(NewsUSA)

"This Was Toscanini: The Maestro, My Father and Me"
by Lucy Antek Johnson

Arturo Toscanini is widely considered the greatest conductor of the modern age and remains a towering figure in the world of classical music. His explosive passions, dynamic music making, and legendary leadership continue to inspire and influence today's musicians while still captivating new generations of enthusiastic fans. Here is an intimate musical portrait of the Maestro, told from the perspective of first violinist Samuel Antek, who played under Toscanini's baton for 17 years in the famed NBC Symphony Orchestra.

 In this expanded second edition, Samuel Antek's reflections gain sparkling new facets of insight from his daughter Lucy, with vivid recollections about her father and his most memorable musical partnership. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3gtaPYA.

"Lion, Tiger, Bear"
by John W. Warner IV

The wild adventures of Lady Beatrice, the defiant, libertine MI6 operative and WWII pilot, continue in this sequel to the epic Little Anton, a mystery thriller set during the 1942 African Desert conflict.

In "Lion, Tiger, Bear," the hunt is on for Bea and her team to locate a secret German mining operation, airbase, and Ahnenerbe SS archeology dig in Iraq that is directly linked to the German Wunderwaffe atomic bomb, free energy, and antigravity programs- -- technologies that rely on mysterious and hidden ancient technology and philosophy.

 All author profits go to wounded veteran charities. Purchase at https://amzn.to/2V8CxCU

"The Hotel"
by Pamela Kelley

Secrets and lies...at Nantucket's most exclusive and glamorous, family-owned hotel.

The Whitley is Nantucket's most exclusive waterfront hotel -- a family owned business.

Changes are in store for Paula when her grandfather promotes her and fires her cousin--who then blames Paula. Paula's grandfather also hires a consultant to help her -- David, who is also in Nantucket also for another reason, a difficult family issue.

Meanwhile, a blond romantic comedy superstar is hiding out at The Hotel. She meets Paula's brother, a chef--who has no idea who she is. A new family saga from the Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of "The Nantucket Inn" and "The Restaurant." Purchase at https://amzn.to/3bHSrKb.

"A Kind of Hush"
by JoDee Neathery

D. Donovan, Midwest Book Review says, this book will appeal to "readers of stories of growth and recovery…as a moment in time changes a family forever." From the award-winning author of "Life in a Box" comes a novel set in Buffalo, NY, and Texas' Big Bend area exploring whether there is a gray area between right and wrong.

The Mackie family is enjoying an outing at Zoar Valley Gorge when tragedy strikes leaving one parent dead, a teenage daughter traumatized and their seven-year-old son hiding in the woods. Accident or something more heinous? As each survivor pieces together that day, a mantle of ambiguity -- a kind of hush -- hangs between them like a live grenade without its pin. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3hmdtRS.

NOTE: BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.

(NewsUSA) -Whether you are just starting out with your first job and apartment, or entering the later stages of your working life, there is no wrong time to plan for retirement.

For Millennials and Generation Z, saving may seem less important, but don't discount its importance.

"Even though retirement is decades away, acting now can lead to better financial security throughout your entire life," says Mark Wernig, CFP®, Lead Advisor and Principal at Dowling & Yahnke Wealth Advisors.

For those who are younger, take some smart steps now, and you can reap the benefits whenever you retire. The following tips can help you to save for the future:

- Make saving automatic. Young adults should invest in a 401(k) plan with their employers, with an automatic contribution. This makes saving easy, you don't have to think about it, and you will reap the rewards later.

- Put money back. Many adults deal with debt from student loans, car loans and mortgages. Set financial goals and know the interest rates on your loans, so you can make a budget and try to pay them off as soon as possible.

If you are a Baby Boomer farther along in your career and retirement is fast approaching, don't despair. It's never too late to maximize your savings with these smart strategies:

- Play catch-up. The "catch up" provision for individuals ages 50 years and older lets you add extra money to many corporate retirement plans, such as 401(k)s, traditional Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and Roth IRAs.

"Workers age 50 and older can make an extra $1,000 catch-up contribution to an IRA in 2021, for a maximum possible IRA contribution of $7,000 in 2021," says Spencer Betts, CFP®, Chief Compliance Officer and financial consultant at Bickling Financial Services.

- Postpone Social Security. Age matters. The full retirement age for Social Security is 67 for anyone born after 1960. For every year you delay taking your Social Security (age 68 to 70), you increase your benefit by 8%.

