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Infrastructure Plan Could Bring Electrical Contracting Boom

According to the American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2021 “Report Card for America’s Infrastructure,” the United States received an overall C- grade for the state of its infrastructure. Every spring, the nation’s student bodies, businesses, organizations, and local governments (including federal) receive a report card measuring performance.

The report acknowledges the nation’s inadequately updated infrastructure, including the electrical grid. The American Jobs Plan presented by President Joe Biden will cost roughly $2 trillion. Around $698 billion is set aside for the electrical grid, water systems, broadband, school systems, and more.

Funded by an increase in the corporate tax rate (21 percent increased 28 percent), there are many unknowns about how the plan will pan out through the upcoming months. With significant push-back in the Senate expected, the plan could eventually be scaled back.

Biden said that his vision of “building back better” could lead to the creation of “up to 16 million good-paying jobs,” in his May 6 speech in Lake Charles, LA. Biden described it as a “blue-collar blueprint to rebuild America and supercharge our economy.”

James Farrell, executive director of government affairs for the National Electrical Contractors Association, is a proponent of the proposed plan. He said, “The state of our infrastructure is a mess, and we’re at a major disadvantage in terms of its efficiency, quality, and safety when compared to many developed countries. The American Jobs Plan is a very ambitious proposal that will help rebuild and modernize our nation’s infrastructure, and, if this plan or any infrastructure plan is enacted with significant federal resources, it would be a huge boost to the electrical construction industry.”

Farrell said, among its many benefits, “We anticipate a number of jobs to be created as projects roll out from the infrastructure plan over the next few years, as economic studies show that every $1 billion in infrastructure investment creates 28,500 direct and indirect jobs, providing our economy and American taxpayers with a high return on investment.”

With more electricians exiting the industry than joining each year, electrical contracting is seeing a well-known shortage of skilled labor. By 2024, as many as 85,000 unfulfilled positions will be available, according to recent forecasts by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. The investment proposed in the plan could lead to between $100- to $200-billlion in electrical contracting activity, along with up to 600 million incremental worker-hours.

J&P Electrical is a full-service electrical equipment company. At J&P, we supply contractors, end-users, and supply houses with new surplus, quality reconditioned, and obsolete electrical equipment. We also purchase a wide range of electrical equipment such as bus plugs, ducts, panel switches, substations, and transformers. Call us at 877-844-5514 or visit us at https://www.jpelectricalcompany.com.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

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Six Ways to Create an Open Illusion in a Small or Windowless Bathroom

Bathrooms can sometimes be an afterthought when it comes to windows. This leaves many houses with a windowless bathroom that feels boxed in.

  1. Use Glass and Lucite: Without windows, you might want to decorate with objects that don’t absorb light. With a small amount of color and transparent yet functional pieces, Lucite is a perfect accessory on the counter. Glass is more delicate; either material is not only functional but can de-clutter your space with ease.

  2. Embrace White: One of the best ways to reflect light is to use white throughout the space. White accessories and furniture can be used instead of paint – think outside of the box and keep the room fresh by adding a breezy chair, delicate rug, fixtures, and more.

  3. Mirror, Mirror: Known to expand spaces, mirrors are great for creating distance or double the space visually. Full mirrors are especially handy for extending areas and, bonus, are super easy to install.

  4. Airy Vanity: These can sometimes be clunky and chunky aspects of the bathroom, but if you can store some bathroom items in a nearby closet, a longer, more open vanity will help the area feel less boxy. You can also add a towel shelf to open the space up.
  • Fake It: Though your bathroom might not physically have a window, you could make it appear as though a window is there. If you add a bathroom shade in front of a blank wall and add a light behind it, it will give an illusion of a window.
  • Lighting: Windows allow horizontal light in the room to balance overhead light, so without a window, vertical lighting can flatten the space. Wall fixtures offer another option for horizontal light and can bring a glow into your space.

Interested in remodeling your bathroom? Contact the reconstruction experts at JFC Remodeling today!

