sonnen Announces Winners of its 2018 “Brilliance Awards”

October 8, 2018

sonnen, Inc. logo (PRNewsFoto/sonnen) (PRNewsFoto/sonnen)

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — sonnen, the global market leader in intelligent residential energy storage today announced the inaugural class of sonnen Brilliance Awards winners. These new and unique awards were bestowed upon thought-leaders and innovators who, in partnership with sonnen, have demonstrated a tireless commitment to creating a cleaner and more reliable energy future for all through innovation, collaboration and customer education.

Brilliance Award Winners span several industries and markets including energy automation, solar installation, homebuilding and clean energy activism and philanthropy.

The inaugural class of the sonnen Brilliance Awards includes:

PanTech Design – Innovation in Energy Automation – The team at PanTech Design developed the interface between sonnen’s intelligent energy automation software and the Crestron home automation system. Made possible using their innovative Adapt platform, they are contributing to a revolution in intelligent energy management by taking the ultimate smart home to a whole new level with customizable applications and advanced features that not only provide resiliency during power outages, but also power the home in the cleanest, most efficient way possible.
Cinegration – Innovation in Energy Automation – The team at Cinegration developed the interface between sonnen’s intelligent energy automation software and the Control4 home automation system. Their work is contributing to a first-of-its-kind intelligent energy management solution that offers customizable, advanced applications that monitor and manage the home’s energy and adapt in real-time to maximize energy efficiency and provide protection against power outages.
Pura Energía – Partner of the Year – Pura Energía spent several years educating homeowners in Latin America about the value of solar + intelligent energy storage. In 2017, Pura Energía partnered with sonnen to power life-saving technologies at schools, community centers and clinics following Hurricane Maria’s devastation in Puerto Rico. Together, the two companies built 12 humanitarian microgrids on the island that provided resiliency to those impacted by climate disaster and continue to provide power to thousands of people. Further, sonnen and Pura Energía worked directly with the government and local agencies to help rebuild and rethink how energy is produced and delivered in Puerto Rico.
cyberManor’s Gordon van Zuiden – Brand Ambassador of the Year – As a leader in the home automation industry, van Zuiden is a true advocate for clean energy and intelligent energy management. Most recently, his work as an influencer helped educate others on how energy automation can and will be used to not only create the ultimate smart home, but also a better energy future for us all.
Mandalay Homes – Innovation in Carbon-Neutral Communities – Creating the first-of-its-kind clean energy virtual power plant using sonnen’s intelligent energy storage + solar in Prescott Valley, AZ, Mandalay Homes took the energy efficient home of the future to a whole new level by creating a clean energy community that benefits homeowners, as well as the utility, to enable the grid of the future.
Gardner Energy – A high-quality installer and an expert in battery technology with over 12 years of installation experience, Gardner Energy is a leader in educating and influencing homeowners on the value and importance of energy storage. They are a true believer in the power of energy automation and the way it can help consumers use renewable energy more effectively.
Grassroots Solar, Inc. – As an active advocate for energy storage, Grassroots Solar is creating a clean energy future through extensive homeowner education. This includes advocating with local and state representatives as well as their involvement with projects in Puerto Rico to increase awareness about energy resiliency for people devastated by climate disasters.
Ion LEED – A true partner in Puerto Rico, Ion LEED played a key role in educating people across the island on how to become resilient in the face of disastrous hurricanes and grid instability, ultimately empowering communities to take charge of their clean energy future. Through these initiatives, Ion LEED built a business that is focused on providing an impeccable customer experience.

Other Brilliance Award winners include SunKey Solar, Kahn Solar, NewEnergy PR, Green Convergence, and Renu Energy Solutions.

“sonnen is proud to work alongside innovative companies around the country who represent a diverse array of functions across many important industry verticals. Partnerships with integrators, installers and service-providers have always been a crucial part of the sonnen mission,” said Blake Richetta, sonnen Senior Vice President and Head of the U.S. Subsidiary. “We’ve come to value our key partners even more as we expand into new markets, such as Latin America, and pioneer new industry categories, including energy automation. This is an exciting time for sonnen, these partners and the renewable energy sector as a whole, and we are thrilled to recognize others who are working diligently to forward the shared mission of making clean, reliable energy accessible to everyone.”

sonnen honored Brilliance Award recipients at ceremonies in September during both the CEDIA Expo and Solar Power International, where the company also announced and showcased the ecoLinx intelligent energy management system and introduced the groundbreaking concept of energy automation.