- Revisit your health care plan. Health expenses are one of the top sources of spending in retirement. Make sure your health insurance plan meets your needs and do some research to switch plans if necessary. In addition, be aware of health care savings accounts (HSAs), which are pre-tax savings accounts that allow tax-free withdrawals for health expenses. HSAs also have a catch-up option for those over the age of 55.

Regardless of your age, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professional can provide guidance and advice as you consider these points in retirement planning:

• What do you want?
• When do you want it?
• How much will it cost?

Visit LetsMakeAPlan.org for more advice on smart money management, and tips on building wealth for retirement during every stage of life.

(NewsUSA) -Many of today's students are tuning in to the possibilities of a career in financial planning.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for personal financial advisors is expected to grow at a rate of 4% through 2029, in part because of the increasing numbers of baby boomers who are retiring and are more likely to seek planning advice from personal financial advisors. Additionally, the replacement of traditional pension plans with individual retirement accounts is expected to continue, meaning individuals must save and invest for their own retirement, further increasing the demand for personal financial advisors.

A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional works one-on-one with their clients to develop strategies for meeting both short-term and long-term financial goals. These goals might include paying off student debt, saving for a house or planning for an adventure-filled retirement. This level of personal financial planning service is in high demand. So that is why, according to the April 2020 Pulse Survey: The Impact of Covid-19 On CFP® Professionals and Their Clients, 78% of CFP® professionals surveyed reported an increase in client inquiries during the beginning of the pandemic.

CFP® professionals find not only job security, but also personal satisfaction in their chosen profession. For example, a 2019 CFP Board study conducted by Fondulas Research found that 93% of CFP® professionals reported they were satisfied with financial planning as a career choice and 92% were satisfied with their decision to pursue CFP® certification.

"Being a financial planner allows you to build the work-life balance that you want," says Dorsainvil, CFP®. For example, the CFP Board Center for Financial Planning's Career Paths Guide lists work-life balance as one of the top five attributes that makes financial planning an attractive career.

Dorsainvil decided to combine her CFP® certification skills with the virtual platforms of today's professional world. She is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of 2050 Wealth Partners, which focuses on empowering entrepreneurs and first-generation wealth builders to own their money story and pursue their biggest dreams. "I decided to become a CFP® professional because I liked putting my clients' interests first and helping them make smart decisions as they pursue their financial goals," she adds.

Benefits of a career in financial planning include:

• Helping people. CFP® professionals commit to a Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct that gives their clients the highest level of confidence. Competent and ethical CFP® professionals can make a difference in people's lives by providing honest and effective guidance and strategies to help them achieve their financial goals at key moments in their lives.
• Setting your own schedule. CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals have many career options, so you can find the flexibility that suits your lifestyle. Some financial advisors work for banks or credit unions, others work for independent firms, and some work as solo consultants.
• Staying in Demand. Earning the CFP® certification is a solid investment in your future, as it is trusted and sought after by firms and clients alike. . The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates roughly 11,600 job openings for personal financial advisors in this decade, with the number of openings only increasing as older financial planners retire.

More information about financial planning as a career choice can be found at CFP.net.

(NewsUSA) They may be one of the best-kept secrets out there. In fact, even as college costs keep rising as surely as we're all getting kind of sick of Zoom meetings, a new Morning Consult survey done with financial firm Edward Jones found that only 36 percent of adults even knew what a 529 Education Savings Plan is - and even less (21 percent) knew it can be used to fund more than just higher education.

Time to let the proverbial cat out of the bag.

1.They're a tax-advantaged way to help save and potentially grow your money.

You know how when you file your taxes and you have to report the interest you received on your regular personal savings accounts? Well, with these state-sponsored 529 plans, your account earnings aren't subject to any federal income taxes - that's right, nada - or even, in many cases, state income taxes so long as the money is used for qualified education expenses.

"They're an attractive and practical way to save for education," said Steve Rueschhoff, a principal at Edward Jones. "But only 20 percent of parents surveyed reported that they were using, or planning to use, them for their own or their children's education - even as a complement to other strategies like personal savings accounts, scholarships and financial aid."

And history tells us you'll need all the help you can get. The average annual cost of attending a private four-year college, which now stands at $37,650 including fees, rose 17 percent from 2012 to 2021, according to the College Board. Which helps explain why the Federal Reserve estimates total student debt ballooned 70 percent over that same period to $1.7 billion.

