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ECI Development, Marriott Break Ground on New 202-Key Oceanfront Hotel & Residences in Ambergris Caye, Belize

ECI Development

ECI Development today announced that it broke ground on a new Marriott branded hotel and residences on the island. Designed for travelers seeking a relaxed Caribbean lifestyle, the Belize Marriott Ambergris Caye Resort and Residences will be built on Ambergris Caye, Belize’s largest island known for its world-class scuba diving, fishing, water sports and white sandy beaches. “Now that we’ve seen an uptick in travel, we’re excited to begin building the new Marriott branded hotel and residences ECI Development is bringing to Ambergris Caye, one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful island destinations with famed access to the Belize Barrier Reef and dive sites,” said Michael K. Cobb, Chairman and CEO of ECI Development. “ECI has been creating inspired lifestyles for adventurous souls across Latin America for more than two decades, but we are particularly focused on this project and the opportunity to deliver a top-quality hotel and residence option from a treasured global brand.” The hotel, along with the Marriott Hotels-branded residential component, saw the first shovels of dirt turned January 14. The project will fuse old-world British charm and modern amenities while keeping an eye towards the heritage and history of Belize. ECI plans as many as 70 privately-owned branded residences as a part of the 202-key oceanfront resort. “We are excited to welcome the first Marriott Hotel to the beautiful shores of Belize,” said Laurent de Kousemaeker, Chief Development Officer, Caribbean & Latin America, Marriott International. “The Belize Marriott Resort and Residences of Ambergris Caye will be a stand out and attract travelers from around the world. As we continue to grow in Latin America, what a stunning location along this beautiful stretch of beach on Ambergris Caye to plant the Marriott Hotels brand flag.” "We welcome the Belize Marriott Residences of Ambergris Caye to the increasing number of new and modern brand name hotels in Belize. We are confident that the Belize Marriott Residences will be a partner in our sustainable brand of hospitality and sustainable tourism development. It is in partial fulfillment of our Plan Belize agenda, and testament to our promise that Belize is Open for Business," said Prime Minister of Belize, Honorable John Briceño. "I have every confidence that the Marriott will be a tremendous success in Belize." “Now available to this incredibly diverse and expansive market, Belize’s rich culture and unique attractions will be marketed to a discerning audience seeking both the thrill of a new place and the comforts of the familiar,” said Evan Tillett, Director of Tourism at the Belize Tourism Board (BTB). “Employees will also benefit through training and developing skill sets that will allow them to undertake a greater variety of work. There is always room for improvement and learning, and with specific goals and requirements under a brand, their abilities and skills will flourish.” Guests will have access to first-class restaurants, a rooftop lounge, conference and event space, a spa, fitness center and retail outlets. Amenities will also include a dive shop to cater to the island’s many visitors who come to explore the Belize Barrier Reef – the largest reef system in the northern hemisphere and a UNESCO World Heritage designated site. “As Belize continues to emerge as a top tourist and business destination for world travelers, the Belize Marriott Ambergris Caye Resort and Residences will contribute to the positive evolution of one of the jewels of Central America,” said Brian J. King, President, Caribbean & Latin America, Marriott International. “All of the best things seasoned travelers have come to expect from Marriott destinations around the globe will be brought to serve our guests on Ambergris Caye. That’s why we’re very excited to welcome this new hotel into Marriott International’s family of resorts as well as our Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program that boasts more than 160 million members worldwide.” With tourism accounting for 33.2% of Belize’s GDP, and approximately 40,000 jobs – or 30.1% of total employment, the positive economic impact of tourism from a trusted hotel brand like Marriott extends well-beyond the jobs created at the property. “The construction of the Belize Marriott Ambergris Caye Resort and Residences is a welcome respite to the Belize tourism industry after the devastation the pandemic has wrought worldwide. An anticipated 100+ jobs will be required during construction, and upon completion, close to 300 full-time employees will be needed for the oceanfront hotel. What’s more, the economic benefits will reach far beyond the hotel property as owners and guests participate in water sports like diving and snorkeling, explore Mayan ruins and shop for art, woodcrafts, and other souvenirs,” said Briceño. “From the farmers deep in the western villages providing fresh produce, to souvenir artists across the country, to the families who receive remittances from direct tourism service providers, the financial benefit to Belizeans will be immeasurable.” ECI Co-Founder and Chairman of Caye International Bank, Joel Nagel built upon Prime Minister Briceño’s comments stating that the hotel planned to work with local farmers, manufacturers, and craftsmen to supply much of the initial construction and ongoing supply needs for the hotel. “Our company has been a solid corporate citizen in San Pedro for nearly 30 years. We constantly strive to engage the local community in business, philanthropy, and all types of community service and engagement, including the creation and founding of the San Pedro Rotary Club,” said Nagel. “We believe that all ships rise with the high tide and we want the Marriott hotel to be another important engine for economic development and growth for San Pedro and for all of Belize.” In addition to the many economic benefits this project will bring, corporate social responsibility has been a priority for ECI from its founding. The company works tirelessly to ensure that the communities surrounding each project receive direct support through a variety of initiatives and partnerships. Since 2021, ECI has been directly involved with ACES Wildlife Rescue on Ambergris Caye, championing the wildlife organization’s efforts in the conservation and protection of Belize’s native wildlife and their habitats. Education Directors and Wildlife Rehabilitators Chris Summers and Christina Manzi can often be found rescuing animals, even the tamanuas, as well as rehabilitating mangroves along the coastline. “In 2021, the mangrove reforestation along stretches of beach and lagoon waters became a priority, as mangroves are critical for marine wildlife. That’s why ECI Development and Marriott International will continue full support of these critical habitat efforts long into the future,” said Ricardo Calo, Area Vice President, Marriott International, who will directly oversee the new hotel and residences. ***Hotel renderings and photos of the groundbreaking event available upon request.*** # # # About ECI Development ECI Development is a real estate developer working in Central and Latin America creating inspired lifestyles for adventurous souls. We create value through socially responsible development within our communities in Nicaragua, Belize, Costa Rica, Argentina, El Salvador, and Panama. More info is available at www.belizebrandedresidences.com. The Belize Marriott Residences Ambergris Caye Resort are not owned, developed or sold by Marriott Worldwide Corporation or its affiliates (Marriott). Grand Baymen Villas, LLC and Exotic Caye Beach Resort Limited use the Marriott marks under a license from Marriott, which has not confirmed the accuracy of any of the statements or representations made herein. Contact Details Ray Young +1 512-633-6855 ray@razorsharppr.com Company Website https://www.ecidevelopment.com/

