Labor Commissioner’s Office Cites Seven Bay Area Restaurants $10 Million for Wage Theft

June 7, 2018

SAN FRANCISCO, June 7, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Labor Commissioner’s Office has cited the following seven Bay Area restaurants more than $10 million for wage theft violations affecting 431 workers.

The restaurants inspected included Kome Japanese Seafood & Buffet in Daly City, Burma Ruby Burmese Cuisine in Palo Alto and Rangoon Ruby Burmese Cuisine located in Palo Alto, San Francisco, San Carlos, Burlingame and Belmont.

The citations issued to Kome total more than $5.16 million and involve 133 workers, and the Burmese restaurant chain was cited more than $4.96 million for its 298 underpaid workers. The wage theft violations and civil penalties cited include failure to pay minimum wage, overtime and split shift premiums.

“Taking tips from workers and paying workers by salary to deny them their hard-earned overtime pay is wage theft,” said Labor Commissioner Julie A. Su. “Our job is to protect working people’s right to a just day’s pay for a hard day’s work, and to stop employers who embrace wage theft as a business model.”

The Labor Commissioner’s investigation and payroll audit of Kome determined that 69 cooks, sushi chefs and dishwashers typically worked more than 55 hours per week but were paid a fixed salary that did not include overtime. As a result, these workers are owed nearly $3 million in unpaid wages and penalties. Other staff, including hosts, servers and bussers, are owed more than $1.4 million for overtime, split shift premiums, and unpaid minimum wage violations, including the illegal counting of tips received as part of the minimum hourly wage. Tips are the sole property of the worker and cannot be credited towards an employer’s obligation to pay minimum wage.

Investigators inspecting the Burmese restaurant chain also discovered the 87 cooks, paid a fixed salary at the six restaurants, typically logged more than 10 hours of unpaid overtime each week. They are owed $3.8 million for unpaid overtime wages, minimum wages, split shift, liquidated damages, waiting time penalties, and failure to provide accurate itemized wage statements. The remaining 211 servers, hosts, dishwashers and bussers at the Burmese chain were not paid the daily extra hour of minimum wage required when their employer scheduled them to work split shifts. Those workers are due $590,072 for split shifts and other wages and penalties owed.

Chinese Progressive Association and Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus, civil rights organizations located in San Francisco, represented many of the workers at Kome who cooperated in the investigation. The Labor Commissioner’s Office launched the investigation of the Burmese restaurant chain after receiving complaints from workers who reported wage theft to the Asian Law Caucus, which also represented many of the workers who cooperated in the investigation.

“Workers often do not know their rights and fear losing their jobs for complaining about wage theft,” added Labor Commissioner Su. “We work with community-based organizations that help workers report labor law violations.”

David Tai Leung, Wendy Lai Ip, Jun Zheng, Gang Zhou, Bai Dong Zhang and Tiffany Leung, owners of the corporations Kome Japanese Seafood Buffet, Inc. and Koshi Food Service, Inc., are ordered to pay the 133 workers at Kome Buffet $4,381,461 in unpaid wages, premiums and liquidated damages, as well as civil penalties of $780,400.

Max Lee and John Lee, owners of Rangoon Ruby Investment LLC and Burma Ruby Investment LLC, have been ordered to pay their 298 workers $4,394,118 for unpaid wages, premiums, liquidated damages and itemized wage statement violations, and civil penalties of $574,150.

Enforcement investigations typically include a payroll audit of the previous three years to determine minimum wage, overtime and other labor law violations, and calculate payments owed and penalties due.

When workers are paid less than minimum wage, they are entitled to liquidated damages that equal the amount of underpaid wages plus interest. Waiting time penalties are imposed when the employer intentionally fails to pay all wages due to the employee at the time of separation. This penalty is calculated by taking the employee’s daily rate of pay and multiplying it by the number of days the employee was not paid, up to a maximum of 30 days.

A salaried employee must be paid overtime unless they meet the test for exempt status as defined by federal and state laws, or unless they are specifically exempted from overtime by the provisions of one of the Industrial Welfare Commission Wage Orders regulating wages, hours and working conditions.

Split shift is a work schedule interrupted by non-paid and non-working time periods established by the employer and it is not a rest or a meal period. Minimum wage workers are entitled to one-hour of minimum wage as a premium for working a split shift.

The civil penalties collected will be transferred to the State’s General Fund as required by law.

The Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, or the Labor Commissioner’s Office, is the division within the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) with wide-ranging enforcement responsibilities including adjudicating wage claims, inspecting workplaces for wage and hour violations, investigating retaliation complaints and educating the public on labor laws.

In 2014, Labor Commissioner Su launched the Wage Theft is a Crime multilingual public awareness campaign. The campaign defines wage theft and informs workers of their rights and the resources available to them to recover unpaid wages or report other labor law violations.

