Avoid Heat-Related Illness with Preventative Measures

(ARA) – Any seasoned NASCAR fan can tell you that when your favorite driver is trailing it’s pretty easy to blow your top at the track, but getting caught up in the heat of the moment is a sure way to spoil the day. Raceway vets know that getting the most out of an afternoon in the grandstands means keeping your cool at the track in more ways than one.

Even the most avid NASCAR enthusiast can end up sidelined by prolonged exposure to hours of direct sunlight in packed seating. According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 318 Americans die every year of heat-related illnesses — most of which are easily preventable. Health and Safety Expert for the American Red Cross, Don Lauritzen, suggests that one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself from heat-related illness is to drink plenty of water. “Hydrate yourself continuously,” says Lauritzen. “Drink even when you’re not thirsty. If you’re already thirsty, it’s a little late.”

Take along a Thermos brand insulated cooler or travel tumbler to keep your water cool and easily accessible. You can even find Thermos tumblers and coolers at Target that feature popular drivers like Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon. The NASCAR six-can cooler is perfect for water and sports drinks, and its regulation size guarantees it will fit comfortably under your seat. Here are some other helpful tips for keeping cool at the speedway this summer so you can have a great day at the races — even if your driver doesn’t!

Dress for Success

There’s a near-endless variety of NASCAR gear to wear on race day, but opting for lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing goes a long way in battling the heat. Whenever possible, select “breathable” fabrics like cotton, or moisture-wicking materials that pull perspiration and heat away from the body. Don’t forget to top off the look with a hat.

Think Simple

Much of the body’s heat is released through the soles of the feet, the palms of the hands and the scalp. Think of simple and resourceful ways to keep these areas cool. For instance, while caffeinated drinks should be avoided, cans of soda are usually cheap and plentiful at the racetrack. Roll a cold can under bare feet for quick, refreshing relief from the heat.

Eat Smart

Eating small, frequent meals helps keep body temperature low by reducing the metabolic heat that is generated in the consumption and absorption of food. Avoid foods that are high in protein or served hot, opting instead for things like cold sandwiches and salads. Throw a few bags of frozen chopped fruits in your Thermos NASCAR cooler for an especially refreshing treat. The patented insulation technology will ensure your food is cold all the way to the final lap!

Finally, be sure to take regular breaks in the shade if your seat is in direct sunlight. Signs of heat-related illness to look out for include high body temperature, lack of sweating, difficulty breathing, flushed skin and disorientation. If you or anyone around you is showing any of these signs, move them to a cool area and seek medical attention — even if their driver’s on another team!

Courtesy of ARAcontent

ARA) – If your baby wakes up in the middle of the night crying uncontrollably, what is the first thing you would do? Most parents say they would rush over to the crib, pick the baby up and try to offer comfort.

If hugging, talking and singing a song doesn’t work, check to see if the baby needs a diaper change or is hungry; but what do you do if none of these tricks calm your baby? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, extreme fussiness that doesn’t let up, even when the child is being comforted, could be a sign of illness, so you should take the baby’s temperature. But as any parent who has had to deal with a fussy baby will tell you, that can be easier said than done.

While you often can tell if your child is warmer than usual by feeling the forehead, only a thermometer can tell if he or she has a fever and how high the temperature is. Ordinarily, a rectal reading of 97.9 to 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, an oral reading of 95.9 to 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit and an ear reading of 96.4 to 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit is considered normal, while higher readings indicate fever; but good luck getting an accurate reading from a baby who is flailing about and screaming. The thermometer must be in place for a minute or longer.

Well, now there’s some good news for parents struggling with this dilemma. The Kidz-Med Thermofocus, the world’s first non-contact clinical thermometer, is now available in the United States. Introducing the innovative NeverWake Technology, there is no need to touch, startle, upset or wake your child with this thermometer.

All you have to do to obtain an accurate reading of your child’s temperature is hold the thermometer perpendicular to the forehead, and using infrared technology, within in a few hundredths of a second, the Thermofocus will carry out a sequence of up to 125 calculations. It will then deliver an accurate reading of the child’s temperature on a digital display. In a nutshell, a simple point, press and release produces an instant reading.

Fevers under 101 degrees Fahrenheit generally don’t need to be treated unless the child is uncomfortable. To ease the pain your baby may be experiencing, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends you give them acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Dosage depends on the child’s age and weight. Check with your doctor for his or her recommendation.