January 27, 2022 08:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

Say Hello to Amazon Glow: Technology That Keeps Families Connected

YourUpdateTV

Families who live or spend time far from each other have long understood how technology can help keep people connected. Over the last two years, the need to stay connected has been more important than ever. Recently, Lifestyle Expert Bethany Braun-Silva teamed with Amazon on a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss tips on connecting with family, keeping kids engaged, and how the new Amazon Glow can help. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/7Saw2MonRxg Connecting with distant family is especially important for kids – there is something so special about the smile’s kids bring to our lives, especially when they are shared with extended family and relatives. From playing games and drawing to reading and solving puzzles, the fun families and loved ones have together is so important. It is so hard to replicate these experiences when not in person together, but we try our best because we know these relationships can be so impactful. While video chatting has been a great tool over the last few years, how many times have we jumped on a call with relatives, only for our child to quickly get bored and wander off? The key to staying connected is keeping everyone engaged and visible, making virtual visits feel much more like being in person together. Amazon Glow is a new device that really makes it easy and fun for kids to spend time with remote grandparents, aunts, uncles and family friends. It’s really a new way to create bonds across generations, even when distance is a barrier. During video calls on Amazon Glow, kids read stories, play games, use physical objects and can even create art using the touch-sensitive projected virtual space. At the same time, loved ones far away can engage with the same content on their tablet or smartphone using the free Glow App. Pick from thousands of children’s books to read together, draw pictures, or play early literacy games like ABC Bubbles or classics like Chess and Checkers. Activities on Glow create engaging sensory experiences with audio, video, and tactile elements similar to in-person fun. Children have access to books, games and art activities and can experience all of these in a whole new way with remote family and friends. It’s a great resource for parents looking to provide opportunities for their children to actively use their senses while simultaneously building new family memories and connections. For more information, visit Amazon.com/Glow About Bethany Braun-Silva: Bethany Braun-Silva is the former editor at Parenting.com, one of the most trusted resources for parents online! She received her Bachelor's Degree at New York University, where she studied theater arts and creative writing. She then received an M.F.A. from Pace University at the Actors Studio Drama School. She moved to Los Angeles in 2010 where she began her career in journalism. It was a particular Broadcast Journalism class at UCLA that confirmed her passion for telling stories and being of service to the community. She worked at various media companies before landing her first job as a parenting editor. It was there that she knew she could blend her love for writing with her love of being a mom—she had just welcomed her first son Eli! Since then, Bethany has worked for Understood.org, Big Apple Parent Magazine, CafeMom, RedTri, Mommy Poppins, OK! Magazine, Hollywood Life and various other parenting publications. She can often be seen interviewing celebrity parents and of course at her local playground with her two boys. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

