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Save the Redwoods League Urges State Legislators to Deliver Urgent Funding for California State Parks via a Climate Bond in 2024

Save the Redwoods League

Save the Redwoods League today released a new report, daylighting critical funding needs across the California State Parks system. It urges state legislators to make necessary investments statewide through a 2024 climate bond measure or the annual budget process. Recent wildfire and storm damage add to more than $1 billion in deferred park maintenance and more than a decade without an active land acquisition program. Together, these accumulating costs demonstrate that California State Parks does not have the sufficient funding and resources it needs to continue providing equitable outdoor access for all, preserving the state’s biodiversity and bolstering the state’s climate resilience. “California’s unrivaled state park system was built on a backbone of old-growth redwood parks. In fact, California State Parks is the largest public redwood forest manager, which means the health of the redwood forests depends on a healthy California State Parks system,” said Sam Hodder, president and CEO of Save the Redwoods League. “Our longtime park partners are doing an amazing job in light of significant resource challenges, growing visitation and climate impacts. To continue providing unique and inspirational park experiences for millions of visitors every year and investing in our climate resilience, state legislators need to uphold California’s legacy of conservation leadership and deliver adequate funding for California State Parks.” Save the Redwoods League calls on legislators to make investments in land acquisition and deferred maintenance and to provide at least $500 million for park improvement projects and $200 million for natural resources management in a 2024 climate bond. Report highlights: Why California State Parks needs increased and sustained support With 280 park units, the California State Parks System protects the largest and most diverse recreational, natural and cultural heritage holdings of any state agency. This includes 140,000 acres of coast redwood forests (40% of the world’s protected redwoods), 340 miles of coastline, 5,200 miles of trails and 15,000 campsites. Across all park units, there is a $1.2 billion deferred maintenance backlog. There are 49 coast redwood and giant sequoia state parks (17.5% of California’s state parks), and they carry $324 million (27%) of the deferred maintenance projects. Recent storms wreaked havoc throughout the state, causing an additional $72 million in damage in December 2022 and January 2023. Of that, $10 million (13.9%) in damage occurred in redwood and sequoia parks. This damage, along with that from recent fires and other emergencies, are identified as projects to be only partially funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency by as much as 75% of the costs. More than 68 million visitors from around the world travel to California’s 280 park units every year with 14 million (20.6%) visiting the redwood and sequoia parks annually. Without an active and robust land acquisition program for the last 14 years and with inconsistent funding for facilities maintenance, park improvements, staffing and more, California State Parks cannot keep pace with growing visitation while continuing to provide equitable outdoor recreation experiences. The success of California State Parks is vital to several high-priority state initiatives. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Outdoors for All initiative promises access to California’s prized landscapes for everyone, regardless of background or location. The state’s bold plan for climate leadership through California’s 30x30 Initiative and the California Climate Adaptation Strategy call for accelerating land conservation and for investing in nature-based solutions to climate change. California’s state parks serve as the ideal foundation for climate leadership, offering climate-resilient landscapes, carbon sinks, equitable park access and a restoration and stewardship economy. California State Parks’ budget must reflect its leadership role in advancing the state’s climate plans, and State Parks must be recognized as a vital partner in ensuring a resilient future for California. The unpredictable pattern of funding over the last few decades is unsustainable and is taking a toll on this world-class state park system. *** To schedule an interview, contact Liza Batallones at 415-766-0846 or redwoods@landispr.com. Save the Redwoods League One of the nation’s longest-running conservation organizations, Save the Redwoods League has been protecting and restoring redwood forests since 1918. The League has connected generations of visitors with the beauty and serenity of the redwood forests. Our 400,000 supporters have enabled the League to protect more than 220,000 acres of irreplaceable forests in 66 state, national, and local parks and reserves. For information, please visit SaveTheRedwoods.org. ### Contact Details Landis Communications Inc. Liza Batallones +1 415-766-0846 redwoods@landispr.com Company Website https://www.savetheredwoods.org/

