Erik Jones has day he won’t soon forget as Denny backup at Bristol

Enhancing a once-in-a-lifetime event, such as a wedding proposal or ceremony, with the right song takes the experience to a whole new level. It adds a personal touch that makes for ongoing memories, as couples have the opportunity to play the song at anniversaries or other special events through the years.Just in time for anyone planning to propose on Valentine’s Day (or any day), an original song called "The First Time," by Del Henry, makes its debut February 1, 2019, on multiple channels, including iTunes,

Amazon Music, Apple Music, Tidal, Spotify, Pandora, YouTube Music, Google Music Store, Shazam, and many more.The release of the song coincides with a release of a video. The video version of "The First Time" being released is, in fact, the first time the song was performed live, at a wedding as a gift from the groom to the bride, and her reaction says it all."How can I say, in a most simple way/My living started when you came that day/ How can I tell you when all’s said and done/ My Heaven started with you as the one.

"Many couples can relate to these lyrics. The song stands out as an example of the power of music to capture a moment and move an audience, so it is both a personal and a shared experience.Many of the guests seen in the video of the song’s debut are as emotional as the bride, because the lyrics evoke memories of their own shared lives and ongoing love stories."It’s truly a story about how and why couples come to the moment when they want to be together … ‘eternally,’ says David Shewmaker, the Minister conducting the ceremony."As a Groomsman, I could see Brandon’s live performance and saw the audience’s response, which was electric and moving.

I was hearing the song for the first time too," says Tim Delany, a 23-year-old college graduate.Lyrics such as "The first time I felt your eyes touch mine/The first time I felt your smile" can be part of the setting of a proposal on Valentine’s Day or any day, but they are equally appropriate for an anniversary, whether a first or a fiftieth, or simply to thank someone for bringing joy to your life.

Use the song to show your affection for someone who matters to you, share the heartwarming video, and appreciate the skill of 18-year-old musician Brandon D. Henry, who performed "The First Time" for its first time at the recent wedding shown in the video, accompanied by master guitarist Dave Murdy. Watch the video of the song at: www.LisZenUp.com Song: "The First Time" – LIVEProducer: Del HenryBand: LisZenUp HouzeBandLyrics Written by Del P Henry Jr© 2019 Del P Henry JrAll Rights ReservedLead Vocal by Brandon D HenryMaster Guitarist: Dave Murdy

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Now is the ideal time to revisit your travel bucket list. Before you choose your destination based solely on a list, though, reflect on the types of experiences that really gratify you – culinary, history, culture, adventure. Then craft your ideal vacation from there.Seek out a well-established leader in experiential travel to give you a taste of what it’s like to be a local and then some – whether it’s cooking classes in a Tuscan villa or bathing with elephants at a Thailand sanctuary.

"At Blue-Roads Touring Company, we immerse our guests in a region’s culture and customs," says Ed Pettitt, General Manager."We take them to places that are difficult or next to impossible to plan and explore on their own. Fun, enriching visits into local homes to share authentically prepared meals. Outings to farms, orchards, vineyards. Even treks to the frontlines of Europe’s most famous battlefields."If great literature moves you, you’ll get an intimate look at William Shakespeare, regarded to be the world’s greatest English-language author, dramatist and poet.

As part of Blue-Roads’ Heart of England tour, you’ll venture to Stratford-upon-Avon to delve into the Bard’s life, including his timbered childhood home and wife Anne Hathaway’s thatched cottage.Passionate about gardening, or simply just love floral splendor? The world-renowned Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show puts you in the center of the sensory pleasures of England’s greatest gardens.Is cuisine a top, or the utmost, consideration?

Focus on authenticity and diversity above price in deciding what to eat, drink and do. Blue-Roads indulges its guests with many options such as, sampling some of the world’s best street food in Hanoi, Michelin-starred dining in Spain, or savoring fresh shellfish right off the boat in Gallipoli.The best culinary trip delights more than your palate. It informs and engages you, too. Explore how grapes become world-class varietals or how milk is crafted into mozzarella. Share in the tradition and ceremony of High Tea. Culinary experiences bring you together with others and encourage cross-cultural understanding.A personally fulfilling itinerary elevates your precious time off. Key to that is your individual space and discovery time.

