(NewsUSA) - As the holiday season arrives, Marine Toys for Tots stands ready to assist millions of children in need across the Nation—providing hope and joy through toys, books, and other gifts.

Last year, the Marine Toys for Tots Program achieved new records with its flagship campaign, delivering over 25 million toys, books, and games to more than 10 million disadvantaged children who otherwise would have gone without and felt forgotten.

This year’s Holiday Campaign kicked off on October 1st and continues through December 25th. During this time, U.S. Marines, local Coordinators, and dedicated volunteers will conduct more than 870 local toy collection and distribution campaigns in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Toys for Tots’ local chapters are actively engaging with local businesses, media, and individuals within their communities to collect new, unwrapped toys, books, and games. The donated items will be distributed to disadvantaged children in their local areas, allowing them to experience a happy and joyful holiday season.

Inflation and the skyrocketing cost of living continue to force many families to choose rent, food, and gas over toys and gifts for their children. Toys for Tots believes no child should be forgotten during the most magical time of year. Their mission is to put a smile on every child’s face and restore hope to our Nation’s most precious resource – our children. 

“Saving Christmas is no small task,” said LtGen James B. Laster, USMC (Retired), President and CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, in a statement announcing this year’s campaign.

“Now, in our 77th season, we are asking our supporters to help us achieve another record-breaking year and deliver the magic of the holidays to every family seeking our assistance,” he said.

Everyone who supports the Toys for Tots mission is a ‘Secret Santa,’ whether by placing toys, books, or games in the iconic white collection boxes in their communities or through monetary contributions.

Help Marine Toys for Tots deliver gifts of hope and joy to children in need this holiday season by visiting https://secure.toysfortots.org/a/august-paid-search-main-donation-page to donate today!

(NewsUSA) - The United States is poised for global leadership in the area of AI and robotics as discussed at the AI+ Robotics Summit hosted by the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), a nonprofit and nonpartisan initiative with a goal of making recommendations to strengthen America's long-term competitiveness in AI. The sessions highlighted significant technological advancements and outlined ways to achieve and maintain global leadership, said SCSP in a recent newsletter.

Key takeaways regarding AI and robotics identified at the summit include:

1. Advances in AI have enabled robotics to move from physics-based problems to natural language solutions. The next generation of robots will be powered in part by LLMs, simulation computers, and on-device robotic foundation models.
2. Using AI in simulation environments to model robot interactions at machine scale. Gathering simulation and real-world data would allow robots to expand beyond factories and warehouses.
3. Future factories will be highly automated due to advanced manufacturing. Factories are the testing ground for innovation in AI-enabled robotics. These advances will also support a transformation across industries ranging from agriculture to medicine to construction.
4. Brainstorming “moonshot” ideas. Players from all parts of the U.S. robotics ecosystem could get behind big ideas that would fuel the U.S. robotics ecosystem to technological advantage, such as investing in robotics supply chains and leveraging AI-enabled robots to search for life in outer space.
5. Taking advantage of voluntary public-private partnerships. Today’s AI and robotics innovations are driven by the private sector, but partnerships can help bridge technology gaps, strengthen supply chains, and address workforce challenges.
6. Promoting private investment in hardware. The U.S. government can reduce the risk for private investment in robotics production at scale with incentives such as tax credits.
7. Embracing new jobs. Placing AI at the center of learning will educate the next generation workforce with new skills to adapt to an evolving technology landscape.
8. Accelerating learning, mapping, and cooperating on robotics with allies. The U.S. should work with partner nations to foster structural cooperation on shared programs.
9. Catching up to China’s industrial robotics. China has aggressively adopted new technologies for robotics in manufacturing. These investments and initiatives pose a competitive challenge to the U.S.
10. Bringing robotics to the forefront of U.S. technology strategies. China has outcompeted the U.S. in robotics and the lack of a national strategy illustrates how it is a secondary consideration.

Visit scsp.ai to learn more, and visit the SCSP YouTube channel to watch sessions from the AI+ Robotics Summit.

