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Introducing Birdcage Lounge: Orange County’s Newest Queer Haven

Full Scope PR

Birdcage Lounge, the latest addition to Orange County’s vibrant nightlife scene, has officially opened its doors. Nestled next to the renowned STRUT Bar & Club, Birdcage Lounge promises an unforgettable experience for the LGBTQ+ community and allies alike. At Birdcage Lounge, patrons can expect an array of Instagram-worthy cocktails served with a unique twist - think inflatable flamingos and a burst of color in every glass. As the only gay-owned and operated nightlife venues in Orange County, Birdcage Lounge proudly stands as a beacon of inclusivity and diversity in the heart of Southern California. Behind this groundbreaking concept is Luke Nero, the visionary owner and creative director of STRUT club. With a passion for pushing boundaries and creating spaces that celebrate queer culture, Nero’s latest venture is set to redefine Orange County’s nightlife scene. As a recent addition to the board of OC PRIDE, Nero is committed to shaking up the status quo in what was once a conservative county, one fabulous venue at a time. Step inside Birdcage Lounge and be transported to a world inspired by the vibrant energy of 90s Miami. From neon lights to giant pink palm trees, every corner of this chic and sophisticated cocktail lounge is designed to evoke a sense of nostalgia and excitement. Plus, don’t miss the outdoor patio mirror room installation, adding a mesmerizing and visually stunning element to the Birdcage Lounge experience. Whether you’re sipping on a signature cocktail or capturing the perfect photo moment, Birdcage Lounge promises an experience like no other. Join us as we celebrate the grand opening of Birdcage Lounge - where every night is a celebration of love, acceptance, and the vibrant spirit of the LGBTQ+ community. For more information, visit Birdcage Lounge at www.strutoc.com/birdcage or follow us on Instagram @birdcageloungeoc Address: 723 W 19th St Costa Mesa, CA92627 Hours of Operation: 7:00 pm - 2:00 am Wednesday - Saturday Contact Details STRUT Bar & Club Luke Nero +1 917-386-7015

March 13, 2024 06:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Comcast Texas Commits More Than $1M to Shrink Local Digital Divide in 2024

Comcast Texas

HOUSTON, TX (March 12, 2024) – Comcast Texas, the Houston area's largest internet service provider, will commit more than $1 million to shrink the local digital divide this year by supporting digital skills training programs, adding more Wi-Fi connected Lift Zones and providing grants to dozens of organizations that help thousands of people. The investment is part of Comcast’s Project UP – a comprehensive $1 billion initiative to advance digital opportunities across the nation and help build a future of unlimited possibilities. Digital Skills in the Workforce Over 90% of jobs available today require digital skills, yet nearly one-third of U.S. workers lack opportunities to build these skills. In 2024, Comcast Texas will continue to fund programs that teach the tech skills needed to land a job and stay competitive in the changing marketplace. Expanding WiFi-Connected Lift Zones and Programming Lift Zones are spaces in neighborhood community centers that provide free Internet access for students and families. In 2024, Comcast Texas will activate a number of new Lift Zones in the surrounding Houston area. There are 53 Lift Zones that serve southeast Texas students and families. In addition to new Lift Zones, additional programming will be added to locations that focus on skills and workforce development. Connectivity & Adoption Grants Connectivity programs give individuals, families and community partners the right tools and resources to take advantage of the Internet. Adoption programs teach the skills needed to increase competency and confidence in technology to use it proficiently. In 2024, Comcast Texas will provide hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants to fund connectivity and adoption programs. “This investment in our communities will literally change generations of southeast Texas families,” said Jose Espinel, Comcast Texas’ Regional Senior Vice President. “Everyone deserves a chance to participate in the digital economy. You can’t do that without the resources and skills to use the Internet. Our commitment will ensure that people from all backgrounds can connect to the moments that matter most.” Comcast Texas’ 2024 grant funding and other support to local organizations will be announced throughout the year. Additional support will be considered for local organizations that raise awareness about connectivity programs like Internet Essentials, a low-cost, high-speed Internet plan for qualifying households ($9.95/mo for up to 50 Mbps, or $29.95/mo for up to 100 Mbps). Internet Essentials also provides low-cost computers, free WiFi hotspots, and free internet training. About Comcast Corporation: Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms we provide, to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. About Project UP: Project UP is Comcast Corporation’s comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities. Backed by a $1 billion commitment to reach tens of millions of people, Project UP encompasses the programs and community partnerships across Comcast, NBCUniversal, and Sky that connect people to the Internet, advance economic mobility, and open doors for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers, and creators. Contact Details Ilona Carson +1 346-624-2074 Ilona_Carson@comcast.com Company Website https://houston.comcast.com/

March 11, 2024 04:15 PM Central Daylight Time

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Fueling Your Body Right: Celebrating Healthy Eating Habits During Nutrition Month

