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New Study from ZOE Shows Significant Inflammatory Responses After Meals

ZOE

Scientists at health science company ZOE and King’s College London today published novel research in the peer-reviewed American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The study shows that acute and prolonged food-induced inflammation can increase the predicted risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases like cardiovascular disease. As the largest in-depth global study to look at postprandial inflammation, researchers found that inflammation, triggered by food, varies widely between individuals. Moreover, for the first time in a study of this scale, researchers were also able to identify the relative influence of blood sugar and blood fat levels on inflammation, demonstrating a stronger link with blood fat responses than blood sugar. These findings highlight the potential for personalized strategies to reduce chronic inflammation in preventative health. The facts on inflammation and food: Inflammation is a normal biological process caused by the immune system responding to injury. However, sustained long-term (chronic) inflammation is linked to many health conditions, including type 2 diabetes and heart disease Researchers measured levels of fat, sugar and inflammatory markers in the blood of 1,000 PREDICT participants who had eaten set meals at specific times, making this by far the largest study of the impact of food on postprandial inflammation in the world Most people experienced some level of inflammation after eating but the amount varied widely between people, depending on their unique biology. For the first time, this study shows that changes in the levels of fat in the bloodstream after eating have a greater influence on inflammation than blood sugar levels. This shows that only concentrating on a single measure like blood sugar or blood fat is not the right strategy for overall dietary advice There are several strategies that people can use to reduce food-induced inflammation Understanding your personal nutritional responses after eating can enable you to make food choices that will help reduce inflammation and better support your health Measuring inflammation after eating Led by Dr. Sarah Berry and her team at King’s College London and ZOE, in collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital and additional researchers in the US, UK, Italy, Spain and Sweden, the PREDICT study invited 1,002 healthy adults taking part in the PREDICT research program to come into the team’s research clinic for a day. They were all given two standardized meals to eat, each containing precise amounts of fat, carbohydrate, fiber and protein: breakfast (a muffin and a milkshake) and lunch 4 hours later (a muffin). The researchers took blood samples from the participants before the breakfast meal and at nine points throughout the day. These were then analyzed to measure the levels of blood fat and sugar at the different timepoints, along with levels of two markers of inflammation, interleukin 6 (IL-6) and Glycoprotein acetylation (GlycA). While IL-6 has conventionally been used as a measure of inflammation, GlycA has recently emerged as a more robust marker. Higher levels of GlycA are also associated with a number of health conditions, including fatty liver, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. Dr Sarah Berry from King’s College London, who led the study, explains, “Several small studies have previously tried to look at the relationship between food and inflammation, but the results have been inconsistent due in part to the challenges in measuring levels of inflammation after eating from blood samples. Thanks to recent advances in metabolic science, we were able to take advantage of a novel marker, GlycA, to gain new detailed insights into the connection between food and inflammation.” Additionally, the researchers also gathered detailed data on the participants’ health, including information about their typical diet, a stool sample for microbiome analysis, and a body fat scan. Individual inflammation responses after eating vary widely The researchers found that the levels of inflammation after eating varied widely between participants, including identical twins, even though everyone had exactly the same meals at the same intervals. For the first time in a study of this scale, the researchers were able to separate out the influence of blood sugar and blood fat levels on inflammation. While both unhealthy fat and sugar responses were associated with higher levels of inflammation after eating, blood fat was a stronger predictor of food-induced inflammation than blood sugar. People with more body fat and greater body mass index (BMI) were more likely to have higher levels of inflammation after eating, supporting current evidence that management of obesity will reduce chronic inflammatory burden. Levels of inflammation also tended to be higher in males than females, and in older participants than younger ones. How to control food-related inflammation Berry explains, “Experiencing inflammation after eating is a normal biological response, but prolonged, sustained periods of inflammation have been linked to health conditions such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. If you have less healthy responses to fat or sugar, then it’s easier to overload your system after eating, leading to increased inflammation.” Based on these findings, Dr Berry recommends several strategies to help reduce the impact of inflammation after eating: Control unhealthy blood fat responses by choosing whole foods that are higher in fiber and lean protein, increasing your intake of healthy omega-3 fats from sources like fish, nuts and seeds, and reducing your overall body fat Control unhealthy blood sugar responses by choosing foods containing complex carbohydrates and fiber, such as whole grains, fruit and vegetables, and limiting sugary processed foods and sodas Reduce inflammation after eating by choosing foods that are high in ‘anti-inflammatory’ bioactive molecules such as polyphenols, found in colorful fruits and vegetables and other plant-based foods Understand your biology and choose foods that are less likely to cause unhealthy blood fat or sugar responses after eating Tim Spector, Professor of Genetic Epidemiology at King’s College London and scientific co-founder of ZOE, adds, “Previous results from our PREDICT study showed that the combination of microbes living in our guts, known as the gut microbiome, is closely linked to how we respond to food, particularly fat. We have also found that microbiome composition is strongly associated with GlycA levels, opening the door to reducing food-related inflammation and improving health by manipulating the microbiome.” To help bring this cutting-edge science to everyone, ZOE now offers an at-home test that measures blood fat, sugar and inflammation levels after eating, along with in-depth microbiome analysis, and provides personalized advice on the best foods to eat to support overall health. Professor Spector concludes, “Our PREDICT research program is the largest study of its kind in the world, and results like this mark important steps forward in unpacking the complex connection between diet, inflammation and health. Our mission at ZOE is to enable anyone to understand their own unique biology and make food choices that optimize their health through the latest advances in nutritional science.” Find out more about the ZOE at-home test and nutrition program at joinzoe.com. Notes and resources: Link to proof Read more about the PREDICT research program: joinzoe.com/post/what-is-predict Read more about how ZOE’s research uses standardized muffins to measure metabolic responses: joinzoe.com/post/muffin-metabolism-predict Read ZOE’s White Paper on inflammation, diet and health: joinzoe.com/whitepapers/dietary-inflammation Learn more about the science behind ZOE: joinzoe.com/whitepapers/overview ZOE’s previous research on the link between the gut microbiome and responses to food: joinzoe.com/post/nature-microbiome-discoveries Find out more about the ZOE at-home test and nutrition program at joinzoe.com ZOE is a healthcare science company helping people understand their body’s responses to food. By using machine learning combined with large scale human studies, ZOE is decoding the impact of nutrition on health. ZOE leads the PREDICT Studies and the COVID Symptom Study, which are the world’s largest community-powered research programs of their kind in nutrition and COVID-19 respectively. Located in London and Boston, ZOE was founded by Professor Tim Spector of King’s College London, data science leader Jonathan Wolf and entrepreneur George Hadjigeorgiou. ZOE was named one of the Deloitte Fast 50 Rising Stars in 2019 for the company’s contribution to science enabled by technology and machine learning. For more information on ZOE’s mission and science, visit joinzoe.com. Contact Details ZOE Fiana Tulip +1 817-691-3031 fiana@joinzoe.com Company Website https://www.joinzoe.com