Seek out the destination expert who strikes a balance between organized activities and downtime. Blue-Roads favors quality over quantity, thoughtfully curating a select number of unforgettable experiences while also ensuring you of time to relax, recharge and unwind.Their careful combination of specialized excursions, sightseeing and personal time encourages you to dig deeper into the many layers of a destination. Instead of merely returning home with items checked off from a travel to-do list, they ensure that you return with expanded experience and knowledge.

You’ll relish your trip for years after – perhaps when you try out that recipe for delicious eastern European pierogi or use that tongue-twisting phrase learned at the Welsh Language Heritage Centre.As you create your next vacation, start with what’s meaningful to you, and what brings you joy.So choose a trusted, inspired tour partner such as Blue-Roads. Your special trip will unfold from there.

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Fans of wholesome television have a double treat in store, as the UPtv network launches its new series, "Design Twins," on Valentine’s Day.The reality series makes its debut at 8 pm Eastern time (ET) on February 14, and features twin sisters, Heidi and Heather, who team up to start an interior design business aimed at providing families with creative, beautiful and functional spaces.

To get the new venture off the ground, the twins move their families in together to save money and increase efficiency.Viewers can empathize with their challenges as the twins, together with their husbands and a total of seven children under the age of 6, work to nurture both their families and their growing business, aptly named "Joyful Living.

"The Atlanta, Georgia-based UPtv makes it a full night of love for Valentine’s Day this season by also airing the much-anticipated wedding of Josie Bates and Kelton Balka at 9 pm ET on the popular series, "Bringing Up Bates," following the premiere of "Design Twins."The wedding features a picturesque outdoor country setting and plenty of family participation in the festivities."At UPtv, we celebrate family and life’s biggest moments," says Amy Winter, general manager and evp. "We are excited to add ‘Design Twins’ to our Thursday night lineup as we continue to bring viewers uplifting and inspiring stories.

"Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate love and romance, but the network keeps heartwarming stories upfront year-round with new episodes of UPtv’s hit series on Thursday nights, movie premieres on the weekend and fan-favorite acquired series throughout the week.UPtv continues the themes of love and family in 2019 with UP Faith & Family. The streaming service offers a variety of commercial-free, faith- and family-friendly entertainment anytime, anywhere. UP Faith & Family offers endless hours of movies, drama series and kids’ programming. It’s also the exclusive home for past seasons of UPtv originals.

In February, UP Faith & Family will be adding the wedding-themed reality series, "Our Wedding Story," and "Crazy Beautiful Weddings," as well as other romance-themed programs, including the movies, "Bridal Bootcamp" and "Love’s Last Resort." New titles are added monthly.Prospective viewers can enjoy a 14-day free trial of the service by downloading the UP Faith & Family app or visiting Upfaithandfamily.com.For more information about UPtv, go to UPtv.com or check for updates on Facebook at facebook.com/Uptv, Twitter on @Uptv and Instagram at UP_TV.

South Korean Horse Racing Expands Broadcasts Abroad

More women than ever before are realizing they need to make their money grow for them. For decades, we’ve been hearing about an “investment gap” between males and females. And while it still exists, a whopping 72 percent of women in a new survey by Fidelity Investments said they’re ready to make bolder moves in the coming months – including investing more of their savings. “Women tend to be the CFO of their household,” says Kathy Murphy, president of personal investing at Fidelity. “They tend to pay the bills, they tend to make 80 percent of the purchasing decisions.