January 26, 2022 05:01 PM Eastern Standard Time

Video

First United States Open Registry to be Launched in Washington, DC

COPE

A landmark Revitalization Plan for US Maritime Trade, Commerce and Strategic Competition to support and assist in resolving America’s supply chain crisis, ensure maritime sovereignty and security, and revitalize maritime commerce will be launched at the National Press Club in Washington, DC on February 1, 2022, at 1:30PM with remarks by Ambassador John D. Negroponte, the first U.S. Director of National Intelligence and former Deputy Secretary of State; the Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Honorable Albert Bryan, Jr.; and President Eric R. Dawicki of the Northeast Maritime Institute. Highlights of the Plan include the formation of the first U.S. open registry, and other maritime initiatives designed to make the United States more competitive and propel it into a stronger leadership position as a maritime nation. Governor Bryan and President Dawicki will participate in the signing of a historic agreement between the U.S. Virgin Islands and Northeast Maritime Institute which features the collaboration on the development of the first open U.S. registry. Following initial remarks outlining the Revitalization Plan, there will be a panel discussion moderated by Jeremy Greenwood, a Federal Executive Fellow at the Brookings Institution’s Strobe Talbott Center on Security, Strategy, and Technology. Panel participants include Stephen Flynn, PhD, Founding Director of the Center for Global Resilience at Northeastern University, leading Homeland Security advisor under the Bush and Obama administrations, and global expert on supply chain resilience; Admiral James Watson, Northeast Maritime Institute Trustee and former Director of Prevention Policy for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship at the United States Coast Guard and the first Director of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement at the US Department of Interior; Captain Anuj Chopra, Co-Founder & CEO of FNI ESGPlus; Carleen Lyden Walker, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the North American Marine Environment Protection Association, and Captain John Konrad, Founder and CEO of gCaptain. Additional commentary will be provided by Nishan Degnarain, former Chairman of the World Economic Forum – Global Agenda Council on Oceans; Jonathan Kempe, Verifai Australia; and Dr. Sal Mercogliano, PhD, Campbell University. Remarks from all are expected to cover topics such as decarbonization of shipping, capital investment in new technologies, supply chain security, transparency in shipping, economic growth opportunities, the status of the U.S. maritime industry, U.S. national security interests, and more. The event will outline how implementation of the Revitalization Plan for US Maritime Trade, Commerce and Strategic Competition will provide economic stability and environmental protection, as well as revitalize the position of the United States as a major competitor in international maritime trade and commerce while enhancing national security, both domestically and internationally. A Revitalization Plan for US Maritime Trade, Commerce and Strategic Competition was developed by a team of Distinguished Fellows at the Northeast Maritime Institute – Center for Ocean Policy and Economics (COPE) and advised by an array of leading thinkers in the maritime industry. Key elements of the plan include: Formation of the U.S. Virgin Islands’ open international ship registry—the first, and only, international U.S. open ship registry. Development of a short sea transshipment hub in the Caribbean to alleviate supply chain congestion by moving a portion of east coast distribution from land to sea and increasing the number of ports importing ever-increasing quantities of goods from overseas. Build public/private/international partnerships to address strategic maritime issues, increase transparency and enforce legal and ethical standards. Establish and implement a green shipping strategy, including decarbonization of the U.S.-flagged fleet. Establishing a Maritime Venture Capital Fund to finance commercially advanced technologies that solve maritime and ocean industry problems with a focus on environmental vulnerabilities. Modernization of the maritime workforce by deploying state of the art education and training tools in the US and abroad. Additional information can be found at COPE Advanced registration to attend this event will be required for access to the live stream. About Northeast Maritime Institute Northeast Maritime Institute (also called NMI) is a private, coeducational, maritime college offering an Associate in Applied Science in Nautical Science degree. Established in 1981, Northeast Maritime Institute is the only private maritime college in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The college was originally established to provide an alternative to traditional education and training, with an emphasis on preparing mariners for employment. Graduates receive an Associate degree and are eligible to receive a United States Coast Guard Masters license upon graduation. The college operates a training ship, the M/V Navigator, as well as the brigantine tall ship S/V Fritha. About COPE The Center for Ocean Policy and Economics (COPE) is hosted by the Northeast Maritime Institute – College of Maritime Science: Created to tackle some of the ocean’s “wicked problems.” A culmination of years of extensive research and conversations with leading experts in the maritime and ocean related fields, COPE is a facilitator for cogent maritime and ocean policy and economic development project initiatives linking academic, corporate, non-governmental, and governmental partners to create impactful solutions. Contact Details COPE Carleen Walker +1 203-260-0480

