South End Citizen Newspapers 4-8-2020

Black Press Establishes Coronavirus Pandemic Task Force and Resource Center — Page 3

Citizen Week of April 8, 2020

| Vol. 53 | No. 9 | www.citizennewspapergroup.com

SOUTH END

HELPFUL TIPS TO STAY SAFE ON THE INTERNET Many workers have been given the option of working from home during COVID-19. While working from home and using the internet can be convenient, there are some safety measures to keep in mind.

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AGB Innovative Security Solutions has cybersecurity tips for those who work from home. Photo courtesy of AGB

HEALTH

BUSINESS

NEWS

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PAGE 7

Taking a Top Down Approach to Home Exterior Updates

Nasdaq Pledges Business and Philanthropic Support in Response to COVID-19

Businesses Move To Fill Gaps In The Medical Supply Chain PAGE 2

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2 | CITIZEN | South End | Week of April 8, 2020

NEWS briefly EDUCATION FTC RETURNS MORE THAN $3.1 MILLION TO VICTIMS OF STUDENT LOAN DEBT RELIEF AND CREDIT REPAIR SCHEME The Federal Trade Commission is mailing checks totaling more than $3.1 million to consumers who were victims of a student loan debt relief and credit repair scheme. Strategic Student Solutions (also doing business under other names) and its owner, Dave Green, settled FTC allegations that they charged consumers illegal upfront fees and falsely promised to reduce their student loan debt or monthly payments by enrolling them in student loan forgiveness or other programs.

The FTC also alleged that the defendants falsely promised to apply monthly payments to consumers’ student loans and to improve their credit scores and histories.

The FTC never requires people to pay money or provide account information to cash a refund check. If recipients have questions about the refunds, they should contact the FTC’s refund administrator, JND Legal Administration, at 1-888-304-0184.

HEALTH

BUSINESSES MOVE TO FILL GAPS IN THE MEDICAL SUPPLY CHAIN HanesBrands has joined a cooperative consortium of other major apparel manufacturers that are dedicating manufacturing capacity to meet the U.S need for masks during the COVID-19 crisis.

The company is producing cotton masks, approved by the FDA, for use when N-95 masks are not required or available.

Matt Hall, chief communications officer at HanesBrands, was featured on NPR to discuss the company’s ongoing efforts to combat COVID-19.

Visit hanesforgood.com/inthistogether/ to learn more about the initiative.

LAW & POLITICS

Helpful tips to stay safe on the internet Continued from page 1

BY TIA CAROL JONES

Many workers have been given the option of working from home during COVID-19. While working from home and using the internet can be convenient, there are some safety measures to keep in mind.

Always Giving Back (AGB) Innovative Security Solutions is a black-owned security firm based in Chicago. John Griffin is the CEO and co-founder of the company, along with his wife, Dr. Denitra Griffin.

Arba Houlden is the COO of AGB. Both Griffin and Houlden provided some useful tips to keep those working from home safe while using the internet.

One thing Houlden said a person should do is to change the wi-fi network password, as well as the username and password on the router.

“The first thing you should do is make sure that the username and password are something only you know. The second password change you want to make is on your wi-fi network,” he said. “Typically, you’ll get a router and the username will be admin or administrator. And, the password will be something like ‘password’ or the numbers one through eight. Those are very commonly used out-of-the box passwords.”

Griffin said people should make sure the password is very strong and not something common. He recommended having a mixture of upper case and lower case letters as well as using special characters.

He said he also recommends writing a sentence to a song. Houlden said while some systems limit users to implementing special characters, he said you want to make it as strong as possible.

Houlden added another technical aspect of internet security is updating the router. He said that is not something that typically gets updated, but Comcast Xfinity does provide updates through its Xfi, which allows users to have more control over the wi-fi network.

“Others who don’t use Xfinity may not have that and they may want to make sure

Arba Houlden (pictured) is the COO of AGB Innovative Security Solutions. Photo courtesy of AGB

John Griffin, Jr., (pictured) is the CEO and co-founder of AGB Innovative Security Solutions. Photo courtesy of AGB

they speak to their internet service provider to ensure that their routers are updated with the latest firmware,” Houlden said.

“It’s very critical because out-of-the box is common. So, when it’s common, they’re vulnerable to folks who are trying to access the network.”

Griffin said safety is also important when visiting certain websites. “Make sure the sites they’re visiting are safe, with https, which S is for secure,” he said.

