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New finding could help pave the way for early detection and potential therapy for people highly exposed to the pesticide
MIAMI, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study led by researchers from Florida International University (FIU) reveals a mechanism linking the pesticide DDT to Alzheimer's disease.
Published in Environmental Health Perspectives, the study shows how the persistent environmental pollutant DDT causes increased amounts of toxic amyloid beta, which form the characteristic amyloid plaques found in the brains of those with Alzheimer's disease.
According to Jason Richardson, professor at FIU's Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work and corresponding author, the study further demonstrates that DDT is an environmental risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. In 2014, he led a team of scientists at Rutgers University, Emory University, and UT Southwestern Medical School who presented evidence linking DDT to the disease. Now, they have data demonstrating a mechanism that may explain the association.
"The vast majority of research on the disease has been on genetics—and genetics are very important—but the genes that actually cause the disease are very rare," Richardson says. "Environmental risk factors like exposure to DDT are modifiable. So, if we understand how DDT affects the brain, then perhaps we could target those mechanisms and help the people who have been highly exposed."
DDT was extensively used between the 1940s and 1970s to combat insect-borne diseases like malaria and treat crop and livestock production. People highly exposed to DDT back then are now beginning or already in the range of ages with a higher risk for developing Alzheimer's disease. Although banned in the U.S., DDT exposure is likely possible today from legacy contamination or imported foods.
The study focused on sodium channels, which the nervous system uses to communicate between brain cells (neurons), as the potential mechanism. DDT causes these channels to remain open, leading to increased firing of neurons and increased release of amyloid-beta peptides. In the study, researchers demonstrate that if neurons are treated with tetrodotoxin, a compound that blocks sodium channels in the brain, the increased production of the amyloid precursor protein and toxic amyloid-beta species is prevented.
"This finding could potentially provide a roadmap to future therapies for people highly exposed to DDT," Richardson says.
The study was done in collaboration with Rutgers University.
To read the full release: https://news.fiu.edu/ddt
Stephanie Rendon
305-348-4670
srendon@fiu.edu
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SOURCE Florida International University | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/fiu-researchers-discover-how-ddt-exposure-contributes-alzheimers-disease-risk/ | 2022-08-17T15:15:46Z |
Luxury Las Vegas Strip destination plans for immersive shopping
LAS VEGAS, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fontainebleau Development, a designer, builder, owner, and operator of premier hospitality, commercial, retail, and luxury properties, is revealing the first details for the new luxury retail experience to debut within Fontainebleau Las Vegas, the company's highly anticipated luxury resort destination on the Las Vegas Strip. As momentum builds toward a winter of 2023 opening, after almost 70 years since the company's founding, Fontainebleau Development is embracing the property's unique integrated design to create a shopping district that will span 90,000 square feet and feature approximately 35 luxury retail concepts across two levels.
"Fontainebleau Las Vegas' unique vertical design gives us great creative flexibility when it comes to our retail space," says Fontainebleau Development President Brett Mufson. "We're incorporating other elements of the Fontainebleau brand into our space, making for a seamless guest experience and generating unprecedented exposure and foot traffic for our retail partners."
Unlike traditional separate retail destinations, the Fontainebleau Las Vegas resort shopping district is conveniently connected and highly visible from the larger resort ecosystem, as every space will be designed with accessibility top of mind – neighboring, either adjacent or above, Fontainebleau's 173,000-square-foot casino, dining experiences, and other offerings.
"All facets of the resort have been thoughtfully considered with chic, sophisticated, and elegant architectural design and elements that echo the DNA of our brand," says Fontainebleau Development President Brett Mufson. "By blending different programmatic elements throughout Fontainebleau Las Vegas, rather than keeping them separate, window shopping and billboarding take on a whole new meaning, as our retail partners will capture more business organically while keeping guests connected to the overall experience."
Mufson added, "We're excited to have construction underway as the first new luxury hotel to be built in Las Vegas in nearly 15 years."
Fontainebleau Development Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Soffer first began development of Fontainebleau Las Vegas in 2005. The vision for Fontainebleau Las Vegas is to establish a new level of modern-day luxury for the guest, continuing a tradition of collaboration with world-class designers that originated with Morris Lapidus at the Fontainebleau Miami property.
Renowned branding and design visionary Peter Arnell, leads Fontainebleau's property-wide branding and design, alongside some of the world's most celebrated and experienced designers to develop unique destinations throughout the resort that reflect the brand's essence and design ethos. These partnerships include NYC-based Rockwell Group, with their long history of groundbreaking stage, retail and hospitality design; London-based David Collins Studio, whose talented designers continue to reinvent the next generation of retail experience and culture; as well as a host of other premier architects and designers.
Additional details on the property's retail partners will be announced in the coming months. For more information visit fontainebleaulasvegas.com.
Fontainebleau Las Vegas is a vertically integrated, luxury 67-story hotel, gaming, entertainment, and meeting destination scheduled to open fourth quarter of 2023. Created by Fontainebleau Development, which designs, builds, and operates premier hospitality, commercial, retail, and luxury properties, in partnership with Koch Real Estate Investments, Fontainebleau Las Vegas brings full circle the company's longtime vision of hosting its iconic brand on the Las Vegas Strip. Located at 2777 S. Las Vegas Blvd. adjacent to the acclaimed Las Vegas Convention Center expansion, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will feature approximately 3,700 uniquely designed hotel rooms, more than 550,000 square feet of convention space, and a world-class collection of restaurants and shops, pool experiences, vibrant nightlife options, and coveted spa and wellness offerings.
One of the country's premier real estate development and hospitality groups, Fontainebleau Development has a diverse portfolio which includes properties in the hospitality, gaming, residential, retail, commercial, and luxury services sectors. The company designs, builds, owns, markets, and operates their properties, providing expertise in each stage of a project's life cycle with a relentless focus on delivering the best quality in everything they do. Fontainebleau Development has established a diverse portfolio of premier assets such as Big Easy Casino, Fontainebleau Miami Beach, JW Marriott Turnberry Resort & Spa, Hilton Downtown Nashville, and numerous residential landmarks such as Turnberry Ocean Club, Turnberry Ocean Colony, Porto Vita, the Tresor and Sorrento towers at Fontainebleau Miami Beach. The company has also built nine residential towers in Las Vegas, including Turnberry and Signature (in partnership with MGM Resorts International). Its luxury services division includes Fontainebleau Aviation, Turnberry Marina, Turnberry Isle Country Club, and some of the highest grossing and well-known food, beverage, and wellness destinations in the world. Over a 50-year history, Fontainebleau has been involved in over 100 projects representing in excess of $25 billion in total transaction value.
Fontainebleau Development Media Contact
JONESWORKS
TeamFB@jonesworks.com
Fontainebleau Las Vegas Media Contact
Rossetti Public Relations
FBLV@rossettipr.com
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SOURCE Fontainebleau Development, LLC | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/fontainebleau-las-vegas-reveals-innovative-retail-experience/ | 2022-08-17T15:15:53Z |
KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fall flavors are making their debut and this year, Pilot Flying J guests can savor a little 'Déjà brew' with the return of Cinnabon pumpkin spice cappuccino and bourbon pecan drip coffee, fan favorites from 2021.
"I don't know who needs to hear this, but the bourbon pecan coffee is the best coffee on the road," raved Adam K., a Pilot Flying J guest who first tried the limited time coffee last fall.
Knowing its guests go nuts for the bourbon pecan coffee, the travel center network is introducing a new southern pecan cold brew with all-natural flavors and the perfect touch of nutty sweetness. Additional fall offerings include a special edition, single origin, bean-to-cup coffee called Machu Picchu, Peru, and a pumpkin spice creamer to keep any cup perfectly pumpkin. These limited time fall flavors will be available at more than 650 participating Pilot and Flying J travel centers starting September 6 through October until supplies last.
"This fall, we are branching out and going beyond pumpkin with several autumn-inspired coffees to keep you going during your travels," said Jonathan Braatvedt, VP of food and beverage for Pilot Flying J. "The bourbon pecan was a hit, and we are excited to bring it back along with the classics and some new flavors so there is something for everyone to enjoy."
Guests can discover their new favorite autumn-inspired coffee and save with the myRewards PlusTM app, which includes weekly deals and discounts to help them go further on everything from gas to beverages. Now through October 31, myRewards PlusTM members can save 10 cents on every gallon of gas at participating Pilot and Flying J travel centers.* Members can also save on their daily coffee run with a $1 Any Size Coffee deal lasting through August 21.
To access these offerings and more deals, or to find the nearest Pilot or Flying J travel center, download the myRewards PlusTM app.**
*Data rates may apply. Participating locations only. Void where prohibited (not valid in Wisconsin and New Jersey). Other terms and conditions may apply. Visit pilotflyingj.com/rewards for details.
**Data rates may apply. Participating locations only. Other terms and conditions may apply.
About Pilot Flying J
Pilot Travel Centers LLC ("Pilot Flying J"), the largest network of travel centers in North America, is committed to connecting people and places with comfort, care, and a smile at every stop. The Pilot Flying J travel center network includes over 750 locations in 44 states and six Canadian provinces with more than 680 restaurants, 75,000 truck parking spaces, 5,300 deluxe showers, 6,200 diesel lanes and offers truck maintenance and tire service through Southern Tire Mart at Pilot Flying J. Details on locations, amenities and rewards are available in the myRewards PlusTM app. More information on Pilot Flying J is available at www.pilotflyingj.com.
Pilot Flying J is part of the Pilot Company family of brands. Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Pilot Company is currently ranked No. 7 on Forbes' list of America's Largest Private Companies. For additional information about Pilot Company, its 28,000 team members and commitment to giving back, visit www.pilotcompany.com.
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SOURCE Pilot Flying J | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/go-nuts-pilot-flying-js-fall-coffee-lineup/ | 2022-08-17T15:16:00Z |
Grandin Road's Halloween 2022 is like no other season, inspiring shoppers to get ahead of the haunt
WEST CHESTER, Ohio, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Online home furniture and décor retailer Grandin Road® (www.grandinroad.com) is inspiring early Halloween shopping again this year with its new 2022 Halloween Haven collection, offering more fun ideas than ever to plan your spooking season.
Known for its exclusively frightful finds, Grandin Road styles spooktacular scenes to jumpstart your imagination with tantalizing new transformations:
- Enchanted: Haunt your haven like no other this year with castle corridors and moonlit gardens that set the scene for masquerade
- Mystical: Chill your guests with creeping creatures and mysterious treasures that will take you by surprise
- Classic: Pumpkins are the home accessory of the season! Create looks that make you smile with friendly accents like witch hats, bats and cats
- Fall: Embrace the excitement of autumn. Refresh from your front steps all the way to your mantle with shapely gourds, turning leaves and pinecones in unexpected and delightful accents
Whether you like to decorate in one theme or mix, match and layer, the thrill is in creating a look all your own. "Our customers truly inspire us with the unique ways they decorate their homes with Grandin Road for Halloween," said Natalie Brown, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Ecommerce and Creative. "We are already seeing early planning of outdoor scenes – but also tablescapes. This tells us that gatherings with friends and family are on our customers' minds."
You can find accent items under $50, or create an entire front door look using Grandin Road's front door visualizer. Grandin Road has ways to cast a spell in every room of your home, inside and out.
Visit Grandin Road Halloween Haven to shop the experience.
For media inquiries, please contact pr@grandinroad.com.
About Grandin Road: A resource since 2003 for celebrating every season, Grandin Road offers a broad assortment of products ranging from home furniture and accessories to seasonal décor, all offered with a commitment to quality, service, value and customer satisfaction. Grandin Road is part of Qurate Retail GroupSM, a select group of leading retail brands that also includes QVC®, HSN®, Zulily®, Ballard Designs®, Frontgate® and Garnet Hill®.
Related Links: https://www.grandinroad.com
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SOURCE Grandin Road | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/grandin-road-halloween-haven-is-fully-unleashed/ | 2022-08-17T15:16:06Z |
WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Guidehouse, a leading global provider of consulting and outsourcing services to public sector and commercial clients, has been ranked 2022's second-largest healthcare management consulting firm by Modern Healthcare. Up from No. 3 last year, Guidehouse is ranked among 29 US companies based on total 2021 healthcare revenue.
Continually growing, Guidehouse has been ranked among the top six companies on the annual list 10 times. The firm's Health segment helps providers, government agencies, life sciences companies, employers, payers, and other organizations solve the industry's most complex challenges. The team includes experts from diverse commercial and public health backgrounds who share knowledge to modernize and innovate healthcare services, finances, and operations.
"This recognition further validates Guidehouse's status as a trusted partner to the broader healthcare industry," said Alicia Harkness, Guidehouse partner and Health segment leader. "We have the unique ability to bring both commercial and public sector capabilities and perspectives to transform the healthcare experience and maximize its value. The firm's continued growth is directly attributed to our valued employees and the relationships we've built with our clients."
In October 2021, Guidehouse acquired Dovel Technologies, a provider of domain expertise and advanced technologies that support the health IT, life sciences, public safety, and grants management markets. The acquisition strategically expanded Guidehouse's healthcare-specific expertise in pre-clinical and clinical research, grants management, clinical care, biomedical innovation, bioinformatics, advanced analytics, digital modernization, software and infrastructure development, and more.
With 12 KLAS #1 rankings, Guidehouse is also the recipient of 11 NIH Director's Awards and multiple other accolades for its passionate commitment to helping clients deliver innovative services to their communities and customers. Visit the Guidehouse Center for Health Insights for the latest healthcare industry insights and solutions.
Guidehouse is a leading global provider of consulting services to the public sector and commercial markets, with broad capabilities in management, technology, and risk consulting. By combining our public and private sector expertise, we help clients address their most complex challenges and navigate significant regulatory pressures focusing on transformational change, business resiliency, and technology-driven innovation. Across a range of advisory, consulting, outsourcing, and digital services, we create scalable, innovative solutions that help our clients outwit complexity and position them for future growth and success. The company has more than 13,000 professionals in over 50 locations globally. Guidehouse is a Veritas Capital portfolio company, led by seasoned professionals with proven and diverse expertise in traditional and emerging technologies, markets, and agenda-setting issues driving national and global economies. For more information, please visit www.guidehouse.com.
Guidehouse
Cecile Fradkin cfradkin@scprgroup.com
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SOURCE Guidehouse | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/guidehouse-ranked-2nd-largest-healthcare-management-consulting-firm-by-modern-healthcare/ | 2022-08-17T15:16:13Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Yankees National Baseball Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera has shifted his focus from nailing down victories to selling and servicing vehicles, and he's knocking it out of the park. To celebrate the grand opening of Mariano Rivera Honda, Mariano Rivera will be onsite for a ribbon cutting on Saturday, Aug. 20 from 12-2 p.m.
"I'm excited to bring my business to the Port Jefferson Station community. As a native New Yorker, it means a lot to be able to get involved with the area and give back to the state I was raised in," said Owner Mariano Rivera.
Located in Port Jefferson Station, Mariano Rivera Honda calls a newly constructed and expanded set of buildings home. Customers will enjoy the dealership's comfortable and updated interior, decked out with incredible amenities. They can stop by to trade, sell, finance, or service their Hondas with help from a highly trained, courteous staff of automotive experts.
Rivera Honda is fully stocked with over 100 new Honda vehicles now available for immediate delivery. The staff has been busy preparing for the grand opening, ensuring supply chain shortages wouldn't affect inventory. Whether customers are seeking cars, trucks, or SUVs, they are sure to find their dream car at Rivera Honda.
As part of the grand opening celebration, Rivera Honda will offer all Honda owners one complimentary car wash when they visit the dealership, as well their first oil change for free. To show their love for the Port Jefferson Station community, the dealership will also hold drawings to give away a three-year lease and three years of vehicle service.
Kenny Hicks, dealer principal, added, "Celebrating our grand opening has been a long time coming. We can't wait to provide the community with an unbeatable car buying experience."
"We want everyone who walks through our doors to be blown away by the unparalleled quality of our customer service," said General Manager Robert Serrano. "Come experience the difference here!"
Mariano Rivera Honda is sure to be an excellent addition to the Port Jefferson Station community. For more information, visit www.MarianoRiveraHonda.com.
About Us: Mariano Rivera Honda in Port Jefferson Station, NY offers new and used Honda cars and SUVs to our customers in the area. Visit us for sales, financing, service and parts.
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SOURCE Mariano Rivera Honda | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/hall-famer-mariano-rivera-proudly-opens-doors-new-honda-dealership/ | 2022-08-17T15:16:19Z |
Neil Young: Heart Of Gold from director Jonathan Demme captures an intense live performance by Neil Young. But equally intense were the circumstances surrounding the Nashville concert, which took place months after Young underwent life-threatening surgery.
That surgery, and the brain aneurysm that prompted it, served as catalysts for Young to create some of the most compelling and lyrical music of his career.
Prairie Wind is the album that emerged from Young's burst of creative energy. Completing the trilogy begun by Harvest and continued with Harvest Moon, the record was hailed as renewed proof that Young is one of the greatest singers of our time.
"He had just created, arguably, one of the major masterworks," Demme tells Fresh Air's Terry Gross. "I just heard these songs he'd sent up from Nashville and thought, 'To capture this stuff on film could be really amazing.' I responded to my own emotions. It gave me a lot of confidence to pursue the idea of staging a concert in Neil's ideal location — that would the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee — with his ideal group of musicians. We would probably wind up with something singular in the music-on-film category and something I know I would feel very privileged to be a part of."
To perform the music of Prairie Wind for the first time before a live audience, Young assembled a band of friends and fellow musicians. The roster ranged from his wife, Pegi, to pianist Spooner Oldham and singer Emmylou Harris.
Young and Demme discuss the making of the documentary, the pain and power behind Pegi Young's performance, and making the bonds of the musicians a texture of the movie.
Copyright 2022 Fresh Air. To see more, visit Fresh Air. | https://www.keranews.org/2006-02-09/neil-young-and-jonathan-demme-on-the-pain-and-power-of-heart-of-gold | 2022-08-17T15:16:31Z |
Half of Thyroid Eye Disease In America respondents said they feel judged by others based on how their eyes look
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- People living with thyroid eye disease experience judgment from others based on their visible symptoms, anxiety and a negative impact on their self-esteem, confidence and mental health, according to a recent survey conducted by Health Union, the leader in social health. The inaugural Thyroid Eye Disease In America survey illuminates the perspectives and experiences of people living with thyroid eye disease.
These findings also support and fuel content and engagement for the recent launch of ThyroidEyeDisease.net, one of Health Union's 40 condition-specific online health communities.
Thyroid eye disease is a rare condition - estimated to impact 16 per 100,000 women and 2.9 per 100,000 men, according to academic research - in which the eye muscles, eyelids, tear glands and fat tissues behind the eye become inflamed. The condition typically develops in people with an overactive thyroid and is sometimes referred to as Graves' eye disease or Graves' orbitopathy. Thyroid eye disease commonly leads to bulging eyes, redness of the eyes and eyelid swelling, but the condition can also occasionally result in pain, loss of vision and corneal ulcerations.
A significant number of Thyroid Eye Disease In America survey respondents identified themselves as having symptoms that are visible to others. Specifically, 87% have experienced bulging eyes, nearly three-fourths have experienced bags under their eyes, two-thirds have had redness on their lids or eyes, more than six in 10 have experienced inflammation and swelling in their eye tissues and nearly half have had misaligned eyes.
Potentially related, half of respondents said they feel judged by others based on how their eyes look. In fact, nearly a fifth of respondents said people have assumed they are hungover due to their thyroid eye disease symptoms. Multiple respondents noted receiving, as one individual said, "comments and strange looks"; some examples from respondents included:
- "People stood up at family parties and mimicked bulging their eyes out to look like me. Of course, the 'you look like a deer caught in the headlights' comments were always not fun too."
- "People assume that I am intoxicated or sleep deprived. Or that I may even have a mental health condition…Biggest thing is people don't understand that sometimes I cannot focus and assume I am faking it."
- "I have to wear glasses to see so that made the bulging even more noticeable. I would look in the mirror and feel a panic attack coming and start to cry."
These visible symptoms and resulting experiences and perceptions likely contribute to a negative impact on quality of life for people living with thyroid eye disease. Only 14% of survey respondents agreed that they are satisfied with their current quality of life.
Specifically, 54% of respondents said thyroid eye disease brings added anxiety to their daily lives. More than six in 10 respondents said their condition has had a negative impact on their self-esteem or self-image, 53% said it has negatively impacted their overall confidence and 44% cited a negative impact on mental health.
Moreover, 42% of respondents said their condition has negatively affected their social life or relationship with their friends, and three in 10 said their thyroid eye disease has negatively impacted their family relationships. Additionally, 56% say their friends or family don't understand the realities of living with thyroid eye disease.
"With conditions like thyroid eye disease, there is often so much confusion and misinformation outside of the patient community," said Olivier Chateau, Health Union's co-founder and CEO. "As a result, there is a need for resources like ThyroidEyeDisease.net where people impacted by the condition can gather information and connect with others who understand their experiences."
The inaugural Thyroid Eye Disease In America survey, which was fielded from Jan. 10 to April 6, 2022, included responses from 100 people living with thyroid eye disease. Additional survey results may be available upon request. More information about living with thyroid eye disease can be found on ThyroidEyeDisease.net.
Health Union is the proven industry leader driving and amplifying social health. As the premier social health company, only Health Union encourages the dynamic, real-time action people take to find meaningful connections and share information that impact their health journey. The company reaches millions of people through the largest portfolio of condition-specific online health communities (e.g., Migraine.com, MultipleSclerosis.net, LungCancer.net) and health leaders - addressing virtually every condition and providing the information, connection and support they need.
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SOURCE Health Union | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/health-union-survey-reveals-thyroid-eye-disease-symptoms-lead-judgment-others-anxiety-low-self-esteem/ | 2022-08-17T15:16:31Z |
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Independent Life, the only plaintiff-focused structured settlement provider, is quickly rising to the top of trial lawyer playlists, with their hit podcast Settlement Nation (http://www.settlementnation.com). Settlement Nation explores some of today's most important issues in the legal community through insightful and engaging conversations that cover milestone verdicts, the litigation process, settlement planning for plaintiffs, tax planning for attorneys, and future innovations in the legal and insurance industries.
Settlement Nation has seen dramatic growth over the past year, reaching a milestone 20,000th download on Apple Podcasts. With thousands of new trial lawyers tuning in each month, host Courtney Barber is gearing up to bring even more original and creative content to the legal community.
"My background is in digital media production, so developing a podcast was always something that I've had my eye on, and the trial lawyer niche provided the perfect opportunity to launch Settlement Nation," Barber said. "My goal is to keep it fresh and motivating, but also offer significant value to trial lawyers, where they can take home actionable skills to use in their own firms."
Co-host Chris Bua also believes that Settlement Nation is providing a great deal of substance to the community. "It's been rewarding to hear from our audience about how these interviews have helped them become better trial lawyers," Bua said. "What started as a fun way to connect with people during the pandemic, has turned into a true platform for attorneys looking to sharpen their skills."
With a noteworthy lineup of guests, including trial lawyer powerhouses Nick Rowley, Keith Mitnik and Bob Simon, Barber continues to find the best talent in the industry and share their stories and advice. Hinting at some big episodes coming in the next few months, she anticipates even more great reviews and subscribers. Settlement Nation is routinely in the Top 5 trial lawyer podcasts and continues to gain more attention within the industry.
Followers of Settlement Nation can email cbarber@independent.life to provide feedback or to suggest a guest for the show. To subscribe to the podcast, search Settlement Nation in your preferred podcast platform.
Founded by insurance industry experts, Independent Group is a forward-thinking enterprise whose complementary product and service companies improve outcomes for all structured settlement stakeholders. Independent Life, its underwriting division, provides structured settlement solutions, including annuities, to serve the needs of injured parties, their families and advocates. With its unique profile and ambitious vision for the structured settlement industry, Independent Life has attracted world-class partners: LKCM Headwater Investments, KKR's Kilter Finance and Hannover Re USA support Independent Life's growth initiatives. For more on what makes Independent Life different, visit www.independent.life.
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SOURCE Independent Insurance Group | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/hit-trial-lawyer-podcast-settlement-nation-celebrates-20000th-download/ | 2022-08-17T15:16:37Z |
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Independence Fund, with the help of Elevation Church and The Galilee Center, will provide monthly cultural classes for Afghan women through November.
The Independence Fund began hosting cultural classes for Afghan women in early 2022, as the organization saw a gap in the Afghan community. While The Independence Fund's Allies program assists Afghan Allies in the resettlement process, the need for cultural education remains a serious need for the community.
"The Independence Fund is dedicated to the successful and dignified resettlement of Afghan Allies throughout the country. These families fought shoulder-to-shoulder with American troops, and they deserve our best as they make a new home in the United States following their brave escape from the Taliban," says Sarah Verardo, CEO of the Independence Fund. "We know, however, that feeling at home means more than simply having four walls, a roof, and financial support. We are committed to being at the forefront of these efforts, and know that learning the nuances of an unknown culture are intimidating at best, and exclusive, at worst. I'm so proud of our work with through our Afghan women's classes and grateful for the support of community partners like Elevation Church and the Galilee Center."
The classes, designed for 20 participants at a time, include topics such as women's hygiene, access to mental health and healthcare, early childhood education, parenting tips, intro to driving, intro to rules and laws, community resources and access, financial services and lending, general safety, and visa and immigration procedures and paperwork.
Elevation Church, a close partner of The Independence Fund's Allies program, will provide transportation, childcare, rental, materials, supplies for dignity kits, toys, and the cost of meals to ensure the cultural classes can grow and impact a larger part of the Afghan community. The Galilee Center will provide an ongoing, host location for the cultural classes,
"Finding community partners across the country who are making a direct, powerful impact in the lives of those they serve is key to Elevation's outreach mission," explains Josh Wood, National Outreach Director at Elevation Church. "The Independence Fund's leadership not only in the Veteran community but on the frontlines of resettlement for our Afghan Allies is remarkable, and it's a privilege to help make these cultural classes accessible and successful for the women they serve."
Early iterations of the cultural classes welcomed new groups of women each month, with repeated introductory material. Now, the program will be able to build progressive curriculum to ensure that Afghan families are equipped with resources to assimilate to their new home as smooth as possible.
In respect of the Afghan culture, a private chef will provide lunch cooked entirely to Halal standards.
Classes will be held 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. August 31, September 26, October 24, and November 21.
Please contact Caroline Arey at c.arey@independencefund.org or 704.608.8770 for questions.
Founded in 2007, The Independence Fund (501c3) is committed to serving the Warfighter Community by providing innovative programs and services to support the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual independence of our servicemembers, combat Veterans, their caregivers, families, and those allies who served in combat alongside our troops, through innovative mobility and adaptive technologies and therapies for combat veterans; suicide prevention; caregiver and family support; and Veteran advocacy with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, other government agencies, federal and state legislators, and other partners. The Independence Fund believes in fairness and equality for all veterans and families irrespective of race, gender, religion, and sexual orientation, and will continue to uphold these American values.
Caroline Arey, Strategic Messaging Director
c.arey@independencefund.org
(704) 608-8770
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SOURCE The Independence Fund | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/independence-fund-elevation-church-offer-afghan-womens-cultural-classes-through-november/ | 2022-08-17T15:16:44Z |
Ayesha Curry named a Director of the Board of Back to the Roots and deepens her commitment to building the gardening brand for the next generation
OAKLAND, Calif., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Back to the Roots, the world's fastest-growing organic garden brand, announced that Ayesha Curry will be joining the Back to the Roots Board of Directors.
7 years ago, Ayesha Curry, a self-prescribed "crazy garden lady", was introduced to the founders of Back to the Roots, Nikhil Arora and Alejandro Velez, by mutual friends who believed they shared the same passions for gardening, growing your own food and inspiring kids to connect with the environment. The friendship developed into a product collaboration with Back to the Roots and later Ayesha coming on as an investor in the company.
Now, as Back to the Roots closed its $15M Series D and sets its eyes on exciting growth ahead, Ayesha is joining as the 6th member of the company's Board of Directors, focusing on product & brand development as Back to the Roots aims to build the gardening brand for generations to come. This year alone, consumers are expected to spend $100M on Back to the Roots gardening products.
Ayesha Curry says, "I am so excited to join the board of Back to the Roots. Nikhil, Alejandro and I share a passion for educating families about the magic of growing their own food and creating excitement about making healthy food choices. As a mom, it is important for me to encourage my children to develop a healthy lifestyle while also being mindful of protecting the Earth. As a businesswoman, I love that I am able to combine my passions and help this impressive business continue to excel as the garden brand for the next generation."
"We are so honored to have Ayesha join the board. Her incredible entrepreneurial mindset and innate branding & community development expertise make her the perfect fit for our company as we scale into our next chapter," says Nikhil Arora, Back to the Roots Co-Founder and Co-CEO.
"It's a special opportunity to add Ayesha to our Board — aside from her tremendous business experience, she is also a passionate gardener and a mom who wants to grow with her family. I can't think of anyone else better to help guide this brand into every home & classroom in the country," adds Back to the Roots Co-Founder and Co-CEO Alejandro Velez.
Back to the Roots is building the garden brand of the future — focusing on creating gardening products that are not only easy to use & great for plants, but also for the planet. They also have a school giveback program tied into every one of their products - helping bring organic grow kits to over 55,000 elementary school students this past year. Their game-changing line of organic indoor grow kits, 100% USA grown seed packets, peat-free soil, plant food, live plants and raised beds are available nationwide in Walmart, The Home Depot, Target, Lowe's and on Amazon.
About Ayesha Curry
Ayesha Curry is a renowned restaurateur, chef, 2x New York Times bestselling author, producer, host, and was featured on the prestigious Forbes "30 Under 30" list. Her accessible approach to cooking has made her one of the most sought-after experts in food and lifestyle and has amassed over 9 million avid social media followers and subscribers. Ayesha has her own line of cookware, kitchen textiles, and ready-to-eat meals, sold at retailers nationwide. Ayesha, along with her husband Stephen, is the co-founder of their family-founded charity Eat. Learn. Play. with a mission to end childhood hunger, ensure universal access to quality education, and enable healthy, active lifestyles. Working with key partners such as Alameda County Community Food Bank and World Central Kitchen, Eat. Learn. Play. has served up more than 25 million meals to-date in the Bay Area. Additionally, she is an ambassador for No Kid Hungry, an organization fighting to end childhood hunger. In 2020, Ayesha released her own lifestyle magazine, SWEET JULY, in partnership with the Meredith Corporation. The magazine shares recipes, personal anecdotes, fashion, family-friendly ideas and features interviews with inspiring creatives, influencers, activists, professionals and entrepreneurs from all walks of life. Following the launch of the magazine, Ayesha opened a brick-and-mortar Sweet July storefront and café in Oakland, CA and its accompanying website. She also released her second New York Times national best-selling cookbook, The Full Plate: Flavor Filled Recipes for Families with No Time and A Lot To Do. On the entertainment side, Curry recently hosted and executive produced HBO Max's About Last Night. Ayesha lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her three kids, Riley, Ryan and Canon, and husband, Stephen.
About Back to the Roots
Back to the Roots is an organic gardening company that has evolved from an urban mushroom farm in Oakland, CA to a thriving national brand and the fastest-growing organic gardening company in the country. With a mission to reconnect everyone back to where food comes from, co-founders Nikhil Arora and Alejandro Velez are transforming the gardening industry by making it easy for anyone, anywhere to grow their own food. Their award-winning line of organic gardening kits, seeds, soils, plant food, and raised beds is currently distributed in over 10,000 retail locations nationwide, including The Home Depot, Lowes, Target, Walmart, Cost Plus, Whole Foods, Albertsons, Menards, Kohl's, Amazon, and Costco. Alejandro & Nikhil have also been featured as Forbes 30 Under 30, EY Entrepreneurs of the Year NorCal, President Obama's Champions of Change, and CNN 10 Next Gen Entrepreneurs to Watch. Please visit www.backtotheroots.com for more.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Ida Bo Frazier
The Rose Group
ida@therosegrp.com
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SOURCE Back to the Roots | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/investor-board-member-entrepreneur-ayesha-curry-officially-joins-team-1-organic-gardening-brand-back-roots/ | 2022-08-17T15:16:51Z |
CHICAGO, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- JLL Income Property Trust, an institutionally managed daily NAV REIT (NASDAQ: ZIPTAX; ZIPTMX; ZIPIAX; ZIPIMX) with more than $6.8 billion in portfolio assets, announced that on August 9, 2022, its Board of Directors declared a dividend for the third quarter of 2022 of $0.14 per share. This will be the 43rd consecutive dividend paid to its stockholders.
The dividend is payable on or around September 29, 2022 to stockholders of record as of September 22, 2022. On an annualized basis, this gross dividend is equivalent to $0.56 per share and represents a yield of approximately 3.8 percent on a NAV per share of $14.87 as of August 9, 2022. All stockholders will receive $0.14 per share less applicable share class specific fees and the annualized yield will differ based on the share class.
"We're proud to continue achieving our goal of being a reliable source of distributions for our stockholders amid an inflationary environment," said JLL Income Property Trust President and CEO Allan Swaringen. "We've achieved consistent dividend growth over the past decade and are now paying our 43rd consecutive quarterly dividend, which we believe demonstrates the benefit of investing in core real estate to grow cash flows over time, even during an uncertain market environment."
A second quarter dividend of $0.14 per share, less applicable share class specific fees, was paid according to the table below on June 29 to stockholders of record as of June 23. Any future dividends will be approved at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
JLL Income Property Trust is an institutionally managed, daily NAV REIT that brings to investors a growing portfolio of commercial real estate investments selected by an institutional investment management team and sponsored by one of the world's leading real estate services firms.
For more information on JLL Income Property Trust, please visit our website at www.jllipt.com.
About JLL Income Property Trust, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZIPTAX; ZIPTMX; ZIPIAX; ZIPIMX)
Jones Lang LaSalle Income Property Trust, Inc. is a daily NAV REIT that owns and manages a diversified portfolio of high quality, income-producing residential, industrial, grocery-anchored retail, healthcare and office properties located in the United States. JLL Income Property Trust expects to further diversify its real estate portfolio over time, including on a global basis. For more information, visit www.jllipt.com.
About LaSalle Investment Management
LaSalle Investment Management is one of the world's leading real estate investment managers. On a global basis, LaSalle manages approximately $80 billion of assets in private and public real estate property and debt investments as of Q1 2022. LaSalle's diverse client base includes public and private pension funds, insurance companies, governments, corporations, endowments and private individuals from across the globe. LaSalle sponsors a complete range of investment vehicles including separate accounts, open- and closed-end funds, public securities and entity-level investments. For more information, please visit http://www.lasalle.com, and LinkedIn.
Forward Looking Statements and Future Results
This press release may contain forward-looking statements with respect to JLL Income Property Trust. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not descriptions of historical facts and include statements regarding management's intentions, beliefs, expectations, research, market analysis, plans or predictions of the future. Because such statements include risks, uncertainties and contingencies, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Past performance is not indicative of future results and there can be no assurance that future dividends will be paid.
Contacts:
Scott Sutton
LaSalle Investment Management
Telephone: +1 224 343 5538
Email: scott.sutton@lasalle.com
Doug Allen
Dukas Linden Public Relations
Telephone: +1 646 722 6530
Email: JLLIPT@DLPR.com
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SOURCE JLL Income Property Trust | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/jll-income-property-trust-declares-43rd-consecutive-quarterly-dividend/ | 2022-08-17T15:16:58Z |
Now accepting students in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Texas
SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences, formerly known as Ameritech College, announced its recent expansion of the institution's Occupational Therapy Assistant Associate of Science program. The expansion permits students from Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Texas to receive their OTA degree from Joyce University.
The accredited program requires no prerequisites, provides a flexible format for local and distance learners, and prepares graduates to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), upon completion of the program.
"We're thrilled to extend Joyce University's talented faculty to these eight states and expand our OTA program to new students," said Sherry Jones, president of Joyce University. "The flexibility of distance learning paired with the robust curriculum makes this an ideal program for students seeking an Occupational Therapy Assistant degree."
Joyce launched their OTA program in 2016 with a focus on meeting the needs of clients of all ages, from pediatric treatment to geriatric rehabilitation. Students learn evidence-based approaches to help clients improve their quality-of-life through a holistic view (physical, cognitive, social, and spiritual) of the individual. Occupational therapy assistant graduates will be prepared to work in variety of practice settings including school-based, home health, mental health, and rehab/hospital settings. The expansion accommodates distance education students with the majority of course work done synchronously online through virtual classrooms. In-person labs occur during the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th semesters and take place at Joyce University in Draper, Utah. Learn more about OTA residency requirements.
For more information about Joyce University and its innovative programs, please visit joyce.edu.
Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences, formerly known as Ameritech College of Healthcare, is one of the largest OTA schools in Utah. Founded in 1979, Joyce University's mission is to prepare students to serve as competent professionals, to advance their careers, and to pursue lifelong learning. Located in Draper, Utah, Joyce University is proud to have helped thousands of students graduate and launch lasting healthcare careers.
Media Contact:
Raphael@mythcommunications.com
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SOURCE Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/joyce-university-nursing-health-sciences-expands-occupational-therapy-assistant-program/ | 2022-08-17T15:17:05Z |
HONG KONG, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- JS Global Lifestyle Company Limited (Hong Kong: 1691) ("JS Global" or the "Company"), a world-leading producer of small household appliances that operates three major brands: Shark, Ninja and Joyoung, today announced it will report interim financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2022 on Monday, August 29, 2022 ET / Tuesday, August 30, 2022 HKT. Timing of the announcement will be as follows:
- August 29, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. ET / August 30, 2022, at 7:30 a.m. HKT: The video presentation and accompanying slide presentation will be posted to the Events section of JS Global's Investor Relations website at https://www.jsgl.com/en/investor/register.html.
- Please see below interim results links:
Announcement
https://www.jsgl.com/en/investor/notice.html
Press release
https://www.jsgl.com/en/news/list/11.html - August 29, 2022 at 9:30 p.m. ET / August 30, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. HKT: JS Global management will host a live Q&A audio webcast which will be posted to the Events section of JS Global's Investor Relations website at https://www.jsgl.com/en/investor/register.html. Those who would like to ask a question during the live call can dial-in using the information below.
- The video presentation and the live Q&A will be in both English and Mandarin and will also be archived and available for replay.
- You can watch the video presentation via webcast on August 29, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. ET / August 30, 2022, at 7:30 a.m. HKT at https://www.jsgl.com/en/investor/register.html; please refresh the page on August 29, 2022 at 9:30 p.m. ET / August 30, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. HKT before entering the Q&A session. You can ask questions in the "question area" of the page or by dialing in using the information below.
Those interested in asking a question during the live Q&A audio webcast can dial in:
- United States dial-in: 1 866 213 0992/1 866 226 1406
- Mainland China dial-in: 4008 428 338/4006 786 766
- Hong Kong dial-in: +852 2112 1888
- Singapore dial-in: 800 492 2081
- United Kingdom dial-in: 0800 032 2849
- English Passcode: 8323130#
- Mandarin Passcode: 8027130#
After joining the conference call, participants can press *1 to raise hand to ask a question. Both English and Mandarin questions will be accepted.
About JS Global
JS Global Lifestyle Company Limited (Hong Kong: 1691) is a world leading producer of small household appliances. It ranks fourth globally in the small household appliance industry and third among small household appliance-focused companies. It primarily operates three major brands: Shark, Ninja and Joyoung. The Company's success is centered around its deep understanding of consumer needs, and is built on its strong product innovation and design capability powered by a global research and development platform, marketing strengths driving high brand engagement, and an omni-channel distribution coverage with high penetration.
About SharkNinja
SharkNinja is an innovation leader in the housewares industry and creator of the familiar household brands Shark® and Ninja®. SharkNinja provides the latest in easy-to-use innovative technology with a growing line of solutions that consist of Shark cleaning and home care products and Ninja kitchen appliances. Products are sold at major retailers and through distributors around the world. Ninja and Shark are registered trademarks of SharkNinja Operating LLC. SharkNinja is a subsidiary of JS Global Lifestyle Company Limited (Hong Kong: 1691) a leader in small household appliance innovation.