June 14, 2023 12:24 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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Minuteman Press in Nashville, TN Completes Exterior Full-Wrap Rebranding of the Iconic Grand Ole Opry House Music Venue

Minuteman Press International Inc

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Grand Ole Opry House, owned by Ryman Hospitality Partners, is one of the most legendary music venues in the USA. Thanks to Minuteman Press franchise owner John Taylor and his team at Minuteman Press in Nashville, the face of the Grand Ole Opry House now looks as good on the outside as the music sounds on the inside. What started out as a sales call and business cards order ten years ago has evolved into a trusted branding partnership between Minuteman Press in Nashville and Ryman Hospitality, and the result of that partnership includes incredible projects like this one – the full-wrap exterior rebranding of the Grand Ole Opry House. Minuteman Press in Nashville is located at 415 Spence Lane, Nashville, TN 37210. John Taylor has owned the business since January of 2014 and is a member of the President’s Club for top performers across the Minuteman Press franchise system. John shares key details on working to complete this huge project on such an iconic venue. How did the project with the Grand Ole Opry come about? John Taylor: “We acquired them as a client about ten years ago. It originated with a sales call at the original The Ryman Auditorium, in downtown Nashville. The first order was a few sets of business cards. Their parent company is Ryman Hospitality. Working inward through the marketing department at Ryman Hospitality, a relationship developed. They have a lot of printers, but we stayed in touch, cross-selling where possible. Ultimately, we set them up on an online portal ordering system for their printed collateral and admin items for their various brands. We make it a habit to deliver all prospects our "Portfolio Thumb-drive". It is branded Minuteman Press and goes to them pre-loaded with our most impressive projects in categorized folders. That led to us becoming one of their trusted branding partners, I would like to say their preferred branding partner. We've done projects from Nashville to New York City for them as they open new venues.” What specifically did you do for this project? John Taylor: “We have done multiple projects at the Grand Ole Opry House. Regarding this project: It is an extraordinary surface, in that it is stamped concrete. It is made to look like a ‘rough-cut cedar’ wooden surface, with deep woodgrain and over a half-inch depth difference between the faux planks. There are two installation processes in this type of project. One is to install and register the panels together (58" wide panels). The second process is to heat and press the vinyl into the grain and contours with a heat gun/torch and foam hand roller, roughly 4" at a time. We measured, scaled and templated the whole project. We printed the vinyl on an HP 360 Latex printer, then laminated the vinyl on a GBC roll laminator (3M IJ-480 Vinyl with 3M 8520 Matte Overlaminate). We used our 55' boom truck and a rented 45' boom lift to install. The first team and truck would hang and register the vinyl. The second lift would have a heat gun, a torch, and roller to get into the grain, and a single installer with very tired arms. We blocked off an area to work every morning so tours could still safely operate every 30-60 minutes. We installed in close coordination with the security team every day and evening to avoid periodic live shows in the evenings altogether." What was the timetable / what did it take to complete the project? John Taylor: “The exterior, as all large branding projects do, began with an intense set of measurements and a write-up of all inclusions and challenges with the surface(s). We then created an Illustrator template for their art department, advising best practices and highlighting any areas to which they should pay special attention during design. The timetable was roughly 7 weeks, synopsized below: We surveyed the first week and provided them a template for artwork technicals and construction. It took them 2-3 weeks to develop art, get the individual artists' approvals, and the necessary internal management approvals. We removed the old banners and aluminum hardware, as well as prepped/cleaned the building during that period. I asked for 7-10 days to produce the vinyl. It took about a week to print, laminate and cut. We should have been able to install it in roughly one week with a crew of three. It ended up taking two weeks since the Grand Ole Opry has shows every couple of days, which limited our time (we had to be packed up and out of the way by 3 pm). The weather was also a factor." TIME LAPSE VIDEO: Full-wrap rebranding of the face of the Grand Ole Opry House – Spring 2023 – Minuteman Press, Nashville: How happy are you with the completed project? What has been the feedback you’ve received? John Taylor: “I'm extremely happy with it. I really am humbled and honored to be given the opportunity. Now, for the less-than-humble perspective; it was an intense scope of work... and we got the job done! We've had only positive feedback about this installation and people are loving the new face of the Grand Ole Opry House. My favorite reaction was from a security guard that said, ‘I haven't seen this many people stop and have their pictures taken in front of the building in years and years!’. He's been there over 15 years, so that was so gratifying to hear him say that.” John concludes, “To have our hard work appreciated, especially on such a large-scale project, it’s just a great feeling of accomplishment.” For Minuteman Press products and services and to find your local Minuteman Press, visit https://minuteman.com. Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

