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FPL Wins National Award for Best Electric Reliability in the U.S.

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MIAMI, Oct. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) was named the winner of the 2015 ReliabilityOne™ National Reliability Excellence Award by PA Consulting Group, an international firm that analyzes electric utility performance across the United States.

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“We appreciate this honor, which recognizes FPL as the most reliable electric utility in the nation,” said Eric Silagy, president and chief executive officer of FPL. “This award is a direct reflection of the commitment of our employees, who each and every day deliver outstanding value for our customers. We are constantly working to improve our service by investing in innovative technology that makes our grid stronger, smarter and more resilient, particularly where it concerns Florida’s severe weather. These investments, which we began following Hurricane Wilma a decade ago, total more than $2 billion, and have positioned FPL to deliver electric service that today is more than 99.98 percent reliable. And we are not stopping there. Our investments to modernize Florida’s electric grid will help us meet the needs of our customers, both residential and business, now and in the future.”

Since 2006, FPL has invested more than $2 billion to strengthen their system and their customers are seeing the benefits. FPL has improved service reliability by approximately 20 percent in the last five years and is on track to achieve its best ever performance record in 2015. The company attributes these accomplishments and this prestigious national award to its nearly 9,000 employees who are committed to delivering value to customers by continuously improving one of the most advanced electric grids in the nation, including:

  • Strengthening nearly 600 main power lines (feeders) serving key community facilities, including hospitals, police and fire stations, 911 communication centers
  • Clearing vegetation from 120,000 miles of power lines
  • Inspecting 1.2 million utility poles, restoring or replacing those that no longer met FPL’s standards for strength
  • Installing advanced smart grid and cutting-edge technologies – including 4.8 million smart meters and more than 12,000 other intelligent devices – to reduce power outages and provide customers with unprecedented information to manage their energy use

The ReliabilityOne™ National Reliability Excellence Award is given to the regional award recipient that has demonstrated sustained leadership, innovation and achievement in the area of electric reliability. FPL received the ReliabilityOne™ Award for Outstanding Reliability Performance in the Southeast region of the U.S., making the company eligible for the national award. FPL was also awarded Outstanding Technology and Innovation in the U.S. and Outstanding Personal Achievement, for FPL engineer Jorge Valdes, an expert in underground cable design and operations. The selection criteria for the ReliabilityOne™ National Reliability Excellence Award are both quantitative and qualitative including:

  • superior regional performance
  • sustained performance over time
  • improved performance over time
  • leadership in outage data collection and reporting systems, processes, procedures and controls
  • organizational and cultural focus on reliability
  • communication, planning, preparation, and response to major outage events
  • contributions to regional system security and reliability

The ReliabilityOne™ award is given annually to utilities that have excelled in delivering reliable electric service to their customers. All utilities operating electric delivery networks in North America are eligible for consideration for the ReliabilityOne™ award. Selection of provisional recipients is based primarily on system reliability statistics that measure the frequency and duration of customer outages. After provisional recipients are selected, each company undergoes an on-site certification process, which provides an independent review and confirmation of the policies, processes and systems used to collect, analyze and report a company’s reliability results.

“Now in its 15th year, the ReliabilityOne™ Awards have helped bring recognition to those utilities that have maintained the highest level of reliability, brought outstanding innovation to their operations and placed the highest value on their customers,” said Jeff Lewis, PA Consulting Group’s ReliabilityOne™ Program Director. “This year Florida Power & Light Company truly embodies the best of this tradition by demonstrating exceptional leadership in customer engagement, reliability and innovation.”

About Florida Power & Light Company
Florida Power & Light Company is the third-largest electric utility in the United States, serving approximately 4.8 million customer accounts across nearly half of the state of Florida. FPL’s typical 1,000-kWh residential customer bill is approximately 30 percent lower than the latest national average and, in 2014, was the lowest in Florida among reporting utilities for the fifth year in a row. FPL’s service reliability is better than 99.98 percent, and its highly fuel-efficient power plant fleet is one of the cleanest among all utilities nationwide. The company was recognized in 2015 as one of the most trusted U.S. electric utilities by Market Strategies International. A leading Florida employer with approximately 8,700 employees, FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Fla.-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE), a clean energy company widely recognized for its efforts in sustainability, ethics and diversity, including being ranked in the top 10 worldwide for innovativeness and community responsibility as part of Fortune’s 2015 list of “World’s Most Admired Companies.” NextEra Energy is also the parent company of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, which, together with its affiliated entities, is the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun. For more information, visit these websites: www.NextEraEnergy.com, www.FPL.com, www.NextEraEnergyResources.com.

