CA Assembly Committee Allows Unlicensed, Unregulated, Unrestricted, Free Booze at Beauty Parlors and Barber Shops
CA Assembly Committee Allows Unlicensed, Unregulated, Unrestricted, Free Booze at Beauty Parlors and Barber Shops
Public health and safety take a major hit as Government Under the Influence (GUI) of Big Alcohol turns a blind eye to alcohol-related harm
SAN FRANCISCO, April 10, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — With a not surprising show of solidarity, the California Assembly Committee on Governmental Organization (GO) voted unanimously Wednesday to pass AB 1322 (Daily-Anaheim) to allow unlicensed, unregulated, free alcohol to be served at the state’s 45,000+ beauty salons and barber shops. The GO Committee is the State Assembly’s largest committee (21 members) and the place where Big Alcohol spends the most money to gain influence as most bills dealing with alcohol rules and regulations begin their legislative journey there.
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“Once again the GO Committee has proved it’s the place where bad alcohol bills are passed and good alcohol bills go to die,” stated Bruce Lee Livingston, Executive Director / CO of Alcohol Justice. “Except that we are talking about the lives of people not bills when we say this particular change to alcohol regulation will negatively affect the health and safety of all California residents and visitors.”
Alcohol Justice has estimated that if AB 1322 becomes law the number of venues serving alcohol in California will increase by 41%.
In a letter of opposition sent to the GO committee the organization listed the many problems with the bill’s devil-may-care approach:
- Who will monitor the number of drinks served and the drink sizes? The Alcoholic Beverage Control agency has less than 150 agents for the state and they will not monitor or enforce at any location that does not have a license.
- This bill makes no mention of age requirements or proper Responsible Beverage Service training of persons pouring the alcohol. It throws out all standards of retail service of alcohol.
- The bill would allow every barbershop, beauty parlor or nail salon venue to serve alcohol regardless of the presence of underage persons – toddlers, adolescents or underage youth who could easily be served or sneak drinks while getting a hair cut or nails done. Evidence shows that increased availability of alcoholic beverages is correlated with an increase in alcohol related harm.
- The qualification in the bill that it may not cause an increase in price is ridiculously unenforceable, as any purchase of beer, wine and spirits will have to come out of all customer costs anyway – unless somehow or other the alcohol is given for free to the salons or barber shops. Non-drinking salon or barbershop customers inevitably will be subsidizing drinkers at the shops that offer alcohol.
- There is no regulation here of the purchasing structure. The venues will have to purchase at the retail level and then resell the alcohol, as they cannot be allowed to purchase from wholesalers or producers directly. This may cause black market purchasing at discounted rates from retailers.
- All the unlicensed venues will have to engage in an arms race of free drinks to keep up with venues that serve more alcohol or offer promotions. If one barbershop offers two beers with a haircut, the place across the street might have to offer three.
“The scenarios for how bad this bill is are endless,” added Livingston. “California already suffers more than $31 billion dollars in alcohol-related harm and 10,000 alcohol-related deaths annually. We implore more rational voices of reason in the legislature, Governor Brown, Attorney General Harris and ABC officials to please help safeguard public health and safety and reduce alcohol-related harm in California by stopping AB 1322, it’s a very dangerous bill.”
Visit https://www.AlcoholJustice.org for more information and to take action against this bill.
Contact: Michael Scippa 415 548-0492
Jorge Castillo 213 840-3336
Beauty, Brawn and Brains: The 2016 Honda Pilot is the Triple Threat Poised to Top the Three-Row SUV Segment
Beauty, Brawn and Brains: The 2016 Honda Pilot is the Triple Threat Poised to Top the Three-Row SUV Segment
– Sleek and athletic exterior meets interior elegance for a commanding yet sophisticated presence
– Top-of-the-line Elite trim introduces a premium look, feel and experience with highest level of standard features
– Direct injected 3.5-liter i-VTEC® engine with more horsepower and torque than outgoing model
– Smartest Pilot ever with new Intelligent Traction Management system, Honda Sensing™ technologies and i-VTM4 AWD system
TORRANCE, California, April 10, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The all-new, third generation 2016 Honda Pilot will go on sale this summer ready to take the mid-size SUV segment by storm, with more of what active families seek in a three-row SUV – sleek and athletic styling, outstanding power, sophisticated technology and, new for 2016, an all-new Elite model with a panoramic roof and a vast array of other standard features.
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Building on the solid reputation established from the fall 2002 introduction of the first generation 2003 model, the 2016 Pilot brings a whole new level of refinement and available content to the segment. This includes a more powerful direct injected 3.5-liter SOHC i-VTEC® Earth Dreams™ Technology engine producing 280 horsepower1 and 262 lb-ft of torque2, and new 6-speed and 9-speed automatic transmissions. Providing outstanding dynamic handling are a new Intelligent Variable Torque Management™ (i-VTM4™) AWD System and all-new selectable Intelligent Traction Management system featuring Normal, Mud, Sand, and Snow modes on the AWD model and Normal and Snow on the 2WD model. Also significantly upgraded are the Display Audio and navigation systems. The available Honda Sensing™ suite of safety and driver assistive technologies brings available features that include Collision Mitigation Braking System™3 with Forward Collision Warning4, Road Departure Mitigation System5, Lane Keeping Assist System6 with Lane Departure Warning7 and Adaptive Cruise Control8.
Providing customers with a greatly increased range of trim levels, the 2016 Pilot is available in a new top-of-the-line Elite trim together with LX, EX, EX with Honda Sensing™, EX-L, EX-L with Honda Sensing™ and Touring trims. Honda Sensing™ is standard on both Touring and Elite trims. The Pilot Elite offers an extensive feature content list, including a panoramic glass roof, heated and ventilated front seats, second-row heated captain’s chairs, LED headlights with auto high-beam, rain sensing windshield wipers and much more. And these are in addition to a long list of standard features throughout the Pilot trim range.
