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by Burton Kelso, The Tech Expert
If you're like me, you're probably always on the lookout for low-cost options when it comes to your streaming services. Traditional streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+ are seeing skyrocketing price increases which are putting a strain on your budget. If you are looking to lower your streaming expenses you need to look at some of the free streaming services that are emerging as a popular option to replace subscription streaming services. Now there is a trade-off, instead of a monthly bill, you’ll have to endure advertisements. That’s how these free services make their money. If you're looking to find a good free streaming service for your family, check out these options. As of this writing, there is no one-size-fits-all replacement for live TV streaming services other than a digital antenna, but the right free service could help you stay entertained while keeping your wallet happy. There are a couple of dozen free streaming services on the web. Here are a few services I recommend: Pluto TV. Pluto TV is owned by Viacom and runs over 100 free channels. It runs on Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku and PlayStation. Apps are available for Apple and Android devices. Sony Crackle. Crackle is owned by Sony, so it has a lot of Sony original content, plus programs and movies from other companies. You can watch some of your favorite TV shows, original programming and movies. It can be connected to a large variety of platforms such as TVs, mobile devices, set-top boxes, gaming consoles, and online. Tubi. A long favorite of mine, Tubi streams more than 12,000 titles. You can Stream anywhere and the service includes content from a plethora of other sources for kids of all ages and content that’s not streamed anywhere else. Freevee (formerly IMDb TV). Freevee is owned by Amazon and contains a lot of content -backed by Amazon. It offers on-demand movies and TV shows, live-streaming channels, and a small collection of original content. Roku Channel. The Roku Channel is an app for watching movies and TV shows that is attached to popular Roku streaming devices. Roku streaming devices and televisions come preloaded with applications that include the Roku Channel, but you also can get access to the content through smartphones, tablets, and computers. Hopefully, this article will help point you in the right direction as far as streaming services. There are more free streaming services out there. If you have time, check out some of the other services out there to see if it will be worth your time. Want to ask me a tech question? Send it to burton@burtonkelso.com. I love technology. I've read all of the manuals and I'm serious about making technology fun and easy to use for everyone. Need computer repair service near you? My company Integral offers the highest quality computer repair service nationwide. If you need on-site or remote tech support for your Windows\Macintosh, computers, laptops, Android/Apple smartphone, tablets, printers, routers, smart home devices, and anything that connects to the Internet, please feel free to contact my team. Our team of friendly tech experts organization can help you with any IT needs you might have. Reach out to us a www.callintegralnow.com or phone at 888.256.0829.
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The University of Central Missouri is now offering several new online certificate training programs designed to prepare adult learners for careers in Missouri’s rapidly growing cannabis industry. In collaboration with Green Flower, a national leader in cannabis education, UCM’s three certificate courses will start in April.
The programs, which can be completed in nine weeks, cover advanced dispensary associate skills training, cannabis manufacturing and cultivation. Courses are currently open for enrollment, and students can register online for classes starting April 15. Fee for each course is $750, and adult learners registering for an April course will receive a $150 discount by using the code UCMFIRST. “Many Missourians are using CBD and THC products as holistic solutions for addressing challenges like insomnia, depression and pain management,” said Clarinda Dir, UCM Center for Workforce and Professional Education program manager. “It is essential that these products are of the highest quality and that the professionals assisting these individuals offer accurate guidance on both products and their usage. Our three comprehensive certificate programs, available online and self-paced, allow individuals to enhance their expertise in the cannabis field at their own pace, offering flexibility in learning and application.” Since Missouri initiated adult-use cannabis sales on Feb. 3, 2023, more than $1.4 million worth of marijuana has been sold through dispensaries, according to Greenway magazine, with new opportunities emerging in fields such as cultivation, retail, extraction and product. Daniel Kalef, Green Flower’s chief growth officer, said his company is excited to work with UCM to offer the cannabis courses to the public. "Green Flower is thrilled to be partnering with the University of Central Missouri to offer our three cannabis industry training certificate programs,” Kalef said. “As stated in their mission, UCM 'disseminates knowledge that transforms students into leaders who possess the aptitudes, skills and confidence to succeed.' We believe with such a mission and focus on student success, the university is uniquely positioned to help people enter and grow in the ever-expanding and rapidly growing cannabis industry.” Upon completion of each course, graduates earn a certificate from UCM and a digital badge from Credly as well as receiving access to Green Flower’s employer network. “Like other highly regulated industries, the need to have expertise in material handling, quality control, patient care, security, transportation, horticulture and more is vital to the success of all aspects of the industry and all things people will learn in these programs,” Kalef added. These new online courses are each priced at $750 and include:
To learn more about UCM’s new cannabis certificate programs, visit this webpage. Good People Café is a new 501c3 non-profit café in Grain Valley focusing on providing equal employment opportunities for individuals in the disability community.
