UL and ICONTEC Sign Agreement to Promote National Safety Standards for Colombia

July 25, 2016

NORTHBROOK, Illinois, July 25, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Underwriters Laboratories Inc., a global safety science leader and standards developer, and the national standards body of Colombia (ICONTEC) have signed an agreement to promote the use of UL Standards in the ongoing development of national standards in Colombia via formalized consulting, communication and information exchange protocols.

The agreement provides ICONTEC with full access to all UL standards, and encourages the translation, use, and adoption of UL standards within Colombia. In addition, the agreement encourages cooperation and collaboration between UL and ICONTEC on standards development efforts.

“UL is pleased to be working with ICONTEC to continue to advance our global public safety mission by providing UL Standards within Colombia,” said Phil Piqueira, Vice President, UL Standards. “As the national standards body in Colombia, ICONTEC officials reinforce the importance of cooperation on standards development. UL welcomes the opportunity to have a stronger standards presence in this important country.”

Standards Development Leader
Standards are essential to public safety and confidence and improve the quality of products and services in the marketplace. UL leads the research and science needed to understand complex safety issues and develop standards. Further, we bring the right stakeholders together to effectively develop consensus-based standards. We also play a key role in the development and harmonization of national and international standards. As of today, UL has developed more than 1,500 Standards ranging from Standards for Safety to Standards for Sustainability and utilizes the expertise of more than 400 Standards Technical Panels. Visit http://ulstandards.ul.com/ for more information.

About UL
UL is a premier global independent safety science company that has championed progress for more than 120 years. Its nearly 11,000 professionals are guided by the UL mission to promote safe working and living environments for all people. UL uses research and standards to continually advance and meet ever-evolving safety needs. We partner with businesses, manufacturers, trade associations and international regulatory authorities to bring solutions to a more complex global supply chain. For more information about our certification, testing, inspection, advisory and education services, visit http://www.UL.com.

CONTACT: Michelle Press
Corporate Communications
UL LLC
T: (847) 272.8800

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Leading Epidemiologist Weighs In On Zika In Puerto Rico To Help Educate Travelers

July 25, 2016

Leading epidemiologist Dr. D.A. Henderson lets travelers know that if they are not pregnant or planning a pregnancy, there is no reason to cancel travel plans to Puerto Rico. Photo Credit: Puerto Rico Tourism Company

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, July 25, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — An esteemed epidemiologist says, unless you are pregnant or planning to conceive, you can have a worry-free vacation in Puerto Rico. Echoing Puerto Rico Tourism Company’s (PRTC) ongoing efforts to educate visitors about Zika, Dr. D.A. Henderson, Distinguished Scholar at the UPMC Center for Health Security in Baltimore, Maryland, urges travelers to learn the facts about the Zika virus to overcome fears and hype.

Dr. Henderson, who helped lead the program that eradicated smallpox, encourages travelers to take a common sense approach when evaluating trips to Zika prone areas. “Unless you are pregnant or planning to conceive, there’s no reason to avoid traveling to destinations where Zika may be present. If you use common sense precautions to avoid mosquito bites, like applying insect repellent and wearing protective clothing, any threat of Zika infection can be easily managed. The over-reaction and hype about Zika is not warranted or helpful.”

Dr. Henderson continued, “The healthcare industry and the laboratories have a lot to benefit from a several billion dollar infusion for research and control efforts and I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, and in fact many exposed populations will truly benefit, however it helps us understand the situation and keeps the Zika hype in perspective. I see no evidence to suggest that Puerto Rico is the epicenter of the Zika outbreak nor do I see signs that it will become an epidemic in the U.S.”

“We are working diligently to educate and protect our visitors to Puerto Rico so they can have a worry-free experience,” said PRTC Executive Director Ingrid I. Rivera Rocafort. “By sharing the opinion of medical experts like Dr. Henderson, we are spreading facts not fear about Zika, reassuring visitors they can continue to enjoy our beautiful island, the crown jewel of the Caribbean.”