Houlden also agreed it is important to make sure the website is https when sharing personal information such as phone numbers, addresses and social security numbers. “You want to make sure that at the top of the right-hand corner it says ‘https,’ “ he said. “You’re entering information into the ether and anybody can get it.

We trust that. That’s the trusted way to use the internet.”

Houlden and Griffin also suggested to make sure computers have desktop security, like Norton 360, McAfee, Webroot and Semantics.

“Those are all packages that help try to thwart things from being introduced to your computer. It’s important to have those,” Houlden said. “Out-of-the box is the theme here, if you buy it, it’s good that day, but things happen. Hackers get smarter. Those definitions need to be updated.

The manufacturer always give[s] you definitions every 30 days, so it’s important to update those definitions,” he said.

Houlden said people should update their computers and advised not ignoring notifications to do updates. Even if you’re doing something at the time you get a notification to perform an update, doing them is important, he said. “You have to do it. There’s a lot of vulnerability threats [that] are thwarted by way of these updates. What typically happens is in your lower right-hand corner, you’ll get some icon that says updates are available, you have to do it,” he stated.

Griffin said you also can have the updates occur automatically, which can take the worry out of manually having to update the computer. “These hackers are so far ahead of us that we [are] always backtracking and trying to get ourselves in [a] position to catch up to what they are doing,” he said.

Houlden said you should not only have a strong password for emails, but also enable multi-factor authentication.

“Multi-factor authentication ensures that you, the user, is logging in. So basically, you’ll have your strong password, but what the system will do is reach out to you in a second way,” he said. “So, when I log on to my email from a system that it is not familiar with, it will text me a code and it comes to my phone and I give the system the code, then I can get my email. However, if I don’t give the code, then I’m not allowed access. Multi-factor [authentication] is very important in helping combat cybersecurity in the home.”

DNC LAUNCHES DIVERSE MEDIA ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN The Democratic National Committee (DNC) recently launched a diverse media advertising campaign in 6 key battlegrounds (AZ, MI, NC, PA, FL, WI), beginning with ads highlighting Republicans’ broken promises on the issue of health care to voters of color. The DNC is beginning this campaign with a significant initial buy and will make an overall six-figure investment in minority-focused media outlets.

“Victory in 2020 will be won in Black and Brown communities throughout the country, and we cannot afford to take a single vote for granted,” said DNC Chair Tom Perez. “President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, and Democrats in Congress made access to health care a reality for millions of people, especially in communities of color, and Trump’s agenda has trampled on that progress. In a time where America is facing a pandemic, it is important for voters to remember who has their back when it comes to protecting and expanding access to health care. These investments in diverse media outlets are happening much earlier in the cycle than ever before and we will continue to engage voters where they are on this critical issue, as often as possible,” stated Perez. www.citizennewspapergroup.com

CITIZEN | South End | Week of April 8, 2020

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NEWS

Black Press Establishes Coronavirus Pandemic Task Force and Resource Center

BY STACY M. BROWN NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia

The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), the trade association of African American-owned newspapers and media companies, is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic by establishing the NNPA Coronavirus Task Force and Resource Center.

The task force will include publishers, editors, physicians, nurses, corporate partners, sponsors, associates and supporters of the Black Press of America.

The national resource center will be structured to provide timely and accurate information to stakeholders and the African American community.

“It is well documented that African Americans get sick more frequently, are screened for illness less often, are diagnosed for disease later, are treated less aggressively and buried earlier than those in other ethnic groups in America,” said Sheila Thorne, president and CEO of Multicultural Healthcare Marketing Group, LLC. “The reasons for health disparities are complex. The deadly spread of the coronavirus in the United States exacerbates not only the poor health status of African Americans but it exposes their persistent lack of access to quality, culturally competent healthcare from testing to diagnosis to treatment,” Thorne stated.

“I applaud the NNPA for taking a leadership position to disseminate accurate and culturally relevant health information to black Americans that will protect all in the community and save lives, especially those who are underserved and underrepresented.”

Congressional Black Caucus Chair Karen Bass (D-Calif.) said she was pleased that the NNPA has established a task force and resource center and she’s looking forward to contributing.

“The NNPA Coronavirus Task Force and Resource Center is a one-stop spot for curated news and resources specific to Black people in America,” Bass stated.