The Café is hiring individuals looking to make a positive difference while having fun and working in a fast-paced environment all while learning new skills. “Our café believes that everyone should be given a fair opportunity when it comes to learning new skills and the ability to make money regardless of our differences,” Pastor Michael Cassidy, Founder of Good People Café said. “We are pleased to now offer this opportunity to people in Grain Valley who may have been overlooked while trying to find a job elsewhere, and we look forward to this community helping us support this initiative.” Even though the café is not open to the public, applications can be picked up and dropped off at the Café Monday-Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM or Saturday from 11-3 PM. The Café will foster an inclusive environment where all individuals always feel welcome. Located at 101 SW Eagles Parkway, Grain Valley, MO. The Café is expected to open for business by the end of March. The Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce celebrated the honorees selected for the 2024 Heart of Grain Valley Awards during a dinner at the Grain Valley Community Center on Saturday, February 24th. Eighteen nominees in six categories were celebrated, and the following honorees were announced: Businessperson of the Year: Jason Fenstermaker, Iron Kettle Brewing Business of the Year: Grain Valley Chiropractic Emerging Business of the Year: Baking with a Bass Nonprofit/Community Group of the Year: Faith United Methodist Church Volunteer of the Year: Marcia Napier Unsung Hero of the Year: Theresa Osenbaugh A recap of each of the nominees can be found at: https://youtu.be/9myTMXxuPGg For more information on the Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce, visit www.growgrainvalley.org. Missouri nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 800 jobs in January 2024, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged from December at 3.3 percent. Private industry employment decreased by 300 jobs and government employment decreased by 500 jobs. Over the year, there was an increase of 42,100 jobs from January 2023 to January 2024, and the unemployment rate increased by half of a percentage point, from 2.8 percent in January 2023 to 3.3 percent in January 2024.
ANNUAL REVISIONS FOR 2023 DATA With the release of January 2024 data, previously released employment and unemployment estimates for Missouri statewide and sub-state areas from both Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) and Current Employment Statistics (CES) programs have been revised through the annual revision and benchmarking process. Revised estimates reflect additional data and estimation methods developed over the year, including new population controls from the Census Bureau, updated input data, and reestimation. The revision process resulted in Missouri’s seasonally adjusted unemployment in 2023 being adjusted upwards for every month except December. December’s revised unemployment went down by 1,000 people. Missouri’s unemployment increased over the year by between 502 to 11,634 people per month. During 2023, Missouri’s total unemployment increased from a revised 86,079 people in January 2023 to 100,920 people in December. The unemployment rate in 2023 increased for most months of the year by 0.1 to 0.4 percentage points. December’s revised unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.3 percent. During 2023, Missouri's unemployment rate increased from a revised 2.8 percent in January 2023 to 3.3 percent in December. Missouri’s unemployment rate was below the national rate for the year. Revised data for 2023 show that seasonally adjusted total nonfarm payroll