The North Face Celebrates Community with Global “Walls Are Meant For Climbing” Campaign

August 15, 2017

Climber Jimmy Chin at Outside Lands in San Francisco. Photo Credit: Tim Gonzalez Mena

ALAMEDA, California, Aug. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Aimed at making the sport of climbing more accessible and inclusive, The North Face today announced a global brand campaign that asks people to rethink the way we look at walls. Walls are places where people in the climbing community come together to test themselves, build trust, and strengthen communities. Walls aren’t meant to divide us, they unite us. Walls are meant for climbing.

To celebrate the campaign’s launch and to highlight the connections formed through climbing, The North Face will be making a $1M donation to The Trust for Public Land to support public climbing walls in more communities, with a focus on underserved areas and making the sport more accessible to all.

“At The Trust for Public Land, our mission is to create parks and protect land for people,” said Trust for Public Land President Will Rogers. “Every park we create is an open invitation for all to enjoy, and we’re proud to say we’ve connected communities to the outdoors — and to each other — since 1972. We’re happy to partner with The North Face to make climbing more accessible to more people in neighborhoods nationwide.”

The North Face is also partnering with gyms and facilities worldwide to make Aug. 19 a global day of climbing, with free climbing opportunities in cities in the U.S., Europe, Canada, Mexico, and China.

For every person who walks through the door of one of these participating gyms, The North Face will make a $5 donation (up to $50,000) to Paradox Sports, an organization committed to making climbing accessible to people with physical disabilities. Additional climbing activities with athletes will take place in New York, Shanghai and London.

“The North Face has been a passionate partner to the world’s climbing community for more than 50 years,” said Tom Herbst, global vice president of Marketing at The North Face. “We see walls as a place to unite our communities through the sport of climbing – a sport that requires trust and partnership. Our climbing community is truly global and we believe that communities are stronger when inclusive. Our intent is to inspire others to think more hopefully about the type of community we all want to work and play in.”

The North Face has a long history of supporting the climbing community through sponsorship of athletes including Alex Honnold and Ashima Shiraishi, and through the support of non-profit organizations like USA Climbing, The Trust for Public Land, Paradox Sports, the Access Fund and the American Alpine Club that focus on access, conservation and education.

For more information on “Walls Are Meant For Climbing,” visit http://www.thenorthface.com/walls #ClimbWalls

About The North Face®
The North Face, a division of VF Outdoor, LLC, was founded in 1966 with the goal of preparing outdoor athletes for the rigors of their next adventure. Today we are the world’s leading outdoor brand, creating athlete-tested, expedition-proven products that help people explore and test the limits of human potential. We protect our outdoor playgrounds and minimize our impact on the planet through programs that encourage sustainability. The North Face products are available at premium and specialty retail sporting goods stores globally and we are headquartered in California on a LEED Platinum-certified campus. For more information, please visit www.thenorthface.com.

Contact:
Jessica Hollister
Sr. Consumer Communications Manager
The North Face
[email protected]
510.748.2594

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/545157/The_North_Face_Jimmy_Chin_Outside_Lands__by_Tim_Gonzalez_Mena.jpg

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/545160/The_North_Face_Logo.jpg

SOURCE The North Face

Disney Parks Announces Moms Panel Search

August 15, 2017

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Aug. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Are you the person your friends and colleagues always seek out for heartfelt advice on planning a Disney vacation? Have you put together more amazing Disney trips than you can count, and do you want to help others do the same? If so, then you may want to apply for a spot on the 2018 Disney Parks Moms Panel, the go-to online resource for guests seeking honest and relatable Disney vacation tips from likeminded parents. From Sept. 6-13, 2017, the search is on for everyday moms, dads and trusted family members to serve on the wildly popular forum. Applications can be submitted online at www.momspanelsearch.com.