About Joyoung
Joyoung (002242.SZ) is SharkNinja's sister brand and has become a well-known small household electrical appliance enterprise and one of the market share leaders in China. Joyoung invented the first soymilk maker in China and closely connect the concept to plant-based solutions. With 27 years of experience and over 8,000 patented technologies, Joyoung specializes in the research and development, design, manufacturing, and sale of its innovative product categories including small household appliances, primarily focusing on kitchen. Joyoung is a subsidiary of JS Global Lifestyle Company Limited (Hong Kong: 1691) a leader in small household appliance innovation.
Company Contacts
Venus Zhao, Head of Investor Relations, Public Relations and Compliance, JS Global Lifestyle
venus.zhao@jsgl.com
Adam Quigley, VP of Finance at SharkNinja
AQuigley@sharkninja.com
Investor Relations
ir@jsgl.com
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SOURCE JS Global Lifestyle | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/js-global-report-2022-interim-financial-results-august-30-2022/ | 2022-08-17T15:17:12Z |
New :15 Digital Spot and Corporate Giving Initiative with One Warm Coat Highlight the First-Ever Hybrid Model of Kia's Longest-Running Nameplate in the U.S.
- :30-second "Downpour" – airing on broadcast – finds a Kia Sportage Hybrid helping humanitarians hang free coats for those less fortunate during a rainstorm
- :15-second digital spot announces Kia America's financial donation to One Warm Coat which will provide free coats to children and adults in need
IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Heralding the arrival of the first-ever Kia Sportage Hybrid, Kia America is expanding its commitment to "Make More Good" with a 30-second broadcast and :15-second digital spots and a partnership with One Warm Coat, a non-profit that has provided more than 7.3 million coats to those in need nationwide and is dedicated to promoting environmental sustainability. In April, the introduction of the all-new 2023 Sportage began when Kia partnered with Sea Turtle, Inc. to support the conservation and rehabilitation of the endangered sea turtle population.
The 30-second spot, entitled "Downpour" follows a Kia Sportage Hybrid as its occupants deliver coats to various points around an urban downtown area as an ominous weather forecast plays on the radio. The driver and passenger of the Kia Sportage Hybrid hang coats on various fences throughout the city along with signs that read, "FREE (for anyone that needs one)." As the torrential rain begins, the driver and passenger witness a man taking a coat off a fence they visited earlier in the day – as many others have clearly done given the small number of coats left hanging on the fence. The spot ends as a voiceover intones, "Have the Power to Make More Good, in the All-New Sportage Turbo Hybrid."
"Kia's push to sustainable mobility continues with the arrival of the first-ever Kia Sportage Hybrid, and our message is clear: to create a better world we need to take care of not only our planet, but also one another," said Russell Wager, vice president, marketing, Kia America. "'Make More Good' is not just a slogan; it is the driving force behind the introduction of the all-new Kia Sportage and the important charitable initiatives we've undertaken. Our partnership with One Warm Coat will extend a helping hand to those in need and hopefully shine a light on noteworthy causes that deserve attention."
One Warm Coat, is a national non-profit that provides free coats to people in need. Hosting up to 5,000 coat drives across the U.S. in a given year, One Warm Coat has provided more than 7.3 million free coats to children and adults in need since 1992. One of the organization's core values is to promote environmental sustainability by keeping more than one million pounds of clothes out of landfills through the organization's annual coat drive program.
"We are thrilled with the donation from Kia America and grateful that it will enable us to further our mission of providing warm coats to those in need while promoting volunteerism and environmental sustainability," said Beth Amodio, President & CEO, One Warm Coat. "It is because of the generosity of partners like Kia that we are able to share warmth with children and adults across the country."
Significantly larger, more capable and powerful, and targeted to be more fuel efficient, the fifth-generation Sportage debuts a number of firsts including the first Hybrid powertrain and an available dual panoramic curved digital display. Most Sportage trims will now be assembled in the U.S., alongside the award-winning Telluride, Sorento, and K5 at Kia's manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia.
Kia America - about us
Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia America continues to top automotive quality surveys and is recognized as one of the 100 Best Global Brands. Kia serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and offers a range of gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electrified vehicles sold through a network of more than 750 dealers in the U.S., including several cars and SUVs proudly assembled in America.
For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com. To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.
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SOURCE Kia America | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/kias-make-more-good-efforts-continue-with-digital-launch-all-new-2023-kia-sportage-hybrid-campaign/ | 2022-08-17T15:17:18Z |
- Epic Day Pass offers savings up to 65% compared to lift ticket prices; best option for guests planning to ski or ride only a few days this season
- New this season, Epic Pass to include Andermatt-Sedrun in Central Switzerland
BROOMFIELD, Colo., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- For anyone who has not purchased their 2022/23 Epic Pass yet, consider this your official reminder before prices go up after Labor Day (Sept. 5). Epic Pass continues to be the best deal in skiing and riding, offering unmatched value and access to the world's best destination resorts and close-to-home ski areas.
Ahead of this winter, Vail Resorts is making a bold investment in 18 exciting lift upgrades across its resorts to help guests move up and around the mountain faster and more easily, even on the most popular days. The company is also working toward a fully staffed team that feels supported and fulfilled this season with investments in higher employee pay, new affordable employee housing and leadership development, plus other employee benefits and perks.
New for the 2022/23 ski and ride season, Epic Pass Holders can take on the alps at Andermatt-Sedrun, Central Switzerland's largest ski area. Located less than 90 minutes from three of Switzerland's major metropolitan areas (Zurich, Lucerne and Lugano) and approximately two hours from Milan, Italy, Andermatt attracts guests from all over the world with its charming, traditional village center, deep powder and challenging steep slopes. On the other side of the Oberalppass, Sedrun features wide slopes perfectly suitable for families, and beginner and intermediate skiers.
There is a pass option for everyone – whether you are looking to ski and ride one day or every day. All 2022/23 pass products, including regional passes and day passes, are available now on the Epic Pass website. Some of the most popular passes include:
- Epic Pass, $859, provides unlimited, unrestricted access to 41 resorts, from local ski areas to bucket list destinations – including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Crested Butte, Park City, Whistler Blackcomb, Andermatt-Sedrun, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, Stowe, Stevens Pass and more. With additional partner resorts like Telluride, Verbier 4 Vallees, Les 3 Vallees, Ski Arlberg, and Skirama Dolomiti, the Epic Pass unlocks access to more than 80 resorts.
- Epic Local Pass, $639, provides unlimited, unrestricted access to 29 resorts – including Breckenridge and Keystone, as well as holiday-restricted access to resorts like Park City, Heavenly and Stowe, plus 10 days total at Vail, Beaver Creek and Whistler Blackcomb, and five days at Andermatt-Sedrun at no extra cost.
- Epic Day Pass allows skiers and riders to build their own pass, choosing from one to seven days, holidays or not, and resort access. Epic Day Passes offer savings up to 65% compared to lift ticket prices, with prices starting as low as $45 for an Epic 1-Day Pass. Epic Day Pass Holders with All Resorts Access will be able to use any of their days at Andermatt-Sedrun.
- Northeast Value Pass, $525, provides access to 21 resorts across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, including Stowe, Hunter, Mount Snow, Okemo and Wildcat, as well as the newest additions to the Vail Resorts network, Seven Springs, Hidden Valley and Laurel Mountain in Pennsylvania.
- Epic Military Pass, $149, for Active and Retired Military and their dependents, provides unlimited, unrestricted access to all of Vail Resorts' owned and operated mountains – including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Park City and Whistler Blackcomb. Veterans and their dependents can purchase an Epic Military Pass for $480.
PASS HOLDER BENEFITS
New this season, guests can purchase any Epic Pass product using Epic FlexPay, which enables payment via easy monthly installments with zero down payment and zero interest[1].
All 2022/23 Pass Holders get significant savings on the rest of their mountain experience through Epic Mountain Rewards, which offers 20% off on both winter and summer activities. Winter benefits include 20% off on-mountain food and beverage, lodging, group ski and ride school lessons, equipment rentals and more. Many Epic Passes also come with Ski with a Friend ticket vouchers, good for discounted lift tickets to share with friends and family.
All passes are non-refundable except through Epic Coverage, which provides refunds for certain resort closures and personal events such as job loss, injury or illness. Epic Coverage is provided at no additional cost and Pass Holders should review the Epic Coverage Terms and Conditions. Lift tickets are fully refundable but do not provide the value or multi-resort access of passes.
Vail Resorts is a network of the best destination and close-to-home ski resorts in the world including Vail Mountain, Breckenridge, Park City Mountain, Whistler Blackcomb, Stowe, and 32 additional resorts across North America; Andermatt-Sedrun in Switzerland; and Perisher, Hotham, and Falls Creek in Australia. We are passionate about providing an Experience of a Lifetime to our team members and guests, and our EpicPromise is to reach a zero net operating footprint by 2030, support our employees and communities, and broaden engagement in our sport. Our company owns and/or manages a collection of casually elegant hotels under the Rock Resorts brand, as well as the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyo. Vail Resorts Retail operates more than 250 retail and rental locations across North America. Learn more about our company at www.VailResorts.com, or discover our resorts and pass options at www.EpicPass.com.
[1] Epic Pass T&Cs: Restrictions and exclusions apply. See Terms and Conditions for details. Uplift T&Cs: All loans are $0 down and 0% APR but the length of the loan offered may vary. A minimum total purchase of $49 required to apply for a loan. Not everyone is eligible, and some states are not served, including IA and WV. Loans made through Uplift are offered by these lending partners: uplift.com/lenders. Privacy Policy. Terms of Use.
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SOURCE Vail Resorts, Inc. | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/last-chance-lowest-prices-202223-epic-passes-is-labor-day/ | 2022-08-17T15:17:25Z |
- United States Sentencing Commission, which establishes and advises Congress on federal sentencing guidelines, reaches first quorum in 3 years and a full slate for first time since 2014
- Delayed appointments inhibited implementation of drug sentencing and other reforms to reduce disparities in the federal prison system, including First Step Act of 2018
- This concluded a year-long bipartisan effort by MAPS to support successful appointments
SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) celebrated the appointment of a full slate of Commissioners to the United States Sentencing Commission (USSC). The bipartisan group of seven Commissioners, appointed by President Biden and confirmed by the Senate, allows the USSC to reach quorum and conduct its congressionally mandated activities for the first time since 2019.
The MAPS Policy and Advocacy team coordinated a bipartisan coalition that met with U.S. Senators and monitored the progress of the confirmation process. Now that the slate is confirmed, MAPS looks forward to an ongoing effort to reduce disparities and penalties for drug charges in the federal criminal justice system.
"The criminal legal system has unjustly stigmatized and punished individuals for the choices they make about what to put in their own bodies. Meaningful federal sentencing reform must ensure that people are no longer penalized and persecuted for those choices. We will encourage and advocate for the slate of new Commissioners to open up conversations about reducing, and even eliminating, penalties for individuals and communities involved with currently illicit substances."
Ismail L Ali, J.D., Policy and Advocacy Director, MAPS
The USSC was created in 1984 to reduce sentencing disparities and provide transparency in federal sentencing guidelines, but has been unable to reach a quorum of members due to years-long delays in Presidential appointments and Senate confirmations. Its main focuses include establishing sentencing policies, advising Congress and the executive branch in developing criminal justice policy, and analyzing and distributing information on federal sentencing issues.
In addition to the clinical research program to make MDMA into an FDA-approved medicine, MAPS was founded to create sensible and compassionate alternatives to the War on Drugs. MAPS has submitted testimony about the sentencing guidelines related to MDMA to the United States Sentencing Commission in furtherance of this goal.
MAPS will remain engaged with the USSC by encouraging reform to the sentencing guidelines related to MDMA, all psychedelics, and other drugs. Positive outcomes would include public health-related release provisions in the bipartisan sentencing reform package, the commission's guidance on the First Step Implementation Act of 2021, and passage of the EQUAL Act which would eliminate the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine.
ABOUT MAPS
Founded in 1986, MAPS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit research and educational organization that develops medical, legal, and cultural contexts for people to benefit from the careful uses of psychedelics and marijuana. MAPS is sponsoring the most advanced psychedelic therapy research in the world: Phase 3 clinical trials of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD. MAPS has earned both the Guidestar Platinum Seal of Transparency and a 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator. MAPS is driven by philanthropic donors who have given more than $130 million since MAPS was founded. To make a donation, please visit our website.
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SOURCE Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/maps-coordination-with-allies-assists-us-sentencing-commission-reaching-quorum/ | 2022-08-17T15:17:32Z |
- Erik Barefield, Robert DeBolt, Jesse Keig and Ketan Shah appointed to the Mesirow Board
- New Directors bring diverse perspectives and wide-ranging skills from across Mesirow's differentiated capabilities and corporate services teams
CHICAGO, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mesirow, an independent, employee-owned financial services firm, today announced the appointment of four new internal Directors to the firm's Board of Directors (the "Board"). Comprising a diverse group of business and industry executives, the Mesirow Board shapes all facets of Mesirow's corporate policy and strategy.
Joining the Mesirow Board effective immediately are:
Erik Barefield, Senior Managing Director, Head of Traditional Investment Management. Erik is responsible for providing strategic oversight and leadership on all aspects of the traditional investment management platform including competitive positioning, product development, distribution, and collaboration both within and between the businesses. Erik serves as the Chair of the Investment Committee and is a member of the Executive Committee for Metropolitan Family Services. He is also on the Executive Committee of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and sits on the board of DePaul College Prep.
Robert M. DeBolt, Chief Investment Officer, Private Equity. Bob leads the investment due diligence team, is a member of the Private Equity Investment Committee and is involved in all aspects of the private equity investment process. Bob participates on the limited partner advisory committees for a number of buyout and venture capital partnerships. Prior to joining Mesirow in 2004, Bob was a Principal with Adams Street Partners, where he was involved in all aspects of the private equity investment process. He is also a member of the Illinois Venture Capital Association.
Jesse Keig, Chief Financial Officer. Jesse leads Mesirow accounting operations, business accounting, financial reporting and tax, and financial planning and analysis. Prior to becoming CFO, Jesse was the firm's Financial Controller, responsible for the firm's annual financial statements and tax strategy. Jesse has 18 years of experience in accounting and finance. Jesse serves on the board for the Chicago Fire Department Foundation.
Ketan Shah, General Counsel. Ketan joined Mesirow in November 2012 and was named General Counsel of Mesirow in August 2021. Ketan leads Mesirow's legal team and is responsible for overseeing Mesirow's worldwide legal affairs, including corporate and regulatory matters, mergers and acquisitions, litigation, and other general legal matters. He is also a member of the Investment Banking New Engagement Committee. Prior to assuming the role of General Counsel, Ketan served as Associate General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel.
"These new Directors enhance our Board through diverse perspective, varied professional experiences and distinct areas of specialization," said Richard S. Price, Mesirow Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board. "I look forward to the contributions they will make as we begin the firm's 85th year and continue to invest in our clients, our communities, and our workplace culture."
"We are pleased to welcome Erik, Bob, Jesse, and Ketan to the Board and congratulate each on achieving this hallmark," said Natalie A. Brown, CEO of Mesirow. "I am confident that each of these individuals will bring their unique skills and voice to the Board, helping Mesirow continue to deliver value and differentiation to the marketplace as we act as a force for social good."
Mesirow Board of Directors
- Richard S. Price, Executive Chairman
- Natalie A. Brown, CEO
- Erik Barefield, Senior Managing Director, Head of Traditional Investment Management
- Melissa L. Bean, President, Wealth Management
- Ben Blakney, President, Institutional Real Estate Direct Investments
- Garry W. Cohen, Senior Managing Director, Sale-Leaseback Capital
- Alasdair Cripps, CEO, Co-Chief Investment Officer, Institutional Real Estate Direct Investments
- Robert M. DeBolt, Chief Investment Officer, Private Equity
- Thomas F. Hynes, Senior Managing Director, Global Investment Management Distribution
- Jesse Keig, Chief Financial Officer
- Jeffrey M. Levine, COO, Institutional Sales & Trading
- Brian D. Price, President and COO, Investment Banking
- Larry D. Richman, Director
- Marc E. Sacks, CEO, Private Equity
- Nathaniel Sager, Senior Managing Director, CTL and Structured Debt Products
- Ketan Shah, General Counsel
- Kathryn A. Vorisek, Senior Managing Director, CIO, Portfolio Manager, Equity Management
About Mesirow
Mesirow is an independent, employee-owned financial services firm founded in 1937. Headquartered in Chicago, with locations around the world, we serve clients through a personal, custom approach to reaching financial goals and acting as a force for social good. With capabilities spanning Global Investment Management, Capital Markets and Investment Banking, and Advisory Services, we invest in what matters: our clients, our communities, and our culture. To learn more, visit mesirow.com and follow us on LinkedIn.
Mesirow was recently named one of the Best Places to Work in Chicago by Crain's Chicago Business and one of the Top 100 RIA firms by Barron's.
Inquiries
mediainquiries@mesirow.com
Michael Herley | 203.308.1409
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SOURCE Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc. | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/mesirow-appoints-four-new-internal-directors-firms-board-directors/ | 2022-08-17T15:17:39Z |
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Narvar, the pioneer in post-purchase customer experience, today announced it has partnered with Fillogic, the logistics-as-a-service platform for retail, to help retailers and brands simplify and expedite product returns. The partnership will leverage the combination of Narvar's end-to-end returns management solution and the Fillogic Hub Network as well as Fillogic's proprietary, state-of-the-art sortation and segmentation technology.
Narvar makes product returns and exchanges easier and more convenient for shoppers by providing 200,000+ locations, where they can drop off merchandise. Fillogic helps retailers improve service levels, reduce costs and emissions, and optimize asset utilization through strategically located, tech-enabled distribution hubs at shopping centers and other properties.
Under the new partnership, Fillogic will be able to pick up merchandise from Narvar drop-off locations to aggregate and intelligently sort packages for efficient, consolidated pickup and delivery in the middle and final mile, helping retailers get returned inventory back in stock 70% faster than normal. Fillogic's Delivery Marketplace, a proprietary multicarrier network and sortation and segmentation solution, helps retailers save up to 65% in time and costs on transportation while reducing carbon emissions by up to 80%.
"Narvar and Fillogic share a common goal—helping retailers and brands streamline the returns process and build stronger lifelong customer relationships," said Michael Haswell, Vice President of Global Partnerships at Narvar. "We look forward to working closely with the Fillogic team to develop further innovations that benefit our joint brand customers and we're excited about what the future of this partnership holds."
Fillogic's localized logistics network and Narvar's post-purchase platform enable retailers to better serve customers who need to return or exchange merchandise. This partnership will make it easy for shoppers to find a convenient Narvar drop-off location and Fillogic's platform will ensure that each item is efficiently shipped to where it is most needed in retailers' network, whether that's a store or a fulfillment facility.
"Narvar specializes in creating the best possible post-purchase experience for retailers and their customers, which made our decision to partner with the company easy," said Bill Thayer, Co-founder and CEO at Fillogic. "As demand for our platform's returns and reverse logistics capabilities continued to grow, it was important for us to work with a partner with the scale and ability to meet the needs of retailers. When it comes to unlocking new revenue opportunities and operational efficiencies by sustainably optimizing the returns process, Narvar is the perfect partner for us."
About Narvar
Narvar pioneered how brands engage with consumers beyond the "buy" button through branded order tracking, delivery notifications, returns, and exchanges. Today, Narvar's comprehensive Post-Purchase Platform empowers 1,200+ of the world's most admired brands, including Sephora, Patagonia, Levi's, Sonos, Warby Parker, LVMH and L'Oréal, to deliver transparency, build trust and grow customer lifetime value. Recognized by Fast Company multiple times as one of the most innovative companies, Narvar simplifies the everyday lives of consumers. For more information, visit Narvar.com.
About Fillogic
Fillogic is a NYC-based technology company dedicated to maximizing efficiencies for retailers and transportation networks via mall-based micro distribution hubs. It is an experienced team of retail and logistics professionals, technologists, serial entrepreneurs, and creative problem solvers with more than 160 years of combined experience. Fillogic is driven by a mission to help our partners decipher the writing on the wall as technology continues to rapidly transform the retail landscape. For more information, please visit: www.fillogic.com.
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SOURCE Narvar | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/narvar-partners-with-fillogic-help-retailers-brands-simplify-expedite-product-returns/ | 2022-08-17T15:17:46Z |
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Why some people are poor and others are prosperous is the theme of a new book, Objective Prosperity (Rothstein Publishing, August 2022), by Professors Roger Blackwell and Roger Bailey. The book was published August 15 by Rothstein Publishing.
Their book explains how behavioral economics contributes to prosperity along with national economic growth, and take a "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" approach to how behavioral economics differs from traditional economics.
Objective Prosperity describes how people with diverse backgrounds, skillsets and ethnicities move from poor to prosperous. It has examples of people not born wealthy achieving success including Dave Thomas, Steve Jobs, and Jeff Bezos.
Is inequality getting better or worse? Examining Thomas Piketty, the authors believe his theories are based on incorrect data leading to policies that may harm rather than help low and middle-income consumers. The authors conclude values inherited from parents are more important than inherited capital illustrated by Walmart's Doug McMillon, Tom Brady and Serena Williams.
Blackwell, the author of 40 previous books, has served on the boards of directors for 14 publicly traded companies, including Applied Industrial Technologies and Abercrombie.
The book is endorsed by business leaders, including:
"What factors influence the chances for individual success and national prosperity? The authors cite the thoughts of many profound thinkers on how to live a rewarding life."
-Philip Kotler, Distinguished Professor of International Marketing, emeritus, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
"This book is a must read for any entrepreneur."
-Rhett C. Ricart, 2020 Chairman National Automobile Dealers Association
Roger Blackwell, Ph.D., retired as professor at The Ohio State University, and is co-author of Consumer Behavior, a textbook translated into multiple languages. Roger Bailey, Clinical Assistant Professor at Ohio State, received a Ph.D. in Economics from Vanderbilt University.
For more information:
Home - Roger Blackwell (rogerblackwellbusiness.com)
Objective Prosperity: How Behavioral Economics Can Improve Outcomes for You, Your Business, and Your Nation - Rothstein Publishing
Objective Prosperity: How Behavioral Economics Can Improve Outcomes for You, Your Business, and Your Nation by Roger Blackwell and Roger Bailey
Rothstein Publishing
270 pages
ISBN print: 978-1-044480-77-6 EPUB: 978-1-044480-78-3
$31.99 (Paperback); $28.99 (Kindle)
Publication date: August 15, 2022
PR Contact:
Andrew Blum, AJB Communications
917-783-1680, ajbcomms@gmail.com
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SOURCE Rothstein Publishing | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/new-book-by-ohio-professors-objective-prosperity-how-behavioral-economics-can-improve-outcomes-you-your-business-your-nation/ | 2022-08-17T15:17:52Z |
SEATTLE, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In the new e-book, The Hybrid42 Oscar Slap: God swings at screens, James Patrick Nagle claims that after reverse engineering quantum computer technology (QCT), he can prove that the universe is the product of QCT and that all use of language and storytelling are QCT constructs. QCT, the book claims, is simulation technology that makes it possible to create the illusion of alternate dimensions to which every work of storytelling and every conversation between humans can be reduced.
In addition, the book claims the concept of "QCT as reality" is ancient knowledge hidden in many iconic works, including the Holy Bible, the Jewish Kabbalah, and many iconic pop culture films and songs. The book states Steven Spielberg, Dennis Hopper, Rod Serling, Steely Dan, Netflix, and others seeded their art, sometimes intentionally, with clues to ensure this ground-breaking discovery would occur in 2022.
Nagle further claims that by demonstrating all films are of a QCT construct, and that human consciousness is built on the same construct, the consumption of films, songs, and novels can now be characterized as brainwashing, responsible for screen addiction, materialism, and likely mental illness. According to Nagle, if our consciousness is QCT, and films are QCT, viewing a film is like looking into a perfectly programmed human, an image that is fully identified by the subconscious mind. Thus, all symptoms of addiction may stem from the subconscious mind's attempt to duplicate the perfect QCT programming as witnessed on screens or through earbuds.
This book challenges all past relativity research, including Einstein's relativity theorem. It also legitimizes "Transhumanism philosophy," and reinterprets the Bible, showing it to be both a QCT programming and QCT programmed document. Nagle claims the true "Garden of Eden" is the QCT "connection universe" this book begins unveiling for the world. He also cites several publicly verifiable "42miracles" that he says are QCT- designed to aid him in convincing you he is Adam, back on earth, giving tours of his connection universe, all in this book.
About The Author: James Patrick Nagle is a Washington State University Social Science scholar, a decorated retired firefighter, and a retired naval veteran. His website provides further information, and the e-book is available at Kobo.com. www.jamespatricknagle.com
For more information, contact: Frank Rocco
Global Marketing Services. Tel: 415 847 1239 GlobalMarketing1@Earthlink.net
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SOURCE James Patrick Nagle - Author | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/new-book-unveils-ancient-knowledge-proving-reality-is-quantum-computer-simulation/ | 2022-08-17T15:17:59Z |
BETHESDA, Md., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Scientist and certified nurse practitioner Paule V. Joseph, Ph.D. M.S., FNP-BC, FAAN, is the inaugural 2022-2024 American Academy of Nursing (AAN) Fellow at the National Academy of Medicine (NAM). Dr. Joseph's selection will be announced in person at the Annual Meeting of the NAM in Washington, D.C. on Monday, October 17.
"I congratulate Dr. Joseph on her selection for this first-of-its-kind fellowship," said George F. Koob, Ph.D., Director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). "Dr. Joseph's unique professional background, stellar research accomplishments, and commitment to patient care have certainly been an asset to the NIAAA and the alcohol field more broadly. I look forward to the new ways in which this opportunity will expand her leadership as a scientist and public health professional."
The AAN Fellowship at NAM aims to provide talented, early career scientists in the field of health and nursing with the opportunity to improve patient care and the quality and breadth of public health research.
"I am honored to be selected for this fellowship. This role will provide me with a unique opportunity to provide a nursing perspective on health policy discussions at a national level. I will be able to leverage my research on chemosensation and nutrition to inform policies and consensus statements to move the mission of the Academy to improve health equity and the overall health of the nation," said Dr. Joseph. "As an early career scientist, this fellowship is an unparalleled opportunity to work in the policy space."
Dr. Joseph is a researcher at the NIAAA with a joint appointment at the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR). Her work also explores the intersection between chemosensation, environment, culture, nutrition, and dietary norms and behaviors as they relate to substance use disorders and obesity. She is interested in research to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the chemical senses (taste, smell, and chemesthesis), and how the brain uses these sensations to guide eating, alcohol consumption, and drug-taking behaviors. Dr. Joseph is also interested in the brain systems that underlie motivational processes—and how they may be different in individuals with obesity or alcohol, or other substance misuse.
"Dr. Joseph is highly innovative and a rising star at the NIH, developing a unique and clinically highly significant research program in the field of chemosensation, obesity, and alcohol use disorder," said NIAAA Clinical Director David Goldman, M.D.
"Dr. Joseph is well on her way to becoming an international leader in nursing, nutrition, and chemosensory science," said Joan K. Austin, Ph.D., R.N., FAAN, and distinguished professor emerita at the Indiana University School of Nursing, and a mentor to Dr. Joseph. "She will benefit from opportunities to engage and participate in evidence-based healthcare and public health studies to improve care for patients nationally and globally."
Dr. Joseph is currently a Lasker clinical research scholar, clinical investigator, and chief of the Section of Sensory Science and Metabolism in Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research at the NIAAA and NINR. She earned a Master of Science as a family nurse practitioner from Pace University in 2010, and Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 2015, conducting research at Monell Chemical Senses Center. She completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the NIH in 2017.
For more information, please visit: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/news-events/news
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SOURCE National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/niaaa-dr-paule-joseph-selected-inaugural-american-academy-nursing-fellow-national-academy-medicine/ | 2022-08-17T15:18:06Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, in partnership with RCD Hotels, the globally iconic and fastest growing luxury lifestyle brand, Nobu Hospitality, announces the launch of a Nobu Hotel, Restaurant, and Residences in the chic beach destination of Tulum, Mexico.
This is a significant milestone for Nobu Hospitality, marking the brand's 30th hotel globally and the sixth hotel and fourth residential project between Nobu Hospitality and RCD Hotels. The growing partnership between Nobu Hospitality and RCD Hotels was cemented in 2016 with the opening of Nobu Hotel Miami Beach, followed by Nobu Hotels in Los Cabos, Chicago, and pipeline openings in Punta Cana, Orlando, and now Tulum.
With powder-soft, white sand beaches, coastal Mayan ruins, and one of the world's largest barrier reefs, Tulum is an idyllic location for adventurous sunseekers. Tucked away in the charming Riviera Maya, Nobu Hotel Tulum will feature 200 guest rooms and suites including 12 villas, a beachfront Nobu restaurant, expansive meeting space with stunning outdoor venues for weddings and special events, a state-of-the-art fitness centre and spa, and 50 stylish beachside residences.
Trevor Horwell, Chief Executive Officer Nobu Hospitality comments "We are extremely proud to have achieved our 30th hotel milestone in just nine years and honored to share the vision of our hotel owning partners and thankful for the passion of our Nobu colleagues around the world. Formidable partnerships at their heart need complete and mutual trust, alignment of values and a shared vision; through establishing strong and special relationships with key industry leaders and groups around the world our growth has been catapulted to 30 hotels. One of these groups, RCD Hotels, were born out of the same family values and spirit of entrepreneurship as Nobu Hospitality, and today RCD has grown into a hotel owning powerhouse including six Nobu Hotels Residences whilst maintaining their core values. It is a special privilege to be partnering with RCD again and on this exciting new project as the Nobu Hotel and Residences Tulum."
Mr. Roberto Chapur, President of RCD Hotels, adds "It's incredible to celebrate major milestones and it's amazing to see the Nobu Hotels brand expand its multi-property footprint together with us in Mexico, the Caribbean, and the US. Congratulations to everyone who helped get us here and we are confident that our relationship will continue to thrive for years to come. With our growing portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts, RCD is grateful for the support of our partners and patrons throughout the years and we are here today because of you."
Nobu Hospitality's legal advisors were Paul Hastings LLP. RCD Hotels' legal advisor was, Ari M. Tenzer, TA PLLC.
www.nobuhotels.com
https://rcdhotels.com
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SOURCE Nobu Hospitality | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/nobu-hospitality-celebrates-30th-hotel-milestone-with-nobu-hotel-amp-residences-tulum/ | 2022-08-17T15:18:13Z |
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ivalua, a global leader in spend management, today announced that O-I Glass Inc, an American Fortune 500 company headquartered in Perrysburg, Ohio, has selected its solution to streamline its Global Direct and Indirect Source-to-Pay (S2P) Processes.
O-I Glass is one of the world's leading producers of glass bottles and jars, operating 70 glass manufacturing plants in 19 countries with an annual revenue of $6.4B in 2021 and 24,000 employees. The company provides packaging solutions to some of the world's leading global food and beverage manufacturers including Coca-Cola, Heineken, Molson Coors, Nestle, and PepsiCo.
O-I Glass has chosen Ivalua after assessing technology and process gaps related to strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, category management, vendor quality, sustainability, and compliance. Additionally, O-I Glass intends to provide an optimized buying process with catalogues, guided buying, and an Amazon-like user experience.
Supported by Ivalua's solution, O-I's strategic S2P initiative aims at generating significant cost-reduction across several key business process areas including savings on indirect categories through process standardization and spend consolidation. Furthermore, the project will deliver an improved user experience throughout the buying process, a reduction in administrative activities and, crucially, an optimized supplier base driven by a comprehensive assessment of suppliers. Lastly, Ivalua will ensure seamless integration with O-I's existing ERP platform, as well as several third-party solutions.
"At O-I Glass we are committed to working closely with our suppliers to deliver innovative, sustainable packaging solutions for our customers. Ivalua's unified platform provides 360 degree visibility of our suppliers, including a rich ecosystem of third party data, and the ability to streamline both direct and indirect purchasing with a single solution", said Rodney Masney, Chief Information Officer.
"Global supply chains are critical to business continuity and it is, therefore, crucial to digitize, automate and streamline related business processes," said Dan Amzallag, Ivalua's Chief Operating Officer. "Ivalua looks forward to being an integral part of O-I Glass's procurement transformation journey".
Ivalua is a leading provider of cloud-based Spend Management software. Our complete, unified platform empowers businesses to effectively manage all categories of spend and all suppliers, increasing profitability, improving ESG performance, lowering risk and improving employee productivity. We are trusted by hundreds of the world's most admired brands and recognized as a leader by Gartner and other analysts. Learn more at www.ivalua.com. Follow us at @Ivalua
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SOURCE Ivalua | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/o-i-glass-selects-ivalua-streamline-its-global-direct-indirect-source-to-pay-processes/ | 2022-08-17T15:18:20Z |
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AUM LifeTech, Inc., a Philadelphia-based preclinical stage biotechnology company, has received a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to advance their preclinical program in lung cancer immunotherapy using a non-viral RNA-targeting gene therapy approach. The federal funding in the amount of US $400,000 is funded under the award number R43CA275470.
"As an immigrant from India and a newly minted US citizen, I am excited that we were selected for this highly competitive award by the National Cancer Institute of NIH. This grant will help advance our preclinical immunotherapy program in lung cancer and provide us the next critical steps towards IND enabling studies," said Veenu Aishwarya, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of AUM LifeTech, Inc.
AUM LifeTech will use the funds to advance the development of their new form of cancer immunotherapy that involves targeting the messenger RNA (mRNA) of a gene, FOXP3, and thereby inhibiting the function of immune cells, called T-regulatory (Treg) cells. Tregs are known to have an immunosuppressive function and, in some instances, prevent the body from fighting cancer and lead to cancer progression. The functions of Tregs are critically dependent upon their expression of FOXP3. AUM LifeTech's FANA Antisense Oligonucleotide (FANA ASO) RNA silencing approach allows efficient and selective targeting of human FOXP3 at the RNA level, in a highly sequence-specific manner. By reducing the levels of FOXP3, the biological function of Tregs is inhibited, and many cancers can be eliminated.
"We have made significant progress over the past five years and are ready to continue our work toward an applicable therapy for patients. I would like to thank our collaborator Dr. Wayne Hancock, for his trust in me to lead this program. Dr. Hancock is a globally recognized immunologist; his extraordinary scientific leadership and guidance have been critical and valuable for our continued success as we move into our next phase of development. We look forward to advancing our combination approach for immunotherapy targeting both FOXP3 RNA (using self-delivering FANA ASOs) and additional proteins (with checkpoint inhibitors)," added Aishwarya.
AUM LifeTech's therapeutic approach provides an alternative to conventional gene therapy using viruses. The ability to modulate gene expression without viral vectors can be beneficial, for several diseases, without making permanent changes in the human genome. While there are FDA-approved RNA-targeting therapies, AUM LifeTech's non-viral gene therapy approach could potentially become the first antisense oligonucleotide approach for cancer immunotherapy. The study is being conducted in collaboration with Dr. Wayne Hancock, Chief of the Division of Transplantation Immunology at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, who has been working in the cancer immunotherapy space for over three decades. Dr. Hancock is also a Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
"The United States continues to be at the forefront of biomedical innovation, technology, and business due to immigrant founders and leaders like Veenu, who leave no stone unturned and persevere even in the most challenging circumstances, especially during the COVID-19 period," said Dr. Hancock. "We have, slowly but steadily, generated very encouraging data showing the potency of our approach, including in humanized mice, and have identified several lead compounds that can eventually become clinical candidates. Considering our data, I am very optimistic that our approach will provide some much-needed advancements in the field of cancer immunotherapy," he added.
"FOXP3 is a therapeutically validated target; however, it is very challenging to directly target it with existing technologies, including small molecules or biologics. This seminal work targeting FOXP3 using AUM LifeTech's RNA silencing technology has the potential not only for lung cancer therapy development but also for other advanced solid tumors. Their combination approach, using checkpoint inhibitors, could be a game-changer in the field of cancer immunotherapy," said Dr. Steven Albelda, Co-Director, Translational Center of Excellence in Lung Cancer, at the Abramson Cancer Center and the Vice Chief of the Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Division at Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) is a leading lung cancer surgery hospital in the United States and offers one of the world's premier lung transplantation programs.
The collaborative project was established through a scientific networking activity at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting in 2017. "This demonstrates a perfect example of industry-academia synergy leading to advancement of cancer research and therapy development. I am pleased that AACR could help facilitate such a collaboration. I commend the strong perseverance by innovators and entrepreneurs like Veenu Aishwarya and his strong desire to end cancer as we know it. We wish him the very best in his drug development journey." said Mitch Stoller, Vice President of Development for AACR. Philadelphia-based AACR is the world's first and largest professional association dedicated to cancer research, with more than 52,000 members in 130 countries. Stoller also said, "We congratulate Veenu Aishwarya for being selected for this NCI/NIH grant and for all his efforts to advance biomedical research and cancer therapy development using innovative RNA-targeting technology."
AUM LifeTech has been headquartered in Philadelphia since its inception and hopes to continue to expand its footprint in the city as it continues to become one of the leading global centers for cell and gene therapy drug development.
"The City's Department of Commerce is proud to support immigrant entrepreneurs, and healthcare business leaders like Veenu Aishwarya who are advancing Philadelphia's innovation economy with biotechnological breakthroughs," said Commerce Director, Anne Nadol. "Philadelphia is one of the fastest-growing medical hubs in the country expanding the job market and attracting many industry-leading companies. Congratulations to Aishwarya for his transformative leadership at AUM LifeTech to collaboratively advance the development of a lung cancer immunotherapy with NCI/NIH small business innovation research grant."
As Commerce Director, Nadol oversees the City's economic development efforts and advocates for strategic policies that support the growth of small businesses along with the attraction and retention of major companies.
"The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia congratulates Veenu Aishwarya for being selected for NIH funding to further advance AUM LifeTech's immuno-oncology preclinical pipeline using a validated non-viral gene therapy technology. This is a steppingstone for AUM LifeTech and will help attract future collaborations and alliances and further advance their drug development programs. We also welcome AUM LifeTech as our newest member of the Chamber and look forward to working with Veenu and his team to achieve our shared vision of the region being recognized as a global life sciences leader," said Claire Greenwood, Senior Vice President of Economic Competitiveness, The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia.
AUM LifeTech started at the University City Science Center's Port Business Incubator and is currently located at the CIC Labs+ Innovation Campus in Philadelphia. CIC is one of the leading providers of life science office and lab space for fast growing startup companies. "I am happy to see that under Veenu's extraordinary leadership, especially during these challenging times, a small business-like AUM LifeTech is being recognized and being awarded funding to advance the critical development of therapeutic cancer treatments. NCI, the largest funding organization for cancer research in the world, has the most selective and competitive vetting process. This federal grant provides both credibility and validation to AUM LifeTech's breakthrough science and technology. CIC is proud to be a part of Veenu and AUM LifeTech's journey," said Dr. Michelle Ottey, Managing Director, CIC Labs+ Innovation Campus Philadelphia.
Before founding AUM LifeTech, Veenu Aishwarya received his biomedical research training under Dr. Alan Gewirtz at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. "I would also like to dedicate this grant to Dr. Alan Gewirtz, a scientific leader in this field, and my mentor, who passed away due to lung cancer in 2010," added Aishwarya.
About AUM LifeTech, Inc. AUM LifeTech is a Philadelphia-based preclinical stage biotechnology company focused on development of non-viral gene therapy using RNA-targeting therapeutics. The company is utilizing its self-delivering RNA-targeting antisense oligonucleotide technology for drug discovery and development for unmet clinical needs with a focus on genetically defined diseases. AUM LifeTech strives to innovate at the genetic level for a better life. For more information about our vision and mission to help patients globally, our pipeline, and technology please visit www.aumlifetech.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
Contact:
AUM LifeTech, Inc.
E-mail: communications@aumlifetech.com
Web: www.aumlifetech.com
SOURCE: AUM LifeTech, Inc.
