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Lura's Kitchen, Inc., a multi-generational California benefit corporation founded on the principle of "doing business while doing good," announced today that they are launching "Madear's Old Fashion Gourmet Teacake Mix Sales Campaign," with a mission to help restore the Tower of Historical Civil Rights Church. 

The Congregational Church of Christian Fellowship (CCCF) has a storied past in Civil Rights and is beacon for justice. Just in time for Juneteenth, Lura's Kitchen will donate 20% of the proceeds from the sale of its teacake mixes and cookies through the end of June 2023, joining the effort to save the CCCF Bell Tower that overlooks L.A, a symbol of hope in the Los Angeles community.

The Lura’s Kitchen Inc. California Benefit Corporation has a simple mission: To empower the communities they serve with the “sweetness of doing good,” one cookie at a time. Since its start in April 2021, Lura’s Kitchen has been committed to promoting community growth and empowerment through their delicious gourmet dry cookie mixes. Past contributions include film and general education scholarships, food distribution, oratorical awards and  financial and in-kind donations to support the unhoused across several states.

"We are excited to partner with the community to help save this important symbol of hope," said Lura Daniels Ball, President and Founder of Lura's Kitchen, Inc. "Our company is founded on the principle of doing good, and we believe that by working together, we can make a real difference in the lives of those around us and encourage other to do the same."

In the future, Lura’s Kitchen, Inc. plans to continue expanding its product line and community engagement efforts to promote growth and empowerment in the Los Angeles area and the current areas they serve: Oakland, CA; Houston, TX; Detroit, MI and Washington, DC.

You can purchase Madear's Old Fashion Teacakes online at www.luraskitchen.com, on Amazon, or in-store at 211 N. La Brea, Inglewood, CA. Baked teacakes will be offered in person at the Leimert Park Juneteenth Festival.

For more information the CCCF Bell Tower visit https://www.cccfcommunityventures.org. For more information on Lura's Kitchen, Inc. additional products and their commitment to "doing business while doing good," visit their website at https://www.luraskitchen.com.

Media Contact

Lura Daniels-Ball
lura@luraskitchen.com

Tide Cleaners is saying thank you to the Denver community with a week of savings, Monday, June 12 – Friday, June 16!

Monday, June 12 – $10 off a $30 dry cleaning purchase

Perfect for recent college graduates prepping for their upcoming interviews!

Tuesday, June 13 – 30% off a shirt cleaning

Get dad looking ready to celebrate Father’s Day!

Wednesday, June 14 – 50% off your dry cleaning order

Half-off for hump day!

Thursday, June 15 – 2 free items

The weekend is almost here! Have your closet ready for next Monday!

Friday, June 16 – $10 off comforter cleaning

Weather is warming up! Freshen up your winter bedding before packing it away!

New customers to Tide Cleaners receive 25% off their first and 15% off their second orders for home pickup and delivery of wash-and-fold laundry and dry cleaning services. With a delivery radius as far north as Boulder and south down to Parker, Tide Cleaners is giving people the option to "Enjoy Life, Not Laundry."

Tide Cleaners is committed to providing people with the best customer service, quality Tide products, and convenience with the ability to get clean clothes without ever setting foot in their laundry room or even a dry cleaning store. First time customers can sign up for the discounted home pickup/delivery at tidecleaners.com.

Tide Cleaners locations in Denver Metro:

• Highlands Garden Store: 4500 West 38th Ave, Denver, CO
• The Coloradan Store: 1750 Wewatta St, Denver, CO
• Cherry Creek Store: 201 University Blvd, Denver, CO
• S Tower Store: 3571 S Tower Rd, Aurora, CO
• E Hampden Store: 9200 E Hampden Ave, Denver, CO
• E Arapahoe Store: 8008 E Arapahoe Rd, Centennial, CO

To access a media kit for Tide Cleaners, click here. The flyer for Guest Appreciation Week can be found here.

About Tide Cleaners

For 70 years, Tide® laundry detergent has been caring for the clothes of American families. Tide Cleaners, the #1 brand in dry cleaning, is an innovative extension of the Tide® brand, providing superior service that customers want for their dry cleaning. The franchise system is expanding across the United States. For more information on the Tide Cleaners business or franchising opportunities, visit www.tidecleaners.com.

Media Contact

Sara Schiffer
sara@proof-pr.com

Gales®, the first smart PPE shoe designed directly with healthcare workers, announced a new shoe collection co-developed with Nurse Blake, the renowned social media sensation and viral comedian, aiming to make a positive impact on the lives of children with critical illnesses. As part of this collaboration, a portion of the proceeds from the collaboration will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, ensuring that every purchase helps fulfill the dreams of children in need.

Gales® shoes are specifically designed for standing professionals. They are lightweight, slip-resistant, and antimicrobial. Originally created to support nurses during the pandemic, Gales® has become the preferred footwear choice for over 30,000 professionals, practices, and facilities.

“We built Gales® with care and kindness to give back to our community, so when we got to know Nurse Blake as the kind, generous person he is, the stars felt aligned,” said Rob Gregg, Founder and CEO of Gales®. “Our collaboration, designed for all-day comfort with a Nurse Blake twist, marks a new step in comfort innovation for nurses, with the incredible outcome of helping make a difference in children’s lives.”

“I’m thrilled to announce my first-ever shoe collection co-developed with Gales®. I worked side-by-side with their team to create the collection and we’re thrilled to not only treat your feet to cloudlike comfort but also make a difference,” said Nurse Blake. 

The Nurse Blake x Gales ProLine collection will be available for purchase starting June 7th. For more information, please visit www.weargales.com.