January 25, 2022 07:51 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine Declares 2022 the Year of Integrative Health

Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine

With patient interest in integrative therapies on the rise, and more clinicians embracing such techniques, the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine (AIHM) has declared 2022 the Year of Integrative Health and Wellness. “We envision a day when it is no longer acceptable to treat illness using mainstream modalities alone, but rather a synergistic approach that integrates modern medicine with therapies that take into account each individual’s mind, body and spirit,” said AIHM Executive Director Tabatha Parker, ND. “Integrative health brings together traditional and alternative therapies in a coordinated and complementary way.” In 2022, AIHM expects to see growth and greater mainstream acceptance of integrative approaches as consumers become increasingly interested in taking a holistic approach to their health. Currently nearly 40 percent of Americans are turning to alternative treatments for their health concerns, including nutritional supplements, chiropractic care and meditation. In honor of the Year of Integrative Health, AIHM is encouraging various facets of the healthcare industry to do their part in responding to patient interest in an integrative approach to healthcare, including encouraging more medical schools to incorporate integrative health into their curriculum. “Some of the country’s leading medical and nursing schools have established integrative medicine programs,” said Parker. “Let’s make it the norm.” Healthcare practitioners from a wide variety of backgrounds are completing integrative health and medicine fellowships to expand the use of complementary and alternative medicine techniques to their practices. AIHM offers fellowships in integrative health and medicine for clinicians who have completed postgraduate education and who hold an active license. The AIHM fellowship requirements include curriculum and retreats on topics such as nutrition, botanical medicine, dietary supplements, biofield therapy, and Chinese medicine. The program also includes a clinical immersion course that all fellows are required to complete. “We expect more clinicians than ever to apply to our fellowship program this year,” said Parker. As more hospitals add evidence-based integrative health modalities—including prestigious hospitals and health systems such as Johns Hopkins, Duke Health, University of Florida, Stanford Health Care, and the Cleveland Clinic—AIHM hopes others will follow suit. “Forward-thinking health insurance companies are already covering the costs of such treatments as acupuncture, chiropractic therapy and massage,” said Parker. “They have discovered the value in allowing members to take a truly integrative, whole-person approach to their health, which benefits the patient and the healthcare industry. We anticipate this trend gaining more traction in 2022.” Founded in 1978, the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine (AIHM) is the leading interprofessional organization for traditional, complementary and integrative health practitioners worldwide. In 2001, AIHM merged with the Academic Collaborative of Integrative Health (ACIH). Together, they are working to advance integrative health on a global scale and transform health and wellness through education, leadership, collaboration, research and advocacy. For more information, visit aihm.org or follow @aihmglobal on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Contact Details Carol Stevenson +1 661-713-6879 carol@growthledge.com Company Website https://aihm.org

January 25, 2022 01:45 PM Pacific Standard Time

Top Camping Destinations in America

YourUpdateTV

In the past several years, there has been tremendous growth in the outdoor travel industry. The increased popularity of camping has been fueled by a combination of long-term trends and more immediate factors related to the pandemic, such as remote work, vacations closer to home, and travelers seeking safe, outdoor vacations away from crowds. Recently, Michael Scheinman, Chief Executive Officer at Campspot, participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss the top camping destinations in America and results from the first annual Campspot Awards. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/Zsi5jOBc7tE Camping really surged during COVID and has become a go-to option for friends and families to have a fun, safe, socially distant, outdoor vacation. Once people got a flavor for camping, they wanted to keep doing it. For example, from Q2 2020 to Q2 2021: The number of parks on Campspot increased by 145% Nights camped increased 191% The percent of customers who were repeat bookers grew by 21% Reservations placed increased 193% Campspot is now the largest online camping marketplace in North America, with over 140,000 campsites across the United States and Canada According to a customer survey we conducted last year, high quality showers / bathhouses (36%) was the top amenity that matters most when booking a campsite, followed closely by family activities (32%). Family vacation time (27%) was the number one reason consumers say they camp, and not surprisingly, family is who most respondents said they typically camp with (52%). Camping with friends was the second most popular response when it comes to camping companions (22%) followed by spouse (12%), an organized camping or outdoors group (8%), and solo (6%). Some of the top Campgrounds in the US include Angel Fire RV Resort in Angel Fire, NM, Cava Robles RV Resort in Paso Robles, CA, and Dark Sky RV Campground in Kanab, UT. A few of the most popular campgrounds include Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort in Felton, CA, Canyonlands RV Resort & Campground in Moab, UT, and Oceanside RV Resort & Campground in Coos Bay, OR For more information, visit www.Campspot.com, or download the Campspot Mobile App on Apple IOS and Android About Michael Scheinman: As CEO, Scheinman focuses on growing Campspot’s user and supplier base, while continuing to enhance the site’s products, features and functionality. An executive with more than 10 years in the travel industry, Scheinman brings a breadth of experience in e-commerce, technology, and corporate strategy. Prior to joining Campspot, Scheinman headed up Orbitz and CheapTickets, two portfolio brands of online travel giant Expedia Group. Prior, he served as general manager for the lodging division at Hotwire, another of the group's brands. He has also held leadership positions in hotel partnerships, product management, marketing, and business operations. Scheinman holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and an undergraduate degree from Cornell University, where he studied Hotel Administration About Campspot: Campspot is a leading online marketplace for RV resorts, family campgrounds, cabins, glamping options and more, providing access to more than 140,000 campsites across the United States and Canada. Campspot’s real-time, cloud-based campground management solution enables a best-in-class reservation system (site inventory and ancillary add-ons) by giving its customers a POS system and the necessary management tools (utility billing, housekeeping tracking, etc.) to provide the best possible user experience. Campspot provides an intuitive easy-to-navigate guest booking experience that returns relevant and easy-to-modify searches, making planning a vacation seamless. For more information, please visit www.campspot.com. Follow Campspot on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Download the Campspot Mobile App on Apple IOS HERE and Android HERE. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