(NewsUSA) -  

The holidays are here, and you can be the host with the most by offering guests a truly distinctive and delicious menu to celebrate in style.

A holiday brunch is a great way to relax and reconnect with friends and family. A menu that adapts easily to large or small groups leaves you more time to spend with your guests.

Don’t be afraid to get creative with food and drinks based on your theme when planning your holiday party and going snowman. Try snowman pancakes: place two pancakes on a plate with one on top of the other, take a piece of bacon and place it where the pancakes meet for a scarf; chocolate chips, nuts, mini M&Ms, or raisins can serve as eyes, nose, or buttons. Please keep it simple, or make it sophisticated. 

Don’t want to mess up the kitchen? Slide some mini powdered donuts onto skewers and add chocolate candy hats (mini Reese’s cups?) and licorice scarves for a simple snowman kabob that will delight all ages.

(NewsUSA) - Covet the Chaos by Caleb Shawn Sully

Based on a true story. Emerging from his service in Iraq, a soldier seeks redemption and solace by joining the Peace Corps and volunteering in Ukraine, only to grapple with the weight of his experiences and the shifting landscape of his moral compass. He finds he must set aside idealistic notions of escape and atonement and confront the ghosts of his past and the complex reality of the present. The saga delves into his journey of assimilation and self-discovery.

His attempts to forge connections—particularly with the enigmatic Katya and the volatile Sgt. Ramsey—serve to unearth deeper layers of pain and resilience. As a consequence of his journey throughout the battlefields of Iraq and the post-Soviet world of a quaint Ukrainian village, he comes to terms with the nature of suffering and the pursuit of meaning in a world marked by chaos and uncertainty. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3XlicYS.

A Wink at Coronavirus by Kiran Katib

"Hope in the times of Pandemic" is Kiran Katib's heartfelt response to a world turned upside down by COVID-19. This children's book is her endeavor to demystify the challenges of the pandemic for young minds, offering clarity and comfort through engaging narratives. Her stories are crafted with a delicate balance of education and hope, guiding children to a place of understanding and resilience. With each page, she encourages her readers to look beyond the present and toward the horizon filled with promise and endless possibilities.

The author’s narrative is one of heartfelt transformation, from the serenity of village life to the vibrant pulse of urban education. Rooted in the values of a small town, she found solace and inspiration in the art of storytelling. As a mother of a bright 12-year-old boy, hard transition through life's stages has been mirrored in her son's growth. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3T7Ntfb.

Authenticity and Grace by David Smith PhD

This concise guide demonstrates how to uncover our “authentic life.” Beyond traditional psychology and religion lies the ever-extraordinary power of Grace. Understanding how Grace unfolds as our individual life reveals our true purpose. Dr. Smith teaches us how to identify and use what he calls “Gracepoints” to remove the barriers such as anxiety, depression, fear, and despair that keep us from seeing how the natural power of Grace unfolds in our lives.

The best news of all: Grace is free. Everyone has access to their authentic lives — the only requirement is to get out of the way, bypassing the ego and conditioned thinking covering up our authentic selves. This powerful guide shows us clearly what Grace is, how it can heal, and how we restore the awareness, energy, and the lost sense of wonder which makes us truly individual and human. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4d6bgn8.

Triumph to Tragedy, Book Four by Daniel J.D. Bayard

This book marks the continuing chronicle of the first (and only) successful slave revolution in the world, ultimately spawning the Republic of Haiti. The story is hardly a fairy tale, as the factual events are all too true. It recounts the circumstances and individuals purposely ignored by world history texts for far too long. The books are brimming with romance, intrigue, war, and political betrayal, all seductive page-turners that entertain and educate readers, countrymen, and history buffs alike.

After 13 years of constant turmoil, the Bayard family has deftly navigated their lives through the ever-shifting political landscape. Death and destruction loomed at every turn for Jean and Marie, determined to carve out their success despite all odds. Book Four opens after their victory over Napoleon Bonaparte’s French army. They soon realize establishing stability and peace may be more challenging than fighting for their freedom.