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SOURCE AUM LifeTech, Inc. | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/philadelphia-based-biotech-company-aum-lifetech-awarded-400000-ncinih-grant-advance-their-lung-cancer-immunotherapy-program-using-rna-targeting-gene-therapy-with-checkpoint-inhibitors/ | 2022-08-17T15:18:26Z |
BCHD Board votes 5-0 to select developer, operator and design-build team. With campus remodel focused on preventive wellness for all ages, goal is to address everything from the need for assisted living to teen mental health
REDONDO BEACH, Calif., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In a 5-0 vote, the Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) Board of Directors approved the selection of a developer, operator and design/build team for the proposed Healthy Living Campus at a special board meeting August 8th, 2022.
PMB, which has developed more than 100 health care projects, and Watermark, the ninth largest senior living operator in the U.S., will be the developer and operator, respectively, for the Residential Care for the Elderly (RCFE) facility on the BCHD campus. PMB/Watermark included a design-build team in their final proposal: CallisonRTKL, a multinational design-build architecture firm that's worked on more than 100 projects in and around Los Angeles; and Suffolk Construction, with 39 years of general contracting experience across the U.S., including the design of more than 800 senior living units in California, round out the collaborative effort.
"During a lengthy, meticulous selection process with input from the community and advisory groups, PMB/Watermark presented the most impressive, detailed plan," said Tom Bakaly, BCHD CEO, who cited their work at the Peninsula Wellness Community in Burlingame, Calif., as a model for the Healthy Living Campus. "They're collaborative and their team understands our need for social and fiscal responsibility, innovation and developing a sustainable campus."
The campus redevelopment began in 2017 when BCHD first presented a modernization plan to replace the 60-year-old former hospital building on their 11-acre campus bordered by N. Prospect Ave., Beryl St., Flagler Ln., and Diamond St. Since then, extensive public outreach produced more than 60 meetings and 1,500-plus comments and responses that evolved the vision and the revised master plan to create a state-of-the-art campus that serves all ages throughout the Beach Cities community, which consists of Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach, Calif.
"The Healthy Living Campus is an innovative project that aligns with our corporate ethos – to improve health care delivery, affect positive change and have a beneficial impact on the community," said Nolan Weinberg, vice president of development for PMB, which specializes in developing health care real estate across the U.S. "This unique opportunity – with abundant partnership and programming prospects – brings an incredible intergenerational project to the Beach Cities."
With a focus on preventive health and wellness (more than 70 percent of chronic diseases can be prevented), the vision and campus plan approved by the BCHD Board of Directors foresees an energy-efficient, seismically compliant campus that will include a youth wellness center (mental health services for ages 12 – 25); two acres of green space and bike/walking paths replacing acres of asphalt; outpatient programs that help people age in their homes; a 217-unit RCFE facility; community activities that include Yoga, moais and cooking classes to promote preventive health; and more.
"The alignment between Watermark, PMB, our design-build team and the health district is the future for modern senior living," says Bryan Schachter, chief investment officer for Watermark, which currently operates 72 senior living facilities across the U.S., including 15 in California. "This was a thorough, impressive selection process and we're eager to apply our experience from across the nation – and particularly in California – to fully execute this exciting project."
The finance model for the campus revitalization is a public-private partnership, which utilizes private investments in public projects to bolster taxpayers' return on investment. This philosophy enabled BCHD to provide a $3.01-to-$1 return on investment for tax revenues received in fiscal year 2020-21.
More information from BCHD's August 8 meeting, including the agenda and board packet, is available at https://www.bchd.org/board-directors-meetings.
PMB is a purpose-driven healthcare real estate developer with a mission to improve healthcare delivery, effect change, and positively impact communities. Our company is 100 percent focused on healthcare real estate across the continuum of care including behavioral health, life sciences, ambulatory care centers, medical office buildings, inpatient hospitals, post-acute hospitals, senior living facilities, and parking structures. PMB has developed over 115 facilities to date representing approximately 6 million square feet. The firm owns and manages 70 medical facilities comprising over 5.2 million square feet. For more information, please visit our website at www.pmbllc.com or our blog at https://pmbllc.com/pmb-beach-city-health-districts-healthy-living-campus-modernization-moves-forward/
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SOURCE PMB | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/pmb-amp-beach-cities-health-districts-healthy-living-campus-modernization-moves-forward/ | 2022-08-17T15:18:33Z |
HOUSTON, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Production Lending recently closed and funded a $35,000,000 loan to a private, Midland-based oil and gas company. Proceeds from the loan will be used to drill and complete six horizontal wells in the northern Midland Basin, where the company has already successfully drilled and completed several wells on its acreage.
Production Lending's investment will allow the company to expedite the development of its large acreage position and take advantage of high commodity prices. The loan was structured to provide the company with flexibility around principal payments, additional development proceeds and early prepayment of the facility.
Production Lending is a Houston, TX based firm focused on secured debt investment opportunities in small, private, US-onshore oil and gas companies. It is owned and run by two former energy bankers, Abhishek Kumar and Ryan Childs, who have underwritten financing transactions worth more than $60 billion over their careers. Their business specializes in providing growth and acquisition financing in the form of short-term bridge capital and longer tenor debt and preferred equity investments throughout United States.
Since August 2016, Production Lending has funded 28 debt transactions for a total capital commitment of more than $105 million, along with an additional 12 preferred equity transactions worth more than $15 million. The firm specializes in providing growth and acquisition financing in the form of short-term bridge capital, longer tenor debt and preferred equity investments throughout the U.S. More information about Production Lending can be found at www.productionlending.com.
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SOURCE Production Lending, LLC | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/production-lending-closes-35-million-debt-investment-private-oil-gas-company-permian-basin/ | 2022-08-17T15:18:40Z |
MEMPHIS, Tenn., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its community outreach program, Radians®, a Memphis-based PPE manufacturer, recently made meaningful donations to four Memphis nonprofits, including Memphis Youth Villages, Lisieux Community, Les Passees, and Dress for Success.
"Partnering with these organizations allows Radians to advocate for positive, long-term change, enhancing the quality of life for children, women, families, and young people in Memphis," said Radians CEO, Mike Tutor. "All of these organizations help others overcome challenges, bringing hope and healing to our community, so we are excited that we could help with such worthy causes."
The Radians Tickets for Charity program is an online auction format that allows its employees to bid upon and purchase name-brand entertainment at the FedEx® Forum and the Live at the Garden concert series, which is held at the Radians Amphitheater in the Memphis Botanic Garden. The ticket price paid by the employee is then matched by Radians and donated to local charities selected by the employees.
In addition to its Tickets for Charity donations, Radians sponsors other programs and organizations that make Memphis a better place, including the Radians Amphitheater, the Live at The Garden concert series, Stax Music Academy, and the Church Health Center.
For more information about Radians, visit www.radians.com or call toll-free 1-877-723-4267.
Radians® is a Memphis, TN-based top-tier manufacturer of quality PPE, including safety eyewear, Radwear® high visibility apparel, rainwear, hearing protection, hand protection, head gear, cooling products, heated jackets, AR/FR workwear, eyewash stations, N95 respirators, face masks/gaiters, retractable tool tethers, and lens cleaning systems. Radians has partnered with highly respected companies including DSM Dyneema, DEWALT®, STANLEY®, and BLACK+DECKER™ to provide high performance personal protection products. Brands include Bellingham® Glove, Crossfire® by Radians, Neese, VolCore™, Arctic Radwear®, Nordic Blaze®, and VisionAid®. An ISO 9001:2008 certified leader in the PPE industry, the company has additional facilities in Reno, NV, Thomasville, NC, Bellingham, WA, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.Radians.com.
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SOURCE RADIANS | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/radians-gives-back-locally-with-recent-donations-four-memphis-nonprofits-other-sponsorships/ | 2022-08-17T15:18:46Z |
- Existing, single-family home sales totaled 295,460 in July on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate, down 14.4 percent from June and down 31.1 percent from July 2021.
- July's statewide median home price was, $833,910 down 3.5% percent from June and up 2.8% percent from July 2021.
- Year-to-date statewide home sales were down 13.6 percent in July.
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Housing demand in California cooled further in July as the effects of rising interest rates and high home prices hit would-be homebuyers, dragging home sales below the annualized 300,000 benchmark level for the first time since May 2020, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) said today.
Infographic: https://www.car.org/Global/Infographics/2022-07-Sales-and-Price
Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California totaled a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 295,460 in July, according to information collected by C.A.R. from more than 90 local REALTOR® associations and MLSs statewide. The statewide annualized sales figure represents what would be the total number of homes sold during 2022 if sales maintained the July pace throughout the year. It is adjusted to account for seasonal factors that typically influence home sales. July's sales pace was down 14.4 percent on a monthly basis from 344,970 in June and down 31.1 percent from a year ago, when 428,980 homes were sold on an annualized basis. July marked the fourth consecutive monthly decline and the 13th straight annual decline.
"In the midst of the peak home-buying season, high home prices and rising interest rates depressed housing affordability to the lowest level in nearly 15 years, which in turn dampened home sales," said C.A.R. President Otto Catrina, a Bay Area real estate broker and REALTOR®. "However, buying opportunities remain in the coming months for those who have been waiting on the sideline as more listings become available, competition continues to cool off and rates begin to stabilize."
California's median home price declined 3.5 percent in July to $833,910 from the $863,790 recorded in June. The July price was 2.8 percent higher than the $811,170 recorded last July and was the smallest year-over-year price gain in more than two years. The price moderation is largely attributed to a change in the mix of sales in July, as million-dollar home sales plummeted nearly 25 percent from June.
"Home sales have taken a trouncing as the market has shifted in response to the recent surge in interest rates, and pending sales suggest that the market could remain soft in August," said C.A.R. Vice President and Chief Economist Jordan Levine. "The pace of sales declines is expected to slow in the coming months, however, as rates continue to stabilize, market volatility begins to subside and supply conditions further normalize."
With the market shifting, consumers were less positive in July about the state's housing market conditions, according to C.A.R.'s monthly Consumer Housing Sentiment Index. Conducted in July, 76 percent of respondents believed that the overall economic conditions in California will not improve in the next 12 months, while 81 percent believed that interest rates will not fall within a year. Only 16 percent of the respondents thought it was a good time to buy a home, a slight increase from 14 percent in June, and slightly down from last July's 17 percent. Nearly two-thirds (60 percent) believe it is a good time to sell a home, pushing the Housing Sentiment Index to 59, which was significantly lower than the Index of 71 in July 2021.
Other key points from C.A.R.'s July 2022 resale housing report include:
- At the regional level, sales continued to decline sharply with three of the five major regions dropping more than 30 percent from last year. The Central Coast region experienced the biggest drop of all regions, with sales plummeting 37.3 percent from a year ago. The San Francisco Bay Area followed closely with the second largest decline (-37.2 percent), as sales in eight of the nine counties in the region fell more than 30 percent in July. Southern California also recorded a 36.9 percent drop from July 2021, while the declines in Central Valley (-27.3 percent) and the Far North (-19.0 percent) were less severe.
- All but three counties tracked by C.A.R. posted sales drops from a year ago in July 2022. Of the 48 counties that experienced a sales decline, 40 of them fell by more than 20 percent from last year, and sales in 30 counties plummeted more than 30 percent year-over-year. Santa Barbara experienced the biggest sales drop from last July at -50.3 percent, followed by Santa Clara (-46.1 percent) and San Bernardino (-42.3 percent). Counties that experienced a sales decline decreased an average of -30.2 percent in July. The number of counties with a year-over-year sales increase remained at two in July, the same as in June. Lassen recorded the largest sales increase of the two counties at 52 percent, while Plumas posted a sales gain of 9.1 percent from last year. For the first seven months of 2022, San Luis Obispo had the sharpest sales drop of -28.9 percent, while Yuba (+17.7 percent) continued to have the best sales performance of all counties.
- Nearly 80 percent of all California counties continued to record an increase in their median prices on a year-over-year basis. Price growth rates, however, were more moderate compared to a couple of months ago when the state set its new record high. Sixteen counties recorded double-digit price surges from a year ago but was less than half of the 31 counties recorded in May. Mariposa (57.3 percent) had the biggest increase in price of all counties, followed by Lassen (20.9 percent) and Napa (17.9 percent). Eleven counties recorded a dip in their median price from July of last year, with Tehama dropping the most at -19.3 percent, followed by San Francisco (-8.2 percent) and San Mateo (-6.9 percent).
- The overall supply conditions in California loosened again, with the statewide unsold inventory index (UII) rising from 1.9 months in July 2021 to 3.2 months in July 2022, the highest level since May 2020. The improvement in the index was primarily due to a pullback in demand. The index indicates the number of months it would take to sell the supply of homes on the market at the current rate of sales.
- Forty-six of the 51 counties tracked by C.A.R. registered a year-over-year increase in active listings in July, compared to 44 counties in June. Five counties had triple-digit year-over-year gains in for-sale properties, with Yuba leading the pack with a growth rate at 169.8 percent, followed by Merced (157.0 percent) and Solano (129.5 percent). On the other end of the spectrum, five counties experienced a decline in active listings from a year ago, with Del Norte dropping the most again at -45.7 percent, followed by Plumas (-11.8 percent) and Lassen (-7.5 percent).
- The median number of days it took to sell a California single-family home was 14 days in July and 8 days in July 2021.
- C.A.R.'s statewide sales-price-to-list-price ratio* was 100 percent in July 2022 and 103.8 percent in July 2021.
- The statewide average price per square foot** for an existing single-family home was $413, up from $394 in July a year ago.
- The 30-year, fixed-mortgage interest rate averaged 5.41 percent in July, up from 2.87 percent in July 2021, according to Freddie Mac. The five-year, adjustable mortgage interest rate averaged 4.29 percent, compared to 2.49 percent in July 2021.
Note: The County MLS median price and sales data in the tables are generated from a survey of more than 90 associations of REALTORS® throughout the state and represent statistics of existing single-family detached homes only. County sales data is not adjusted to account for seasonal factors that can influence home sales. Movements in sales prices should not be interpreted as changes in the cost of a standard home. The median price is where half sold for more and half sold for less; medians are more typical than average prices, which are skewed by a relatively small share of transactions at either the lower end or the upper end. Median prices can be influenced by changes in cost, as well as changes in the characteristics and the size of homes sold. The change in median prices should not be construed as actual price changes in specific homes.
*Sales-to-list-price ratio is an indicator that reflects the negotiation power of home buyers and home sellers under current market conditions. The ratio is calculated by dividing the final sales price of a property by its last list price and is expressed as a percentage. A sales-to-list ratio with 100 percent or above suggests that the property sold for more than the list price, and a ratio below 100 percent indicates that the price sold below the asking price.
**Price per square foot is a measure commonly used by real estate agents and brokers to determine how much a square foot of space a buyer will pay for a property. It is calculated as the sale price of the home divided by the number of finished square feet. C.A.R. currently tracks price-per-square foot statistics for 50 counties.
Leading the way…® in California real estate for more than 110 years, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (www.car.org) is one of the largest state trade organizations in the United States with more than 217,000 members dedicated to the advancement of professionalism in real estate. C.A.R. is headquartered in Los Angeles.
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SOURCE CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/rising-interest-rates-affordability-crunch-drag-down-july-home-sales-prices-car-reports/ | 2022-08-17T15:18:53Z |
Gerken's 18-year track record at SELC includes major legal wins and organizational and strategic leadership
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) today announced that it has appointed DJ Gerken as President and Executive Director, effective October 3rd. Gerken, currently SELC's Director of Programs, will take over the role from Executive Director Jeff Gleason, who is retiring after a celebrated 30-year career with the organization.
"In my eighteen years at SELC, I've been inspired by my colleagues and clients, mentored by the most effective environmental advocates in the nation, and had the privilege of protecting the places and people across this region I love," said Gerken. "I am honored by the opportunity to lead this extraordinary organization as it tackles our country's greatest environmental challenges. This is the moment to build a better climate future and ensure a healthier environment for all, and SELC is the organization to lead the way for the South and the nation. I look forward to working with my exceptional colleagues and our partner organizations and supporters to keep the promise of SELC."
Gerken began his career at SELC in 2004, working to secure major litigation and policy wins across his home landscape in western North Carolina. In 2011, he took over as Managing Attorney for SELC's Asheville office, as well as serving as Interim Managing Attorney for SELC's Nashville office from 2017-2019. Gerken was appointed SELC's Program Director in 2019 and has guided strategy and coordination across SELC's programmatic work since that time. A top-notch litigator, Gerken led key lawsuits that contributed to the cancellation of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. He was also a lead litigator in the nearly decade-long coal ash campaign in North Carolina, which resulted in the commitment to clean up all coal ash in the state, as well as setting a precedent for other states in the South and beyond.
His appointment follows an extensive six-month search by a committee of the Board of Trustees assisted by BoardWalk Consulting, a national search firm specializing in CEO recruitment for nonprofits and foundations.
"On behalf of SELC's Board of Trustees, I am thrilled to welcome DJ Gerken as our new leader," said Laura Gates, Chair of SELC's Board of Trustees. "All of us are inspired by DJ's passion, commitment, and talent, and our region has already benefited from his work. There is no one better positioned to lead SELC now. The organization is the strongest it has ever been, thanks to Jeff Gleason's extraordinary leadership these past three and a half years. DJ is the person to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities of the next era."
Jeff Gleason came out of retirement in 2019 to successfully lead the Southern Environmental Law Center through the organization's transition from Founder Rick Middleton, whose vision and passion guided the organization from its 1986 start as a small two-person shop to a national environmental leader. Gleason joined SELC in 1991 to launch the newly formed energy program, before acting as SELC's Deputy Director & Director of Regional Programs for nearly two decades, overseeing hundreds of cases and significant legal and policy victories. A national expert in clean energy and air, he has helped lead the transformation in energy policy in the South over the past three decades. During his time as executive director, Gleason led a strategic planning process that committed new resources to tackling the two great environmental challenges of our time, climate change and environmental justice, and led and supported the staff through the time of the Covid pandemic.
"DJ has been a critical partner to me as he has guided and coordinated program strategy across the organization for the past three years," said Jeff Gleason, Executive Director of SELC. "He is a great leader and mentor who brings out the best in everyone he works with. He understands what SELC can achieve and has the vision for how SELC must rise to meet the challenges of our time."
Prior to his 2004 start at SELC, Gerken was an associate attorney for three years at Shea & Gardner, and from 2000-2001 he clerked for the Honorable H. Emory Widener Jr. in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Davidson College, and a J.D. from University of Virginia School of Law and a Master of Urban and Environmental Planning from University of Virginia School of Architecture.
Southern Environmental Law Center
The Southern Environmental Law Center is one of the nation's most powerful defenders of the environment, rooted in the South. With a long track record, SELC takes on the toughest environmental challenges in court, in government, and in our communities to protect our region's air, water, climate, wildlife, lands, and people. Nonprofit and nonpartisan, the organization has a staff of 200, including more than 100 attorneys, and is headquartered in Charlottesville, Va., with offices in Asheville, Atlanta, Birmingham, Chapel Hill, Charleston, Nashville, Richmond, and Washington, D.C.
southernenvironment.org
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SOURCE Southern Environmental Law Center | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/selc-announces-new-president-executive-director-dj-gerken/ | 2022-08-17T15:19:05Z |
Venture Capital Firm Led by Veteran Investor Yida Gao to Pursue Investments in Early-Stage Digital Asset Projects
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Shima Capital ("Shima"), a global venture firm that invests in early-stage blockchain companies across all market cycles, today announced that it has launched its debut fund, Shima Capital Fund I ("Fund I" or the "Fund") and has collectively raised $200 million. The Fund received significant support from notable investors including Dragonfly Capital, Bill Ackman, Animoca, OKex, Mirana Ventures, Republic, and Andrew Yang, among others.
Founded in 2021 by veteran investor Yida Gao, Shima Capital supports blockchain startups in their earliest stages (i.e. pre-seed and seed) by providing hands-on oversight to help maximize each company's value. Shima's inaugural fund aims to consistently deploy capital when founders need it the most in addition to helping hire talent, build community, amplify narratives, and foster the acceleration of technical research and development. The Shima team is composed of seasoned investors, accomplished operators, and former founders who align on a mission to help daring teams build and scale their companies.
"Yida Gao and Shima Capital exemplify the early stage venture capital that's needed in Web3. Shima's strong focus on supporting founders and willingness to bash through walls for their sake resonates well with Animoca Brands' ethos," said Yat Siu, co-founder and executive chairman of Animoca Brands. "It's a great honor to partner with Shima Capital, especially given the fund's high conviction in the global proliferation of digital property rights and an open metaverse."
"We at OKX Blockdream Capital believe that Shima Capital has shown promising results in being able to identify paradigm shifts in the cryptocurrency industry," said Jeff Ren, Head of Investment at OK Group. "We are looking forward to establishing a working relationship with Shima Capital alongside its other LPs."
Shima invests in the earliest rounds of blockchain startups across all verticals with check sizes of $500,000 to $2,000,000. Areas of focus include but are not limited to consumer (e.g. decentralized identity, social media, content ownership, DAO's), gaming & metaverse, composable financial systems (e.g. sustainable DeFi, regenerative finance, payments & settlement), decentralized infrastructure (e.g. data platforms, blockchain automation, cross-chain communication), and next-generation blockchain technology (e.g. Layer 1/2, zero-knowledge proofs, security).
"As crypto-focused VC's continue to raise massive billion dollar plus funds, we identified a pocket of opportunity to support Web3 founders with their first institutional checks that are considered too small for other Tier 1 investors," said Gao, Founder and Managing Partner of Shima Capital. "We also observed that early-stage funds usually do not provide extensive value-adds for founders given limited resources. At Shima, we take the opposite approach and spend the necessary resources to provide our portfolio companies with surgical support typically found only with larger funds. We firmly believe this strategy of focusing on the earliest funding rounds and delivering a full suite of value-adds will yield strong returns for LPs and align incentives the most with founders."
The Fund's investment strategy will be led by Gao who previously served as Co-Founder and General Partner of Divergence Digital Currency, a $100m+ crypto hedge fund that has grown over 15x since inception in 2017. Gao was also previously General Partner of Struck Capital, a Los Angeles-based venture capital firm. Prior, he held roles as a technology investor at New Enterprise Associates, a $25Bn+ venture capital fund, and as an M&A investment banker at Morgan Stanley. Gao graduated from MIT with degrees in mathematics and computer science and briefly attended Stanford's Graduate School of Business. He teaches the 15.492: Crypto Finance course at MIT.
Gao is joined by a team of investors and professionals who possess proven track records of sourcing talent and driving successful investments at some of the top technology companies. These include:
- Carl Hua, who serves as Investment Partner and Chief Technology Officer, was formerly the Chief Architect of Celsius and Head of DeFi at Ripple where he is still an advisor. Hua also previously served as Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of Logos Network, which was acquired by Ripple in 2019. He has also held engineering positions at JPL NASA and Northrop Grumman.
- Alex Lin, who serves as Head of Research, was previously a Venture Partner at Old Fashion Research, a multi-strategy Web3 fund managed by former Binance executives. Lin has served as a Fund Manager at Big Red Ventures, Cornell University's student-run, early-stage venture capital fund, and as Co-Founder of Tether Health, an early-stage digital health startup. Lin's career also includes roles as Product Manager of two successfully exited startups (i.e. Teads, Concertiv) and as a Deloitte consultant.
- Chris Adams, who serves as Head of Talent, was formerly the Head of Talent at Atomic VC where he helped scale teams from seed to series C and rolled out talent programs for early teams. Adams served as the first hiring lead at Uber and personally hired 300 candidates while leading a team of 20. He also led recruiting efforts for various teams at Google and Pinterest.
Shima Capital's core team consists of investors, researchers, software engineers, and other industry experts who are passionate about growing the future of the crypto and Web3 ecosystem. To learn more about open roles at Shima and across its portfolio, please visit jobs.shima.capital.
About Shima Capital
Shima Capital is a leading early stage VC firm investing in disruptive blockchain companies. The fund is deeply focused on taking a hands-on approach and working closely with its portfolio companies to provide the most sweat equity per dollar invested. As teams in Web3 push the frontier of innovation, Shima helps hire talent, build community, amplify narratives, and foster the acceleration of technical research and development. Shima is composed of seasoned investors, accomplished operators, and former founders who align on a mission to support all-star teams with building and scaling generational companies.
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SOURCE Shima Capital | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/shima-capital-debuts-with-200-million-support-web3-founders-through-crypto-bear-market/ | 2022-08-17T15:19:11Z |
BOSTON, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SimpliSafe®, maker of award-winning home security systems, today released six limited-edition yard signs, just in time for National Dog Day on August 26. The signs, which celebrate the various "protector" roles our furry friends take on, are available free of purchase beginning today at SimpliSafe.com/DogDay, while supplies last.
Not only are dogs regarded as beloved family members, but they are commonly held as the original security system, announcing when guests arrive at the door and keeping a close lookout on the homefront for unusual activity. Though, in most cases, the reality is that our furry friends carry a hefty burden and can't reliably defend the home 24/7. SimpliSafe, however, can do just that.
"As the experts in home protection, we uniquely know what it takes to protect our customers and the lives they've built," said Brenda Bynarowicz, Senior Vice President of Marketing at SimpliSafe. "Our dogs take on a lot of roles as beloved companions – playmate, alarm clock, personal trainer, therapist – but a foolproof protector isn't one of them. This campaign celebrates our dogs, as our (sort of) partners in protection. It's a fun way for us to surprise and delight not only our customers but anyone who loves dogs."
The campaign reflects SimpliSafe's newly launched visual identity, which began rolling out across channels earlier this month. The refreshed look and feel are designed to represent the values that are at the core of the brand and what it stands for, including superior safety, comprehensive protection, excellence in monitoring support and value. The new visual identity will continue to be introduced across SimpliSafe channels and creative in the coming weeks.
To redeem a sign, dog lovers can visit SimpliSafe.com/DogDay, and once received, they are encouraged to celebrate their pooch on social media by tagging @SimpliSafe and using the hashtag #PupProtected.
About SimpliSafe
SimpliSafe fundamentally changed the alarm industry, pioneering a new way to make home the safest place on earth for everyone. Founded in 2006, SimpliSafe now protects millions of people and is committed to its founding goal: to make every home secure. SimpliSafe has been coined the number one home security pick by several highly-esteemed publications and was recently awarded "Best Overall Home Security System of 2022" by U.S. News & World Report. SimpliCam, SimpliSafe, and the SimpliSafe logo are the registered trademarks of SimpliSafe, Inc. in the US and other countries.
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SOURCE SimpliSafe | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/simplisafe-celebrates-national-dog-day-by-launching-limited-edition-signage-honoring-original-home-protectors/ | 2022-08-17T15:19:18Z |
Two-time Academy Award-winning actor painter and composer showcases his first-ever NFT collection in collaboration with premium Web3 content studio
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Orange Comet, Inc., a premium NFT (Non-Fungible Token) creative media and Web3 experience company, today announces its distinguished partnership with Sir Anthony Hopkins and the launch of his first NFT series, The Eternal Collection. This collaboration marks an extraordinary endeavor for Sir Anthony Hopkins, expanding his artistic expression into the metaverse with one of the leading NFT and Web3 tech companies today.
The Eternal Collection conceptualizes an interpretation of the vast character archetypes Sir Anthony Hopkins has portrayed over his illustrious film career, drawing its potent energy from his prolific body of art. Through a series of thought-provoking images and animations, this NFT collection immortalizes Sir Anthony Hopkins' diverse archetypal interpretations of Eternal: The Jester, The Lover, The Rebel, The Hero, et al.
The Eternal Collection is a rich and intimate exploration into the many facets of Sir Anthony Hopkins' artistic virtuosity. The digital NFT series will also feature an exclusive once-in-a-lifetime IRL event for collectors, giving them access to engage with one of Hollywood's greatest icons.
"When Margam Fine Art approached us with the artistic vision to bring Sir Anthony Hopkins' artwork to the metaverse, we knew this was a unique opportunity for the world of NFTs," said Dave Broome, CEO, Orange Comet. "This relationship is a superb symbiosis of technology and art from one of the finest actors and artists of our day. With Orange Comet at the helm, Sir Anthony Hopkins' artwork will inspire for generations to come."
Sir Anthony Hopkins, a true renaissance man, emerged as a painter in 2005 with a solo exhibition curated by Harte International Galleries, showcasing him as a notable contemporary artist. His vibrant abstract paintings are continuously evolving and are featured in distinguished collections worldwide.
"As an artist, I am inspired by the power of art, music, cinema and the illusionary dreamlike quality of life," says Sir Anthony Hopkins. "The metaverse offers an incredible opportunity to connect with an audience in an entirely different way. Taking my art to the next level, with NFT as my canvas, is truly an exhilarating proposition. I'm probably the oldest guy in the NFT community and on social media, proves all is possible at any age."
The elaborate NFT design and animations of The Eternal Collection, under the artistic direction of Orange Comet's Chief Creative Officer, Dante Ferrarini and Sir Anthony Hopkins, is set to captivate and connect audiences in unprecedented ways.
The forthcoming drop will be in partnership with OpenSea, the world's leading peer-to-peer marketplace for NFTs. Sign up at AnthonyHopkinsNFT.com now to stay informed on the latest news surrounding this one-of-a-kind partnership and follow on social media @OrangeComet.
Orange Comet is a premium content creation company focused on producing high quality and disruptive NFT digital collectibles and Web3 experiences. The Company's team brings together some of the world's leading and award-winning media creators, producers, and artists to partner with the biggest brands, IP and talent across music, sports, arts and entertainment. By blending super-creative content and game-changing technology, our mission is to create groundbreaking NFT experiences for the passionate fan bases of our clients, simultaneously unlocking new levels of interest, engagement and revenue. Co-founded by Hollywood veteran producer, Dave Broome, NFL Hall of Famer Kurt Warner and Grammy award-winning music icons Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Orange Comet is powered by a passionate group of people that believe the future of all entertainment and media is on the verge of major disruptive change through a variety of blockchain experiences. Dedicated to blockchain sustainability, Orange Comet runs on green servers and builds a carbon-negative solution in the NFT space, including partnering with eco-conscious blockchains. Our collective diversity in background, expertise and industries, works to help our clients shape their businesses for the emerging Metaverse of opportunities that awaits. For more information, visit us at OrangeComet.com, as well as on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Aaron Tucker is CEO of Margam Fine Art, established in 2005 as the sole management company of Sir Anthony Hopkins original art and publisher of AH limited edition serigraphs. Aaron Tucker is the author of the Sir Anthony Hopkins art book, 'Dreamscapes'. He is Creative Director of NFT Development and Branding.
Harte International Galleries, established in 1979, exclusively represents Sir Anthony Hopkins' original artwork and limited-edition serigraphs since 2005. Glenn and Devon Harte, a father and son partnership, have spent the last 40 years as collectors and curators of private and public art exhibits with 15th through 21st century masters (Rembrandt, Renoir, Picasso, Miro, Dalí, Anthony Quinn, Sir Anthony Hopkins, and others). More information at Harte International Galleries.
OpenSea is the world's leading peer-to-peer marketplace for NFTs. We're on a mission to help the world's creators, collectors and collaborators own and shape their relationships directly. We're building the world's most trusted and inclusive NFT marketplace with the best selection – making minting, purchasing and selling NFTs frictionless and friendly, and offering unmatched selection and multi-chain options for creators and collectors of all kinds. Headquartered in New York, the OpenSea leadership team comes from Google, Palantir, Lyft, Uber, Stanford and Berkeley. Investors include a16z, Paradigm, Coatue, YCombinator, Founders Fund, Coinbase Ventures, 1Confirmation, and Blockchain Capital.
PR Contact:
Lydia You, Orange Comet
OrangeComet@id-pr.com
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SOURCE Orange Comet | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/sir-anthony-hopkins-orange-comet-partner-launch-exclusive-nft-series-eternal-collection/ | 2022-08-17T15:19:25Z |
MELBOURNE, Australia, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Skedda, a leading global space management and scheduling platform serving over 12,000 customers, today announced a strategic growth investment from Five Elms Capital, a leading global investor in high-growth B2B software companies. The investment and partnership will fuel the scaling of the team and the release of additional products and features built to simplify the complexities of space management and scheduling.
"We are thrilled to partner with an investor with so much expertise scaling B2B software companies, and with such deep experience in both the workplace and academic settings," said Jonathan Fagg, Co-Founder of Skedda. "The complexities of space scheduling and the hassle of manual solutions have only deepened in recent years, and we are excited to accelerate our execution in simplifying these processes for our customers."
The Skedda platform digitizes and automates the booking, scheduling, and management of physical spaces, enabling flexible usage and saving customers time and money by drastically reducing administrative burden. As the world shifts to a more flexible, self-service, data-driven approach to space utilization, Skedda's web and mobile platform enables customers and end users to quickly and easily book and manage rooms, desks, studios, labs, and more.
As part of the transaction, Mark Gentry will join Skedda as Chief Executive Officer, working alongside founders Jonathan Fagg, Ryan McBride, and Sam Maurus. Previous to Skedda, Gentry was Chief Operating Officer and President of former Five Elms portfolio company Service Fusion, which grew nearly 8x during his four year tenure.
"We are in the midst of a tectonic shift in how people interact with physical spaces - in the workplace, at school, and in our communities more broadly," said Gentry. "Skedda has built a market-leading space management and scheduling product with an unmatched user experience and customizability, and with customer satisfaction levels that stand alone. I am excited to help Skedda continue to build the dominant player in the space management and scheduling market."
Skedda is a leading global space management and scheduling platform, serving over 12,000 customers and nearly two million users. The company's product serves customers across multiple verticals including workplace, academic, studio, and athletic settings with functionality including floor plan visualizations, space booking and management, utilization reports and analytics, and payments functionality, as well as integrations with key workplace tools like Microsoft365 and Google Workspace.
Five Elms Capital is a leading global investor in high-growth, world-class B2B software businesses that users love. Five Elms provides capital and resources to help companies accelerate growth and further cement their role as industry leaders. Five Elms maintains offices in North America and Europe and invests in the best software platforms globally.
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SOURCE Skedda | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/skedda-partners-with-five-elms-capital-modernize-space-management-scheduling/ | 2022-08-17T15:19:32Z |
Breeze enables listing agents and sellers to send and prepare disclosures easily.
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SkySlope, the leader in real estate transaction software, has launched Breeze, an all-around simple and streamlined application making Nevada disclosures easy to complete for agents and sellers in Reno-Sparks and Las Vegas.
SkySlope's core product, SkySlope Suite, enables brokers, agents, auditors, and transaction coordinators to track their deals while remaining compliant. Equipped with forms and a digital signature tool, SkySlope provides a frictionless workflow that saves time for agents. As the transaction management platform serving over half of the top 20 largest brokerages in the U.S. and Canada, SkySlope is known for its award-winning customer experience.
With the launch of Breeze, SkySlope gives agents the ability to prepare and send seller disclosures to their clients at lightning speed, from anywhere. Available at no cost, Breeze gives sellers tool tips and legal definitions in accessible language to help prevent critical mistakes that may cause lawsuits against sellers, agents, and brokers. Its guided workflow helps simplify complicated and confusing disclosure forms— helping sellers complete disclosures quickly and with more confidence and accuracy.
Breeze Features
- Streamlined disclosure preparation equipped with MLS data sync
- Status visibility, notifications, and easy revision requests
- Simple guided workflows with helpful tips (think TurboTax) for clients
- Equipped with SkySlope DigiSign for free, unlimited, and secure digital signatures
- Seamlessly integrated with SkySlope's suite of products
"Breeze is truly a one-stop-shop for faster disclosures," says Diana Costas of Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty. "The guided workflow helps clients complete disclosures quickly and accurately and our agents can easily prepare disclosures, request signatures, and submit forms for compliance review."
"Disclosures are a common pain point for both agents and sellers," explains SkySlope CEO, Tyler Smith. "We're excited to launch a solution that takes a complicated process and makes it effortless for REALTORS® and home sellers."
Coming soon to a state near you! Breeze is expanding to help more agents and their clients complete disclosures with ease and confidence. Breeze is currently available in California, Washington, Arizona, Oregon, and Nevada! Breeze will continue to launch in more states throughout 2022.
Is Breeze not available in your state yet? Don't worry, we're coming! Sign up to get an update when we've launched in your state. Visit https://breeze.skyslope.com and scroll to the "Work from anywhere" section on the Breeze page, select your state, and enter your information.
For more information about Breeze, please visit https://breeze.skyslope.com.
Established in 2011, SkySlope is a comprehensive transaction management platform for brokers, agents, auditors, and transaction coordinators to manage real estate transactions from anywhere at any time. In 2021, over 300,000 users across 8,000 offices used SkySlope to manage 2.25M transactions. SkySlope provides digital transaction management and services to help agents and brokers be more efficient and compliant. From automation to integrations, SkySlope's vision is to keep agents and brokers connected to the customer forever. For more information about SkySlope, visit skyslope.com.
Contact
SkySlope
hello@skyslope.com
1-800-507-4117
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SOURCE SkySlope | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/skyslope-launches-breeze-make-nevada-disclosures-fast-effortless/ | 2022-08-17T15:19:38Z |
MCLEAN, Va., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Steampunk Inc., a federal contractor specializing in information technology, announced today they have been featured for the second consecutive year on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing private companies in America. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy's most dynamic segment – its independent small business. This year's Inc. 5000 list had a median 3-year growth of 230% with $317.6 billion in total revenue.
"Making the Inc. 5000 list for a second consecutive year is a true testament of our employees, their capabilities, and the trust our clients have placed in Steampunk," said Matt Warren, Chief Executive Officer of Steampunk. "Through our human-centered delivery approach, we will continue to place our federal government clients in the center of everything we do."
Founded in 2019, Steampunk celebrated their 3-year anniversary as a company this last July. Ranked No.2632 on the 2022 list, Steampunk improved from their 2021 ranking of No.3090 with 217% growth over a 3-year period. Steampunk's information technology capabilities include Design and Strategy, Digital Platforms, Cybersecurity, Data Exploitation, and DevSecOps.
Media Contact: Melissa Woodling, Marketing Manager
melissa.woodling@steampunk.com | 703.328.5130
www.steampunk.com |
Complete results of the 2022 Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000.
Steampunk is a Change Agent in the Federal contracting industry, bringing new thinking to clients in the Homeland, Federal Civilian, Health and DoD sectors. Through our Human-Centered delivery methodology, we are fundamentally changing the expectations our Federal clients have for true shared accountability in solving their toughest mission challenges. As an employee-owned company, we focus on investing in our employees to enable them to do the greatest work of their careers – and rewarding them for outstanding contributions to our growth. If you want to learn more about our story, visit http://www.steampunk.com.
The world's most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. For more information, visit www.inc.com.
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SOURCE Steampunk | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/steampunk-named-2022-inc-5000-fastest-growing-private-companies-list/ | 2022-08-17T15:19:45Z |
Six students studying agriculture will receive a $2,500 award, plus a $500 donation to the charity of their choice.
GREENSBORO, N.C., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Six students recently received 2022 Accelerating a Generation Syngenta Scholarships. These students, who are acquiring degrees focused on agricultural pursuits, will each receive a $2,500 scholarship.
A talented group of students applied for the 2022 scholarship program, which is a partnership between Syngenta and the National FFA Organization (FFA).
"These students give us confidence that the agricultural industry will continue to enjoy strong leadership," says Pam Caraway, communications lead for Syngenta.
As part of their award packages, the scholars individually selected agriculture-related nonprofit organizations to receive $500 gifts on their behalf.
The selected winners and their designated charities are:
- Taylor Baggett from Jay, Florida, a sophomore at the University of Florida ― Farm Aid
- Regan Draeger from Lindsey, Ohio, a senior at The Ohio State University ― The Roper's 4-H Club
- Luke Heupel from Kalispell, Montana, a sophomore at Montana State University ― Field of Hope
- Johanna Hooten from Red Bud, Illinois, a senior at Murray State University ― The Arboretum at Murray State University
- Deziree Lee from Coffeyville, Kansas, a freshman at Kansas State University ― Montgomery County 4-H Fair
- Ashlyn Persyn from Hondo, Texas, a freshman at Texas A & M University ― Medina Valley FFA Boosters
Hooten, a first-generation college student majoring in horticulture, says agricultural scholarships like this are "a true blessing" because they are helping her remain debt-free while she pursues her degree.
"I continue to study agriculture because it truly is my passion," she says. "I have always been fascinated by specialty crops such as pumpkins and watermelons, so I decided to get a degree in horticulture. It brings me great joy to teach others about the agriculture industry, and I know that the only way to give others reliable information is to learn it first myself. That is why I felt it was important to continue my education in an agriculture-specific major after high school."
