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Isos Capital Management ("Isos Capital" or the "Firm"), an independent investment firm focused on identifying and executing on opportunities in the global media, entertainment, sports and technology industries, today announced it has acquired 4Forces Group, LLC, an advisory firm focused on providing outsourced and interim management services to help companies activate both organic and inorganic growth strategies. The acquisition expands Isos Capital's capabilities in supporting its portfolio companies and bringing strategic growth advisory and execution services to the market.

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4Forces Group was founded by media, entertainment, and consulting executive Peter Cosco, who will now serve as Managing Director at Isos, overseeing the advisory practice and supporting the firm's core investment business. Following a career as a media industry executive, Peter has spent the past decade driving transformational growth for companies across sectors by operationalizing and implementing growth plans, pivoting and repositioning brands, and advising on key transactions. 4Forces Group has established a reputation as a change-agent for its clients by delivering a variety of services including strategic planning, corporate development/M&A, operational improvement, brand marketing, business development and sales acceleration, with deep domain expertise in Media, Entertainment, Sports, and Professional Services.

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"We are thrilled to add the advisory capabilities of 4Forces Group to our set of offerings as clients and contacts continue to seek support in planning, development, operational efficiencies, and sales – all areas that Peter and his team have significant experience with," said George Barrios, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Isos Capital Management.

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"The acquisition of 4Forces Group further differentiates Isos Capital from other investment firms, as we bring to market an operator's mindset alongside access to capital, and the ability to help our partners develop and execute growth plans," said Michelle Wilson, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Isos Capital Management.

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"In my experience, post-merger success is realized not only through strategic synergies, but by having a clear cultural alignment," said Cosco. "The partnership between Isos Capital and 4Forces Group has both in spades, and I couldn't be happier to join Michelle and George's team."

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In addition to bringing deep industry and operating experience from leading global companies in the media and sports industries, including the National Basketball Association, Time Warner, HBO, The New York Times and the United States Tennis Association, Barrios and Wilson most recently served as Co-CEOs of Isos Acquisition Corporation, a special purpose acquisition company that completed a business combination with Bowlero Corp. (NYSE: BOWL), the worldwide leader in bowling entertainment, media, and events, in a $2.6B transaction, the third largest media SPAC of 2021.

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Barrios and Wilson are proven Fortune 500 executives with success in leadership, strategy, expansion, branding, and digital transformation. They served as Co-Presidents of WWE leading the company's day-to-day operations and strategy and building WWE into one of the most successful multi-platform media businesses in the world across traditional, digital, social, and direct-to-consumer media platforms.

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El Car Wash ("El"), the largest and fastest growing express car wash operator in South Florida, today announced that Warburg Pincus has acquired the company from affiliates of Wafra Inc. ("Wafra"), Audrose Partners, and Fireside Investments. The investment will support El's continued expansion and its commitment to offering best-in-class services to its customers. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

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El Car Wash is the leading car wash operator in South Florida across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. The company currently operates 17 car wash locations with over 30 additional sites in development across Florida and plans to significantly expand its footprint through greenfield openings and future acquisitions. Today, El is a widely recognized brand known for its prime locations, high quality operations, distinctive aesthetics, and industry leading membership program. It is also the Official Car Wash of the Miami HEAT and a partner of Baptist Health.

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"We have built El Car Wash into a market-leading platform by relentlessly focusing on delivering friendly customer service and a best-in-class wash experience via a dense network of clean and recognizable modern facilities. This strategy has generated a loyal, growing membership base that we hope to service more conveniently by rapidly expanding El's store footprint in partnership with Warburg Pincus," said Geoff Karas, Co-CEO of El Car Wash and Co-Founder of Audrose Partners. "El has experienced rapid growth over the past several years, and partnering with Warburg Pincus, who has a long-standing track record of cultivating world-class businesses, will allow us to accelerate our expansion efforts and help further define the industry perception of car washes as the innovative and prime retail experience that we deliver," added Justin Landau, Co-CEO of El Car Wash and Co-Founder of Audrose Partners.

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"We are thrilled to partner with Justin, Geoff and the El team. They have built a company that is truly unique in its space. El has established itself as a pre-eminent car wash platform with highly skilled operators, state-of-the-art facilities and dedicated focus on customer service, all of which is highlighted by the strength of its membership program," said Jeff Goldfaden, Managing Director, Warburg Pincus. "We believe El has a unique offering and significant growth potential. El has an outstanding record of new store openings and successful acquisitions, and we are tremendously excited to support the team in their continued expansion, both in South Florida and in other attractive markets," added Zach Lazar, Managing Director, Warburg Pincus.

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Adel Alderbas, Chief Investment Officer at Wafra, added, "We have enjoyed a fantastic partnership with Justin, Geoff and Fireside building El Car Wash from just 4 locations in 2019 to nearly 50 locations operating and under development as of today. Through our collective commitment to high quality real estate and best-in-class customer service, El has become one of the premier express car wash platforms in the country. We wish Warburg Pincus and the El Car Wash team great success as they continue to develop the El platform."

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Jonathan Langer, Founder and CEO of Fireside Investment added, "We are proud of the world class platform we have been able to create with Justin, Geoff and Wafra and wish the entire El Car Wash team all the best going forward."

