Chick-Fil-A To Build Massive $52 Million Distribution Center in NC With Average Salary of $62k

Charlotte Stories
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Chick-Fil-A To Build Massive $52 Million Distribution Center in NC With Average Salary of $62k

One of America’s favorite fast-food chains has just announced plans to build a massive new $52 million distribution center in Mebane, NC (about an hour and a half NorthEast of Charlotte).

The new project will be primarily geared toward supplying chicken, fries, and other products to several hundred of its locations around the Carolinas. The new facility is expected to create at least 160 jobs with a minimum average salary of $62,429.

According to a press release from the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the new Chick-fil-A project will be facilitated by a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) over the course of the 12-year term, with a reimbursement to the company of up to $1,562,400, spread over 12 years.

“North Carolina attracts the nation’s most well-known brands because of our strong workforce and steady leadership, even in a crisis,” said Governor Cooper. “Alamance County is the right location with the right infrastructure to make Chick-Fil-A’s new approach to the restaurant’s supply chain a success.”

The new facility is now scheduled to open in early 2022.

Charlotte’s Second Cocktail Ice Company Opens in South End

Charlotte Stories
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Charlotte’s Second Cocktail Ice Company Opens in South End

Over the weekend, Charlotte’s second cocktail ice company officially launched (Charlotte’s first being Artisan Ice Sculptures which launched about 10 years ago).

The Ice Trade is setting out to make crystal clear ice readily available for homes and cocktail bars around Charlotte. The idea for The Ice Trade has been years in the making, but it took one of humanity’s most challenging times for The Ice Trade to officially be born.

Founders, Larry Suggs and Scott Gadd, have over a decade of bar experience and are putting that knowledge into their newest venture after spending months researching and refining their processes before debuting this new concept to the public. All along with the goal of providing the purest ice possible for enjoying fine spirits and craft cocktails at home or at a local bar.

The water used in the production of their ice goes through a multi-stage filtration process before being slowly frozen over the course of three days using specialized freezers.  Their team then cuts each piece of crystal clear ice by hand using a combination of saws designed for ice cutting.

The Ice Trade proudly offers three core products. Their Queen Cube is 2”x2”x2” and is the standard large ice cube enjoyed by whiskey lovers worldwide. Their King Cube is 2”x2”x3” and is the bigger brother to the Queen Cube, perfect for a double pour or any cocktail. Their Column Cube is 1.25”x1.25”x4.5” and is truly a beauty. This unique cube is tall and slender, perfect for drinks served in a Collins glass, like the classic Tom Collins, Mojito, or other cocktails. Each package comes with 9 to 12 pieces of crystal clear ice and is $13.50 plus tax.

Ice can be purchased 24/7 at www.theicetrade.com and picked up each Friday at their facility located in South End at 3133 May St. All ice is cut-to-order and limited quantities are available each week, so it’s recommended to order as early as possible. With current store hours on Friday from 2pm-7pm, it’s the perfect time for Charlotte residents to pick up ice to elevate their weekend home bar experience. For cocktail bars, The Ice Trade offers delivery and additional pickup hours.

Holiday Promotion: The Ice Trade will be offering limited runs of custom-sized ice throughout the seasons. Kicking it off with an “Ice Punch Bowl” for the upcoming Holiday season. This bowl is hand-carved from over 35 pounds of ice and is the perfect centerpiece for your small holiday gatherings. Included with your purchase will be three punch recipes featuring local spirits to ensure you are able to put your “Ice Punch Bowl” to perfect use. -only 20 punch bowls are being produced for the 2020 Holiday season.

In celebration of their launch, The Ice Trade is offering promotional pricing through the end of 2020. When purchasing online, use promo-code LAUNCH15 to receive 15% off your first purchase (not including memberships).  Ice can be picked up each Friday at The Ice Trade facility.

Please visit their website at www.theicetrade.com for more information and follow them on Instagram @theicetrade to keep up as they pop up around town.

Charlotte Coming Together to Celebrate Seventh Annual #GivingTuesdayCLT

Charlotte Stories
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Charlotte Coming Together to Celebrate Seventh Annual #GivingTuesdayCLT

December 1st marks Charlotte’s seventh year celebrating the global generosity movement GivingTuesday locally with #GivingTuesdayCLT, powered by SHARE Charlotte.