Likewise, Heupel sees agriculture as a way to help better the planet and its people.
"The world's population is increasing, and its amount of usable farmland is decreasing," he says. "Things need to be done to ensure that farmers will be able to feed the world. I believe that a degree in agriculture will allow me to do my part in helping to feed the world."
The recipients say they also appreciate the opportunity to give back to their community as well with the $500 gift that comes along with the scholarship. Hooten will give back to her university's arboretum, while Heupel will donate to Field of Hope, a charity that works with developing countries to increase their agricultural stability.
Draeger says she is happy to help the 4-H club that she has been a member of since age 11.
"This club provided me with opportunities to become involved in my community and develop essential life skills," Draeger says. "These 4-H members are invested in their community, and this donation will allow them to continue serving their community to the best of their ability. It will enable these members to continue developing as the future generation of agriculturalists."
Those interested in applying for the scholarship for 2023 can visit the FFA Scholarship portal. Applications open in November.
For more information about Syngenta, visit www.Syngenta.com. Join the conversation online ― connect with us at Syngenta-US.com/Social.
About Syngenta
Syngenta Crop Protection and Syngenta Seeds are part of Syngenta Group, one of the world's leading agriculture companies. Our ambition is to help safely feed the world while taking care of the planet. We aim to improve the sustainability, quality and safety of agriculture with world- class science and innovative crop solutions. Our technologies enable millions of farmers around the world to make better use of limited agricultural resources.
The content of this release is for information purposes only. This release is not, and should not be construed as, an offer to sell or issue or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or other property interests.
To learn more, visit www.syngenta.com and www.goodgrowthplan.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Syngenta, www.twitter.com/SyngentaUS and on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/syngenta.
Web Resources:
Know More, Grow More
Syngenta Newsroom
Syngenta U.S.
Thrive
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This document may contain forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as 'expect', 'would', 'will', 'potential', 'plans', 'prospects', 'estimated', 'aiming', 'on track' and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements. For Syngenta, such risks and uncertainties include risks relating to legal proceedings, regulatory approvals, new product development, increasing competition, customer credit risk, general economic and market conditions, compliance and remediation, intellectual property rights, implementation of organizational changes, impairment of intangible assets, consumer perceptions of genetically modified crops and organisms or crop protection chemicals, climatic variations, fluctuations in exchange rates and/or commodity prices, single source supply arrangements, political uncertainty, natural disasters, and breaches of data security or other disruptions of information technology. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors.
© 2022 Syngenta, 410 Swing Road, Greensboro, NC 27409. The Syngenta logo is a registered trademark of a Syngenta Group Company. All other trademarks are the property of their respective third-party owners.
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SOURCE Syngenta | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/syngenta-announces-2022-accelerating-generation-scholarship-program-recipients/ | 2022-08-17T15:19:52Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- InvestorsObserver issues critical PriceWatch Alerts for COGT, FUBO, ETNB, KIRK, and PRTY.
To see how InvestorsObserver's proprietary scoring system rates these stocks, view the InvestorsObserver's PriceWatch Alert by selecting the corresponding link.
- COGT: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=COGT&prnumber=081720222
- FUBO: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=FUBO&prnumber=081720222
- ETNB: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=ETNB&prnumber=081720222
- KIRK: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=KIRK&prnumber=081720222
- PRTY: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=PRTY&prnumber=081720222
(Note: You may have to copy this link into your browser then press the [ENTER] key.)
InvestorsObserver's PriceWatch Alerts are based on our proprietary scoring methodology. Each stock is evaluated based on short-term technical, long-term technical and fundamental factors. Each of those scores is then combined into an overall score that determines a stock's overall suitability for investment.
InvestorsObserver provides patented technology to some of the biggest names on Wall Street and creates world-class investing tools for the self-directed investor on Main Street. We have a wide range of tools to help investors make smarter decisions when investing in stocks or options.
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SOURCE InvestorsObserver | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/thinking-about-buying-stock-cogent-biosciences-fubotv-89bio-kirklands-or-party-city/ | 2022-08-17T15:19:59Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- InvestorsObserver issues critical PriceWatch Alerts for GME, AAPL, DG, TGT, and DIS.
Click a link below then choose between in-depth options trade idea report or a stock score report.
Options Report – Ideal trade ideas on up to seven different options trading strategies. The report shows all vital aspects of each option trade idea for each stock.
Stock Report - Measures a stock's suitability for investment with a proprietary scoring system combining short and long-term technical factors with Wall Street's opinion including a 12-month price forecast.
- GME: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=GME&prnumber=081720223
- AAPL: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=AAPL&prnumber=081720223
- DG: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=DG&prnumber=081720223
- TGT: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=TGT&prnumber=081720223
- DIS: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=DIS&prnumber=081720223
(Note: You may have to copy this link into your browser then press the [ENTER] key.)
InvestorsObserver provides patented technology to some of the biggest names on Wall Street and creates world-class investing tools for the self-directed investor on Main Street. We have a wide range of tools to help investors make smarter decisions when investing in stocks or options.
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SOURCE InvestorsObserver | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/thinking-about-trading-options-or-stock-gamestop-apple-dollar-general-target-or-walt-disney/ | 2022-08-17T15:20:06Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- InvestorsObserver issues critical PriceWatch Alerts for TSLA, A, DLTR, WMT, and BABA.
Click a link below then choose between in-depth options trade idea report or a stock score report.
Options Report – Ideal trade ideas on up to seven different options trading strategies. The report shows all vital aspects of each option trade idea for each stock.
Stock Report - Measures a stock's suitability for investment with a proprietary scoring system combining short and long-term technical factors with Wall Street's opinion including a 12-month price forecast.
- TSLA: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=TSLA&prnumber=081720224
- A: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=A&prnumber=081720224
- DLTR: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=DLTR&prnumber=081720224
- WMT: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=WMT&prnumber=081720224
- BABA: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=BABA&prnumber=081720224
(Note: You may have to copy this link into your browser then press the [ENTER] key.)
InvestorsObserver provides patented technology to some of the biggest names on Wall Street and creates world-class investing tools for the self-directed investor on Main Street. We have a wide range of tools to help investors make smarter decisions when investing in stocks or options.
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SOURCE InvestorsObserver | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/thinking-about-trading-options-or-stock-tesla-agilent-technologies-dollar-tree-walmart-or-alibaba/ | 2022-08-17T15:20:12Z |
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Truist Financial Corporation (NYSE: TFC) today announced plans to host conference calls to review quarterly financial results on the following dates and times:
- Fourth quarter 2022 – Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023 at 8 a.m. ET
- First quarter 2023 – Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 8 a.m. ET
- Second quarter 2023 – Thursday, July 20, 2023 at 8 a.m. ET
- Third quarter 2023 – Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023 at 8 a.m. ET
- Fourth quarter 2023 – Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024 at 8 a.m. ET
Access information will be provided closer to each scheduled earnings conference call.
About Truist
Truist Financial Corporation is a purpose-driven financial services company committed to inspiring and building better lives and communities. Truist has leading market share in many high-growth markets in the country. The company offers a wide range of services including retail, small business and commercial banking; asset management; capital markets; commercial real estate; corporate and institutional banking; insurance; mortgage; payments; specialized lending; and wealth management. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Truist is a top 10 U.S. commercial bank with total assets of $545 billion as of June 30, 2022. Truist Bank, Member FDIC. Learn more at Truist.com.
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SOURCE Truist Financial Corporation | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/truist-announces-fourth-quarter-2022-quarterly-2023-earnings-conference-call-dates/ | 2022-08-17T15:20:18Z |
WOODLAND, Calif. and SINGAPORE, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Following 18 months of extensive R&D, TurtleTree has officially announced its production of LF+, the world's first sustainable bovine lactoferrin created using precision fermentation technology.
A key part of the company's ongoing work with cultivated dairy, precision fermentation is a state-of-the-art process that uses microbial hosts for the mass production of ingredients. Compared to traditional methods, precision fermentation offers far greater efficiency and volume, enabling viable production at commercial scale.
In pioneering the use of this technology for lactoferrin and its inclusion in food, TurtleTree is uniquely poised to be a frontrunner in the highly sought-after functional protein market. Having assembled a world-class team of industry-leading talents to work on this project, the company will now accelerate its development efforts for LF+ in order to achieve a commercial launch in 2023.
Discussing the decision to step into this new space, TurtleTree Chief Strategist, Max Rye, stated: "Looking at recent events like the infant formula shortage in the US and the disruptions in food supply arising from COVID-19, we felt that we could no longer sit on the sidelines. With LF+, we see a way to contribute towards better nutrition in the here and now while our longer-term dairy projects remain in the pipeline. The hope is to ultimately take a proactive approach in creating the world we want to see and genuinely make a difference during a time of need."
Elaborating on the value that lactoferrin can bring to consumer nutrition, TurtleTree's Chief Scientific Officer, Aletta Schnitzler, explained: "Lactoferrin is one of the key ingredients that gives human milk its uniquely beneficial properties. From immune support to gut health, lactoferrin has been shown to provide an extensive list of health-related benefits."
In a 2022 review, researchers from Poland highlighted a fascinating function of lactoferrin as a guardian of the human genome, capable of modulating cell cycle activity and DNA repair. This adds to a growing volume of scientific literature that has already shown lactoferrin's ability to modulate immune responses and regulate iron absorption, among other properties.
Schnitzler continues: "To be able to bring these benefits to the public in a meaningful way, we need to be able to produce lactoferrin both sustainably and at commercial volume. In pursuit of this goal, we've hired some of the foremost minds in precision fermentation including Dr. Amanda Fischer, our Director of Precision Fermentation, and Jung Yi, our Director of Process Engineering and Automation. We've been delighted by their work so far, and we'll eagerly welcome more opportunities to add to the team should the right talents come along."
Having already made ground with regulators, investors, and key industry leaders, TurtleTree will now seek new opportunities with commercial partners as it works towards getting LF+ to market.
Echoing this outlook, TurtleTree CEO, Fengru Lin, commented: "The sustainable production of lactoferrin through precision fermentation is a perfect fit for our mission of nourishing both the planet and its people. To be able to produce this remarkable ingredient at commercial scale—in a way that's both environmentally and economically viable over the long-term—is an absolute game-changer. It means new possibilities for adult nutrition, athletic supplementation, and mothers who want the best nutrition for their families. The possibilities are endless, and we can't wait to bring this vision to reality."
About TurtleTree
TurtleTree is a biotech company dedicated to producing a new generation of nutrition—one that's better for the planet, the animals, and people everywhere. Utilizing cutting-edge precision fermentation technology and proprietary cell-based innovations, the company is creating better-for-you ingredients sustainably and affordably, with benefits that extend beyond the dining table and into the heart of humanity.
For more information, please visit TurtleTree's website. Alternatively, follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
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SOURCE TurtleTree | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/turtletree-announces-lf-first-ever-sustainable-lactoferrin-made-with-precision-fermentation/ | 2022-08-17T15:20:25Z |
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Udacity, the digital talent transformation platform, today announced the expansion of its executive leadership team with three promotions including Ayah Shashaa (she/her) as Chief Strategy and Business Operations Officer; Samuel Schofield (he/him) as Chief Revenue Officer; and Derrick Alesevich (he/him) as Chief Legal and Administrative Officer. This follows the recent appointment of Sarah Reynolds (they/them) as Chief Marketing Officer.
Talent development is at the core of Udacity's offering, and this leadership team growth demonstrates the company's commitment to its mission of empowering life-long career development, with all three new appointees being promoted internally.
Ayah Shashaa steps up as Chief Strategy and Business Operations Officer, after spending close to five years at Udacity as Global Vice President of Societal Impact. In her new role, Shashaa will oversee the strategic direction of Udacity, aligning the planning, implementation, and execution of the company's growth mission.
As the former Senior Vice President of Enterprise Sales, Sam Schofield joins Udacity's C-suite with his promotion to Chief Revenue Officer. Schofield will be responsible for all institutional revenue-generation activities worldwide, and will oversee Udacity's Government partnership team.
Also joining Udacity's executive leadership team is Derrick Alesevich, the company's former Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. In his new role as Chief Legal and Administrative Officer, Alesevich will oversee Udacity's Legal and People teams.
"I'm delighted to see the promotions of Ayah, Sam, and Derrick. Personal development is at the core of what we do and I'm beyond thrilled to see my colleagues grow and expand their roles in the company," said Gabriel Dalporto, CEO of Udacity.
Udacity changes lives, businesses, and nations through radical talent transformation in digital technologies. Udacity's global, online talent transformation platform focuses on in-demand digital technologies, mentor support, and project-based learning taught by industry experts. Programs include real-world content for job-ready competencies in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, autonomous systems, and cloud computing, among other disciplines. Udacity has more than 100 enterprise customers including Airbus, Bertelsmann, BNP Paribas, Leidos, Mazda, and the United States Air Force. Udacity collaborates with more than 200 global industry partners including Google, Mercedes-Benz, and NVIDIA to power technical education. Headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., the private company has operations in the United Kingdom, Egypt, Germany, India, and the United Arab Emirates. Udacity has raised $163 million in funding to date from investors including Bertelsmann, Andreessen Horowitz, Charles River Ventures, and Drive Capital.
For more information, please visit www.udacity.com.
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SOURCE Udacity | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/udacity-expands-executive-leadership-team-with-key-promotions/ | 2022-08-17T15:20:32Z |
Award recognizes custodial and janitorial staff who clean and prevent infections in educational facilities across the country
NORTHBROOK, Ill., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- UMF Corporation today opened nominations for its first annual Education Hygiene Specialist Excellence Award, which acknowledges the contributions of janitorial staff at K-12 schools, colleges and universities across the country. Modeled on UMF's Hygiene Specialist and Guest Room Attendant Excellence Awards for healthcare and hospitality, respectively, the Education Hygiene Specialist Excellence Award recognizes the crucial role school custodians play in providing a safe hygienic environment for students, teachers, and staff. Nominations are open through December 31, 2022.
"UMF is committed to supporting, recognizing, and celebrating the essential workers who are responsible for the cleaning and disinfection process in healthcare facilities, hotels, and educational institutions," said UMF Corporation CEO George Clarke. "We are privileged to introduce the first annual Education Hygiene Specialist Excellence Award to acknowledge the custodial staff whose jobs are critical in mitigating the risk of infections among students, teachers, and staff. COVID-19 resulted in a crash course in infection prevention across all industries. School custodians were required to learn and embrace new cleaning and disinfection protocols, putting their lives on the line as they showed up day in and day out to help keep schools open."
From initial school closings and remote learning to masking, hybrid learning, eating in classrooms, and frequent handwashing, the impacts of the pandemic were felt deeply and broadly across every level of education. Once they reopened, schools' cleaning and disinfection processes had changed dramatically, often including best practices such as color coding to prevent cross-contamination and enhanced disinfection. Custodial staff were responsible for processing student and staff environments in new ways to ensure optimal infection prevention.
CDC guidance includes daily – or more frequent, depending on level of use – cleaning and disinfection of all frequently touched surfaces. With hundreds to thousands of students passing through daily, custodians have their work cut out for them. They are responsible for first cleaning and then disinfecting all surfaces using a product from the EPA's List N, which includes disinfectants that are effective against the virus that causes COVID-19.
Recognition Improves Outcomes
According to research published in the American Journal of Infection Control, healthcare facilities that focus on education, accountability, and recognition of environmental services staff dramatically reduced healthcare-associated infections.
"It is time to break stereotypes and recognize that janitors, custodians, and housekeepers are now equal in many ways to the hospital environmental service department," added Clarke. "The education hygiene specialist is the first line of defense in providing safe student environments. They're an integral part of health and safety at our educational facilities, so we must recognize and celebrate them regularly. The Education Hygiene Specialist Excellence Award is one way to do just that."
Nominate your dedicated school custodian today. The award recipient will receive an all-expenses paid trip for two, including airfare and hotel to a location of their choice within the 48 contiguous states. Nomination forms, available at https://bit.ly/UMFEHS22, will remain open through the end of 2022.
UMF Corporation is the leader in the research and development of high-performance products, programs and training for the infection prevention and commercial cleaning markets. Through extensive testing, exhaustive analysis and the commitment of significant human and financial resources, new antimicrobial technologies have been merged with innovative product designs that are redefining the future of clean®. LinkedIn.
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SOURCE UMF Corporation | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/umf-corporation-calls-nominations-first-annual-education-hygiene-specialist-excellence-award/ | 2022-08-17T15:20:38Z |
Top three winners earn a combined $50,000 in awards.
PHOENIX, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Technical Institute (UTI) has awarded tuition grants to three female students planning to pursue a STEM education and career after they graduate high school. All three applied through a grant program sponsored by UTI and IGNITE Worldwide, a non-profit organization working to change gender and racial equity in STEM. The students earned a combined $50,000 in total grants to cover a significant portion of their future UTI tuition.
Grant applicants were asked to describe a time in their lives when they tried a new, difficult activity that helped them gain more self-confidence. First place winner Katherine West of Clarkson, Mich., earned a $25,000 scholarship grant by describing her experience enrolling in the Collision and Repair program at Oakland Schools Technical Campus in Clarkston, Mich. West said she had to face the fear of beginning a new course and knowing she would be one of the few female students in the program.
"I was terrified initially because I didn't know anything about cars, and I was aware of the stigma surrounding women in a male-dominated industry," said West. "Then, I found out I was not the only girl in my class, and as the class went on, things started clicking."
Liberty Bowman of Stevens Point, Wis., placed second, earning a $15,000 scholarship grant. Bowman's essay recounts her experience trying rugby for the first time, despite knowing nothing about it and receiving a fair amount of doubt from friends and family.
"Although these comments made me have doubts about myself, I didn't let them stop me," Bowman said. "Despite all the fears and negativity, I went for it. After the first few practices, I was told I needed to play more aggressively. So, each day, I tried to work on it more."
Third place winner Denia Gomez from Deerfield Beach, Fla., shared how learning a new instrument, typically played by male students in her school's marching band, taught her the importance of pursuing difficult skills. Gomez believes there was a lesson in her experience she would've passed on to her younger self.
"I would definitely tell my younger self to do whatever makes you happy, no matter what gender norms tell you. The best thing about difficult tasks is that you will gain a lot of experience and grow to be a strong, young woman the more you put yourself out there and do the things most people wouldn't imagine a girl doing," said Gomez.
In addition to scholarship grants, UTI's support of IGNITE Worldwide also includes facilitating on-campus and virtual conferences that give female students across the country the opportunity to hear from women who are paving the way in the skilled trades.
"On behalf of UTI, I want to congratulate the winners and thank all the participants who shared important moments in their lives that led to their personal growth," said UTI CEO Jerome Grant. "We look forward to welcoming these motivated students to our campuses after high school, where they will see the steps we are taking to diversify our student body and, ultimately, the transportation industry. Our employer partners look to us to help meet their need for skilled workers, and we know that a diverse workforce benefits those employers as well as the economy."
West and Bowman plan to attend the UTI-Lisle campus near Chicago. Gomez has chosen to stay in her home state by attending UTI-Orlando.
Founded in 1965 and headquartered in Phoenix, Universal Technical Institute's (NYSE: UTI) mission is to serve our students, partners, and communities by providing quality education and support services for in-demand careers. Approximately 250,000 students have graduated from one of UTI's 16 campuses located across Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Texas. UTI's campuses are accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), while its employer-aligned technical training programs are offered under four brands: Universal Technical Institute, Motorcycle Mechanics Institute / Marine Mechanics Institute, NASCAR Technical Institute, and MIAT College of Technology. For more information and a complete list of all programs offered, please visit www.uti.edu or follow on LinkedIn @UniversalTechnicalInstitute and on Twitter @news_UTI.
Media Contact
Alanna Vitucci
avitucci@uti.edu
480-710-6843
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SOURCE Universal Technical Institute, Inc. | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/universal-technical-institute-ignite-worldwide-award-tuition-grants-female-students-pursuing-stem-education-this-fall/ | 2022-08-17T15:20:41Z |
Rising income, pent-up demand for travel to support gains
CLEVELAND, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- US personal consumption spending on recreation services is forecast to grow 9.9% annually in nominal terms through 2026, according to Recreation: United States, a report recently released by Freedonia Focus Reports. In real (inflation-adjusted) terms, spending is projected to advance 7.9% yearly over that span. Gains will stem from a return to trend following the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions. Further advances will be driven by increases in disposable personal income (DPI), which will support consumer travel to recreation destinations and spending during their stay. However, real DPI per capita is expected to decrease in 2022 as a result of inflation. Recreation providers also stand to benefit from a consumer trend that favors spending on experiences over products. While population growth will continue to expand the consumer base, shifting demographics as the resident population becomes proportionately older will force recreation providers to change their service offerings. Streaming media and video games are expected to continue to present strong competition, particularly amid the increasing sophistication of home entertainment systems. Further, the impact of high fuel prices on travel amidst the Russia-Ukraine conflict and related sanctions placed on Russia will weigh on spending in the short term, as consumers will be less likely to take road trips.
In 2022, revenues are expected to expand nearly 33% on the strength of a return to business as usual following the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions. In real terms, revenue will rise nearly 29%.
These and other key insights are featured in Recreation: United States. This report forecasts to 2022 and 2026 US personal consumption expenditures (PCE) on recreation services in nominal and real US dollars. Total spending is segmented by service in terms of:
- gambling
- amusement parks and related services
- clubs and participant sports
- spectator sports
- museums and libraries
- live entertainment
- movie theaters
To illustrate historical trends, total spending and the various segments are provided in annual series from 2011 to 2021.
Expenditures include services financed by third parties (e.g., business group visits) as well as services provided without a financial intermediary. Spending on other services – such as accommodation, dining, and shopping – offered by a recreation service provider is excluded from the scope of this report.
More information about the report is available at:
https://www.freedoniafocusreports.com/Recreation-United-States-FF95062/?progid=91541
About Freedonia Focus Reports
Each month, The Freedonia Group – a division of MarketResearch.com – publishes over 20 new or updated Freedonia Focus Reports, providing fresh, unbiased analysis on a wide variety of markets and industries. Published in 20-30 pages, Focus Report coverage ranges from raw materials to finished manufactured goods and related services such as freight and construction. Additional Services & Industries reports can be purchased at Freedonia Focus Reports or MarketResearch.com.
Analysis is intended to guide the busy reader through pertinent topics in rapid succession, including:
- total historical market size and industry output
- segmentation by products and markets
- identification of market drivers, constraints, and key indicators
- segment-by-segment outlook in five-year forecasts
- a survey of the supply base
- suggested resources for further study
Press Contact:
Corinne Gangloff
+1 440.842.2400
cgangloff@freedoniagroup.com
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SOURCE The Freedonia Group | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/us-spending-recreation-jump-29-real-terms-amid-post-pandemic-return-trend/ | 2022-08-17T15:20:48Z |
SAN RAMON, Calif., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lumin Digital announced today that Utilities Employees Credit Union (UECU) has signed a multi-year agreement for Lumin Digital's cloud-based online and mobile digital banking platform. Lumin will support UECU's more than 47,000 members and more than $1.4 billion in assets when the platform is launched in March 2023.
A cloud-native digital banking platform, Lumin Digital will provide UECU members with an integrated, customized experience that matches larger financial institutions' offerings. Focusing on service, user experience, safety, and security through sophisticated automation, Lumin Digital helps credit unions and financial institutions drive better engagement with their users through personalized recommendations. These include everything from spending insights and financial advice to fraud alerts and help with savings goals. Lumin also enables credit unions to provide users with real-time updates and new features that add value and simplify everyday banking.
UECU has served the nation's utility and energy employees since 1934. The Credit Union recently extended membership benefits to residents of Pennsylvania through the Pennsylvania American Consumer Council (PACC). UECU operates from a single headquarters in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania.
"Because of UECU's virtual business model, we seek strategic partnerships to provide optimal experiences for our members. We are confident we've found that partnership with Lumin Digital—one that meets the needs of our members today and sets the stage for future innovation," said Bret Krevolin, President/CEO of UECU. "We are excited that our members will reap the benefits of an expanded and intuitively-designed digital banking platform."
"Like UECU, Lumin Digital is passionate about providing members with innovative financial tools and experiences," said Jeff Chambers, founder and CEO of Lumin Digital. "UECU members will soon have access to an array of new services that will enhance how they bank digitally."
About Lumin Digital
Lumin Digital is a PSCU-majority-owned fintech company specializing in digital banking solutions. Through a fundamentally different approach to technology, service, and people, we're creating the next generation of financial solutions each and every day. Lumin helps credit unions and financial institutions build and deploy next-gen digital experiences that help to continually serve, engage, and grow their membership base. While other platforms are partially adapted or retrofitted for the cloud, Lumin is 100% cloud-native. It was built specifically for the cloud environment, allowing us to more fully realize the advantages it offers. It's a difference that financial institutions and their users will see and feel almost immediately. For more information, visit lumindigital.com.
About UECU
UECU, a not-for-profit financial cooperative, has been helping members and their families reach their life-long financial goals for 88 years. UECU is among the 4% of US credit unions to receive the Best of Bauer Status for having earned BauerFinancial's 5-Star Rating for financial strength for over 30 years! Bankdash, a personal finance news and research publication, has added UECU to their list of the 100 best credit unions in the nation. UECU has also been ranked as one of the top 200 healthiest credit unions in the US by DepositAccounts.com. To learn more about UECU's exclusive member benefits, visit uecu.org or call 800.288.6423.
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SOURCE Lumin Digital | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/utilities-employees-credit-union-signs-with-lumin-digital-enhanced-digital-banking-services/ | 2022-08-17T15:20:54Z |
Valet Living is Creating the Largest National Property Solutions Network
TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Valet Living, the only nationally recognized full-service amenities provider to the multifamily housing industry, today announced the expansion of their Valet Living Turns business with the acquisitions of Contemporary Contractors, Inc. (CCI), an Irving, Texas-based traditional turns company that also provides plumbing and HVAC work, and A Rite Way, a Boca Raton, Florida-based multifamily solutions provider that has accommodated residential communities for over 20 years while routinely pulling in capital expenditure projects.
"Valet Living Turns purposeful expansion strategy will be fueled by additional acquisitions and organic growth," said Steve Davis, EVP of Strategic Development. "Including near-term announcements of incremental acquisitions – to become the only nationwide provider of turns services."
Since 2019, Valet Living Turns by Valet Living has been building out a national platform to ensure efficiencies in real estate turnover by expanding current markets and acquiring the best-in-class local multifamily solutions providers. In January 2022, Valet Living acquired Portland, Oregon-based Turns company All Aspects Renovations, a renovation and remodeling company serving the multifamily industry. Intending to create the most extensive national turns network in the multifamily industry, Valet Living continues to grow its dominance and influence within this space by further expanding into turns and the timely make-ready of apartments and dwellings for rent.
"Partnering with Valet Living Turns, we saw an amazing opportunity to further grow in the industry," said Richard Schlenk, founder of Contemporary Contractors, Inc. "With our motto being 'One call schedules it all' I'm beyond excited to see this grow nationwide. Partnering with Valet Turns has given our 30+ years in the industry a huge boost in experience and service to reach levels we had only dreamed about, providing better results for our clients and management companies."
"Over the past 24 years, my team and I have built a reputation of providing solutions to all our client's needs," said Anthony Weinstein, Founder of A Rite Way. "Our answer to their challenges is simply, YES, we can solve that problem for you. As we began to dream about the possibility of providing our solutions-based business model to our customers anywhere, we knew this would be impossible alone. Valet Living brings a nationally recognized and respected platform of services and relationships which we believe will allow us to take our dream and make it a reality. We are thrilled to join the Valet Living Family and look forward to the exciting future of providing multifamily solutions across the nation and beyond!"
In terms of integration, Valet Living Turns by Valet Living recognizes the importance of local relationships and knowledge in the turns market and plans to operate Contemporary Contractors, Inc. and A Rite Way as additional lines of business, including ongoing support from the existing staff.
For more information, please visit www.valetliving.com/quickturns.
About Valet Living
Valet Living is the largest nationally recognized full-service amenities provider to the multifamily housing industry, performing more than 470 million amenity services annually, encompassing 1.8 million apartment homes in 40 states. Valet Living uses specialized technology that empowers its trusted associates to deliver standard-setting amenities in communities where people want to live. Valet Living has been setting the standard for residential living since 1995 and has been proven to increase property value. Valet Living is a portfolio company of the Private Equity Group GI Partners.
Contact:
Nikita Bhappu Abbaspour
(813) 331-0680
nikita.bhappu@valetliving.com
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SOURCE Valet Living | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/valet-living-turns-expands-with-acquisitions-southeast-multifamily-solutions-providers-contemporary-contractors-inc-rite-way/ | 2022-08-17T15:21:01Z |
WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Vantagepoint AI has been recognized again by Fortune® Magazine as a top Small Business. Vantagepoint AI was ranked as one of the top 100 small businesses in the country.
Vantagepoint AI was the first company in the world to empower independent traders to trade smarter and profit more using Artificial Intelligence on their home computers. Company founder, Louis Mendelsohn, transformed the financial industry with the introduction of his theory of strategy backtesting, the introduction of his software, and his patented global Intermarket Analysis. Today, his son, Lane Mendelsohn leads the company and continues to create a workplace that is transforming lives both for his team and for VantagePoint traders.
"This news is both inspiring and monumental to me," says Lane Mendelsohn. "The VantagePoint team has always been a primary focus, and this reflects how each member feels about being a part of it. As the President of Vantagepoint, I am deeply aware of my responsibility to care for our team and our business."
Vantagepoint AI offers its team full medical, dental, and vision coverage and maintains a workplace culture centered around its core values of teamwork, communication, purpose, innovation, respect, integrity, and passion to guide every decision and action at all levels of the company. The company is also dedicated to giving back to the local community through regular corporate giving as well as team member donations to small, local (often overlooked) community charities.
The Vantagepoint AI team was surveyed and resoundingly endorsed the workplace culture the Mendelsohns have created. "I love that we are a leader in the United States of how to be a workplace that changes lives for my team, our community, and our traders!" said Lane Mendelsohn.
See what makes VantagePoint unique in the fintech sector and how predictive A.I. is innovating trading strategies for independent traders at a live, interactive training.
About Vantagepoint AI, LLC. Vantagepoint's artificial intelligence-based software forecasts Stocks, Futures, Options, Forex, Cryptocurrencies, and ETFs with proven accuracy of up to 87.4%. Family-owned, Vantagepoint is actively committed to giving back in the Tampa Bay community including regularly donating a portion of revenue to Shriners Hospitals for Children and The Children's Cancer Center. For a private demonstration: www.vantagepointsoftware.com/demo
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SOURCE VantagePoint Software | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/vantagepoint-ai-named-top-workplace-us-by-fortune-magazine/ | 2022-08-17T15:21:08Z |
BEIJING, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Waterdrop Inc. ("Waterdrop", the "Company" or "we") (NYSE: WDH), a leading technology platform dedicated to insurance and healthcare service with a positive social impact, recently opened its first agency outlet in Wuhan. It will provide local residents with a range of specialized insurance services, such as insurance customization, security risk assessment, policy consulting, and entrusted policy management.
At the end of 2020, China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission ("CBIRC") released relevant policies, encouraging insurance practitioners to open outlets in urban communities, counties, and towns.
Over the past few years, Waterdrop Insurance Marketplace has kept exploring the new path that combines online and offline presence. In March 2022, Waterdrop kicked off the recruitment of independent insurance agents nationwide, with the aim to cultivate professional elites who are proficient in digital operations.
Aiming at our independent insurance agents, Waterdrop earlier launched exclusive rules with industry-leading income allocation methods, thereby improving our agent retention rate and providing customers with more professional and qualified services.
Besides, by delving into local communities, Waterdrop's agency outlets in community learn more about customer needs, improve customers' recognition of insurance products, including the product features, the processes for insurance application and claims settlement, as well as the meanings of health declaration and other relevant clauses, thereby assuring customers in purchases.
Li Jia, Waterdrop Vice President in Insurance, said, "the Wuhan agency outlet is one of the first pilot outlets set up by Waterdrop; after the sustainable operation capability is proven, Waterdrop will expand the model into more cities and communities."
Shen Peng, our Founder, Chairman and CEO, commented, "Waterdrop will build a highly-specialized and well-trained professional team, so as to provide clients with customized insurance services through efficient online and deep-going offline operations. The agency outlets in community will enhance the stability and professionalism of insurance practioners, raise the awareness of compliant operation, improve the industry's overall image, and facilitate the high-quality development of the industry."
About Waterdrop Inc.
Waterdrop Inc. (NYSE: WDH) is a leading technology platform dedicated to insurance and healthcare service with a positive social impact. Founded in 2016, with the comprehensive coverage of Waterdrop Insurance Marketplace and Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding, Waterdrop aims to bring insurance and healthcare service to billions through technology. For more information, please visit www.waterdrop-inc.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "aims," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "likely to," and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Waterdrop's beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Waterdrop's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Waterdrop does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.
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SOURCE Waterdrop Inc. | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/waterdrop-insurance-marketplace-opens-its-first-agency-outlet-wuhan/ | 2022-08-17T15:21:15Z |
Call for Entries to Open for the 2023 VETTY Awards Creative Marketing Competition
ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The North American Veterinary Community (NAVC), today announced the entry period for its annual VETTY Awards will open on September 1, 2022. The prestigious VETTY Awards program is the only competition dedicated to recognizing marketing excellence in the animal healthcare industry.
Veterinary industry marketing teams and agencies are invited to submit their projects for consideration during this year's VETTY Awards program. Eligible work must have been produced between January 1, 2022 and November 15, 2022. Entry divisions are comprised of a variety of marketing mediums, including print, advertising, event, digital, social media and much more. For VETTY Awards entry information, click here.
Award winners will be announced on January 16, 2023 at the NAVC's annual Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX) which takes place January 14-18 in Orlando. A list of winners also will be posted on the VETTY Awards website and featured in the VMX Expo Hall.
"The VETTY Awards are a highlight of our annual VMX conference where attendees can see and celebrate marketing excellence in the veterinary and animal healthcare industry," said NAVC CEO Gene O'Neill. "We look forward to seeing who will be the 'pick of the litter' among entries that are submitted by talented creatives who are dedicated to promoting products and services that help animals everywhere live better, longer lives."
The early bird deadline for VETTY Award submissions is 11:59 PM EST on Friday, November 4, 2022. The final deadline for submissions is at 11:59 PM EST on Tuesday, November 15. Winners will be notified in December, prior to the VMX event, so that arrangements can be made to attend.
The NAVC, the world's leading nonprofit dedicated to supporting the global veterinary health community, introduced The VETTY Awards program in 2017 to recognize and reward marketing and advertising excellence that helps fuel the rapidly growing animal health industry.
VMX is the world's largest gathering of veterinary industry professionals. VMX offers hundreds of hours of continuing education and program tracks over the course of five days for veterinarians and animal healthcare professionals. It features one of the largest veterinary industry expos as well as world class entertainment and networking events.
For more information about the VETTY Awards program, visit thevettys.com or email info@thevettys.com.
The North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) association organization dedicated to supporting and advancing veterinary professionals worldwide. The world's leading provider of veterinary continuing education, the NAVC delivers essential training, tools and resources for veterinary professionals to stay abreast of advances in animal medicine and provide the best medical care for animals everywhere. Through its commitment to innovation and excellence, the NAVC has developed a diverse portfolio of products and services, including: educational events, headlined by VMX, the world's largest, most comprehensive continuing education conference and launchpad for new products and innovations within the veterinary industry; a robust digital platform for virtual learning and engagement; the veterinary industry's largest and award-winning portfolio of trade publications; and an advocacy arm which unites the veterinary community and pet lovers. The NAVC was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Orlando, FL. Since 2017, the NAVC has been recognized annually as one of the Top Workplaces by the Orlando Sentinel. To learn more about the NAVC's products and brands, visit navc.com. To see our schedule of upcoming events, visit navc.com/calendar.
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SOURCE North American Veterinary Community | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/who-will-be-this-years-pick-litter/ | 2022-08-17T15:21:22Z |
This summer and fall, Guibord will visit multiple locations across the Northeast to host intimate wine tastings and share key tips from her book, Find Your Wine Identity
NEW YORK, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sandra Guibord, CEO and Founder of Sandra's Wine Life, has published her first book, Find Your Wine Identity, that serves as a consummate guide to the world of wine.
A prominent figure within the wine and spirits community, Guibord is known for leading Fortune 500 companies including Wells Fargo, Citi Corp, News Corp, ABC, and the United Nations in entertaining top clients and senior executives and hosting wine tastings for esteemed guests, charitable organizations, and on live television. Find Your Wine Identity encourages readers to feel more confident about buying and sharing wine and to expand their knowledge on wine varietals, regions, and wine-making methods.
Published by White River Press, the new book offers "sip-worthy" suggestions to beginners and wine connoisseurs by season, sharing unique wine choices, recipes for the perfect wine-pairings, and notable entertaining tips. Guibord even shares the fascinating history of each wine for potential party conversation and tests readers' knowledge with Sandra's Sipping Quiz.
"I've spent years in the wine industry and absolutely love sharing my knowledge and expertise to help everyone learn about wine," said Guibord. "Wine can be very personal, enjoying a bottle is as much about the wine itself as it is about having a comfortable experience. I wrote Find Your Wine Identity to help anyone – from beginners to enthusiasts, experts and beyond – to break out of their "wine rut" to discover new wines to enjoy and savor, and to create wonderful memories and experiences in the process."
This month, Guibord will embark on a Northeast book tour where she will host intimate wine tastings featuring pairings from her book. The locations of the book tour include various Barnes & Noble locations, all of which can be found here.
Find Your Wine Identity is available for purchase on Amazon.com, Walmart.com, and select Barnes & Noble locations in hardcover and paperback.
Sandra Guibord, CEO and Founder of Sandra's Wine Life has over two decades of experience in entertainment and business. A former Wilhelmina model and actress, in soap operas, network television series, films and corporate spokesperson roles, Sandra is now a preeminent guide within the wine and spirits community.
Sandra assists Financial institutions, Law firms, Tech Corporations and nonprofits with entertaining their top clientele and senior executives. Sandra Guibord has made the often-vexing world of wine enjoyable through her fun, festive and informative approach that has been well received by wine enthusiasts from novices to connoisseurs. She offers practical wine advice, in person and virtually, that are addictive to business dinners, romantic dates, and family gatherings over meatballs and spaghetti.
Learn more about Sandra's Wine Life at www.sandraswinelife.com.
Founded in 2006, White River Press is a collaborative publishing house that works with experienced authors to publish new material and also bring their work back into print.
For more information, head to www.WhiteRiverPress.com.
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SOURCE Sandra’s Wine Life | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/wine-expert-importer-sandra-guibord-launches-first-book-begins-northeast-book-tour/ | 2022-08-17T15:21:29Z |
MANAHAWKIN, N.J., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Wireless Experience (TWE) celebrates 25 years in business this month with a fast-growing footprint and an expanding team. Launched in August 1997 as a one-person side business, TWE now ranks as the top-rated East Coast AT&T retailer with 94 stores across six states and four-time certification as a Great Place to Work. The company has added nineteen stores since 2020 and plans to surpass 100 by year-end while continuing to increase its 300+-person workforce.
"The key to success is our amazing team," says CEO and Founder Brian Wainwright. "Having people who care about and support each other, while also working hard for the business, has created a place that can set the standard for our industry as we move to the future."
Known for its culture of support, development and advancement opportunities, TWE has earned four Fortune Best Workplace Awards as well as two rankings on the NJBIZ Fast 50 and four Inc. 5000 rankings. The company's sense of caring extends to the communities it serves, and TWE has supported more than 150 community nonprofits, helping families in need, people experiencing homelessness, children with autism, children with pediatric cancer, first responders and schools.
"The work we do makes a real difference," says Wainwright. "We know our success depends on bettering the lives of team members, inspiring guests, and strengthening communities. When we're at our best, we're introducing new technology and we're doing it in a way that also shows the power of human connection."
