Cigarette smoke removal services, like thermal fogging and ozone treatments, can cost $200 to $600 for a single treatment, and it takes days to complete. This causes facilities like hotels and casinos, which are already short-staffed, to spend thousands of dollars each year to keep their buildings free of cigarette and tobacco smoke odors. EcoClear Products, a company dedicated to providing 100% safe alternatives in the Specialty Chemical industry, has created SmokeOut™, a ready-to-use spray that addresses this ongoing issue for businesses.

Formulated to eliminate the stubborn and unpleasant odors left behind by cigarettes, cigars and pipes, SmokeOut™ destroys smoke smells at their source, both in the air and on other porous surfaces, like fabrics. When used as directed on furniture, rugs, linens and pillows, for example, SmokeOut™ chemically alters, neutralizes and destroys offensive smoke and tobacco odors. If the source of the odor is not reintroduced into the room, the room will remain deodorized.

Third-hand smoke poses a potential health hazard to non-smokers, especially children. People become exposed to the chemicals in third-hand smoke when they touch contaminated surfaces or breathe in the gas third-hand smoke may release.

"Unlike other odor eliminators, which often just mask a scent, SmokeOut™ destroys odors at the molecular level," said Christopher Stidd, founder of EcoClear Products. "Businesses can now rest easy knowing their facilities won't face devaluation backlash due to unwanted lingering scents of smoke, and that they can continue to offer their guests a strong customer experience."

EcoClear Products boasts safe, effective and harmless cleaning agents that use patented and proprietary compounds and processes. Its chemists have received Presidential Awards for "green" chemistry as a result of their extensive experience in pesticides, rodenticides and detergents and their passion for creating innovative offerings.

To learn more, visit http://www.ecoclearproducts.com/pro

About EcoClear Products

EcoClear Products, Inc. is a leading developer of specialty products, which include ecological cleaning, odor removal products, and pest control solutions. Based in Sarasota, Florida, and founded in 2013, EcoClear's mission is to develop innovative and effective products safe for people, pets, and wildlife. EcoClear has been recognized for its commitment to advancements in sustainable chemistry and efficacy. For more information, visit www.ecoclearproducts.com/pro

Fun celebrations at work

With the festive season around the corner, Techwave, the leading global IT and Engineering solutions firm, has hosted a series of Christmas celebrations for teams and clients globally. The Christmas celebrations were held across all regions including North America, the Middle East, Asia, and beyond, bringing employees together to connect and have a great time at the joyful celebrations.

Festivals are a great way to unite people and spread happiness, allowing employees to take a break from the monotony of the daily grind and bring cheer into the workplace. In the spirit of Christmas, Techwave hosted a series of events, including Christmas Secret Santa, showy festive-themed attire, games galore and more. Furthermore, Techwave has implemented various recognition and rewards programs to motivate and appreciate our employees.

"Bringing diversity together and throwing fun celebrations at work are the ideal ways to celebrate culture in the workplace. Techwave has created a positive and inclusive workplace by hosting a series of Christmas celebrations. These celebrations provided everyone an opportunity to relax and re-energize from their workdays. Our goal is to build a strong and cohesive team culture within the company, and these celebrations are just one way to achieve that. We are delighted that everyone had a wonderful time at the celebrations," said Mr. Raj Gummadapu, CEO of Techwave.

About Techwave: 
Techwave is a leading global Information Technology and Engineering services and solutions company revolutionizing digital transformations. We believe in enabling clients to maximize the potential and achieve a greater market with a wide array of technology services, including, but not limited to, Enterprise Resource Planning, Application Development, Analytics, Digital, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Founded in 2004, headquartered in Houston, TX, USA, Techwave has a team of experts, leveraging Digital Transformation, Enterprise Application, and Engineering Services expertise in 11 countries.

Visit us at https://techwave.net/.

CAMFT Logo

The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) is celebrating the momentous passage of the Mental Health Access Improvement Act within the Omnibus bill, which includes Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) as Medicare providers. 

"Access to mental health services is vital to the health and well-being of our communities, and without Marriage and Family Therapists, these services would be limited," said Representative Mike Thompson. "I am proud that my legislation to make Medicare cover mental health services provided by counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists was included in the government funding bill. This permanent expansion will ensure broad access to care for communities across the country, and I look forward to seeing more Americans take advantage of these mental health services."

The mental health data for elders is sobering, with one-in-four suffering from mental illness or substance use disorder. The problem is compounded by economic and racial disparities, a growing senior population, and the COVID pandemic, with some studies showing only 4-20% of elderly Americans needing mental health support being able to access a therapist. This legislation will add over 200,000 mental health clinicians to the Medicare workforce, allowing increased access to desperately needed mental healthcare.

