Lifestyle Trends

Drivers: 10 things you need to know about sharing the road with motorcycles

Anyone who rides a motorcycle knows it comes with risks. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) estimates that 4,762 motorcyclists died in accidents in 2009. Now for the good news: It was the first time in 12 years that motorcycle fatalities decreased. Read More

Back-to-school road safety tips for children and parents

Keeping kids safe never really leaves a parent's mind, but the topic takes center stage for many parents when children return to school. Read More

Small clubs and organizations need to get savvy to stay afloat

Times are tough and budgets are tight for everyone, including small organizations and clubs. Membership is more and more difficult to cultivate, which stymies the group's income. Existing members, who sometimes end up picking up the financial slack, are often forced to choose between participating in something that's meaningful to them and simply getting all their household bills paid. Read More

Social media: The best advertising money can't buy for your small business

Used to be, a diligent small business owner with a great idea and plenty of gumption could grow a business through word of mouth alone. In many ways, that's still true. Yet today, much of the "word of mouth" conversations and recommendations, which can make or break a business, are happening online, not face to face. Read More

Volunteering: Helping others could actually help you

The health benefits of volunteering are well documented and include reduced stress and risk of disease, an increased feeling of self worth and possibly even increased life expectancy. It is no wonder that for many people with chronic conditions, volunteering can even help maintain or improve one's physical health. Read More

Strapped after-school programs in need of a boost

Quality after-school programs lead to improved test scores, lower drop-out rates, decreased disciplinary action and improved work habits, according to a 2008 study conducted by researchers at the Harvard Family Research Project. As budget cuts continue, parents and other supporters can do several things to help keep school programs alive. Read More

Nonprofits leaning on individuals and corporations in tough times

A new study released by the Corporation for National and Community Services reported that the number of volunteers in America rose 1.6 million in the past year. The dramatic increase ultimately demonstrates that people are contributing to their communities at an increasing rate, even during financially challenging times. Read More

Five everyday items to donate instead of recycle

Wouldn't you like to go "green" and help provide deserving individuals with everyday items that can help improve their lives? Many charities collect and refurbish used items some find necessary for everyday activities, like eye glasses and hearing aids, as well as monetary donations. Read More

Can buildings help keep you healthy?

We spend 90 percent of our lives indoors, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. A typical day can include traveling from home to work and back home again with a few periodic trips to schools, the grocery store, the bank, malls and entertainment venues. We depend on our homes, offices, retail stores and other structures to keep us safe; but can buildings also help keep us healthy? Read More

Wanted: a new generation of lifesavers

Less than 8 percent of victims who suffer cardiac arrest at home, at work or in other public places survive. And fewer than one-third of cardiac arrest victims gets CPR from a bystander. The American Heart Association wants more people to take action and help cardiac arrest victims. Read More