Model Trim Summary
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Pilot LX Prominent Features |
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Direct-injected 3.5-liter SOHC i-VTEC engine with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) |
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6-Speed Automatic Transmission |
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Hill Start Assist |
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Intelligent Variable Torque Management™ (i-VTM4™) AWD System (available) |
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18-inch aluminum alloy wheels |
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Brake Assist |
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Multi-Angle Rearview Camera9 with guidelines |
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Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)10 with Tire Fill Assist and Location and Pressure Indicators |
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Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) Body Structure |
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LED Brake Lights |
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Remote Entry |
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Push Button Start |
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5-Inch Color LCD Screen |
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200-Watt Audio System with 7 Speakers, including Subwoofer |
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Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®11 |
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Bluetooth® Streaming Audio11 |
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MP3/Windows Media®12 Audio (WMA) Playback Capability |
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USB Audio Interface [Center Console w/High-Speed Charging (1 Port)] |
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Pilot EX Prominent Features – Changed or added from LX |
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Intelligent Traction Management, Normal/Snow (2WD), Normal/Mud/Sand/Snow (AWD) |
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Remote Engine Start |
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Multi-Angle Rearview Camera9 (HS) with dynamic guidelines |
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LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) |
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Honda Sensing™ (available) |
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Honda LaneWatch™13 |
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Programmable Remote Entry |
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Smart Entry |
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Fog Lights |
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HomeLink® Remote System14 |
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Driver’s Seat with 10-Way Power Adjustment, including Power Lumbar Support |
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USB HondaLink/Audio Interface15 [Front w/Charging (1 Port) and Center Console w/High-Speed Charging (2 Ports)] |
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225-Watt Audio System with 7 Speakers, including Subwoofer |
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8-Inch Display Audio with High-Resolution WVGA (800×480) Electrostatic Touch-Screen and Customizable Feature Settings |
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HondaLink® Next Generation16 |
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SMS Text Message Function17 |
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SiriusXM® Radio18 |
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Pandora®19 Compatibility |
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Song By Voice® (SBV) |
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Pilot EX-L Prominent Features – Changed or added from EX |
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Acoustic Windshield Glass |
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One-Touch Power Moonroof with Tilt Feature |
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Power Tailgate |
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Rear Entertainment System with HDMI interface20 and 115V power outlet (RES) (available) |
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Automatic-Dimming Rearview Mirror |
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Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel |
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One-Touch 2nd-Row Seats |
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Front Passenger’s Seat with 4-Way Power Adjustment |
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Leather-Trimmed Interior |
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Heated Front Seats |
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Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with Voice Recognition21 and Honda HD Digital Traffic (available) |
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Pilot Touring Prominent Features – Changed or added from EX-L |
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9-Speed Automatic Transmission with Shift-By-Wire (SBW) with Paddle Shifters |
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20-inch Aluminum Alloy Wheels |
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Honda Sensing™ |
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Acoustic Windshield and Front Door Glass |
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Body-Colored Power Side Mirrors. Heated (AWD) with Memory and Integrated LED Turn Indicators |
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Driver’s Seat with 10-Way Power Adjustment, including Power Lumbar Support with Two-Position Memory |
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Idle-Stop |
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Roof Rails |
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Blu-Ray Rear Entertainment System |
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Blue Ambient LED Lighting |
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Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with Voice Recognition22 and Honda HD Digital Traffic |
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540-Watt Premium Audio System with 10 Speakers, including Subwoofer |
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USB Ports, 2nd-Row w/High-Speed Charging (2 Ports) |
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Pilot Elite Prominent Features – Changed or added from Touring |
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Auto High-Beam Headlights |
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Blind Spot Information System (BSI) with Rear Cross Traffic Monitor23 |
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Rain Sensing Variable Intermittent Windshield Wipers |
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Trailer Harness |
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Panoramic Roof |
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LED Headlights with Auto-On/Off |
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Heated Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel |
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Front and 2nd-Row Illuminated Beverage Holders |
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Heated and Ventilated Front Seats |
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Heated 2nd-Row Captain’s Chairs |
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HD Radio™24 |
Earth Dreams™ Technology Powertrain
The 2016 Pilot delivers more refined, powerful and fuel-efficient performance than ever before courtesy of its new 3.5-liter, direct-injected i-VTEC® V-6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM™) cylinder deactivation technology. The engine’s peak output of 280 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque is up 30 hp and 9 lb.-ft. over the previous model. The engine is matched to a choice of two new advanced transmissions – a Pilot-first 6-speed automatic transmission or, on upper trims, a Honda-first 9-speed automatic transmission – both delivering more refined, responsive and fuel-efficient performance.
Intelligent Variable Torque Management for all Four Wheels (i-VTM4)
The Pilot’s available new Intelligent VTM4 (i-VTM4) is the most sophisticated and technologically advanced all-wheel-drive system offered in a mainstream, three-row SUV. This entirely more capable system progressively distributes optimum torque between the front and rear axles and, for the first time ever in a Honda vehicle, dynamically distributes engine torque between the left and right rear wheels using the new, lightweight rear drive unit. Benefits include superior all-weather handling and neutral, accurate steering under power that is unmatched by front-drive, rear-drive or conventional all-wheel-drive systems.