employment averaged lower than reported in the original release for every month. On net from January 2023 to December 2023, Missouri gained over 2,000 fewer jobs than reported in the original estimates. Revised estimates reported fewer job gains over the year primarily due to the revised May, June, July, and August being lower than the original estimates by 13,100 jobs, 17,700 jobs, 19,200 jobs, and 15,200 jobs, respectively. The original estimates for October, November, and December were within 5,000 jobs of the final estimates. UNEMPLOYMENT Missouri's smoothed seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged in January 2024 at 3.3 percent from the revised December 2023 rate. The January 2024 rate was half of a percentage point higher than the January 2023 rate of 2.8 percent. The estimated number of unemployed Missourians was 101,652 in January 2024, up by 732 from the revised December total of 100,920. The state's not-seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate increased in January 2024 by nine-tenths of a percentage point to 3.8 percent, compared to the December 2023 not-seasonally-adjusted rate of 2.9 percent. A year ago, the not-seasonally-adjusted rate was 3.2 percent. The corresponding not-seasonally-adjusted national rate for January 2024 was 4.1 percent. Missouri's labor force participation rate was 63.1 percent in January 2024, six-tenths of a percentage point higher than the national rate of 62.5 percent. Missouri's employment-population ratio was 61 percent in January 2024, eight-tenths of a percentage point higher than the national rate of 60.2 percent. Missouri's unemployment rate was 3.3 percent in January 2024, four-tenths of a percentage point lower than the national rate of 3.7 percent. Missouri's unemployment rate has been at or below the national rate for more than eight years. EMPLOYMENT Missouri's nonfarm payroll employment was 2,999,800 in January 2024, down by 800 from the revised December 2023 figure. The December 2023 total was revised downward by 4,500 jobs from the preliminary estimate. Goods-producing industries decreased by 2,600 jobs over the month, with mining, logging, and construction gaining 100 jobs. Private service-providing industries increased by 2,300 jobs between December 2023 and January 2024. Employment in private service-providing industries increased in professional and business services (4,300 jobs), financial activities (1,400 jobs), leisure and hospitality (900 jobs), and information (100 jobs). Employment decreased in trade, transportation, and utilities (-3,400 jobs); other services (-600 jobs); and private education and health services (-400 jobs). Total government employment decreased by 500 jobs over the month, with a decrease in local government (-700 jobs) and small increases in federal (100 jobs) and state (100 jobs) government. Over the year, total payroll employment increased by 42,100 jobs from January 2023 to January 2024. The largest gain was in private education and health services (16,600 jobs); followed by leisure and hospitality (14,100 jobs); financial activities (5,500 jobs); trade, transportation, and utilities (4,400 jobs); mining, logging, and construction (2,400 jobs); other services (300 jobs); and information (200 jobs). Employment decreased in professional and business services (-5,400 jobs) and manufacturing (-3,300 jobs). Government employment increased by 7,300 jobs over the year, with increases in state (3,600 jobs), local (2,400 jobs), and federal government (1,300 jobs). It happens every year about this time. You check your mailbox, and there they are, among the Valpak coupons, grocery ads, and various bills … tax documents. Tax season is coming. Are you ready?