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William Blair & Company, LLC served as exclusive financial advisor to El Car Wash in connection with the transaction.

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"We were once again extremely overwhelmed by the quality of candidates who submitted a video and showcased their passion for our industry," said Dave Ready Jr., Murphy-Goode Winemaker. "We saw several familiar faces from last year's submissions, too. There is a wealth of talent and excitement among this group, and I can't wait to meet them all."

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In August, Murphy-Goode will welcome the 12 finalists to Sonoma County for in-person interviews and a fully immersive experience in Wine Country, giving them the opportunity to explore the region, and showcase their desire – and everything else that makes them the ideal candidate – for "A Really Goode Job." While in Healdsburg, the finalists will meet with winery executives and team members with whom the final two will work over the course of the year. The selected candidates will be announced in mid-August.

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The Murphy-Goode team is pleased to name the following "A Really Goode Job" finalists who are now one step closer to turning their dreams into reality:

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• A.J. Kirsch - Berkeley, California
• Jameelah Baker - New York, New York
• Justin Lewis - New York, New York
• Kendra Spalding - Folsom, California
• Kirsten Staley Rocha - Oceanside, California
• Lauren Neil - Reno, Nevada
• Lemar Scott - Orlando, Florida
• Marc Cunningham - Sherman Oaks, California
• Marvin "MJ" Towler - Red Bank, New Jersey
• Michael Fucci - Los Angeles, California
• Roosevelt Johnson - Marana, Arizona
• Swan Dotson - Oakland, California

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"I'm excited and honored to be a judge for A Really Goode Job," Coney said. "This is a life changing experience and it is with great joy I get to help select the wine industry's next change maker."

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"I am so proud to participate in a program that provides the essential steppingstones to professionals embarking on their wine journey," says Briscoe. "I've been fortunate to learn from inspiring mentors throughout my career and am now a part of a company that encourages and supports my continued growth. I look forward to meeting each finalist and the opportunity to pay forward the knowledge, guidance, and mentorship that I've been afforded."

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QuickFuneral LLC announced today the launch of its Funeral Program Template, a service that provides customers with an easy option to create, design, and print funeral programs, obituary programs, and more. These programs are an essential piece to the funeral service because they provide a tangible piece of history and memorial of the loved one even long after the funeral service has ended. They also serve as a way to help guide attendees along in the funeral order of service.

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The service will be available online on July 22 to customers everywhere. Customers can create funeral programs using Microsoft Word or any other common application they are comfortable using.

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“Our valued users can now easily download funeral templates from our website, which are pre-designed for online editing and are easily printable,” said Nitin Chaudhary, Product Manager of QuickFuneral. Chaudhary added, “There is absolutely no need to install any software on your computer and everything will be done online through our simple and user-friendly interface. Memorializing the passing of a loved one is an emotional event and planning for it should neither be time-consuming nor difficult."

For more information, visit: www.quickfuneral.com.

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This morning, Hatch Auto Group (HAG) and Top Spoke Motorcycles welcomed master builder Clayton Houser from ACI Vans (American Crafters, Inc. Vans). Houser stopped by to check out a promotion on Vintage Overland trailers, available exclusively at the HAG and Top Spoke dealership located at 1000 N. McClintock Drive in Tempe.

Houser was the lead builder for TV celebrity Jesse James of West Coast Choppers when they were located in the LBZ, as well as for BMC Motorcycle Company. His team of craftsmen builds the world's most detailed van conversion units at their facility in Phoenix, where they purchase, design, retrofit, and deliver high-end dreams to one customer at a time, with high-end fabricated build-outs costing in excess of $200,000. Houser stated, "I am excited to be able to offer these exclusive Vintage Overland trailers to my customers as a cost-effective option to pull behind their converted vans on 'go everywhere' excursions."

A spokesperson from Vintage Overland added, "We pride ourselves in designing and building collector quality handmade camping trailers. Our caravans are not mass produced but carefully hand crafted and every detail has been given individual attention. Our adventure caravans are unlike any other camper made, which is why our has been recognized as an industry leader in design." In 2015, an article in Outside magazine referred to Vintage Overland as "one company [that] stands above the others for combining style and sheer capability".

Rick Hatch, owner of HAG and Top Spoke Motorcycles, said, "We have been in the motorcycle business for over 45 years, and our love for the rumble, our desire for the ride, and our excitement for adventure have only gotten richer over time. We value and appreciate the opportunity to create a long-term relationship with our customers, and we do that by making sure to meet and exceed expectations. That is why we are excited to offer this promotion on Vintage Overland trailers, which are handmade in the U.S. and reflect the very best in quality and design."

The promotion will run for a limited time, starting July 16, available exclusively at the HAG and Top Spoke dealership located at 1000 N. McClintock Drive, Tempe, AZ 85281.

In addition, please come check out HAG, Top Spoke Motorcycles, Vintage Overland Trailers, and ACI Vans at J&P Cycles and Cycle Gear's "Bike Night" every second Tuesday of the month at J&P's location at 8606 E. Shea Boulevard, Scottsdale, AZ 85260. The fun starts with a 6:00 PM ride that begins at Cycle Gear's 1040 S. Country Club Drive in Mesa and finishes at J&P, continuing until 8:00 PM.

For more information, please visit topspoke.com.