Employees with work-related questions or complaints may contact DIR’s Call Center in English or Spanish at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734).

Members of the press may contact Peter Melton or Paola Laverde at (510) 286-1161, and are encouraged to subscribe to get email alerts on DIR’s press releases or other departmental updates.

https://www.facebook.com/CaliforniaDIR
https://twitter.com/CA_DIR
http://www.youtube.com/CaliforniaDIR
http://www.dir.ca.gov/email/listsub.asp?choice=1

The California Department of Industrial Relations, established in 1927, protects and improves the health, safety, and economic well-being of over 18 million wage earners, and helps their employers comply with state labor laws. DIR is housed within the Labor & Workforce Development Agency. For general inquiries, contact DIR’s Call Center at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734) for help in locating the appropriate division or program in our department.

SOURCE California Labor Commissioner’s Office

(Español) GobiernoUSA.gov: Conozca las señales de advertencia del suicidio y encuentre apoyo

June 7, 2018

Sorry, this entry is only available in Español.

March of Dimes: Blood Test May Identify Pregnant Women At Risk Of Premature Birth

June 7, 2018

WHITE PLAINS, New York, June 7, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — New research funded by March of Dimes has found biomarkers in maternal blood that accurately identified pregnant women who would go on to deliver babies up to two months prematurely. The findings were published today in the journal Science.

This finding is important as doctors do not currently have ways to accurately assess which pregnancies will end with a premature birth, March of Dimes notes. Additionally, using those same blood samples, the team found biomarkers in maternal blood that could estimate gestational age or delivery date with comparable accuracy to ultrasound, but possibly at lower cost.

“This exciting cutting-edge research demonstrates why March of Dimes is investing in new ways to improve the health of moms and babies, especially to address the crisis of premature birth in this country and worldwide,” says Stacey D. Stewart, president of March of Dimes. “To date, no test on the market can reliably predict which pregnant moms will go on to preterm labor. March of Dimes is committed to finding new solutions and to giving all babies the best possible start in life.”

Premature birth affects 15 million babies each year worldwide and is on the rise in the United States. Recently released provisional data for 2017 from the National Center for Health Statistics show that the preterm birth rate in the U.S. has reached 9.93 percent, up from 9.86 in 2016, the third consecutive annual increase after steady declines over the previous seven years.

The studies were led by Stephen Quake, Ph.D., an investigator at the March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center at Stanford University. Partners included scientists in Denmark and Alabama as well as at the March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center at the University of Pennsylvania.

David K. Stevenson, M.D., the principal investigator of the March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center at Stanford University, described the noninvasive blood test approach as a way of “eavesdropping on a conversation” between the mother, the fetus and the placenta, without disturbing the pregnancy. He added that today’s findings affirm the existence of a “transcriptomic clock of pregnancy” that could serve as a new way to assess the gestational age of a fetus. “By measuring cell-free RNA in the circulation of the mother, we can observe changing patterns of gene activity that happen normally during pregnancy, and identify disruptions in the patterns that may signal to doctors that unhealthy circumstances like preterm labor and birth are likely to occur,” Dr. Stevenson said. “With further study, we might be able to identify specific genes and gene pathways that could reveal some of the underlying causes of preterm birth, and suggest potential targets for interventions to prevent it.”

In two separate cohorts of women, all at elevated risk of delivering preterm, the March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center team identified a set of cell-free RNA (cfRNA) transcripts that accurately classified women who delivered preterm up to two months in advance of labor. In another cohort of healthy pregnant women, the team found that measurement of nine cfRNA transcripts in maternal blood predicted gestational age with comparable accuracy to ultrasound.

The researchers noted that both tests will require validation in larger, blinded clinical trials.

“Noninvasive blood tests for fetal development predict gestational age and preterm delivery,” by Thuy T. M. Ngo et al., appears in the June 8 issue of Science.

March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We support research, lead programs and provide education and advocacy so that every family can have the best possible start. Building on a successful 80-year legacy of impact and innovation, we stand up for every mom and every baby. Visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org for more information. Visit shareyourstory.org for comfort and support. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/513643/March_of_Dimes_Foundation_Logo.jpg

SOURCE March of Dimes

10,000 Reasons to Leave Fireworks to the Professionals

June 7, 2018

AAO Logo (PRNewsFoto/American Academy of Ophthalmology)

SAN FRANCISCO, June 7, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Every year, about 10,000 people are rushed to the emergency department for fireworks injuries. Ophthalmologists – physicians who specialize in medical and surgical eye care – treat thousands of patients who suffer a range of fireworks-related injuries, from cuts and bruises to damaged corneas, retinas, and ruptured eyeballs. Many people believe that consumer fireworks are safe. But here’s the explosive truth: Most injuries are caused by legal fireworks parents buy for their children, such as sparklers, firecrackers, bottle rockets, and Roman candles. To help reduce the number of potentially blinding fireworks accidents this holiday, the American Academy of Ophthalmology is sharing these tips:

