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Stream The Office Exclusively on Peacock January 1

Beginning on January 1, 2021, you can stream every episode of The Office only on Peacock, NBCUniversal's streaming service. Whether you have watched the series ten times through, or have never seen a single episode, Peacock has every fan covered. Peacock provides a variety of ways to relive The Office's best pranks, romances, quotes and more.

Binge through every milestone in Jim and Pam's relationship and listen to Michael Scott utter the words "that's what she said" more times than you can count in the original series or enjoy these moments and more with The Office: Superfan Episodes that include never-before-seen footage and deleted scenes in extended cuts. See a sample of an extended cut clip from season 3 of The Office here.

Looking for more? Peacock offers fans behind-the-scenes content, including bloopers, featurettes, and interviews, as well as special curated, themed episode collections, clip playlists, and a 24/7 channel of ambient noise devoted to the sights and sounds of an office.

Just like the soft pretzels on Stanley's favorite day of the year, Pretzel Day, the first two seasons of The Office are completely free to enjoy. The remaining episodes from seasons 3-9 and The Office: Superfan Episodes are available for Peacock Premium subscribers. In February, Spanish-language streaming options will become available for the first time, too.

ENJOY COMEDY CLASSICS AND MORE ON PEACOCK

The Office joins Peacock's library of comedy classics and current hits from NBCUniversal and beyond, including Parks and Recreation, 30 Rock, Saturday Night Live, Cheers, Everybody Loves Raymond, George Lopez, The King of Queens, The Amber Ruffin Show, Saved by the Bell, and much more.

Peacock brings together everything people love about TV and streaming to deliver the best live and on-demand programming from NBCUniversal and beyond. Sign up for Peacock today -- completely free -- and enjoy thousands of hours of current and classic movies and shows, exclusive channels, timely news and sports, late-night, reality, and more. Or upgrade to Peacock Premium for just $4.99 per month and enjoy access to thousands of hours of movies, shows, originals, live news, and sports. You can also go ad-free for just $5 more per month.

HOW TO WATCH

Xfinity X1 and Xfinity Flex customers enjoy access to Peacock Premium, including all episodes of The Office, at no extra cost. X1 and Flex customers can also unlock an exclusive The Office surprise by repeating famous quotes from the iconic series into the Xfinity Voice Remote such as "Dunder Mifflin," "Bob Vance," "I'm not superstitious," and "Fool me once, strike one" to hear audio Easter eggs from Michael and the gang.

Peacock is available nationwide on the Roku platform; Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV 4K, and Apple TV HD; Google platforms and devices, including Android, Android TV devices, Chromecast, and Chromecast built-in devices; Microsoft's Xbox One family of devices, including Xbox One S and Xbox One X; Sony PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 4 Pro; and VIZIO SmartCast TVs and LG Smart TVs. In addition to Comcast's Xfinity X1 and Flex customers, Cox Contour customers enjoy Peacock Premium with their service at no additional cost.

Visit Peacocktv.com to learn more.

Cooling Tower Air Purifier Curbs Airborne Bacteria

Cooling towers often use local water sources for their evaporative cooling processes that may be untreated or poorly treated, and therefore contaminated. Bacteria and other contaminants not only escape into the air, but they also reduce the efficiency of the tower. To make matters worse, companies may add chemicals such as sulfur dioxide and chlorine to the water in order to soften the minerals and kill bacteria. However, some of these chemicals, as well as the bacteria, find their way into the air.

In particular, these cooling towers can serve as superspreaders for the potentially deadly Legionella bacteria.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 84 percent of cooling towers in the United States have tested positive for Legionella bacteria, and Legionnaires' disease cases have nearly quadrupled between 2000 and 2015.

The answer to reducing this deadly disease may lie in a novel, chemical-free technology, the Plasma Disinfection System (PDS), from Reverse Ionizer, LLC, which uses high-temperature plasma streamers, ultraviolet rays, and ozone to reduce the impact of air- and water-borne bacteria and viruses that can spread in public spaces through the cooling towers.