Ouch.

2.Tuition and expenses at colleges and universities aren't all they cover.

Did the way some schools responded to the coronavirus pandemic make you start to think about alternative education settings for your young child? The plans also allow for up to $10,000 per year, per beneficiary, to be applied towards K-12 tuition.

Plus, per the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement (SECURE) Act, signed into law in late December 2019, the definition of "qualified higher education expenses" was expanded to include student loan repayments and certain apprenticeship costs.

3.Some reasons survey respondents gave for not using a 529 plan just don't match the facts.

Ten percent of parents with kids under 13 thought they'd be penalized on unused funds if their kid wound up not going to college. (Only if the money is used for non-qualified education expenses; however, as the account owner, you have the flexibility to name a qualified family member - or even yourself - as the beneficiary without triggering income taxes and a 10 percent penalty on the earnings.)

And 7 percent of parents with kids under 13 thought they'd somehow lose all they'd saved if their child qualified for a full-ride scholarship. (Absolutely false, and the penalty is waived in that case.)

4.Maybe it was the coronavirus, but more people now think they're not saving enough.

Every state's 529 plan allows for maximum contributions of at least $235,000 per beneficiary, but it's more than double that in places like California and New York. (Your accountant can discuss the tax implications with you.) Whether they knew that or not, 45 percent of those surveyed felt they weren't socking enough cash away to reach their own goal. That's up 5 percent from the 40 percent who said the same in July 2020.

Not sure how much you'll need for college? Edward Jones has a free online tool to help you figure it out. And if you're like 24 percent of those who thought they'd benefit from professional advice because they were worried they weren't saving enough, the firm's local financial advisors have the perspective, experience and empathy to guide you through it all.

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States don't guarantee against investment losses. The investments within education savings plans are subject to market risk and fluctuation, and investors may lose money. Details about investment options, share classes, fees, expenses, risks and other important information can be found in each plan's program description of offering statement. Read it carefully before investing

(NewsUSA)

 "Brain Storm"
by Shelley Kolton, MD

The sad 7-year-old girl. The aggressive 14-year-old boy. The terrified 3-year-old child. The cult leader. She lived with these, and over 30 other parts of her mind throughout endless cycles of deepest depression, paralyzing panic, thoughts of suicide, and a revolving door of psychotherapists.

Dr. Shelley Kolton tells the story of a childhood marked by unimaginable abuse and the distinct parts her brain created to hold those memories and protect her. She balanced the demands of medicine, marriage and family as new parts emerged while grueling therapy sessions consumed her.

 The heartbreaking account of a mind, fragmented and broken, ultimately made whole by one woman's incomparable strength and courage. Purchase at shelleykoltonmd.com.

"The Lost Diary of Anne Frank"
by Johnny Teague

"The Diary of Anne Frank" is a seminal piece of twentieth century literature recounting the tragic and moving story of a young Jewish teenager faced with the horrors of Nazism. Anne establishes a bond with her readers that transcends both time and space, making them her friends and confidants.

Her diary ended, but her story did not. This book picks up where her original journal left off, taking the reader on a credible journey through the tragic final months of her life, faithfully adhering to her own, very personal, diary format in the process. Anne's vaulted dreams for fame and notice are ultimately traded in for the true longings of life, love, and peace. Purchase at https://amzn.to/2RKjH3N.

 "Blind Vision"
by Nina Blakeman

"Blind Vision" is a cozy mystery with a fervent zing! The unexpected death of a patient of young neurologist Dr. Callie Wallace throws the overachieving physician into a tailspin. Her mother wants to help, but a dark family secret keeps their relationship contentious and distant. A long-time boyfriend also wants to be there, but she keeps him at arm's length and turns to her business partner Dr. Richard Cortez, causing strain. It all comes down to who exactly Callie can trust.

There's charm and Rockwellian atmosphere, but instead of cupcakes, tea parties, and antiquing, there's sexual undercurrent, drug deals, domestic abuse and a bit of profanity. A medical suspense novel for mystery lovers. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3cfAFhz.

 "Suffer Less in Death"
by Vincent Dodd, R. N.

The process of dying and the choices we make for our own death and others is not a clear-cut topic. Raw and informative, this book explores the truth and asserts your right to knowledge and your right to say "no" to medical procedures that prolong suffering once imminent and inevitable death arrives.

