Now that summer’s arrived, it’s time to break in the new patio set and fire up the grill. Unfortunately, temperatures are burning up from coast to coast; who wants to BBQ in triple-digit temperatures, right?
Well, never fear as there is a perfect outdoor (and indoor) cooling solution: portable evaporative coolers, also known as “swamp coolers.” Evaporative coolers are an underrated cooling appliance because of the misconceptions about them floating around. Let’s clear these up to see if this is the right cooling option for you.
Isn’t it just a glorified fan?
Not at all. Unlike a fan, which just blows warm air around in a room, an evaporative cooler will lower the temperature. If you’ve ever set up a fan in front of a bucket of ice, you’ve experienced at a rudimentary level, how an evaporative cooler works. As the air hits the ice, the evaporation lowers the temperature of the air. It’s similar to the sensation of feeling a cool lake breeze. This cooling mechanism is how evaporative coolers are different from a regular AC that uses a compressor and refrigerant to create cold air.
How well does it cool?
It depends on the climate. Evaporative coolers increase the humidity in the air so they are better suited for drier climates or the outdoors. For indoor use, they are generally, the most effective in environments with a maximum relative humidity of 60% or less.
For outdoor use, they’re useful even if the humidity is a bit higher, making them perfect for running while you BBQ or while the kids are playing in the backyard.
TIPS FOR STAYING COOL
Summer’s here, and it’s getting hot outside!
Don’t run the risk of potentially getting heat stroke from BBQing or gardening in your backyard during a heatwave. Here are our top tips to help you keep cool while you’re outside.
- Strategically set up shade
If your yard is exposed to the sun, block it out by investing in a patio umbrella or canopy in a light colored fabric. Look for UV-resistant and all-weather material for long-lasting durability. - Get a (better) outdoor cooling solution
Fans will just circulate warm air, providing minimal relief. If you truly want to be cooler outside, consider a portable evaporative cooler from a reputable brand like Honeywell. Models like the Honeywell CO60PM Outdoor Evaporative Cooler are designed to be used outdoors, so they’re weatherproof and UV resistant. Best of all, unlike a fan, it will actually lower the temperature of your space. Plus, there is little maintenance involved as you can connect the cooler directly to your garden hose, so there is no need to keep refilling the water tank. Lastly, evaporative coolers are economical to run. Per the Department of Energy, evaporative coolers use only about a fourth as much energy as traditional AC units. - Dress for maximum cooling
Black or dark blue outfits are not suitable for the outdoors; they’ll absorb the sun and make you feel even hotter. Stick to loose-fitting, lightly colored clothing made of 100% cotton or sweat-wicking material. And of course, don’t forget a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen! - Stay hydrated with an icy drink
Keeping your body hydrated keeps your body temperature down. Keep a pitcher of iced water with you while you’re in the backyard. For healthy hydration option, dress it up with a squeeze of lemon or cucumber slices.
Article provided by JMATEK
June 22, 2018
Women today account for only 5.2 percent of the CEOs of S&P 500 companies and slightly more than 21 percent of their board seats – and it’s not due to a lack of desire according to recent studies. The KPMG Women’s Leadership Summit aims to move the needle and forge paths for the next generation of women leaders to move into the C-suite through high-impact leadership development content, networking, and access to today’s top leaders. KPMG today announced that the 66th U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, KPMG U.S. Chairman and CEO Lynne Doughtie, and retired 4-star U.S. Navy Admiral Michelle Howard will share their career experiences as leaders at this year’s Summit on June 27.
All Sessions to Be Live Streamed via KPMG.com/WomensLeadership
The event will be live streamed in its entirety beginning at 10:30 a.m. EDT / 9:30 a.m. CDT. In its fourth year, the KPMG Women’s Leadership Summit convenes highly accomplished leaders in the worlds of business, politics, sports, and the media to share strategies, insights and lessons learned from their personal journeys with the next generation of women leaders nominated by their CEOs to attend, which includes representation from more than 80 of the world’s leading brands.