June 08, 2021 08:34 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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June is National Candy Month – Unwrap the Sweetness This Summer

YourUpdateTV

Whether you’re heading to the beach, the pool, out for a hike, or just to your backyard – chocolate and candy can add some sweetness to your summer. Recently, Lauren Boland and Carly Schildhaus, spokespeople for the National Confectioners Association, participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss the top summer candy types and provide fun ways to celebrate National Candy Month. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/zmhC2qP6y7M A recent survey from the National Confectioners Association revealed that: 94% of Americans who say they’ll go camping this summer will bring chocolate and candy along. 93% of Americans who say they’ll go on a road trip this summer will bring chocolate and candy along. 89% of Americans who say they’ll go to the beach this summer will bring chocolate and candy along. 81% of consumers agree that it is completely fine to treat yourself with chocolate or candy occasionally and 77% of consumers feel physical health and emotional well-being are connected. Top 3 Most Popular Summer Candies 1. Chocolate 2. Gummies 3. Hard Candy Top 3 Most Popular Summer Candy Flavors 1. Strawberry 2. Watermelon 3. Cherry For more information, visit NationalCandyMonth.com About the National Confectioners Association (NCA): The National Confectioners Association is the trade organization that advances, protects and promotes the unique role of chocolate, candy, gum and mints in a happy, balanced lifestyle and the companies that make these special treats. Through advocacy and regulatory guidance, communications, industry insights and retail and supply chain engagement, NCA helps foster an environment that enables candy makers to thrive. Confections are produced in all 50 states, creating jobs for approximately 54,000 workers in more than 1,300 manufacturing facilities across the country. Learn more at AlwaysATreat.com or follow NCA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

