Undetectable.ai outputs

Long-form podcasts are an increasingly effective method to inform the public. As primary news sources, they are a positive development, provided that their listeners are also able to practice critical analysis of the media. In a time in which we are constantly bombarded by short news clips, news headlines and medial content, which, due to their business models, are steered towards outrage, long-form podcasts allow us to proceed at a leisurely pace and gain in-depth insight into topics that are of interest to us. There is so much depth in a long-form podcast, for starters. Unlike news shows, that try to cram as many events into a short time span, and thus don’t have room for background information, or for different perspectives on an issue, a podcast of an hour or so can delve into a topic at length, bring in a variety of different voices, and even provide historical context where necessary. Long-form podcasts are best for the kinds of complex, long-term stories that are not easily covered in short, sound-bite-based news reports, such as stories about war, election campaigns, or, say, climate change, or public health policies, or the causes of and cures for economic crises. Long-form podcasts also serve to make news more accessible than traditional media. While many people find it difficult to sit and read articles or to watch news programs, people can listen to long-form podcasts during time that would otherwise be wasted, such as while commuting, running or doing chores around the house. There is also something unique about podcasts that allows for discussion of difficult topics in a way that is more accessible than other news sources. The point that podcasts often can spread misinformation has to be taken into account as well. This is often connected to the less regulated area of podcasts in comparison to traditional media. Again, however, this does not have to lead to the complete dismissal of long-form podcasts as primary news sources. Above all, critical media judgment is required. Usually, a simple assessment of the host of a podcast and the provided sources is sufficient. Also, long-form podcasts that claim to provide high-quality content should have a strict check on fact-checking and provide a balanced representation of opposing views. Critics worry that people will retreat into ideological bubbles by only choosing to listen to podcasts that they already agree with. In some ways, this is already a problem in modern media more broadly. Long-form podcasts may even reduce polarization because instead of quickly shutting down an argument in a hostile environment, a guest has space to fully explore the reasoning behind their point of view. But, for now, long-form podcasts can be a main source of news for the public as long as they exercise critical media judgment. While there are many limitations to podcasts as a source of news, their best strength is to provide news in a slower and more thoughtful format than many other media today.

Meetings: A Shambles of Disorganised Collaboration. Meetings have become the default method of corporate communication and a ‘security blanket’ to help alleviate workplace indecision. An uncomfortable truth of modern workplace culture is that much of the collaboration that goes on in meetings adds no value to the outputs of knowledge workers. It’s further exacerbated by “calendar creep”, the inability to manage others’ time on shared calendars as software such as Outlook and Teams continues to make it so simple for anyone to snatch an hour of someone else’s time. All knowledge workers do is get their calendars hijacked on a regular basis. As a result, they can end up with highly fragmented schedules that totally destroy their ability to do any deep work, their primary means of generating any high-level value at work. As a result, they’re forced to work late to get through their normal workload. In addition to productivity, the structure of meetings has devolved. While some meetings have clear agendas, goals and a facilitator to keep people on track, most do not. Instead they become used as status updates, needing to be sent in email form anyway, and brainstorming sessions where loud people dictate while others remain silent and do not achieve any concrete results. What most people hate about meetings is that they steal their time. Time is the one thing that any culture of high productivity places above all others, and so, in order to be efficient, people hate empty and ‘fruitless’ collaboration. We can continue to pretend that these empty meetings are somehow meaningful or helpful, and that to acknowledge their futility is to be lazy, but until organizations recognize that time is a finite and precious resource, “this could have been an email” will remain the definitive anthem of the workplace.

I am interested in studying Industrial Design because it incorporates the areas of creativity, problem solving, technology and human factors. I am really interested in objects and how they are made and why some are better than others. Some products are really intuitive and are really useful and even look good. Industrial Design is not just about making things look good it can also be about improving people’s lives and how they work, live, move and interact with products and other people. This is a really varied field, as there are many kinds of objects that are designed to help people live, work, and move. These range from everyday products such as chairs, phones, packages, and other kitchen utensils and appliances to complex systems such as medical equipment and sustainable modes of transport. I find it really interesting that there is a process of identifying a need, researching into users, creating sketches of possible solutions, testing out prototypes, and refining a design until it is a useable, meaningful object. There are two main things about Industrial Design that interest me, the creative side of the job, and the more technical aspects, including developing designs using drawing, model-making, computer-aided design, understanding of materials, human factors/ergonomics and manufacturing. A key consideration for me would be to design sustainably with social responsibility. Many global problems we currently face include issues of waste, climate change and inequality in access to basic resources. I think designers have a unique opportunity to create products that are durable, able to be repaired, accessible to all and have the least possible negative impact on the environment. Studying Industrial Design will allow me to acquire the necessary technical skills to develop my ideas into real products as well as gain creative confidence and develop my critical thinking skills. I shall thrive in a studio environment and look forward to working with other designers, receiving feedback and being exposed to different ways of thinking and working. I recognize good design requires curiosity, patience, experimentation and resilience and I look forward to developing these important qualities. Industrial design is a field where I can apply my creativity and problem solving skills in a positive way to make practical products that are of use to people, are responsible to use and enjoyable to use by others. Above all, it would be wonderful to design something that solves a problem, makes life a bit easier or makes someone’s life better.

# The Meeting Paradox As a common workplace phenomenon that so many despise, meetings and the aggravation they cause have become a cultural issue in organizations today. Meeting rage has become the focal point of a systemic problem in how organizations approach collaboration and the attempts to manage it. The growth of digital calendars has helped to remove a natural constraint on the number of meetings we can attend and, as a result, they have grown exponentially in number. Today it only takes a few clicks to book a meeting and so the psychological cost of having a meeting has fallen. Finally, the cultural shift to remote and/or hybrid work has – perhaps counterintuitively – led to an increase in meeting frequency. In their absence of informal communication (hallway conversations, quick desk-side visits, etc.), managers fill the gap with more formal scheduled meetings (often on synchronous time) rather than allowing staff to hold their own informal communications. There is a large confusion between activity and productivity. Meetings look like work is going on and therefore they are used for a lot of things, including things that could be handled through email or other forms of asynchronous communication just as well. Fourth, there is a culture of poor meeting habits. Meetings without clear objectives, failure to make decisions in the meeting, far too many people attending, and the default of 30 or 60 minutes for all meetings, regardless of need. In order to execute deep work, most knowledge workers are looking for time to focus without interruption. And the greatest number of interruptions to work comes from meetings. This is why your meetings complaints are actually workplace time management complaints.

**Screen Time of Teens Rises as Concerns Over Youth Mental Health Continue to Grow** There is increasing concern regarding the use of smartphones, streaming services and social media by teenagers as they become a bigger part of daily life. Many parents, teachers and health professionals are looking into the possible ways in which teenagers’ screen time could affect their mental health. According to many studies, teenagers are consuming hours every day using a variety of platforms including education, entertainment, socializing and gaming. Teenagers’ screen time has enormous potential to cause harm as it can affect their sleep, be a factor in their anxiety, make them feel low, reduce their physical activity and affect their mental health. As researchers into mental health begin to examine the correlations between rising levels of youth screen time and unhealthy adolescent mental health, the critical point that needs to be made is that much of the negative press surrounding screen time is unfounded. While the adolescent who spends hours each day pouring over screens is potentially afflicted with a host of different negative effects including sleep disturbance, stress and decreased levels of physical activity, it is important to remember that screen time does not automatically need to translate to negative effects. “Quality matters as much as quantity,” says clinical child psychologist Judy Gentry, author of Turning it Around: confronting childhood despair, one teenager at a time. The experience an adolescent has online can range from very positive to very negative. A powerful online experience for an adolescent can be a place to find belonging, support, guidance, and affiliation. This is especially true for youth with disabilities, youth dealing with issues related to identity, and youth dealing with mental health issues, as well as those who are isolated, rejected or experiencing harassment and bullying offline. Using screens before bed is also known to cause sleep disruption by keeping teens up late and then disrupting their sleep throughout the night with notifications. Getting little sleep can lead to a variety of problems including depression, irritability, low mood, poor school performance and difficulties with managing and regulating emotions. Some school districts are cracking down on phone use in school by banning phones altogether, citing improved focus and behavior of students. Other schools are teaching digital literacy to help students understand the quality of information that is available online and how to avoid negative influences such as cyberbullying and hateful content. Students are also being taught about online privacy and how websites and apps are manipulating them to keep them engaged. Pediatricians advise parents to develop a media plan for their family rather than attempt to ban media altogether. By implementing ways to limit screen time, such as keeping media out of children’s bedrooms, setting media-free times for meals and before bedtime, and more, families can help children develop healthy media use habits. Also important is the opportunity for children and teens to discuss their online experiences with their parents. Possible indications that your child’s use of screen, and of the online world, is having a detrimental effect on their mental health include withdrawal from real world friends, decline in academic achievement, loss of interest in other activities, screen use leading to frequent arguments, changes in sleep and/or appetite, appearance of symptoms of distress following online usage. Technology is now a huge part of the adolescence years and can’t be cut out completely. Experts are advising families, schools, technology developers and children themselves to look for a healthy, balanced use of technology and help youth develop good online habits to ensure a healthy adolescence. As the issue of the youth’s mental health becomes a growing concern in our country, it is very likely that screen time will remain one of the most important topics for debate involving parents, schools, companies which produce digital products and above all children and adolescents.