According to Dr. Richard G. Lagueruela, director of surgical services at Miami Children’s Hospital, “It’s extremely accurate and children of all ages aren’t even aware their temperature is being taken, so there’s no need to restrain an infant or child. Obtaining an accurate temperature is trauma free: no earpiece, mouth probe, or rectal entry required. It’s safe, accurate, and painless. The Thermofocus will revolutionize the health industry and make a difficult part of parenting a delight!”

Among the benefits of Thermofocus that Dr. Lagueruela and his colleagues like best:

* You don’t have to wake, or startle, a child when they are sick to take their temperature.

* The infrared technology is completely safe.

* Parents can rest assured they are getting an accurate reading.

* The method is totally hygienic

Not only does the Thermofocus take the temperature of the body, but it can also be used to take the readings of baby’s food, bottle, bath water and even room temperature. All you have to do is point the thermometer in the direction of the item being tested and you’ll get an accurate reading back almost immediately.

To learn more about the Kidz-Med Thermofocus, which is available for purchase online direct from the distributor, log on to www.kidzmed.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Raleigh will close some downtown streets starting tonight for the third annual Ray Price Capital City Bike Fest. More than 100,000 people are expected for the “motorcycle lifestyle” event, which runs Friday and Saturday and features live music, food, gear manufacturers and custom bike builders.WHEN: The bike fest runs from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday. It’s billed as a family-friendly event with a children’s fun zone where parents can drop off their children.

TRAFFIC: Besides the street closings (see map), congestion is expected from as many as 500 motorcycles that are expected to leave the Ray Price Harley-Davidson dealership on South Saunders Street at 5:53 p.m. Friday and drive to Fayetteville Street, continue along Martin Street and end at Moore Square in an official, police-escorted kick-off parade.

Also, a police-escorted charity ride will leave the dealership about 1 p.m. Friday and travel to the N.C. Army National Guard Aviation Flight Facility and Armory near the Raleigh-Durham International Airport in Morrisville. Riders will return to the dealership at 3:30 p.m.

INFORMATION: www.rayprice.com.

STREET CLOSINGS

SOURCE: News & Observer

Motorcycles will rally as new museum opens

RALEIGH – Saturday’s grand opening of the downtown children’s museum will include fun new mascots, Chinese ribbon dancers and opportunities to plant a pretend garden.

Across the street, at a gathering of thousands of motorcyclists, a tent sponsored by U.S. Smokeless Tobacco will invite “city slickers, tenderfeet and virgin dippers” to learn how to cheat at cards and to watch a sinuous model dance on a bar.

At least 100,000 people are expected downtown for the third annual Ray Price Capital City Bike Fest and the opening of the so-far unnamed museum in the former space for Exploris, the struggling museum about world cultures that closed this month.

Bikers will start roaring in today for the event, which includes a performance in Moore Square tonight by Great White (the band known for its 2003 Rhode Island performance that left 100 people dead after a fire). It runs through Saturday night.

Several city streets, from Fayetteville Street to Moore Square and City Market, are shut to accommodate the rally.

A thousand children can get pretty loud. Even they will have a tough time competing with the noise from hundreds of motorcycle engines, which can average 100 decibels (think chainsaw or jackhammer).

“We’re thinking the more the merrier,” said Sally Edwards, president and CEO of the new museum.

The museum picked Saturday primarily because it was the day it could open a new traveling exhibit about children from around the world. The new museum is the product of the consolidation of Playspace, a children’s museum geared toward toddlers and preschoolers, and Exploris, which both closed Labor Day weekend.

Edwards said grand opening organizers made sure most of the events were inside the 80,000-square-foot museum because of Bike Fest. But, she said, there are plans to integrate motorcycles into the grand opening, though she wouldn’t say how.

Edwards didn’t think the clashing events were a problem but recommended that people plan in advance.

“The parts of downtown that are closed are really not important entrances to the museum,” she said.

Doug Grissom, assistant director of the Raleigh convention center, who helped produce Bike Fest, said the event has been on the same weekend for the past two years. And while some might think of bikers as hard-core partiers with leather chaps and scruffy beards, the reality is much different, he said. The event is billed as a family-friendly affair and includes a children’s entertainment zone run by a couple of Christian groups.

Read More: News & Obserber

(ARA) – The table is set, the fire is lit and music is playing. But when friends and family are coming over for a holiday celebration, how do you make sure the food you’re preparing, serving and storing is safe and delicious? Experts say there are five easy steps you can follow to prevent making common food safety mistakes when feeding a crowd.

“The good news is that our food is safer than ever. In fact, multiple reports show a substantial decline in the overall incidence of food borne illnesses,” says Sam Beattie, Ph.D., a consumer food safety specialist in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at Iowa State University. “But there are still many opportunities to improve food safety in your own kitchen by being more conscious of food preparation habits.”