Intelligent Traction Management
This new Pilot features a new button-operated Intelligent Traction Management System that offers different operating modes, for the AWD: Normal, Mud, Sand and Snow; and for the FWD: Normal and Snow. Reflecting Pilot’s role as a key U.S. export model, this system was developed, tuned and tested at various locations in the U.S. and around the world – including in Imperial Dunes “Glamis”, California; Moscow, Russia; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Intelligent Traction Management system allows the driver to select the operating mode that best suits the driving conditions by simply pushing a button on the vehicle’s center console. Based on the setting selected, the system adjusts the drive-by wire map, transmission shift map, Vehicle Stability Assist™ and i-VTM4 torque distribution for AWD equipped models for optimal performance in varying road or surface conditions.
Display Audio and Navigation
Honda’s latest thinking for advanced, family-friendly technology is embodied in the new Pilot. New features include the available 8-inch capacitive touchscreen Display Audio telematics interface with Android operating system and all-new Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ developed in cooperation with the experts at Garmin®24.
Exterior Colors
All 2016 Pilot trims are available in eight exterior colors including three metallic and five pearl colors. All colors have a strong character, offering expressive contrasts that complement the Pilot’s body-panel curves and angles, while also exhibiting a smart luxury appearance. The colors are:
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Modern Steel Metallic* |
White Diamond Pearl |
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Lunar Silver Metallic* |
Crystal Black Pearl |
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Steel Sapphire Metallic* |
Obsidian Blue Pearl |
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Black Forest Pearl* |
Dark Cherry Pearl |
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* New color for Pilot |
The exterior colors are keyed to the 2016 Pilot’s three new available interior colors: Black, Gray and Beige.
1 280 horsepower @ 6000 rpm (SAE net)
2 262 lb-ft @4700 rpm (SAE net)
3 CMBS cannot detect all objects ahead and may not detect a given object; accuracy will vary based on weather, speed and other factors. System operation affected by extreme interior heat. System designed to mitigate crash forces. Driver remains responsible for safely operating vehicle and avoiding collisions.
4 FCW cannot detect all objects ahead and may not detect a given object; accuracy will vary based on weather, speed and other factors. System operation affected by extreme interior heat. FCW does not include a braking function. Driver remains responsible for safely operating vehicle and avoiding collisions.
5 Road Departure Mitigation only alerts drivers when lane drift is detected without a turn signal in use and can apply mild steering torque and/or brake pressure to slow the vehicle’s departure from a detected lane. Road Departure Mitigation may not detect all lane markings or lane departures; accuracy will vary based on weather, speed and road condition. System operation affected by extreme interior heat. Driver remains responsible for safely operating vehicle and avoiding collisions.
6 LKAS only alerts drivers when lane drift is detected without a turn signal in use and can apply mild steering torque to assist driver in maintaining proper lane position. LKAS may not detect all lane markings or lane departures; accuracy will vary based on weather, speed and road condition. System operation affected by extreme interior heat. Driver remains responsible for safely operating vehicle and avoiding collisions.
7 LDW only alerts drivers when lane drift is detected without a turn signal in use. LDW may not detect all lane markings or lane departures; accuracy will vary based on weather, speed and road condition. System operation affected by extreme interior heat. Driver remains responsible for safely operating vehicle and avoiding collisions.
8 ACC cannot detect all objects ahead and may not detect a given object; accuracy will vary based on weather, speed and other factors. ACC should not be used in heavy traffic, poor weather or on winding roads. The driver remains responsible to slow or stop the vehicle to avoid a collision.
9 Always visually confirm that it is safe to drive before backing up; the rearview camera display does not provide complete information about all conditions and objects at the rear of your vehicle.
10 For optimal tire wear and performance, tire pressure should be checked regularly with a gauge. Do not rely solely on the monitor system. Please see your Honda dealer for details.
11 The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and any use of such marks by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., is under license.
12 Windows Media® is a trademark or registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
13 Display accuracy will vary based on weather, size of object and speed, and the display may not show all relevant traffic. The display is not a substitute for your own direct visual assessment of traffic conditions before changing lanes.
14 HomeLink and the HomeLink house are registered trademarks of Johnson Controls®.
15 The USB Audio Interface is used for direct connection to and control of some current digital audio players and other USB devices that contain MP3, WMA or AAC music files. Some USB devices with security software and digital rights-protected files may not work. Check the HondaLink® website for smartphone compatibility. Please see your Honda dealer for details.
16 Check the HondaLink® website for smartphone compatibility.
17 Compatible with select phones with Bluetooth®. Your wireless carrier’s rate plans apply. State or local laws may limit use of texting feature. Only use texting feature when conditions allow you to do so safely.
18 SiriusXM services require a subscription after any trial period. If you decide to continue your SiriusXM service at the end of your trial subscription, the plan you choose will automatically renew and bill at then-current rates until you call SiriusXM at 1-866-635-2349 to cancel. See our Customer Agreement for complete terms at www.siriusxm.com. Fees and programming subject to change. XM satellite service is available only to those at least 18 years and older in the 48 contiguous United States and D.C. ©2015 Sirius XMRadio Inc. Sirius, XM and all related marks and logos are trademarks of SiriusXM Radio Inc.
19 Pandora, the Pandora logo, and the Pandora trade dress are trademarks or registered trademarks of Pandora Media, Inc. Used with permission. Compatible with select smartphones. See: www.pandora.com/everywhere/mobile. Not all devices compatible with USB connection. Your wireless carrier’s rate plans apply.
20 HDMI, the HDMI Logo, and High-Definition Multimedia Interface are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing, LLC, in the United States and other countries.
21 The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ is available on EX-L models and standard on Touring and Elite models in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. (Honda HD Digital Traffic service only available in the United States, except Alaska). Please see your Honda dealer for details.
22 The system is not a substitute for your own visual assessment before changing lanes; system accuracy will vary based on weather, size of object and speed.
