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On the Trails: Ideas for Kicking Off Spring on the Trails

YourUpdateTV

Spring is here, and the outdoors are calling. Sometimes it can be hard to think of new ways to get outside and have fun. Recently, vice president of communications at Rails-To-Trails Conservancy (RTC), Brandi Horton, participated in a satellite media tour campaign to talk about kicking off the spring trail season and share ideas to make the most out of the outdoors on the nation’s 40,000 miles of trails, where people can walk, bike and be active outside, completely separate from vehicle traffic. There are thousands of multiuse trails across the country, including trails in every state. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/n92molHjE74 RTC, the nation’s largest trail advocacy organization, is encouraging Americans to kick off the spring trail season on Celebrate Trails Day, Saturday, Apr. 23, 2022, by getting outside and being active on their favorite trails. Celebrate Trails Day is an annual celebration of the nation’s trails and the benefits they bring to our health and well-being. Since 2019, trail use has surged as people seek outdoor spaces for exercise and connection with friends and family. Trails make getting outdoors and around by foot, bike and wheelchair more accessible for everyone. On Celebrate Trails Day, and beyond, RTC is offering resources and events to encourage people to make trail use part of their daily lives. As people increasingly navigate back to in-person work, school and other activities, there is an urgency in encouraging them to continue their practice of outdoor physical activity. The CDC recommends 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per day, five days per week, through activities such as a brisk walk or bike ride, yet the latest data shows that 25% of Americans are inactive. Trails are a valuable resource to address inactivity, providing safe, close-to-home spaces where people can walk, bike and be active. Those who participated in Celebrate Trails Day in 2021 reported spending on average more than 90 minutes being active outside, exceeding physical activity guidelines. RTC offers creative ideas for getting outside, a free trail-finder app, TrailLink.com, and stories from RTC’s Trail Moments initiative and TrailBlog, which capture voices from around the country about how people are incorporating trail use into their lives. Hosted on the fourth Saturday of April, Celebrate Trails Day is an annual spring celebration of America’s trails. Started by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in 2013, the celebration encourages people across the country to get outside and enjoy the nation’s exceptional trails and trail systems. On April 23, more than 185 partner organizations and thousands of people from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., plan to take part in Celebrate Trails Day. For more information about Celebrate Trails Day, to find events, and to enter to win prizes, visit railstotrails.org/celebratetrails and follow #CelebrateTrails on social media. Celebrate Trails Day is supported by “Parks for All” championed by Hydro Flask, Athletic Brewing Company, Catrike, Clif Family Foundation, the CDC’s “Active People, Healthy Nation” initiative, Dogfish Head, Mirrycle, the Recreate Responsibly Coalition, IZIP and Warm Peet. About Brandi Horton: Brandi Horton serves as RTC’s vice president of communications. She has dedicated her career to communications for social change and is passionate about creating communities that promote health and well-being. She lives in Arlington, Virginia, with her family, where she regularly frequents the Four Mile Run and W&OD trails en route to work, the playground and little league games. About Rails-to-Trails Conservancy: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC), the nation’s largest trails organization—with a grassroots community more than 1 million strong. RTC is dedicated to building a nation connected by trails, reimagining public spaces to create safe ways for everyone to walk, bike and be active outdoors. Connect with RTC at railstotrails.org and @railstotrails on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

April 18, 2022 03:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Spiceology Welcomes Charlie’s Produce as a Distribution Partner to Provide Pacific Northwest Chefs and Restaurants Access to Next-Day Fresh Spices