RELATED ARTICLE: Condoleezza Rice and Annika Sorenstam will Keynote KPMG 2016 Women’s Leadership Summit
“The KPMG Women’s Leadership Summit aims to advance and empower women, across multiple industries, by connecting today’s luminaries with the next generation of talent,” said KPMG U.S. Chairman and CEO Lynne Doughtie. “Through this initiative and many others, KPMG remains deeply committed to helping close the women’s leadership gap.”
Hosted on-site during the week of the 2018 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, the KPMG Women’s Leadership Summit will feature distinguished speakers and panelists including:
Keynote speakers:
- Condoleezza Rice – 66th U.S. Secretary of State
- Admiral Michelle Howard – U.S. Navy (Retired)
- Lynne Doughtie – U.S. Chairman and CEO, KPMG
Olympian panelists:
- Nancy Kerrigan – Two-time Olympic Medalist & U.S. National Champion, Figure Skating
- Hilary Knight – Olympic Medalist, Team USA Hockey
- Maia Shibutani – Olympic Medalist, U.S. Figure Skating
Business speakers:
- Eric Foss – Chairman, President and CEO, Aramark
- Alex Gorsky – Chairman of the Board and CEO, Johnson & Johnson
- Jennifer Morgan – President, Americas & Asia Pacific Japan (APJ) & Member of the Executive Board, SAP
- Dan Pink – Best-selling author and motivational speaker
- Julie Sweet – CEO, Accenture North America
NBC’s Sunday Night Football Sideline Reporter Michele Tafoya will serve as the master of ceremonies. Sessions will be moderated by NBC on-air talent including Dan Hicks, Host of NBC Sports’ golf coverage and play-by-play announcer for Swimming and Downhill Skiing for NBC Olympics.
The KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, a collaboration between KPMG, PGA of America and LPGA, combines a world-class, annual major golf championship with the KPMG Women’s Leadership Summit and KPMG Future Leaders Program — all focused on the development, advancement, and empowerment of women on and off the golf course. The events will take place June 26-July 1, 2018 at Kemper Lakes Golf Club in Kildeer, Illinois. The Championship offers a $3.65 million purse, among the highest in women’s golf, and will be broadcast on NBC and Golf Channel.
Net proceeds from the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and KPMG Women’s Leadership Summit fund the KPMG Future Leaders Program, a charitable initiative that affords top female high school seniors across the country the opportunity to enhance their personal growth through college scholarships, a leadership development retreat at Stanford University, a mentoring relationship with a woman business leader, and an introduction to golf. Condoleezza Rice serves as the program’s ambassador.
An advisory council comprised of exemplary leaders from across business, sports, and the media is helping to guide the KPMG Women’s Leadership Summit. Founding sponsors of the 2018 Summit are Constellation, an Exelon Company, and National Car Rental. For more information about the KPMG Women’s Leadership Summit and the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, visit: KPMG.com/WomensLeadership.
WHAT: Kicking off the week of the 2018 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, KPMG will host an interactive event benefiting local youth at Chicago’s historic Soldier Field.
VISUALS: Interactive stations hosted by top athletes from their respective sports
Stations to include unique challenges: SnagGolf Sticky Suit and Bullseye, Chipping Skee Ball, Football Throwing Accuracy, Field Goal Kicking, Soccer Penalty Kicking and Basketball Challenges
Youth to divide into teams from their organizations, wearing colored t-shirts and rotating to each station
Athletes to compete in a Finale Skills Competition, divided into teams of two for each sport
Finale to include three (3) challenges: Football Throwing Accuracy, SnagGolf Sticky Suit and Basketball
WHEN: Monday, June 25, 2018
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Skills Challenges, Youth Groups rotating between each station / sport
5:00 p.m.: Athlete Finale Competition
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.: Media Interview Opportunities with Athletes
WHERE: Soldier Field
1410 Museum Campus Dr.
Chicago, IL 60605
WHO: Chase Daniel, Quarterback, Chicago Bears
Kris Dunn, Point Guard, Chicago Bulls
Dax McCarty, Midfielder, Chicago Fire
Phil Mickelson, Major champion, 42-time PGA TOUR winner and KPMG Brand Ambassador
Alyssa Naeher, Goalkeeper, Chicago Red Stars
Cody Parkey, Placekicker, Chicago Bears
Diamond DeShields, Guard, Chicago Sky,
Mariah Stackhouse, Stanford University graduate, LPGA Tour player and KPMG Brand Ambassador
Michael Collins, Senior Golf Analyst, ESPN
90 Girls and Boys from PGA Junior League, Girls in Golf Academy and LPGA*USGA Girls Golf*
*Please note this event is not open to the public.