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Dual Miners Inc., a firm that has invested in the development of a new generation of endothermic multi-algorithm chips to provide miners a comprehensive range of mining rigs that are both powerful and efficient, today announced its new Dual Miners Technology with dual cryptocurrency miners that use either SHA-256 or Scrypt technology. With the DualPro, DualPro Max, and the most recent, DualPremium, Dual Miners set out to produce an extraordinary range of endothermic cryptocurrency mining rigs that provide more power at a lower cost than had previously been available.

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The products will be available on July 18 to customers across California.

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“Dual Miners, a cryptocurrency mining company, is shaking up the crypto mining field with their innovative mining equipment. Their dual mining products promise a higher ROI and ease of use,” said Michael Scott, PR Manager of Dual Miners Inc.Dual Miners is a chip design and manufacturing firm established in London, with offices in Finland, South Korea, and Australia. For more information, please visit: dualminers.co.

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Premium wine and wine lifestyle e-destination Argaux announced today the launch of its inaugural Club Argaux membership program, offering flexible subscription options perfect for the wine aficionado or novice alike. The female-founded and run Team Argaux is committed to bringing sustainably-sourced hidden gem wines from around the world into the spotlight, and ensuring wine education, discovery and buying is accessible, easy – and above all, fun for all. Consumers are now invited to join the cru and unlock an unrivaled community of food, wine, friendship and fun.

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Club Argaux gives consumers exclusive entry to unlimited perks, including their own 'gaux-to personal sommelier, access to highly sought-after allocated wines, preferred member pricing, exclusive private events, seasonal recipe drops, content, city guides and more. Convenient subscription options begin at $20/month and include complimentary shipping nationwide plus access to an Argaux 'Pocket Somm', an expert resource available on email or text. Members may opt-in to exclusive seasonal 6-pack shipments quarterly. All wine is selected seasonally and hand-curated by the Argaux Sommeliers specifically for Club Argaux members.

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"We are so excited to announce our brand new, all-access membership program: Club Argaux," said Arden Gilfillan, co-founder Argaux. "We want our community to consider us their friends in wine so we are thrilled to offer a convenient, flexible program built with our consumers' needs in mind. Club Argaux gives us the exciting opportunity to invest in the unparalleled customer service we are committed to providing, and create unique original content and special events curated especially for the Club Argaux community."

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"At Argaux, we represent wines that are farmed in an ecologically responsible way and made by people that we like and respect," added Margaux Reaume, co-founder Argaux. "Our goal is to tell the story of the many talented small producers around the world and celebrate their craft with our consumers. Club Argaux is the natural next step, allowing us to build a community of like-minded winos, foodies and travelers."

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Born in 2015 in Laguna Beach, California by two best friends with a shared love of home entertaining, Argaux specializes in authentic, hand-curated wines from artisan winemakers. Known for its interactive and experience-based product bundles such as The Argaux Blind Tasting Kit and Argaux Year of Firsts bridal collection, each unforgettable gift is curated by the Argaux Sommeliers and features small production, family-owned and responsibly-farmed wines from around the world. Elevate any gift with Argaux home bar and table essentials sure to please every palate, party and mood.

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Limited Club Argaux memberships will be available upon release. All wine and gift bundles are hand-selected by the Argaux Sommeliers and completed with white glove service. Argaux ships nationwide.

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For more information or to join the A-list, visit Argaux.com and follow @_Argaux_ on Instagram.

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A group of California cannabis farmers, led by legacy farmer and entrepreneur Justin Calvino, are coming together to build Emerald Road, a crypto-exclusive digital cannabis community. The advanced e-commerce platform will connect farmers directly with customers through a suite of purchasing and marketing tools, content and education, and community-building experiences, all powered on the blockchain. Designed as a virtual bazaar-like marketplace, Emerald Road will allow consumers to connect with, learn from, virtually visit, and purchase directly from farms.

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"Emerald Road is about solving a problem and that solution just happens to be Web3," according to Calvino. "Legacy platforms are not embracing emerging technologies and currently, there is no central hub for canna-culture and canna-curious consumers to connect, socialize, learn, transact, and be entertained, not to mention the restrictions on cannabis advertising. In addition, small farmers don't have the capital to market themselves on a broad scale like the bigger companies do. Emerald Road is the solution for all of those problems."

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The more popular cannabis platforms are simply one-way communications, providing education and purchasing options for users. Emerald Road will let users actually interact with brands and other members to ask questions, take virtual farm tours, obtain exclusive products, participate in member-only experiences, and buy discounted products. Membership to Emerald Road is free for legacy members.

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When launched in Q3 2022, the Emerald Road Utility Token will be used to purchase goods, services, and experiences throughout the Emerald Road ecosystem. A next-generation wallet will facilitate consumer and business transactions, allowing for seamless transfers from fiat currency to the Emerald Road Token and back again.

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"This is regenerative economics at its best," according to Calvino. "Emerald Road will allow these small businesses to create their own sustainable, local economy using a community-based growth model that lets money go back into the hands of producers."

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SciMatch team has utilized AI to create Ruby, a love robot and personal virtual assistant for romance. Ruby contains a unique, patent-pending algorithm designed to learn user personalities via "face print" to analyze their relationship compatibility with other users. SciMatch's technology prioritizes chemistry between users by identifying what makes them click to ensure that these individuals can truly connect on an emotional level.

