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.
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.
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.
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
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.
EMERYVILLE, California, Aug. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Grocery Outlet Bargain Market’s 7th 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.
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]
– 2018 RLX Sport Hybrid with Acura Precision Concept-inspired styling to make world premiere
– Highly-anticipated Acura ARX-05 Daytona Prototype international (DPi) to be revealed at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, with appearances at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion and Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance concept lawn to follow
TORRANCE, California, Aug. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Acura will hold two global vehicle debuts during Monterey Automotive Week, August 15-20, showcasing Acura Precision Crafted Performance in both production and racing vehicles. Bringing the brand’s premium, performance DNA to both the street and the racetrack with the redesigned 2018 RLX Sport Hybrid luxury sport sedan and the highly-anticipated Acura ARX-05 DPi prototype race car.
“We chose Monterey Automotive Week to launch Acura’s newest vehicles because the week’s events epitomize the celebration of the automobile,” said Jon Ikeda, vice president & general manager for the Acura Division. “The Acura brand continues to gain momentum with a singular focus on our Precision Crafted Performance DNA, which is brought to life in captivating products like the RLX and the ARX-05 prototype.”
2018 Acura RLX The 2018 Acura RLX will make its global debut during the prestigious Monterey Automotive Week, August 15-19 on the Monterey peninsula. The new RLX incorporates design cues, such as the signature diamond pentagon grille from the Acura Precision Concept, that were reflected to other recently redesigned Acura models – the 2018 TLX sport sedan and 2017 MDX sport-utility vehicle. In addition to the diamond pentagon grille, the 2018 RLX redesign is highlighted by a more sculpted hood, new wheel designs, newly designed LED taillights, dual exhaust finishers and gloss black rear diffusor.
The 377-horsepower1 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid is the most sophisticated and best performing Acura sedan ever. Sharing NSX supercar technology, RLX is available with Sport Hybrid Super-Handling All Wheel Drive™ (Sport Hybrid SH-AWD™), delivering a powerful and precise driving experience unmatched in the segment. The new 2018 Acura RLX will go on sale in November.
Acura ARX-05 The ARX-05 marks Acura’s anticipated return to prototype racing. Along with legendary partner Team Penske, Acura will campaign two ARX-05 race cars in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, beginning with the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January 2018.
The Acura ARX-05 [Acura Racing eXperimental, generation 5] is the latest in a successful line of endurance prototypes fielded by Acura beginning more than 25 years ago (1991). The prototype race car was styled by the Acura Design Studio in Los Angeles, Calif., and the multi-year program will be administered by Honda Performance Development, the racing arm for both Acura Motorsports and Honda Racing in North America.
Carmel-By-The Sea Concours on the Avenue Acura will kick-off the week’s activities as the exclusive automotive sponsor of the Carmel-By-The Sea Concours on the Avenue on Tuesday, August 15. In its fifth year of participation in the event, Acura will showcase its lineup of performance luxury vehicles in Carmel’s historic Devendorf Park, led by the public debut of the 2018 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid. Other vehicles on display will include the 2017 NSX supercar, Road and Track magazine’s 2017 Performance Car of the Year, its racing counterpart, the NSX GT3 (shown in exposed carbon for the first time in the U.S.), along with the 2017 MDX Sport Hybrid SUV, and the redesigned 2018 TLX A-Spec sport sedan.
The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering Acura will once again be the premier automotive sponsor for The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, taking place on Friday, August 18 and will unveil the Acura ARX-05 prototype race car during a press conference at 11:15 a.m. featuring Art St. Cyr, president of Honda Performance Development and Roger Penske of Team Penske.
The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering is one of the week’s most esteemed events and in addition to the unveiling of the ARX-05 prototype, Acura will feature the 2017 NSX, NSX GT3 race car, as well as the 2017 MDX Sport Hybrid and new 2018 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid. Guests of the event will have the opportunity to experience Acura’s Precision Crafted Performance first hand behind the wheel of the 2017 NSX, via a ride-and-drive being held at The Quail Lodge & Golf Club.