About Gales®

Gales Founder and CEO, Rob Gregg, used his ten-plus years in footwear design and enlisted feedback from hundreds of medical workers to create a lightweight, comfortable, and protective shoe at an affordable price point. For more information, visit https://www.weargales.com

About Nurse Blake

Nurse Blake is a nurse, creator, advocate, and touring comedian. A 2014 BSN graduate from UCF, Nurse Blake began creating Facebook videos as a way to de-stress and share his nursing experience in a comedic way. Nurse Blake’s videos went viral after connecting nurses and nursing students from around the world, and he now takes his comedy to international stages while running NurseCon at Sea. Learn more at https://www.nurseblake.com.

Media Contact

Raquel Perez
raquel.perez@weargales.com

Tide Cleaners franchisee, Consolidated Cleaners Inc. (CCI), headquartered in Naples, Florida, is pleased to announce that its first Tide Cleaners-located in North Naples, is celebrating its 10-year anniversary. Since the opening of the North Naples location, CCI has grown to 18 stores, 63 locker locations and delivery routes throughout South Florida. With locations on the east and west coasts of Florida in Sarasota, Lee, Collier, Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade Counties, Tide Cleaners has brought a new standard for dry cleaning and laundry service to the communities it serves.

“The Tide Cleaners’ vision is to enable consumers to ‘Enjoy Life. Not Laundry.’  For the past 10 years Consolidated Cleaners has been making the household chores of dry cleaning, personal and household laundry service easier for the people in the communities we serve” said Robert Lyons, President, and CEO of Consolidated Cleaners, Inc.

Said Tide Cleaners CEO, Andrew Gibson, “The Tide Cleaners brand is proud to serve the Naples community with our partners CCI for the past 10 years. The CCI team is first class in everything they do - earning Franchisee of the Year six times. What's most important are the tens of thousands of guests they've served and hundreds of thousands of garments cared for and cleaned. We look forward to many more years together!” 

Consolidated Cleaners, Inc. has also been recognized six times by Tide Cleaners as the Tide Franchisee of the Year, and eight times as Rising Tide Award Winner for always ensuring a reliable and consistent dry cleaning experience. One noteworthy factor that contributed significantly to their success is promoting staff from within, with several current managers who started their careers as hourly employees, and building a team that has bought into the culture of caring and hospitality they’ve fostered over their ten years of operation.  

In addition to providing a reliable service and stable workforce for the community, CCI Tide Cleaners has given back to South Florida during their times of need. After major disasters, including Hurricane Ian in 2022 and Irma in 2017, Tide Cleaners provided free laundry services to first responders through their Loads of Hope community program. 

Looking to the future and further innovation, CCI opened Tide Cleaners in West Palm Beach- the first store for 24-hour, fully automated, self-service access for pick-up and drop-off. Recently, CCI committed to additional store locations in Cooper City and Boynton Beach on the east coast of Florida–scheduled to open later in 2023 and early 2024. Additional locations are being reviewed for potential opening in 2024, 2025 and beyond.

To say thank you for all the support over the last 10 years, starting this June, customers can stop by any of the participating Tide Cleaners stores and enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win $100 worth of dry cleaning services. One lucky customer will win each week for 10 weeks. 

Tide Cleaners, the #1 brand in dry cleaning, offers a full range of household and personal care cleaning services to the community, including dry cleaning; wash and fold laundry service; household goods and bedding; outerwear; wedding dresses; specialty clothing; alterations and more. As convenience is critical to its customers, CCI takes great care to ensure that it provides the best locations and accessibility for every customer. A press kit for Tide Cleaners can be found here.

Tide Cleaners locations in Florida offering discounts and giveaways for the 10th anniversary:

Collier County

• Central Naples Store: 820 Old Trail Drive, Naples, FL
• Naples Store: 8050 trail Boulevard, Naples, FL
• Logan Landings Store: 7430 Immokalee Rd, #101, Naples, FL
• Downtown Naples Store: 36 9th St South, Ste 1, Naples, FL
• Davis Blvd Store: 4890 Davis Blvd, Naples FL

Lee County

• Daniels Marketplace Store: 6901 Daniels Parkway, Fort Myers, FL
• Bonita Springs Store: 27250 Bay Landing Drive, bonita Springs, FL
• Fort Myers Store: 7001 Cypress Terrace, Fort Myers, FL
• Estero Store: 19533 Highland Oaks Drive, Estero, FL

Sarasota County

• South Sarasota Store: 4325 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL
• Downtown Sarasota Store: 1760 Main Street, Sarasota, FL
• North Sarasota: 8452 Tuttle Ave Sarasota, FL

Palm Beach County

• Uptown Boca Store: 9560 Glades Road, Suite 100, Boca Raton, FL
• Delray Beach Store: 660 Linton Boulevard, Delray Beach, FL
• Boca Raton Store: 6950 North Military Trail, Boca Raton, FL
• Wellington Store: 390 South State Road 7, Royal Palm Beach, FL
• West Palm Beach Store: 8990 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL (new)

Broward County

• Parkland Store: North State Road 7, Parkland, FL

About Tide Cleaners

For 70 years, Tide® laundry detergent has been caring for the clothes of American families. Tide Cleaners, the #1 brand in dry cleaning, is an innovative extension of the Tide® brand, providing superior service that customers want for their dry cleaning. The franchise system is expanding across the United States. For more information on the Tide Cleaners business or franchising opportunities, visit www.tidecleaners.com.

Media Contact

Sara Schiffer
sara@proof-pr.com

In a bold and visionary move, Presidential Candidate Steve Laffey and renowned economist Larry Kotlikoff have jointly called for a transformative shift in the United States banking system, urging the adoption of limited purpose banking. This groundbreaking proposal aims to overhaul the financial landscape, enhance stability, and protect the interests of American citizens.