23 HD Radio is a proprietary trademark of iBiquity Digital Corporation.
24 The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ is available on EX-L models in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. (Honda HD Digital Traffic service only available in the United States, except Alaska).
It’s Official: Catalina Island Is #UpForWhatever
It’s Official: Catalina Island Is #UpForWhatever
BUD LIGHT NAMES CATALINA ISLAND, CALIFORNIA AS THE NEXT HOME OF WHATEVER, USA
ST. LOUIS, April 9, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — After an extensive, cross-country search to identify the town whose residents are #UpForWhatever, Bud Light has named Catalina Island, California as the next destination for an epic weekend of unexpected fun: Whatever, USA.
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Bud Light’s Whatever, USA town search committee scouted the country’s hottest cities known for being #UpForWhatever, selecting Catalina Island due to its impressive resume of hosting big festivals and events, breathtaking scenery and, most importantly, a colorful and friendly community that is truly #UpForWhatever.
“As the capital of unexpected fun, Whatever, USA is the ultimate destination for Bud Light fans who are #UpForWhatever and our host town needs to reflect that same energy and sense of adventure,” said Alexander Lambrecht, vice president of Bud Light. “Catalina Island is known as a place to relax and get away from it all, making it the perfect location for the ultimate Bud Light immersive experience, Whatever, USA.”
Throughout its rich history, Catalina Island has been no stranger to spontaneous fun. Some of Catalina’s most #UpForWhatever moments include hosting movie productions and red carpet events during Hollywood’s golden years and a bison herd that’s called Catalina home since the 1920’s.
“Catalina Island is just 22 miles away from the California mainland but the millions of visitors we’ve hosted over the years will tell you that it’s worlds away from the ordinary,” said Bill Paige, Chairman of the Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau. “This makes Catalina the ideal place for Whatever, USA and we’re thrilled to welcome Bud Light with open arms. The island of Catalina is truly #UpForWhatever!”
Bud Light is searching for fans to become Whatever, USA citizens for a weekend of unexpected fun and surprises of a lifetime from May 29 — 31. Those 21 and over who are ready to pack their bags for a weekend of “whatever” on Catalina Island are encouraged to visit Bud Light’s Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages and submit a 15 second video. Visit UpForWhatever.com to check out highlights from last year’s Whatever, USA, and to find online submission rules and guidelines for auditions. Whatever, USA teams will also visit restaurants and bars nationwide to audition Bud Light fans 21 and over for a chance to win a trip to Whatever, USA.
Whatever, USA keeps the celebration of Bud Light fans going strong. Earlier this year Bud Light brought the House of Whatever, its #UpForWhatever experience, to Super Bowl XLIX in Phoenix. Last summer Bud Light brought its #UpForWhatever mantra to life with a three-day celebration that transformed the town of Crested Butte, CO, into Whatever, USA. More than 1,000 consumers 21 and over were flown in for the inaugural “whatever” weekend. The Crested Butte, CO economy also earned $1MM in revenue and added an additional 500 temporary jobs as a result of the weekend.
About Bud Light
Introduced in 1982, Bud Light is a premium light lager with a superior drinkability that has made it the best-selling and most popular beer in the United States. Bud Light is brewed using a blend of premium aroma hop varieties, both American-grown and imported, and a combination of barley malts and rice. The light-bodied beer features a fresh, clean and subtle hop aroma, delicate malt sweetness and a crisp finish that delivers the ultimate refreshment. For more information, visit www.BudLight.com.
The Home Depot Enters Spring with Interactive Tools, Innovative Products and Savings
The Home Depot Enters Spring with Interactive Tools, Innovative Products and Savings
ATLANTA, April 9, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Spring has arrived, and The Home Depot® is making it easier for customers to go all out this year with an enhanced collection of online tools, tips and must-have products that combine to form a seamless in-store and online shopping experience for home improvement’s busiest season.
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Today marks the start of The Home Depot’s sixth annual Spring Black Friday savings event with 11 days of in-store savings plus a daily deal on popular seasonal items, including live goods, grills and outdoor power tools.
“Spring 2015 includes one of the most robust and innovative product lineups we’ve ever had – from new exclusive partnerships to the proven, best-in-class brands that customers expect from The Home Depot,” said Hal Lawton, senior vice president, hardlines for The Home Depot. “This year, we’ve created exciting new ways for customers to shop for all their essential spring products; with easy ways to access product information and shop both in-store and online.”
Connecting the in-store and online experiences
The Home Depot has expanded its aisles – bridging our in-store products to items available on homedepot.com. Online shoppers have more options than ever – whether they choose to have their purchases delivered straight to their home or shipped to their nearest store for pick up. In 2014, almost 40 percent of all orders on homedepot.com were picked up in a local Home Depot store.
Inside the stores, The Home Depot mobile app identifies exactly where products are located on the shelves through text or voice-enabled search. Smartphone-enabled catalogs extend the in-store aisles by connecting customers to a much wider variety of product options available online.
“Our new spring calculators, project planners and mobile functionality are exciting new tools and key features within an integrated in-store and online shopping experience,” says Lawton. “Customers can feel empowered to combine the merchandise expertise of our associates with interactive, easy-to-use online and mobile tools to save time and money when taking on their spring projects.”
In-store and online project tools
The Home Depot has built an extensive spring landing page to help customers navigate the season – from products and problem-solving tools to facilitate easier lawn and garden prep to ideas and inspiration that can help shoppers plan, design and enjoy their outdoor living space.
Knowing how to identify the right plants, products and quantities can be one of the biggest challenges to starting a spring project. The Garden Club features simple tips and expert gardening advice tailored to 15 local gardening regions, and to help tackle common lawn and garden questions, The Home Depot developed three new online tools and calculators: Mulch & Top Soil Calculator, Weed, Plant, & Pest Problem Solver and Grass Seed Calculator. Shoppers considering a larger backyard project have access to several project planners, including the Fencing Project Planner and the Decking Project Planner – designed to guide additions, expansions, upgrades and restoration.