# Windowsill Herb Garden Starter Kit Bring the farmer’s market to your kitchen counter with our Windowsill Herb Garden Starter Kit. Grow a variety of fresh, fragrant herbs throughout the year. Each kit is shipped with 6 Reusable Ceramic Planters, Premium Organic Seed Packets for 6 popular herbs such as Basil, Cilantro, Parsley, Mint, Thyme and Chives, Coconut Coir Growing Pucks for the pots, and a Moisture Wicking Capillary Mat that allows for roots to breathe between waterings. A step-by-step growing guide is included to help growers of all experience levels learn how to grow herbs from seed in the kit planters and harvest them within a few weeks. The herb planters fit within small spaces so you can put them on a sunny windowsill, on your kitchen counter or under a grow light. You’ll see the first sprouts in a matter of days, and you can start to cut your herbs within weeks. No more wilted bunches of store-bought herbs. Fresh herbs to add flavor to your dishes. A great gift for the home cook, the urban dweller or for anyone who wants to save money on groceries while living sustainably. Even after your herbs have been planted into the sturdy, yet elegant, planters they make great kitchen decorations. Cultivate your skills in the kitchen, as well as bring yourself joy on a daily basis, one fresh sprig at a time.

# Cover Letter for Policy Analyst Position Dear Hiring Manager, I’m writing to express interest in the Policy Analyst position for the City of [City Name]. The City’s commitment to developing and implementing good, equitable policy to better serve residents is particularly compelling to someone with my background and interests in public policy research, data analysis and community-based work. I work currently as Policy Research Associate at [Current Organization] where I have developed strong analytical skills, such as to collect, analyze and provide insights from data for decision-makers. Recently I completed a comprehensive research study of affordable housing policy initiatives in [City/Region] analyzing various affordable housing programs implemented through zoning measures, conducting several stakeholder interviews and comparing best practices from similar cities and regions around the world. Three policy recommendations derived from the study’s findings were recently adopted by the city council of [City], and within a year’s time the number of affordable housing units in the city increased by 15%. One thing that drew me to this job listing is the city’s recent efforts in sustainable transportation as well as economic and public health development. Specifically, the work that the city has done with [reference a specific project or policy] is something that really resonates with my own professional values and past work with related skills and on similar projects. We recognize that analyzing and making policy recommendations is not simply a matter of knowing how to analyze information. The Policy Analyst must understand the needs of communities and organizations, navigate political considerations and develop appropriate relationships with key stakeholders. These stakeholders include a diverse array of community-based organizations, businesses, and government entities at the local, state, and national levels. Through public forums, testimony and written correspondence, the Policy Analyst translates the results of his or her analysis into information that is understood by all. I am able to create quality products while utilizing a variety of different software packages including R and Stata as well as write and present reports to a variety of audiences. As someone who thrives in fast-paced work environments, I am able to manage multiple projects while priorities change. Thank you for your time and consideration. I would be glad to speak with you about how my ability to conduct quality policy analysis in public service could assist your department to better serve the residents of [City Name]. Thank you for your time to consider my application for this position. Sincerely, [Your Name]

# Personal Statement: Industrial Design Industrial Design, as a discipline, reveals the designer behind each and every object. It can give us an insight to the designer’s assumptions, to their design decisions and even to their understanding of human needs. I had that insight to Industrial Design for the first time when I was disassembling a broken kitchen appliance in my parents’ house. At that point in time I was only 17 years old and I hadn’t been able to repair it, but as I was disassembling it to understand why it had not worked I became extremely interested in Industrial Design. The place where creativity meets with problem-solving is what attracts me most to the field of industrial design. People generally believe that industrial design only includes making things look better. However, this is not the case. What good design does is to better serve the human needs of users. For example, a well-designed chair doesn’t have to look good; it just has to support the user’s body. But the user will never even realize that he has been served by the chair’s good design. He will only know that he feels great using it. Also, a good tool should feel great in the user’s hands. This means that someone must have thought about the grip, weight, and movement of the tool before it was actually made. For my independent projects I explored the field of Industrial Design over the past two years, creating projects such as a re-design of a foldable desk organizer for small spaces and prototyping an accessible measuring cup for people with limited hand movement. The key to good design is to create products with empathy and gain insight into the user’s needs and challenges of their daily lives. Through my work in the space, I have found that I really enjoy the iterative process of designing products through sketching, building, testing, failing, and refining a product until it meets the required standards and gains the insight to improve the lives of the user. Industrial Design is the perfect synthesis of artistic expression, technical skill, psychological understanding of human behavior and sustainability. I am fascinated by the way different materials can be used and by the possibilities and restrictions of different manufacturing processes. By studying industrial design, I aim to gain sufficient knowledge and experience to create designs that are not only creative but also responsible and of added value to society. My aim is to make objects that improve people’s lives quietly and creatively and help to solve problems they didn’t know they had before. Studying industrial design at degree level will give me the opportunity to further explore this goal.

Subject: Exciting News: Expanding Our Parental Leave to 20 Weeks Dear Team, At [Company Name] our biggest strength is without a doubt our employees. In addition to the regular support you can expect in your professional career, our core values support you in your personal life as well. This is why I am very excited to announce an update to the family benefits offered by the company. The 20 weeks of fully paid leave for parents will start on [Date] for all employees that are eligible for parental leave. This new policy will be fully inclusive of all parents, whether they be birthing, non-birthing, adoptive or even foster parents and will apply regardless of gender. The twenty weeks of paid parental leave will allow all new parents of [Company Name] to have the time and financial means to spend precious time with their children and to enable them to settle into their new family routines. These are special and often challenging times for new parents and we want to support them in their transition to family life. We hope this extended leave will ease some of the financial and personal pressure that can occur during this time and give parents the extra time and support they need to bond with their new baby and settle into their new family role. During the Q&A session on Thursday at [Time] HR will walk through the updated family benefits for those currently on leave and those expecting to go on leave in the near future. The updated family benefits are contained within the updated policy document which can be found on the internal portal or shared drive. Should you require any clarification or have any questions then please reach out to [HR Contact Email]. Thank you for your continued contributions to our company and to the greater good of our customers. It is wonderful that we are able to support and care for you throughout your life. Warm regards, [Your Name] [Your Title] [Company Name]

