New POPTALK Application to Launch Just in Time for the Holidays Allowing Android Users to Call and Text Their Families in Mexico and Latin America for FREE

December 1, 2015

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Poptalk, a smartphone application created to bridge the communication and connectivity gap between immigrants and their families, will launch in the US and Latin America (these countries have the world’s most expensive mobile rates, and a limited number of companies offering services).

The free application allows Android users (iOS to follow in March) to call or SMS any phone for free by simply renting their smartphone lock screens to sponsors, receiving credits daily by using their phones normally. Users can also use these credits to pay for their relatives’ cellphone service and data in Latin America.

Poptalk offers the highest-quality voice service with rates that are just a fraction of calling cards (30x-100x) and local carriers (10x) so every free credit gets you an abundance of minutes and texts. For example, the average Poptalk user can call a Mexican landline for 600 minutes every month, for free.

There are 54M Latinos living in the U.S with over 1.5 trillion purchasing power. This, coupled with Latinos over indexing on international mobile communication and their propensity to be willing to view ads for free services is a tangible value proposition for advertisers targeting this highly coveted audience.

This is the first app to provide free international calling and SMS to any kind of phone within Latin America. Current apps require both parties to have smartphones and mobile data to communicate – only 19% of Latin America meets this requirement. Poptalk users can call their family members who have landline phones or text friends who don’t have a smartphone. With Poptalk 100% of Latinos (610M) can be reached.

The app is the brainchild of former Google managers, UC Berkeley graduate Victor Santos and Harvard graduate Sara Choi, both technology entrepreneurs with immigrant families, as a solution to serve underserved communities.

“From day 1 we created this company because we believe the ability to stay in contact with your loved ones shouldn’t be a privilege just for the rich, especially when 83% of the world lives in an emerging market” said co-founder Sara Choi.

“We want to help the under-served stay connected to their loved ones by being the first company to provide a completely free telecom alternative that includes calling (regardless of if you have internet), texting, and even data (through the ability to use Poptalk credits to top-up your prepaid phone)” added co-founder Victor Santos.

Poptalk will launch with the Android Market 4.0+. The iOS Market will follow in end of March 2016.

To learn more about Poptalk and to download the app, please visit: http://www.joinpoptalk.com

Join the conversation at
https://www.facebook.com/poptalkapp

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151130/291999

All segments of Texas housing market show strong gains in 2015

December 1, 2015

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AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Texas real estate made a strong showing in all segments of the housing market in 2015 due to continued growth in the state’s economy, jobs and population, according to the 2015 Texas Annual Housing Report released today by the Texas Association of Realtors.

“The Texas real estate market has been firing on all cylinders in 2015. People are relocating to Texas from far and wide, homes in all price classes are in high demand and the number of available properties is slowly rising,” said Scott Kesner, chairman of the Texas Association of Realtors.

The 2015 editions of the Texas Quarterly Housing Report indicated that Texas real estate is on pace to potentially have a record year in 2015. Home sales and prices steadily increased throughout the year, while statewide housing inventory reached a two-year high – 4.0 months – in 2015-Q3. Once again, the 2015 Texas Homebuyers and Sellers Report showed that Texas is outpacing the nation in home sales, as median incomes for Texans rose 5.9 percent year-over-year – more than double the growth rate of incomes nationally during the same time frame.

Texas’s business-friendly environment and strong job growth continued to attract new residents from out-of-state and internationally in 2015. Texas was the No. 2 state for gains in out-of-state residents, with more than 538,000 Americans relocating to Texas, according to the 2015 Texas Relocation Report. Additionally, international homebuyers contributed more than $8.32 billion to the Texas economy in a 12-month period, according to the 2015 Texas International Homebuyers Report.

“Texas’s diversified economy and our state’s enduring real estate demand shows that Texas remains to be a great place to live, work and do business,” said Kesner.

Two of the strongest segments of the Texas housing market were luxury home sales and small land sales. According to the 2015 Texas Luxury Home Sales Report, home sales priced at $1 million or higher grew between nine and 26 percent year-over-year in the state’s four largest metros. Small land sales throughout Texas also experienced double-digit growth, with 5,282 small land sales statewide. This was a 20.69 percent increase from the year prior, according to the 2015 Texas Small Land Sales Report.

Condominium and townhome sales in Texas continued to be strong, remaining fairly consistent with the previous year’s sales volume. The 2015 Texas Condominium Mid-Year Sales Report showed that existing condos spent less time on the market than new condos, as rising land and development costs may make new condominiums less affordable for some buyers.

Despite this rapid market growth, tough lending standards and a competitive homebuying market continued to make home remodeling a popular option among Texas homeowners. The 2014 Texas Remodel Valuation Report showed that remodeling projects continued to gain popularity and profitability, with smaller, functional projects that boosted a home’s curb appeal recouping the highest percentage of project costs.