“Since 1940, the NNPA has built a network of member publications across the country that covers news and issues most important to Black people in America. The NNPA is a trusted source to reach the Black community, often times overlooked by mainstream media.”

Robert W. Bogle, the chairman, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Tribune, the nation’s oldest and

The leadership of the NNPA established the Coronavirus Task Force and National Resource Center as a responsible action to inform and to engage millions of Black Americans and others in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

“The NNPA Coronavirus Task Force and Resource Center is a one-stop spot for curated news and resources specific to Black people in America,” Bass stated.

“IT IS WELL DOCUMENTED THAT AFRICAN AMERICANS GET SICK MORE FREQUENTLY, ARE SCREENED FOR ILLNESS LESS OFTEN, ARE DIAGNOSED FOR DISEASE LATER, ARE TREATED LESS AGGRESSIVELY AND BURIED EARLIER THAN THOSE IN OTHER ETHNIC GROUPS IN AMERICA.” Sheila Thorne President and CEO of Multicultural Healthcare Marketing Group, LLC. the Greater Philadelphia region’s largest audited newspaper serving the African American community, stated that the mission of the Black Press is being carried out despite the current crisis.

“We became an independent voice to speak up and speak out and deliberately embracing and telling our story,” Bogle offered. “It’s part of our history, and it’s who we are.”

He continued: “It doesn’t mean that others don’t write about us, but are they writing to us and for us? I say, ‘No.’ People in our business have to understand and recommit themselves and reaffirm who we are and the critical role that we play.

“For a lot of businesses, this is a short interruption. Newspapers will be hurt in a critical and severe way.

We’ve experienced a day where we didn’t do a dollar’s worth of business.

We had cancellations. We have to stop and think about who we are doing business with. If they don’t support us, we should not support them.”

In a memo circulated by NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., and on behalf of NNPA Chair Karen Carter Richards and the NNPA Board of Directors, the trade association noted that all are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is important to note that the majority of the NNPA member publishers across the nation are remaining on the frontline of providing vital and crucial information to African Americans and others who are challenged by the expanding and growing public health crisis confronting our families and communities,” Chavis wrote.

“Our member newspapers are still printing, and our online and digital distributions of vital life-saving accurate information on COVID-19 are all being done responsibly and effectively. Yet, many of our newspapers are facing a reduction in advertising at a time during this crisis when our news businesses are crucially needed.”

NNPA’s national office has put out an urgent call to federal, state, and local public health officials to immediately increase their outreach to Black America via NNPA member publications.

Through the unprecedented public health crisis, personnel at the NNPA’s main office in Washington, D.C.,

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have worked nonstop to find additional ways to help Black America push through the pandemic.

The task force, which will include top infectious disease doctors, medical and health experts from various organizations, and public officials, will aggregate facts and update information about how COVID-19 is impacting Black America in all age categories across the nation.

The task force will send out periodic national COVID-19 alerts to all in the NNPA database, and establish daily coordination between the NNPA and the National Medical Association (NMA), National Black Nurses Association (NBNA), and medical schools at HBCUs to collab-

orate on best practices and other vital information to assist Black America throughout the pandemic.

Chavis said Bass, the CBC Chair, has been instrumental in the drafting of the stimulus bill that’s now before the U.S. Congress and she’s worked diligently to ensure that the legislation would include some form of assistance for the Black Press.

“At a time like this, our people cannot afford to be ill-informed,” Bass stated. “The creation of the NNPA Coronavirus Taskforce and Resource Center is a great step in the right direction to ensuring Black people get the pertinent information not just at the national level, but at the local and community level. When we leave out the Black Press, we leave a gap, and miss out on effectively safeguarding our community during this global pandemic.”

Chavis noted that daily briefings of the pandemic and original and pertinent content about COVID-19 would be published at www.BlackPressUSA.com.

“The Black Press of America has always taken a frontline position during a time of crisis to keep Black America informed about the truth and facts,” Chavis said.

The leadership of the NNPA established the Coronavirus Task Force and National Resource Center as a responsible action to inform and to engage millions of Black Americans and others in response to the coronavirus pandemic, Chavis added.

“We want to contribute to the saving of Black lives and to protect our families, businesses, and communities from this fatally contagious virus,” Chavis stated.