**Introduction** Urban housing has become a major socio-economic challenge of the 21st century as the need for housing has become elevated by the rapid process of global urbanization. As the economic powerhouse of the 21st century, cities are becoming increasingly unaffordable for both low-income households and the growing number of middle-income households in metropolitan areas around the world. Housing has become a commodity that is greatly sought after by global financial investors who see huge returns on investment as they drive up the cost of space in cities, far outstripping increases in average wages. The resulting discrepancy between the cost of housing and the incomes of householders has become a major challenge to urban sustainability and increases inequality and causes further segregation in cities around the world. Therefore, the issue of affordability of housing in cities has become a major challenge for those involved in the planning and management of cities around the world and for academics who study cities. There is a vast amount of literature on urban housing affordability, with scholars defining the topic, analyzing the issues and the ways to measure it using different methodologies and adopting a variety of perspectives. Traditionally, the issue of affordability has been dealt with by using simple ratios to measure the extent to which unaffordability affects different households. The 30 percent of income rule, which is perhaps the most popular ratio used, has been widely criticized recently. Affordability, as currently analyzed by most of the recent studies, can be dealt with using more holistic frameworks to measure housing affordability as ‘residual income’ to cover other non-housing essential expenditure, and even to include the cost of transport to make a proper assessment of affordability in relation to location. The way in which different researchers perceive housing affordability shows that the issue is far from being merely economic. This conflict exists, for example, on whether the main cause for the negative affordability deficit is to be found on the supply-side, for example within strict zoning rules, complex land use regulations, or geographical constraints, as is argued by for example Urban Land Institute (2018), or whether housing affordability has more to do with demand-side factors, i.e. how global capital markets and other financial actors treat residential real estate as an attractive investment object (ʽhousing as assetsʼ), an issue discussed by the financial analyst Journal The Finanser (2018). The way housing policies respond to this urban challenge is debated intensively. This literature review will explore existing studies on urban housing affordability in order to address several key points: first, an overview of affordability concepts and methodologies will be presented; subsequently, supply constraints on the housing market and the phenomenon of financialization of housing will be compared and contrasted. Finally, in order to assess their effectiveness and identify any research gaps, several current and widely used housing market interventions—such as inclusionary zoning and rent control—will be examined and their implications for policy and future research outlined within the ever-changing context of global housing markets.

Meetings have become a “cultural complaint” in recent years. While many organizations strive to become more collaborative, employees feel that they are being saddled with too much work and don’t have the time to do it. That’s why meetings have become the default method of getting team members together in order to get work done, have them work together as a cross-functional team, and make sure that everyone is included. However, the majority of meetings are not well designed in terms of their goals, who makes the decisions, and what follow-up actions need to be completed as a result of the meeting in order to continue the work of the team in between meetings. This complaint also highlights the function that meetings are serving in many organizations. That is to monitor work, to reduce uncertainty, to demonstrate teamwork and “collaboration.” Many employees attend meetings because they fear the consequences of not attending (e.g. not being considered for future opportunities). As work becomes more remote, the growth of virtual meetings can also lead to a decline in meaningful social interaction, leading to increased fatigue. So while meetings can facilitate collaboration and provide a sense of community, they can also be a sign of an unhealthy organization. This cultural complaint also reveals to what extent meetings expose power structures within a company. While some people never stop talking, others do not get a word in. The time that people spend in meetings is distributed unevenly and in many cases its costs are not noticed. But they are there: interrupting workers’ focus, causing projects to be late, and causing workers to work longer hours than they would have to otherwise. Meetings, in themselves, are not necessarily unproductive. But so often they are held automatically rather than intentionally. A cultural complaint about meetings exists because we wish workplaces to be more respectful of time, of focus, and of meaningful collaboration.

Digital technology has transformed the landscape of contemporary information delivery and brought the traditional news model to the brink of collapse. While cable news is reduced to short bullet points, clickbait headlines and shout matches, long-form podcasts are turning into a news mainstay. For hours on end, their listeners are treated to in-depth interviews and energetic discussions. At its best, this type of journalism is the ultimate antidote to information starvation and serves to nurture democracy in all its tortured complexity. As traditional news is constrained by a rigid time framework, long-form podcasts are immune to the tyranny of the clock. Instead of forcing news segments into seven-minute silos surrounded by commercial breaks, the format enables complex arguments to be thoroughly unpacked by guests, including scientists, historians and even politicians. Rather than being told what to think by a third-party commentator, the listener is provided with the evidence, caveats and even counter-arguments of an argument to foster a more informed public, better equipped to critically analyze information. Additionally, many of the listeners who turn to podcasts are tired of the packaged, polished world of mainstream television. This is a time when even well-respected anchors of cable news read from the teleprompters in front of them, smugly. Listeners are fed narratives that are designed to fit within the space of a corporate news program. The work of long-form podcasts is to provide an alternative that is raw and unedited. Sometimes this means that the listener is forced to sit through hours of boring or irrelevant material. However, more often than not, they will experience long pauses that prove to be very meaningful, moments of vulnerability, and growth of the host or guest throughout the course of the podcast. Others argue that news distributed by podcasts lacks the crucial elements of traditional news organizations: robust editorial controls and fact-checking for credibility and accountability. However, this simplistic analysis misjudges the modern news consumer — today’s citizen is an active participant in discourse, supremely adept at piercing through intellectual charades and abusive manipulations online. Thus, while there is a danger of uncurated information in podcasting, the numerous festering maladies afflicting today’s mainstream journalism such that its claimed ‘epistemological authority’ is defunct, will make podcasts the go-to sources of information sooner rather than later. For the above reasons, the shift to long-form podcasts being consumed as a primary news source is not only currently relevant but also crucial to the health of democracy. Only by emphasizing substance over expediency and dialogue over vitriol can we restore public discourse to its former glory.

Here is the landing page copy reworked for optimal conversion, with plenty of empathy and a strong call-to-action. *** # **From 0k to 10k. No injuries. No guesswork. Just your finish line.** Tired of the same old ideas to reach your goal of completing a 10k? Are you afraid of running the risk of injury, losing interest, or keeping up enough in training to make it to the finish line? Many training apps expect novice runners to have the skills of seasoned athletes. Run too far, too fast, and expect them to keep track of all your data. The consequences are sore muscles, numerous injuries and disheartened runners who get fed up of running and leave the exercise all together. **Unlike other running apps...** Your new training app for 10k runners! ### **The Science of Steady Progress** We don’t just track your runs – we help build confidence for you to achieve your goals. Our unique training plans, made up of runs, strength & mobility sessions and all adapted in real time to your fitness levels, daily schedules and recovery rates – mean you can’t fail to reach your 10k finish line goal! * **Dynamic Pace Coaching:** Audio cues that adapt to your heart rate, ensuring you never run too fast or burn out early. * **Active Recovery & Mobility:** Short, built-in strength and stretch routines to protect your knees and joints. * **Smart Scheduling:** Life busy? Drag and drop your workouts. Our algorithm automatically recalculates your week so you stay on track. * **The "Finish Line" Guarantee:** If you follow your adaptive plan, we guarantee you’ll cross the 10k finish line feeling strong—not exhausted. ### **Hear from a Finisher:** > *"I tried three different PDF training plans and quit them all due to shin splints. Stride10 adjusted my runs when I was tired and kept me healthy. I crossed my first 10k finish line with a smile on my face!"* > — **Sarah M., 34** > — **Sarah M., 34** ### **Ready to lace up?** No more wondering if you can finish the 10k race. Get your personalized training roadmap for the 10k today and start knowing that you can do it! **[Start Your 14-Day Free Trial]** *No credit card required. Cancel anytime.*