Applicants will be selected based on their personal experience exploring various Disney destinations and their ability to communicate their Disney knowledge to prospective guests in easy-to-understand and friendly ways. The selection committee is eager to hear from parents from a variety of backgrounds and experiences who can lend diverse trip-planning insights, including moms, dads, grandparents, military service members, and more.

Heading into its 11th search, the Disney Parks Moms Panel has grown to be one of the most popular and trusted Disney vacation planning tools. It offers tailored parent-to-parent vacation advice in a convenient question-and-answer format. Additionally, the panel is available in four languages – English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese – to meet the unique needs of every type of Disney traveler and Disney hopes to welcome even more bilingual panelists to the 2018 panel.

“There is something so genuine in the exchange of trusted advice among neighbors. That’s what inspired the first Disney Parks Moms Panel in 2008 and why it continues to grow and serve travelers throughout the world 10 years later,” said Leanne O’Regan, Director of Public Relations for Disney Parks. “The panel is filled with personal, heartfelt advice based on panelists’ real experiences in Disney theme parks, resorts & hotels, and cruises. We know this year’s search will bring out another impressive group of applicants who know the ins and outs of planning a Disney vacation. We can’t wait to hear from them and see who will be selected to join the 2018 panel!”

Accessible at home or on-the-go, the Disney Parks Moms Panel offers firsthand insights into a myriad of topics like how to maximize time in the parks with preschoolers and how Disney Cruise Line can accommodate families with special needs. Advice comes from real-life moms and dads who have been there before, providing instant connections to fellow parents. New questions are posted daily, and visitors can explore ‘Trending Topics’ and ‘Most Useful Questions’ to uncover valuable trip planning advice they may have not considered to ask. Of course, the Disney Parks Moms Panel is also the source for tips on new Disney attractions and entertainment like the latest groundbreaking experiences: Pandora – The World of Avatar at Walt Disney World Resort and Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! at Disneyland Resort.

How to Apply

Applications for the 2018 Disney Parks Moms Panel will be accepted from noon EDT on September 6, 2017, through noon EDT on September 13, 2017. To apply, visit www.momspanelsearch.com. The application process follows the below format, though subject to change if needed: a series of short-answer questions in the first round, additional short-answer questions and submission of a brief video in Round 2, and phone interviews for applicants making it to the final round. The 2018 Disney Parks Moms Panel will be announced in January. Applicants selected must be available to attend a training session at Walt Disney World Resort from November 29 to December 3, 2017.

About the Disney Parks Moms Panel

The Disney Parks Moms Panel is the official online forum where guests can get tips and insights from real moms, dads and grandparents who have mastered the art of planning Disney vacations. Guests can pose questions to the panelists in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese, as well as gain access to other tools for planning and booking a Disney vacation. Featuring just 12 members in its inaugural year in 2008, the panel now boasts 40 park-savvy panelists as a result of the popularity of the site and the ever-growing number of questions submitted by curious Guests. Serving as independent contractors, the panelists receive a rewards trip to one Disney Destination for themselves and up to three family members for their participation on the Disney Parks Moms Panel. For more information and to meet the current panelists, visit www.DisneyParksMomsPanel.com.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/545335/Disney_Parks_Moms_Panel_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Disney Parks & Resorts

(Español) Seguridad de los Fidget Spinners

August 15, 2017

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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1973 and charged with protecting the American public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call the CPSC hotline at 1-800-638-2772, or visit http://www.saferproducts.gov. Further recall information is available at http://www.cpsc.gov.

Sorry, this entry is only available in Español.

HITN Educational App “Pocoyo PlaySet: Let’s Move” Finalist For The 2017 Kids Imagination Awards

August 15, 2017

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BROOKLYN, N.Y., Aug. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — HITN, the non-profit, Spanish-language media network that provides educational and entertainment programming to more than 44 million American households across the country, announced today that its educational App ‘Pocoyo PlaySet’: Let’s Move has been honored as finalist for the 2017 Kids Imagination Awards, an annual awards program celebrating the best in children’s, tween and family programming across platforms, technology, marketing and prosocial campaigns.