January 25, 2022 02:56 PM Eastern Standard Time

Video

Save the Redwoods League Donates 523 Acres of Forestland to the InterTribal Sinkyone Wilderness Council for Lasting Protection

Save the Redwoods League

For a second time, Save the Redwoods League and the InterTribal Sinkyone Wilderness Council have partnered to permanently protect coast redwood forestland within Sinkyone Tribal territory on the Lost Coast in Mendocino County, California. The League purchased the 523-acre property, formerly known as Andersonia West, in July 2020. To ensure lasting protection and ongoing stewardship, the League has donated and transferred ownership of the forest to the Sinkyone Council, and the Council has granted the League a conservation easement. Through this partnership, the Sinkyone Council resumes guardianship of land from which Sinkyone people were forcibly removed by European American settlers generations ago.As an act of cultural empowerment and a celebration of Indigenous resilience, this forest will again be known as Tc’ih-Léh-Dûñ, pronounced tsih-ih-LEY-duhn and meaning “Fish Run Place” in the Sinkyone language. “Renaming the property Tc’ih-Léh-Dûñ lets people know that it’s a sacred place; it’s a place for our Native people,” said Crista Ray, who is of Eastern Pomo, Sinkyone, Cahto, Wailaki and other ancestries. Ray is a tribal citizen of the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians and a board member of the Sinkyone Council. “It lets them know that there was a language and that there was a people who lived there long before now.” “Today I stand on the shoulders of giants, my ancestors … to bring them honor, and to not let our old ways be forgotten, for our next generation, my children, my grandchildren and all the kids that I’ll never get to see,” said Buffie Schmidt, who is of Northern Pomo and other ancestries. Schmidt is a tribal citizen and vice chairperson for the Sherwood Valley Rancheria of Pomo Indians and board treasurer of the Sinkyone Council. “Our ancestors are still here, they’re still around us. As I listen to the wind, I feel like my ancestors—who I’ve never even known in my lifetime—are here and happy that we call this place something that they’re familiar with: Tc’ih-Léh-Dûñ.” “The Sinkyone Council today represents the Indigenous Peoples who are the original stewards of this land. Their connection to the redwood forest is longstanding, and it is deep,” said Sam Hodder, president and CEO of Save the Redwoods League. “The League is honored to support a return of Native people to this place and to partner with the Sinkyone Council in their management and stewardship of Tc’ih-Léh-Dûñ. We believe the best way to permanently protect and heal this land is through tribal stewardship. In this process, we have an opportunity to restore balance in the ecosystem and in the communities connected to it, while also accelerating the pace and scale of conserving California’s iconic redwood forests.” Tc’ih-Léh-Dûñ is the League’s second land donation to the Sinkyone Council. The first, in 2012, was the 164-acre Four Corners property, north of Tc’ih-Léh-Dûñ. The Council also granted the League a conservation easement on Four Corners. The Four Corners project was the first League project in which Save the Redwoods entered into a conservation agreement with a tribal entity. Lasting Protections for Redwoods, Salmon and Wildlife Tc’ih-Léh-Dûñ is a coastal conifer forest with 200 acres of old-growth coast redwoods and 1.5 miles of Anderson Creek, a Class I fish-bearing stream and tributary to the South Fork Eel River. Second-growth redwoods, Douglas-fir, tanoaks and madrones also tower over a lush understory of huckleberry, elderberry, manzanita and ceanothus. This habitat corridor supports coho salmon, steelhead trout, marbled murrelet and northern spotted owl—all listed under the Endangered Species Act. Both organizations are committed to protecting redwood forests, their surrounding lands and the fish and wildlife that live there. Their partnership ensures lasting protection for Tc’ih-Léh-Dûñ, tribal stewardship of the forest, and the prevention of habitat loss, commercial timber operations, construction and development. The Council and League plan to apply a blend of Indigenous place-based land guardianship principles, conservation science, climate adaptation and fire resiliency concepts and approaches to help ensure lasting protection and long-term healing for Tc’ih-Léh-Dûñ and its diverse flora and fauna. As a Tribal Protected Area, Tc’ih-Léh-Dûñ is a vital addition to 180,000 acres of adjacent conserved lands along the Sinkyone coast. It is east of the 7,250-acre Sinkyone Wilderness State Park and located north of the 3,845-acre InterTribal Sinkyone Wilderness, which was acquired by the Sinkyone Council in 1997. The Sinkyone Council’s goal for Tc’ih-Léh-Dûñ is to help expand the