Creating a unique outdoor living room is one of the most popular spring projects, and consumers are looking for opportunities to fuse luxury detailing and style with affordable prices. The online Create Your Own Collection patio configuration tool offers 16 furniture frames and 15 color options for a truly customized patio set. The Home Depot’s Apron Blog is a popular source of creative inspiration, including the annual Patio Style Challenge that provides easy ideas for maximizing an outdoor living room from 24 bloggers, decorators and DIY experts.
The Home Depot also provides the hands-on skills and confidence to become a first class do-it-yourselfer. Weekly in-store Workshops offer demonstrations with step-by-step instructions for making easy home improvements. This spring, sample DIY projects include how to build a raised garden bed and how to build a paver planter. Registration information is available on workshops.homedepot.com.
New and featured product offerings
The Home Depot is the spring destination for national brands and exclusive products in lawn and garden, outdoor power, outdoor living and grilling. This season’s newest and enhanced products include:
- Patio furniture and accessories have more options than ever with new collections from Hampton Bay and Brown Jordan, complemented by additional fabric and color options in the “Create Your Own Collection,” and expanded options of outdoor living accessories, pillows, rugs, lights and lanterns.
- Expanded grill selection – from classic gas and charcoal to pellet grills and pizza ovens – with an exclusive brand launch with Nexgrill and the introduction of several exclusive models from Weber and KitchenAid. This year, there are more than 75 grill accessories in every store to make any meal a reality, such as a blossoming onion rack, jalapeno rack, ceramic pizza stones and glow-in-the-dark skewers.
- Expanded assortment of cordless outdoor power tools – marked by the launch of ECHO’s 58-volt line and the second year of EGO’s 56-volt family of tools, both of which include battery-powered trimmer, blower, edger, mower and chain saw.
- High-quality mowers from sought-after brands like Ryobi, Toro, John Deere and Cub Cadet. Innovations and online tools from Toro include SmartStow, a breakthrough mow ‘n’ stow engine that allows the mower to be stored vertically, reducing storage space by 70 percent; and the Toro Custom Z-Builder that allows shoppers to custom build a zero-turn mower by choosing the steering, platform, deck, engine and seat.
- Introduction of new edibles from Bonnie Plants, as well as new varieties in tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, beans and garlic chives. The Home Depot also has a larger selection of low-water-use plants in regions most affected by drought.
- New sizes of functionally simple patio-ready flower containers and hanging baskets from Drop N Bloom help create an instant burst of color with plants that grow well together.
- Vigoro’s new colored mulch offers a 12-month color guarantee and fertilizer that features assurance particle technology – providing even feeding and greening without burning.
- New options in Veranda composite decking provides the appearance of real wood while greatly reducing annual maintenance – saving time and money. Exclusive to The Home Depot, Veranda has a 20-year warranty against cracking, splitting, color fade and stains.
Digital Newsroom
For a closer look at what’s happening at The Home Depot this Spring, including behind-the-scenes interviews and trends for gardening, outdoor living and grilling, visit our digital newsroom, Built from Scratch at thd.co/spring15.
About The Home Depot
The Home Depot is the world’s largest home improvement specialty retailer, with 2,269 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. In fiscal 2014, The Home Depot had sales of $83.2 billion and earnings of $6.3 billion. The Company employs more than 300,000 associates. The Home Depot’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor’s 500 index.
2015 AHAA Annual Conference A Must-attend For Brands And Agencies Looking For Growth
2015 AHAA Annual Conference A Must-attend For Brands And Agencies Looking For Growth
FAIRFAX, Va., April 9, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Content that is riveting and shareable, messages that are deeply grounded in insights and consumer engagement at the touch points that matter most – this is the curriculum for the 2015 AHAA Annual Conference, taking place April 27-29 at the Eden Roc Miami Beach. AHAA: The Voice of Hispanic Marketing is taking a bold approach this year, as it invites the industry to say goodbye to the “general market” and welcome the upcoming majority mainstream, which is primarily fueled by Hispanics. Brands and agencies, who want to stay relevant and grow their business in tomorrow’s marketplace, must understand this influential segment in order to stay alive. That’s why AHAA has invited C-suite leaders from forward-thinking brands and visionary trendsetters to serve as faculty and address the most important issues of the marketing industry today.
“The key to business growth has always been with the Hispanic market. AHAA has said it for years, and now top brands are with us, helping us drive the train and create future storylines,” said AHAA Chair Aldo Quevedo, principal/creative director of Richards/Lerma. “Content marketing, creative, digital, entertainment, mobile, programmatic, public relations, social media – all of these disciplines significantly impact the Hispanic market. That’s why this is a banner year for the AHAA Annual Conference: we are not only delivering big names, but we are putting together the content that every marketer needs to be successful.”
AHAA has brought together a list of who’s who marketing elite who understand the enormous impact the multicultural market has on American business: Kavita Vazirani, SVP, Media Strategy & Sciences, Comcast; Heidi Browning, SVP, Strategic Solutions, Pandora; Deanie Elsner,former CMO of Kraft Foods Group, Brian Terkelsen, CEO of MediaVest USA; Rick Gomez, SVP, Marketing, Target; Peter Hall, SVP, Marketing, Heineken Americas; Jim McNamara, Chairman of Panamax Films and Pantelion Films; Bob Pittman, Chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia, Inc.