YourUpdateTV

March is National Nutrition Month, a pivotal time to reflect on the foods, meals, and habits that shape our health and wellness journey. Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Mia Syn did a satellite media tour to share a few tips and help you enhance your nutrition and wellness plans throughout the coming months. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/hmKCbG9ZtXI The key part in planning a nutritional diet that is sustainable is to still enjoy the food that we eat. It’s hard to enjoy and stick with a diet plan when you don’t enjoy the taste. Get the essential nutrients your body needs One simple way is by incorporating supplements. Nature Made®, the leading national vitamin and supplement broadline brand with over 50 years of delivering high-quality products backed by science, just introduced new Nature Made® Advanced Multivitamin Gummies, a new line of easy-to-take gummies scientifically curated to address common dietary shortfalls and help consumers get more essential nutrients in their daily diet1. Not found in other gummy multivitamins from top broadline brands, Nature Made® Advanced Multivitamin Gummies offer 20 essential nutrients for daily nutritional support and offers a good source of High Absorption Magnesium Citrate to support muscle relaxation and nerve, heart, and bone health and Calcium to support strong bones, as well as an excellent source of all eight B vitamins to support brain function†. The assortment, available in mixed berry and tropical fruit flavors, comes in three varieties – Nature Made® Advanced Multivitamin for Adults, Nature Made® Advanced Multivitamin for Her, and Nature Made® Advanced Multivitamin for Him – and complements the brand's comprehensive lineup of key vitamins and supplements. Nature Made® Advanced Multivitamin Gummies are available now at NatureMade.com/Collections/Multivitamins and Walmart, with Amazon, Target, and other major retailers nationwide rolling out the assortment in the coming weeks and months. To check availability and learn more about Nature Made, please visit NatureMade.com. Get more protein into your daily diet There are numerous nutritious options to consider boosting protein intake. This year’s lent and Easter season coincides with National Nutrition Month in March so it’s a great opportunity for people to turn to salmon for their meals. The MOWI Atlantic farm-raised Salmon is, freshly processed and packed with care and high standards. It’s an excellent choice as it is both delicious and nutritious - you can even feel the delicate Omega 3 element and natural Oil which are essential for heart health. MOWI has the highest certifications in the industry: The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP). Mowi's Salmon comes in different sizes and preparations, such as the 12 oz fillet, Sweet Bourbon, Tuscan Herb and it is even available with its very own plank that is perfect for the barbeque. The Fresh MOWI Atlantic Salmon is farm-raised, freshly processed, never frozen and packed with care and high standards. This company utilizes skin pack technology that allows the product to breathe out, but nothing to breathe in. This technology extends the shelf life of the product while keeping it fresh and tasty. And most importantly it is fully transparent so consumers can see it well. Mowi Salmon is fresh never frozen and available at stores or online within in as little as 24 hours. For more information go to www.mowisalmon.us Incorporate fruits and vegetables in your diet Incorporating fruits and vegetables is key to a balanced diet. Birds Eye has done the prep work for you with their Steamfresh vegetables. Just grab a Steamfresh bag from the freezer and cook it in the microwave. They’re ready to enjoy in minutes. Whether it's broccoli florets or sweet peas, they're a versatile addition to any meal. Birds Eye Steamfresh Vegetables are picked at peak ripeness then flash frozen to lock in key nutrients and there are no artificial ingredients, flavors or colors. And they’re available at retailers nationwide. For those seeking even more variety, Daily Harvest provides a range of plant-based options - Smoothies, Pops, Harvest Bowls, Grains, Pastas and Bites - made with farm-to-frozen fruits and veggies and over 200 unique ingredients. No gluten, dairy, artificial sugar, gums, or GMOs. From sweet to savory, breakfast to dinner (and dessert), Daily Harvest is a convenient way to enjoy nutritious meals without the hassle of prep. All you have to do is heat, blend, or simply open the package to enjoy. It’s really easy! Visit dailyharvest.com to order direct or use the store locator on their website to see where Daily Harvest can be found near you. For more information, visit nutritionbymia.com Sources: 1 Reider CA, Chung RY, Devarshi PP, Grant RW, Hazels Mitmesser S. Inadequacy of Immune Health Nutrients: Intakes in US Adults, the 2005-2016 NHANES. Nutrients. 2020;12(6):1735. Published 2020 Jun 10. doi:10.3390/nu12061735. † These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. About Mia Syn Mia Syn, MS, RDN is a nationally recognized nutrition expert and founder of Nutrition By Mia, a popular online wellness destination frequented by millions of readers around the globe. She holds a Master of Science in human nutrition from Columbia University and has been featured by dozens of major media outlets including Women's Health Magazine, Cosmopolitan and SHAPE. As one of the most recognized and trusted young nutritionists in the country, she has helped hundreds of her clients and millions of her readers lose weight, improve their health and develop better sustainable eating habits for life. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

March 11, 2024 11:32 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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VOESH New York Expands Nationwide Presence with Walmart

VOESH New York

VOESH New York, a leading clean body care brand renowned for its natural and effective bath and body care solutions, is thrilled to announce its nationwide, omnichannel launch at Walmart. Starting March 9, 2024, consumers can shop VOESH’s innovative Pedi Moments line, a collection of patented pedicure kits for a salon-worthy treatment at home. Each Pedi Moments kit includes one sea salt soak, one sugar scrub, one mud masque, one massage butter, and one nail file. Select your favorite from three mood-boosting scents, Mango Delight, Lavender Relieve, and Green Tea Detox, available for purchase on walmart.com and in over 1,331 Walmart stores nationwide. Vera Oh, Co-Founder of VOESH, expressed her excitement about the brand's growth trajectory in 2024, stating, "For over a decade, we've remained dedicated to providing beauty professionals with clean and efficacious hand, foot, and body care products for their services. Now, we're happy to continue championing the 'VOESH Clean Difference' by forging this exciting partnership to serve everyone, further solidifying VOESH's position as a frontrunner in the consumer market." Established in 2013, VOESH New York is celebrated for its unwavering commitment to 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and sustainable practices. With a keen focus on consumer safety, the brand proudly excludes over 1,680 EU-banned ingredients, alongside an additional 400 potentially harmful ingredients, ensuring that every product undergoes rigorous dermatologist testing. For more information about VOESH and its range of clean and efficacious body care products, please visit www.voesh.com. To find Pedi Moments at a Walmart near you, please visit www.walmart.com/store-finder. For more information, visit VOESH New York’s website at Voesh.com or contact press@voesh.com. About VOESH New York: Founded in 2013, VOESH New York has emerged as a premier destination for clean and efficacious body care solutions catering to head-to-toe wellness. Noteworthy products include Pedi in a Box, Mani in a Box, the award-winning Shower & Empower Vitamin C Shower Filter, and Collagen Gloves and Socks. VOESH New York is committed to providing 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and sustainable products because every body deserves better beauty! All VOESH New York products are certified by PETA and registered with the EU CPNP and UK SCPN, maintaining vegan, cruelty-free, and dermatologist-tested standards. VOESH New York proudly excludes all 1,680+ EU-banned ingredients and an additional 400+ potentially harmful ingredients. Contact Details absolute R relations Colleen Mathis +1 917-690-5560 Colleen@absoluterrelations.com Company Website https://voesh.com/