About sonnen
At sonnen, we believe clean, affordable, and reliable energy for all is one of the greatest challenges of our time. sonnen is a proven global leader in intelligent energy management solutions that provide greater energy control for residential customers through increased solar self-consumption, reduced peak energy usage and reliable backup power during outages – contributing to a cleaner and more reliable energy future. sonnen has won several awards for its energy innovations, including the 2018 CEDIA Best in Show award, 2018 Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in Energy, 2017 Zayed Future Energy Prize, MIT’s Technology Review’s 50 Smartest Companies in 2016, Global Cleantech 100 for 2015-2017, Greentech Media’s 2016 Grid Edge Award for innovation, and Cleantech’s 2015 Company of the Year Award in both Israel and Europe.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/325856/sonnen_Logo.jpg

SOURCE sonnen

Intimus and Kotex Brands Win LATAM Effie for Breaking Period Stigmas with ‘Let’s Move On’ Campaign

October 8, 2018

SÃO PAULO, Oct. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Kimberly-Clark continues to break stigmas and barriers for its consumers through innovative campaigns like ‘Let’s Move On’ – a recent Gold Effie Award-winning campaign led by Intimus^® and KOTEX^® in Latin America designed to challenge society’s negative perceptions of periods.

“Women achieve great things every day whether they have their period or not. Periods, nor the perception of them, should not get in womens’ way of progress,” said Juanita Pelaez Zambrano, the developer of the ‘Let’s Move On’ campaign for Kimberly-Clark in Latin America. “This was more than a campaign, it was a movement to help break stigmas. To be recognized with an Effie is humbling and inspiring and fuels our commitment to keep pushing society’s boundaries and perceptions of women and periods.”

As leading feminine care brands that champion womens’ progress, the Intimus and KOTEX brands continue to take steps to innovate our products to meet the needs of modern women while breaking period taboos. This year, Intimus and KOTEX introduced #SheCan – an evolution of the campaign to continue to push for progress.

“Periods are part of being a woman. They do not define who we are or prevent us from achieving what we want in life,” said Samia Chehab, Kimberly-Clark General Manager of Adult and Feminine Care in Latin America. “As a market leader, KOTEX has an obligation to shine a light on those stereotypes that shouldn’t be alive anymore in today’s society. It’s our role to make it easier for future generations of women.”

About Intimus^® and KOTEX^®
Kimberly-Clark created the feminine care category with the launch of the Kotex brand 100 years ago. Now, the Intimus and Kotex brands offer a full line of feminine care pads, liners and tampons, and continue to push category boundaries. Our history has been marked by our efforts to encourage a conversation around periods and remove the barriers society may attempt to place on women because they menstruate. By providing outstanding protection and unique design, the brand brings women a better feminine care experience overall.

About Kimberly-Clark
Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) and its trusted brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries. Fueled by ingenuity, creativity, and an understanding of people’s most essential needs, we create products that help individuals experience more of what’s important to them. Our portfolio of brands, including Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Kotex, Cottonelle, Poise, Depend, Andrex, Pull-Ups, GoodNites, Intimus, Neve, Plenitud, Viva and WypAll, hold the No. 1 or No. 2 share position in 80 countries. We use sustainable practices that support a healthy planet, build stronger communities, and ensure our business thrives for decades to come. To keep up with the latest news and to learn more about the company’s 146-year history of innovation, visit kimberly-clark.com or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

About Effie Worldwide
Effie Worldwide is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that champions the practice and practitioners of marketing effectiveness. Effie Worldwide spotlights marketing ideas that work and encourages thoughtful dialogue around the drivers of marketing effectiveness. The Effie network works with some of the top research and media organizations worldwide to bring its audience relevant insights into effective marketing strategy. Since 1968, the Effie Awards have become known by advertisers and agencies globally as the pre‐eminent award in the industry, and recognize any and all forms of marketing communication that contribute to a brand’s success. Today, Effie celebrates effectiveness worldwide with over 50 global, regional and national programs across Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, Middle East/North Africa and North America. Effie initiatives include the Effie Index, ranking the most effective companies and brands globally and the Effie Case Database. For more details, visit effie.org. Follow @effieawards on Twitter for updates on Effie information, programs and news.

