out why and gets to know its users through a series of quick and easy questions rooted in behavioral science. Then, based on this interaction, it provides personalized recommendations -- including meditation, hypnotherapy sessions, and helpful talks.

Additionally, with the "Customize My Day" tab, Breethe helps users sneak in a few minutes of self-care as they go about their day. Choose from a selection of activities, such as starting the day, doing chores, working out, or falling asleep. By setting the times when you typically do the activities, the app recommends what support would serve you best at that specific time.

Finally, Breethe is all about real help for your life -- it offers relatable tools for (very!) specific everyday situations, such as "Tax Season -- Adulting Is Hard," "My Boss is a Jerk," "My Family Drives Me Nuts," making the app even more accessible, timely and friendly.

This approach differentiates Breethe from other wellness apps because users need not sift through content libraries in search of the right tools. Instead, Breethe provides a personalized experience that delivers the most appropriate content to users on demand, making it the perfect choice for parents (and anyone else) at home and on the go. As the Breethe team explains, "it's like having a best friend and life coach in your pocket."

Visit breethe.com for more information, or follow along at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breetheapp (handle: @breetheapp) and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breetheapp (handle: @breetheapp).

(NewsUSA) - Many Native American children living on Reservations in the United States are growing up in unimaginable poverty. High unemployment means limited job opportunities and no income source for their parents, so multigenerational families often live together in small, dilapidated houses. Many of these homes lack running water and telephones. Electricity is scarce, and utility bills often take priority over food and rent.

The generosity of the American public has allowed Toys for Tots to purchase and deliver gifts to Native American children on 60 Reservations. In 2020 alone, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation purchased $2.2 million in toys, books, and other gifts for children on remote Reservations in 13 states across the country.

"With your help we can help bring joy and hope to even more Native American children this holiday season," says Lieutenant General Jim Laster, USMC (Retired), President & CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

This season marks the 41st year of the Toys for Tots Native American Program. When the Program began in 1980, the local Reserve unit had only two pickup trucks full of toys. Last year, local campaign Coordinator, LtCol Pete Tagni, USMC (Retired) and his team distributed nearly half a million toys to Native American Children thanks to the generous donations from Toys for Tots supporters. The impact of these donations is far reaching and supports more than 180,000 Native American children annually.

Russ Miller, Marine Corps League National Vice Commandant, experienced the impact of the Toys for Tots Native American Program firsthand. Growing up in a missionary family on a Navajo Reservation, Russ still recalls the arrival of the Toys for Tots Christmas boxes, spilling over with toys, games, and books for the children living on the Reservation. Russ loved the opportunity to "play Santa," distributing gifts to the children whose families came to the mission for other essentials such as clean drinking water and donated clothing -- this experience became an inspiration for Russ. He and his brother went on to join the Marine Corps, and Russ is still making a difference today as a Toys for Tots Coordinator.

The Native American Program has provided new toys, books, and games to children living on Reservations for the last four decades. The support from the American public will help us meet the growing need again this year.

Please visit our donation page to support our Native American program at https://www.toysfortots.org/donate/native_american_program.aspx.

Be sure to follow "Gunny Bear" on the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation Facebook page, where the Toys for Tots spokesbear shares examples of how your support makes a difference.

(TR) -- Some clothes for pets are strictly stylish, some are purely functional, and some are both. The idea of a trucker hat for a dog may seem strange, but in fact many dogs, especially those with blue and light-colored eyes, suffer from sun sensitivity that makes them squint and become anxious in bright conditions.

Tony Choi, an engineer in San Diego, Calif., and his veterinarian wife, Dr. Kathy Burnell, launched the initial PupLid trucker hat for dogs in 2018 to help make dogs comfortable after they found it significantly reduced anxiety in their own sun-sensitive dog, Buddy. They experimented with other dog hats and designs for months, but determined that a modified trucker hat design stayed in place and provided the best protection for Buddy.

The Six-Panel Camo baseball cap for dogs is the latest addition to the PupLid product line for dogs who prefer a more adventure-ready look. Like the trucker hats, the baseball caps will feature a patent pending "Furfect Fit" system for maximum comfort, stability, and adjustability. Dogs with shorter noses have the additional benefit of protection from sunburn and sun induced skin cancers on the nose.

Even dogs who might resist a hat will warm up to it with the right approach, according to Burnell and the PupLid website. Start by letting your dog sniff the PupLid and get used to seeing it. Then, put the hat on the dog's head for a few minutes at time, and use treats and rewards as the dog keeps it on for longer periods.

"When hat wearing is paired with a favorite walk or trip to the park, many dogs start getting excited to see their hat because they know they are about to go on an adventure," says Burnell.

The hats are engineered to stay put with a five point system -- two-points of contact on each side and one under the chin. The hook and loop fastener under the chin allows for a customized fit, and slider loops on the sides allow for further adjustment. PupLid hats are currently available in five sizes, XXS, XS, S, M, and L, but the company will launch a sixth size later this fall to further refine the fit for more dogs. More sizing information is available on the company website.

The company also strives to enhance the style factor to dog hats -- the hats are a seamless extension of baseball caps and trucker hats for people, available in five colors and over ten designs. More custom design options are available from PupLid's growing network of wholesale partners, and dog families can even order their own matching "trucker hats for humans" for the ultimate in coordination.