Limited purpose banking is an innovative framework that seeks to address the inherent risks and vulnerabilities present in the current banking system. By fundamentally restructuring the way banks operate, this proposed system aims to safeguard against financial crises and put the interests of the public at the forefront.

Laffey, a graduate of Harvard Business School and the former President of Morgan Keegan, says, “The leverage in our banking system, combined with disastrous regulation over the past many years has led to our banks failing every 15 years or so.”

Kotlikoff, Laffey’s Senior Economic Advisor, added, “Let’s make the banks fail proof by eliminating their two evil twins—leverage and opacity! Traditional banking is built to fail. It's failed every fifteen years since our nation's founding. Right on time—fifteen years after the great financial crisis—it's failing again. When the banking system fails, the economy tanks and taxpayers are forced to cover bankers' losses.”

Together, Laffey and Kotlikoff propose a new paradigm in which banks operate exclusively as custodians of funds, ensuring their primary function is to protect the deposits of individuals and businesses. In this model, banks would be prohibited from engaging in speculative activities or risky investments, significantly mitigating the potential for systemic risk and reducing the likelihood of financial crises.

Kotlikoff added, “It's time to stop heads Wall Street wins, tails taxpayers lose. It's time to stop bankers from gambling with other people's money.  We need to make the banks less powerful. We need the financial system to stop blowing up the economy every 15 years. We need limited purpose banking.”

The benefits of limited purpose banking are multifold. Not only would it enhance financial stability, but it would also foster greater transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the banking sector. By insulating the broader economy from the excessive risks often associated with traditional banking practices, limited purpose banking would provide a strong foundation for sustainable economic growth and prosperity.

As a Presidential candidate, Laffey has pledged to prioritize the implementation of limited purpose banking as a critical aspect of his economic policy agenda. “I have been a proponent of Limited Purpose Banking since I read Larry Kotlikoff's book, Jimmy Stewart is Dead, in 2011," said Laffey.

Kotlikoff emphasizes the transformative potential of limited purpose banking, asserting that it represents a monumental step toward ensuring financial stability for future generations. “If elected, Steve Laffey will implement limited purpose banking, ending bank failures forever. Limited purpose banking is not radical. It's sensible,” Kotlikoff added, “That's why it's been mentioned so often by the Financial Times, other top media, and leading central bankers.”

Laffey and Kotlikoff are available for interviews.

Media Contact

Mike Fahey
mike@faheycomm.com

On June 22nd from 6 to 8:30 PM EST, The Tech Incubator at Queens College (TIQC) will host a Demo Day for the twelve start-ups which received the founder’s fellowship this year.

This program is the culmination of a six-month project in collaboration with the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) Founder Fellowship program.  As a result of this fellowship, all start-up founders from underrepresented communities have gained access to the NYC tech startup ecosystem, through the joint network of the NYCEDC. “I see this extended access to the tech ecosystem as a great advantage for being a Founder Fellow in the program,“ says Ying Zhou, executive director of TIQC.

On June 22nd, demos of the groundbreaking work being done by the founder fellows at  TIQC will be showcased. The event will take place at the Benjamin S. Rosenthal Library, Room 230, Queens College, 65-30 Kissena Boulevard, Queens, NY 11367. Register here to attend: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/founder-fellowship-at-tiqc-demo-day-tickets-646464180767

One of the startups Kquika is using machine learning predictive technology to help airlines resolve flight delays and maintain equipment, thereby saving them significant amounts of money. Victor Oribamise, founder of Kquika, will present on his progress and how he has been invited by the Paris Air Show to represent the U.S.A.

”The common thread of the other startups in the TIQC program is that they are first and foremost social entrepreneurs. They are using technology-based solutions to solve challenges their communities are facing. The founder fellows have diverse background and are from different industries, including FinTech, HealthTech, LegalTech, UrbanTech, Entertainment Technology, AI, Data Analytics, and Ecommerce.”

More info on each of these start-ups is below. 

5050 Style, created by Charlie Lin, delivers elegantly designed, uplifting organizational products and services that seamlessly integrate into daily life, helping individuals cultivate healthy habits and unlock their full potential in both personal and professional spheres.

Animation Nights New York (ANNY), founded by Yvonne Grzenkowicz, is a platform that elevates and connects animators, gamers, artists, and technologists globally through monthly screening events and annual festivals. ANNY has curated the best Animated Short Films, virtual reality animation experiences, and interactive games from all around the world. Projects have been submitted from over 20,000 international teams. ANNY Exchange is a hub and platform connecting animation talent to opportunity.

TheraMotive, (previously named BodyLogicPT), founded by Dr. Omolola Omishore, is a breakthrough industry disruptor that is driving innovation in healthcare and impacting healthcare accessibility and inequity with a "Wellness on Demand" approach. The start-up is creating the nation's first fully equipped, tech-empowered mobile Physical Therapy clinic to serve more people in more communities in half the time.

Innocuous AI, founded by Regina Jaslow and Noam Rosenberg, helps enterprises harness the power of generative AI to boost productivity and enhance customer experiences. The startup is creating an easy-to-use B2B SaaS platform that enables businesses that may not have an AI developer team to take advantage of the power of GPT with their own proprietary data or any ever-changing external data to streamline workflows and enhance the value they provide to their customers.

Layman, founded by Esosa Ohonba. reclaims the legal system for the people using the power of the people. Layman is a web application that uses AI to help regular people crowdsource legally binding documents and contracts without needing lawyers for free in only a few minutes.

