(NewsUSA) - Meet Me at the Starlight by Rachel Hauck

A heartfelt tale of romance, perseverance, and the enduring power of community by the New York Times bestselling author.

Eighties supermodel Harlow Hayes seeks solace in a quaint Florida beach town to heal from a heartbreak that shattered her world. To her surprise, she encounters Matt Knight--a Hollywood A-lister with a bad-boy reputation--who has returned to help his plucky grandmother, Tuesday, save her century-old skating rink, the Starlight.

The Starlight once acted as a refuge for Depression-era families and brought the town together with celebrations. Tuesday always protected her beloved rink from her husband's shady business dealings. Yet when it is threatened with demolition, Tuesday may not be able to stop it.

As Matt and Harlow plot with Tuesday to save the Starlight, they find themselves on a journey of surprises, self-discovery, and the kind of healing that leads to love. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3P21qt5.

The War You’ve Always Wanted by Mike McLaughlin

Pat Dolan’s father has a box. In it are treasures from Jimmy Dolan’s service in World War II—his photos, his medals, his memories. But ten-year-old Pat can’t understand why his father refuses to look in the box. After all, the war was a grand adventure, wasn’t it?

Determined to serve in the Army like his father, Pat enlists nine years later—but it’s 1972, and the American military is withdrawing from Vietnam after seven years of futile combat. As an Army combat correspondent surrounded by people growing more desperate by the day, young Dolan quickly learns how bleak the South’s prospects are. He is forced to witness the slow, steady death of a nation.

When Pat is wounded in action, he wonders if he will live long enough to fill a box of his own. Are there any treasures to be found in a country as fragile as this? Purchase at https://bit.ly/4beMJMp.

BEING: A Brief History of the Universe by Masoud Mostafavi

This manuscript is a beginner/intermediate-level science book discussing a brief history of the universe and how we came to exist. The most recent scientific theories in cosmology and related physics and life sciences concepts are aimed to inform and educate the science-leaning public, especially college students. Subject matters include various origin and creation stories, the nature of reality, and ancient ideas in astronomy and modern cosmological theories, including the Big Bang.

The book contains chapters discussing historical milestones and topics of physics to help readers better comprehend modern complex cosmological concepts. The birth and death of stars, the Solar System, and the formation and development of the Earth during eons are covered in modest detail. Theories related to the emergence of life on Earth and the evolution of living organisms are described. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3wxWFSg.

The Last Harmonic: A Tale of Bella & Oscar by Dustin Cook

In the heart of an ancient castle, a curious cat named Bella stumbles upon a hidden world of mystical mice. Granted the gift of speech and bipedal movement, Bella joins forces with the brave mouse Oscar and a wise mouse wizard. Together, they embark on a perilous journey to confront a dark sorcerer threatening their kingdom. Along the way, they navigate treacherous traps, decipher ancient prophecies, and forge unbreakable bonds of friendship.

With courage and determination, they face their ultimate challenge in the sorcerer's lair, fighting to restore magic and harmony to their land. The Last Harmonic: A Tale of Bella & Oscar is a story of bravery, teamwork, and the power of light over darkness, captivating young readers with its enchanting adventure and timeless lessons and also appealing to adult readers. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3KN13jS.

(NewsUSA) - Sharing a meal -- with family members that include relatives but also those you choose to call family -- not only promotes healthy eating, but healthier minds as well, new data show.

More than half of Americans believe that family meals make them feel more connected, according to the FMI Foundation, a nonprofit organization and creator and steward of the Family Meals Movement.

In a recent survey from the FMI Foundation, one-third of Americans said family meals make them feel calm, and approximately four in 10 said family meals are relaxing and fun, and improved their quality of life.

“These new data underscore the hundreds of studies the FMI Foundation has curated to substantiate further the expansive physical and mental health benefits of family meals,” said David Fikes, executive director of the FMI Foundation. “Sharing meals is clearly one of our best proactive practices to build a healthier nation,” he said.