June 12, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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SFAA Annual Meeting Highlights 2022 Accomplishments and Initiatives; Membership Elects Board

SFAA

The Surety & Fidelity Association of America (SFAA), a nonprofit, nonpartisan trade association representing all segments of the surety and fidelity industry, held its annual meeting last week in Washington, D.C. with more than 185 members and guests attending. Bob Murray, SFAA Chair, Executive Committee Member, Head of Surety, Zurich North America, and Lee Covington, SFAA President and CEO, presided over the event, providing updates on SFAA’s accomplishments from the past year and ongoing initiatives. Murray opened the meeting by highlighting the importance of having everyone from the industry together to reflect on all the work over the last year and thanked all SFAA’s members for their continued leadership and support to the association. The SFAA Membership then elected the Board of Directors and Executive Committee adding two new members to the Board: John Guglielmo, Head of Surety at Intact Insurance, and Sharon Sims, Senior Vice President at Sompo International. Board and Executive Committee Members Bob Murray, Head of Surety, Zurich North America Robert Raney, Senior Vice President, Construction Services, Travelers Companies, Inc. John F. Welch, Executive Committee Member, and President & CEO, CNA Surety Group Rick Ciullo, Chief Operating Officer, The Hartford Insurance Group Michael Keimig, President & CEO, Markel Surety Corporation Timothy Mikolajewski, President, Global Surety, Liberty Mutual Group Stephen Ruschak, Executive Vice President Surety, Arch Insurance Group Lee Covington, President & CEO, SFAA Other Board Members Antonio C. Albanese, Head of Surety, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company Ken Bearley, President, Bond Division, Great American Insurance Companies Ken Chapman, Executive Vice President, Surety, IAT Insurance Group John Guglielmo, Head of Surety, North America, Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions Stephen M. Haney, Division President, North America Surety & CUO, Global Surety, Chubb James Kawiecki, President of Surety, Hanover Insurance Group Matt Lubin, President, Surety Division, Crum & Forster Alan Pavlic, President/COO, Old Republic Surety Group Sharon Sims, Senior Vice President, Sompo International Gary Stumper, National Surety Leader, Westfield Group Larry Taylor, President, Merchants Bonding Company Group Covington provided updates on SFAA’s advocacy accomplishments and goals, SFAA PAC, SFAA Foundation and SFAA’s Strategic Priorities. In addition, Covington provided an update on the launch of SFAA’s Surety Protects campaign in 10 states and on Capitol Hill to targeted legislators, regulators, and public construction leaders, leveraging the data and findings from the landmark EY study The Economic Value of Surety Bonds. A “Year in Review” video celebrating SFAA’s accomplishments throughout 2022 was shared, which highlighted the introduction of WIFIA legislation from Representatives Mike Bost (R-IL), Chris Pappas (D-NH), Troy Balderson (R-OH) and Stephen Lynch (D-MA). This legislation would require water infrastructure projects financed by WIFIA loans to have the same bond protections as other federally funded projects. The video also included an update on the SFAA Foundation’s Intern and Scholarship Program for underrepresented college students, highlighting the 15 scholarships awarded totaling $75,000. The 2022 Surety Industry Awards winners were announced via another celebratory video. Amy Walter, publisher and editor-in-chief of non-partisan The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, one of the top political journalists in Washington, D.C., took the stage and delivered an impactful keynote presentation, captivating the audience with her objective and thoughtful political analysis of the current political landscape in Washington, D.C. and across the country. To close the meeting, two leading political and policy experts, Scott Riplinger of CGCN Group and Kichelle Webster from Stewart Strategies, participated in a robust "Inside the Beltway” panel discussion moderated by SFAA’s Director of Government Affairs Patrick Russell. The Surety & Fidelity Association of America (SFAA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan trade association of more than 425 insurance companies that write 98 percent of surety and fidelity bonds in the U.S. Through advocacy, outreach, promotion and education, SFAA promotes the value of surety and fidelity bonding and its vital protections. SFAA is licensed as a rating or advisory organization in all states. State insurance departments have designated it as a statistical agent for reporting fidelity and surety data. www.surety.org Contact Details Peter Roth +1 703-401-0676 proth@surety.org Company Website https://surety.org/

