Not only is May Sustainability Month, it is also Bike Safety Month! Follow BAL-4 & B-T as they learn about reusable bike tires.
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Tips To Keep You Safe in the Sun
May 10, 2012 By
Though sunbathing can give your body essential amounts of Vitamin D and help to stave off seasonally affected disorder, it’s also linked to skin cancer and other serious conditions. If you’re planning on soaking up some rays near NAS Key West Homes, follow these safety tips.
Always protect the most sensitive skin on your body with clothing. For example, one of the easiest areas to sunburn is the scalp, so wear a hat or bandana if you're bald or have little hair on your head to protect the skin there.
Your eyes are also extremely vulnerable to extended sun exposure, so always wear sunglasses that offer UV protection whenever you are out in the sun for prolonged periods of time.
If you’re concerned that your clothing isn't blocking UV rays, there’s a simple way to test it. If you can see through an item of clothing, even partially, it means that the sun’s UV rays can penetrate it too.
Also, you should make sure to wear sunscreen whenever you are exposed to prolonged periods of sun. As the sun becomes more intense (towards the middle of the day in summer), you may need to opt for a stronger product that blocks more UV radiation. It's recommended to use a lotion with at least SPF 30 and to reapply it every few hours if you're staying out in the sun.
It’s especially important to keep children protected from sun exposure. Babies under the age of 6 months should never be subjected to direct sunlight, and all children should be monitored to ensure that they are not taking too much sun.
BAL-4 & B-T Learn to Pack a Waste-Free Lunch
May 7, 2012 By
Truly Amazing Guitar Players
May 3, 2012 By
If you enjoy listening to a wonderfully talented musician play a rousing guitar solo, then you know the talent involved in making a guitar achieve its greatest range of sounds. Below, learn about some of the most dazzling musicians ever to pick up a guitar:
Jimi Hendrix, 1942 – 1970
Jimi Hendrix is widely considered one of the most talented guitarists of all time. Known for his ability to produce highly original sonic effects on the guitar, he is also much-admired for his emotionally nuanced style of playing. Hendrix is also noted for his skill with the electric guitar, hailed by many music experts and fans to be the greatest electric guitarist of all time. Hendrix’s style involved unique uses of the electric guitar amplifier, and he popularized a sonic technique that involved the use of guitar amplifier feedback.
Jimmy Page, 1942 – present
Jimmy Page is an English guitarist known for his stirring, skillful performances. Rolling Stone Magazine has noted his talent at “power riffing” on the guitar, and many music critics consider him to be one of the most influential guitarists in the history of rock music. He is most famous as the guitarist for the hugely popular band Led Zeppelin but he has also had significant success as a solo performer.
Eric Clapton, 1945 – present
Eric Clapton is another English guitarist whose raw talents have landed him in the top ranks of Rolling Stone Magazine’s “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” list. Many music lovers and experts consider him one of the most important and influential guitarists, celebrated for his unique playing style that combines fascinatingly disparate influences and bursts with a blues and soul flavor. He is also known having popularized particular models of electric guitars.
Eddie Van Halen, 1955 – present
Eddie Van Halen is a Dutch-born guitarist who is revered as the lead of the popular hard rock band Van Halen. When it comes to his technique on the guitar, he is known for his innovative performance style that emphasizes a blues-based rock tone. His intensely virtuosic solos feature signature moves like guitar-tapping, volume swells, and the use of high frequency feedback on the amplifiers.
May is Sustainability Month: Follow BAL-4 & B-T as They Learn to Make a Difference
May 1, 2012 By
Balfour Beatty has declared May as Sustainability Month. Throughout the month, employees across all our offices will be learning about ways they can implement sustainable behaviors and practices in the office, at home and throughout the greater community. Sustainability is a collective responsibility. We encourage you to follow BAL-4 and B-T each month to learn about ways you too can make a difference.
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Have You Seen These Three Cult Classic Movies?
April 26, 2012 By
If you’re looking for a classic film to enjoy, why not go for an out-of-the-ordinary choice rather than one of the traditional classics you've seen a hundred times? Below are three unusual film choices certain to satisfy your appetite for novelty:
Bottle Rocket
This charming film from 1996 by Wes Anderson, features Owen and Luke Wilson as aspiring criminals planning a complicated book-store robbery scheme. Their plan leads them down a path of unexpected twists and turns. The movie features a host of quirky and unforgettable characters and dramatic situations that are sure to leave a lasting impression.
This charming film from 1996 by Wes Anderson, features Owen and Luke Wilson as aspiring criminals planning a complicated book-store robbery scheme. Their plan leads them down a path of unexpected twists and turns. The movie features a host of quirky and unforgettable characters and dramatic situations that are sure to leave a lasting impression.
The Big Clock
This unique film noir classic, directed in 1948 by James Farrow, tells the story of a crime-magazine editor sent on a mission to obtain the identity of a murderer. The film features stunning cinematography and masterfully combines a number of different tones, ranging from serious to mystical to funny.