Purchase at https://www.triumphtotragedy.com/triumphtotragedybookstore.

(NewsUSA) - The popularity of deep-fried turkey continues to rise and it’s no wonder, a 12-pound turkey takes less than 45 minutes to cook! The rule of thumb is 3.5 minutes per pound. Home cooks no longer have to be intimidated by the idea of deep frying. Chef Kyle Andreasen from the Wesson cooking oil test kitchen, shares his secrets to deep fried turkey perfection.  

“The challenge with big meals is making sure all the dishes are ready at the same time,” says Andreasen. “Deep frying frees up space in your oven, has a much faster cook time, and the cooked turkey stays hot for at up to an hour once it’s done. So, you’ve got time to get everything prepped to serve at once.”

To get delectable results, Chef Kyle says the trick is to start a week in advance. Fully thaw out the frozen turkey in the fridge, season it and give it a couple of days to dry out. Placing a turkey in hot oil that is not fully defrosted or dried off is dangerous, so don’t do it!

What size turkey to deep fry? The ideal turkey for frying is 10 to 12 pounds. This size fits the fryer and ensures juicy, well-cooked meat. When buying the turkey, stock up on 4 gallons of Wesson canola oil to fill your fryer on the big day. Wesson has a pure, neutral flavor which ensures you taste the delicious turkey – not the oil. You’ll get a wonderful crisp skin and succulent tender meat.

How to prepare a turkey: One week out, place the frozen, packaged turkey on a tray and thaw it in the refrigerator. Two days before Thanksgiving, remove and discard the packaging, neck and giblets. Place the turkey into the empty frying pot, adding water to just cover the turkey. Remove the turkey and mark the water line with a piece of tape – this will be your oil fill line. Pat the turkey dry and season it generously with salt inside and out. Refrigerate uncovered until the big day. This allows the seasoning to sink-in so it stays on the bird when frying.

The big day: Start about two hours before you plan to serve. Fill your turkey fryer with Wesson canola oil to one inch below the fill line you marked and discard the tape. The oil expands when heated and will raise the volume to the fill line. Heat the oil in the turkey fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (takes about 30 minutes). Have oven mitts, kitchen towels, a thermometer, and a wire rack on hand.

How to fry a turkey:  Place turkey on the hook or basket that came with the fryer, with legs facing up. Dry the turkey thoroughly inside and out with paper towels before frying. Once the oil is hot, turn the gas off, put on the oven mitts, and slowly lower the turkey into the pot. Then turn the heat back on, but do not cover. Set the timer and make sure someone monitors the frying, adjusting the temperature as needed to maintain 350˚ F. A 12-pound turkey will take less than 45 minutes.

When the timer goes off, turn off the heat, lift the turkey from the fryer, and place it on a rack over a pan. Check the internal temperature of the middle of the breast and the middle of the thighs to make sure it’s the USDA recommended temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit for turkey. Let the cooked turkey rest uncovered for at least 60 minutes before carving. For this recipe and more, visit purewesson.com.

Be safe! Only deep fry outside. Read your fryer’s instructions, follow all safety recommendations, and have a fire extinguisher rated for oil fires on hand.

(NewsUSA) - Seattle, WA – iLocal, Inc., a leader in website development and search engine optimization (SEO), announces its latest suite of services designed to help businesses maximize online visibility, increase customer engagement, and drive measurable growth. Known for its innovative digital solutions, iLocal, Inc. combines a personalized approach with industry-leading technology to deliver high-quality, fully optimized websites that rank well in search results and convert visitors into loyal customers.

With the rapid rise of online competition, businesses in every sector need a digital presence that stands out. iLocal, Inc. provides comprehensive website development services that cover every aspect, from the initial design to the final launch. Each site is meticulously crafted to reflect a business's unique brand and is fully optimized for a seamless user experience. Beyond aesthetics, iLocal, Inc. focuses on functionality and speed, ensuring that websites not only attract visitors but also keep them engaged.