June 07, 2023 12:20 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Lotis Blue Consulting Announces Partner Promotions to Strengthen Advisory Teams Across Key Practices as the Firm Fosters a “Grow from Within” Culture

Lotis Blue Consulting

Lotis Blue Consulting (LBC) is pleased to announce several Partner promotions which will result in significant advancements in the firm’s team structure. As a leading management consultancy, Lotis Blue offers a unique combination of data and behavioral science to assist clients in achieving business growth and transformation. These recent leadership moves reflect the company’s commitment to enhancing its service offerings and fostering stronger client relationships. Lotis Blue has consciously undertaken a deliberate restructuring of its business model, focusing on its core competencies in Organization Effectiveness, Leadership & Talent, Strategy Execution, and Change Management. “By aligning and strengthening our resources and efforts within these key areas, we aim to enhance our ability to provide exceptional services and deliver optimal outcomes for clients,” says CEO Garrett Sheridan. “These promotions are a testament to the exceptional dedication and performance of Holly Feldman, Erica Grant and John King, who have consistently demonstrated their commitment and competence. Our promotion of these individuals to Partnership reinforces the company’s commitment to our evolved, streamlined business strategy, as their skills and expertise will allow Lotis Blue to excel in these specialized domains during these volatile times.” Having rebranded in 2022, Lotis Blue Consulting has initiated a new chapter, reflecting its dedication to redefining its identity and aligning it with future goals. LBC’s rebranding signaled a pivotal moment for the company, affording Lotis Blue the opportunity to establish a unique presence in the market. These newly announced Partner promotions demonstrate the firm’s determination to cultivate talented teams that will play a vital role in its transformative journey and solidify its position as a premier management consulting firm. Lotis Blue's strong emphasis on recognizing and nurturing the potential of its own employees through internal promotions aligns with the company's long-term goal of fostering a growth-from-within culture. This approach ensures ample opportunities for growth and advancement of its employees, providing them with a clear path to Partnership and enabling them to actively contribute to the firm's success. The recent appointment of these new Partners further enriches LBC with diverse perspectives, expertise, and experience, complementing the firm's existing capabilities. Lotis Blue Consulting is proud to announce the following Partner promotions: Holly Feldman is a leader in the Organization Services division and is entering her 10th year with the firm. Holly brings exceptional analytical skills to assist clients across diverse industries. She expertly assesses the economic and operational implications of business decisions, identifies and overcomes risks and roadblocks, and drives long-term improvements in client performance. Holly earned her MBA at Washington University with a concentration in strategy consulting. Erica Grant is an expert in the Leadership & Talent services division who has been with Lotis Blue for 11 years. With her deep knowledge and experience, Erica partners with senior leaders to design pragmatic personnel strategies that unlock the potential of their organization, leaders, and workforce and drive competitive advantage and sustainable growth. She is passionate about combining research-based methodology, behavioral science and practical business savvy to design solutions that deliver real, sustained results with an eye to human experience. Erica earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Columbia College Chicago. John King is a seasoned consultant with 15 years of industry experience, including tenure at McKinsey & Company. John leads client engagements in the Operating Model division tackling complex and interrelated challenges in business and people processes, organization design, operating models, and supporting tools and systems. His expertise enables clients to overcome barriers to desired growth and execution challenges and maximize their ability to deliver exceptional customer and shareholder value. John earned his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, with concentrations in analytic finance, econometrics and statistics, and international business. These Partner promotions highlight Lotis Blue’s long-term commitment to deliver high-quality services to its clients while fostering an empowering environment for its employees. With its expertise in combining data-driven insights with behavioral science, the company is well-positioned to help clients navigate complex business issues, drive growth, and achieve their transformational goals in challenging times. At the intersection of growth and transformation, you’ll find Lotis Blue Consulting. We dig deep with personal attention and analytical rigor to uncover, define, and implement the smartest path forward for your organization. In doing so, we transform your most ambitious visions into a clear and sustainable reality. Contact Details MKPR Meir Kahtan +1 917-864-0800 mkahtan@rcn.com Company Website https://www.lotisblueconsulting.com

