The American Worker!

Labor Day is Monday, September 7th. It's a day we recognize
the people who's hard work keep this country strong and great! Below, are some fascinating facts about America's Laborers!


Origin

The first observance of Labor Day is believed to have been a parade of 10,000 workers on Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City, organized by Peter J. McGuire, a Carpenters and Joiners Union secretary. By 1893, more than half the states were observing a "Labor Day" on one day or another, and Congress passed a bill
to establish a federal holiday in 1894.

President Grover Cleveland signed the bill soon afterward, designating the first Monday in September as Labor Day.



Who Are We Celebrating?

155.1 million
Number of people 16 and older in the nation's labor force
in May 2009.


Employee Benefits

83%
Percentage of full-time workers 18 to 64 covered by health insurance during all or part of 2007.



77%
Percentage of workers in private industry who receive a paid vacation as one of their employment benefits.




Our Jobs

Americans work in a variety of occupations. Here is a sampling:

Occupation Number of employees
Teachers 7.2 million
Chief executives 1.7 million
Janitors and building cleaners 2.1 million
Computer software engineers 1.0 million
Aerospace engineers 137,000
Electricians 874,000
Registered nurses 2.8 million
Social workers 729,000
Clergy 441,000
Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists 773,000
Chefs and head cooks 351,000
Customer service representatives 1.9 million
Taxi drivers and chauffeurs 373,000
Firefighters 293,000
Roofers 234,000
Pharmacists 243,000
Machinists 409,000
Musicians, singers and related workers 186,000
Artists and related workers 213,000
Gaming services workers (gambling) 111,000
Tax preparers 105,000
Service station attendants 87,000
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers and weighers 751,000
Welding, soldering and brazing workers 598,000
Farmers and ranchers 751,000



Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010


7.7 million
Number of workers who hold down more than one job. So-called moonlighters comprise 5 percent of the working population. Of these, 4 million work full time at their primary job and part time at their other job.



288,000
When do they sleep? Number of moonlighters who work
full time at two jobs.


10.4 million
Number of self-employed workers.


22.5 million
Number of female workers 16 and older in educational services, and health care and social assistance industries. Among male workers 16 and older, 11.3 million were employed in manufacturing industries.



28%
Percentage of workers 16 and older who work more than 40 hours a week. Eight percent work 60 or more hours a week.


4
Median number of years workers have been with their current employer. About 9 percent of those employed have been with their current employer for 20 or more years.




10.3 million
Number of independent contractors.


15.7 million
Number of labor union members nationwide. About 12 percent of wage and salary workers belong to unions, with Alaska, Hawaii and New York having among the highest rates of any state. North Carolina has one of the lowest rates, 3 percent.


-10.8%
Percentage decline in employment in Elkhart County, Ind., between September 2007 and September 2008, the largest percentage decline among the nation's 334 largest counties. Maricopa, Ariz., posted the largest numerical job loss over the period: 67,100.


3.2%
Percentage increase in employment in Yakima County, Wash., between September 2007 and September 2008, the largest percentage increase among the nation's 334 largest counties. Harris, Texas, posted the largest numerical job gain over the period: 26,500.


5.7 million
The number of people who work at home.


Another Day, Another Dollar

$45,113 and $35,102
The 2007 annual median earnings for male and female
full-time, year-round workers, respectively.


$1,552
Average weekly wage in New York County (Manhattan), N.Y., for the third quarter of 2008, the highest among the nation's 334 largest counties. Rutherford, Tenn., led the nation in growth of average weekly wages the third quarters of 2007 to 2008, with an increase of 17 percent ($124).


Hot Jobs

53%
Projected percentage growth from 2006 to 2016 in the number of network systems and data communication analysts. Forecasters expect this occupation to grow at a faster rate than any other. Meanwhile, the occupation expected to add more positions over this period than any other is registered nurses (587,000).


Early, Lonely and Long -- the Commute to Work

17 million
Number of commuters who leave for work between midnight and 5:59 a.m. These early birds represent 13 percent of all commuters.