matrix of neighboring protected lands that are ecologically and culturally linked, “so that tribes can achieve larger landscape-level and regional-level protections informed by cultural values and understandings of these places,” said Hawk Rosales, an Indigenous land defender who is of Ndéh (Apache) ancestry and former executive director of the InterTribal Sinkyone Wilderness Council. “In this way, Indigenous Peoples will support and participate in the healing of these lands and their communities.” According to an April 2021 United Nations policy brief, while Indigenous Peoples represent just 5% of the world’s population, they effectively manage approximately 20-25% of Earth’s land surface in areas that hold 80% of the planet’s biodiversity and about 40% of protected lands and ecologically intact landscapes. Indigenous cultural lifeways and traditional knowledge systems represent unique ways of relating to ecosystems, based upon Indigenous law and the law of nature—which, when carried out, help ensure biological diversity and abundance. Tribal nations are at the forefront of addressing climate, conservation and wildlife crises through their engagement with efforts such as the 30x30 Initiative to Protect Nature, a 10-year commitment by various tribal nations, state and federal governments, conservation organizations and others to protect and conserve at least 30% of U.S. lands and oceans by 2030 through locally led partnerships. As prominent leaders in land and water protection, the League and the Sinkyone Council are helping to advance the emerging 30x30 effort in California. “The Sinkyone Council has designated Tc’ih-Léh-Dûñ as a Tribal Protected Area. This designation recognizes that this place is within the Sinkyone traditional territory, that for thousands of years it has been and still remains an area of importance for the Sinkyone people, and that it holds great cultural significance for the Sinkyone Council and its member tribes,” stated Priscilla Hunter, who is of Northern Pomo and Coast Yuki ancestries. Hunter is a tribal citizen of the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians and chairwoman of the Sinkyone Council. “The Council and the League have a mutual commitment to respect, safeguard and tend Tc’ih-Léh-Dûñ in ways that ensure its long-term protection, care and healing. In holding and caring for this land, we are helping to lead effective ways of addressing the global climate crisis.” Protection of Tc’ih-Léh-Dûñ The League’s initial purchase of this 523-acre forest for $3.55 million in 2020 was fully funded by Pacific Gas & Electric Company’s (PG&E) Compensatory Mitigation Program (program). The program seeks to develop projects related to conservation goals outlined in PG&E’s Multiple Region Operations and Maintenance Habitat Conservation Plan. Tc’ih-Léh-Dûñ supports meeting the company’s 30-year conservation goals, which were developed with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Tc’ih-Léh-Dûñ contains abundant high-quality habitat for the endangered northern spotted owl, marbled murrelet and yellow-legged frog. The long-term management and stewardship plan for the property was developed by PG&E, the League and the Sinkyone Council, and it was approved by the FWS prior to protection and donation of the land. PG&E also reimbursed the League and Council for transactional costs and management plan preparation, in addition to a $1.13 million endowment to support ongoing stewardship of Tc’ih-Léh-Dûñ. *** To schedule an interview, contact Robin Carr at (415) 971-3991 or redwoods@landispr.com. To access hi-res images and b-roll video, please visit the League’s newsroom. About the Partners: Save the Redwoods League One of the nation’s longest-running conservation organizations, Save the Redwoods League has been protecting and restoring redwood forests since 1918. The League has connected generations of visitors with the beauty and serenity of the redwood forest. The nonprofit’s 29,000 members have enabled the organization to protect more than 216,000 acres of irreplaceable forests in 66 state, national and local parks and reserves. For information, please visit SaveTheRedwoods.org. InterTribal Sinkyone Wilderness Council Founded by Tribal Nations that have protected the earth for millennia, the InterTribal Sinkyone Wilderness Council is a non-profit consortium of 10 Tribes whose legacies are rooted in deep intergenerational relationships of reciprocity with cultural landscapes and seascapes cared for in ways to ensure biological diversity and abundance. The Council conducts Indigenous protection, conservation and guardianship work within Sinkyone and adjacent Tribal territories. For information, please visit Sinkyone.org. Contact Details Landis Communications Inc. Robin Carr +1 415-971-3991 redwoods@landispr.com Company Website https://www.savetheredwoods.org/