March 11, 2024 10:26 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Rabbis Blast Anti-Defamation League CEO Greenblatt for ‘Slanderous’ Attacks

NLPC

The Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV), an organization of 2,500 rabbis, has joined the chorus of complaints about Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). Even as antisemitism flares around the globe and Israel faces unprecedented threats, Greenblatt has been trashing American conservatives, using ADL’s good name to promote his domestic partisan goals. “The ADL appears as concerned with a target’s politics as whether he or she is actually hateful—much less antisemitic,” said Rabbi Avrohom Gordimer, Chairman of the CJV Rabbinic Circle. Greenblatt’s latest assault was on the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), recently held in Washington, D.C. CJV criticized his “slanderous” attacks on what took place at the event, which Greenblatt likened to the rants of Nation of Islam’s Louis Farrakhan. By all accounts, CPAC was a strongly pro-Israel event. As the CJV pointed out, NLPC got a taste of the ADL’s bias in November, despite our long history of fighting antisemitism: In November the ADL issued a statement implying that two policy organizations, the National Center for Public Policy Research and the National Legal and Policy Center, employed “conspiracy theories or conspiratorial language… that could be interpreted as an antisemitic dog whistle.” Both of these organizations are robust fighters for Israel and against antisemitism. This smear of NLPC was in the form of a posting on the ADL website on November 21 titled “Conspiracy Theories, Some With Antisemitic Roots, Crop Up in 2023 Shareholder Proposals.” ADL cited as evidence that NLPC and our ally, the National Center for Public Policy Research, are critical of “globalism” and “globalist organizations” like the World Economic Forum. The ADL gave a clue that it knew its own attack was groundless when it also included this disclaimer: At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that either organization’s agents espouse overt antisemitism, or that these proposals were filed with antisemitic intentions. Elle Krasne-Cohen in a recent opinion piece distributed by the Jewish News Service, also has come to NLPC’s defense. She wrote: More recently, the ADL smeared two mainstream policy organizations—the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR) and the National Legal and Policy Center (NLPC)—accusing them without evidence of antisemitism. We are grateful that our contributions to fighting antisemitism are being recognized. In case Greenblatt or anyone else is still confused, here is our track record: Ben & Jerry’s- When the Unilever subsidiary Ben and Jerry’s announced in 2021 that it would end ice cream sales in “Occupied Palestinian Territory,” NLPC swung into action, launching the StopBenandJerrys.org website. In September 2021, NLPC filed a Complaint with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) against Anuradha Mittal, the anti-Israel chair of the Ben & Jerry’s board of directors. A few weeks later, she was named 2021 “Antisemite of the Year” by the website StopAntisemitism.org. Mittal appeared to have violated laws governing self-dealing by acting as a trustee of the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation while approving donations to her personal nonprofit where she is executive director taking a full-time salary. Also, the president of Ben & Jerry’s charitable foundation, Jeff Furman, steered more than $100,000 of its funds to his own nonprofit organization. In the wake of the October 7 Hamas attack, Flaherty wrote an op-ed titled, “Unilever, Ice Cream and Antisemitism.” Unilever Divestment- NLPC was a proponent of Unilever divestment efforts in New York, New Jersey, North Carolina and Virginia. From the September 16, 2021, New York Times: “We are doing this because somebody has to hold the independent board of Ben & Jerry’s accountable for their anti-Semitic use of their platform and company resources,” said Tom Anderson, a director of the National Legal and Policy Center. NLPC collaborated with activist investor Michael Asher in support of Unilever divestment by New York State and New York City. In Virginia, Flaherty met with State Attorney General Jason Miyares and urged him to seek divestment of state funds from Unilever. In North Carolina, NLPC asked Treasurer Dale Folwell to divest Unilever holdings from public pension funds. Black Lives Matter & Patrisse Cullors- As a result of original NLPC research, Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation co-founder Patrisse Cullors was forced to resign from the group in 2021. NLPC’s allegations, detailed in a Complaint to the IRS, related to her purchase of four pieces of real estate, and apparent self-dealing and inurnment. NLPC has also emphasized Cullors’ 2015 call at Harvard Law School for individuals to “step up boldly and courageously to end the imperialist project that’s called Israel.” NLPC was early in reporting about Black Lives Matter’s (BLM) links to anti-Israel groups. In 2016, Carl Horowitz, then a member of the NLPC staff, wrote a website post titled “Black Lives Matter Activists Join Anti-Israel Boycott.” Following October 7, NLPC asked Visa, Inc. to remove its BLM endorsement from its website and condemn Hamas and antisemitism. We had raised the BLM issue earlier in the year at the company’s shareholders’ meeting. NLPC had also raised the issue of Coca-Cola’s support for BLM at the company’s annual meeting. ADL’s Omar Resolution- NLPC has been a persistent critic of Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Talib. While we have cited financial irregularities in a Federal Election Commission complaint against Ocasio-Cortez and a House Ethics Committee complaint against Omar, NLPC has also criticized hostility to Jews by these members. In 2019, NLPC endorsed and publicized the ADL-initiated House resolution condemning Omar. See this op-ed titled “Antisemitism and Islamophobia: No Moral Equivalence” by Horowitz. Foreign Funding of U.S. Higher Education- The recent spate of on-campus antisemitic incidents has shed light on the issue of foreign financial support for American colleges and universities, an issue that NLPC has investigated and publicized for several years. See this column by Charles Gasparino that extensively quotes NLPC Counsel Paul Kamenar. Al Sharpton- Whereas the present leadership of the ADL has sought to erase Sharpton’s past, NLPC will not forget his incitements in the 1991 Crown Heights riots, in which a Jew was murdered, nor will we forgive his dangerous statements, such as “If the Jews want to get it on, tell them to pin their yarmulkes back and come over to my house.” Sharpton was fined $285,000 in 2005 by the Federal Election Commission as a result of an NLPC Complaint for running an “off the books” presidential campaign. For several years, NLPC raised the issue of support for Sharpton’s National Action Network (NAN) at the shareholders’ meetings of American corporations, including PepsiCo, Anheuser-Busch and Colgate-Palmolive. Unlike the ADL, NLPC has never used the fight against antisemitism as a partisan weapon. In 2010, NLPC objected to the sponsorship of Sharpton’s National Action Network annual meeting by the Republican National Committee (RNC) and the participation of then-RNC Chairman Michael Steele. In 2009, NLPC asked former House Speaker Newt Gingrich to end his partnership with Sharpton in a campaign for “education reform.” That same year, NLPC criticized then-President George W. Bush for praising Sharpton. Jesse Jackson- In 2005, the New York Stock Exchange ended its financial support for Jackson’s Citizenship Education Fund, in response to a demand by NLPC that cited Jackson’s 1984 “hymie” and “Hymietown” comments, as well as financial improprieties involving the Fund. And if none of this is good enough for Greenblatt, it should be noted that NLPC has many Jewish supporters, including prominent individuals and former government officials, several of whom serve on the boards of local and national Jewish organizations. From 2001 to the time of his death in 2019, Edward M. Ackerman of Dallas was a key advisor and major donor to NLPC. His legacy is carried on today by NLPC and the Ackerman Center for Holocaust Studies at the University of Texas at Dallas. The ADL itself has partnered with the Ackerman Center. Founded in 1991, the National Legal and Policy Center promotes ethics in public life through research, investigation, education and legal action. Contact Details National Legal and Policy Center Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 drene@nlpc.org Company Website http://www.nlpc.org