About PA Consulting Group
PA is an employee-owned firm of over 2,500 people, operating globally from offices across North America, Europe, the Nordics, the Gulf and Asia Pacific. Our specific expertise is in energy and utilities, financial services, health, life sciences, consumer and manufacturing, government, defense and security, transport and logistics. Our deep industry knowledge together with skills in management consulting, technology and innovation allows us to challenge conventional thinking and deliver exceptional results with lasting impact. PA’s ReliabilityOne™ awards are presented to electric utilities providing their customers with the highest levels of reliability in the industry. PA’s ReliabilityOne™ study is based on standard industry reliability statistics that measure the frequency and duration of electric power outages and has been analyzing electric utility performance since 1987. For more information about PA Consulting Group, visit www.paconsulting.com/energy. 

Honda to Showcase Ridgeline Desert Race Truck Concept, HR-V Tuner Project Program, Refreshed 2016 CR-Z and more at 2015 SEMA Show

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HONDA LOGO

TORRANCE, California, Oct. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Honda will ignite the floor at the 2015 SEMA Show with a full portfolio of performance products, including race bikes, HR-V project vehicles, and the debut of the Ridgeline Desert Race Truck. The Ridgeline Desert Race Truck will offer a first look at the styling direction of the highly anticipated 2017 Honda Ridgeline pickup. The “racing Ridgeline” also marks Honda’s re-entry into Honda Performance Development (HPD)-powered factory off-road racing.

HONDA LOGO

Also within the Honda display will be four Honda HR-V project vehicles, built in partnership with several highly creative U.S.-based automotive tuning houses. The refreshed 2016 Honda CR-Z sport hybrid coupe, complete with aggressive new exterior styling details and significantly improved interior, will also be highlighted in Honda’s 2015 SEMA showcase, along with an accessorized version of the all-new 2016 Honda Civic Sedan and 2016 Honda Pilot. Further demonstrating the broad range of performance products and racing activities that only Honda can boast, Honda Powersports and HPD will also showcase many of their wares, including the Pioneer 1000 Side-by-Side in matching desert race livery, the Moto GP Race Replica RC213V-S, the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing IndyCar display, and much more.

The Honda press conference will begin at 9:35 a.m. PST on Nov. 3rd at Booth #24887 in the southeast corner of the Central Hall.

Honda will again host the Honda Soiree, this year taking place at Hakkasan Nightclub at the MGM Grand. Credentialed journalists can obtain a wristband to garner attendance at the Honda booth following the press conference.

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U.S. Treasury Pushes Unprecedented Bankruptcy Plan for Puerto Rico

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Puerto Rico Governor Garcia Padilla Admits that Some Debt May Violate Puerto Rican Constitution

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — At today’s Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing, Puerto Rican Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla and Antonio Weiss of the U.S. Treasury Department asked Congress for unprecedented bankruptcy measures for Puerto Rico, including allowing Puerto Rico to walk away from its Constitutional debt. 

As the New York Times reported yesterday, no state has the ability to restructure Constitutional, or full faith and credit debt, and that if Puerto Rico were granted this, other states like Illinois might soon follow.

“Super Chapter 9”, if enacted, is expected to roil municipal debt markets and raise the costs of borrowing for states and municipalities across the country.   

Henry Chanin, a Puerto Rican bondholder, retired educator, and member of the Main Street Bondholder coalition said,

“By giving Puerto Rico the authority to completely disregard the rule of law and void Constitutional guarantees to bondholders, Congress would be establishing a precedent that would destroy the municipal market. This would put the retirement savings of millions across the country at risk.”

In a surprise move, Garcia Padilla admitted under pressure from Senators that a portion of the Island’s debt may actually have been issued in violation of the Commonwealth’s Constitution. The admission makes clear the distinct nature of Puerto Rico’s different tranches of debt, some of which is protected by Constitutional guarantee. He also acknowledged the widespread, devastating impact that his debt avoidance measures will have on the Island, conceding that 25-30% of the island’s bondholders are Puerto Rican small investors.

Dr. Elias Gutierrez, a Puerto Rican bondholder, professor of economics, and member of the Main Street Bondholder coalition said,

“Super Chapter 9 would be de facto amendment of the Puerto Rican Constitution by Congressional legislative fiat without the participation of the Puerto Rican people. It is shameful the Obama Administration and Governor Garcia Padilla would endorse the violation of the Puerto Rican Constitution.”

Key Facts:

  • The Administration’s unprecedented proposal, so-called “Super Chapter 9”, would restructure all of Puerto Rico’s debt, including its Constitutional debt, and is widely expected to disrupt U.S. municipal debt markets – raising the cost of borrowing for states and municipalities across the country. 
  • Jim Millstein, Puerto Rico’s chief restructuring advisor, has aggressively pushed for Super Chapter 9, ignoring bi-partisan interest in Congress for a deal that would bring desperately needed fiscal reform combined with an orderly restructuring mechanism for Puerto Rico’s non-Constitutional debt. Millstein has been criticized for profiting from his business dealings around Puerto Rico’s settlement with PREPA’s bondholders, yet continues to advise the Commonwealth.
  • “Super Chapter 9” is without precedent, and would create a precedent for other states to discharge their Constitutional or “full faith and credit” debt. This reckless action would put every retirement account in America at risk.