76%
Percentage of workers who drive alone to work. Another 10 percent carpool, and 5 percent take public transportation (excluding taxicabs).


31.5 minutes
The average time it takes to commute to work for residents of New York state. New York residents had the most time-consuming commute in the nation, followed by that of Maryland residents with 31.1 minutes. The national average was 25.3 minutes.


3.4 million
Number of workers who face extreme commutes to work of 90
or more minutes each day.


52%
Percentage of workers 16 and older living in Virginia who worked and lived in different counties, the highest rate in the nation.


Following is a list of observances typically covered
by the Census Bureau's Facts for Features series:


African-American History Month (February)
Valentine's Day (Feb. 14)
Women's History Month (March)
Irish-American Heritage Month (March)/St. Patrick's Day (March 17)
Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month (May)
Older Americans Month (May)
Mother's Day (May 13)
Father's Day (June 17)
The Fourth of July (July 4)
Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act (July 26)
Back to School (August)
Labor Day (Sept. 3)
Grandparents Day (Sept. 9)
Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15)
Halloween (Oct. 31)
American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month (November)
Veterans Day (Nov. 11)
Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 22)
The Holiday Season (December)



SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau

Photo Crasher!

My last couple of posts, have consisted of photos taken with some of your favorite artists. Well, I guess it was bound to happen--my photos being crashed by an unexpected and currently famous guest. Is it me, or is this guy everywhere?

Interrupting Michael Farren & Yours Truly





Joining John Schlitt and Me





Britt Nicole's Friend?

A Weekend That 'Rocked'!

Recently, I got a chance to spend part of my weekend, emceeing an event featuring worship band, Pocket Full of Rocks and also
John Schlitt (former lead singer of Petra)! Below are pics.





Pocket Full of Rocks On Stage





John Schlitt Performs





Michael Farren Of Pocket Full Of Rocks






John Schlitt

A Lost Weekend Gets Found!

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of emceeing a performance by EMI artist Britt Nicole, in conjunction with the release of her latest cd--The Lost Get Found. What a great time of music and ministry for all of us fortunate to attend!




Crowd Enjoying Britt!















Britt Nicole On Stage!





Britt Signs Autographs For Fans!





Britt And Yours Truly!

It's That Time, Kids!

While your kids may not be overjoyed about back-to-school time, there are tips that you can use to make sure they have a fun and successful school year!

MAKING THE FIRST DAY EASIER

* Remind your child that she is not the only student who is a bit uneasy about the first day of school. Teachers know that students are anxious and will make an extra effort to make sure everyone feels as comfortable as possible.
* Point out the positive aspects of starting school: It will be fun. She'll see old friends and meet new ones. Refresh her positive memories about previous years, when she may have returned home after the first day with high spirits because she had a good time.
* Find another child in the neighborhood with whom your youngster can walk to school or ride with on the bus.
* If you feel it is appropriate, drive your child (or walk with her) to school and pick her up on the first day.

BACKPACK SAFETY

* Choose a backpack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back.
* Pack light. Organize the backpack to use all of its compartments. Pack heavier items closest to the center of the back. The backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of the your child’s body weight.
* Always use both shoulder straps. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can strain muscles.
* Consider a rolling backpack. This type of backpack may be a good choice for students who must tote a heavy load. Remember that rolling backpacks still must be carried up stairs, and they may be difficult to roll in snow.

TRAVELING TO AND FROM SCHOOL
Review the basic rules with your youngster:

School Bus

* If your child’s school bus has lap/shoulder seat belts, make sure your child uses one at all times when in the bus. If your child’s school bus does not have lap/shoulder belts, encourage the school to buy or lease buses with lap/shoulder belts.
* Wait for the bus to stop before approaching it from the curb.
* Do not move around on the bus.
* Check to see that no other traffic is coming before crossing.
* Make sure to always remain in clear view of the bus driver.
* Children should always board and exit the bus at locations that provide safe access to the bus or to the school building.