"For decades, people have unknowingly been walking through what is called 'cooling tower drift,' which is mostly an unseen street-level cloud of chemicals, bacteria and other potentially harmful water vapor," says Reverse Ionizer CEO Patrick Hughes.

"The PDS discovery will transform how to manage and operate buildings throughout the globe by providing a continuous treatment that has never been applied to water systems and help mitigate risk of building owners," he explains. "It couldn't come at a better time, as the novel coronavirus has put a spotlight on the water and air people breathe in public spaces," he adds.

Reverse Ionizer's patented, chemical-free technology not only helps control bacteria with an environmentally-friendly PDS system, it also helps companies save money and improve air quality by improving the efficiency of cooling towers.

The Electro-Magnetic Solution uses radio frequency to constantly soften scale buildup in cooling towers, which helps companies cut costs by reducing the need for expensive chemical additives.

Visit reverseionizer.com for more information about how Reverse Ionizer's green technology is positioned to continue improving air quality, and for sales and investment opportunities.

 

COVID-19 Weighs on Those Saving for College

Some changes, though, apparently better not last forever. Thirty-six percent of parents surveyed for Fidelity Investments' new "2020 College Savings Indicator Study" were disenchanted with the thought of paying full freight for virtual classes in the future, and said they'd consider choosing a less expensive, in-person school, if need be, to avoid that fate once their kids are ready for college.

Already, many schools are feeling some heat from parents and students for not lowering tuition this semester despite going all or partially remote. And while no one knows when the COVID-19 threat will end, clearly the pandemic college experience is getting a gentleman's C at best.

"The current college experience isn't exactly what parents envisioned when they began saving," said Melissa Ridolfi, Fidelity's vice president of retirement and college leadership. "That has many reconsidering where and how they use their college savings, although parents continue to recognize the value of a college education."

In fact, the national survey of 1,790 families with children aged 18 and younger who are expected to attend college showed that the overwhelming majority of respondents continue to believe that higher education is "worth its cost."

How they'll pay for it, though, is where the real angst - exacerbated by months of lockdowns -comes in:

* 71 percent of parents admit to worrying that coronavirus-related issues could threaten their ability to save.

* 9 percent plan to decrease their contributions this year for reasons that include being unemployed.

The study's most actionable finding for those feeling even a little angsty themselves?

Three words: 529 savings plans.

These are the tax-advantaged accounts that allow you to sock away money to cover tuition, books, and other expenses at most accredited two- and four-year colleges, universities and vocational-technical schools. And by "tax-advantaged," we mean the earnings accumulate tax-free and qualified withdrawals are exempt from federal income taxes.

Survey respondents who'd already established a 529 were 22 percentage points closer to achieving their savings goal than those who hadn't.

"Particularly in light of the financial stress facing families today, it's important for parents to know that these plans continue to become more flexible as it relates to what's included in the definition of 'qualified education expenses,'" Ridolfi said. "Apprenticeship costs, K-12 education, and student loan repayment up to $10,000 were all recently added."

Yes, everyone still has a way to go if they're to meet their target of self-funding 65 percent of their child's ever-more expensive future college education. Including tuition, room and board, and other assorted fees and expenses, according to the College Board, today you'd be talking annual averages of $53,980 for a private four-year college, $42,970 for an out-of-state public four-year college, and $26,590 for an in-state four-year college.

Multiply those numbers by four, and you can see why parents are currently only on track to fund 33 percent of their goal.

A free online tool from Fidelity can help in planning ahead by not only estimating how much it will run you based on whether you're contemplating a four-year college in the Midwest, say, but also showing how various tweaks can boost your savings. And if you are one of the 45 million Americans with student loan debt, its likewise free Student Loan Calculator can help you figure out whether there's a better way to pay it off.

