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National Park Foundation Announces $500,000 Grant for Yellowstone National Park

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Cutthroat_trout_spawning_above_Trout_Lake

WASHINGTON, June 29, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — As part of a multi-year effort to protect the native cutthroat trout population at Yellowstone National Park, the National Park Foundation announced today a $500,000 grant to the local philanthropic organization Yellowstone Forever for the park’s Native Fish Conservation Plan, thanks to generous funding from Julia and George Argyros.

“The Argyros family’s support exemplifies the power of philanthropy,” said Will Shafroth, president of the National Park Foundation. “Inspired by their love of fishing, Julia and George are helping to revive a once thriving native fish population that is such a critical part of the park.”

Following the introduction of nonnative lake, brown, brook, and rainbow trout species, the native cutthroat trout population has declined significantly, leading to the displacement of several cutthroat consumers such as bears, otters, ospreys, and eagles. For example, cutthroat trout numbers in Yellowstone Lake decreased about 90% from an estimated 4+ million following the introduction of predatory lake trout in the late 1980s. To restore cutthroat trout in Yellowstone Lake to mid-1990s levels and address the continued loss of native fish species at the park, the Native Fish Conservation Plan focuses on restoring the natural ecology, ensuring the health of native biodiversity, and enhancing sport fisheries in the park.

“This generous donation, and others over the past decade, are really making a difference,” said Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Dan Wenk. “The park has made progress removing nonnative fish from lakes, rivers, and streams, but we can’t stop now in our effort to restore these essential aquatic systems.”

For Julia Argyros, protecting native fish populations is close to her heart. As an avid fisher, she established a fly-fishing school for women in Sun Valley, Idaho.

“Because of my passion for fishing, I understand the importance of native species and how we can all help with their preservation,” said Julia Argyros, president of the Argyros Family Foundation. “My family and I are honored to support these critical efforts to save the cutthroat trout at Yellowstone National Park.”

The Argyros family’s donation is part of the National Park Foundation’s Centennial Campaign for America’s National Parks. To date, this comprehensive fundraising campaign to strengthen and enhance the future of America’s treasured national parks has raised more than $500 million in private donations from individuals, foundations, and companies.

“Private philanthropy moves this much-needed preservation project forward,” said Al Baldwin, chairman of the National Park Foundation’s Centennial Campaign for America’s National Parks. “Thanks to partners like the Argyros family, Yellowstone’s work to protect one of the country’s most important fisheries continues.”

ABOUT JULIA AND GEORGE ARGYROS
Julia Argyros, along with her husband George, have long been respected pillars of the Orange County, California, business and philanthropic communities, donating time, wisdom and money to causes that are close to their hearts, including health care, education, conservation, high-risk and high-need children, and the arts. Julia Argyros is a passionate philanthropist who has been widely recognized for her dedication to volunteerism and community service. She also established a fly-fishing school for women in Sun Valley, Idaho, and is credentialed in elementary, speech therapy and hard-of-hearing education. Julia and George have been married for 56 years and have three grown children and nine wonderful grandchildren. Their commitment to family is as strong as their belief in the importance of giving back to their community and making a difference in the future of Orange County.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION
Celebrating 50 years, the National Park Foundation is the official charity of America’s national parks and nonprofit partner to the National Park Service. Chartered by Congress in 1967, the National Park Foundation raises private funds to help PROTECT more than 84 million acres of national parks through critical conservation and preservation efforts, CONNECT all Americans with their incomparable natural landscapes, vibrant culture and rich history, and ENGAGE the next generation of park stewards.  In 2016, commemorating the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary, the Foundation launched The Centennial Campaign for America’s National Parks, a comprehensive fundraising campaign to strengthen and enhance the future of these national treasures for the next hundred years.  Find out more and become a part of the national park community at www.nationalparks.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Alanna Sobel
202-796-2538
[email protected]

National Park Foundation.