JFC Remodeling is committed to providing top-quality home reconstruction services to clients throughout Livingston County. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, our licensed contractors create unique, individualized, and polished renovations. Whether the site requires an improvement, repair, or is a new construction, you can trust our experts to deliver remarkable results. Call: 810-923-1123, e-mail: jfcllc@comcast.net, or visit us at: www.jfcremodeling.com today.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

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What Does Closing Entail?

Finding the house you want and making an offer are just the first steps before purchasing a home. After the inspection and appraisal come back adequate, it’s time to submit the required documents. Finally, the last step is to get your keys during closing.

An exciting yet nerve-wracking point in the process, closing is the last thing standing between you and your house. As long as you are working with a great mortgage provider and real estate agent, you can expect closing to be (almost) effortless. Check out our tips below to help get you through the process with ease.

Before closing

  • Arrange for utilities to be transferred, effective on the closing date
    • Internet
    • Gas
    • Electric
    • Water, etc.
  • Perform a final walkthrough a day or two ahead of time

During closing

  • Usually takes an hour or less
  • All parties gather around the table and sign documents
  • Ensure you have your photo ID and funds required for costs (you will have a total ahead of time)
  • Required closing costs:
    • Origination fee
    • Underwriting fee
    • Appraisal fee
    • Credit report fee

After closing

  • First mortgage payment is due the first Friday of the month after the 30 days following the closing
  • You can choose a new homeowner’s insurance provider after you’ve closed on a purchase or refinance and the escrow impound account has been established

Finding your dream home can be difficult, but adding a mortgage and closing process can be overwhelming. You can trust the experts at EB Mortgage to help make the process as seamless as possible.

EB Mortgage is a locally-owned mortgage company with experts in new home purchase, refinancing, and commercial loans. Our wholesale rates can’t be beaten. We offer more products, more options, and more solutions. Our “3C” Process is simple: complete our pre-approval request, consider options based on your requirements, and choose the offer that suits your needs best. Call us at 866-246-0516 or e-mail contact@ebwmtg.com today.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

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Microsoft Will End Support for Windows 10

Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10 by October 2025. The phasing out includes the Home, Pro, Pro Education, and Pro for Workstations. The last day for support will be on October 14, 2025. After ten years, the operating system will run without help or updates from Microsoft.

Microsoft’s latest version (21H1) of Windows 10 was released in May 2021. Microsoft had previously stated that Windows was supposed to be the last version; however, the company has recently announced an event called “What’s Next for Windows.” Satya Nadella, Microsoft CEO, calls the update the “Next Generation of Windows.”

A new Windows will be announced on June 24 during a virtual event. Microsoft will probably keep the Windows name alive, but the numbering system could be dropped. Much like Apple uses for their operating systems, Microsoft could transition to a naming convention. Apple refers to their macOS 12 as Monterey, for example.

Windows is the most common operating system for desktops, with more than 1.3 billion active computers running it. State-of-the-art features such as touch input, a voice-based virtual assistant, face login, improved security against antiviruses and malware, and mixed reality tools accompany more handheld activities such as screenshots, arranging windows, and receiving notifications.

Feeling nervous without support? We’re here for you! Contact the Windows 10 experts at Creative Programs and Systems today for help with your Microsoft system.

Founded in 1994, Creative Programs and Systems provides professional results for all computer needs. We design, create, and code an array of custom software programs and websites; offer top-notch digital marketing services including enhanced Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and paid advertising; repair and provide support for computers of both residential and professional nature; build custom systems and servers, and offer secure data backups. Need assistance or want to learn more? Call us at 810-224-5252 or e-mail info@cpsmi.com.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

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Richard Ernst, Inventor of MRI, Dies

Richard R. Ernst, a Swiss physical chemist, and Nobel Laureate, died on June 4. He was 87. Ernst won the Nobel Prize for inventing specific methods to analyze the chemical properties of atoms, which created the foundation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or MRI. He helped improve MRI sensitivity, which was first tested in the 1940s to create images of body organs. 

Born in the same city where he died, Winterthur, Ernst graduated from the federal technology institute ETH Zurich. He spent his entire career there, receiving numerous honors, including the Nobel Prize for Chemistry (1991), the Wolf Prize for Chemistry (1991), the Horwitz Prize (1991), and the Marcel Benoist Prize (1986).