This (investing) can be part of it.” The point about investing more of savings is crucial. While 44 percent of females polled for the firm’s “2018 Women and Investing Study” were currently putting their money to work in the market beyond just retirement accounts – that compares to 59 percent of men -more than a third of all women reported having $50,000 or more still sitting in checking and savings accounts that pay a pittance in interest. And that third or so includes those who do invest outside of, say, company 401(k) plans. But if even $20,000 of that cash was invested in a conservative portfolio mix? Over five years, in a typical market, the money could potentially swell by $5,733 vs. $80 in a basic savings account (and potentially $2,961 in a typical five-year CD).

South Korean Horse Racing Expands Broadcasts Abroad

Millennial women would seem to be taking those numbers most seriously, which accounts for much of the optimism underlying the report. Forty-eight percent of them are already investing their cash, as opposed to about 40 percent of both Baby Boomers and Gen Xers. “This is the first time in the almost decade we’ve been doing this study that we’ve seen Millennial women on track to really lead the way,” notes Murphy. Don’t misunderstand: No one’s saying people – men or women – shouldn’t keep at least enough cash on hand in savings to cover three to six months of living expenses. That’s a fundamental rule of thumb among financial advisors.

And Murphy contends that women who do invest actually turn out to be “great” at it for this simple reason: They come up with a long-term plan based on their own or their family’s goals, and then they allow their investments to grow without tending to make the mistake of trying to time the market. Many online tools can help women looking to better manage their financial lives. Fidelity, for example, offers a free 10-minute “Financial Wellness” check-up that’s a first step in developing such a plan, and the firm also just launched a new “Demand More” site designed specifically for those with two X chromosomes.

The latter, which is also free, includes personal stories from women like the 54-year-old with two grown children who “restarted her finances” after her divorce. As for why women lag men in investing, Murphy has her own theory: “Sixty-five percent of them equate it with picking stocks. But it’s not about that. It’s about having a financial plan and sticking to it.”

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More women than ever before are realizing they need to make their money grow for them. For decades, we’ve been hearing about an “investment gap” between males and females. And while it still exists, a whopping 72 percent of women in a new survey by Fidelity Investments said they’re ready to make bolder moves in the coming months – including investing more of their savings.

“Women tend to be the CFO of their household,” says Kathy Murphy, president of personal investing at Fidelity. “They tend to pay the bills, they tend to make 80 percent of the purchasing decisions. This (investing) can be part of it.” The point about investing more of savings is crucial. While 44 percent of females polled for the firm’s “2018 Women and Investing Study” were currently putting their money to work in the market beyond just retirement accounts – that compares to 59 percent of men -more than a third of all women reported having $50,000 or more still sitting in checking and savings accounts that pay a pittance in interest. And that third or so includes those who do invest outside of, say, company 401(k) plans.

But if even $20,000 of that cash was invested in a conservative portfolio mix? Over five years, in a typical market, the money could potentially swell by $5,733 vs. $80 in a basic savings account (and potentially $2,961 in a typical five-year CD). Millennial women would seem to be taking those numbers most seriously, which accounts for much of the optimism underlying the report. Forty-eight percent of them are already investing their cash, as opposed to about 40 percent of both Baby Boomers and Gen Xers. “This is the first time in the almost decade we’ve been doing this study that we’ve seen Millennial women on track to really lead the way,” notes Murphy. Don’t misunderstand: No one’s saying people – men or women – shouldn’t keep at least enough cash on hand in savings to cover three to six months of living expenses.

That’s a fundamental rule of thumb among financial advisors. And Murphy contends that women who do invest actually turn out to be “great” at it for this simple reason: They come up with a long-term plan based on their own or their family’s goals, and then they allow their investments to grow without tending to make the mistake of trying to time the market. Many online tools can help women looking to better manage their financial lives. Fidelity, for example, offers a free 10-minute “Financial Wellness” check-up that’s a first step in developing such a plan, and the firm also just launched a new “Demand More” site designed specifically for those with two X chromosomes.

The latter, which is also free, includes personal stories from women like the 54-year-old with two grown children who “restarted her finances” after her divorce. As for why women lag men in investing, Murphy has her own theory: “Sixty-five percent of them equate it with picking stocks. But it’s not about that. It’s about having a financial plan and sticking to it.”

