All posts by Woman Tribune Staff

This post was compiled by the staff of Woman Tribune.

Tuesday Giveaway Linkup: February 27, 2018

Got a great giveaway going on? List it here so that other Woman Tribune readers can get in on the fun and enter for a chance to win. While you’re here, take a few minutes to visit some of the other blogs who have linked up and enter to win some cool stuff for yourself.

To keep things neat, please use the following format or something similar:

Prize – End Date (Eligible Countries)

Please remember to include which country (or countries) your giveaway is open to. It is so disappointing to enter a giveaway you’re excited about only to realize that you aren’t eligible to win. Thank you!

We post a new giveaway linkup every Tuesday, so be sure to come back next week.

Want to help spread the word? Give us a retweet or share this post on any of your social media channels.

Pairing Wine with Your Favorite Girl Scout Cookies, a Handy Guide

It’s Girl Scout cookie season. Whether you’re the type of person who flags down their local Girl Scout to place an order, or more the type who tries to avoid eye contact with the young entrepreneurs manning the cookie booth at the local store, chances are those cookies are going to find their way into your house — and mouth. The struggle is universal. But wait! Before you settle in with your annual offerings and a glass of milk, why not elevate your snack time into some serious me time with a glass of wine.

Thin Mints, Samoas, or Do-Si-Dos, check out the handy guide below to see which wine to pair with your favorite Girl Scout cookies. Go ahead, treat yourself. You deserve it.

Girl Scout Cookies Wine Pairing

Free Games Coming to Xbox Games with Gold June 2016

Xbox Live delivers a host of free services to more than 48 million subscribers, including free game demos, exclusive betas, entertainment and sports apps, Skype (for Xbox One), and access to free over-the-air live television from popular networks like NBC, CBS, and FOX.

For paid subscribers, Xbox Games with Gold gives gamers access to multiplayer gaming and party chat, game add-ons, exclusive discounts of up to 50-75% off select games, and of course, exclusive access to a hand-selected collection of games twice a month.

Here’s the full list of games coming to Xbox Games with Gold in June.

Free Games for Xbox Games with Gold June 2016

Goat Simulator

Xbox One — Available June 1

Goat Simulator

Goat Simulator is the latest in goat simulation technology, bringing next-gen goat simulation to YOU. You no longer have to fantasize about being a goat, your dreams have finally come true! Gameplay-wise, Goat Simulator is all about causing as much destruction as you possibly can as a goat. It has been compared to an old-school skating game, except instead of being a skater, you’re a goat, and instead of doing tricks, you wreck stuff. Destroy things with style, such as doing a back flip while headbutting a bucket through a window, and you’ll earn even more points! When it comes to goats, not even the sky is the limit, as you can probably just bug through it and crash the game.

The Crew

Xbox One — Available June 16

The Crew

The Crew is a revolutionary action-driving MMO that connects players online like never before. The Crew takes you and your friends on a wild ride across a massive, open-world recreation of the United States that is richly detailed and loaded with endless challenges. Generous in content and tailored for the connected generation, The Crew is the next-gen game that redefines action-driving.

Super Meat Boy

Xbox 360 — Available June 1

Super Meat Boy

Super Meat Boy is a tough as nails platformer where you play as an animated cube of meat who’s trying to save his girlfriend (who happens to be made of bandages) from an evil fetus in a jar wearing a tux. Our meaty hero will leap from walls, over seas of buzz saws, through crumbling caves, and pools of old needles, sacrificing his own well-being to save his damsel in distress. Super Meat Boy brings the old school difficulty of classic retro titles we all know and love and streamlines them down to the essential, no-bull, straightforward twitch reflex platforming. Ramping up in difficulty from hard to soul crushing, SMB will drag Meat Boy through haunted hospitals, salt factories, and even hell itself. And if 300+ single player levels weren’t enough, SMB also throws in epic boss fights, tons of unlockable secrets, warp zones, and hidden characters.