In 1963, Ernst began working for Varian Associates as a scientist. During that time, he invented Fourier transform NMR, noise decoupling, and other approaches. In 1968, he returned to ETH Zurich as a lecturer, gradually working his way up to Assistant Professor in 1970, Associate Professor in 1972, and full Professor of Chemistry in 1976 and the years thereafter.

A research group dedicated to magnetic resonance spectroscopy was led by Ernst, director of the Physical Chemistry Laboratory at ETH Zurich. Two-dimensional NMR and several pulse techniques were developed by Ernst, along with magnetic resonance tomography and the NMR structure determination of biopolymers in solution. He also studied intra-molecular dynamics and retired in 1998.

Ernst was a member of the following:

  • Estonian Academy of Sciences
  • US National Academy of Sciences
  • Royal Academy of Sciences, London
  • German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina
  • Russian Academy of Sciences,
  • Korean Academy of Science and Technology
  • Bangladesh Academy of Sciences
  • Foreign Member of the Royal Society
  • World Knowledge Dialogue Scientific Board

Ernst’s awards included:

  • John Gamble Kirkwood Medal (1989)
  • Marcel Benoist Prize (1986)
  • Wolf Prize for Chemistry (1991)
  • Louisa Gross Horowitz Price of Columbia University (1991)
  • Tadeus Reichstein Medal (2000)
  • Order of the Star of Romania (2004)

Ernst had several honorary doctorates including those from:

  • Technical University of Munich
  • EPF Lausanne
  • University of Zurich
  • University Antwerpen
  • Babes-Bolyai University
  • University Montpelier

A 2009 film called Science Plus Dharma Equals Social Responsibility was produced by Carlo Burton and takes place in Ernst’s hometown.

Survivors include his wife, Magdalena Kielholz, and their children Anna Magdalena, Katharina Elisabeth, and Hans-Martin Walter.

Acceletronics is an industry leader in delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from CT Scanners and Linear Accelerators across all major brands and models. Call 610-524-3300 or visit our website: https://www.acceletronics.com.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

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Food Supply Storage Hacks

Prepping food supplies is an art. Food storage can be an issue in small spaces, but it doesn’t need to be. Food storage is one of the first things people think about when they begin prepping. Having enough emergency food on hand is imperative. Most households do not have enough food to last a week, which is generally okay as long as the homeowner can make a trip to the grocery store. If stores aren’t an option, are you prepared with enough food?

To store food efficiently, maximize your available space to the fullest.

Vegetable drawers/cabinets: Some vegetables store best in cool, dark places. Potatoes, squash, beets, and onions last longer when stored properly. Use empty cabinets or extra space in drawers to store these root vegetables.

Hanging baskets: These are so simple to install – all you need is a screw-in hook, and voila! You have a hanging basket. Baskets are handy for all kinds of food such as bread, bananas, garlic, fruit, and more.

Freezer shelves: Freezers are sometimes over-stuffed and packed to the brim. Try using magazine holders or wire racks (widely available at big-box stores) to stack and store.

Door organizers: Many people look over these handy organizers when it comes to the kitchen. Use them for cans, pasta boxes, etc., and you’ll be amazed how much you can store.

Furniture: Couches, ottomans, under beds, and other hollow furniture are a great place to keep heavier, non-perishable items such as larger freeze-dried packages or cans.

Physical space shouldn’t be a limitation for preppers. Narrow storage areas can be cleverly converted for food supplies.

Want to stock up on your food for emergencies? Shop at Wolf Survival Gear – we have top-quality food that’s perfect for prepping.

Wolf Survival Gear is a hub for all your prepping and survival needs. We are a trusted resource for concerned families, avid hunters, or serious preppers. Make us your one-stop-shop and prepare now, before you’ll need it later. Visit our website or e-mail us today for more information.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

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The Importance of Oil Filters

The cheapest insurance for your car doesn’t involve monthly payments. Can you guess what it is? Frequent oil changes and new filters.