4 | CITIZEN | South End | Week of April 8, 2020

BUSINESS

Nasdaq Pledges Business and Philanthropic Support in Response to COVID-19

Wells Fargo Invests $1M in SaverLife and Neighborhood Trust Financial Partners to Disperse Financial Aid to Small Businesses Affected by COVID-19

Nasdaq, Inc. (Nasdaq: NDAQ) recently announced its philanthropic support in response to the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.

With our global community experiencing this unprecedented time in history, Nasdaq, a global technology company serving the capital markets and other industries, is taking action to commit cash and in-kind donations totaling $6 million to COVID-19 response and relief efforts to provide immediate assistance to those who are most at risk.

“The COVID-19 pandemic reminds us that for all our perceived differences, what matters most is universal: taking care of the people in our communities who make our lives meaningful,” said Adena Friedman, president and chief executive officer, Nasdaq.

“As a responsible corporate citizen, we strongly believe Nasdaq can contribute in important ways to support our communities as we manage through these challenging times together. This means supporting government authorities and global health organizations in their response efforts, increasing our philanthropic support to organizations focused on supporting small businesses, and providing funds to groups working tirelessly on the front lines of this pandemic to keep our communities safe.”

As part of Nasdaq’s $6 million philanthropic commitment, a cash donation in total of $5 million will be provided to the following programs in an effort to offer immediate assistance to those impacted by COVID-19 including: the Opportunity Fund’s Small Business Relief Fund to support small business owners, a cornerstone of our economy; the World Central Kitchen’s #ChefsForAmerica relief efforts to provide meals to students, seniors, and vulnerable communities in need; and the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund to help patients and frontline health workers get the care and essential supplies they need, while also accelerating efforts to develop COVID-19 vaccines, tests, and treatments.

SaverLife and Neighborhood Trust Financial Partners recently announced they have teamed up with the Wells Fargo Foundation to help disperse $1M in financial aid to vulnerable entrepreneurs and their employees who have been financially affected by the impact of COVID-19. The Wells Fargo grant will provide for $500 cash boosts coupled with the financial guidance needed to navigate tough financial choices. The financial aid will be available to 1,000 small business owners and their employees identified in partnership with nonprofit small business lender Opportunity Fund.

Nasdaq, Inc. (Nasdaq: NDAQ) recently announced its philanthropic support in response to the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition, Nasdaq will be seeking authority from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to temporarily suspend the price-based and shareholder equity rules for Nasdaq-listed companies for a period of time while companies navigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The company is also discussing with the SEC other temporary rule changes that would help listed companies adversely affected by these extraordinary global events.

Among other changes, Nasdaq will amplify their corporate clients’ philanthropic and Public Service Address efforts through their omni-channel advertising resources including outdoor, social, and digital campaigns via Twitter, Instagram, Nasdaq.com, and the Nasdaq MarketSite Tower in Times Square.

“I am incredibly proud to see the entire Nasdaq team rise to the challenge given this unprecedented time in our history. We are looking out for each other, we are staying focused on our mission, and we are continuing to support all those who rely on us to navigate the capital markets and beyond. Nasdaq was founded on the idea that people do not need to be in the same physical place to be part of the same community. This founding principle continues to drive us as we face the unexpected,” said Friedman.

How it Will Work The program will leverage SaverLife technology and TrustPlus financial coaching (via phone and text chat) to connect to small/micro business owners and their employees who are experiencing loss of income. SaverLife will provide a $500 emergency savings fund boost directly to the client through digital channels. All clients will have access to financial crisis coaching and a post-crisis savings fund to help rebuild depleted accounts.

A recent poll revealed that 18% of adults have lost their jobs or had hours cut, and that number jumps to 25% for people making less than $50,000.

Hourly-wage workers, especially employees and owners of small/micro businesses, face ongoing significant hardship from the loss of earnings due to COVID-19.

“The goal of this disbursement is to provide effective and rapid economic support to small business owners and hourly-wage workers,” said Jenny Flores, head of small business growth philanthropy at Wells Fargo. “We are looking at this effort as a pilot that we believe can be impactful in delivering much-needed relief and will continue to look at longer-term recovery aid.

SaverLife has the expertise to boost entrepreneurs in a time when they need it most.”

The harsh impact of COVID-19 is hitting working families hard. In addition to the catastrophic loss of income, expenses are rising as families find themselves caring for children out of school and stocking up on essentials as they

prepare for the worst.

