Atlanta Daily World

Rihanna to Launch RiRi Woo With M.A.C Cosmetics

There’s been another RiRi sighting! But this time, it’s on a M.A.C lipstick!

The popular singer has combined forces with M.A.C to launch her own M.A.C line of lipsticks starting with a red one inspired by Rihanna’s love for M.A.C’s Ruby Roo color. The first lip color, RiRi Woo, will be from her RiRi (Hearts) M.A.C line, which is scheduled to include three collections.

“When you think of make-up, the brand that pops into your mind – for something legit – is M.A.C,” Rihnna said of her new beauty venture. “Whatever color you want, it’s like ‘Let’s go to MAC.’ I’ve been using M.A.C on tour for such a long time it was a natural fit for me. I have always loved make-up, and I always said that if I do it, I want to do it with a credible brand.”

RiRi Woo is scheduled to hit stores on May 3rd.

10 Little Known Facts About Tax Day

Arthur Blank's Home Depot Co-Founder Says Obamacare Will ‘Kill Off Small Business’

“Government regulations such as Obamacare are destroying small business,” says Home Depot co-founder Bernie Marcus.

Speaking at a summit for the Job Creators Alliance, a group he established after retiring from Home Depot in 2002, Marcus said: “Obamacare is going to kill off small business.” He also criticized other forms of government regulations for standing in the way of small business growth.

Under the Affordable Care Act, employers with 50 or more full-time workers will be required to provide coverage for employees who work an average of 30 or more hours a week in a given month. An alternative to that mandate is for business owners to pay a $2,000 penalty for each full-time worker over a 30-employee threshold. Some businesses are choosing to pay a fee to break the law, claiming that this would be less expensive than providing insurance. One potential drawback to the penalty strategy is the tax repercussions. Health insurance is deductible as a business expense, but penalties for avoiding Obamacare aren’t.

The Department of Health and Human Services and the Treasury Department point to studies that suggest most employers aren’t expected to drop coverage. The Center for American Progress found that in the years following the passage of Massachusetts 2006 health-reform law, which was a model for the Affordable Care Act, the number of people with employer-sponsored health insurance did not decrease.

“This law will decrease costs, strengthen small business and make it easier for employers to provide coverage to their workers, as we saw in Massachusetts, where employer coverage increased when similar reforms were adopted,” says Erin Shields Britt, a spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Human Services.

Demand For Computer and Software Jobs Offers Opportunity

There are plenty of good jobs to be found on sites like Monster and Craigslist, says Mark Lassoff, a self-described computer geek and founder of LearnToProgram Inc. (www.LearnToProgram.tv). The problem is, the glut of unemployed, college-educated professionals available to fill them aren't qualified, he says.

"American companies will post positions for jobs like developing mobile apps and video games – good, high-paying jobs with benefits – but there just aren't enough qualified computer programmers out there so, after a few weeks, they send these jobs overseas," says Lassoff, who has trained employees at the Department of Defense, Lockheed Martin and Discover Card Services.

Computer programming jobs are expected to grow by 12 percent by 2020, while software developer jobs are forecast to grow by 30 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2010, the median salary for software developers were earning more than $90,500.

There aren't enough people to fill these jobs because technology and the job market are moving much faster than education in high schools and colleges, says Lassoff, who develops online courses, books and other materials for people who want to learn programming.

"People think you have to go back to school to learn programming and other computer skills, but you don't," he says. "There's also the myth that you have to be some kind of math or science genius to learn it. Not true. You just need to learn the process, and then practice it. You can build a portfolio by doing volunteer work for a church or charity."

What types of people are ripe for skills like web development through an online course – and landing a great new job?

• Career-hoppers with an IT background: Current and former Information Technology workers are fast learners when it comes to new computer skills. If their current job is in customer service or corporate support, getting the tools to unleash their creativity may be the ticket not only to better pay but to a more gratifying career.
• Retirees: The cliché is that older folks are so far behind on tech knowledge, they struggle with email.

However, many retirees are highly motivated, curious and have plenty of time for the business of learning. They may even have worked with early computers in their careers. "I know seniors who learned programming later in life and they like staying stimulated and challenged, and having an in-demand skill," Lassoff says.

• The kid who plans to study computer science: Junior high and high school curricula are still woefully behind when it comes to preparing kids for careers in computer technology. Ambitious kids who want to take their relationship with technology to the next level are thoroughly engaged by web, mobile and gaming code classes – and they do very well.
• The good-idea person: Very often, someone has a great idea for a mobile app, but no idea what to do with it. A basic understanding of mobile app coding can start turning that great idea into an entrepreneurial adventure.

Courses for these training programs do not have to be expensive – high quality yet affordable programs can be found for less than $200, Lassoff says.