Acura will also participate in The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering Rally event, August 14-16, with two 2017 Acura NSX supercars in an exclusive charity benefit featuring 30 of the world’s top car collectors.
Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion At this year’s Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, August 17-20, Acura will showcase the brand’s racing heritage with a display of historic race cars in the Acura garage; as well as the new Acura ARX-05 prototype race car on Saturday August 19.
Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Finally, at the pinnacle Monterey Automotive Week event, the Acura ARX-05 prototype race car will be featured on the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance concept lawn. In addition, Dave Marek, Acura global creative director, will serve as a guest judge at this year’s program.
About Acura Acura is a leading automotive luxury nameplate that delivers Precision Crafted Performance, an original approach to technology and design that creates a new driving experience. The Acura lineup features six distinctive models – the RLX premium luxury sedan, the TLX performance luxury sedan, the ILX sport sedan, the 5-passenger RDX luxury crossover SUV, the seven-passenger Acura MDX, America’s all-time best-selling three-row luxury SUV and the next-generation, electrified NSX supercar as the pinnacle expression of Acura Precision Crafted Performance.
For More Information Consumer information is available at www.acura.com. To join the Acura community on Facebook, visit facebook.com/Acura. Additional media information including pricing, features and high-resolution photography is available at acuranews.com/channels/acura-automobiles.
1 Combined system horsepower as measured by the peak, concurrent output of the three electric motors and gasoline engine.
JERSEY CITY, N.J., Aug. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Goya Foods, the largest Hispanic-owned food company in the United States, donates 10,000 pounds of food to Catholic Charities of New York in recognition of the Dominican Day Parade in New York City on Wednesday, August 9, 2017 at Washington Heights Ecumenical Food Pantry located at 4111 Broadway, New York, NY 10033.
“What better way to celebrate the Dominican Day Parade than by helping others and giving back to our community,” said Rafael Toro, Director of Public Relations of Goya Foods. “To Goya, it’s not just about donating food or money, but about making a difference in the lives of our consumers and their families.”
The food will go directly to Catholic Charities’ food pantries, where it will be distributed to hundreds of families in need. “We are grateful for the ongoing generosity of Goya and their support in our mission to providing meals to all hungry New Yorkers in need,” said Executive Director, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan. “In celebrating Dominican Week, we highlight one of the many communities our agencies are proud to serve.”
The donation is part of the Goya Gives campaign, a national initiative committed to supporting local communities through social causes. Goya has donated millions of pounds of food to organizations worldwide and continues to support over 250 organizations, events and cultural institutions. “We are proud to partner with Goya in the spirit of our Dominican culture, which embraces community and service,” said Maria Khury, Chair, Board of Directors of the Dominican Day Parade. “Catholic Charities fights hunger, among many other causes, and it is our distinct honor that Goya is making this significant donation in recognition of our mission.”
Goya’s annual food donations also serve to encourage consumers to participate in the message and act of helping those in need. Consumers can share the #GoyaGives message with friends and family through Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @goyafoods and @CathCharitiesNY
For more information about Goya Foods and the #GoyaGives campaign, please visit www.goya.com.
About GOYA: Founded in 1936, Goya Foods, Inc. is America’s largest Hispanic-owned food company, and has established itself as the leader in Latin American food and condiments. Goya manufactures, packages, and distributes over 2,500 high-quality food products from Spain, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America. Goya products have their roots in the culinary traditions of Hispanic communities around the world; Goya’s combination of authentic ingredients, robust seasonings and convenient preparation make Goya products ideal for every taste and every table. For more information on Goya Foods, please visit www.goya.com
About Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York: Currently celebrating their 100th year, Catholic Charities is a federation of approximately 90 agencies and programs located throughout the 10 counties of the Archdiocese of New York, helping to solve the problems of New Yorkers in need – non-Catholics and Catholics alike – with services that protect and nurture children, strengthen families and resolve crises, assist the hungry and homeless, support the physically and emotionally challenged, and integrate immigrants and refugees.
In 2017, Catholic Charities is marking a 100-year legacy of service and launching the next century of providing help and creating hope for New Yorkers in need. Catholic Charities is recommitting to providing basic human services that are efficient, effective, accountable and caring – and to being a valued partner in building the fabric of a caring New York. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. For more information on how to donate or volunteer, please visit our website at catholiccharitiesny.org.