Light Pong & Friends, Inc., founded by Aaqib Usman, specializes in creating super cool connected toys for "kidults," catering to those who still feel like a kid at heart. The company's flagship product, Light Pong, is the world's first 1-dimensional game console, offering engaging games that can be enjoyed solo or with a friend and is suitable for ages 6 to 106.

REEAPA, founded by Maulana Randall, celebrates the diverse talent of Harlem, New York by creating local events and popup shops to allow musicians, dancers, street artists and more to showcase their talent. “Everybody’s life matters.”  She has a passion for helping the youth in her community and created Spitdatpain which builds strong communities through youth led communication and policing programs.

SaveAway®, founded by Om Kundu, Pioneering the “Save Now, Buy Later” category, SaveAway®’s patented platform offerings empower underserved buyers and sellers alike to realize opportunity where they least expected it: to render the unaffordable affordable, sustainably—by making more informed buying decisions and seeing those purchases fulfilled by seamlessly combining social advice + gifting from friends, with intelligent direct-deposited auto-saving, and sales offers — without the slippery slope of credit resulting in debt for far too many.

Solid Gold Global (Sagos Distro), founded by Kofi Mensah, is a new (global) music and video distribution platform with a network in over 60 countries. It is a full-service platform that provides end to end solutions to monetize on Web2 and Web3 and integrates NFTs as forms of payment and secures both royalties and protects the copyright & publishing for its artists.

TrustFundRegistry™, founded by Aixa Elgazwe. is an artificial intelligence wealth tech platform that aims to deliver automated financial tools and education through a gift registry business model. It empowers families in the BIPOC community to build and transfer intergenerational wealth.

Walkspan, founded by Bernardita Calinao, is a data-driven and location intelligence technology platform dedicated to advancing urban livability and walkability at a global scale with a preferential mapping technology allows users to find sidewalks that meet their walking criteria.  Rather than relying on the shortest route available, Walkspan empowers people by providing options like tree lined paths, shopping corridors, building edges marked with beautiful architecture, neighborhood vibrance and more.

“All the founder fellows are making progress towards realizing their vision. The program has helped them align their purpose with strategy and execution, move forward with clarity in their vision, and the essential connections and support from the mentors, advisors, the tech ecosystem and the community at large,” continues Zhou. “As the program draws to an end soon, all the founder fellows will continue to benefit from the founder fellows’ alumni network, including access to the collective recourses and receive additional perks such as one-year free WeWork access.”

For more information about the Founder Fellowship at Tech Incubator at Queens College, visit https://techincubatorqc.com/founder-fellowship/ or contact Ying Zhou at ying.zhou@qc.cuny.edu.

Media Contact

Susan Assadi
susan@gapr.biz

Darling Marcelle, a California-based jewelry brand that makes fun, lightweight jewelry, today announced the release of their new Modern Acrylic Zigzag Earrings. These stylish earrings are made with high quality mirrored acrylic and nickel-free titanium ear posts for comfortable all-day wear, even for people with sensitive ears.

The Modern Zigzag Earrings are available in four trendy colors: hot pink, blue, silver, and gold, making them a versatile accessory for any outfit. Their eye-catching design and lightweight construction make them perfect for lounging by the pool or adding a little zing to an everyday outfit.

The release of these statement earrings  showcases Darling Marcelle's dedication to providing stylish and comfortable jewelry options for their customers. With their playful designs and commitment to quality, Darling Marcelle has become a go-to brand for people who want to stand out.

"Darling Marcelle is known for creating colorful, bold and always lightweight jewelry," said Kaelen Van Cura, Creative Director of Darling Marcelle. “Our new Modern Zigzag Earrings are no exception. We wanted to create a fun and trendy accessory that was also comfortable and easy to wear.”

The Modern Zigzag Earrings are now available for purchase on the Darling Marcelle website. Customers can also browse the brand’s other colorful earrings, necklaces, and pins.

For more information on Darling Marcelle and their new Modern Acrylic Zigzag Earrings, please visit https://darlingmarcelle.com.

Media Contact

Kaelen Van Cura
hello@darlingmarcelle.com

Fire Island Pines and Cherry Grove, two of the seventeen vibrant communities on Fire Island, are gearing up to host a weekend-long celebration dedicated to honoring and uplifting the contributions of Black people. Organized by the Black and Brown Equity Coalition (BaBEC), in partnership with Amazon.com, The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative (SIGBI), and Jack’d, this event aims to educate, inspire, and entertain attendees through highly curated activities.

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is a holiday that marks the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. It is celebrated annually on June 19th to recognize the day in 1865 when Union General Gordon Granger announced the abolition of slavery in Galveston, Texas, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. Juneteenth honors Black people’s resilience, achievements, and cultural contributions throughout history and serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for racial justice and equality.

Taking place on the picturesque shores of Fire Island, the Juneteenth Fire Island celebration will be a testament to the unity and commitment of these communities to racial equity. This special event, scheduled for June 16-19, 2023, promises a diverse range of activities that encapsulate the essence of liberation and solidarity.

Throughout the weekend, attendees will be able to witness a captivating fashion show featuring the genderless fashion line BoiPKG. They will also be able to experience electrifying DJ sets and attend the renowned Mx. Juneteenth Fire Island Drag Pageant. In addition, the weekend will feature an unforgettable evening with The Dragon Sisters, a dynamic performance group known for their stunning artistry and empowering messages. A weekend highlight will be a beach solidarity march, paying tribute to the lives of people of color lost to anti-Black and trans violence and police brutality.