XCOM Enemy Unknown

Xbox 360 — Available June 16

XCOM Enemy Unknown

From the award-winning creators of Civilization comes an action-strategy game about humanity’s last stand. In XCOM Enemy Unknown, you are threatened by an unknown enemy and the Earth’s governments unite to form a secret paramilitary organization known as XCOM to combat this extraterrestrial attack. As the commander of XCOM, you control the global defense team in a battle against a terrifying alien invasion. Control the fate of the human race by creating and managing a fully operational base, researching alien technologies, planning combat missions, and controlling soldier movement in battle.

The Xbox One features cross-compatibility, so Xbox One gamers will have access to all of these games in June. Be sure to grab May’s free games before it’s too late.

See the free games coming to PlayStation Plus June 2016.

Free Games Coming to PlayStation Plus June 2016

PlayStation Plus is a paid subscription service for PlayStation gamers that gives users access to premium features including early access to upcoming games, beta trials, regular store discounts of up to 75% off, and the ability to have system software updates and game patches downloaded and installed automatically to the console without prompting the user. The service also offers 10GB of internet storage space for up to 1,000 saved game files, a social network of friends and like-minded gamers, and best of all, a curated selection of free games each month across all PlayStation consoles — PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation Vita.

Here’s the full list of games coming to PlayStation Plus in June.

Free Games for PlayStation Plus June 2016

NBA 2K16

PS4

NBA 2K16

The NBA 2K franchise is back with the most true-to-life NBA experience to date with NBA 2K16. Featuring an all-new MyCAREER experience written, directed, and produced by acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee. Guide your MyPLAYER through the complete NBA journey, take control of an entire NBA franchise, or hone your skills online competing against gamers from around the world. With animations that provide smoother movement and more realistic articulation, and three unique cover designs featuring NBA stars Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, and James Harden, it’s certain to be the most authentic NBA gaming experience yet.

Gone Home: Console Edition

PS4

Gone Home

June 7, 1995. 1:15 a.m. You arrive home after a year abroad. You expect your family to greet you, but the house is empty. Something’s not right. Where is everyone? And what’s happened here? Find out for yourself as you explore the house on Arbor Hill in the award-winning game that’s been called “a remarkable achievement” (IGN) and “the greatest video game love story ever told” (The New York Times). Experience one of the generation’s defining indie games, plus more than 90 minutes of behind-the-scenes commentary by the developers, actors, and musicians that made Gone Home possible!

echochrome

PS3

echochrome

Featuring an elegant black and white art design inspired by the works of M.C. Escher, echochrome is a puzzle game unlike any other. With gameplay based on optical illusions, players must utilize five simple laws of perspective to join walkways, hide dangers, and create new paths to reach the “echos,” or shadow guides. Once you’ve mastered the five laws, use them to create your own mind-bending levels to play and share with friends using the custom level editor.

Siren: Blood Curse (Episodes 1-12)

PS3

Siren: Blood Curse

An American TV crew has arrived in Japan to film an exposé on the legend of the “vanished village.” Controlling seven different playable characters, the player must uncover the mystery behind the curse that grips the eerie village of Hanuda. The unique “sight jack” system allows the player to see from the point of view of the Shibito, or living dead, to avoid their detection or watch as they close in on the player and companions. Intense graphics, realistic character animation, and a gritty film-like graphical presentation add to the horror of Siren: Blood Curse.

God of War: Chains of Olympus

PS Vita

God of War: Chains of Olympus

Long before his battle with Ares, Kratos sought absolution from his past sins by pledging himself as a champion of the Gods. These brutal crusades in the name of Olympus became legendary, but would have far-reaching consequences. In Chains of Olympus, Kratos is pushed to the edge as he is ordered by the gods to journey to the very depths of the underworld after the world plunges into darkness. There he must face the most feared creatures of Greek mythology and is forced to choose between his own personal redemption and saving the ancient world from certain destruction. It is a choice that will shake the immortals from their perches on Mt. Olympus.