Celebrated annually the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the years, it has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.

#GivingTuesdayCLT encourages the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community to come together to support local nonprofits. Since 2014, #GivingTuesdayCLT has influenced over $28M in gifts to local nonprofits and inspired more than 25,000 new donors. In 2016, #GivingTuesdayCLT was named the largest GivingTuesday community celebration in the world.

“Regardless of your circumstances, 2020 has been a tough year for everyone and forced us all to pause,” said Kendall Alley, Region Bank president for Charlotte. “We are proud to continue our support for #GivingTuesdayCLT, which provides a great opportunity to come together to take action for our community. It is our honor to serve our customers, support our employees and help accelerate the critical work of nonprofit organizations. Generosity looks different for each of us this year, and #GivingTuesdayCLT is our call to action to be generous and to share because Charlotte needs us.”

SHARE Charlotte has sourced local nonprofits individual goals for this year’s #GivingTuesdayCLT (Tuesday, Dec 1) and the impact that reaching that goal will have on their organization. 

You can find more information and how to donate time, money, or resources to the following causes on SHARE Charlotte’s Giving Tuesday webpage here.

Nonprofit #GivingTuesdayCLT Goal Impact of reaching their goal Who they could bring to the interview 
Angel in Disguise Inc. Raise $10K, gain social media followers, secure new volunteers 200 rides for cancer patients to help eliminate transportation barriers in the metro Charlotte area. A cancer patient who is able to get treatment because transportation services were provided
Anne Springs Close Greenway Raise $10K, gain social media followers In support of a $25 for 25 years campaign, which is raising money for the Greenway. A recipient of our Bridge Program
Beds for Kids Raise $303K to purchase 2,020 twin bed sets ($150 dollars each) Will allow us to increase our deliveries heading into 2021 to match the rising need for our service. We keep our clients anonymous but one of our social workers would be happy to share a testimony on the impact of a bed for her clients.
Bright Side Youth Ranch Raise $2500,  gain social media followers, secure new volunteers $2500 will complete a matching gift to pay for a badly needed tractor to help maintain the 15-acre equine property We have several families who would be willing to share their stories.
Cakeable Charlotte Raise $7,200 Pay for one year’s worth of rent in a commercial kitchen ($4,200), plus supplies and ingredients for baking classes in order to enhance the employability of our students with developmental and intellectual disabilities. One of our current students, an adult who has Down syndrome, has just received an offer to package cookie boxes for the Sweet Spot Cookie Club. After a trial period with training, she has the opportunity to hold her first paying job.
Carolina Breast Friends Raise $25K Carolina Breast Friends is the only organization meeting the care-and-support needs of Charlotte’s breast cancer community with free wigs, bras and prostheses, and our stock is depleted. Yes! Lots of women!
Changed Choices Raise $7500 Cover remaining operating expense for reentry home  Possibly a reentry client 
Charlotte Bilingual Preschool Secure 25 new volunteers  Securing 25 new volunteers will enable us to ensure the health and safety of our children and families. Having volunteers fill the following positions, would free up our staff to be able to do their jobs. Volunteers needed include Temperature Checkers and Traffic Directors.  Yes
Charlotte Speech and Hearing Center Raise awareness of their mission and general funds  Provide the gift of speech and hearing to all those in need in the Charlotte community We have several individuals who have received hearing aids through our organization who are able to continue working and enjoying life thanks to the gift of hearing.
Dottie Rose Foundation Raise $20K Provide for a dedicated space to accommodate recent growth,for gatherings and programming Yes, you can speak with any of our girls.
E2D Raise $7,500  Purchase 100 computers at $75/each (looking specifically for smaller donors!) Principal Daniel Gray of Hidden Valley Elementary
Faith in Action Community and Educational Transition Services We’d like to raise funds and/or materials for 50 transition kits  The need for cleaning and bed/bath products for transitioning families is the greatest need identified by Salvation Army Center of Hope, our partner agency. Yes – we can make available multiple women who have been helped by FACET Services over the past 13 years upon request. Some of them have testimonies of flourishing in their new homes as a direct result of the support we provided
Families Forward Charlotte Raise $10K Grow our program to serve more families. Yes, we have a few families we could choose from that would be willing to share.
First Gen Success Raise $20K gain gain social media followers, secure new volunteers, get 4 laptops and printers donated Provide college financial assistance to each of our 4 graduating seniors. Yes, scholars who are currently enrolled in our program.
First Responders 1st Goods purchased from their Amazon Wish List Help create 50 Kids Activity Kits that local first responders can give to kids when on calls I could get some local first responders 
Foster Village Charlotte Raise $60K by Giving Tuesday! Funds will help: 