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Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/330526/national_park_foundation.jpg

SOURCE National Park Foundation

Boys & Girls Clubs of America And CC Sabathia Host “Triple Play Day” To Enable Youth To Take Charge Of Their Health

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Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA)

ATLANTA, June 29, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia joined Boys & Girls Clubs of America to lead a series of wellness activities for more than 200 youth at Alfred E. Smith Recreation Center in New York City yesterday, June 28, 2018. The event, Triple Play Day, kicked off a series of events taking place at Boys & Girls Clubs across the nation to elevate the importance of youth development during out-of-school time in addressing health outcomes in America.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA)

Despite a consistent upward trend for life expectancy during the past thousand years, today’s rates of chronic disease and health crises, like opioid addiction, put the U.S. in a position to face a potential decline in life expectancy. A variety of factors contribute to a person’s overall health and risk for health concerns. Research shows that certain factors, like socio-economic status and environmental factors or social determinants of health (where you live, work, learn, play) can have a profound impact – especially on adolescents who are particularly sensitive to negative social and environmental conditions. Young people growing up in communities facing higher rates of negative factors, like safety concerns and trauma, and greater social and economic barriers, are most at-risk.

Through the Triple Play program, Boys & Girls Clubs of America seeks to level the playing field to enable all youth to reach their full potential as healthy, productive adults. Triple Play is designed to deliver health promotion and programming to help youth create opportunities to take charge of their personal health and wellness. Through a ‘whole child’ approach, the program teaches the importance of physical activity and proper nutrition, and enables youth to build the social and emotional skills needed to overcome environmental factors that can negatively impact health and wellness.

Sponsored by Anthem Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Anthem, Inc., and The Coca-Cola Company, the program ensures youth have opportunities to practice these skillsets within a safe and supportive environment, which enables them to transfer and apply them in their home, school and community settings.

“I’m lucky to have been surrounded by a supportive community and ample resources that allowed me to form a healthy lifestyle at a young age at my Boys & Girls Club. As an alum, I’m excited to team up with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to inspire the next generation of kids to prioritize health and wellness in their lives,” said CC Sabathia.

During Triple Play Day, CC Sabathia brought the program to life with fun and engaging activities based on its three primary pillars: Healthy Habits (Mind), Daily Challenges (Body), and Social Recreation (Soul). Activities included: 

  • Super Snacks Kids Cooking Challenge: Youth were given supplies and ingredients with the challenge of creating an “After-school Snack.” Teams were responsible for preparing, “plating” and presenting their after-school snack.
  • Super Fitness Superhero Challenge: Each child created a superhero persona and then completed an obstacle course utilizing his or her powers.
  • Super Quest “Crack the Case” Challenge: Youth were given a case they had to work together to solve. As they solved various components of the case, they were given additional clues to ultimately crack the case.

During the event, CC Sabathia was also honored with the Anthem Health Champion award, which serves to raise awareness about critical health issues and recognize individuals who are making a significant difference as role models, leading a healthy, active lifestyle and inspiring others to do the same.

“At Anthem we are committed to creating a better healthcare experience for all including the communities where we live and work,” said Peter Haytaian, executive vice president and president, commercial and specialty business at Anthem. “The Foundation’s collaboration with Boys & Girls Clubs of America and support of their Triple Play program is one more example of how we are working together to help provide greater access to programs and resources that teach youth across the country the benefits of physical activity and how it can lead to a healthier lifestyle.”

“At The Coca-Cola Company, we believe that our business can only be as strong as the communities we serve, and that is why we have proudly supported the Boys & Girls Clubs of America for the past 72 years”, said Erika Von Heiland Strader, Director Community Marketing, Coca-Cola North America.  “Boys & Girls Clubs of America is one of this country’s most important youth-serving agencies, helping strengthen local communities by providing support and role models for young men and women through more than 4,000 Clubs across the country.”

Through Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth Outcomes Initiative, which measures Club and program impact using a common set of research-informed indicators, research shows that Boys & Girls Clubs offering the Triple Play program have seen significant improvements in the health-related habits of its Club members.

“Triple Play has a proven track record of helping kids improve their health and wellbeing by making positive decisions – from abstaining from alcohol and drug use to becoming more physically active,” said Jim Clark, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “Through Triple Play Day and events nationwide, we’re continuing our commitment to building a healthier generation. With CC Sabathia by our side, and the commitment of partners like Anthem Foundation and The Coca-Cola Company, our Club members will be inspired by their own potential to do great things.”

For more information on the Triple Play program, go to www.bgca.org/tripleplay.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America 
For more than 150 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (bgca.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, 4,400 Clubs serve four million young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in Boys & Girls Clubs of America-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.  Learn more at http://www.bgca.org/facebook and http://bgca.org/twitter.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/370739/boys___girls_clubs_of_america_logo.jpg

SOURCE Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Stylish, Efficient and Affordable: 2019 Honda Insight Hybrid Goes On Sale

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The sharply styled, tech-savvy and highly fuel efficient 2019 Honda Insight goes on-sale at dealerships today.