Main Street Bondholders Coalition is a project of the 60 Plus Association, and is comprised of small bondholders from across America who are committed to a policy process that returns Puerto Rico to sound financial management, respect for the rule of law, and the protection of their retirement savings.

FIBRA Prologis Announces Third Quarter 2015 Earnings Results

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MEXICO CITY, Oct. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — FIBRA Prologis (BMV:FIBRAPL 14), the leading owner and operator of Class-A industrial real estate in Mexico, today reported results for the third quarter of 2015.

FIBRA Prologis began trading on the Mexican Stock Exchange June 4, 2014. As such, results in the third quarter of 2015 reflect the first year-over-year comparable period for the new company.

Funds from operations (FFO) in the third quarter were Ps. 420.7 million (approximately US$26.0 million), or Ps. 0.6631 per CBFI (approximately US$ 0.0410 per CBFI). Net earnings in the third quarter were Ps. 444.0 million (approximately US$27.5 million), or Ps. 0.6997 per CBFI (approximately US$ 0.0433 per CBFI).

“I’m very pleased with our operating performance during the quarter,” said Luis Gutierrez, CEO, Prologis Mexico. “This robust performance reflects our strategy of operating only in those markets in Mexico where trade and consumption intersect.”

STRONG OPERATING PERFORMANCE RESULTING FROM FOCUSED INVESTMENT STRATEGY
FIBRA Prologis leased 1.8 million square feet (approximately 172,000 square meters) in the third quarter; 74.2 percent of that leasing activity occurred in its global markets, predominantly in Mexico City. FIBRA Prologis ended the quarter with 96.3 percent occupancy in its operating portfolio, an increase of 30 basis points sequentially and 100 basis points over the same period in 2014.   

Customer retention in the quarter was 92.6 percent. The company maintained a record average retention of more than 90.0 percent for five consecutive quarters, with tenant renewals totaling 1.5 million square feet (135,500 square meters). Net effective rents on leases signed in the quarter increased 14.7 percent from prior in-place rents, led by regional markets with an increase of 20.5 percent.

In the third quarter, same store net operating income (NOI) increased 9.8 percent on a cash basis and 0.8 percent on an IFRS basis compared with the same period in 2014.

ACQUISITION ACTIVITY EXPANDS CLASS-A PORTFOLIO
Subsequent to quarter end, FIBRA Prologis acquired three Class-A buildings totaling 796,000 square feet (approximately 74,000 square meters) for approximately Ps. 1,067.1 million US$64.3 million, including closing costs, from its sponsor Prologis.

LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL POSITION
As of September 30, 2015, FIBRA Prologis’ liquidity was approximately Ps. 7.6 billion (US$443.6 million), which included more than Ps. 6.8 billion (US$400.0 million) of available capacity on its unsecured credit facility and Ps. 744.5 million (US$ 43.6 million) of unrestricted cash.

Net debt as a percentage of investment properties was 26.1 percent, fixed charge coverage was 3.95 times and net debt to adjusted EBITDA was 3.93 times. 

GUIDANCE FOR 2015
FIBRA Prologis confirmed its full-year 2015 FFO guidance range of US$0.16 to US$0.17 per CBFI, excluding the realized exchange loss from the reimbursement of the value-added tax paid in connection with the acquisition of the initial portfolio. Distributions for full-year 2015 will be US$0.10 per CBFI, representing approximately 95 percent of forecasted AFFO. This assumes:   

  • year-end occupancy between 95.25 percent and 96.25 percent
  • cash same store NOI growth between 4.5 percent and 5.5 percent
  • capital expenditures as a percentage of NOI between 14.0 percent and 17.0 percent
  • asset management fees and professional fees between US$17.0 million and US$19.0 million
  • building acquisitions between US$130.0 million and US$170.0 million

WEBCAST & CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION
FIBRA Prologis will host a live webcast/conference call to discuss quarterly results, current market conditions and future outlook on October 23, 2015, at 12 p.m. CT/1 p.m. ET. Interested parties are encouraged to access the webcast by clicking the microphone icon located near the top of the FIBRA Prologis Investor Relations website (www.fibraprologis.com). Interested parties also can participate via conference call by dialing +1 877 256 7020 (toll-free from the United States and Canada) or +1 973 409 9692 from all other countries and entering conference code 43768489.

A telephonic replay will be available Oct 23–Nov 6 at +1 855 859 2056 from the U.S. and Canada or at +1 404 537 3406 from all other countries using conference code 43768489. The replay will be posted in the Investor Relations section of the FIBRA Prologis website.