Equip – Provide individualized support for families

Hire a highly skilled Caregiver Support Coordinator

Connect – Build our Village Guides program

Mentor new and struggling families directly

Advocate – Enable Foster Village to be the voice of foster families

Focus on change in the system to better serve foster children

Get ahead of foster care burnout

 Yes- a foster family
GardHouse Raise $12,500.  This $12,500 will provide 10 paid workforce development opportunities to students graduating from high school entering college in Fall 2021 (in addition to a $5K gift from the Duke Energy Foundation) We have two students who were recently offered employment due to GardHouse’s efforts in a year of operation.
Girl Talk Foundation, Inc. Raise $7,500  To support ‘’Tailoring Teens for Success’’ program which enriches and empowers our girls to become leaders  Yes, we have a woman who is willing to share her testimony.
Hands for Holly Memorial Fund Raise $3K, gain social media followers Part of the annual Hope for the Holly-Days campaign which provides families who have children fighting cancer with financial needs such as paying for gifts, housing, utilities and groceries. We have a number of families who have given consent to share their story
Healing Vine Harbor Raise $3K, gain social media followers  Will bring us closer to the goal of having a living facility for homeless, single women in the greater Charlotte area. We have at least 3 people who would be willing to share their story of overcoming homelessness with the help of Healing Vine Harbor.
Heart Math Tutoring Raise $2K Will provide 1:1 math tutoring to two students in the 2021/22 school year. Yes – volunteers
Holy Angels $25K Will help upgrade, repair and refurbish our fleet of golf carts that our staff and residents use for safe transport around our campus. They’re critically important for emergencies, maintenance in our homes and facilities and daily operations. This fleet is not only cost effective, but allows us to limit traffic on our roads which is safer and more efficient. Absolutely. We have a family in Charlotte who would LOVE to share their story.
House of Mercy Raise $3500 (#GivingTuesdayCLT is also World Aids Day this year) Provides one full month of care for a resident with HIV who comes to us in an acute crisis situation with no source of funding. That $3500 of care is often the difference between life and death for an individual in crisis Maybe – due to the stigma that still surrounds an HIV diagnosis, our residents generally prefer to stay anonymous.
Humane Society of Charlotte Raise $10K (have a $10K matching donor!) Additional funds means we’re able to secure resources we need to help save more animals lives, more frequently. Some of these funds could help us to hire additional team members to aid in animal transport or to pay for the intake costs of animals so that we can take in more at a time.  Several of our adopters, fosters, or volunteers would be willing to share their stories. 
JazzArts Charlotte Raise $5K (have a $5K matching donor!) To keep the music playing. Since the pandemic began devastating the local arts community, JazzArts Charlotte has actually doubled the performance and educational opportunities we offer, employing musicians and educators, while providing the healing power of music online free. This goal allows us to keep filling that gap until the community is finally able to be in person again. We have educators and musicians who could speak to the impact of the pandemic and what JazzArts Charlotte is doing to bridge the gaps.
Life Connections of the Carolinas, Inc. Raise $5K Help fund our administrative team and training initiatives for staff Yes, parents of program participants who are now members of the Board of Directors.
Loaves & Fishes Raise $20K  To expand our new home grocery delivery program. Are currently delivering to 250 people,  two days a week. $20,000 will help us with funding for a staff position to further expand this program as well as make healthy food available to more people in need. A recipient of a week’s worth of groceries delivered directly to their door who would otherwise would not have been able to get to a pick up location due to illness or transportation issues.
MeckEd Raise $10K Will support the MeckEd Learning Lab ensuring students have a safe learning environment when one is not available at home. Students who have utilized the lab will be able to share their story!
Mind Body Baby NC Raise $10K To support the Community Care Fund, which bridges the gap for new & expectant mothers, who are struggling with perinatal mood disorders and traumatic births, when money, transportation, childcare or access to the internet is the obstacle to getting needed maternal mental health services and support. About our support groups, yes. One of Fund cases, possibly.
Para Guide Foundation Raise $2,500 Provide indoor stationary bicycle equipment for at least 5 additional individuals who are blind/visually impaired. Yes – two visually impaired people received indoor cycling equipment from Para Guide in September and can speak to their experience
PrettyPonytails Shop our Amazon Wish List and buy pajamas, socks, and hair care essentials to impact 100 underserved girls in need. Help boost young girls’ self-esteem and confidence! Yes, I was able to provide haircare kits to girls apart of Safe Families Clt that were place with a host family.
Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte Secure at least 25 donations of $100 or more Can build and donate 25 student desks and fund critical repair programs. Yes, a single mother who worried about losing her home until we provided extensive repairs to keep her family safe and healthy and her home preserved.
Shining Hope Farms Raise $36,192 Feeding our horses is one our biggest and most challenging expenses and it is not covered by insurance reimbursements from our therapy services. Raising enough money to feed our whole herd for the next year would ensure that our patients can go on receiving their awesome benefits!