# Long-Form Podcasts are Good for News Consumption Media consumption in the digital age is increasingly shifting from short news broadcasts to long-form podcasts, allowing for in-depth explanations of current events. Instead of expressing skepticism towards this development, the shift towards more substantive news consumption should be celebrated, since long-form podcasts offer depth, context, and authenticity that traditional media typically cannot. However, the most compelling argument to celebrate long-form podcasts is that they enable us to really drill deep into an issue in ways that other media just cannot. Unlike news reports, typically constrained to short 2-3 minute packages that can only cover the basics of a story, hours-long podcasts allow for the sorts of nuanced explorations of very complex subjects. Yes, it demands more from the listener in terms of patience, and time, but as the quality of our discourse in general seems to be in decline, I’m happy to reward listeners with more depth than they’d get elsewhere. On top of that, long-form podcasts have the ability to be much more authentic than many other forms of news. While a typical news broadcast can be totally rehearsed, with all the presenter’s “ Persona ” and façade intact, a long-form podcast gives the listener a true glimpse of the host, or guest, and their way of thinking. With a two or three hour conversation, it’s inevitable that a large portion of the time will include un scripted moments of the presenter thinking out loud and elaborating on points, while also discussing things that wouldn’t be relevant to a two-minute news segment. It is true that within podcasting there exist the perils of misinformation and the audience being mired within their own echo chamber. This, however, is not a problem specific to long-form podcasting. Rather, all media — including news outlets of the shorter variety — can be biased or feed audiences nothing but misinformation. The way in which one can combat these ills, however, is through media literacy and by holding all sources — regardless of length — to the same critical standards. The debate-style interviews found so frequently in long-form podcasts allow for both adversaries to express their points and for said points to be subsequently cross-examined by the other. Such is rarely found in shorter news formats. Moreover, podcasting enables experts in a particular field to present their knowledge in full length to the public. This contrasts to news in which normally specialists are quoted in full length by a journalist in order to present the views of the specialist to the public in a summary. The listener is then left with the views of the journalist instead. In an era in which most media is trending towards increasingly shorter, more sensational pieces to reach higher average engagement metrics, long-form podcasts are going the right way. By forcing listeners to commit to what will often prove to be hours of material of varying quality, they challenge and develop their audiences, fostering greater and more sustained engagement and yielding a richer understanding of news and current affairs than their bretheren. In that sense, they represent something of a return to civilized, mature news, for an age in which attention is a precious and frequently over-committed commodity.

The issue of urban housing affordability has become a major subject for researchers in urban studies, urban planners and for the public policies, because there is a growing gap between the prices to be paid for a decent and adequate housing and the income of households. In terms of numbers, the population of cities is increasing continuously and therefore the demand for good housing, located near employment, education, transport and health services, is increasing, thus putting pressure on prices and on the rental income in relation to the wages. The issue of affordability of housing becomes therefore a matter of social equity, of spatial justice and of sustainability of the city. Other studies approach the topic of housing affordability from a more conceptual angle. They question the generally applied and very simple index of the housing-cost-to-income ratio (mostly capped at 30%) and insist that to define and to measure housing affordability other variables have to be taken into account, e.g. the size of the household, other expenditure related to the use of housing, costs of transport to places of work and study, the neighborhood in which a house is located and its infrastructure and services, the quality of the housing stock, long-term security of tenures, and more. From this broadened perspective, in addition to financial means for housing also other factors of affordability are to be taken into account for the livelihoods of households. A broad range of factors are implicated as the drivers of declining housing affordability. In addition to established factors such as restricted land supply and excessive planning controls, housing speculation, the financialization of housing, changes in household demographics and demand for housing are increasingly being recognized. In many cities around the world, increasingly, housing is being converted to an asset class, securing high returns for investors. Rather than providing shelter for occupants, the increasing value of housing is seen to push out lower-income households from sought-after locations in the city center and along transport corridors. The supply of quality, affordable housing from public housing and not-for-profit providers has generally declined in recent decades. The market is unable to consistently provide the quantity of affordable housing required to service households on low incomes. Another important area of research on unaffordable housing examines the consequences for individuals and families of high and increasing housing costs. The consequences for household finances, health and education expenditure, crowding and homelessness have been addressed in various studies. The spatial implications for individuals, in terms of increased commuting and decreased access to employment, services and facilities have also been a focus of research, highlighting the issues for equity and justice that unaffordable housing presents for urban sustainability. Policies to address unaffordable housing have included rent control, inclusionary zoning, subsidized housing, social housing, and reform of land use and transport policies. However, there is continued debate about the effectiveness and the advantages and disadvantages of many of these policies. In this review we discuss how affordability has been defined in the literature, the main factors which determine affordability, and the policy measures which have been proposed in order to tackle the problem of unaffordable housing in urban areas.

## How to Renovate a Small Bathroom Over a Weekend Yes, you can renovate a small bathroom in a weekend if you stick to cosmetic upgrades and avoid plumbing, electrical work and major alterations to the structure of your bathroom. The work can be done over a single weekend by planning ahead, purchasing all materials in advance and completing the work that has the greatest visual impact first. ### Before the Weekend: Plan and Prep Carefully consider your bathroom and decide what aspects you need to change or update in order to give your bathroom an improved look and ambiance. Weekend bathroom renovations are generally confined to cosmetic makeover ideas and don’t involve serious changes to the existing plumbing or electrical setup. So, when it comes to moving the toilet, the shower or sink, you might want to rethink your ideas or seek help from professionals. Make sure you have everything you need before Friday evening, for example paint, rollers, tape, caulk, a grout cleaner, your new fixtures and facilities such as towels and storage baskets. Check that all parts and pieces are included with any packages and make sure new faucets and lighting fixtures will fit into current connections. ### Friday Evening: Clear and Clean Clear everything from your countertops, including toiletries, shower products, linens, and any personal items. Remove wall hangings, rugs, toilet paper holders, light switches, trash cans, towel bars, shower caddies, grab bars, bathroom accessories, cabinet hardware, and mirror(s). Vacuum up any debris on the floor and wipe clean any surfaces. Use a touch up of spackle in any nail holes or dents and let dry. Then use a little sanding and remove any dust. Apply painter’s tape to the bathroom trim and tile, around the mirrors, and where the wall meets the bathroom fixtures. ### Saturday: Paint and Replace Fixtures Now that we have the space cleared off of all of your bathroom items it is time to get started on painting your bathroom. Go with a mildew-resistant paint in a light color in order to create the illusion of a larger space. Remember, small bathrooms require paint in only one gallon and usually look their best when painted in two very thin layers rather than one thick layer. Try to allow adequate time for paint to dry between each coat. After paint dries, install small parts such as cabinet knobs, new towel bars, toilet paper holders, and a mirror. If you have the expertise to shut off the water supply to the sink, change out the faucets as well. If you have ceiling fixtures in your bathroom, be sure to shut off power to the fixture at the breaker before removing it. If you are not certain how to complete these simple changes, have an electrician do them for you. Clean out the shower and recaulk. Use a utility knife to remove old caulk. Wipe clean and let dry before applying new bathroom caulk. Make sure to choose a good quality caulk. ### Sunday: Add Storage and Style Install storage for towels, toiletries and bathroom accessories. Ensure that the bathroom is clutter-free and there is enough space on countertops by storing items in cabinets, on shelves, or in bathroom baskets and containers. Consider over-toilet storage cabinets or floating bathroom shelves to maximize space in the bathroom. Touch up any painting and make sure all glass and mirrors are cleaned. Then begin organizing and sorting through bathroom items. Try to keep items such as soap, shampoo, etc. in clear containers or put items such as extra toilet paper, etc. in a drawer with divider panels. By Sunday night you could have a bright clean modern-looking bathroom, without having the expense of a complete bathroom remodel!

Savor the flavors of a fresh harvest from your very own kitchen with the **Root & Bloom Indoor Herb Garden Starter Kit**. The perfect gift for any aspiring chef or plant enthusiast, this fully packaged starter herb garden contains everything you need to grow your favorite herbs all year round. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have a green thumb. This unit includes everything you need to grow your own herbs: Genovese Basil, Curly Parsley, Cilantro, and Thyme organic, non-GMO seeds, nutrient-rich coco-coir soil discs, and premium, reusable planters. Our custom soil is formulated to provide maximum aeration and water retention to promote rapid germination and robust root growth. There’s nothing like being able to pick a few leaves of your fresh herbs to sprinkle on your homemade pizzas, salads and to add to your homemade pasta sauces. This compact and stylish kit will sit perfectly on your windowsill, on your apartment balcony or even on your kitchen island bringing you a touch of soothing nature to your indoor space. This is more than a gardening kit – it is an experience. Beautifully packaged the Root & Bloom gardening kit makes for a wonderful gift for a housewarming party, birthday or other occasion. It’s also a great treat for any avid cook. Plant and reap the rewards of a beautifully crafted home grown herb garden, just off your windowsill.