 

BookBites: Gripping Suspense and Confronting Personal Demons

"Her Eyes Underwater"
by Romona Simon

She's an unsuspecting university student. He's a stranger with a dark secret. Will she see past her infatuation before she becomes his next victim? During a chance encounter, Julia Strauss meets a captivating man. She is instantly attracted and pursues him obsessively. What she doesn't know is that behind all the charm, he has a secret agenda. 

Can Julia see beyond the haze of her infatuation before it's too late?

If you enjoy impassioned dark romance-thrillers full of suspense, then Her Eyes Underwater is for you. Set in the vast and pristine wilderness of 1970s Montana, this true-crime-inspired novel is a unique mix that will grab you from the first page. Purchase at https://amzn.to/31cyXbM

"Emergency Powers"
by James McCrone 

A ripped-from-the-headlines urgency: a fractious FBI, an undermined Attorney General, corruption, murder, and powerful people using all manner of treachery to maintain their hold on power.

The accidental president is no accident. When the president dies in office, FBI Agent Imogen Trager knows that the conspiracy she chased down a blind alley still has life- and she needs to get back in the hunt. The old case may be the key to stopping a brutal, false- flag terrorist attack meant to finalize the new puppet president's grip on power. Imogen doesn't know it yet, but she's running out of time. Purchase at https://amzn.to/2FtVvft

"Boop and Eve's Road Trip"
by Mary Helen Sheriff 

Eve is done - with college, with her mom, with guys, and with her dream of fashion design. But when her best friend goes MIA, Eve must gather the broken threads of her life and search for her.

When Eve's grandmother, Boop, a retiree with Southern charm, finds out about the trip, she hijacks her granddaughter's road trip. Boop knows healing Eve will require a lot. Nevertheless, Boop is frustrated when her efforts yield the same failure that her sulfur-laced sip from the Fountain of Youth wrought on her age. She knows sharing her 60-year secret might lessen Eve's depression - but at what cost? Purchase at https://amzn.to/2JMbncn

"Purple Lotus "
by Veena Rao 

Three years after her arranged marriage to tech executive Sanjay, Tara moves to the American South from Mangalore, India. Tara's memories of childhood abandonment and isolation mirror her present life of loneliness and escalating abuse at the hands of her husband.

Constantly pressured by her patriarchal family to make peace with her circumstances, Tara learns to confront the victim-shaming society she was raised within, finding strength, self-worth and support in kind-hearted strangers, new friends and her first love. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3flAv7i

NOTE: BookBites is a continuing series bringing readers information and ideas for their next read. For more reading ideas, visit BookTrib.com and subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

How to Smooth ‘Crepey’ Skin on Arms and Legs

"Crepiness is a concern we address with many of our patients," says Dr. Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, board-certified New York dermatologist and founder of Entiere Dermatology. Proper exfoliation is key to improving the appearance of skin crepiness, and exfoliation also prepares the skin to receive the maximum benefits from moisturization.

"Exfoliation loosens and removes the top layers of dull dead skin cells and improves the skin's appearance," Dr. Levin says.

"Formulas that contain exfoliating acids, such as glycolic acid and lactic acid in combination with moisturizing ingredients, can be helpful. Since sun damage is the most common cause of crepey skin, wearing daily sunscreen and keeping the skin moisturized is a must," she emphasizes.

To help combat crepiness and foster a smoother, more youthful appearance, look for products that go beyond simply moisturizing, such as the Crepe Control line from StriVectin. The two-step skin care protocol includes Crepe Control Exfoliating Body Scrub and Crepe Control Tightening Body Cream.

- Smooth it Out. Crepe Control Exfoliating Body Scrub combines physical exfoliants such as rice powder with lactic and glycolic acids to help dissolve dead skin cells, promote skin brightening, and restore a softer appearance to the skin.

- Firm it Up. Crepe Control Tightening Body Cream is designed to improve the appearance of crepey skin and reduce the appearance of aging and environmental damage.

The cream includes not only murumuru seed butter as a key moisturizing ingredient, but also tripeptides to improve skin elasticity; caffeine and jojoba seed extract to facilitate firmer skin; and turmeric root extract to promote skin brightness and tone.