“The priority is to get cash quickly to those who need it to replenish depleted savings accounts,” said Leigh Phillips, CEO of SaverLife. “Once the crisis abates, SaverLife and Neighborhood Trust will offer follow-up services to assist participants in getting back on their feet, including dollarfor-dollar savings matches up to $250 over six months to rebuild emergency funds and followup coaching sessions that are focused on debt reduction and savings. We thank Wells Fargo for recognizing the urgent and critical need for cash infusion for small business owners and their employees as COVID-19 continues to disrupt American lives.”

The choices people make when facing an unexpected loss in income can determine whether someone can bounce back quickly or suffer longterm economic hardship.

“By teaming with SaverLife, we’re able to link our expert financial coaching and vetted financial tools and products to empower small business owners and workers to make actionable steps that will help them through this crisis and put them on a path toward positive financial health,” said Justine Zinkin, CEO of Neighborhood Trust Financial Partners.

“So many small business owners are feeling the immediate impact of COVID-19 on their businesses. Revenue dried up overnight, and many have only two or three weeks of cash reserves to keep their business afloat and the 60 million American workers employed by small businesses on payroll,” said Luz Urrutia, CEO of Opportunity Fund. “Partnering with SaverLife and Neighborhood Trust to provide financial coaching and quick dispersal of cash to vulnerable workers at affected businesses will be essential to the longterm resilience of our Main Street entrepreneurs and their dedicated employees.”

For more on SaverLife, please visit: saverlife.org/ Visit the SaverLife blogs: saverlife.org/money-101 Follow SaverLife on Twitter: @wearesaverlife Visit SaverLife on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/ company/saverlife/

Maven Wave Certified as a Great Place to Work® Fourth Year In a Row For the fourth year in a row, Maven Wave has earned designation as a Great Place to Work-Certified™ company based on employee feedback. According to Maven Wave’s Great Place to Work profile, 94% of Maven Wave’s employees say it’s a great workplace “compared to 59% of employees at a typical U.S.based company.”

Last year, Maven Wave was also included on Great Place to Work’s Best Small & Medium Workplaces™, Best Workplaces in Chicago™ and Best Workplaces in Consulting & Professional Services™ lists.

“When you look at the reasons www.citizennewspapergroup.com

why Maven Wave consistently earns recognition from Great Place to Work®, our people and culture come up again and again,” said Jeff Lee, partner and founder at Maven Wave. “Building and maintaining an exceptional culture for rockstar talent has been our #1 goal from the beginning, and it’s the basis for all of our success. We’re very proud that our growing team continues to enjoy the collaborative, positive, supportive workplace environment that’s a part of Maven Wave’s DNA, and we thank them all for their immense contribution to our company culture.”

CITIZEN | South End | Week of April 8, 2020

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FASHION

Why a Personalized Diet Can Help You Achieve Better Results StatePoint - From customdesigned sneakers to tailormade sunglasses, the trend of personalization is going head-to-toe, and for good reason, making its way to the world of weight loss and wellness.

Specifically, researchers have been studying two converging topics in recent years. One is the importance of body type in determining the combination of fats, carbohydrates and protein that will provide the best results for a given individual.

The other is the variability of results associated with a single diet -- the idea that if two people start the same diet at the same time, their results could be drastically different. On top of that, consumer research shows that people overwhelmingly prefer personalized experiences.

Sixty percent of consumers agree that personalization is essential to weight loss and overall wellness.

Here’s what to know about why personalized diets are becoming so popular and how to find the right diet for you: The Importance of Body Type The places your body stores excess fat may be the single greatest predictor of health outcomes. This is the concept behind Nutrisystem’s assessment of the four most common body types: “Apple,” “Pear,” “Hourglass” and “Rectangle.”

“We’re going a bit old school here,

Sixty percent of consumers agree that personalization is essential to weight loss and overall wellness.

because these categories have stood the test of time for a reason. They provide crucial information on how you respond to food intake and can help you to adjust what you eat based on your goals,” says Courtney McCormick, corporate dietitian at Nutrisystem.

Body type can also influence how macronutrients like fat, protein, and carbs are processed. To fulfill your

individual needs, first determine your body type, food preferences and goals, then look for a weight loss plan that takes these important factors into consideration, such as Nutrisystem.

One Size Does Not Fit All The DIETFITS study, a large, randomized research study comparing low-fat versus low-carb dietary patterns found no difference in weight loss between them. But drilling down

into the data, one can see great variability.