Wear protective eyewear when igniting fireworks: Ophthalmologists recommend that every household have at least one pair of ANSI-approved protective eyewear. Stop by any hardware store and pick up some safety glasses for the entire family.
Don’t pick up duds and misfires: When a lit firework didn’t explode, Javonte McNair, 14, walked over and picked it up. The “dud” exploded, severing his hand and blasting hot debris into his eye, causing severe damage to his cornea. Keep a hose and buckets of water on hand for duds and misfires. Soak the dud from a distance with a hose or a bucket of water. Pick it up with a shovel and fully submerge it in a bucket of water to ensure it’s safe for disposal.
Keep a safe distance: Bystanders are injured by fireworks as often as the operator. Stacy Young was 100 yards away when an illegal firework sent shrapnel into her skull. Ophthalmologists couldn’t save her eye. It had to be removed.
Supervise children closely: Sparklers seem like harmless fun for the kids, but they are responsible for about 1,400 eye injuries each year. Even those tiny poppers or snappers can pose dangers. A ricocheting popper burned parts of five-year-old Nolan Haney‘s eye and eyelid
Celebrate with the pros: The Fourth can be complete without using consumer fireworks. The Academy advises that the safest way to view fireworks is to watch a professional show.

“Consumer fireworks are a treasured part of Fourth of July celebrations, so it’s easy to forget the dangers they can pose, particularly to the eyes,” said Dianna L. Seldomridge, M.D., a clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “Please, take our advice. We don’t want to see you in the ER this Fourth of July.”

If you experience a fireworks eye injury, ophthalmologists urge you to minimize the damage to the eye:

Seek medical attention immediately
Do not rub the eye. Rubbing may make the injury worse
Do not attempt to rinse the eye
Do not apply pressure to the eye
Do not remove objects from the eye
Do not apply ointments or take pain medications before seeking medical help

To help ensure people get the facts about fireworks, the Academy also created an animated public service announcement titled “Fireworks: The Blinding Truth.” It encourages the public and media to view and share the PSA. Visit the Academy’s EyeSmart^® website for more information about fireworks eye safety.

About the American Academy of Ophthalmology
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons. A global community of 32,000 medical doctors, we protect sight and empower lives by setting the standards for ophthalmic education and advocating for our patients and the public. We innovate to advance our profession and to ensure the delivery of the highest-quality eye care. Our EyeSmart^®program provides the public with the most trusted information about eye health. For more information, visit aao.org.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/287412/american_academy_of_ophthalmology_Logo.jpg

SOURCE American Academy of Ophthalmology

2019 Acura RDX Makes Racing Debut at Pikes Peak Hill Climb; Acura Returns With Four Competition Entries

June 7, 2018

TORRANCE, California, June 7, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Acura returns to the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on June 24 with four production-based race cars, including the all-new 2019 RDX making its world racing debut. Joining the new RDX, which went on sale nationally June 1, is last year’s Open Class-winning TLX GT, Exhibition Class-winning TLX A-Spec, and Time Attack 1 podium-placing NSX.

Acura marks its seventh consecutive year competing in the ‘Race to the Clouds’ in 2018. The brand is also returning for the fourth straight year as Official Pace Car and Support Vehicle of the event, with a 2019 RDX A-Spec and 2018 MDX, respectively.

The TLX GT, driven by Acura racing legend Peter Cunningham, will return in the Open Class to build on a commanding 2017 class win, while Acura R&D engineer James Robinson, coming off a Hybrid record-setting run in 2017, will return with a NSX in the Time Attack 1 Class. Acura R&D engineer and brother to James, Nick Robinson, will also return to Pikes Peak in the Exhibition Class-winning 2018 TLX A-Spec.

Pikes Peak rookie Jordan Guitar will make his hill-climb debut in the all-new 2019 Acura RDX, competing in the Exhibition Class. A veteran of rally racing events, Jordan is the 2016 B-Spec National Champion and has recently graduated to the Civic Sport Turbo Rally car for 2018.

Pikes Peak Premiere: 2019 RDX

Jordan Guitar of Acura R&D’s North American Chassis Development Group will make the racing debut of the 2019 RDX in this year’s Exhibition Class. The 2019 RDX set to make its racing debut in this year’s Exhibition Class features a production-derived 2.0L VTEC^® Turbo engine, along with a sport tuned 10-speed automatic transmission and the newest iteration of Acura Super Handling All‐Wheel Drive™ (SH‐AWD^®). In addition to the lightly modified production powertrain, the Pikes Peak RDX has been fitted with 48-volt micro hybrid technology, including an electric supercharger. The vehicle’s interior has been stripped to reduce weight and improve handling. The overall focus of the Pikes Peak RDX is to display the potential of this exciting new platform and highlight new technology that expands driving performance.

