(NAPSI)—“It is not for the faint of heart,” Erica Bridges said.

Bridges is a Welding Technology student at Texas State Technical College (TSTC). She was referring to her field of study and to welding in general.

“I encourage it, though,” she added. “This is a really good money-making (career). The people that you will meet, they’re just one-of-a-kind people.”

In the heavily male-dominated industry of welding, only 5.1% of the workers are female, according to a 2022 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. In the fall 2023 semester, TSTC had a total of 94 women and 970 men enrolled in Welding Technology.

What To Know

To help others understand, some female welding students, instructors and alumni from TSTC recently spoke of their experiences in welding and their love for it. They also talked about some of its challenges.

TSTC welding instructor Samara Flener has seen positive changes in her 20-plus years of working in the industry, but said preconceived notions about female welders still remain. Continue reading →

Cataract concept. Senior woman’s eye, closeup

(NAPSI)—By age 80, most people either have cataracts or have had cataract surgery. That’s because most cataracts are the result of natural aging. You may not notice that you have a cataract at first. But over time, they can make your vision blurry or hazy, colors fade, you can’t see well at night, or you may see double images. The good news is that cataract surgery can restore your sight. With a high success rate of more than 90 percent, cataract surgery enables people to see better after their cataract is removed.

Here are the top six things ophthalmologists—physicians who specialize in medical and surgical eye care—want you to know about cataracts:  Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—There’s good news for a lot of people from what some might consider a surprising source.

Corporate Compassion

America’s businesses, large and small, are increasingly extending a hand to help others. In fact, according to Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose, the average corporate volunteer participation rate is 33%.

What One Firm Is Doing

When most people hear the word “paella,” they imagine the wondrous Spanish rice dish cooking on an open flame. But the folks at H/L, a fiercely creative marketing and advertising agency that makes momentum for clients, have a whole different meaning for the word. In fact, they’ve started a movement, Project Paella, and it’s all about giving back to the communities in which they live and work.

Project Paella was established in memory of Josh Nichol, H/L’s former CEO. Josh loved getting the team together every year, over a huge pan of rich, simmering seafood and sausage. There was a lot of symbolism in his paella. It was made of many ingredients and flavored by many cultures, just like the company he led. And most of all, it was celebratory. His spirit lives on today, when the team comes together each year to mix in communities and celebrate them by doing good from coast to coast. The team bands together and volunteers in homeless shelters, animal shelters, food banks, roadside cleanups and wherever else they can make a difference. Continue reading →

Adult daughter caring for Aging Parent

(NAPSI)—A fast, reliable Internet connection is essential to many of our daily lives. However, many Americans still struggle to stay connected.

That’s where the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) can come in.

ACP extends the Internet subsidy for families in need that began under the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program. Falling under the $1.2T bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the ACP is part of a $65 billion broadband Internet initiative designed to bring affordable or even free Internet service to families who qualify.

Eligible households can save up to $30 a month, or up to $75 if they reside on tribal lands.

So, who qualifies? Here’s a glance at the different criteria from the FCC of which one or more is required: Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—Nestled between the Tennessee River and the Great Smoky Mountains in Eastern Tennessee is charming Loudon County—an underrated travel destination and a very special place to visit in Tennessee. Loudon has been called the ultimate affordable mountain lake vacation with everything from local shopping and family-friendly activities to breathtaking views and outdoor adventures.