[KMB-B]

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/648588/Kimberly_Clark_RGB_Blue_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Kimberly-Clark

National Domestic Violence Hotline And Avon Partner With Suze Orman To Shed Light On Financial Abuse In Special Video Series “Women Breaking Free: Stories Of Strength From Survivors Of Domestic Violence”

October 8, 2018

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Avon, the Avon Foundation for Women, and The National Domestic Violence Hotline have joined with financial expert Suze Orman to produce a video series featuring empowering stories of women overcoming domestic violence – including one of the least discussed forms of abuse, financial abuse. Women Breaking Free: Stories of Strength from Survivors of Domestic Violence will begin playing on TheHotline.org the first weekend in October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8375452-avon-foundation-for-women-domestic-violence-hotline/

The seven part series is designed to raise awareness of the signs of financial abuse for both victims, as well as friends and family members of victims, and provide tips to overcome it. Financial abuse can have the most devastating and long-lasting impact on the lives of survivors and their families. Financial abuse keeps victims tied to their abusers even when there is nothing physically preventing them from leaving, and can take many different forms. Stories include partners who control their partner’s spending habits, preventing a partner from accessing bank accounts and keeping a partner from having a credit card. TheHotline.org lists ways a partner extends power and control into the area of finances here.

The videos are hosted by Suze Orman, two-time Emmy Award-winning television host, author and motivational speaker. The women, who come from all walks of life, courageously share intimate details of abuse they endured by husbands or boyfriends. Orman provides expert advice and insights that will help all women become strong, smart and secure.

Orman said, “When Avon joined forces with The Hotline and they asked me to interview women who have survived abusive relationships, I said, ‘Count me in!’ NOW is the time for women to stand up for themselves, know who they are, and never, ever, ever be at the hands of an abuser.”

“As the company for women, Avon is committed to inspiring the financial independence, health and wellbeing of women and their families. With one in four women shown to be a victim of domestic violence sometime in her life, that means we all know a mother, a sister, a friend, a daughter who has experienced abuse,” shared Debbie Coffey, Vice President, Corporate Communications, New Avon LLC. “Without adequate economic resources, women are often incapable of breaking free of abusive relationships. Given Avon’s focus on providing economic opportunities, it is only natural that the company is passionate about ending violence against women. We are so proud to partner with The Hotline and Avon Foundation on this project which will inspire women who have been abused to take positive steps forward in financial and physical security.”

The Hotline receives between 1,600 and 2,000 contacts a day from people across the United States seeking support or resources relating to domestic violence. Financial abuse is playing an ever-increasing role in a woman’s inability to leave a relationship. Katie Ray-Jones, Chief Executive Officer of the National Domestic Violence Hotline said, “We wanted to share how pervasive financial abuse is in domestic violence relationships and we felt Suze Orman was the perfect partner to examine this, offer solutions, and show that anything is possible if you believe in yourself. In this video series, we see incredibly brave women come forward and tell their stories of abuse with the hope that by sharing their experience they will help change someone else’s life.”

The series produced by Ten22 Films and Postmodern will post on TheHotline.org. Viewers are encouraged to watch and share the videos via their social media channels using the hashtag #WomenBreakingFree.

For more information on the National Domestic Violence Hotline, please visit www.thehotline.org. Facebook: NationalDomesticViolenceHotline Twitter: @NDVH Instagram: National Domestic Violence Hotline.

About Suze Orman

Suze Orman has been called “a force in the world of personal finance” and a “one-woman financial advice powerhouse” by USA Today. She is a two-time Emmy Award-winning television host and one of the top motivational speakers in the world today.

The single most successful fundraiser in the history of PBS, Orman has received an unprecedented eight Gracie awards, which recognize the nation’s best radio, television, and cable programming by, for, and about women. Twice named to the Time 100 and ranked among the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women by Forbes, Orman was the host of The Suze Orman Show on CNBC for 13 years and a contributing editor to O: The Oprah Magazine for sixteen. She recently released her updated and revised best-seller, Women & Money and is currently a contributing editor to The Costco Connection and the host of the Women & Money podcast.