Adding star power to the lineup are Latin GRAMMY® nominated singer/songwriter Leslie Grace, who is headlining a music/pop culture session, and Emmy®-nominated host of National Geographic Channel’s hit TV series Brain Games and creator of viral short film series Shots of Awe, Jason Silva, who will provide a futurist perspective on marketing. In addition, top firms, such as Nielsen, The Futures Company, Mintel, and the Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA) have chosen AHAA as the platform to unveil never-before-seen research on the Multicultural Superconsumer, Poly-cultural America, Millennials and Public Relations in the face of Total Market.
In what will be sure to be the talk of the conference, AHAA will extend its thought leadership position on Total Market by hosting a Total Market Luncheon to gauge industry pulse and explore best practices. With an innovative town-hall-meets-speed-dating format, each table will provide feedback to a series of questions and polls in a 140-character tweet with a public release of the results – be they fun or controversial – that very same day.
AHAA is known for its engaging and dynamite panels as well as never-seen-before research from top firms. This year, leaders from NBC Universal, Yahoo and IAB will talk about programmatic marketing; the dream team that catapulted Red Bull as a viral lifestyle brand will discuss content marketing; and for the first time, AHAA will have two Social Media SUPER Sessions featuring some of the biggest names across the blogosphere: Lynn Ponder, founder, webcitygirls and creator of interactive online talk show “Behind the Pink Wig;” Hector Trejo, creative senior production, development, digital team at Latin World Entertainment; multi-media personality Jessica Northey, founder, Country Music’s #CMchat; and Kim Garst, author, Will The Real You Please Stand Up; Ana Flores, blogger, author and social media entrepreneur, founder of Latinas Bloggers Connect; Marinés Duarte, family & lifestyle expert for Univision, co-founder of M4 Media Group, and founder of En Tu Zapatos blog; Jeanette Kaplun, award-winning journalist, TV personality, and founder of bilingual platform Hispana Global.
Finally, AHAA will crown the 2015 Marketer of the Year winner, the best account and media planners of our industry with the HispanicAd.com HAPE and HMPE Awards, and the best creative campaigns as part of the 2015 U.S.H. Idea Awards, taking place at The Colony Theatre in Miami, FL on Tuesday, April 28, 2015. In fact, prior to the awards, AHAA will provide a sneak peek of the best of Latin American creativity with the “Eye on Latin America,” a select reel of inspiring, unexpected work that garnished global recognition with El Ojo Awards.
To register for the conference, please visit http://ahaa.org and download the conference app at https://crowd.cc/s/5usQ. Follow AHAA on Twitter using its @ahaa handle and join in the conference chatter on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter using the hashtag #thinkahaa.
About AHAA:
Founded in 1996, AHAA: The Voice of Hispanic Marketing is the national trade organization of all marketing, communications and media firms with trusted Hispanic expertise.
CRC Industries to Exhibit at Automechanika, Chicago, IL
CRC Industries to Exhibit at Automechanika, Chicago, IL
Product Demo by Celebrity Jessi Combs on Service Repair Stage;
Drawing to Win “Free CRC Products for a Year” at Booth #1702
WARMINSTER, Pennsylvania, April 9, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — CRC Industries, Inc., manufacturer of specialty chemicals for automotive technicians and do-it-yourselfers (DIYers), announces that it will exhibit at Booth #1702 at the upcoming Automechanika trade show in Chicago, IL. The event is scheduled to be held from April 24 -26, 2015 at McCormick Place West.
Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150408/197323
Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120111/PH33464LOGO
A highlight of CRC’s presence at Automechanika, Chicago, will be the company’s partnership with dynamic automotive celebrity, Jessi Combs. A metal fabricator, TV personality, racing driver and “fastest woman on 4 wheels,” Combs is widely known in the automotive world and is a popular role model for women in the industry.
She will be present at the CRC booth on Sunday, April 26 from 11:30 to 1:00 p.m. and will meet with visitors and sign autographs. From 1:00 to 1:30 p.m. show attendees may see Combs at the Service Repair Demonstration Stage where she will be performing a product demonstration of CRC’s “Complete 4-Step Fuel System Service” which covers the following popular products:
- CRC 1-TANK Power Renew® Complete Fuel System Cleanup;
- CRC GDI IVD™ Intake Valve Cleaner
- CRC Mass Air Flow Sensor Cleaner
- CRC Throttle Body & Air Intake Cleaner
Jessi will speak to the audience about how carbon deposits that form in a vehicle’s fuel system as we go about our daily driving, can cause problems such as decreased gas mileage, hesitation, loss of power and excessive emissions. Products in the CRC Complete 4-Step Fuel System Service are designed to clean a vehicle’s entire fuel system, restore power and performance and improve fuel economy.
As part of a special show promotion, automotive repair and collision shop owners, technicians and jobbers attending Automechanika will be eligible to win “Free CRC Products for a Year” for a maximum retail value of $3,000. Attendees may enter to win at the CRC booth #1702 at any time during the show. The winner will be randomly selected and announced by Jessi Combs during her appearance at the booth on Sunday, April 26 from 11:30 to 1:00 p.m.
“Our marketing partnership with Jessi Combs will enhance CRC’s presence at Automechanika,” said Dori Ahart, CRC Marketing Manager, Automotive Division. “Not only does her celebrity presence draw show traffic, but her consistent support for our products creates excitement and enthusiasm in our current and prospective customers,” Ahart said.
“Working with the CRC team has been truly rewarding.” Combs added, “It gives me the opportunity to stand behind a trusted brand that delivers on its promise. I have been using CRC products for years and rely on them to always perform as expected.”
Automechanika Chicago is the largest tradeshow and training event for the automotive aftermarket. It specifically targets automotive service and collision repair shop owners, technicians, distributors, jobbers and other industry professionals. For more information about Automechanika Chicago, please visit: www.automechanikachicago.com.