If donors would give $24 each (the cost to feed one horse for one week), 1500 donations could feed all 29 of our horses for one year!

 Yes
Teaching Fellows Institute Raise $1800  Fund our January virtual series of workshops with Dr. Bryan Harris, a  thought leader in the K-12 education arena and creates custom sessions for our Fellows based on their input.  Yes
The DeAngelo Williams Foundation Raise $15K Provide mammograms as part of “53 Strong for Sandra” program Possibly
The Nest Academy Raise $50K Help cover COVID re-opening costs and continue to provide the “gift” of a private school education to refugees, immigrants, and underprivileged students along with extracurricular activities to equip each student with the tools they need to make a difference in their world! Yes, one of our students was able to graduate and get a full ride to college and accomplish her dreams.
The Relatives Raise $5K Provide back rent for 5 young adults facing eviction, keeping them stably housed. Possibly – we have many young adults who have received housing, but would need to check with their comfort level on sharing their story.
Thrive Global Project Raise $11,500 Provide 23 low income, first-generation college students in Charlotte with a $500 relief package to help students afford vital, basic needs due to COVID.  Without assistance, students may not have access to vital, basic needs, decreasing capacity to graduate, impacting long term earning potential. Yes, we have constituents who would be able to share their story

 

Rents in Charlotte Increased Last Month – December 2020 Rental Report

Charlotte Stories
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Rents in Charlotte Increased Last Month – December 2020 Rental Report
After a wild summer in which the rental market saw unprecedented price drops, rents are beginning to line up with seasonal expectations. As the market cools in the fall, rents are down 0.5% month-over-month, consistent with the last two years.
But the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic has been unequal, so while the national rent index is down 1.3% year-over-year, there is tremendous regional variation beneath the surface. San Francisco, Seattle, Boston, and New York City continue to lead the nation in pandemic rent drops, while smaller markets like Boise and Central California are getting more expensive.
Here are the most recent figures from the Charlotte market:
  • Rents in Charlotte increased 0.1% month-over-month, and are down by 2.3% since the start of the pandemic in March.
  • Year-over-year rent growth in Charlotte currently stands at -1.7%, compared to 2.7% at this time last year.
  • Median rents in Charlotte currently stand at $1069 for a 1-bedroom apartment and $1195 for a two-bedroom.

If you’re thinking that rents are now too high and you’d like to buy a home, Charlotte Stories has partnered with the best real estate agents in every part of our region.

