Every day is seeking to rise to the challenge, 'neath the shadow of the mighty Rockies.
An Ever-Shifting Arena: Why Recent Court Ruling Will Restructure the Gig Economy in California
An unprecedented move by the California Supreme Court left the gig economy in shambles on Monday. The court ruled that employers based in the economy must shift their hiring model, and treat workers who carry out ‘work related businesses as full-time employees. This ruling is deemed to have far-reaching consequences for companies such as Uber and Lyft, which for years have thrived under the previous work-model. New Ruling set to restructure the playing field So here’s exactly how the new ruling is expected to transform things. For example, suppose the owner of a pet shop hires a plumber to come fix one of their leaking sinks. In such a situation, the plumber would not be considered an employee of the pet shop because his or her trade is … [Read more...]
Poem: The Cold War’s Last Children
I've emerged from my blogging solitude to publish an original poem: Maybe it's my version of a mid-life crisis. It's comprised of melancholy, resilient reflections on the sweep of life, metaphysical truths, and finding a place in history, from the perspective of my culture and generation. Many of the images and phrases flashed into my mind last fall during a brief quiet season in my life. I jotted a first draft. Then recently, more ideas and images came, until I decided to see it through to the finish. I don't necessarily expect anyone to enjoy or appreciate it, or make any pretense about all the underlying meanings, or to consider it much more than a carefully constructed third draft of my own focused ponderings. But if anyone else … [Read more...]
Do Nonprofits Really Help Developing Countries?
Many of us want to change the world for the better but don’t know where to start. Most lack the resources or connections to make a lasting impact on struggling communities. That doesn’t mean our good intentions have to stop there, though. Thankfully, there are amazing organizations that have already done most of the legwork for us; these organizations can use individual and business support in volunteer power and donations to aid developing nations. However, how can we be sure the agency we’re helping is actually doing what they’re saying? With recent news reporting how some nonprofits aren’t delivering on their promises or may be using funding for their own gain, it can make us wary of donating a single dollar to any charity. … [Read more...]
Helping Older Family Members With End-of-Life Issues
In 2016, Colorado approved proposition 106 titled “Access to Medical Aid in Dying,” which allowed eligible, terminally ill individuals with a prognosis of six months or less to live to request and administer medical aid-in-dying medication to voluntarily end his or her life. In 2017, 69 patients received participated, choosing to end their lives with little pain and at their own consent. The truth is that the end of one’s life is as inevitable as it is painful. Whether your family member is at this stage of their life or they are reaching it, it’s important to focus on what is within your control and accept that which is not. Whether you are dealing with an emotional decision such as medical aid in dying or a natural death, planning for … [Read more...]
Examining California’s Drug Problem
The opioid epidemic has hit the U.S. in a way that’s shaken our population to its very core. California has been no stranger to addiction in the past. The large size of the state combined with its proximity to the border has made it a prime target for drug traffickers and any number of different manufacturing labs. The state has also taken a more relaxed stance on the medicinal use of substances like marijuana, creating an air of controversy around drug use for many. Prescription drug abuse has skyrocketed, and the more populated areas are seeing an increase in overdose deaths. The primary problem right now revolves around prescription drug abuse and opioids. There’s a gap between available rehab facilities and the number of people … [Read more...]
Going to School with a Full-Time Job or Career
When 18-year-olds are pushed into higher education before really knowing who they are, it creates an unfortunate chance that they’ll spend a lot of time and money earning a degree in something they don’t care about, aren’t very good at, or just don’t see themselves focusing on for the rest of their lives. Going back to school becomes a desire for many working adults who already have degrees. Similarly, there are working adults who weren’t able to go to college when they graduated high school or turned the chance down because they didn’t know what they wanted to study. However, they have full-time jobs now, and though they want to go to school, their time and resources are a bit scarce. This article is for those two groups of people. … [Read more...]
Las Vegas Schools in the Grips of a Drug Crisis
“Sin City” didn’t get its name by being chaste. Las Vegas, Nevada, has been a mecca for those wanting to experience life on the wild-side for decades. Unfortunately, this has also opened the door to a massive push of illegal and prescription drugs within city limits—often targeting high school students and young adults. According to a National Geographic investigation of the city, Las Vegas claims a violent crime rate that’s roughly 120% higher than the national average. This has been largely attributed to drug sales and the securing of the Mexican black tar heroin market. Drugs are sold in a way that mimics a basic retail transaction, and the casual attitude towards illegal substances has created a huge and ever-growing number of … [Read more...]
How Tech Jobs Are Driving U.S. Career & Economic Trends
When we consider the industries seeing significant growth and change, there are trends that simply can’t be ignored, given their propensity to shape and distinguish both the personal opportunities and the economic realities of the country. Specifically, technology is changing everything. From the job sectors seeing growth to how and where those jobs are taking place. In Colorado specifically, the state ranks in the top five for private aerospace employment, concentration of high-tech workers and performance, as well as a STEM-based economy. But Colorado isn’t alone in its participation in the changing landscape of industries and the economy. Tech Jobs Are No Longer Just in Silicon Valley This will come as no surprise. One of the … [Read more...]
Philadelphia Debates Safe Injection Sites Amidst Opiate Epidemic
Politicians and government leaders are trying to combat the nation’s opioid epidemic. With usage, addiction, and overdose rates on the rise, it's growing into an urgent and pressing matter for everyone living here. The destructive vice of drug addiction claims more lives every day, with no part of the country left untouched. From small, close-knit communities to the biggest cities, everyone knows someone affected by illegal substances. Approximately 64,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2016 alone, according to data compiled by the New York Times. Government officials are facing repeated calls for change and action from advocates and grieving families and friends. The latest headlines in the drug crisis show how the discussion is now … [Read more...]
Why the Skills Gap is a Knowledge Gap
Nearly a decade ago, in October 2009, when the recession and unemployment was at its absolute worst, unemployment peaked at 10 percent. All the while the Bureau of Labor Statistics noted that there were 2.1 million available jobs. What happened after that was unsurprising, but unfortunate all the same. Both sides of the political aisle saw a chance to make a political statement. The Republicans called out the unemployed for being lazy, while the Democrats claimed that the greed of corporate America was to blame — if they would only pay what they should. The focus was not the fact that those jobs existed; instead, the focus was on the debate. Why the Shift to College Education? High school graduates have attended college at far … [Read more...]