The size of the average American home may have tripled over the past 50 years, but that doesn’t mean everyone can take on an expansive renovation to increase square footage or spend a lot of time and money on room upgrades. Fortunately, you don’t necessarily have to. Something as simple as giving your floor a facelift can be incredibly effective — not to mention incredibly affordable and fast. We’re here to offer a few great ideas to give your floor a makeover and make sure it stays in excellent condition.

Try Layering Some Rugs

If you aren’t particularly handy or don’t have the energy to devote to a total floor change, never fear. You can switch up the feel of a whole room just by being a bit clever with floor coverings. Buy a couple of rugs that differ in size, texture, and pattern to create something unique in your main living space. You can even do this if you’re stuck with wall-to-wall carpeting for the time being. Not only will it make the room more visually interesting, but it will make it a warm and welcoming place to be as well.

Add a Stencil Pattern

Have some existing tile in your bathroom or kitchen but feel bored with the look? You don’t have to gut the entire thing. Clean off the tile, paint the base color (chalked paint in a bold color or neutral works well) and allow to dry. Then, lay your chosen stencil and use a contrasting color paint, being sure to line up all the edges. Finally, touch up and seal with a protective finish. Since the four key factors in the floor protection industry are water resistance, durability, simpler maintenance, and improved color, you’ll want to make sure not to skip this step — particularly in high-traffic areas and ones prone to water use!

Spruce Things Up With Stickers

If you’re wary to mess up your tile with paint, there’s an even easier route to take: stickers! You can find vinyl tile floor stickers on Etsy and other stores (sometimes you can even find a seller who will customize a design for you). Installing them is pretty self-explanatory, as you simply peel off part of the backing, line up the sticker with the floor, and fit as needed. The transformation is pretty incredible though, especially in small spaces (like half-baths or laundry rooms). And it’s a no-muss, no-fuss DIY that just about anyone can handle.

Of course, once you give your flooring a makeover, you need to ensure it stays in great shape. Experts recommend that families enforce a “no-shoe rule” to prevent dirt and damage and to perform preventative maintenance on a regular basis. You should also take care to protect your floor from sun damage and to clean up spills quickly to prevent permanent deterioration. And once it’s clear that your floors need a more substantial replacement (particularly if you’re looking to sell your home), you may want to bite the bullet and invest in it. But if you’ve only got a weekend and a limited budget — and your home is in overall good shape — these DIY ideas will spice things up and allow you to love these rooms again.

Chicago’s LGBTQ Pride festivities are officially underway, culminating in the Chicago Pride Parade on June 24. Between Uptown and Lincoln Park, there’s a whole lot to do and celebrate all month long.

While June is National Pride Month, Pride is more than a time for fun in the sun. It’s a month rooted in the LGBTQ Rights Movement.

The first Pride Parade took place a year after the Stonewall uprising, a series of spontaneous riots in protest of police raids on New York City’s Stonewall Inn. The leaders of the uprising were largely drag queens and transgender women of color including historical figures Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera.

A month after the riots, bisexual activist Brenda Howard organized one of the country’s first public LGBTQ marches: The Christopher Street Liberation Day March. A year later, on June 28, 1970, Howard organized another march to mark the one-year anniversary of the Christopher Street Liberation Day and the Stonewall uprising.

“You needed some kind of help organizing some type of protest or something in social justice? All you had to do was call her and she’ll just say when and where,” said Larry Nelson, Howard’s partner, in an interview with The Advocate.

Today, LGBTQ Pride parades take place all across the country including Chicago, which is celebrating Pride for the 49th year in a row. If you’re one of the 1.97 billion active monthly Facebook users, you can learn more about the Chicago Festival and Parade from the Chicago Pride Facebook page.

Fittingly, Chicago’s theme for the parade this year looks back on Pride month’s history: “Remember the past, create the future.”

Foot traffic during the Chicago Pride parade is often significant for local businesses, so expect bars and restaurants to be busy. The Pride Festival, which takes place between June 16 and 17, begins at 11 AM and goes on until 10 PM.

The Chicago Pride parade begins at noon on June 24, but the earliest people arrive between 7 AM and 9 AM.

“For the liveliest viewing spots head to the Boystown section of North Halsted Street, between Belmont Avenue and Grace Street,” recommends the official Chicago Pride website.

“If you are seeking a less crowded area to view the parade,” the site says, “look for your viewing spots near the beginning of the route along Broadway between Montrose Avenue and Sheridan Road or further along Broadway between Belmont Avenue and Diversey Parkway.”