The PRTC is working closely with Dr. Henderson, the CDC and the local Department of Public Health to ensure visitors are informed about Zika in Puerto Rico. The PRTC and the Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association (PRHTA) are taking every precaution possible to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds at hotels and resorts, and educate visitors about preventing mosquito bites. For more information about the Zika virus in Puerto Rico, visit PuertoRicoNow.SeePuertoRico.com.

About Puerto Rico Tourism Company
The Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC), founded in 1970, is a public corporation responsible for stimulating, promoting and regulating the development of the tourism industry. It markets Puerto Rico as a tourism destination through advertising, public relations and promotional activities; promotes tourism among visitors and local residents; provides visitor orientation and technical assistance to investors; evaluates tourism facilities and establishes standards of quality; and regulates and oversees gaming operations. PRTC has offices and representatives in the U.S. mainland, Canada, Europe and Latin America.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160722/392335

Fuego Enterprises, Inc. Developing Cuba’s First E-Commerce Website

July 25, 2016

MIAMI, July 25, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Fuego Enterprises, Inc. (OTCUS: FUGI), a diversified holdings company focused on business opportunities in Cuba and the United States, is positioning itself to enter what many predict will be the biggest market in the Caribbean: online classified ads and e-commerce in Cuba.

After recently acquiring majority control of U.S.-based website Porlalivre.com, a Craigslist-style marketplace and classified advertising hub for Cuba, Fuego (FUGI) currently is enhancing the platform to become the most trusted site for Cubans to purchase new and used goods as well as services. Already the leading public classified ads portal dedicated to the Cuban market, Porlalivre.com boasts thousands of new ads every day in more than 100 categories and draws hundreds of thousands monthly average visitors.

Created with the mission to “Making your life easier,” Porlalivre.com offers the classified ad categories most wanted in the Cuban market today, including apartments and real estate, handmade products, art pieces, electronics, jobs, travel, repair services, construction, buying and selling cars, clothes, beauty products and many more.

Users currently do not pay anything to buy and sell goods and services via the platform, and conduct their own private negotiations and transactions without Porlalivre participating. However, Porlalivre recently initiated a revenue model in which users can pay for preferred ad placements in search results (similar to google paid search results). Now part of OnCuba, the largest communication platform on Cuba for the US market, it offers a comprehensive crossover advertising solution for companies interested in reaching Cubans in the island and abroad. And soon users in the U.S. and Cuba will be able to purchase artisanal and handmade goods from Cuba. Once online merchant transactions become legal in Cuba, Porlalivre.com plans to gain significant revenues from those online transaction fees, similar to time-tested models like those of Amazon and eBay.

While a few other classified ad platforms exist in Cuba, they have been cobbled together using outdated technology and modes—thus limiting geographic reach, search capabilities and results. Porlalivre’s advanced technology and infrastructure makes it superior in numerous ways, including:

Geographic location data: Porlalivre offers details on specific location properties, such as province and municipality, and each province has its own subdomain allowing users to view ads only from particular provinces.
Search capabilities: Currently unparalleled in Cuba, Porlalivre search capabilities deliver results despite the use of synonyms, plural vs singular and spelling mistakes. The results are organized as to such criteria as relevance and publication date.
Organization categories: More than 100 categories are available to further facilitate the search for what is sought based on the category. Porlalivre technology is flexible and adaptable to easily add additional categories based on user demand.
Speed and design: Porlalivre offers fast load and image processing that is fully responsive via the internet as well as mobile phones.

“Fuego Enterprises is pleased with the opportunity to have Porlalivre in our business portfolio for Cuba, and we have a great team working in sync on all future developments,” states Ariel Machado, Fuego (FUGI) Vice President and President of Porlalivre, Inc.

“Already the site is very successful and popular among Cubans, despite the connectivity limitations in the island. We believe Porlalivre will pioneer e-commerce in U.S. for original Cuban goods, as well as deliver an exceptional opportunity to Cuban business owners by offering a trusted and secure environment to reach thousands of users across the island and abroad and conduct their services and transactions, once allowed,” adds Machado.