January 25, 2022 12:01 AM Pacific Standard Time

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SwingJuice Apparel swings into 2022 by Exhibiting at The PGA Show

SwingJuice

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SwingJuice Apparel Swings into 2022 by Exhibiting at The PGA Show Pawtucket, RI – January 24, 2022- SwingJuice.com, a lifestyle clothing and apparel brand, will be Exhibiting at the 2022 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, FL January 25-28, Booth 3865 to Launch their New Line of Custom Performance Polos. “We are So Excited to be back at the Show and give people a true Taste of what the SwingJuice Brand and SJ Life is all about,” said Jon Mason, Founder and Creative Director at SwingJuice. “Our New Line of Performance Polos and golf inspired gear are exactly what Golf Retail has been looking for, I’m beyond thrilled to Show it off to the World.” SwingJuice has been rapidly expanding into Green Grass and Brick & Mortar Retail during the past year in addition to having their entire collection being available at swingjuice.com. SwingJuice has developed a rabid Fan Base that has long been wondering when the launch of High Quality Performance Polos would happen, the answer is here. “The Quality of our Performance wear has far exceeded our expectations and thus our Customers should absolutely Love them,” says SwingJuice CEO Steve “Dakota” Happas. “This next phase for SwingJuice will continue to bring High Quality gear, fun designs and an overall Great vibe to the Industry. Can’t wait to see what the Future holds” The PGA Merchandise Show is happening January 25-28, 2022 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando FL where SwingJuice will be exhibiting at Booth 3865. If you happen to be at the Show and would like to Book an appointment to view the Entire SwingJuice Collection please contact Wholesale Director Cindy Belden at cindy@swingjuice.com. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ABOUT SWINGJUICE: SwingJuice is a golf-inspired clothing and apparel brand that trailblazed the philosophy that molds were made to be broken and that clothing should be a conversation-starter. SwingJuice apparel allows consumers to display their passion for sports in a more fun, unique and approachable way. SwingJuice is also a community – established through the love of golf and expanded through the passion for all sports. The staff at SwingJuice are sports junkies just like the consumers they serve and they are always dreaming up new ways to bring unique personality to the products they design.For more information, please visit www.swingjuice.com. Keep up-to-date with all of the SwingJuice news on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swingjuice Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swingjuice YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/swingjuice Contact Details SwingJuice Jon Mason +1 781-710-9374 jon@swingjuice.com Company Website https://www.swingjuice.com

January 24, 2022 01:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Jason Carris Buys Independent Print Shop and Converts Business to Minuteman Press Franchise in Red Bank, NJ