Changes in tax laws have made it more challenging to claim donations to qualified charities through itemized deductions on your tax return. But there are still ways to make charitable gifts work for the causes you believe in while also saving on taxes. It has become much more challenging to itemize your taxes with the standard tax deduction for individuals, currently at $14,600 and $29,200 for married couples. If you fall short of the standard deduction, you can utilize your charitable giving to give you the boost you need to qualify by using a charitable bunching strategy. A charitable bunching strategy involves utilizing a Donor Advised Fund to group or “bunch“ your contributions that you would make over several years in one tax year. For instance, you could group all your charitable donations together every third year and contribute to (or establish) a donor advised fund with an amount equal to the total needed for three years of giving. In the year you contribute to your donor advised fund, you can itemize your deductions when filing your tax return and receive a sizable deduction. In the following two years, you can continue to support your favorite charities by making donations in the form of grants from your donor advised fund and claim the standard deduction on your tax returns. This method allows you to maximize the tax benefit of your charitable contributions. Additionally, with a donor advised fund, your donations are invested and grow tax-free, ultimately giving you the ability to donate more to charity over time. And if, instead of using cash, you utilize appreciated stock to make a donation into your donor advised fund, you can also avoid paying the capital gains tax on the appreciated stock. So, while tax laws may have made it harder to claim donations to qualified charities on your taxes when itemizing, a bunching strategy can help you exceed the standard deduction amount and maximize the tax benefits of your charitable contributions. At Truman Heartland Community Foundation, we are committed to helping you achieve your charitable goals while making the process of giving simple and stress-free. Reach out to our VP of Advancement, Cole Eason, at 816-912-4182 or eason@thcf.org, or talk to your financial advisor to explore how a bunching strategy can work for you. AI isn't here to ruin your world, it's the opposite. It's here to make your life a lot easier. There's no complicated process to use Generative AI. If you can use Google, you can use AI and with the increase in applications of artificial intelligence, there are ways you can use it to your advantage in daily life.
Some of the things you can use AI for include: explaining in plain English what your doctor's report said or helping you create effective social media posts for your business. Maybe you need a recipe for a family gathering. You ask AI to help you solve issues and come up with solutions for problems you're having around the house as well as helping you with personal issues you're dealing with. AI can make daily life more pleasant, productive, and easy to manage. Read on to find out how. The term AI doesn't mean Generative tools currently available are living machines. It means that you can talk to these tools like you would a human. If you've struggled in the days of DOS, you know trying to talk to a computer in machine language is impossible. With the help of AI, you can sit in front of your computer or smartphone and have conversations with ChatBots who are there to help you. Think of AI as Google on steroids! There are many tools that you can use to help you with your journey to using AI. If you're getting started here is a list of ones to get started: ChatGPT: It's available from any web browser or you can download the app for iPhone or Android. You will need to create an account. The free version works for most people. You have the option to pay $20 a month if you think you need more advanced tools which are designed for people who are using AI at an advanced level. Perplexity: You can use it free on the web for general purposes. There’s also a $20 per month Pro plan if you want to be able to upload images and get access to advanced tools. AI.Google Bard: You can use it free from any browser on your computer or smartphone. It's completely free if you have a Google account. Microsoft Copilot: Use it on Chrome or Edge at Copilot.Microsoft.com. You need to sign in with an active Microsoft account. You can also download the Bing app to your iPhone or Android device. How do I talk AI's Language? AI communication works in the form of prompts. Prompts are a way of "programming" AI to give you the results you want. Choosing the right prompt is an important step. For example, if you’re working on creating a schedule for house cleaning, make you're putting in all of the information related to scheduling such as days you work and days you have off. What rooms do you want to clean regularly or on a casual basis? A good prompt would work like this: "I need help with my house cleaning schedule. I work Monday through Friday from 8 am - 5 pm. I'm struggling with keeping up with laundry, as