# Urban Housing Affordability: A Literature Review For a long time now, the problem of housing affordability has been mounting for cities all around the world, exceeding national and economic borders. The increasing rate of urbanization, as well as the constantly growing populations of metropolitan cities, lead to a significant increase in the differences between the costs of housing and the incomes of households. This problem which affects thousands of cities worldwide has become a huge crisis of access to adequate and affordable shelter for hundreds of millions of people all over the world (Wetzstein, 2017). It not only poses challenges to individual families, but it also affects broader social, economic and environmental goals of cities. Housing affordability has proven to be a concept difficult to define and measure. Traditionally, many studies have utilized the ratio of housing costs to income using 30% as the benchmark of affordability. However, this simple approach to measuring housing affordability fails to take into consideration various factors including household’s residual income, and varying cost of living within regions and countries (Stone, 2006). There are alternative methods such as the residual income approach and the use of multidimensional affordability indices which also take into consideration the costs of transportation in addition to housing. Scholars have argued that there is no single indicator that can adequately measure housing affordability, given the complex nature of households (Hulchanski, 1995). There is also disagreement in the literature regarding the major causes of unaffordability. On the supply side, observers focus on the effects of restrictive land-use regulations and lengthy time periods to secure construction permits, or simply an inadequate supply of housing (Glaeser & Gyourko, 2018). On the demand side, housing is said to have become a revenue-generating commodity for the real estate industry and financial sector (Aalbers, 2016), with households’ unaffordability just one of several negative impacts on society as a whole (Rolnik, 2013). Lastly, factors affecting the urban housing market such as the change in household structure, and in-flow of new migrants have the effect of increasing competition among households for the already-scarce stock of housing. This review attempts to provide a comprehensive synopsis of current housing affordability knowledge as well as theoretical perspectives. The empirical evidence regarding various geographical and institutional contexts for the measurement, and interventions to address the issue of housing affordability are synthesized in this review to highlight both consensuses andlacunas in existing knowledge that require further research to develop an in-depth understanding of an array of issues associated with the challenge of urban housing affordability.

As a child, I took toys apart. I wanted to see how a wind-up car worked, how a latch stayed in place, and why a curve was better than a straight line for a handle. Everything is designed, and I am so interested in Industrial Design because objects affect how we live and interact, and there has to be a human need or point behind their aesthetic. Their aesthetic must be part of their functionality. I would like to be a designer. Industrial Design is for me the ultimate problem solver. A combination of art and empathy. In my high school days I made a number of woodworking projects. One of the biggest ones was a desk organizer for my own workspace. After many hours of prototyping, after many hours of refining the angles in order to make it as ergonomic as possible, after many hours choosing the right kind of materials and evaluating their feel and look, I finally had a beautiful object that didn’t only look good but was also very useful. Additionally, I am interested in the sustainable future of Industrial Design and how products can be designed for the user as well as for the planet. By learning how to implement circular design principles, and possibly working with biomaterials, I hope to create products that will be used for a long time and not just thrown away. The hands-on curriculum and the user-centered design focus at your institution will provide the perfect environment for me to grow as a designer. I want to improve my skills with digital modeling software, work in the various workshops, and interact with fellow designers and students who share my passion for innovative design solutions. I want to study industrial design in order to transform my curiosity into a profession where I can design objects and products that not only fill up a space but can also improve people’s lives.

## Run Your First 10K—With Confidence You don’t have to be a runner to run a 10K. All you need is a plan, some support and some momentum. **StrideStart** is a web-based SaaS training companion for new runners. It helps them get ready for their first running event in no time, without exhaustion, confusion and unknowns. Whether you’re just starting out from the couch, returning to running after a long absence, or looking to progress from your 5K finisher status and take on the challenge of your first 10K, StrideStart can create the perfect training plan for you. ### Your 10K Plan, Made Simple There’s no more need to search for a 10K training plan PDF online, wondering if you’re doing enough. With StrideStart your running plan will change as you get better at running, with easy to follow running workouts and rest days in between, plus pace information for you to track your progress. Just logging each of your workouts allows you to follow your progress and to celebrate all of your different milestones along the way. And because StrideStart is an online training program, all of your workout and training plans get automatically adjusted for you should you happen to miss a run for whatever reason. ### Built for Beginners Our training plans are created for real people with real commitments. So as well as detailed training plans for every run, including long runs and recovery runs, warm-up and cool-down routines, and details of how to recover between runs, you will also receive plenty of motivational messages to keep you going and help you prepare for your big day. We support you from your first jog to your last run before the big day, building stamina gradually through a range of different workouts. ### What You’ll Get - Personalized 10K training plans - Adaptive scheduling when life happens - Progress tracking and milestone badges - Pace and distance guidance - Recovery, injury-prevention, and race-day tips - Encouragement that keeps you moving ### Start Strong. Finish Proud. The first 10K run of a participant is so much more than a run – it is proof to him or her that he or she is able to master something challenging. StrideStart helps him or her train smart, stay motivated and to finally cross the finish line in top form. **Ready to become a 10K finisher?** Start your free trial today to begin training for your first 10K.

[Your Name] [Your Phone Number] [Your Email Address] [Your LinkedIn Profile/Portfolio] [Date] [Hiring Manager Name or "Search Committee"] [Name of City Government/Department, e.g., Office of Policy and Management] [City Hall Address] [City, State, Zip Code] **Subject: Application for Policy Analyst Position – [Job Requisition Number, if applicable]** Dear [Hiring Manager Name or "Members of the Selection Committee"], I am a passionate public policy professional and resident of [City Name] interested in applying for the Policy Analyst position in the [Department Name] / [City Government Name] at City Hall as announced on [Date] (Job Requisition # [Job Requisition Number, if applicable]). I hold a Master’s degree in Public Policy (MPP) and have nearly 10 years of work experience analyzing data and researching legislation to inform policy in order to create positive change for communities. I completed extensive research and analysis on current social and economic issues affecting municipalities while serving as a Policy Associate for [Previous Employer/Organization]. I worked to create effective municipal strategies based on data compiled from numerous sources including census information and stakeholder interviews to assess the impact of a pilot program for [policy area of interest such as affordable housing, public transportation, or sustainable development]. My research and analysis culminated in the production of a policy brief and through my work the program became more efficient by [Percentage]%, and was subsequently adopted by county officials to be used throughout the entire county. I am also very interested in following the City’s current work regarding several initiatives including the Climate Action Plan as well as work to increase the supply of affordable childcare for families with young children. As someone who is familiar with the work of municipal government – and how to navigate various bureaus and departments to provide assistance – I am excited to bring my skills to support a variety of goals in the Department of [Department Name]. I am very proficient in a variety of technical programs including SPSS and R as well as GIS mapping, and am able to quickly become proficient in others including Excel and PowerPoint. I look forward to speaking with you about how my analytical work, collaborative spirit, and commitment to good local government can be of assistance to the Department for which you responsible and the City of [City Name] as a whole. Thank you for your time and consideration and continued efforts on behalf of our citizens. Sincerely, [Your Signature] [Your Printed Name]

Dear Hiring Committee, I am excited to apply for the Policy Analyst position with the City Government because it combines the highest levels of research, evidence-based decision-making, and public service, work that I believe can make the city a more effective, equitable, and responsive place to live for residents and visitors alike. With experience in policy research, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement, I am confident in my ability to analyze programs and services for the City and provide written and verbal recommendations to support the design, evaluation, and delivery of City programs and services. In previous roles I created policy briefs, analyzed data, monitored legislative and regulatory activity and communicated complex information to decision makers in written reports and presentations. This included reviewing research from universities and government agencies as well as conducting interviews with stakeholders to provide analytical assessments of programs and services, identifying gaps and assessing the fiscal and social impact of different policy options. I am interested in a career in city government because local policy affects people’s daily lives in significant ways. In cities, issues related to housing affordability, access to transportation, public safety, workforce development, and the city’s response to climate change can affect residents’ quality of life. Programs and services intended to benefit residents are delivered through city departments. Therefore, there is a need to examine local policies and programs and make recommendations for service improvements that consider community input, available funding, effective implementation, and long-term goals. One of my greatest strengths is my ability to clearly write and communicate information with a wide array of individuals. I have written a variety of documents such as memos, briefing materials, research reports, and more. I enjoy working in collaboration with program staff, elected officials, nonprofit organizations, and community stakeholders. In my prior roles, I brought a curious and professional attitude to work each day while always remembering the resident at the end of the day who will be affected by policy and program decisions. I would be excited to bring my analytical skills to support the city’s critical public services and improve the lives of residents. Most importantly, I am motivated by a desire to support policies that increase opportunities and improve quality of life for residents, as well as foster increased trust in local government and enhance resident services. Thank you for your time and consideration. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss how my experience and skills can be of value to the City and specifically to the Policy Analyst position. Sincerely, [Your Name]