June 07, 2021 05:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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The Summer Travel Rebound is Here: How Airbnb Is Making Travel Easier

YourUpdateTV

As pandemic restrictions gradually lift, travel is looking different. A recent report by Airbnb indicates this travel rebound is not a temporary reaction to these many months of restrictions and isolation. Recently, Communications Leads for North America at Airbnb, Liz DeBold Fusco, teamed with YourUpdateTV on a satellite media tour to discuss major shifts in how people are traveling and how Airbnb is meeting travelers’ new needs. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/aR4n93mrwzk “We believe this will be the biggest travel rebound in a century,” said Brian Chesky, Co-Founder and CEO of Airbnb. According to Airbnb’s recent Report on Travel & Living, the lines between traveling, living and working are blurring in three key ways: first, people are more flexible over when they can travel, especially as remote working upends traditional seasonality. Second, they are traveling to much more diverse destinations, including small towns and rural areas. And third, they are staying longer in places, if they can work anywhere. Airbnb has introduced more than 100 upgrades across every aspect of their service to meet the coming demand and the fundamental shift in travel. It is one of the biggest top-to-bottom upgrades of the Airbnb service in years. Users will have a better guest experience built around Flexibility. The new Flexible Matching feature will show guests listings that lie outside a specified search, so that they don’t miss out on homes just outside their price range or missing an amenity. These new product upgrades also cater to Hosts. Airbnb is launching a brand new, simplified onboarding process where users can become hosts in just 10 easy steps. Aspiring hosts can even sign up for an “Intro to Hosting” online class or directly message an experienced Host with onboarding questions. Airbnb also redesigned the Welcome to Hosting page for new Hosts to make it easier for new and existing Hosts to manage their listings. If you are looking to share your space this summer and want to learn how to become an Airbnb host yourself, check out Airbnb.com/host About Liz DeBold Fusco: Liz DeBold Fusco is a Communications Leads for North America for Airbnb. Prior to that, she was a Vice President at SKDKnickerbocker, a national public affairs firm, where she provided strategic communications guidance to organizations ranging from the NAACP and Demos to The Rockefeller Foundation and AT&T. Liz has also worked for Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City and New York City First Lady Chirlane McCray as well as the New York State Attorney General. About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

June 07, 2021 03:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Haystack Analytics attracts investment, powering tech teams globally and addresses developer burnout

Stockwood Strategy

Engineering insights tool Haystack Analytics, backed by Y Combinator, today announced it has secured a US$1.2m funding round which included participation from Founders Club, Y Combinator, Soma Capital, Entrepreneur First and investors Dan Siroker and Blaine Vess. Founded in 2020 by Julian Colina and Kan Yilmaz, Haystack helps build elite developer teams by providing engineering metrics and alerts proven to drive performance. Haystack improves developer productivity and software quality. Through their integration with GitHub, Haystack is able to provide live data insights that illustrate the entire delivery process from commit to deploy, being able to highlight bottlenecks like code review and team productivity. Using this feedback loop, Haystack users have increased production deployments by 58% and achieved 70% faster cycle times on average. In less than 12 months since launch, Haystack is being used by more than 7,000 developers at tech teams in GoDaddy, Microsoft, The Economist, Indiegogo and Truebill among others as revenues have increased by an average of 36% month on month. Julian Colina, CEO and co-founder of Haystack Analytics commented: “Tech teams and engineers around the world are key assets to any company and shipping software is the heartbeat and competitive advantage they seek. The efforts of developers are at the heart of processes, products and, effectively, the bottom line. Until now, it was difficult for CTOs and engineering managers to objectively know what their roadblocks are or have insights into resourcing levels. Haystack gives visibility by providing metrics and alerts to make sure nothing continues to be stuck. We are helping developers to ship faster and improve their satisfaction”. Research 1 has shown that elite performing engineering organisations are twice as likely to achieve their organisational goals and achieve a 50% higher growth rate over 3 years. It isn't just business objectives that do better, employees of elite performers are almost twice as likely to recommend their team as a great place to work. “Companies with strong technology teams are outperforming those which don't. Technology teams which follow DevOps best practice are less likely to see developers being burnt out, whilst allowing new product ideas to be experimented faster and shipping business value more reliably” added Julian Colina. The funding advances Haystack’s commitment to building intuitive one-click dashboards and alerts using GitHub data. Haystack plans to expand its offering to a greater range of data sources whilst providing an ever greater variety of user-friendly alerts and insights. As companies move to hybrid office/home working environments, Haystack provides insights that teams need to experiment with their workflows to prevent developer burnout whilst shipping faster. “Our mission is to bring the competitive advantage data-driven engineering teams like Google have to everyone. We help teams track their delivery process and optimization opportunities instead of relying solely on gut feelings - resulting in 70% faster delivery on average. It’s been an incredible 12 months and we are well set to achieve much more in the next year” concluded Julian Colina. Ends 1 DevOps Research and Assessment, State of DevOps report About Haystack Analytics Haystack was founded in 2020 by Julian Colin and Kan Yilmaz for tech teams to learn more about roadblocks to their work, improve productivity and importantly identify burnout issues with developers. Haystack helps build elite developer teams by providing engineering metrics and alerts proven to drive performance, improve developer productivity and software quality. Through their integration with GitHub, Haystack is able to provide live data insights that illustrate the entire delivery process from commit to deploy, being able to highlight bottlenecks like code review and team productivity. Using this feedback loop, Haystack users have increased production deployments by 58% and achieved 70% faster cycle times on average. Contact Details Haystack Analytics Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 bilal@usehaystack.io Company Website https://www.usehaystack.io/