March 07, 2024 04:19 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Lioness Games debuts first board game Biome on Kickstarter, races to over $200K in days

Lioness Games

Lioness Games, a new entrant in the board game industry, has made a remarkable debut with its first game, Biome which has raced to over $200,000 in orders on Kickstarter within days of its launch. The game, inspired by the founder's passion for board games and nature, was funded in a mere nine minutes, attracting over 3,500 backers from more than 20 countries. Biome is a nature-themed strategy game with 120+ different plants and animals. The game is for 1-4 players, emphasising card placement and tableau building. Players navigate through the four seasons, each impacting their biome differently, as they strive for biodiversity and activate unique abilities of flora and fauna to win. As players progress through the game's four seasons, they must adapt their strategies to the changing conditions, making for a dynamic and engaging gameplay experience. For example, each Spring, players place baby animal tokens in straw nests and in Summer time, they must protect their baby animals from their opponent's predators by playing plant cards. The unique wooden components and player interaction make for a dynamic and engaging game gameplay experience. Leonie Grundler, the founder of Lioness Games, former tech industry professional and a long-time board game enthusiast. She worked at Airbnb in Germany and found inspiration for Biome during her time spent in board game cafes in Berlin. "Living in Berlin is where my love for board games went from being just a hobby to a passion” recalls Leonie Grundler. After nearly 18 months of development, Biome is ready for people to enjoy. Kickstarter has proven to be an invaluable platform for small game publishers, with games being the largest category, accounting for 30% of all money raised. The success of Biome highlights the importance of building a community of followers months in advance of launching a game on Kickstarter. Despite the board game market being a $14 billion industry, less than 4% of top board game designers are women and Lioness Games aims to bring a fresh perspective to the industry. Leonie Grundler added: "I never thought I would make a board game or run a Kickstarter campaign, but here we are, a few days in and $200,000+ in sales. I love nature and board games, so it was natural that my first game would be nature, specifically biodiversity, themed. At Lioness Games, we're changing that narrative by creating games that resonate with a broader audience. Our flagship game, Biome, is a testament to this, offering a unique blend of strategy and environmental education.” The game's engaging mechanics and educational value have already garnered praise from nature lovers and gaming enthusiasts alike. Jamie Williams, who runs the TableTopTikTok channel on TikTok remarked: “I have not been this excited about a game in so long. This game scratched every itch I could possibly have! It is so thematic and the pieces are incredible. This game is phenomenal.” While the designer of the board game Dusty Droz, co-founder of Dux Somnium Games and the creator of Botany, added: “I absolutely love how Biome's art and gameplay make your habitats come to life as you play through the game. You can imagine your birds nesting in the tree cards, your opponents' predators slithering across the table, and your giraffe ambling across your board. If the immersion by itself wasn't enough, the way you use your cards and their positioning to build mini-engines and combos throughout the game is just plain fun”. Looking ahead, Lioness Games is committed to designing unique games that spark joy, facilitate connection, foster strategic thinking, and drive wonder among players. In line with the game's theme, Lioness Games is committed to giving back to nature. A portion of Biome's profits will be donated to the Wildlife Conservation Network to support their mission of protecting vulnerable wildlife Paul Thomson, Senior Director of Conservation Programs at Wildlife Conservation Network, commented: "Biome is so rewarding! Its beautiful cards and pieces, the objective of creating a diverse and resilient environment -- it has us hooked. Our team at the Wildlife Conservation Network loves how the game helps you strategize how to protect the species. It's perfect for nature lovers and game enthusiasts alike.” For more information about Biome and to support the Kickstarter campaign, visit: Kickstarter Page About Biome Biome is the first game by Lioness Games. Designed by Leonie Grundler, with help from graphic designer Grzegorz Siwek and art illustrator Jessica Apel. Biome is a nature themed board game for 1-4 players where people must build a biodiverse biome, protect their baby animals and unlock special abilities of their plants and animals. Biome is the ultimate nature themed tableau builder. About Lioness Games Lioness Games is owned by Leonie and Rish and is based in San Francisco, California. Lioness Games is an independent board game publisher committed to designing unique games that serve to spark joy, facilitate connection, foster strategic thinking and to drive wonder among players. Contact Details Lioness Games Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lionessgames/biome/

