The Ziploc® bags produced by SC Johnson and their off-brand counterparts have become staples of the Western kitchen. The average United States family uses 500 Ziploc bags each year (Bennett). With 325,719,178 people living in the United States as of July 2017, and an average family size of 2.8 people (U.S. Census Data), that means that the United States alone uses an average of 58,164,139 Ziploc bags per year. The rapid consumption of single-use products like the Ziploc bag is a primary contributor to the growing masses of garbage both in designated landfills and as uncollected litter and ocean rubbish. Further, the processes involved in making Ziploc bags contribute to the annual emissions of greenhouse gasses (GHGs), as well as other contaminants into the atmosphere and environment.
Ziploc bags are made of low density and linear low density polyethylene film (LDPE) a common plastic product with many industrial applications. Like most plastics, LDPE is produced from fossil products. LDPE is created through high-pressure polymerization of ethene, an olefin produced from ethane or naphtha, which are derived from natural gas and crude oil respectively. Both natural gas and crude oil are excavated from the earth through drilling processes. There are two primary types of drilling, referred to as conventional and unconventional drilling. Conventional drilling involves building a well, drilling straight down, and retrieving oil using a lift. Unconventional drilling was developed as conventional drilling rigs began to run dry. This method involves hydraulic fracking, shooting high pressure water mixed with toxic chemicals and sand horizontally through an oil well to induce fracturing in the earth that releases previously inaccessible pockets of oil or natural gas. Unconventional drilling has become more common as natural gas and oil deposits have been depleted, and the remaining resources have become more difficult to access through conventional drilling.
3.6-7.9% of the methane from [unconventional] gas production escapes to the atmosphere in venting and leaks over the lifetime of a well…more than twice as great as [emissions] from conventional gas." (Finkel). These methane emissions contribute heavily to global warming, as methane has 34 times as much global warming potential (GWP) as carbon dioxide. In addition to releasing large amounts of GHGs into the atmosphere, unconventional drilling is also a water contamination hazard. The wastewater produced by fracking is highly toxic and is often not properly cleaned up by the drillers. "Thirty to seventy percent of the fracking fluid will resurface bringing back with it toxic substances" (Finkel), and it is nearly impossible to trace the chemicals that end up in the surrounding environment after hydraulic fracking. These chemicals contaminate ground and surface water (oftentimes the drinking water of residents) and have been shown to have a negative effect on nearby wildlife, causing harm including low fertility and death. (Finkel).
After the natural gas and oil have been extracted from the earth, they must be further refined in order to separate out the ethane and naphtha used to produce ethene. Ethane is a natural gas liquid (NGL) that is separated out from natural gas along with other NGLs during the refinement process due to the high market value of NGLs as isolated materials. There are two primary methods of separating NGLs from natural gas: the absorption method and the cryogenic expansion process. The cryogenic expansion process is used to extract lighter hydrocarbons like ethane. This process requires reducing the temperature of the natural gas to -120 degrees Fahrenheit, then running the gas at a high-pressure through a turbine which will rapidly expand the gas and allow for the recovery of 90-95% of the ethane contained in the gas stream (NaturalGas.org). Achieving such an extreme temperature on a large production scale requires high-energy consumption which produces carbon dioxide emissions from the combustion of crude oil. Naphtha is produced through the distillation of crude oil, a complex heat intensive process utilizing furnaces, boilers, and gas turbines, which is estimated to produce 32.8 tonnes of carbon dioxide per hour of operation (Gadalla). That's twice as much carbon dioxide as a single resident of California will produce in one year as of 2012 (CCST). Once separated from their sources, ethane and naphtha are steam cracked to produce ethene. There is an estimated .0112 tonnes of carbon dioxide released for every tonne of ethene produced through steam cracking (Ren).
After steam-cracking, ethylene (ethene in its gaseous state) is converted into a solid by heating it at high temperatures in a low-oxygen chamber. This produces LDPE in the form of small white pellets, which are then melted down and hit with high-pressure air in a process called "blowing" that creates LDPE film. This process is typically fueled by crude oil or natural gas, leading to further GHG emissions in the form of burned fuel.
Water-based ink and red and blue dye pigments are used to create a write-on label on the bag and to add color to the zip closure. Ziploc brand bags use Clariant brand dye pigments and a water-based ink produced by Siegwerk. In 2017 Clariant generated .97 million metric tonnes of GHG emissions and 13 million cubic meters of wastewater (Natural Capital - Clariant Integrated Report 2017). As this is the waste generation of an entire company, the wastes associated with the production of dyes for Ziploc bags is likely a fraction of these numbers. Siegwerk does not have any specific numbers associated with their waste production, but do state that they are committed to reducing their production of hazardous waste by 20% by 2020 (Siegwerk's Environmental Performance) (although it is unclear what their starting number is). The hazardous waste to which Siegwek refers is likely large amounts of toxic wastewater, a byproduct of water-based ink production which is difficult to treat, and must be handled carefully to avoid environmental contamination.
The assembly of the Ziploc bag is carried out by SC Johnson at one of their factories. They have many production plants around the globe, including several in the United States, Netherlands, and China. 32.7% of SC Johnson's energy comes from renewable sources (Sustainability at SC Johnson). They primarily use wind energy, but also use solar energy and biofuel. SC Johnson has also established a zero-waste program and have less than .5 kg of manufacturing waste per 100kg of product shipped (this number pertains to all SC Johnson products, not specifically Ziploc bags), and have reduced global greenhouse gas emissions by 51.7% since 2000. (SC Johnson Sustainability Report). These are fairly significant strides towards sustainability, however, the practices carried out by SC Johnson are only part of the story of a Ziploc bag. Although SC Johnson requires that suppliers of materials follow proper disposal laws for any hazardous materials, they only "encourage" the monitoring of carbon footprint and a commitment to improve environmental performance. These supplier guidelines do not eliminate most of the wastes produced by LDPE, as the hefty wastes produced by processes such as oil drilling and steam cracking are currently completely legal.
The manufacture and sale of Ziploc bags is a multi-continental process. SC Johnson, Clariant, Siegwerk, and the world's major oil and plastic companies all have locations across multiple countries and continents. It is unlikely that the entire Ziploc production process is conducted in one country. Ziploc bags most likely make at least one trip around the world in their production, and then must be transported to their sale destination from one of SC Johnson's factories. This transport, whether it is by freight, boat, or aircraft, is powered by fossil fuel or natural gas, and will have carbon emissions associated with the journey. However, given that Ziploc bags are quite small and light, on a large enough transport scale, the presence of Ziploc bags will not contribute heavily to the carbon emissions from the journey.
It is possible to re-use Ziploc bags, provided that one cleans and dries the bag before using it a second time. In fact, there are even some products dedicated to holding Ziploc bags open for effective drying. However, given that this practice is not particularly common, nor specifically endorsed by SC Johnson, Ziplocs are effectively single-use products.
SC Johnson claims that recycling Ziploc bags is as easy as using them. "Yes, it's true, Ziploc® brand bags are recyclable. Really! Just look for the bin next time you're at your local participating store. Your used Ziploc® brand bags (clean and dry) go in the same bins as those plastic shopping bags." (Sustainability & Safety | Ziploc® Brand) While it's great that the company is promoting the responsible disposal of their product, realistically, a Ziploc bag's journey from the home to the recycling plant is much more convoluted. LDPE film is categorized as a #4 plastic by United States recycling systems. Recycling #4 plastic is, unfortunately, not as easy as recycling things like cardboard and paper. Not all curbside collection accepts #4 plastic, and of those that do only some accept LDPE film like Ziploc and other plastic bags, while many only accept solid #4 plastics such as milk cartons. Taking Ziploc bags to the grocery store is an option, and many popular chains have collection programs (although not in all locations), however this requires keeping one's own collection of cleaned and dried bags and remembering to take them to the store. These recycling programs do not offer compensation like plastic bottle and aluminum can recycling programs do, so there is little incentive for the consumer to put in the extra effort to clean, dry, store, and transport a bag rather than just chuck it in their trash bin.
If Ziploc bags do make it to the recycling plant, there are some limitations as to how the LDPE can be recycled. The plastics must be sorted, cleaned, melted down and then re-extruded into plastic pellets. This process is more expensive than making LDPE from new materials, as it includes the extra costs and labor of sorting and cleaning the used material. USDA law prohibits the use of reclaimed LDPE in any packaging that is to come into direct contact with food. As food packaging is a common use for LDPE film, recycled LDPE will often become hard plastic products instead. Common uses for recycled LDPE include garbage cans and trash bags, furniture, and shipping materials. When not recycled, Ziploc bags pose a serious threat to the environment. Like all plastics, Ziplocs can cause harm to aquatic life if they make their way into a freshwater or marine environment. In a landfill environment, Ziploc bags do not decompose, so every bag tossed into a landfill stays there forever.
SC Johnson has made efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and waste in their manufacturing process, they are still producing a single-use product with zero biodegradation and limited recycling accessibility.
Bennett, Sophia. "How to Recycle Ziploc Bags." RecycleNation, ERI, 7 Oct. 2014, recyclenation.com/2014/10/recycle-ziploc-bags/.
CCST, "California's Energy Future: The View to 2050." California Council on Science and Technology, 2011, California's Energy Future: The View to 2050, ccst.us/publications/2011/2011energy.php.
Finkel, M.l., and J. Hays. "The Implications of Unconventional Drilling For Natural Gas: a Global Public Health Concern." Public Health, vol. 127, no. 10, Oct. 2013, pp. 889–893. Science Direct, Elsevier, doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2013.07.005.
Gadalla, M, et al. "Estimation and Reduction of CO2 Emissions from Crude Oil Distillation Units." Energy, vol. 31, no. 13, 2006, pp. 2398–2408. Science Direct, Elsevier, doi:10.1016/j.energy.2005.10.030.
Goodship, Vannessa. "Plastic Recycling." Science Progress, vol. 90, no. 4, 2007, pp. 245–268. Science Reviews 2000, JSTOR, doi:10.3184/003685007x228748.
Johnson, SC. "Ziploc® Brand Freezer Bags : SC Johnson." SC Johnson - What's Inside, www.whatsinsidescjohnson.com/us/en/brands/ziploc/ziploc-brand-freezer-bags.
Kant, Rita. "Textile Dyeing Industry an Environmental Hazard." Natural Science, vol. 04, no. 01, 2012, pp. 22–26. Scientific Research, SCRIP, doi:10.4236/ns.2012.41004.
