The economy in 2023 was resilient. The unemployment rate is currently 3.9%, marking 21 consecutive months below 4%. An average of 239,000 new jobs per month were created in 2023 and the economy grew by a whopping 4.9% in the third quarter. Inflation is currently at 3.7%, which is down from its peak of 8.2%
For most parents, one of life’s saddest moments is when their child discovers the truth about Santa Claus. I will never forget an incident that occurred several years ago at a company Christmas party. It was a very festive event for employees and their children. A visit from Santa Claus was the highlight of the
He doesn’t build toys, bake cookies or fly through the night delivering toys around the world, but he is one of Santa’s cutest helpers. For a few days every December, Santa Dog greets shoppers at the Bueche’s Food World in Flushing, collecting donations for the Humane Society of Genesee County. In his 40 years on
In our joy, we think we hear a whisper. At first it is too soft. Then only half heard. We listen carefully as it gathers strength. We hear a sweetness. The word is Peace. It is loud now. It is louder. Louder than the explosion of bombs. We tremble at the sound. We are thrilled
For our final article of 2023, Team SHIFT wants to start by expressing gratitude. We are grateful for the opportunity to share a little bit of our unique style knowledge with OUR city and My City readers, including seasonal trends, fabulous upcoming things to look for, best color pairings and so much more! We are
New Year’s Eve, also known as Old Year’s Day or St. Sylvester’s Day in other countries, is always celebrated on December 31. (This year the date reads numerically as 123123! I found that to be an interesting tidbit of information.) The last day of the year is celebrated many different ways – from elegant parties
In recent years, the world has witnessed a notable shift away from globalization and heading toward a new era of deglobalization. This trend, marked by the retreat from international cooperation, trade tensions and increasing protectionism has significant implications for global investments. This is very different from the past 30 years when production of goods was
In early November we found ourselves, once again, in the car on our way toward another mini-adventure. Because my fiancé is a recent transplant to Texas from Michigan, I feel a tremendous duty to familiarize him with his new home. The only problem is that Texas is gigantic and there are lots of places to
Investing is often hailed as the key to financial success and independence. However, the age-old debate between passive and active investing strategies continues to baffle many aspiring investors. In this article, we’ll demystify the difference between passive and active investing, shedding light on the pros and cons of each approach to help you make informed
Sometimes, the best kind of adventures are the ones you didn’t even know existed. A little off the beaten path, a little unfamiliar, but so worthwhile once you get there. Recently, my fiancé and I were looking for a vacation. We weren’t sure what we wanted to do or where we wanted to go, we
“on Veterans Day, let us remember the service of our veterans, and let us renew our national promise to fulfill our sacred obligations to our veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much that we can live free.” Dan Lipinski Veterans Day is observed on November 11 and honors all members of the Armed
Hopefully, the UAW strike will be settled by the time this column goes to print. It is worth taking a step back and asking why General Motors, Ford and Stellantis did not just give the UAW what it wanted to avoid the strike. The likely answer is that the 2009 bankruptcies of General Motors and