Little Deviants

PS Vita

Little Deviants

Join the Little Deviants in a series of madcap adventures that allow you to have fun discovering and experimenting with the new PS Vita system functions — including rear touch, front touch, Sixaxis motion sensors, front and rear cameras, and microphone.

You can gain access to these games on PlayStation Plus beginning June 7. In the meantime, go grab May’s free games before it’s too late.

See the free games coming to Xbox Games with Gold June 2016.

What’s Coming to and Leaving Netflix June 2016

Does Alex survive her encounter with Kubra’s henchman in the greenhouse? Knowing that solitary confinement has been said to be a form of cruel and unusual punishment, how will Sophia manage to keep her psyche strong during her time in isolation? How does Pennsatucky continue to heal as a rape survivor while her rapist, C.O. Coates, is still employed by the prison?

These are just a few of the many questions fans of Orange Is the New Black have been asking for the last year, and even more questions mounted when Netflix released season 4 promo photos back in March. After such a long wait, the time for answers is finally in sight as season 4 begins streaming on Netflix June 17.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6O9rfoz0f8

Here’s the full list of what’s coming to the streaming service and what will be leaving in June.

Coming to Netflix June 2016

Available June 1:

7 Chinese Brothers
72 Cutest Animals (Season 1)
72 Dangerous Places (Season 1)
A Walk to Remember
Big Stone Gap
Bob Ross: Beauty is Everywhere
Breaking the Magician’s Code: Magic’s Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed (Seasons 1 and 2)
Cold in July
Conspiracy Theory: Did We Land on the Moon?
Cuba: The Forgotten Revolution
(Dis)Honesty: The Truth About Lies
El Libro de Piedra
Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Extraordinary Tales
The Fear of 13
Gabo: The Creation of Gabriel García Márquez
Gentlemen and Gangsters (Season 1)
The Good Witch (Season 1)
The Great Alone
Hadwin’s Judgement
J. Edgar
Jaco
Janis: Little Girl Blue
Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park III
Lion Heart
The Lost World: Jurassic Park
Meadowland
The Odd Couple II
Off Camera (Series 1)
Pokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages
Pokémon the Series: XY: Kalos Quest (Season 2)
Portrait of a Serial Monogamist
The Resurrection of Jake the Snake
Rock the Kasbah
Sam Klemke’s Time Machine
Second Coming
Tab Hunter Confidential
UFOs: The Best Evidence Ever (Caught on Tape)
Underdogs
What Our Father’s Did: A Nazi Legacy
Wildlike

Available June 2:

Beauty & the Beast (Season 3)
Hibana: Spark — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Pretty Little Liars (Season 6)

Available June 3:

Bo Burnham: Make Happy — NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Available June 6:

Darkweb

Available June 7:

Every Thing Will Be Fine
Jarhead 3: The Seige

Available June 10:

LEGO Friends: The Power of Friendship (Season 2) — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Voltron: Legendary Defender (Season 1) — NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Available June 11:

Me Him Her
Scandal (Season 5)

Available June 12:

Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong

Available June 14:

The League (Season 7)

Available June 15:

After the Spill
Boom Bust Boom
The Giver
In the Shadow of the Moon
Naz & Maalik
Night Owls
Poverty, Inc.
Top Spin
TransFatty Lives

Available June 16:

Being Mary Jane (Season 3)
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Season 3)
The Unborn

Available June 17:

All Hail King Julien (Season 3) — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Orange Is the New Black (Season 4) — NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Available June 18:

Cedar Cove (Season 3)
Grey’s Anatomy (Season 12)

Available June 19:

Bunk’d (Season 1)
I Am Thor
Life Story (Series 1)
The Making of Life Story

Available June 21:

Best Friends Whenever (Season 1)

Available June 22:

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For
Spotlight

Available June 24:

Dragons: Race to the Edge (Season 3) — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
The Fundamentals of Caring — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Justin Time GO! — NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Available June 27:

Cronies

Available June 29:

Life

Available June 30:

A Very Secret Service (Season 1) — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Palio
(T)ERROR

Leaving Netflix June 2016

Leaving June 1:

A Wrinkle in Time
About a Boy
Bounce
Bridget Jones’s Diary
The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury
Clear and Present Danger
Click
Darkman
Disney Animation Collection Vol. 5: Wind in the Willows
Dude, Where’s My Car?
Duplex
Elias: Rescue Team Adventures (Season 1)
The Faculty
Far from Home: The Adventures of Yellow Dog
Ghost
Groundhog Day
Hamlet
Hercules
In the Bedroom
Jersey Girl
Kinky Boots
Lassie
Losing Isaiah
Madonna: Truth or Dare
Marvin’s Room
Music of the Heart
My Boss’s Daughter
Nine Months
The Others
Paris Is Burning
Private Parts
Proof
Schoolhouse Rock!: Earth
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
The Station Agent
The Stepford Wives
Stir of Echoes
Stir of Echoes 2: The Homecoming
The Super Hero Squad Show (Seasons 1 and 2)
Velvet Goldmine
View from the Top
Wayne’s World
The Yards

Leaving June 2:

Eureka Seven (Seasons 1 and 2)

Leaving June 14:

HawthoRNe (Seasons 1-3)

Leaving June 15:

The Bank Job

Leaving June 18:

A Late Quartet
The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss (Season 1)

Leaving June 21:

Mixology (Season 1)

Leaving June 24:

Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
The Hunchback of Notre Dame II
Marvel’s Avengers Assemble (Season 1)
Mulan
Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Leaving June 30:

Sophie’s Choice

Get a Sneak Peek at the Enchanted Castle of Disney’s Live-Action ‘Beauty and the Beast’ #BeOurGuest — First Teaser Trailer

Of all the recent live-action retellings of classic Disney films — Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, and there’s even talk of the possibility of a live-action The Little Mermaid — we’ll admit that we have been most eagerly anticipating the live-action Beauty and the Beast ever since it was first confirmed and word got out that Emma Watson would star in the role as Belle.

Beauty and the Beast is the fantastic journey of Belle, a bright, beautiful, and independent young woman who is taken prisoner by a beast in his castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle’s enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the beast’s hideous exterior and realize the kind heart and soul of the true prince within.

Disney recently released the Beauty and the Beast teaser trailer, giving viewers a sneak peek of the beast’s enchanted castle. If you don’t quite remember the trailer for the 1991 animated movie, we don’t blame you because that was 25 years ago, but Disney Dorks on Facebook put the trailers side-by-side for a comparison that will likely give you chills. Check it out:

Beauty and the Beast is coming to theaters everywhere March 17, 2017.

Calling All Bartenders: Do You Have the Perfect Pour?

Back for its second year, the Perfect Pour by Warsteiner competition challenges bartenders across the United States to show off their technical skills and personal flair as they compete to present the most perfectly tapped glass of Warsteiner Premium German Pilsener for an all-expense paid trip to Germany. Entries will be accepted from May 30 through July 17.

“A perfectly poured Warsteiner is more than just a glass of beer, it is a work of art to be admired,” said Laura Sprengard, brand manager for Warsteiner USA.

Here’s how it works:

Bartenders upload a photo of themselves with their perfectly poured Warsteiner (preferably poured into Warsteiner’s signature tulip glass) to PerfectPourOff.com. Photos can be serious or silly, but they must demonstrate mastery of Warsteiner’s four-step Perfect Pour ritual. To see how it’s done, watch the perfect pour here.

Once bartenders have submitted their perfect pour, fans can vote online for their favorite through July 17. The three bartenders who receive the most votes, among other criteria, will be invited to compete in a live Perfect Pour-Off event in Las Vegas. The champion will win an all-expense paid, week-long trip for two to Germany.

Each time a fan votes, they will be entered into the Perfect Pour Sweepstakes for a chance to win one of three all-expense paid trips for two to the Perfect Pour-Off event.

Warsteiner Brewery, founded in 1753, is one of the largest private breweries in Germany. Its flagship is the Warsteiner Premium German Pilsener brand, one of the most popular beer brands in Germany and the world’s No. 1 imported premium pilsener among German private breweries.