March 07, 2024 01:22 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Rabbis Blast Anti-Defamation League CEO Greenblatt for ‘Slanderous’ Attacks

NLPC

The Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV), an organization of 2,500 rabbis, has joined the chorus of complaints about Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). Even as antisemitism flares around the globe and Israel faces unprecedented threats, Greenblatt has been trashing American conservatives, using ADL’s good name to promote his domestic partisan goals. “The ADL appears as concerned with a target’s politics as whether he or she is actually hateful—much less antisemitic,” said Rabbi Avrohom Gordimer, Chairman of the CJV Rabbinic Circle. Greenblatt’s latest assault was on the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), recently held in Washington, D.C. CJV criticized his “slanderous” attacks on what took place at the event, which Greenblatt likened to the rants of Nation of Islam’s Louis Farrakhan. By all accounts, CPAC was a strongly pro-Israel event. As the CJV pointed out, NLPC got a taste of the ADL’s bias in November, despite our long history of fighting antisemitism: In November the ADL issued a statement implying that two policy organizations, the National Center for Public Policy Research and the National Legal and Policy Center, employed “conspiracy theories or conspiratorial language… that could be interpreted as an antisemitic dog whistle.” Both of these organizations are robust fighters for Israel and against antisemitism. This smear of NLPC was in the form of a posting on the ADL website on November 21 titled “Conspiracy Theories, Some With Antisemitic Roots, Crop Up in 2023 Shareholder Proposals.” ADL cited as evidence that NLPC and our ally, the National Center for Public Policy Research, are critical of “globalism” and “globalist organizations” like the World Economic Forum. The ADL gave a clue that it knew its own attack was groundless when it also included this disclaimer: At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that either organization’s agents espouse overt antisemitism, or that these proposals were filed with antisemitic intentions. Elle Krasne-Cohen in a recent opinion piece distributed by the Jewish News Service, also has come to NLPC’s defense. She wrote: More recently, the ADL smeared two mainstream policy organizations—the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR) and the National Legal and Policy Center (NLPC)—accusing them without evidence of antisemitism. We are grateful that our contributions to fighting antisemitism are being recognized. In case Greenblatt or anyone else is still confused, here is our track record: Ben & Jerry’s- When the Unilever subsidiary Ben and Jerry’s announced in 2021 that it would end ice cream sales in “Occupied Palestinian Territory,” NLPC swung into action, launching the StopBenandJerrys.org website. In September 2021, NLPC filed a Complaint with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) against Anuradha Mittal, the anti-Israel chair of the Ben & Jerry’s board of directors. A few weeks later, she was named 2021 “Antisemite of the Year” by the website StopAntisemitism.org. Mittal appeared to have violated laws governing self-dealing by acting as a trustee of the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation while approving donations to her personal nonprofit where she is executive director taking a full-time salary. Also, the president of Ben & Jerry’s charitable foundation, Jeff Furman, steered more than $100,000 of its funds to his own nonprofit organization. In the wake of the October 7 Hamas attack, Flaherty wrote an op-ed titled, “Unilever, Ice Cream and Antisemitism.” Unilever Divestment- NLPC was a proponent of Unilever divestment efforts in New York, New Jersey, North Carolina and Virginia. From the September 16, 2021, New York Times: “We are doing this because somebody has to hold the independent board of Ben & Jerry’s accountable for their anti-Semitic use of their platform and company resources,” said Tom Anderson, a director of the National Legal and Policy Center. NLPC collaborated with activist investor Michael Asher in support of Unilever divestment by New York State and New York City. In Virginia, Flaherty met with State Attorney General Jason Miyares and urged him to seek divestment of state funds from Unilever. In North Carolina, NLPC asked Treasurer Dale Folwell to divest Unilever holdings from public pension funds. Black Lives Matter & Patrisse Cullors- As a result of original NLPC research, Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation co-founder Patrisse Cullors was forced to resign from the group in 2021. NLPC’s allegations, detailed in a Complaint to the IRS, related to her purchase of four pieces of real estate, and apparent self-dealing and inurnment. NLPC has also emphasized Cullors’ 2015 call at Harvard Law School for individuals to “step up boldly and courageously to end the imperialist project that’s called Israel.” NLPC was early in reporting about Black Lives Matter’s (BLM) links to anti-Israel groups. In 2016, Carl Horowitz, then a member of the NLPC staff, wrote a website post titled “Black Lives Matter Activists Join Anti-Israel Boycott.” Following October 7, NLPC asked Visa, Inc. to remove its BLM endorsement from its website and condemn Hamas and antisemitism. We had raised the BLM issue earlier in the year at the company’s shareholders’ meeting. NLPC had also raised the issue of Coca-Cola’s support for BLM at the company’s annual meeting. ADL’s Omar Resolution- NLPC has been a persistent critic of Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Talib. While we have cited financial irregularities in a Federal Election Commission complaint against Ocasio-Cortez and a House Ethics Committee complaint against Omar, NLPC has also criticized hostility to Jews by these members. In 2019, NLPC endorsed and publicized the ADL-initiated House resolution condemning Omar. See this op-ed titled “Antisemitism and Islamophobia: No Moral Equivalence” by Horowitz. Foreign Funding of U.S. Higher Education- The recent spate of on-campus antisemitic incidents has shed light on the issue of foreign financial support for American colleges and universities, an issue that NLPC has investigated and publicized for several years. See this column by Charles Gasparino that extensively quotes NLPC Counsel Paul Kamenar. Al Sharpton- Whereas the present leadership of the ADL has sought to erase Sharpton’s past, NLPC will not forget his incitements in the 1991 Crown Heights riots, in which a Jew was murdered, nor will we forgive his dangerous statements, such as “If the Jews want to get it on, tell them to pin their yarmulkes back and come over to my house.” Sharpton was fined $285,000 in 2005 by the Federal Election Commission as a result of an NLPC Complaint for running an “off the books” presidential campaign. For several years, NLPC raised the issue of support for Sharpton’s National Action Network (NAN) at the shareholders’ meetings of American corporations, including PepsiCo, Anheuser-Busch and Colgate-Palmolive. Unlike the ADL, NLPC has never used the fight against antisemitism as a partisan weapon. In 2010, NLPC objected to the sponsorship of Sharpton’s National Action Network annual meeting by the Republican National Committee (RNC) and the participation of then-RNC Chairman Michael Steele. In 2009, NLPC asked former House Speaker Newt Gingrich to end his partnership with Sharpton in a campaign for “education reform.” That same year, NLPC criticized then-President George W. Bush for praising Sharpton. Jesse Jackson- In 2005, the New York Stock Exchange ended its financial support for Jackson’s Citizenship Education Fund, in response to a demand by NLPC that cited Jackson’s 1984 “hymie” and “Hymietown” comments, as well as financial improprieties involving the Fund. And if none of this is good enough for Greenblatt, it should be noted that NLPC has many Jewish supporters, including prominent individuals and former government officials, several of whom serve on the boards of local and national Jewish organizations. From 2001 to the time of his death in 2019, Edward M. Ackerman of Dallas was a key advisor and major donor to NLPC. His legacy is carried on today by NLPC and the Ackerman Center for Holocaust Studies at the University of Texas at Dallas. The ADL itself has partnered with the Ackerman Center. Founded in 1991, the National Legal and Policy Center promotes ethics in public life through research, investigation, education and legal action. Contact Details National Legal and Policy Center Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 drene@nlpc.org Company Website http://www.nlpc.org