The Pikes Peak RDX’s VTEC Turbo engine has been dialed up to a peak output of 350 horsepower and 330 lb.-ft. of torque through the use of a larger turbocharger, bigger intercooler for maximum response and electric supercharger to help reduce turbo lag as elevation increases. The 2019 RDX debuts the most advanced mechanical iteration of Acura’s torque-vectoring Super Handling All‐Wheel Drive yet. The RDX race car will compete with production SH-AWD hardware, only receiving software changes to increase the rear torque bias. Additional handling enhancements included race-tuned suspension, custom 19-inch HRE forged race wheels and Pirelli racing tires. Braking performance has been upgraded with Brembo front brake calipers and racing pads.

2018 TLX A-Spec in Exhibition Class

Nick Robinson of Acura R&D’s North American Chassis Development Group will return to Pikes Peak in the 2017 Exhibition Class-winning TLX A-Spec. Following its successful debut in the Exhibition Class last June, the TLX A-Spec returns with a revised suspension, updated 500-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 turbo powerplant and a limited-slip differential. Optimized specifically for this hill-climb course, custom engine software and tuning was handled by an in-house team of the company’s North American R&D engineers. Changes from the TLX A-Spec’s debut in 2017 include a revised aerodynamic package and additional weight reduction. A five-time veteran of Pikes Peak, Nick Robinson had his first victory in 2014 in the motorcycle Pikes Peak 250 class. In addition, Nick piloted the NSX to victory in the Time Attack 2 Production Class, as well as the Exhibition Class win in 2017.

TLX GT Competes in Open Class

The all-wheel drive RealTime Racing (RTR) prepared TLX GT race car returns to Pikes Peak in 2018 following a 2017 Open Class Record and overall podium finish, featuring a power-enhanced J35 twin-turbo V6 motor setup used in past Pirelli World Challenge Series competitions, but tuned on multiple levels to accommodate the elevation changes of Pikes Peak. The software mapping developed by Honda Performance Development optimizes turbo operation and boost pressures for the decreasing levels of oxygen on the way to the 14,115-foot summit. RTR has built the TLX GT’s suspension specifically for this hill-climb environment, and the transmission’s gearing has been revised for faster acceleration coming out of the course’s many hairpin turns.

For 2018, the TLX GT features increased downforce with the addition of a larger front splitter and dive planes that will improve front downforce, allowing the team to dial in more rear wing downforce for balance. Also new this year, with the abolishment of Pikes Peak’s requirement for the Open Class to use D.O.T-approved tires, the TLX GT adds Pirelli racing slicks.

The TLX GT will again be piloted by Peter Cunningham of RealTime Racing, which has campaigned Acuras in the World Challenge since 1996 and seeks a consecutive Pikes Peak podium finish following his ‘Rookie of the Year’ debut in 2017. The versatile Cunningham has claimed 14 professional drivers’ championships in his storied career in everything from ice racing, performance rallying and road racing.

Production-Based NSX Set for Time Attack 1

James Robinson of Acura R&D’s North American powertrain development group (and younger brother of Nick Robinson) will return in the Record Setting Time Attack 1 Acura NSX. An 8-time veteran of Pikes Peak, James has had several podium finishes in the Exhibition Class, Open Class and, most recently, in 2017, the Time Attack 1 Class. In addition, James set the overall Hybrid Record with his ninth-place overall finish in 2017. Building on the successful modifications from last year’s run, the TA1 NSX has been further lightened and aerodynamic elements have been added, including a bigger wing and front splitter. In addition, the production turbochargers have been replaced with larger units to help recover horsepower losses at altitude. The TA1 NSX’s software has been tuned to optimize engine and the Sport Hybrid system performance for the hill climb. Finally, Pirelli R-compound tires will complement the production vehicle’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD^®).

Official 2018 Acura Pace Vehicles

As Official Pace Car sponsor, Acura will feature the just-launched 2019 RDX A-Spec, sporting the new Acura design direction. In addition, Acura will provide RDX and MDX track-support vehicles for coaches’ use leading up to the race.

For Pikes Peak race attendees, the RDX A-Spec, TLX GT, TLX A-Spec, TA1 NSX and pace cars will appear at a number of pre-race activities, including the popular Fan Fest in downtown Colorado Springs, 5 to 10 p.m. MDT Friday, June 22.

About Acura Motorsports

Over three decades, Acura has utilized racing as a means to test its mettle and prove out its performance capabilities, capturing numerous national endurance and sports car racing titles along the way. Today, Acura is racing the ARX-05 Daytona Prototype, campaigned by Team Penske, in American endurance sportscar racing competition, and the NSX GT3, partnered with Meyer Shank Racing, in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series. Acura is also celebrating its seventh year of racing at the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and serves as Official Pace Vehicle of the annual ‘Race to the Clouds’.