TORRANCE, California, June 29, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The sharply styled, tech-savvy and highly fuel efficient 2019 Honda Insight goes on-sale at dealerships today, offering customers a premium driving experience, exceptional fuel economy ratings and advanced standard safety features with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting at $22,830 (excluding $895 destination and handling)1.

The sharply styled, tech-savvy and highly fuel efficient 2019 Honda Insight goes on-sale at dealerships today.

The 2019 Insight combines best-in-class passenger space, premium interior appointments, upscale styling and a driving experience that far exceeds its hybrid competition. With 151 horsepower, Insight offers brisk acceleration, yet receives an EPA city rating of 55 mpg2 (LX/EX trims). Additionally, its comparatively low starting price and generous level of standard equipment mean Insight buyers don’t have to compromise to save fuel.

Available in LX, EX, and Touring trims, all Insight trims come standard with multi-element LED headlights, push-button start, a digital driver’s meter and the Honda Sensing® suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies. Among other features, Insight EX adds an 8-inch Display Audio with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ integration, while Insight Touring adds leather seating surfaces, an 8-way power driver’s seat, Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™, dual-zone automatic climate control and more.

2019 Insight Pricing & EPA Ratings

Trim

MSRP1

MSRP
Including
$895
Destination

EPA Fuel Economy Ratings

(city / highway / combined)2

LX

$22,830

$23,725

55/49/52

EX

$24,060

$24,995

55/49/52

Touring

$28,090

$28,985

51/45/48

For more information as well as high-resolution photography and video, please visit http://hondanews.com/honda-automobiles/channels/insight. Consumer information is available at http://automobiles.honda.com/insight. To join the Insight community on Facebook, visit https://www.facebook.com/hondainsight.

About Honda

Honda offers a full line of reliable, fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive vehicles with advanced safety technologies sold through over 1,000 independent U.S. Honda dealers. The Honda lineup includes the Fit, Civic, Accord and Clarity series passenger cars, along with the HR-V, CR-V and Pilot sport/utility vehicles, the Ridgeline pickup and the Odyssey minivan.

Honda has been producing automobiles in America for 35 years and currently operates 19 major manufacturing facilities in North America. In 2016, more than 95% of all Honda and Acura vehicles sold in the U.S. were made in North America, using domestic and globally sourced parts.

_____________________________________
1
MSRP plus $895 destination charge, excluding tax, license, registration and options. Dealer prices may vary.

2 Based on 2019 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, lithium-ion battery pack age/condition and other factors.

Honda Logo.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/712761/The_2019_Honda_Insight_Goes_On_Sale.jpg 
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/460855/american_honda_motor_co_inc_logo.jpg

SOURCE American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Makita Hits The Road With Driving Innovation Tour™

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Makita is hitting the road with the Driving Innovation Tour, a new fleet of custom vehicles traveling across America and bringing tool users an interactive tool demonstration on wheels. (PRNewsfoto/Makita)

LA MIRADA, California, June 28, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Makita®, a leader in cordless tool technology, is hitting the road with the new Driving Innovation Tour™, a fleet of fully-custom vehicles with product specialists delivering an interactive and hands-on experience for tool users and dealers.

An Interactive Tool Demonstration on Wheels

Makita is hitting the road with the Driving Innovation Tour, a new fleet of custom vehicles traveling across America and bringing tool users an interactive tool demonstration on wheels. (PRNewsfoto/Makita)

The Driving Innovation Tour will engage tool users and dealers across America. The fleet of fully-custom vehicles will each carry a full range of Makita LXT®, which gives users ONE SYSTEM using the same batteries and chargers on all LXT tools. The Tour delivers a 360-degree experience with the very latest in cordless innovation with hands-on demonstrations, sweepstakes, giveaways, and promotions.

“Makita made a significant commitment and investment in the Driving Innovation Tour to bring our leading LXT technology to users and dealers so they can experience Makita innovation hands-on,” said Brent Withey, Sr. Director of Brand Marketing, Makita U.S.A., Inc. “The number of Tour events will reach well into the 4-figures each year as we bring this mobile experience to our user and dealer audiences where they work and where they learn, and even where they play as the Tour will make stops at Makita sponsored events off the job site.”