The author cares deeply about your awareness, knowledge, and choices, and his perspectives come from 21 years of bedside emergency and intensive care nursing in teaching hospitals, followed by 14 more years of advocating for both the dying and the living to pilot their own health care. He takes a look at a difficult subject and turns it into a highly informative, easy, and, at times, even a funny read. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3wkHvK1.

NOTE: BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.

(NewsUSA)

"Hollywood to the Himalayas: A Journey of Healing and Transformation"
by Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati

The enlightening memoir of a reluctant spiritual seeker who finds much more than she bargained for when she travels to India.

As a Stanford grad getting her PhD in Psychology, Sadhvi Saraswati was comfortable with her life. When she agrees to travel to India to appease her husband, Sadhvi would have never imagined that she would be embarking on a journey of healing and awakening.

The book describes Sadhvi's odyssey toward divine enlightenment and inspiration through her extraordinary connection with her guru and renewed confidence in the joy that life can bring. Now one of the world's preeminent female spiritual teachers, Sadhvi recounts her journey with wit, honesty, and clarity. Says Deepak Chopra, "Her inspiring wisdom illuminates the path to healing, happiness, and inner peace." Purchase at https://amzn.to/3hGY0uD.

"The Dreamcatcher Codes"
by Barbara Newman

"This book is a homecoming. It is medicine for the soul and it is frankly glorious. Savor it, share it, be touched deeply by it."

Four girls. Four directions. One purpose. A YA novel filled with imagination, adventure and hope.

Powered by the elements earth, air, fire, and water, and secret messages from mystical dreamcatchers, four girls begin a quest to recover the stolen piece of the sacred Crystal Horseshoe. Snatched by a giant raven, this ancient talisman holds the Codes of Nature and is the key to its survival. The four girls bravely face what lies ahead. But time is running out. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3uip5Jn.

"The Essence of Nathan Biddle"
by J. William Lewis

This timeless coming-of-age tale has been likened to "discovering 'The Catcher in the Rye' all over again." Kit Biddle, a rising prep school senior, finds himself tangled in a web of spiritual quandaries and intellectual absurdities, compounded by his Uncle Nat's unspeakable acts which he claims were direct orders from God.

The tragedy haunting his family follows Kit like a dark cloud. When the brilliant Anna dismisses him, Kit spirals into self-destruction. But when his irrational decision to steal a maintenance truck and speed aimlessly down the highway ends in a horrific accident, Kit is forced to examine his perceptions of his life. Beautifully written and profoundly moving. Purchase at https://amzn.to/2SNarfw.

"Sugar Birds: A Novel"
by Cheryl Grey Bostrom

Harris Hayes has taught his daughter, Aggie, the ways of the northern woods. When her mother's depression worsens, Harris shows the girl how to find and sketch the nests of wild birds as an antidote to sadness. Aggie is in a tree far overhead when her unpredictable mother spots her and forbids her to climb. Angry, Aggie accidentally lights a tragic fire, then flees downriver. She lands her boat near untamed forest, where she hides among the trees and creatures she considers her only friends.

Perfect for fans "The Scent Keeper," "The Snow Child," and "The Great Alone," this is a layered, evocative coming-of-age story set in the breathtaking natural world where characters encounter the mending power of forgiveness. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3stiDyA.

NOTE: BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.

(NewsUSA) - Home offices are personal spaces that reflect the user's personality. Whether you work in a room with a closed door, a nook in the kitchen, or a corner of the family room, home offices are becoming a part of life.

Furniture that fits, figuratively and literally, into our homes and lives can make working from home a more pleasant, productive, and comfortable experience.

In addition, consumers are more conscious of the environmental and economic impact of large purchases such as furniture.

Custom furniture company Baru not only creates pieces that fit your needs and your space exactly, they work with trusted furniture makers in your community. Once you experience customized furniture for your home office, your relationship with your work space will change.

Not only will you have a unique furniture from top-quality materials, you will have supported the local economy and helped cut down on the waste associated with overseas manufacturing supply chains. Baru's network of skilled woodworkers can turn your order around quickly, and for a fraction of the cost of typical "custom-made" items.

Several more reasons to choose custom furniture for your home office include:

- Investing in quality. Custom furniture from Baru is designed and built to last so you can maximize your investment. Local manufacturing avoids long-distance shipping, so the money can be put towards higher-quality materials and components to make your investment worthwhile.