About Acura

Acura is a leading automotive luxury nameplate that delivers Precision Crafted Performance, representing the original values of the Acura brand – a commitment to evocative styling, high performance and innovative engineering, all built on a foundation of quality and reliability.

The Acura lineup features six distinctive models – the RLX premium, luxury sedan, the TLX performance luxury sedan, the ILX sport sedan, the 5-passenger RDX luxury crossover SUV, the seven-passenger Acura MDX, America’s all-time best-selling three-row luxury SUV and the next-generation, electrified NSX supercar as a new and pinnacle expression of Acura Precision Crafted Performance.

Five of the six models in the Acura lineup are made exclusively in central Ohio using domestic and globally sourced parts, including the ILX and TLX luxury sports sedans (Marysville Auto Plant), the RDX and MDX luxury SUVs (East Liberty Auto Plant) and the Acura NSX supercar, which is built to order at the Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio.

For More Information

Additional media information including pricing, features and high-resolution photography is available at AcuraNews.com. Consumer information is available at Acura.com. Follow Acura on social media at Acura.us/SocialChannels.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/702523/2019_Acura_RDX.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/702524/Racing_Debut_at_Pikes_Peak_Hill_Climb.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/702525/Acura_RDX.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/702526/Acura_Returns.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/592658/Acura_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Acura

Alexa PenaVega Announces Top Mom-Approved Places to Fish and Boat in Each State

June 7, 2018

RBFF is launching a nationwide vote for the Top 10 Mom-Approved Places to Fish and Boat in the country.

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, June 7, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Celebrity mom Alexa PenaVega has made a name for herself on the screen, but these days she’s making a name for herself on the water—as a fisherwoman. Together with her husband Carlos and the couple’s 18-month-old son Ocean, and just in time for National Fishing and Boating Week, PenaVega is helping fellow moms across the country plan their own outdoor family adventures with the Top Mom-Approved Places to Fish and Boat. Created by the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) and its Take Me Fishing™ brand, the list features family-favorite fishing holes in all 50 states, as selected through a nationwide vote by thousands of moms.

“Fishing and boating have been important parts of my life since childhood,” said PenaVega. “Now that I’m a mom, I’m proud to help elevate the voices of other moms across the nation to announce this fantastic resource. We love taking our son fishing to relax and reconnect as a family.” PenaVega rose to stardom in 2001 with her role as Carmen Cortez in “Spy Kids,” later starring on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” alongside her husband.

An active millennial parent, PenaVega knows firsthand how important it is for families of all kinds to have opportunities for safe, fun outdoor recreation. A Mom-Approved Place to Fish and Boat is driving-distance from urban areas and has ample family-friendly amenities such as play areas, easy parking and picnic facilities, as well as safe water and boat access. And of course, Mom-Approved Places are packed with plenty of fish to catch.

In addition to announcing the Top Mom-Approved Places to Fish and Boat in each state, RBFF is launching a nationwide vote for the Top 10 Mom-Approved Places to Fish and Boat in the country. Everyone is invited to cast their vote at TakeMeFishing.org now through Friday, June 29. Each vote is an entry to win a family fishing and boating trip to sunny Fort Myers, Fla. The Top 10, to be announced in July, will reign supreme on the national stage.

“It’s not just dads taking the kids out fishing anymore,” said Stephanie Vatalaro, Vice President of Communications at RBFF. “A recent Aquatic Resources Education Association and RBFF Report shows that kids today are more likely to go fishing with their moms. Alexa PenaVega is a prime example that now more than ever, women are shattering the ‘bass’ ceiling.”

Families are invited to try out Mom-Approved Places to Fish and Boat near them June 2–10 during National Fishing and Boating Week, an event highlighting the important role recreational fishing and boating play in sustaining our country’s natural resources. As part of National Fishing and Boating Week, states around the country will offer Free Fishing Days when anglers are allowed to fish on public bodies of water without needing to purchase a fishing license. For a calendar of Free Fishing Days, visit TakeMeFishing.org.

About the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF)
RBFF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, thereby protecting and restoring the nation’s aquatic natural resources. RBFF’s recently announced 60 in 60 effort strives to attract 60 million anglers to the sport by the end of 2021. To help recruit, retain and reactivate participants, RBFF developed the award-winning Take Me Fishing™ and Vamos A Pescar™ campaigns creating awareness about boating, fishing and conservation, and educating people about the benefits of participation. These campaigns help boaters and anglers of all ages and experience levels learn, plan and equip for a day on the water. The campaign websites, TakeMeFishing.org and TakeMeFishing.org/es, feature how-to videos, information on how to get a fishing license and boat registration, and an interactive state-by-state map that allows visitors to find local boating and fishing spots.