The Juneteenth Fire Island celebration serves as a platform for the Fire Island communities to reaffirm their dedication to racial equity and highlights the support of generous sponsors. Amazon.com, Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative (SIGBI), and the dating app Jack’d, have stepped forward to help make this event possible, demonstrating their commitment to fostering inclusivity and celebrating diversity. Additionally, community partners BOFFO and the Sayville Ferry have played an integral role in bringing this celebration to life, contributing their resources and support.

“One of the reasons that I love BaBEC so much is because we really put in the work to build a bridge for BIPOC and TGNCI people from off-island to on-island," said Tomik Dash, President of BaBEC. "We do this by creating events, such as Juneteenth Fire Island, that are intentionally created with those demographics in mind first. Our events and initiatives allow Black and trans people to see reflections of themselves, hear music from our communities, and celebrate authentically in a space where we don’t feel othered. BaBEC is the future of Fire Island.”

About

BaBEC develops and implements initiatives and activities to promote Black and transgender equity as well as a sense of belonging among LGBTQ+ Black people and all people of color in Cherry Grove, Fire Island Pines, and surrounding areas. We do this by building coalition with value-aligned people, businesses, and organizations on and off-island. Learn more at https://babecfireisland.org. 

Media Contact

Tomik Dash
hello@babecfireisland.org

EZ Newswire, a platform that makes it easy and affordable for businesses of all sizes to create and publish their news, today unveiled its latest feature that allows users to effortlessly include images to level up their news announcements at no additional cost.

"Our mission is to empower businesses of all sizes to easily create engaging content that resonates with their target audience," said Caitlin Kelly and Neel Shah, founders of EZ Newswire. "With this new feature, businesses can increase the visibility of their news to generate exposure and drive sales. While other services usually charge extra for adding images, we always operate with a customer-first mindset and firmly believe that this should be included for free.”

Last week, EZ Newswire announced its first new feature addition, “Publish Your Own,” enabling customers to supply their own written releases and still leverage the platform’s publisher network, providing users more options to create and publish content in addition to using EZ Newswire’s powerful AI-enabled content writer.

For more information about EZ Newswire, please visit www.eznewswire.com.

About EZ Newswire

EZ Newswire is a platform that makes it easy and affordable for businesses of all sizes to create and publish their news. Our technology produces professional announcements in minutes with no writing or public relations experience required, while our publisher network guarantees placement to ensure the news reaches the right audience. From Main Street to Wall Street, find out why thousands of organizations trust us to power their headlines at www.eznewswire.com.

Media Contact

Caitlin Kelly
ck@eznewswire.com

Transitiv and ServiceMinder are pleased to announce their strategic partnership, aimed at transforming the home services industry. This collaboration brings together Transitiv's expertise in data warehousing and business intelligence  solutions for franchise networks and ServiceMinder's comprehensive platform for managing and operating home services franchises.

Transitiv specializes in stitching together fragmented data, then providing franchisors and their networks with actionable insights for business growth. ServiceMinder offers a robust field service management platform, empowering home service businesses to streamline operations and deliver exceptional customer experiences.

By joining forces, Transitiv and ServiceMinder will introduce an end-to-end service management solution that leverages business intelligence capabilities and powerful field service management tools. This partnership will revolutionize service operations, enabling businesses to optimize workflows, enhance customer experiences, and drive growth.

"We are excited to partner with ServiceMinder and reshape the future of the service industry," said Christian Pillat, CEO of Transitiv. "Together, we will empower franchisors and their networks to make data-driven decisions, unlocking their true potential for sustained success."

"We are thrilled to collaborate with Transitiv and leverage their advanced technology," said John Keene, CEO of ServiceMinder. "This partnership will provide home service businesses with a comprehensive solution that optimizes operations and drives growth, setting new standards for service excellence."

To learn more about this partnership and stay updated on product developments, please visit www.transitiv.io and www.serviceminder.io.

Media Contact

Drew Lord
dl@vividand.co

Averill House Vineyard, a family-owned winery with a grape-to-glass philosophy located in the Hillsborough Watershed of Brookline, New Hampshire, announced today the launch of their newest wine, MMM! Mango, Maple, Moscato in Select New Hampshire Liquor & Wine Outlets. Handcrafted with organic practices and renewable strategies to ensure sustainability, Averill House Vineyard offers a unique and traditional wine experience.

The launch of MMM! Mango, Maple, Moscato signifies Averill House Vineyard's commitment to crafting innovative wines that highlight the flavors of the region. This new wine is the perfect blend of sweet and tangy, with notes of tropical mango and the subtle sweetness of maple, balanced by the crisp, refreshing flavor of Moscato. They chose local maple syrup cooked over a hard wood fire from Goosebrook Meadows Sugar House located in Harrisville, NH.

"We are excited to introduce our newest wine, MMM! Mango, Maple, Moscato," said Bob Waite, the Vigneron of Averill House Vineyard. "As a family-owned winery, we take pride in crafting unique and traditional wines that showcase the flavors of our vineyard and local community. We are excited to share this new wine with our customers and hope they enjoy it as much as we do."

Don't forget Father's Day is less than 2 weeks away, make sure to snag your tickets to this years Father's Day Sip, Brew, & BBQ! featuring Averill House Vineyard  wines, guest brewery: Frogg Brewing  and finger licking good spit-roasted pork from The Pig Kahuna  Buy your tickets now: Averillhousevineyard.com/events

Averill House Vineyard's commitment to sustainability and organic practices extends to their philanthropy efforts. The winery supports The Elephant Sanctuary, an organization dedicated to providing a safe haven for retired circus elephants.