Spiceology

Spiceology, the fastest-growing spice company in America, today announced its partnership with Charlie’s Produce, an independent, full-service produce company. By adding Spiceology products to their category lineup, Charlie’s Produce is now providing local chefs and grocery stores in Washington, Montana, Idaho, Alaska and Oregon with next-day access to the highest quality, freshly-ground, grade-A spices and blends. “As a partner of Spiceology and a Spokane native, it’s great to have my blends with Spiceology, as well as their entire spice and ingredient line, available through a local produce distributor like Charlie’s Produce,” said Chef Chad White, a Pacific Northwest-based chef and James Beard Awards Semifinalist. “I know how crucial it is to have a distributor in the area to get fresh ingredients that you can trust, and, similar to Spiceology, Charlie’s has a history of being a dedicated partner to the foodservice industry.” Charlie’s Spokane location, which services North Idaho and Montana, as well, was the first to offer Spiceology, and the company’s footprint has now expanded to Seattle, Anchorage and Portland. “As a produce distributor, our priority is to provide our clients with the freshest ingredients possible,” said Tygann Billow, Division President, Charlie’s Seattle. “We are excited to work with Spiceology and bring premium spices to chefs and grocery stores in the Northwest, and eventually expand into the west coast. Working with their team will ensure that we not only have the freshest produce, but also the freshest spices and seasonings.” Professional chefs and grocery stores look to Spiceology for its selection of 400+ spices, blends, chiles, salts, confections, and more. As a chef-owned and operated company, Spiceology’s Periodic Table of Flavor™ was designed to keep chefs organized with identifiable packaging that will ensure easy access to each ingredient. “It’s been a tough couple of years for the foodservice industry, and we are grateful to have partners like Charlie’s Produce, a leader in the industry, believe in us to help them move forward,” said Darby McLean, Spiceology’s Vice President of Channels and Distribution. “Spiceology is chef-owned and chef-operated, and we strive to be a good partner within the foodservice industry by offering chefs streamlined access to the most fresh and high-quality ingredients. We’re excited to partner with Charlie’s Produce, and continue to partner with more locations.” Charlie’s customers can add Spiceology ingredients to their next Charlie’s Produce order through their normal ordering process. To sign up as a Charlie’s customer or for more information, please visit https://www.charliesproduce.com/order/. ABOUT SPICEOLOGY Founded in 2013, Spiceology is the fastest-growing spice company in America and is on a mission to bring the magic back to spices, the world’s first currency. The chef-owned and operated, one-stop spice shop develops innovative blends and offers over 400 ingredients that are ground fresh in small-batches and shipped fresh to consumers and chefs. Spiceology’s “experiment with flavor” ethos is not only embraced through excellent ingredients and unique combinations, but also through responsible business practices designed to create a better world with diversity, equity and inclusion at the heart of the workforce. Spiceology products can be found on spiceology.com, in specialty retailers and grocers, in restaurants around the US, and as far away as Australia and Dubai. Visit spiceology.com for more information or to place an order, or follow Spiceology on Facebook and Instagram. For recipe inspiration, visit here. ABOUT CHARLIE’S PRODUCE The Charlie’s story begins in 1978 with a truck and three guys who thought they could do better. They were smart, hard-working and had a passion for produce. They had some ideas on how they could raise the bar on quality, inventory and the logistics of how produce moves from where it’s grown to where it’s enjoyed. Today, with innovation and technology woven into everything we do, Charlie’s has evolved into an independent, full-service produce company with 7 distributions centers throughout the west coast. We supply restaurants, grocery stores, institutions, wholesalers, the marine industry, and more with a full range of services. We offer conventional, organic, specialty produce, floral items, and a full line of fresh processed solutions for the retail and food service industries. We believe that forging rich, meaningful partnerships fosters success, from our employees, to our growers, to our customers and consumers, and ultimately, to the communities in which we live and work. Our aim is to nurture our partners so that together, we can nourish consumers and sustain communities. Learn more about Charlie’s Produce here. Contact Details Spiceology Cassidy Levine +1 908-770-7880 cassidy@spiceology.com Company Website https://spiceology.com/

April 14, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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SC Johnson and 4th Family Team Up to Empower Youth in Underserved Communities by Leveraging the Power of STEM and Sports