If you’re thinking about buying a home in or around Charlotte, let us connect you with a top agent in your area by filling out the form below:

    North Carolina Hunters: Make Sure You Think Twice Before Pulling That Trigger

    Steve Peters
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    North Carolina Hunters: Make Sure You Think Twice Before Pulling That Trigger

    The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission just kicked off their annual Home From the Hunt campaign to remind North Carolina hunters to be aware of their surroundings and positively identify their target before pulling the trigger.

    “Don’t let the excitement of having a deer or other game in your sights overtake the absolute necessity of practicing safe firearm and hunting techniques,” said Chet Clark, the Commission’s eastern outreach manager. “There could be homes, vehicles or even people in front of or behind your target, so it’s important to take the time to make absolutely certain that it’s safe to pull the trigger. Hunters should use binoculars, not a rifle scope, to first identify a target and then take aim only when ready to fire at something they wish to shoot.”

    The four primary rules of firearms safety:

    • Always point a firearm in a safe direction.
    • Treat every firearm as if it were loaded and never assume a firearm is unloaded.
    • Keep your finger out of the trigger guard and off the trigger until ready to shoot.
    • Be sure of your target­–and what’s in front of and behind it.“Last year’s hunting season set the all-time low for hunting and hunting-related incidents,” said Clark. “Of those 22 incidents, eight were firearms-related and none were fatal. By continuing safe, ethical and responsible firearms handling practices, we can continue to progress towards our goal of zero incidents.”For more information on hunting seasons, licenses, Hunting Heritage Apprentice Permits and the Hunter Education Program, go to www.ncwildlife.org or call 919-707-0031.

    The Consequences of Debt Consolidation

    Selena Charley
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    The Consequences of Debt Consolidation

    Consolidating debts is a broad term for making them simpler and less costly to pay off. There are a few ways to go about achieving this — with two of the most popular forms being a personal loan or transferring high-interest debts to a balance transfer credit card. In this article you can consider what you need to know before choosing Clear Coast Debt Relief.

    Some property owners decide to take out a home equity loan to wipe out their high-interest debts. Another way to consolidate is signing up for a debt management plan (DMP) through a credit-counseling agency. This means you’ll make one single monthly payment to the agency and it will handle splitting up your funds.

    There are both advantages and disadvantages to consider whichever way a borrower consolidates. Knowing the upsides and downsides before taking action will help you navigate the process more smoothly, hopefully avoiding “potholes” along the way.

    Here are some of the consequences of debt consolidation.

    Your Credit Score May Dip

    One short-term effect of consolidating debt that may surprise borrowers is a temporary dip in credit score. Why does this occur? Because applying for either a loan or a new line of credit triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report. Don’t be alarmed if you see your credit score — which you’ve been working hard to keep as high as possible — drop a couple points in the aftermath.

    The good news is that debt consolidation can raise your credit score, provided you make payments on time and avoid racking up new debts. This is mostly because you’ll be using a healthier percentage of your available credit after paying off high credit card balances, and because your timely installments toward your loan will bolster your credit history.

    You Put Your Assets at Risk (with a Secured Loan)

    There are two main types of loans for debt consolidation: unsecured and secured. The former does not require offering up any assets as collateral, but usually carries higher interest rates as a result. The latter does involve putting up an asset, like a home as collateral — which may lower interest rates and help borrowers with less-than-stellar credit ratings qualify for approval.

    While the option of getting a secured loan does open doors for borrowers, it also puts the asset used for collateral at risk. Missing payments on your loan can result in your lender putting a lien on your property. This is especially risky if you’re using your home as collateral.

    This potential risk underscores the importance of doing the math before accepting a loan to make sure your budget can support monthly payments for as long as it takes to fulfil the obligation — which can often be years.

    You May Be Tempted to Spend

    Whether you transfer balances to a new card, use the bills.com debt consolidation process, take out a loan, use home equity or enroll in a DMP, wiping out your high-interest unsecured debts can definitely create the illusion you’ve suddenly become “debt free.” Of course, we know this isn’t true because you’re actually taking on new debt to satisfy old debt.

    But this illusion can lend a false sense of security, tricking borrowers into thinking it’s fine to start spending on credit again. Avoiding this trap requires avoiding the root behaviors that contribute to the accumulation of debt — and committing to sticking to a healthy budget to avoid backsliding into even more debt.