Certified Coders in High Demand Following ICD-10 Implementation

(BPT) – Nine years ago, Peter Esswein, a resident of Sandy Springs, Georgia, enrolled in a health information technology degree program at DeVry University to capitalize on the growing prominence of electronic medical records.

“I always wanted to work in the medical industry, and the time was right for a personal career change,” Esswein says. “Completing my associate degree in health information technology gave me the confidence and skills I needed to progress on my new career path.”

Now, as Esswein continues his career as a coding quality assistant, health care is changing again. Following the release of a medical coding system overhaul in October 2015, expected updates in the near future are underscoring the demand for coders. International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision, or ICD-10, increased the number of medical codes by more than 50,000 — and in fiscal year 2017, about 5,500 more diagnostic and inpatient procedure codes will roll out.

“The new codes are designed to enable more informative, accurate recording of the medical information required to bill correctly for reimbursement,” Esswein says. “In my role, it’s essential that I not only understand ICD-10, but that I’m staying ahead of what’s coming next to help alleviate any confusion in my workplace and mitigate mistakes in advance.”

Prepping for Industry Change

Many health care organizations say transitioning to the new system was their biggest challenge last year. While Esswein graduated years ago and is getting on-the-job training with the new system, many employers struggled to find qualified new technicians, since recent graduates had studied the previous classification system, ICD-9.

To get these new grads up to speed, DeVry University offered an ICD-10 course at no cost for medical billing and coding graduates who had registered by November 2015 and students in their last semester of the program. All future courses will be taught using ICD-10 as the standard.

“DeVry University programs will continue to evolve as healthcare advances and becomes more accessible in the United States,” says Kristyn Murphy-Rodvill, assistant national dean in the College of Health Sciences at DeVry University. “We know finishing a degree program during an industry transition can create obstacles for recent grads. Our ICD-10 course is designed to eliminate those barriers and prepare students with the skills and knowledge they need to be competitive in their field.”

Propelling the Future of Health Care

Knowledgeable health information technology experts — from coders to technicians and managers — are projected to remain in high demand through 2022. Medical billing is projected to grow by 22% in this time period.

“With the right education, the future is bright for healthcare professionals,” says Murphy-Rodvill. “DeVry’s programs are designed to help students grow their professional expertise, and remain at the forefront of their industry.”

Bite Back Against Mosquitoes This Season with These Prevention Tips

(BPT) – From annoying itchy welts to serious conditions like Malaria and West Nile virus, mosquitoes have been making humans miserable and sick for thousands of years. And now, there’s Zika — a mosquito-spread virus that may be linked to serious birth defects. In fact, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the diseases mosquitoes spread make them the deadliest animal on the planet.

The arrival of warm weather means it’s time to step up your mosquito prevention and protection efforts in order to help protect your family. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) offers some information that can help:

  • The type of mosquito that transmits Zika bites during the daytime hours. Most other types of mosquitoes bite during dusk and dawn.
  • Within the U.S., mosquitoes have been known to spread West Nile virus, Chikungunya, and encephalitis-causing viruses in humans, and heartworms in dogs.
  • Mosquitoes spread disease when they bite one person, fly to another and bite again, spreading the infection. What many people don’t realize is that the saliva from the mosquito’s bite causes the red, itchy irritation that we all know so well.

The NPMA recommends some ways you can help reduce your exposure to mosquitoes:

Eliminate Breeding Areas

One of the most important things to know about mosquito prevention is that they only need about a half-inch of standing water in which to lay their eggs, so it is wise to get rid of any stagnant water around your home. This can include flower pots, bird baths, kiddie pools, small ponds, and standing water in low areas of your yard.

Use Repellent

Whenever you spend time outside, protect your skin from mosquito bites by applying an insect repellent that contains at least 20% DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Also, consider wearing long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and closed-toe shoes.