June 07, 2023 10:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

AmeriLife’s Saybrus Partners Agrees to Transfer Agreement with Prudential Financial to Expand Firm’s Industry-Leading Life Distribution

AmeriLife

Saybrus Partners (“Saybrus”), a market leader in life and annuity distribution and an affiliate of AmeriLife Group, LLC (“AmeriLife”), announced today that it has reached an agreement with Prudential Financial, Inc. (“Prudential”) to move the latter’s wholesale life insurance brokerage general agency known as Prudential Life Distributors to Saybrus, cementing the firm as a premier provider of life insurance point of sale consultation in the industry. Per the agreement, terms of the deal were not disclosed. “We’re thrilled to welcome our newest colleagues to Saybrus and are excited for the opportunities ahead,” said Edward W. Cassidy, managing principal of Saybrus Partners. “Today’s announcement represents a significant milestone for our company and highlights the strength of our best-in-class life insurance distribution model. We look forward to continuing to grow our business and accelerating the success of our partners’ advisors and their clients.” “We are thrilled to partner with Saybrus, who shares our deep commitment towards clients and the people who support them,” added Kevin Brayton, head of Individual Life Insurance Distribution and Sales for Prudential Financial. “I am confident that under Ed’s leadership, Saybrus will only continue to drive a much greater impact on key relationships and strengthen the value of those relationships over time.” Based in Hartford, Conn., Saybrus Partners was formed in 2009 to bring its boutique distribution model to financial institutions, delivering customized support, proactive consultation and transparent, centralized management for advisors and insurance agents. The company was acquired by AmeriLife in 2021 and operates as a standalone company. Since its inception, Saybrus, which has nearly 200 employees nationwide, has insured nearly half a million lives with more than $130 billion death benefit in force. “As AmeriLife Wealth sets out to redefine the agent and advisor experience, today’s announcement is a testament to the incredible impact that our distribution partners are making,” said Mike Vietri, Chief Distribution Officer of Wealth for AmeriLife. “We’re excited for this injection of talent into an already performative business, and look forward to continued expansion of our services and support for the institutional market.” ### About Saybrus Partners Saybrus Partners, LLC helps institutions and financial professionals address clients' needs with insurance and annuity solutions for basic protection as well as retirement, estate and business planning. Its partner firms include institutional financial advisories, insurance retailers, banks and broker/dealers. Customizing its services to best fit its partners' businesses, the company offers a complete set of distribution capabilities including assisted sales, traditional wholesaling, new business operations and custom product design. For more information, visit www.saybruspartners.com and follow Saybrus on LinkedIn. About AmeriLife AmeriLife’s strength is its mission: to provide insurance and retirement solutions to help people live longer, healthier lives. In doing so, AmeriLife has become recognized as the leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities and retirement planning solutions to enhance the lives of pre-retirees and retirees across the United States. For more than 50 years, AmeriLife has partnered with top insurance carriers to provide value and quality to customers served through a distribution network of over 300,000 insurance agents and advisors and 120 marketing organizations and insurance agency locations nationwide. For more information, visit AmeriLife.com, and follow AmeriLife on Facebook and LinkedIn. Contact Details Media Jeff Maldonado +1 321-297-1112 jmaldonado@amerilife.com Partnership Inquiries Patrick Nichols +1 727-726-0726 pnichols@amerilife.com Distribution Inquiries Aziz Ali +1 806-490-9853 aali@saybruspartners.com Company Website https://amerilife.com/