About the Dominican Day Parade in New York: Since reconstituted in 2015, the Dominican Day Parade Organization has been a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to celebrate the cultural heritage of people who trace their ancestry to the Dominican Republic either by birth or descent. The organization promotes and supports the contributions of people of Dominican ancestry. We acknowledge the heritage and contributions of the Dominican community throughout the world.
We celebrate the richness of the Dominican culture, folklore and popular traditions for generations to come, as highlighted when we celebrate several community outreach programs and cultural events leading up to our annual benefit gala culminating in the celebration of our parade the 2nd Sunday of the month of August appropriately on the Avenue of the Americas. Follow us on #DRPARADEUSA and Facebook Dominican parade. For more information on how to donate, participate or volunteer, please visit our website at dominicanparade.org
Driving their #93 RealTime Racing Acura NSX GT3, Peter Kox and Mark Wilkins won Saturday's Pirelli World Challenge race at Utah Motorsports Campus.
TOOELE, Utah, Aug. 12, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Peter Kox and Mark Wilkins combined to score the first win for the new Acura NSX GT3 in Pirelli World Challenge Competition in a hard-fought SprintX opening round of a doubleheader race weekend at Utah Motorsports Campus.
Starting from the pole, Kox led the opening segment of the hour-long contest, but the #93 RealTime Racing Acura slipped to second behind the Ferrari of Daniel Mancinelli and Niccolo Schiro during the mid-race round of pit stops. But a quick half-spin by Schiro saw Wilkins move the Acura back into the lead as the race hit the 40-minute mark.
Wilkins and Schiro continued to battle through the closing laps, but the Ferrari was never able to complete a pass, and Wilkins took his Acura to the checkers by 0.228-seconds.
“This feels wonderful. It was quite [close] at the end, but the Acura performed really well,” Kox said at the finish. “I had a good start, and I just concentrated on my own race and tried to conserve the car as well as I could for Mark [Wilkins], so he had a good car to finish it off. We lost some time in the pit stop, but luckily it fell back into our hands, Mark withstood the pressure and we have a fantastic result.”
Wilkins recounted the closing laps. “I just thought ‘one corner at a time and get the most out of the car’. We did that today. Peter did a great job in qualifying and he put us in a position to get this win and did a great job in his drive and handed over a clean car at the front. I was looking forward to the white flag [indicating the start of the final lap]. I knew I could just plug away and not make any mistakes. I think we capitalized on that. I was a bit nervous, to be honest. I just wanted to stay out of trouble and do the best job I could. It’s great to get the first victory in World Challenge for the NSX GT3. It feels fantastic. Thanks to Peter [Cunningham, team owner] and RealTime for the opportunity.”
The win is the first for the new NSX GT3 in the Pirelli World Challenge, and the third for Acura in its inaugural year of international GT3 competition. In addition to today’s victory, Michael Shank Racing has scored two endurance-race wins in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with drivers Andy Lally and Katherine Legge.
In the second #43 RealTime Racing NSX GT3, Ryan Eversley started fourth and soon began a long battle with the Porsche of Pat Long, eventually gaining third place. However, a delay during the driver change at the single pit stop resulted in co-driver Tom Dyer resuming in fifth. While he was able to regain much of the ground lost during the long pit stop, Dyer was unable to improve his position in the closing laps and finished fifth.
“One of the belts got trapped behind me in the seat. It was unfortunate,” Dyer said of the long pit stop. “We were fighting a little bit of understeer, and it kept growing. I was concerned about the left front tire, too. It was feeling a little odd, but everything made it to the finish.”
“The RealTime guys brought two really good race cars. We were fast in every session and we knew we’d be strong,” Eversley said. “The biggest thing about today is the Acura NSX GT3 has now won in the IMSA series and in World Challenge. Hopefully, people will want to buy these cars and race them next year. We’re all really happy at RealTime to get the win, and we’ll try it again tomorrow.”