CRC trademarked brands include: CRC®, K&W®, Sta-Lube®, and Marykate®.
About Jessi Combs:
Jessi Combs’ passion to get behind the wheel of nearly anything with a motor has led her through amazing achievements. With a degree in custom automotive fabrication, Jessi has reached out to millions with her build skills on international TV shows such as All Girls Garage, as well as through community and educational outreach. Known as the fastest woman on four wheels, first “Queen” of the Hammers, an Ultra4 National Champion, and a Baja 1000 podium finisher, she simply leads by example. Her company the REAL DEAL shows more women (and men) that they too can build their ideas, go fast, get dirty, and yet still be feminine and fun.
March of Dimes Celebrates Salk Vaccine 60th Anniversary
March of Dimes Celebrates Salk Vaccine 60th Anniversary
Vaccines Can Help Keep Diseases From Returning
NEW YORK, April 9, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Vaccines are as critically important today as they were 60 years ago when the first polio vaccine, developed by Dr. Jonas Salk and his research team, was declared safe and effective.
Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150408/197448
April 12th marks the 60th anniversary of the day polio, “the killer, the crippler,” began loosening its grip on children nationwide.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calls vaccines one of the ten greatest health achievements of the 20th century. Yet measles and whooping cough are two examples of vaccine-preventable diseases that are on the increase as a result of declining immunization rates.
“Vaccines defeated diseases like polio, measles and pertussis,” says March of Dimes Chief Medical Officer Edward R. B. McCabe, MD, PhD. “Those vaccines were successful because of consistent, long-term efforts. This recent lapse in our vigilance and commitment allowed these deadly diseases to return and spread. The March of Dimes remains a staunch advocate for vaccination of all children and pregnant women in accordance with the CDC’s recommendations.”
Founded in 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to combat polio, the March of Dimes funded the development of the Salk and Sabin polio vaccines, and launched an immunization campaign that eliminated polio from the United States by 1979.
“These vaccines have brought this terrible epidemic disease under control that once killed or paralyzed thousands in this country each year. They had a tremendous impact on the nation, and with their use, the world is now on the brink of eradicating the poliovirus completely,” says Peter L. Salk, MD, president of the Jonas Salk Legacy Foundation, a physician, medical researcher and the eldest son of Dr. Jonas Salk. “It is fitting to remember, during this 100th anniversary year of my father’s birth, that we can come together in the same way to solve other significant problems affecting the health of humanity.”
The United States Mint recently released a commemorative coin celebrating the March of Dimes history — from conquering polio to championing the health of babies — featuring Franklin D. Roosevelt and Dr. Jonas Salk, who were united by the March of Dimes work to conquer polio in the 1950s.
“Holding the coin is holding a bit of the past, present and future in your hands,” says Elizabeth Roosevelt Johnston, FDR’s great-granddaughter, whose twins were born too soon and benefitted from the March of Dimes work. “This anniversary is very important to me. I’m proud to be connected to the March of Dimes, because this is a great organization that continues to help all babies get a healthy start in life.”
Today, the March of Dimes, the leading non-profit organization for maternal and infant health, is hard at work to reduce the epidemic of premature birth, which affects nearly a half million babies in the U.S. and 15 million worldwide. In 2011, the organization established the March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center at Stanford University School of Medicine, bringing together the brightest minds from many disciplines to work together to determine the causes of preterm birth. The Ohio Collaborative, a partnership of the leading academic institutions, children’s hospitals and medical centers in Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland, was launched in 2013. Last year, research centers opened at Washington University in St. Louis and at the University of Pennsylvania. A fifth center is planned.
With chapters nationwide 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.
March for Babies is supported by number one corporate supporter, Kmart, and top sponsors Famous Footwear, Macy’s, Cigna, United Airlines and Mission Pharmacal.
With Support Of Deaf Consumers And Interpreters, VRS Providers Present FCC with Joint Proposal to Improve Service and Expand Offerings, Upholding ADA Promise Of Functionally Equivalent Telecommunication Services
With Support Of Deaf Consumers And Interpreters, VRS Providers Present FCC with Joint Proposal to Improve Service and Expand Offerings, Upholding ADA Promise Of Functionally Equivalent Telecommunication Services
WASHINGTON, April 9, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — A delegation representing all six U.S. providers of Video Relay Service (VRS) today presented a Joint Proposal to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that would enhance telecommunication services available to deaf consumers who use American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate and uphold the Americans with Disabilities Act mandate of functionally equivalent telecommunication services. The companies that are party to the Joint Proposal are: ASL Services, CAAG, CONVO, Purple Communications, Sorenson Communications, and Z VRS.
Video – http://youtu.be/QceMfe079CE
VRS is the primary technology used by the signing community to communicate over the telephone with people who are hearing. With VRS, a person who is deaf uses a videophone or a mobile application to communicate with a hearing person over the phone through an interpreter. The interpreter speaks to the hearing person and communicates using ASL with the person who is deaf. The introduction of high-quality VRS in the early 2000s has been transformational in the lives of people who are deaf and has helped level the playing field for many. Dr. I. King Jordan, the first deaf president of Gallaudet University, wrote in a 2013 op-ed, “I do not exaggerate when I say that VRS has changed my life.”
The Joint Proposal has the support of the major consumer groups representing the deaf, several of whom filed a letter with the FCC regarding the benefits of the proposed enhanced VRS service, as well as the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID).