June 06, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Futuris Company Announces Cancellation of Acquisition of LotusUSA Inc.

FUTURIS CO.

Futuris Company (OTC: FTRS), a Human Capital Management (HCM) company focused on areas such as Staffing, Consulting, and Tech Services, today announces the cancellation of the acquisition of LotusUSA, Inc. Madhuri Yalamanchi owns LotusUSA, Inc and that there was no change of ownership. “We continue to forge ahead with building our brand and will continue to update our shareholders with all progress that we make,” stated Kalyan Pathuri, President of Futuris Company. We encourage shareholders to continually visit our website and social media platforms for updates. Website: www.futuris.company Twitter: www.twitter.com/futuriscompany About Futuris Company Futuris is a Human Capital Management (HCM) company focused on Executive Search, Staffing, Consulting services and Tech Services specializing in verticals such as Medical, Accounting/Finance, Information Technology, Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO), and Legal. The Company is committed to building a global HCM company through highly targeted and accretive acquisitions and operational efficiencies. For more information, please visit http://futuris.company/. Contact Details: Futuris Company Preya Narain Email: info.it@futuris.company Contact Details Futuris Company info.it@futuris.company Company Website http://futuris.company/

June 02, 2023 11:09 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Minuteman Press Franchise in Gastonia, NC Has Grand Opening for New Father-Son Team Tony & David Marder