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SciMatch believes that relationship compatibility is more than common interest, it is built on the alignment of personality traits and chemistry. In just a click, SciMatch can upload a user's selfie and instantly connect them to their scientifically sourced love match.

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SciMatch has entered the online dating market amid its global boom. Over 270 million adults worldwide used dating apps in 2020; 39% of US couples say they met online in 2019 and 48% of 18 to 29-year-olds have used a dating app or online site to meet people romantically.

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The mission of SciMatch is to increase matchmaking accuracy and connect singles who want to share an emotional connection when they meet their match. Dating profiles often contain unintentional white lies to increase attractiveness and this misleading data is used by mainstream dating apps to create matches, resulting in unreliable matchmaking. SciMatch's robust technology enables one's face to tell the truth.

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SciMatch eliminates traditional dating pressure by scientifically matching individuals which simplifies the first move and encourages a natural connection. With the seamless application of science, singles can look for love without feeling obligated to exaggerate their bios or fill out lengthy information forms.

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The SciMatch app is fun and easy to use. It presents the value of traditional dating with innovative features like a live, virtual dating room and a "Celebrity Crush" mode that enables users to search for a match that looks like their celebrity crush.

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SciMatch is LGBTQ inclusive, finding scientific matches for all people regardless of their sexual orientation.

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https://apps.apple.com/app/id1551001355

https://instagram.com/scimatch

www.scimatch.com

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Rising queer female pop artist Hazy Shea announced the release of her newest single, Basements. This catchy and rhythmic genre-bending hit marks Hazy's sixth release since co-founding Indie label Genre 22.

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With its unparalleled upbeat melody, "Basements" blends elements of indie rock, dance-pop, and alternative r&b and transports the listener into Hazy's world of poetic heartbreak and hypnotic layers. Not one to disappoint her listeners, Hazy's latest drop is built on a foundation of her signature ambedo and rhythmic cadences, creating a unique alignment with the cheerful, optimistic instrumentals.

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Produced by Project X of the Grammy award-winning powerhouse 808 Mafia and platinum producer Nico Baron of Internet Money, this track is guaranteed to be a hit with listeners as they venture into the adrenaline-filled, youthful world of spontaneity and impulse in "Basements."

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Hazy started releasing music just three short months ago and quickly gained 80k monthly listeners and over 21k followers across her portfolio of social media channels that continues to climb daily.

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The female pop artist's latest track, her fifth release, made it on FOUR (4) Spotify Editorial Playlists, putting her alongside artists like Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Tate McRae, Olivia O'Brien, Karol G, Dua Lipa, Rosa Linn, Sabrina Carpenter, Tove Lo, Ava Max, Emeline, Zoe Wees, Yuna, Madeline The Person, Aespa.

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"Basements" is available for streaming across all platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube, and Soundcloud.

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AuntyLand Film Festival (ALFF) returns with its first summer film festival presenting a live, digital program. Three Directors, Three Films set for July 27, 2 pm, EDT. Veteran directors Kristin Rieber Harris, CityBirds; Louise Fleming, Rain: UP Close; and Craigh Barboza, It's the Fuller Brush Man will be featured in a live conversation about filmmaking. The moderator is Pat Doyen. Live Talkback links will be posted on social media. Here's the Auntyland Summer 2022 film fest reel link on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/auntyland

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In addition, a student-curated series offers nine short features. The free, digital summer film festival runs through August 31, 2022. No tickets or registrations are needed. Just click the website links and watch: https://www.auntylandfilmfest.org/summer-festival-2022/

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"The dual purpose of the summer festival is to showcase the works of seasoned professionals and rediscover works by BIPOC and women filmmakers. Our small batch film menu offers the best ingredients — quality and authenticity," said Sylvia Wong Lewis, festival director.

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Here's the Summer Fest 2022 lineup:
CityBIRDS, 0:04:00 minutes, by Kristin Reiber Harris
Rain: Up Close – A Meditation, 0:03:21 minutes, by Louise Fleming
It's the Fuller Brush Man, 0:47:00, by Craigh Barboza

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Student-curated series: Students Jordan Baptiste, Barnard College; Isabel Aragon, Smith College; and Maryn Graskey, Smith College choose nine films for your summer pleasure. Here's the line-up: Yokelan, 66, directed by Tang Yi; The Beauty President, directed by Whitney Skauge; Lost Keys, by Amanda Baraka; Friends Who Remember, directed by Devon Blackwell; To the girl that looks like me, directed by Ewurakua Dawson-Amoah; And Then She Kissed Me, directed by Alexis Khodanian; The Elephant Gown, directed by Rahiem Robinson; The Black Sheep, directed by Ed Perkins; and Seashells, directed by Nathalie Christmas.

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Biographies: Craigh Barboza has written about entertainment, race, and culture for Cineaste magazine, CNN, Entertainment Weekly, Film Comment, GQ, The Hollywood Reporter, IndieWire, The Los Angeles Times, LA Weekly, MTV, New York magazine, The New York Times and Washington Post. He works in Career Services at NYU Journalism and teaches a course on film journalism. His book John Singleton: Interviews, a study of the Oscar-nominated director's work, is part of the acclaimed series Conversations with Filmmakers (University Press of Mississippi).