Consumers can greatly increase food safety and reduce the possibility of food borne illness by practicing these five easy-to-remember steps:

Step 1: Sing Happy Birthday for the Holidays

Before beginning food preparation and after handling raw meat, always wash your hands with warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds, which is about the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice. Cutting boards, utensils and countertops should also be washed with hot soapy water and rinsed with hot water after coming in contact with raw meat. If possible use two cutting boards, one for raw meats and poultry and one for ready-to-eat foods such as salads.

“Especially when you have several cooks in the kitchen, it’s critical to ensure everyone washes their hands often,” says Beattie. “This will greatly reduce the risk of cross-contamination of your food.”

Step 2: Keep Frozen Food off the Countertop

Busy cooks often freeze food for later use, but defrosting food safely is important. Beattie says meat should never be defrosted at room temperature. Instead, the safest way to defrost is in your refrigerator. If you’re making a roast for your family’s holiday meal, plan ahead to allow enough time for the meat to defrost overnight in the refrigerator rather than on the countertop or in the sink.

Step 3: Use a Food Thermometer

The most accurate and reliable way to ensure safety and determine if meat and poultry is cooked appropriately is to use an instant-read meat thermometer, which can be found near your supermarket’s meat case. An instant-read thermometer should be used towards the end of the cooking process. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, and the temperature will register within several seconds.

Cook beef roasts to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F and ground beef to 160 degrees F. Steaks and seafood need to reach 145 degrees F while poultry should be cooked to 165 degrees F.

Step 4: Keep Cold Foods Cold and Hot Foods Hot

To discourage the growth of foodborne bacteria, perishable foods should spend as little time in “‘the danger zone’ — between 40 degrees and 140 degrees F — as possible and for no more than two hours,” says Beattie. “If your holiday meal includes a buffet, set a timer so that the alarm will alert you when it’s time to put the food in the refrigerator or reheat it.”

If you and your family are traveling with perishable food that may support the growth of bacteria, you will need to plan ahead. Consider cooking ahead of time, transporting your dish cold and reheating when you arrive. Make sure to fully chill foods in your refrigerator and then use cold packs to fill the cooler of food.

Step 5: Enjoy a Great Roast Today and a Safe Sandwich Tomorrow

Once the celebration is over, leftovers are as much a tradition as the holiday meal itself. Choose shallow containers (2 inches or less) for quick cooling to prevent bacterial growth. Make sure you freeze or refrigerate your perishable leftovers within two hours or less after eating.

By avoiding food safety mistakes in the kitchen, you can enjoy safe and healthy meals during the holidays and year-round. For more information on food safety, and for holiday beef recipes, visit www.BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

ARA) – It wasn’t long ago that everyone was making a big deal about the first graduating class of the new century. Here we are, nearly ten years later, and the Class of 2020 is embarking on their educational adventure. They are now kindergarteners.

As they make their way through school, things will be very different for today’s students than they were for their parents. These days, instead of overhead projectors and chalkboards, lessons are being taught on computers. And that’s not all that has changed.

Because of budget constraints, many schools have cut enrichment classes such as art, music and physical education. In fact, many are turning to parents to help pay for field trips, athletic uniforms and basic learning tools such as pencils, paper, markers, chalk and glue.

Think education is expensive now? According to the College Board, a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity, the average cost for tuition and fees at four-year public institutions has increased nearly 51 percent over the last 10 years (after adjusting for inflation), and these costs will almost certainly continue to rise. While the cost of college has skyrocketed, families are not saving enough. The good news is that every little contribution helps and parents should know there are some simple steps they can take now to jumpstart their child’s college savings for the future:

1) Consider a tax-free 529 savings account and start contributing to it regularly. If you deposit just $50 into the account every month, at the end of the year you’ll have built up $600 in principal. Add in gift checks from grandparents and part of any bonuses you may receive at work and you could be putting away a couple thousand dollars a year. Investment earnings could boost that number even higher. The great thing about 529 accounts is they are tax-advantaged and anyone can open one.

2) Encourage your child to take part in saving for college by putting a portion of his or her allowance in a piggy bank. At the end of the year, they can add up their savings and deposit it into a special bank account. When the time comes for college, the money they have saved can go towards the extras they want for school.

3) Become a Upromise member and begin earning college savings rewards with online purchases from hundreds of retailers as well as on purchases at grocery and drug stores, gas stations and even restaurants.