Minuteman Press International Inc

Tony and David Marder are the new owners of the Minuteman Press franchise in Gastonia, NC. In January of 2023, Tony and David purchased Minuteman Press in Gastonia from retiring owners Pam and Bill Joles, who owned the business for nearly 32 years since July of 1991. On Thursday, May 25, 2023, Tony and David held their official Grand Opening at their shop located at 495 East Long Avenue in Gastonia. The event was sponsored by the Gaston Business Association and had a fiesta theme that included margaritas, festive appetizers, a food truck, and a mariachi band. There were also plenty of raffles as well as a ribbon-cutting ceremony that served as a celebration of Tony and David’s new venture while Pam and Bill were also in attendance to help pass the torch. In the below interview, Tony shares how he and David originally came into contact with Pam and Bill, and how that relationship grew to the point of purchasing the business. Tony also shares how he’s been building his business since the purchase and why print is so vital today. You purchased the business after working in the shop for a couple of years. What were your roles/experiences as employees and what drove you to buy the business? Tony Marder: “Interestingly, even before working in the shop, Pam and Bill Joles were previous coaching clients. We met via our local BNI and Chamber memberships. At the time, I focused my business coaching with family-owned businesses and Pam and Bill engaged me to assist. I noticed how they were avid readers and spent focused time on goal-setting and systemization. Just before and during the pandemic closures, I asked if they needed someone very part time for deliveries or light finishing work to fill some of my open schedule. At some point in early 2021, I asked Bill ‘how he intended to land this thing’ and he said, “Why? You want to buy a business?” My answer was, “Absolutely not!” But an hour later I mentioned that I felt this may be a good fit for me and my son David, whom I know to be very adept and resourceful with machines and computers and technology in general. David joined the team as print production specialist in May of 2021 specifically to learn the finishing work. Having a bit of a graphics background didn’t hurt either and he quickly added pre-print typesetting and other aspects of pre-print work to his overview. Knowing this was a good fit and having almost two years of on-the-Job experience with Pam and Bill made it a much easier decision for us to move forward.” What has the support from Minuteman Press International been like for you? Tony Marder: “Having experience with franchise teams, I expected the support system to be there. I was especially impressed with the FLEX software and the strength of the training and process protocols. The local team made the transition easy and the Home Office training team is concise and thorough. Every call or need is quickly handled and everyone jumps in to help with urgency as needed.” How do you describe your business and capabilities to potential clients? Tony Marder: “We can produce anything that can be printed or find someone in our organization that can; we will produce and deliver quickly high quality work that helps them run or grow their business or organization.” What are the high-demand products and key growth areas? Tony Marder: “Our most requested items are business cards, forms, labels, stickers, letterhead and envelopes, booklets, manuals, newsletters and mailings. We would like to feature more mailings, interior signage, posters, decals and graphic design.” What are some of the key ways you’ve grown your business since taking over in January of 2023? Tony Marder: “Relationship marketing via phone and face to face direct marketing to existing and past clients, as well as SEO/SEM Marketing, active membership in the local chamber and Rotary. Planning now for future postcard mailings featuring postcard mailing as well as special promotions.” How would you best describe your community? Tony Marder: “We have a small but dedicated and loyal community. We are a volunteer and philanthropic community of diverse folks raising families and enjoying our corner of the world. We have a lot of natural resources that draws a wide range of individuals to the area spanning entrepreneurs, professionals, service-related businesses and manufacturers. We enjoy the closeness of the Charlotte, NC Metro area without the cumbersome things that make larger cities less attractive. Around here we say that ‘we don’t tell anybody about it, but if they find it on their own then it’s perfectly okay with us.’” Why do you think printing remains so vital to businesses today? Tony Marder: “Print is everywhere. I can’t go anywhere without seeing print in action. Every business or organization uses print at some level; either to run or grow their business. I feel email and social media marketing has its place but lacks a personal touch or relationship that could be developed. Print solidifies other marketing sources and cements brand recognition. People read, so giving them something to read is the best way to keep them engaged.” What are the biggest rewards of owning your business? Tony Marder: “This is a cashflow business with a lot of upside potential. Cash is certainly king when it comes to owning your business and this one is no different. Personally, I’m in it to help my son secure a future and continue to provide inspiration for the team. I’d like to see us increase what we can give back to our community and find more ways to engage the public.” What advice would you give to other business owners right now? Tony Marder: “Attract and hire people smarter than you, then get out of their way and give them room to shine. Find a mentor who has documented experience with the legal, financial and accounting arenas and do not resist being pushed closer to the fire. Get in there and get it done.” For more information about Minuteman Press in Gastonia, NC, visit https://minuteman.com/us/locations/nc/gastonia/ Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

June 02, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Don’t Get Scammed: Tips for Avoiding Fraud After a Natural Disaster