June 07, 2021 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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True Colors Fashion: The Future is Now!

True Colors Festival

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 7 June 2021 - The Future is Now! unites some of the world’s leading tech companies and fashion brands with a diverse cast of models to present innovative creations. This video series – which includes an atmospheric pre-recorded runway show & revelatory conversations between cast members – now on the True Colors Festival YouTube Channel, captures human creativity at its best, and the endless possibilities that technology offers. Meet an ALS creator who makes art with eye movement input, see hearing aids worn as fashion, prosthetic blades for children, discover an ingeniously designed trench coat…and more. “Since the invention of computers, we have been able to solve problems with software, and it has become easier for people to connect with one another. In keeping with this idea, The Future is Now! sets the stage for diverse people to express themselves with fashion that’s empowered with technology,” says Yoichi Ochiai, renowned media artist and general director of the show. Participating models include Masatane Muto, a DJ with ALS who plays music with his eyes; Pippi, a deaf model who has graced ad campaigns and fashion runways; Hirotada Ototake, bestselling author of the memoir “No One’s Perfect” about his life without limbs; and Fumiya Hamanoue, a visually impaired Paralympic climber. Collaborating brands include Xiborg Inc. and SONY Computer Science Laboratory, both specialists in prosthetics enhanced with robotics; ONTENNA, which converts sound information into light and vibration; Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive, the first major label to launch a full-fledged adaptive line; and KANSAI YAMAMOTO, the fashion house that has dressed luminaries like David Bowie. “I want to build a world in which not having the use of legs will not be an obstacle to running. I want to make running with a prosthetic leg a normal thing…for everyone,” says Ken Endo, founder of Xiborg Inc. and researcher at Sony CSL. The Future is Now! is the third part of the True Colors Fashion series produced by Kao Kanamori. The first two parts were launched in March this year: Clothes in Conversation, a documentary available to watch on YouTube and a photo exhibition at the annual Shibuya Fashion Week. Supported by Arts Council Tokyo, Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture and Aputure. Co-presented by DRIFTERS INTERNATIONAL. Visit: True Colors Festival website Contact Details True Colors Festival Media Contact hana@lightyears-comm.com Company Website https://truecolorsfestival.com/program/adaptive-fashion-show-diversity-tech-true-colors-fashion-the-future-is-now/

June 07, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Global investors back fintech KTrade - the ‘Robinhood’ of Pakistan

