(NAPSI)—America’s military service members make great sacrifices for our country—and for their own families—but are their kids getting what they need from our K−12 education system?
A new national survey of service members, spouses and veterans looks at educational options for military families, their satisfaction and how their choices can play a role in whether a family accepts an assignment or even factor into decisions to leave military service altogether. There are roughly 750,000 school-aged children in active-duty-member households today.
Data show military families are very interested in alternatives to district schools. According to a new EdChoice and Braun Research survey, we know 80 percent of them attend public schools today, despite the fact that more than 60 percent would prefer different schooling environments for their children, such as private school, charter school, virtual school or home school. Continue reading
Tips For Living Well
(NAPSI)—It can be confusing and scary when someone first finds out that he or she has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a leading cause of death in the United States—but there are ways to keep living life to the fullest.
The Problem
Recently diagnosed patients and their families can be taken by surprise—they might not know what COPD is, what it means for their future or how the diagnosis will affect their ability to stay active. COPD is among the most common, underdiagnosed, debilitating, deadly and costly diseases to manage, and for those who have recently been diagnosed, it can be difficult to figure out how to manage this life change. What’s more, over 15 million Americans have been diagnosed with COPD and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute estimates that another 12 million are undiagnosed or developing COPD. Continue reading
Older People Improve Life For Others And Themselves
(NAPSI)—Many older Americans have discovered that sharing their accumulated wisdom with others who need help can be a big win all around.
Here’s a look at two ways you can stretch your mind and show your heart:
Experience Corps
AARP Foundation Experience Corps unites teachers, schools and older adults to improve children’s academic and social outcomes. This benefits the children, the schools and the volunteers.
The program has been proven to help children who aren’t reading at grade level become better readers by the end of third grade. Last school year, 76 percent of students who were below grade level at the beginning of the year raised their reading and literacy performance by one or more proficiency levels with the help of Experience Corps volunteers. Continue reading
by A.J.(Tony) Powell
Christmas is a good time to take a break from all the BAD NEWS.
Here’s few Christmas facts I didn’t know about.
Ancient Christian tradition puts Jesus’ birth on December 25th in the year 1 of our calendar, but the New Testament gives no date or year for Jesus’ birth.
The earliest gospel (St. Mark) begins with Jesus’ baptism and was probably written about 65 AD, so even the earliest Christians didn’t know for sure.
Luke 3:1,23 says that Jesus turned 30 years old in the 15th year of Roman Emperor Tiberius’ reign the year 754. But also Luke 1:5 puts Jesus’ birth in the reign of Herod who died in the year 750, about four years earlier. Continue reading
As the holiday season approaches, many Lady Lake residents will be gathering with family and friends to celebrate. Whether you are traveling out of town or hosting festivities at home, the Lady Lake Police Department wants you to be safe. Here is a security checklist to help protect your home and family.
Before you leave town it is important to make sure your home appears occupied. Place timers on your lights and set them to turn on and off at different times. Lock your garage door and disconnect the automatic opener. Most importantly, tell a trusted neighbor that you are going to be away and ask them to dial 911 immediately if they see anyone on your property.
Here are some additional home security tips to keep in mind: Continue reading
A year ago, the CEP kicked of our Equine Engagement Initiative. As the Horse Capital of the World, we knew we needed a focused and directed effort to engage our incredible equine community with both the broader business community and with fellow equine businesses. Our economic impact analysis of Marion County’s Equine Industry had found that equine contributed $2.6 Billion a year to the local economy!
Thanks to the underwriting support of New Millennium Realty, we were able to kick off this initiative late last year. Louisa Barton joined our team as our Director of Equine Engagement and has done a masterful job at reaching out and engaging equine businesses and educating the rest of us. Our monthly Equine Engagement meetings have out-grown the CEP conference room and must now be held at our Power Plant Business Incubator Training Room so we can accommodate the more the 60 participants who now attend. Continue reading
What a month local and abroad. I have been at several expos and functions. The expo in the Villages was great. I had more interaction with readers than I have ever had. I had about 15 people said they read us. All but one was positive and that was a guy in the Villages that did not agree with one of the writer’s columns, which is fine. The Lady Lake Craft and Business Show under the tent at the St Timothy’s Catholic Church was a great event. Steady crowd from 10 am til 3 pm. I met some new businesses and saw some people I have not seen in a while. It was all fun and good for business. Commissioner Ruth Kussard came by to see me. Also Chief McKintrsy came by and said hi. There were also others commissioners that were in the crowd but I did not see them. Honey Baked Ham was selling sandwiches. They were very good and at a reasonable price. There was a vendor from Tampa that had shawls that were really something. They would make Christmas gifts. Continue reading
Without a doubt, the massacre in Sutherland Springs has captured our awareness that good people trying to worship are now among those vulnerable to violence.
Churches are a safe place for the lonely and vulnerable and welcome all those who enter their doors. Yet, they have a new awareness to the responsibility they have to protect those among their congregations. We owe parishioners security and safety while they worship.
In that spirit, we intend to file the Church Protection bill which is now in drafting. This bill will allow concealed weapons permit holders to be utilized by their church officials to provide security in the event anything should happen. Many churches can’t afford elaborate professional security staff, but this bill will allow trained citizens, law enforcement officers, veterans, and sportsman to accept responsibility for the safety of themselves and others should such instances occur. Continue reading
OCALA, Fla.-The Florida Department of Health in Marion County recognizes November as National Diabetes Month, a time set aside every year to raise awareness about diabetes and promote the importance of taking steps to confront diabetes as a critical health issue. The theme for National Diabetes Month this year is “You are the center of your diabetes care team,” highlighting the importance of prevention and self-management.
“Diabetes is one of the significant health challenges our community will continue to face in the years ahead,” said Florida Department of Health in Marion County Health Officer Mark Lander. “The good news is that it’s easy to identify if you are at risk for diabetes, and there are simple changes you can make in your day-to-day life that can help prevent the onset of diabetes or manage your diabetes if you already have it.” Continue reading
The photo shows off part of our Crippen & Co. “Bean Counters” chili cook-off team: From L-R, Naomi Vandergrift, Jerett Schrader, Kelsie Smith, Marie Fox. Photo taken at the 36th Annual Marion County Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, November 4th at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion to benefit The Cornerstone School. Crippen and Co. came in 1st Runner Up in the Small Business Chili division.