Some dieters gained weight while others lost a lot. But it’s not always about weight outcomes, as recent research has shown that factors such as body shape may play a bigger role in the determinants of health risks than body weight alone.

For instance, a woman who is apple-shaped tends to carry her extra weight in the mid-section. She would see best results on a lower-glycemic nutrition plan that is lower in refined carbs and higher in healthy fats and protein.

“Research shows that one size does not fit all when it comes to weight loss and disease prevention,” says McCormick. “That’s why we’ve created a unique, personalized approach that’s easy to follow and designed to help participants lose weight and get healthy.”

For more insights on how to personalize your diet and maximize results, visit leaf.nutrisystem.com.

While it’s no secret that achieving one’s weight loss goals is challenging, personalizing your plan can help make things easier, ultimately providing you a greater chance of success.

Apparel Brand Tultex Producing Face Masks for the Healthcare Industry Tultex, an apparel brand under TSC Apparel, is redirecting its efforts to produce face masks for the healthcare industry amid the widespread shortage.

Tultex has a history of adapting its business operations to help the country in uncertain times.

“Since 1935, we have been stepping up to help our country in times of crisis,” Debbie Gonzalez, VP of merchandising and brand management at TSC Apparel and Tultex said.

“Our brand was an official supplier of sweatshirts to the U.S. Army during World War II. We have always been equipped to produce large quantities of product quickly. In this case, we want to help the healthcare workers in any way we can. We’ve built our foundation on helping out in times of need, and we’re committed to continuing the work we started.”

The Tultex Facemask is a reusable multi-ply 30 singles mask made from 100% U.S. cotton and is washable and breathable. Production will begin immediately, and the company

believes it will produce 1 million to 2 million masks per week. Tultex will primarily be supporting healthcare professionals, hospitals, nursing homes, and frontline workers. The product will also be available to consumers. These masks are not medical-grade and are not meant to take the place of the N95 masks.

“When we heard the countless stories of healthcare professionals working with patients without masks or desperately trying to reuse them, we knew we had to step in and help,” Dave Klotter, CEO of TSC Apparel said. “Our social responsibility is to work to provide solutions and keep our TSC associates working.”

Visit the wholesale website www. tscapparel.com or the retail website tultex.com, and check out Tultex on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook (@TultexApparel). To join the Tultex community, visit the Tultex Creators Page.

BE COUNTED. 2020 CENSUS

Your participation matters.

Questions about the 2020 Census? We have answers.

Text us your questions to 987987.

Complete your Census form online: my2020Census.gov

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6 | CITIZEN | South End | Week of April 8, 2020

HOME

5 Ways to Upgrade Your Home With New Tech (StatePoint) Upgrading your lifestyle doesn’t have to mean undergoing a major home renovation. By simply introducing a few technologies around the home, you can boost the style, efficiency and comfort of your living spaces. Consider these five ideas for five areas of your home: • The Hallway: Why display just one photo when you can rotate several images that include all your favorite people and moments? A digital picture frame allows you to do just that, with many models connecting to apps that allow you to directly share photos to the wall-mounted device, which means you don’t actually have to be at home to do some light redecorating.

• The Home Theater: Still rocking a mercury bulb projector in your home theater? Unfortunately, the cooling fans, filters and toxic mercury bulbs associated with them are inefficient and high-maintenance. While a laser-only light source sounds good on paper, these models tend to be large and costly.

Instead, consider upgrading to a laser and LED hybrid light source, such as Casio’s LampFree Projector XJ-A257, which is high-efficiency and structurally smaller, without compromising on brightness. Offering a lifespan of approximately 20,000 hours, the power-saving design of this particular model cuts energy consumption by as much as 40-50 percent, making this an addition to your home theater you can feel good about.

• The Kitchen: Slow cookers have always offered a convenient way to create an amazing meal without too much hands-on attention, but some of todays’ options are taking this concept a step further by connecting to smart technology.

Now you can monitor and adjust cooking settings from afar, so that if something unexpected occurs and you get home later than planned, dinner doesn’t suffer for it.

• The Family Room: Whether you’re an aspiring musician or an accomplished pianist, your home can benefit from a digital piano that evokes the luxury of an acoustic grand. One such model is the PX-S3000, which features a sleek, glossy top panel and unibody case that fits any room, décor or mood. Its bright backlit LCD display and touch sensor controls are revealed only when the power button is pressed, leaving only a sleek, clean top panel when powered off. Thanks to integrated Bluetooth audio that lets you connect your device wirelessly; you can play your music through its powerful stereo amplification system.