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Louise Fleming: Filmmaker/Videographer/Media Consultant/Artist
FOCUS: Experimental/Nonfiction short form. Completed RAIN: Up Close- a meditation on rain and water. Previous work: Pecking Order – about pigeons; My Bridge: A man's personal homage to the Brooklyn bridge. Both films have been screened at film festivals in the US and abroad. Works-in-Progress - The Overflow: a contemporary look at the intersection of church /tourism/gentrification in Harlem and This Unique Life about the late self-taught musician/songwriter Bruce Woody. Previously Co-President/Curator of Women's Screening Series CineWomen NY [CWNY] @ at Two Boots Pioneer Movie Theater and Anthology Film Archives. Member BGDM - NYWIFT – BDC - Graduate American U/NYU School of the Arts/Film.

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Kristin Reiber Harris is an artist, animator, and educator with a passion for sharing the treasures and insights of the natural world. She sees a world where the transformative power of art and the creative problem solving of science blossom together to help children and families visualize the patterns and connections that unite all life. Kristin has produced and animated over 100 short-form animations. HBO Family/HBOL has broadcast forty of her interstitials. Her work has been included in the Chicago International Children's Film Festival, The Museum of Television and Radio's International Children's Television Festival in New York and Los Angeles, the European Short Film Festival, Prima Film Festival, and the East Lansing Children's Film Festival, San Diego Children's Film Festival and Chesapeake Film Festival. She recently received Best Animation and Best Environmental Film from the Auntyland Film Festival. She received a BA in Fine Arts from UCLA and an MFA from George Washington University.

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Pat Doyen makes, preserves, programs, and writes about films and other media arts. She works independently and as part of the Arsenic Cookie Film Collective in Baltimore, MD. By day she is a film archivist with a passion for home movies and orphan films. Her work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally and she has taught hand processing and filmmaking workshops for both children and adults. She is a contributor to "The DIY Guide to Film & Video" published by Parcell Press and editor of the recent book "Hell Yeah! Heavy Metal Parking Lot @ 30".

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To view the films and for more details, go to:
https://www.auntylandfilmfest.org/

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On July 13, 2022, the Philos Project, In Defense of Christians, the American Sephardi Federation, and the Mimouna Association met with Members of Congress on Capitol Hill to present the Abraham's Missing Child initiative.

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Congressional offices represented included Representatives Lisa McClain (R-MI), David Valadao (R-CA), Grace Meng (D-NY), Daniel Webster (R-FL), and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), an inaugural co-chair of the bicameral, bipartisan congressional Abraham Accords Caucus.

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The Abraham Accords, initiated in 2020, charted a new course in the history of Arab-Israeli relations, with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco agreeing to fully recognize and normalize diplomatic relations with the State of Israel.

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The Abraham's Missing Child initiative was launched by the Philos Project in May 2022, in cooperation with partner organizations, including In Defense of Christians, the American Sephardi Federation, the Hellenic American Leadership Council, and the Iraqi Christian Relief Council and Sharaka, to ensure the Near East's ancient Christian communities are represented in a rapidly changing and dynamic Middle East. Recent strategic developments and diplomatic progress have created unprecedented opportunities for regional peace, physical security, and economic prosperity. The Abraham's Missing Child initiative seeks to make space for the Near East's endangered Christian communities to join their Muslim and Jewish neighbors in contributing to, and benefitting from, this sustained peace and prosperity.

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"The Abraham Accords marked an incredible first step towards securing peace in the Middle East. But we must ensure Christians in the region are not forgotten in the process," said Congresswoman Lisa McClain, adding, "I applaud the Philos Project, and their partners, for their work on this critical issue, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress to help turn this initiative into a reality."

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According to Richard Ghazal, Executive Director of In Defense of Christians, "Our task is to seize on the positive momentum started by the Abraham Accords and guide it for the good of the entire region—including the ancient and endangered Christian communities—to secure a sustainable peace in the Middle East."

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Jason Guberman, Executive Director of the American Sephardi Federation, shared, "We are grateful for the support of so many members of Congress who prioritize the value of pluralism. When cities like Alexandria, Baghdad, and Constantine were home to a mixed multitude of Jews, Christians, and other minorities, the region was at its most peaceful and prosperous. Ensuring that Christians have a seat at the Abraham Accords' table is essential to returning the region to economic, social, and spiritual success."

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"The Philos Project is grateful to the Members of Congress and their staffs who met with the Abraham's Missing Child coalition. The trend toward peace among the Abrahamic peoples will lead to greater regional stability and economic opportunity in the years to come," said Andrew Doran, Senior Research Fellow at the Philos Project.

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TOAST!, a new event and awards program from The Auction of Washington Wines reveals its award recipients. These peer-reviewed honorees are recognized in seven categories, lauded for keeping the Washington wine community thriving and focused on its bright future. The public is invited to celebrate these achievements at TOAST! being held at Chateau Ste. Michelle on August 11 with a four-course dinner prepared by El Gaucho chefs paired with top wines from Washington state.

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"The incredible talents, contributions and achievements throughout every aspect of our community are truly ground-breaking," says Jamie Peha, executive director for The Auction of Washington Wines. "We were honored to host this nomination process and special event with a goal to create both awareness and celebration for every role within the Washington wine industry, from the ground to the glass."