# Your First 10K Starts Here ## Start Training for Your 10K – You Can Do This! You may have done a 5K before but the 10K is a whole new ball game. Most people who attempt to run a 10K for the first time do it wrong which means you risk burning out, getting injured or turning up on race day completely unprepared to run the distance. **RunReady10K**. We create personalized training plans for the first time 10K runner. We take the guesswork out of training for your first 10K. ### Built For Where You Actually Are We recognize that every runner is different. Whether you have recently completed a Couch to 5K program, are currently running casually for miles at a time, or somewhere in between, RunReady10K can develop a training plan that meets you where you are in your running journey. ### What You Get **Adaptive Training Plans** — A training plan to run a 10K which automatically adjusts to your running abilities as you complete runs. **Pace Guidance That Makes Sense** — RunReady10K uses plain language when giving you pace guidance, for example setting easy run pace, tempo run pace and long run pace for you. **Injury Prevention**: Prevent over training with smart mileage builds and rest days – the #1 reason first time runners end up injured and are unable to complete the race. **Race Week Countdown** — Like training, we have you covered for the weeks leading up to your race with information regarding tapering, your racing nutrition, and the rest of the information you need to get to the start line feeling fresh and ready to go. **You can track your progress** to see your endurance grow with each week of training using simple to read graphs and charts that require no expertise in exercise science. ### Real Runners. Real Results. More than 12,000 first-time 10K runners have successfully finished their first race using RunReady10K training. --- ## Your 10K Journey Starts With One Click Stop searching for answers late at night (i.e., “how many miles a week for a 10K?”). Instead, choose a training plan for your 10K that fits your life. **[Start Your Free 7-Day Trial]** * No charge. Cancel anytime. Your finish line awaits.

**Digital Dilemma: Rising Screen Time Linked to Adolescent Mental Health Crisis** **CHICAGO** — A massive new study on youth screen time has most Americans reeling after it was determined that most teenagers are experiencing a nearly unprecedented rise in anxiety, in depression, and in being unable to get a full night’s sleep — largely in part to the enormous amount of time that they spend in front of screens. The study was conducted by the pediatric research group Healthy Minds Initiative. The report, published Tuesday, looked at data from over 5,000 adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 and found that most of them spent a significant amount of time engaging in leisure activities on their screens. The report found that teenagers who used social media for more than four hours a day were more than twice as likely to report signs of clinical depression than teens who spent less than two hours per day on screens. “Adolescents are doing less and less face-to-face interaction with other people. They are doing less physical activity. They are sleeping less. And their screen time is displacing all of these other really important activities for adolescents’ development. That is what is at the heart of this issue,” said Dr. Elena Vasquez, lead pediatrician on the study in an interview with The Adiff Report today. Many young people have smartphones with them in their bedrooms overnight and wake up to check messages and notifications, the researchers said. The result is chronic sleep deprivation which can, in turn, lead to mood disorders, the report said. Almost 70% of the teens surveyed in the study kept their smartphones in their bedrooms at night. Furthermore, social media’s algorithms are now recognized as having the potential to hurt teens. Sites, run to maximize user engagement, expose children to others’ apparently perfect lives, leaving them feeling inadequate. Sometimes users are even subjected to bullying online. Even as the research details the effects of screen time on children, parents, teachers, and legislators from across the country are beginning to band together to tackle the issue. Several school districts have already put in place measures to restrict cell phone use within the boundaries of the academic day, including a program in Southern California where children are not allowed to pull out their handsets from lockers between the times of the school’s bells. There, for example, there are reports of a sudden increase in face-to-face interactions among students and an upsurge in attention paid in the classroom to lessons being taught. “Just as we teach kids about healthy eating, we need to teach kids how to have healthy use of technology and how to be consumption-minded in their use of digital media before it becomes so Consumption-minded that it consumes them,” he concluded.

# 10 Tips for Houseplants for Low-Light Apartments For apartment dwellers without a ton of natural light, it can be hard to keep plants alive and thriving. But many varieties of houseplants actually prefer to live in spaces with low levels of light and can do well in rooms with shaded corners or with indirect light. By choosing the right variety of plants and following a few easy tips, anyone can create a beautiful and thriving space for their plants to grow and live. ## 1. Pick plants that actually like low light Just because you live in a low-light apartment doesn’t mean you can’t bring plants into your home. Yes, some plants require a lot of sunlight to survive but many can thrive in low-light conditions. These plants include: snake plants, pothos, ZZ plants, peace lilies, philodendrons, and Chinese evergreens. ## 2. Don’t confuse low light with no light Even “low-light” plants need some light. So while a room with a north-facing window might be suitable for some plants, a windowless bathroom or hallway would not be suitable for any plants (unless you were to use a grow light). ## 3. Water less than you think Plants growing in low light tend to grow slowly and therefore require less water. The biggest killer of houseplants is overwatering. Check the soil before watering to see if the top inch or so of the soil is still damp. Wait a few days before watering again if so. ## 4. Use pots with drainage Cute pots have no impact on the health of your plants, but drainage holes are essential. If your pot doesn’t have any, make sure to transfer your plant into a plastic nursery pot and put it into a cover pot. This will ensure that root rot won’t set in due to excess water. ## 5. Rotate your plants regularly Even low light loving plants will change direction to face a light source so occasionally turning your pot a little each week or two will help to keep your plant growing evenly and prevent it from becoming lopsided and developing long uneven stems. ## 6. Dust the leaves Leaves collect dust and if you wipe them with a damp cloth from time to time, they will be able to absorb light better and your houseplants will look very healthy and fresh. ## 7. Avoid dark corners However, plants that are placed in dark corners for too long will eventually die off. Try placing your houseplants near a window or glass door. Reflecting light from a lighter colored wall can also work well to add more light to a room and help your plants thrive. ## 8. Add a grow light if needed Grow lights are actually really easy to use and there are many different kinds available. In particular, small LED grow lights are a great way to add a bit of light to your home and to give your plants a bit of a helping hand. ## 9. Skip heavy fertilizing Low light houseplants do not need a lot of food. You can feed your plants lightly during the spring and summer months. Then cease to feed them during the fall and winter months. ## 10. Be patient Don’t expect your low-light houseplants to grow too fast, and to be honest, most people don’t have enough patience for that kind of growth rate anyway. As long as your plant is putting out healthy leaves and is not dying, you are doing a fine job of taking care of it. Now, sit back and enjoy the green!

Subject: Expanding Paid Parental Leave to 20 Weeks Hi team, I want to share some great news regarding benefits. As of today all parents, birthing, non-birthing, adoptive, foster, and surrogate, will receive 20 weeks of paid parental leave. This new leave will be granted to all eligible parents for birthing, non-birthing, adoption, foster care or surrogacy. The leave is intended to enable employees to have the time and space to care for a new child, to deal with family changes and to return to work feeling supported. Welcoming a new child (biologically, adoptively, by foster care, or as a surrogate) can be a major life event and take many different forms. We are attempting to reflect our commitment to supporting the well-being and work of employees through our expanded parental leave policy. Employees currently on parental leave, with future leave planned, or who have questions regarding eligibility for parental leave and associated timing, should contact HR. The updated policy will also be provided to employees outlining details regarding a request for leave, documentation required, pay during leave, and where applicable, co-ordination with other local, state or national leave programs. Managers will need to work with employees and HR to make sure the employee’s work is covered while they are on leave and there are no unexpected work related issues that need to be dealt with while they are trying to disconnect from work. Thanks for all your efforts in making this wonderful workplace what it is. We will keep exploring more benefits and resources to support our employees. Please reach out to HR with any questions. Best, [Your Name]