Pocoyo PlaySet: Let’s Move, is part of HITN Learning division’s suite of products that help preschoolers develop English-language skills needed for a successful start in Kindergarten. HITN’s educational app was nominated by the 6^th Annual Cynopsis Kids Imagination Awards in the following categories: Mobile App Preschool, Mobile App (educational), Tablet-Based App. The winners will be announced at the 6^th Annual Awards Breakfast, held on September 19 at the Yale Club in NYC.

Pocoyo PlaySet: Let’s Move app is a creation of the Early Learning Collaborative (ELC) led by HITN and including Zinkia Entertainment, the creator of the animated series, Pocoyo and the Michael Cohen Group, a leading evaluator of educational programs, funded by the Federal Government. HITN‘s creative design and focus on solid academic and social-emotional skills were brought to life through the Pocoyo characters, the most beloved preschool characters in the Spanish-speaking world, and through the support of a $30 million Ready-to-Learn grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

“We’re excited that our educational app made it to the finalists’ list for the 2017 Kids Imagination Awards,” said David Rust, General Manager for HITN Learning. “We have collaborated with the industry’s best partners to develop this application, and are grateful that the judges were impressed with the richness and power of the learning experiences in the Pocoyo PlaySet: Let’s Move app.”

Let’s Move, also a recent recipient of the 2017 Kidscreen Award for Best Preschool Learning App-Tablet, creates a fun and engaging educational experience, cultivating preschoolers’ learning abilities through body movements and pedagogical games and activities, while encouraging kids to be physically active, following Pocoyo’s lead. Through Pocoyo PlaySet: Let’s Move, preschoolers build fluency in spoken English and expand their English vocabulary learning words, while
also sharpening their listening skills and ability to follow directions. These integrated suites of educational resources have been proven effective through studies and pilot implementations in USA and Puerto Rico.

All 15 Pocoyo PlaySets are available on the Apple App Store and GooglePlay.

HITN is the leading Spanish-language media network focused on educational and cultural programing for the whole family. It reaches over 44 million homes across the United States and Puerto Rico through DIRECTV, DISH Network, AT&T U-verse TV, Verizon FiOS TV, Comcast, Charter Spectrum, Frontier Mediacom, CenturyLink Prism, and Cablevision. For more information, log in to www.hitn.org.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/344200/HITN_Logo.jpg

SOURCE HITN

Olives from Spain – Olives in your lunch box: discover how to make your working meal delicious and balanced

August 15, 2017

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NEW YORK, Aug. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — After the excesses of food that we allow ourselves during the holidays, the best thing is that the return to work is also the return to a healthy day to day. In table olives we have the best ally to help us prepare a lunch box full of flavor and energy that also helps us take care of ourselves.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:
https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8154051-olives-lunch-box-working-meal/

Saying hello to work again with the recent memory of the holidays can be very difficult. If, in addition, we also have to re-monitor our food and recover our exercise routine … it may be even more difficult.

Fortunately, table olives are the ideal ingredient to incorporate into our lunch box. It is a very simple way to bring the Mediterranean sun to our lunch break. They are so easy to keep in any drawer or to incorporate in any recipe that it will be simple to add all the good they have to our day to day in the office, in the park or on the next trip or meeting with friends.

From working day to an Olive day

With a simple twist of the wrist we have a world of flavors within our reach. Nothing is easier to turn a gray working day into an olive day full of possibilities. For this, we only have to look in our usual point of sale for table olives from Spain, the world leader in production, and take them as we want, because they do not have to be in the refrigerator and last as a preserve.

Manzanilla, Hojiblanca, Queen … are the three main varieties that we will find, although in the Spanish olive grove, the biggest in the world, they grow many more. There, they are carefully collected so that the US consumer can enjoy them in all its splendor, in any of the immense range of presentations at their fingertips, from whole with the bone to deboned, diced or stuffed. They can be in our next meeting or in our lunch box, to put a smile to the back to work without weighing us down. Thanks to the promotion campaign of the European Union and Spanish Olives, we now know how to prepare them, following the instructions of chef José Andrés, Ambassador of the olives in USA.