The Wireless Experience (TWE), established in 1997, is an AT&T Authorized Retailer with over 90 stores located in Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. Headquartered in Manahawkin, New Jersey, TWE is an organization built on the foundation of introducing new technology that inspires and enhances the lives of their guests. Their mission is to set the standard for the best wireless experience, and they do this by conducting business under the five core values of accountability, community, integrity, loyalty and trust.
CONTACT:
Jen Quinn
732-552-0916
jquinn@tweatt.com
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SOURCE The Wireless Experience | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/wireless-experience-celebrates-25-years-with-rapid-growth/ | 2022-08-17T15:21:35Z |
Tapped By Blockchain Gaming Studio, Kingdom Studios, Creators of the 2nd Largest Play-to-Earn Game, DeFi Kingdoms
BLOOMINGTON, Minn., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Wisdom Gaming, the emerging leader in esports entertainment, today announced Wisdom Labs, a new division that will expand the company's creative and development capabilities. Wisdom Labs enhances the company's internal broadcast and product offerings and provides services within the Web3 space for brand partners. With a focus on accountability and transparency, the team will be building out capabilities to focus on augmented reality, virtual reality, mobile game development, and Web3 integrations.
"Wisdom Labs was created to build off of the incredible work our broadcast and events teams have become known for within the industry," said Ian Anderson, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Wisdom Gaming. "Our high-caliber team empowers those internal teams to push the envelope of what's possible while allowing our partners to enter the space in a safe and measured way. Whether it's augmented reality, a Twitch extension, or a QR code quest, we're developing tools that will change how our communities experience gaming and live events."
Wisdom Labs hits the ground running at launch, partnering with Kingdom Studios to develop and build blockchain services for their highly anticipated Defi Kingdoms PvP game mode expansion. The partnership grew out of a shared belief that there is no one size fits all approach to creating and supporting gaming communities.
"We're thrilled to be working with Wisdom Labs on the long awaited PvP game mode," said Frisky Fox, Founder of Kingdom Studios. "Working with the Wisdom team allows us to leverage their significant creative and development experience to build out a feature our community has been eagerly waiting for. We know that the expansion is in good hands, which allows us to focus on improving and growing other aspects of DeFi Kingdom."
Wisdom Labs is the latest milestone for next gen esports and gaming media company Wisdom Gaming. Having recently celebrated the grand opening of Wisdom Gaming Studios, a first-of-its kind production and event venue, Wisdom is primed for continued growth as the company continues to expand its offerings and establish new partnerships. Later this month, Wisdom Gaming will host Gold Rush: Totally Excellent Weekend at Mall of America® where some of the most notable names in Rocket League will compete to be crowned Gold Rush Champion.
To learn more about Wisdom Gaming and Wisdom Labs, please visit wisdom.gg.
Wisdom Labs is the development arm of Wisdom Gaming group made up of a team of fully doxxed yield maxis working at the intersection of marketing and development. Both a creative agency and development team, Wisdom Labs utilizes innovative technology to take projects from ideation to development, all under one roof. Service offerings include Web3 integrations, smart contract development, security audits, token development, NFTs, blockchain-based mobile game development, DAPP development and in-app purchase support. In addition to Web3 services, Wisdom Labs offers Web2 capabilities including full-stack development, UX/UI design, Twitch extensions and ecommerce platform development. To check out all of our offerings and projects, please visit http://wisdom.gg/labs.
Wisdom Gaming is an emerging leader in esports entertainment, building global communities across the gaming ecosystem. Wisdom Gaming offers turnkey creative and production services, tournament organization, and marketing strategy for brands and publishers passionate about establishing their legacy in esports and gaming.
The company boasts a growing portfolio of esports organizations, including Torrent and the Minnesota Varsity League (MNVL), that span professional, amateur, and scholastic levels of competition. Established in 2019, the company is headquartered in Bloomington, MN, where it maintains an office, gaming and esports venue, and live broadcast studio.
For more information about Wisdom Gaming, visit Wisdom.gg or follow us @wsdmgg.
Kingdom Studios is best known for being the project administrator for DeFi Kingdoms, a play-to-earn game that is changing the gamefi landscape. Kingdom Studios was created from a dream to embrace the full potential of the blockchain in game form. The team is realizing that dream by providing services to DeFi Kingdoms: Serendale, Crystalvale, and DFK Blockchain. Kingdom Studios is proud to be innovating the play-to-earn and cross-chain gaming space with a core goal of making Decentralized Finance accessible to all.
Connect with Kingdom Studios https://www.kingdomstudios.io
Enter DeFi Kingdoms https://game.defikingdoms.com
Build with Kingdom Studios https://build.defikingdoms.com
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SOURCE Wisdom Gaming | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/wisdom-gaming-launches-new-development-division-wisdom-labs-expand-web3-offerings/ | 2022-08-17T15:21:42Z |
Companies spanning financial services, healthcare, media, and gaming look to Aceiss to discover undetected access risk in real-time across all technologies
NEW CANAAN, Conn., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Aceiss today unveiled its cybersecurity platform to solve the problem of access observability and mitigate the risk of unauthorized user access. Built on zero-trust fundamentals, Aceiss delivers unprecedented visibility and insights into user access that advances existing investments in cybersecurity and governance platforms. The company also announced $3.25 million in seed funding from Canaan, Insight Partners, Connecticut Innovations, and others. John J. Pacifico, general partner at Canaan, joined the company's board of directors in connection with the financing.
"Aceiss represents one of the most exciting cyber technology companies to emerge in recent years. It's uniquely staffed by industry experts who have lived the decades-old problem of controlling user access to critical technology systems at some of our nation's leading corporations. The technology that the Aceiss team has developed instantly reveals hidden access and dramatically reduces the time and costs of safeguarding a company's technology systems," said John J. Pacifico, General Partner, COO and CFO, Canaan.
Layered defenses, compensating controls, and risk-based policy assessments lessen the risk of compromise. Still, they fail to address the fundamental problem of access observability and rapidly scaling access control protections. Unlike traditional access solutions, which require expensive, often years-long implementations, Aceiss is a non-invasive solution that immediately discovers hidden access, contextualizes activity, and surfaces least privilege insights across all data sources. This includes on-premises systems, cloud platforms, and devices, without requiring duplication or additional infrastructure.
"As a former leader at one of our nation's largest banks, I dedicated a significant amount of my time and focus to addressing the challenges of managing user access to our sensitive technology systems and interacting with regulators regarding the same. While advancements have been made towards addressing the risks of unauthorized access, there remains a significant unmet need for better solutions. Aceiss's focus on surfacing hidden insights across all technology environments continuously, and in real-time, has the potential to become a truly transformative solution that is core to the way businesses approach managing their cybersecurity needs," said Gary Cohn, advisor to Aceiss and member of the founding shareholder group.
Aceiss was founded by Lloyd O'Connor, a long-time financial services executive who spent 15+ years at top banking institutions. O'Connor is credited with building Chase Quick Deposit, the technology enabling banking customers to photograph and deposit a check remotely, transforming US retail banking. He was most recently at Barclays where he upgraded cybersecurity safeguards to exceed regulatory standards.
"Today, the implementation of robust access protections is grossly inefficient due to the time and manual effort required to surface underlying data and integrate legacy and modern technologies. Aceiss has built the first platform that provides a complete understanding of user access, and the underlying data," said Lloyd O'Connor, founder and CEO of Aceiss. "Most companies only monitor some of their user activity. They can't see who has access to many of their applications, and it's impossible to protect what you can't see. Aceiss provides immediate visibility into user access everywhere and will usher in the next era of access visibility for companies of all kinds."
You can't protect what you can't see. Aceiss solves the problem of access observability for enterprises to deliver unprecedented visibility into user access, without the expensive, often years-long implementations of traditional access solutions. Built on zero-trust fundamentals, Aceiss immediately verifies access, contextualizes activity, and surfaces least privilege for critical infrastructure across regulated industries, including financial services and healthcare. The company is backed by premier investors, including Canaan, Insight Partners, and Connecticut Innovations. For more information or to register for a trial of Aceiss, please visit www.aceiss.com.
Media Contact
press@aceiss.com
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SOURCE Aceiss | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/you-cant-protect-what-you-cant-see-aceiss-raises-325-million-enable-next-era-access-visibility/ | 2022-08-17T15:21:48Z |
PALO ALTO, Calif., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Zendure, one of the fastest growing start-ups in the energy tech sector, is on a mission to ensure everyone has access to reliable, affordable energy, and they've brought a new weapon ally into the fight: semi-solid state battery technology.
Semi-solid state batteries boast a higher energy density and greater damage resistance than lithium-ion phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, providing homes and businesses with more energy storage and enhanced product safety.
"Recent natural disasters, grid failures, and the rising cost of energy are becoming a critical concern for communities around the world. When people and communities are without power, even for a day, it's not just the comforts and conveniences of modern life that are lost, rather energy is about survival and connection. Zendure is offering a solution that delivers energy security and long-term cost savings," said Bryan Liu, CEO & Founder of Zendure.
Since the Industrial Revolution, the global annual temperature has increased in total by a little more than 1 degree Celsius according to NRDC, leading to a worsening global warming problem. This in turn contributes to heat waves and other adverse weather conditions and causes serious problems for people in vulnerable regions.
Recently, the U.S. Government passed a transformative bill that takes action on global warming and provides "the most spending to fight climate change by any one nation ever in a single push," according to the Associated Press.
Texas, whose population is growing rapidly, has struggled to meet the needs of the nearly 30 million people who already live there. Natural gas is a major source of energy for the state, and particularly during periods of high demand. Last year's winter storm left millions of Texans without heat and electricity, causing significant financial damage and a humanitarian crisis.
According to a natural gas analyst for S&P Global Platts Parker Fawcett, gathering lines freeze, wells grow extremely cold, and pumps lose power. As a result, gas and liquid fuel cannot reach the communities that need them, cutting off millions from access to medicine, medical care, and communication, and emergency services.
Zendure plans to tackle blackouts and other infrastructure failures with SuperBase V, the company's new portable, high-performance power station featuring semi-solid state batteries for the first time. SuperBase V is suited to a variety of applications–including household backup power, mobile living, and portable EV charging–and boasts several industry-leading features:
- The first system with semi-solid state batteries for enhanced capacity and safety
- 120V/240V dual voltage from one unit
- 6.4kWh to 64kWh expandable capacity
- Up to 6.6kW dual-recharge
- Up to 3,000W solar input
- Independent RV output from Satellite Expansion Batteries
- Support for public charging stations and Level 2 charging for electric vehicles
About Zendure
Zendure is one of the fastest growing Clean EnergyTech start-ups based in the technology hubs of Silicon Valley and the Greater Bay Area in China's Silicon Valley. Zendure's goal is to make energy accessible anywhere, anytime, and to democratize the latest energy technology to power on-grid and off-grid lifestyles alike in a clean and affordable way. To learn more visit Zendure.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
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SOURCE Zendure USA Inc. | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/zendure-addresses-energy-insecurity-with-semi-solid-state-battery-technology/ | 2022-08-17T15:21:55Z |
ZERO employs cutting-edge artificial intelligence and machine learning to achieve the next generation of text auto-classification.
SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ZERO Systems, an innovator in AI-enabled cognitive automation, has been recognized as a Sample Vendor in the "Gartner Hype Cycle Report for Natural Language Processing, 2022" in the category of text autoclassification. A critical component of enabling true cognitive automation, text autoclassification utilizes natural language processing and machine learning to analyze and classify content at scale.
At the forefront of AI-enabled automation technology, ZERO develops solutions that increase productivity for knowledge economy enterprises, through the automation of time-consuming processes that would otherwise require human decision making.
"We are thrilled to be recognized in the 2022 Gartner Hype Cycle Report," said Alex Babin, CEO at ZERO Systems. "The knowledge economy desperately needs a solution that is effective at automating high-value cognitive processes. This is precisely what ZERO's underlying AI technology offers, and the applications across various industries are endless."
In May 2022, ZERO announced a strategic partnership with Aderant, a leading global business management software provider, to add an automation layer and further enhance Aderant's leading product offerings for Law firms.
"We are presently delivering game-changing solutions through our 'Apollo' and 'Athena' products to some of the world's largest Law firms and global clients," continues Babin. "Our solutions enable these firms to more accurately track billable time, remain in compliance through automated document classification and management, and capture lost revenue due to the complexities of manual processes."
ZERO will showcase the latest features and capabilities of their products as a sponsor at this year's 2022 International Law Technology Association (ILTA) Conference, in Washington DC, August 21st-25th. For more information, or to book a private demo at the show, please visit www.zerosystems.com
*Gartner, "Hype Cycle for Natural Language Technologies, 2022", Bern Elliot, Adrian Lee, July 11, 2022.
GARTNER and HYPE CYCLE are registered trademarks and service marks of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's Research & Advisory organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
ZERO is a leader in AI-powered productivity automation with products engineered to help professional services firms achieve operational excellence. ZERO's technology acts as an intelligent layer to existing systems, automating and streamlining processes such as time management, document management, and data loss prevention. With many Am Law 100 and global clients, ZERO is enabling knowledge workers to be more productive, generate more revenue, and focus on the work that really matters – helping their clients. To learn more, visit www.zerosystems.com
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SOURCE ZERØ | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/zero-recognized-2022-gartner-hype-cycle-report/ | 2022-08-17T15:22:02Z |
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Zipline Logistics trophy shelf is getting heavy. Most recently, the retail-specialized North American 3PL was honored by Inc. Magazine, Food Logistics, and Inbound Logistics as a rapidly growing, top 3PL.
This is Zipline's 11th time making the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America in its 15-year history! The list represents a unique look at the most successful independent small businesses in the American economy.
"It is an honor to be ranked by the Inc. 5000 for the 11th time," said Walter Lynch, CEO and Co-Founder of Zipline Logistics, "The rapid growth we continue to see year over year is a testament to our outstanding team members and their dedication to Zipline's mission: improving the lives of our clients. It's exciting to reap the great success Zipline has found in turn."
Zipline has also been named a 2022 Top 3PL & Cold Storage Provider by Food Logistics for the seventh time and a 2022 Top 100 3PL by Inbound Logistics for the first time! These awards recognize leading and top third-party logistics providers in the industry.
"These honors recognize Zipline's leadership in cultivating true supply chain excellence in 2022," said Lynch, "We've always delivered so much more than a rate and a truck to our clients. As these prestigious awards have recognized, that value will only increase as we climb higher."
Still waiting for several other industry award winners to be announced, Zipline's impressive accomplishments thus far in 2022 may only just be the beginning.
Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Zipline Logistics has a 15-year history of being a consistently recognized, rapidly growing, and reliable 3PL that exclusively services the consumer-packaged goods sector. Their uniquely qualified carrier network, world-class team of retail transportation experts, and state-of-the-art shipper intelligence tools maximizes client revenue and gross margin by eliminating out-of-stocks through optimized, on-time in-full performance.
Zipline's processes were built specifically to resolve the most critical logistics challenges faced by consumer goods brands shipping into retail. Ninety-seven percent of Zipline orders are destined to land on a retail shelf in stores like Walmart, Costco, Bath & Body Works, Whole Foods, and Best Buy.
For more information, visit www.ziplinelogistics.com or call 888-GOZIPLINE.
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SOURCE Zipline Logistics | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/zipline-logistics-awarded-rapid-growth-top-3pl/ | 2022-08-17T15:22:09Z |
The realization came as a shock to Héloïse Luzzati. How could she have spent the better part of three decades playing music without every studying a piece composed by a woman?
As her gigs dried up at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and concert halls around the world went dark for months, the French cellist dedicated much of her time to remedying that gap. "The role of women in the history of music began to gain a certain importance in my life as a musician," the French cellist told NPR's Leila Fadel. "We don't know enough works composed by women. My aim is to increase the percentage of known works written by female composers."
She unearthed manuscripts by the likes of Mel Bonis (1858-1937), Clémence de Grandval (1828-1907) and Rita Strohl (1865-1941). In many cases, these pages of music had simply been sitting in a trunk in the attic, preserved by the composers' own descendants.
Luzzati has a hard time picking just one piece as her favorite. "There [are] so many. I cannot answer this question," she said. "I ask myself, how could I [not] know this piece?"
Many of these works had never been published or recorded before, and yet to Luzzati they shined like priceless jewels. Her project quickly grew from a set of online biographical videos to a virtual advent calendar featuring recorded performances, a festival with top soloists at châteaux and other historic sites near Paris — and now a new record label.
La Boîte à Pépites (The Jewel Box) aims to "exhume pieces that seem worthy of a good position in the standard musical repertoire," Luzzati explained. The label's first release, launched in France in April and set for September 30 in the UK, is centered around French composer Charlotte Sohy, who died in 1955.
"I was completely captivated by this music," said Luzzati, who gave a special nod to what she considers a "masterpiece," the Op. 24 piano trio.
"It's completely specific as French music from the beginning of the 20th century — sometimes impressionistic, sometimes figurative, with colors of Ravel, Chausson or Debussy."
The rich harmonies also come from someone who faced tremendous odds, having survived two world wars, mothered seven children and cared for a conductor-composer (Marcel Labey). At times, she composed under a male name — that of her grandfather, Charles Sohy — or just used the abbreviation Ch. Sohy "to bypass the prejudices about women," Luzzati explained. And yet her catalogue includes 35 opuses. She studied under composer Vincent d'Indy, himself a student of César Franck.
A three-CD boxset — also available on streaming platforms — features world premieres of Sohy's piano, chamber and orchestral works. Among the soloists are rising and veteran stars of the classical world in their own right, including David Kadouch, Xavier Phillips, Célia Oneto Bensaïd and Marie-Laure Garnier. The Quatuor Hermès recorded Sohy's first two quartets and the Orchestre national Avignon-Provence took up orchestral works under the baton of Debora Waldman.
It all began when Waldman introduced Luzzati to Sohy's grandson François-Henri Labey. Since retiring from directing regional conservatories about a decade ago, Labey has copied his grandmother's handwritten work in digital format on a computer. He's said that he stumbled upon her "Grande Guerre" (Great War) Symphony in C sharp minor in the bottom of a drawer. In 2019, Waldman led the Orchestre Victor-Hugo Franche-Comté in the posthumous world premiere of the work, composed during World War I. Sohy was informed of her husband's death on the battlefield while writing the second movement, only to learn a week later that he was found alive.
Luzzati is intransigent in her selection both of the pieces and performers put forward via her project, a charitable organization run by musicians. Violinist Renaud Capuçon and pianist Bertrand Chamayou are among the internationally renowned musicians who have joined the effort. Rather than simply performing a piece because it was composed by a woman, Luzzati and her fellow artists work together to breathe life into some of the most accomplished works by a composer who happened to be a woman.
"We want this music to exist for the future and for the young generations too," she explained. "We don't want to rewrite the story of the music. We want to add the women who count in the story."
Gender inequality is still prevalent in the music industry today. While there are growing efforts to promote music by composers of underrepresented genders and backgrounds, only 5% of compositions scheduled to be performed by 100 orchestras worldwide in the 2020-2021 season were written by women, according to the UK-based foundation Donne.
Historically, much of this music has been overlooked — if not dismissed entirely — by music directors, and even teachers. Music students, from their very beginnings to advanced studies at top conservatories, are still largely taught music composed by white men who have been dead for decades if not centuries.
Some women gained wide acclaim during their lifetimes, especially in the late 19th century. Virtuoso pianist Louise Farrenc (1804-1875) was a prolific composer and the only female professor of music to teach at the Paris Conservatory in that century. But she was quickly forgotten after her death, despite her work being published.
"So there you go. It's as simple as that. When a composer dies and she's no longer there to keep her work alive, it disappears almost instantly," Luzzati said.
Her group has also spotlighted living composers, like Ethiopian nun Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou or Alicia Terzian of Argentina. There are also new arrangements, such as one of a song by Barbara, who started out as a cabaret singer before writing her own tunes.
And Luzzati only just got started. She's setting her sights next on music publishing — blowing the dust off old manuscripts so that the works can be played by students and soloists alike. If she succeeds, the ripple effect could have a long lasting impact on the classical music industry.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.keranews.org/2022-08-17/a-new-label-revives-forgotten-female-composers-music | 2022-08-17T15:29:14Z |
The realization came as a shock to Héloïse Luzzati. How could she have spent the better part of three decades playing music without every studying a piece composed by a woman?
As her gigs dried up at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and concert halls around the world went dark for months, the French cellist dedicated much of her time to remedying that gap. "The role of women in the history of music began to gain a certain importance in my life as a musician," the French cellist told NPR's Leila Fadel. "We don't know enough works composed by women. My aim is to increase the percentage of known works written by female composers."
She unearthed manuscripts by the likes of Mel Bonis (1858-1937), Clémence de Grandval (1828-1907) and Rita Strohl (1865-1941). In many cases, these pages of music had simply been sitting in a trunk in the attic, preserved by the composers' own descendants.
Luzzati has a hard time picking just one piece as her favorite. "There [are] so many. I cannot answer this question," she said. "I ask myself, how could I [not] know this piece?"
Many of these works had never been published or recorded before, and yet to Luzzati they shined like priceless jewels. Her project quickly grew from a set of online biographical videos to a virtual advent calendar featuring recorded performances, a festival with top soloists at châteaux and other historic sites near Paris — and now a new record label.
La Boîte à Pépites (The Jewel Box) aims to "exhume pieces that seem worthy of a good position in the standard musical repertoire," Luzzati explained. The label's first release, launched in France in April and set for September 30 in the UK, is centered around French composer Charlotte Sohy, who died in 1955.
"I was completely captivated by this music," said Luzzati, who gave a special nod to what she considers a "masterpiece," the Op. 24 piano trio.
"It's completely specific as French music from the beginning of the 20th century — sometimes impressionistic, sometimes figurative, with colors of Ravel, Chausson or Debussy."
The rich harmonies also come from someone who faced tremendous odds, having survived two world wars, mothered seven children and cared for a conductor-composer (Marcel Labey). At times, she composed under a male name — that of her grandfather, Charles Sohy — or just used the abbreviation Ch. Sohy "to bypass the prejudices about women," Luzzati explained. And yet her catalogue includes 35 opuses. She studied under composer Vincent d'Indy, himself a student of César Franck.
A three-CD boxset — also available on streaming platforms — features world premieres of Sohy's piano, chamber and orchestral works. Among the soloists are rising and veteran stars of the classical world in their own right, including David Kadouch, Xavier Phillips, Célia Oneto Bensaïd and Marie-Laure Garnier. The Quatuor Hermès recorded Sohy's first two quartets and the Orchestre national Avignon-Provence took up orchestral works under the baton of Debora Waldman.
It all began when Waldman introduced Luzzati to Sohy's grandson François-Henri Labey. Since retiring from directing regional conservatories about a decade ago, Labey has copied his grandmother's handwritten work in digital format on a computer. He's said that he stumbled upon her "Grande Guerre" (Great War) Symphony in C sharp minor in the bottom of a drawer. In 2019, Waldman led the Orchestre Victor-Hugo Franche-Comté in the posthumous world premiere of the work, composed during World War I. Sohy was informed of her husband's death on the battlefield while writing the second movement, only to learn a week later that he was found alive.
Luzzati is intransigent in her selection both of the pieces and performers put forward via her project, a charitable organization run by musicians. Violinist Renaud Capuçon and pianist Bertrand Chamayou are among the internationally renowned musicians who have joined the effort. Rather than simply performing a piece because it was composed by a woman, Luzzati and her fellow artists work together to breathe life into some of the most accomplished works by a composer who happened to be a woman.
"We want this music to exist for the future and for the young generations too," she explained. "We don't want to rewrite the story of the music. We want to add the women who count in the story."
Gender inequality is still prevalent in the music industry today. While there are growing efforts to promote music by composers of underrepresented genders and backgrounds, only 5% of compositions scheduled to be performed by 100 orchestras worldwide in the 2020-2021 season were written by women, according to the UK-based foundation Donne.
Historically, much of this music has been overlooked — if not dismissed entirely — by music directors, and even teachers. Music students, from their very beginnings to advanced studies at top conservatories, are still largely taught music composed by white men who have been dead for decades if not centuries.
Some women gained wide acclaim during their lifetimes, especially in the late 19th century. Virtuoso pianist Louise Farrenc (1804-1875) was a prolific composer and the only female professor of music to teach at the Paris Conservatory in that century. But she was quickly forgotten after her death, despite her work being published.
"So there you go. It's as simple as that. When a composer dies and she's no longer there to keep her work alive, it disappears almost instantly," Luzzati said.
Her group has also spotlighted living composers, like Ethiopian nun Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou or Alicia Terzian of Argentina. There are also new arrangements, such as one of a song by Barbara, who started out as a cabaret singer before writing her own tunes.
And Luzzati only just got started. She's setting her sights next on music publishing — blowing the dust off old manuscripts so that the works can be played by students and soloists alike. If she succeeds, the ripple effect could have a long lasting impact on the classical music industry.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-17/a-new-label-revives-forgotten-female-composers-music | 2022-08-17T15:33:35Z |
The Inflation Reduction Act signed into law Tuesday by President Biden includes more than $360 billion to address climate change. That's the largest single investment ever made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions — something the White House and major environmental groups are touting as a huge win for humanity.
But not everyone will feel the benefits of the new bill equally, analysts and advocates warn. People living in neighborhoods that are already dealing with a lot of pollution fear they will face more harm and climate risk, not less. And that could deepen existing environmental inequalities and lock in decades of unnecessary illness and suffering for people who are already marginalized.
"There are some parts [of the law] that are good, and there are some parts that are really bad," says Mijin Cha, a professor at Occidental University who studies how to make the transition to a low-carbon economy fairer for workers and communities. "And the parts [of the law] that are really bad are pretty significant."
The law includes hundreds of billions of dollars to tackle global warming by building more solar and wind power, making buildings more energy efficient and helping people buy electric vehicles. Analysts estimate it will help the United States reduce planet-warming emissions by about 40% compared to 2005 levels by the end of the decade, which is a big step toward a truly low-carbon economy.
But in order to get the critical support of conservative Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, the law also invests in fossil fuels. It subsidizes the building of new pipelines, guarantees new leasing of oil and gas drilling, and incentivizes investment in still-nascent carbon capture technology, which would allow existing, heavily polluting fossil fuel facilities to operate longer.
Those fossil fuel investments led dozens of grassroots environmental organizations to reject the bill, arguing that the harms to communities near fossil fuel sites would outweigh the climate benefits. That's especially true for poor people, Indigenous people and Black people who are already more likely to live with more pollution and less access to clean energy.
"We are sitting right now with a lot of contradictions. While [the bill] does designate some funding for disadvantaged communities, it's also subsidizing fossil fuels," says Juan Jhong-Chung, the climate director at the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition. "It feels like what the bill is giving with one hand, it's taking with the other."
For example, Jhong-Chung says the new law could pay for air monitoring in Southwest Detroit, where he lives and where industrial air pollution makes people sick. But at the same time, the law invests in the fossil fuel industry, which could help those industrial facilities operate for decades to come.
"It feels like we're being sacrificed, like we're being left behind,"Jhong-Chung says . "It doesn't feel good that this is the best we can get."
The Biden administration disputes the idea that the law doesn't do enough for marginalized communities. "This is a direct investment in helping clean up communities that have been left out and left behind," says Ali Zaidi, the deputy national climate advisor to President Biden.
The White House estimates that the law includes over $60 billion in spending on so-called environmental justice. That includes money to reduce emissions around U.S. ports, plant trees in city neighborhoods that are hotter because of past racist housing policies, make electric vehicles more affordable and install solar panels and make buildings more efficient in low-income neighborhoods.
A separate analysis estimates the law contains significantly less — closer to $45 billion — in direct spending toward environmental justice.
Zaidi acknowledges the law is not perfect, but says it's an "unprecedented amount of investment" that will bring broad benefits to Americans.
"This bill is the product of compromise," he says, referring to the drawn-out Congressional negotiations that finally led to the bill's passage. "Without compromise there would be no bill."
That rhetoric is frustrating for those who feel like they are on the losing end of the compromise. "I think it's really hurtful for people [who live] where you have a lot of poverty, where you have a lot of dirty energy," says Kendall Dix, the national policy director for Taproot Earth, a climate justice organization based in Louisiana. He fears the new law will lead to more pollution along the Gulf Coast, where petrochemical facilities are concentrated, and air pollution already causes widespread illness and premature death.
"Are we going to be fine with some communities being written off?" Dix says. "And which communities?"
Cha, of Occidental University, says there's a long history of concentrating pollution in places where poor people or people of color live, in the name of overall economic and technological progress. "We have this idea of sacrifice zones, which is that there are just areas of the country that just have so much pollution, we're just sacrificing those communities," she explains. "That will continue in this bill."
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-17/the-spending-bill-will-cut-emissions-but-marginalized-groups-feel-they-were-sold-out | 2022-08-17T15:33:41Z |
Thunderstorms helped produce a massive waterspout off the coast of Destin, Fla., on Tuesday, wowing people who saw video of the cool-looking weather phenomenon.
If you've never seen a waterspout before, you might think it's a tornado happening over water instead of land – and that's pretty much what is going on.
How waterspouts form
To understand the conditions needed to form a waterspout, according to the National Weather Service, you've got to understand vorticity, or an area of localized spin.
For vorticity to occur, winds from opposing directions have to meet over a small area — or you have increasing winds come from any direction.
"For example, a wind out of the west at the coastline and a wind out of the east 5 miles offshore would form a pool of vorticity in the immediate vicinity of the coast," the NWS Mobile location in Alabama said on Twitter.
There's usually a boundary between the two winds, and the stronger the winds are, the stronger the vorticity is, NWS Mobile said.
Next up, you need a wind shift, where the wind will change directions in a short period of time.
Then you add the water. A shower or storm in the area means there will be an updraft that can continue to feed "warm, moist air into the storm to develop [or] maintain the cumulus or cumulonimbus cloud," NWS Mobile said.
"This updraft can also act to pull any surface vorticity upwards if strong enough and located over a region of vorticity," NWS Mobile said. "If the vorticity is sufficiently stretched and likewise tightened up, then a waterspout can be formed. Think about an ice skater lifting their arms as they spin, helping to speed up the rate at which they spin."
The waterspout in Destin was stronger than normal
Conditions in Destin, including 10 to 20 mph winds and intense thunderstorms, contributed to the "spectacular results" that dazzled many.
"Typically they are not as extreme as this one, but even weaker storms can generate waterspouts if the basic ingredients are present," NWS Mobile said.
And waterspouts don't just form over oceans. They're also known to form over lakes including the Great Lakes.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
A slower time-lapse of the #waterspout caught on the Pelican Beach Resort livecam in Destin, Florida this morning. Overall it took about 6 minutes for it to go across the screen. #flwx @NWSMobile pic.twitter.com/9ZHMykshKg
— BirdingPeepWx (@BirdingPeepWx) August 16, 2022
Another look at the large waterspout at Destin this morning… video from Ken Creel pic.twitter.com/GHbkGE50he
— James Spann (@spann) August 16, 2022 | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-17/what-is-a-waterspout-heres-how-the-spectacular-one-in-florida-formed | 2022-08-17T15:33:48Z |
What are your thoughts on the results in Wyoming’s Primary election?
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What are your thoughts on the results in Wyoming’s Primary election?
By contributing your comment, you consent to the possibility of having it read on the air. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/topic-of-the-week/2022-08-17/what-are-your-thoughts-on-the-results-in-wyomings-primary-election | 2022-08-17T15:33:54Z |
With grocery prices at record highs, we’ve put together a guide for a week’s worth of healthy meals
There’s no getting around this simple and unpalatable fact: It’s pretty stressful to go grocery shopping these days.
Thanks to the skyrocketing cost of inflation — which climbed to a 40-year record high of 9.1% in June compared to last year — food has never been more expensive.
The price of pantry staples such as bread and cereal has jumped nearly 14%, according to the Consumer Price Index, and dairy products are not far behind, costing an average of 13.5% more than a year ago. The price of meat, poultry, fish and eggs will also leave a shopper reeling from sticker shock, and don’t even get me started on what a bag of Lay’s potato chips will set you back these days. (A 13-ounce bag costs $5.49 at Target. Target!)
As the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s food editor, my job is to cook — a lot. And while I try (really) hard to choose recipes that are as easy for the average cook as they are inspirational and great tasting, it’s gotten considerably tougher in recent months to also make them 100% affordable. Having raised five kids, including three always-hungry sons, I know firsthand how expensive three meals a day can be for a family in good economic times. I can’t imagine doing it today, especially when the cost of everything else we need on a daily basis is rising, too.
The challenge
I’m a problem-solver who has penny-pinched at meal time for decades. So I decided to make myself this challenge: Prepare a week’s worth of meals for a family of four, completely from scratch, for around $200.
Why that number? The USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program currently allots $215.10 a week to a four-person household to cover the cost of groceries necessary to provide a “healthy, budget-conscious diet” under its official thrifty food plan. I wanted to know what that would buy you in Pittsburgh and whether you could make three squares a day taste good on a budget.
To accomplish that goal, I set some parameters. I’d do one marathon shopping session to save on both time and the crazy cost of gas. And I’d do so at a discount grocery to assure I was getting the most bang for the buck: Aldi, a deep-discount chain famous for having rock-bottom food prices.
Aldi is able to keep prices low in part because it avoids expensive brand names that rely heavily on advertising and marketing. The German chain, which counts some 2,200 stores across 38 states, is dedicated to creating cost savings that it can pass on to its customers, like making shoppers pay to use carts (which incentivizes their return) and provide their own bags.
“Other retailers may lure people with deals on several items each week,” said Aldi Saxonburg division vice president J.R. Perry in an email. “Our customers can count on Aldi savings on their shopping trip in every aisle, every day, no coupons or gimmicks needed.”
Even with all my experience and excess storage (I have two refrigerators and a huge walk-in pantry), coming up with a grocery list and nutritious recipes to feed a family of four for an entire week wasn’t easy. It certainly took time, along with some math skills to break it all down and figure out what ingredients were as affordable as they were easy to prepare for the average cook — and what had to be left off the list.
I started by sleuthing my local Aldi to see what things cost in general and also what was on sale that week. After noting prices for staples, including milk, meat, cheese and produce, I came up with a menu for each day of the week, wrote out the recipes, and then made a detailed ingredient list for each of the 20 dishes (Sunday only had two because it involved brunch.) Then it was back to the store to shop, with me adding up every single item as it went in my cart on my phone’s calculator to make sure everything totaled $215 or less.
My bill was $198.14. That included a brownie mix, a fresh pineapple, English muffins, green chile salsa, a box of (real) Corn Flakes and some chocolate-covered almonds I tossed in the cart on a whim because they were so cheap. I had so much, I had to supplement the four reusable bags I’d brought with three 12-cent paper bags sold at checkout — and still ended up under budget.
Menu planning
For advice on how to devise a healthful menu before that marathon shopping trip, I turned to cookbook author and registered dietitian and nutritionist Ellie Krieger. Kelsey Hutter, a registered dietitian with Allegheny Health Network, also weighed in.
Meat, even at Aldi, can stretch the budget. So both suggested building at least a few recipes around plant-based proteins such as tofu, peanut butter, lentils, or canned or dried beans, which are nutrient-rich and full of heart-healthy fiber and antioxidants.
“I would look at all different varieties and go with what’s on sale, and then substitute them in a dish” like chili or burgers, Krieger says.
Eggs are another good budget item — especially for breakfast — along with frozen vegetables, which, because they’re flash-frozen at harvest, are just as healthful as fresh cooked (although the texture may be different), says Hutter.
Frozen fruit, which makes superior smoothies and is wonderful on top of yogurt, is another smart buy. Not only is it much less expensive than fresh, but also it reduces waste because it’s not going to rot when you forget about it in your refrigerator.
Something as simple as brown rice is perfectly nutritious as are oats and canned fish. Krieger, for instance, likes to use canned tuna in water for sandwiches and tuna in oil for salads “because I can use the oil in the can as my dressing.”
Pasta is another great choice that’s shelf stable. Pair it with a homemade sauce made from canned tomatoes or toss it with frozen veggies for a quick and low-cost stir-fry. Also, grains like rice can help stretch out a meal.
“You have to change your mindset that ‘healthy’ is expensive, so why bother,” says Krieger. “You just have to be strategic about it.”
Shopping tips
Take an inventory of your pantry and fridge before shopping so you don’t end up buying what you already have.
Make a grocery list — and stick to it. You’ll be less likely to waste money on something that looks good in the store but you’ll never use, says Hutter.
Choose store brands over name brands, which are almost always priced higher. And always check price per ounce when comparing prices.
If you insist on fresh, choose vegetables and fruits that are in season. They’re typically cheaper and often come from local farms. Minimize waste by buying root vegetables such as sweet potatoes and carrots and leafy veggies such as cabbage, which have a long shelf life.
Study the store circular before making your list and take advantage of what’s on sale. The week I shopped at Aldi, for instance, a pint of blueberries cost just $1.69, so I added pancakes to the menu.
Plan some meals by creatively cooking once and serving the leftovers in another dish. I served a big pot of beef and bean chili in bowls one night for supper and inside flour tortillas with cheese the next day for lunch.
Never shop when you’re hungry (it leads to impulse buying) and, above all, know your budget and shop appropriately; fail to plan and you’re really planning to fail, says Krieger. “You have to know what you can [afford to] spend.”
SUNDAY BRUNCH: $7.50
BROCCOLI AND CHEESE FRITTATA
A frittata is an egg-based dish similar to an omelet, only it’s finished in the oven. The perfect dish for Sunday brunch, this one gets heft from broccoli and cheese.
For potatoes
1 pound small (1 1/2-2 inches) red bliss, Yukon Gold or other waxy potatoes
Olive oil
Kosher salt and pepper
Italian seasoning
For frittata
2 tablespoons butter
2 cups fresh or frozen (thawed) broccoli, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
8 eggs
1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, making sure there are two racks in place.
Halve the potatoes and place in a large bowl. Drizzle with oil, season with salt, pepper and Italian seasoning, then toss to combine. Spread potatoes onto a parchment-lined cooking sheet, and roast 20-30 minutes, or until crispy and tender.
While potatoes are roasting, prepare frittata. In a large oven-proof, nonstick skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add broccoli and cook, stirring occasionally, until broccoli is tender, 3-4 minutes. Stir in garlic, and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, 1/4 cup water, salt and pepper until blended. Stir in cheese.
Pour egg mixture over broccoli mixture, stirring gently, and cook over medium heat until eggs begin to set. (Occasionally lift edges of frittata to allow uncooked mixture to go to the bottom.)
Place skillet in oven and bake until frittata is set, 8-10 minutes. Slide frittata onto cutting board, cut into wedges and serve.
Serves 4.
SUNDAY DINNER: $14
EASY MEAT AND CHEESE RIGATONI
For sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil or butter, plus more for pan
1/2 onion, peeled and chopped
1 pound ground beef
Salt and pepper
28-ounce can crushed plum tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
Red pepper flakes, to taste
For pasta
15-ounce container of ricotta
2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 large egg, beaten
16-ounce package rigatoni
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish, optional
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking with oil or cooking spray.
Heat olive oil or butter in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 4 minutes. Add ground beef and cook until beef has browned, about 5 minutes, crumbling it with a spoon as it cooks. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then drain excess fat. Stir in tomatoes and tomato paste and a pinch or two of red pepper flakes. Stir well to combine, then set heat to low and allow sauce to simmer.
In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella and the egg, then set aside.
While sauce is simmering, cook pasta noodles al dente according to package directions. Rinse well under cold water and drain.
Prepare pasta: Spread 1 cup sauce onto the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with 1/3 of the cooked noodles, 1/2 of the ricotta cheese mixture and 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. Repeat with a second layer. Top with remaining noodles, more sauce and remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.
Place in oven and bake for 30 minutes or until brown and bubbly. Let cool for 5 minutes, then serve.
Makes 8 servings.
MONDAY BREAKFAST: $3.50
OVERNIGHT OATMEAL
Oatmeal is one of the most nutritious breakfast foods. This recipe is prepared the night before, so it’s ready to go in the morning.
2 cups whole rolled oats
2 cups milk, or more as needed
2 teaspoons maple syrup
Pinch of cinnamon, optional
Pinch of sea salt
1 cup blueberries, sliced strawberries and/or banana, for topping
Granola, for topping
In a large bowl, combine the oats, milk, maple syrup, cinnamon (if using) and a generous pinch of salt. Stir and chill overnight.