“Since 2001, Upromise has been dedicated to helping families get started saving for college. We now have 8 million members and hundreds of top retail brands partnering with us in this mission to help make college more affordable,” says David Rochon, president, Upromise.

The latest addition to Upromise, the Upromise Schools Program, helps families save more for college and at the same time helps raise much needed funds for schools. So far, more than 9,000 schools across the country are registered with the Upromise Schools Program.

“The Upromise Schools Program is a no brainer. There is not another fundraiser out there that doesn’t cost any money, puts money into parents’ pockets, and makes money for the school. It’s a win — win — win all the way around,” says Angie O’Farrell, parent volunteer, Level Creek Elementary, Suwanee, Georgia.

To sign up for a free membership and start saving today, log on to www.upromise.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

With over 8 million members enrolled, Upromise has become the number one private source of college funding contributions in America.

ARA) – There are many reasons people work full-time or part-time — socializing, using your education and skills or tackling challenges — but most often it comes down to earning money. According to an American Staffing Association survey, 69 percent of respondents said that additional income was an important factor in employees’ decision to pursue temporary or contract work.

Seasonal work is one of the most beneficial ways to pursue temporary employment. Potential employees can choose when, where, and how they want to work. Companies love the operational flexibility of being able to increase staff during their busiest seasons.

Here are the top five considerations for seasonal work opportunities from the team at Snelling Staffing Services, which has 182 staffing agency offices nationwide.

Consider the time of year you want to work.

Did you know that September is a great time of year to fill out applications for holiday jobs? Many companies accept applications in September and October for work that begins around Thanksgiving through New Year’s. Shipping and fulfillment are popular winter jobs, in addition to loss prevention, customer service, merchandising and stocking inventory.

In the summer, some restaurants extend their hours to accommodate families and travelers, creating a need to help fill those orders. Popular summer jobs can also include positions within recreation and aquatics centers, amusement parks, athletic teams and camps.

Employers that need temporary staffing help year round include conventions, hospitality and banquet events. Think of June weddings, while January and February are popular months for conventions and tradeshows. This allows you as a candidate to pick the season that works with your needs.

What are your strengths or skills?

If you have experience in a particular industry, especially a specific skill, or have pursued a field with continuing education, you are more likely to be hired for that expertise. Some specific skills being sought after right now include manufacturing jobs, such as parts assembly, or information technology help desk associates.

If you have accounting experience, the spring tax season is a great opportunity for seasonal work. Companies and staffing agencies begin employee recruiting in the fall for the following year’s tax season.

Consider your strengths along with the seasonal hiring needs of a particular region. Florida, for example, is experiencing a construction boom from hurricanes in recent years, along with population growth, and needs workers, full and part-time, for jobs related to all aspects of the construction industry.

What’s your availability?

What are your time constraints or parameters during the season you want to work? Do you have family time to work around? If so, you might want to consider the night shift or early mornings during school hours. If you look for opportunities that fit within your schedule and are up front with your potential employer about your availability, the better your situation.

Selling caps, gowns and announcements during the school day in the spring might be right up your alley to earn the extra cash you need. The ASA also finds that 64 percent of staffing employees report that their work gives them the scheduling flexibility and the time for family that they desire.

Do you have an industry or dream job in mind?

Think about seasonal work as an opportunity to try something new or pursue your dream job. If you’ve always wanted to pursue baking, think ahead to the month of June when bakers are their busiest prepping for the influx of weddings. If you have a healthy obsession for shopping, consider being a part-time mystery shopper. If you’ve always wanted to travel, consider temporary employment within the travel industry when travel volumes increase during the summer and companies need extra help working with customers. Beyond your paycheck, the travel perks can be beneficial.

Will you need a full-time job within the next five years?

According to Workforce Management, the number of temporary workers retained as full-time employees is expected to grow by 15 percent this year. One of the main reasons employees choose temporary assignments is the opportunity for full-time employment. The same is true for seasonal hiring. If you prove your worth during a seasonal project, the company may find a spot for you or at least provide a shining reference for a similar position.

With all these considerations in mind, where do you go from here? Visit a staffing agency like Snelling, where they have experienced employment recruiters that can help you find the job you need that fits into your seasonal schedule. Their aptitude tests can also help you pick an industry suited to your personality.