Stockwood Strategy

Leading Pakistani fintech stock trading app KTrade today announced it has raised $4.5m in a funding round from a range of global investors and institutions led by Hong Kong-based TTB Partners, and HOF Capital from New York. German fintech investor Christian Angermayer, the Managing Partner of German bank Berenberg David Mortlock, and leading Pakistani business families also participated in the round. KTrade is the fintech retail trading app created by KASB Securities, the leading stock brokerage in Pakistan. KTrade provides easy access to financial markets for retail investors much like its global peers such as XP in Brazil, Zerodha and Groww in India, Tiger in China, Flatex in Germany and Robinhood in the US. Since launching in 2019, KTrade has over 200,000 users and aims to reach 10 million Pakistani’s at home and abroad by 2023 to invest in stocks, bonds, commodities and mutual funds through its mobile platform. The Karachi Stock Exchange Index (KSE100) has rallied by 19% per annum over the past 20 years despite regular market cycles. The volumes have increased by 7x over the last 18 months driven by regulatory reforms and increase in retail investor participation. Retail investors now account for over 65% of overall trading volume compared to around 45% 24 months ago. KTrade aims to provide users quick and easy accessibility to this investment opportunity. Ali Farid led the creation of KTrade. He was previously the CFO of UK listed fintech company SafeCharge (acquired by Nuvei) and a Partner at Autonomous Research (acquired by Alliance Bernstein) in London. Ali is a Rhodes Scholar and has been a top ranked Technology Analyst in Europe since 2013. Ali Farid, Co-founder of KTrade commented: “People in Pakistan have traditionally turned to gold or real estate when they consider investment options. However, as the regulatory approach, authority and credibility of the Karachi Stock Exchange has grown, more people are getting comfortable with stock market investing. This is an exciting trend but accessibility to these markets remains a hurdle for millions. KTrade will enable this mobile-first population to participate in the investment opportunity. By connecting these people to companies we can drive capital trapped in unproductive assets into the formal economy which would eventually drive a virtuous cycle of economic growth and higher investments”. Pakistan is emerging on the radar of global investors as the next Indonesia. A large, young and growing middle class and high smartphone penetration have created ideal conditions for technology led disruption. KASB’s aim is to provide retail savers access to financial education, information and financial products and to help them make better financial decisions. “Most people in Pakistan lack access to formal financial products and their savings in real estate or gold offer inferior returns, are inefficient and have high transactional costs. We aim to democratise access to the capital markets and enable them to make stock market investments. The strong demand for KTrade shows that the market is ready for this transformation. Other regional and emerging markets have seen similar evolution led by successful fintech companies” added Ali Farid. “Pakistan and South Asia have some of the most exciting market dynamics and demographics globally, and KTrade is well positioned to take advantage of the democratisation of finance in the region” said Jonathan Bond, Managing Partner TTB Partners who were lead investors in the funding round. “We are delighted to be investing in the latest round of funding for KASB, and to support Ali and his first-class team on their continued journey. We have been extremely impressed by what KASB has built over the past few years, both from a tech perspective and from the educational overlay to investing, which the company has embraced. In particular, we believe that in KTrade, the company has a stellar solution to expanding stock market participation across Pakistan” added Jonathan Bond. About KASB Securities KASB is the leading stock brokerage in Pakistan. It is a member of the Pakistan Stock Exchange and Pakistan Mercantile Exchange and regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan. KASB’s mission is to democratise investments by giving people in Pakistan easy access to financial information, education and products. It operates KASB Varsity, an online MOOC, and KTrade, the leading stock trading application in Pakistan. KASB’s goal is to channel capital to financial markets by broadening the breadth of the capital markets. Further information visit: https://kasb.com or follow the company on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and through YouTube. Contact Details Stockwood Strategy Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://kasb.com/ktrade/

June 07, 2021 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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SIGMA America Announces Focused on the Fight 2021 Charitable Giving Campaign