Looking to the future, Averill House Vineyard plans to continue crafting high-quality wines that showcase the flavors of the region while maintaining their commitment to sustainability and philanthropy.

For more information or for shipping options for Averill House Vineyard and their wines, visit https://averillhousevineyard.com.

Media Contact

Robert Waite
bob@averillhousevineyard.com

In response to the annual threats posed by the Atlantic hurricane season, the State of Florida has announced two separate Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holidays for 2023. This year, for the first time, Floridians will be granted two 14-day periods of sales tax exemptions on selected items that are essential for hurricane preparedness. These periods run from May 27 through June 9, and from August 26 through September 8, respectively.

Bethany Wester, Communications Director with the Florida Department of Revenue, highlighted the significance of this change: "The second tax-free holiday, introduced for the first time this year, comes right before the peak of the hurricane season, providing citizens an additional opportunity to be prepared."

This amendment, courtesy of House Bill 7063, and awaiting signature from Gov. Ron DeSantis, is intended to encourage and facilitate residents to prepare for hurricane season, which extends from June 1 to November 30, with the most active phase typically occurring from August through October.

The sales tax exemption applies to a range of specific items, including but not limited to:

• Portable generators used to provide light or communications or preserve food in the event of a power outage, with a sales price of $3,000 or less.
• Self-powered lights of $40 or less.
• Portable self-powered radios, including two-way and weather-band radios of $50 or less.
• A package of specific battery types with a sales price of $50 or less, excluding automobile and boat batteries.
• Smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and carbon monoxide detectors with a sales price of $70 or less.
• The tax holidays are aligned with numerous summertime sales events, including those at stores such as Satellite Phone Store, thereby offering citizens the potential for considerable cost savings as they prepare for the hurricane season.

Florida residents are urged to take full advantage of these tax-free periods to ensure they are adequately prepared for any potential hurricane threat. 

Satellite Phone Store, experts in alternative communication and disaster preparedness carries a wide-range of power banks, EcoFlow generators and other products that are exempt from taxes during both Florida Tax Holidays. Currently they have a special on Power Bank & Solar Panel bundles to capitalize on this exemption. You can visit their store at www.satellitephonestore.com for more information.

Media Contact

Satellite Phone Store
james@satellitephonestore.com

Dtocs LLC, a sustainable women-owned small business, announced today the launch of their compostable and microwave safe, non-toxic, single-use disposable dinnerware made from naturally fallen palm leaves. The company is encouraging households and businesses to say goodbye to toxic and unsafe paper and plastic single-use disposables and hello to #Dtocs tableware made from fallen palm leaves. Customers can try a sample kit on the company's website.

Plastic and paper single-use disposable dinnerware have caused significant harm to the environment and public health. With the launch of Dtocs' sustainable tableware made from fallen palm leaves, customers now have an eco-friendly and safe option for their homes and events.

Dtocs is committed to providing high-quality, non-toxic, and compostable tableware that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Their products are perfect for households, food businesses, events, and hospitality services. The company's focus on sustainability and eco-friendliness sets them apart from other tableware manufacturers.

According to Pallavi Pande, Owner and Founder of Dtocs LLC, "We are thrilled to launch our sustainable and safe tableware made from fallen palm leaves. Our mission is to provide a high-quality and eco-friendly alternative to plastic and paper single-use disposables. We believe that our products will make a significant difference in the fight against environmental degradation and public health hazards."

In the future, Dtocs LLC aims to expand its product line to include other sustainable and eco-friendly options for customers. The company is committed to making a positive impact on the environment and public health.

For more information about Dtocs LLC and their sustainable tableware, visit https://www.dtocs.com.

Media Contact

Pallavi Pande
sales@dtocs.com

The Travel Defender announced today that it is an investigations agency specializing in researching and resolving consumer disputes with airlines, hotels, and other travel service providers. The company is dedicated to helping the traveling public receive the satisfaction they deserve.

As travel becomes increasingly accessible and popular, consumer disputes with travel providers also become more common. The Travel Defender recognizes the importance of addressing these disputes in a timely and effective manner, ensuring that travelers can get back to their journeys and feel confident in their travel experiences.

The impact of The Travel Defender's services is significant, providing travelers with a reliable resource for addressing disputes and achieving satisfactory resolutions. With The Travel Defender, travelers can trust that their concerns are being addressed and their voices heard.

According to Chad Neiswonger, Chief Investigator at The Travel Defender, "We understand that travel can be stressful, and we're here to alleviate that stress by providing effective solutions for consumer disputes. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that travelers receive the satisfaction they deserve."

Looking to the future, The Travel Defender aims to expand its services to reach even more travelers and provide an even greater level of support. By continuing to prioritize customer satisfaction and effective dispute resolution, the company is poised for success.

For more information, please visit The Travel Defender at https://www.yourtraveldefender.com.

Media Contact

Chad Neiswonger
chad@yourtraveldefender.com

Averill House Vineyard, known for crafting unique and traditional wines with a grape-to-glass philosophy, proudly announces the release of their Little Secret, a limited-edition 2020 vintage Italian Nebbiolo Red wine. Formerly exclusive to European royalty, this wine pairs perfectly with BBQ, Asian, Indian, and American cuisine, making it a must-have for chefs and wine enthusiasts alike. From the Winemakers Private Stash, Averill House Vineyard unveils the highly anticipated Little Secret—a well-aged Italian Nebbiolo celebrated for its full body, floral aromas, and mouth-drying tannins. Once reserved for nobility, this cherished wine is now accessible to all.