• The Bathroom: Make stepping out of the shower a luxurious experience with a towel warming drawer, which keeps linens the perfect temperature for maximum comfort.

For some easy upgrades with a big impact, consider incorporating the best and brightest tech into your home.

PHOTO SOURCE: (c) in4mal / iStock via Getty Images Plus

Top Ways to Lighten Up Your Home Workspace (StatePoint) Many people have found themselves working from home. Whether setting up shop at the kitchen table or creating a complete home office, here are simple hacks to make your new work environment comfortable and productive.

“No matter which room becomes your workspace, proper lighting plays a key role in avoiding fatigue, eye strain and other discomforts,” said Jennifer Kis, director of marketing communications, Progress Lighting.

Begin by defining your workspace. Setting up on the kitchen or dining table can work -- temporarily. The upside is that it’s quick and easy. But these rooms are typically high-traffic areas, leading to distractions. Plus, you might have to pack up work at mealtimes. Instead, re-purpose a small table and chair and place it in an out-of-the-way spot, such as a stairwell or bedroom corner.

Next, think about lighting. Layering light is a basic technique that should be used in every room, but especially home offices.

“Balance the lighting for different times of day. Natural light for day, layered light for afternoon and task lighting at night,” recommends Piper Stromatt, lead designer and partner for Curate Custom Homes. “There are three layers of light to consider: ambient or general light, task lighting and decorative or accent lighting.”

Select a location with a good source of ambient light. Natural light is ideal: it diffuses throughout the space, bouncing off walls and ceilings to cut down on glare that can reflect on the computer monitor and the shiny desk surface.

“When selecting ambient light sources, the goal is to illuminate the entire space without creating undue glare and contrast, which can lead to headaches and eye strain,” says Kis. “If possible, avoid using overhead ceiling fixtures as the primary source of lighting. If that’s the only option, use a dimmer switch to vary light levels as needed.”

Positioning your workspace correctly also helps. For rooms with natural light, place your desk perpendicular to the window, ideally facing north or south so that sunlight doesn’t cast shadows at certain times of the day. If an overhead fixture is the only light source, situate your workstation so that the light shines from behind it.

“Make sure your home office suits your performance under particular lighting conditions,” says Stromatt, who recommends the following tips: • Don’t set your monitor in front of the window; the bright background light shining behind the screen causes eye strain.

• Place your chair at least arm’s length from the screen so that it can be seen without reading glasses or squinting.

• Add LED tape lighting behind your monitor or under a desk for diffused light.

• Use solar shades to soften lighting and lessen heat.

After setting up a glare-free workstation, add task lighting. Use dedicated light sources such as desk lamps for tasks like paperwork and filing. Place direct task lights on the opposite side of the hand you write with to avoid casting shadows onto your work.

Finally, add accent lighting for visual appeal. Frame your workspace with desk lamps or install a permanent fixture on a dimmer switch, such as a pendant hung directly over the desk. Wall sconces can throw light on decorative objects in the room.

For more home tips and lighting inspiration, visit Progress Lighting at www.progressltg.com/shop.

Lighting can make or break a home office. Be sure to set yourself up for maximum productivity and comfort.

www.citizennewspapergroup.com

CITIZEN | South End | Week of April 8, 2020

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7

NEWS

Taking a Top Down Approach to Home Exterior Updates Family Features - Whether you want to boost the beauty of your home for your own enjoyment or you’re looking to sell in the near future, experts recommend taking a top-down approach to evaluate the outside of your home.

“When making updates to your home exterior, it’s helpful to think of how all the parts of the whole work together to create a unified look,” says Kate Smith, chief color maven with Sensational Color.

With that in mind, here are a few remodeling ideas to get you started: The Roof A new roof not only adds aesthetic appeal, it can add value too. Indeed, Remodeling’s Cost vs. Value 2020 report shows that a roof replacement can have a return-on-investment of over 60 percent.