Celebrity mom Alexa PenaVega is helping fellow moms across the country plan their own outdoor family adventures with the Top Mom-Approved Places to Fish and Boat.

Photo –https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/702821/RBFF_Top_10_Mom_Approved_Places_to_Fish.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/702823/RBFFAlexa_PenaVega_Fishing.jpg

SOURCE Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation

Brand Marketing Leaders Explore Innovation and Passion Point Marketing at Portada’s Council System

June 7, 2018

NEW YORK, June 7, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Portada, www.portada-online.com; the leading networking solutions platform for dynamic tech, marketing and media companies targeting consumers through cultural insights and passion points, launched its exclusive Council System earlier this year.

More than 70 brand marketing executives are members of the Council System. Marketing trail blazers from L’Oréal, Latam Airlines, Allstate, Coty, Intuit, JC Penney and MasterCard share their experience in the below testimonials.

“I think that Portada has been doing a great job, I’m really excited about all the things we’ve been working on during these meetings and understanding, not only inspiring but really taking action, so for me it’s very interesting,” says Perla Patricia Aragón, Digital Marketing Director MX, L’Oréal (Portada Council of the Americas Member).

“I’m in the Travel Marketing Board, a very good opportunity to share different visions among different industries, we are airlines, car rentals, hotels… and it’s amazing how, even though it’s the same industry, it’s different pillars, and it’s amazing how we all share the same challenges and it’s interesting to see how everything is related.”
Pablo Chiozza, Senior VP US, Canada, Asia & Caribbean, Latam Airlines Group
(Travel Marketing Board Member).

“I think it’s a great thing that Portada has put together, it’s given me a chance to really interact with some folks that I’ve known in the industry but maybe we hadn’t gotten together around the specific unique targeted approach like multicultural Hispanic marketing through the lens of sports and sports marketing, so it’s been very engaging for me.”
Dan Keats, Director Consumer Marketing-Sponsorships, Allstate Insurance
(Sports Marketing Board Member).

“Even though I get invited to this kind of things all the time, the executives we had at the table, this time it was top-notch, great quality people that could really get to a deeper level of discussion than I’ve had at other places.”
Rafael Lopez-de-Azua, Head of Media and Digital, Latam, Coty
(Brand Star Committee Member)

“I think it’s a great idea, I really liked that we were able to get together in a group yesterday and just talk peer-to-peer about the things we’re struggling with, or things we’re finding challenging, and see what other people have learned from their experiences.”
John Sandoval, Senior Brand and Latino Marketing Manager, Intuit
(Brand Star Committee Member)

“It has been a great experience so far, we’ve met twice and it’s great to have the access to all these people in the marketing world that have the same type of issues that we do and discuss these matters, try to find solutions and interact that way, so it’s great networking with your peers. It’s a great opportunity to get access to different technologies, different ideas, and in a great setting.”
Ana Lucía Soto, National Media Manager, JCPenney (Brand Star Committee Member)

“The Council System is very unique for us at Mastercard. It allows us to better understand what the Hispanic market is doing and we can leverage that with a lot of our properties. That’s the biggest feature and the benefit. And bringing our knowledge as it relates to Mastercard to this business and the Hispanic community is very important to us.”
Mike Tasevski, VP, North America Sponsorships, MasterCard
(Sports Marketing Board Member)

How the Council System Works

Members of the five different units of the Portada Council System are connected throughout the year by attending two virtual and two in-person meetings during Portada events. The next in-person meeting will be taking place during Portada New York on Sept. 24 and 25, 2018 www.portada-online.com/portadanewyork.

Latin American members of the brand and agency star committees will meet at Portada Mexico on October 30, 2018.
https://www.portada-online.com/events/portadamexico/

Opportunities for Vendors of Marketing Services

In addition to the more than 70 brand marketing executives who integrate Portada’s expanding Council System, Council System integrations are available to an elite group of marketing services vendors. To discuss opportunities please reach out to Sales Manager Isabel Ojeda at [email protected].

For more information about the 5 different units of the Portada Council System and the list of its members, please go to the url below
https://www.portada-online.com/councilsystem/

FAQ about the Council System:
https://www.portada-online.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/FAQ_Portada_Council-System_web.pdf

About Portada
Portada is a leading networking solutions platform for dynamic tech, marketing and media companies targeting consumers through cultural insights and passion points in the Americas. Portada members receive top business leads through a guaranteed amount of annual meetings with brand marketing executives. In addition, members obtain best-in-class advertising and PR services through Portada media (events, digital-social and print magazine) with an audited reach of more than 120,000 marketing, tech and media executives. (www.portada-online.com).