At www.haveanoliveday.eu You will find ideas as deliciously light as these:

Have a tasty working day, have an olive day

About INTERACEITUNA and Olives from Spain

INTERACEITUNA is the Inter-Professional Table Olive Organization recognized by the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food and Environment that represents the entire producing sector, processing and marketing sector of table olives. Created to implement different general interest programs and activities, INTERACEITUNA promotes knowledge of the Spanish table olive and conducts research and development related to the product and production techniques. INTERACEITUNA has partnered with the European Union to promote this product.

@HaveanOliveDay
#haveanoliveday
www.haveanoliveday.eu

More information:
[email protected]
Tlf: (+1) 786-503-5580

Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/544750/Olives_from_Spain.jpg

SOURCE Olives from Spain

The Home Depot Announces Second Quarter Results; Updates Fiscal Year 2017 Guidance

August 15, 2017

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ATLANTA, Aug. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Home Depot®, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, today reported sales of $28.1 billion for the second quarter of fiscal 2017, a 6.2 percent increase from the second quarter of fiscal 2016. Comparable store sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2017 were positive 6.3 percent, and comp sales for U.S. stores were positive 6.6 percent.

Net earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2017 were $2.7 billion, or $2.25 per diluted share, compared with net earnings of $2.4 billion, or $1.97 per diluted share, in the same period of fiscal 2016. For the second quarter of fiscal 2017, diluted earnings per share increased 14.2 percent from the same period in the prior year.

“We were pleased with our results this quarter as our customers rewarded us with the highest quarterly sales in company history,” said Craig Menear, chairman, CEO and president. “We also achieved the highest quarterly net earnings in company history. These results were made possible by our hard working associates and the outstanding values brought forth by our supplier partners.”

Updated Fiscal 2017 Guidance

Based on its year-to-date performance, the Company updated its fiscal 2017 sales growth guidance and now expects sales will be up approximately 5.3 percent and comp sales will be up approximately 5.5 percent. The Company also raised its diluted earnings-per-share growth guidance for the year and now expects diluted earnings-per-share growth of approximately 13.0 percent from fiscal 2016 to $7.29. The Company’s diluted earnings-per-share growth guidance includes the impact of $7 billion of share repurchases for fiscal 2017.

The Home Depot will conduct a conference call today at 9 a.m. ET to discuss information included in this news release and related matters. The conference call will be available in its entirety through a webcast and replay at ir.homedepot.com/events-and-presentations.

At the end of the second quarter, the Company operated a total of 2,282 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. The Company employs more than 400,000 associates. The Home Depot’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor’s 500 index.

Certain statements contained herein constitute “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may relate to, among other things, the demand for our products and services; net sales growth; comparable store sales; effects of competition; state of the economy; state of the residential construction, housing and home improvement markets; state of the credit markets, including mortgages, home equity loans and consumer credit; demand for credit offerings; inventory and in-stock positions; implementation of store, interconnected retail, supply chain and technology initiatives; management of relationships with our suppliers and vendors; the impact and expected outcome of investigations, inquiries, claims and litigation, including those related to the 2014 data breach; issues related to the payment methods we accept; continuation of share repurchase programs; net earnings performance; earnings per share; dividend targets; capital allocation and expenditures; liquidity; return on invested capital; expense leverage; stock-based compensation expense; commodity price inflation and deflation; the ability to issue debt on terms and at rates acceptable to us; the effect of accounting charges; the effect of adopting certain accounting standards; store openings and closures; guidance for fiscal 2017 and beyond; financial outlook; and the integration of acquired companies into our organization and the ability to recognize the anticipated synergies and benefits of those acquisitions. Forward-looking statements are based on currently available information and our current assumptions, expectations and projections about future events. You should not rely on our forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to future events, risks and uncertainties – many of which are beyond our control or are currently unknown to us – as well as potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations and projections. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to those described in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended January 29, 2017 and in our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake to update these statements other than as required by law. You are advised, however, to review any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

