Month: June 2020

What Are the Red Flags for Bogus Remote Jobs?

 

The 5 red flags

The thing is, the job market for legitimate remote jobs is very similar to the overall job market in terms of the types of jobs you’ll find. Remote jobs are positions like accountant, teacher, customer service representative, sales rep, lawyer, software engineer and other regular jobs. They just happen to be done from home.

The key is, when you’re looking for listings, know what the red flags are. Typically, there are some telltale signs that indicate a job posting is probably a scam, including:

  1. The job listing sounds too good to be true, with mention of quick money, unlimited earning potential and free work-from-home jobs.
  2. There is a sense of urgency, or the recruiter is pushing you to accept the job now. Any legitimate company won’t push you into accepting a job offer immediately.
  3. The job post or email has obvious grammatical errors or spelling mistakes or has lots of capitalization and punctuation (“!!! WORK FROM HOME $$$”). More on this later.
  4. You’re offered the job without a recruiter verifying your work experience or asking for references.
  5. The job description is unusually vague or spends too much time discussing how easy the job is or how much money you’ll make.

On the other hand, a real remote job will require you to apply just like you would with any other job. You may need to submit a resume and cover letter, take a test or submit samples of your work. You’ll likely be invited to interview, often with multiple interviews, before being offered the job.

The True Test

If you think you’ve come across a scam, a quick internet search may tell you more: Do a search for the word “scam” and the job title or company’s name. The results might include local news stories, Better Business Bureau complaints and even FBI warnings.

When in doubt, walk away — if you feel like a job may be a scam, it’s not worth finding out the hard way.

More Red Flags

Are there many grammatical errors in the job posting or back-and-forth communications. When you engage with a legitimate company or professional, you shouldn’t encounter numerous misspelled words or phrases in any messaging. If you do, this is a classic sign of a scam as many fraudsters don’t have the money (or a trusted team!) to invest in having their job descriptions and emails copyedited for spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization and verb tense.

A Google Hangouts interview is requested immediately versus a scheduled phone or video call. You’d probably encounter this on large job boards or LinkedIn. During the chat, they tend to ask you for highly personal information. 

You’re asked for personal information and/or an investment upfront. Run. But in all seriousness, if someone asks you to complete a form or provide your social security number, driver’s license number, credit card information etc., cut ties immediately. The same is true if you’re asked to write a check, purchase gift cards or transfer money to an account for a computer or home office equipment.

The listing emphasizes a ridiculous salary, yet the job description is super hazy. In this case, a scammer is trying to appeal to the masses – presenting an opportunity that basically any human who’s of the minimum age for employment would meet. If a job posting is genuine, you can expect to receive the 411, from the official job title to daily tasks expected, education or experience needed, essential personality traits or skills and some background on the company.

 

Source: Brie Weiler Reynolds for Money talks news

Ironic, Isn’t It ?

No, not the Alanis Morrisette song, it’s real life happenings in the U.S. A business owner got arrested and fined $7500 for daring to open her hairstyling business before the locals allowed her to. Ironic then, are the people who might loot her business and NOT be arrested. But if they were, they would be released within hours because of covid restrictions. Only in America.

This Is How Your Mind Works

If you want to be able to manage your mindset, it helps to understand something about what’s going on inside your head.

You don’t have to be a brain surgeon or neuroscientist to be curious about the contents of your skull. The human brain is the most complex thing in the universe, and you get to own one – how amazing is that?

There might be some truth here, or, it could be all gibberish! You decide.

This Is How Your Mind Works

Just in the nick of time-National Donut Day

Tim Nelson

I know this probably isn’t the most important thing on your mind right now, but National Doughnut Day is happening on June 5. I don’t really have anything pithy to say about it at the moment, but if people are going to be giving away doughnuts for free, you might as well know about it and take advantage if you can.

Krispy Kreme, as you might be aware, has turned National Doughnut Day into National Doughnut Week. Every day through June 5, you can roll up to Krispy Kreme and get one free doughnut, no purchase necessary. So, if you’re anxious to get that free doughnut right now, you know where to go.

Dunkin’, who always makes me think of Darren Rovell’s mad tweet about being forced to ask for his free doughnut, is also participating this week. They’re offering a free doughnut with purchase of a beverage on Friday at participating locations. 