The providers’ Joint Proposal addresses an issue currently pending with the FCC, the speed with which providers are required to answer VRS calls, and includes additional enhanced services that would benefit deaf consumers. Under their Joint Proposal, the FCC would (1) impose faster speed-of-answer service requirements; (2) permit providers to conduct a trial of skills-based routing; and (3) encourage the provision of deaf interpreters. Providers also committed to work together to resolve any remaining interoperability issues between the disparate video endpoints used by VRS consumers. In order to make these changes feasible, the Joint Proposal asks the FCC to agree to maintain the compensation rates paid to VRS providers at their current levels and not implement rate cuts scheduled to take effect beginning July 1, 2015. The enhanced services in the providers’ Joint Proposal are contingent upon stabilization of VRS provider compensation rates.
“Our greatest concern is quality of service and the continued innovation of Video Relay Service. The providers’ Joint Proposal will ensure that these things happen and that we keep moving toward the ADA’s mandate of functionally equivalent telecommunication service,” said Claude Stout, Executive Director, Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Inc. (TDI).
“Interpreters are the backbone of VRS and cannot easily bear the burden of changes to service requirements or offerings. We are pleased with the way the providers have structured this joint proposal to take into account the needs of interpreters as well as the consumers we serve,” said RID Board of Directors President Dawn Whitcher.
The VRS provider companies came together to address an important need: implementing regulatory changes so that they can continue offering high quality Video Relay Service under conditions that will allow the industry to survive and thrive over the long-term. The providers strove to put together a plan that not only met their needs, but that also could be embraced by their community of customers and interpreters. They are committed to moving forward in a way that provides for a robust and competitive VRS marketplace and, through consumer choice, quality service and innovation, maintains the ADA mandate of functionally equivalent telecommunications for people who are deaf and hard-of-hearing and rely on American Sign Language to communicate. They urge the FCC to act in a timely manner to adopt the provisions of the Joint Proposal.
In a June 2013 Order, the FCC adopted rules affecting the provision of VRS, including, among other things, a significant increase in its speed-of-answer requirement (from an 80-second average measured on a monthly basis to a 30-second average measured daily). The rules also set into motion an aggressive rate reduction schedule through January 1, 2017. The net effect of the Order was to increase service requirements while reducing provider compensation.
The 2013 rules were challenged in court, resulting in a September 2014 decision by the DC Circuit to vacate the speed-of-answer requirement and remand it back to the FCC to determine what impact the enhanced service requirement would have on providers’ costs. In the time since the court vacated the rule, the FCC has not made any effort to address speed-of-answer. Moreover, the agency has not made progress on other actions outlined in the 2013 Order, including development of a neutral platform, a user registration database, performing outreach, and the adoption of a market-based competitive bidding system for determining provider compensation rates. The rate reduction schedule, however, remains in effect.
As outlined in its June 2013 Order, the neutral platform was a key element of the FCC’s transition to a new ratemaking approach that uses competitively established pricing. The FCC confirmed last year that it was moving forward with the neutral platform. In response to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government’s questions for the record regarding the FCC’s FY 2015 budget, the Commission stated that it was establishing an access technology reference platform (neutral platform) to ensure VRS consumer access to the latest technologies and to achieve interoperability. However, in February of this year, the FCC cancelled its RFP for the neutral platform.
Specific details of the VRS providers’ joint proposal:
The providers’ joint proposal consists of a unified package of reforms that are interdependent. In particular, none of the proposed service enhancements are feasible without the immediate stabilization of provider compensation rates. At the end of an eight-month trial, providers, consumers and RID will present data to the FCC to assist the Commission in establishing permanent minimum standards for each of the proposed enhanced services.
1. Speed-of-Answer. The providers propose to meet a faster service-level requirement so that 80 percent of calls must be answered within 45 seconds, measured monthly. This compares to the current requirement that 80 percent of calls be answered within 120 seconds, measured monthly and the FCC’s 2013 rule that imposed a requirement that 85 percent of calls be answered within 30 seconds, measured daily. Further, the join proposal clarifies a penalty structure for an individual provider who fails to meet the speed-of-answer service level.
2. Skills-Based Routing. Skills-based routing is the diversion of certain highly specialized calls, such as, but not limited to, legal, medical and technical support calls, to interpreters with knowledge in the relevant field. This National Association of the Deaf has called on the FCC to allow skills-based routing, but the FCC has prohibited it because of concerns over its potential misuse in place of in-person interpreting. The providers believe they can offer a workable solution that prevents abuse of the service and propose to conduct an eight-month trial of skills-based routing to determine its feasibility and what, if any, additional rules are necessary to prevent misuse.
3. Deaf Interpreters. For certain individuals, the provision of a VRS interpreter is not sufficient for effective communications. Some people with limited English proficiency, cognitive disabilities or other circumstances require the assistance of a deaf interpreter in addition to the hearing VRS interpreter. The providers propose that the FCC encourage providers to offer the assistance of qualified deaf interpreters for an eight-month trial, followed by an FCC evaluation and development of data-driven permanent requirements.
4. Rates. As the D.C. Circuit recognized in its September 2014 ruling, VRS providers cannot meet more stringent service standards while compensation rates continue to decrease. Rate stabilization is necessary to support investment in service innovation and improvements. The providers propose that the FCC freeze VRS compensation rates at their current levels (those in effect during the first half of 2015) and not implement the rate cuts scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2015 and every six months thereafter through January 1, 2017.
Since 2010, rates for all providers have decreased significantly. In fact, rates for Tiers 1, 2 and 3 have decreased by 21 percent, 25 percent and 29 percent, respectively. For example, the rate for Tier 3 has decreased from $6.24 to $4.44. If the rate is not stabilized by July 1, 2015, Tier 3 will drop further to $4.25, representing a 32 percent reduction.
The companies that are party to the Providers’ Proposal are: ASL Services, CAAG, CONVO, Purple Communications, Sorenson Communications, and Z VRS.