Brazil
This Terry Gilliam film from 1985 has Orwellian undertones in its exploration of a British dystopia. The movie follows the story of a civil servant who falls in the love with a mysterious and elusive girl, while all around him the world is run by impossibly complicated government systems that enmesh even the most basic human activities in bureaucratic tangles.
The Best Exercise Routine for You
April 12, 2012 By
So, this is the year you're going to get in shape. Good for you! Maybe you’re just beginning a work out regimen, or perhaps you’re already active but want to try something new. Below are some popular exercise options to try:
Exergames
Motion-sensor gaming innovations like the Nintendo Wii, and Xbox Kinect have unleashed a wave of game-based exercise programs. Whether you like golf, bowling, tennis, dance, yoga, or more traditional aerobics there is a game out there for you!
Pros: The games are relatively inexpensive compared to gym membership, can be used at home, and automatically track your progress so you can easily monitor your improvements.
Cons: The workouts are generally mild to moderate (good for beginners but you may soon outgrow them) and sometimes repetitive. Also, there is less accountability because you're not paying for a membership or working out with others.
Joining a gym
Gyms offer a great range of exercise machines and classes – everything from kickboxing to Zumba to yoga.
Pros: Since you’re paying for it, you’re generally more motivated to use it. Most gyms offer a good variety of programs for different fitness levels, personal training, and there are also gyms that are targeted to serious athletes, beginners, and women so you can find one that suits you best.
Cons: Membership can be costly and it can be hard to make the time in your day to go there – especially if it's a bit of a drive. Also, some beginners may feel intimidated or self-conscious working out in front of other people.
Heading outside -
Many people prefer to get their exercise in the great outdoors. Fresh air, natural beauty, and freedom can be great motivators. Also, you can invite friends or co-workers to join you!
Pros: You can make your own exercise routine and work outdoor activity into your daily schedule. Exercising outside with friends can be appealing and provide motivation.
Cons: If you’re going solo, it can be tough to stay motivated and structured, and you are at the mercy of the weather.
Not Alone Program for Military Families Affected by War
April 9, 2012 By
We would like to take the time to familiarize our residents with a helpful program that supports military families whose lives are affected by war. Not Alone, a non-profit organization, aims to “empower warriors and their families in their life after war.”
Not Alone provides many different avenues for receiving anonymous and confidential support at no cost, including:
- eGroups
- Training
- Workshops
- Personal Clinical Care for anything including post-traumatic stress disorder, clinical depression, and medical management
- Forums/Discussion Boards
- Social Networks
- Retreats for warriors and for spouses
- eClinic
Not Alone hosts weekly online groups for spouses on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Caregiver/Spouse Support Groups are held on Wednesday nights. The first Wednesday of every month is an open topic, with the rest of the Wednesdays dedicated to our series, 7 Lives of Military wives. Thursdays are Trench Talk, an open forum discussion revolving around deployment cycle issues.
To enter the group, go to http://notalone.webex.com
Under the "Today" tab, join the session up to 30 minutes before start time.
Wednesday password: "spouses"
Thursday password: "trenchtalk"
Are you unsure whether or not you should seek support? To determine your stress and anxiety levels, take Not Alone’s free Stress Assessment Test.
If you’re looking for immediate assistance, please contact the Not Alone eClinic, a 24/7 hotline at 1-866-781-8010.
For further information about Not Alone, visit their website at: http://notalone.com. You can also follow Not Alone on Facebook and Twitter.
Learn About Finance: These Five Books Will Get You Started
April 5, 2012 By
We may not always realize it, but economics has such a strong impact on our day-to-day lives. Because of this, understanding economics better can help us make sense of our world. Here are five thoughtful books that will help you learn:
Understanding the World Economy
An accessible overview of many economic principles, this snappy volume by Tony Cleaver is an incredibly illuminating read for people who aren't experts in economic theory. Without a lot of technical jargon, this book is smart and useful and won't scare away newcomers to economics.
Economic Facts and Fallacies
Thomas Sowell's fascinating book reveals fallacies about economic issues, including many spread by politicians and the media. Written in lively prose, Sowell's book is a great read whether or not you have prior knowledge of economics.
The Return of Depression Economics and the Crisis of 2008
Nobel Prize winner Paul Krugman investigates the parallels between America's recent financial crisis and the Great Depression. In exploring the roots of our recent economic calamity, Krugman intelligently offers insight on how future catastrophe might be avoided.
Everything For Sale: The Virtues and Limits of Markets
This book is a fascinating exploration of both the feasts and famines that the free market is capable of unleashing. Robert Kuttner's acclaimed work is a provocative look into contemporary economic practices.
The Wealth and Poverty of Nations
Tackling the question of why some countries achieve success while others fail, David S. Lande's exploration considers the economic impact of the historical and cultural while offering incredible analytical insight.