    Debt consolidation, like any strategy, has its share of potential benefits and potential consequences. Knowledge is power when it comes to avoiding these pitfalls to get the most out of the process.

    How to Cultivate Amaryllis in Pots on the Windowsill

    Sarah Kaminski
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    How to Cultivate Amaryllis in Pots on the Windowsill

    In the spring and summer, you can find huge lily-like flowers in the flower shops. Many people associate these plants with miniature gramophones, created for wood elves or fairies by nature. If you are a fan of lilies, then amaryllis can become a decent analogue of a garden flower for home growing. This plant is able to please the owners with a delicate aroma and beautiful flowering. Having learned the nuances of growing amaryllis at home, you can have these “fire lilies” on your windowsill almost all year round.

    What Is Amaryllis?

    Amaryllis belladonna is the only variety used in indoor floriculture. Its homeland is the small Karoo desert in South Africa. It is a bulbous plant with large narrow leaves about 0.5 m long. On a peduncle of 0.4–0.6 m high, there are large white or pink flowers resembling lilies in shape. The next feature determines the nuances of growing amaryllis bulbs at home. Like other desert plants, the active lifetime lasts 2-3 months a year. During this period, amaryllis manages to bloom, scatter seeds and prepare for rest until the next year. 

    The most popular varieties are those with large double flowers of 20 cm or more in diameter:

    • Nymph with white petals and bright pink strokes;
    • Macarena – red flower with white stripes in the centre of the petals;
    • Double Dragon – coral petals with white tips.

    The varieties with simple flowers are no less good:

    • Large-flowered plants: white Ice Queen, red Durban, and Red Lion;
    • Medium-sized flowers up to 12 cm in diameter: pink Maxima and pink-yellow Parker.

    But multi-colour varieties with very thin petals are now especially popular:

    • Grandeur – the petals of different shades of pink;
    •  La Paz – green petals with red borders;
    • Chico is perhaps one of the most unusual varieties: at first glance, the flowers look more like some kind of exotic insect thanks to the graceful green-brown petals grown in different directions.

    How to Grow Amaryllis?

    If you do not buy amaryllis already planted in a flowerpot, carefully consider the quality of bulbs you buy. The bulbs must be dry, healthy, free from damage or rot, with strong but small roots. The upper dark scales are removed from the bulbs, then treated with potassium permanganate, dried and planted a day after drying. It is very important to work with the flower in gloves because amaryllis bulbs are poisonous.

    The amaryllis pot should be heavy and stable. Several bulbs can also be planted in one pot – the main thing is that the distance between them should be about 10 cm. Amaryllis does not tolerate stagnant water, therefore, good drainage of 3-4 cm of thickness from gravel and sand on top is very important. Since amaryllis is sun-loving but does not tolerate direct sunlight, the best place for a flower will be a southwestern or southeastern window sill. Finally, you can achieve flowering at almost any time, and if you have several bulbs – even all year round!

    4 Ways to Show Someone You’re Thinking of Them

    Cathy Miller
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    4 Ways to Show Someone You’re Thinking of Them

    In the era of social distancing, it’s a full-time job to stay connected. So many relationships are maintained through brief hallway greetings, little run-in conversations, and ongoing water-cooler chats throughout the day. Without face-to-face interactions, we can forget just how many loved ones we have.

    But with technology on our side, we can show our love in brand-new ways. Whether for a grandmother, best friend, or romantic partner, here are a few ways to show someone they’re in your thoughts.

    #1 – Talk it Out

    Not text. Not email. Take a few minutes out of your day to pick up the phone and actually call your friend. Just sharing your voice lends a personal touch that puts your conversation above the rest.

    And if you’re on friendlier terms, make time for a video call! Zoom may be forever-linked to awkward conference calls and stilted virtual job interviews, but it’s as close to in-person quality time as many of us can get. 

    Prefer things old-school? You can’t go wrong with a handwritten note. Pick up some beautiful stationery and a pack of your favorite pens for all of your note-sending needs.