Lazonby, John. "Poly(Ethene) (Polyethylene)." The Essential Chemical Industry, Centre for Industry Education Collaboration (CIEC), 27 Apr. 2017, www.essentialchemicalindustry.org/polymers/polyethene.html.
Lee, Jessica. "Conventional Vs. Unconventional." Croft Systems Oil & Gas Blog, Croft Production Systems, 25 June 2015, www.croftsystems.net/oil-gas-blog/conventional-vs.-unconventional.
Lepoutre, Priscilla. "The Manufacture of Polyethylene." New Zealand Institute of Chemistry, www.nzic.org.nz/ChemProcesses/polymers/10J.pdf.
Liptow, Christin, and Anne-Marie Tillman. "A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment Study of Polyethylene Based on Sugarcane and Crude Oil." Journal of Industrial Ecology, vol. 16, no. 3, 2012, pp. 420–435. Wiley Online Library, Wiley, doi:10.1111/j.1530-9290.2011.00405.x.
Metes̆, A, et al. "The Role of Zeolites in Wastewater Treatment of Printing Inks." Water Research, vol. 38, no. 14-15, 2004, pp. 3373–3381. Science Direct, Elsevier, doi:10.1016/j.watres.2004.04.012.
"Natural Capital - Clariant Integrated Report 2017." Reports.clariant, Clariant, reports.clariant.com/2017/integrated-report/review-of-results/planet/natural-capital.html.
"Reducing Resource Use | Using Renewable Energy | Sustainability at SC Johnson." Sjjohnson, SC Johnson, web.
Ren, Tao, et al. "Steam Cracking and Methane to Olefins: Energy Use, CO2 Emissions and Production Costs." Energy, vol. 33, no. 5, May 2008, pp. 817–833. Science Direct, Elsevier, doi:10.1016/j.energy.2008.01.002.
Ross, Stuart, and David Evans. "The Environmental Effect of Reusing and Recycling a Plastic-Based Packaging System." Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 11, no. 5, Aug. 2003, pp. 561–571. Science Direct, Elsevier, doi:10.1016/s0959-6526(02)00089-6.
"SC Johnson Supplier Code of Conduct." Scjohnson, SC Johnson, web.
"SC Johnson Sustainability Report." Scjohnson, SC Johnson, web.
"Siegwerk's Environmental Performance." Siegwerk Druckfarben AG & Co. KGaA, Siegwerk, 13 Mar. 2018, www.siegwerk.com/en/our-responsibility/siegwerks-environmental-performance.html.
"Sustainability & Safety | Ziploc® Brand." Ziploc ®, ziploc.com/en/sustainability-and-safety.
Ziploc bags are a fairly common product: after all, the average American family uses 500 Ziploc bags per year (Bennett). Yet, despite their popularity, not many people likely know what goes into producing such a product; after all, the life cycle of any product is not often taken into consideration by the majority of the population. The production of Ziploc bags is an energy intensive process with different possible alternatives that may reduce the energy consumption.
Ziploc bags are composed primarily of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), plastics derived from ethene (SC Johnson, Lazonby). Ethene itself comes from ethane, which is present in natural gas. As traditional gas supplies decline, hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, of shale gas is becoming a more popular source of natural gas (Clegg). Fracking allows users to obtain gas and oil from impermeable shale rock that was previously unattainable when using conventional drilling. It takes two or more kilometers of drilling vertically to reach the shale, then additional horizontal drilling, up to three kilometers. Slickwater (a mixture of water, sand, and additives) is pumped through the well pipe at high pressure (greater than 600 atmospheres). The horizontal section of the well pipe contains small perforations, creating microfractures in the shale; the proppants, or solid materials (like sand), in the slickwater prop open these fractures, allowing the gas and oil to flow freely from the rock. The gas and oil are captured by a well head once the pressure is released (Lichtarowicz).
Fracking is clearly dependent on water, which begs the question: how much water does this process use? While this depends on the type and location of the well, a single well requires 2.3 to 3.8 million gallons (8.7 to 14.4 million liters) of water. In 2005, the water used for mining accounted for less than 1.0% of the water withdrawn in the US; compared to thermoelectric power generation (49%) and irrigation (31%), this number seems fairly insignificant. While this may be true in the big picture, 2 million gallons (7.6 million liters) per well can often be significant for the area the water is extracted from, as these areas tend to be remote and environmentally sensitive (Chen). In comparison to conventional gas drilling, fracking requires more water. However, using natural gas to generate electricity saves water compared to coal; coal consumes more than twice the amount of water per megawatt hour generated than unconventional gas. In comparison to renewable energies, fracking may use more or less depending on the source: fracked gas uses less than 0.01% of water per unit energy than corn ethanol, but solar and wind use almost no water (Golden).
After obtaining natural gas comes the extraction of natural gas liquids (NGL) like ethane, propane, butanes, and natural gasoline (the main focus here will be ethane). There are two different methods of extracting NGLs: absorption and cryogenic expansion. In the absorption method, the natural gas is passed through an absorption tower, where it comes in contact with "lean" absorption oil. The oil absorbs much of the NGLs, then exits the tower, and the now "rich" absorption oil goes to a lean oil still. Here, the oil-NGL mixture is heated at a point between the boiling point of the NGL and the oil. This yields approximately 75% of the butanes and 85 to 90% of the natural gasoline. The process can be improved to target specific NGLS by refrigerating the lean oil before it enters the absorption tower; this gives a yield of approximately 90% of the propane, 40% of the ethane, and nearly 100% of the natural gasoline. While absorption is good for heavier NGLs, lighter NGLs, like ethane, have a lesser recovery rate. A more effective extraction process is cryogenic expansion, which requires lowering the gas stream to about -120 degrees Fahrenheit. The most effective way of doing this is the turbo expander process, which cools the gas with external refrigerants, followed by an expansion turbine. This expands the gas very rapidly, resulting in a great and rapid temperature drop; hydrocarbons like ethane condense, while methane remains gaseous. This process yields an ethane recovery of 90-95%, and even saves energy costs: the expansion turbine can convert energy from the expansion of the gas into recompressing methane (Maverick Engineering).
Once ethane is obtained, it is converted to ethene by steam cracking, the most energy-consuming process in chemical processing (Ren). Reactant gases (ethane, propane, butane) or liquids (naphtha, gas-oil) are preheated and vaporized; then, in a tubular reactor, they are mixed with steam then heated to 1050-1150 K and converted to low relative molecular mass alkenes. There are a variety of possible feedstocks, and each produces different product yields. Ethene is usually the highest percentage yield product compared to other products, but has the highest yield (78%) from an ethane feedstock (Lichtarowicz). A 1985 energy analysis by the US Department of Energy measured the specific energy consumption of cracking ethane, with a 24% contribution to steam, heating, and losses; this was approximately equal to the other sections (heat of reaction, fractionation/compression, and separation). In the cracking of naphtha, an exergy (usable energy) analysis of an ethylene process from the Tamkang Journal of Science and Engineering attributed de-ethanization (fractionation of ethane) with 23% of exergy loss in compression and separation; this was the second highest loss (to 30% in propylene refrigeration). Perhaps this is due to a greater amount of ethane, but is regardless a significant part of energy usage (Ren).
Finally, ethene is used to produce polyethylene. There are three types of polyethylene: low density (LDPE), linear low density (LLDPE), and high density (HDPE); as stated before, Ziplocs consist of LDPE and LLDPE (Lazonby, SC Johnson). Polyethylene accounts for over 60% of ethene manufactured per year, and is the world's most important/used plastic. The annual global production of LDPE in 2014 was 18.7 million tonnes, and 24.1 million tonnes of LLDPE. The production of LDPE occurs under extreme pressure (1000 to 3000 atm) at moderate temperatures (420-570 K). Ethene with a purity in excess of 99.9% is compressed, then passed to a reactor with an initiator (eg. small amount of oxygen); molten polyethylene is then removed, extruded, and cut into granules, while unreacted ethene is recycled (Lazonby). A report on the production of 4.48 million tonnes of LDPE (representative of 93.5% of Western Europe production) found the average gross energy to produce one kilogram of LDPE was 77 megajoules (range from 64 to 96 megajoules) (Boustead). Producing LLDPE with high pressure is costly, so improved techniques using catalysts has been developed. Slurry, solution, or gas phase processes can be used with a Ziegler-Natta catalyst, while inorganic catalysts require the use of the gas phase process. The slurry process polymerizes ethene by passing it under pressure into the slurry; granules of Ziegler-Natta catalyst mixed with a liquid hydrocarbon, a diluent, are also in the reaction, which occurs in a loop reactor. Once the product is released, the solvent evaporates, leaving the polymer while leaving the catalyst; to destroy the catalyst's activity, water vapor reacts with the catalytic sites. The solution process passes ethene and hydrogen under pressure into a Ziegler-Natta catalyst and hydrocarbon solution, obtaining polyethylene in a similar manner to the slurry process. The gas phase process passes ethene and hydrogen over a Phillips catalyst in a fixed bed reactor, resulting the ethene to polymerize into grains that pass out of the reactor once the valve is released. LLDPE is ideal for film products because the material is quite resilient and flexible without needing plasticisers (Lazonby). While I could not find specific numbers for the production of LLDPE, production of LLDPE is greater than that of LDPE, so assumedly LLDPE production uses more energy than that of LDPE.
Ziploc bags also use dye, as notable in their distinctive colored zipper; one side is red and the other is blue, thus when closed the bag shows purple. The dyes, red and blue, used are from the company Clariant (SC Johnson). Clariant's report on Natural Capital states that their total energy consumption increased 10.0% from 2,950 to 3,245 kWh/t from 2016 to 2017. However, they cite the energy consumption of production as decreasing by 1.8% from 719 to 706 kWh/t. Clariant attributes the increase in total energy consumption to increasing production volume. Clariant has goals to decrease their energy consumption by 30% by 2025 (Clariant). Thankfully, they seem to be mindful of reducing energy consumption, and are perhaps on their way there. Ziploc bags also incorporate water-based ink (SC Johnson). However, I could not find further information on this. Regardless, this should add further energy consumption costs to production.
SC Johnson, the company that makes Ziploc bags, sites their Bay City, Michigan plant as producing Ziploc bags; in 2011, 67% of the plant's energy was supplied by a nearby wind farm (SC Johnson). In 2017, the company announced it was expanding, also including that the plant produces billions of bags per year, distributing them to seven different countries (The Associated Press). I could not find more information about this, but in terms of transportation, a study for the US Department of Energy provided information of petroleum fuel consumption by US domestic transportation (2005/2007). With the majority of petroleum fuel consumption came from cars and light trucks, 14.2% was combination trucks, 5.1% for single-unit trucks, and 2.1% for freight railroads. Altogether, these do not amount to nearly as much as cars and light trucks (approximately ⅔ of consumption) (Cambridge Systematics). However, the study only takes domestic transportation into account, meaning that total petroleum consumption of transportation must amount to more; in this case, SC Johnson claims they distribute Ziploc bags to seven different countries, thus amounting to further consumption due to transportation, but on an international scale.