However you choose to celebrate National Doughnut Day, just know there are options out there. Do with that info what you will.

yahoo.com/lifestyle

14 Men’s Health Symptoms to Never Ignore

“I’ll be fine.” That may be the response you get from some men when they experience unusual health symptoms, but “rub some dirt on it” isn’t really a medical remedy you can rely on. There are several reasons why men don’t live as long as women on average (76 for men, 81 for women according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), but a common one is that men may be more likely than women to avoid doctors and ignore serious symptoms. 

Men’s health symptom: Erectile dysfunction

Most men don’t want to talk or even think about erectile dysfunction (ED), but it could be a red flag for a much more serious disease (like this).”If you are 45 to 50 and your only health issue is that ‘it doesn’t work in the bedroom the way that it used to,’ that’s a huge red flag,” says Joseph Alukal, MD, a urologist at the NYU Langone Preston Robert Tisch Center for Men’s Health in New York City. ED may signal a lack of blood flow, which indicates trouble in other parts of the body too, such as the heart and the brain.”If you develop ED, it is as likely to predict a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years as a smoking or family history of heart disease.”

Men’s health symptom: Trouble swallowing

Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) is a symptom that men should never ignore, says David Poppers, MD, a gastroenterologist at the Tisch Center for Men’s Health in New York City. It is one of the signs of acid reflux (here are five more), and it can also be a harbinger of an allergic condition or possibly esophageal cancer and needs evaluation, he says. 

Men’s health symptom: Weight gain

Unintentional weight loss is a red flag of an underlying health issue, but on the flip side, excessive weight gain can also signal problems. For some men, belly fat or that “beer gut” may be a marker for heart problems. Research published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that the more abdominal weight a man carries, the greater his risk of heart disease. “What’s really interesting is that we show that an increase in the amount of stomach fat and a lower density fat is associated with worse heart disease risk factors—even after accounting for how much weight was gained,” says Caroline Fox, MD, MPH, former senior investigator for the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute and the study’s senior researcher, in a news release. Weight gain can also be a sign of depression or stress, Dr. Lamm adds. There are other signs that your weight gain means trouble. Your doctor can help you sort out what’s going on.

Men’s health symptom: Jaw pain

Chest pain and pressure may be typical for heart disease, but jaw and neck pain, arm numbness, feeling faint, and/or shortness of breath—especially if the symptoms occur during activity and resolve with rest—could also be a sign of heart disease or heart attack in men, says Dr. Applebaum. Make sure you know these common heart attack signs and symptoms so you’ll be able to recognize heart attack symptoms if they should occur.

This article by Denise Mann of The Healthy continues at:

©thehealthy.com

Photo credit: ©Kenchiro 168 /shutterstock

What is Amtrak Doing to Protect Travelers

© photo courtesy of Amtrak train, dome car, amtrak

As travel restrictions are lifted, Americans are looking to hit the road again, and Amtrak is ready to provide a safe environment to protect the experience.

Amtrak has operated as an essential service throughout the coronavirus outbreak despite some routes being reduced or suspended, but an increase in demand in the coming weeks is expected to mean additional services.

The changes start as soon as customers book their travel, as Amtrak is waiving all change and cancellation fees for reservations made by August 31. The company also announced it would limit ticket sales to allow for physical distancing while traveling.

At Amtrak stations, travelers will notice enhanced cleaning protocols, social distancing guidelines, mandatory face coverings for all employees and customers, and passengers being asked to arrive only 30 minutes before departure.

“Now more than ever, we stand ready to play a critical role as our nation recovers,” Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn said in a statement. “We are doing everything we can to offer vital transportation services in a way that prioritizes employee and customer safety and well-being.”

Rail riders should be ready for a contact-free travel experience, with Amtrak now only accepting cashless payments, encouraging boarding with eTickets and sending gate and track information via the company’s mobile app.

Once on board the train, passengers will be encouraged to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water, required to wear facial coverings while on trains or thruway buses and asked to follow the conductors’ instructions on where and when they can disembark to minimize crowding.

For travelers looking for a bite to eat, Amtrak’s Cafe service will be available as carryout only and the company is temporarily offering flexible dining service in the dining or lounge car on all long-distance routes.

For added protection, protective plastic barriers are being installed at cafe countertops.