About Fuego Enterprises, Inc. (FUGI)

Founded in 2004, Fuego Enterprises, Inc. is a diversified holdings company focused on business opportunities in Cuba and the United States with operations in Media and Entertainment, Telecommunications, Travel, Real Estate and other industries. Fuego Enterprises also publishes two magazines: OnCuba (www.oncubamagazine.com) and ART OnCuba, the first Cuba-focused monthly and quarterly bilingual magazine publication with national distribution in the U.S. Both magazines are published in hard copies and electronic formats and is distributed in select Barnes & Noble stores throughout the United States. They are also distributed in Cuba and OnCuba the official and exclusive “in-flight” magazine for almost all flights from the U.S. to Cuba.

Media Contacts:

LA Marketing & Communications (www.lafinancialmarketing.com)
Anne Aldrich: +1.312.787.1642
[email protected]

Mike Felix: +1.917.289.1119
[email protected]

Netflix And 20th Century Fox Television Distribution Announce First Global Agreement

July 25, 2016

BEVERLY HILLS, California, July 25, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Netflix and 20^th Century Fox Television Distribution today announced their first global SVOD licensing agreement. Netflix will be the exclusive global streaming home for FX’s hit, American Crime Story. The first season of the franchise will be available globally on Netflix, excluding Canada, in 2017 with all seasons made available after their respective broadcast windows. The 22-time Emmy^® nominated first season, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story concluded its 10-episode run as cable’s most-watched new series of 2016.

From executive producers Ryan Murphy, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski and Brad Falchuk, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story stars John Travolta, Cuba Gooding Jr., Sarah Paulson, David Schwimmer, Courtney B. Vance, Sterling K. Brown, Nathan Lane, Kenneth Choi, Christian Clemenson and Bruce Greenwood. The limited series is produced by Fox 21 Television Studios and FX Productions.

The first season of this limited series goes inside the O.J. Simpson trial and explores the chaotic, behind-the-scenes dealings and maneuvering on both sides of the court, and how a combination of prosecution overconfidence, defense shrewdness and the LAPD’s history with the city’s African-American community gave a jury what it needed: reasonable doubt. The second season of American Crime Story focusing on Hurricane Katrina will debut on FX next year.

“We’re excited to evolve our relationship with FOX and to bring their lauded content to our members around the world,” said Sean Carey, Vice President of Global Television. “Given the popularity of the first season of American Crime Story, we are thrilled to offer this acclaimed drama series to our members.”

“We’re extremely pleased to continue our relationship with Netflix on this groundbreaking deal,” said Gina Brogi, EVP Worldwide Pay TV and SVOD, Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution. “We are very proud of the first installment of this franchise, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, which has received extraordinary critical acclaim and perfectly captured the cultural Zeitgeist.”

About Netflix:

Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) is the world’s leading Internet television network with over 83 million members in over 190 countries enjoying more than 125 million hours of TV shows and movies per day, including original series, documentaries and feature films. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on nearly any Internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.

About Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution:

A unit of 21^st Century Fox, Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution is a global leader in the distribution of award-winning motion pictures, television programming and entertainment content across Pay TV, broadcast television and SVOD. Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution connects audiences around the world with premium content from the production divisions of Twentieth Century Fox Films, Twentieth Century Fox Television, FX and FBC as well as other 21^st Century Fox companies.

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HITN to be Lead Sponsor of Premiere Latino Event being held during the DNC in Philadelphia

July 25, 2016

BROOKLYN, New York, July 25, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — HITN confirmed it would be one of the lead sponsors of Latinos Unidos; Leading America Celebration, the premiere Latino event taking place at the Philadelphia Marriott Hotel and scheduled to coincide with the Democratic National Convention. The National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) is hosting the event.

This important event is a celebration of Hispanic organizations, as fifteen of the leading national groups join together to amplify the Latino impact in the 2016 Presidential elections. It will be an evening of star power as celebrities and musical entertainers join forces with the nation’s political leaders.

“HITN is proud to be a lead sponsor of the Latinos Unidos; Leading America event. We recognize Latinos have an important role in this presidential election and are committed to being a partner that Latinos across the country can count on for all the information and resources needed to make an informed decision – just as we did with our 2016: Tu Momento educational campaign.” stated Mike Nieves, President and CEO of HITN.

Last April, HITN launched 2016: Tu Momento (2016: Your Moment), an educational campaign, designed to explain the workings of the U.S. electoral system to the Hispanic community via a series of vignettes that touch on topics such as the electoral college, delegates and party-based conventions.