The scrub is designed for use on wet skin in the shower two to three times a week. And the cream can be used on areas of concern as often as twice a day.

Visit strivectin.com for more information about skin care and crepe control products.

BookBites: Great Reading Ideas About Family Matters and Political Intrigue

"What's Not Said"
by Valerie Taylor 

Kirkus calls "What's Not Said" "snappy and contemporary…reads like a fun, romantic comedy despite the heavy subject matter." When Kassie discovers her emotionally abusive husband has chronic kidney disease, her plans to divorce him and move in with a younger man collapse - until she pokes around and realizes his illness is the least of his deceits.

But Kassie is no angel. As she struggles to justify her own indiscretions, their lives collide into a tangled web of sex, lies and DNA. Kassie commits to helping her husband find an organ donor. In the process, she uncovers a life-changing secret, forcing her to decide whose life to save. Purchase at https://amzn.to/2BO096C

"Hate's Recompense" 
by Joseph H. Gibson 

President Kahn faces a stiff re-election and moves to usurp the democratic process by executing cyber and bioterrorism attacks on his own country to stay in power. Kahn fabricates a lethal bio attack by Iran, which he plans to execute with the help of an Artificial Intelligence Agent called Athena.

Resistance leaders learn of Kahn's plans - and millions of lives are at stake. They organize an uprising. But as they lose the battle, their only hope is to free the creators of Athena from Kahn's captivity and allow them to reprogram their brainchild to end Kahn's deadly politics. But is the country ready to relinquish control to a machine? Purchase at https://amzn.to/2XhayiK

"Rootlines"
by Rikki West 

Rikki and her sister, Linda, had fallen out with one another. They are not speaking when Linda emails that she has lethal abdominal tumors, that her only hope is a total bone marrow replacement. Linda claims Rikki is too old to donate, and explains there's only a slight chance she is a good match - but Rikki refuses to accept that.

Linda's email ignites a wild aspiration in Rikki: She will become the perfect donor, with the most vigorous cells possible. She rises with intent to heal herself, her sister, and their rootlines, the patterns formed in their family of origin that have quietly shaped their lives. The sisters beat the lymphoma - and heal the intertwined roots of their family pain. Purchase at https://amzn.to/2zZgWCu

"Kill Chain"
by Dominic Martell 

Years ago, Pascual Rose put his life as a terrorist behind him. He sold out his colleagues for a new identity and low profile in Barcelona. All was quiet until he received a midnight text: Come join us on the terrace.

The stakes are high: if he fails, it will cost him his family; if he succeeds, $1 million will buy a lot more than translation piecework will. But the money-laundering scheme involves a nexus of diverted revenues, shell companies and cryptocurrencies peopled by shadowy benefactors, Russian mobsters, German intelligence agents, and a mysterious woman with a chilling warning: Get out before it's too late. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3ia7P33

NOTE: BookBites is a continuing series bringing readers information and ideas for their next read. For more reading ideas, visit BookTrib.com and subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

BookBites: Mysteries, WWII Enemies Unite, and a Children’s Book of Love

"Vanishing Girls"
by Lisa Regan 

When beautiful Isabelle Coleman goes missing, everyone in town joins the search. They find no trace of the town's darling, but detective Josie Quinn finds another girl they didn't even know was missing. Mute and unresponsive, it's clear this mysterious girl has been damaged beyond repair. All Josie can get from her is the name of a third girl and a flash of a neon tongue piercing that matches Isabelle's.

The race is on to find Isabelle alive, and Josie fears there may be other girls in terrible danger. Someone in this close-knit town is committing unspeakable crimes. Can Josie catch the killer before another victim loses his or her life? Purchase at https://amzn.to/318BuUk

"The Laureate: Mystery in Renaissance Italy"
by Ken Tentarelli 

Called "page-turning and suspenseful," Nico Argenti returns from the university with a law degree. He is eager to begin his career, but instead finds his city of Florence engulfed in turmoil. Power-hungry aristocrats are using the death of Cosimo de Medici as the perfect opportunity to seize control of the Republic.

