TEENS AND SUMMER JOBS
Teens and summer jobs:For the first time, less than half the teens in America are working or looking for work this summer. Fewer than half now --48.8 percent-- have a summer job. That's down from 52 percent last year. The teen labor force peaked in 1978 when more than 67 percent of teens were working.
What's the story? Several things, says the Federal Reserve Bank in Chicago, which compiled the numbers. First, more seniors in the work force and yeah, they're taking some of those jobs traditionally taken by teens. Second, there's the value of a good education. More kids say they're spending more time studying realizing that a good education as critical to career success.
And third, parents have more money socked away from long-term investments or high wages so kids aren't under pressure to make additional cash. One wonders if parents are also kicking down money to kids for everything from cars to leisure expenses like movies, clothes and of course healthy ingestion of foreign substances (ahem) like fast food.
I just think it's kind of sad... We heard from some listeners this morning who shared how their first job when they were a teen taught them the value of a dollar and lots of responsibility. What do you think?
HOW TO GET BACKSTAGE AT A CONCERT
Want to know how to get backstage at a concert without sacrificing your innocence or dignity? Here are four alternative ways. . .
1) WORK AT THE VENUE. This is, obviously, the lowest risk of all the options to get backstage. Get a job with the venue. . . or with a company that works for the venue, like a catering or security company.
2) JOIN THE MEDIA. A lot of the media are able to get interviews with managers, the crew, or even band members at concerts. You could consider freelancing for a local newspaper, or, if you're really desperate, you create your own dopey website or so-called Internet magazine. Contact the media coordinator of the event and request a backstage pass. Who knows. . . it might work.
3) TELL SECURITY YOU'RE ON THE LIST. If you're inconspicuous enough, you may be able to catch a glimpse of the guest list. Pick the name of a person you could pass for from the list. . . and BE CONFIDENT.
4) PIGGYBACK ON SOMEONE ELSE. You may not have connections at the event, but someone else does. Quickly identify someone who has a backstage pass at the concert. . . and blend in with them or their group.
WANT A STRONG RELATIONSHIP? COOK TOGETHER!
75% of couples that cook together say they're happier in love than the ones that never pair up in the kitchen, according to a study of 1,500 couples conducted by John Gray, Ph.D., and author of Men are From Mars, Women Are From Venus.
82% of cooking couples rate their relationship as excellent, compared with only a quarter of those that don't hang out in the kitchen together.
When men make an effort in the kitchen, women feel less stressed," says Gray. "But even if you never go near your oven, you can reap the same benefits by working together -- even if it's just by collecting the family's take-out orders and driving together to pick up the food."