well as cleaning my bathrooms and kitchen. Can you come up with a schedule that will help me keep my house clean and organized?" You can revise this to whatever works for you. Let's get started. If you can think of it, there’s probably an AI tool that can do it. Rather than using Google to find answers, use AI. Here are some uses to get you started. Handyman: There are plenty of things that can go wrong around your house. Sometimes you need to know if you can fix these situations on your own, or know if you should just call a professional. Use the following prompts: "I spilled red wine on my carpet. Can you show me some effective methods of removing the stain" Another would be: "I think the pipes in my house are frozen. Do you have some simple home remedies to fix this issue?" Family organizer: If you have an overwhelming household, you can use AI as your family organizer to make your life easier. Use the following prompts: “Can you help create a schedule that will allow me to have lazy mornings, and make sure I get my kids to school at 7:55 am and start my virtual workday at 9:30 am." Another prompt could be: "For the following month, I have to work 8 to 5 Monday - Friday, take the kids to basketball practice on Wednesdays at 5:30 pm. Can you help me create a schedule I can stick to?” Looking for Online Love: Creating an online dating profile can be a challenge because it’s hard to talk about ourselves! Instead of racking your brain to come up with the perfect profile, ask AI to help. Use the following prompts: "Can you help with my online dating profile? I need you to ask me a series of questions to figure out what things I need to include. Make sure the questions you ask are about me and the qualities I want in a partner." Another prompt would be: "Can you look at my current online dating profile and add some things to spice it up." You can then copy and paste your online profile to allow AI to read it and give you pointers. Business Brainstorming: It's easy to get stuck in a marketing rut when it comes to your business. Make AI can be your idea-generating machine. Feed the proper prompts that are related to your business, and watch as it shoots out creative business concepts. Use the following prompts: "I’m thinking about starting a new podcast. Can you be the marketing guru? I was hoping you could help me with a plan to get the word out. Where should I start?” Another prompt could be: "I have a newsletter that I've sent out for many years. I have a good size of subscribers. Can you help me think of ways that I could increase my subscribers?" Personal Chef. No, AI won't cook for you, but you can ask it to come up with a meal plan or help you prepare meals by telling it what ingredients and food items you have in your home. Use the following prompts: “I'm tired, but I need to prepare a meal for my family or four. Another prompt could be: "Can you help me with 3 quick and easy meals that I can make in less than an hour" Another prompt would be: "I need help with what foods to avoid. I am trying to lose 10 pounds. What suggestions do you have as far as meal choices?" Content creation concierge: Struggling to write website copy? How about material for your social media posts? AI can craft compelling website and social media copy, help with SEO (search engine optimization), and target the people you're trying to reach. Use the following prompts: “I need you to analyze the copy on the first page of my website to see if I have the right SEO to get more people to find my website" Another prompt would be: " I need you to come up with 7 days of social media content that will help me become more consistent with my social media posts." Hopefully, this will give you some ideas of how you can use AI in your day-to-day home or work life. There are even more AI tools that will help you generate images for your use at home or business, create spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, newsletters, and more. If you need a list of AI prompts for text or images, drop me a line and I can send you a cheat sheet to help you get more out of AI. Looking for More Useful Tips Tips? My Tuesday Tech Tips Blog is released every Tuesday. If you like video tips, I LIVE STREAM new episodes of 'Computer and Tech Tips for Non-Tech People' every Wednesday at 1:00 pm CST on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X. You can view previous episodes on my YouTube channel. Want to ask me a tech question? Send it to burton@burtonkelso.com. I love technology. I've read all of the manuals and I'm serious about making technology fun and easy to use for everyone. Truman Heartland Community Foundation (THCF) is inviting 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, public education institutions, and units of local government serving suburban Eastern Jackson and Cass County communities in Missouri to apply for a 2024 Competitive Grant. THCF offers two different types of competitive grants: the Jelley Family Foundation Endowment for Children's Education, which will award approximately $141,000, and the Community Grants program, which will be awarding more than $295,000.