March 07, 2024 09:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Gen Z's Buying Power Unlocked Through Influencer Marketing and Gaming

MarketJar

Marketing has come a long way since its early days, but its basic concept remains– to promote a business’s products or services. In the past, marketers relied heavily on impersonal, broad campaigns such as print ads, TV commercials, and billboards. But times have changed and marketing to younger generations is a completely different ballgame. Gen Z already makes up a significant portion of the buyers shopping and purchasing from today’s businesses in every industry. Soon, they’ll become the largest group of consumers in the market overall. The problem is, effectively marketing to this “woke” generation can be challenging. Gen Z consumers have very different life experiences, buying habits, priorities and world views than previous generations. They’re also digital natives, spending an average of 2 hours and 55 minutes per day on social media, more than any other generation The secret weapon to captivating this influential cohort? Influencer marketing. Influencers on platforms like TikTok, Instagram and YouTube are not just entertainment; they play a pivotal role in Gen Z’s decision-making processes with approximately 45% of Gen Z consumers being influenced by these platforms. Just look at how brands like Crocs and Stanley have reinvented themselves through influencer collaborations, proving that direct consumer dialogue can turn a sleepy brand into a viral sensation. Rather than investing heavily in traditional advertising to engage Gen Z, Crocs CEO Terence Reilly tapped into the power of collaboration, allowing its consumers to lead the conversation. The brand partnered with influencers who created content showing their peers how to style the shoes, turning a once-mocked brand into a fashion statement. Reilly used the same technique at Stanley, transforming the 110-year old business into a $750 million titan with a massive social media presence. Video game streamers are also becoming valuable brand ambassadors as Gen Z swaps out traditional sports for video games. Esports, aka competitive video gaming, may have started out as a niche hobby but it has transformed into a global phenomenon and created a new category of celebrity influencers, some of which are signing deals bigger than NBA players. In 2024, the global esports market is expected to reach $2.5 billion in revenues with an audience of over 540 million. Sports teams and brands are taking note, teaming up with video game streamers to expand their audience and revenue streams. A prime example is the NBA 2K League, a professional gaming league centered around the NBA 2K video game series. This league, managed by the NBA, has not only attracted diverse players but also garnered substantial viewership. Several teams, like the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets, own their own NBA 2K League franchises. Even Steph Curry is investing in this hot industry. Another company fully embracing the power of influencer marketing is OverActive Media (TSXV:OAM) (OTC:OAMCF), a global esports and entertainment company catering to today’s generation of fans. Through strategic acquisitions, OverActive Media has created a global esports powerhouse with a noteworthy roster of influencers and brand partnerships. OverActive Media Builds a Worldwide Esports Empire Boasting Over 100 Million Followers OverActive Media is Canada’s largest esports ownership group with a roster of wildly popular professional esports teams with a huge following, including the Toronto Ultra in Call of Duty League, the MAD Lions for the League of Legends EMEA Championship and the Toronto Defiant in the Overwatch Champion Series. OverActive Media (TSXV:OAM) (OTC:OAMCF) just completed the acquisition of Spanish Esports organizations KOI and Movistar Riders, catapulting its presence into rapidly expanding international markets with a treasure trove of unparalleled esports assets and over 100 million followers. KOI, co-founded by Twitch streamer Ibai Llanos and soccer legend Gerard Piqué, quickly became one of Europe's premier brands. Gerard Piqué initiated the Kings League, a highly followed sports channel on digital platforms with over 100 million views in 2023. OverActive Media has secured service contracts with both Ibai and Gerard. Movistar Riders, which competes in popular games such as League of Legends, CS2, VALORANT, and FIFA, brought with it a long-term multimillion dollar partnership with telecom leader Telefónica, which was renewed for another three years following the acquisition. KOI and Movistar are expected to add C$10 million to C$12 million in revenues in 2024 and further bolster OverActive Media 's rising viewership numbers. The newly formed MAD Lions KOI team has already seen record crowds, drawing 741,000 peak viewers in a regular season match during the League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC) Winter Split in January. This was the highest viewership since summer 2021. Co-founder Ibai also contributed to this momentum, attracting over 4.7 million Twitch views, surpassing the 2.93 million viewers of the Succession series premiere. Another milestone was achieved on February 18 during the LEC, with a record 830,816 viewers, the highest ever for a regular season match. OverActive Media also just received the green light from Riot Games to compete in the VALORANT Champions Tour EMEA 2024 season. The company will operate as Movistar KOI alongside 9 other teams. This participation not only enhances fan engagement and draws in sponsorships but also paves the way for new revenue opportunities. Click here for more information about OverActive Media (TSXV:OAM) (OTC:OAMCF). [1] https://www.newyorker.com/culture/infinite-scroll/how-the-stanley-cup-went-viral [2] https://www.statista.com/outlook/amo/esports/worldwide#global-comparison [3] https://www.kemperlesnik.com/2020/10/why-athletes-are-investing-in-esports/ Disclaimer 1) The author of the Article, or members of the author’s immediate household or family, do not own any securities of the companies set forth in this Article. The author determined which companies would be included in this article based on research and understanding of the sector. 2) The Article was issued on behalf of and sponsored by, OverActive Media. Market Jar Media Inc. was paid $1,500 for the production and publishing of this article by OverActive Media’s Digital Marketing Agency of Record (Native Ads Inc.). Additional details relating to Market Jar Media Inc.’s engagement by OverActive Media’s Digital Marketing Agency of Record (Native Ads Inc.) are set out in https://pressreach.com/disclaimer-oam. 3) Statements and opinions expressed are the opinions of the author and not Market Jar Media Inc., its directors or officers. The author is wholly responsible for the validity of the statements. The author was not paid by Market Jar Media Inc. for this Article. Market Jar Media Inc. was not paid by the author to publish or syndicate this Article. Market Jar has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of Market Jar or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Market Jar Media Inc. requires contributing authors to disclose any shareholdings in, or economic relationships with, companies that they write about. Market Jar Media Inc. relies upon the authors to accurately provide this information and Market Jar Media Inc. has no means of verifying its accuracy. 