Serving all of Eastern Laramie County since 1908
Serving all of Eastern Laramie County since 1908
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(StatePoint) Filling Easter baskets for the kids? Think beyond the typical sweets and treats and consider including books as well. “All kids love books, even if they’re too little to read. For babies and toddlers, choose kid-sized books full of bright photos that they will love looking at again and again. There’s so much research showing how important reading is for a child’s development. You can build on it by making the experience fun for parents and their children,” says Rachel Barry, vice president of marketing and publicity at DK, a pub...
(StatePoint) When people hear there might be a bomb nearby, most will try to get as far away as fast as possible. U.S. Army Specialist Brandon Sanford and his bomb-sniffing dog Rexo, however, were not as lucky. Sanford and Rexo were part of the Army's bomb detection unit, tasked with finding life-threatening explosive devices. "I was nervous on the first patrol missions since our duty was to find explosives designed to kill American soldiers," said Sanford. When a roadside bomb exploded near...
(StatePoint) While each year millions in the U.S. are sickened during flu season, many can't distinguish between symptoms of the seasonal strain of the flu, a cold and the "stomach flu." Knowing the difference, and how to properly treat each virus, can speed recovery. Similar Yet Different While cold symptoms come on slowly and are limited to the head and upper respiratory system, flu symptoms affect the whole body and come on quickly. Telltale signs of the flu are fever and body aches. However,...
The school year can seem long for students and educators alike. However, a mid-year infusion of new technology and tools can provide just the motivation needed to ace the rest of the year. Here are several tools and technologies that can pave the way to better, more enthusiastic learning at home and in the classroom. Social Media Teachers are increasingly communicating with students and parents over social media, whether it is tweeting updates about today’s lesson or field trip or using Pinterest to share ideas and student work. Seventy-one p...
(StatePoint) While winter can be a beautiful time of year, it can also be a treacherous season on the roads. Winter driving conditions require increased attention and an ability to adapt quickly. In 2015, 8,010 people nationwide were killed in car crashes between December and March, resulting in an average seven percent per month increase from 2014, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). These numbers are a warning to everyone on the roads about how dangerous winter driving can be. "Win...
(StatePoint) Back-to-school season means more errands, more chores and more scheduled activities. It also means a dent in your wallet. But you can recapture some of your free time and save some money along the way by turning your smartphone or tablet into command central. Here are some smart smartphone strategies for families as they head back to school. - Say cheese: Be sure to capture all those toothy grins on camera! It doesn't take much effort to go beyond posting your first day of school...
(StatePoint) Your gut health affects more than just how your stomach feels. Recent scientific breakthroughs have uncovered links between the state of the gut microbiome and a range of human health issues such as obesity, diabetes, gastrointestinal disease, cardiovascular disease, immune system disorders, asthma and even cancer and its treatment. Experts say that understanding the gut microbiome may change how these diseases are diagnosed and treated. Additionally, specific microbes have been...
(StatePoint) Updating your home flooring? From durability to style to color, there are many things to consider -- and you'll want to be sure these elements match your family's lifestyle. Here are five great questions to ask yourself before you begin the remodel process. - How do you want the space to feel? Do you want the room to feel calming, fun, classic, dramatic or rustic? When you start to play with adjectives, you may realize you already have a direction in mind. For a calm look, choose a...
(StatePoint) If homeownership feels like it’s beyond your reach, don’t throw in the towel just yet on the American dream. In the face of an ever-widening housing affordability gap, there are options you may not have considered, say experts. “Manufactured homes are commonly available at lower monthly payments than what it costs to rent, providing an affordable path to homeownership for millions of Americans,” says Richard Jennison, president and CEO of the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI). Indeed, nationwide, there are 8.6 million manufactur...
(StatePoint) While most people don’t like to think about worst case scenarios, giving them their proper consideration can ultimately offer peace of mind. September is National Preparedness Month and it is a great time to get your home and family ready for a range of emergencies. Here are three steps to take. Stock Up Every home should contain a supply kit that includes a surplus of nonperishable food items, as well as fresh bottled water. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends one gallon per person in your household per d...
(StatePoint) In an age of constant communication and connectivity, it can be difficult to take a break. But drive time is when your phone should take a backseat to safety, say experts. “You don’t need to be texting to be distracted by your phone,” says Kelly Nantel, vice president of communications and advocacy at the National Safety Council. “Even hands-free talking is a major distraction.” Research indicates drivers using handheld and hands-free phones only see about 50 percent of all the information in their driving environment. This phen...
(StatePoint) Tailgating season is here, and while you may want to refer to last year’s playbook, new tools and tips can help make this your best season yet. Stay Comfortable There are a few simple things you can do to make comfort and safety a priority while tailgating. Number one is to pack plenty of water in order to keep everyone hydrated. Whether you use an umbrella, a pop-up tent or simply arrive early to seek out a leafy corner of the lot, make sure your space includes some shade. And don’t forget the sunscreen. Be sure to check the weath...