Anxiety and other mental health issues have surged among youth in recent years, and FMI Foundation data support the value of family meals for giving children, teens, and young adults a way to connect and boost their feelings of well-being. Multiple published studies demonstrate that family meals are associated with reduced symptoms of depression, fewer incidents of violent behavior, and reduced thoughts of suicide in youth, as well as a reduction in patterns of disordered eating. Additional studies support the link between increased family meals and more prosocial behavior and feelings of life satisfaction among adolescents.

Family meals are good for adults, too. Data from the FMI Foundation show higher levels of self-esteem and family function, as well as lower levels of stress and depression among adults who share more meals with family members.

“Family meals are a proven way to strengthen the emotional well-being of children and adults and bolster the bonds they share.” Fikes emphasized. “With youth depression and anxiety at an all-time high, there has never been a better time to take simple steps, like family meals, to build healthier hearts, minds, and bodies.”

Joining the Family Meals Movement is one way to take advantage of the many benefits family meals offer. If you’re looking for ways to have just one more family meal each week, visit your local supermarket for meal ideas, recipes, cooking and preparation suggestions and products that help make family meals easily achievable. Many grocery stores offer in-store retail dietitians who can offer customized nutrition and meal-planning tools to fit your budget and needs. And don’t forget to take part in National Family Meals Month™, celebrated in September as part of the Family Meals Movement.

Learn more about the Family Meals Movement at www.FamilyMealsMovement.org and Family Meals Month at https://www.fmi.org/family-meals

(NewsUSA) - Solid wood has always been the gold standard when it comes to high-quality home furniture. “Whether it’s something major like a dining table and chairs or a smaller item like a nightstand, making it with Real American Hardwood^® will ensure that it’s not only strong and durable but also unique and characterful,” says Ian Faight of the American Hardwood Information Center. “No matter what style of furniture you favor, from the warmly traditional to the sleekly modern, there’s a wood—classics like oak, maple, walnut, and cherry or less familiar ones such as cypress and hickory—that will enhance its looks and increase its longevity.” Here are six stylish pieces for today that could well become tomorrow’s treasured heirlooms.

Natural cherry lends a gorgeous, honeyed tone to this dining room set by Copeland Furniture (copelandfurniture.com) in Vermont. The Catalina trestle table softens the crisp, clean lines of Mid-Century Modern design with the more flowing, organic forms of earlier styles like Art Nouveau, while the handsome Ingrid chairs are a contemporary take on the simplicity and elegance of 19th-century Biedermeier furniture. Photograph courtesy of Copeland Furniture

Handmade with sustainably harvested Appalachian hardwood by Gat Creek (gatcreek.com), a manufacturer in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, the Sunbury bed has a gently canted headboard with vestigial side wings that create a sense of cozy embrace. Shown here in dark-stained ash, the timeless design tempers modern Danish aesthetics with American Shaker plainness. Photograph courtesy of Gat Creek

With roots dating back to 1900, the renowned Stickley (stickley.com) furniture company in Manlius, New York, continues to produce iconic pieces like the Prairie settle, a comfortably upholstered sofa that’s part of its historic Mission collection. Crafted here in natural-finish white oak—it’s also available in cherry—the Arts & Crafts-inspired seating fits seamlessly into a bright and airy modern setting. Photograph courtesy of Stickley

Custom built in North Carolina by Mantle Furniture (mantlefurniture.com), the Tavern round coffee table features solid red oak construction and a hand-rubbed matte finish that emphasizes the wood’s distinctive grain. As practical as it is attractive, the piece incorporates a useful storage shelf and has no sharp corners to bump your shins on. Photograph courtesy of Mantle Furniture

Minneapolis-based furniture retailer Room & Board (roomandboard.com) turns to Built by Newport, a Vermont artisanal workshop, to make the Ericson lounge chair. The solid-wood frame, which boasts precision dowel joinery and elegantly contoured arms, is available in white oak, shown here, as well as walnut and cherry, meaning there’s a version that will fit your style of home décor. Photograph courtesy of Room & Board

Characterized by elegantly restrained detailing, well-balanced proportions, and an eye-catching golden aura, the Clio credenza is handmade by Doorman Designs (doormandesigns.com), a New Orleans-based furniture brand. The flexible piece, which serves equally well as a dining room sideboard or a media console, showcases rift-sawn white oak planks to stunning effect. Photographer Jacqueline Marque

Visit www.hardwoodinfo.com for more about using American hardwoods in your home.