In 2016, Orman was appointed as the official personal-finance educator for the United States Army and Army Reserve. She also serves as a Special Advocate for the National Domestic Violence Hotline, bringing her message of awareness and empowerment to women who have suffered financial abuse. She grew up on the South Side of Chicago, earned a bachelor’s degree in social work at the University of Illinois and at the age of 30 was still a waitress making $400 a month.

In recognition of her revolutionary contribution to the way Americans think about personal finance, she has received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the University of Illinois and an honorary Doctor of Commercial Science degree from Bentley University. She has also received the National Equality Award from the Human Rights Campaign. Visit suzeorman.com and follow her on Facebook.com/suzeorman and on Twitter: @SuzeOrmanShow.

About New Avon LLC

New Avon LLC (“Avon“) is the leading social selling beauty company in North America, with independent sales Representatives throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. Avon’s portfolio includes award-winning skincare, color cosmetics, fragrance, personal care and health and wellness products featuring brands such as ANEW, Avon True Color, Espira, and Skin So Soft, as well as fashion and accessories. Avon has a 130-year history of empowering women through economic opportunity, and supporting the causes that matter most to women. Avon philanthropy has contributed over $1 billion globally toward eradicating breast cancer and domestic violence. Learn more about Avon and its products at www.avon.com.

About Avon Foundation for Women

The Avon Foundation for Women is committed to supporting issues that matter most to women. Since its inception in 1955, the Avon Foundation has promoted or aided charitable, scientific, educational, and humanitarian activities, with a special emphasis on activities that improve the lives of women and their families. Through 2017, Avon and the Avon Foundation for Women have contributed over $1 billion in over 50 countries to support its efforts to eradicate breast cancer and to help end violence against women and girls worldwide. Today, Avon global cause programs focus on breast health awareness and prevention through the Avon Breast Cancer Promise, and to help end violence through the Avon Promise to Help End Violence Against Women and Girls. Visit www.avonfoundation.org for more information.

About the National Domestic Violence Hotline

The National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline) is a vital service that answers the call to support and shift power back to victims and survivors of relationship abuse through human connection and practical assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The Hotline’s highly-trained, expert advocates provide compassionate support to anyone who reaches out for help with lifesaving resources, safety planning and hope. The Hotline is a non-profit established in 1996 as a component of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

loveisrespect is a project of The Hotline. Its purpose is to engage, educate and empower young people to prevent and end abusive relationships. The organization provides information and support to concerned friends and family members, teachers, counselors, service providers and members of law enforcement. Free and confidential phone, live chat and texting services are available 24/7/365. Advocates provide support through online chat at loveisrespect.org, text (send loveis to 22522*) or phone, 1-866-331-9474.

The Hotline relies on the generous support of individuals, private gifts from corporations and foundations and federal grants. It is funded in part by Grant Number 90EV0407/03 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)/Administration for Children and Families. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Administration for Children and Families or the U.S. Department of HHS.

Contact: Lisa Lawrence
Cell: 803-470-6384
Email: [email protected]

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/356238/Avon_Logo.jpg

SOURCE New Avon LLC; National Domestic Violence Hotline

Calor, App Preventing Heat Illness for Farm Workers, Featured in Apple App Store

October 8, 2018

SHAFTER, Calif., Oct. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — On Sunday, October 7, Apple demonstrated its Apple Watch heath based capabilities by featuring “Calor”, a new app aimed at protecting rural farm workers toiling in summer fields picking the nation’s fruits and vegetables.

Faith Florez testing Calor app in the fields.

Calor, conceptualized and created by 18-year-old Faith Florez, alerts farm workers about their health in hot weather. From 1992 through 2016, exposure to excessive environmental heat killed 783 U.S. workers and injured over 69,000 workers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Farm workers are especially vulnerable because they are often poor and are afraid to take the breaks for water and shade that they are entitled to.

Calor helps protect workers with an Apple Watch app that alerts them of weather conditions and when to hydrate and take legally mandated breaks. It allows workers to receive notifications with educational videos about what to wear, eat, and drink to prepare for a shift in the fields. The app also functions as an emergency hotline to 911 if a worker is in need of medical assistance in often remote fields.

This app is the first project of the Latina Legacy Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization founded by Florez, to empower young women to address social justice issues in Latino communities. In 2017, Florez was named a national HERLead Fellow, allowing access to initial funding for Spanish and English language videos. Florez also worked with a team of student developers at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering to code the original concept app.