    #2 – Send a Gift

    What’s better than getting a package in the mail? Plus, online deliveries allow you to maintain a lot more than just six feet of physical distance between you. It doesn’t have to be a holiday to send one of these presents just to say I’m thinking of you:

    • A cozy blanket – Receiving a blanket is the closest thing to receiving a hug these days. Consider sending a fleece throw blanket to embody your warm thoughts for the recipient. 
    • Flowers – This is a no-fail gift. A beautiful bouquet works for friends, family, and lovers alike. Check out some excellent online shops for flowers to send a loved one.
    • Friendship lamps – Missing someone from afar? Matching friendship lamps are a great remedy for long-distance lovesickness. As you tap your lamp, it signals the other lamp to glow, like a magical message of love—or something out of a sci-fi romance novel. 

    #3 – Make Plans to Spend Time Together

    Nothing beats quality time—as long as it’s spent safely. If you’re both comfortable with it, then penciling in a relaxing activity could be a great option for reconnecting.

    Got a friend who’s always en vogue? Take them shopping! Making a point to purchase from thrift stores and small businesses is a great way to support local during these tougher times.

    If you’re both looking to lounge around and catch up, make a reservation at a local restaurant or order take out that you can enjoy in a nearby park. And if your comfort levels are aligned, host an at-home spa night to boost a friend’s mood while shrinking their pores. You could try your hand at a DIY manicure (no pun intended) or get fancy with facials and sheet masks (the spa kind, not the PPE kind).

    #4 – Help with Something They Need 

    Let’s face it: to-do lists are more fun to create than complete. And when your loved one is going through a particularly rough patch, it can be difficult just to get through the basics. Here are some ways to show your thoughtfulness by being the Cinderella of their day:

    • Send groceries – Pick out some pantry staples for a friend and save them from the hour-long wait in the Trader Joe’s checkout line.
    • Clean their house – Know someone with a few messy kids? Or even just an endlessly-shedding puppy? Sending a cleaning service can transform their entire day, week, or even month for the better.
    • Make a meal – Food may be the ultimate wordless “I love you.” And dropping off a home-cooked meal (whether healthy or indulgent) says “I love you a lot.”

    Showing You Care Isn’t Location-Specific

    A hug isn’t about how long you hold it, but how deeply you mean it. The same principle applies to thoughtful gifts and acts of service. Big or small, these simple actions will show your loved ones just how much you care—whether you’re in the next town over or halfway across the world.

    Solving Flat Feet Problems: General Tips

    Robert Tilman
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    Solving Flat Feet Problems: General Tips

    Flat feet is a type of disorder associated with tissues and bones and typical for many men and women. This condition is normal for babies as it takes time for tendons to form an arch. However, when we become older, the arch should appear. If it doesn’t, something is wrong, and you need to consult your healthcare provider.

    How to solve flat feet problems for people in sports

    There are various recommendations that you can follow to solve this problem, including special shoes and treatment. However, before we dive deeper into those recommendations, it is important to understand how the flat feet condition affects your sports activities. By the way, you can read about walking shoes for flat feet if you experience problems while walking.

    If you have this type of condition, it does not necessarily mean you will experience pain or be affected in any other way. However, in some cases, those who do sports feel pain and discomfort during training or competitions. If you are in this second group, and the pain bothers you from time to time or frequently, you are to do something to minimize the negative consequences of this condition.

    There are various ways to get a flat feet diagnosis. They include X-rays diagnosis, CT scan, Ultrasound, and even MRI. And if the condition is confirmed, it is time to find the solution.

    Treatment

    One of the ways to minimize the negative impact of flat feet is to use special orthotic devices. Those types of arch support will have to relieve the pain caused by pes planus (another name for the flat feet). You can buy those devices on your own or consult your health provider.

    Some special stretching exercises will help to stretch the tendon. Physical therapy may also be helpful, especially in some runners. A physical therapist will analyze the way you run to minimize risks from pes planus and to make your general form and running technique better.

    There is another way to correct this condition, which is surgery. A specialist will place an implant into your foot to raise the arch. However, this type of operation is not recommended for children and adolescents. It is also to mention that surgery is not necessary if you have flat feet, but it doesn’t cause any troubles to you while doing sports or simply walking.