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KPMG Sponsorship Ahead of LPGA Tour
WHY: In celebration of this major championship in women’s golf, the KPMG Windy City Challenge will provide an opportunity for students to engage with incredible athletes and role models across a range of sports. The event will provide an opportunity for the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship to extend the Championship’s commitment to inspire the next generation of youth in Chicago.
KPMG Brand Ambassador Phil Mickelson will participate in the event for the second consecutive year, continuing his support of KPMG’s Future Leaders Program and Championship.
About the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship
The KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, a collaboration between KPMG, PGA of America and LPGA, combines a world-class, annual major golf championship with the KPMG Women’s Leadership Summit and KPMG Future Leaders Program — all focused on the development, advancement, and empowerment of women on and off the golf course. The events take place June 25-July 1, 2018 at historic Kemper Lakes Golf Club. The Championship offers a $3.65 million purse, among the highest in women’s golf, and is broadcast on NBC and Golf Channel. For more information about the KPMG Women’s Leadership Summit and the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, visit: KPMG.com/WomensLeadership.
About KPMG LLP
KPMG is one of the world’s leading professional services firms, providing innovative business solutions and audit, tax, and advisory services to many of the world’s largest and most prestigious organizations.
KPMG is widely recognized for being a great place to work and build a career. Our people share a sense of purpose in the work we do, and a strong commitment to community service, inclusion and diversity, and eradicating childhood illiteracy.
KPMG LLP is the independent U.S. member firm of KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”). KPMG International’s independent member firms have 197,000 professionals working in 154 countries. Learn more at www.kpmg.com/us.
by John Perry
Talk about a golden opportunity to put the game of golf at the head of the table when it comes to sports. It was passed up, all for the sake of loyalty to one of its favorite sons. The USGA, who certainly dropped the ball in the past, when it comes to regulating and validating its power and authority, chose the low road at this year’s U.S.Open at Shinnecock Hills in Long Island, N. Y.
On the par 4, 13th hole during Saturday’s 3rd round, living legend–and one of golf’s more popular and celebrated ambassadors of the game–Phil Mickelson committed one of the most unprofessional and unethical acts in the sport of golf. Obviously, out of frustration, he ran after his 18-foot bogey putt as it went past the hole, on it’s way to going off the green, and struck it while it was still moving. A no, no in golf, as he knew all too well.
Knowing he would be penalized for such action, Mickelson did not care about the consequences (or repercussions) that were sure to follow. Of course, the conditions of the course were slightly over the edge–as fair play was concerned–and, the lightning-fast greens in particular. But the conditions were the same for everyone–not just Mickelson.
The USGA’s decision was to access the convenient two-shot penalty rule, instead of the available, appropriate, more severe disqualification penalty.
RELATED STORY: The Players Championship Kicks Off to an Excited Crowd
Although Phil has never won a U.S. Open and so many of his loyal followers would love to see him accomplish the Grand Slam by adding that to his list of Majors, there’s still protocol and integrity to comply within this great game. We know he’s already inducted into the World Golf Hall Of Fame, and all that. We know Saturday’s 3rd round at Shinnecock was also Phil’s 48th birthday, and all that. But I ‘m sure, without any shadows of a doubt, that other Hall Of Famers like Hogan, Snead, Nelson, Jones, Palmer, Player, Nicklaus, Trevino, and Watson would never have cheated and disrespected the game in such a manner.
I also sincerely believe that if that had been Pat Perez or Harold Varner III, they would’ve been DQ’d! The USGA’s governing body needs to rethink this one deeply. The rules of the game are still obviously not where they need to be, and after decisions like the one they made concerning Phil’s tragic act of blatant disrespect, this puts them further from where they could be. Yes, they set the game of golf back a bit with this short-sightedness. I, for one, hope that they learn from this and realize that by their own standards and codes of conduct that no one individual is bigger than the game itself.