In the morning, scoop the oats into a bowl and, if desired, stir in more milk for a smoother consistency. Top with fruit and granola.
Serves 4.
MONDAY LUNCH: $3.50
TUNA FISH SANDWICHES
Canned tuna is a healthful food rich in protein and vitamins.
2 6-ounce cans tuna in water
1/4 cup mayonnaise or more to taste
1/4 cup chopped sweet or dill pickle
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 large stalk celery, minced
Salt and pepper
4 rolls or 8 slices of bread
Handful of potato chips, crushed, plus more for serving
In large bowl, combine tuna, mayonnaise, pickle, onion and celery. Stir to mix well, season to taste with salt and pepper, then fold in potato chips.
Serve tuna salad between two slices of bread or in a roll, with extra potato chips on the side.
Serves 4.
MONDAY DINNER: $12
BEEF AND BEAN CHILI
This chili is even better the next day rolled with cheese into a burrito.
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
1 large bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound ground beef
Salt and black pepper
1/4 cup chili powder or more to taste
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 large can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, with juice
2 15-ounce cans kidney beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups beef broth
Grated cheese and chopped scallions for garnish
Saltine crackers, for serving
Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook until translucent, about 6 minutes. Add green pepper and garlic; sauté 1 minute. Add beef and cook until brown, about 6-7 minutes minutes, breaking up with back of a spoon.
Add chili powder, cumin, paprika and oregano, then mix in tomatoes with juices, beans and broth. Bring chili to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 45 minutes, skimming any fat that rises to the surface.
Ladle chili into bowls and garnish with grated cheese and scallions. Serve with crackers.
Makes 8 cups.
TUESDAY BREAKFAST: $2.50
BLUEBERRY PANCAKES
Pancakes for breakfast. Need we say more?
1 1/4 cup flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/3 cups milk, mixed with 1 tablespoon vinegar
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pint blueberries
In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, and baking powder and soda. Make a well in the middle, then stir in soured milk, beaten egg and vegetable oil. Gently fold in most of the blueberries.
Heat a lightly oiled griddle or nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat. (A drop of water should sizzle in the pan.) Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Cook until surface of pancakes has some bubbles and a few have burst, 1-2 minutes.
Flip carefully with a spatula and cook until browned on the underside, 1-2 minutes more. Transfer to a baking sheet or platter; cover loosely with aluminum foil and keep warm in oven. Continue with remaining batter. (You’ll have 12-16 pancakes.) Serve warm, with butter and maple syrup, if desired, and remaining blueberries.
Serves 4.
TUESDAY LUNCH: $6
LEFTOVER CHILI BURRITOS
Burritos make a great grab-and-go lunch, and when they’re made with leftover chili, they’re also quick and easy.
2 cups leftover beef and bean chili, warmed, divided
2 cups cooked rice, divided
1 cup shredded cheese, divided
8 flour tortillas
Tortilla chip and salsa, for serving
Warm the tortillas in the microwave for 1 minute. Spoon 1/4 cup chili, 1/4 cup rice and 2 tablespoons cheese in top third of warmed tortilla, fold over the ends of the tortilla, and then roll up. Repeat with the rest of the tortillas.
Serve with chips and salsa.
Serves 4.
TUESDAY DINNER: $11.50
GREEK-STYLE CHICKEN WITH POTATOES
Lemon zest, briny olives and feta give this easy sheet pan dish a burst of Mediterranean flavor.
1 lemon
2 teaspoons oregano, divided
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon pepper, divided
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
4 pieces bone-in chicken thigh
1 pound baby potatoes, halved
2 large bell peppers, seeded and cut into wedges
1/3 cup olives
1/3 cup crumbled feta
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Finely zest the lemon. Combine lemon zest, 1 teaspoon oregano, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper and 1 tablespoon oil in small bowl. Rub spice mixture all over the chicken and underneath the skin.
Place potatoes and pepper on a sheet pan. Drizzle with remaining olive oil and squeeze about 1 tablespoon lemon juice on top. Sprinkle with remaining 1 teaspoon oregano, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper and toss to coat. Distribute the vegetables around the pan, then nestle the chicken pieces on the pan among the vegetables.
Cook until the chicken is cooked through with an internal temperature of 165 degrees and the veggies are tender, about 30 minutes. If the chicken is cooked before the vegetables are done, transfer to a plate, cover with foil to keep warm and allow the vegetables to cook a bit more.
Serve sprinkled with olives, feta, the remaining lemon juice and more oregano to taste.
Serves 4.
— Adapted from “Whole in One: Complete, Healthy Meals in a Single Pot, Sheet Pan, or Skillet” by Ellie Krieger (Lifelong Books, 2019)
WEDNESDAY BREAKFAST: $2
PEANUT BUTTER BANANA SMOOTHIE
Packed with nutrient-rich ingredients, smoothies take just minutes to make and are a great way to get kids to eat fruit.
2-3 bananas, cut into chunks
2 cups milk
1/2 cup peanut butter
1-2 tablespoons honey
2 cups ice cubes
Place bananas, milk, peanut butter, honey and ice cubes in a blender. Blend until smooth, about 30 seconds. Divide into 4 glasses.
Serves 4.
WEDNESDAY LUNCH: $9
SPINACH & EGG RICE BOWL
If you don’t have sesame oil in your pantry, vegetable oil works fine in this recipe. Also feel free to substitute your favorite veggies.
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil, divided
2 1/2 cups cooked rice
1/2 teaspoon salt plus a pinch, divided
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
2 8-ounce packages baby spinach
1 tablespoon lime juice
4 large eggs
1 ripe avocado, sliced
1 cup julienned carrot
1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced
2 scallions, thinly sliced
4 teaspoons Sriracha or hot sauce
Limes, for garnish
Heat 1 teaspoon sesame oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add rice and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until crispy, about 10 minutes. Divide among 4 shallow bowls.
Add the remaining 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and ginger to the pan. Add spinach, in batches, and cook, tossing until wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in lime juice and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Divide among the rice bowls.
Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in the pan. Crack eggs into it and cook until the whites are set and the edges are crispy, about 3 minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining pinch of salt. Place an egg on each rice bowl. Top with avocado, carrots, cucumber slices, scallions and Sriracha.
Serves 4.
— Adapted from eatingwell.com
WEDNESDAY DINNER: $3.50
VEGGIE NOODLE STIR-FRY
Spaghetti doesn’t just call out for red sauce — It’s also great in an Asian stir-fry featuring frozen veggies.
For sauce
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or more to taste
1 tablespoon cornstarch
For noodles
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
12-ounce bag frozen mixed vegetables
2 scallions, sliced on the diagonal
2 garlic cloves, minced
8 ounces spaghetti, cooked
Make the stir-fry sauce first. Combine the soy sauce, water, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger and cornstarch in a small bowl. Set the sauce aside.
Make noodles: Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat. Once the oil is very hot and shimmering, add frozen vegetables and stir-fry until they are just tender, about 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and scallions and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add cooked spaghetti and toss to combine with vegetables. Pour in the soy sauce mixture, letting it bubble and simmer. Continue stirring the noodles and vegetables for 3 minutes until the liquid has been absorbed.
Serves 4.
THURSDAY BREAKFAST: $4
FRUIT AND YOGURT BOWL
So easy, so delicious.
3 cups vanilla or plain yogurt
2 cups mixed berries of choice (such as blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries)
1/2 cup granola
Honey, for drizzling
Divide yogurt among 4 bowls. Add berries on top, then granola. Drizzle with a little honey, if desired.
Serves 4.
THURSDAY LUNCH: $7
CRUNCHY CURRIED CHICKEN SALAD
For a gluten-free lunch, serve chicken salad on a bed of lettuce.
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 teaspoons curry powder, or more to taste
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound chicken breast, roasted and chopped
3 scallions, white and green parts, chopped
1/2 large green apple, such as Granny Smith, diced
1/3 cup raisins, soaked in hot water to soften
1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds, optional
Handful of fresh, leafy lettuce
8 slices bread
In a medium bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, yogurt and curry powder. Add a generous pinch of salt and a good grind of black pepper. Taste, then adjust seasonings until well combined. (If the salad isn’t creamy enough, add a little more mayo or yogurt.) Fold in raisins and toasted almonds, if using. Stir to combine well.
Serve chicken salad tucked between two slices of bread as a sandwich or spooned on top of fresh mixed greens as a salad.
Serves 4.
THURSDAY DINNER: $11.50
TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE
Tuna noodle casserole is an American classic. This recipe includes cheese and a cracker topping for extra oomph.
Nonstick cooking spray
12-ounce bag egg noodles
16-ounce can oil-packed tuna (I used tuna packed in water)
10-ounce package frozen peas, thawed and drained
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 tablespoon butter
1 small onion, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 celery stalk, finely diced (about 1/2 cup)
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
8 ounces baby bella mushrooms, quartered
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
2 cups whole milk
1 1/2 cups cracker crumbs
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Preheat oven to 30 degrees. Coat a 13-by-9-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
Cook the noodles in salted water until al dente according to package directions. Drain and rinse the noodles in cold water to stop them from cooking. Once cooled, pour the noodles into a large bowl and add tuna, peas and 2 cups of the cheese. Toss to combine.
In large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add onion and celery and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, add thyme and continue to cook until onion and celery are translucent, about 2 more minutes. Add Worcestershire sauce and stir it in, then sprinkle the flour over the entire skillet.
Stir constantly with a wooden spoon until flour is incorporated into vegetables, with no lumps. Add broth and stir to scrape up any brown bits. Slowly pour in the milk, stirring constantly to combine. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, stirring, until the mixture has thickened and is reduced by 1/2 cup, about 8 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Pour the vegetable sauce over the tuna-noodle mixture in the bowl and mix to combine. Immediately pour into the prepared casserole dish.
In bowl, toss cracker crumbs with remaining cheese. Stir in olive oil. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the casserole. Bake, uncovered, until the casserole is bubbly and top is golden, 35 to 40 minutes. Serve piping hot.
Serves 8.
— Adapted from “Mr. and Mrs. Sunday’s Suppers” by Lorraine Wallace (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015)
FRIDAY BREAKFAST: $5
SCRAMBLED EGGS WITH VEGGIES
Eggs are one of the most nutritious foods on the planet and relatively inexpensive per serving. They’re best made in a nonstick pan.
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1/4 cup chopped onions
1/4 cup chopped bell peppers
1 large tomato, chopped
8 eggs
1/4 cup milk
Buttered toast, for serving
Heat butter in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, onions, peppers and tomatoes. Saute until onions are transparent and veggies are tender.
Whisk together eggs and milk in small mixing bowl. Add egg mixture to vegetables, stir to combine and cook until eggs are set (they should be soft and slightly creamy). Serve immediately, with buttered toast on the side.
Serves 4.
FRIDAY LUNCH: $6.50
SWEET POTATO CHIPOTLE TACOS
Forget Tuesdays — tacos are delicious every day of the week. This vegetarian recipe features roasted sweet potatoes and black beans.
2 medium sweet potatoes, cubed
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon chopped chipotle in adobo sauce
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon cumin
1 bell pepper, seeded and chopped
Salt
1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
8 hard taco shells
1 cup shredded Mexican-style cheese
Sliced avocado, for serving (optional)
Sliced jalapeño, for serving (optional)
1/2 cup plain yogurt, mixed with juice 1/2 lime, for garnish, optional
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
Place the sweet potatoes in large bowl and toss with olive oil, garlic, chipotle in adobo, paprika and cumin. Add chopped pepper, then season generously with salt.
Arrange seasoned potatoes and peppers in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake 30 minutes, or until the veggies are tender and beginning to char on the edges. Remove from the oven and set aside while you gently warm the black beans in the microwave (about 20 seconds).
Line up taco shells on a sheet pan or in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, then warm in oven for 5 minutes. Divide the black beans and roasted veggies among each taco shell and top with cheese, and sliced avocado and/or jalapeño, if using. Drizzle yogurt on top, and serve immediately.
Serves 4.
FRIDAY DINNER: $7.50
French Bread Pizza
Better than the stuff in the box and definitely cheaper.
For sauce
1 28-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 medium cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Pinch red pepper flakes
Kosher salt
1 medium yellow onion, peeled and split in half
1 teaspoon sugar
For pizza
1 loaf French bread, about 17-inches long, 4-inches wide
1/4 cup olive oil
8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
Sliced pepperoni or vegetables, for topping
Prepare sauce: Process tomatoes and their juice in food processor until puréed, or purée with immersion blender until there are no chunks. Set aside.
Combine oil and butter in medium saucepan and heat over medium-low heat until butter is melted. Add garlic, oregano, pepper flakes and a large pinch salt and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant but not browned, about 3 minutes. Add tomatoes, onion halves and sugar. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to lowest setting (bubbles should barely be breaking the surface), and cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half, about 1 hour. Discard onions and season to taste with salt. (Sauce will keep in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.)
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a rimmed 18-by-13-inch baking sheet with aluminum foil (for easy cleanup).
Cut French bread in half evenly lengthwise to create two long portions. Cut each portion in half and place on baking sheet.
Brush both sides with olive oil and bake in preheated oven until just crisp, about 4 minutes. Remove from oven and spread about 1/4 cup pizza sauce on each piece (more if you like saucy pizza). Sprinkle evenly with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, and add any toppings.
Return pizza to oven and bake until cheese is fully melted, about 10 minutes. Serve immediately.
Serves 4.
— Adapted from seriouseats.com
SATURDAY BREAKFAST: $2.50
DUTCH BABY WITH APPLES
This large, fluffy pancake is baked in the oven. Best served with a sprinkle of confectioner’s sugar and fruit, in this case sauteed apples.
3 tablespoons butter
3 eggs
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup milk, heated 20-30 seconds in microwave
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Pinch salt
Confectioners sugar, for dusting
For topping
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
2 large apple, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
Pinch of cinnamon
Confectioners sugar, for dusting
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Put the butter in a large ovenproof, nonstick sauté pan and place in the oven.
Meanwhile, in a blender, combine the eggs, flour, warm milk, sugar, vanilla extract and pinch of salt, then blend on medium-high speed until uniform and well mixed.
Carefully remove the hot pan from the oven. (The butter should be melted.) Swirl the butter around the pan to coat completely, then pour the remaining butter into the batter and pulse to blend. Pour the batter into the hot pan and return the pan to the oven. Cook until the pancake is puffed in the center and golden brown along the edges, 20-25 minutes.
While pancake is baking, prepare apple topping. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add sliced apple and stir until they are fully coated in the butter. In small bowl, combine cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water then stir slurry into the apples, along with a pinch of cinnamon. Stir to combine, and keep warm.
When Dutch baby is finished baking, remove the entire pancake from pan using a spatula, and allow to cool for a few minutes on a rack. (This allows the steam to escape without condensing along the bottom and rendering the pancake soggy.) Slice the pancake into 8 wedges on a serving platter or cutting board, dust with confectioners sugar and serve with cooked apples.
Serves 4.
— Adapted from foodnetwork.com
SATURDAY LUNCH: $7
SPICY PINTO BEAN 'LOOSE MEAT' BURGERS WITH TOMATO SALAD
For burgers
1 15-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed, patted dry
1/2 cup crushed tortilla chips
2 tablespoons chopped onions
3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
2 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 burger buns
Shredded lettuce, sliced tomato and sliced onion for topping
For salad
2 vine-ripened tomatoes
1/4 cup crumbled feta
Olive oil
Balsamic or red wine vinegar
Salt and pepper
Drain and rinse the pinto beans, then spread onto a paper towel-line sheet. Gently pat dry.
Place tortilla chips, dried pinto beans, onions and cilantro to a food processor and pulse 3-4 times.
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, cumin and salt. Add the flour mixture to the food processor and pulse 5-6 times until combined. (The mixture might look dry, but it will hold together when packed.)
Prepare salad: Cut tomatoes into chunks and place in bowl with feta cheese. Drizzle with a little olive oil and vinegar and sprinkle with salt and pepper, then set aside.
Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the pinto bean mixture and cook for 4-5 minutes until brown and crispy. Divide among 4 buns and top with lettuce, tomato and onion and serve with tomato salad.
Serves 4.
— Adapted from iheartvegetables.com
SATURDAY DINNER: $11
SHEET PAN SICHUAN MEATBALLS WITH BROCCOLINI
Brushed with a spicy-sweet Sichuan glaze, these meatballs are cooked alongside broccolini for a complete meal.
For sauce
2/3 cup ketchup
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons rice cooking wine
2 tablespoons honey
4 teaspoons soy sauce
1 1/2-inch piece ginger, peeled, finely grated
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For meatballs
1 1/2 pounds broccolini
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
2 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
Crushed red pepper flakes, optional
1 pound ground turkey
1 large egg, beaten to blend
4 scallions, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, finely grated
2-inch piece ginger, peeled, finely grated
1/3 cup cracker crumbs
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Cooked rice, for serving
Make sauce: Mix ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, wine, honey, soy sauce, ginger and pepper in a small saucepan. Measure out 1/4 cup mixture into a small bowl; set aside for glazing meatballs later. Bring remaining mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally and reducing heat if needed until sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Transfer sauce to a small bowl.
Place a rack in upper third of oven; preheat to 450 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Trim broccolini stems and cut florets into 2-inch pieces. Toss on prepared baking sheet with 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon salt and a few pinches of red pepper flakes (if using). Push to the edges of baking sheet to create a space for meatballs. Brush space with remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil.
Mix ground turkey, egg, scallions, garlic, ginger, panko, sesame oil, pepper, remaining 11/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 cup water in a medium bowl. Using wet hands, form into 12 11/2-inch meatballs. Arrange on baking sheet; brush with some of the reserved glazing mixture. Bake until meatballs are cooked through, 14-18 minutes. Remove from oven; heat broiler. Brush meatballs with remaining glazing mixture; broil until broccoli is charred and meatballs are browned in spots, about 5 minutes.
Spoon meatballs and broccolini over rice in bowl. Drizzle with sauce and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Serves 4. | https://www.wyomingnews.com/entertainment/how-to-feed-a-family-of-four-over-7-days-for-200/article_51c0d827-a3f7-5923-b4f4-55509e5aaa41.html | 2022-08-17T16:05:42Z |
Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 now in Senate’s hands
In late July, the House sent the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 to the Senate for a vote.
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - Before the end of the year, the Senate could vote on the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 which proposes the right to keep and bear arms is not unlimited.
In late July, the House sent the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 to the Senate for a vote.
Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth is one of several lawmakers calling for tougher gun laws.
“They want to see more legislation to get these weapons of war off the streets of our cities, and I couldn’t agree with them more,” Sen. Duckworth.
As a leading voice in the Second Amendment community, Amanda Suffecool disagrees.
Her group, DC Project, advocates for firearms education not legislation.
“If somebody is going to break the law to perform a mass shooting there are already laws that are being broken,” said Suffecool.
Suffecool is calling for an expansion in mental health programs and for educators to receive violence response training.
In Detroit, Michigan which is about 50 minutes from the site of the 2021 deadly Oxford High mass shooting, resident Lafaye Jenkins says responsible gun ownership is key to saving lives.
“I know it’s a personal thing,” said Jenkins. “The thing about it is it needs to be checked into although it’s yours personally because we don’t want one person’s physical, mental, everything has to be intact. It’s not a toy.”
In order to make it to the president’s desk, the legislation needs at least 10 Republican votes to bypass the filibuster process.
President Biden calls a ban on certain semi-automatic guns “common sense.” As a senator, he passed the original ban in 1994.
Copyright 2022 Gray DC. All rights reserved. | https://www.wvva.com/2022/08/17/assault-weapons-ban-2022-now-senates-hands/ | 2022-08-17T16:07:14Z |
Biden administration expected to release new COVID-19 booster guidelines
(CNN) - Next month, Americans will have access to new COVID-19 boosters to fight off two of the omicron strains.
The Biden administration is expected to issue “operational guidelines” to prepare for the rollout of the updated boosters, according to a source close to the administration’s planning discussions.
According to the source, the Department of Health and Human Services will release the guidelines to public health departments in the next week or two. The guidelines will include information about ordering vaccines and what to expect in terms of the logistical plan.
On Tuesday, the White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator shared that the new boosters will be available in early to mid-September.
The shots are meant to give protection from the BA.4 and BA.5 coronavirus subvariants.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.wvva.com/2022/08/17/biden-administration-expected-release-new-covid-19-booster-guidelines/ | 2022-08-17T16:07:25Z |
Construction worker dies after being critically injured on the job, authorities say
Published: Aug. 17, 2022 at 10:31 AM EDT|Updated: 2 hours ago
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Ala. (WSFA/Gray News) – A construction worker in Alabama died after being critically injured while on the job.
According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, 23-year-old Jose A. Prado was working near a roadway intersection.
The sheriff’s office said a crew was pulling cable across the road when a vehicle ran over the cable, snagging it.
Prado was pinned between the cable and a work truck.
He was taken to the hospital where he died from his injuries.
Copyright 2022 WSFA via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wvva.com/2022/08/17/construction-worker-dies-after-being-critically-injured-job-authorities-say/ | 2022-08-17T16:07:32Z |
Pence tells GOP to stop lashing out at FBI over Trump search
MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — Former Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday implored fellow Republicans to stop lashing out at the FBI over the search of Donald Trump’s Florida home and denounced calls by some of the former president’s allies to defund the FBI, saying that was “just as wrong” as a push by Democratic activists to shift money from police.
Pence also said he would give “due consideration” if asked to testify before the House committee investigating the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
His pleas for restraint come as law enforcement officials warn of an escalating number of violent threats targeting federal agents and government facilities since agents last week searched Mar-a-Lago as part of the Justice Department’s investigation into the discovery of classified White House records recovered from Trump’s estate earlier this year.
Speaking in New Hampshire, Pence was asked what went through his mind when he heard about the FBI search of Trump’s home. Pence, who like Trump is considering a 2024 presidential bid, said he has been troubled by what he called the politicization of the FBI. He also said the Justice Department and Attorney General Merrick Garland should be more forthcoming about what led authorities to conduct the search.
But Trump’s former vice president also had a message for the GOP.
“I also want to remind my fellow Republicans, we can hold the attorney general accountable for the decision he made without attacking the rank-and-file law enforcement personnel at the FBI,” he said at the Politics & Eggs event at St. Anselm College.
“The Republican Party is the party of law and order,” Pence continued. “Our party stands with the men and women who stand on the thin blue line at the federal and state and local level, and these attacks on the FBI must stop. Calls to defund the FBI are just as wrong as calls to defund the police.”
Federal authorities and private extremism monitors have warned that a growing number of ardent Trump supporters seem ready to strike back against the FBI or others who, they believe, go too far in investigating the former president.
In Ohio, a man wearing body armor and armed with an assault rifle and a nail gun was shot and killed after trying to breach the FBI’s Cincinnati office. In Pennsylvania, a man was arrested after posting death threats against agents on social media.
FBI Director Christopher Wray had said that threats to agents and the Justice Department are “deplorable and dangerous.” The FBI has warned its agents to take precautions, citing an increase in social media threats to bureau personnel and facilities. Some GOP lawmakers and others are demanding that FBI be dismantled and defunded.
Pence, who has been strategically trying to distance himself from his ex-boss, prefaced his response by saying, “Look, it’s fairly well known that President Trump and I have had our differences.” Still, Pence has been careful to frequently cite the accomplishments of the “Trump-Pence administration,” hoping that he can appeal to voters who may have supported Trump’s policies but are put off by Trump’s behavior.
Their paths diverged on Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob of angry Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in an effort to stop Congress’ formal certification of Joe Biden’s presidential victory. Trump denounced his vice president for refusing to object or delay the certification — something Pence had no power to do. A fake gallows was constructed on the National Mall, and people who broke into the Capitol chanted, " Hang Mike Pence! Hang Mike Pence! "
Pence had previously refused to say whether he would engage with the House committee investigating the insurrection if the panel requested his testimony. On Wednesday, he said he would consider it.
“If there was an invitation to participate, I would consider it,” Pence said, adding he would first reflect “on the unique role” he was serving as vice president.
“It would be unprecedented in history for a vice president to be summoned to testify on Capitol Hill, but as I said, I don’t want to prejudge,” he said. “If ever any formal invitation was rendered to us, we’d give it due consideration.”
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wvva.com/2022/08/17/pence-tells-gop-stop-lashing-out-fbi-over-trump-search/ | 2022-08-17T16:07:38Z |
Toddler died after being hit by Amazon van, police say
Published: Aug. 17, 2022 at 11:00 AM EDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
IRVINE, Calif. (Gray News) – A toddler was killed after being hit by an Amazon van, according to police.
The Irvine Police Department said preliminary investigations show a 23-month-old girl was hit in a parking lot just after 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.
First responders quickly arrived at the scene, but the child had already died, according to police.
The cause of the collision is under investigation, but authorities do not believe drugs or alcohol were a factor.
Police said the Amazon van was being driven by a third-party contractor.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wvva.com/2022/08/17/toddler-died-after-being-hit-by-amazon-van-police-say/ | 2022-08-17T16:07:45Z |
Yellen tells IRS to develop modernization plan in 6 months
WASHINGTON (AP) — Now that President Joe Biden signed Democrats’ expansive climate, tax and health care bill into law, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has directed the IRS to develop a plan within six months outlining how the tax agency will overhaul its technology, customer service and hiring processes.
In part, the improvements are meant to “end the two-tiered tax system, where most Americans pay what they owe, but those at the top of the distribution often do not,” Yellen said in a Tuesday memo to IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig, whose term ends in three months.
Yellen’s memo, obtained by The Associated Press, outlines the importance of modernizing IRS computer systems and ensuring the agency has an adequately-staffed workforce now that the tax collector is set to receive nearly $80 billion over the next 10 years.
That funding is needed for more than technology. At least 50,000 IRS employees are expected to retire over the next five years.
Yellen has called for the IRS to “fully resolve the inventory backlog and make significant improvements in taxpayer services,” “to overhaul an information technology system that is decades out of date” and invest and train employees “so they can identify the most complex evasion schemes by those at the top.”
This year’s tax season resulted in the worst backlog in history for the beleaguered IRS, which has also been tasked with administering pandemic related programs, including sending out stimulus checks, emergency rental assistance and advance child tax credit checks.
In its June report to Congress, the National Taxpayer Advocate, an independent watchdog within the IRS, also said taxpayers have experienced longer wait times on the telephone, and delays in processing paper returns have been running six months to one year.
Additional funding for the agency has been politically controversial since 2013, when the IRS under the Obama administration was found to scrutinize political groups that applied for tax-exempt status.
A Treasury Department Inspector General report found that both conservative and liberal groups were chosen for scrutiny.
Most recently, Republican politicians and candidates have distorted how the climate, tax and healthcare bill would reform the IRS and affect taxes for the middle class.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) last week tweeted that “Democrats’ new army of 87,000 IRS agents will be coming for you -- with 710,000 new audits for Americans who earn less than $75k.”
Yellen last week sent instructions to IRS leadership not to increase audit rates on Americans making under $400,000 a year annually.
“Instead, enforcement resources will focus on high-end noncompliance,” she said in her Aug. 11 guidance. “There, sustained, multi-year funding is so critical to the agency’s ability to make the investments needed to pursue a robust attack on the tax gap.”
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wvva.com/2022/08/17/yellen-tells-irs-develop-modernization-plan-6-months/ | 2022-08-17T16:07:51Z |
Youth mental health is in crisis. Are schools doing enough?
CECILIA, Ky. (AP) — For fourth-grader Leah Rainey, the school day now begins with what her teacher calls an “emotional check-in.”
“It’s great to see you. How are you feeling?” chirps a cheery voice on her laptop screen. It asks her to click an emoji matching her state of mind: Happy. Sad. Worried. Angry. Frustrated. Calm. Silly. Tired.
Depending on the answer, Leah, 9, gets advice from a cartoon avatar on managing her mood and a few more questions: Have you eaten breakfast? Are you hurt or sick? Is everything OK at home? Is someone at school being unkind? Today, Leah chooses “silly,” but says she struggled with sadness during online learning.
At Lakewood Elementary School, all 420 students will start their days the same way this year. The rural Kentucky school is one of thousands across the country using the technology to screen students’ state of mind and alert teachers to anyone struggling.
In some ways, this year’s back-to-school season will restore a degree of pre-pandemic normalcy: Most districts have lifted mask mandates, dropped COVID vaccine requirements and ended rules on social distancing and quarantines.
But many of the pandemic’s longer-lasting impacts remain a troubling reality for schools. Among them: the harmful effects of isolation and remote learning on children’s emotional well-being.
Student mental health reached crisis levels last year, and the pressure on schools to figure out solutions has never been greater. Districts across the country are using federal pandemic money to hire more mental health specialists, rolling out new coping tools and expanding curriculum that prioritizes emotional health.
Still, some parents don’t believe schools should be involved in mental health at all. So-called social-emotional learning, or SEL, has become the latest political flashpoint, with conservatives saying schools use it to promote progressive ideas about race, gender and sexuality, or that a focus on well-being takes attention from academics.
But at schools like Lakewood, educators say helping students manage emotions and stress will benefit them in the classroom and throughout life.
The school, in a farming community an hour’s drive south of Louisville, has used federal money to create “take-a-break” corners in each classroom. Students can rifle through a “self-regulation kit” with tips on deep breathing, squishy stress balls and acupuncture rings, said school counselor Shelly Kerr. The school plans to build a “Reset Room” this fall, part of an emerging national trend to create campus sanctuaries where students can go to decompress and speak with a counselor.
The online student screener Lakewood uses, called Closegap, helps teachers identify shy, quiet kids who might need to talk and would have otherwise gone unnoticed.
Closegap founder Rachel Miller launched the online platform in 2019 with a few schools and saw interest explode after the pandemic hit. This year, she said, more than 3,600 U.S schools will be using the technology, which has free and premium versions.
“We are finally beginning to recognize that school is more than just teaching the kids reading, writing and arithmetic,” said Dan Domenech, executive director of the national School Superintendents Association. Just as free lunch programs are based on the idea that a hungry child can’t learn, more and more schools are embracing the idea that a cluttered or troubled mind cannot focus on schoolwork, he said.
The pandemic magnified the fragility of mental health among American youth, who had been experiencing a rise in depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts for years, experts say. A recent report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found 44% of high school students said they experienced " persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness " during the pandemic, with girls and LGBTQ youth reporting the highest levels of poor mental health and suicide attempts.
If a silver lining exists, the pandemic raised awareness of the crisis and helped de-stigmatize talking about mental health, while also bringing attention to schools’ shortcomings in handling it. President Joe Biden’s administration recently announced over $500 million to expand mental health services in the country’s schools, adding to federal and state money that has poured into schools to cope with pandemic-era needs.
Still, many are skeptical schools’ responses are enough.
“All of these opportunities and resources are temporary,” said junior Claire Chi, who attends State College Area High School in central Pennsylvania. Last year, her school added emergency counseling and therapy dogs, among other supports, but most of that help lasted a day or two, Chi said. And that’s “not really a mental health investment for students.” This year, the school says it has added more counselors and plans mental health training for all 10th graders.
Some critics, including many conservative parents, don’t want to see mental health support in schools in the first place. Asra Nomani, a mom from Fairfax County, Virginia, says schools are using the mental health crisis as a “Trojan horse” to introduce liberal ideas about sexual and racial identity. She also worries schools lack the expertise to deal with student mental illness.
“Social-emotional well-being has become an excuse to intervene in the lives of children in the most intimate of ways that are both dangerous and irresponsible,” Nomani said, “because they’re in the hands of people who are not trained professionals.”
Despite the unprecedented funding, schools are having trouble hiring counselors, mirroring the shortages in other American industries.
Goshen Junior High School in northwest Indiana has been struggling to fill a vacancy of a counselor who left last year, when student anxiety and other behavioral problems were “off the charts,” said Jan Desmarais-Morse, one of two counselors left at the school, with caseloads of 500 students each.
“One person trying to meet the needs of 500 students?” said Desmarais-Morse said. “It’s impossible.”
The American School Counselor Association recommends a ratio of 250 students per school counselor, which few states come close to meeting.
For the 2020-21 school year only two states — New Hampshire and Vermont — achieved that goal, according to an Associated Press analysis of data from the National Center for Education Statistics. Some states face staggeringly high ratios: Arizona averages one counselor to 716 students; in Michigan, 1 to 638; and in Minnesota, 1 to 592.
Also in Indiana, the School City of Hammond won a grant to hire clinical therapists at all 17 of its schools but has not been able to fill most of the new jobs, said Superintendent Scott Miller. “Schools are stealing from other schools. There just aren’t enough workers to go around.” And despite more funding, school salaries can’t compete with private counseling practices, which are also overwhelmed and trying to hire more staff.
Another challenge for schools: identifying struggling children before they’re in emotional crisis. At the Houston Independent School District, one of the largest in the country with 277 schools and nearly 200,000 students, students are asked each morning to hold up fingers showing how they feel. One finger means a child is hurting deeply; five means she or he feels great.
“It’s identifying your brush fires early in the day,” said Sean Ricks, the district’s senior manager of crisis intervention.
Houston teachers now give mindfulness lessons, with ocean sounds played via YouTube, and a Chihuahua named Luci and a cockapoo named Omi have joined the district’s crisis team.
Grant-funding helped Houston build relaxation rooms, known as Thinkeries, at 10 schools last year, costing about $5,000 each. District data show campuses with Thinkeries, which sport bean bag chairs and warmly colored walls, saw a 62% decrease in calls to a crisis line last year, Ricks said. The district is building more this year.
But the rooms themselves are not a panacea. For the calming rooms to work, schools must teach students to recognize they feel angry or frustrated. Then they can use the space to decompress before their emotions erupt, said Kevin Dahill-Fuchel, executive director of Counseling in Schools, a nonprofit that helps schools bolster mental health services.
In the last days of summer vacation, a “Well Space” at University High School in Irvine, California, was getting finishing touches from an artist who painted a mural of a giant moon over mountains. Potted succulents, jute rugs, Buddha-like statuettes and a hanging egg chair brought an un-school-like feel. When school starts this week, the room is to be staffed full-time with a counselor or mental health specialist.
The goal is to normalize the idea of asking for help and give students a place to reset. “If they can re-center and refocus,” Blakely said, “they can then, after a short break, go back into their classrooms and be prepared for deeper learning.”
___
For more back-to-school coverage, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/back-to-school
___
Gecker reported from San Francisco. Associated Press writers Heather Hollingsworth in Mission, Kansas; Arleigh Rodgers in Indianapolis and Brooke Schultz in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, also contributed reporting. Data reporter Kavish Harjai contributed from Los Angeles.
Rodgers, Schultz and Harjai are corps members for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
The Associated Press education team receives support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wvva.com/2022/08/17/youth-mental-health-is-crisis-are-schools-doing-enough/ | 2022-08-17T16:07:58Z |
HONOLULU (KITV4) - Light winds linger with partly cloudy skies and isolated showers. There is a chance of heavy spotty afternoon showers for central and leeward sections, with a possibility of thunderstorms for the slopes of Hawai'i Island. Highs are expected to be around 84 to 89 degrees. Light east to southeast winds 5 to 15 mph daytime sea breezes.
Light east to southeast winds will linger into tonight, which supports the land and sea breeze regime with humid conditions continuing. Clouds and showers will favor windward areas, except over interior and leeward locations through the afternoon and evening hours where sea breezes form. A return of breezy easterly trade wind conditions is anticipated Thursday through the weekend.
Small background surf will continue along south facing shores into Friday. Forerunners from a new, long-period south swell are expected to arrive late Friday night. This swell will likely produce near, to slightly above normal surf along south facing shores from this weekend into early next week. Surf will remain small along east facing shores, but the strengthening trades may produce modest, choppy surf along east facing shores by this weekend. Expect nearly flat conditions to persist along north facing shores through tonight. Small, short-period north-northwest swells starting Thursday may provide a slight boost in surf along exposed north facing shores through this weekend. A slightly larger and longer period northwest swell may arrive early next week.
Do you have a story idea? Email news tips to news@kitv.com | https://www.kitv.com/news/local/wednesday-weather-light-winds-and-humid-conditions-continue/article_fa28be8c-1e39-11ed-b1a6-8307227e19ef.html | 2022-08-17T16:14:18Z |
DEBBIE ELLIOTT, host:
This is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED from NPR News. I'm Debbie Elliott. And now a story about freedom of expression and how an artist who was once stifled by his Communist government is embracing his national tradition. Cuban-born Gonzalo Rubalcaba turns heads with his jazz piano playing.
When he was a student, much of Cuba's traditional music was off limits. Now, Rubalcaba has brought back those once forbidden sounds. His latest recording is called Solo. NPR's Rolando Arrieta has this profile.
ROLANDO ARRIETA reporting:
Gonzalo Rubalcaba's neighborhood in the heart of Havana was filled with music and culture when he was growing up.
(Soundbite of music and singing)
Mr. GONZALO RUBALCABA (Musician): It was very easy to see all kind of traditional Cuban representation (unintelligible) activities as something normal.
ARRIETA: But this was the 1960s. Religious chants and traditional Cuban rhythms were not what socialist authorities wanted musicians to be playing. The officials were more interested in having their artists perform music like this.
(Soundbite of classical music)
Mr. RUBALCABA: They were very serious about make us learn about the European heritage, the European musical tradition, the whole history, the Renaissance, Baroque, romantic Impressionists, Expressionists, the contemporary composers, but nothing about Cuban composers, even classical Cuban composers.
ARRIETA: It might seem odd that the socialists would favor music from Europe over the work of their indigenous artists. At first, the Cuban government celebrated local folklore. But as the country became closer to the Soviet Union, cultural ideologies started to change, says Robin Moore. He's a professor of music at the University of Texas and author of the book Music and Revolution: Cultural Change in Socialist Cuba.
Professor ROBIN MOORE (Author, Music and Revolution): The revolution was trying to sort of create the most educated population they possibly could, and people associated hand-drumming and African traditions with kind of crass, primitive, somewhat barbaric forms of expression that just weren't the highest kinds of culture around. And it was considered much more fulfilling, or much more edifying, to tell people about Bach and Beethoven.
ARRIETA: So at the Instituto Superior de Arte in Havana, Rubalcaba learned composition from teachers who came from Eastern Europe.
Mr. RUBALCABA: It was ridiculous. At some point we knew more about the European tradition than about the Cuban tradition in term of classical music.
ARRIETA: Rubalcaba grew up playing drums with his dad, mostly dance and popular music. He also listened to American jazz from the 1940s and '50s. When he asked about jazz in school, his teachers told him to forget it.
Mr. RUBALCABA: To play jazz music in Cuba between the '60s and the beginning of the '80s had meaning to be playing the music of the enemy. That simple.
ARRIETA: But he and his friends started to play it anyway, at local bars and clubs.
(Soundbite of jazz music)
Mr. RUBALCABA: So we couldn't play that music at the school, but (unintelligible) that soon as the moment that we finish our work activities at the school everyday, we'd be playing a different music from somewhere around the city.
ARRIETA: By the late 1970s, jazz was everywhere in Cuba. Well-known groups like Ketageta(ph) were mixing jazz with Afro-Cuban rhythms, so the government decided to host an annual jazz festival, which drew crowds from all over the world.
Mr. RUBALCABA: It was a great moment because the Cuban authorities, they had to play the game, which is give the image to the people that they were open to support their talent people, young people. But at the same time, this proposition was coming from the enemy.
ARRIETA: Rubalcaba formed his own jazz band, Grupo Projecto.
(Soundbite of music)
ARRIETTA: The band played at the jazz festival. People outside of Havana started to take notice of Rubalcaba. A German label offered him a recording contract. Dilly Gillespie and Charlie Hayden wanted to hire him. If 1993 Rubalcaba finally felt it was time to leave the island and says he worked out a deal with the Cuban authorities.
Mr. RUBALCABA: I went to the Culture Minister in Havana. I was honest with him. I said I did everything that I could do here in Cuba. And I - I need to develop my career and I need to expand my life. I need to do what I had to do. So I'm coming here to say that I have to move outside of Cuba. I don't want you to read in the paper or watch on TV that I defect.
ARRIETTA: For whatever reason, officials allowed Rubalcaba and his family to go. They moved first to the Dominican Republic and now live in Southern Florida. From there he's toured the world and recorded nearly 20 albums since leaving Cuba.