(NewsUSA) - As new technology continues to reshape the global landscape, the United States must prepare, invest, and organize for the arrival of increasingly powerful artificial intelligence (AI), according to a new report from the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP).

The report, “Vision for Competitiveness: Mid-Decade Opportunities for Strategic Victory,” was written by the experts at SCSP, a nonprofit and nonpartisan initiative with a goal of making recommendations to strengthen America's long-term competitiveness in AI and other emerging technologies.

The authors argue that six different technologies will determine national power. Those technologies are: artificial general intelligence (AGI), biotechnology, advanced computing and microelectronics, next-generation energy, advanced networks, and advanced manufacturing. The authors emphasize the need for the United States to master the power of innovation and to catch up to other countries in critical areas including advanced networks, batteries, hypersonics, and drones, while also maintaining its leadership in AI. 

The SCSP report outlined three pillars for improving competitiveness in AI and other emerging technology:

Pillar 1: Reimagine the Endless Frontier. New efforts are needed to push boundaries and explore the frontiers of AI and emerging technologies through the creation and support of national programs for public/private partnerships to modernize institutions.

Pillar 2: Restore peace and security through AI and emerging technologies. AI and emerging technologies can play an important role in strengthening the military and updating intelligence capabilities to reflect the modern era. In addition, America must fortify alliances, build new partnerships, and create international forums to address the issues and challenges raised by AI and other technology.

Pillar 3: Catalyze enduring economic advantage in the AI era. Strong economic performance remains the backbone of American power and global influence, and the report emphasizes the opportunities for the use of AI to grow the economy, and improve society. Incorporating the latest advances in strategic technology into the economy has the potential to increase prosperity for all Americans.

Visit scsp.ai to learn more and to download the full report.

(NewsUSA) - Daft Mejora’s Infinite Madness by Karl Dehmelt

America, 2021: an alien known as the Daft One washes ashore in Florida, arriving on a particular planet undergoing strange times. The only knowledge the Daft One has of earth comes from the Internet, where daily life and technology mix in startling, violent ways. However, rather than finding existence “on the ground” to be more serene and logical, the Daft One befriends the son of a Q-Anon supporting State Representative and finds himself in a country torn along political lines amidst conflicting realities.

 When the Daft One saves the State Representative from a shooter, his launch to American stardom through his quick trigger finger and acerbic tongue catapults him and his friends through a world where the Internet and daily life merge, resulting in a terrifyingly real odyssey based in satire, celebrity, and connection, with consequences both shockingly absurd and stunningly human. Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and wherever books are sold. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4bT9yVS.

Crash Course by Ricardo Jimenez

Nine times out of ten, the passionate, well-educated, semi-cocky entrepreneur with dreams of taking the market by storm . . . fails. But don’t we have as much or more to learn from entrepreneurs who have failed as we do the lucky few who actually make it?

Entrepreneur Ricardo Jimenez crawls out from under the wreckage of his failed startup and explores how his best-laid plans went so terribly wrong. With surgical precision, Jiménez studies every decision, meeting, step, and misstep that turned his international toy company into an expensive lesson in how not to succeed.

Jiménez puts his whole story on display—the good, the bad, and the terrible—with the hope that the next generation of startup entrepreneurs can learn from his mistakes and take a pain-free shortcut to the important lessons he had to learn the hard way. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3wJEw3y.

The Golden Warrior by Soraya Rose

In The Golden Warrior, Cassius, a slave and gladiator of much renown, receives a visit from his long-departed father.  After his father's visit, Cassius begins to realize that he has gifts given from the gods that are beyond his skills as a gladiator.

The more that Cassius develops his gifts, the more he begins to undertake a journey of not only self-reflection, but also a journey to see the world and people around him in a new light.  With each step he takes, he learns who he can trust to help him, who seeks to do him harm, and learns what it is that he stands for. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3Ko8Eov.