"We are in the midst of a mental health crisis, and we applaud Congress for taking this important action to help meet the mental health needs of our elderly and all those utilizing Medicare. The bipartisan passage of this bill shows a commitment by Congress to embrace the role of MFTs in addressing a shortage of skilled therapists for Medicare beneficiaries. This is a momentous day for mental health," expressed CAMFT Executive Director Joy Alafia.

MFTs are extensively trained mental health clinicians who comprise 55% of the behavioral health workforce in California, providing psychotherapy to individuals, couples, families and groups and working with people struggling with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and PTSD. This legislation is critical to ensuring that Medicare beneficiaries have access to adequate mental health care, especially those in rural areas. If signed into law, the bill will allow the coverage of MFT services under part B of the Medicare program, providing a significant influx of trained and licensed mental health providers into the Medicare system, effective Jan. 1, 2024. 

Rep. Mike Thompson, Rep. John Katko, Senator John Barrasso, Senator Debbie Stabenow, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the entire Medicare Mental Health Workforce Coalition are recognized for their outstanding leadership and dedication to mental health access.

ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPISTS
CAMFT is an independent professional organization representing the interests of over 35,000 Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) who are experts in diagnosing and treating mental health issues for any person who seeks therapy. CAMFT is dedicated to promoting mental health, advancing the MFT profession, maintaining high standards of professional ethics and expanding awareness for the profession of marriage and family therapists.

Explore feature of cozycozy
PC with the Explore feature of cozycozy website on the screen

Choosing the perfect vacation destination can be a daunting task. That's where Cozycozy's "Explore" feature comes in. This new service enables travelers to browse destinations based on various themes, such as the best beaches in Florida, the cheapest ski resorts in the USA, or the popular West Coast city trips, making it easy for travelers to find a destination fitting their needs.

Using this new feature is simple. All travelers need to do is click on the search bar on the homepage of the site and then click the "Explore" button. From there, users can see various themed lists, such as unmissable wine routes in North America, natural wonders in California, or the best surfing spots. This feature is particularly useful during ski season, as it helps users find the perfect ski resort among over 470 options in the United States. The users can see all the necessary information, including the area of skiable slopes, elevation, and the number of slopes. From the awe-inspiring peaks of Aspen to the family-friendly slopes of Park City, the lists are curated for every taste.

In addition to helping travelers find the perfect destination, the "Explore" feature also shows users all available accommodation options in the area, making it easy to plan a complete vacation. With a wide range of lodgings - including hotels, apartments, cabins, villas, or even treehouses - sourced from more than 100 websites such as Airbnb, Booking.com, VRBO, or Expedia, travelers can easily find the ideal place to stay with one single search.

About Cozycozy:

Cozycozy is a unique accommodation search engine that helps travelers find the best places to stay at the best price. It is the first platform of its kind to offer a completely impartial and transparent view of all available accommodation options, with over 20 million listings. From luxury villas to beachfront apartments, cabins with hot tubs and pet-friendly options, the platform has a wide variety of accommodations to suit any need. 

With its new "Explore" feature, users can easily discover the most beautiful and exciting places to visit, all with the convenience of a few clicks. As Cozycozy values transparency and impartiality, users can trust that the final rates displayed on the platform are inclusive of all fees and free to use. So why wait? Start planning your dream vacation today with Cozycozy.

Northwestern Mutual: With so much time spent on work, a job has a broader impact than how much money someone makes. It can provide a sense of purpose and stability; it can also be a source of stress. Overall, having a job can have a big impact on one's general worldview and expectations for the future. Let's look at a few ways a job can affect someone's outlook. 

A sense of purpose

A job can give someone a sense of purpose - something to wake up for in the morning. When a job also becomes a routine and a place to socialize, it can often add to this feeling of purpose. 

Beyond just having a reason to get up in the morning, working can also give someone a sense of accomplishment and pride. When someone feels like they're engaged in something meaningful, it can be very fulfilling. It can also give someone something to focus on outside their personal life, which can be a healthy distraction from day-to-day stressors.

Stability

Having a job can provide a sense of stability on multiple levels. Whether it's having a steady income to cover necessities, providing structure and routine in someone's day-to-day life, or becoming a place to meet new people and make friends, a job can be a source of consistency. Of course, it's important to acknowledge that working in an unstable environment can have the opposite effect. 

The benefits a job provides can also bring a sense of stability. For example, having health insurance can provide peace of mind. Conversely, not having health insurance can be a source of stress, knowing that an illness or injury can potentially be very costly. The ability to acquire additional insurance, such as life insurance, whether through an employer or purchased separately via a steady paycheck, has its own beneficial tack-on effects. Those wondering, Is whole life insurance worth it? should consider both the stability afforded by a guaranteed death benefit and the potential utility of having a policy that will accumulate cash value.

