These departing employees left a whopper of a message | Allyson Felix is helping pro athlete moms off the track too | Some counties are staying young as the US gets older
Why it matters:This sign seems to speak for many workers right now. These particular employees had already given notice, and they say there were issues with the conditions they were working under. So many work situations are in flux as the economy adjusts yet again. I imagine some more inconvenience lies ahead for all of us. -- Paula
Why it matters:The athletes Allyson Felix is helping play other sports in addition to hers (track and field), but they all share the intense challenge of caring for young children while pursuing their dreams. She's making it easier by partnering with her sponsor, Athleta, and the Women's Sport Foundation to give grants of $10,000 so women traveling to competitions can get child care. That's a gold medal move if you ask me. -- Paula
Why it matters: The median age in the US is expected to rise from 38 today to 43 in 2060 as baby boomers get older and younger adults have fewer children. However, there are still counties in most states with lower median ages. Many of them are home to colleges, universities and military installations with lots of younger people. See if your county made the list and find out which one is the youngest in your state. -- Cathy
Why it matters: I recently heard a Canadian who now lives in the US talk about how much coffee people in his home country drink, and I thought, "But Americans drink lots of coffee, too!" However, this infographic shows that our neighbors to the north do in fact consume more coffee, while Americans get most of our caffeine from soft drinks. Our neighbors to the south in Mexico also love soda, specifically Coca-Cola. In other parts of the world, such as Turkey, the UK and Japan, tea is the caffeine source of choice. Reading these findings makes me crave a cold Mexican Coke (made with real cane sugar) or a hot cup of coffee from Canada's own Tim Hortons. -- Cathy
Why it matters:Many workplaces are doing a better job of at least recognizing the need to improve their diversity and inclusion efforts. One population often forgotten in this mix is overweight employees. From office furniture that isn't accommodating to T-shirt giveaways that don't have size ranges that take everyone into account, there are many areas for improvement. -- Paula
Why it matters: Arvada, Colo., resident Rob Reynolds recently rescued a woman whose car went into a canal and became submerged. Reynolds got her out of the vehicle with help from two other men. This is actually the third time Reynolds has helped someone involved in an auto accident, which may be explained by the fact that he once trained to be an emergency medical technician. Today, Reynolds is applying his helping skills in another worthy undertaking: his job as a therapist. -- Cathy
Why it matters: Samuel MB looks like he's having so much fun in the photo creations he makes that insert him into Disney animation scenes! Plus, he doesn't have to get a Fast Pass to be in on the fun. -- Paula
Why it matters:I tried to make a layered red, white and blue cocktail on July 4 and it didn't turn out looking like the picture (surprise, right?). Maybe I erred in getting a recipe from a staid old-fashioned blog. TikTok might be where it's at for fun, visuals and easy instructions. -- Paula
Greetings from the youngest county in Florida (and it's definitely not because of me)! I edit nonprofit sector newsletters for SmartBrief, including the Social Work SmartBrief.