- Showing your style. Even if you are the only one who sees your home office, you have the ability to customize a desk with drawers just where you need them, and choose custom finishes and colors that bring pleasure as well as function to your workspace.

- Saving you time. Baru's sustainable manufacturing practices allow the company to know the sources of all materials and where the pieces are made (in the U.S.A.). Local production means a shorter wait time for your furniture to reach your door, and reduced carbon emissions associated with long-distance shipping.

Baru's top design and manufacturing engineer, Leland Thomasset, is an artist in his own right, with an extensive career in woodworking.

One of his designs was a walnut sideboard with a wireless charger and built-in mini speakers. But wait, there's more -- the sideboard had no bottom, so those seeking unobtrusive "instant office space" can pull up a chair, open the doors, and get to work, then close it all up for an "out of sight, out of mind," aesthetic.

Visit hellobaru.com for more information about how you can change your relationship with your furniture, and feel good about it.

(NewsUSA) - Whether you are returning to an office or upgrading a home office, nothing refreshes a business or residential space like new, high-quality flooring. The right flooring can help add style and warmth to a kitchen, infuse energy into a workout room, and lend an air of professionalism to an office.

Now is the perfect time to enhance your space with new flooring as you welcome more guests to your home, or welcome more clients to your office. Some popular types to consider for your floor installation or replacement include laminate and vinyl. Both are attractive, cost-effective, and easy to install. Here's a quick rundown to help you decide which is best for you:

- Laminate: Several key features make laminate flooring stand out from other types. Laminate flooring is made by taking an ultra-high-definition image of the material, whether it is wood, tile, or stone, and printing that image within the plastic material of the flooring.

"Laminate flooring used to have a reputation for being slippery; however, modern manufacturing methods have enabled designers to use slip-resistant material and increase the texture gravure depth allowing for better traction," according to HomeSolutionz, a licensed, bonded, and insured flooring company based in Phoenix, Ariz.

Laminate flooring can be used in any area of a home or office, including kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, living rooms, and even home workout rooms or art studios.

"Using Click and Lock Technology at the seams, new laminate flooring is designed to be easy to install," according to Home Solutionz experts.

- Vinyl: Luxury vinyl plank is an elegant and popular flooring choice that has the added benefit of being easy to clean and care for, a bonus for busy homes and offices. A skilled contractor will ensure that the vinyl plank floor in a home or office lasts as long as it should. High-traffic areas may require more frequent replacement, but a reliable flooring company, such as Home Solutionz, can install a luxury vinyl plank floor with seamless spot treatments or more complete replacements when needed to keep your home or office looking fresh and appealing.

Call 1-602-610-1636 or visit homesolutionz.com to learn more about the many ways to refresh your home or business with new or replacement flooring.

(NewsUSA) - Toys for Tots is the Nation's flagship children's Christmastime charity, but the program offers more than holiday hope. Toys for Tots has expanded its reach to help families in need throughout the year, and its services have been more valuable than ever in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The past year saw a huge increase in the number of families in need, and many are still struggling. In order to continue providing emotional relief, comfort, and a sense of normalcy to impacted families, Toys for Tots distributed one million toys, games, and books to COVID-19 impacted families through their DoGoodNow campaign. The generosity of the American public allowed Toys for Tots to source these gifts to children across the United States, but now they need help to refill "Santa's bag of toys" in preparation for what will likely be another busy holiday season.

"We didn't want to wait until the holidays to support families in need, so we provided one million toys throughout the spring and summer," says LtGen Jim Laster, USMC (Retired), President & CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. "Through our DoGoodNow initiative, we depleted our emergency supply of toys originally reserved to kick off our holiday campaign. The primary goal of our Christmas in July campaign is to restock our inventory of toys after our second special COVID distribution, and we could use everyone's help in preparing for a busy holiday season," he emphasizes.

The impact of Toys for Tots' DoGoodNow campaign has been extremely successful thanks to the generosity of the American public. The support has reached nearly 400,000 children from coast-to-coast with help from our partner Good360 and their network of hundreds of local non-profits distributing toys in areas still reeling economically from the pandemic.

The emotional support offered to these families is made possible by the kindness and generosity of Toys for Tots supporters whose donations make a real and genuine impact on families in need. Visit toysfortots.org/ChristmasinJuly for more details or to make a donation. Be sure to follow Toys for Tots on Facebook and Instagram, where Toys for Tots spokesbear "Gunny Bear" shares examples of the impact your support makes.