The launch of Little Secret marks a significant milestone for Averill House Vineyard, highlighting their dedication to producing distinctive, high-quality wines. Guided by a grape-to-glass philosophy, the winery employs organic practices and renewable strategies, ensuring sustainable production methods. Averill House Vineyard takes great pride in making accessible a wine that was once exclusively enjoyed by European nobles.

"We are thrilled to share our Little Secret, a limited-edition Italian Nebbiolo Red wine, with wine enthusiasts everywhere," said Bob Waite, Vigneron of Averill House Vineyard. "We invite everyone to relish the full body and floral aromas of this treasured wine that was once exclusive to European nobility."

Looking ahead, Averill House Vineyard is committed to continuing their pursuit of crafting unique and traditional wines while upholding sustainable practices. The winery eagerly anticipates the release of more limited-edition wines and plans to expand their philanthropic endeavors, supporting causes close to their hearts.

For inquiries or to experience the remarkable flavors of Averill House Vineyard's Little Secret, please visit www.averillhousevineyard.com or contact their friendly team at info@averillhousevineyard.com.

Media Contact

Robert Waite
bob@averillhousevineyard.com

Mooresville resident Karen L. Dortschy has published her first children’s book “The Little Lion Ran Away”. It is available on Amazon as a printed paperback and Kindle book.

“I am excited to have written a book that helps children ages 2-8 enjoy learning new words, rhyming and the alphabet as they follow the adorable little lion's efforts to prove he is a big lion. The book features full-color illustrations, including parent/teacher notes and questions/answers for additional learning opportunities related to the alphabet and rhyming,” says Dortschy.

A stage 4 pancreatic cancer survivor, Dortschy is well known for her painted portraits of animals and pets through her business Haute Dauge Portraits and has been involved with the Mooresville South Iredell Chamber of Commerce, Mooresville Arts and local animal-related non-profits for many years.  

“I decided to write a children’s book as I’ve been focused on creative writing and journaling since my cancer diagnosis,” says Dortschy. “This book’s key message about ‘having your own voice’ really resonated with me as I navigate through cancer treatments.”

Dortschy is available for local book signings, book readings, interviews and appearances throughout the Charlotte, NC metro area.

The printed and Kindle books are available on Amazon or through this link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1666402028?psc=1&smid=A1Y53T3O3Q25L8&ref_=chk_typ_imgToDp

For more information, please contact Karen L. Dortschy at 980-253-2853 or KarenLDortschy@gmail.com.

Media Contact

Karen Dortschy
karenldortschy@gmail.com

Pure Joy Coffee, a prominent local business dedicated to enhancing well-being and mindfulness through the love of coffee, is thrilled to announce advancements in its mission to empower entrepreneurs across New York City. With an unwavering commitment to creating value and nurturing a sense of community purpose, Pure Joy Coffee has recently undertaken a business management course and actively participated in volunteer initiatives to uplift New York City residents.

Last week, Pure Joy Coffee Co-Founders Delia Visbal and Chris Diamantakis were invited as guest speakers at BMCC's Small Business Management class, where the company's representatives shared invaluable insights and experiences with aspiring entrepreneurs. The aim was to inspire, educate, and underscore the significance of community-oriented entrepreneurship. With a compelling origin story, the Pure Joy Coffee founders demonstrated their commitment to excellence in every aspect of its business. The session also covered industry trends and the company's visionary perspective on the future of specialty coffee.

In addition to the course, Pure Joy Coffee recently took an active role in the 2023 RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon, the largest half marathon in the country. As volunteers, the Pure Joy Coffee team played a vital role in supporting and encouraging 26,000 athletes on their journey to cross the finish line in Coney Island. By lending their time and expertise to such community events, Pure Joy Coffee continues to make a meaningful impact and connect with its community.

"We firmly believe in the power of community engagement and the value of giving back," said Chris Diamantakis, co-founder at Pure Joy Coffee. "By collaborating with educational institutions, volunteering at prominent events, and actively adding value to the social fabric of this incredible city, we are proud to be a part of the NYC local business community."

As they continue to forge meaningful connections and inspire others, Pure Joy Coffee remains dedicated to promoting a positive and empowered entrepreneurial ecosystem in NYC.

About Pure Joy Coffee

Pure Joy Coffee is a local business in New York City dedicated to promoting wellbeing and mindfulness. With a focus on community engagement, they aim to inspire, educate, and bring joy through their commitment to excellence in the specialty coffee industry.

Media Contact

Chris Diamantakis
hi@purejoycoffee.store

It’s an exciting time when you get to see an opera becoming a part of the standard repertoire. In a brand new production and the professional South Carolina premiere, Holy City Arts & Lyric Opera—HALO—presents As One in a dramatic conclusion to their 2022/23 season. The immersive experience utilizes elements including lobby exhibitions, video projections, and surround sound for spoken word to welcome an audience of opera aficionados and newcomers alike. 

“A piece of HALO’s vision has always been ‘to reclaim Charleston as the birthplace of opera in North America,’” says Leah Edwards, HALO’s Founding General Director. “In order to do that, we must honor its past while leading the charge towards its future. Having the ability to set an 1853 opera in 1986 (La traviata, 2021) one season and a 2014 opera in the 1990’s (As One, 2023) the next exemplifies that the art form is relevant, the subject matter is personal, and the stories are timeless.”

Starring Heather Jones and Lucas Bouk, As One is a universal tale of transformation; a coming of age story that chronicles the life of Hannah as she experiences joy, struggle, isolation, and finally freedom. Stage direction by David Lefkowich transcends a minimalist set, costume design by Erik Teague unquestionably focuses the time period, and the film design of co-creator Kimberly Reed evoke deep nostalgia. Alexandra Enyart leads an on-stage string quartet, further unifying the intimacy of the performance. 