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Those recognized were determined through an inclusive nomination process. The full list of recipients was just released at Auctionofwawines.org/toast. A few highlights include:

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• The Lifetime Achievement award, recognizing an individual whose extraordinary dedication, inspiration, and advocacy for the Washington wine community spans 25+ years in the industry: Bob Betz MW, Bob Betz Consulting.
• Vine to Wine award, honoring individuals who are hands-on in the vineyard, including leading or collaborating with peers: Patrick Rawn, owner and consultant, Two Mountain Winery.
• Healthy Land, Healthy Communities award, for commitment to addressing today's environmental challenges and developing equitable, viable, and responsible solutions: Washington Winegrowers, Sustainable Washington. Receiving the award on behalf of the organization, are executive director, Vicky Scharlau, and board chair, Shane Collins.
• Please find a full list of winners at auctionofwawines.org.

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A true celebration of the industry, TOAST! attendees will also hear from the three honorary chairs for 2022: Marchese Piero Antinori, honorary president of Marchesi Antinori; Renzo Cotarella, CEO of Marchese Antinori; and Marvin Shanken, editor and publisher of Wine Spectator Magazine and chairman of M. Shanken Communications as well as 2022 honorary vintner, John R. Bookwalter of Bookwalter Winery, and 2022 honorary grower, Kevin Corliss of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates.

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TOAST! Is presented by Winebow Fine Wines & Spirits. Capacity for TOAST! is 200, tickets are on sale now at auctionofwawines.org.

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U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona today announced that the National Summer Learning Association will join dozens of organizations in a new partnership to ensure that all children have access to high-quality learning opportunities outside of school.

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Cardona announced the Engage Every Student Initiative at an event celebrating National Summer Learning Week at the U.S. Department of Education (ED) headquarters, where youth and their mentors from across the country described how learning activities are helping their academic progress during the summer. The Secretary encouraged the partnership to take bold action to provide access to high-quality afterschool programs and summer learning activities.

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"It is an honor to join other advocates for out-of-school learning to address the critical need to make up for lost learning during the pandemic," said Aaron Dworkin, the executive director of the National Summer Learning Association. "Through camps, library programs, and other engaging activities, children can continue their learning adventure during the summer and prepare to excel when they return to school in the fall."

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For the new initiative, the U.S. Department of Education will invest $3.4 million to provide best practices in program implementation for summer and out-of-school time. ED's Institute for Education Sciences will create a new tool to support using evidence to implement afterschool and summer learning activities.

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"For decades, researchers have documented the 'learning loss' that happens when children are out of school for more than two months as they wait for the next school year to begin," Dworkin said. "During the pandemic, education researchers have documented similar learning loss in children who attended school in virtual environments for a year or more. Today, out-of-school learning is more important than ever."

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NSLA Programs Address Students' Needs

This summer, NSLA has created new and innovative ways to help students of all ages extend their learning experiences during the summer months.

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More than 30 youth from award-wining summer learning programs were selected to meet this week at the inaugural NSLA Youth Leadership Institute. In a unique program, youth are experiencing the best of summer camps that focus on social emotional learning; academic success; arts; health and fitness; and service and leadership.

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The 8 and 9 graders, and their program leaders, met with their congressional leaders on Thursday before meeting with the US Secretary of Education.

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Working with the American Camp Association and with the support of the New York Life Foundation, NSLA is supporting a free summer camp experience for children from 10 low-income communities. The camps are partnering with local schools to provide intentional learning programs where students develop life skills such as problem-solving, leadership, and communication. The New York Life Foundation has provided funding to expand the program in 2023.

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In partnership with the NBA Foundation, NSLA has secured paid internships in the U.S. Congress for 10 college-age students and recent college graduates from minority backgrounds. The internships will give students of color a prestigious experience on their resumes that will help launch their careers. In addition to a stipend, the program pays for housing, travel to Washington, and food and clothing.

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NSLA joins the Education Department and the Afterschool Alliance, the National Comprehensive Center at Westat, the National League of Cities, and AASA, the School Superintendents Association as coordinating partners for Engage Every Student. More than 20 allied organizations have signed on including the National Governors Association, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, the American Camp Association, and the Y.

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More information is available at engageeverystudent.org

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As You Wish, a personal assistant, concierge and event company, has launched franchise opportunities in cities across the United States using its proven lifestyle management business model.

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The company, which was established in Denver in 2010, offers customized personal assistance and concierge services such as on-demand errand running, personal shopping, home away care, relocation assistance and more for busy individuals and families in a wide variety of scenarios. The brand has become known for its flawless execution of client requests and the highest possible quality of service. With its superior reputation and long-standing relationships throughout Colorado, the company is thrilled to expand outside of its home state and invite entrepreneurs across the country to join the As You Wish team.

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"The American lifestyle is running at a faster pace than ever before, and there is a rapidly growing demand for the kind of support As You Wish clients enjoy," explained the company's founder, Allison Welch. "Now is the perfect time for entrepreneurial-minded individuals to get into this home based industry."

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Those who would like to learn more about this unique franchise opportunity are invited to begin by viewing the As You Wish franchising introductory video. From there, interested parties should visit https://asyouwishfranchising.com/ to register and request a Franchise Discovery Kit.