Given the growing cost of gasoline and the popularity of eco-conscious consumer decisions, it’s no wonder that electric vehicles have become more commonplace. With more than two dozen models now commercially available, some 800,000 Americans have made the switch to driving EVs. But no matter what you drive, that won’t always make the commute from downtown Chicago to O’Hare International Airport any more bearable. The so-called expressway is usually slow and congested; the only other option is to take the L train, which isn’t much better. But now, Elon Musk and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel say they might have an appealing, high-tech solution that could change everything.

As one of the nation’s busiest airports, O’Hare is no stranger to overcrowding. It offers direct flights to 217 destinations throughout the world and serves as a major hub for both United and American Airlines. While the global aviation industry transported approximately $6.4 trillion worth of cargo in 2017, O’Hare alone shipped over 1.9 million tonnes of cargo in 2017 — coming in third among major U.S. airports. O’Hate is also the sixth-busiest airport and served 79.8 million passengers last year.

But getting there has historically been a real pain. Taking the L train from downtown to the airport takes anywhere from 40 to 50 minutes. Despite the fact the distance between the two is only 16 miles, it can take even longer if you travel via car. That could all change, though, if Musk is able to develop his plans to bring large electric vehicle transport to the area.

According to Mayor Emanuel and the proposal from Musk’s Boring Company, the transport alternative would involve new underground tunnels and large EVs (known as “skates”) that could transport 16 riders and their luggage in about 12 minutes. These zero-emission vehicles would be battery powered and could depart every 30 seconds, traveling at 100 to 150 miles per hour to reach their destination in record time. They’d also offer WiFi and be climate controlled. Musk’s company proposal indicated to the city of Chicago that the fares would likely be more than the $5 passengers pay to ride the L (though they could be as low as $1 per person) but would be less than the $40 it typically takes to take a taxi.

Although early estimates guessed the undertaking would cost close to $1 billion, Mayor Emanuel promised in a statement that no taxpayer money would be used for the development of the transportation alternative, noting: “This transformative project will help Chicago write the next chapter in our legacy of innovation and invention.”

Reportedly, Musk would actually front the construction costs but would then rake in the revenue from transit fees and ad-generated profits (including shopping opportunities during the 12-minute ride that would likely use vehicle touch screens).

Still, the project looks like it could be in line with other expansions related to O’Hare. The airport itself is expected to undergo a gate capacity increase of 25%, and nearly $500 has already been allotted to modernize the L line train.

If the project ends up going forward, it could mean big things for Chicago travelers and for the city itself. But whether Musk will be able to deliver remains to be seen.

Owning a car is still considered to be a rite of passage for many Americans. It represents autonomy, freedom, and adventure. And considering that 35% of U.S. households own three or more cars, it’s clear that we still value the idea of being able to provide our own transportation. But that may be changing — at least in some U.S. cities — due to the rising costs of car ownership compared to ride-hailing. One recent study found that in four major metropolises, including Chicago, it’s actually cheaper to call an Uber every day than it is to own a car.

According to Mary Meeker’s 2018 annual internet trends report, it’s more economical to use Uber than it is to own a car in four of the nation’s five largest cities — a list that includes Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington, D.C. This report takes into account the cost of parking, gas, car insurance, and maintenance. It might not surprise most consumers that NYC residents incur the highest weekly rates of car ownership; it costs owners there an average of $218 per week just to own a car. But when New Yorkers switch to taking an Uber everywhere, costs decrease by as much as 35% to only $142 a week. And given the mess that MTA regularly causes for those living and working in the city, it’s not a shock that many are putting these numbers to the test.

In Chicago, the savings might be a bit more on the conservative side. But it’s likely to be intriguing news for many locals, particularly because Uber’s new Express Pool car service just launched in the Windy City. In basic terms, the service is similar to their carpooling feature, UberPool, but the express option actually allows drivers to pick up their riders in an organized manner to make a shared route more efficient. It organizes riders who are all traveling in the same direction, saving both time and money for travelers. So for those who want to pay even less for more convenience — unlike a bus route, there are no specific pick-up locations for Express Pool — this may be an interesting option.

But even without opting for carpooling, ditching a car in favor of Ubering everywhere may actually be preferable for many folks. Since owning a car is not typically seen as a great investment, as a vehicle depreciates in value the moment you drive it off the lot, it may simply not be worth the cost of city parking, upkeep, and rising gas prices. Of course, there are trade-offs to consider, like the lack of independence and fare hikes during peak travel times. But if you’re sick of paying through the nose just to own a vehicle you don’t get to use very often, you may want to crunch the numbers and see whether you might want to become a full-time ride hailer.