4) The Article does not constitute investment advice. All investments carry risk and each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional. Any action a reader takes as a result of the information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Market Jar Media Inc.'s terms of use and full legal disclaimer as set forth here. This Article is not a solicitation for investment. Market Jar Media Inc. does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on pressreach.com should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Market Jar Media Inc. does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company mentioned on pressreach.com. 5) Market Jar Media Inc. and its respective directors, officers and employees hold no shares for any company mentioned in the Article. 6) This document contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, (collectively, “forward-looking statements”), which reflect management's expectations regarding OverActive Media’s future growth, future business plans and opportunities, expected activities, and other statements about future events, results or performance. Wherever possible, words such as “predicts”, “projects”, “targets”, “plans”, “expects”, “does not expect”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “anticipate” or “does not anticipate”, “believe”, “intend” and similar expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative or grammatical variation thereof or other variations thereof, or comparable terminology have been used to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements relating to: (a) revenue generating potential with respect to OverActive Media’s industry; (b) market opportunity; (c) OverActive Media’s business plans and strategies; (d) services that OverActive Media intends to offer; (e) OverActive Media’s milestone projections and targets; (f) OverActive Media’s expectations regarding receipt of approval for regulatory applications; (g) OverActive Media’s intentions to expand into other jurisdictions including the timeline expectations relating to those expansion plans; and (h) OverActive Media’s expectations with regarding its ability to deliver shareholder value. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and are based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management in light of management’s experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, as of the date of this document including, without limitation, assumptions about: (a) the ability to raise any necessary additional capital on reasonable terms to execute OverActive Media’s business plan; (b) that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner; (c) OverActive Media’s ability to procure equipment and operating supplies in sufficient quantities and on a timely basis; (d) OverActive Media’s ability to enter into contractual arrangements with additional parties; (e) the accuracy of budgeted costs and expenditures; (f) OverActive Media’s ability to attract and retain skilled personnel; (g) political and regulatory stability; (h) the receipt of governmental, regulatory and third-party approvals, licenses and permits on favorable terms; (i) changes in applicable legislation; (j) stability in financial and capital markets; and (k) expectations regarding the level of disruption to as a result of CV-19. Such forward-looking information involves a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements of OverActive Media to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, without limitation: (a) OverActive Media’s operations could be adversely affected by possible future government legislation, policies and controls or by changes in applicable laws and regulations; (b) public health crises such as CV-19 may adversely impact OverActive Media’s business; (c) the volatility of global capital markets; (d) political instability and changes to the regulations governing OverActive Media’s business operations (e) OverActive Media may be unable to implement its growth strategy; and (f) increased competition. Except as required by law, OverActive Media undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future event or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Neither does OverActive Media nor any of its representatives make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, sufficiency or completeness of the information in this document. Neither OverActive Media nor any of its representatives shall have any liability whatsoever, under contract, tort, trust or otherwise, to you or any person resulting from the use of the information in this document by you or any of your representatives or for omissions from the information in this document. 7) Any graphs, tables or other information demonstrating the historical performance or current or historical attributes of OverActive Media or any other entity contained in this document are intended only to illustrate historical performance or current or historical attributes of OverActive Media or such entities and are not necessarily indicative of future performance of OverActive Media or such entities. 8) Investing is risky. The information provided in this article should not be considered as a substitute for professional financial consultation. Users should be aware that investing in any form carries inherent risks, and as such, there is a possibility of losing some or all of their investment. The value of investments can fluctuate significantly within a short period, and investors must understand that past performance is not indicative of future results. Additionally, users should exercise caution as transactions involving investments may be irreversible, even in cases of fraud or accidental actions. It is crucial to acknowledge that rapidly evolving laws and technical issues can have adverse effects on the usability, transferability, exchangeability, and value of investments. Furthermore, users must be cognizant of potential security risks associated with their investment activities. Individuals are strongly encouraged to conduct thorough research, seek professional advice, and carefully evaluate their risk tolerance before engaging in any investment endeavors. Market Jar Media Inc. is neither an investment adviser nor a broker-dealer. The information presented on the website is provided for informative purposes only and is not to be treated as a recommendation to make any specific investment. No such information on PressReach.com constitutes advice or a recommendation. Contact Details James Young +1 800-340-9767 campaigns@pressreach.com Company Website https://pressreach.com