Grant seekers can submit their applications until Monday, March 11, 2024, for the Jelley Family Foundation grant and until Monday, March 25, 2024, for the Community Grants. It's important to note that eligible applicants are now only allowed to apply for one grant per year, either a Community Grant or the Jelley Family Foundation Grant, but not both. The THCF grants process is very competitive, receiving more than 100 proposals each year. To ensure each proposal receives fair consideration, interested agencies and organizations are strongly encouraged to thoroughly review the criteria for each grant before applying, double-check all attachments, and ensure that their proposal is completed accurately and submitted before the deadline. Proposals should benefit the residents and communities within the THCF service area: suburban Eastern Jackson County (East of Interstate 435 and outside of the Kansas City metro) and Cass County in Missouri. "The Foundation's Grants Committee made some changes to the way we manage and distribute our competitive grant funding in 2024," Diana Castillo, THCF Director of Grantmaking and Donor Services, noted. "We're now reserving 10 percent of our funding for new grantees - organizations who have not received a competitive foundation grant in the past. This means that we'll continue our usual support throughout the community, but we're also embracing and empowering new groups of organizations and helping move their missions forward." The Jelley Family Foundation Endowment for Children's Education funds projects, programs, or services focused on educational initiatives for children, ranging from early childhood through traditional post-secondary education. Proposals that take an innovative approach to education, focus on historically underserved youth, or are collaborative by design are encouraged. The Community Grants program funds projects, programs, or services that address issues in one or more of the following areas: arts, culture, and historic preservation; adult or non-traditional education (but not children’s education); community betterment (improving neighborhoods, youth development and leadership, programs for seniors, transportation, violence prevention, etc.); health and human services; and wildlife conservation (anywhere, state-wide, in Missouri). THCF Competitive Grants are made possible primarily by funds set up by donor bequests and wills. In 2023, THCF reviewed more than 120 grant proposals and awarded 62 grants totaling $443,733 through the Competitive Grants program. More information on qualifying factors, past recipients, sample questions, and more can be found on THCF’s website at https://www.thcf.org/grant-seekers. Diana Castillo, THCF Director of Grants and Donor Services, is also available to assist any organization needing additional assistance by email at castillo@THCF.org or by phone at (816) 912-4184. The Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce (GVCC) has announced the 2024 honorees for the 2024 Heart of Grain Valley Awards. Six categories of awards will be presented at an awards dinner on Saturday, February 24th at the Grain Valley Community Center. Nominations were opened to the community on January 9th and concluded January 26th, with nearly 300 nominations received.
The following nominees represent the top three nominated in each category. The winner in each category will be named at the dinner which will highlight all nominees on Saturday, February 24th. Businessperson of the Year: Kayla Bass (Baking with a Bass) Jason Fenstermaker (Iron Kettle Brewing) Andrew Lenhardt (Collision Leaders of Grain Valley) Business of the Year: Culver’s of Grain Valley Iron Kettle Brewing Grain Valley Chiropractic Emerging Business of the Year: Baking with a Bass Valley Moments Valley Mattress Nonprofit/Community Group: Grain Valley Historical Society Bright Futures Faith United Methodist Church Volunteer of the Year: Marcia Napier Michael and Tosha Todd Chris Early Unsung Hero: Marcia Napier Bill Althaus Theresa Osenbaugh The community is invited to attend the Heart of Grain Valley Awards Dinner on Saturday, February 24th from 6:00 – 8:30pm at the Grain Valley Community Center. Tickets may be purchased online at www.growgrainvalley.org. Brenda and Rob Eslinger have purchased the former Joeshmoes Coffee space and opened Valley Social Coffeehouse. The Eslingers have deep roots in Grain Valley. Brenda grew up in Grain Valley and their five children were also raised in Grain Valley. The new business celebrated its grand opening January 13th with a ribbon cutting on one of the coldest days on record. Despite the temps outside, the full house inside was an indication of the support the Eslingers have in this new endeavor. In addition to a full drink menu, the coffeehouse offers a variety of breakfast and lunch items, as well as retail items. Valley Social Coffeehouse is located at 120 S Buckner Tarsney Road in Grain Valley. Their hours have recently expanded as follows: Monday to Friday: 6:00am to 6:00pm, Saturday: 7:00am - 6:00pm, and Sunday: 7:00am - 4:00pm. For more information or to place an order, visit www.valleysocialcoffeehouse.com Members of the Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce as well as friends and family of Brenda and Rob Eslinger gathered on January 13th for a ribbon cutting to celebrate their grand opening. Photo credit: Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce Brenda and Rob Eslinger are the new owners of Valley Social Coffeehouse at 120 S Buckner Tarsney Road. Photo credit: Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce
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