SIGMA CORPORATION OF AMERICA

SIGMA Corporation of America, a leading camera and lens manufacturer for both photography and cinema applications, is pleased to announce Focused on the Fight 2021. From May 31 through June 30, 2021, 5% of all sales at twenty-four participating retail partners will be donated to four charitable organizations, selected for their ongoing commitment to aiding communities most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, Focused on the Fight raised over $93,000 for charitable organizations across the United States in partnership with eighteen participating retail partners, and this year, the campaign continues its mission to help provide aid to the communities that need it most. Focused on the Fight 2021 continues the commitment on SIGMA America’s part to community well-being, and funds raised during the campaign will be divided equally among the following charities: Feeding America, Mental Health America, the National Alliance to End Homelessness, and Donors Choose. Each of these charities was selected based on their missions of community well-being. "Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, photography has been an outlet for people to express themselves, and to celebrate the strength of humanity in our communities," says Mark Amir-Hamzeh, president of SIGMA America. "Our nationwide network of retailers are strong members of their local communities, and with their help – and the support of SIGMA fans – we can offer some measure of relief to their neighbors, and to people across the nation who need a helping hand." The participating dealers include: Arlington Camera B&C Camera Bedford Camera & Video Camera Casino Dodd Camera Glazer's Camera Hot Rod Cameras Hunt's Photo & Video Kenmore Camera Midwest Camera Milford Camera Murphy's Camera Pixel Connection Precision Camera PROCAM Pro Photo Supply Roberts Camera Rockbrook Camera Samy's Camera Schiller's Camera The Camera Company The Camera Exchange The Camera Mall The Camera Shop of Muskegon For the most up-to-date information on Focused on the Fight 2021, please visit: https://www.sigmaphoto.com/focused-on-the-fight-2021 Media Inquiries: Jack Howard / SIGMA.PR@sigmaphoto.com / 631 585 1144 ext. 1015 For information about SIGMA America, please visit sigmaphoto.com and SIGMA Blog for helpful information about our products. Follow SIGMA America on social media: SIGMA Photo: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. SIGMA Cine: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. About SIGMA Corporation Craftsmanship. Precision. Dedication. Since 1961, SIGMA has been devoted to the pursuit of advancing photographic technology. Unique to the industry, the family-owned business produces its high-quality, award-winning still photo and cinema camera lenses, DSLR and mirrorless cameras, flashes, filters and accessories from its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located in Aizu, Japan. In 2012, the company introduced SIGMA Global Vision with three distinct lens lines: Art, Contemporary and Sports. Designed for industry camera mount systems including Canon, Leica, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Sony and Sigma, each lens is handcrafted and tested in Japan to ensure a high-performance, premium product that is purpose-built to last. In 2016, the SIGMA Cine lens lineup was launched, further cementing SIGMA as an innovator in imaging engineering. Embodying the core optical DNA that has defined the SIGMA benchmark of excellence, SIGMA cine lenses meet the needs of advanced 6k and 8k cinema production. Forming the landmark L-Mount alliance alongside Leica and Panasonic in 2018, SIGMA continues its storied tradition of imaging excellence through groundbreaking innovations such as the native L-mount SIGMA fp full-frame mirrorless digital camera, announced in July 2019. The introduction of the fp along with the availability of 20 award-winning SIGMA Global Vision lenses in native L-Mount format demonstrates SIGMA's continued commitment to the creative community through expanded product offerings. With the fp and these lenses, even more shooters can now leverage SIGMA's renowned optical formula to achieve their creative vision with ease. Contact Details SIGMA Corporation of America Jack Howard +1 631-585-1144 SIGMA.PR@sigmaphoto.com

June 03, 2021 12:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Exclusive “Awesome” First Look at THE LEGO® MOVIE™ WORLD

YourUpdateTV

YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology – Now that LEGOLAND ® California Resort is back open after being closed for 13 months, the family theme park in Carlsbad, CA, is excited to announce the opening of THE LEGO ® MOVIE™ WORLD. Recently, LEGOLAND ® California Senior Media Relations Manager, Jake Gonzales, and Head of Public Relations at Merlin Entertainment, Julie Estrada, teamed up to share an exclusive first look at the new attraction and provide tips on what to know before planning your next trip. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/etg50475M_s THE LEGO ® MOVIE™ WORLD will drop visitors into the quirky, frenetic and manic world of Emmet Brickowski, Wyldstyle, UniKitty and Benny the Spaceman from “THE LEGO® Movie™” film franchise. Attractions include: Emmet’s Flying Adventure - This new flying theater ride is the biggest new attraction in THE LEGO ® MOVIE™ WORLD! Join Master Builders on a triple decker flying couch, as cutting-edge technology transports you all over THE LEGO ® MOVIE™ universe. Surrounded by a full-dome virtual screen, you'll feel like you're flying through a world created completely from LEGO bricks! UniKitty’s Disco Drop - This all-new drop tower ride will take you through a rainbow-filled journey based on Unikitty and her many moods. Swoop to the tiptop of Cloud Cuckoo Land, then drop, spin and bounce back down to earth in sync with Unikitty’s wide range of emotions! Benny’s Play-Ship - Benny’s spaceship has landed right in the middle of Bricksburg! Play on this space-themed playground structure and get ready for takeoff! In addition to the new rides and attractions, guests can choose from a host of food and beverage options in THE LEGO® MOVIE™ WORLD. Enjoy delicious homemade ramen, rice bowls and salads in the land's premiere restaurant, Everything is Ramen! After something sweet? You're sure to be satisfied by Cloud Cuckoo Crepes. Finally, Benny’s Rocket Fuel offers a selection of drinks and snacks, including ice cream, popcorn, and slushies. To learn more and to book your next visit, check out Legoland.com About Jake Gonzales: As a father of two girls and an avid traveler, Jake Gonzales is always looking for the best family travel tips to save money and make the most memorable experiences possible for his family. Gonzales is a Carlsbad native who represents LEGOLAND ® California Resort as an on-camera spokesperson providing his expertise on all the interactive activities, services and events the 22-year-old Resort has to offer. About Julie Estrada: Julie Estrada came to LEGOLAND ® California in 2003 after more than 13 years in broadcast news. A mom of two and world traveler, she currently is Head of Public Relations North America, Merlin Entertainments which owns more than 130 attractions globally and is the second largest attractions operator in the world. About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