Stress and anxiety

While It's important to acknowledge the structure a job can provide, it's no secret that having a job can also be a source of stress and anxiety. For many people, jobs are a big part of their lives and can impact their wellbeing. They may worry about the pressure to perform well, meeting deadlines, or dealing with demanding customers or colleagues. They may also feel anxious about our job security or worried they're not doing as well as we could be. Coping with stress isn't easy. Those feeling stressed at work should do their best to take some time for themselves—this can help them relax and recharge and make it easier to cope with challenges at work and at home.

Opportunities for Growth and Development

While not every job comes with mobility and the option to grow in the role, many provide options for advancement, learning, and development. These opportunities can give someone a sense of progress and a goal to work toward. By pursuing new challenges at work, employees can gain new skills and knowledge, and build confidence in their ability to meet future challenges. This can lead to increased satisfaction both inside and outside of work. 

Northwestern Mutual: Every year, millions of Americans struggle with financial matters such as getting out of debt and saving for the future. To provide them with guidance, financial planners offer services that assess their individual financial situations, looking at where they are currently and where they want to go. Then financial planners help to develop customized plans tailored to reach a client's goals. To put it simply, a financial plan is a roadmap to help someone reach their financial goals. But what does that look like? The following are four key aspects of financial planning:

It's goal-oriented

Financial planning is about setting goals and working towards them. A financial planner can ask a client questions about their goals and help prioritize which ones they want to reach first. For example, do they want to buy a home, retire early, or build a college fund for their kids?

Through understanding goals and priorities, a planner can help clients come up with a plan to enjoy their money now and work toward goals in a timely, achievable way. 

It's tailored to the individual

Financial planning is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. A financial planner will tailor solutions in a plan to a client's unique financial situation. This means taking into account their entire financial picture and recommending solutions to match. 

By getting a clear picture of their finances, financial planners can work with clients to make informed decisions about how to best use their money to work toward their goals. 

It looks at finances from multiple angles

A financial plan looks at both the present and the future. Often, a financial plan will include several different aspects, including things like building an emergency fund, developing a plan to pay off or manage debt, estate planning, retirement planning, ways to grow wealth over time, and more. But it should all be balanced with what someone needs today and tomorrow. And knowing that future goals are planned for often gives someone confidence to spend money now.

It's flexible

Perhaps most importantly, financial planning is flexible over time in that it can be adapted to suit changing needs and circumstances. Income, debts, and expenses can change, and life can throw unexpected curveballs that can impact finances. For example, it's not unusual to experience a large, unexpected expense or a dip in income. It's equally as common for priorities to change over time, necessitating an adjustment in financial goals. By regularly reviewing a client's financial situation and making adjustments as needed, a planner can help clients stay on track to meet their financial goals.

Kristi House donation
Suarez alongside Denegri and her daughter, Nicole

Natalia Denegri, host of Warrior Hearts, has once again joined forces with Miami Mayor Francis Suarez to bring a Christmas surprise to Kristi House, a foundation that provides treatment, care - as well as legal, medical and emotional support - to children and young adults who have been victims of sexual abuse and human trafficking.

The event was held on Wednesday, Dec. 21 at the foundation's headquarters in Miami, Florida. Denegri, whose MegaTV children's program Warrior Hearts focuses on solidarity and social causes and who recently won 4 Emmy awards - adding to the 26 she already has - is also the spokesperson for Hasbro Toys, and donated hundreds of toys to the foundation, spreading joy to the children there before this holiday season. She was on hand to pass out the toys personally, along with her eight-year-old daughter Nicole, who was surprised to receive a diploma from the Mayor, recognizing her solidarity to the city. "I give you this because I am very proud of how you represent our city. Thank you!" said Suarez, as cameras captured the moment he bestowed the young girl with the award.

"You cannot put a price on a smile, especially the smile of those kids who've endured the worst traumas a person could endure [...] The fact that an organization like Kristi House is working to protect and help these kids, will undoubtedly affect the future of our society in a positive way [...]. I thank Hasbro Toys and Natalia Denegri for this donation and for always collaborating with the City of Miami through various charitable initiatives," Suarez added at the press conference to kick off the event in which each child received a Christmas present of their own. 

"It's my honor to collaborate with Mayor Suarez, to continue to help children throughout our city. Miami has been my home for more than ten years, and it is where I formed my family. Helping the kids who need it the most is my way of giving back to the city that has given me so much. The work that Kristi House does to support sexually abused kids during the entire legal process, as well as in their adaptation back into society along with their families, is amazing. I am proud to be part of this event, and to bring a smile to the faces of these incredible kids this Christmas. Representing my show Warrior Hearts and Hasbro Toys, I know we share the same objective: to spread light where there is darkness," attested Denegri.