For more information about seasonal opportunities in your area, visit Snelling Staffing Services at www.snelling.com to find the office near you or by calling (800) 411-6401. Snelling delivers temporary, career and professional staffing solutions to companies, with 182 offices throughout the U.S.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

As the evening gray faded to black, Branson Kimball felt something all too familiar hit his face, his arms, his legs. “Here we go again,” he muttered.Before long the spitting begat sprinkles that begat a light rain; the escalation was again under way. It was Wednesday night, about 8 p.m. Aug. 22. Kimball, who is 39 and lives in Durham, had been on his bike for all but maybe three or four of the past 45 hours, since leaving the outskirts of Paris at 9:50 Monday evening, riding his bike west to Brest on the coast, then turning around for the return trip to Paris. He’d ridden about 500 miles, stopping for a total of perhaps an hour to eat, maybe three to sleep. Of those 40-plus hours, more than half had been in the rain. A cold rain. At times, a cold, driving rain, almost always at night.

Now, it looked like he and riding buddies Glenn Himstedt of Bristol, Va., and J.D. Stewart of Greensboro were in for, unbelievably, yet another night of rain.

“I was starting to get a little down,” says Kimball, a former racer who has ridden his bike across North Carolina three times. He thinks for a moment, then downgrades his assessment.

“It was my toughest time on a bike, ever.”

Finally, when the rain became a deluge, he proposed the obvious: “This is insane. We need to stop and get some rest.”

Stewart was exhausted and couldn’t see. Himstedt was worse: He was wearing glasses and was relying on the taillights of his partners to squint his way along. Pulling over at the next village, checking into a warm, cozy pension and having a bowl of hot soup made perfect sense.

“Can’t,” the two shouted over the rain. “Gotta keep moving.”

It seems crazy

Every four years since 1891, distance-obsessed cyclists known as randonneurs have gathered to undertake one of the more ambitious challenges in sports: the 1,200-kilometer Paris-Brest-Paris bike ride. Twelve hundred kilometers — about 750 miles American — seems an insane distance to ride a bike. Couple that with the fact that the ride must be completed in 90 hours — or 31/2 days — and insane is redefined. By comparison, the annual Cycle North Carolina statewide bike ride takes seven days to cover about 450 miles.

Actually, not everyone who participates has to do the distance in 90 hours. Some elect to do it in less. The record: 38 hours and 55 minutes. That’s averaging almost 19 mph — without stopping.

The obvious question: Why? Why ride a bike 31/2 days on very little sleep? Why ride past some of the planet’s most gorgeous countryside in the dead of night? Why put yourself through an ordeal that can leave key parts of your body numb for weeks and months to come?

Stewart ponders the question. “Overall … It’s a good experience.” This from a man who once rode his bike 3,700 miles from Montana to the Arctic Circle and two years ago climbed Cho Oyu, the world’s sixth highest mountain at 26,901 feet.

“Psychologically,” he says, “this was worse.”

“It was the greatest thing I’ve ever done,” Kimball says three weeks after returning to Durham. “But it was also the hardest thing I’ve ever done. … There were some amazing things I saw and experienced,” says Kimball. “But that doesn’t mean it was all good.”

Exciting and terrifying

Kimball started taking long weekend rides last fall, took longer rides in the winter and by spring was ready for the rigorous qualifying rides. Paris-Brest-Paris aspirants must complete 200-, 300-, 400- and 600-kilometer rides, all within a set amount of time, over the span of about two months. Before he knew it, he was queued up with 4,500 other cyclists from around the world in the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, a stadium on the outskirts of Paris, headlamp ablaze, waiting to pedal into the heart of France.

Read More: News & Observer

 Top-Rated Public Schools GreatSchools
Rating

Cleveland Middle School……9

Rand Road Elementary School……8

Timber Drive Elementary School…..8

Creech Road Elementary School……7

Polenta Elementary School…..7

GreatSchools Ratings for North Carolina

In calculating these ratings, GreatSchools analyzed the 2005-2006 North Carolina End-of-Grade (EOG) reading and math and the 2005-2006 End-of-Course (EOC) algebra I, geometry, algebra II, biology, chemistry, physical science, physics and English I results for the school and compared them to the test results for all North Carolina schools with the same grade levels.

If there are no GreatSchools Ratings for a school, the school’s test results were either not reported or incomplete. The different student groups are identified by the North Carolina Department of Education; if there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, data is not reported for that group.

Keep in mind that when comparing schools using GreatSchools Ratings, it’s important to factor in other information, including the quality of each school’s teachers, the school culture, special programs, etc.

GreatSchools Ratings cannot be compared across states, because of differences in the states’ standardized testing programs.

Read More:GreatSchools.com

Most people are always striving to better themselves. It’s the “American Way.” For proof, check the sales figures on the number of self-improvement books sold each year. This is not a pitch for you to jump in and start selling these kinds of books, but it is an indication of people’s awareness that in order to better themselves, they have to continue improving their personal selling abilities.