"Today, an effective website is a fundamental asset for any business," said Jason Morgan, owner of iLocal, Inc. "But it’s not just about having a good-looking website; it’s about being seen. That’s where SEO comes in. Our team has a deep understanding of search engine algorithms and uses data-driven strategies to enhance website rankings. We help clients dominate search results, so they don’t just compete—they lead."

As an SEO-first agency, iLocal, Inc. is also at the forefront of the latest search engine optimization techniques, including keyword research, content optimization, and link-building strategies. By creating high-quality, targeted content and implementing advanced SEO tactics, iLocal, Inc. enhances the visibility and ranking of its clients' websites on major search engines like Google and Bing. The result is increased organic traffic, greater brand recognition, and a higher return on investment.

For more information about iLocal, Inc. and its website development and SEO services, visit ilocal.net or contact their team at (206) 790-1999.

About iLocal, Inc.

iLocal, Inc. is a full-service digital agency specializing in website development, SEO, and online marketing solutions. With a team of skilled developers, designers, and SEO experts, iLocal, Inc. has helped businesses across various industries enhance their online presence and achieve sustainable growth.

(NewsUSA) - This year marks the 10th Annual National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), which will take place from November 17-23!

NAW 2024 includes over 2,000 apprenticeship events and proclamations in all 50 states across the Country as well as the District of Columbia and three territories. This is an all-time record in the 10-year history of NAW. These events are hosted by ApprenticeshipUSA partners including federal, state, and local government agencies, as well as industry representatives, labor and community-based organizations, workforce partners, educational institutions, and other related employers. The public is encouraged to seek out events in their local communities and attend. 

NAW activities and events help to showcase the ways in which the National Apprenticeship System strengthens the American economy by developing a highly skilled workforce to meet industry needs, creating pathways for career seekers to catapult into good jobs, and advancing racial and gender equity. 

NAW 2024 offers a unique opportunity to share the significant progress made in Registered Apprenticeship programs not only on a national level, but also within individual regions and states, thanks to the hard work of ApprenticeshipUSA partners. The events demonstrate the unifying power of the ApprenticeshipUSA ecosystem through uplifting examples of partnership and collaboration among national Registered Apprenticeship participants. 

This year’s theme, National Apprenticeship Week 2024: Celebrating 10 Years of Engagement, Expansion, and Innovation, reflects the transformative power of Registered Apprenticeship and its ability to bring together key national, regional, state, and local stakeholders across the country to meet critical workforce needs. Daily themes for the week are:

• Monday, November 18:  Youth and Young Adult Apprenticeship Day
• Tuesday, November 19: Registered Apprenticeship in New and Emerging Industries and Around the Globe
• Wednesday, November 20: Expanding Registered Apprenticeship to Underserved Populations 
• Thursday, November 21: Women in Apprenticeship
• Friday, November 22: Federal Apprenticeship and Veterans in Apprenticeship

Since NAW’s inception, Registered Apprenticeship has gained greater recognition as a tool to create the highly skilled workforce necessary to modernize our country’s infrastructure, build clean energy technologies, address cybersecurity threats, and build a stronger care economy. Registered Apprenticeships also create essential on-ramps for job seekers to enter robust career pathways.   

Over the past decade, ApprenticeshipUSA partners have hosted approximately 10,000 apprenticeship events attended by more than 1.4 million individuals of all ages and backgrounds.

The collective outreach and events held by partners during NAW since its inception has significantly broadened public awareness of Registered Apprenticeship. The dedicated efforts of ApprenticeshipUSA partners working to expand the National Apprenticeship System have led to the following accomplishments: 

• More than 2.3 million new Registered Apprentices have been registered since 2015.
• Active apprentice participation has increased by 80% from 360,026 to 659,947 apprentices.
• Join over 23,000 new Registered Apprenticeship programs have been established.

Events and activities have included Registered Apprenticeship program open houses for career seekers, skills competitions, community forums, apprentice graduations, business open houses, high school or college career fairs, apprenticeship signing days, industry roundtable events, diversity and inclusion dialogues, and more.