**10 Tips for Houseplants for Low-Light Apartments** So you live in a little, cozy apartment with windows that look out onto more bricks. Don't worry, it's a pretty common situation and one that gets updated frequently on Instagram. While it's easy to feel like a plant killer in a space with so little natural light, that's simply not true. Most plants are able to thrive in low light conditions. The following are 10 easy ways to help your houseplants do well in a low-light apartment. ### 1. Pick the Right Crew Leave the succulents at the nursery. Most low-light plants are, in fact, found in the “tough plants” section of the garden center. There you’ll find low-light legends such as the Snake Plant, ZZ Plant, Cast Iron Plant and Pothos – to name just a few. ### 2. Put Them on a Water Diet The plant lessens its growth rate when placed in a low light environment. It therefore requires less water as it grows more slowly and therefore requires less nutrients. Before watering a low light plant check the soil by inserting your finger into the soil up to the second knuckle. If the soil is wet then don’t water it again until it has dried out a bit. ### 3. Dust Those Leaves No way to dust the leaves of your plants? If a lot of light is not available to your plants than all of the leaves on your plants are using all of their energy to grow in that little amount of light. So wipe off any dust on the leaves of your plants with a damp cloth every couple of weeks. This will help your plants to use all of their energy to grow! ### 4. Mirror, Mirror on the Wall Want to double your light without purchasing another lamp? Place a mirror opposite a light source to reflect light within a room. The reflector of light will enhance growth and development of plants, making for fantastic looking plants within your home! ### 5. Keep ‘Em Clean and Yellow-Free Yellow or brown leaves are another sign of a wasting effort. Cut them off and dispose of them immediately so your plant can continue to direct its energy towards health of remaining plant mass. ### 6. Rotate for Even Tans Keep them straight. When a plant grows in low light it will naturally grow to reach the light, this is known as etiolation and can result in some pretty dramatic-looking plants. To prevent this from happening, make sure to rotate your plant’s pot every quarter to a new spot. This will help your plant grow up to be a straight and neatly manicured houseplant. ### 7. Think White and Bright Light-colored paint or pots and walls (be it furniture or decor) help to reflect light in a space and add to the area’s overall brightness. White, cream or even very pastel colored items are ideal for this job. ### 8. Fake It with Grow Lights Even when your plants are not getting natural light, there are no excuses not to grow them. You do not have to buy some clumsy industrial setup to grow plants. You can use stylish LED grow bulbs, that fit into your desk lamps. The plants won’t even notice that they are not in the natural light. ### 9. Ditch the Heavy Fertilizer Plants growing in low light areas tend to grow very slowly and therefore have low requirements of food for growth. Do not over fertilise during spring and summer months and leave out completely during the winter months. ### 10. Group Your Greenies Even though your plants will look fantastic in small pots on a shelf, it’s best to grow them in groups on the floor. First of all, it looks way more beautiful, and in addition to this, the plants will create a nice microclimate. There will be higher humidity in the air because the plants give off moisture. This is especially good for plants with succulent leaves, because they tend to dry out quickly and get brown edges. So there you have it! Low light does not mean no green! Happy planting!

Indoor Herb-Garden Starter Kit – Grow Your Favorite Herbs at Home. This easy-to-use kit of premium herb seeds, biodegradable pots, nutrient-rich soil discs and plant markers is perfect for beginners and experienced cooks alike. Grow a variety of herbs including Basil, Parsley, Cilantro, Chives and Thyme. This Indoor Herb-Garden Starter Kit contains Premium Herb Seeds, Mini Biodegradable Pots, High Quality Nutrient Rich Soil Discs, Herb Plant Markers and Full Easy to Follow Growing Instructions. Grow favorite herbs such as Basil, Parsley, Cilantro, Chives and Thyme, to name a few, and then cut and use in soups, salads, sauces, teas and as a garnish for any dish. This compact set-up is ideal for small spaces and won’t make a mess. The biodegradable plant pots can be easily transplanted and the plant markers will ensure you can tell your herbs apart as they start to grow. Whether you want to use fresh herbs to add flavor to your meals or to bring some greenery to your home, this is the perfect kit to get you started. This is a great gift for foodies and people who are into gardening and hands-on activities. A small amount of sunlight, water and attention to the herbs is all that is needed to taste the difference fresh herbs make to your normal cooking.

# 10 Tips for Houseplants in Low-Light Apartments You want to be a “plant person,” but you live in an apartment with little to no direct sunlight. Don’t worry, there are many varieties of houseplants that thrive in low-light environments. We will give you the 10 tips you need to become a great “plant person” even if you live in a cave. **1. Ditch the "full sun" plants immediately** Just because you have a low-light apartment does not mean you have to rule out the gorgeous succulent you fell in love with at Trader Joe’s. Most “full sun” plants and “bright light” plants will die slowly and agonizingly in your north-facing bedroom, so just avoid them in the first place. **2. Meet your new best friend: the pothos** Pothos: The Mascot for Low-Light Plants You can start by learning how to take care of a pothos. Pothos are very low-maintenance trailing plants that thrive in low-light environments. They can even tolerate neglect and look beautiful as they cascade down the sides of a pot or off a bookshelf. Start with pothos for your first foray into growing houseplants. **3. Snake plants are basically indestructible** Seriously though, these plants THRIVE in low light, they can tolerate sporadic watering, and even survive being forgotten in the back of a cupboard for up to 2 weeks or more. The snake plant is a great starting point for new gardeners and those who are often absent from their abode or are serial plant killers. **4. ZZ plants deserve more hype** The ZZ Plant is by far one of the coolest houseplants, sporting shiny leaves on tall, arty stalks. And as if all that weren’t enough, it thrives in completely dark spaces. Yes, you read that right: your windowless hallway is the perfect place for a ZZ Plant. **5. Water less than you think you should** Low-light plants grow slowly in low light. Thus they need less water than similar plants growing in full sun. This is the #1 cause of death for low-light plants: overwatering. So just wait a bit longer to water your low-light plants! **6. Rotate your plants occasionally** Turn the plants sometimes. Even low-light plants grow upwards towards light and can get a little “wonky” if they are turned very slowly over time. A quarter turn every couple weeks or so is fine. **7. Consider a grow light (no shame in it)** Unless you live in a bright apartment, chances are that a small LED grow light will need to supplement what your plants are receiving from your apartment’s natural light. And, believe it or not, there are now really great, affordable options on the market. **8. Wipe down those leaves** Dust – whether from pets, from the air, or from the ground – settles on leaves and impedes the plant’s ability to photosynthesize. Wipe down leaves of low light plants with a damp cloth once a month to clean off the grime. **9. Group plants near your brightest window** Even if it is not bright enough for your typical plants, your best window is your best window. Group your plants there rather than spreading them out to less-than-optimal areas in your home. **10. Manage your expectations** This is just how plants in low-light environments grow – slowly. Do not compare yourself to the greenhouse enthusiast on Instagram with the perfect array of sunny plants. You may have dimly lit apartments but there are plenty of wonderful low-light plants which will bring some life to your home and still make great gifts. I hope you have fun picking out your next plant. Happy Growing! 🌱