Florez spent her childhood in Shafter, California, a small farming community in the Central Valley. The USC freshman is descended from farm workers, and her great-grandmother died of heat illness.

“Being able to create Calor is meaningful for me and my family. I have always heard about the dangers in the fields from my elders, and my great-grandma paid the ultimate sacrifice for her work. I want to make sure that other families don’t have to endure that pain and that workers do not have to sacrifice their health for their work,” Florez said.

Florez has raised over $60,000 to launch Calor, and the funds raised were used to partner with FocusMotion to develop a unique, qualified methodology for tracking farm worker health and activity, creating an efficient solution that benefits both the farmers and the workers. Calor has been piloted on three farms in California’s Central Valley.

LINK: https://calorapp.org/

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/765616/Latina_Legacy_Foundation_Faith_Florez.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/765617/Latina_Legacy_Foundation_Calor_App.jpg

Calor App poster

SOURCE Latina Legacy Foundation

Colgate® Optic White® to Bring High Impact Smiles to Hispanicize LA 2018

October 8, 2018

Hispanicize_Press_Release

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Latinx trendsetters will discover the science behind Colgate® Optic White®’s line of whitening products at Hispanicize LA, taking place at the Intercontinental Hotel in Century City from October 11-13, 2018. During this cultural event, Colgate® Optic White® will show attendees how the unique toothpaste formula works to whiten teeth, and provide the opportunity to meet YouTube and Instagram beauty expert Laura Sanchez to maintain their smile style and actor and singer Vadhir Derbez to keep everyone smiling.

Now in its 9th year, Hispanicize 2018 is the largest event for Latino trendsetters and newsmakers in digital content creation, journalism, marketing, entertainment and tech entrepreneurship. This year’s Hispanicize LA “Hispanic Heritage” edition will celebrate the spirit of being Latino and serve as a forum for launching marketing and social media trends. Colgate® Optic White® will join a variety of consumer brands at the conference looking to engage and capture the attention of the Latino market.

Everyone knows ordinary whitening toothpastes don’t always deliver the results you want or expect, but Colgate® Optic White® High Impact White® toothpaste is not ordinary. It contains hydrogen peroxide that goes below the tooth surface to deeply whiten. The Colgate® Optic White® booth will show the science behind the whitening products within the brand’s repertoire through an on-site demonstration, interactive elements and a unique photo opportunity for attendees to capture their Sonrisa Colgate.

“Colgate Optic White is thrilled to be part of this year’s Hispanicize LA event,” said Bill Van de Graaf, Vice President and General Manager, North America Oral Care Marketing at Colgate-Palmolive. “We’re always looking to connect with people who are celebrating their culture and finding new reasons to smile.”

Follow the conversation from Hispanicize LA at @SonrisaColgate on Twitter and @Colgate on Instagram, and follow Laura Sanchez at @laura_makeup and Vadhir Derbez at @vadhird.

About Colgate-Palmolive
Colgate-Palmolive is a leading global consumer products company, tightly focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition. Colgate sells its products in over 200 countries and territories around the world under such internationally recognized brand names as Colgate, Palmolive, Speed Stick, Lady Speed Stick, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Protex, Sorriso, Kolynos, elmex, Tom’s of Maine, Sanex, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Soupline, and Suavitel, as well as Hill’s Science Diet, Hill’s Prescription Diet and Hill’s Ideal Balance. For more information about Colgate’s global business, visit the Company’s web site at colgatepalmolive.com. To learn more about Colgate’s global oral health education program, Bright Smiles, Bright Futures™, please visit colgatebsbf.com.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/765639/Hispanicize_Press_Release.jpg

SOURCE Colgate-Palmolive

“The U.S. Mail Is Not For Sale”

October 8, 2018

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — United States Postal Service employees, joined by community supporters who oppose selling off the Postal Service to a private corporation, will rally at 140 sites across the nation on Monday, Oct 8. Among them are rallies scheduled for Chicago and Philadelphia that will include several members of Congress and a Washington, D.C. rally on Freedom Plaza, two blocks from the White House. Click here for a list of rallies.