Tennessee Grown

Agritourism is an ongoing trend and one of Loudon’s biggest charms, with a number of farms in the area producing Tennessee-made goods and products. Sweetwater Valley Farm, a beautiful family dairy farm, produces award-winning farmstead cheeses, offering samples as well as full farm tours to see how everything is made. The Seed to Sandwich Café is a must-visit, serving up grilled cheese sandwiches and milkshakes made from Sweetwater’s own products. Windy Hill Farm & Preserve is a peaceful, all-inclusive getaway on 650-acres. The on-site restaurant’s ingredients are harvested on the property, and the resort offers a range of rustic outdoor activities, from beekeeping to wine hikes. Loudon also has seasonal farm activities throughout the fall, including Maple Lane Farms Legendary Corn Maze, the pumpkin patch and petting zoo at Deep Well Farm and Dead Man’s Farm’s famous haunted house.  Continue reading →

Lithographs of the Rhone American Cemetery and Memorial in Draguignan, France. (Photo by Warrick Page/ABMC)

Then

One hundred years ago, America was undertaking a solemn national responsibility unlike any it had previously faced. World War I had just ended, taking the lives of more than 100,000 Americans, and the logistics and cost to bring their remains home were overwhelming for the nation. At the same time, America refused to back down on the promise to give the fallen a respectful place of rest.

The War Department decided to send letters to 74,770 next-of-kin, asking if they would like their loved ones to be brought home or if they would agree to have them laid to rest permanently near the battlefields of Europe. More than 30,000 families elected to have their fallen service members forever honored on the continent they helped saved. This began a tradition that continued after World War II. Continue reading →

Photo: Erik Bernstein; Food Styling: Brooke Caison

Without fail, Christmas every year is always a whirlwind of activity. Personally, we can’t believe there are only 25 days to set up our tree, find the perfect gifts for friends and family, and do all the baking we want to do (this is THE year we’re going to make a gingerbread house from scratch, we swear!). This holiday season, let us help take some of the stress off your plate (and help you load it up with plenty of easy options). With this irresistible list of family-approved classics, we’ve got Christmas dinner covered. Here are our top 80 picks to round out your holiday spread—apps, sides, and entrées included.

We’re pretty obsessed with apps year-round, but we’ve gotta say, our Christmas-themed ones are some of our best. We’ve included a great mix here of cute, like our pigs in a blanket wreath or our pull-apart Christmas tree; fancy, like our bacon wrapped dates or our crab stuffed mushrooms; and classic, like our sausage balls or our cranberry brie bites. They’re perfect for cocktail parties, dinner parties, and every occasion in between. Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—While the joy and busyness of the holiday season can take a toll on some people’s mental health, that doesn’t have to be. There are ways to avoid holiday-related challenges.

People may feel stressed, sad or anxious during the holiday season for a variety of reasons. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, extra stress, unrealistic expectations, sentimental memories and other factors during the season may set some people up for temporary bouts of depression or anxiety.

Help Yourself to a More Jolly Season

However, mental health experts say there are things you can do to help avoid holiday-related challenges. Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—As we start planning holiday menus this season, many of us are looking for familiar favorites and comfort foods to serve to loved ones. The downside is that many of those foods are high in calories and don’t provide much nutritional benefit. This year, consider amping up the nutritional value of your spread. One quick and easy way to do so is by adding a versatile and healthy classic: Latitude 45 Smoked Salmon. As the number one selling smoked salmon brand in the nation, Latitude 45 is not only a bona fide crowd-pleaser for holiday events, but it also offers your guests a generous helping of health benefits.

Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12 and other essential nutrients, salmon can help reduce inflammation and improve heart health. Plus, it’s packed with protein and integrates perfectly with nearly anything you’re serving at your next gathering. Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—If the holidays are at your house this year, you may find they can be even more magical when you have a good plan for cleaning up before and after the company comes.

Keep Holiday Hosting A Delight, Not A Chore 

As you prepare for the season­—and all the celebrating it entails—keep these home cleaning tips in mind…and look forward to stressing less and spending more time with your loved ones.

Treat stains right: Chocolate. Cranberry sauce. Wine. For every food option on the table, there are just as many stains that could arrive with that delicious meal. Using Ensueño Liquid Detergent, which has both stain-fighting power and color-fading protection, can mean a deep clean that ensures clothes and tablecloths come out bright and stain-free. Continue reading →