Cordless Leadership

The Driving Innovation Tour is mobile demonstration of Makita’s leadership in the cordless tool category.  Makita created the 18V lithium-ion tool category in 2005, and today LXT is ONE SYSTEM that will offer over 200 cordless solutions in 2018, the world’s largest cordless tool system powered by 18V lithium-ion slide-style batteries.  Each Driving Innovation Tour vehicle packs a full range of Makita LXT tools, power equipment and lifestyle solutions, offering users and dealers an opportunity to experience Makita’s vision of a cordless job site.

“Did we sweat the details? Absolutely yes,” said Withey.  “The Driving Innovation Tour is a mobile environment that is consistent with the Makita legacy of leading engineering.  And it’s built for constant movement, so be on the lookout for this mobile experience in your region.”

For more on the Makita Driving Innovation Tour visit www.makitatools.com/drivinginnovation

About Makita

Makita® is a worldwide manufacturer of industrial power tools, power equipment, and pneumatics, and offers a wide range of industrial accessories. Makita U.S.A., Inc. is located in La Mirada, California, and operates an extensive distribution network throughout the U.S. Call 800/4‐MAKITA or visit makitatools.com. Find Makita on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube @makitatools

Consumer Inquiries:
Phone: (800)4-MAKITA
www.makitatools.com 

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/712375/MakitaDIT_1500x1500px.jpg 

SOURCE Makita

American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society® (AOFAS) Reveals New Branding

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american_orthopaedic_foot___ankle_society

ROSEMONT, Illinois, June 28, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society® (AOFAS), the leading organization for lower extremity medicine and foot and ankle surgery, launched a new look and tagline after more than a year of strategic research and planning.

As part of the rebranding initiative, AOFAS developed a new logo that emphasizes the Society’s name and acronym in a clear, concise, and contemporary manner. The Society envisioned a tagline that would complement the logo and reflect the strengths of its members, resulting in the phrase: Dynamic. Decisive. Dedicated. A new statement was developed that articulates the organization’s purpose even further:

The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society mobilizes our dynamic community of foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons to improve patient care through education, research, and advocacy.

“We made these significant changes to the AOFAS brand in order to reflect our organization’s growth as well as our ambitious plans for the future,” stated Thomas H. Lee, MD, president of the AOFAS Board of Directors. “We believe the new brand captures the essential qualities that make AOFAS so important for our members and the patients they serve. It’s meaningful. It’s relevant. It’s inspirational.”

The new brand and visual identity was introduced to AOFAS members and supporters in early 2018 and will be highlighted at AOFAS Annual Meeting 2018 in Boston, Mass. July 11-14, 2018. In addition to revealing the new brand, the organization plans to launch a newly designed website later this year.

To view and learn more about the new AOFAS brand, visit aofas.org/brand.

About Foot and Ankle Orthopaedic Surgeons
Foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons are medical doctors (MD and DO) who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders and injuries of the foot and ankle. Their education and training consists of four years of medical school, five years of postgraduate residency, and a fellowship year of specialized surgical training. These specialists care for patients of all ages, performing reconstructive surgery for deformities and arthritis, treating sports injuries, and managing foot and ankle trauma.

About the AOFAS
The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) mobilizes our dynamic community of foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons to improve patient care through education, research, and advocacy. As the premier global organization for foot and ankle care, AOFAS delivers exceptional events and resources for continuous education, funds and promotes innovative research, and broadens patient understanding of foot and ankle conditions and treatments. By emphasizing collaboration and excellence, AOFAS inspires ever-increasing levels of professional performance leading to improved patient outcomes. For more information visit the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society online at aofas.org.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/328804/american_orthopaedic_foot___ankle_society.jpg

SOURCE American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society

Refreshed 2019 Pilot and HR-V to Further Strengthen Award-Winning Honda SUV Lineup

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Honda will celebrate summer with the launch of significantly refreshed versions of its 8-passenger Pilot SUV and subcompact HR-V SUV.

TORRANCE, California, June 28, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ —  Honda will celebrate summer with the launch of significantly refreshed versions of its 8-passenger Pilot SUV and subcompact HR-V SUV, both featuring freshened styling, noteworthy powertrain refinements and major connected-car technology upgrades, including available new Display Audio systems with a physical volume knob, and Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ integration. In addition, Pilot and HR-V also benefit from the expanded application of Honda Sensing®, which will now be standard equipment on all Pilots, and on EX and higher grades of HR-V. The new Pilot and HR-V will go on-sale at Honda dealerships on July 16 and July 24, respectively.