Participants in Monday’s event, who will be carrying signs reading “the U.S. mail is not for sale,” are sounding an alarm against a proposal – announced in June by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) – to privatize the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). The White House’s blueprint to “reform” government services claims – with no evidence – that the USPS “can no longer support” the current universal service requirement that requires daily mail delivery, six days a week, to 157 million U.S. addresses. Additionally, the report previewed likely recommendations from a presidential task force that would include selling off the USPS. The task force report that was due on the president’s desk August 10 has not yet been released.

Left unsaid is that any selloff would lead to both higher prices and service cutbacks for customers. When the United Kingdom privatized postal services for example, rates rose 80 percent and many post office branches were closed.

“We’re not waiting to see the task force report. The administration has already indicated where they’re headed,” American Postal Workers Union President Mark Dimondstein said. “Private companies are going to raid the precious resources of the people’s Postal Service, which has only grown more valuable due to the growth of ecommerce. Then these companies are going to raise prices, cut service and leave rural communities isolated, senior citizens stranded and many businesses without a reliable means of reaching their customers.”

According to a Pew Research Center poll conducted earlier this year, the Post Office gets the highest ratings of any major government agency, with 88 percent of Americans expressing satisfaction.

“We’re grateful for the strong support for a vital, public U.S. Postal Service,” National Association of Letter Carriers President Fredric Rolando said. “We’re going to ask all candidates for the House and Senate – incumbent or challenger, Republican, Democrat or Independent – where they stand on this issue. Are you with the people, standing up for quality service, strong communities and good jobs? Or are you with the privatizers, who will raise prices, cut service and hurt residents and communities across the country?”

Opposition is mounting in Congress to selling off a service that has such strong public support across party lines. A majority of the House of Representatives, 219 members from both sides of the aisle, are co-sponsoring a House resolution calling for the USPS to remain “an independent establishment of the Federal Government… not subject to privatization.” And a Senate resolution already has a near-majority.

The Postal Service, which is based in the Constitution, delivers 40 percent of the world’s mail without receiving a dime in taxpayer dollars.

SOURCE National Association of Letter Carriers

FALL BACK IN LOVE WITH YOUR HOME THIS AUTUMN!

October 8, 2018

NEW YORK, Oct. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — As temperatures cool and the dog days of summer become a distant memory, it’s time to pull out your fall checklist. Spring isn’t the only ideal time for a home spruce up. Tackling some household chores before the days get shorter will ensure you’re ready for the cold days ahead and prevent some unwelcomed surprises next spring. While this can seem like a stressful undertaking, creating an autumn home makeover plan is easier than you think. DIY and design expert Martin Amado has made a career of helping people fall in love (and back in love) with their homes and he’s sharing his tips to help homeowners brave their own DIY fall updates and winter preparations.

Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/83848241-design-expert-tips-for-your-home-this-autumn/

Safety first: Did you know that three in five home fire deaths are the result of fires in homes without smoke alarms, or with no working smoke alarms? Often times this is due to missing alarm batteries from intentional device deactivation. Fire Prevention Month in October is the perfect time to take stock of your home’s safety by testing alarms to ensure that batteries and devices are functioning properly. Replace any alarms that are outdated and install new alarms in your home—which should be located on every level and in every bedroom of the home. The First Alert 10-Year Smoke Alarm (PRC710v) is a low-profile, combination photoelectric smoke and carbon monoxide alarm that features a sealed, 10-year battery that eliminates the need to replace the batteries for the life of the alarm and can be programmed to give voice alerts to indicate the type and location of detected threat.
Refresh: Give rooms a facelift by switching out the old carpeting. Opt for a hypoallergenic option to help you enjoy the comfort of the carpet, while not worrying about its allergens, microbes and odors. HOMEFresh, it’s the world’s first and only hypoallergenic and odor-neutralizing carpet. It is welcome news for anyone who suffers from asthma or allergies, or for people who want a cleaner home. It’s 100% hypoallergenic and mold and mildew resistant, so dust and allergens are vacuumed easier. Plus, a natural mineral is infused into the carpet’s fibers to help neutralize household odors from pets, smoking and cooking. Its exclusively sold at Empire Today.
Mind your peepers: Short and frigid days mean we’ll be spending a lot more time indoors. Switch to lightbulbs that are easy on the eyes because poor quality light can cause unnecessary eye strain. With Philips LEDs with a warm glow dimming effect, you can create the perfect ambiance without sacrificing the quality of your light and while enjoying the energy-savings of LEDs. The more you dim the bulbs, the warmer the light becomes, similar to the tones of incandescent light bulbs. They are also designed to meet specific quality criteria, so they are comfortable for your eyes as you dim from the highest setting to the lowest. Making simple décor improvements and taking better care of yourself is as easy as changing a light bulb.
Cozy corner: Keep your house cozy during the long, cold months ahead. Have a basket with comfy throws and blankets for those colder nights and curl up with a book or a movie. Also, to keep the kids entertained, the all-new Fire HD 8 Kids Edition gives kids freedom to explore, while giving parents peace of mind knowing that what their kids are viewing is age-appropriate. It is the latest version of Amazon’s best-selling kids tablet and comes with a kid-proof case, 2-year worry-free guarantee, and one-year subscription to FreeTime Unlimited, giving kids access to thousands of kid-friendly books, videos, educational apps, and games in both Spanish and English. Plus with FreeTime parental controls, parents can manage settings such as setting time limits, adjusting age filters, and more. All for $129.99