UPDATED 12/7/20

For construction workers, it is important to pay attention to back pain. The common misconception is that pain is gain and if you don’t feel pain, you didn’t work hard enough. That is not true. Back pain and muscle pain are indicators of improper lifting. Never lean over to pick up something. Despite the lightweight, it may be enough to strain a muscle or cause pain for an extended amount of time. If there is back pain after heavy lifting, step to the side and stretch the back muscles to prevent more damage. It’s always important to bend at the knees with a straight back and point your eyes forward for a good posture.

Even if your back doesn’t hurt at work, pay attention to your back pain after work. Buy a rice bag that you can throw in the microwave for 2.5 minutes, and then lay on it or drape it over the muscle that hurts. Be careful of back nerve pain. If the back nerve pain symptoms are ignored, they will get even worse. The symptoms include numbness or decreased sensation, muscle weakness, and sharp pain.

Construction workers and contractors really are the backbone of our modern society today. If you think about it, there are so many things we would not be able to enjoy without the beloved construction workers and contractors of our nation. Homeowners willing dish out about $29 billion every year just on cooling. The installation, maintenance, and repair of those cooling units would not be possible without contractors and construction workers.

The roofs of our homes are another thing that would not be possible without the work of contractors and construction workers. Most smaller, common roof repairs can cost anywhere between $150 and $400, with labor costing $45 to $75 per hour. Have you ever wondered why they charge so much for those kinds of jobs? Well, one of the reasons is that they contribute to the incredible amount of pain contractors and construction workers experience.

Think about how easily a construction worker or contractor could injure their feet, ankles, and even legs while on a job. In fact, approximately 75% of Americans will deal with foot health problems of varying degrees of severity at some point in their lives. A lot of those people happen to be contractors and construction workers.

Unfortunately, foot injuries aren’t the only issues these professionals deal with, either. Additionally, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 80% of adults will experience lower back pain at some point in their life. Even more, 30% of construction workers miss work due to a back injury. In a report from the Health and Safety Executive, an average of 17 days were missed for each back pain case in construction workers in 2015. Finally, 57% of workers who work in construction report having extreme pain in their back, ankles, and knees.

What exactly is causing the people in this line of work to experience all this pain? According to OSHA, there are a few common reasons. Those include: lifting heavy objects, sudden movements, reaching, twisting, bending, incorrect posture, long hours, repetitive tasks, and even a heavy tool belt. All of these things are happening every day, and it will eventually take a toll on the body.

There are some tips to help workers in this line of profession prevent the almost inevitable pain that so many experience on and off the job. This first comes with proper lifting. First, you want to make sure you are always keeping your back straight when you lift. Do not twist or bend it while lifting a heavy object. Handle aids should always be used when possible. You can also invest in a construction back brace so you can take some pressure off of your back. Finally, do not ever lift anything over 51 pounds by yourself.

The second biggest thing you can do to prevent back pain is actually not on the job. The way you behave after hours can affect your pain as well. You want to make sure you get limber before work. This means doing warm-ups before you get on the job site. You should stretch your neck, lower back, chest, shoulders, and legs. You can also invest some time in getting a massage and properly icing after work to keep your muscles in good shape.

Construction work is not easy, and it’s bound to cause some wear and tear on the body. Because of this, it’s important for you to take proper care on and off the job site so you don’t permanently hurt your body and put yourself out of work.

The construction industry faces a high rate of back pain and injuries due to the job’s nature. With the many construction activities taking place in the world, people in construction should be aware f the challenges they face and how they can overcome them. When at a building site, you’ll notice a lot of heavy lifting. That is what results in most of their back pains. The work they do is also mostly manual, which strains their backs a lot.

Every individual with a building project must encourage their workers to use all available modern technologies to make their work easier. New construction homes can embrace modernization to protect all workers and their employers.

Looking at the various aspects of construction such as framing and masonry, making the high-risk about construction tasks easier by use of machinery is possible. The workers should also work on reducing the amount of time spent bending in risky postures. They should lay out their work areas appropriately to enhance proper movement and posture. After taking care of themselves at work, they should take adequate rest and have a healthy lifestyle, including healthy eating, to help their bodies regain their energy. They should also invest in a good medical insurance cover to enable them to access the right treatment when there’s a need.

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