…I’m Just Saying.
John Perry is a freelance writer, poet and active golfer with a passion for calling shots like he sees them and, then, telling it like it is. He resides in Orlando, Florida.
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Guess who’s planning to be the next big thing out on the golf course?
Little “L.J.” Minnifield of Cleveland, Ohio takes a striking pose as he learns the game. The toddler, at 25 lbs, 2-ft tall, is only 15 months old, yet he seems to already know that this sport is for him.
Way to go, L.J., we look forward to seeing you out there.
Tajuana Ross, The LinkedIn Professor, is at today’s Chicago Expo and talks with AAGD reporter Demetrice Burgess about how golf is a great way for growing your business network.
by John Sabino
ISBN: 10: 1-63450-799-1
The beauty of this book is that it gives great practical tips on how to play some of the best courses in the world. The author is a tremendous networker, and many of his conquests are a result of exactly that. A banker by trade, it also helped that he set up a blog that became one of the highest ranked in the golfing world. Nevertheless, the book is a fantastic resource for anyone trying to make an assault on playing some of the greatest golf courses in the world. Questions answered include: How do you go about gaining access? Who do you have to know? How do you find a member? What is the etiquette to follow? Plus, includes some history, vast information on courses, and inspiration for you to to get yourself onto some of them.
June 8, 2018–U.S. celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain, host of CNN’s food-and-travel-focused “Parts Unknown” television series, hanged himself in a French hotel room, CNN said on Friday, in the second high-profile suicide of a U.S. celebrity this week. He was 61.
Bourdain was found dead in a hotel room in Strasbourg, France, where he had been working on an upcoming episode of his program, a CNN representative said in a statement.
Bourdain’s death comes three days after American designer Kate Spade, who built a fashion empire on her signature handbags, was found dead in her New York apartment of suicide on Tuesday.
Suicide rates rose in nearly every U.S. state from 1999 to 2016, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday. Nearly 45,000 people committed suicide in 2016, making it one of three leading causes of death in the United States, along with Alzheimer’s disease and drug overdoses.
Bourdain’s profile began to soar in 1999, when the New Yorker magazine published his article “Don’t Eat Before Reading This,” which he developed into the 2000 book, “Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly.
He went on to host television programs, first on the Food Network and the Travel Channel, before joining CNN in 2013.
“His love of great adventure, new friends, fine food and drink and the remarkable stories of the world made him a unique storyteller,” the network said in a statement on Friday. “His talents never ceased to amaze us and we will miss him very much. Our thoughts and prayers are with his daughter and family at this incredibly difficult time.”
This story is developing.
[If you are having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for a list of additional resources.]
(Reporting by Scott Malone in Boston; Additional reporting by Gina Cherelus in New York; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
Randi Payton
Decisive Media Network
It seems that Volkswagen (VW) engineers and designers have been very busy producing new and redesigned cars and trucks. In a market where SUV sales are at an all-time high and sedans are down, purchases of new Volkswagens are on the rise. Since April 2018, VW sales increased by 4.5 percent from 2017, driven primarily by its SUVs, the Compact Tiguan and the new 2018 family size Atlas.
The German automaker quickly settled with the government on the diesel emissions scandal for a record $4.3 billion in 2017. Apparently, what could have turned into a PR nightmare, had little effect on its brand. All the while, it stayed busy planning a new lineup of vehicles for 2018. Soon after the settlement, VW began rolling out its new and redesigned SUVs and sedans.
I got a chance to test drive the 2018 2.0T VW Passat R-Line, 2018 VW Golf SE, 2018 Atlas V6 SEL Premium, and the 2018 Tiguan SEL Premium 4Motion. After getting a taste of the latest VWs, I can’t wait to test the much anticipated 2019 VW Jetta, which recently went on sale and remains one of the World’s top-selling sedans.
2018 VW Passat
Facing stiff competition in the mid-size sedan segment, the Volkswagen Passat upped the ante in 2018. The 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine was upgraded to a smooth and quick turbocharged 2.0-liter that gets 174 horsepower, which is standard in the S, R-line, SE, and SEL Premium trim levels. Another engine that’s optional on the recently launched Passat GT includes a sporty 3.6 liter V-6 that generates 280 horsepower.