For more great tips please visit betterstuffforlife.com

SOURCE MultiVu

New Cookbook from Celebrity Chef Ingrid Hoffmann and the ADA Gives Your Favorite Latin Comfort Foods a Diabetes-Friendly Makeover

October 8, 2018

MIAMI, Oct. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Whether you’re Latino or not, chances are you have a special place in your heart for the delicious foods of the culture. From hearty stews, to savory rice-and-beans dishes, to creamy guacamole, these familiar flavors signify comfort and tradition. But if you have diabetes, you may think you have to avoid these traditional comfort foods. Not true, says celebrity chef Ingrid Hoffmann—and to prove it, she has partnered with the American Diabetes Association to write a new cookbook full of healthier versions of beloved Latin dishes.

“Traditionally prepared Latin foods tend to be carb heavy, deep fried, and full of salt and fat,” says Hoffmann, cooking personality and author of Latin Comfort Foods Made Healthy: More Than 100 Diabetes-Friendly Latin Favorites. “This is a major concern for people with diabetes or prediabetes. But you don’t have to say goodbye to your favorite flavors just try their healthier easy-to-prepare versions instead!”

Diabetes is an urgent problem in the Hispanic/Latin communities. 12.8 percent of Hispanic adults in the United States live with diabetes. With a focus on pure and clean ingredients and staying within the guidelines of the ADA, Hoffmann has transformed traditional Latin favorites into nutritious, diabetes-friendly meals.

Not only has Hoffmann developed healthful and delicious versions of traditional Latin comfort foods, she really practices what she preaches. A self-described “Lupus warrior,” Hoffmann has experienced firsthand the healing power of food. Her research led her to embrace an alkaline diet that allowed her to get off her medications and live a happy, active, and delicioso life. The recipes in Latin Comfort Foods Made Healthy demonstrate Hoffmann’s philosophy of easy, simple recipes with a healthy twist. In the book, you’ll find a variety of popular Latin dishes, including oatmeal arepas breakfast bread, exciting appetizers such as corn and cheese phyllo empanadas, cucumber guacamole, filling soups including Colombian chicken ajiaco, green chile pork posole, and beef sancocho.

The book includes sweet treats like Mexican chocolate cookies and much more!

More information
Dream Team Agency
[email protected]

SOURCE Ingrid Hoffmann

Ismael Cala Foundation and Westfield Business School will grant MBA scholarships to students from the USA and Latin America

October 7, 2018

MIAMI, Oct. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Ismael Cala Foundation (ICF) and Westfield Business School (WBS), have partnered to help our youth in developing their highest potential by providing new scholarships to Hispanic professionals from Florida, in the USA. This is part of the many projects that will originate from this successful teamwork agreement signed last April.

Last Tuesday, at the end of the second round of competition, Ismael Cala gave away seven MBA and Executive MBA scholarships to Hispanics residing in Florida, and they are 90% financed.

At the same time, a third competition is coming soon, created to assist four organizations allied to the ICF in Latin America: World Vision (Mexico), Fundación Jean Maggi (Argentina), Aprendo & Emprendo (Venezuela) and Junior Achievement (Honduras). Five MBA scholarships and an equal number of Executive MBA scholarships were awarded, financed up to 75%, this will enable winners to identify opportunities, create innovative projects, and face challenges in a constantly evolving corporate environment.