SC Johnson

SC Johnson, the maker of household consumer brands including Windex ®, OFF! ® and method ®, today announced a partnership with 4th Family, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to empowering youth in underserved communities by combining the relevance of sports with STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning. The partnership will create the “STEM & Sport Team Up,” a learning program that features the science behind the sports children love to play. The program will reach 4,000 middle school-aged children in Chicago, Illinois and Racine, Wisconsin, the location of SC Johnson’s global headquarters. “SC Johnson’s efforts to increase access to education in underserved communities align perfectly with 4th Family’s innovative approach to STEM learning,” said Alan VanderMolen, Chief Communications Officer at SC Johnson. “We are excited to introduce STEM to children in Chicago and Racine in a relevant, engaging way that leads to greater diversity and inclusion in STEM.” Co-founded by John Scottand Jahkeen Hoke in Albany, New York, 4th Family was established as a response to a clear education and employment gap of urban youth in the STEM disciplines. “We grew up in inner-city Albany, and without playing and identifying with sports, we may not have gotten the opportunities to continue our educations and have the careers we have today,” said Jahkeen Hoke, Co-Founder of 4th Family. “We are thrilled that through the ‘STEM & Sport Team Up’ with SC Johnson, we are bringing opportunity, long-term empowerment, and self-belief to more kids in more communities simply by making STEM as relevant and accessible as possible to the next generation, regardless of their background or current beliefs around STEM.” Added John Scott, Co-Founder of 4th Family, “To have our first national partner be SC Johnson, a company with a decades-long commitment to increasing representation in STEM, it feels like the stars aligning.” Each participating school will experience a three-phased program that begins with a large assembly event called “The Science of Slam” showcasing basketball dunks and the science involved with how to dunk. The second phase is a day-long clinic for 100-150 interested children followed by a three-day camp where they will learn via in-depth, interactive programming. Events in Racine begin May 2, with Chicago programming to follow the second week in May. Clinics and camps will take place in June and July, respectively. 4th Family’s STEM Team is led by Dr. John Drazan and Dr. Amy Loya, whose research with 4th Family has been recognized by the MIT Sports Analytics Conference, as well as the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Both Dr. Drazan and Dr. Loya are former college basketball players with PhDs in Biomedical Engineering. Dr. Drazan is currently an Assistant Professor in the Electrical and Biomedical Engineering Department at Fairfield University in Connecticut, and Dr. Loya is a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering Department at Union College in New York. “As sports were my pathway into a career in science, I know that for many kids, they don’t necessarily see themselves in STEM. So it’s important to go beyond the traditional things kids associate with STEM like male scientists in white lab coats,” said Dr. Drazan. “Our work shows that the fusion of youth sports programs with sports analytics is an excellent opportunity to serve as an introduction to STEM and to broaden the appeal of STEM among youth in underserved communities.” About SC Johnson Founded in 1886 and headquartered in Racine, Wisconsin USA, SC Johnson believes that a more sustainable, healthier and transparent world that inspires people and creates opportunities isn't just possible – it's our responsibility. A heritage of innovation and bold, transparent decisions is why our high-quality products and iconic brands – including OFF! ® Raid ®, Glade ®, Windex ®, Scrubbing Bubbles ®, Ziploc ®, Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day ®, method ®, Autan ®, Baygon ®, Mr Muscle ®, Duck ®, Lysoform ® and more – are in homes, schools and businesses in virtually every country worldwide. Since 1937, SC Johnson has annually given 5% of all pretax profits to charity. Over the last decade, SC Johnson has invested more than $300 million into families, communities, and the planet worldwide. Today, our community efforts focus on building a more sustainable world, a healthier world, and a world with more opportunity. About 4th Family 4th Family is a not-for-profit organization that hosts teen/community events, mentoring programs, personal development programs, educational programming, wellness & health programs, annual sport leagues & tournaments, as well as educational trips. At 4th Family, we seek to empower urban youth through mentoring and leadership opportunities, especially within the STEM fields. The central thesis for our sports science and other STEM programs is that our young people have the aptitude to learn real skills for the most critical sector of our economy – technology, science and engineering. Invited, supported, and mentored to explore their own interest in and aptitude for STEM, thousands of youth have participated in 4 th Family’s award-winning programs since 2012. Contact Details SC Johnson +1 262-260-2440 GlobalPublicAffairs@scj.com Company Website https://www.scjohnson.com/