In addition to the educational content, this year HITN has provided convention coverage with a detailed summary and analysis of the Republican National Convention with a similar recap to follow of the top moments from the Democratic Party’s convention. The network will continue to cover the electoral process with a variety of live and detailed coverage through Election Day in November.

NHCSL President Angel Cruz and Senator Iris Y. Martínez (IL), DNC Hispanic Caucus Chair will lead the Latinos Unidos; Leading America Celebration.

HITN-TV provides commercial Spanish-language educational programming in the United States.
It reaches over 40 million households in key Hispanic markets across the country. And is distributed throughout the United States and Puerto Rico through DIRECTV, DISH Network, AT&T U-verse TV, Verizon FiOS TV, Comcast, Charter, Cablevision, Mediacom and is available in select markets through Time Warner Cable. For more information, visit: http://www.hitn.org/en/about-us

What: HITN to be Lead Sponsor of Premiere Latino Event being held during the DNC in Philadelphia
When: July 26, 2016 / 10:00 pm to 1:00 am
Where: Philadelphia, Marriott Hotel

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Flixfling Partners with Olympusat to Launch Its First Ever Lineup of Premium Spanish-Language Channels

July 25, 2016

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida, July 25, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Focused on connecting its Hispanic consumers to the content they absolutely love, Philadelphia-based FlixFling streaming video service, is poised to add Spanish-language programming to its premium subscription channel catalog in partnership with Olympusat, Inc., one of the largest independent media companies specializing in the ownership, distribution, production and technical services of Spanish and English language networks.

It is the first time that such a robust, Spanish-language premium video collection is available On Demand in FlixFling’s growing channel line-up. Users of the subscription service will enjoy a variety and large volume of compelling content in six newly created channels designed by Olympusat that feature movies, telenovelas, series, documentaries, anime, live action, faith-based and children’s programming.

“We are thrilled to partner with FlixFling as we continue to greatly expand our digital footprint in the U.S. and Latin America,” stated Tom Mohler, CEO of Olympusat. “We are proud to offer a huge influx of top-rated new releases to their customers while making our brands available to a wider audience, and giving them the content they want.”

FlixFling CEO, Thomas Ashley said, “We are very excited to further diversify the content we offer to our customers and appeal to the Spanish speaking market. Olympusat has an impressive content line-up we are sure will appeal to a broad audience.”

FlixFling is a unique hybrid service offering movies and television, to rent or buy On Demand, as well as multiple monthly subscription channel offerings. Subscription packages for each of Olympusat’s uniquely curated channels will be available for monthly prices ranging from $3.99 to $4.99 per channel. The monthly fee offers unlimited access to hundreds of titles available instantly.

Today, the United States is the world’s second largest Spanish speaking country after Mexico. With expansive buying power and unique consumption habits, people of Hispanic origin –55 million inhabitants, according to the U.S. Census Bureau– represent the nation’s largest ethnic or racial minority. Although they are becoming increasingly proficient in English, they are also more likely to view television in Spanish. Research from Nielsen shows that the average Spanish-dominant home is watching 78% of television in Spanish. That makes it a significant audience for a consumer-oriented growing company like FlixFling.

Olympusat has established itself as a leader in the Hispanic television and media space through its 100+ SD and HD Spanish and English language television networks for the entire family. This Video On Demand content deal with FlixFling will enable consumers to subscribe to the following channels:

Cine Real – A contemporary movie channel offering an unrivaled library of original Spanish-language titles from Latin America and Spain, including popular genres such as action, drama, comedies and romance.

Damas – A Spanish-language entertainment channel featuring highly rated lifestyle programming for Hispanic women and acclaimed telenovelas, from the classics, to the latest productions in all of Latin America.

Pio Pio – Developed entirely for preschoolers, this channel delivers some of the best educational, values-oriented and entertaining Spanish-language content that will stimulate kids’ creativity and imagination.

Parables – A faith-based English-language entertainment channel featuring movies, series, documentaries, children’s programming and original productions that inspire one story at a time.