THE HOME DEPOT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JULY 30, 2017 AND JULY 31, 2016
(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
*amounts in millions, except per share data*	July 30, 2017		July 31, 2016		% Increase (Decrease)		July 30, 2017		July 31, 2016		% Increase (Decrease)
NET SALES	$	28,108	$	26,472	6.2	%	$	51,995	$	49,234	5.6	%
Cost of Sales	18,647		17,545		6.3		34,380		32,516		5.7
GROSS PROFIT	9,461		8,927		6.0		17,615		16,718		5.4

Operating Expenses:
Selling, General and Administrative	4,549		4,388		3.7		8,910		8,669		2.8
Depreciation and Amortization	449		436		3.0		893		869		2.8
Total Operating Expenses	4,998		4,824		3.6		9,803		9,538		2.8

OPERATING INCOME	4,463		4,103		8.8		7,812		7,180		8.8

Interest and Other (Income) Expense:
Interest and Investment Income	(16)		(8)		100.0		(29)		(15)		93.3
Interest Expense	265		236		12.3		519		480		8.1
Interest and Other, net	249		228		9.2		490		465		5.4

EARNINGS BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	4,214		3,875		8.7		7,322		6,715		9.0
Provision for Income Taxes	1,542		1,434		7.5		2,636		2,471		6.7
NET EARNINGS	$	2,672	$	2,441	9.5	%	$	4,686	$	4,244	10.4	%

Basic Weighted Average Common Shares	1,183		1,235		(4.2)	%	1,191		1,242		(4.1)	%
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE	$	2.26	$	1.98	14.1		$	3.93	$	3.42	14.9

Diluted Weighted Average Common Shares	1,189		1,240		(4.1)	%	1,197		1,247		(4.0)	%
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE	$	2.25	$	1.97	14.2		$	3.91	$	3.40	15.0

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
SELECTED SALES DATA⁽¹⁾	July 30, 2017		July 31, 2016		% Increase (Decrease)		July 30, 2017		July 31, 2016		% Increase (Decrease)
Number of Customer Transactions	441.8		430.0		2.8	%	822.6		804.8		2.2	%
Average Ticket (actual)	$	63.05	$	60.87	3.6		$	62.74	$	60.48	3.7
Sales per Square Foot (actual)	$	464.38	$	438.61	5.9		$	429.17	$	407.64	5.3

—————
(1) Selected Sales Data does not include results for Interline Brands, Inc., which was acquired in the third quarter of fiscal 2015.

THE HOME DEPOT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF JULY 30, 2017, JULY 31, 2016 AND JANUARY 29, 2017
(Unaudited)

*amounts in millions*	July 30, 2017		July 31, 2016		January 29, 2017
ASSETS
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$	4,830	$	4,018	$	2,538
Receivables, net	2,187		1,995		2,029
Merchandise Inventories	12,868		12,323		12,549
Other Current Assets	626		605		608
Total Current Assets	20,511		18,941		17,724
Net Property and Equipment	22,035		21,975		21,914
Goodwill	2,235		2,106		2,093
Other Assets	1,178		1,225		1,235
TOTAL ASSETS	$	45,959	$	44,247	$	42,966

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Short-Term Debt	$	—	$	—	$	710
Accounts Payable	8,541		8,273		7,000
Accrued Salaries and Related Expenses	1,503		1,453		1,484
Current Installments of Long-Term Debt	545		43		542
Other Current Liabilities	5,234		4,756		4,397
Total Current Liabilities	15,823		14,525		14,133
Long-Term Debt, excluding current installments	24,422		20,900		22,349
Other Liabilities	2,160		2,165		2,151
Total Liabilities	42,405		37,590		38,633
Total Stockholders’ Equity	3,554		6,657		4,333
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	45,959	$	44,247	$	42,966