The 2018 2.0T VW Passat R-Line that I tested was packed with convenient tech and safety features. It drove and felt like and a luxury want-a-be. Exterior features included 19-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires, R-Line front grille, bumpers, trim, and rear spoiler. Inside included a combination of leather and carbon fiber trimming, heated 6-way power seats with lumbar support, rear camera system with blind spot monitoring and rear traffic alert.
MSRP for the 2018 Passat starts at $22,995 and goes up to $24,995 for the 2.0T R-Line. Fuel averages 25 mpg city/36 highway. Volkswagen also doubled the length of the bumper-to-bumper warranty for 2018, to six years or 72,000 miles on all models.
2018 Volkswagen Golf
The current generation of the Volkswagen Golf, first introduced in 2015, has been refreshed for the 2018 model year. Like other VW models, it offers an infotainment system that includes Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. Active safety features include blind spot monitoring, active parallel parking assist, automatic braking, lane departure, adaptive cruise control, and an 8-inch available touchscreen display.
The 2018 Golf SE 4-door manual is powered by a 1.8-liter turbo engine, which averages 25 city/34 HWY. MSRP starts at $22,010 and goes up to $27,995 when fully loaded.
The Golf lineup includes a Hatchback for $20,910, Golf GTI for $26,415, eGolf for $30,495, and $39,485 for the Golf R-Line.
2018 Volkswagen Atlas
The newly introduced 2018 VW Atlas is a large size SUV that can transport families, pets, and cargo. I tested the top-of-the-line 2018 Atlas SEL Premium 4Motion, powered by a 3.6-liter DOHC V6 direct fuel injection engine.
MSRP for an Atlas starts at $30,750 and ranges up to $48,490 for a fully loaded SEL model. Fuel economy averages 22 city and 26 highway.
It has third-row seating for seven passengers and a panoramic sunroof that runs the length of the roof.
2018 Volkswagen Tiguan
The 2018 VW Tiguan, is a stylish compact SUV that offers eight trim levels.
I tested the top level Tiguan SEL Premium 4Motion with a 2.0-liter 8-speed automatic transmission, which starts at $37,550 MSRP. The base Tiguan S model starts at $24,595 with a panoramic sunroof and 3rd-row seating. The Tiguan Limited starts at $22,250 with two rows and five seats.
The 2018 Tiguan can carry from five to seven passengers with the optional 3rd-row seat. It’s redesigned for more cargo capacity and is 10-inches longer than the 2017 model.
Randi Payton is Founder at Decisive Media Network, Washington D.C. Metro Area.
Setting sail on the ocean is one way to relax and pro golfer Tiger Woods does this to the max in his 155-foot yacht named “Privacy”. The $20 million vessel was seen a couple of days ago at a yacht club in the Hamptons just ahead of next week’s U.S. Open that is being held at Shinnecock Hills.
According to reports on June 5, 2018 by Page Six, Tiger’s massive, three-decker boat is at Gurney’s Montauk Yacht Club. The club is on eastern point of Long Island and approximately 30 miles from Shinnecock Hills. Privacy can hold up to 10 guests in 5 luxurious cabins along with a crew of 9 in 4 cabins. Beautiful cherry woodwork fills the interior that resonates with stately charm.
The VIP stateroom is aft with two queen size cabin amidships and a twin cabin. Sources at Page Six also say that Woods intends to stay on the yacht during the US Open tournament, an arrangement he also did during 2006, with onboard accommodations that include a fully equipped gym, bar, 8-person jacuzzi, and seven bedrooms.
In the spacious main living area, the layout is an open floor plan that has just a single divider between the saloon and the dining room. Then, there is a staircase—and an elevator that can hold 3 people should you not wish to make the climb— according to SuperYachtFan.com. The yacht also has a station to fill scuba tanks and an inflatable decompression chamber.
Tiger Woods is one of the most successful golfers of all time and formerly the World No. 1; he is the highest-paid professional athlete in the world. He purchased his yacht from Christensen Shipyards in 2004.