Honda will celebrate summer with the launch of significantly refreshed versions of its 8-passenger Pilot SUV and subcompact HR-V SUV.

With the addition of Honda Sensing® to the HR-V, Honda’s advanced safety and driver-assistive technology will now be available or standard equipment on every nameplate in the Honda lineup, as the company moves toward its goal of 100 percent standard application of Honda Sensing® to all vehicles sold in the U.S. by 2022.

“The continued fortification of the Honda light truck lineup with the refreshed 2019 Pilot and HR-V further enhances our already award-winning lineup of Honda SUVs,” said Henio Arcangeli, Jr., senior vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. and general manager of the Honda Division. “With application to HR-V, Honda Sensing is now available or standard on every Honda model, which is both an incredible benefit to our customers and increased value over the competition.”

Honda-brand light-truck sales are up 1.9 percent this year to 300,159 units through the end of May as Honda targets a fifth consecutive yearly sales record in 2018. For the first time in the brand’s history, Honda light trucks are expected to outsell Honda passenger cars this year on the way to another all-time light-truck sales record. Honda-brand light-truck sales growth is led by a 41 percent jump in sales of Pilot through the end of May on improved supply resulting from a major increase in Pilot production at the company’s Lincoln, Alabama plant, which now produces Pilot on a dedicated production line, alongside the Ridgeline pickup and Odyssey minivan, manufactured on a second production line.

All Honda SUVs, minivans and pickups are produced in North America using domestic and globally-sourced parts, with more than 60 percent in the U.S. at plants in Lincoln, Alabama, in Greensburg, Indiana and in East Liberty, Ohio. The Odyssey, Pilot and Ridgeline recently took three of the top 10 spots in Cars.com’s 2018 American-Made Index. The company will add production of CR-V, America’s best-selling SUV over the past 22 years, to a fourth North American plant, in Marysville, Ohio, later this year.

2019 Honda Pilot
The 2019 Pilot brings a long list of upgrades to Honda’s award-winning 8-passenger SUV, including more aggressive exterior styling, an available new hands-free power tailgate and significant refinements to its 9-speed automatic transmission (available in Touring and Elite trims). Major available technology upgrades include 4G LTE in-car Wi-Fi, a larger Rear Entertainment System with Blu-Ray™ and streaming video capability, Honda’s innovative CabinTalk™ in-car PA system and smartphone-enabled CabinControl™ app, along with a new Display Audio touchscreen system with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ integration, over-the-air updates and a volume knob.

Consistent with Honda’s previously announced plan to make Honda Sensing® standard equipment on all models and trims within the next four years, the 2019 Pilot adopts the Honda Sensing® suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technology as standard equipment on all grades.

The many upgrades reinforce Pilot’s fundamental capabilities while augmenting the state-of-the-art technology and family-friendly character that has made it one of the most popular midsize 3-row SUVs. Pilot also remains one of the few models in the segment to offer 8-passenger seating. Full details of the 2019 Pilot refresh will be available when it goes on sale July 16.

2019 HR-V
The 2019 Honda HR-V expands its appeal as a versatile and sporty 5-door subcompact SUV with the addition of new Sport and Touring trims, refreshed styling, new technology including an available new Display Audio system with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ integration and a more refined driving experience. The freshened HR-V also benefits from refinements to its standard Continuously Variable automatic Transmission (CVT) and available Real Time all-wheel drive system, additional sound deadening features and the addition of variable-ratio electric power steering.

The 2019 HR-V is also available for the first time with Honda Sensing® safety and driver-assistive technology, standard on EX and higher trims. The addition of Honda Sensing® to HR-V means all Honda models, from the fun and affordable Fit to the amazingly capable Ridgeline pickup, are available with Honda’s advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies. Honda Sensing® is a more robust system of technologies than key competitors and includes Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). Full details of the 2019 HR-V refresh will be available when it goes on sale July 24.

For More Information
Additional media information and high-resolution photography is available at hondanews.com. Consumer information is available at automobiles.honda.com. To join the Honda community on Facebook, visit facebook.com/honda.

About Honda
Honda offers a full line of reliable, fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive vehicles with advanced safety technologies sold through over 1,000 independent U.S. Honda dealers. The Honda lineup includes the Fit, Civic, Accord and Clarity series passenger cars, along with the HR-V, CR-V and Pilot sport utility vehicles, the Ridgeline pickup and the Odyssey minivan.