Blake Griffin posterizes Aron Baynes twice in Clippers-Spurs Game

The current startup business environment today is full of opportunities for investors who want to get in on the global economy. At the upcoming Global Startup Summit, a free online event, startups from around the world can network with each other and with investors for mutual benefit.

The 7-day online event will be streaming on globalstartup.tv. Each day is dedicated to a different region of the world and includes three sessions with experts in the tech-enabled business field, a panel discussion on investment opportunities and consumer trends, and pitches from two startups.

Key themes at the Global Startup Summit include early-stage investment opportunities, global consumer trends, and trends in tech adoption across markets, according to Global Startup Media, a Virginia-based media company covering the business of global startups. The event begins on February 18, 2019, with Africa Day, followed by Asia Pacific Day (Feb. 19), Europe Day (Feb. 20), US Opportunity Zone Day (Feb. 21), Latin America Day (Feb. 22), Middle East Day (Feb. 23), and Canada Day (Feb. 24).

Presenters at the Global Startup Summit include the World Bank, African Tech Roundup, Chinaccelerator, Middle East Venture Partners and more. “As technology globalizes opportunity and capital, investors and founders are aggressively looking for new opportunities outside of their domestic markets, we are working closely with leading global brands in startups to present investment opportunities and consumer trends in startup ecosystems worldwide,” says Andrew Berkowitz, CEO and founder of Global Startup Media, the company organizing the conference.

“Great companies can be started anywhere in the world, and startups are growing everywhere. This event is an exciting opportunity to promote and connect the leaders driving growth and creating opportunities in the world’s startup ecosystems,” emphasizes Anne Driscoll, president and cofounder of Launch Pad, an organization with locations in cities across the U.S. that supports entrepreneurs and startups.

Launch Pad is partnering with Global Startup Media to host the conference. Technology trends related to startups on the US and global scene that may catch and hold investors’ attention include virtual reality/augmented reality, health technology, 3-D printing, and artificial intelligence, according to Fast Company magazine. These trends may materialize in startups in areas such as audible computing (Alexa, Google Home), smart cameras, consumer experiences, and micromobility in cities (shared spaces). Visit globalstartup.tv for more information and to register in advance.

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So much for fancy cars, houses and jewelry.Eighty-one percent of Americans believe their "most valuable asset" is their family, according to a new survey by Edward Jones and the nonprofit consumer-education organization Life Happens. And one quarter of respondents in the national sampling of adults confessed that their biggest fear was saddling their nearest and dearest with unexpected financial burdens if they’re unable to work or die prematurely.

Which begs the question: If we’re so worried about protecting what we treasure most, why don’t more people have life insurance?Ask most experts, and they’ll tell you that such policies can help provide crucial resources for anyone with loved ones to support. And yet the latest figures show only 41 percent of U.S. households have individual life insurance.

"Most Americans have little or no safeguards for their financial goals," says Ken Cella, principal of the Client Strategies Group at the financial services firm Edward Jones. "They may understand the value of having emergency funds to cover unexpected financial expenses in the short term, but they’re less protected for the long-term financial implications."Faisa Stafford, president of Life Happens, puts it even more bluntly:

"Emergency savings aren’t a long-term financial solution, especially if a family’s primary breadwinner were to die."Much of the disconnect between what we’ll call "the urge to protect" and the reality on the ground can be blamed on one or both of the following misconceptions:* It’s too expensive. Think of this as the equivalent of the alligators-in-New-York-City-sewers myth. When Life Happens and LIMRA, a global life insurance research and consulting group, asked participants in their 2017 Insurance Barometer Study how much a $250,000 term life policy for a healthy 30-year-old would cost, NerdWallet reports, the median estimate was $500 a year – more than three times the actual annual amount of $160.