Car

* All passengers should wear a seat belt and/or an age- and size-appropriate car safety seat or booster seat.
* Your child should ride in a car safety seat with a harness as long as possible and then ride in a belt-positioning booster seat. Your child is ready for a booster seat when she has reached the top weight or height allowed for her seat, her shoulders are above the top harness slots, or her ears have reached the top of the seat.
* Your child should ride in a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle's seat belt fits properly (usually when the child reaches about 4' 9" in height and is between 8 to 12 years of age). This means that the child is tall enough to sit against the vehicle seat back with her legs bent at the knees and feet hanging down and the shoulder belt lies across the middle of the chest and shoulder, not the neck or throat; the lap belt is low and snug across the thighs, and not the stomach.
* All children under 13 years of age should ride in the rear seat of vehicles. If you must drive more children than can fit in the rear seat (when carpooling, for example), move the front-seat passenger’s seat as far back as possible and have the child ride in a booster seat if the seat belts do not fit properly without it.
* Remember that many crashes occur while novice teen drivers are going to and from school. You should require seat belt use, limit the number of teen passengers, do not allow eating, drinking, cell phone conversations or texting to prevent driver distraction; and limit nighttime driving and driving in inclement weather. Familiarize yourself with your state’s graduated driver license law and consider the use of a parent-teen driver agreement to facilitate the early driving learning process.

Bike

* Always wear a bicycle helmet, no matter how short or long the ride.
* Ride on the right, in the same direction as auto traffic.
* Use appropriate hand signals.
* Respect traffic lights and stop signs.
* Wear bright color clothing to increase visibility.
* Know the "rules of the road."

Walking to School

* Make sure your child's walk to a school is a safe route with well-trained adult crossing guards at every intersection.
* Be realistic about your child's pedestrian skills. Because small children are impulsive and less cautious around traffic, carefully consider whether or not your child is ready to walk to school without adult supervision.
* If your child is young or is walking to new school, walk with them the first week to make sure they know the route and can do it safely.
* Bright colored clothing will make your child more visible to drivers.
* In neighborhoods with higher levels of traffic, consider starting a “walking school bus,” in which an adult accompanies a group of neighborhood children walking to school.

EATING DURING THE SCHOOL DAY

* Most schools regularly send schedules of cafeteria menus home. With this advance information, you can plan on packing lunch on the days when the main course is one your child prefers not to eat.
* Try to get your child's school to stock healthy choices such as fresh fruit, low-fat dairy products, water and 100 percent fruit juice in the vending machines.
* Each 12-ounce soft drink contains approximately 10 teaspoons of sugar and 150 calories. Drinking just one can of soda a day increases a child's risk of obesity by 60%. Restrict your child's soft drink consumption.

BULLYING

Bullying is when one child picks on another child repeatedly. Bullying can be physical, verbal, or social. It can happen at school, on the playground, on the school bus, in the neighborhood, or over the Internet.

When Your Child Is Bullied

* Help your child learn how to respond by teaching your child how to:
1. Look the bully in the eye.
2. Stand tall and stay calm in a difficult situation.
3. Walk away.
* Teach your child how to say in a firm voice.
1. "I don't like what you are doing."
2. "Please do NOT talk to me like that."
3. "Why would you say that?"
* Teach your child when and how to ask for help.
* Encourage your child to make friends with other children.
* Support activities that interest your child.
* Alert school officials to the problems and work with them on solutions.
* Make sure an adult who knows about the bullying can watch out for your child's safety and well-being when you cannot be there.

When Your Child Is the Bully

* Be sure your child knows that bullying is never OK.
* Set firm and consistent limits on your child's aggressive behavior.
* Be a positive role mode. Show children they can get what they want without teasing, threatening or hurting someone.
* Use effective, non-physical discipline, such as loss of privileges.
* Develop practical solutions with the school principal, teachers, counselors, and parents of the children your child has bullied.

When Your Child Is a Bystander

* Tell your child not to cheer on or even quietly watch bullying.
* Encourage your child to tell a trusted adult about the bullying.
* Help your child support other children who may be bullied. Encourage your child to include these children in activities.
* Encourage your child to join with others in telling bullies to stop.

BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CHILD CARE

* During middle childhood, youngsters need supervision. A responsible adult should be available to get them ready and off to school in the morning and watch over them after school until you return home from work.
* Children approaching adolescence (11- and 12-year-olds) should not come home to an empty house in the afternoon unless they show unusual maturity for their age.
* If alternate adult supervision is not available, parents should make special efforts to supervise their children from a distance. Children should have a set time when they are expected to arrive at home and should check in with a neighbor or with a parent by telephone.
* If you choose a commercial after-school program, inquire about the training of the staff. There should be a high staff-to-child ratio, and the rooms and the playground should be safe.

DEVELOPING GOOD HOMEWORK AND STUDY HABITS

* Create an environment that is conducive to doing homework. Youngsters need a permanent work space in their bedroom or another part of the home that offers privacy.
* Set aside ample time for homework.
* Establish a household rule that the TV set stays off during homework time.
* Supervise computer and internet use.
* Be available to answer questions and offer assistance, but never do a child's homework for her.
* Take steps to help alleviate eye fatigue, neck fatigue and brain fatigue while studying. It may be helpful to close the books for a few minutes, stretch, and take a break periodically when it will not be too disruptive.
* If your child is struggling with a particular subject, and you aren't able to help her yourself, a tutor can be a good solution. Talk it over with your child's teacher first.

© 2009 - American Academy of Pediatrics

No Limits!

Do you ever feel that your life is limited by your problems?
Are you living a life that's abundant, or a life that's small?

I want to share with you, this devotional that I received from Inspiration Ministries, this morning. Remember, God has no limits--only those we place on Him-- through our own
ignorance, fear, disobedience and unbelief.

It's time for you to live a limitless life!



Beyond Our Limits

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

"Do not be afraid any longer, only believe." Mark 5:36 NASB

All hope had faded. The little girl already was dead. Her father, Jairus, had hoped Jesus would lay His hands on her "so that she will get well and live." But after receiving news of her death, his efforts seemed to be in vain. Those bearing the news assured Jairus that nothing more could be done, for it was too late.

However, Jesus knew that God's time is not man's time. What seems humanly impossible is a small thing for God.
He told Jairus, "Only believe."

When they reached the house where the girl's body lay, Jesus asked the mourners, "Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is asleep" (v. 39). They reacted with laughter. To them, Jesus' comment seemed foolish…laughable.

But He was not deterred by their doubt. He took the girl by the hand and said, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!" (v. 41) Immediately she arose and "began to walk," and everyone was "completely astounded," even the doubters (v. 42).

Jairus experienced the power of Jesus' words: "Only believe."

The world constantly tells us there are limits. That often makes it hard to understand that God is limitless. With Him, anything is possible! And He invites us to enter by faith into that
amazing realm of the impossible.

Today, you may face situations that seem impossible, challenges that seem overwhelming, or adversaries that seem too powerful. You may not know what to do, and it may even seem
you've already been defeated.

But remember Jairus. Dare to believe that God can do anything! Step into the supernatural realm where He reigns. Realize the limitlessness of His power and the greatness of His love. Don't let doubt and fear cripple your life, but be willing to move
out in faith. Believe…only believe!

We Become What We Hate...

...Ain't that the truth! I used to watch with bewildered amusement, the hype surrounding the next great, gotta have device-- the iPhone.

I could never understand the endless babble of geeks extolling it's virtues--that is, until I bought one last week. Yes, Virginia, I have just become what I have ridiculed-- an iPhone geek!

If we should meet, I will ceaselessly regale you with the glorious wonders of this most fantabulous gizmo.

Yes, friends, I will reveal to you how this gadget will do wonders for your work productivity, increase your mental capacity, and even help you find the closest Italian restaurant!

Please exercise Christian charity, and pray for my new affliction of geekiness. Thank you.

By the way, anybody need an old pocket calculator?