April 14, 2022 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Drug Residue Found in Empire Kosher Meat

Jewish Initiative For Animals

Nonprofit Jewish Initiative for Animals (JIFA) found drug residue in Empire kosher chicken by testing samples of meat purchased from supermarket shelves. The drug, fenbendazole, is widely used in conventional animal agriculture to treat or prevent parasites that are common in crowded conditions on factory farms. "Many shoppers, Jewish and non-Jewish alike, might perceive Empire's products to be higher quality and more ethically produced because they're kosher," said Melissa Hoffman, JIFA Director. "However, our testing found drug residue in Empire chicken. This reinforces what we already know: virtually all kosher chicken found in grocery stores comes from factory farms which pose an enormous risk to public health and where animals suffer tremendously." Health Motivates Kosher Purchases According to Mintel, more than 40 percent of all the food on U.S. store shelves is kosher. Why? Americans perceive kosher foods as more health-conscious. A recent survey by JIFA found that more than half of all adult shoppers of kosher food say they purchase kosher out of concern for public health (65 percent). Yet, kosher-certified animal products often fall short of consumer expectations. Pandemics and Superbugs On The Rise The widespread use of antibiotics and other drugs to treat animals has been known for years, but concerns are growing around the use contributing to the rise of superbugs or infections resistant to standard antibiotics. Farmed animals raised in confinement with no access to pasture provide a breeding ground for superbugs and pandemics. The current avian flu outbreak sweeping the globe shows how easily pandemics that originate in animals can spread. Kosher Humanewashing Continues Adding to shoppers' misconception that kosher certification equates to better conditions for animals, retailers and producers continue to deceive consumers with labels designed to mislead shoppers into buying products they think are healthier or more humane than they really are. Like Empire, kosher companies use claims such as "raised without antibiotics" and "humanely raised" to imply that the meat comes from animals who are treated with compassion and have access to the outdoors. The reality is that most meat purchased in the U.S., including virtually all kosher meat, comes from factory farms where drugs are needed to keep animals alive in conditions that may otherwise kill them. "More than 250 rabbis and Jewish leaders have already called upon Jewish communities to serve food that better aligns with their values, such as reducing meat consumption and serving plant-based foods by default," said Hoffman. "Drugs are used abundantly in kosher poultry, and shoppers have been misinformed. This is yet another reason why our communities must take action to adopt ethical food policies." To learn more, visit jewishinitiativeforanimals.org. About JIFA The Jewish Initiative for Animals (JIFA) supports innovative programs to turn the Jewish value of compassion for animals into action while building ethical and sustainable Jewish American communities in the process. JIFA is an initiative of Farm Forward. Contact Details SUSAN PETERS +1 708-759-7175 susan@farmforward.com

April 13, 2022 12:37 PM Pacific Daylight Time

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NFT standards have a long road ahead, says Huobi Research Institute