Kesner concluded, “Once again, the Texas housing market has exceeded expectations and is on pace to possibly set another record for home sales. The market will remain highly competitive in 2016, making housing development and affordability key areas of focus throughout the state.”

About the Texas Annual Housing Report
The Texas Annual Housing Report is a recap of all market research reports distributed by the Texas Association of Realtors each year. The 2015 edition includes insights from the 2015 Texas Relocation Report, 2015 Texas International Homebuyers Report, 2015 Texas Luxury Home Sales Report, 2015 Texas Small Land Sales Report, 2015 Texas Remodel Valuation Report, 2015 Texas Condominium Mid-Year Sales Report, 2015 Texas Homebuyers and Sellers Report, and 2015 Texas Quarterly Housing Reports for Q1, Q2 and Q3. To view the Texas Annual Housing Report in its entirety, visit TexasRealEstate.com.

About the Texas Association of REALTORS®
With more than 100,000 members, the Texas Association of REALTORS® is a professional membership organization that represents all aspects of real estate in Texas. We advocate on behalf of Texas REALTORS® and private-property owners to keep homeownership affordable, protect private-property rights, and promote public policies that benefit homeowners. Visit TexasRealEstate.com to learn more.

CONTACT: Danielle Urban
Pierpont Communications
512-448-4950
[email protected]

(Español) Harbor Freight Tools retira del mercado taladros sin cable debido a riesgos de incendio y quemaduras

December 1, 2015

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World AIDS Day: Focus on Food Safety

December 1, 2015

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SILVER SPRING, Maryland, Dec. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — December 1, 2015, is World AIDS Day. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reminds people with HIV/AIDS (and those preparing food for them) about the importance of safe food handling in preventing foodborne illness.

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090824/FDALOGO

Learn about safe selection and preparation of foods for people with HIV/AIDS in the free booklet Food Safety for People with HIV/AIDS:

Download at http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodborneIllnessContaminants/PeopleAtRisk/ucm312669.htm
Order a copy by calling 1-888-MPHOTLINE (1-888-674-6854) or emailing [email protected]

Practicing food safety is critical because the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) that causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) can damage, or destroy the body’s immune system, making those living with this disease more susceptible to foodborne illness (often called “food poisoning”). If a person with HIV/AIDS contracts a foodborne illness, he or she is also more likely to have a lengthier illness, undergo hospitalization, or even die. This increased risk underscores the critical role safe food handling plays in managing HIV/AIDS.

Make Wise Food Choices

Some foods are more risky for people with HIV/AIDS because they are more likely to contain harmful bacteria or viruses. In general, these foods fall into two categories:

Uncooked fresh fruits and vegetables.
Certain animal products, such as unpasteurized (raw) milk; soft cheeses made with raw milk; and raw or undercooked eggs, raw meat, raw poultry, raw fish, raw shellfish and their juices; luncheon meats and deli-type salads (without added preservatives) prepared on site in a deli-type establishment.

Follow the Four Steps to Food Safety

Anyone who has HIV/AIDS or who prepares food for people with HIV/AIDS should also follow these steps:

CLEAN: Wash hands and surfaces often. Bacteria can be spread throughout the kitchen and get onto hands, cutting boards, utensils, counter tops, and food.
SEPARATE: Keep raw meat, poultry, eggs, and seafood and their juices away from ready-to-eat foods.
COOK to the right temperatures. Use a food thermometer to ensure meat, poultry, seafood, and egg products are cooked to a safe minimum internal temperature to destroy any harmful bacteria. Refer to the chart at: http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/UCM462491.pdf
CHILL foods promptly. Cold temperatures slow the growth of harmful bacteria. Use an appliance thermometer to be sure the refrigerator temperature is 40 degrees F or below and the freezer temperature is 0 degrees F or below.

Know the Symptoms

Consuming dangerous foodborne bacteria will usually cause illness within 1 to 3 days of eating the contaminated food. However, sickness can also occur within 20 minutes or up to 6 weeks later. Symptoms of foodborne illness include: vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and flu-like symptoms (such as fever, headache, and body ache).

Take Action

If you think that you or a family member has a foodborne illness, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Also, report the suspected foodborne illness to FDA in either of these ways:

Contact the Consumer Complaint Coordinator in your area. Locate one at: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/ReportaProblem/ConsumerComplaintCoordinators
Contact MedWatch, FDA’s Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:
- By Phone: 1-800-FDA-1088
- Online: http://www.fda.gov/medwatch

Contact: Media: 1-301-796-4540 Consumers: 1-888-SAFEFOOD (toll free)

(Español) Día Mundial del SIDA: Enfoque en la seguridad alimentaria

December 1, 2015

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Stop the Snore: Sleep Apnea Action Urgent for Those at Risk

December 1, 2015

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DARIEN, Illinois, Dec. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Experts agree: obstructive sleep apnea – a potentially life-threatening disease involving episodes of complete or partial airway obstruction during sleep – is dangerously on the rise, with research showing it afflicts 14 percent of Hispanic men and 6 percent of Hispanic women. The National Healthy Sleep Awareness Project, a collaboration between the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Sleep Research Society (SRS), is urging anyone with symptoms of sleep apnea to pledge to stop the snore and talk to a doctor.