Composite roofing is particularly durable, long-lasting and low-maintenance, and an all-around smart investment. Not only does a high-quality roof help home-sellers get foot traffic, but the low-maintenance aspect really resonates with house-hunters. An attractive, more

When making updates to your home exterior, it’s helpful to think of how all the parts of the whole work together to create a unified look.

affordable alternative to the real thing, the composite slate and shake roofing options available from manufacturers like DaVinci Roofscapes, for example, reduce pesky maintenance concerns, offering impact-, fire- and wind-resistance, as well as the peace of mind that comes with a strong warranty.

This is also a good choice for both those with a clear color palette in mind, and those who might need some direction, as free resources on the DaVinci Roofscapes site include a Color Visualizer offering users the ability to see how different colors may look on their home exteriors, as well as a variety of free e-books with project inspiration and advice. To learn more,

visit www.davinciroofscapes.com.

“Using these free color tools can be both fun and empowering,” says Smith. “They take the guesswork out of crafting a pleasing exterior color palette for the home and help create increased curb appeal.”

Siding If your home sports traditional siding, you may have noticed that the tiles contract and expand in fluctuating weather conditions and temperatures. What’s more, the color of these often-times thin and flimsy materials can fade quickly.

Rather than replacing siding with more of the same, consider composite siding built to resist impact, fire, mold, algae, insects, salt air and high winds. The hand-split shake siding available from DaVinci Roofscapes is made of virgin resins, UV and thermal stabilizers, plus a highly-specialized fire retardant.

Whether you add accent panels with composite siding or go for the whole

house, this can add a hassle-free aesthetic benefit to your home and boost its value.

Walkways Cracked or uneven walkways and steps are not only an eyesore, they can present a tripping hazard to you and guests. Evaluate whether it’s time to give yours an overhaul. Be sure to select low-maintenance materials that complement the look of the other elements of your exterior. This is a good time to consider lighting that adds drama to the walkway at night and makes for safer walking.

Sprucing up? Go for high-impact projects that boost curb appeal and add value to the home.

If I could do one thing, I’d have a daycare closer to work.

If you could do one thing for your community, what would it be? More daycare centers? More funding for Head Start? Completing the 2020 Census is a safe and easy way to inform how billions of dollars in funding flow into your community for hundreds of services.

Respond online, by phone, or by mail.

Complete the census at:

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FOOD

Raspberry Goodness from Morning to Night Family Features - From breakfasts to salads, desserts and beyond, fruit is unique in its ability to add both flavor and nutrition to family-favorite dishes. As you look for ways to incorporate produce in your family’s recipes, consider an option with a sweet-tart flavor and eye-catching color: red raspberries.

In the cool, marine climate of the Pacific Northwest, Washington state produces approximately 90% of the nation’s frozen red raspberry crop. Picked at the peak of ripeness

and frozen within hours of being harvested, flavor and nutrition are locked in to offer convenience and consistent quality out of the freezer section at most grocery stores, perfect for better-for-you desserts like Pecan-Topped Raspberry Cake and Red Raspberry WholeFruit Sorbet.

With a distinct flavor that works well in dishes from sweet to savory, red raspberries can add bright flavor and balance to recipes ranging from salads like Spinach and Frisee

Salad with Raspberry Pickled Onions and Raspberry Vinaigrette to a morning meal such as this Raspberry Coconut Smoothie Bowl.

Plus, 1 cup of the flavorful red fruit includes just 80 calories and contains 6 grams of fiber while providing 28% of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant.

Find more recipes at redrazz.org.

SOURCE: Washington Red Raspberry Commission

Raspberry Coconut Smoothie Bowl

Red Raspberry Whole-Fruit Sorbet

Raspberry Coconut Smoothie Bowl

Red Raspberry Whole-Fruit Sorbet

Servings: 2

Servings: 8 (1/2 cup each)

Toppings (optional): l shredded coconut l shaved dark chocolate l hazelnuts l chia seeds l edible flowers In blender, puree raspberries, banana, coconut milk and chia seeds until smooth. Mixture will be thick; ingredients may need pushed down to get blender going. If necessary, add more coconut milk.

Pour into two bowls. Garnish each with shredded coconut, shaved dark chocolate, hazelnuts, chia seeds and edible flowers, if desired.

2 cups frozen raspberries 1 large frozen banana l 2/3 cup light coconut milk l 1 tablespoon chia seeds

4 tablespoons powdered sugar 18 ounces frozen raspberries l 1 egg white, pasteurized In blender, blend sugar and frozen raspberries until smooth.

Add egg white and blend 30 seconds.

Serve immediately or place in a container, cover and store in freezer.

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