Huobi Research Institute

The Non-Fungible Token (NFT) market appears prosperous of late. According to data from NFTGO, total traded volume for 30 days reached US$6.2 billion. However, the most commonly adopted standard for NFTs, ERC-721, contains elements that may result in unfairness towards buyers. A new report from Huobi Research Institute examines several other proposed standards and concludes that standards innovation could prompt the industry to re-invent itself. In a new report titled “ The Advanced Road for NFT Standards”, the disadvantages of the ERC-721 standard are analyzed, including the need to pay gas fees multiple times for an NFT series to be minted and how bots can be used to mint rare NFTs if certain conditions are met. While some projects seek to avoid such a situation by randomly distributing NFTs with different properties according to their tokenIDs, users remain in the dark as to whether the distribution was indeed conducted fairly, as the right to issue NFTs still lies very much in the hands of project developers. The report further examines ERC-721A, a new standard whose main selling point lies in saving gas fees by allowing for the gas cost for minting multiple NFTs to be almost equivalent to that of minting a single NFT. In ERC-721A, a holder’s address is updated only once when a batch of NFT is minted so long as two preconditions are met: 1. The user has sufficient balance to mint and 2. The NFT minted by batch is of a continuous tokenID. In addition, ERC-721A removes the redundant storage requirements associated with ERC-721. Several new standards, dubbed ERC-721R, have also been hotly debated of late, with the two most famous ones attempting to solve the unfairness issues linked to ERC-721. ERC-721R, proposed by exo-digital-labs provides for trustless refunds, while ERC-721R proposed by erc721r.org seeks to distribute NFTs to minters more fairly by pseudo-randomly assigning tokenIDs. “The value offered by setting standards lies in unifying the basic attributes of NFT products so developers can better focus on NFT content,” says Yeyan Wei, Researcher, Huobi Research Institute and author of the report. “More innovative standards will lead to the development of the entire industry, and it would do good for the NFT industry to re-invent itself.” Click here for the full report. About Huobi Research Institute Huobi Blockchain Application Research Institute (referred to as "Huobi Research Institute") was established in April 2016. It is committed to researching and exploring new developments in the global blockchain industry. Its goal is to accelerate the research and development of blockchain technology, promote its applications, and improve the global blockchain industry ecosystem. Huobi Research Institute covers industry trends, emerging technologies, innovative applications, new business models, and more. Huobi Research Institute partners with governments, enterprises, universities and other institutions to build a research platform that covers the entire blockchain industry. Its professionals provide a solid theoretical basis and analyze new trends to promote the development of the industry. Contact Details Ker Zheng +86 139 2280 3249 media@global-hgroup.com Company Website https://huobiresearch.medium.com/

April 13, 2022 02:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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NAMEPA receives grant from Cargill to implement program for educating students to become Marine Environment Protectors

North American Marine Environment Protection Association

The North American Marine Environmental Protection Association (NAMEPA) has received funding from Cargill to implement an afterschool enrichment program for youth in grades 6-8 in underserved communities in the greater Miami area with a goal to educate and activate students to be “Marine Environment Protectors”. The project will help “Save Our Seas” by encouraging this generation to become responsible stewards of the marine environment through hands-on educational programs and projects. NAMEPA’s Marine Environment Protectors program increases ocean literacy among underrepresented youth, highlights workforce development in marine fields, allows for long-term scientific research, and creates a framework for similar projects to expand across North America. “Cargill believes in being strong community partners and actively supports valuable programs that protect and promote our planet,” explained Jan-Willem van den Dijssel, Cargill’s Americas Lead for Ocean Transportation. “We are partnering with NAMEPA to help foster ocean literacy amongst students of today and steer them to become ocean ambassadors of tomorrow. This program supports this goal and will drive lasting positive change.” NAMEPA Co-Founder and Executive Director Carleen Lyden Walker commented, “ NAMEPA is grateful to Cargill Cares Community Fund for providing opportunities for organizations such as NAMEPA to engage with students in local communities to be better overall stewards. Marine Environment Protectors will provide hands-on educational programming by utilizing the natural environment, scientific instrumentation, and immersive classroom instruction. This funding allows NAMEPA to continue our educational outreach toward the goal of activating communities to ‘Save Our Seas’.” CARGILL - Cargill’s 155,000 employees across 70 countries work relentlessly to achieve our purpose of nourishing the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way. Every day, we connect farmers with markets, customers with ingredients, and people and animals with the food they need to thrive. We combine 157 years of experience with new technologies and insights to serve as a trusted partner for food, agriculture, financial and industrial customers in more than 125 countries. Side-by-side, we are building a stronger, sustainable future for agriculture. NAMEPA - The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) is a marine industry-led organization of environmental stewards preserving the marine environment by promoting sustainable marine industry best practices and educating seafarers, students and the public about the need and strategies for protecting global ocean, lake and river resources. Visit us at www.namepa.net. Contact Details NAMEPA Carleen Lyden Walker +1 203-260-0480 executivedirector@namepa.net Company Website https://namepa.net/