THE HOME DEPOT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JULY 30, 2017 AND JULY 31, 2016
(Unaudited)

	Six Months Ended
*amounts in millions*	July 30, 2017		July 31, 2016
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net Earnings	$	4,686	$	4,244
Reconciliation of Net Earnings to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
Depreciation and Amortization	1,015		978
Stock-Based Compensation Expense	148		133
Changes in Working Capital and Other, net of the effects of acquisitions	2,013		1,522
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	7,862		6,877
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital Expenditures	(846)		(697)
Payments for Business Acquired, net	(268)		—
Proceeds from Sales of Property and Equipment	23		23
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	(1,091)		(674)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayments of Short-Term Debt, net	(710)		(350)
Proceeds from Long-Term Debt, net of discounts	1,994		2,989
Repayments of Long-Term Debt	(21)		(3,023)
Repurchases of Common Stock	(3,921)		(2,441)
Proceeds from Sales of Common Stock	137		121
Cash Dividends Paid to Stockholders	(2,130)		(1,718)
Other Financing Activities	2		1
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities	(4,649)		(4,421)
Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents	2,122		1,782
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	170		20
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	2,538		2,216
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	$	4,830	$	4,018

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20030502/HOMEDEPOTLOGO

SOURCE The Home Depot

Contact Lens Health Week Promotes Healthy Contact Lens Wear and Care

August 14, 2017

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SAN FRANCISCO and ORLANDO, Florida, Aug. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Academy of Optometry have joined the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and its other partners to promote Contact Lens Health Week, August 21-25. This year’s campaign theme is “Healthy Habits Mean Healthy Eyes.” These organizations are encouraging youth to start healthy habits early to help ensure a lifetime of healthy vision.

Contact lenses provide safe and effective vision correction for an estimated 40 million Americans. However, contact lens wearers risk infection if they fail to wear, clean, disinfect, and store their contact lenses as directed. Even non-sight threatening infections or inflammation can be painful and disrupt day-to-day life. Good hygiene, proper contact lens care, and regular follow-up care with your eye care professional are all essential to keeping your eyes healthy.

Eye care providers encourage patients to follow these guidelines for healthy contact lens wear¹:

Wash your hands with soap and water. Dry them well with a clean cloth before touching your contact lenses every time.
Don’t sleep in your contact lenses, unless prescribed by your eye doctor.
Keep water away from your contact lenses. Avoid showering in contact lenses, and remove them before using a hot tub or swimming.
Don’t “top off” solution. Use only fresh contact lens disinfecting solution – never mix fresh solution with old or used solution.
Replace your contact lens case at least once every three months. Rub and rinse your contact lens case with contact lens solution (never water) and empty and dry with a clean tissue paper. Store upside down with the caps off after each use.
Give your eyes a rest. The cornea, the transparent tissue covering each eye, gets deprived of oxygen from being covered up all day by a contact lens. Starved for air, the cornea starts growing new blood vessels to compensate for the lack of oxygen. Over-wearing contact lenses can lead to problems such as eye inflammation and lipid deposits in the cornea, which can affect vision. Over-wearing can also increase the risk of infection.
Sterilize the night before planned wear, if you wear contact lenses sporadically. Disinfecting solutions lose their efficacy over time, leading to microbial overgrowth in the case and on the lens.
Decorative lenses must be prescribed and fitted by an eye care professional. Colored contact lenses and Halloween-inspired designs are not costume jewelry. They require a prescription, just like regular contact lenses. Follow the same hygiene rules as regular contact lenses. Never use lenses that have not been approved by the FDA.

“Visit your eye care professional yearly or as often as he/she recommends,” said Thomas Steinemann, M.D., clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “Ask him or her about how to care for your contact lenses, and remove your contact lenses immediately and call your doctor promptly if you have eye pain, discomfort, redness or blurred vision.”