PupLid is a supplier to retailers as well as organizations seeking a completely unique option to add to their promotional products. Orders of 25 or more can feature a company logo or other design, and preorder options are available to reserve large supplies.

For more information, email [email protected].

(NewsUSA) - The end of summer and beginning of fall is an exciting time for all. With pumpkin picking, hayrides, and spooky festivities to look forward to, it is crucial that everyone is prepared to tackle the onset of cold and flu season so that those crisp-air activities can be fully enjoyed. Dr. Shirin Peters, a NYC internist at Bethany Medical Clinic, provides tips ahead of cold and flu season on how to best prepare and stay healthy.

"Autumn is a fun time to participate in outdoor activities with family and friends, but sometimes we forget that cold and flu season is beginning, and we are not always prepared," says Dr. Peters. "My tips below are designed to help people of all ages be prepared ahead of cold and flu season and remain healthy."

* Get vaccinated. Mask wearing and social distancing contributed to a less-severe-than-normal cold and flu season during 2020-2021, and with COVID-19 restrictions expected to continue to decrease, it is more important than ever to get vaccinated. The CDC recommends all persons aged 6 months and older receive an annual flu vaccine as they are safe and proven to be effective in preventing sickness, and reducing the risk of having flu-like symptoms. The pandemic is ongoing and flu-like symptoms require COVID testing and potential quarantine at home, which is what many seek to avoid.

* Keep your body moving. It is estimated that people who exercise 30 - 45 minutes a day experience 40% - 50% fewer sick days. Whether it be taking a daily walk during your lunch break, jogging in the morning, or attending a workout class with a friend, keeping your body moving will help you avoid getting sick. If you're new to daily exercise, try starting small by incorporating 2-3 workouts/activities a week and gradually increasing over time.

* Stock your medicine cabinet. Take advantage of the time that you are feeling well to prepare your medicine cabinet for when you're not. Throw out any expired medications and replace with fresh decongestants and antihistamines. And be sure to remember to pick up fever and pain relief products as well as a cold shortener so you can get back on your feet quicker. Zicam RapidMelts® and Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Spray® are great products, as they shorten colds versus just temporarily relieving symptoms.

* Stock your pantry. It's important to stock your medicine cabinet in preparation for cold and flu season, but it's also just as important to stock your pantry. Having comfort foods and energizing drinks on hand for when you're not feeling well is crucial in your recovery process. Try stocking up on frozen vegetables, which will provide your body with nutrients when you're feeling sick, ice pops, which will soothe a sore throat, and chicken soup, which will help eliminate chills.

* Create a cleaning routine. It has been proven that cold and flu viruses can survive for days on uncleaned surfaces such as metal, plastic, and wood. So cleaning household surfaces and objects is one of the best precautions you can take to protect yourself and your family from contracting illness. Create a twice- weekly cleaning routine in which you heavily soak countertops, doorknobs, and TV remotes with antibacterial, bleach and hydrogen peroxide products.

About Shirin Peters, M.D.

Shirin Peters, M.D. attended college at New York Medical College and completed her residency at the Former St. Vincent's Hospital in Manhattan, NY. The following year, she worked at a private practice in North Carolina and learned more about the business of medicine. She returned to New York City and founded Bethany Medical Clinic of New York in 2011. She feels that New Yorkers face unique health challenges and set out to build a model of care that could reduce illness and improve health for New Yorkers and all city-dwellers. She uses her diverse past work experiences, and her understanding.

(NewsUSA) - New Year's Day is a popular time for making resolutions to save more and spend less, but you don't have to wait until January 1 to commit to financial well-being. This October 6, World Financial Planning Day provides the perfect opportunity to refresh your financial plan and set goals for your future.

World Financial Planning Day is dedicated to increasing financial literacy worldwide and helping people understand the value of financial planning, as well as the role a competent and ethical financial planner can play in making sense of your finances.

Experts agree that it's important to periodically review your financial plan to determine if adjustments are needed, particularly given the economic and personal impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. If your circumstances have changed, your financial plan may need to change, too.

A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professional is a highly trained and trusted advisor who can help you get a holistic view of your finances, identify the short- and long-term goals most important to you, and determine if you need a financial refresh to get there.

A CFP® professional can help you set and achieve goals, such as these:

* Afford a comfortable retirement. A CFP® professional can help you take advantage of saving and investing opportunities as you age, estimate your expenses in retirement, and prepare to have enough money to cover those costs for your lifetime.

* Buy a home. CFP® professionals can recommend key insurance, saving and budgeting strategies for buying a home and protecting what you own. They can also advise you on special programs to help reduce housing costs.

* Pay for a child's education. Understanding the tax breaks, savings plans and financial aid options that can make the cost of college more affordable are some of the ways that CFP® professionals can help you reach this goal, in addition to recommending strategies for paying off student loans.

* Start or grow a business. A CFP® professional can provide guidance on retirement savings plans for yourself and your employees, debt financing, succession planning, and adapting your personal financial plan to suit the risks and realities of owning a business.

* Get out of debt. CFP® professionals work with you to determine which debts to focus on repaying first and how to reduce what you pay in interest.

Visit LetsMakeAPlan.org to find a CFP® professional and learn more about how they can help you reach your goals by bringing all the pieces of your financial life together. Then you can mark this World Financial Planning Day as the kickoff to working with a competent, ethical financial planner to map out your financial future.