ABOUT FIBRA PROLOGIS
FIBRA Prologis is the leading owner and operator of Class-A industrial real estate in Mexico. As of September 30, 2015, FIBRA Prologis comprised 185 logistics and manufacturing facilities in six industrial markets in Mexico totaling 31.6 million square feet (2.9 million square meters) of gross leasable area.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The statements in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the industry and markets in which FIBRA Prologis operates, management’s beliefs and assumptions made by management.  Such statements involve uncertainties that could significantly impact FIBRA Prologis financial results. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature.  All statements that address operating performance, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future — including statements relating to rent and occupancy growth, acquisition activity, development activity, disposition activity, general conditions in the geographic areas where we operate, our debt and financial position, are forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Although we believe the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained and therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Some of the factors that may affect outcomes and results include, but are not limited to: (i) national, international, regional and local economic climates, (ii) changes in financial markets, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, (iii) increased or unanticipated competition for our properties, (iv) risks associated with acquisitions, dispositions and development of properties, (v) maintenance of real estate investment trust (“FIBRA”) status and tax structuring, (vi) availability of financing and capital, the levels of debt that we maintain and our credit ratings, (vii) risks related to our investments (viii) environmental uncertainties, including risks of natural disasters, and (ix) those additional factors discussed in reports filed with the “Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores” and  the Mexican Stock Exchange by FIBRA Prologis under the heading “Risk Factors.” FIBRA Prologis undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements appearing in this release.

Non-Solicitation – Any securities discussed herein or in the accompanying presentations, if any, have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or the securities laws of any state and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws. Any such announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities discussed herein or in the presentations, if and as applicable.

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Longest Recovery Event In U.S. Kicks Off Los Angeles Edition

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LOS ANGELES, Oct. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ —Los Angeles based Writers In Treatment announces an exciting, feature-packed schedule of events for the 7th Annual REEL Recovery Film Festival – Los Angeles Edition 2015. The seven-day festival at Laemmle NoHo Cinema (5240 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601) will present a fascinating line-up of feature-length and short, fictional and factual alcohol and drug addiction themed films that highlight serious substance misuse as well as the hope and opportunity for recovery. There will be insightful conversations with recovery authors and engaging discussions with filmmakers following many of the screenings.

“For seven yearsthe REEL Recovery Film Festival has enjoyed generous support from Los Angeles area people who appreciate the power of film to explore a multitude of addiction issues,” stated Leonard Buschel, founder of Writers In Treatment and the REEL Recovery Film Festival.  “But the L.A. audience also likes a good night out so we will entertain, inspire and educate over 3,000 of them with timely films and stimulating discussions to reduce the stigma, and raise public awareness that addiction is not a moral failing but a devastating, often-fatal illness which requires specialized treatment.”

HIGHLIGHTS of this year’s film festival and symposium include:

Oct. 23 – 8 PM Nicole Boxer, award-winning producer/director will present in-person her inspiring documentary How I Got Over. The film follows 15 formerly homeless/and or incarcerated women living in N Street Village – a community for addiction recovery – as they craft an original play based on their harrowing true-life stories.

Oct. 24 – 8 PM AMY (2015) This AMAZING FILM from BAFTA Award-winning director Asif Kapadia (Senna), tells the incredible story of six-time Grammy-winner Amy Winehouse – in her own words. Featuring extensive unseen archival footage and previously unheard tracks, this strikingly modern, moving and vital film shines a light on our culture and the world we live in today.

Oct. 25 – 8:15 PM AS I AM: The Life And Times Of DJ AM is a compelling feature-length documentary from director Kevin Kerslake which covers the late, great mash-up pioneer’s entire life from seed to sorrow: his meteoric rise to become the first million dollar DJ in the U.S., his storied personal life including a long-running struggle with addiction, titanic efforts to help others in recovery, his tabloid romances as well as his survival from a fiery plane crash with Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker, which is all a lead-up to his controversial and untimely death in 2009.

Oct. 26 – 8 PM Girl on the Edge (2014) A powerful, true story about the journey of a troubled teenage girl who finds healing in the most unlikely of places, and who must choose to either invest in her own recovery or succumb to the trauma of her past. Starring Taylor Spreitler, Gil Bellows, Peter Coyote and Mackenzie Phillips. Director Jay Silverman.  IN PERSON: Jay Silverman and guests.