HALO will host composer Laura Kaminsky and Pulitzer Prize and Grammy Award-winning librettist Mark Campbell in a Conversation with the Creators on June 20 to discuss the importance of writing compelling stories for the modern audience. “I’m thrilled that HALO is presenting this groundbreaking opera in Charleston—the city where opera first emerged in America, and one that has always maintained a rich and diverse cultural life," Campbell said. Kaminsky and Campbell will attend the premiere on June 22. 

Commissioned by the American Opera Project, As One opened on September 4, 2014, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music's Fisher Space. Since its premiere, it has become the most produced new opera in North America, according to Opera America magazine. For more information about the show and the creators, please visit www.asoneopera.com.

As One is a one act opera and runs approximately 90 minutes. It will be performed in English with English subtitles. Performances are June 22-25 at the Queen Street Playhouse (20 Queen Street, Charleston). Doors open at 6pm, and the show begins at 7pm. Tickets are $65-$85. Drinks and merchandise will be available for purchase before and after the show. Talkbacks with the cast will follow every performance. 

For additional information and to purchase tickets, visit www.holycityarts.org. To stay up to date with HALO happenings and to find out how you can be involved, sign up to receive the newsletter. For additional information about HALO, including information about the newly announced 2023/24 season, visit HALO’s website.

About HALO

Founded in 2019, HALO is a 501(c)(3) non-profit arts organization and is the trademark holder for 'Opera. For y’all.’ and ‘Social Distance-SING!’ HALO can be found @HolyCityArts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For interviews or additional press coverage, please contact HALO at (843) 388-3243 or info@holycityarts.org.

Media Contact

Drew Lord
dl@vividand.co

EZ Newswire, a platform that makes it easy and affordable for businesses of all sizes to create and publish their news, today unveiled its latest feature, "Publish Your Own." In addition to using EZ Newswire’s powerful AI-enabled content writer, customers will now be able to supply their own written releases and still leverage EZ Newswire’s publisher network, providing more options to create and publish content.

EZ Newswire's technology, built upon decades of PR expertise, allows users with no prior PR or writing experience to generate professional content with minimal input and at no cost. With this new feature, users can now also directly publish their own pre-written releases through the platform.

"Our mission at EZ Newswire is to empower businesses from Main Street to Wall Street to easily connect with their target audience," said Caitlin Kelly and Neel Shah, founders of EZ Newswire. "With the addition of the 'Publish Your Own' feature, users can effortlessly bring their own pre-written releases into our platform and benefit from our distribution network to the AP and other publications across the U.S."

"Publish Your Own" is the first new feature announced by EZ Newswire since its launch last week and is one of many additions and improvements planned to be rolled out over the coming months, consistent with EZ Newswire's commitment to providing efficient and cost-effective news solutions for growing businesses.

For more information about EZ Newswire, please visit www.eznewswire.com.

About EZ Newswire

EZ Newswire is a platform that makes it easy and affordable for businesses of all sizes to create and publish their news. Our technology produces professional announcements in minutes with no writing or public relations experience required, while our publisher network guarantees placement to ensure the news reaches the right audience. Find out why thousands of organizations, big and small, trust us to power their headlines at www.eznewswire.com.

Media Contact

Caitlin Kelly
ck@eznewswire.com

CLI debuts tagline, “Awaken Dormant Revenue,” as well as new logo, website, newsletter, and blog with educational content.

Triumvirate Content Consultants, a leading provider of content licensing and distribution services, announced today that it is rebranding as Creative Licensing International (CLI) and has launched the new website, creativelicensinginternational.com. CLI is debuting its new logo with the tagline, “awaken dormant revenue.” 

The new branding reflects the company's breadth and depth of experience in content licensing, its expansion into new client categories, and its ongoing commitment to providing customized and innovative solutions that help publishers, media companies, associations and societies, event companies, and other content creators protect their copyrights, reach new audiences, increase revenue and profit, and expand their reach globally.

The partners at Creative Licensing International continue to be  at the forefront of the content licensing industry, as they have been for decades. Paul Gerbino, company founder and president, was a senior-level executive directing multi-platform operations and sales for print and digital media, business databases, and other online products before founding Triumvirate in 2015.

"We are thrilled to announce the name change to Creative Licensing International and the launch of our new website," Gerbino said. "The changes reflect our commitment to working with our clients globally to unlock and monetize the hidden value of their content. This is a natural evolution of our company as we continue to grow and expand our services to meet the ever-changing needs of the industry."

The company's services include content distribution, copyright and licensing oversight, contract management and negotiations, royalty tracking and analysis, identifying new revenue opportunities and appropriate licensees, business development, and revenue optimization. 

The new website offers a streamlined, inviting, and user-friendly experience for clients, making it easier to access information about the company's solutions and content on industry trends that will be covered in a new blog. 

"We are committed to providing our clients with the best possible solutions for licensing and monetizing their content, regardless of economic conditions," Gerbino went on to say. "Our new name, logo, tagline, and website have been designed to visually and verbally capture how our company has evolved and expanded in recent years. We are also investing in providing a monthly must-read industry newsletter in addition to content that will inform site visitors about how and why to license content and the latest industry trends.”

For more information on Creative Licensing International and its services, please visit the company's new website at creativelicensinginternational.com.

About Creative Licensing International

Creative Licensing International is a leading provider of content licensing and distribution services, offering a range of solutions for publishers, media companies, associations and societies, event companies, and other content creators. The team, led by content licensing veteran Paul Gerbino, provides clients with experts who have decades of experience in content licensing—at less than the cost of one full-time employee.

Media Contact

Drew Lord
dl@vividand.co