But let’s say that would-be policy holder wanted even more protection for his dependents. Forbes magazine recently calculated that that same incorrect median estimate – $500 – would buy a healthy, non-smoking, 30-something male a 20-year term policy with a million-dollar death benefit. Some people spend more than that in a year on caffe lattes.That said, prices do vary based on factors like age, health, amount of coverage, and whether you opt for term or permanent insurance. The former – the most affordable – covers a specific time frame (usually 20 years or less), while the latter stays in force for life (as long as you continue to pay the premiums). Online aids like Edward Jones’ complementary Life Insurance Needs calculator can help with factors to consider when determining how much life insurance may be appropriate for you.

* The policy I have through work is good enough. And if you’re no longer employed there? Not only is group life insurance generally not portable, it typically only provides benefits equal to one or two times your annual salary."Growing families usually need greater protection than that," says Scott Thoma, an investment strategist at Edward Jones, "and they need coverage that’s not contingent on work status."Know that life insurance doesn’t simply assign a monetary value to someone’s life. Which brings us to another revealing finding of the Edward Jones-Life Happens "Protect What Matters" survey.Twenty-three percent of participants didn’t know it can even cover expenses like college tuition for a surviving child.Edward Jones is a licensed insurance producer in all states and Washington, D.C., through Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P. and in California, New Mexico, and Massachusetts through Edward Jones Insurance Agency of California, L.L.C.; Edward Jones Insurance Agency of New Mexico, L.L.C.; and Edward Jones Insurance Agency of Massachusetts, L.L.C.

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There came a point in Meghanne’s 29-year-old life when she decided it was time to "be an adult and buy a house." And as a loan officer, she wanted to practice what she preached about investing in homeownership.Then again, living on a dairy farm near Boise, Idaho, with only cows for neighbors could have been a factor, too.

Either way, after 11 years of renting, Meghanne was ready to buy a house. As a single woman with an active lifestyle, Meghanne didn’t want an older house that required a lot of work or maintenance, so she focused her search on newer homes. Trouble was, many houses were out of her price range, and those that weren’t got snapped up quickly.

Due to its lower cost of living, Boise is in the midst of a boom. People from more expensive cities, such as, San Francisco and Seattle, are flocking to the area. In fact, Forbes named Boise "America’s fastest-growing city in 2018" with home prices increasing 11.58 percent. After getting priced out of the market in their cities of origin, these transplanted residents weren’t blinking at the median home price of $319,000. This and a shortage of inventory made for a super-hot real estate market – not exactly ideal when you’re looking for your first home and have a limited budget.

Being a resourceful millennial, Meghanne started researching her options. She discovered a private non-profit organization, called NeighborWorks Boise, whose mission is to revitalize communities and offer affordable housing alternatives. This national organization builds pocket neighborhoods consisting of 10-15 energy-efficient homes, clustered together to form a close-knit community. Meghanne qualified for their program by meeting the income limit of $90,000.Through NeighborWorks Boise, Meghanne found a newly-constructed home affordably priced at $184,000. At only 700 square feet, the cute little house featured two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living area, kitchen, front porch and attached garage.

"I fell in love," says Meghanne, "and the price was perfect."Because the home wasn’t complete, she was able to personalize it by making decisions on the finishes.Although NeighborWorks also offers affordable loans, Meghanne chose conventional financing through her employer, a mortgage lending company. Thanks to private mortgage insurance, she was able to put down only 3 percent ($5,520)."I considered making a 5 percent ($9,200) down payment but opted for 3 percent," explains Meghanne. "I used the extra $3,680 to buy furniture, and keep some money in savings for a rainy day."Since Meghanne moved in five months ago, her new home has already increased in value, appraising at $205,000 and boosting her equity by $21,000. And the planned close-knit community will soon be even closer when her co-worker moves into the same pocket neighborhood. Meghanne’s looking forward to having an already-made friend as her neighbor – instead of cows.Is it the right time for you to buy a house? Find out by visiting mgic.com/resources/buynow. Plus, follow the stories of other first-time homebuyers and learn from their experiences at readynest.com/homebuyer-stories.