Be Aware of the Time of Day

Mosquitoes are most active around dawn and dusk, although the variety that transmits Zika prefers to bite during the day. Minimize outside activity during peak biting hours, or, if you must be outside, wear long sleeves, pants, and repellents to thwart mosquitoes.

Watch What You Wear

Dark colors, floral prints, and sweet-smelling perfumes or colognes can attract mosquitoes to you. Wear light colors and forego perfume when spending time outside.

Protect Your House

Screens help keep mosquitoes out of your house. Be sure all windows and doors are outfitted with screens, and that all are in good shape. Repair tears to keep mosquitoes from getting inside.

Travel Wisely

Mosquito-borne diseases that may be rare in the U.S. are common in many foreign countries, so if your summer vacation will take you outside the country, check what travel advisories may be in effect in your destination. If someone gets sick returning home, seek medical care immediately.

Sometimes, despite your best efforts at mosquito prevention and control, they can still be a problem. A licensed pest control professional can help you manage mosquitoes. To find a professional near you, visit the NPMA website at pestworld.org.

Hurricane Preparedness Week: Red Cross Issues Safety Steps for Hurricane Season

It’s National Hurricane Preparedness Week and the American Red Cross has put together some crucial steps people should take now to get ready for hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30.

Hurricanes are thought to typically cause the most problems for those living in coastal areas, but it’s important to know that these storms can also cause damage hundreds of miles inland. In 2011, tropical storms caused devastating flooding in Pennsylvania and New Jersey hundreds of miles from the coast. In 1972, Hurricane Agnes ravaged the mid-Atlantic region from central Virginia through Pennsylvania to New York.

“A hurricane is a serious threat to residents in coastal areas as well as hundreds of miles inland,” said Brad Kieserman, vice president of Disaster Services Operations and Logistics for the Red Cross. “We’re ready, and we want people to know it’s important for them to get prepared, too.”

Thousands of trained Red Cross disaster workers all over the country are prepared to respond if and when needed. The organization stocks items like food, cots, blankets, and other relief supplies in warehouses across the country — enough to support thousands of people who might need shelter. Through a variety of methods and partnerships, the Red Cross has the ability to serve one million meals a day, if needed. Thousands of shelter locations are already identified and Red Cross emergency vehicles are ready to move into action.

Getting ready for hurricane season now is the best way to be prepared for these dangerous storms. Hurricane preparedness should include:

  • Build an emergency kit containing one gallon of water per person, per day, non-perishable food, a flashlight, battery-powered radio, first aid kit, any necessary medications, supplies for an infant or child if applicable, a multi-purpose tool, personal hygiene items, copies of important documents, cell phone chargers, extra cash, blankets, maps of the area, and emergency contact information. Many of these items are available through the Red Cross Store.
  • Talk with household members and create an evacuation plan. Practicing the plan will minimize confusion and fear during a necessary evacuation.
  • Be informed. Learn about the community’s hurricane response plan. Plan routes to local shelters, register family members with special medical needs as required, and make plans for pets.
  • People should also download the free Red Cross Emergency App to select up to 35 different severe weather and emergency alerts on their mobile device. The content includes expert guidance on what to do before, during, and after different emergencies or disasters from home fires to hurricanes. All Red Cross apps can be found in smartphone app stores by searching for American Red Cross or by going to redcross.org/apps.

If someone already has a disaster kit, now is the time to make sure the food and water is still okay to consume and that copies of important documents are up to date. If a household emergency plan is already in place, begin talking about it with family members so that everyone knows what to do if an emergency should occur.

Hurricane Preparedness for Businesses, Schools & Organizations

The Red Cross Ready Rating™ program helps businesses, schools, and other organizations prepare for emergencies that can disrupt daily operations by offering specific steps that can be taken to be better prepared. It includes a planning tool to help their employees or members know what their roles are in the early hours of an emergency, what their next steps are, and a resource center with tools that help businesses, employees, and students develop and practice preparedness plans.

Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarianism aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. To find out more about the American Red Cross, visit redcross.org, cruzrojaamericana.org, or follow them on Twitter at @RedCross.