Kaboomer by David Emerson Frost

Does poor physical fitness, flagging sexual health, fatigue, brain fog, or a life-sapping disease make you feel like you’ve lost it? Embrace proven and practical steps for your anti-aging journey from Master Fitness Trainer, Life Coach, and Rowing Champion David Frost in KABOOMER: Thriving and Striving into Your Nineties.

 Filled with lasting lessons for longevity, this science-driven and sweat-proven manual will coach readers toward a happy, healthy lifestyle. With this guide, readers will discover and establish their:

• Personalized healthy habits for good-to-great stamina, strength, stability, and stretching.
• Live-to-100 diet plan to lose weight, improve gut health and body composition, and boost immunity while fighting inflammation and illness.
• “Motion as medicine” with effective exercises and strength training to diminish pain and limit cognitive decline.
• Enhanced libido and sexual performance for better pleasure without a prescription.
• Restorative sleep and de-stress power practices to cheat death, and much more.

Purchase at https://bit.ly/3xYI4zE.

(NewsUSA) - America’s business owners are facing increasingly complex challenges, not only tracking the nuts and bolts of the daily tasks that come with owning a business, but keeping up with things like technology and managing healthcare costs for employees. However, many business owners have not made plans for the future of their business, based on a survey from financial services firm Edward Jones in partnership with Morning Consult and NEXT360 Partners.

Approximately half of American business owners are currently over the age of 55, and many of them may be considering retirement, but more than a third say they have no succession plan in place, according to the survey, which was conducted in April 2024 and included 400 business owners who responded to online questions and unstructured interviews.

Among business owners with no succession plan, 38% reported their business is not at a point at which succession planning is a priority. Both uncertainty about the future of the business and how to start making a succession plan were the top reasons for not having one (32% for both), according to the survey. 

“For many business owners, short-term priorities associated with running a business might feel more urgent than planning for future succession,” said Katherine Roy, Principal, Retirement Products at Edward Jones, in a press release announcing the survey findings. “However, business owners should consider what will happen once they leave the business, whether by selling, retiring or becoming unable to manage the business due to health or age. A well-conceived succession plan allows the owner to identify what their ideal exit looks like and address tax, business, estate and liquidity considerations that reflect both business goals and family dynamics.”

Business owners said that barriers to making a succession plan are emotional as well as logistical; 26% said they were unable to identify a successor, but 88% believed that their businesses will grow over the next decade.

The survey results showed that four main factors drive the need for a business transition. The first is the legacy of the business and the future of employees and stakeholders. The second consideration is the market, in which the sale or exit of an owner is needed to maintain business operations and part of the proceeds will fund the owner’s retirement. The third factor is a health event or other change in priorities or circumstances for owner and the owner’s family. Lastly, the sale of the business also must align with the owner’s vision and the organization’s commitment to the integrity of the business.

Financial advisors can help business owners build a successful plan to help ensure a smooth transition of the business, but only 37% of those surveyed reported using a financial advisor to help with transition issues and decision-making.

“Even if a business owner already knows the succession plan that they want put in place, a financial advisor can guide them through all of the complexities and challenges owners face when determining and implementing the future of their business,” said Zachary Gildehaus, Business Owner Strategist, Client Needs Research at Edward Jones.

For more information about the survey visit: www.edwardjones.com/NextInLine.

(NewsUSA) - As Fourth of July approaches, so do summer celebrations. Festive occasions indoors or outdoors, call for great food and summer favorites like hot dogs and barbeque. No matter where the party or what menu you choose, a signature drink is sure to enhance any summer get together!

Make your Fourth of July or any summer occasion sparkle brighter with Star-Spangled Punch. Featuring the sweet and tangy pineapple flavor of Seagram’s Escapes new Jamaican Me Sunny, the punch recipe combines just a few ingredients and fresh fruit to make a delicious, creative summer sipper to enhance any event.  