Media Contact: Marcos Baer, [email protected], + 52 1 5564162299

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/701563/Portada_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Portada

‘Everything We Ever Imagined and Then Some’: 2019 Acura RDX Marketing Campaign Harkens to Brand’s Precision Crafted Performance Roots

June 6, 2018

TORRANCE, California, June 6, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — A new integrated marketing campaign from Acura, “Everything We Ever Imagined and Then Some,” heralds the arrival of the first in a new generation of Acura products – the all-new 2019 Acura RDX – now on sale at dealerships across the U.S. The 2019 RDX is a modern take on the brand’s original mantra: Precision Crafted Performance. The campaign makes its television premiere in “Launch,” which airs during Game 3 of the NBA Finals on ABC: https://acura.us/2JdSBs9

“We wanted to launch the all-new RDX with a campaign that, like the RDX itself, connects to Acura’s heart and soul – Precision Crafted Performance, while at the same time expressing the excitement that all of us at Acura share surrounding this vehicle arriving in market,” said Jon Ikeda, vice president & general manager of Acura.

‘Everything We Have Imagined and Then Some’ Campaign

Led by Acura’s AOR MullenLowe, the new RDX marketing campaign traces the authentic roots of Precision Crafted Performance. From the first generation NSX and Acura’s storied motorsports history, all have helped establish the sportier design direction reflected in today’s RDX.

Staying true to the brand’s recent use of high-energy soundtracks, the 2019 RDX campaign features a bold musical score from The Rolling Stones and Motörhead, set to modern visuals and emotional storytelling that reflects the “30 years young” mindset of Acura.

The campaign elements highlight the RDX’s refined style, higher performance, powerful new VTEC^® Turbo engine and all-new ultra-wide panoramic moonroof, as well as the Acura ELS Studio 3D™ premium audio system developed for Acura by Panasonic, together with Grammy-winning music producer Elliot Scheiner. Also featured in the campaign is the 2019 RDX’s premium and tech-savvy cabin experience with the first application of the Acura True Touchpad Interface™, Acura’s groundbreaking new user interface featuring the first use of absolute positioning technology in the automotive space.

“Launch” (https://acura.us/2JdSBs9): Featuring cameo appearances by the first-generation Acura NSX and legendary Integra Type R, the 60-second debut spot highlights the brand’s performance roots, showcasing Acura’s commitment to Precision Crafted Performance through the vehicles that helped paved the way, leading to the all-new 2019 RDX. The spot also highlights additional Acura products that speak to the brand’s performance core, including: the Acura Precision Concept, second-generation NSX and Acura ARX-05 Daytona Prototype international race car. The ad is supported by Motörhead’s rendition of the Rolling Stone’s classic “Sympathy for the Devil.”

“Rainbow” (https://acura.us/2JoXZwd): The :30 spot “Rainbow” spot showcases what Acura engineers imagined in bringing the Acura ELS Studio 3D™ premium audio system to life – a 16-channel, 710-watt audio system featuring four ultra-slim Highline™ ceiling-mounted speakers creating a rich and immersive audio experience. RDX’s luxuriously appointed cabin and True Touchpad Interface™ is highlighted as natural language voice commands set the spot to the Rolling Stones classic “She’s a Rainbow.”

Reflective of Acura’s audience based strategy, the RDX launch will capture consumers across platforms leveraging data driven targeting capabilities, including linear video, mobile, social and print. The campaign will be announced through high impact as well as behaviorally targeted placements, including experiential extensions, throughout 2018.

For More Information
Additional media information including pricing, features and high-resolution photography is available at acuranews.com/channels/acura-automobiles. Consumer information is available at http://www.acura.com. Follow Acura on social media at https://acura.us/SocialChannels.

About Acura
Acura is a leading automotive luxury nameplate that delivers Precision Crafted Performance, representing the original values of the Acura brand – a commitment to evocative styling, high performance and innovative engineering, all built on a foundation of quality and reliability.

Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awwCEHcssGo

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/701912/2019_Acura_RDX_Marketing.jpg

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/592658/Acura_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Acura

Texas small land sales volume increases, sales volume tops $1 billion

June 6, 2018

AUSTIN, Texas, June 6, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Texas small land sales volume continued to spur strong demand in 2017, while sales volume topped $1 billion, according to the Texas Small Land Sales Report released today by the Texas Association of Realtors.

“In recent years, small land sales have been a strong indicator of a healthy overall real estate market,” said Kaki Lybbert, chairman of the Texas Association of Realtors. “With land sales increasing and price-per-acre declining slightly, we’re seeing a solid market for small land purchases for a wide range of uses, including recreation, residential, investment, commercial development and farm land.”

Texas small land sales volume grew 8.5 percent annually to 7,588 small land tracts sold in 2017. This is the fifth straight year Texas saw small land sales volume increase. During the same time frame, the average price per acre declined 2.2 percent year-over-year to $5,521 an acre. This is the first time total dollar volume topped $1 billion. The definition of a “small” land sale varies from region to region but generally is considered to be a land sale of 200 acres or less. The exception is Far West Texas, where 500 to 8,000 acres qualifies as a small land sale.