By Donald wood for Travel Pulse

Note: I posted this article because many people are having second thoughts about airplane travel. 3 across seating, no masks, and still the hassle of just getting through security and onto the aircraft. Although train travel would be ideal for short distances, say from Chicago to St. Louis (5 hours), long-distance travel via Amtrak may not work for you. It’s about a 36 hour train trip from Chicago to L.A., but less than 4 hours by plane. That’s the ugly truth about long-distance travel by train. An option is a sleeping berth, but it’s still 36 hours ! In terms of scenic travel, Amtrak is fantastic. Look into Amtrak’s California Surfliner route that runs from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano. It parallels the Pacific Ocean and stops at cities like L.A., Ventura, and Santa Barbara.

Barnard College’s Corpse Flower Bloomed for the First Time

Even though school may not be in session, the gardeners at the Arthur Ross Greenhouse at Barnard College in New York City are still actively working to exercise their green thumb. Recently, a rare and endangered corpse flower (Amorphophallus titanium) bloomed in the campus greenhouse after years of being nurtured. The corpse flower, affectionately nicknamed “Berani,” has been growing for seven years on the campus (Martha’s alma mater!), but it didn’t start to bloom until April 2020.

Our brave Barnard ‘Berani’ has chosen to bloom during an unprecedented time of anxiety, sorrow, isolation, and social distancing. Fortunately, we were always planning to augment in-person experiences with online tools so that Barnard students who are away from campus in summer could enjoy the event,” said Hilary Callahan, the greenhouse director and Ann Whitney Olin Professor of Biological Sciences.

The corpse flower, which hails from Sumatra, Indonesia, is notoriously smelly once it blooms. It’s aptly named; some say that it smells, well, like a corpse when. But greenhouse administrator Nick Gershberg told Mental Floss that it really smells like dead fish, Camembert cheese that has been left out overnight, and the odor of slightly decayed lilies. Are you intrigued yet?

What started as a plant the size of a potato has grown to nearly five feet, rising four to six inches each day as it bloomed. This species is noted for being the tallest unbranched inflorescence. Gershberg confirmed that that the flower reached its peak on May 31st, at which point it measured 72 inches tall and 44 inches wide. The flower only stays in full bloom for about 48 hours, then starts to wilt. Experts at the Arthur Ross Greenhouse are currently planning ways to preserve the flower’s petals. After the roots die, Gershberg says that they will replant the tuber, which will begin the re-growth process within three to six months.

See the USA–Michigan

Michigan Has A Grand Canyon, Canyon Falls And It’s Incredibly Beautiful

It’s no secret that the Grand Canyon is one of America’s most breathtaking attractions. If you’ve ever seen it, you’ll agree. The sweeping views are jawdroppingly gorgeous and a humbling reminder of how beautiful nature can be. But did you know that Michigan is home to its own “Grand Canyon,” complete with natural beauty that will leave you speechless? Lace up those boots, because today we’re taking you to one of the most beautiful natural attractions around, Canyon Falls in Michigan. Affectionally called “The Grand Canyon of Michigan,” you’ll quickly fall in love with this natural oasis, and it might even become your new favorite hiking spot! Let’s take a closer look.

Canyon Falls is an impressive and easy to visit falls, and the gorge is quite impressive by Michigan standards. A scenic trail along the Sturgeon River to a series of rapids and small waterfalls before you reach Canyon Falls. “Grand Canyon of the UP”. The river slides nearly 30′ over a large chute of smooth black rock into a box canyon.

Fall View

Summer


Situated south of L’Anse, off US 41, the scenic Canyon Falls and Gorge is a true treasure of the Upper Peninsula. No trip to the U.P. is complete without a stop at this gorgeous location on the banks of the Sturgeon River.


More Waterfalls Near Michigan’s Grand Canyon
Several smaller falls are located along the Sturgeon River. If you have swimming in mind, a quiet spot at the second waterfall has a lovely pool that welcomes you. Slow-moving water provides the perfect place for a dip. 

A mostly level mile-long hike will take visitors to the marvelous Canyon Falls, where many enjoy picnic lunches and unparalleled views of Michigan’s natural wonder.

So the next time someone mentions their trip to the Grand Canyon, be sure to ask for clarification: “Which one?”

Have you visited Canyon Falls in Michigan, “The Grand Canyon of Michigan?”

Thanks for the article by Sophie Boudreau of onlyinyoustate.com.

Note: this part of Michigan is in the upper part, situated mostly above the state of Wisconsin. Watch for Canyon Falls Roadside Park on Rt. 41 more near the town of Alberta, Mi.

Canyon Falls | photo via @macadudek