Transportation considerations can be similarly applied to waste, as assumedly waste must be transported to various waste management sites. Unfortunately, Ziploc bags are generally single-use products, as reusing them requires cleaning and caring for them (Bennett). I do not believe this process is utilized by many people, as Ziploc bags are widely seen and advertised as a convenient disposable product. Ziploc's sustainability and safety page claims the majority of plastic bags are made into composite lumber, which is used for various products including fences, benches, and decks; TREX, Hilex, and AERT are sited as "key plastic recycling organizations" (SC Johnson). I continued further investigation of one of these organizations, TREX, which gave me some information on their usage of recycled Ziploc bags. Cleaned plastic waste is ground into granules, which is then combined with sawdust and heated. TREX claims they do not use smokestacks and recycle any waste made back into manufacturing (however, they do not describe how), claiming they produce "virtually zero waste" in manufacturing. In addition to composite lumber products, they also produce LLDPE pellets with surplus material, claiming they are made from 100% recycled materials (Trex). While this all sounds incredibly eco-friendly, claims of "virtually zero waste" and products made from "100% recycled materials" are quite suspicious. However, this report is not on composite lumber or Trex, so no there will be no further research in this paper. Ultimately, it is positive that Ziploc bags are being utilized in another way before they reach the end of their lifecycle.
Ziploc bag production utilizes some controversial and incredibly energy intensive processes (fracking and steam cracking) and are mass produced, mass distributed single-use products. As such, there is constant production, and as the population increases, so does demand, meaning even more production. To reduce energy consumption, people should try to reduce their dependence on Ziploc bags and perhaps consider using reusable storage containers.
Bennett, Sophia. "How to Recycle Ziploc Bags." RecycleNation. N.p., 07 Oct. 2014. Web. 15 Mar. 2018.
Boustead, I. "Eco-profiles of the European Plastics Industry." PlasticsEurope, Mar. 2005. Web. 15 Mar. 2018.
Cambridge Systematics. "Freight Transportation Modal Shares: Scenarios for a Low-Carbon Future." US Department of Energy, Mar. 2013. Web. 15 Mar. 2018.
Chen, Jiangang et al. "Hydraulic Fracturing: Paving the Way for a Sustainable Future?" Journal of Environmental and Public Health 2014 (2014): 656824. PMC. Web. 15 Mar. 2018.
Clariant. "Natural Capital." Clariant. Clariant, n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2018.
Clegg, Brian. "Ethane." Chemistry World. N.p., 02 Oct. 2014. Web. 15 Mar. 2018.
Lazonby, John. "Poly(ethene) (Polyethylene)." The Essential Chemical Industry Online. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2018.
Lichtarowicz, Marek. "Cracking and Related Refinery." The Essential Chemical Industry Online. N.p., 7 Sept. 2014. Web. 15 Mar. 2018.
Lichtarowicz, Marek. "Extracting Crude Oil and Natural Gas." The Essential Chemical Industry Online. N.p., 3 July 2017. Web. 15 Mar. 2018.
Maverick Engineering. "Oil & Gas: Natural Gas Processing: NGL Processing." Maverick Engineering. Maverick Engineering, Inc., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2018.
Ren, Tao, et al. "Olefins from Conventional and Heavy Feedstocks: Energy Use in Steam Cracking and Alternative Processes." Energy, Pergamon, 17 May 2005. Web. 15 Mar. 2018.
SC Johnson. "Clean Energy and SC Johnson." SC Johnson Fact Sheets. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2018.
SC Johnson. "Sustainability & Safety | Ziploc® Brand." Ziploc ®. SC Johnson, n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2018.
SC Johnson. "Ziploc® Brand Freezer Bags : SC Johnson." SC Johnson - What's Inside. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2018.
Trex. "ECO-FRIENDLY DECKING." Trex. Trex Company, Inc., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2018.
Trex. "VIDEO GALLERIES." Trex. Trex Company, Inc., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2018.
Trex. "TREX® SPECIALTY MATERIALS." Trex. Trex Company, Inc., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2018.
Ziploc® bags are used in the day-to-day lives of many, but most individuals do not think about the life cycle of this product. Plastic bags are becoming more relevant to the public for environmental issues since plastics take nearly a thousand years to decompose. On average, the American family uses around 500 bags a year, and most do not reuse bags. The American population is around 326,128,671 (U.S. Population [LIVE]) with an average family-size of 3 family members (Statista), meaning around 54,354,778,500 Ziploc® bags are used yearly, and that number is steadily increasing. The production of this large amount of Ziploc® bags causes environmental issues ranging from greenhouse gas emissions, climate change, and the use of limited raw materials. The creation of Ziploc® bags is complicated because each of the materials needs to be chemically processed. The raw materials in Ziploc® bags are initially extracted from crude oils. From this primary raw material, ethane is then steam cracked into ethylene which is the material used to form polyethylene -- from this, polyethylene low density (LDPE) and polyethylene linear low density (LLDPE) are created and these are the two major materials in Ziploc® bags. After that, Clariant dyes are added for the closure and write-on part of the Ziploc®.
The two major materials in Ziploc® bags are polyethylene low density (LDPE) and polyethylene linear low density (LLDPE) which are extracted from crude oils. Both LDPE and LLDPE are made from polyethylene, a durable and lightweight plastic that is used in many different applications ranging from various plastic parts, laminates, films, packaging, electrical, and automotives (Polyethylene [PE] - Complete Guide). According to the website Omnexus, polyethylene "is one of the most widely produced plastics in the world… tens of millions of tons are produced worldwide each year." Polyethylene is extracted from crude oils, and there are two different ways this can be done--either through modifying a natural gas (a methane, ethane, or propane mix) or through catalytic cracking of crude oil to gasoline (The Manufacture of Polyethylene). The biggest difference between LDPE and LLDPE is that LLDPE's molecular structure has shorter branches in its chains. Because of this, the chains can slide against each other more smoothly, making LLDPE stronger and more flexible. Therefore LLDPE has higher tensile strength, higher impact, and higher puncture resistance than LDPE (U.S. Plastic Corporation).
These two materials can actually be found in many products today, not just in Ziploc® bags. It is important to consider where these materials come from because it is an elaborate process to create them. First off, the crude oils that LDPE and LLDPE are extracted from need to be drilled from the earth. There are two different ways that this can be done -- conventional and unconventional drilling. Conventional drilling is when oil and gas is extracted with the natural pressure of the machines, while unconventional drilling involves the machines drilling down horizontally in a process called fracking. Unconventional drilling extracts gas and oils in situations where conventional drilling normally would not be as effective (Lee). In 2016, 65% of the United States oil production came from five major states as follows: Texas at 36% of the nation's production, North Dakota at 12%, California and Alaska at 6%, and Oklahoma at 5%. Another 18% of the country's oil came from a well located offshore in the Gulf of Mexico ("Where Our Oil Comes From"). These drilling locations are most likely where most of the crude oils come from for plastic production in the United States. Interestingly, plastic production does not actually consume a very large percentage of oil. According to the organization called PETRA, "a common misconception is that plastics and chemicals are the primary consumers of crude oil. However, combined they account for less than 10% of the global annual usage."Additionally, I tried researching which specific oil plants the oil that is used for plastic comes from, but I was not successful.
Once the raw crude oils are taken from drilling machines, the goal is to extract ethane and naptha. This is done through steam cracking gaseous or liquid feedstocks. According to Collins Dictionary, steam cracking "is the main method of breaking down large molecules of hydrocarbons, in which a gaseous or liquid hydrocarbon is diluted with steam and then heated." Although cracking ethane produces little-to-no byproducts, steam cracking naphtha produces a significant amount of propylene, butadiene, and benzene, and according to the American Chemical Society, "globally, steam cracking is the most important source of propylene and butadiene and the second leading source of benzene" (Beyond the Ethylene Steam Cracker). This noncatalytic cracking process is done at extremely high temperatures, usually reaching almost 850 degrees Celsius (Beyond the Ethylene Steam Cracker). This creates ethylene, which is the primary material used to create polyethylene. In order to make polyethylene a usable material for the production of Ziploc® bags, manufacturers convert it to a solid material called resin, which then can be heated again to create LDPE. This can be accomplished because LDPE is a thermoplastic and therefore can be heated and cooled several times in order to mold it into different forms, unlike a thermoset which can only be heated once. The Imperial Chemical Industries states that the first grade of polyethylene was initially produced in 1933 by using a high pressure process via free radical polymerization (Srivastava).
Next, the dyes used in Ziploc® bags according to (SC Johnson) are Clariant PE33760091 red, Clariant PE53760090 blue, hydro film dow EH 70388 and 70393 white inks. The closure on Ziploc® bags has a signature purple color when the bag is sealed, which is a blend of the blue and red-dyed sides of the zipper. White dye is used on bags to create the write-on portion that the consumer can easily label. Siegwerk, the third largest international company that supplies printing inks for packaging applications and labels, provides Ziploc® with the water-based inks (News Herald). Another company that plays a role to the creation of Ziploc® bags is a company named Clariant. Their purpose is to add color to plastic resins and applications. Ziploc® uses Clariant brand dye pigments for the signature red and blue coloring. From the Clariant website, their products: "include REMAFIN® masterbatches for polyolefin polymers, RENOL® masterbatches for high-performance engineering thermoplastics, OMNICOLOR® multipurpose color concentrates, and MEVOPUR® medical-grade masterbatches for the medical industry, delivering hundreds of standard colors as well as custom formulations and color/additive combibatches" (Clariant Ltd). While the exact materials used by the company remains unclear, renol is most likely the dye used to create Clariant PE33760091 red and Clariant PE53760090 blue.