Honda has been producing automobiles in America for more than 35 years and currently operates 19 major manufacturing facilities in North America. In 2017, more than 90 percent of all Honda and Acura vehicles sold in the U.S. were made in North America, using domestic and globally sourced parts.

Honda Logo. (PRNewsFoto/American Honda Motor Co., Inc. ) (PRNewsFoto/American Honda Motor Co__ Inc_)

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/712376/8_passenger_Pilot_SUV_and_subcompact_HR_V_SUV.jpg

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/460855/american_honda_motor_co_inc_logo.jpg

SOURCE American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

JW Marriott to raise its flag in Panama City

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Bahia_Exterior

PANAMA CITY, June 28, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Ithaca Capital today announced that the iconic Bahia Grand Panama Hotel in Panama City, housed in the tallest building in Panama and Central America, is set to become a JW Marriott® hotel.

The hotel, which originally opened in 2011, has been operating as an independent property since March 2018. Ithaca Capital, Hotel ToC and Marriott International signed agreements to rebrand the hotel as a JW Marriott, under a long-term management contract with Marriott International.

“We are thrilled that our hotel will operate as a JW Marriott and we believe that this partnership, together with a talented team and spectacular hotel amenities, will be a success. We look forward to welcoming new and returning guests to this iconic property,” said Orestes Fintiklis, managing partner of Ithaca Capital.

At 284 meters height (932 feet), the property’s modern architecture has become emblematic of Panama City and its skyline. Located at the ocean front of Panama City’s prestigious Punta Pacifica neighborhood, close to the banking, commercial and entertainment areas, the hotel offers the seclusion and privacy of an urban oasis.

Guests will be able to enjoy three world-class restaurants, a popular bar (Cava 15), an expansive pool deck and a state-of-the-art conference facility. Averaging 600 square feet each, the hotel’s 369-rooms are the largest in the city with many directly on the oceanfront enjoying open views of the Gulf of Panama and the city’s skyline.

JW Marriott is part of Marriott International’s luxury portfolio and consists of superb and distinctive properties at key urban and resort locations around the world. Today, there are more than 80 JW Marriott hotels in over 25 countries and territories. 

“Marriott International is proud to partner with Ithaca Capital for the re-launch of this iconic hotel in Panama City, a growing gateway city and a critical hub for Latin America. This hotel will represent the twelfth operating JW Marriott branded hotel in our region, catering to sophisticated travelers, seeking the world-class JW Treatment™,” said Laurent de Kousemaeker, Chief Development Officer, Marriott International, Caribbean & Latin America Region.

About Ithaca Capital
Ithaca Capital is a real estate investment company, founded by Orestes Fintiklis, with a focus on hospitality and residential real estate assets in the East Coast of the United States and northern part of Latin America. Recent investments of Ithaca Capital include the soon-to-be rebranded Bahia Grand Hotel Panama as well as a portfolio of Courtyard by Marriott® hotels in the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica. 

 

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/712412/Bahia_Exterior.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/712414/Barcelona.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/712415/Piscina.jpg

SOURCE Ithaca Capital

Lyft Helps Fund Gas Savings for Drivers During Summer Months

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Lyft logo

SAN FRANCISCO, June 28, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Starting July 1, 2018, Lyft is offering its drivers an increase in Fuel Rewards® savings up to 50¢ off per gallon at participating Shell stations in the U.S. The intent is to provide relief at the pump to help drivers get where they’re going during the summer months, whether it’s shuttling the kids to camp, enjoying the warm weather at a picnic, or making extra earnings on the road.

Lyft logo

Savings Details
The more rides provided, the more a driver will save. For those drivers who have achieved Platinum or Gold status as part of the Accelerate program, their rewards will increase seven and five times, respectively. Fuel Rewards® savings for Platinum level drivers increase from 7¢/gal to 50¢/gal, and savings for Gold level drivers increase from 5¢/gal to 25¢/gal.* Fuel Rewards® savings for the majority of active drivers double from 5¢/gal to 10¢/gal.

“We care about our drivers and their take-home earnings. Drivers are on the road a lot over the summer, and it’s important for us to provide them with financial assistance when they are filling up,” said Jon McNeill, Chief Operating Officer at Lyft. “Paying for fuel was the number one pain point shared with our Driver Advisory Council and at feedback sessions with our team, and we’re addressing it.”