Oil filters are a crucial element that plays a vital role in your car’s functionality. They sift physical contaminants (dirt, dust, sludge, etc.) that might otherwise find their way into your engine. Filters strain and store grime and are of no use once full. Bigger objects can ultimately clog intake valves if left unattended. The longer you go between oil changes, the more contaminants are trapped inside the oil filter. The more debris trapped in the filter, the less efficient the filter becomes.

Replacing the oil filter with every oil change is good practice. If you want to extend the life of your engine, don’t skip replacing the filter as they trap harmful contaminants that can damage the working parts of your car’s engine. Follow your vehicle owners’ manual for recommended oil change intervals, which are usually based on months and miles. Engine oil works most efficiently when it’s clean and pure, and free from debris.

If your engine is running on fresh, new oil, why not allow it to flow through a pristine filter, as well? New oil reaches peak efficiency when it lubricates engine parts, reduces wear and tear, and keeps operating temperatures healthy. In time, changing your oil filter simultaneously with the oil itself will help save your engine from grime, sludge, or large metallic objects.

Aggressive drivers or those who travel through extreme conditions will see the oil filter wear-and-tear accelerate. Filters that are overtaxed will lose effectiveness more quickly, especially in dusty environments. Dirt roads, salt, and other debris will clog the oil filter more frequently.

Overall, contaminants pose a threat to your engine’s health. To prevent more significant issues down the road, ensure you change your oil filter with each oil change.

To schedule an oil change, contact the knowledgeable car experts at Team CAMC today!

Team CAMC is your Complete Auto Maintenance Center. For over 30 years, we have followed a single guiding principle: we never push or sell services a vehicle doesn’t need.  Our team of trained technicians welcomes you like family and discusses all types of oil and fluid changes offered. Critical points are reviewed through a 13-point inspection to ensure your vehicle is ready for the next adventure on the road ahead. Contact us today to schedule the professional service you deserve from a team you trust.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

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Myopia (Short-Sightedness) Linked to Poor Sleep

Research from Flinders University in Australia suggests people with myopia (short-sightedness) experience poorer sleep quality than those with normal vision. The study found that people with myopia have more delayed circadian rhythms and reduced melatonin production (a hormone responsible for regulating sleep) compared to people with normal vision. Myopia results in the inability to see objects at a distance. People affected can only clearly see things up close.

Dr. Ranjay Chakraborty, optometrist from the Flinders University Caring Futures Institute, said the study adds to the growing evidence of the potential association between disruption of the circadian rhythm and myopia development. “Disruptions in circadian rhythms and sleep due to the advent of artificial light and the use of light-emitting electronic devices for reading and entertainment has become a recognized health concern in several fields, but its impact on eye health has not been studied extensively. These findings provide important evidence that optimal sleep and circadian rhythms are not only essential for general health, but also for good vision,” Chakraborty said.

Levels of melatonin were measured in participants through saliva and urine samples. In the study, the circadian timing and production of melatonin were measured in both people with myopia and those with normal sight. Melatonin is secreted in our brains soon after dark, peaking around 2 to 4 a.m.

Myopia is the most common vision disorder and, in severe cases, can lead to several blinding diseases in adulthood, such as retinal tear and detachment, glaucoma, or cataracts. Road signs and other long-distance objects are generally difficult for people with myopia to read.

“Because myopia typically develops during childhood, as a next step, we would like to examine circadian rhythm training, total production of melatonin sleep and light exposure at night in young children – the actual target population for myopia prevention,” said Dr. Chakraborty.

“Such a study will provide novel insights into the biological and environmental factors underlying myopia, which will aid in early diagnosis and treatment of myopia in children,” Dr. Chakraborty said.

Myopia doesn’t have to hold you back – talk to the eyecare experts at Rohr Eye & Laser Center today.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to provide personalized and extraordinary care to our patients. Whether your goal is to maintain or improve your natural vision, we are here to help you. Call us at 877-579-0202 or visit https://www.michiganlasik.com/ to schedule an appointment today.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

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Michiganders Advised to Avoid Foam on Lakes and Rivers

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has issued a press release warning residents to stay clear of foam on Michigan lakes, rivers, and streams. The foam is typically associated with bacteria or chemicals, specifically per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which resembles shaving cream and is bright white. The foam can blow onto beaches and pile up on shorelines. In contrast, naturally-occurring foam is typically seen in bays, eddies, or river barriers. It’s also off-white or brown and smells somewhat earthy or fishy.