Oct. 27 – 8:00 PM — AfterParty Magazine Story Telling Time – Sober Sex for Beginners
The women of AfterParty Chat tell poignant and often hilarious stories about their experiences RE: Sex and Sobriety. You won’t want to miss this!  STARRING Danielle Stewart – Mary Patterson Broome – Susanna Brisk and your Mistress of Ceremony, ANNA DAVID (TICKETS AVAILABLE @ www.brownpapertickets.com)

Oct. 28 8:30 PM — Imperfect Sky – Los Angeles Premiere (2015) Torn apart during adolescence, estranged brothers reunite: The younger, a 16-year old on the fast track to college with his entire life ahead of him; the older, a 21-year old heroin addict and street hustler who’s settled for rock bottom. Starring Blake Scott Lewis and Sam Lucas Smith. Director Graham Streeter. IN PERSON: Graham Streeter, Producer Alex Lebosq, Blake Scott Lewis, Sam Lucas Smith and all cast members

Oct. 29 7:30 PM — SPECIAL CLOSING NIGHT EVENT – LIVE! “SAY EVERYTHING” DR. GABOR MATÉ In Conversation with IONE SKYE A freewheeling discussion about addiction, modern culture, behavioral disorders, preventative health care techniques, Amy Schumer, the Beatles, classical music, safe injection sites, the therapeutic value of pets, literature, films, Rumi and Recovery. Sponsored by RecoveryAS.com.
Reserved seats available to private reception/buffet immediately after “SAY EVERYTHING”
In Conversation 7:30 – 8:45 PM – Buffet 9:00 – 10:00 Salomi Indian Restaurant, 5225 Lankershim Blvd. Individual tickets: “SAY EVERYTHING” $25 Reserved seats and reception / buffet $65. (TICKETS AVAILABLE @ www.brownpapertickets.com)

In addition to the above highlights, a treasure trove of over 40 other great films will be screened, running nearly non-stop from 1 PM to 11 PM for seven days. Such films as Big Sur – a feature film both terrifying and revelatory captures the sudden fame and self-destructive lifestyle taking a toll on Jack Kerouac following the unparalleled success of his groundbreaking novel, On The Road; and Jody Belsher’s The Other Side of Cannabis: Negative Effects of Marijuana On Our Youth. For a complete listing of films and special events please go to: www.reelrecoveryfilmfestival.com.

“The7th Annual REEL Recovery Film Festival Los Angeles Edition 2015 presents honest and compelling features, shorts and documentaries about the struggles of addiction, and breakthroughs in recovery,” added Buschel.   

Official Sponsors of the7th Annual REEL Recovery Film Festival Los Angeles Edition 2015 currently include:

Net proceeds support the work of Writers In Treatment, a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization, and the REEL Recovery Film Festival.

Tickets to all films and special sessions are available at the door. It is the policy of the REEL Recovery Film Festival to charge a nominal ticket price for most of the films ($10), and to allow anyone admittance regardless of their ability to pay, if seats are available. For additional information please go to www.WritersInTreatment.org or www.ReelRecoveryFilmFestival.org

Contact: Leonard Buschel 310-767-6970

Safelite AutoGlass Reaches Milestone in Windshield Recycling Program

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COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Safelite AutoGlass®, the nation’s largest provider of windshield replacements, has diverted its 4 millionth windshield from entering a landfill since 2012 through its unique recycling partnership with Shark Glass Recycling North America.

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120912/CL73244LOGO

Safelite Senior Corporate Buyer Deb Tschofen who oversees the program explains the challenge in recycling windshields: “Windshields are made from laminated glass, which is created using two sheets of glass with a clear resin interlay called Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB) between. The PVB keeps the glass together when damaged but also makes it difficult to separate from the glass to re-purpose.”

As a company committed to environmental sustainability, Safelite approached Shark Solutions, the international leader in recycling post-consumer PVB from windshields, to develop a solution to bring their technology to the United States.

As a result, Shark Glass Recycling North America began operations in its first U.S. windshield recycling plant strategically located close to Safelite’s east coast distribution, so as not to increase transportation emissions. The logistics of collecting the old windshields and shipping to the recycling plant were designed to be carbon neutral, using existing freight lanes within the supply chain.

Shark Glass Recycling North America processes glass from Safelite’s customers using patented technology that separates the glass from PVB. Approximately 90 percent becomes “glass cullet,” which can then be recycled into a number of new products including fiberglass insulation, while approximately 7 percent becomes PVB scrap, which is recycled into useable materials for a number of new products such as carpet backing, paint and primer, and other products. In fact, Safelite uses rugs made with recycled windshields with the company logo in many of its locations.

During the second week of October 2015, reports show Safelite reached an important milestone of sending 4 million damaged windshields to be recycled since the program launched in 2012. If placed end to end, these windshields would stretch from Safelite’s home office in Columbus, Ohio, to Belron’s home office in London.

Educating employees to package and return damaged windshields has been key to the success of the recycling program. The markets returning the most tonnage are Taunton and Boston, Mass., followed by Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Atlanta.

“We are proud to be one of the few companies with the capability to recycle windshields,” said Safelite AutoGlass President & CEO Tom Feeney. “It’s just one of the many things on our long list of ‘green’ business practices that we believe our customers expect from us.”