March 07, 2024 08:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Forum Health Tackles Chronic Illness Head On with Expansion of Two Clinics in the Midwest

Forum Health

Forum Health, LLC, nationwide network of integrative and functional medicine providers, reinforces its commitment to combating chronic illness with the addition of Golden Rey Integrative Medical Center led by Kristen H. Reynolds, MD, Founder and Medical Director. With two thriving locations in Wisconsin, the practice currently focuses on functional medicine with an expertise in chronic, complex conditions, including Lyme disease; and unique and effective treatments such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy and medical ozone therapies. Learn more about Golden Rey Integrative Medical Center here. Chronic illness is more prevalent than ever, and Lyme disease continues to be a leading culprit with approximately 476,000 people contracting Lyme disease each year in the United States. In 2022, Wisconsin alone had 5,327 cases of Lyme disease - more than doubled in the past 15 years with actual numbers likely to be much higher. Phil Hagerman, Forum Health CEO: “A significant portion of our patients come to Forum Health with some underlying chronic issue that traditional medicine has failed to identify, much less treat. Our expansion into this market is to fill an obvious and continued need.” Dr. Reynolds is triple-trained: board-certified in family medicine, fellowship-trained and board-certified in integrative medicine, and certified in functional medicine by the Institute for Functional Medicine. She has additional training in hyperbarics and medical ozone therapies. Kristen H. Reynolds, MD, Founder and Medical Director: “Healing from complex conditions began as a personal journey with my children and quickly grew into dedicating my practice to helping others heal using treatments not otherwise available in a conventional healthcare model. Forum Health will give us the platform and technology to grow and provide access to these services for even more people.” Golden Rey Integrative Medical Center offers a variety of treatments tailored to patients suffering from chronic symptoms including: IV Therapies Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Pulsed Electromagnetic Frequency (PEMF) Prolozone Medical Ozone Therapies Nutrition and Health Coaching Supplements Learn more about joining the Forum Health network here. About Forum Health, LLC Forum Health, LLC is a nationwide provider of personalized healthcare steeped in the powerful principles of functional and integrative medicine. Our providers take a root-cause approach to care exploring lifestyle, environment, and genetics to help each patient achieve their ultimate health goals. Members have access to advanced medical treatments and technology, with care plans informed by data analytics and collaborative relationships. For more, visit www.forumhealth.com. Contact Details Forum Health, LLC Britt Wittelsberger +1 410-852-0738 bwittelsberger@forumhealth.com Company Website https://forumhealth.com

March 06, 2024 08:50 AM Eastern Standard Time

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