The Florentine Chancellor recruits Nico to help defeat the conspirators before they can destabilize the government. Nico learns that the conspirators have hired an assassin to eliminate the opposition. He must thwart the plot before the assassin is turned against him. The intrigue is balanced by the warmth of Nico's friends and family. Purchase at https://amzn.to/2Q4XSYd

"Silver Wings, Iron Cross"
by Tom Young 

A tense, authentic, and emotionally powerful saga of two enemy combatants - an American pilot and German U-boat officer - united by fate in an epic fight for survival.

Near the end of WWII, when Karl's plane is shot down behind enemy lines, he's forced to make the hardest decision of his life: trusting the enemy. When Wilhelm's U-boat is attacked in an air raid, he abandons ship and finds an unlikely ally: the pilot who bombed him.

They must lie for the other, fight for the other, or die with the other. But their alliance won't be put to the test until they reach the end of the line. Purchase at https://amzn.to/2YcrV4K

"Love"
by Casey Rislov 

Love is Casey Rislov's sixth children's book. The award-winning author was inspired to create a board book for babies and toddlers as a way to give them words and pictures to understand the feeling of love.

Love is inspired by the much-loved and well-known passage from the Bible (1 Corinthians 13:4-8): "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." Purchase at https://amzn.to/31aoVYF.

 

NOTE: BookBites is a continuing series bringing readers information and ideas for their next read. For more reading ideas, visit BookTrib.com and subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

BookBites: Swing into Fall with Four Stirring Stories

In 1661 Madrid, Ana's young niece Juliana suddenly vanishes. Ana searches the girl's room and finds a diary. After a futile search in Spain, she comes to Juliana's final entries, and, discovering the horrifying reason for the girl's flight, abandons her search.

In 1992 Missouri, in her deceased mother's home, Rachel finds a diary by a woman named Juliana. Rachel recognizes the names Ana and Juliana: her mother uttered them on her deathbed. As she learns the truth about Juliana's tragic family history, Rachel seeks to understand her connection to the writings - hoping that in finding those answers, she will heal the wounds caused by her mother's lifelong reticence. Purchase at https://amzn.to/2Rajwv8

"The Best Part of Us"
by Sally Cole-Misch

Beth cherished her childhood family summers on a pristine northern Canadian lake. Theirs was an unshakeable bond with nature, family, and friends. But that bond was torn apart, first as rights to their island were questioned and then by nature itself, and the family was forced to leave.

Fourteen years later, Beth has created a new life in urban Chicago. There, she's erected a barrier between the past and present, no matter how much it costs - until her grandfather asks her to return to the island to determine its fate. Will she choose to preserve whom she has become, or risk everything to discover if what was lost still remains? Purchase at https://amzn.to/2wTaSuh

"A Wife in Bangkok"
by Iris Mitlin Lav

Crystal's husband, Brian, is being sent to manage his company's Bangkok office and he expects her and their children to come along. She reluctantly acquiesces. She doesn't want to leave everything familiar in their small Oklahoma town; it's 1975, however, and Crystal, a woman with traditional values, feels she has to be a good wife.

Crystal finds beauty in Thailand, but also isolation and betrayal. Fighting intense loneliness and buffeted by a series of shocking events, she struggles to adapt to a different culture and battle a severe depression and, ultimately, decide whether her broken relationship with her husband is worth saving. Purchase at https://amzn.to/2XFh9mE

"A Place Called Zamora"
by LB Gschwandtner

Niko and El are trapped in a politically corrupt dystopian city where brutality rules. After winning a cynical race where only one rider can survive, Niko tosses aside his chance to join the city's corrupt inner circle by choosing lovely El as his prize - thus upsetting the ruling order and placing them both in danger.