April 12, 2022 03:47 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Toy Trends & Top Picks For The Children In Your Life

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/1cFzvKKiSB8 Active play helps with a child’s physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development. Additionally, toys often provide an opportunity for youngsters to learn by engaging their senses, sparking their imaginations, and encouraging them to interact with others. A recent Toy Association-commissioned survey revealed that most parents (82%) believe that toys are important for supporting imaginative play and discovery.Toy Trends Specialist with The Toy Association, Jennifer Lynch, says whether it is a stuffed animal, action figure, puzzle, or doll, toys help encourage play, which is important for healthy brain development. With that in mind, she highlights a few of this year’s top toys. TOP TOYS: LITTLE LIVE PETS CHAMELEON, MOOSE TOYS Lynch says one of the newest youth electronic offerings from Little Live Pets, Sunny the Bright Light Chameleon is a one-of-a-kind interactive light up pet that is packed with personality and full of features and surprises. She points out that it’s “Soft, squishy and fun to hold, Sunny responds to love and attention with more than 30 sounds and reactions along with a full body of coloring changing rainbow lights that reflect Sunny’s mood — from happy to super happy, full to sleepy and warm to cold and more. Kids will be delighted when they hear Sunny repeat back what they say.” Like a true chameleon, Lynch adds, “Sunny blends in everywhere. Switch to party mode and Sunny flashes to the beat of the music, and when the party really gets going Sunny sings. Get Sunny dancing on the ceiling, walls, windows – wherever – with the suction feet feature of this one-in-a-chameleon pet.” Direct link: https://www.moosetoys.com/our-toys/little-live-pets/bright-light-chameleon-sunny/ VTECH® KICK & SCORE PLAYGYM™, VTECH Babies are able to achieve motor-skill milestones with this multi-stage, developmental play mat that includes a detachable plush soccer ball, learning panels and gym pieces. Lynch says babies start with floor play by kicking the ball or swatting the giraffe, flip to tummy time to strengthen core muscles, and parents can engage kids during seated play with the interactive, detachable learning panel that reinforces language skills and provides on-the-go play and exploration. Direct link: https://www.vtechkids.com/product/detail/20258/Kick_and_Score_Playgym GABBY’S DOLLHOUSE FAIRY KITTY GARDEN, SPIN MASTER Inspired by the enchanted Cotton Candy Tree from the show, Lynch says, “This treehouse playset features lights, a transforming canopy, secret room, vine zipline, swing, figures, accessories and furniture pieces to play out exciting adventures!” Fans are able to explore the treehouse’s two floors with Kitty Fairy and an exclusive 3.5-inch-tall Gabby Girl figure. They can also discover a tree canopy that opens up to reveal a play area. After exploring all the features, youngsters can unbox their special Dollhouse Delivery, just like Gabby does in the show, and find a surprise watering-can accessory to use in their storytelling. Lynch highlights that there’s also a thumbwheel built into the floor. Kids can spin it to find a secret room in the trunk of the tree and watch as the trunk and table light up (batteries included)! For one last surprise, she says fans can scan the QR code inside the Dollhouse Delivery to unlock a special reward in the free Gabby’s Dollhouse App (available on iOS and Android). Direct link: https://www.spinmaster.com/brands/gabbys-dollhouse/gabby-s-dollhouse-transforming-garden-treehouse-playset-with-lights-2-figures-5-accessories-1-delivery-3-furniture-kids-toys-for-ages-3-and-up SONIC SPEED RC, JAKKS PACIFIC Lynch concludes with the world’s favorite blue hedgehog that’s back for a next-level adventure. The latest offering allows fans to recreate the action from the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 movie with this RC. She points out it includes an iconic ring-shaped controller allowing for forward motion, turns and spinning action. The toy trends specialist adds that the RC lights up when fans select Turbo mode for that extra boost. For convenience and additional fun, the six-inch scale articulated Sonic figure is removeable. Direct link: https://www.jakks.com/sonic-the-movie/sonic-the-hedgehog-2-sonic-speed-rc/ For more information, go to thegeniusofplay.org. Facebook: Facebook Instagram: Instagram Twitter: Twitter Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