    Modifications of the footwear

    If you have a pes planus and feel pain during your physical exercises, another way to relieve it is to buy special footwear. Pes planus can be the reason for the inside of the show to break down. However, if you are dealing with special footwear, its support prevents this from happening.

    There are also special insoles that will support your foot and create this arch to prevent the pain that may be caused by the flatfeet. You can find them in special stores or even buy them online.

    Is that all?

    Yes, a flat foot is not dangerous at all. Most people even don’t know that they have pes planus as they have no “symptoms” of this condition. However, if you feel pain in your legs after the exercises or walking, you can use those tips we gave in this article.

    What Happens If You Are Injured at a Seasonal Job?

    Charlotte Stories
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    What Happens If You Are Injured at a Seasonal Job?

    Getting a temporary job for the summer or the holidays is a great way to earn some extra cash, but is your employer still accountable if you get injured? While this answer may vary based on the type of work and your state, most of the time seasonal workers are entitled to the same protections as other employees.

    Seasonal Work in the USA

    Although fewer teens have jobs these days than they did a couple decades ago, seasonal jobs still account for a huge portion of the labor force. Most winter holiday seasons see at least half a million temporary jobs pop up across the US, whether it’s taking on extra shifts at a popular restaurant, staffing a holiday resort, or working the Santa line at the mall. 

    Furthermore, the high unemployment and underemployment rates in the US, first rising after the 2008 financial crisis and again during the coronavirus pandemic, means that more and more Americans work an extra seasonal job in addition to their primary jobs. This is an important trend, because the more overworked you are, the more likely you are to make a mistake or have an accident. 

    There is no shortage of ways you can get injured at work, but the most common work injuries include: 

    • Tripping or slipping and experiencing a fall
    • Car accidents while in the course of your job
    • Inhalation or other dangerous exposure to toxic material 
    • Cuts, burns, and lacerations
    • Being hit by moving or falling objects
    • Assault or other forms of violence by customers or unknown assailants 

    Employee Protection Laws Vary, but Seasonal Workers Are Usually Eligible for Workers’ Compensation

    Worker’s compensation is a payment that injured workers receive while they are recovering at home or in the hospital from an injury on the job and continue to receive until they are able to return to work. 

    The same insurance coverage that employers hold for worker’s compensation for their full-time employees usually covers seasonal and temporary workers as well. In some states, employers may not be required to have this kind of insurance coverage if they are only employing less than five people, as is the law in Missouri, for example.

    Another way state laws play an essential role here is that some states with less stringent worker protection laws, in the interest of spurring economic growth by reducing business costs, will offer exceptions to seasonal worker protection in certain industries. Some entertainment jobs may fall into this category, as may farming or other part time or seasonal agriculture work. 

    This reinforces just how important it is that you clearly read over your contract. Never be concerned about inquiring as to exactly what your rights are as an employee (and making sure that anything that is promised is also delivered in the written contract).

    Regarding wage benefits, you may be entitled to receive up to two thirds of your former average weekly wage for non-catastrophic injury cases. 

    The Temp Addendum 

    Many Americans looking for temporary or part-time work, or who just want to get their foot in the door with a new industry and need to find a job fast, will seek work through a temp staffing agency (known more commonly as a temp agency).

    While this may be a faster route towards a fresh paycheck and a quick fix to a summer or holiday season job search, be warned: finding seasonal work through a temp agency may complicate your options for compensation if you get injured on the job. 

    Why? The short answer to this complicated (and state-dependent) question is that if you get injured, say, while working a summer holiday resort job that you got through a temp agency, you might technically be employed by the temp agency and not directly through the resort. This could mean that you may not have the resort’s worker compensation coverage.

    Even if your temp agency does offer coverage, the relevant insurance company might create a hassle for you by finding loopholes through which both employer’s insurers can try to dodge responsibility. The devil is really in the details here, so this underscores the previous section’s point that 1) asking questions about what your rights and coverage are and 2) double and triple checking your work contract, even if it’s just a temporary seasonal gig, is really critical.

    Remember, no matter how safe your job might be, accidents do happen, and it’s crucial that you know you’re covered so that if you are injured, you can focus solely on getting better and not take a second hit in your personal finances.  

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