The good thing about the famous Ziploc® bags is that they are recyclable! While this is a positive thing, it is slightly more complicated than just throwing them in a recycling bin at home. The bags need to be properly placed in a single steam recycling location to then be transported to a local Material Recovery Facility (Johnson). Because a typical recycling center uses machines to separate the different materials, the flimsy and lightweight bags can become tangled up in the machines, causing them to be temporarily shut down. Therefore it is vital for Ziploc® bags to be placed in their proper recycle locations, and there are even locations that offer a plastic-bag disposal program to make this easier. The reason being is Ziploc® bags are made from LDPE #4 while PET #1 and HDPE #2 are the main plastics for curbside collection (recyclingbin.com). Another issue is that if the recycled plastic film comes in contact with food again, it becomes a safety issue with the United States Food and Drug Administration Regulations, which then complicates the recycling process for the reuse of Ziploc® bags (Lepoutre). Since the reproduction of recycled plastics can be an intensive process from the transportation to and from the manufacturers, separation of the various materials, reheating/cooling, and molding of the new product from resins, it may be more effective to reuse the Ziploc® bags at home. Not only will this reduce the gas emissions from transportation and cut back on the energy used in a Material Recovery Facility, but it would be more convenient, environmentally friendly, and money saving for the consumer.
Objects that are made from plastic are the root of many environmental issues. One major issue in particular is the enormous amount of plastic sitting in landfills, because plastic items can take hundreds of years to decompose completely. According to a blog entry called "Where do Plastic Bags Go?", a member of the Environmental Protection Agency, "in 2011, Americans produced around 250 million tons of waste, 32 million tons of that solid waste was plastic. That's 4.4 pounds of waste per person per day!" (Bond). These numbers are shocking, but it should be noted that emissions from transportation trucks to-and-from facilities weren't even included in the above figures, so the actual amount is much higher. With that in mind, reducing the amount of single-use objects that go directly to landfills would greatly lessen the amount of waste produced by humans and would help the environment. Even reusing plastic bags and/or Ziploc® bags once can reduce this cycle significantly.
Overall, the production and disposal of Ziploc® bags is harmful to the environment. From attaining the raw materials, to mass production, to distribution/sale, then to usage and eventually to the landfill, the life cycle of Ziploc® bags is a long and complicated process that isn't beneficial to the planet. The production of Ziploc® bags involve two of the highest world polluting corporations -- being plastics and dyes. More plastic bags are being produced than the amount that can be recycled, so the production of Ziploc® bags will continue to have a negative impact on the environment unless a solution is found that could reduce the amount of crude oil needed to make Ziplocs and/or make the bags either more easily recyclable or compostable.
"Bags | Ziploc® Brand." Ziploc ®, cid=SEM_G_ziplock%2Bbags.
"Beyond the Ethylene Steam Cracker." American Chemical Society, www.acs.org/content/acs/en/pressroom/cutting-edge-chemistry/beyond-the-ethylene-steam-cracker.html.
Bond, Shannon. "Where Do Plastic Bags Go?" EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 6 Mar. 2014, blog.epa.gov/blog/2014/03/where-do-plastic-bags-go/.
Clariant Ltd. "Color Masterbatches." Clariant Ltd., www.clariant.com/en/Business-Units/Masterbatches/Color-Masterbatches.
" Definition of 'Steam Cracking'." Collins Dictionary, www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/steam-crackingdictionary/english/steam-cracking.
"Definition of 'Steam Cracking'." Steam Cracking Definition and Meaning | Collins English Dictionary, www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/steam-cracking.
Hill, Danielle. "What Are Ziploc Brand Bags Made of? | Hunker." Hunker.com, Hunker, 2 Dec. 2010, www.hunker.com/13419974/what-are-ziploc-brand-bags-made-of.
Johnson. "Don't Trash It: How to Handle Exceptional Recyclables." MNN - Mother Nature Network, Mother Nature Network, 31 May 2017, www.mnn.com/your-home/at-home/sponsorvideo/dont-trash-it-how-to-handle-exceptional-recyclables.
Lee, Jessica. "Oil & Gas Blog." Conventional Vs. Unconventional, www.croftsystems.net/oil-gas-blog/conventional-vs.-unconventional.
"Linear Low-Density Polyethylene." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 17 Feb. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linear_low-density_polyethylene.
News Herald. "Siegwerk Brings Color to Marketing." Morganton.com | The News Herald, 13 May 2014, www.morganton.com/madeinburke/manufacturing/siegwerk-brings-color-to-marketing/article_d7d96f4e-dacb-11e3-a3da-0017a43b2370.html.
"PET – What Is It and Where Does It Come From? ." PETRA, www.petresin.org/pdf/PET_whatisitandwheredoesitcomefrom.pdf.
"Polyethylene (PE) - Complete Guide $Neo(Document), Polyethylene: PE Plastic Advance Guide (HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE...), omnexus.specialchem.com/selection-guide/polyethylene-plastic.
"Professor Plastics: Highlights of Low-Density Polyethylene." Plastics Make It Possible, 4 Jan. 2018, www.plasticsmakeitpossible.com/about-plastics/faqs/professor-plastics/professor-plastics-highlights-of-low-density-polyethylene/.
Srivastava, Vishal. "How Is LDPE Plastic Made?" Quora, www.quora.com/How-is-LDPE-plastic-made.
"What Are the Differences between HDPE, LDPE, XLPE, LLDPE, and UHMWPE?" U.S. Plastic Corporation, www.usplastic.com/knowledgebase/article.aspx?contentkey=508.
"Where Our Oil Comes From." Where Our Oil Comes From - Energy Explained, Your Guide To Understanding Energy - Energy Information Administration, 8 June 2017, www.eia.gov/energyexplained/index.cfm?page=oil_where.
"Where Our Oil Comes From." Where Our Oil Comes From - Energy Explained, Your Guide To Understanding Energy - Energy Information Administration, www.eia.gov/energyexplained/index.cfm?page=oil_where.
"Zip Lock Plastic Bags: A Tragic Case of Recycling Inconvenience." Welcome to Recyclingbin.com, www.recyclingbin.com/Blog/zip-lock-plastic-bags-a-tragic-case-of-recycling-inconvenience.


For a finger-licking good gift, look no further than our barbecue basket! Bursting with flavorful sauces, spices, and snacks, it's perfect for Father's Day or any summer celebration!Our BBQ Basket includes pretzels and chips, spice mixes, steak sauce, and more - plus festive kitchen towels and handy BBQ tongs! Please note that due to local availability, gift basket items may differ from those pictured.


text:
Herb Weiss
Aging Issues
Follow Herb Weiss on WordPress.com
Category Archives for Relationships
New AARP Study Takes a Close Look at America's Grandparents
AARP's newest research study, highlighting the latest trends, gives us a peek into the world of grandparenting, a role that millions of Americans now take on in their later years. This number has steadily grown, from 56 million in 2001 to a whopping 70 million today.
The youngest grandparent is about 38 years old, with 50 being the average age of becoming a first-time grandparent, notes Brittne Nelson-Kakulla, AARP Research's Senior Research. For those with children, by age 65, 96 percent of Americans are grandparents, she says.
"Today's grandparents are an economic force that cannot be ignored," said Alison Bryant, senior vice president of research, AARP, in an April 8 statement with the release of this 40-page report. "They are living longer, working longer, shattering stereotypes and supporting their grandchildren in a variety of ways, including financially and culturally. Nearly all grandparents are providing some sort of financial support, helping to ease the costs of raising kids," notes Bryant.
Grandparents Pump Billion's into Nation's Economy
According to AARP's study, 70 million grandparents can have a major impact on the nation's economy. Grandparents spend money on their grandchildren, an average of $2,562 annually, this equaling approximately $179 billion dollars per year. Those dollars are spent supporting their grandchildren in a variety of ways, from helping to pay day-to-day expenses (meals, groceries, etc.) allowances, vacations, and school/college tuition costs.
The study found that grandparents have, on average, four to five grandchildren, down from six to seven in 2011. The number of grandparents in the workforce has increased in the past seven years, with 40 percent of grandparents currently employed up from 24 percent in 2011.
Grandparents enjoy the positive aspects of grandparenting such as supporting dreams and sharing roots, history and culture, and experiences, says the AARP study, but they face financial challenges, too. Thirteen percent of grandparent's struggle with the financial expectations of being a grandparent, including the cost of education, traveling to see the grandchildren.
Seven percent of grandparents have taken on debt to help their grandchildren pay for college and one in four of those grandparents have even cosigned private student loans for their grandchildren and/or incurred credit card debt that has not yet been paid back in full.
Over the decades, the role of grandparenting has remained consistent, observes the AARP study. Grandchildren continue to refer to grandparents as "grandma" or "grandpa" (70 percent to 60 percent respectively). But, one in twenty of the grandparent respondents prefer to be called by their first name.
Serving as a Source of Wisdom
Eighty one percent of the grandparent respondents say they play a key role in their grandchildren's life. Over half say that they serve as a "moral compass" to the grandchildren on variety of issues ranging from education, morals to values. But they say that discussing topics on sexuality and politics are way "out of their comfort zone."
Grandparents also see the importance of teaching gender equality and rising the be strong, independent woman, too, says the AARP study.
Thirty four percent of the grandparents say they have grandchildren of mixed or difference races or ethnicities. Nearly all of the respondents believe it is important that these grandchildren know about the heritage they share. Seven in ten make an effort to help their grandchildren learn about the heritage they do not share, says Nelson-Kakulla.
Sixty eight percent say that distance is the biggest obstacle that keeps them from getting enough one-on-one time with their grandchildren. Fifty two percent of the survey respondents have at least one grandchild who lives or 200 miles away, while 29 percent live over 50 miles from the closest grandchild, up from 19 percent in 2011. Like distance, busy full-or part-time work schedules keep grandparents as well as schedules of their children and grandchildren keep them from connecting.
Grandparents are turning away from making phone calls to maintain contact with their grandchildren, turning to new technologies like email, Facebook, Video Chat and Texting to bridge the mileage gap. Forty seven percent "like" the idea of group texting messages to chat with their grandchildren and 67 percent "like" the idea of using online video chatting to keep in touch.
Finally, 89 percent of the grandparent respondents say their relationship with their grandchildren is good for their well-being and 67 percent believe this role makes them more sociable. Sixty six percent say having grandchildren makes them more active, too.
AARP's 21-minute online survey of 2,654 grandparents ages 38 and was conducted between August 20 and September 4, 2018.by Hotspex, Inc.
For a copy of AARP's 2018 Grandparents Today National Survey, contact Brittne Nelson- Kakulla, Senior Research Advisor, AARP Research, at bkakulla@aarp.org.