“After our first official on track session [here] one year ago, it came full circle today. The NSX GT3 has now shown it can race for the win in both endurance and sprint racing,” said NSX GT3 Project Leader Lee Niffenegger of Honda Performance Development. “Huge congratulations to everyone at RealTime Racing and our Acura Motorsports engineers for all the hard work to get to this point. Peter had a great lap in qualifying to secure the first World Challenge pole for the NSX GT3, and held P1 throughout his stint. Mark then delivered a cool and calm performance to hold off the charging Ferrari to take our first World Challenge win. The first one is always the hardest, and now we can try for more as the season continues.”
The RealTime Racing Acura NSX GT3 team will have only a short time to savor today’s victory, as the second round of the weekend doubleheader takes place tomorrow at Utah Motorsports Campus in Tooele, Utah.
The Acura NSX GT3 racecar utilizes the production NSX’s lightweight multi-material body with aluminum-intensive space frame, and is powered by a 3.5-liter, 75-degree, twin-turbocharged DOHC V-6 engine. The engine uses the same design specifications as the production 2017 Acura NSX, including the block, heads, valve train, crankshaft, pistons and dry-sump lubrication system. The engine is paired with a 6-speed, sequential-shift racing gearbox, delivering power to the rear wheels. The Acura NSX is produced at the Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio.
Video recaps from this weekend’s Acura Pirelli World Challenge racing activities at the Utah Motorsports Campus are being posted on the “Honda Racing/HPD” YouTube channel. Produced by the Carolinas Production Group, the video packages can be found in the 2017 HPD Trackside Video Playlist at: https://www.youtube.com/HondaRacingHPDTV.
Pirelli World Challenge Circuit: Utah Motorsports Campus (3.02-mile road course), Lexington, Ohio Weather: Partly cloudy, hot, 91 degrees F Saturday
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Flagship Food Group and 505 Southwestern® are excited to announce the launch of a unique campaign, the “Clash of the Hatch,” a food truck challenge curated by 505 Southwestern® and chef Eric Greenspan.
Celebrating the Hatch Valley green chile harvest season, the “Clash of the Hatch” will bring together 10 of LA’s most popular food trucks to compete to make the best dish possible featuring 505 Southwestern® Hatch Valley Flame Roasted Green Chile. The 10 finalists chosen to compete are Locol, Border Grill, Baby’s Badass Burgers, Grilled Cheese Truck, South Philly Experience, Vchos Pupusas, Chubbee Monkee, India Jones, Dogtown Dogs and Wise Barbecue Co.
Each truck is challenged to develop an innovative menu item that matches the truck’s food genre and style. Trucks are encouraged to drive awareness and sales of their item through social media and creative marketing. The truck with the winning item will be invited to the Flagship global research and development center in Burbank, California, to develop a version of their menu item as a consumer retail food product. 505 Southwestern® will work to distribute this product into retail channels, and the winner will receive 1% of the net revenue, subject to a minimum of $20,000 and up to a maximum of $100,000.
Votes from fans matter. Fans can follow the trucks to taste the dishes and weigh in on who they think deserves to win. Other categories used to decide the winner are most innovative entrée item, social media participation, and the highest number of 505 Southwestern® units sold.
“Our ‘Clash of the Hatch’ event is about engaging with LA’s best food truck operators to create awareness of our wonderful Hatch Valley Green Chile, how it can be used to make almost any dish taste great, and to just have some fun in a creative environment,” said Rob Holland, Chief Executive Officer of Flagship Food Group.
“Anyone who knows me, my restaurants, or my TV shows, knows that I am passionate about great restaurants and operators. Food trucks represent the epitome of real time innovation and passionate entrepreneurs- exactly the kind of people I, Flagship, and 505 Southwestern® love engaging with,” said chef Eric Greenspan. “I think this is an exciting event, and I can’t wait to see what these food trucks create.”
“Clash of the Hatch” officially launches on August 15, 2017 with the winner being announced in January 2018. For more information and updates please visit www.505clashofthehatch.com and follow on Facebook @505chile, Twitter @505southwestern and Instagram @505southwestern.
For Media Inquiries, Contact: Kory D. Webber Marketing Manager [email protected] +1.720.420.6395