About Safelite AutoGlass
Safelite AutoGlass® is the nation’s largest provider of vehicle glass repair and replacement services with more than 6,500 MobileGlassShops™ and company stores in all 50 states. Last year, nearly 5 million customers chose Safelite for its 24/7 national contact centers, advanced online scheduling, superior repair and replacement systems, and the industry’s only nationwide lifetime guarantee. Founded in 1947, the Columbus, Ohio-based company employs more than 12,000 people across the United States. For more information, visit Safelite.com, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Media Contact: Melina Metzger, Safelite AutoGlass®, 614.210.9232, [email protected]

Care Harbor Provided Free Medical, Dental and Vision Services to More Than 3,000 Patients During Its Four-Day Clinic

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LOS ANGELES, Oct. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Care Harbor — a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization that helps uninsured and underserved populations by organizing large-scale free urban health clinics — wrapped up its four-day clinic at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena thanks to 3,100 medical and general volunteers who donated their time to provide approximately 17,900 medical, dental, vision and other health care services to more than 3,000 patients.

Care Harbor by the Numbers
Once again, Care Harbor used an electronic health record system, hosted by zPaper, to capture patient data in real time through an iPhone app. The app not only assures accurate, HIPAA-compliant patient data, but also avoids expensive duplication of tests at follow-up facilities and makes detailed reporting and analysis of clinic results possible.

Patients
(Self-Identified)

Services Breakdown

Education/Enrollment
Provided by LADPSS)

Follow-up Care

• 2,126 Hispanics

• Medical: 2,959

•

Number of patients who received health care and nutrition assistance program information/consultations:
2, 500

•

Number of patients who were connected to follow-up care (local clinics): 814

• 587 African Americans

• Dental: 1,685

• 162 Caucasians

• Vision: 1,268

• 88 Asian/Pacific Islander

• Additional care*: 12,000**

• 11 American Indians

• On-site enrollments: 261

• 68 Other

*includes acupuncture, immunizations, screenings and other services)
**as of 10/21 – totals are currently being calculated

º Medi-Cal – 110
º CalFresh – 151

Care Harbor thanks its partners and supporters including: L.A. Care Health Plan, the presenting sponsor; Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas; The Tzu Chi Medical Foundation; S. Mark Taper Foundation; Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena; UCLA Health System; University of Southern California; Salesforce, zPaper; Southside Coalition of Community Health Centers; Department of Public Health – County of Los Angeles; Los Angeles County Department of Health Services; VSP Vision Care; V.O.S.H. California; Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; Kaiser Permanente; Anthem Blue Cross; Marshall B. Ketchum University; Alcon Laboratories; Glidewell Laboratories; Metro; McCormick Ambulance; El Pollo Loco; AD+World Health; Wilshire Boulevard Temple; Care 1st; Los Angeles Dental Society Foundation; AltaMed; HealthNet; Jules Stein Eye Institute; Pearson Dental; Operation USA; Infotech; PRNewswire and the many other in-kind supporters who make this clinic possible.

About Care Harbor
Care Harbor brings help and hope to the uninsured and underserved in America’s urban centers. The organization works with local community resources and volunteers to produce free clinics providing comprehensive medical, dental, and vision care to individuals and families who are without access to the healthcare they need. There is no cost to the patient for the services provided. Clinics are staffed by professional and general volunteers, and supported by donations – both financial and in-kind – from local and national supporters. Don Manelli, President of Care Harbor, received the 2013 NBC4 Life Connected Award, which celebrates acts of community goodwill in Southern California. Manelli was also an Unsung Heroes of Los Angeles honoree and one of the California Endowment’s Health Happens Heroes. To learn more about Care Harbor and this year’s clinic, please visit CareHarbor.org, like us at Facebook.com/CareHarbor or follow us @CareHarbor.

Media Contact:
Liz Narrillos Roux| +1.323.202.1074
[email protected]

CEDICE’s Watchdog For Freedom And Democracy Project Named Finalist For Prestigious Templeton Freedom Award

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WASHINGTON, Oct. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Caracas, Venezuela-based Center for Dissemination of Economic Knowledge about Freedom (CEDICE Freedom) was named one of six finalists for this year’s prestigious $100,000 Templeton Freedom Award for its Watchdog for Freedom and Democracy project which brings together three “observatories” that monitor the state of individual rights in Venezuela.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151021/279321

“With the Watchdog for Freedom and Democracy [project], CEDICE works towards the empowerment of citizens — that concept that has been lost during these years of socialism,” said Rocio Guijarro, executive director of CEDICE. “The more a person knows about civil and economic rights, about the responsibilities of the parliament and what his or her taxes are, all the while participating in the follow-up to laws passed in the country, the more such a person will be able to, from his own criteria, analyze the situation and bring change to the political process.”