To learn more about NAW 2024 and how to get involved, please visit www.apprenticeship.gov/national-apprenticeship-week.

(NewsUSA) - One in three active-duty families of color have turned down military assignments due to concerns about racism or lack of inclusion in local communities, according to research from Blue Star Families’ Campaign for Inclusion. For two-thirds of these service members, declining orders led to negative career impacts — and for 15%, it was career-ending. 

"When military families of color turn down assignments due to community concerns, it impacts not just family well-being but our national security," said Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO of Blue Star Families. "With most recruitable U.S. adults projected to be people of color within five years, creating truly inclusive communities isn't just the right thing to do — it's essential for maintaining our All-Volunteer Force."

The latest research from Blue Star Families' Campaign for Inclusion examined how communities can better support diverse military families through case studies of three distinct military communities: Hill Air Force Base (Utah), San Antonio (Texas, "Military City USA"), and Hampton Roads (Virginia).

Key findings reveal that both formal systems (like community resources and programs) and informal networks (neighbors and local connections) are foundational for military families developing a sense of belonging. Having multiple shared identities — from military affiliation to cultural background — strengthens these connections.

The research found that individual acts of welcome — from neighbors introducing themselves to communities providing culturally relevant services — make the biggest difference in helping military families feel at home. For example, San Antonio's military spouse employment programs and Hampton Roads' diverse cultural resources demonstrate how communities can create infrastructure supporting inclusion.

Building on this, here are five ways individuals and communities can activate to support local military and Veteran families. 

1. Create Family-Friendly Spaces: Organize inclusive events and shared community spaces that bring military and civilian families together naturally.
2. Connect Through Nature: Collaborate on outdoor initiatives like community gardens and hiking clubs that facilitate organic relationship-building.
3. Celebrate Diverse Cultures: Host events honoring various cultural traditions throughout the year, not just during designated months.
4. Revive Block Parties: Foster neighborhood connections through welcoming events that help military families build local bonds.
5. Build Inclusion Programs: Develop comprehensive initiatives focused on direct support, community partnerships, and cultural integration.

"Every community member has the power to help military families feel welcomed and valued," added Roth-Douquet. "These actions aren't just about being good neighbors — they directly impact military readiness and our nation's ability to recruit and retain the force we need."

This research is part of Blue Star Families' ongoing Campaign for Inclusion initiative to strengthen military communities through greater understanding and support of diverse military families.

To learn more about the Blue Star Families Campaign for Inclusion and ways to support military families in your community, visit BlueStarFam.org/CFI.

(NewsUSA) - Lost in Thought by Deborah Serra

Does your mind wander? Where does it go without you?

Ilana manages an opera house in Manhattan. Her world is well-planned until she begins to question her choices. Having been adopted, she decides to secretly spy on her birth family. When she does, her life explodes.

This novel is about how our lives are driven by unconscious choices and the consequences from our illusion of free will.

“Ilana’s journey as a woman trying to figure out who she is, is compelling, unexpected, and also heartbreaking. This novel captured me.” — Delia Ephron, author, screenwriter

“I am in awe. This is an extraordinary story, and one that will remain with me.” — WendiReviews

“This novel is a masterclass in psychological fiction.” — Rekha Rao

 “This book is about a character navigating matters of self-control. It’s gripping."  — Patricia S. Churchland, author, MacArthur grant recipient, neuro-philosopher

Purchase at https://bit.ly/3AFn4zk.

Civil Unity by Shola Richards

In order to transform our world, we must unite behind a new kind of civility.

In a world that is more divided than ever, it will take a radical act to transform our discourse, our lives, and our world. International civility consultant and keynote speaker Shola Richards believes that unifying our world around the power of civility is that radical act, and it’s not for the faint of heart.