Star-Spangled Punch

1/4 cup blueberries

1/4 cup sliced strawberries

1 lemon, sliced

Watermelon

2 7.5 oz cans Seagram’s Escapes Jamaican Me Sunny

1/2 cup whiskey

1 1/2 cups lemonade

Mint leaves, as desired

½ cup of club soda

To prepare the punch, cut a thin slice of watermelon and use a cookie cutter to cut watermelon into star shapes. Prepare and slice other fruit.

Fill a pitcher with ice and add all the prepared fruit to the pitcher. Then, add Seagram’s Escapes Jamaican Me Sunny, club soda, whiskey, lemonade and mint. Stir to combine.

To save time on party day, slice the fruit and make your watermelon shapes in advance and keep refrigerated until it’s time to assemble the punch. If serving a crowd, multiply the above recipe as needed, get out your favorite festive punch bowl and ladle, and float the watermelon shapes in the bowl.

Divide into glasses and enjoy at a Fourth of July cookout, graduation party, birthday, wedding, or any other summer celebration.        

As with any recipes in the Seagram’s Escapes collection, you can make this one your own. Create a unique drink for a particular event, customize with extra spirits or your favorite fruits. Have other cookie cutters? Try mixing up the stars with sun shapes, hearts, or flowers.

As warmer weather kicks in, try freezing any Seagram’s Escapes flavor or even mix with lemonade then blend for the ultimate adult slushy.

Visit seagramsescapes.com for more information and other summer recipe ideas.

(NewsUSA) - If you plan to add an elevated deck to your home, there’s one element that will greatly increase its value and function: an under-deck drainage system. These systems, which divert water to keep the space beneath a deck dry, are easy to install for both professional builders and DIYers, and virtually doubles an outdoor living space.

Why Install a Drainage System?

An under-deck drainage system creates dry space below the surface of a deck that can be used as a patio, outdoor kitchen, private spa area, bonus storage and more. These systems also protect the wooden joinery of the substructure from moisture that can lead to decay, adding years onto the life of a deck.

Choosing the Right System.

There are two main types of deck drainage systems – those that install above the joists before the deck boards are laid and those that are retrofitted beneath the joists of an existing deck. The latter systems leave deck joists exposed to the elements while an above-the-joist system, like Trex® RainEscape®, protects the entirety of a deck’s foundation from moisture penetration. It also allows homeowners to discreetly run gas and electrical lines between the drainage system and a soffit ceiling to power lights, ceiling fans, appliances and electronic components.

Installing as Simple as 1-2-3.

A deck drainage system uses a network of troughs and funnels that can be installed using tools you likely already have on hand at home. A pair of scissors or a utility knife, a staple gun, and a caulk gun are typically all that’s needed.

Installation can be done in three simple steps:  

1. Position the downspouts and troughs. Cut the funnels to match the joist spacing and position them along a rim joist and/or leger board. Lay the trough material, ensuring proper placement to guide water into the downspouts. Be careful not to seam or overlap the troughs.
2. Staple all components into place. Repeat the installation of funnels and troughs across all joists.
3. Tape all joists and seams. Use butyl tape to seal all seams and any spots where screws may penetrate the system. This creates a watertight installation.

Finishing Touches

With a drainage system in place, you can finish your under-deck space with furniture, lighting, accessories and anything else you might want to create your dream outdoor oasis.

For more information, visit TrexRainEscape.com.

(NewsUSA) - Most children in the United States look forward to their summer break from school as a chance to have fun with friends, spend time with family, and have new adventures and experiences that are so crucial to stimulate and nurture young and inquisitive minds.

However, far too many disadvantaged children across the Nation experience summer vacation as a period of loneliness and isolation, with little support and few resources or opportunities for physical and mental stimulation.

According to the National Institutes of Health, school holidays can be especially stressful periods for children from low-income families, with lack of appropriate child care, limited access to enrichment activities, and food insecurity. These challenges can cause children’s physical and emotional health, as well as academic progress from the previous school year, to stagnate or decline.

Marine Toys for Tots, the Nation's flagship children’s Christmastime charity, has evolved into a year-round force for good, and the organization’s new initiative seeks to provide support for children in need over the summer months.