The Ismael Cala Foundation aims to bring support to disadvantaged children, teenagers and youngsters from the Latin American and Hispanic communities in the USA. The main goal is to give them a chance to become educated leaders, emotionally balanced and with a great willingness to succeed in life. To achieve its mission, the ICF has created several programs, including Channeling Scholarships, in partnership with educational institutions, companies and other social development organizations that serve the same purpose.

Westfield Business School is positioned as a Global Business School that offers MBA and Executive MBA programs fully in Spanish and partially online. WBS connects its students and graduates to the world through strategic alliances with the Munich Business School, Alcalá Global School, Ivey Business School of Western University, Kellogg School of Management of Northwestern University, and the Polytechnic University of Madrid. WBS is also deeply committed to improving the lives of its students.

“We do not want to train directors in the same way that traditional business schools do; we want to train human beings to be able to lead successful and profitable businesses that have a positive impact on the environment and on the community,” WBS’ President, Carlos Mazo, said.

SOURCE Cala Enterprises

Consult an Eye Care Professional if Your Halloween Costume Includes Scary Eyes

October 5, 2018

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 5, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Creepy costume lenses might add a spine-tingling thrill to your Halloween costume, but wearing costume contact lenses without a prescription can lead to serious eye infections or permanent vision loss. Decorative lenses are medical devices, not costume jewelry. They must be prescribed and fitted by an eye care professional, just like regular contact lenses. That’s why the American Academy of Ophthalmology is urging people to buy decorative contact lenses only from retailers who require a prescription and sell FDA-approved products.

A poorly fitted contact lens can easily scrape the cornea, the outer layer of the eye, making the eye more vulnerable to infection-causing bacteria and viruses. Sometimes scarring from an infection is so bad, a corneal transplant is required to restore vision. The most extreme cases can end in blindness.

Although it is illegal to sell non-prescription contact lenses, they are available at costume shops, gas stations, corner shops, and online. Research shows that people who purchase contacts without a prescription face a 16-fold increased risk of developing an infection.¹

Mamie Gaye, 19, is one of those people. She wanted blue eyes, so she purchased a pair of colored contact lenses at her local beauty shop in Cleveland. There was no indication on the package that she needed a prescription. After wearing them for about a week, her eyes were red, burning, and sensitive to light. She had to go to the emergency room just to get them removed. She was terrified that she was going blind. Fortunately, the scratch on her eyes healed after a few days of treatment with antibiotic eye drops.

“My advice to friends is to never buy contact lenses without a prescription, no matter how beautiful you think they will make you,” Gaye said. “It’s not worth it.”

The Academy offers the following tips to help ensure your Halloween costume won’t haunt you long after Oct. 31:

See an eye care professional to get a prescription for costume contact lenses. Packaging that claims “one size fits all” or “no need to see an eye doctor” is false. Get properly fitted by an ophthalmologist (physicians and surgeons who specialize in medical and surgical eye care) or optometrist (healthcare professionals who provide primary vision care).
Properly care for contact lenses. Even if you have a prescription for contact lenses, proper care remains essential. Watch this video to learn the eight steps to protect your eyes from contact lens infections.
Never share contacts. Pink eye isn’t a good look, even for a costume. Sharing contacts can spread germs, causing conditions such as pink eye, which is highly contagious.
Spread the word to others about the dangers of costume contacts. Don’t let friends make the mistake of wearing costume contacts without a prescription.

“The FDA oversees the safety and effectiveness of all contact lenses because they are a medical device, even the ghoulish ones people wear on Halloween,” said Thomas L. Steinemann, M.D., a clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “It’s important that you use only FDA-approved lenses prescribed for your eyes.”

Find more information about eye health and how to protect your eyes on the Academy’s EyeSmart website.

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.

¹ Sauer, A., & Bourcier, T. 2011. Microbial keratitis as a foreseeable complication of cosmetic contact lenses: A prospective study. Acta Ophthalmologica 89 5, pp. e439-e422. DOI:10.1111/j.1755-3768.2011.02120.x

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SOURCE American Academy of Ophthalmology

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