April 14, 2019 by Herb Weiss	Categories: Relationships	| Tags: AARP, Alison Bryant, Brittne Nelson-Kakulla, grandparenting, Hotspex, Inc | Leave a comment
LRI Graduates Give Sage Advice to President Trump
Published in Woonsocket Call on September 3, 2017
"I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend." — Thomas Jefferson
With the dust settling after the surprising victory of GOP Candidate Donald Trump last November, the news analysis on the election results clearly revealed that America is a divided nation of red states and blue states, either leaning Republican or Democrat. Throughout the 2016 presidential campaign and into President Trumps 226 days in office, personal attacks are a very common occurrence on Face Book if the person disagrees with your posting.
Jeffersonian Dinners: Finding a Common Purpose
We have lost our way in agreeing to disagree on political issues. We are no longer able to civilly discuss our differences on issues. How can a politically divided nation relearn how to have civil political dialogue to find a bridge between our differing political philosophies and positions on policies. Here's Leadership Rhode Island's answer.
Last January, LRI released its second book in three years. "Dear President Trump," a compilation of 31 letters written by LRI alumni who attended 1 of 13 structured "Jeffersonian Dinners" held across the state in 2016. The attendees began each dinner conversation answering the question, "When faced with ideological or principle-based differences with another, how did you and the other party find common ground and/or progress?"
Each letter compiled in this 32-page book was written "to the office/position and not the person," as submissions and selections were made prior to the Presidential election on Nov. 8, 2016. "Given the emotional nature of this year's presidential election, which might be best described as identity politics at its most divisive, we thought advice from accomplished Rhode Island leaders from different sectors and industries to our incoming president would be gladly received by the next President and the citizens of Rhode Island," said Mike Ritz, Executive Director of Leadership Rhode Island, in a statement.
"There's much wisdom and perspective inside." In all, about 30% of the 111 dinner attendees – corporate executives, small business owners, directors of state agencies, elected officials, executive directors of non-profits, retirees, and veterans – submitted a 300-word letter which began with "Dear President." Inserted between letters are quotes by each of the 44 U.S. Presidents, which were curated by Dr. Jane Nugent, a 1995 graduate of Leadership Rhode Island and LRI's volunteer project advisor.
Sage Words of Advice
Here are a few snippets of advice in letters from LRI graduates…
Tricia O' Neil, LRI '09, Family Wealth Director and Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley, asks the incoming president to remember: "You are no longer a Democrat or Republican; you are now the leader of the greatest country in the world. Regardless of party, we are a rightfully proud country that continues to hold the truths of our Declaration of Independence, all the freedoms it stands for, as self-evident. Sometimes we will agree with your stances and sometimes we will not, but if you talk to us with honesty, patience and understanding, and stay consistent and steadfast, we will all successfully grow together."
Jerauld Adams, LRI '14, President of North American Industries, Inc., urges the new president to: "Find the strength to negotiate a middle ground on issues and policies so that your team will lead responsibly and will gain respect. Americans need you to be strong; they crave someone they can look up to. As the earth grows smaller, we need a more united America."
Mayor Scott Avedisian, LRI '97, of Warwick, gives his thoughts to the incoming president, too: "When dealing with the opposition, please find ways to agree and to disagree without vilifying them. Lead this nation by being an example of calm, allowing all to have their say and make decisions that exemplify the best in all people and all things."
The "Jeffersonian Dinner" series, which provoked the idea for the book, will continue by Leadership Rhode Island in 2017. Leadership Rhode Island is currently in talks with other organizations outside of the state to collaborate on a national initiative for helping citizens talk through their differences productively and with civility, an action which Ritz says is desperately needed to heal a divided country after very contentious and negative election campaigns.
Adds, Matt Coupe, LRI's Alumni & Community Engagement Liaison, the idea for Jeffersonian Dinners came out of a series of alumni focus groups held in early 2016 regarding membership benefits. "Alumni told us they wanted to connect with each other in more intimate settings than the large parties and networking events we often host, and they wanted to discuss topics of substance, says Coupe.
According to Coupe, Maryellen Butke, of Providence-based Namaste Consulting who graduated from LRI in 2008, introduced the concept of Jeffersonian Dinners, which had been developed by Jeffrey Walker at the Monticello Foundation, to LRI. Walker wrote a book, called The Generosity Network, in which he describes the Dinners as being modeled after dinner parties that Thomas Jefferson had once hosted at Monticello. Jefferson's idea was to bring people of different backgrounds together to discuss topics of importance, so he could hear multiple perspectives on various issues he was facing.
LRI launched its Jeffersonian Dinner series in March 2016, after a few months of initial planning. Each dinner took about a month to plan, said Coupe, noting that the nonprofit organization did not even any expenses in planning these dinners, other than some minor advertising costs and staff time. "Thanks to the generosity of Paul O'Reilly, President and CEO of the Newport Restaurant Group (graduating LRI in 1995), we were able to host six dinners at his restaurants [22 Bowen's Avvio, Castle Hill Inn, Trio, and the Waterman Grille] at no cost to us. The rest of the Dinners were hosted and paid for by individual alumni, held a t the Hope Club, University Club and in their homes" he said.
LRI has recently conducted an online survey of participants, which showed an overwhelming consensus of agreement that the conversations held at the Dinners were valuable in and of themselves, even if they didn't always change someone else's way of thinking, says Coupe. "We view this as a validation of the Jeffersonian Dinner model, since their purpose is to expose participants to different viewpoints, not necessarily to build consensus," he says.
LRI continues to hold its Jeffersonian Dinners in 2017 and plans to continue for at least another year, says Coupe, with the goal of eventually host inviting LRI graduates and the general public to participate. We want to eventually spread the word about the value of Jeffersonian Dinners outside Rhode Island with assistance from the Monticello Foundation and the national Association of Leadership Programs (ALP)," he says.
Now, is the time to work together to build a better American and world by learning how to discuss our differences and finding the root of compromise. Jeffersonian Dinners organized throughout the nation my just be the answer to bringing a politically divided country together.
Let's hope that a copy of "Dear President Trump," finds it's way to Trump's desk. It's a great read.
Books may be purchased for $20 (domestic shipping included) online at http://bit.ly/dearpresidentbook or by credit card over the phone at 401-273-1574. About Leadership Rhode Island Leadership Rhode Island is a nationally awarded community leadership development nonprofit organization, founded in 1981, with over 2000 graduates across the state of Rhode Island. For more information about Leadership Rhode Island, visit http://www.LeadershipRI.org
September 3, 2017 by Herb Weiss	Categories: Relationships	| Tags: "Dear President Trump", 22 Bowen's Avvio, Castle Hill Inn, Dr. Jan Nugent, Hope Club, Jeffersonian Dinners, Jeffrey Walker, Jerauld Adams, Leadership Rhode Island, Maryellen Butke, Matt Coupe, Mayor Scott Avedisian, Mike Ritz, Newport Restaurant group, Paul O'Reilly, The Generosity Network, Thomas Jefferson, Tricia O'Neil, Trio, Unversity Club, Waterman Grille | Leave a comment
Save the Roses and Try These Tips: Six Ways to Improving Communication at Home
Published in the Woonsocket Call on February 5, 2017
Effective Communication at home with your husband, wife, or partner is key to maintaining a meaningful, healthy, environment and thriving family. With Valentine's Day fast approaching, Author Donna Mac, a well-known corporate trainer, based in South Eastern, Massachusetts, with 25 years of experience in the broadcasting industry, translates effective corporate communication into tips for use in enhancing communication with your loved ones.
According to Mac, sexual infidelity, commonly linked to divorce, is not the leading cause for couples separating. The corporate communications expert notes that a recent article in Psychology Today says that whether a partner's communication "lifts you up or brings you down" is the single largest predictor of divorce.
So, mastering your communication skills may be the best Valentine's Day gift you can give, much better than a dozen roses. Mac, founder & president of Rehoboth, MA-based DMacVoice Communications, explains her Six Pillars Of Effective Communication which can bring healthy energy into an ailing relationship and bring you closer together with your loved one.
Six Pillars of Effective Communication
"The first pillar in becoming a more effective communicator," says Mac, noting this "is tied to 'knowing and owning who you are.' That means your strengths and vulnerabilities. You must be comfortable with who you are and understand that you have a right to communicate what you are thinking and feeling." She cautions us to be careful to always communicate as calmly and respectfully as possible. Don't wait to communicate until emotions build up to the point where that is not possible.
"Also, get a sense for whether you are you an extrovert or an introvert". Mac notes that this will influence how you interact with your partner. According to Mac, communication tends to flows more easily for extroverts. Introverts need more time to process before they speak, but they are usually better listeners.
She also cautions against being a passive, or even a passive-aggressive communicator. Both of these styles are non-productive but they are easy to fall into. Often times it feels easier to be a passive communicator because being an effective communicator take courage and work. "These days, it's easy to hide behind our computer screens," she says.
The second Pillar calls for the need to understand your partner. "Understand how your personality and communication style differs from that of your loved one," suggests Mac, who says that there are differences as well as varying points of view in every relationship. "When you disagree, be open to the possibility that either of you may be "right" or "wrong" or a bit of both. Be open to learning something new. It is also important to make it easy for your partner to share his or her vulnerabilities and ask for your help. "Create a safe space for communications by allowing and encouraging your partner to communicate often and to be authentic," she adds.
To use a phrase from her book, you can continue to "understand your audience" over the years by listening intently and often.
Pillar three encourages you to "master the content of the conversation" you are about to have. She stresses the need to be clear on what it is you would like to say especially if you have to have a challenging conversation.
Mac says, "You may need to practice how you are going to broach an extremely difficult topic. Do your best to speak in a way that is compelling but concise and has the best interest of both of you. Instead of accusing your partner of something, talk about the way that issue has affected you. Remember, they might not know if you don't' tell them. Also, try not to ramble. Instead, state your case with clarity and the most positive energy you can muster. If their actions are unacceptable, know where your boundaries lie and clearly and calmly state them."
Put Yourself Into Their Shoes
Pillar four calls for you to "anticipate questions and reactions" to conversations." Mac recommends, while you want to make sure you get your point across, ensure that you've taken time to put yourself into your partner's shoes. "Life isn't easy for anyone. But if you take time to think about and anticipate how they may feel or react to your topic you won't be so quick to react emotionally and with harsh words and energy.
By anticipating reaction you will be able become more proactive in your relationship, she says, noting that, "your partner will appreciate it."
"Remember, effective communication in a trusted relationship takes time, thought and occasional discomfort," says Mac.
Pillar five suggests that you "speak to serve" in your conversations. "When you 'serve' the person you're speaking with, you are taking time to make sure that the conversation is not "all about you". It's for the benefit of you, for them and for the greater good of the relationship or even the entire family!" says Mac. "When you serve while speaking, you are making sure that understanding is taking place. If you're not sure that it is, you might want to say something like, "is this making sense to you?"