Within the Watchdog project, three observatories collect and share data on property rights, legislative proposals, and public expenditures, exposing institutions undermining the autonomy of Venezuelans and building public consensus against increasing State power. More than 5,000 Venezuelans have attended Watchdog forums, and CEDICE has generated more than 2,500 press appearances, a remarkable feat in a country where the State controls 80 percent of the media.

What: CEDICE’s Watchdog for Freedom and Democracy project named one of six finalists for Atlas Network’s prestigious $100,000 Templeton Freedom Award
When: Nov. 12, 2015, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Liberty Forum & Freedom Dinner closing ceremony – Capitale, 130 Bowery, New York, NY 10013 (Bowery and Grand St.)
Press Contact: [email protected] or (202) 449-8441

Awarded since 2004, the Templeton Freedom Award is named for the late investor and philanthropist Sir John Templeton. The award annually honors his legacy by identifying and recognizing the most exceptional and innovative contributions to the understanding of free enterprise, and the public policies that encourage prosperity, innovation, and human fulfillment via free competition. The award is generously supported by Templeton Religion Trust and will be presented during Atlas Network’s Liberty Forum & Freedom Dinner gala dinner ceremony Nov. 12, 2015 in New York City. The winning organization will receive a $100,000 prize and the runners-up will receive $5,000.

The 2015 Templeton Freedom Award finalists are:
Acton Institute (Grand Rapids, Mich., United States) — Poverty, Inc.
Center for Dissemination of Economic Knowledge for Freedom (CEDICE Freedom) (Caracas, Venezuela) — Watchdog for Freedom and Democracy Project
Free Market Foundation (FMF) (Johannesburg, South Africa) — Khaya Lam Land Reform Project
Institute for Justice (IJ) (Arlington, Va., United States) — Strategic Research Program
Institute of Public Affairs (Melbourne, Australia) — Repeal the Carbon Tax Campaign
Tax Foundation (Washington, District of Columbia, United States) — State Business Tax Climate Index

About CEDICE Freedom
Based in Caracas, Venezuela, Centro de Divulgación del Conocimiento Económico para la Libertad (Center for Dissemination of Economic Knowledge about Freedom), also known as CEDICE Freedom, disseminates, educates, and defends the principles of the free market and individual liberty as the basis for building a society of free, ethical, and responsible individuals. CEDICE Freedom strives for a free and prosperous Venezuela, where life and property of its citizens are protected.
cedice.org.ve

About Atlas Network
Washington-based Atlas Network is a nonprofit organization that strengthens the worldwide freedom movement by connecting 470 independent partners in 96 countries that share the vision of a free, prosperous, and peaceful world where limited governments defend the rule of law, private property, and free markets.
AtlasNetwork.org

Anthem Foundation Awards $1 Million To March Of Dimes To Give More Babies A Healthy Start In Life

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Grant Builds on Longstanding Relationship and Proven Results 

WHITE PLAINS, New York, Oct. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — One in ten babies in the United States is born prematurely, placing 380,000 newborns each year at increased risk of death, medical complications, and lifelong health challenges. To improve infant health and reduce unnecessary health care costs, the Anthem Foundation has announced a one-year, $1,004,186 grant to the March of Dimes.

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150409/197662LOGO

Preterm birth costs the U.S. more than $26 billion annually, according to the Institute of Medicine. It is the leading cause of newborn death.  Babies born even a few weeks early have higher rates of illness and hospitalization compared to full-term newborns. The March of Dimes launched its Prematurity Campaign in 2003. The goals of the campaign are to raise awareness of the problem and to lower the rate of premature birth to 8.1 percent of live births by 2020 and to 5.5 percent by 2030.

The Anthem Foundation funding will support March of Dimes community grants for CenteringPregnancy®, a group prenatal care model, in nine states, smoking cessation programs in two states and Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait community programs in three states.   

“This grant will enable the March of Dimes to help more moms get prenatal care and more babies to get a healthy start in life,” said Edward R.B. McCabe, MD, PhD, chief medical officer of the March of Dimes. “We thank the Anthem Foundation for its dedication to better health for American families and their continued support of the March of Dimes mission.”

The $1,004,186 grant to the March of Dimes is part of Anthem Foundation’s ongoing commitment to addressing health disparities and improving public health across the country.

Through its State Health Index — a state-by-state compilation of public health measures — and Healthy Generations program, the Anthem Foundation works to identify the issues most in need of attention and directs its charitable support and volunteer efforts toward improving health in those areas. Reducing low birthweight and engaging mothers in prenatal care are major focus areas for the Anthem Foundation.

“Premature birth is the leading cause of death of babies and a leading cause of disabilities for children.  However, effective prenatal care, education, and outreach can produce better health and help mothers have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies,” said Sam Nussbaum, MD, chief medical officer at Anthem, Inc.  “We’re proud to support the March of Dimes and their efforts to drive cutting-edge research, treatment and outreach to help ensure mothers have access to the care and information they need during their pregnancy to give every baby a healthy start in life.”