April 12, 2022 02:15 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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BLOK SPORTS Partners with Premier Rugby Sevens to Enable Peer-to-Peer Sports Betting for Groundbreaking Sports League

Premier Rugby Sevens

BLOK SPORTS, the peer-to-peer sports betting platform that leverages blockchain technology, announced a partnership with Premier Rugby Sevens (PR7s). Through a decentralized betting exchange, BLOK SPORTS’ technology allows fans to securely place wagers on PR7s events directly with friends. The partnership is the first of its kind for a U.S.-based sports league. BLOK SPORTS is backed by several sports tech investors, including NFL legends Marshawn Lynch and Andre Reed. Bloksports.bet is licensed under a Curacao license and is approved to operate in several international markets, including Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, and select European Union countries. BLOK SPORTS is working towards licenses in the U.S. on a state-by-state basis. Since the platform is running on blockchain, all wagers will be transacted securely through a common stable coin, such as USDC, accessible through the BLOK SPORTS app. BLOK SPORTS has removed the frictions associated with other decentralized apps so that even non-crypto savvy users and casual fans can join in. The app will integrate with PR7s’ content to provide a seamless experience for fans to follow the action live while participating in an immersive social wagering experience. “We couldn’t have aligned ourselves with a better partner than Premier Rugby Sevens,” said Mitchell Chun, Founder and CEO of BLOK SPORTS. “PR7s is reinventing the way fans experience the world’s most electric sport. PR7s showcases high-action games that are ideal for sports betting via live broadcasts, digital engagement, and new technologies. At BLOK SPORTS, we’re reinventing how the next generation of fans bet on sports. We’re thrilled to be working with PR7s to deliver a new social betting experience.” “With over two games completed every hour and competitive parity between teams, rugby sevens is an ideal new experience for sports betting enthusiasts. Our partnership with BLOK SPORTS is a historic first step toward integrating wagering into rugby sevens,” said Owen Scannell, CEO of Premier Rugby Sevens. As we scale in 2022, we look to be at the forefront of implementing innovative ways to engage new fans. Being aligned with BLOK SPORTS shows our commitment to leveraging technology to heighten the fan experience and integrating fun gamified platforms.” PR7s recently announced its nationwide expansion into new cities in 2022. The league’s tournaments will bring the famous rugby sevens festival experience to Major League Soccer (MLS) stadiums in San Jose at PayPal Park (Saturday, July 9), Washington, D.C. at Audi Field (Saturday, July 16), and Austin at Q2 Stadium (Saturday, July 30). As the first league of its kind with men’s and women’s teams competing under one umbrella with equal pay, each PR7s event will boast a party-like atmosphere with bands, DJs, games, contests, partner integration, and special appearances. PR7s also unveiled a revolutionary new prize that unites the men’s and women’s competitions, with combined points throughout the season determining the winner of the United Championship. Eight teams compete within four franchises: Experts, Headliners, Loggerheads, and Loonies. A men’s team and a women’s team represent each franchise. About BLOK SPORTS BLOK SPORTS is a decentralized sports betting exchange enabling anyone anywhere to bet others instantly, reliably, and securely without the involvement of a middleman. Its platform safeguards against fraud, removes the need for the house, and provides an unparalleled level of fairness and transparency for players around the world. BLOK SPORTS’ products also include predictive analytics, a suite of social and fan engagement solutions, and a network designed around the upcoming BLOK SPORTS token. Learn more at www.about.bloksports.com. About Premier Rugby Sevens Premier Rugby Sevens (PR7s) is a groundbreaking professional sports league in North America that debuted in 2021. With a focus on accessibility and entertaining content for fans, the league showcases the electrifying sport of rugby sevens through a touring format in cities across the United States and Canada. PR7s is the first sports organization of its kind, with four women’s teams and four men’s teams under one umbrella with equal pay. To learn more about Premier Rugby Sevens, go to PRSevens.com and follow the league on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. # # # Contact Details Eric Nemeth eric.nemeth@prsevens.com Company Website https://prsevens.com/