“While we focus on Contact Lens Health Week, it is important to remember that both patients and prescribers alike should maintain a year-round vigilance regarding eye health. Nothing improves the safety of contact lens wear like the continual reinforcement of and compliance with proper lens wear, proper lens care, and proper patient follow up,” says Clarke D. Newman, OD, FAAO, Chair of the American Academy of Optometry’s Section on Cornea, Contact Lenses and Refractive Technologies.

The CDC is hosting a Twitter Chat on Tuesday, August 22, 2017. The twitter handle, @CDCgov will co-host an hour-long chat with @NBCNewsHealth from 12-1pm (ET), using the hashtag #HealthyContactsChat.

For more information on Contact Lens Health Week and other resources about healthy contact lens wear and care throughout the year, visit www.cdc.gov/contactlenses.

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. For more information, visit aao.org.

About the American Academy of Optometry

The American Academy of Optometry enhances excellence in optometric practice by fostering research and disseminating knowledge in vision science through its journal, Optometry and Vision Science, and the continuing education presented at its annual meeting. Fellows of the Academy are committed to the premise that learning is a lifelong obligation of a professional, as is the commitment to expand the profession’s knowledge base through ongoing fellowship and exchange. For more information, visit www.aaopt.org.

¹https://www.cdc.gov/contactlenses/protect-your-eyes.html

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SOURCE American Academy of Ophthalmology

Grocery Outlet Raises $1 Million For Local Food Banks

August 14, 2017

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EMERYVILLE, California, Aug. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Grocery Outlet Bargain Market’s 7^th Annual Independence from Hunger® (IFH) campaign has raised more than $1 million to provide over 500,000 meals to families in need. Throughout the month of July, Grocery Outlet customers, employees and store independent owner-operators across six states contributed food and monetary donations to help address critical food insecurity needs in their local communities.

More than 42.2 million Americans live without reliable access to affordable, nutritious food¹. In 2011 Grocery Outlet launched its first IFH campaign to help local food banks address high demand during the summer months. Deepening its commitment to helping address food insecurity in the communities it serves, Grocery Outlet set out this year to double the $524,414 raised in 2016’s IFH campaign. Grocery Outlet’s customers, employees and independent store operators stepped up to meet this bold fundraising challenge and raised $1,075,583. Local food banks will receive 100% of the proceeds as no administration or collateral fees will be deducted from the funds.

“Helping tackle food insecurity is one of our core values and we’re proud of the positive impact that the Independence from Hunger® campaign is making across our communities,” said Grocery Outlet Inc. Co-CEO Eric Lindberg. “We are thankful of our customers, employees and store operators for their compassion and generosity in helping us reach our goal of $1 million raised.”

Grocery Outlet customers contributed to the campaign through purchases of specially-marked “high-need” food items, monetary donations at the register and online through GroceryOutlet.com/Donate. As a thank you to customers, Grocery Outlet offered a “Give $5, Get $5” coupon for $5 off a future purchase of $25 or more to those who donated $5 or more in a single transaction in-store or online.

“Part of what makes Grocery Outlet such a success are the strong relationships each of our stores has in their community – we look at initiatives like IFH as a way for us to give back and to help our neighbors in need,” said Grocery Outlet Inc. Co-CEO MacGregor Read. “We look forward to working with our customers, employees and store independent owner-operators to raise even more for our neighbors through IFH.”

For more information on the Independence from Hunger® campaign and Grocery Outlet, visit GroceryOutlet.com.

About Grocery Outlet

Based in Emeryville, California, Grocery Outlet offers big savings on brand name merchandise, with prices 40% to 70% less than traditional grocery stores. The fastest growing, “extreme-value” grocer in the U.S., Grocery Outlet has more than 280 locations in California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington. Grocery Outlet carries refrigerated and frozen foods, fresh produce, fresh meat, organics, dry groceries, beer and wine, health and beauty care, over-the-counter drugs, household products, toys and gifts. A third-generation family-led company founded in 1946, Grocery Outlet’s mission has always been to provide customers a fun place to find extreme values on name brands they trust. Most stores are independently owned/operated by locally based families. For more information, please visit www.GroceryOutlet.com.

