By Staff
Thursday, February 18, 2021 8:30 AM
NEW YORK—In 1915, Harvard-trained historian Carter G. Woodson and minister Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), known today as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). In 1926, the association, which “was dedicated to researching and promoting achievements by Black Americans and other peoples of African descent,” according to
History.com, began sponsoring a national “Negro History Week.” Celebrated on the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, this week-long event grew into the Black History Month we now celebrate each and every February. President Gerald Ford officially recognized February as Black History Month in 1976.
By Staff
Thursday, February 18, 2021 8:28 AM
NEW YORK—Like most things in 2020 and 2021, Mardi Gras this year is looking a lot different. New Orleans’ annual parade was cancelled, prompting locals to celebrate
Yardi Gras instead, but by no means does a parade cancellation mean that the spirit of the holiday is suffering. Mardi Gras remains a day of celebration for many—including independent ECPs in the New Orleans area (and some far away) who took to social media to celebrate in the small ways they could.
By Staff
Thursday, February 4, 2021 8:30 AM
BRANDON, Fla.—When we think of the Super Bowl, we think of lots of things: football, of course; beer, probably; snacks and commercials, naturally—but probably very few people immediately think of eye health when the Super Bowl comes to mind. This year,
Etnia Barcelona is changing that. At Bell Shoals Church in Brandon, Florida, just an hour outside of Tampa, where Super Bowl LV will take place, Etnia Barcelona is teaming up with five local optometrists to provide free eye exams to children and students in need.
By Staff
Thursday, February 4, 2021 8:20 AM
NEW YORK—With the year we’ve had, we all deserve joy wherever we can find it, and there’s no better time to spread joy and love than Valentine’s Day. Although we often think of Valentine’s Day as a day dedicated solely to romantic love, there’s no law that says that has to be the case; in fact, Valentine’s Day is the perfect day to show some love for your family, friends, patients, and, of course, yourself. This week, we’re taking a look at how some ECPs are celebrating—feel free to take notes if you need a little inspiration for your own practice.
By Staff
Thursday, February 4, 2021 8:15 AM
NEW YORK—
UPS is celebrating Black History Month this year with a special design on Express delivery packages, part of a campaign to support Black-owned small businesses. UPS has commissioned art for any of its delivery boxes, and the design was created by 25-year-old
Sophia Yeshi, a graphic illustrator who is Black and southeast Asian and owns
Yeshi Designs, a Brooklyn-based small business.
By Mark Tosh
Wednesday, January 20, 2021 2:30 PM
NEW YORK—The COVID-19 pandemic has changed much about the way people think and go about their day-to-day business routines. But one thing that hasn’t changed—and indeed it’s become an even more enduring part of life—is the need to reach out to colleagues for support and advice on the best ways to manage during these difficult times. This trend has found a place in many eyecare professional groups and circles of ECP friends and colleagues. Among the groups of ECPs who are trying to use collaboration as an important component of their business practices today are the informal practice groups that have developed via the connections made among the ODs who have been recognized by CooperVision with a “Best Practices” award.
By Staff
Wednesday, January 20, 2021 2:24 PM
NEW YORK—January is a month of many things: it’s the start of a new year, a new semester at school, a fresh beginning for many—and Glaucoma Awareness Month, too. Although we’ve passed the month’s midway point, there is still plenty of time to remind your patients just how important Glaucoma awareness actually is, and routine trips to the optometrist can help control the sneak thief of sight. This week, we’re taking a look at how indies across the country have spread Glaucoma awareness online, hopefully providing a little inspiration to anyone who hasn’t jumped on board yet.
By Staff
Wednesday, January 20, 2021 2:21 PM
NEW YORK—The federal Paycheck Protection Program offers forgivable loans to small businesses, but it has been changed several times. CO, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s helpful resource site, posted “23 Frequently Asked PPP Loan Questions, Answered” on its site last week. The article is posted
here.
By Staff
Wednesday, January 20, 2021 1:33 PM
Introducing the perfect match of Ray-Ban’s legendary style and Essilor’s expertise in sight: Ray-Ban Authentic Essilor Special Edition. This latest edition of Ray-Ban Authentic combines the expertise of Essilor and Luxottica, capitalizing on the assets of both to meet consumer needs with the aim of diversifying the single vision category as well as growing the prescription sun category for private practices.
By Staff
Wednesday, January 6, 2021 1:30 PM
NEW YORK—For many of us in the optical industry, 2020 was supposed to be a year to remember. As it turned out, it will be exactly that—but not for the reasons we hoped it would be. This week, people all around the world welcomed the start of 2021 with open arms—including independent ECPs, who shared New Year’s messages with their patients and followers online. Although 2020 was a tough year, and 2021 will undoubtedly have some tough moments as well, there’s no denying that there is often something special in the air at the start of a new year. Many of us aren’t asking much of 2021—just to be kinder than the year before. This week, we’re taking a look at how some independent ECPs welcomed the new year on social media.
By Staff
Wednesday, January 6, 2021 1:27 PM
The team at
Laser Eye Surgery of Erie in Erie, Pennsylvania, celebrated optician Mary on her birthday and the start of National Optician Month.