“We want to help bridge the summer learning-loss gap that children in underserved communities may face. That is why we have enlisted the help from our distribution partners to provide educational toys, books, games, and other gifts through our spring and summertime initiative, ‘School Is Out – Play Is In’ to at-risk children across the country,” says LtGen Jim Laster, USMC (Retired), President & CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

“Needs aren’t seasonal, and neither is Toys for Tots,” says LtGen Laster. “With the rising cost of living and other economic challenges, parents are finding it increasingly difficult to pay bills and put food on their family’s table.  Buying toys, books, or games for their children seems completely out of reach,” he adds. “With the support from our generous donors, we can make sure every child’s summer is filled with opportunities for fun and continued learning.”

The Program’s year-round distributions reassure families who face adversity and exceptional circumstances that Marine Toys for Tots is committed to delivering messages of hope, restoring and building self-esteem, and inspiring youngsters to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens. Every contribution will ensure that our Nation’s most vulnerable children have the educational tools they need to thrive this summer and beyond.

For more information on Marine Toys for Tots’ year-round charitable programs and how you can help, please visit: https://www.toysfortots.org/support-us/.

(NewsUSA) - With summer break upon us, families are gearing up to spend more time at home together, leading to increased demand on their internet connections to support various devices. On average, internet users ages 16-64 already spend 47 hours per week online, but as the heat sets in, families are likely to find themselves retreating indoors and relying even more heavily on robust Wi-Fi for everything from streaming movies to staying connected with loved ones.

This heightened need makes a mesh Wi-Fi system crucial for maintaining consistent coverage within your household, eradicating dead zones, and ensuring a stable, reliable internet connection. High-speed routers, mesh Wi-Fi systems, and smart home hubs have facilitated an improved internet experience. By strategically distributing multiple access points throughout your home, mesh networks guarantee seamless connectivity in every room, including notoriously hard-to-reach areas like basements or backyards.

A mesh network’s adaptable design allows you to add nodes—small radio transmitters that act as wireless routers and endpoints in a mesh network—effortlessly within all corners of your house, accommodating guests or even extending the network for outdoor activities. These mesh networks, like those found in whole-home Wi-Fi systems, revolutionize home connectivity with their unmatched flexibility and reliability. As opposed to a single central router, these systems connect devices through multiple nodes, creating a resilient web of connections.

This design means your internet service isn’t tied to one point. Through self-healing capabilities, if one node fails, the data seamlessly reroutes through alternative paths, maintaining uninterrupted connectivity. Unlike traditional Wi-Fi extenders, mesh Wi-Fi systems deliver faster speeds because the mesh router and nodes collaborate as a unified network. This setup provides dependable connectivity that smart home systems and interconnected devices, like thermostats, security systems, and smart appliances, need to run.

Hughes, a leader in home Wi-Fi technology, recently introduced new Hughesnet® service plans that are transforming connectivity and accessibility in rural America. These plans come equipped with a Wi-Fi modem featuring Wi-Fi 6 technology, delivering improved speed, enhanced security, and better performance for multiple devices. To further extend the range and assist with factors that can influence the reach of your Wi-Fi signal, including a home’s square footage, number of floors, or wall construction, Mesh Wi-Fi Nodes are also available as add-ons. The new Hughesnet plans enhance the internet experience with unlimited data and decreased latency, ensuring even the most remote locations can enjoy the benefits of a robust and reliable internet connection.

A stable and dependable Wi-Fi network is the key to a blissful, connected home life, allowing families to enjoy their favorite activities without the nagging worry of signal strength or dead zones. This summer, as everyone gathers under one roof, a high-quality and secure Wi-Fi connection becomes indispensable. On those sweltering days when venturing outside is out of the question, kids can dive into their computer games, mom can break a sweat with Peloton, and dad can master new recipes on YouTube—all simultaneously. Embracing mesh networks for seamless wall-to-wall Wi-Fi coverage eliminates the frustration of limited connectivity, ensuring every family member remains effortlessly connected and entertained.