¹USDA, Household Food Security in the United States in 2015.

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SOURCE Grocery Outlet

(Español) La persecución de “El Chapo” continúa con el retorno de la serie original a la cadena Univision domingo, 17 de septiembre

August 14, 2017

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Sorry, this entry is only available in Español.

Blue Diamond Resorts to Take over Management of Antigua’s Jolly Beach Resort & Spa

August 14, 2017

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TORONTO, Aug. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Blue Diamond Resorts, the Caribbean’s fastest-growing hotel company, is proud to announce that it will be taking over the management and operation of Antigua’s largest all-inclusive resort, the 464-room Jolly Beach Resort & Spa, beginning September 1, 2017.

“We look forward to bringing our operations to the beautiful Island of Antigua, and to applying our management experience to this popular resort” said Jordi Pelfort, Managing Director of Blue Diamond Resorts.

Known to be one of Antigua’s best all-inclusive resorts for its value, Jolly Beach Resort & Spa is set on powdery Jolly Beach, and is enveloped by 40 acres of lush tropical garden and greenery. The resort offers guests a selection of accommodations in six categories, each featuring a private balcony with stunning views to enjoy the gentle Caribbean Sea breeze. Optional amenities including mini-fridge service, in-room coffee maker, Wi-Fi, and in-room safe are available at an additional charge. For dining, guests can choose between four a la carte restaurants offering delicious dishes from Italian classics and authentic Indian to grilled catch-of-the-day options and jerk chicken, or opt for Hemispheres, the resort’s spacious buffet.

Every afternoon at Jolly Beach Resort & Spa, guests gather to meet one another in the Courtyard for a unique spread of scones, pastries and a gourmet selection of teas. Those who prefer to stay active on their all-inclusive vacation are sure to enjoy the basketball, tennis and beach volleyball courts, or the Jolly Sports Program for daily tennis and dance lessons. Friendly competition takes place by the water with the Family Beach Olympics and kayak races, or guests can enjoy quiet time with authentic Antiguan arts & crafts, or a visit to the Palms Wellness Center.

For more information on this new resort experience from Blue Diamond Resorts, visit our website www.bluediamondresorts.com

About Blue Diamond Resorts

Since inception in 2011, Blue Diamond Resorts has risen to become the Caribbean’s fastest growing resort company of 35 properties exceeding 14,000 rooms in seven countries. Taking an innovative approach to differentiating brands under each market’s demands, Blue Diamond Resorts’ ever-expanding portfolio is more impressive than ever. Award-winning Royalton Luxury Resorts offer signature All-In Luxury® amenities including All-In Connectivity™, modern Sports Event Guarantee™, and in-suite wellness elements such as the exclusive handcrafted DreamBed™. Royalton Luxury Resorts’ adults-only sub-brands include Hideaway at Royalton, an adults-only experience, plus the stylish All Exclusive™ CHIC by Royalton, a social vacation experience. In Jamaica, Grand Lido Negril has been revived to provide those over 21 an upscale and au naturel vacation along an exclusive shore for the ultimate in privacy. Memories Resorts & Spa is an experience for families or adults featuring on-site splash parks, themed characters Toopy & Binoo™, and an innovative teen’s lounge. Starfish Resorts are solely found in Cuba and offer amazing value for customers with convenient locations, comfortable accommodations. In September 2017 Blue Diamond Resorts will manage Jolly Beach Resorts & Spa, Antigua’s largest all-inclusive resort with 454 rooms, on a world-famous beach that shares its name.

For additional information, please contact:

Natalie Walsh
Corporate Manager Public Relations
Blue Diamond Resorts
+1-647-545-6926
[email protected]

SOURCE Blue Diamond Resorts