Finally, Pillar six calls for you to "detach from the outcome" of the conversation. "If you follow the first 5 Pillars of Effective Communication you will be well on your way to becoming a highly effective communicator. But you aren't quite there yet!" states Mac. It is very important that you don't try to control your partner's reaction.
Instead of concerning yourself with perfection, remain flexible and detached, knowing that total agreement is never possible. Plus, it's really unimportant. What is important is the health and strength of your relationship and two powerful voices, even if they don't always see eye to eye," she adds.
Don't Try to Change Others, Change Yourself
Mac suggests that if you want to become an effective communicator, don't focus on changing the other person. We have no control over other people, only ourselves. "So work on changing what you can change in your communication style so that you can communicate in compelling and influential ways".
While Mac's Six Pillars Of Effective Communication can be directed to couples, look at the recommendations and try replacing "romantic" partner with "business" partner or someone you're collaborating with at work. And replace "the entire family" with "the entire department or company in Pillar five.
"These communication tips are universal and are the foundation for healthy professional AND personal relationships. The are not easy to integrate into our lives, but the more you use them, the quicker they'll become part of who you are and how you communicate."
Donna Mac is author of Guide to a RICHER LIFE–Know Your Worth, Find Your Voice & Speak Your Mind and The Six Pillars of Effective Communication. She is also a keynote speaker and private coach. For more details, go to http://www.dmacvoice.com.
February 5, 2017 by Herb Weiss	Categories: Healthcare, Relationships	| Tags: DMacVoice Communications, Donna Mac, extrovert, introvert, passive communicator, passive-aggressive communicator, Psychology Today, Six Pillars of Effective Communication | Leave a comment
You Are Never Too Old for Romance
Published in Pawtucket Times, February 13, 2015
Packing your bags can simply become the first step you take toward rekindling your relationship. Last week, with Valentine's Day fast approaching, Love and Relationships Ambassador Dr. Pepper Schwartz weighed in on a recently released AARP Travel study that reveals that 85 percent of Americans 45-plus have not taken a romantic vacation in the past two years.
For Dr. Schwartz, Ph.D., a sociologist and sexologist teaching at the University of Washington Seattle Washington, an author or co-author of 19 books, magazines, website columns and a television personality on the subject of sexuality, the findings reveal a need for couples to plan romantic getaways as a way to spend quality time with their partner and bolster their relationship.
Make Time for Love
In a release, Dr. Schwartz, co-author of the newly released book Places for Passion, says "There is every indication that romantic travel really does refresh a couple's relationship, makes them feel more in love, and makes them crave each other's company," "And there is also research, which indicates that trying something new is the best bonding mechanism of all."
"I wish we could be as romantic at home as we can on a trip- but there is something about getting away that lets us forget about our daily stuff and instead, fully concentrate on each other," says Dr. Schwartz. "When we stay at home, it's hard not to answer the phone or try and answer one more email- but in fact, we seem to need to get away- to have a new stage setting' for romance to bring out the best in us," she adds.
"That of course goes double if you have children at home; even a short getaway without them is a great romantic boost," notes Schwartz. .
But, if a vacation can be healthy for your relationship, why are the numbers of those who have taken romantic vacations so low? According to AARP Travel research, people most often cite busy schedules and tight budgets as the primary reasons to not pack their bags, forgoing a needed vacation. However, Dr. Schwartz says that with smart and easy-to-use tools and resources, the perfect romantic vacation can be just as relaxing to plan as it is to enjoy and affordable.
Creating New Memories, Igniting Passions
Dr. Schwartz's book, Places for Passion, co-written with Dr. Janet Lever, Ph.D., a sociology professor at California State University in Lost Angeles, who lead teams of researchers who designed three of the largest sex surveys ever tabulated (also coauthoring Glamour's Sex and Health column), outlines 75 destinations across the world for couples to explore and create new memories. Because people have such different preferences Dr. Schwartz and Lever's 416 page book, published in December 2014, identifies romantic destinations in urban areas, around beaches, in places that offer national wonders, or those places for the adventurous.
"However, whether we are recommending, Santa Fe, Bali, Zion or Capetown, there are certain romantic 'must haves' that are specified in the book, says Dr. Schwartz. She also urges aging travelers to avoid "convention hotels" which can ruin a romantic mood. "We don't like Bed and Breakfast Inns unless they are built for privacy and still provide private, luxurious bathrooms," adds Dr. Schwartz, noting she and Lever provide the reader with a full listing of hotels, restaurants and attractions– all geared for romance.
Creating the Mood
Get expert advice to create the romantic mood, says Lever, suggesting that the hotel concierge or manager be approached for interesting ideas or help in creating dinners in unexpected places. "We've heard of people placed at the side of waterfalls, alone in front of the fireplace, or even loaned the balcony in an unused suite," she says, stressing, "You won't know what your options might be if you don't ask."
Lever says, "If you are already on vacation, splurge on a room service dinner. If you're not, look to the future and create an 'I Owe You' for a future travel getaway. Set your date, so it really happens, then enjoy a nice dinner and ponder the choices for your promised vacation."
Book reviewers are raving about Places for Passion, too. Dr. Helen Fisher, Ph.D., Anthropologist at Rutgers University, says, "Travel is the liquor of romance. Novelty triggers the brain's dopamine system to sustain romantic passion. This surge soon fires up testosterone to tickle your sex drive. And as you hug and kiss, you feel the oxytocia system – ushering in feelings of deep attachment. So Peper Schwartz and Janet Lever have it right with t his charming book. It's full of great ideas on how to keep love alive.
"As for spice, we are the same authors who wrote The Getaway Guide for a Great Sex Weekend! It's a much different type of book with a lot of tips for providing more eroticism and sexual playfulness, adds Dr. Schwartz. "But for starters people who could make sure they brought sexier clothes to sleep in (or even take off), and maybe rent an erotic movie or read a sexy book. Giving each other a shampoo and head rub in the shower a foot or hand massage afterwards also helps heat up the evening, "she says.
AARP Travel (www.aarp.org/romantictravel) includes information about most of those destinations on the website alongside other planning guides, which can be valuable tools for couples looking to enhance their relationship this Valentine's Day weekend.
To watch Dr. Pepper Schwartz talk about AARP Travel's research on the importance of Romantic Travel, please visit: origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/MNR/66070_Pepper_Schwartz_Valentines_Day_0202.mp4.
(Note: This is the unedited version submitted to the newspapers.
February 13, 2015 by Herb Weiss	Categories: Relationships	| Tags: AARP Travel, Dr. Janet Lever, Dr. Pepper Schwartz, Helen Fisher, Ph.D., Places for Passion, romantic travel, The Getaway Guide for a Great Sex Weekend, University of Washington Seattle Washington, Valentine's Day | Leave a comment
When That Time Comes for Liquidating Your Childhood Home
Published in the Pawtucket Times, March 29, 2013
It's now a traditional rite of passage that marks a person transitioning to baby boomer-hood, that is the difficult task of cleaning out a childhood home. Like millions of aging baby boomers before her, a writer friend of mine is now facing this later life stage milestone and the challenging chore of cleaning out 50 years of accumulated "stuff" in her parent's home, following the recent passing of her widowed father.
The East Providence resident tells me that her parents, married for over 60 years, had lived in the same 1960s ranch-style house for 50 years, and the older couple's household goods just kept accumulating. "Beyond basic cleaning, my parents never really 'decluttered' or even had a yard sale," she noted, where they could easily get rid of household clutter to make some extra cash.
Overcoming Seller's Guilt, Finding Time to Sort
Never mind the emotional feelings experienced, especially the twinge of guilt at disposing of things that were once important to her parents, accumulated over five decades. But what about the time it takes to just sift through a lifetime of accumulated household goods, clothing, and furniture, says my overwhelmed friend. "It's just too much stuff to get rid of – especially with my very demanding full-time job and little time on the weekends to sort through things."
"Many of my parent's personal items, like a sold dark cherry wood bedroom set, dishes, glasses, barware and vases from the 1940s and 1950s, boxes of old coins, even hand-embroidered table cloths and runners, are just too nice to get rid of at a weekend yard sale," notes my friend. But, because of their age these items may not be considered truly antiques, she says.
"Where do you take mom's collection of Franklin Mint plates, porcelain figurines of carousel horses and birds, even some Hummel pieces?" my friend asks, who does not want to drive around to the coin store, antique dealer or linen store to sell each item. Selling on EBay is just too much work, she believes.
Choosing the Right Strategy to Liquidate
So, what steps do older children take in cleaning out a lifetime of their parent's personal mementos and personal belongings from their childhood home? Do you rent a dumpster and indiscriminately begin tossing away their loved ones cherished possessions, or hire a professional liquidator or a junk hauler to have someone come and do the pitching for you? What about holding a big weekend yard sale, that might just do the trick? Be warned, by choosing one of these options you might be under-selling an item that could be valuable due to its age, quality or rarity.
Making the right decision on how to liquidate your parent's personal belongings might just rest on how financially well-heeled they were," says Scott Davis, who operates New England's highest volume antiques venue, the Rhode Island Antique Mall with his wife Rae. "Having liquidated many hundreds of estates I can tell you that unless you come from a family of significant means or your parents were knowledgeable collectors, it's highly unlikely that the combined value of the estate's tangible assets is going to have a wholesale liquidation value of over $5,000 once the family claims the items they want to keep (which are usually the most valuable)" notes the antique dealer. "Thus you have to make a decision about how much effort is really appropriate for you to spend trying to get top dollar for every object."
"If your parent's estate is known to have higher value tangible assets you might want to first hire an appraiser to determine the value of at least the most important items," suggests Davis, noting that "a legitimate appraiser should always charge by the hour, not by item value."
Davis states that higher-end antique dealers or auction houses will "cherry pick" your items, only taking the most interesting and valuable things. Antique dealers should typically pay the most for each item. Auctioneers might bring more but will never guarantee it, and many items sold at auction bring shockingly low prices so deciding which way to go depends on your risk tolerance. Others dealers or liquidators will offer to take a larger percentage of the household goods at a lower cost per item while junk dealers or junk removal services may take everything in the house but will frequently actually charge you for the service while keeping anything they can re-sell. "You have to determine what type of service suits your situation best," he says, going on to say that in his experience it never pays to go straight to the junk guy first.