Parables en Español – Brings quality faith-based entertainment television to Hispanic families looking for spirit-enriching programming – a combination of inspirational movies, series, documentaries and original productions.

TOKU – An English-dubbed channel delivering the most popular and sough after live-action fiction titles, anime, and cult classics from Japan, China, South Korea and Thailand.

FlixFling will have available for its subscribers Cine Real, Damas and Pio Pio in early winter 2016. Parables, Parables en Español and Toku are set to launch by early-2017.

About Olympusat, Inc.

Olympusat, Inc. is one of the largest independent media companies specializing in ownership, distribution, production and technical services. The company has established itself as a leader in the Hispanic television and media space through its 100+ SD and HD Spanish and English language television networks. Olympusat’s networks include the top-rated Spanish-language movie channel Cine Mexicano and the popular Ultra HD Plex. The company also delivers a distinctive Faith & Family and Specialty Suite representing some of the biggest networks in the industry.

As a part of Olympusat’s industry-leading efforts, the company also has launched two new strategic business units – Olympusat Telecom and Olympusat Entertainment. Olympusat Telecom has embarked on providing the enterprise and consumer customer with complete communications and business solutions through its IPTV, Video Streaming and CDN offering.

Olympusat Entertainment encompasses all aspects of film and TV production including feature length and short films, music videos, industrial/corporate videos, and commercials, both local and national. OE’s award-winning team comes equipped with the technology to provide customers with a full service production from the project’s conception to its completion.

Olympusat has also recently launched VEMOX, a white label OTT TV Everywhere solution. VEMOX is a cost efficient and reliable B2B carrier-grade OTT platform, developed for operators in the U.S. and Latin America, that combines technology and content (100 live channels and 5,000+ hours of VOD content in English and Spanish), creating an attractive and customizable OPEX based turnkey solution.

For more information, please visit www.olympusat.com.

Olympusat Editorial Contact:
Jesus Piñango
+1-561-249-5228
[email protected]

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Modern, Mobile + Connected: Changing Face Of Mary Kay Convenes For U.S. Seminar

July 25, 2016

Mary Kay Seminar celebrates the success of the company's independent sales force while also providing recognition, education and motivation for the year ahead. During the event, held July 24 - Aug. 6 in Dallas, more than $5 million in recognition prizes will be awarded including world-class travel and the coveted Mary Kay pink Cadillac. Nearly 50 percent of new Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants are ages 18-34.

DALLAS, July 25, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — With traffic-stopping Mary Kay pink Cadillacs and nearly 30,000 Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants convening in Dallas, it’s hard to miss the iconic beauty company’s annual Seminar. The event, held July 24 through Aug. 6 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas, is comprised of four back-to-back conferences and is one of the largest events in North Texas based on attendance, economic impact and hotel room nights.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160724/392421
Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160724/392422

With a humble start from a 500-square foot storefront in Dallas in 1963 to a $4 billion global powerhouse cosmetics brand today, Mary Kay’s independent sales force is growing younger and more diverse:

Nearly 50 percent of new Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants are ages 18-34.
More than 50 percent of new Independent Beauty Consultants are Latina, Asian or African American.
More than 150,000 new Mary Kay independent businesses have been started in the first half of 2016.

“For more than 50 years now, our unparalleled business opportunity coupled with the long-standing success of our irresistible beauty products have appealed to women of every age and demographic,” said Darrell Overcash, President of Mary Kay Inc.’s North America Region. “As we welcome women from every corner of the United States for our annual U.S. Seminar, we are thrilled to see new faces as well as members of our independent sales force who return to celebrate with us year after year.”

From personalized in-home customer service to instant access online, Mary Kay is making it easier than ever for Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants to operate a Mary Kay business by expanding the beauty company’s digital showcase. As one of the largest direct sellers of quality skin care and color cosmetics in the world, the Mary Kay digital platform includes a wide variety of tools and technology including the newly launched myCustomers+ app which turns an Independent Beauty Consultant’s smart device into a fully functional mobile office.

“At Mary Kay, we are dedicated to providing superior, personalized customer service whether it’s in-person or online while also continuing to provide a variety of modernized tools and technology for our independent sales force,” said Sara Friedman, Vice President of U.S. Marketing for Mary Kay Inc. “With nearly 85 million visits a year, marykay.com and Mary Kay® Independent Beauty Consultant Personal Websites continue to give consumers a personalized, dynamic and engaging shopping experience.”

The Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau estimates Mary Kay Seminar will pump $34.4 million into the North Texas economy and contribute to 2,000 jobs in the Dallas area. Seminar celebrates the success of the company’s independent sales force while also providing recognition, education and motivation for the year ahead. During the event, more than $5 million in recognition prizes will be awarded including world-class travel and the coveted Mary Kay pink Cadillac. For more information about Mary Kay’s company timeline, positive community impact, rewarding opportunity and irresistible products, click here.

About Mary Kay
Irresistible products. Positive community impact. Rewarding opportunity. For more than 50 years, Mary Kay has offered it all. With 3.5 million Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants and $4 billion in global annual sales, Mary Kay is a top beauty brand and direct seller in more than 35 markets around the world. Discover what there is to love about Mary Kay by connecting with a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant at marykay.com.

Mary Kay Inc. Corporate Communications
marykay.com/newsroom
972.687.5332 or [email protected]

Youth for Justice Academy Kicks-Off in San Rafael’s Canal Neighborhood

July 25, 2016

Two weeks of leadership training on good nutrition, physical exercise, drug & alcohol use prevention and direct action

SAN RAFAEL, California, July 25, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The 4th Annual Youth for Justice Academy starts today. Approximately 25 Latino and other youth from 11 to 19 years old will gather at the offices of Alcohol Justice in the Canal neighborhood of San Rafael to share unique experiences and learn new skills over the next two weeks. The San Rafael Alcohol and Drug Coalition, the Marin County Probation Department, and Alcohol Justice underwrite the project. Marin County Parks, the National Park Service, and Trips for Kids are providing additional support. Many youth continue volunteering for the advocacy group Youth for Justice after the academy.

“The Marin County Probation Department supports the Youth for Justice Academy program because it meets our interest in providing positive, pro-social opportunities to our youth,” said Kevin Lynch, Director of the Juvenile Services Division of the Marin County Probation Department. “For far too long, the juvenile justice system has focused on telling youth all of the things they cannot do, without providing alternatives such as the Youth for Justice Academy. We believe that making this investment in the Academy helps reduce the numbers of youth who are referred to the juvenile justice system.”

“Our Youth for Justice Academy is a powerful tool to challenge alcohol and drug use among young people here in our own backyard,” said Jorge Castillo, Alcohol Justice Advocacy Director and Program Manager of the San Rafael Alcohol and Drug Coalition. “It’s a natural extension of our community coalition’s work to help place more Latino youth from the Canal district of San Rafael on the path toward success, enabling them to live healthier and safer lives.”

The San Rafael Alcohol and Drug Coalition, now in its in third year of a five-year federal grant, works to establish and strengthen community collaboration in support of local efforts to prevent youth substance use in the Canal district, a Marin County California neighborhood of 12,000 residents.

“This year’s two week academy will help a new generation of young people from the Canal experience new options by focusing on health, social justice, and nature,” said Maite Durán, Community Organizer for Youth for Justice. “These future leaders of Marin will participate in workshops dealing with organizing, and alcohol and drug prevention, learning to use tools that will enable them to give back to their community. They will learn while visiting beautiful Marin area parks. They will also participate in pro-social activities in our community by creating a new garden, learning to grow their own food, harvest, cook, and enjoy it.”

For more information about Youth for Justice or the San Rafael Alcohol and Drug Coalition, contact Jorge Castillo at 415-257-2488.

CONTACT: Michael J. Scippa 415 548-0492

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Are you ready for the TOEFL® test? Enroll today for the free TOEFL MOOC launching September 7

July 25, 2016

PRINCETON, New Jersey, July 25, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Studying abroad at an English-speaking university provides endless opportunities for your future success, and the path to that success begins with the TOEFL^® test. The creator of the test developed a six-week MOOC to help you improve your English-language skills and understand the ins and outs of the TOEFL test.