Strong small land sales growth was evident across all regions of the state, with small land purchases in Far West Texas and West Texas experiencing annual gains more than 50 percent. Small land sales in the Austin-Waco-Hill Country area experienced the smallest gains at 0.12 percent.

As demand for small land tracts continued to increase, the average tract size for small land sales in Texas for 2017 remained unchanged from 2016 at 36 acres. Northeast Texas and the Gulf Coast-Brazos Bottom areas were the only regions that experienced increases in average price per acre, increasing 5 percent and 3.4 percent, respectively.

Charles Gilliland, economist with the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, commented: “Statewide, the price per acre for small land sales decreased slightly from 2016 to 2017. This could be an indication that buyers are seeking out bargains in lower priced locations in popular regions. For example, the Hill Country saw less land sale activity in Travis County compared to Comanche County, where price per acre between the two differ.”

Lybbert concluded, “Land is a hot commodity in Texas, and we continue to see the market for acreage almost as competitive as the residential housing market. As population growth continues, we expect to see the demand for rural land continue to increase.”

About the Texas Small Land Sales Report
The Texas Small Land Sales Report analyzes small land sales data and trends across seven regions of Texas utilizing survey data aggregated by the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University. The Texas Association of REALTORS® distributes insights about the Texas housing market each month, including quarterly market statistics, trends among homebuyers and sellers, luxury home sales, international trends, and more. To view the Texas Small Land Sales Report in its entirety, visit texasrealestate.com.

About the Texas Association of REALTORS®
With more than 114,000 members, the Texas Association of REALTORS® is a professional membership organization that represents all aspects of real estate in Texas. We are the advocate for REALTORS® and private property rights in Texas. Visit texasrealestate.com to learn more.

CONTACT: Morgan Moritz, [email protected], 512-448-4950

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/175272/texas_association_of_realtors_logo.jpg

SOURCE Texas Association of Realtors

Let’s Celebrate ¡Vive Tu Vida! Get Up! Get Moving!® in Chicago with Free Services and Day of Family Fun

June 6, 2018

CHICAGO, June 6, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — On Saturday, June 9, 2018, the National Alliance for Hispanic Health and the Chicago Hispanic Health Coalition presents the 12th Annual ¡Vive tu vida! Get Up! Get Moving!^® event at McKinley Park in Chicago. The event promotes Hispanic family physical activity and good nutrition for better health and wellness for all. This FREE, open to the public event is made possible by an extraordinary group of partners and volunteers.

“For twelve years ¡Vive tu vida! Get Up! Get Moving!, has provided nutrition education, free health screenings, and wellness activities to communities across the nation,” said Dr. Jane L. Delgado, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, the nation’s leading Hispanic health advocacy group. “To continue our work to increase the inclusion of Hispanics in clinical and biomedical research, we are bringing the All of Us Research Program to our communities. The participation of diverse communities in All of Us will help build the foundation for a new era of health care where medicine is tailored to each person.”

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) All of Us Research Program is an ambitious effort to advance individualized prevention, treatment and care for people of all backgrounds. People ages 18 and older, regardless of health status, will be able to enroll. By partnering with 1 million diverse people who share information about themselves over many years, the All of Us Research Program will enable research to more precisely prevent and treat a variety of health conditions.

“These are times filled with stress for many and staying healthy is important – your body is your most important resource” said Esther Sciammarella, Executive Director of the Chicago Hispanic Health Coalition. “This year, participants have an opportunity to increase medical knowledge by participating in All of Us. We hope people take advantage of this since it can lead to better medicines for them and their families.”

What: ¡Vive tu vida! Get Up! Get Moving!^® event featuring —

Health Screenings and Information: including blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, vision; prostate; and dental exams, as well as Medicare and Medicaid enrollment information
Fitness & Family fun: Exercise demonstrations, family fitness walk, and youth soccer tournament
Nutrition: Fresh fruits and healthy snacks, along with educational resources
Science: Featuring the All of Us Research Program

Where: McKinley Park Field House – 2210 West Pershing Road – Chicago, IL 60609
When: Saturday, June 9, 2018 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Cost: FREE!

“We are glad to provide ongoing support for ¡Vive tu vida! Get Up! Get Moving!® events across the country,” said Robert Forrester, President and CEO of Newman’s Own Foundation. “These programs bring communities together, empower individuals to improve their health, and address a broad range of needs at the local level.”

¡Vive tu vida! Get Up! Get Moving!^® is sponsored nationally by the Healthy Americas Foundation, National Alliance for Hispanic Health, and Newman’s Own Foundation. The entire event series city listing is available at www.getupgetmoving.org.

SOURCE National Alliance for Hispanic Health

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