(Soundbite of music)
ARRIETTA: His latest is a solo piano recording in which he ties together all of the elements that he says make him who he is as a musician.
Mr. RUBALCABA: We're talking about the Cuban music influence, the classical training, the just improvisation, defined in some way my musical personality.
(Soundbite of music)
ARRIETTA: But most importantly, he says, this album is a chance to play music from the classical Cuban composers he wishes he'd studied in school.
Mr. RUBALCABA: I think that a lot of things to do about those composers in terms of how to perform their music. It's not only to be able to play their music or to promote their music but at the same time to learn from them.
ARRIETTA: But to learn their compositions Rubalcaba had to rely almost exclusively on sheet music, because there are very few recordings on this work. He hopes his latest will inspire others to explore this almost forgotten aspect of Cuban culture. Rolando Arrietta, NPR News, Washington. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR. | https://www.keranews.org/2006-06-18/pianist-returns-to-cubas-forbidden-music | 2022-08-17T16:20:25Z |
2 deaths in Florida linked to raw oysters from Louisiana
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — A restaurant customer in Fort Lauderdale has died of a bacterial infection after eating raw oysters. A Pensacola man died the same way this month. Both cases involved oysters from Louisiana.
Gary Oreal, who manages the Rustic Inn, told the South Florida SunSentinel that the man who died had worked years ago at the restaurant famous for garlic crabs.
“Over the course of 60 years, we have served a couple billion oysters, and we never had anyone get sick like this guy did,” Oreal said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Vibrio bacteria doesn’t make an oyster look, smell, or taste any different. The agency said about 80,000 people get vibriosis in the U.S. each year, and about 100 people die from it.
Inspectors from the Florida Department of Health checked out the restaurant’s kitchen and examined its oyster inventory the day after the man became ill, Oreal told the newspaper.
“We passed with flying colors and we were allowed to continue to sell oysters,” he said, adding the oysters being served currently are from Louisiana. “If there was a problem with the oyster bed we would know it because others would have gotten sick.”
The restaurant has a sign warning patrons about the risks of eating raw shellfish.
“Oysters are top of the mountain for dangerous foods to eat,” Oreal said. “I have eaten them my entire life, and will continue. But you are putting yourself at risk when you do it.”
The Florida Department of Health says 26 people have become infected with the bacteria and six of them later died after eating raw shellfish, including oysters, so far this year. In 2021, 10 people died out of 34 people sickened. In 2020, there were seven deaths among the 36 who became ill.
Last week, a man in Pensacola died after contracting the bacteria from oysters he bought at a market, the Pensacola News Journal reported. That oyster also came from Louisiana, officials said.
Infections linked to the bacteria are common in oysters and raw seafood during the summer months when water temperatures are warmer, University of West Florida Professor Robert “Wes” Farr told the newspaper.
“Serious infection is rare, but the risk is still there,” Farr said.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.whsv.com/2022/08/17/2-deaths-florida-linked-raw-oysters-louisiana/ | 2022-08-17T16:38:42Z |
Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 now in Senate’s hands
In late July, the House sent the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 to the Senate for a vote.
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - Before the end of the year, the Senate could vote on the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 which proposes the right to keep and bear arms is not unlimited.
In late July, the House sent the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 to the Senate for a vote.
Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth is one of several lawmakers calling for tougher gun laws.
“They want to see more legislation to get these weapons of war off the streets of our cities, and I couldn’t agree with them more,” Sen. Duckworth.
As a leading voice in the Second Amendment community, Amanda Suffecool disagrees.
Her group, DC Project, advocates for firearms education not legislation.
“If somebody is going to break the law to perform a mass shooting there are already laws that are being broken,” said Suffecool.
Suffecool is calling for an expansion in mental health programs and for educators to receive violence response training.
In Detroit, Michigan which is about 50 minutes from the site of the 2021 deadly Oxford High mass shooting, resident Lafaye Jenkins says responsible gun ownership is key to saving lives.
“I know it’s a personal thing,” said Jenkins. “The thing about it is it needs to be checked into although it’s yours personally because we don’t want one person’s physical, mental, everything has to be intact. It’s not a toy.”
In order to make it to the president’s desk, the legislation needs at least 10 Republican votes to bypass the filibuster process.
President Biden calls a ban on certain semi-automatic guns “common sense.” As a senator, he passed the original ban in 1994.
Copyright 2022 Gray DC. All rights reserved. | https://www.whsv.com/2022/08/17/assault-weapons-ban-2022-now-senates-hands/ | 2022-08-17T16:38:48Z |
Biden administration expected to release new COVID-19 booster guidelines
(CNN) - Next month, Americans will have access to new COVID-19 boosters to fight off two of the omicron strains.
The Biden administration is expected to issue “operational guidelines” to prepare for the rollout of the updated boosters, according to a source close to the administration’s planning discussions.
According to the source, the Department of Health and Human Services will release the guidelines to public health departments in the next week or two. The guidelines will include information about ordering vaccines and what to expect in terms of the logistical plan.
On Tuesday, the White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator shared that the new boosters will be available in early to mid-September.
The shots are meant to give protection from the BA.4 and BA.5 coronavirus subvariants.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.whsv.com/2022/08/17/biden-administration-expected-release-new-covid-19-booster-guidelines/ | 2022-08-17T16:38:56Z |
DeSantis sued by Florida prosecutor he removed over abortion
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — An elected Florida prosecutor who was removed from office by Gov. Ron DeSantis because of his positions on abortion and transgender rights filed suit Wednesday to get his job back, saying the Republican leader violated his First Amendment rights.
DeSantis said he suspended Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren this month for signing a national pledge to not prosecute women and doctors for violating state abortion laws or families seeking treatments for transgender minors.
“If the governor’s allowed to do this, what’s left of democracy? If the governor’s allowed to retaliate against me for speaking out, what’s left of the First Amendment,” Warren asked at a news conference in Tallahassee.
The lawsuit alleges that DeSantis did not identify any actual conduct involving criminal activity that would warrant a suspension and says the governor is punishing Warren for voicing positions that DeSantis opposes.
DeSantis, criticized by Democrats for signing abortion restrictions and bills seen as anti-LGBTQ into law, held a campaign-like event to announce Warren’s suspension where supporters cheered the decision. The governor’s office did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Wednesday morning.
Now seeking re-election in November and positioning himself as a potential 2024 presidential candidate, the governor cited Warren’s “neglect of duty” and other alleged violations.
In his executive order, DeSantis cited Warren’s policy of not pursuing some lesser categories of crime, including “trespassing at a business location, disorderly conduct, disorderly intoxication, and prostitution.”
The suspension was backed by several law enforcement officers including Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, who said Warren had been acting as a kind of “supreme authority” to decide “what crimes will be legal or illegal in our county.”
Similar uses of prosecutorial discretion by progressives elected around the country in recent years have prompted some pushback.
In San Francisco, voters in June recalled Chesa Boudin, a former public defender who was elected district attorney in 2019 on a criminal justice reform platform. Boudin faced criticism over rising crime after declining to prosecute most drug offenses. A similar effort to recall the Los Angeles D.A. failed to garner enough signatures this week.
Warren, who was elected in 2016 by Tampa-area voters and re-elected in 2020, said the governor is overturning the will of the people who put him in office.
“The governor has attacked our democracy and it should worry everyone,” Warren told reporters. “If the governor’s attempt to unilaterally overturn an election is allowed to stand, it threatens to undermine the integrity and outcome of elections across our state for years to come.”
Warren described the pledge circulated by prosecutors around the country as “a value statement,” not a definitive decision on how he might handle any particular case. He also noted that Florida’s new ban on abortions after 15 weeks of gestation has been ruled unconstitutional, and that the state doesn’t even have a law against hormone treatments for transgender minors.
Warren’s lawsuit says the suspension was retaliatory after he opposed the governor on a number of issues, including DeSantis’ efforts to deny the restoration of voting rights for felons and create new crimes for public protests in response to the Black Lives Matter movement as well as the new abortion restrictions.
“Of course, DeSantis is free to express his views and his disagreements with Warren as often as he likes. Indeed, the Federal Constitution ensures that he is,” the suit says. “DeSantis went too far.”
The suit says Warren has an obligation to voters to say where he stands on such issues, and that as a prosecutor, he has the right to decide how the limited resources he has should be used to prosecute crimes. That priority should be on public safety, it said.
“The First Amendment protects the right of elected officials to speak out on matters of public controversy, and in fact it does so because it’s so important that the voters who choose these elected officials know where they stand on these issues,” Jean-Jacques Cabou, a lawyer for Warren, said in a phone interview.
Warren’s suspension is now an issue in the governor’s race as Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, the state’s only statewide-elected Democrat, and Democratic U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist enter the final week of the primary to see who will challenge DeSantis.
“For this governor to weaponize his office and remove a state attorney — a prosecutor — who has prosecutorial discretion over which cases he brings forward and which he doesn’t, this is the overreaching and overstepping of this governor,” Fried said at a campaign event Tuesday night. “It is the most dangerous thing to our democracy that we have seen.”
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.whsv.com/2022/08/17/desantis-sued-by-florida-prosecutor-he-removed-over-abortion/ | 2022-08-17T16:39:03Z |
Lone survivor of White House lightning strike is on the mend
WASHINGTON (WUSA) – The sole survivor of a lightning strike outside the White House nearly two weeks ago is on the road to recovery.
Amber Escudero-Kontostathis, 28, says her physical wounds are slowly healing, but it will take a while for the emotional ones to mend. She now uses a walker to get around, and much of her body is covered in bandages, healing her severe burns.
Despite that, Escudero-Kontostathis is healing remarkably well for someone who nearly died. She doesn’t remember being struck by lightning Aug. 4, but she knows that it was the quick thinking of others that saved her life.
A Secret Service officer and two travel nurses jumped into action, performing CPR on Escudero-Kontostathis and – in her words – bringing her back to life, twice.
“They literally brought me back twice, no heartbeat, brought it back, nothing, 10 minutes-plus, they brought me back,” she said. “Without people like that, there is no amazing miracle story. They’re the miracle makers.”
Escudero-Kontostathis reunited with her heroes this week.
Escudero-Kontostathis was canvassing for Threshold Giving, a nonprofit that assists refugees, when the storm hit.
She was one of four people struck by lightning under a tree and the only person who survived.
“I’m not sure why I’m the one that made it,” she said. “I definitely have survivor’s guilt because I were to be this lucky, like, I feel like everyone should be.”
Escudero-Kontostathis said she thinks her shoes with thick rubber soles might have helped save her, and she plans on keeping them for the rest of her life.
The three victims were identified as 76-year-old James Mueller and 75-year-old Donna Mueller, a couple from Wisconsin, and 29-year-old Brooks Lambertson, who was visiting from Los Angeles on a business trip.
Before the storm hit, Escudero-Kontostathis had spoken with the Muellers, who told her they were retired and visiting Washington.
The journey to recovery for Escudero-Kontostathis is uncomfortable, requiring therapy and constant doctor’s visits. But through the pain, she said a second chance at life is motivating her to live with no regrets.
“When I’m crying in pain, I’m constantly reminding myself that I’m lucky,” she said.
Copyright 2022 WUSA via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.whsv.com/2022/08/17/lone-survivor-white-house-lightning-strike-is-mend/ | 2022-08-17T16:39:09Z |
Yellen tells IRS to develop modernization plan in 6 months
WASHINGTON (AP) — Now that President Joe Biden signed Democrats’ expansive climate, tax and health care bill into law, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has directed the IRS to develop a plan within six months outlining how the tax agency will overhaul its technology, customer service and hiring processes.
In part, the improvements are meant to “end the two-tiered tax system, where most Americans pay what they owe, but those at the top of the distribution often do not,” Yellen said in a Tuesday memo to IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig, whose term ends in three months.
Yellen’s memo, obtained by The Associated Press, outlines the importance of modernizing IRS computer systems and ensuring the agency has an adequately-staffed workforce now that the tax collector is set to receive nearly $80 billion over the next 10 years.
That funding is needed for more than technology. At least 50,000 IRS employees are expected to retire over the next five years.
Yellen has called for the IRS to “fully resolve the inventory backlog and make significant improvements in taxpayer services,” “to overhaul an information technology system that is decades out of date” and invest and train employees “so they can identify the most complex evasion schemes by those at the top.”
This year’s tax season resulted in the worst backlog in history for the beleaguered IRS, which has also been tasked with administering pandemic related programs, including sending out stimulus checks, emergency rental assistance and advance child tax credit checks.
In its June report to Congress, the National Taxpayer Advocate, an independent watchdog within the IRS, also said taxpayers have experienced longer wait times on the telephone, and delays in processing paper returns have been running six months to one year.
Additional funding for the agency has been politically controversial since 2013, when the IRS under the Obama administration was found to scrutinize political groups that applied for tax-exempt status.
A Treasury Department Inspector General report found that both conservative and liberal groups were chosen for scrutiny.
Most recently, Republican politicians and candidates have distorted how the climate, tax and healthcare bill would reform the IRS and affect taxes for the middle class.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) last week tweeted that “Democrats’ new army of 87,000 IRS agents will be coming for you -- with 710,000 new audits for Americans who earn less than $75k.”
Yellen last week sent instructions to IRS leadership not to increase audit rates on Americans making under $400,000 a year annually.
“Instead, enforcement resources will focus on high-end noncompliance,” she said in her Aug. 11 guidance. “There, sustained, multi-year funding is so critical to the agency’s ability to make the investments needed to pursue a robust attack on the tax gap.”
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.whsv.com/2022/08/17/yellen-tells-irs-develop-modernization-plan-6-months/ | 2022-08-17T16:39:21Z |
WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 40 organizations representing children, the environment, ethics, consumers, and health professionals today call on the Biden-Harris Administration to fill the vacancy of Chief Dental Officer of the Public Health Service with a new leader who will immediately stop the use of mercury dental fillings in children and pregnant women—then phase out its use entirely in federal programs. https://mercuryfreedentistry.files.wordpress.com/2022/08/civil-society-calls-for-new-policy-from-usphs-chief-dental-officer.pdf
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued Safety Recommendations on September 24, 2020, calling for the end of amalgam use in children, in young women, and in those with kidney and neurological conditions—but the holdover chief dental officers at the Department of Health and Human Services resist implementing it. Now the position of Chief Dental Officer of the Public Health Service is vacant, so civil society calls for Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and Assistant Secretary for Health Rachel Levine to appoint a chief dental officer with views compatible with the Biden-Harris environmental justice initiatives.
"Mercury dental fillings for children and pregnant women should have ended in government programs two years ago, when FDA publicly stated that exposure is harmful," said Nse Witherspoon, Executive Director of the Children's Environmental Health Network. "It is astounding that chief dental officers at the Public Health Service refuse to implement the Safety Recommendation of sister agencies at the Department of Health and Human Services. One would think our government would be first, not last, to follow FDA warnings for non-use of a toxic product on children."
Noting that FDA has spoken loud and clear to end amalgam for children and for pregnant and breastfeeding women, the nation's most prominent dentist authority on ethics in health care, Dr. Rueben C. Warren, calls the failure of government agencies to comply "a clear and convincing violation of medical ethics." Dr. Warren, director of the National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care at Tuskegee University and former dean of the Meharry dental school, says, "Surgeon General Murthy and Assistant Secretary Levine must act immediately to appoint a chief dental officer committed to immediately stopping the placing of dental amalgam on all Tribal lands, military bases, prisons, and Medicaid programs." Tuskegee, the site of the egregious syphilis experiment on Black men, which historian analogize to Nazi-era racial atrocities, houses the nation's watchdog to avoid any semblance of its repetition.
"According to the World Health Organization, which cites a comprehensive European survey, 95% of consumers would choose mercury-free dentistry – either for health reasons, environmental reasons, or both," said Charles G. Brown of Consumers for Dental Choice. "Consumers do not want mercury-silver fillings – but federal bureaucracies defying the nation's science health regulator continue to hoist them onto the powerless recipients of federal programs like Indian Health, Department of Defense, and Bureau of Prisons."
In March, the Biden Administration helped spearhead an amendment to the Minamata Convention on Mercury which sets a new worldwide floor: the end of amalgam for children under 15 nor for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
"This Administration, a world leader in protecting the public from mercury exposure, must not let its own federal agencies, led by holdover chief dental officers, subvert the new global policy which ends amalgam placement in children," said Bobbi Wilding, Executive Director of Clean and Healthy New York. "Our nation's children deserve no less."
For further information, contact Charles Brown, Consumers for Dental Choice, charlie@mercury-free.org or 202.246.7642
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SOURCE Consumers for Dental Choice | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/40-organizations-led-by-consumers-dental-choice-call-biden-harris-administration-appoint-chief-dental-officer-committed-ending-mercury-dental-fillings-federal-programs/ | 2022-08-17T16:43:04Z |
Combining Andersen's industry-leading window and door innovations with Ubiquitous Energy's patented transparent solar technology to bring solar-powered windows and doors into homes
BAYPORT, Minn., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Andersen Corporation, manufacturer of the #1 innovative window and door brand*, and Ubiquitous Energy, the world leader in transparent solar technology, have entered into an agreement to jointly develop a first-of-its-kind energy generating window and door products.
The companies are working together to bring products to market that will revolutionize solar generation for residential and light commercial buildings. The products will leverage Ubiquitous Energy's UE Power™ technology, the only patented and visibly transparent photovoltaic glass coating that harnesses solar power to generate electricity, while remaining almost indistinguishable from traditional windows. With this revolutionary technology, the products the companies are jointly developing are intended to bring renewable energy generation to windows and doors while providing a clear, natural experience that is similar to what is expected from traditional windows and doors.
"By combining Andersen's expertise in crafting innovative window and door products that deliver quality, design aesthetic and energy efficiency with the unique properties of UE Power™ technology, our vision is to develop products that go beyond energy efficiency to energy generation," said Brandon Berg, senior vice president, research, development and innovation, Andersen Corporation. "This is a powerful opportunity to leverage our industry leadership, product development expertise and manufacturing capabilities to help bring innovative new products to the marketplace that will improve the homeowner experience and make the world a better place."
Andersen is a leading investor in Ubiquitous Energy and a longtime pioneer in the window and door industry with more than 225 patents to its name over time. Andersen's investment in Ubiquitous Energy represents the company's future-focused interest in advancing the fenestration industry with disruptive technology solutions that have the potential to elevate the industry and contribute to a healthier environment.
The companies began their relationship with an investment from Andersen in Ubiquitous Energy's Series B financing in 2021. Since then, Ubiquitous Energy has demonstrated significant progress, validating its large area coating equipment with the ability to uniformly coat floor-to-ceiling glass in addition to advancing its next-generation materials pipeline using artificial intelligence. UE Power™ technology serves as a visibly transparent solar panel that adds renewable energy generation capability to window and door glass while maintaining visual aesthetics. Ubiquitous Energy is actively raising funding to accelerate commercialization efforts, including funding for a U.S.-based manufacturing facility that will supply the first transparent solar window and door units to Andersen and other partners and customers.
"We are excited to continue to deepen our relationship with Andersen to together create the first UE Power™ window and door products for residential and light commercial buildings. Our companies have a shared goal of changing the way the world uses solar power and positively impacting the environment in a big way without compromising aesthetics or function," said Susan Stone, chief executive officer, Ubiquitous Energy.
ABOUT ANDERSEN CORPORATION
Andersen was founded in 1903 on the philosophy of working "all together" to deliver on its promise to its customers. Every day, the company's more than 13,000 employees are empowered to imagine what's possible and do what's right. Andersen delivers products for the way people live, unmatched performance for the comfort and security homeowners desire, and endless design options to achieve any style.
Headquartered in Bayport, Minn., Andersen Corporation and its subsidiaries manufacture and market window and door products under the Andersen®, Renewal by Andersen®, EMCO® and MQ™ brands. Andersen, a privately held company, operates manufacturing sites across North America and Europe. Andersen has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2022 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award. Visit us at andersenwindows.com.
Follow us on Facebook @AndersenWindows, Twitter @AndersenWindows, and Instagram @andersen_windows.
ABOUT UBIQUITOUS ENERGY, INC.
Founded in 2011, Ubiquitous Energy was started by a group of MIT and MSU scientists and engineers looking for new ways to reduce humanity's carbon footprint by seamlessly integrating solar power technology into everyday products and surfaces. With nearly 200 global patent filings, Ubiquitous Energy has the world's leading transparent solar technology – the conversion of light into electricity using semiconducting materials all while maintaining visible transparency. To both residential and commercial building occupants, Ubiquitous Energy's solar windows provide a clear, vibrant experience that is expected from traditional Low-E windows, but with self-contained, on-board power and smart functionality. For more information please visit us at www.ubiquitous.energy or connect with us via LinkedIn.
* 2022 Andersen brand surveys of U.S. contractors, builders & architects
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SOURCE Andersen Corporation | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/andersen-corporation-ubiquitous-energy-announce-plans-develop-first-energy-generating-windows-doors-without-aesthetic-compromises/ | 2022-08-17T16:43:05Z |
Partnership to bring powerful Web3 capabilities to digital, mobile, and social media innovation for brands.
LOS ANGELES and JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Vatom™, a leading Web3 company based in California, today announced its selection as the lead Web3 platform partner of prolific digital agency YONDER. YONDER, a subsidiary of WPP plc, will leverage Vatom's best-in-class Web3 capabilities to create new value for brands seeking to unlock the power of the burgeoning ownership economy. With this partnership, Vatom will become the core Web3 platform for YONDER's Immersive Web and Smart NFT service offering.
"Having executed several successful projects using the Vatom platform, the decision to fully commit to this partnership was a no-brainer," said Rick Joubert, CEO of YONDER. "We will continue to integrate Vatom technology into our own tech stack to complement the significant investments we've been making in talent and skills development in the Web3 space. YONDER shares Vatom's unique vision for the future of brand-consumer engagement and value exchange – this has been key to our collaboration to date and lays an important foundation for the future of our partnership," concluded Rick Joubert.
The announcement follows shortly on the heels of a first-ever electric vehicle launch in the metaverse, the VolvoVerse. A collaboration between multiple WPP agencies including YONDER in support of the launch of the Volvo XC40 Recharge in India, this project leveraged Vatom's Web3 platform to enable a highly successful launch at scale in a developing market – with access to the VolvoVerse made possible via no more than a personal computer or Smartphone.
"YONDER possesses a rare understanding of how Web3 technology will revolutionize the digital media landscape, and we're thrilled that they have taken a long-term view on us as their primary Web3 partner," said Eric Pulier, founder, and CEO of Vatom.
About Vatom
Vatom is the first feature-complete Web3 platform, built with an easy-to-use no-code, plug-in architecture that enables a new form of customer engagement. With our platform companies can create their own virtual spaces, distribute a simple, consumer friendly Web3 wallet, create, buy, sell, exchange smart NFT's, and launch their own branded marketplaces and social tokens. What Salesforce is to the Enterprise we are to Web3.
Please visit www.vatom.com for more company information.
About YONDER:
YONDER is a full-service digital agency with offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town. YONDER has positioned itself for growth as a specialist solution provider to brands and agencies in the Web3 and Meta ecosystems and has made significant investments in capacity to support this positioning. The agency has a high-quality portfolio of direct and indirect clients and counts a robust team of software engineers, UX specialists, Web3 creatives, digital media strategists and managers and community managers among its growing team of almost seventy passionate professionals. For more about YONDER, visit www.yonder.co.za and follow @Yonder_ZA on Twitter and LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/yonder-za/
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SOURCE Vatom | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/award-winning-digital-agency-yonder-announces-key-partnership-commitment-with-leading-web3-platform-vatom/ | 2022-08-17T16:43:06Z |
This award is based on nominations from customers and reflects the value Baxter Planning delivers to Service Supply Chains.
AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Baxter Planning, a pioneer and recognized leader in Service Supply Chain parts planning, optimization, and execution software solutions, today announced that the company has been selected as one of SupplyChainBrain's 100 Great Supply Chain Partners for the 18th time, and will be featured in the August 2022 issue of SupplyChainBrain magazine.
"For twenty years running, SupplyChainBrain has published our much-anticipated list of 100 Great Supply Chain Partners: a select group of companies whose customers recognize them for providing outstanding solutions and services. Our six-month online poll of supply chain professionals requires a qualified response, asking them to nominate vendors and service providers whose solutions have made a significant impact on their company's efficiency, customer service, and overall supply chain performance. This year's field of nominees was highly competitive and overall excellent, coming from all sectors of supply chain management. Your company should be proud to be on this list! Baxter Planning will appear in the 2022 August issue of SupplyChainBrain magazine and on SupplyChainBrain.com as an honored member of this year's 100 Great Supply Chain Partners." – Brad Berger, Publisher, SupplyChainBrain
Over the past year, Baxter Planning has grown significantly, driven by a combination of customer growth and their first acquisition in November 2021 of Entercoms' Supply Chain Technology business unit. The company has also grown its executive team, expanded its number of global office locations, joined with ServiceMax in a strategic partnership, and increased investment to accelerate their vision for the Predictive Service Supply Chain.
Baxter Planning is also expanding its portfolio of products with the launch of LynX to provide Service Supply Chains with increased resilience to deliver better customer experiences. Additional products are on the roadmap based on feedback from BaxterNext, its product advisory group composed of leaders who ensure parts are available to maximize asset uptime for many Global 2000 companies.
Baxter Planning's innovative and collaborative approach to Service Parts Planning continues to provide value to their customers while repeatedly earning accolades throughout the industry and in publications like SupplyChainBrain, as well as their position in the Leaders category of the most recent IDC MarketScape report for Service Parts Management.
"The Baxter Planning team does a tremendous job generating value for market-leading companies around the globe, evident by Leader recognition from analysts and the organization's reputation in the market," stated Mårten Gustafsson, the new Chief Revenue Officer of Baxter Planning. "Our Service Supply Chain expertise is enabled by a culture driven by passion for delivering customers value with our growing portfolio of products."
SupplyChainBrain, the world's most comprehensive supply chain management information resource, is accessed year-round through a wide range of ever-evolving multi-media formats by hundreds of thousands of senior level industry executives. In addition to addressing the fundamental principles of supply chain management, SupplyChainBrain identifies emerging trends, technologies and best practices, forward-thinking ideas, and cutting-edge solutions, continuing to write and report about them as they evolve. Learn more at www.supplychainbrain.com.
Founded in 1993, Baxter Planning became the first company to provide a dedicated global Service Supply Chain software and service solution. Their software is developed based on proven best practices, industry expertise, and a partnership with customers to automate inventory planning. Their Total Cost Optimization methodology replaces spreadsheets and manual processes to deliver the best service level at the lowest possible cost. As a worldwide leader in Service Supply Chain software, Baxter Planning helps customers plan billions in service parts inventory every day. For more information, visit www.baxterplanning.com.
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SOURCE Baxter Planning | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/baxter-planning-recognized-with-supplychainbrains-100-great-supply-chain-partners-award-18th-time/ | 2022-08-17T16:43:10Z |
HAMILTON, Bermuda, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Borr Drilling Limited (the "Company") (NYSE and OSE: BORR) announced today the first settlement of its previously announced US public offering of 69,444,444 US common shares of the Company, at a price per share of $3.60 per common share for total gross proceeds of $250 million. The Company has also granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 6,944,444 common shares at the offering price minus underwriting discounts.
The first settlement was completed for 41,666,667 common shares as the conditions to this settlement were met on August 16, 2022. The second settlement for the remainder of the shares offered (including any additional common shares issued pursuant to the underwriters' option, if exercised prior to the second settlement date) is expected on August 26, 2022, provided that the Company's authorized share capital is increased by 35,000,000 common shares pursuant to a second special general meeting to be held on August 25, 2022. Existing shareholders holding an aggregate of approximately 54% of the outstanding common shares of the Company have undertaken to vote in favor of the increase in the authorized share capital at the special general meeting to be held on August 25, 2022.
No securities in the offering were offered or will be listed on Oslo Stock Exchange.
The Company plans to use the proceeds from the offering to consummate a refinancing with its lenders under its Syndicated Facility, New Bridge Facility, Hayfin Facility and shipyards Keppel and PPL, and for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, repayments of its debt obligations, payments to its creditors in return for potential concessions or extensions of current facilities, capital expenditures, including costs in connection with activations and re-activations of rigs being brought into operations, or funding of its working capital.
DNB Markets, Clarksons Securities, Pareto Securities, ABG Sundal Collier ASA, Arctic Securities AS, Fearnley Securities and SpareBank 1 Markets are the book-running managers for the offering. Cleaves Securities AS is a co-manager for the offering.
Following the first settlement of this offering, the Company's issued share capital increased by $4,166,666.70 to $ 19,456,817.50, divided into 194,568,175 shares, each with a nominal value of $0.10 per share.
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor will there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.
This information is considered to be inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. This stock exchange notice was published by Andreas Lavik Lie, Vice President Treasury & Investor Relations of the Company, on 17 August 2022 at 17:45 CEST
About Borr Drilling Limited
Borr Drilling Limited is an international drilling contractor incorporated in Bermuda in 2016 and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange on August 30, 2017 and on the New York Stock Exchange on July 31, 2019 under the ticker "BORR". The Company owns and operates jack-up rigs of modern and high specification designs and provides services focused on the shallow water segment to the offshore oil and gas industry worldwide. Please visit the Company's website at: www.borrdrilling.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "anticipate," "plan," "expect," or other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include statements with respect to the offering, the condition to the second settlement, the intended use of proceeds and other non-historical statements. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are subject to significant risks, uncertainties, contingencies and factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements including risks related to the use of proceeds, whether the condition to the second settlement of the offering will be met, the risk that the Company will not consummate the proposed refinancing, the number of shares to be sold in the offering and other risks described in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and other filings of the Company with the SEC. The forward-looking statements made in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
The Board of Directors
Borr Drilling Limited
Hamilton, Bermuda
CONTACT:
Questions should be directed to: Magnus Vaaler, CFO, +47 22 48 30 00
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SOURCE Borr Drilling Limited | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/borr-drilling-first-settlement-us-offering-common-shares/ | 2022-08-17T16:43:14Z |
BOSTON, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Boston Hemp Inc. is pleased to announce the launch of this fall's biggest hit, Pumpkin Spice concentrates. By launching seasonal concentrates Boston Hemp Inc. becomes the first hemp dispensary in the country to offer Delta-8 THC, HHC and THC-O products filled with the delightful fall flavor profiles of cinnamon, cardamom and pumpkin. The new products will be released to the public September 1, 2022.
Concentrates have become popular with the hemp crowd who heat the wax and then inhale the vapors and smoke. By doing so a nice body high and a euphoric feeling are had by the user. This process is known as dabbing.
Boston Hemp Inc.'s collection of concentrates or waxes are known to be the best in the hemp market. They are always striving to offer the best and most potent products on the market. With the unique offering of pumpkin spice concentrates Boston Hemp Inc. continues their tradition of innovation.
Boston Hemp Inc. is the nation's premier hemp dispensary. They offer a collection of premium products including flower, concentrates, edibles and vapes. They offer their products for sale on-line at www.BostonHempInc.com. They ship nationwide and all over the world. Their products are also available at their retail location and corporate headquarters in Hanover, Massachusetts. For retail inquiries please contact Kevin Coyle at Kevin@BostonHempire.com or by way of cell at 508-846-6628.
Source: Boston Hemp Inc.
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SOURCE Boston Hemp Inc. | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/boston-hemp-inc-announces-release-pumpkin-spice-infused-concentrates/ | 2022-08-17T16:43:24Z |
BTG Pactual presents the Mynt crypto asset platform
Published: Aug. 17, 2022 at 12:05 PM EDT|Updated: 38 minutes ago
SÃO PAULO, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BTG Pactual (BPAC11), the largest investment bank in Latin America, is launching Mynt, a platform for trading crypto assets. The app is open to all audiences, and already offers investment options in bitcoin (BTC), ether (ETH), solana (SOL), polkadot (DOT), and cardano (ADA). The minimum contribution starts from R$ 100.
"Crypto is a new technology with great potential for transformation, and it brings both risks and opportunities. We are offering direct access to investments in the main cryptocurrencies on the market, in a simple and secure manner, in a very intuitive and comprehensive platform, with financial content and education" says André Portilho, Head of Digital Assets at BTG Pactual.
Mynt users have easy access to cryptocurrency investments, as well as educational materials on crypto, markets, and technology news. Another differential is a 24/7 humanized customer service.
"We are closely following the technology's evolution in the market. Entering the crypto world is another important step for meeting a demand from our customers and fill a gap in the market by offering functionality with security and quality service, with the expertise and credibility of a BTG Pactual company", the executive adds.
Mynt will start by offering the five main assets available today in the crypto market, taking into account market capitalization and development stage. In addition to bitcoin, the four main smart contract platforms are currently available.
"In other words, the biggest crypto ecosystems are already present in Mynt since its launch. But we will not stop there. Mynt will have a continuous range of products and features at pace with the technology's evolution. In addition, we will soon have crypto withdrawal and deposit", says Portilho.
BTG Pactual (BPAC11) is the biggest investment bank from Latin America, operating in Investment Banking, Corporate Lending, Sales & Trading, Wealth Management and Asset Management. Since inception, in 1983, the Bank has been run based on a meritocratic partnership culture, focused on clients, excellence and a long-term vision. We have cemented our status as one of the most innovative sector players and have won numerous national and international awards. We currently have more than 6,000 employees in offices across Brazil, as well as in Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, the US, Portugal and England. For more information go to http://www.btgpactual.com
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SOURCE BTG Pactual
The above press release was provided courtesy of PRNewswire. The views, opinions and statements in the press release are not endorsed by Gray Media Group nor do they necessarily state or reflect those of Gray Media Group, Inc. | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/btg-pactual-presents-mynt-crypto-asset-platform/ | 2022-08-17T16:43:26Z |
Supports Cleco's commitment to reinvest in DeSoto Parish and grow its renewable energy fleet
PINEVILLE, La., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cleco Power (Cleco) and D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI), a leading renewable energy producer in the U.S., today announce a long-term renewable energy off-take agreement. The Dolet Hills Solar Project includes a 240 MWac facility to be constructed at the recently retired Dolet Hills lignite-fired power plant in DeSoto Parish, Louisiana.
The Dolet Hills Solar Project supports Cleco's growing renewable energy fleet and follows the company's recent announcement of Project Diamond Vault, a major economic development and decarbonization initiative to build a state-of-the-art carbon capture facility at its central Louisiana Brame Energy Center.
"This solar project is another step forward in Cleco's journey to becoming Louisiana's leading clean energy company," said Bill Fontenot, President and CEO of Cleco Corporate Holdings. "This project continues our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint while affordably and reliably serving our customers."
Pending project approvals, Dolet Hills will boast one of the largest solar facilities in Louisiana and will represent more than $250 million invested towards powering approximately 45,000 homes. While Dolet Hills Solar is the first power purchase agreement between the companies, DESRI's portfolio in Louisiana will now total nearly 700 MWac in construction and contracted clean power projects.
"DESRI is proud to deliver low-cost, clean, reliable power to Cleco and its customers from this landmark solar energy facility," said Hy Martin, Chief Development Officer of DESRI. "Alongside our partners at Cleco, the project will provide local economic benefits to DeSoto Parish and the surrounding communities for years to come. In addition, the project will replace lignite-fired electricity with renewable power sited on reclaimed mining lands."
The Dolet Hills Solar Project is expected to deliver significant community benefits, including the creation of local construction jobs and tax revenue for the Parish. When asked about the project, DeSoto Parish President, Ernel Jones, stated "Cleco has been an integral part of the DeSoto Parish community for over 70 years and we look forward to our continued partnership. At the same time, we welcome DESRI and believe the Dolet Hills Solar Project will lead the way for future economic growth in our area."
About Cleco Power, LLC
Cleco Power is a regulated electric public utility that owns nine generating units with a rated capacity of 3,035 megawatts. Assets also include 1,335 miles of transmission lines and 12,152 miles of distribution lines.
Cleco Power uses multiple generating sources and multiple fuels to serve approximately 291,000 customers in 24 of Louisiana's parishes through its retail business and supplies wholesale power in Louisiana and Mississippi. Parishes served include Acadia, Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Catahoula, DeSoto, Evangeline, Grant, Iberia, Jefferson Davis, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Red River, Sabine, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Vermilion, Vernon and Washington.
For more information about Cleco, visit www.cleco.com.
About D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments
D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI) and its affiliates develop, acquire, own, and operate long-term contracted renewable energy assets in the U.S. DESRI's portfolio of contracted, operating and in-construction renewable energy projects currently includes more than 65 solar and wind projects representing more than 6 GWac of aggregate capacity. DESRI is a member of the D. E. Shaw group, a global investment and technology development firm with more than $60 billion in investment and committed capital as of June 1, 2022, and offices in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Please visit www.desri.com for more information about DESRI.
Contacts:
Jennifer Cahill
Cleco Media
news@cleco.com
Liz Peyton
DESRI Media
desri-media-inquiries@world.deshaw.com
James Kondrat
DESRI Development
james.kondrat@deshaw.com
This press release is provided for the reader's information only and does not constitute investment advice or convey an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities or other financial products.
Please also note that this press release has not been updated since its dateline for any information contained in it that may have changed, including any beliefs and/or opinions. In addition, no assurances can be given that any aims, assumptions, expectations, and/or goals described in this release will be realized or that the activities or any performance described herein did or will continue at all or in the same manner as at the time of the press release.
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SOURCE Cleco Power LLC | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/cleco-power-desri-announce-240-mwac-solar-power-agreement/ | 2022-08-17T16:43:33Z |
Leading Technology Company Brings the Future of Immersive Experiences Directly to Consumers
INGLEWOOD, Calif., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hollywood Park, the largest urban mixed-use mega development under construction in the Western United States, announces a new signed tenant, Cosm, a global leader in experiential media and immersive technology, which will introduce its first public venue in Hollywood Park. The forthcoming location will be the first venue of its kind to bring entertainment to life by utilizing Cosm's revolutionary domed and compound curved LED technology. Guests will be able to directly experience immersive content through the company's proprietary, best-in-class technology that seamlessly bridges the gap between virtual and physical realities.
As part of Hollywood Park's retail district, the venue will showcase a 26.6-meter diameter LED dome in a 65,000 total square feet facility that can hold up to 1,700 guests. Programming at the venue will include live sports and entertainment, experiential events and content, immersive art, music, and more.
"We look forward to Hollywood Park being the home of Cosm's first venue. Their modern venue design and immersive LED technology will create a one-of-a-kind entertainment offering for our guests and our community," said Jason Gannon, managing director, SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park. "Integrating dynamic companies like Cosm into Hollywood Park's retail space furthers our goal to create a tenant mix that is not only unique to Hollywood Park, but also delivers extraordinary experiences for our community."
With 75 years of experience in immersive entertainment, Cosm's vision for its first public venue stems from its pioneering experience and innovation in dome design, pixel management, 3D and real-time rendering, and high-resolution live video workflows for planetariums and amusement parks around the world.
"We're redefining the way the world experiences content and up-leveling fandom by opening our first Cosm venue in the center of the entertainment capital of the world," said Jeb Terry, Cosm's CEO and President. "For decades, we've powered some of the most iconic and entertaining experiences for our partners around the globe. Now, we're powering our own. Cosm isn't just a place, it's a feeling. It's the energy of the crowd, the exhilaration of sitting courtside at the biggest sporting events, the thrill of standing front row at your dream concert, the intensity of being enveloped in immersive environments that you have to experience to believe. Cosm is bringing that to life – first in Los Angeles, then around the world."
"Cosm is providing an immersive and interactive canvas for partners and creators to showcase new and existing content in a way the world has never seen," continued Devin Poolman, Cosm's Chief Product and Technology Officer. "From our live 8K immersive production to real-time technology that leverages gaming engines like Unreal, to the architectural and interior designs and engineered build of our physical venues, our vertically integrated platform seamlessly intersects the digital and physical worlds. Cosm is a portal that can transport you anywhere, anytime, real or imagined, and it is completely reinventing entertainment as we know it."
Construction for Cosm's Los Angeles venue, designed by HKS, will begin in the fall of 2022.