# Weekend Bathroom Renovation Guide Renovating a small bathroom within a weekend is challenging but possible when you limit yourself to superficial changes and do not tackle any major refurbishments. ## Friday Night: Prep and Demo Remove everything from the bathroom including toiletries, towels, bathroom rugs, and bathroom decorations. In order to work on the bathroom the water supply will need to be turned off. Remove old caulk from tubs, sinks, and toilets using a caulk removal tool or a utility knife. Remove existing towel bars, cabinet handles, and light fixtures for paint and touch-up purposes. Thoroughly clean all surfaces to work off grime and to allow the paint and caulk to stick to surfaces. ## Saturday Morning: Paint and Prime The paint you choose should be moisture resistant, and either semi-gloss or satin finish. You will need to tape off the bath trim, plug points and other fittings before you start. Use a good quality primer on all surfaces first, especially if you are painting over a dark color or there is any sign of stain. Allow the primer to dry before applying two coats of your chosen paint, allowing time between coats for it to dry. While the paint is drying you can start to spray paint other fixtures that you are keeping, such as faucets and light fittings that are not being replaced as part of the bathroom renovation. ## Saturday Afternoon: Flooring and Fixtures Using a small area of one corner first to ensure that you are happy with how the rest of the floor will look, start to lay out your new bathroom flooring. As the floor is unlikely to require any drying time it can be laid immediately. Start with the most visible corner of the room and lay out the flooring in sections. This will make the task less daunting and enable you to work more methodically. ## Saturday Evening: Hardware and Accessories Install shower rods, toilet paper holders and other hardware to the new bathroom. Paint new frames on existing mirrors using adhesive molding and paint it in the colors selected for the bathroom renovation. Apply new caulk to the tub, bathroom sink and toilet using a caulking gun. Smooth out excess caulk with your wet finger or caulk tool. ## Sunday: Final Touches Next connect up all plumbing pipes and check for leaks. Then thoroughly clean all surfaces for any dust or residue from the tape. Install a shower curtain, a new bath mat and fresh towels and choose a stylish light to hang from the ceiling. Finish off by purchasing the tiniest storage options in the bathroom such as a shelf or even a basket to help to organize the room. ## Pro Tips - Stick to cosmetic changes—avoid moving plumbing or electrical. - Buy all necessary materials before starting to prevent returns to the store in the middle of a project. - Work in well-ventilated conditions when painting or using adhesives With focused effort, a brand new bathroom by Sunday night!

**Subject: Exciting Update: Expanded Parental Leave Policy** Hi Team, Here is the beginning of your email. The new 20 week parental leave policy now begins to be put into practice on [effective date]. We’re a family-friendly workplace, and we support our employees through all of life’s big milestones. Whether you’ve had a baby, adopted, or had a child through surrogacy, we want you to have the time and resources to spend precious time with your new family member. **Key details:** - 20 weeks of fully paid leave for all parents - Eligible full-time employees can start taking leave from day one of eligibility (as outlined in the full policy document). íně** - Leave can be taken within 12 months of the child’s arrival. - Leave may be taken continuously or in increments as needed to support employees’ needs during this time. By supporting our employees and their families, we support our team and our work. By providing generous parental leave, we are creating a workplace that is a great place to work and be while also helping families to be at their best. The full policy can be found here: [link/location]. I have included all of the important details for you, but if you have further questions or just want to review with HR, we will be holding an optional Q&A on [date]. Thank you for being part of a workplace that values families and their health and wellbeing. I am also very grateful that we are able to offer this to our employees and I hope it makes a difference for you and your loved ones. Warmly, [Your Name]

**The Weekend Warrior’s Guide to a Small Bathroom Renovation** Renovating a small bathroom does not have to take weeks of chaos. With a tight plan, a budget and 48 hours of hard work you can transform a cramped outdated space into a stylish and functional room. Below is a step by step guide on how to complete a bathroom renovation in a weekend. ### **The Prep Work (Do This Before Friday)** The bulk of your materials such as paint, fixtures, vanity and hardware need to arrive well in advance of your weekend, and it is smart to double check for any damage prior to your work starting. Other than that you will need a wide variety of standard tools. The bulk of this will consist of a drill, adjustable wrench, caulk gun, painter’s tape, safety glasses and gloves, among others. --- ### **Saturday: Demo and Base Layers** * **Morning: Out with the Old (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM)** First switch off the water supply for the sink, and clear out the old mirror, fixtures and fittings from the sink, plus the old vanity unit. For the Toilet: fully flush it first. Then lift off the seat, and pull off the washer nuts from the toilet flange in the floor. Lift the Toilet off, and pull it clear of the drain pipe. Use a Rag to seal the open end of the pipe to prevent any noxious sewer gases entering your workplace. Throw all old debris in trash bags to clear floor space. * **Afternoon: Prep and Paint (1:00 PM – 5:00 PM)** Make any repairs to the walls (e.g. drywall patching) to prepare surfaces for paint. Apply paint and allow two hours to dry. Apply second coat of paint and then remove painter’s tape from edges. * **Evening: Install the Vanity (6:00 PM – 9:00 PM)** Make a flat surface first by assembly of the vanity parts in factory folded positions. Put the vanity against the wall with levelling shims if necessary and attach it to the studs using screws or bolts supplied. Using your diverse set of tools to your hand; proceed to connect the faucet to the new sink on the top of the vanity first. This is an easier task than reversing the sink. With pliers of the correct type (wrench), spread and fix the silicone caulk around sink’s top edge to ensure watertight seal. --- ### **Sunday: Plumbing and Styling** * **Morning: Connections and Throne (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM)** First connect the vanity’s water supply lines along with the drain line for the vanity. Install the new bathroom toilet (or re-install the existing toilet), using a fresh wax ring on the bottom of the toilet to seal the connection to the floor. Also, be sure to tighten the toilet’s bolts to the toilet against the wall very slowly and gently to avoid any cracking of the toilet’s porcelain. Turn on the water main and check the connections for any signs of leaks. * **Afternoon: The Details (2:00 PM – 6:00 PM)** Great bathroom mirrors are large to reflect light around the room and bring in a decorative touch. This is a simple task that typically involves removing old fixtures and making room for the new ones after they arrive at your home. Remember to always turn off the power to the fixtures at the breaker before starting work. Outdated towel bars, toilet paper holders and cabinet pulls can often be replaced with modern and coordinating fixtures such as black or brushed metal in order to bring a fresh, up-to-date look to the bathroom. * **Evening: Clean and Style** Scratch old caulk from tub, showers and sinks. Clean up area completely and reapply fresh new caulk. Throw down plush new bath mat and store fresh clean towels. Bring in a little greenery with a small new plant. Your cramped and outdated bathroom will be beautifully remodeled by Sunday night. All work was completed in just one weekend!

# Screen Time and Teen Mental Health: What New Research Reveals There is growing research examining the use of screens by adolescents and their potential impact on mental health. A lot of parents, and even educators and politicians, are interested in the effects that smart phones and social media have on teenagers. New public health research on screen time and the teenage mental health crisis reveals the complex relationship between hours spent on screens and potential negative impacts to teens’ mental health. Recent studies examining the negative impacts to the mental health of teens that engage in excessive social media activity have found that there is a correlation between increased rates of anxiety and/or depression and negative body image when teens spend excessive amounts of time on sites such as Instagram that have image-centric platforms which foster comparisons with others. "Hours of screen time is not the only factor," notes Elena Vasquez, a developmental psychologist studying the affects of digital media on youth. "There is a big difference between passive consumption of curated information and actual communication with peers as well as production of creative content." The screen time-mental health of teens research is consistent with the 2023 U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory on youth mental health and how social media can impact the crisis. There is a need for further research on how screen time affects teens and for technology companies to implement more safeguards to protect children under the age of 13 and support the healthy use of technology by all youth. The debate over screen time has inspired a wave of legislation concerning minors’ use of social media. Three states including Utah, Arkansas and Louisiana have passed laws regulating the online activities of minors online. These laws require age verification to access most social media and have the minor’s parent give consent to their online activities. Several other states are currently mulling a ban on teens and phone use in schools, with Florida having already passed a law to ban social media accounts to children under the age of 14. Many of these findings on the poor are dismissed by critics who say that solutions like banning screens from schools and homes are simplistic and fail to take into account other contributing factors to teen mental health such as school pressure, difficult family life, financial stress. The way people use screens is also getting a closer look from some researchers and they caution that some forms of screen time, for example video conversations with relatives who live far away, educational content are probably not as bad as others, like a habit of ‘doomscrolling’. A few districts around the country have begun to experiment with banning phones in classrooms. In California, New York and Texas, among other places, teachers and administrators report that students are more attentive and interact with their peers more in phone-free classrooms. Advocates for teen mental health are taking a more holistic view at how to tackle this complex issue. According to Marcus Chen, Director of a non-profit organization that focuses on helping youth and young adults develop positive relationships with digital media, developing digital literacy and teaching youth how to use technology wisely is key to solving many of the current problems. Parents, schools, and platforms must all take greater responsibility in teaching youth positive ways to interact with digital media, he added. For now, though, simply banning the devices won’t work. For now, until we learn more, all research does agree that until adolescents reach the end of their teenage years, until their brains are fully developed, the habits they form using digital technology will have long-lasting consequences for their mental health and wellbeing.