April 12, 2022 09:47 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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DICK’S Sporting Goods Named Official Sporting Goods Store of Ripken Baseball

Ripken Baseball

Ripken Baseball, the leader in youth sports events, announced they have entered a multi-year partnership with DICK’S Sporting Goods to be the official sporting goods store of The Ripken Experience™ in Aberdeen, Md., Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Pigeon Forge, Tenn. As the official sporting goods store of Ripken Baseball, DICK’S Sporting Goods will receive an integrated media plan and the opportunity to bring experiential elements from their stores to life at The Ripken Experience™ facilities. This program is designed to increase the awareness of their game-changing equipment, provide expert advice, and offer players, coaches, and families special offers on an assortment of merchandise and gear. “This partnership aligns two incredible brands in the youth sports industry,” said Amanda Shank, Vice President of Business Development for Ripken Baseball. “With an equal passion to grow America’s favorite pastime, this is more than a sponsorship relationship. Through DICK'S, our teams and families across the country will access the best selection and value on equipment so they're ready to take the field." In addition, Ripken Baseball event participants will continue to benefit from the partnership as DICK’S Sporting Goods will be the first brand incorporated in the inaugural multi-city Ripken Select tour. Ripken Select Tournaments will occur in Illinois, Florida, and Texas. Four Ripken Select Tournaments replicate the Ripken Experience™ that over 5,000 teams and 250,000 guests enjoy at Ripken Baseball’s permanent facilities in Maryland, South Carolina, and Tennessee. “We’re excited to partner with Ripken Baseball and bring together two great brands to support youth athletes,” said Aimee Watters, Senior Director Sports Matter and Community Marketing for DICK’S Sporting Goods. “At DICK’S we understand that the right equipment can make all the difference to an athlete and are proud to offer the best selection to keep kids in the game.” About DICK’S Sporting Goods DICK’S Sporting Goods (NYSE: DKS) creates confidence and excitement by personally equipping all athletes to achieve their dreams. Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, the leading omnichannel retailer serves athletes and outdoor enthusiasts in more than 850 DICK’S Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy, Field & Stream, Public Lands, Going Going Gone! and Warehouse Sale stores, online, and through the DICK’S mobile app. DICK’S also owns and operates DICK’S House of Sport and Golf Galaxy Performance Center, as well as GameChanger, a youth sports mobile app for scheduling, communications, live scorekeeping and video streaming. Driven by its belief that sports make people better, DICK’S has been a longtime champion for youth sports and, together with its Foundation, has donated millions of dollars to support under-resourced teams and athletes through the Sports Matter program and other community-based initiatives. Additional information about DICK’S business, corporate giving, sustainability efforts and employment opportunities can be found on dicks.com, investors.dicks.com, sportsmatter.org, dickssportinggoods.jobs and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. About Ripken Baseball Ripken Baseball brings teammates, coaches, and families together through its Big-League Experiences, while teaching the values of the game, and how to play it the right way – the Ripken Way. Recently expanding the best experience in youth sports to satellite locations through Ripken Select Tournaments, Ripken Baseball continues to innovate the game through tournaments, camps, clinics, and spring training at their state-of-the-art baseball and softball facilities – The Ripken Experience™ Aberdeen (Maryland), The Ripken Experience™ Myrtle Beach (South Carolina), and The Ripken Experience™ Pigeon Forge (Tennessee). Contact Details Eric PR & Marketing, LLC Eric Nemeth +1 602-502-2793 nemeth@ericpr.com Company Website https://www.ripkenbaseball.com/

April 12, 2022 09:13 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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