“Research shows that the number of sleep apnea sufferers is rising, increasing their risk of heart disease, hypertension, stroke, Type 2 diabetes and obesity,” said Camilo Ruiz, DO, member and spokesperson for the AASM and the Healthy Sleep Project. “Fortunately, many of the damaging effects of sleep apnea can be stopped, and even reversed, through diagnosis and treatment by a board-certified sleep doctor.”

Researchers also have found that Hispanics in the U.S. with moderate to severe sleep apnea have a 44 percent higher chance of hypertension, a 50 percent higher chance of impaired glucose tolerance and a 90 percent higher chance of diabetes. In addition, the odds of sleep apnea are higher in overweight and obese individuals.

How do you know if you should talk to a doctor about sleep apnea? According to the Healthy Sleep Project, here are five warning signs for sleep apnea:

Snoring. Besides being a nuisance to your bed partner or roommate, loud and frequent snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea. While not everyone who snores has this sleep illness, snoring is a warning sign that should be taken seriously.
Choking or gasping during sleep. When snoring is paired with choking, gasping or silent breathing pauses during sleep, it’s a strong indicator of sleep apnea.
Fatigue or daytime sleepiness. “Sleep apnea can leave you waking in the morning feeling tired, even after a full night’s sleep,” said Ruiz. “Excessive daytime sleepiness often occurs because sleep apnea causes numerous arousals throughout the night, and your body isn’t getting the quality sleep it needs.”
Obesity. An adult with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher is considered to be obese, and the risk of sleep apnea increases with the amount of excess body weight.
High blood pressure. A staggering 70 million Americans have high blood pressure, which is about one in every three adults. Between 30 and 40 percent of adults with high blood pressure also have sleep apnea, and getting treatment for sleep apnea is a proven means of decreasing blood pressure.

If these symptoms describe you, then you have a high risk for sleep apnea. If you’re ready to talk to a doctor about sleep apnea, visit www.dejarderoncar.us to pledge to stop the snore and find a local sleep doctor at an AASM-accredited sleep center.

“A common misconception is that sleep apnea only affects older, overweight men,” said Ruiz. “This widely-held assumption is wrong: anyone can have sleep apnea, regardless of gender, age or body type – even if you’re not overweight.”

Your doctor may decide you need an objective sleep test, which will provide the data needed to make an accurate diagnosis. Once diagnosed, the most commonly recommended treatment for sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, which provides gently pressurized air through a mask, keeping your airway open and making it easier to breathe. For patients who are unable to tolerate CPAP, or who seek alternatives, knowledgeable sleep doctors may be able to offer other treatments.

“Obstructive sleep apnea is a chronic disease that has a negative impact on the health and well-being of millions of people in the U.S.,” said Janet B. Croft, PhD, senior chronic disease epidemiologist in CDC’s Division of Population Health. “It is important to discuss the warning signs for sleep apnea with your doctor to determine if you are at risk.”

For more information or to pledge to stop the snore and talk to a doctor about sleep apnea, visit www.dejarderoncar.us.

About the National Healthy Sleep Awareness Project

The National Healthy Sleep Awareness Project was initiated in 2013 through a cooperative agreement between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. The ongoing project involves a partnership between the AASM, CDC, Sleep Research Society and other collaborators to promote the importance of healthy sleep.

The Healthy Sleep Project addresses the sleep health focus area of Healthy People 2020, which provides science-based, 10-year national objectives for improving the health of all Americans. The sleep health objectives are to increase the medical evaluation of people with symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, reduce vehicular crashes due to drowsy driving and ensure more Americans get sufficient sleep. For more information, visit www.projecthealthysleep.org.

Barilla and Ingrid Hoffmann team up to Launch New Culinary Movement — Latino Italian Fusion

December 1, 2015

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NORTHBROOK, Illinois, Dec. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Barilla, maker of Italy’s #1 pasta brand, is celebrating Latinas’ creativity in the kitchen and passion for new flavors with the launch of its latest campaign, Latino Italian Fusion. Combining two family favorites — Latino flavors and spices and traditional Italian ingredients — Barilla has partnered with celebrity Chef Ingrid Hoffmann to develop delicious and unique recipes, as part of a video series that perfectly captures el sazón Latino in re-imagined pasta dishes.

Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7687251-barilla-latino-italian-fusion/

Ingrid’s recipes include Chicken and Penne Puerto Rican Style, Prosciutto Tallarines Verdes, Veracruz Shrimp Rotini, and Kale Chorizo Lasagna Rollatini, each of which uses Barilla pasta as a blank canvas to infuse the two cuisines.

“I am excited to be a part of Latino Italian Fusion because it’s a movement that inspires Latinas to be creative with a pantry staple like pasta while remaining true to the ingredients, spices, and flavor combinations they already know and love. Barilla has a variety of pasta shapes to choose from making it super simple for Latinas to create unique pasta dishes whether they are traditional or reinvented, any night of the week,” explains Ingrid Hoffmann.

The how-to video series is available on http://siempremujer.com/barilla, where Latinas can also find tips for quick and easy recipes for family dinners and ideas for holiday meals. Inspired by the diversity of Latin cuisine, Barilla is collaborating with premier Latino chefs to develop a roster of Latin-inspired pasta dishes exclusively for Latino Italian Fusion that captures the flavors of Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America.

Barilla recognizes the high caliber of taste and quality Latinas seek for their family’s meals and Latino Italian Fusion incorporates the highest quality pasta for them to foster their creativity in the kitchen. “Latino Italian Fusion is all about providing new and original pasta recipes to Latina moms as inspiration to get creative in the kitchen,” said Melissa Tendick, Vice President of Marketing for Barilla. “Sharing the table with family and friends is an integral part of both Italian and Latino culture alike, and a great way for families and friends to share quality time with one another. Barilla believes the quality of a meal has a direct impact on the quality of the meal experience. By inspiring moms through new Latino Italian pasta recipes, we hope to make meal time even more of a special occasion, especially during this holiday season.”

For more Latin-inspired pasta recipes visit http://siempremujer.com/barilla.

About the Barilla Group
Created in Parma in 1877 out of a shop that made bread and pasta, Barilla is today among the top Italian food groups, a world leader in the pasta and pasta sauce businesses in continental Europe, bakery products in Italy, and the crispbread business in Scandinavia. Currently, the Barilla Group owns 30 production sites (14 in Italy and 16 abroad) and exports to more than 100 countries. Every year, its plants turn out around 1,700,000 tons of food products that are consumed on tables all over the world, under the following brand names: Barilla, Mulino Bianco, Voiello, Pavesi, Academia Barilla, Wasa, Harrys (France and Russia), Misko (Greece), Filiz (Turkey), Yemina and Vesta (Mexico). For more information, please visit: www.barillagroup.com.

Contacts:	Stephanie Garris, Barilla America	Ashley Taveras, Edelman
	[email protected]	[email protected]
	(847) 405-7564	(212) 738-6078

Christian Family Coalition (CFC) celebrates its 12th Anniversary Gala Dinner: An Evening with Florida’s U.S. Senate Candidates, A Celebration of Life Awards Ceremony

December 1, 2015

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MIAMI, Dec. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Christian Family Coalition (CFC) Florida, our state’s premier human rights and social justice advocacy organization, will be celebrating its 12^th Annual Gala Dinner on Friday, December 11th, 2015 at the Sheraton Miami Airport Hotel.

This year’s theme: “An Evening with Florida’s U.S. Senate Candidates”, will include all the major Republican Party candidates in attendance: Florida Lt. Governor Carlos Lopez-Cantera, Florida Congressmen David Jolly, District 13 and Ron DeSantis, District 6, they will be joined by businessman Todd Wilcox and Ernie Rivera.

Additionally, CFC will host a “Celebration of Life Awards Ceremony”, honoring the pro-life heroes of the South Florida delegation from Tallahassee, joining us will be Florida State Senator Anitere Flores, along with South Florida Representatives: George Moraitis Jr., Bryan Avila, Erik Fresen, Jose Felix Diaz and Michael Bileca.

CFC issued the following statement:

“As the Christian Family Coalition (CFC) Florida launches the statewide expansion of its operations throughout all 67 counties, we are honored to have all the major Republican candidates from across the Sunshine State joining us in Miami from as far away as Tallahassee and Jacksonville, to Saint Petersburg and Orlando, for this very special evening. We are also proud to welcome the pro-life heroes of the South Florida delegation from Tallahassee.”

Florida Journalists interested in scheduling an interview with CFC Founder and Executive Director Anthony Verdugo or in covering the CFC Anniversary Gala should call or text (786) 471-6725 or write an email to [email protected], on or before Monday December 7th, 2015.

What:	CFC 12th Anniversary Gala Dinner
When:	Friday, December 11th, 2015 from 7:00 PM
Where:	*Sheraton Miami Airport Hotel* 3900 NW 21st Street, Miami FL 33142
Contact for interviews/ Press Credentials:	Call or Send a text to (786) 471-6725 or send an email to [email protected]