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Participants will be asked to complete a short survey, and a Virtual Franchise Discovery Day will be held at a date and time that will be disclosed privately to the parties. Training and subsequent support for franchisees will begin promptly after a franchise agreement has been executed.

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Much like the 360-degree support the company offers its clients, franchisees can expect to have the full weight of this established team behind them. As You Wish operates on the notion that a well-rounded and confident team is its strongest asset, and the company is fully committed to the long-term success of its franchisees.

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A new bourbon brand just burst onto the scene with an homage to people who favor outdoor living and a satisfying drink.

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Timberwolf Whiskey is now exclusively available online at https://timberwolfwhiskey.com. The new company is in the market for regional distribution.

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"Our first product was just bottled last month," said founder Rob Thomas. "Our first plan is to expand local distribution state-by-state across the country."

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Timberwolf Whiskey is a 94-proof bourbon with what Thomas calls "a distinctive bold, peppery flavor for sipping straight or mixing. Being from the pacific northwest, our brand demographic is people who enjoy the outdoors, mountains and nature."

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Crafted in small batches and barrel-aged, Timberwolf Whiskey's ingredients are 60% corn, 35% rye and 5% barley. "Obviously, being an aged bourbon, we do source barrels from other distillers," Thomas noted.

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What inspired a Vancouver-born Canadian techie to create a new bourbon? Thomas said the idea came to him when he was on a road trip and literally came up dry.

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"While road tripping through North American ski towns, I kept being disappointed at a culture that seemed to focus on cheap draught beer and cinnamon flavored whiskey shooters," he said.

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"Bourbon is my favorite whiskey to drink, and it was important to me that a new product would also be something that I would enjoy," he said. "We applied our passion for mountain sports and the outdoors to create a quality whiskey that can be enjoyed after a hard day's work."

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It took a few months for Thomas to perfect the formulation. But he kept working at it, determined to create a new bourbon for a market that's already booming.

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"Bourbon remains a spirit that drives strong retail sales — especially in October, November, and December," according to BevAlc Insights' bourbon forecast last year.

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BevAlc Insights is a resource for data and insights about the beverage alcohol industry and growing ecommerce sector.

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"In 2021, the sales volume of whiskey in the United States amounted to 76 million 9-liter cases," Statista reported in February 2022.

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EARI Beverage Group (OTC:EARI), a diversified beverage and media group, today announces the acquisition of the Blossom Botanical Water Brand.

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Adding to the EARI Beverage Group portfolio, the acquisition of Blossom Botanical Water expands the footprint in the functional and craft beverage market segments. The Blossom brand fits perfectly with EARI's strategy of identifying and acquiring brands in high-growth categories that have proven operating models and clear consumer acceptance. Blossom is credited with creating a new sub-category of plant-based waters using botanicals. The brand has distribution along the US East Coast and Midwest and has generated roughly $4 million in gross sales since inception.  

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"The exciting addition of this immunity-boosting botanical water fits perfectly with our craft and functional beverage portfolio" stated Bernard Rubin, CEO of the EARI Beverage Group. He further added, "An immediate priority is to test new variants and more environmentally friendly packaging. With our rapid expansion, we are thrilled to have the exceptional talent of Steve Fortuna, founder of Blossom Botanical Water, on the team to help us achieve these objectives."

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"I'm delighted that Blossom is now part of the EARI portfolio.  We have been a first mover in the use of flower botanicals for the beverage category, and now under the EARI umbrella, I am confident that the brand will go on to achieve its full potential in the marketplace", said Blossom Founder & CEO Steve Fortuna.

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Save Farmland, a new Montana nonprofit organization that protects agricultural land while strengthening local food systems, announced today a long-term partnership with the Under the Big Sky Festival to raise awareness and funds.

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The five-year partnership makes Save Farmland the official nonprofit of the event, working closely with festival leadership to create awareness and money-raising opportunities for its programs through music and arts. The partnership kicks off at this year's event on July 15th through the 17th in Whitefish, Montana, where Save Farmland merchandise will be sold throughout the event, with 100% of proceeds going to its cause.

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"Our team is extremely excited to partner with Save Farmland to help protect agricultural and ranch land across the Flathead Valley," said Johnny Shockey, CEO of Outrider's Present, and owner of Under the Big Sky Festival. "We're starting with merchandise this year, and hope to expand to benefit shows and other creative fundraising opportunities in the years to come for this important cause."

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Save Farmland also announced the first three members of its Board of Directors, which includes Shockey:

• Scot Chisholm, Chairman and co-founder of Haskill Creek Farms, and founder of online fundraising software company, Classy (now an affiliate of GoFundMe);
• Robin Kelson, Executive Director of AERO (Alternative Energy Resources Organization) and CEO and owner of The Good Seed Company;
• Johnny Shockey, CEO of Outrider's Present, which owns Under the Big Sky Music Festival and a portfolio of other investments in the music and arts industry

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Other organizations that have been integral to Save Farmland's early strategic planning include North Valley Food Bank, Land to Hand Montana, Wicked Good Produce, Two Bear Farm, and the FVCC (Flathead Valley Community College) Agriculture Program.