Minuteman Press International Inc

Jason Carris is the new owner of Minuteman Press in Red Bank, NJ, which is part of the Middletown Township. Utilizing the Minuteman Press Franchise Conversion Program, Jason purchased independent print shop All American Print & Copy Center, which was in business for 40 years, and took over the location in September 2021. Jason says, “ The biggest advantage of buying this business was having an established clientele. We did our research and made sure the owners were respected by their clients. There was also 40 years of history and track record as well.” What is it like for Jason to be a new local business owner in Red Bank? He says, “Once you make that leap, it’s a very exciting experience to own your own business. We have a vibrant community here and I see the long-term growth potential. I am looking forward to making Minuteman Press a real pillar and trusted business partner in Red Bank / Middletown Township.” Jason further explains, “I think we have a tremendous opportunity to expand our wide format printing business with banners, posters, and signage remaining in high demand for our clients. I am also looking forward to bolstering our in-house mailing and direct mail services to help other local businesses reach their target audiences.” Prior to franchising, Jason worked in medical publishing and digital marketing. He also ran a number of small consulting businesses in his career. He says, “A combination of things – including the pandemic and economic forces – made me decide to go fully into business ownership. My wife Renee has an entrepreneurial spirt as well.” He adds, “ Minuteman Press International and our Regional Vice President Jim Galasso guided us through the purchase of the business step by step. Jim made the process easier to manage and I couldn’t have done this on my own without the help from the team at Minuteman Press.” Why Minuteman Press? Jason answers, “We did a lot of research and Minuteman Press jumped out to us on a number of levels. They were on a lot of top franchise lists, they appealed to people who hadn’t owned a business, and the business seemed easy to learn. In addition to being a highly respected franchise, Minuteman Press had a reasonable cost of entry and I appreciate their cap on royalties.” He continues, “The support has been wonderful. Because there is a 40-year history of the independent print shop we purchased, we have been transitioning the business. It’s great to have the training and support especially since I had not run a business of this scope before.” When asked about the keys to making that leap and becoming a business owner, Jason shares, “I think the two biggest keys to owning a business are to really make sure you feel 100% comfortable with the business model, and to believe in your products and services. Also, it is important to be proactive but also have patience after buying the business. Think about growth potential, and understand there is a learning curve. That’s normal for everyone.” Minuteman Press in Red Bank is located at 518 Route 35, Red Bank, NJ 07701. For more information, call 732-758-6200 or visit their website: https://minuteman.com/us/locations/nj/red-bank. Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. For more information on the Minuteman Press Franchise Conversion Program, visit https://bit.ly/minutemanpressconversions. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

January 24, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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News Release

Aver, the World’s First Fully Decentralized Web3 Betting Platform, Closes $7.5M Seed Funding Round

Aver

Aver, a decentralized peer-to-peer betting exchange built on the Solera blockchain, today announced it raised $7.5 million in seed funding. The raise was led by Jump Crypto, which along with its affiliate Jump Capital, is a key player in both the crypto and sports betting venture capital domain. The project also drew backing from other venture capital heavyweights, including Mirana Ventures, Susquehanna International Group, Genesis Block Ventures, Serum Ventures, Blue Pool Capital, MEXC, Gate.io, Petrock Capital and Solar Eco Fund. The seed round will be used to help bring the world’s first decentralized Web3 betting platform to market as well as fund development and legal regulatory operating costs. The platform expects to launch in mid-2022, after a closed beta in Q1 2022. The innovation underlying Aver is a blockchain protocol which enables peer-to-peer matching of bets in a way that does not require a ‘trusted middleman’ - as is the case in a traditional bookmaker or exchange such as Betfair. This enables betting at a fraction of the cost as compared and eliminates counterparty risk. Aver has ambitions to move to an open-source structure over time, allowing for third parties to build applications on top of the technology, such as new features, interfaces and markets, and supporting the continued development of the Aver ecosystem. The investor line-up represents some highly strategic investment partners for the ambitious early-stage project - including heavyweights in both the sports betting and crypto trading domains and connections to some of the world’s largest crypto exchanges. Peter Johnson, Partner at Jump Crypto - “At Jump, we are excited about the future of Web3, sports betting, and the confluence of these two areas. We believe Aver’s approach to decentralized sports betting can increase transparency, reduce costs, and enable operations at a global scale.” Dean Carlson, Head of Digital Asset Investments at Susquehanna - “Aver brings real innovation to the betting industry. Its open and decentralized mechanism of exchange has the potential to really disrupt the traditional betting markets - facilitating more fluid trading, greater price transparency and returning a significant chunk of the profit margins back to users.” David Toh, Partner at Mirana Ventures - “In many respects, blockchain and Web3 technology is still in its infancy, and we are still in the early stages of wider adoption. Part of the challenge ahead is designing a product that offers users all of the many benefits of decentralization - but without any compromise to user experience and ease-of-use versus traditional platforms. From what we’ve seen to date, we are confident that the Aver team can deliver on that.” The Aver platform is built on Solana - a blockchain network which has gathered much attention in recent months, as it boasts transaction costs and processing times approximately 1/1,000th of that on Ethereum. The team behind Aver has already brought a proof of concept technology to fruition as part of the Solana Ignition Hackathon, claiming a top spot and recognition among the hundreds of promising applications of the blockchain technology in the decentralized finance (‘DeFi’) space. For more information on Aver, please visit the project on Twitter @AverBet or at aver.bet. ABOUT AVER Founded in 2021, Aver is a decentralized peer-to-peer betting exchange built on the Solana blockchain and the world’s first decentralized Web3 betting exchange. Contact Details Hot Paper Lantern Michael Adorno +1 212-931-6143 madorno@hotpaperlantern.com Company Website https://aver.bet/

January 24, 2022 09:01 AM Eastern Standard Time

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