June 02, 2021 04:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Ridgefield CT Receives 1st State Cultural District Designation, Chamber Honors Local Heroes

Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce

The State Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) and the Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) recently approved an application establishing a Cultural District in the Town of Ridgefield, making it the first municipality in the state to receive the prestigious designation. Former state representative John Frey proposed the initial law to allow designation of cultural districts in October 2019. In a release by the DECD/COA, DECD Director of Arts, Preservation and Museums Liz Shapiro said, “This program recognizes the essential role that local arts and cultural resources play in the building healthy communities over the long-term. I applaud Ridgefield for taking the initiative to establish the district and ensuring that arts and culture are at the heart of their planning efforts moving forward.” "The people of Ridgefield have long appreciated the abundance of arts and culture in our town. We are thrilled that the state also recognizes all that Ridgefield has to offer, by giving us the first Cultural District designation," noted long-serving Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi. Cultural Districts are walkable areas of a city or town that feature numerous cultural facilities, activities and/or assets. These vibrant areas draw visitors from other towns and states and serve as a hub for residents to congregate and interact. “Ridgefield’s diverse arts and cultural offerings are fitting and ideal for a Cultural District designation,” said Lisa Scails, Executive Director of the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut. “We’re proud of their leadership and for being a model for other municipalities.” The Cultural District area holds numerous cultural assets including ACT (A Connecticut Theater), the Ridgefield Theater Barn, the Ridgefield Guild of Artists, the Ridgefield Playhouse, the Ridgefield Historical Society, the Ridgefield Library, the Prospector Theater, Ballard Park with its CHIRP summer concert performances, the Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance, RPAC art gallery, Thrown Stone theater group, Lounsbury House, the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Keeler Tavern Museum and History Center. News of receiving the Cultural District designation was especially uplifting to the town after weathering the social and economic effects from the 2020/2021 pandemic. The Ridgef ield Chamber of Commerce is hosting "Ridgefield Moves Forward" on June 10th featuring First Selectman Rudy’ M arconi’s State-of-the-Town Address and recognize businesses and individuals for their contributions to the community during the past year. The event will take place on the grounds of the beautiful Lounsbury House, beginning at 4pm. In addition to music provided by the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra, there will be a variety of local eateries showcasing their cuisine including Tequila Escape, Stacey's Totally Baked, 850 Degrees, The Cake Box, Tablao Wine Bar & Restaurant, Barn Door Restaurant and more. “We want this event to be a true community celebration” said Director Grossman. "The Chamber appreciates the support of our co-sponsors Addessi Jewelers, Wooster Hollow Café, Fairfield County Bank and Oak Ridge Waste & Recycling." The Chamber will recognize the following: Ridgefield Police Department Officers Ridgefield Fire Department and EMS Personnel Dick Aarons - Citizen Emergency Response Team (CERT) Ridgefield Arts Council Ridgefield Meals on Wheels RVNA Pamby Motors “I’ve said it before and will say it again- there are simply too many amazing organizations and people in town to award in one afternoon,” Executive Director Sarah Grossman said. “Our initial list went on for several pages! In the end we selected those who best represented their fields.” While everyone is invited by the Chamber, tickets are required and limited. Those interested in joining the event can purchase them at DestinationRidgefield.org. The Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)6 organization established in 1966. The Chamber is an advocate and resource for business and nonprofits by advancing and promoting the economic vitality and quality of life in Ridgefield. Contact Details Sarah Grossman +1 917-613-3244 SGrossman@ridgefieldchamber.org Company Website https://www.destinationridgefield.com/

June 02, 2021 08:02 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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