Davis recommends that in most cases it doesn't pay to attempt to sell items yourself noting that it can be very time consuming to sell things one piece at a time and buyers are hesitant to pay retail prices to inexperienced sellers. An antique dealer or private buyers can be easily found on-line, in local phone books, or in dealer directories that can be found in local shops. According to Davis, if you chose this option, dealers will typically offer you less than half of the anticipated retail value of the items but they of course have a lot of risk and expense along with their entitlement to earn a profit for their efforts.
Some folks attempt to sell their items on EBay or Craig's List but Davis warns that unless you have a lot of prior experience, the results are usually disappointing or worse. Selling on-line yourself requires a lot of time for research, photography, copywriting, corresponding and shipping while buyers tend to shy away from sellers who have little or no feedback; resulting in no takers for fixed price sales or very low prices realized for auction sales.
While it may take longer to sell everything, consignment is another option you might consider, Davis says. However, the Pawtucket-based antique dealer warns that you'll usually pay from 35% to 60% of the items retail selling price for this service.
Davis urges folks to always look for customer traffic, location, reputation and fee structure if you choose to place items on consignment. Check the references of the antique dealer or liquidator you may be interested in working with, inspecting their retail establishment to determine if it is professionally run. Meanwhile, he notes that consigned piece usually sells in 60 days or less; otherwise the price is reduced or the item is returned to you. Antique shops or malls are the best places to consign more valuable antiques, collectibles and vintage items, while newer or lesser valued items will usually do best in local consignment shops that focus on useful second hand items. Pawn shops are rarely if ever your best option unless you wish to borrow money using the items as collateral, he says.
When cleaning out a home, consider throwing away old mattresses, towels, bedding and paperwork yourself, as these items are usually not valuable and will cost you more for others to dispose of, says Davis, noting that often times it is not easy to determine what other things should just be thrown away. "Although traditional antiques and collectibles like pottery, glassware and china, frequently have little demand in today's market, seemingly valueless items that include war souvenirs, political memorabilia and even nostalgic items like old phones, light fixtures and old linens, may be quite valuable," he says.
Davis warns not to begin your house cleaning by throwing things away in a dumpster or planning your yard sale without calling a reputable antique dealer or estate liquidator to assist you in "separating the wheat from the chafe" first. They are accustomed to sorting through drawers, boxes, closets and basements and their experience enables them to quickly identify valuable items, he says.
Finally, rare antiques and collectibles can be sold for top dollar at auctions, Davis notes. "The right item in the wrong auction can produce a total flop," he observes, noting that there's usually a long wait between the day you initially contact an auction house and day it actually sells – probably about a year. A good full-service liquidator can help you to determine when auctioning is the right option and if so, which auctioneer will suit you best. They are usually paid by the auctioneer for this referral service, so it's a no-lose for the seller.
For more information on liquidating your childhood home, contact Scott Davis at 401/475-3400, email him at RIAntiquesMall@cox.net, or go to riantiquesmall.com.
Herb Weiss, LRI '12, is a Pawtucket-based freelance writer who covers aging, health care and medical issues. He can be reached at hweissri@aol.com.
March 28, 2013 by Herb Weiss	Categories: Relationships	| Tags: antique dealer, auctions, baby boomer, baby boomer-hood, childhood home, cleaning out a home, Cosignment, Craig's List, EBay, estate liquidater, Franklin Mint plates, household clutter, Hummel pieces, junk dealers, liquidators, pawn shops, Rhode Island Antique Mall, Scott Davis | 21 Comments
Internet Sex Survey Sheds Light on What's "Normal" in Relationships
Published in Pawtucket Times, February 8, 2013
Just after the little blue tablet, Viagra, endorsed on television commercials by a former Senate majority leader and former presidential contender Bob Dole in the late 1990s, the prescription wonder drug for those with erectile dysfunction in later life literally became the talk of the town.
We began to talk a little bit more openly about our sexuality, joking about the miraculous powers of the Viagra, including Cialis and Levitra, probably with the intent to relieve our own personal discomfort of the taboo topic of sex.
But even today, this columnist still hears snickers from those who believe that older persons are asexual, and that sex is of no interest to them in their twilight years. It's a myth, experts say, their observations supported by a recently published book and a decade worth of AARP studies on sexual attitude and practices.
Creating a New Normal for Your Relationship
Based on data obtained on the internet from nearly 70,000 respondents from the United States and around the world (with significant numbers of returns coming from China, Spain, Italy, France, England, Australia, Philippines, Hungary, Brazil, and Canada), last Wednesday Random House released, The Normal Bar: The Surprising Secrets of Happy Couples and What They Reveal About Creating a New Normal in Your Relationship.
Dr. Pepper Schwartz, Ph.D, Love and Relationship Ambassador for AARP, a Sociologist who teaches at University of Washington, and her coauthors, wellness entrepreneur Chrisanna Northrup and Dr. James Witte, Ph.D., a Sociologist who serves as Director of the Center for Social Science Research at George Mason University, teamed up to design a very unique interactive internet survey that would draw relationship data from around the world.
The researchers partnered with AARP, American on Line, the Huffington Post and Reader's Digest, who encouraged tens of thousands to take the project's innovative internet survey.
Dr. Schwartz and her co-researchers, took a look at what constitutes "normal" behavior among happy couples and outlined what steps you should take if that "normal" is one you want to strive for. They believe that their study gives the "clearest picture yet of how well couples are communicating, romancing each other, satisfying each other in the bedroom, sharing financial responsibilities, and staying faithful."
Since the Normal Bar survey methodology sorts for age and gender, racial and geographic differences and sexual preferences, the authors were able to reveal, for example, what happens to passion as we grow older, which gender wants what when it comes to sex, the factors that spur marital combat, how kids figure in, how being gay or bisexual turns out to be both different and the same, and –regardless of background — the tiny habits that drive partners absolutely batty.
The book provides revelations to the reader, from the unexpected popularity of certain sexual positions, to the average number of times happy – and unhappy — couples kiss, to the prevalence of lying, to the surprising loyalty most men and women feel for their partner (even when in a deteriorating relationship), to the vivid and idiosyncratic ways individuals of different ages, genders and nationalities describe their "ideal romantic evening."
Much more than a peek behind the relationship curtain, The Normal Bar offers readers an array of prescriptive tools that will help them establish a "new normal" in their relationships. Mindful of what keeps couples stuck in ruts, the book's authors suggest practical and life-changing ways for couples to break cycles of disappointment and frustration.
AARP Article Zeros in On Older Couples
The Normal bar survey findings in this recently released book, drawn from responses of 8,000 survey respondents who are over age 50, were published in the February/March issue of AARP The Magazine in an article, penned by Northrup, Drs. Schwartz and Witte, entitled Sex at 50+: What's Normal? Among the findings reported in this AARP article:
Thirty two percent of men and 48% of woman do not hug their partner in public. The researchers believe that public displays of affection (PDA) positive impact relationships. Sixty eight percent now showing PDA are unhappy or slightly happy with their partner. A whopping 73% of the happiest couples can't keep their hands off each other in public and do so at least once a month.
Meanwhile, 78% of the couples admit they hold hands at least some of the time. However it seems to be the younger pairs, because among all the couples who have been together for over 10 years, more than half say they no longer hold hands.
"I love you," just three little words said often may just spice up your relationship. The researchers found that among the happiest couples, 85% of both men and woman said those words at least once a week. It's a male thing – more than 90% of men tell their partner "I love you" regularly while only 58% of the woman do so.
The researchers found that 74% of the happiest couples will give their partner a passionate smooch. Thirty-eight percent of all age 50 plus couples do not passionately kiss. Kissing can be the connector between each partner, note the researchers.
Thirty-one percent of the aging baby boomer couples have sex several times a week while only 28% have sex a couple of times a month. Around 8% have sex just one time a month.
Forty-seven percent of woman praise their partner's appearance regularly in comparison to 55% of men. The study's findings reveal that praise is important for a couple's happiness.
Thirty-two percent of the couples give a thumbs down to date nights. Eighty-eight percent of the happiest couples spend time alone together. The researchers recommend that you go out twice a month to "maintain the sense of closeness."
Thirty-three percent of the respondents report they rarely or never have sex. However, even among the happiest couples, a whopping one-fourth don't do it.
Dr. Schwartz believes that the most important observation made from the study is that sexuality is important throughout one's lifespan. "People have to take care of their relationship and not put it on automatic pilot," she says.
Bringing Sexuality Out of the Closet
With the graying of America's population, it is now time to bring senior sexuality out of the closet. We must accept the fact that sexuality continues throughout the human life-span, and encompasses more than just intimate sexual intercourse. It also includes cuddling, a tender kiss, a light touch on the shoulder, or holding hands, as noted in The Normal Bar.
A well-known song, "As Time Goes By," reminds us sexuality is to be experienced by both young and old. "You must remember this, a kiss is just a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh, the fundamental things apply, as time goes by."
For more info about The Normal Bar, to take the Normal Bar survey or to purchase the book, go to http://www.thenormalbar.com.
Herb Weiss, LRI '12, is a Pawtucket-based freelance writer covering aging, health care and medical issues. He can be reached at hweissri@aol.com.
February 7, 2013 by Herb Weiss	Categories: Relationships	| Tags: AARP, AARP The Magazine, AOL, As Time Goes By, Chrisanna Northrup, Cialis, Dr. James Witte, Dr. Pepper Schwartz, erectile dysfunction, Levitra, Normal Bar, random HKouse, Reader's Digest, Senator Bob Doyle, sex, Sexual Attitudes and Practices, Viagra | 1 Comment
An Aging Baby Boomer's Reflections on Losing a Parent
Published on December 29, 2003, Pawtucket Times
Last week, Frank M. Weiss, my 89-year-old father, died. While he had been ailing and was well along in years, it was quite a shock to receive the phone call from my sister Mickie that he had died.
The death of a parent can be considered a major milestone in an aging baby boomer's life. In her 264-page book published by Cambridge University Press. Debra Umberson, author of "Death of a Parent: Transition to a New Adult Identity," says "the death of a parent launches a period of self-realization and the transformations of the adult identity."
Umberson, a professor and chair of sociology at the University of Texas at Austin, states a parent's death is "the turning point in one's emotional and social lives of adults and can bring changes in how a person views themselves and their relationship with the outside world."
A parent's death creates an "opening that pushes them into the final transition into adulthood, Umberson says.
Dad's death did create for me an opportunity for reflection on his life.
My dad loved his wife, Sally, very much. Married for more than 62 years, she was the most important person in his life.
His four children were also very important to him, too.
Over the years, I remember Dad always telling me on our weekly phone calls how proud he was of Mickie, Nancy, Jim and me. He also loved his five grandchildren, Leslie, Jennifer, Kim, Stephanie and Jamie, and his three great-grandchildren, Jacquelyn, Allison and Haleigh.
