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Don’t ever resign with a ‘shove it’ quit
Hank Boyer Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementIn 1977, country music artist Johnny Paycheck recorded what many employees wanted desperately to tell their boss as they quit their jobs. "Take This Job and Shove It!" nearly won a CMA award for Song of the Year, and artists like the Dead Kennedys and David Alan Coe re-recorded it in the years to follow. Have you ever felt like leaving a job this way? Many people have. However, before you yield to the temptation, there are few things you ought to know.
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US farm populations continue to decline
Scott E. Rupp Food & BeverageThe 2017 Census of Agriculture, released in early April 2019, shows that the amount of total land devoted to agricultural use continues to decline in the U.S. and the number of farms is declining. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), there were 2.04 million farms and ranches in the U.S. in 2017, down more than 3% from 2012. The agency went on to say that the amount of land devoted to agriculture declined by nearly 2% to 900.2 million acres from 914.5 million acres in 2012.
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Housing America part 6: Cohousing
Lucy Wallwork Construction & Building MaterialsSpeculative housing development and the single-family home have been the norm for a large part of the last century. It’s all many of us know about housing works. But a new wave of cohousing communities across the U.S. features experimenting with a new model of living that places the emphasis back on shared space and shared prosperity. In this final part in the "Housing America" series of articles, I look at why these communities set up, whether the planning system is equipped to help them thrive, and whether their lessons can be applied more widely to how we build communities.
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Interior designers consolidating in fewer states
Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesBetween 2017 and 2018, large numbers of interior designers changed locations, according to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Half of all states reported fewer employed interior designers in May 2018 than in May 2017. Many of the designers appear to have migrated to a handful of states with some of the highest concentrations of designers in the country. Employment figures for interior designers always fluctuate among states from year to year. However, in the past few years, the number of states losing designers has been gradually increasing.
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Travel2020: 100% solar hotel marks milestone in green-build practices
Lark Gould Facilities & GroundsA small, unassuming hotel in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is making big news these days. It's the first and only U.S. hotel at present to be fully powered by the sun. The Courtyard by Marriott hotel recently completed a 135,200-square-foot solar installation that will be able to serve all the power needs of this 133-room hotel with efficiency and cost-containment. Such planning may mark the beginning of a trend in hospitality in an era that has hotel developers asking about the impact climate change will have on their businesses and fielding concerns from a more planet-conscious traveling population.
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How Louisville’s airport is planning for the future with a new name,…
Matt Falcus Transportation Technology & AutomotiveLouisville, Kentucky's airport is in the early stages of planning a major overhaul to help put improvements in place to its aging facilities and create a more favorable first impression to travelers. The Kentucky airport is currently implementing a name change following a vote in January, which has seen it become Louisville Muhammad Ali International in honor of its native son and sporting legend in the hope of increasing its global appeal. Now, the plan is to undertake a $100 million renovation of the airport, which will greatly improve the airport’s passenger terminal, as well as other infrastructure.
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Springfield, Missouri’s Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium is…
Dave G. Houser Recreation & LeisureHere’s a multibillion-dollar American success story that began in the unlikely setting of a small-town liquor store. That’s where, in 1971, Johnny Morris launched his Bass Pro Shops hunting and fishing empire — selling bait and fishing tackle out of the back of his father’s Brown Derby booze shop in Springfield, Missouri. More than just an entrepreneurial retailer, Morris, now 71, is also one of America’s most renowned outdoorsmen, and his ultimate vision goes way beyond selling fishing rods, bass boats and shotguns. He is a powerful advocate in support of global environmentalism and conservation.
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The places that make Texas weird and unique
Cindy Belt Recreation & LeisureTexas is a special state with a unique history and people known for their independence. Perhaps to celebrate these special qualities, there are several unique and weird spots throughout the state, which makes it a terrific place to visit. Here are some of my favorites.
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As citizenship question reaches high court, a look at how census data is…
Michelle R. Matisons Civil & GovernmentYou may have heard about the Supreme Court’s census case, expected to be ruled on this summer. The case has broad-reaching implications. Additionally, census forms are scheduled to be printed in June, so it’s best for the court to make a hasty decision on the matter. United States Department of Commerce v. New York, No. 18-966, is focused on whether it’s constitutional to ask about a respondent’s U.S. citizenship status when collecting other data. On that note, how is census data actually used?
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Unsafe firms imperil US workers, occupational safety group report says
Seth Sandronsky Facilities & GroundsEmployers can and should do a better job of ensuring U.S. worker safety, according to a new report from the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (NCOSH). Titled "The Dirty Dozen," it details how 12 firms put workers and communities at risk with unsafe labor practices. The report marks Workers’ Memorial Week, which honors Americans who have died and suffered injuries and illnesses on the job. "Too many workers become ill, injured and die each year under the watch of their employers who, in some cases, are repeat offenders and among the world’s most profitable companies," said Marcy Goldstein-Gelb, co-executive director of NCOSH.
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