Rinse or wash off foam as soon as contact is made, especially if PFAS contamination is suspected.

PFAS is an emerging toxic chemical and can be found in:

  • Food: packaged, processed, or grown in PFAS-contaminated areas
  • Household products: stain and water repellent fabrics, nonstick products (Teflon), waxes, paints, cleaning products, and fire-fighting foams (a significant source of groundwater contamination at airports and military bases)
  • Workplaces: production facilities or industrial buildings using chrome plating, electronics manufacturing, or oil recovery
  • Drinking water: near manufacturing plants, landfills, wastewater treatment plants, firefighter training facilities
  • Living organisms: fish, animals, humans, etc., where PFAS can build and persist over time.

PFAS can cause a multitude of health issues and are dubbed as “Forever Chemicals” because they never break down once they are released into the environment. PFAS are found in 99.9% of all Americans’ blood. They build up in our blood and organs, increasing the risk of cancer, harms fetuses, changes liver enzymes, increases cholesterol levels, while decreasing vaccine response in children, and more.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS said, “Although current science shows that the risk of PFAS getting into your system from contact with skin is low, you can minimize exposure to PFAS by rinsing or showering after you are done with your recreational activities. In general, washing hands and rinsing off after swimming will help to protect people from chemicals and bacteria that may be in waterbodies.”

MDHHS recommends people of all ages steer clear of foamy water, including young children. PFAS foam typically has a much higher concentration of chemicals than what is generally seen in everyday environments. Dogs and other pets should also not come in contact with – or swallow – the foam.

To remove PFAS from your drinking water, contact the water purification experts at Reynolds Water today.

Reynolds Water Conditioning was established in 1931 and is Michigan’s oldest water conditioning treatment company. Still owned and operated by the Reynolds family, we take pride in providing the highest quality products at a cost-effective price. If your tap water lacks the quality you deserve, contact us today at www.reynoldswater.com or call 800-572-9575.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

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Managing Health through Technology

The healthcare industry was forced to quickly lean more into technological thanks to the pandemic. Patient images have not changed, but modifications have made it possible to use consumer technology in new, unexpected ways. What are some of the novel workflow efficiencies and patient experiences that have cropped up since 2020? Here are some examples: 

Smartphones and Tablets

Providers can access images and reports virtually anywhere, thanks to smartphones or tablets. When it comes to commonplace technology, phones are ubiquitous. By using secure apps to access reports and images from anywhere, data breaches are not an issue since no information is stored on the device. Previously, physicians needed to sign in each time they wanted to check an imaging report. Now, these newer advancements allow the provider to sign in automatically. Text messages and alerts can be set up to notify the physician when reports are complete. With minimal effort, physicians can now transfer information to each other accordingly, seeing data in real-time.

QR Codes

First developed in 1994, these codes have made a comeback during the pandemic. Whether it’s for a restaurant menu, contactless payment, or essential information sharing, these scannable codes are seemingly everywhere. Now, physicians can use these codes to send reports to patients and providers instead of burning images to a Compact Disc (CD) or printout. QR codes allow for a more effective, efficient workflow. Patients can get images with ease, on their device of choice, without remembering usernames or passwords.

Web-based Viewer

Cloud technology allows web-based viewers to take a patient-focused methodology. It not only makes the Electronic Health Record (EHR) more effective, but it also consolidates information from different parts and gives a more holistic view of the patient’s record. Patients can also enjoy a web-based universal viewer to track their entire health story on a mobile device.

Old technology can be used in new ways. Today, imaging groups are using consumer-based technology to facilitate physician-patient relationships. COVID-19 accelerated the process; the innovations of the future might be the technology of today.

RadParts is the world’s largest independent distributor of OEM replacement parts. We specialize in low-cost parts for repairing linear accelerator and radiation equipment. Our mission is to provide high-quality, user-friendly, low-cost parts and support for linear accelerators and radiation equipment. Contact RadParts at 877-704-3838 or visit us on the web: https://www.radparts.com.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.