YourUpdateTV

Click to view video accompanying this release: https://youtu.be/YCGvYBaBZes With hurricane and wildfire seasons on the horizon in many parts of the country, damage and loss to homes from these natural disasters can be unavoidable. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) is warning those living in areas that could suffer from a natural catastrophe to not only be prepared for the disaster, but to be on guard for fraudulent contractors and vendors who take advantage of victims in the aftermath. Oftentimes, dishonest contractors target neighborhoods affected by disasters and make unsolicited stops at residential properties. They will take homeowners’ money, often overcharge them, and do shoddy or no work at all, promising that the insurance company will pay for it all. Insurance fraud related to natural disasters costs billions of dollars every year, which results in higher premiums for policyholders. In some cases, individual homeowners are on the hook for up to tens of thousands of dollars they may not be able to recover. On Tuesday, May 23rd, NICB President & CEO David J. Glawe conducted a nationwide media tour with TV stations across the country to discuss how to avoid home repair fraud after a natural disaster and many other consumer-friendly topics, as part of the organization’s third annual Contractor Fraud Awareness Week. During the media tour interviews, Glawe discussed: The steps homeowners can and should take prior to a natural disaster and how preparation can help reduce chances of becoming a victim of fraud; The kind of fraud that takes place following disasters while victims are trying to put their homes and lives back together; The best practices for disaster victims when hiring contractors or vendors and tips for avoiding dishonest contractors; The most common methods fraudulent contractors try to scam disaster victims; and The resources available to help homeowners and other disaster victims dishonest contractors or report fraud when they encounter it. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

June 01, 2023 03:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Calling All Adventure Seekers: Looking for a heart-pumping adventure in the great outdoors?

YourUpdateTV

From mountain biking to rock climbing to white-water rafting, it might surprise you to learn that Arkansas offers something for every level of adventure seeker. Recently, Travis Napper from Arkansas Tourism and Suzanne Grobmyer from Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism conducted a satellite media tour to talk about the hidden gems of Arkansas. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/Dsd_giujvvk Outside Magazine recently named Arkansas’ Monument Trails as the best mountain biking destination in the country. Arkansas is a state of visionaries when it comes to outdoor recreation. The State has been blessed with beautiful mountain ranges – from the Ozark Mountains in the north to Pinnacle Mountain in central Arkansas. The Monument Trails are a series of shared-use trails located in various Arkansas state parks. Through a partnership with the Walton Family Foundation, professional trail builders designed and developed the trails with designs that are innovative and sustainable, and that help highlight Arkansas’ beauty. There are trails for beginners and trails for those who are experienced. Arkansas has a collection of world-class, mountain biking routes within four Arkansas State Parks — Mount Nebo State Park, Hobbs State Park, Pinnacle Mountain State Park, and Devil’s Den State Park. The shared-use trails, which were professionally crafted by the world’s best trail builders, showcase Arkansas’s natural beauty and are woven into the beautiful landscape. If you would rather find your adventure on the water, there is plenty of adrenaline-pumping white water rafting in Arkansas. Try Cossatot River State Park and the Class IV rapids of Cossatot Falls. If a leisurely float down the river is more your speed, then you can do that at Cossatot, too. There are few activities more serene and calming than a hike along the 300 miles of trails in Arkansas State Parks. There is no better way to see The Natural State. Petit Jean Mountain State Park offers trails that are rather easy and others that are strenuous. Most everyone can navigate the Cedar Falls Trail, and it is definitely worth the effort because the trail’s end is the stunning 95-foot Cedar Falls Waterfall, which begins behind the breezeway at the park’s historic Mather Lodge. Arkansas is also home to two world-class fine arts museums – Crystal Bridges and Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts. Another reason Arkansas is called The Natural State is the abundance of outstanding lakes and rivers. Arkansas, for instance, is known as one of the premier locations for trout fishing. Record trout are caught at the Little Red River and the White River. The State also has some of the world’s best bass fishing locations. The Buffalo National River is an ideal place for a quiet float. Ready to ride? Arkansas.com is a one-stop resource for all things Arkansas. Travis Napper Bio Travis Napper is the Director of Tourism within the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism. He is responsible for leading the sales and marketing efforts of the state and oversees the state’s welcome centers. Napper serves on the Board of Mississippi River Country USA(MRC) and Travel South USA. Prior to joining the Arkansas Department of Tourism in 2020, he served as the executive of the Ruston, Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau. Napper attended Louisiana Tech University, earning his bachelor’s degree in marketing in 2006 and received his CDME (Certified Destination Management Executive) designation in 2016. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

June 01, 2023 02:54 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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