The Anthem Foundation grant will enable the March of Dimes to make the CenteringPregnancy, a group prenatal care model, available to thousands of women by supporting programs in Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri,  Nevada, Ohio, and Virginia. The grant will provide smoking cessation services to women in Florida (Tampa) and Wisconsin because research has shown that babies born to women who smoke during pregnancy are more likely than babies born to nonsmokers to have birth defects, have a low birthweight or be born too soon. The grant also will support Health Babies are Worth the Wait community programs in Kentucky, New Jersey and New York, which integrates public and clinical health, improves systems of care, and reduces preterm birth through a range of interventions including both smoking cessation programs and CenteringPregnancy among others.

The new grant continues a longstanding relationship between Anthem Foundation and March of Dimes. Most recently, in 2012 a $2 million grant helped the March of Dimes provide prenatal care to more than 8,000 women via CenteringPregnancy and to roll out a quality improvement toolkit to 12 hospitals in California that together deliver more than 39,000 babies annually. 

About Anthem Foundation
The Anthem Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Anthem, Inc. and through charitable contributions and programs, the Foundation promotes the inherent commitment of Anthem, Inc. to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and families in communities that Anthem, Inc. and its affiliated health plans serve. The Foundation focuses its funding on strategic initiatives that address and provide innovative solutions to health care challenges, as well as promoting the Healthy Generations Program, a multi-generational initiative that targets specific disease states and medical conditions. These disease states and medical conditions include: prenatal care in the first trimester, low birth weight babies, cardiac morbidity rates, long term activities that decrease obesity and increase physical activity, diabetes prevalence in adult populations, adult pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations and smoking cessation. The Foundation also coordinates the company’s year-round Associate Giving program which provides a 50 percent match of associates’ pledges, as well as its Volunteer Time Off and Dollars for Doers community service programs. To learn more about the Anthem Foundation, please visit http://www.anthem.foundation and its blog at http://anthemfoundation.tumblr.com.

About the March of Dimes
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health.  With offices in every major market and its premier event, March for Babies®, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.  Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

The Obama Administration, Puerto Rico’s Governor Unveil “Super Chapter 9” For Puerto Rico

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WASHINGTON, Oct. 21, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Main Street Bondholders Coalition, a project of the 60 Plus Association, a seniors organization representing more than 7.2 million Americans, denounces Puerto Rico Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla and the Obama Administration’s plan to violate Puerto Rico’s Constitution by abandoning the Commonwealth’s debt obligations. 

  • The Administration’s unprecedented proposal, so-called “Super Chapter 9”, would restructure all of Puerto Rico’s debt, including its Constitutional debt, and is widely expected to disrupt U.S. municipal debt markets – raising the cost of borrowing for states and municipalities across the country.
  • Jim Millstein, Puerto Rico’s chief restructuring advisor, has aggressively pushed for Super Chapter 9, ignoring bi-partisan interest in Congress for a deal that would bring desperately needed fiscal reform combined with an orderly restructuring mechanism for Puerto Rico’s non-Constitutional debt. Millstein has been criticized for profiting from his business dealings around Puerto Rico’s settlement with PREPA’s bondholders, yet continues to advise the Commonwealth.
  • “Super Chapter 9” is without precedent, and would create a playbook for other states to discharge their Constitutional or “full faith and credit” debt. This reckless action would put every retirement account in America at risk.

George Carroll, a member of the Main Street Bondholders, a Puerto Rican constitutional bondholder and retired municipal bond adviser from Red Bank, New Jersey said:

“Impairing constitutionally protected general obligation bonds will bring chaos to America’s municipal bond market.  This will spur other states from New Jersey to Illinois to ask for Super Chapter 9, and the result would be a disaster for millions of American retirees who are invested in state and local general obligation bonds. This is an incredulous, and foolhardy assault by Governor Garcia Padilla and the Obama Administration against the rule of law and the municipal bond market.  Fixing Puerto Rico starts with fiscal reforms and an orderly restructuring process; not impairing constitutional debt.”

Franco Rosaly, a member of Main Street Bondholders, a Puerto Rican bondholder, an Attorney and family business manager from San Juan, said:

“Governor Garcia Padilla and the Obama Administration declared today their support for the violation of the Puerto Rican Constitution with the endorsement of Super Chapter 9. This action by the Governor and President Obama represents a callous disregard for the rule of law and the thousands of Puerto Ricans who have literally invested their life savings in Puerto Rican bonds.” 

Main Street Bondholders Coalition is a project of the 60 Plus Association, and is comprised of small bondholders from across America who are committed to a policy process that returns Puerto Rico to sound financial management, respect for the rule of law, and the protection of their retirement savings.

Contact: Janet Wootten  
[email protected]

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