(StatePoint) After a summer of fun, getting back into the swing of the classroom can be difficult for students of all ages and family backgrounds. But parents can help, say experts. “It’s easy for parents to feel like there isn't enough time to add more activities to an already packed schedule. But, there are many easy ways you can set the tone of making learning fun, ease the back-to-school transition, and foster literacy skills at home,” says Jon Reigelman, creative director of the National Center for Families Learning (NCFL). Reige...
(StatePoint) It’s no secret that kids have strong opinions when it comes to style and that their tastes are always evolving. With 38 percent of parents spending between $100 to $249 per child on back-to-school clothing, according to statistics from online retailer zulily, parents and kids alike should feel confident in their purchases. “It’s never a good feeling to buy your child new clothes, only to find a favorite color, pattern or style has changed,” says Shawn Redman, senior buyer and kids’ fashion expert for zulily.com. “This back-to-sch...
(StatePoint) It might not feel like you alone can have an impact on the environment, but over time, small lifestyle changes can make a substantial difference. Need some ideas to get started? Draw inspiration from the collective efforts of one California olive company working to run operations in an eco-friendly way. “Our employees are vital to our zero waste efforts,” says Dennis Leikam, environmental manager at Musco Family Olive Company. “Through monthly sustainability topics and a compost program, they’re encouraged to reduce not only ou...
In recent years, policymakers have focused on how to improve student performance, scrutinizing factors like school day start times and the nutritional value of school-provided meals. However, the basic design and configuration of schools and classrooms can also have a major impact on student success, and this fact is now getting its due attention. The classroom environment can impact a child’s academic progress by as much as 25 percent in one year, according to a UK study at the University of Salford. Armed with a growing body of evidence of t...
No longer must you choose between your lawn and saving water. Experts say there are ways to save both water and money that won’t hurt your turf. “We often see sprinklers watering sidewalks and drives, running during rain, or sending water down the drain from leaky heads,” says Josh Friell, Ph. D, senior agronomist of The Toro Company’s Center for Advanced Turf Technology. “The good news is there are simple, cost-effective actions homeowners can take to save up to 30 percent in outdoor water usage alone.” Friell recommends these lawn-care...
(StatePoint) Navigating store aisles is more complicated than merely dodging other shoppers. With 50,000 new products introduced to consumers each year, it also means deciding which are best for you and your family. Without guidance, this can be overwhelming. With this in mind, “Product of the Year,” the world’s largest consumer-voted award for product innovation, has announced this year’s winners, which are backed by the votes of over 40,000 consumers. The purpose of Product of the Year is to guide consumers to the best products as voted on by...
With increasingly volatile weather patterns and a growing reliance on technology, more people are becoming familiar with the benefits of having a back-up generator at home. But beyond the importance of immediate back-up power in the event of an outage, a generator can have many other benefits in your life -- at home and when you’re on-the-go. Given the lower prices of today’s models, generators are becoming a product more consumers choose to purchase. Here, Jason Sutton, vice president of Sales & Service at FIRMAN Power Equipment, offers tip...
(StatePoint) As many families in rural communities struggle for economic security, experts say that the afterschool programs that keep students safe and inspire them to learn are in short supply. A recently released report, “The Growing Importance of Afterschool in Rural Communities,” finds that just 13 percent of rural students in the U.S. participate in an afterschool program. While this number is up from 2009, it’s still considerably below the 18 percent nationwide rate. According to America After 3PM, a household survey commissioned by th...
(StatePoint) When it comes to successful springtime entertaining, think light and refreshing food and drink. Keeping flavors and colors cool will infuse your get-together with energy and zest. Food When the weather warms, let your guests’ plates cool with fresh salads and cold soups like gazpacho or chilled pea soup. Get fresh produce in season at your farmer’s market or grocer. Serving up big helpings of colorful vegetables will bring seasonal freshness directly to your table. Great appetizers for spring include shrimp cocktail and fresh tom...
(StatePoint) March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, and the perfect time to think about colon health. Unfortunately, less than half of people aged 50 and older get tested for colon cancer. But early detection can save lives. Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in the US, yet it has a 90 percent cure rate when detected early, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). "We say the best screening is the one that actually...
(StatePoint) It’s that time of year again. From minor colds to severe flus and fevers, seasonal sicknesses are unpredictable and can sneak up on your family at any time. Unfortunately, even the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cannot predict the timing, severity and length of a seasonal virus. Luckily, there are steps you can take to ward off illness and better monitor symptoms when you’re sick. Check in with Your Doctor Make an appointment with your primary care physician to get a look at the family’s vitals. These are good indic...