Starting today, you can enroll in the second running of the MOOC, TOEFL Test Preparation: The Insider’s Guide, through edX, the nonprofit online learning destination founded by Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The course will launch worldwide on September 7, 2016, with general information about the test. Each of the following four weeks will focus on the four skills tested — Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing — and then will conclude in week six with test-day information and other helpful tips.

During the successful first run of the course, participants from more than 200 countries tuned in weekly to learn directly from TOEFL experts and practice the English skills needed in English-speaking classrooms. You can expect a similar collaborative environment, as well as a mix of lectures, videos and sample questions from past tests complete with answer explanations. During the Speaking and Writing lectures, TOEFL test creators will review a handful of responses and provide evaluation and feedback.

Not only will you walk away with a broad understanding of the sections of the test, helpful preparation tips and registration information, but you will also have the unique opportunity to meet and share information with students from around the world through discussion boards. You can create study groups and share your own personal tips about learning English and preparing to study abroad. It’s set up as a global classroom for you to interact how and when you’re comfortable.

Weekly commitment to the MOOC is no more than two hours per week. Although the course is free, you will have the option to sign up for a paid certificate that will highlight the knowledge and skills you gained upon completing the MOOC.

The course is accessible with an Internet connection on most devices. If you are interested in achieving your best TOEFL score, visit https://www.edx.org/course/toeflr-test-preparation-insiders-guide-etsx-toeflx for registration today.

About the TOEFL^® Test
The TOEFL^® test of academic English is the most widely respected English-language assessment worldwide, recognized by more than 9,000 institutions in more than 130 countries. To date, more than 30 million students have taken the TOEFL test. More information regarding the TOEFL test, including registration, study tips and sample questions, is available on the TOEFL^® Go Anywhere website at www.toeflgoanywhere.org.

About ETS
At ETS, we advance quality and equity in education for people worldwide by creating assessments based on rigorous research. ETS serves individuals, educational institutions and government agencies by providing customized solutions for teacher certification, English language learning, and elementary, secondary and postsecondary education, and by conducting education research, analysis and policy studies. Founded as a nonprofit in 1947, ETS develops, administers and scores more than 50 million tests annually — including the TOEFL^® and TOEIC^® tests, the GRE^® tests and The Praxis Series^® assessments — in more than 180 countries, at over 9,000 locations worldwide. www.ets.org

NCLR Adopts Policy Position in Favor of Reducing Gun Violence

July 24, 2016

ORLANDO, Florida, July 24, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — NCLR (National Council of La Raza) announced today that its Board of Directors has unanimously voted in favor of policies aimed at reducing gun violence in the nation. The position, a first in the organization’s 48-year history, was announced at the 2016 NCLR Annual Conference during the National Affiliate Luncheon, a gathering of the nation’s Latino leaders representing NCLR’s Affiliate Network of almost 300 community-based organizations. The announcement comes after the nation has experienced a series of mass shootings and other incidents of gun violence, most recently the horrific events in Orlando, Baton Rouge, St. Paul, and Dallas.

“Our announcement today comes as we hold our Annual Conference in Orlando, the site of the largest mass shooting in our nation’s history, which took the lives of 49 innocent people, most of whom were Latino,” said NCLR President and CEO Janet Murguía. “The tragic event at Pulse nightclub changed Orlando and it has changed NCLR. Today, by formally adopting this position, we join with the vast majority of Americans calling for an end to gun violence and we will urge policymakers to adopt common-sense measures to reduce mass shootings and gun violence, saving countless lives.”

The NCLR Board of Directors adopted a position to reduce gun violence that includes the following elements:

Reasonable restrictions on the acquisition of firearms and ammunition consistent with the protection of the civil rights of all Americans, including support for universal background checks.
A ban on assault weapons.
Collection and analysis of data related to gun violence to understand causes and develop prevention strategies.

In addition, NCLR will continue its work to expand the availability of bilingual and culturally appropriate mental health services, including violence prevention approaches, to all who need them. “These are common-sense steps that are long overdue. And it is incumbent on NCLR to give voice to the growing concern in our community over such violence,” concluded Murguía.

NCLR—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. For more information on NCLR, please visit www.nclr.org or follow along on Facebook and Twitter.

Contact:
Julian Teixeira
[email protected]
(202) 776-1812

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