Hollywood Park will become a city within a city with its recreational outdoor parks as its social heart. When complete, Hollywood Park will include up to five million square feet of creative office space, an exceptional retail district reaching up to 890,000 square feet, a 300-room hotel, and up to 2,500 sophisticated new residences. The expansive outdoor-oriented districts will border a six-acre artificial lake while being interlaced with 25 acres of tree-lined public parks and open space.
The first phase of Hollywood Park's retail district will total 500,000 square feet, with 320,000 square feet scheduled to open spring 2023. Hollywood Park's newest tenants feature concepts including Inglewood-based, family-owned juice bar Antojitos Martin; Grilled Fraiche from South LA restaurateur Peace Love Reedburg; Residency Art Gallery, which is a platform for artists of color; the latest venture from the founder of Inglewood's Three Weavers Brewing Company; Long Beach, Calif.-based Iconix Fitness; and Red Bay Coffee, an artisanal, black-owned coffee shop headquartered in Oakland, Calif.
To learn more about Hollywood Park, please visit www.hollywoodparklife.com and follow on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
To learn more about Cosm, please visit www.cosm.com/losangeles and follow on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Spanning nearly 300 acres, Hollywood Park is the largest urban mixed-use development under construction in the Western United States. Anchored by an 890,000-square-foot retail area and surrounded by creative office space, Hollywood Park offers new sophisticated residences, public parks, a lake, and premier entertainment venues. The mixed-use development is all linked by walkable paseos and plazas and centered around the newly completed 3.1 million square-foot SoFi Stadium, one of Los Angeles' most striking architectural structures. Stylish residences and a modern open-office campus will complement the entertainment and retail district, creating a world-class destination for both local and international guests. Located just six miles off the coast, a short drive from LAX and the City of Inglewood's future Crenshaw/LAX Line, Hollywood Park is poised to become an iconic global destination for millions to enjoy. For more information, please visit www.hollywoodparklife.com.
Cosm, based in Los Angeles, California, is the leading experiential media and immersive technology company redefining the way the world experiences content. With 75 years of leading experience, the company creates the richest immersive experiences around the globe with proprietary technology and state-of-the-art venues that seamlessly bridge the gap between virtual and physical realities, expanding the realm of what's possible. For more information, visit http://www.cosm.com/newsroom.
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SOURCE Cosm | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/cosm-unveils-plans-develop-its-first-ever-public-venue-hollywood-park/ | 2022-08-17T16:43:40Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Creatd, Inc. (Nasdaq CM: CRTD) ("Creatd" or the "Company"), a creator-first holding company today announced the appointment of Tracy Willis as CEO of Creatd Partners, the Company's influencer and content marketing arm.
Since the Company completed its integration of the WHE Agency ("WHE") into Creatd Partners, WHE founder Tracy Willis has led WHE's day-to-day operations and worked to significantly advance the size and breadth of WHE's influencer network and brand partnerships. Already, the integration of the WHE Agency and Creatd Partners has yielded top brand clientele working together on projects across an array of products and distribution platforms, including Vocal, Tik Tok, Youtube, and Instagram. As CEO of Creatd Partners, Ms. Willis is additionally tasked with driving talent acquisition for the Company on a broader level, with the ultimate goal of sourcing and nurturing high-caliber creators and brands to join the Vocal ecosystem. Ms. Willis has an integral role in driving the Company's internal efforts to identify opportunities and acquisitions in the agency space.
Commented Tracy Willis, the newly appointed CEO of Creatd Partners, "The digital agency space is rapidly evolving beyond a service-based relationship offering to include a suite of products that prioritizes data and technology. Clients are demanding best-in-class processes and analytics, and Creatd Partners has established itself as an industry leader by integrating Creatd's technology and data into their agency services. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead this fantastic team and rapidly scale Creatd's agency business."
About Creatd
Creatd, Inc. (Nasdaq CM: CRTD) is a creator-first technology holding company and the parent company of the Vocal platform. Our mission is to empower creators, entrepreneurs, and brands through technology and partnership. We accomplish this through Creatd's four business pillars: Creatd Labs, Creatd Partners, Creatd Ventures, and Creatd Studios.
Creatd: https://creatd.com;
Creatd IR: https://investors.creatd.com;
Vocal Platform: https://vocal.media;
Investor Relations Contact: ir@creatd.com
Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements that are not historical facts and that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, indicated through the use of words or phrases such as "will likely result," "are expected to," "will continue," "is anticipated," "estimated," "intends," "plans," "believes" and "projects") may be forward-looking and may involve estimates and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. We caution that the factors described herein could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements we make and that investors should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of such factors. Further, we cannot assess the impact of each such factor on our results of operations or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. This press release is qualified in its entirety by the cautionary statements and risk factor disclosure contained in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
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SOURCE Creatd, Inc. | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/creatd-names-tracy-willis-ceo-its-agency-arm-creatd-partners/ | 2022-08-17T16:43:52Z |
The MV platform is available nationwide as financial literacy instruction mandates spread.
CINCINNATI, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Money Vehicle, a leading education technology (EdTech) company dedicated to closing the financial literacy gap in the U.S., is announcing that its virtual financial literacy course has launched in Ohio. Governor Mike DeWine signed into law new financial education requirements late last year, mandating that all public school students in the state take a stand-alone, full-semester personal finance course, a rule also in effect in 15 states around the country. The Money Vehicle course aligns with Ohio's specific standards, making it an ideal, turnkey solution for students, educators, and school districts.
"Ohio's financial literacy mandate will ensure that students across the state have the opportunity to change their lives, and we could not be more proud that Money Vehicle will empower teachers to deliver this impact in their classrooms," said Jedidiah Collins CFP®, founder of Money Vehicle.
As of the beginning of July this year, ninth-graders in Ohio must earn one-half credit of financial literacy in order to graduate, according to the Ohio Department of Education's rules. The standards mandate instruction on financial topics including managing bank accounts, budgeting basics, and contending with debt. The Money Vehicle course walks through the first 10 steps of a financial journey, teaching students the basic principles of personal finance, as well as how to speak the language of money.
"I was a banker for 41 years and I saw the results of us not teaching our children financial literacy, " Ohio state Senator Steve Wilson, chair of the Ohio Senate's Financial Institutions and Technology Committee, and a primary sponsor of the bill, told CNBC when the requirements were signed into law. "I wanted to do something about it."
Money Vehicle is designed for classrooms and is an industry leader in resources for educators. The course was developed by financial and educational experts—teachers and administrators among them, who have decades of experience rolling out school projects. Money Vehicle is already being used by school districts nationwide, as well as being used on college campuses and by professional sports leagues.
Info@YourMoneyVehicle.com
954-944-5939
Money Vehicle is a team of former financial advisors, educators, and instructional designers, whose mission is to close the financial literacy gap. With decades of collective experience, Money Vehicle has developed an interactive textbook, a standards-based curriculum, and the resources for in-classroom instruction. This hybrid engagement of on and off-screen instruction empowers each and every student to begin their financial plan.
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SOURCE Money Vehicle LLC | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/edtech-startup-money-vehicles-financial-literacy-course-launches-ohio-schools/ | 2022-08-17T16:43:59Z |
Golf Industry Retailers Gain Access to Leading B2B eCommerce Platform
DENVER, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Elastic Suite, a global leader in B2B ecommerce technology and subsidiary of Emerald Holding, Inc. (NYSE:EEX), today announced a major partnership agreement with the Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM). The agreement provides AGM member retailers with access to Elastic's wealth of experience in digital merchandising, large network of major global brand partners and the company's expertise for helping retailers benefit from a more strategic and streamlined wholesale purchasing process. The new partnership names Elastic Suite as the Presenting Diamond Level Sponsor of AGM's Certified Retail Management Program, one of the association's key educational resources for golf retailers.
"Putting our next-generation B2B ecommerce platform to work for the golf industry is an incredible opportunity for Elastic and AGM member retailers alike," said Sawyer Frank, Global Sales Director, Elastic Suite. "Our digital merchandising technology is unmatched in bringing new levels of process efficiency, cost savings, sales growth and sustainability to both the wholesale buyer and seller. Golf retailers and brands will now have preferred access to all these benefits and unmatched education through this new partnership."
AGM and Elastic will jointly develop new educational components for the Certified Retail Management Program specifically tailored for golf industry retailers. The programming will include live webinar sessions where attendees can tap Elastic's expertise on B2B ecommerce topics while learning about the latest in merchandising and retail best practices. Additional educational content customized specifically for the golf industry will be created and shared with AGM members.
"Helping golf retailers adopt the latest and most advanced wholesale merchandising technology is critically important to our industry as a whole," said Jennifer Morton, Director of Marketing and Sales, AGM. "We have found the most qualified partner in Elastic Suite to help us do that at the highest level and look forward to adding the many resources they will provide for the benefit of our retail members."
Elastic Suite is engineering solutions specifically designed for golf manufacturers that will ultimately lead to a technology-enabled industry. Elastic's growing list of golf brand partners include names like TravisMathew, Callaway and Cobra Puma. Elastic Suite helps manufacturers, retailers and distributors adopt a more sustainable approach to B2B sales while achieving efficiency-driven cost savings and incremental sales growth. For more information visit www.elasticsuite.com.
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SOURCE Elastic Suite | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/elastic-suite-enters-partnership-with-association-golf-merchandisers/ | 2022-08-17T16:44:05Z |
DAVIS, Calif., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ELEVAI LABS, INC., ("ELEVAI" or the "Company") a science-based, data-driven regenerative aesthetic skincare company is pleased to announce the appointment of industry veteran Chris Kraneiss as Chief Commercial Officer.
Mr. Kraneiss holds a proven track record of building successful medical aesthetic businesses within top globally recognized brands. Mr. Kraneiss served as Senior Vice President of SkinBetter Science and also ZO Skin Health which was founded by renowned dermatologist Zein Obagi, MD. During his 6 years at ZO Skin Health, he led his department from $2M in retail sales to over $100M, establishing the brand in more than 130 countries and roughly 500,000 points of purchase globally, reaching profitability within less than 3 years.
Most recently Mr. Kraneiss served as Managing Director for Noon Aesthetics and Vice President of International Business Development for Higher Education Skincare, a B2C company.
Mr. Kraneiss has successfully established and managed numerous aesthetic sales teams in different countries and has trained retailers, physicians, and distributors in sales and business strategies, specifically relating to the medical aesthetics industry. Mr. Kraneiss holds an MBA as well as a bachelor's degree in Marketing and Communications and speaks three languages fluently.
"We are extremely pleased to have Chris join ELEVAI LABS as a key member of the executive team to lead our US and International commercialization activities as we continue the rapid growth of our company," said Dr. Jordan Plews, CEO of ELEVAI LABS. "Chris's experience in growing teams and his deep understanding of the needs of the medical grade skincare marketplace made him an obvious fit for the role."
Mr. Kraneiss stated, "It is an absolute pleasure to work with such a talented team in a company that has developed revolutionary exosome technology. I am looking forward to being a significant part of the success story of ELEVAI LABS, INC."
About ELEVAI LABS, INC.
ELEVAI LABS, INC. is a biotechnology company developing cutting-edge regenerative skincare applications. The company solves the unmet needs in the regenerative aesthetics space through a combination of cutting-edge science and next-generation consumer applications. ELEVAI LABS develops state-of-the-art topical aesthetic and medical-grade skin care for the physician-dispensed market, with a focus on leveraging stem cell exosome technology. Find a local provider at How to buy – ELEVAI Skincare. For more information www.elevailabs.com
For further information: Kendra Ciardiello, Associate Director, Contact@elevailabs.com, 1-866-794-4940 CO: ELEVAI LABS, INC.
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SOURCE ELEVAI LABS, INC. | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/elevai-labs-inc-announces-appointment-chris-kraneiss-chief-commercial-officer/ | 2022-08-17T16:44:11Z |
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz announces that investors with substantial losses have opportunity to lead the securities fraud class action lawsuit against Enochian Biosciences, Inc. ("Enochian" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: ENOB).
Class Period: January 17, 2018 – June 27, 2022
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: September 26, 2022
If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate.
The complaint filed alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants failed to disclose to investors: (1) that co-founder and inventor Gumrukcu was engaged in a variety of frauds; (2) that Gumrukcu was not a licensed doctor anywhere in the world; (3) that, as a result of the foregoing, Gumrukcu's purported contributions to the Company lacked a reasonable basis; (4) that, as a result of the foregoing, the Company had overstated its commercial prospects; (5) that Gumrukcu had improperly diverted approximately $20 million from Enochian to entities he owned; and (6) that, as a result of the foregoing, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.
Follow us for updates on Twitter: twitter.com/FRC_LAW.
To be a member of the class action you need not take any action at this time; you may retain counsel of your choice or take no action and remain an absent member of the class action. If you wish to learn more about this class action, or if you have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to the pending class action lawsuit, please contact Frank R. Cruz, of The Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz, 1999 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1100, Los Angeles, California 90067 at 310-914-5007, by email to info@frankcruzlaw.com, or visit our website at www.frankcruzlaw.com. If you inquire by email please include your mailing address, telephone number, and number of shares purchased.
This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.
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SOURCE The Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz, Los Angeles | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/enob-investors-have-opportunity-lead-enochian-biosciences-inc-securities-fraud-lawsuit/ | 2022-08-17T16:44:18Z |
CHICAGO and MANILA, Philippines and SINGAPORE and KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia , Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ENTECH GLOBAL SOLUTIONS ("EGS"), a Southeast Asia focused environmental services provider, has announced the acquisition of Pestbusters Pte Ltd. in Singapore and Original Pestbusters Sdn Bhd. in Malaysia ("PestBusters"). EGS also owns and operates ENTECH Philippines, Inc. a leading provider of integrated pest management, professional cleaning and environmental solutions across commercial, residential and industrial properties in the Philippines. Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.
PestBusters traces its roots back to 1991 as one of Singapore's pioneers of quality pest control. The company has since grown into a leading provider of commercial and residential pest control, termite control, and mosquito control solutions throughout Singapore and Malaysia. PestBusters offers a differentiated level of service quality to its clients by focusing on sustainable integrated pest management solutions to effectively solve long-term challenges. It is the exclusive distributor of innovative anti-termite technologies which include Termsteel and Sentricon solutions in Singapore.
Walden Chu, CEO of EGS, says: "This transaction represents another step forward toward our goal of building the most ethical and high-quality service provider in the region. We have an aspirational goal of expanding throughout Southeast Asia while delivering a high standard that our stakeholders can rely on. We are committed to building an organization whose products and services are firmly entrenched as valuable in the hearts and minds of our customers, and we strive to deliver significant impact in our customer's lives. Ensuring the health and safety of our customers will always be front and center and we are humbled to be able to make life better for those that we touch."
PestBusters represents the first acquisition completed by EGS since Concentric Equity Partners ("CEP") recapitalized the platform in early 2021. The acquisition exhibits a key first step in EGS's strategy under CEP to evolve into a multi-national integrated pest control and facility services platform with market leading operational and financial capacities. Furthermore, this significant acquisition demonstrates CEP's interest in and commitment to investing in Southeast Asia and building a strong presence in EGS's markets by partnering with talented entrepreneurs to build high growth companies.
Thomas Fernandez, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of PestBusters, comments: "I've invested the last 31 years building PestBusters and was approached by multiple interested buyers along the way. It was very important for me to ensure that the next generation of leadership would uphold my commitment to my customers and employees. Walden Chu and his partners at EGS exemplify the character and values that will carry forward my legacy and provide expanded opportunities for the teams I have built."
Ian Ross, Partner at CEP, adds: "We are very excited to be backing Walden Chu as he expands EGS's global operations to include Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines under the ENTECH GLOBAL SOLUTIONS umbrella. Ensuring the health, safety and hygiene of our customers is critical to our business success and we are proud to be supporting an organization that helps improve the human condition."
Headquartered in Singapore, PestBusters was founded in 1991 and has become one of the most trusted names in the industry through its commitment to developing people and investing in technology. The company serves clients across Singapore and Malaysia in a wide array of industries including hospitality, malls, food & beverage, manufacturing, healthcare, residential and commercial buildings. Through expertise gained from years of field experience, the company has grown into one of the largest independent pest control management companies in Singapore and Malaysia. For more information, visit www.pestbusters.com.sg.
Singapore based ENTECH GLOBAL SOLUTIONS (EGS) owns, operates and invests in commercial and residential pest control industry leaders in Southeast Asia. EGS is now the parent company of two flagship brands: Pestbusters out of Singapore and Malaysia, and ENTECH out of the Philippines (www.entech.com.ph). EGS offers pest control and environmental services related businesses throughout the region a unique opportunity to partner, leveraging the strategic support of EGS and its best-in-class industry standards, systems, and technology. EGS believes in upholding the highest standards in delivering intelligent impact, sustainable scale, and improving lives. For more information, visit entechglobal.com.
Concentric Equity Partners ("CEP") is a private investment firm based in Chicago, IL. The firm is focused on North America and has a dedicated strategy to invest in Southeast Asia. CEP partners with leading middle market companies by providing capital and strategic advisory to accelerate long term value creation. Our approach is simple: support entrepreneurs and operators by providing the resources required to achieve extraordinary results. CEP is the direct investing arm of Financial Investments Corporation ("FIC"), a private asset management firm and family office for the Steans family with over $2 billion in investment commitments under management. Learn more at www.ficcep.com.
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SOURCE Concentric Equity Partners | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/entech-global-solutions-announces-acquisition-pestbusters/ | 2022-08-17T16:44:25Z |
SANTIAGO, Chile, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Falabella S.A. (BVS: FALAB) today announced that it will host an Analyst and Investor Day ("Falabella Day") on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 in New York, NY.
This event will be held for equity analysts and institutional investors and will feature presentations by Gaston Bottazzini, Chief Executive Officer of Falabella S.A., and other members of the Company's leadership team.
In-person registration is scheduled to begin on October 12 at 1:30 pm EDT, with presentations starting at 2:00 pm. The event will be followed by a cocktail reception. In-person attendance is by invitation only and registration confirmation will be provided to individual attendees.
A live webcast of the Investor Day will be available to all members of the investment community and pre-registration is required by Monday, October 10, 2022. To register, please email your name, title and company affiliation to info@nyinvestorday.com. Confirmation and additional event details will be provided to pre-registered attendees only.
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SOURCE Falabella S.A. | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/falabella-host-investor-day-october-12-2022-new-york/ | 2022-08-17T16:44:32Z |
FlexGen to supply advanced battery energy storage systems for 10 SMT Energy projects in ERCOT
DURHAM, N.C., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- FlexGenPower Systems, Inc. ("FlexGen", or the "Company"), a leading energy storage technology platform and energy storage solution provider, today announced it has signed contracts to supply advanced energy storage systems and FlexGen HybridOS™ software for SMT Energy's portfolio of ten energy storage projects in Texas. The projects will be certified to all four ERCOT checklists to provide the full range of ancillary services to the ERCOT market. The projects will come on-line in phases from Spring through Fall of 2023. The plants, rated at 10MW and 9.95MWh of capacity utilize the latest in liquid cooled energy storage technology to provide maximum flexibility.
"Texas consumers and businesses need a reliable energy grid that delivers power where and when it's needed—energy storage is the key to delivering that reliability. FlexGen is proud to partner with SMT Energy to deploy these advanced energy storage plants. Our experience in Texas is deep, these projects build upon our experience of our 350MW of storage currently operating in the ERCOT," said Kelcy Pegler, CEO of FlexGen. "FlexGen is here for the long haul—as part of this agreement, we're providing lifecycle services for the next 15 years of operation to ensure these facilities generate exceptional value for SMT Energy over the full life of the project."
"In this extremely challenging macro-environment, FlexGen has been an integral part of maneuvering this portfolio through various supply-chain and procurement constraints", noted John Switzer and David Spotts, Co-Founders of SMT Energy. "As we continue to develop our additional 1.5 GWh of battery energy storage projects in Texas, it is pivotal we continue to focus on medium-term equipment procurement, in order to quickly provide the Texas grid with resiliency and stability."
The 100MW of projects will improve the resilience of the ERCOT grid, enable integration of intermittent renewable energy, and improve the ability of the grid to balance load and supply in the region. FlexGen is dedicated to providing best-in-class service and performance for its customers, seeking to ensure safety, reliability, and resiliency in all operating environments. FlexGen's industry-leading HybridOS energy management system platform delivers the full stack of energy storage value, including ancillary services, capacity, and energy market. The SMT projects build on FlexGen's rapidly growing fleet of energy storage assets operating throughout the United States with Investor-Owned Utilities, Municipal and Cooperative Utilities, and Independent Power Producers. For more information: https://flexgen.com
Based in Durham, N.C., FlexGen is a leading integration services and software technology provider for energy storage solutions in the United States and globally. FlexGen designs and integrates storage solutions and the software platform that is enabling today's energy transition. Leveraging its best-in-class energy management software and power electronics, FlexGen delivers utility-scale storage projects integrated with traditional and renewable power generation globally. Our clients and partners include the most technically and commercially demanding developers, utilities, government agencies and industrial companies in the world. To learn more, please visit www.flexgen.com
SMT Energy is a U.S.-based developer of distributed generation and utility-scale renewable and energy storage energy projects. The company is led by industry veterans John Switzer and David Spotts.The company relies on their deep experience, wide network, and strong problem-solving abilities to create above-market returns for investors and meaningful benefits for local and global communities.
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SOURCE FlexGen | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/flexgen-partners-with-smt-energy-100mw-energy-storage-portfolio-texas/ | 2022-08-17T16:44:38Z |
Brand's Iconic Christmas Experience Makes its Long-Awaited Return Alongside New Original Shows and Beloved Seasonal Programming this Festive Season
BETHESDA, Md., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Gaylord Hotels, part of Marriott Bonvoy's portfolio of 30 extraordinary hotel brands, is thrilled to announce the long-awaited return of ICE!, the brand's legendary Christmas marquee experience, that will once again anchor Christmas at all five Gaylord Hotels this upcoming festive season. After a two-year hiatus, ICE! will once again bring to life its mammoth holiday-themed, immersive ice displays at Gaylord Opryland in Tennessee, Gaylord Texan in Texas, Gaylord Palms in Florida, Gaylord Rockies in Colorado, and Gaylord National in Maryland. As part of the brand's beloved Christmas at Gaylord Hotels celebration, this signature experience will also be joined by an exciting and original live entertainment experience, CIRQUE: Spirit of Christmas, at select resorts, as well as the brand's abundance of festive holiday programming.
ICE! Returns to Gaylord Hotels
A longtime tradition first presented more than two decades ago, Gaylord Hotels' signature, larger-than-life ice installations will take shape at each resort this festive season. This one-of-a-kind holiday showcase will be created from more than 33,500 massive blocks of ice weighing over 10 million pounds – or 5,000 tons – across the five resorts. Kept at a chilly 9 degrees, each ICE! attraction will bring beloved scenes and characters from classic Christmas films to life with magnificent sculptures and slides. Ice carvings range in size from details as tiny as a coin to soaring scenes more than 30 feet tall. Over six weeks, 40 specialized ice artisans, using skills passed down from generation to generation and following a 300-page design book, will create the magnificent spectacle.
Once again, guests will be able to step into nearly 20,000-square-foot, 3D worlds of their favorite holiday films, with each resort presenting a different theme to discover. This year's experiences will offer:
- ICE! Featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Gaylord Opryland – Guests will enjoy favorite scenes from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, brought to life in this colorful winter wonderland.
- ICE! Featuring The Polar Express™ at Gaylord Texan – Families are invited to take a journey of imagination through this heartwarming story as a young child embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole while learning about friendship, bravery, and the true spirit of Christmas.
- ICE! Featuring "How The Grinch Stole Christmas!™" at Gaylord Palms – Showcasing the 1957 Dr. Seuss classic, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, families are invited to experience iconic scenes such as the Grinch lurking through the chimneys of the Who-ville homes, the Grinch's heart growing three sizes after realizing Christmas means a little bit more and sitting down at the Whos' feast where the Grinch carves the roast beast.
- ICE! Featuring "A Charlie Brown Christmas" at Gaylord Rockies – Guests will follow along with the lovable Charlie Brown as he rediscovers the meaning of Christmas as the cherished story unfolds.
- ICE! Featuring A Christmas Story™ at Gaylord National – Fans of this humorous holiday classic will rejoice in experiencing their favorite characters and scenes in this magical ice showcase.
Each theme is brought to life in vivid, colorful fashion with the help of an expert chemist who prepares a proprietary formula of special coloring used in the ice sculptures, which keep them bright and festive all season long. At Gaylord Hotels, many of the same artisans who create the incredible ice displays at the world-renowned Harbin Ice Festival will carve 300-pound blocks of ice into the larger-than-life, whimsical scenes.
Original Production: CIRQUE: Spirit of Christmas
A highlight the 2022 festive season, Gaylord Hotels presents an original production of CIRQUE: Spirit of Christmas at Gaylord Rockies, Gaylord Palms, and Gaylord National. This unique, Cirque-styled live show will feature dazzling acrobatics, feats of flexibility, and high-flying stunts. The Broadway-style spectacle tells the story of Noel, a child dismayed and distressed by the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Trying to recapture her lost love of the season, the child is visited by spirits who bring back the true meaning of the season in energetic, dreamlike chapters.
CIRQUE: Spirit of Christmas will be presented as a 75-minute show at Gaylord Rockies, while Gaylord Palms and Gaylord National will offer a 35-minute show. An exciting lineup of additional signature live performances will also be showcased across the five resorts, with more details to be announced soon.
Gaylord Texan will also showcase a dedicated Cirque: Winter Wonderland performance. This action-packed fusion of theatre and cirque features high-flying stunts, acrobatic feats, jaw-dropping juggling, stunning contortion, and so much more.
Wintertime Activities for All Ages
Families and guests of Gaylord Hotels can look forward to the tradition of the beloved Christmas at Gaylord Hotels celebration, featuring an abundance of festive activities, events, holiday meals, attractions, and dazzling decorations throughout each of the expansive resorts. During the holidays, each of the five resorts and their expansive atriums transform into breathtaking winter wonderland environments with millions of lights, elaborately themed Christmas trees, thousands of ornaments, and miles of garland.
Guests can look forward to the brand's notable abundance of festive holiday programming from tried-and-true favorites including snow tubing, ice skating, caroling, gingerbread decorating, and adventurous scavenger hunts, to captivating atrium light shows, character dining, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, and so much more. Highlights will include the Christmas Tree Trail at Gaylord Palms to discover and take an "elfie" with eight elaborately decorated holiday trees throughout the atrium and Carriage Rides at Gaylord Opryland, featuring a private horse-drawn ride through the resort's decorations and lights. Additional experiences will include the Christmas Carousel at Gaylord Texan, a timeless, family-friendly ride offering endless spins and fun; a festive Campfire & S'mores experience at Gaylord Rockies; and live performances including The Greatest Story Stage Show at Gaylord National and Gaylord Palms, a musical stage show and multicultural celebration of six international storytellers highlighting the birth of Jesus Christ.
Tickets and Packages
Tickets for ICE! and Christmas at Gaylord Hotels are available now and can be purchased at www.ChristmasatGaylordHotels.com. Advance online reservations are required for all ticketed events. Families can also take advantage of special packages that will include entrance to the ICE! experience and other fan-favorite holiday activities.
Christmas at Gaylord Hotels will be presented over the following dates:
- Gaylord Opryland: November 11, 2022 – January 1, 2023
- Gaylord Texan: November 11, 2022 – January 1, 2023
- Gaylord Palms: November 18, 2022 – January 1, 2023
- Gaylord Rockies: November 18, 2022 – January 1, 2023
- Gaylord National: November 25 – December 31, 2022
For a full lineup of Christmas at Gaylord Hotels programming at each resort as the festive season approaches, please visit www.ChristmasatGaylordHotels.com.
Gaylord Hotels participates in Marriott Bonvoy – the award-winning travel program from Marriott International – allowing members to earn and redeem points for their stay, and at other hotels and resorts across Marriott Bonvoy's extraordinary portfolio of brands. With the Marriott Bonvoy app, members enjoy a level of personalization and a contactless experience that allows them to travel with peace of mind.
About Gaylord Hotels
Gaylord Hotels, part of Marriott Bonvoy's portfolio of 30 extraordinary hotel brands, welcomes guests to more, with extraordinary environments, diverse dining options, full-service spas, pools, top-notch entertainment, shopping and more. Locations include Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, Tennessee; Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee, Florida; Gaylord Texan on Lake Grapevine, Texas; Gaylord National on the Potomac in National Harbor, Maryland; and Gaylord Rockies in Aurora, CO.
A CHRISTMAS STORY and all related characters and elements © & ™ Turner Entertainment Co. (s22)
THE POLAR EXPRESS and all related characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s22)
TM & © 2022 Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. All Rights Reserved.
© 2022 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and all related elements © & ™ under license to Character Arts, LLC. All rights reserved.
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SOURCE Marriott International, Inc. | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/gaylord-hotels-celebrates-triumphant-return-ice-unveils-new-holiday-experiences-festive-season/ | 2022-08-17T16:44:45Z |
Certification recognizes full-team approach to cardiac care
DANVILLE, Pa., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Geisinger Medical Center (GMC) is the country's first hospital to receive The Joint Commission/American Heart Association (AHA) Comprehensive Heart Attack Center Certification.
Already recognized by the organizations as a Mission Lifeline® Heart Attack Receiving Center for its ability to quickly restore blood flow to the heart in patients with the most severe type of heart attack, GMC has now set the national standard for care coordination among hospital leadership, interventional cardiology, cardiac surgery, heart failure, advanced practice, nursing, life support, emergency medicine, emergency medical services (EMS), care management, pharmacy, and cardiac rehab teams.
Every second is critical when trying to preserve heart muscle and function in patients having cardiac episodes, and this degree of full-team support means patients will receive the highest level of care as quickly as it can be delivered.
Geisinger engaged the certification process to bring the best possible cardiac care close to home for patients and members in central and northeastern Pennsylvania – another step forward in the system's vision of making better health easier for the communities it serves.
"GMC staff has shown they're ready to treat a broad spectrum of chest-pain patients including those who go to the emergency room (ER) with chest pain, go into cardiac arrest outside the hospital, have heart attacks, and need blood flow restored quickly, need open-heart procedures, or need advanced therapies like extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for life support or left ventricle assist device (LVAD) procedures for heart failure," said interventional cardiologist Thomas Scott, D.O, director of the cardiac catheterization lab and co-medical director of the Comprehensive Heart Attack Center Certification program at the medical center.
Geisinger partnered with The Joint Commission on the pilot program for this new certification in November, and a multi-disciplinary team was ready when the commission returned at the end of July for a rigorous onsite review.
Reviewers with a nursing background evaluated records for patients who were currently admitted or had been cared for at GMC since the beginning of the year and pushed staff on quality measures including leadership engagement, collaboration with EMS, medical decision making, systemwide approach to quality improvement, performance improvement projects and engagement with pharmacy at the bedside.
"Taking care of these patients is a team sport," said Cinde Bower-Stout, R.N., M.H.A., cardiovascular quality manager and program director of the Comprehensive Heart Attack Center Certification program at the medical center. "Our front-line staff are just as critical as our specialists as they assess lab results for potential issues, administer pain-management treatment, educate patients on what to expect when they get home and receive ongoing care, round with our multi-disciplinary teams and help patients regain their strength with in-hospital therapies in preparation for discharge."
Geisinger was also noted for its ability to offer cardiac rehab in both in-person and virtual formats to help patients recover after cardiac events.
"Comprehensive Heart Attack Center Certification recognizes health care organizations committed to fostering continuous quality improvement in patient safety and quality of care," said Mark Pelletier, R.N., M.S., chief operating officer, Accreditation and Certification Operations, and chief nursing executive, The Joint Commission. "We commend GMC for reducing variation in its clinical processes and strengthening its program structure and management framework for cardiac patients."
Geisinger is committed to making better health easier for the more than 1 million people it serves. Founded more than 100 years ago by Abigail Geisinger, the system now includes 10 hospital campuses, a health plan with more than half a million members, a Research Institute and the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. With nearly 24,000 employees and nearly 1,700 employed physicians, Geisinger boosts its hometown economies in Pennsylvania by billions of dollars annually. Learn more at geisinger.org or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.
CONTACT: Matt Mattei
570-881-0817
rmmattei1@geisinger.edu
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SOURCE Geisinger | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/geisinger-medical-center-becomes-first-comprehensive-heart-attack-center-us/ | 2022-08-17T16:44:52Z |
TAIPEI, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GIGABYTE, the world's leading computer brand, wowed the creator community with its completely re-designed AERO series laptops since their launch earlier this year. Above all, the AERO 16 creator laptop is particularly designed with graphic designers, video editors, and photographers in mind, delivering X-Rite™ certified and Pantone® validated (Delta E<1) color accuracy. Combined with the Super Narrow Bezel 4K+ OLED display and VESA-certified DisplayHDR™ 500 True Black, the AERO 16 laptop brings true-to-life colors that make creators' inspirations come alive.
To share such a creative edge, GIGABYTE is inviting the whole community to join AERO 16 Relay Challenge and pass on the joy of color and creation on social platforms. The campaign is led off with the Color Relay Challenge. Starting from August 10, participants are invited to apply the AERO 16-themed Instagram AR filter and complete the tasks for a chance to win awesome prizes.
The campaign will be later succeeded by the Creativity Relay Challenge. GIGABYTE will be teaming up with several world-renowned content creators, including Asia Ladowska, Carles Dalmau, Elenamics, Elliot Ulm and Li Cambon. These creative talents will be split into two, as each team will create a piece of art in a relay format based on the subjects of realness and freedom. Each talent will be using the AERO 16 laptop and let their creativity fly thanks to its powerful performance and perfect color accuracy. Starting from August 23, everyone can visit Official Facebook Page and vote for their favorite artwork for a chance to win a custom AERO 16 laptop featuring the winning design.
For more information about the campaign, please visit https://bit.ly/GIGABYTE-AERO16-Laptop-Relay-Challenge
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SOURCE GIGABYTE | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/gigabyte-holds-global-campaign-aero-16-relay-challenge-featuring-color-accurate-laptops-creators/ | 2022-08-17T16:45:03Z |
Leaders in international policy, technology, finance and marketing join Global Citizen's Global Board, including Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Judy A. Smith, Former Prime Minister Erna Solberg, Kristin Lemkau, CEO, J.P. Morgan Wealth Management, Nir Bar Dea, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Bridgewater, and Diego Scotti, EVP & CMO, Verizon
Global Citizen welcomes new members to its Europe Board of Directors with the appointment of Co-Chair Sabrina Dhowre Elba, Dame Karen Pierce DCMG, and Sawsan Chebli
NEW YORK and LONDON, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- International advocacy organization Global Citizen is proud to announce the appointment of six new members to its Global Board of Directors, along with three new additions to its Europe Board of Directors. New Global Board members include: Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, former United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women; Judy A. Smith, Founder, CEO, Smith & Company; Erna Solberg, Former Prime Minister of Norway; Kristin Lemkau, CEO, J.P. Morgan Wealth Management; Nir Bar Dea, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Bridgewater; and Diego Scotti, EVP & CMO, Verizon.
Global Citizen's Europe Board of Directors welcomes the appointment of new co-chair Sabrina Dhowre Elba, UN Goodwill Ambassador for IFAD, Dame Karen Pierce DCMG, British Ambassador to the US and Sawsan Chebli, German politician, former spokesperson to the German Federal Foreign minister and permanent Secretary for Active Citizenship and International Relations and State of Berlin Delegate to the Federation.
The appointment of these nine global leaders in their respective fields of policy, technology, philanthropy, finance, media and marketing underscores Global Citizen's pioneering position at the forefront of innovative global advocacy. The new members will join Global Citizen's Board of Directors to advise the organization on strategy.
The expansion of its Board of Directors emphasizes Global Citizen's commitment to its bold ambitions to impact the most urgent challenges facing the world today, including breaking systemic barriers, taking climate action, empowering girls, and defending advocacy, aligned to its 2022 End Extreme Poverty NOW campaign.
"We're incredibly honored to have these outstanding leaders join Global Citizen's Board of Directors at this important juncture in the campaign to end extreme poverty," said Hugh Evans, Co-Founder and CEO of Global Citizen. "Their profound expertise, decades of experience, diversity of thought and dedication to philanthropy make them powerful additions to our Board, and I look forward to working with them closely on our mission to end extreme poverty, empower girls and protect the planet."
Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka is the former United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women. A Hauser Leader at the Harvard Kennedy School's Center for Public Leadership, she served as Deputy President of South Africa from 2005 to 2008. As a global advocate for women and girls, Dr. Mlambo-Ngcuka has successfully mobilized an historic USD $40B for women and girls around the world.
For more than 25 years, Judy A. Smith has counseled presidents and world leaders through global crises, advised Fortune 50 CEOs through complex challenges, and advised some of the world's highest-profile individuals. A former federal prosecutor and Deputy White House Press Secretary, her groundbreaking career served as the inspiration for the hit TV show "Scandal."
Erna Solberg served as the 35th prime minister of Norway from 2013 to 2021, and was the country's second female Prime Minister. From 2014 to 2022, she co-chaired the UN Secretary General's Advocacy group for the Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals, with a particular interest in ensuring quality education for girls and children, and in combating climate change and its impacts.
Throughout her career, Kristin Lemkau has been listed among the world's most influential, innovative, powerful and daring leaders as the current CEO of J.P. Morgan Wealth Management and during her tenure as the CMO of JPMorgan Chase. A champion of advancing workplace diversity, Kristin has been at the forefront of building the Wealth Management business and has led global brand, media, sponsorships, data and analytics, performance marketing and consumer communications.
Nir Bar Dea is the Co-Chief Executive Officer of asset management firm, Bridgewater Associates. Nir previously served as Bridgewater's Deputy CEO and has shaped the firm's future by driving the transformation of its investment engine, spearheading Bridgewater's long-term strategic vision, and transitioning governance to the next generation of talent. Prior to joining Bridgewater, Nir served as an Advisor to the Israeli Mission to the United Nations in the 2014 General Assembly.
Recognized marketing leader Diego Scotti has a track record of transformational brand-building across industries including financial services, retail, and digital media. Over the past seven years, Diego and his team have led the evolution of the Verizon brand from a phone company to a technology and experience brand led by purpose and innovation. He has been instrumental in building Verizon's brand purpose -- to create the networks that move the world forward -- solidifying the company's dedication to social impact and embedding its responsible business plan, Citizen Verizon, throughout the marketing organization.
Canadian model and actress Sabrina Dhowre Elba is a UN Goodwill Ambassador for IFAD. She recently visited an IFAD-supported project in Sierra Leone and has dedicated her efforts as IFAD Goodwill Ambassador to the challenges faced by rural women and girls. Born in Canada, of Somali descent, she also works with a variety of civil society organizations, including Conservation International, on environmental issues. She is passionate about gender equality and promoting the empowerment of women and girls worldwide.
Dame Karen Pierce DCMG is the British Ambassador to the USA. Prior to arriving in DC, Karen Pierce was the United Kingdom's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York since March 2018. Prior to this role, Karen served as the Director General for Political Affairs and Chief Operating Officer of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London from 2016.
Sawsan Chebli is a German politician, she is former spokesperson to the German Federal Foreign minister and permanent Secretary for Active Citizenship and International Relations and State of Berlin Delegate to the Federation. Sawsan has more than ten years of experience in shaping debates and policies on identity politics, migration, Muslims in Western societies. She is a strong advocate for fighting racism, right-wing extremism, anti-Semitism and strengthening social cohesion and democracy.
These appointees will sit alongside existing members of Global Citizen's Board of Directors. The Global Board is Co-Chaired by Chris Stadler, Managing Partner, CVC Capital Partners, and Fran Katsoudas, EVP and Chief People, Policy & Purpose Officer, Cisco. The Europe Board is Co-Chaired by John Reid, President, Live Nation Europe - Concerts. A full list of Global Citizen's Board members is available here.
Assets
Click here for full bios and headshots of all Global Citizen Board members.
Contact
Global Citizen Inquiries: media@globalcitizen.org
Media Inquiries: SSM&L on behalf of Global Citizen, gc@sunshinesachs.com
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SOURCE Global Citizen | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/global-citizen-announces-expansion-global-european-board/ | 2022-08-17T16:45:10Z |
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