With the Regime hunting them and the children of the city fomenting a guerrilla revolt, they attempt a daring escape to the possibly mythical utopia of Zamora. But as events unfold, the stirrings of love El once felt for Niko begin to morph into mistrust. If they reach Zamora, will Niko ever claim his secret birthright? And what will the future hold if he loses El? Purchase at https://amzn.to/2Aovg7z

NOTE: BookBites is a continuing series, bringing readers information and ideas for their next read. For more reading ideas, visit BookTrib.com and subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Free Online Survey Alerts Older Adults to Risks of Falling, a Major Hazard

Even during the COVID-19 era, falls remain the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older adults. Falls can significantly impact an older adult's quality of life. A fall can cause older persons to become socially isolated or fearful of leaving home and can lead to costly medical expenses.

One important first step toward staying safe is learning what aspects of your life can put you at greater risk of falling. The National Council on Aging (NCOA), a trusted national leader working to ensure that every person can age well, has created a free online survey to help you identify your falls risks - and offers practical steps to address them.

It's called the Falls Free CheckUp, and it's being launched as part of NCOA's annual Falls Prevention Awareness Week, Sept. 21-25.

"We want older adults to be their own agents of change in ensuring they age well," says Kathleen Cameron, senior director of NCOA's Center for Healthy Aging. "The Falls Free CheckUp provides an easy-to-use and confidential screen of falls risks as a first step in preventing falls. NCOA also offers practical and proven ways to address those risks."

The Falls Free CheckUp is available in both English and Spanish. It features 12 statements about reasons that are known to increase falls risk. Older adults answer yes or no to each statement and then see an explanation of why that reason matters. For example, "Sometimes I feel unsteady when I am walking," is followed by the statement: "Unsteadiness or needing support while walking are signs of poor balance."

After completing the self-directed survey, older adults receive a personalized risk score, along with practical steps they can take to prevent falls. They can share this information with their caregivers and health care providers to discuss how to reduce their falls risk and take action.

Next steps could include better use of a cane or walker, adjusting medications, getting a hearing or eye checkup, or adding strength and balance exercises with a doctor's approval.

In addition to launching the Falls Free CheckUp, NCOA will be hosting free English (Sept. 23 at 6:30 pm EST) and Spanish (Sept. 24 at 6:30 pm EST) Facebook Live events during Fall Prevention Awareness Week to highlight this important health topic.

For more information, visit www.ncoa.org/FallsWeek.

Add British Garden Charm to Your At-Home Dining

The Botanic Garden collection from Portmeirion brings vibrant color and traditional British charm to any table. The collection, designed by Susan Williams-Ellis in 1972, is based on early-19th-century floral illustrations. The realistic flowers are accented with butterflies and dragonflies and bordered with the iconic triple leaf design.

The Botanic Garden Collection allows you to create your own garden table with more than 23 floral motifs highlighted in the 30-piece dinnerware set. The set offers service for six, and includes six of each dinner plate, side plate, cereal bowl, pasta bowl, and tankard mug. Each piece has multiple uses; the side plate is ideal for appetizers, snacks, or desserts, and the cereal bowls work for ice cream or salad. The pasta bowl is perfect not only for pasta, but for soup or salad as well.

Each piece is made with care and attention, passing through 22 hands in the Portmeirion factory in Stoke-on-Trent, England, which is considered the birthplace of English pottery.

The Botanic Garden tableware is designed for everyday living. The items are dishwasher, microwave, freezer, and oven safe to provide maximum flexibility in meal preparation, cooking, and cleanup.

Here are a few tips to get the most from your tableware:

* Tableware items such as plates, bowls, and mugs can be placed in a warm oven (225 degrees Fahrenheit or lower), but should not be used for cooking.

* Cookware items including roasters, casseroles, and ramekins are designed to be used for cooking up to temperatures of 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

* When microwaving, "remember that ceramics will pick up some of the heat created in the microwave, so use care in holding handles or picking up plates," according to the company's website.

* Cleaning is easy in the dishwasher; the company recommends liquid detergents instead of the powdered variety to help preserve the design and color.

For more information about the Botanic Garden collection, visit Buybotanicgarden.com

 

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