Civil Unity is not another book about turning the other cheek when faced with harmful or hateful behavior. This book is about providing the practical tactics to disagree more effectively, bridge ideological divisions, actively prioritize our mental health, and fiercely create a more civil world that will sustain over time. If you are ready to transform our discourse, our lives, and our world, let’s get to work. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3yH4iqD.

The Little Bird by Ashby Jones

In 1964, a Black teenager was murdered by a drunken white cop who got away with the crime, and eight years later, the boy’s best friend, Shane, returns from combat intent on carving out justice himself. Suzanne, the daughter of the lawyer who failed in prosecuting the case, also lands back in Virginia, but her aim is to follow her father’s path to suicide, a path created by his loss and the severe rheumatoid arthritis that followed.

Shane and Suzanne were four years apart in high school and barely knew each other before they met, but after a chance encounter, an almost instant connection is made. Neither knows the other’s secret goal, but as their bonds deepen, their love will be tested by familial duty, long-held grief, and even shifting sanity. But love might have other plans for Shane and Suzanne. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3AJZ7GY.

Here There is No Why by Philip Graubart

Did Chaim Lerner, acclaimed Israeli author and Holocaust survivor, kill himself in 1983, 38 years after surviving Auschwitz? If so, was it traumatic memories finally catching up to him? Or despair over Holocaust denialism? Or ordinary, difficult health issues? Or simply a deadly episode of depression?

Or was it murder?

In 2005, Judah Loeb, Lerner's former student and now a struggling American journalist and single father, travels to Jerusalem to investigate Lerner's death. He drags along his 15-year-old daughter, Hannah, and they team up with Charlie, Judah's former Hebrew University roommate, now a Jerusalem homicide detective. Their investigation takes them through the darker corners of the Israeli psyche, where they uncover secrets that threaten to destroy Lerner's reputation and alter Jewish history. While probing the mysteries of Israel's past, they encounter personal betrayal, heartbreak, and the fragile possibilities of forgiveness and redemption. Purchase at https://bit.ly/46ZJLdy.

(NewsUSA) - Economic uncertainty and higher prices have brought shifts in consumer behavior, yet recent sales trends show steady spending, and economic indicators are moving in a positive direction heading into the holiday season. New data from ICSC, the member organization for the Marketplaces Industry, suggests that most people are eager to enjoy themselves this holiday season—including shopping and dining out.

ICSC has released its Annual Holiday Shopping Intentions Survey for 2024, and results suggest that 92% of American consumers plan to participate in holiday shopping this year, the highest percentage since 2019. The organization also forecasts an increase of 3.0% to 3.5% in retail sales from October through December, with a 6.0% increase in food and beverage sales.

Although online shopping continues, many shoppers combine online purchases with visits to brick-and-mortar stores. ICSC’s survey showed that nearly all in-store shoppers also plan to buy online from a retailer’s website, and almost half said that in-store browsing influences online purchases.

Shoppers will spend an average of approximately $700 on gifts and other holiday items this year, according to the data, with 58% reporting a plan to buy gift cards, 52% planning to buy clothing and accessories, and 50% planning to buy toys and games.

“Despite economic headwinds, 70% of holiday shoppers feel their financial situation is better than or the same as this time last year, signaling measured optimism among consumers,” said Tom McGee, President and CEO of ICSC. “Interest rate cuts and easing inflation are taking some pressure off holiday shoppers, but other macro factors such as geopolitical turmoil and the results of this year’s election are still at play.”

Consumers are still planning to spend this holiday season but are increasingly focused on how they can find the best prices, according to ICSC. Though inflation is moderating, 9 in 10 say it will impact their purchase decisions. In response, most consumers say they’ll plan to spend more time hunting for deals and discounts, and 68% say they’ll visit brick-and-mortar stores more often in pursuit of promotions – seven percentage points higher than in 2023.

“Shoppers overall are well-positioned for the holiday season,” McGee added. “While this year has seen consumers tighten their belts in some areas, they’re continuing to spend – and we expect that moderating inflation and a steady labor market will help maintain spending throughout the holiday season.”

Visit icsc.com for more information.