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"Over the past twelve months, we've been talking with local nonprofit leaders, the farming community, and city officials to shape the vision for Save Farmland," said Robin Kelson, Save Farmland Board Director. "The question we've been asking is: How do we increase production of healthy local food in our community? Through these conversations, a dual mission emerged: one part land conservation and the other part a focus on programs that strengthen sustainable local food production, distribution, and access."

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To kick off its first capital campaign, Save Farmland also announced a $2.35 million land donation by Whitefish residents Scot and Carrie Chisholm, with Scot also serving on the Board of Directors.

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The 40-acre plot is located on the north side of Voerman Road, less than five minutes from downtown Whitefish, MT. It will serve as Save Farmland's first "Farm Hub", which includes an incubator program for new farmers, and resources for seasoned farmers to support existing food production and distribution.

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"The goal of the Farm Hub is to provide farmers with a comprehensive path to success, including access to land and infrastructure, continuing education and sales distribution," said Scot Chisholm, Chairman at Save Farmland. "Flathead Valley has seen unprecedented growth in the last couple of years, so it's critically important that we continue to invest in the local food system to ensure that our community has healthy organic food for years to come."

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The land donation on Voerman Road will also serve the broader Whitefish community, with plans for a large community garden and demonstration farm, a farmer's market, cooking and gardening classes, and public access to walking and bike paths throughout.

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Concept drawings for the Farm Hub are underway, and Save Farmland's first capital campaign will continue to roll out this summer to raise money and awareness.

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For more information please contact: hello@savefarmland.org

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Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning (CHS) has announced that it plans to build its third Early Childhood Resource Center in Middletown, Pennsylvania, near the intersection of Oberlin and Fulling Mill Roads. The cost-free Center will serve 150 children from birth to age 5 from economically disadvantaged and at-risk backgrounds.

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The planned Center, which will include an innovation studio and a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) garden, is part of a $350 million initiative to initially develop six cost-free ECRCs as subsidiaries of Milton Hershey School.

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"This marks an important step in expanding our early childhood education initiative and honoring the Hersheys' legacy by serving even more Pennsylvania children. The Middletown location is another opportunity for us to address the critical and growing need for accessible, high-quality early learning programming," said Milton Hershey School and Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning President Pete Gurt.

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All CHS Centers, including this Middletown location, will offer a non-residential, year-round core learning program with curriculum designed to enhance children's educational, social, and emotional development. It also will provide children with nutritious meals, transportation, and other needed supplies, along with integrated support services to families of enrolled children through a dedicated family resource center.

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"Middletown is a prime location for our program and holistic approach to early education. We look forward to serving children and families at this broadly accessible location, addressing the kindergarten readiness gap between low-income and higher-income children from surrounding urban and rural communities," explained CHS Executive Director Senate Alexander.

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The Middletown Center is expected to have up to 80 employees and volunteers and be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays when the Center opens in 2025. The first Center, located in Hershey, Pennsylvania, is currently under construction and scheduled to open next year. The second Center, CHS Harrisburg, is expected to open in 2024. The School's Board of Managers will determine future locations based on further research and community analysis.

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XSET, the world's fastest-growing gaming and lifestyle organization, announced the new hire of sales expert, Tim Mulligan, to their team as XSET's new Head of Sales.                            

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Mulligan is joining XSET with a plan to develop forecasts and strategies to achieve sales at price levels to ensure profitability across their apparel, content creators, and esports teams, including its VALORANT team who was recently crowned North American champions beating FaZe Clan and OpTic at the VCT NA Stage 2 Challengers Grand Final. XSET has curated a platform that is the perfect combination of esports and cultural content for everyone to enjoy on a global scale.

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"I'm beyond thrilled to join XSET as this is a huge opportunity to work with one of the best up-and-coming lifestyle/esports organizations in the world!" said Tim Mulligan. "I joined XSET, specifically, to have the opportunity to work with one of the most exciting lifestyle/gaming companies that truly is shaping and redefining pop culture -- which is focusing on inclusion, equality, creative expression, and cultural diversity. XSET is at the forefront of elevating that messaging."

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With over two decades of experience in the lifestyle and gaming industry, Mulligan comes from 100 Thieves where he was the Head of Strategic Accounts. At 100 Thieves Mulligan led the charge in securing long and short-term partnerships for the esports teams and content creators. He secured their first gaming apparel collection with Halo: Infinite, created a campaign with Vistaprint focused on helping small businesses rebrand at the peak of the pandemic, and has worked on partnerships with celebrities like Channing Tatum. Mulligan has a vast amount of experience in PR, marketing, and sales that will help to elevate XSET as they continue to grow their organization as the leading lifestyle and gaming brand.

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"Since starting XSET two years ago, we have been putting business decisions into play to help further the growth of the XSET brand." Said Clinton Sparks, Co-Founder and CBDO of XSET. "We are on a mission to build a culturally inclusive and diverse community and are bringing like minded people to our team to help build on that mission. Tim's presence and experience in the gaming world is important to the development of XSET and we are excited to bring on such a valuable player."

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"XSET is growing and reaching completely new heights coming into its second year," said Co-Founder and CEO of XSET, Greg Selkoe. "With brand growth, comes team growth. We are excited for Tim to join our team and bring his ability to create profitable growth to help our development as a brand that is breaking down barriers in the esports industry."

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