Dad warmly accepted Justin, Deb and Patty, his children's son and daughters-in-laws into the Weiss family.
As a youngster, I remember Dad working hard to support the family. Although he worked long hours, he would always find time to go to a ball game or just spend time with his kids.
Fast forward to the adult years. When my siblings became adults, he would continue to be our biggest fan.
Even during the ups and downs in our personal and professional careers, Dad was alway there giving us advice, encouragement, support and oftentimes, financial backing.
Coming from a Jewish heritage, we always joked about how appropriate it was for Dad to be in the "Schmata" business, otherwise known as the clothing business. He worked for more than 30 years at Colbert Volks, a well-known woman's clothing store in Dallas, Texas. He could see a style or trend before it happened, aways predicting what new coat styles would sell in a particular season.
How ironic, I thought when Mickie informed me that he suddenly died at Colbert Volks, shopping for a present to give to my mother.
Dad was like the Energizer rabbit – he kept working, working and working. No retirement for this man. Two years after his bypass surgery, my 70-year old Dad wanted to chart a new course in his career. he began a second job and worked at C"est Simone, a national manufacturer of women's appear, until the mid-70s.
I will always remember:
Stories of Dad's childhood. He was a great football player and a Gold Gloves boxer, I was told.
Shooting hoops in the backyard for ice cream. He always lost– we always won, getting that double-dipped chocolate ice cream as a prize.
At restaurants, I remember Dad drinking cup after cup of black coffee, with the decaf coffee never being quite hot enough for his tastes.
Dad would touch people in simple ways. He had a roll of Susan B. Anthony dollars, giving out the coins to anyone who crossed his path. "Don't spend them ," they're lucky coins," he would say.
My dad was very honest. Once a coat manufacturer sent him a box containing money hoping to entice him to purchase coats from the company. Dad never accepted that money.
He was a practical joker. I remember being told a story about the day he sat as a very young child, at a street curb and put his leg in front of a truck, daring the vehicle to go. This particular time the joke was on him – the truck moved, his leg didn't, and bones in one leg were broken.
As a teenager, Dad would tip over outhouses throughout his neighborhood. He would assure me that nobody was in them.
Years later, at this sister-in-law's house in Pikesville, Maryland, Dad walked over to her neighbor's house and gave his advice on how to plant a tree. Heeding his advice, the neighbor dug the hole deeper, deeper, and deeper, until the ball of the tree was five feet from the top of the hole. Later a local landscaper would come by and inform the tree planter that the hole was too deep.
Throughout his long life, Dad cared about people.
During his Army days, as an officer of the day, he ordered a cook to put cold cuts out for a group of soldiers who came by to eat after being out in the rain all day. The watery beef stew was not good enough for these guys, he would later tell me. While his superiors called him on the carpet for that act of kindness, he stood up to the military bureaucracy, demanding them to be accountable to their troops.
By tapping his business colleagues, Dad would successfully raise money for the AMC Cancer Society to help those battling that dreaded disease.
Later, he would be recognized by the organization for his fund-raising efforts. For those who know me, perhaps that is where I get my skills in fundraising.
In thinking back, I thought dad seemed to know that death was near. A week before he died, in my last phone conversation with him, I sensed he knew he was ready to go.
Dad had made peace with is life experiences, the good and the bad, telling me that "he had lived a good, prosperous life, had a beautiful wife and was very proud of each child and their accomplishments in their lives."
Due to my mother's Alzheimer's and his failing health, years ago he was forced to sell and move away from the house he had lived in for more than 50 years, the family homestead and a place with happy memories from him.
In his final days, Dad was in constant pain and had great difficulty walking. Dad went the way most of us would want to go on December 18, 2003 –very fast and in no pain.
Over the coming weeks, I am sure that I will continue to process my Dad's sudden death, a major milestone in my life.
I am reminded of this phrase from the movie "Summer of 42": "Life is made up of small comings and goings – and for everything we take with us – we leave a part of ourselves behind."
So true. While Dad's love may well propel me into adulthood. I can assure you that my memories of him won't be left behind.
Herb Weiss is a Pawtucket-based freelance writer covering aging, health care and medical issues. He can be reached at hweissri@aol.com.
August 10, 2012 by Herb Weiss	Categories: Relationships	| Tags: Debra Umberson, Frank M. Weiss, University of Texas | Leave a comment
2020 Census Data Impacts Federal Funding Allocated to Aging Programs and Services
These Articles Are Worth a Second Read
Reflecting on a Loved One's Life Time of Achievements
Jenkins: Working Senior's Priming the Nation's Economic Engine
Democratic House Passes Landmark Legislation to Drive Down Spiraling Prescription Drug Costs
Aging Group
Commencement Speech
Long Term Care Continuum
National, State and Local Aging Groups
Older Ameicans Act
Patient Care Planning
Rhode Island General Assembly

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: IOS Coredata compatible with both IOS 9 and ios 10 Hi I'm developing an app to work with both IOS 10 and 9 (xcode 8). What is the proper way to create new entity object?
new IOS 10 has this code
var newEvent = Event(context: context)

How do we make this code work with both IOS 10 and 9?
I'm testing using Mater-Detail template with coredata xcode8
Any additional change should we make to ensure coredata work with both IOS 9 and 10? any help is much appreciate. Thanks

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


The easiest way to get a TV channel on the air.
Reliable, affordable, efficient, and future-proof broadcast playback.
Enjoy the benefits of an all-digital workflow with flexible expansion and integration options.
Integrate with other TelVue services to stream to the Web, add signage, and more.
TelVue's scheduling tools make running a TV channel a snap!
Drag a thumbnail into the schedule; Preview and trim a video right in the interface; Advanced search options for simpler content management. The ideal PEG broadcast server.
Expand your programming possibilities by capturing live incoming streams for future replay.
Great for recording sports, meetings, and other live events for your programming library.
Broadcast real-time 24×7 information on your TV channel with TelVue InfoVue, a professional-quality, web-accessible HD digital signage solution.
Engage your audience with up-to-date weather, traffic, news, community, and other dynamic information, as well as stunning, high-definition video clips and images.
Set up TelVue InfoVue as a continuity stream for your HyperCaster, and your channel will always be broadcasting information your community wants.
The TelVue Audio Loudness Processing option includes out-of-the-box presets for broadcast and Internet streaming, including the CALM audio broadcast industry standard. Built upon the real-time audio technology of Linear Acoustic™, the industry leader in audio processing for professional broadcast, the HyperCaster & ProVue Audio Loudness Processor plugin eliminates the need for expensive external audio processing equipment.
Looking for ultimate playback flexibility in a single, powerful, PEG broadcast server? Each SDI port can be configured as an input or output for multiple channels of Playback & Encoding, plus native Switching All-In-One! The HyperCaster AIO Series is well-suited for PEG and other SDI operations who want an all-digital workflow with configurable input and output.
Ideal for the PEG station that wants flexibility in configuring IP or SDI input/output options. Up to 12 configurable SDI ports and 5 playback/encode channels, RAID, redundant power.
Media 11.5TB, 8 Drive RAID 6 standard. Up to 32 TB for B2000-8 and B2000-12 models.
Media 5.5TB, RAID 5 for B2000-4 model.
System Health Notifications SNMP, Email, REST API, and Web Browser UI.
External Reference Blackburst in SD, 720p50, 720p59.94, 1080i50 and 1080i59.94 formats or Tri-Sync in any HD format.
Other NICs Option for Dual Fiber 10/100/1000 BT in lieu of 2x Copper.
Designed for single-channel operations that want the best of both IP and SDI workflows. 4 configurable SDI ports, 1 playback + 1 encode channel.
TelVue's flagship SD/HD/4K playback server programs up to 20 channels. With flexible content storage, enhanced scheduling features, in-browser previews and optional downstream graphics, the TelVue HyperCaster brings you all the advantages of the IP workflow in a single, highly efficient server.
Broadcast up to 20 HD or SD high-quality digital video TV channels with the TelVue HyperCaster B1000 IP Broadcast Server. Comes with RAID and redundant power.
Broadcast up to 4 HD or SD high-quality digital video TV channels with the TelVue HyperCaster B100 IP Broadcast Server. Optional integrated ProVue decoder would add SDI-out and integrated graphics.
More information on how the HyperCaster is deployed in the field.
Government Video's latest issue features the Longmeadow TV (Massachusetts) HD upgrade, using the TelVue HyperCaster system: http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newbay/gv_20150708/index.php#/18 Go Longmeadow TV!
All the features of a HyperCaster, in the cloud.


text:
Q: SQL Table A Left Join Table B And top of table B Im working myself into an SQL frenzy, hopefully someone out there can help!
I've got 2 tables which are basically Records and Outcomes, I want to join the 2 tables together, count the number of outcomes per record (0 or more) which I've got quite easily with:
Select records.Id, (IsNull(Count(outcomes.Id),0)) as outcomes
from records
Left Join
outcomes
on records.Id = outcomes.Id
group by
records.Id

The outcomes table also has a timestamp in it, what I want to do is include the last outcome in my result set, if I add that the my query it generates a record for every combination of records to outcomes.
Can any SQL expert point me in the right direction?
Cheers,

A: try:
SELECT
    dt.Id, dt.outcomes,MAX(o.YourTimestampColumn) AS LastOne
    FROM (SELECT --basically your original query, just indented differently
              records.Id, (ISNULL(COUNT(outcomes.Id),0)) AS outcomes
              from records
                  LEFT JOIN outcomes ON records.Id = outcomes.Id
              GROUP BY records.Id
          ) dt
        INNER JOIN outcomes o ON dt.Id = o.Id
    GROUP BY dt.Id, dt.outcomes


Check for debris or corrosion in the connection between the Power Distribution Board and the corresponding 4-Station Output Board, as well as the output contacts and wiring at the black output connecter. If there is corrosion, the 4-Station Output Board is likely faulty and should be repaired or replaced.
Check to see if the 4-Station Output Board switches can easily be changed and work in all three positions (On, Off, and Auto). If there are issues here, the 4-Station Output Board should be repaired or replaced.
If the 4-Station Output Board checks out, the problem may be related to the Timing Mechanism or Power Distribution Board. Check this by swapping these components, with known operational units from another satellite.
Test the functionality of the Pump Common by replacing it with a known operational Pump Common. If the issue still exists, the problem lies with the Power Distribution Board, and it should be repaired or replaced with a new one.