To earn their rewards, drivers will need to create a Fuel Rewards® account and link it to their Lyft account. For those who have yet to sign up for the Fuel Rewards® program, they can easily do it here and take advantage of the increased savings this summer. There is no action required from drivers who have already created an account and linked it to their Lyft account; the new rewards will be applied automatically.

Drivers who are new to the Fuel Rewards® program in July and August will receive an additional one-time reward of 25¢/gal* on their next fill-up at participating Shell stations (up to 20 gallons) upon registering and linking their accounts. For all future visits to the pump, drivers will receive the elevated reward amount based on their status.

Continued Commitment to Drivers
With gas prices reaching record highs this past month and forecasts of further increases in the coming weeks, the decision to boost savings on fuel through the Fuel Rewards® program is a logical next step in Lyft’s commitment to helping drivers bolster earnings by reducing their operating costs. It builds on the announcement the company made last month to unveil new driver support centers that will offer access to low-cost oil changes, basic maintenance, serviced car washes, and more.

*Restrictions apply. Offers subject to Accelerate status, only available in the U.S. At participating Shell stations only. Limit 20 gallons per transaction. Rewards are inclusive of earnings as part of Gold Status. See fuelrewards.com/lyft for details.

About Lyft
Lyft was founded in June 2012 by Logan Green and John Zimmer to improve people’s lives with the world’s best transportation. Lyft is the fastest growing rideshare company in the U.S. and is available to 95 percent of the US population as well as in Ontario, Canada. Lyft is preferred by drivers and passengers for its safe and friendly experience, and its commitment to effecting positive change for the future of our cities.

About Shell Oil Company
Shell Oil Company is an affiliate of Royal Dutch Shell plc, a global group of energy and petrochemical companies with operations in more than 70 countries. In the U.S., Shell operates in 50 states and employs more than 20,000 people working to help tackle the challenges of the new energy future.

Excentus
Excentus Corporation, a PDI company, is a leader in loyalty marketing and technology solutions, specializing in the design, development and implementation of loyalty programs. Since 2012, Excentus has operated its own nationwide loyalty program, the Fuel Rewards® program, which has grown to more than 13 million members and $1 billion in fuel savings. Excentus offers a full suite of loyalty products and solutions for national and regional brands, consumer packaged goods manufacturers, grocery chains, convenience retailers and their customers. With more than 20 years of experience practicing loyalty, Excentus’ mission is simple: help clients align loyalty strategies, rewards, and marketing campaigns with business objectives and customers’ needs. For more information about Excentus’ loyalty marketing and technology solutions, visit www.excentus.com.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/384477/Lyft_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Lyft

(Español) Las especies invasoras amenazan la biodiversidad

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Sorry, this entry is only available in Español.

CPSC Reminds Consumers to Celebrate Safely This Fourth of July Season

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English - Most Injured Body Parts

WASHINGTON, June 27, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — As families and friends gather for the Fourth of July holiday at backyard barbeques, cookouts and pool parties, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is reminding consumers to celebrate safely when using fireworks. At a fireworks safety press conference and demonstration today on the National Mall, CPSC announced that eight fireworks-related deaths were reported in 2017, with victims ranging in age from four to 57.

There were an estimated 12,900 fireworks-related, emergency department-treated injuries in 2017. Moreover, about 67 percent of the estimated annual fireworks-related, emergency department-treated injuries for 2017 occurred during the month surrounding the Fourth of July holiday, between June 16, 2017 and July 16, 2017. During this one month period, sparklers were the number one cause of injuries, accounting for 14 percent of the estimated injuries. 

CPSC’s New Fireworks Report

Fact Sheet, English + Spanish Posters

View Full English Press Release Here

View Full Spanish Press Release Here

For more information, visit the fireworks safety education center and check for fireworks recalls at CPSC.gov. Reporting of fireworks-related deaths for 2017 is not complete, and the number of deaths in 2017 should be considered a minimum.

CPSC Consumer Information Hotline
Contact us at this toll-free number if you have questions about a recall:
800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054)
Times: 8 a.m.5:30 p.m. ET; Messages can be left anytime
Call to get product safety and other agency information and to report unsafe products.

English - Most Injured Body Parts

 

Consumer Product Safety Commission

Video – http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/PRNA/MP4/CPSC Fireworks Safety Demo b-roll.mp4
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/710894/CPSC___Most_Injured_Body_Parts_2018.jpg 
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/711713/CPSC_Logo.jpg

SOURCE CPSC