Senior Women Web

Author: SeniorWomenWeb

  • The Series, This Emotional Life

    How are we happy? Is adolescence the most difficult stage of life? These are but a few of the questions explored in the PBS program,  This Emotional Life, shown earlier in 2010.

    Behind the symbol of a telephone on the pages is a 24-hour hotline for suicide issues and those in emotional distress. The number to is call:  800-273-TALK

    One of the topics is Intimate Relationships including: Long-term, committed, intimate relationships are a source of joy and well-being for many people. People in healthy long-term relationships report higher levels of happiness, fewer health problems, and longer life spans. Their children also do better, with lower rates of substance abuse and greater success in school and in their own adult relationships. Although an estimated 45% of marriages end in divorce, remarriage is common and support is available for couples and their children going through this transition.

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  • What GAO Found; Formaldehyde in Textiles

    While Levels in Clothing Generally Appear to Be Low, Allergic Contact Dermatitis Is a Health Issue for Some People; a Report to Congressional Committees

    Formaldehyde — one of the most widely produced chemicals in the world — is used in many products, including disinfectants, pressed-wood, and clothing and other textiles. Exposure to this chemical, which has been linked to adverse health effects for more than 30 years, typically occurs through inhalation and dermal (skin) contact. Formaldehyde can be used to enhance wrinkle resistance in some clothing and textiles, especially those made of cotton. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reviewed formaldehyde in clothing in the 1980s and determined that the levels found did not pose a public health concern. At that time, most clothing sold in the United States was made here — but the market has changed such that most US clothing is now made in other countries. This market change has raised anew questions about the levels of formaldehyde in clothing.

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  • Man Shops Globe, Bazaars, Flea Markets on Sundance

    Although the outfits at Anthropologie stores aren’t generally suited to our age, the chain store is not known only for browsing current fashion and what daughters and granddaughters might be interested in wearing, the home decorating goods are marvelous: bright, ethnic, colorful and useful. In fact, I save their catalogs and have given store gift certificates to my daughters.

    We don’t get the Sundance Channel on our cable service (yes, we’ve cut back) but the series, Man Shops Globe, can be viewed at the Sundance Channel website, led by one of the Anthropologie buyers, Keith Johnson. The Sundance Channel site described what the series has set out to explore:

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  • Environment Working Group’s Back-To-School Guide

    EWG’s Green Back-to-School Guide for K-12: Some school supplies contain materials that are toxic for kids and harmful to the environment. Learn which to avoid and how to pick safer alternatives.

    1. Art supplies. Many contain toxic chemicals that are not suitable for children – especially younger ones. Pay special attention to these: Paints should be water-based to avoid solvents and colored with natural, non-metal pigments. Don’t buy polymer clays that stay soft at room temperature or can be hardened in a home oven – they’re made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and often contain phthalates. Consider making your own “clay” out of common baking ingredients instead. Note: A label that says “Conforms to ASTM D-4236,” simply means that the product is labeled as required, not necessarily safe.

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  • Preliminary Polling Results: Hillary Clinton made believers out of more young women than did Sarah Palin

    pallinhillaryby Nichola Gutgold

    Last year a college age woman who read one of my books came to my home to interview me for a school project. We spoke about the obstacles that women broadcasters and politicians have faced over the years.  She was bright and pleasant and demonstrated sophisticated thinking about the topics.  I even got the distinct feeling that she read my books! When she turned to leave she said, shaking her head:  “It’s interesting to read about these women, but I just don’t believe that we will have a woman president in my lifetime.”  I was taken aback by her pessimism. She is after all, the future.

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  • Art By the Yard at the Textile Museum; Find Stylish Items at the Museum Shop

    Current exhibitions at Washington, DC’s  Textile Museum include Art by the Yard: Women Design Mid-Century Britain. “The art of textile design changed radically after World War II as Britain was transformed from a country devastated by war into an optimistic consumer society. Three women designers were pivotal in this artistic revolution: Lucienne Day (1917- 2010), Jacqueline Groag (1903-1985) and Marian Mahler (1911-1983). Incorporating dramatic saturated colors and bold motifs inspired by artists like Alexander Calder and Joan Miró, these young designers transformed the market by inspiring elegant yet affordable product lines that brought the world of contemporary art into everyone’s homes.”

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  • In Case You’re Thinking of Applying: Flight Attendants, Training and Salary

    In light of the incident which took place on a jetBlue plane involving an irate Flight Attendant, we thought we’d look into the qualifications necessary and salary range dictated to hold that position. We found this information at the Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition:

    Education and training. A high school diploma or its equivalent is the minimum educational requirement. However, airlines increasingly prefer applicants with a college degree. Applicants who attend schools or colleges that offer flight attendant training may have an advantage over other applicants. Highly desirable areas of concentration include people-oriented disciplines, such as communications, psychology, nursing, travel and tourism, hospitality, and education. Flight attendants for international airlines generally must speak a foreign language fluently. For their international flights, some of the major airlines prefer candidates who can speak two major foreign languages.

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  • CultureWatch, August 2010

    Reviews by Joan L. Cannon and Julia Sneden: For anyone enamored of English literature in general and its romantic poets in particular, Young Romantics is a treasure. The Anthologist has a rather bittersweet plot, but includes more criticism, philosophy, and satire than ordinary fiction. Following the Water is actually poetry in prose and science as art, including philosophy and religion without confrontation. The New York Times Practical Guide to Practically Everything is a treat for all who enjoy trivia; a fine resource for straightforward and authoritative information.

     

  • When Jobs Go Away for Good

    From Stateline, A Pew Center on the States Project:

    by Christine Vestal

    “A company called Pillowtex closed its plant in Kannapolis, North Carolina. Pillowtex was the town’s biggest employer by far, and most of the 4,800 workers who lost their jobs had little education and dim prospects for finding new jobs in manufacturing.” 

    “Mike Easley, who was then the governor of North Carolina, responded by invoking a federal program targeted at workers who lose their jobs to foreign competition. Although the Trade Adjustment Assistance program had been around since the 1970s, states weren’t taking advantage of it much at the time.”

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  • The Deadliest of All Gynecological Cancers and Its Symptoms

    The Women’s Policy, Inc site, as part of their regular sourced newsletter, highlighted this legislation:

    On August 3, the Senate passed, by unanimous consent, a resolution supporting National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month (S. Res. 555).

    Sponsored by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), the resolution contains a number of findings, including:

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