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The celebrated Minneapolis-based home furnishing and décor brand Blu Dot will debut its first complete bedding collection — a carefully curated line of sheets and bed coverings that marks a major move into the soft goods market for the company. This new collection continues the brand's quarter-century commitment to simple, fresh, modern design that is high-quality yet accessible, while also signaling a willingness to expand and engage with new audiences. Affordably priced from $125 - $325 the collection will be available starting July 11 online at bludot.com and in-stores for home delivery.

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"At Blu Dot we have always offered bedroom furniture, and many of our products feature smart, cozy fabrics, so bedding seemed a natural next step. This collection fits perfectly and naturally complements our existing bedroom assortment,'" said John Christakos, co-founder and CEO of Blu Dot. "It marks a significant expansion for our brand, and one that we excitedly embrace as part of our continued twenty-five-year mission to bring original designs to as many people's homes as possible."

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The new bedding line includes Blu Dot's first ever sheets in Egyptian Cotton Percale and Stone Washed Linen to an assortment of duvets, quilts, and throws. The collection's high-quality cotton and soft linens are effortlessly worn in and softer than soft, providing a laid-back vibe and luxurious comfort. Soft textures in an assortment of shades offer a wealth of possible combinations for a personalized touch.

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Blu Dot's bedding collection continues the company's tradition of risk-taking when it comes to color. Rather than the traditional pastel options, the collection features bold, saturated hues that add a pop of color to any room. The textures were developed to accent the quality of the fabric through details such as Popple's textured finish or Ripple's elegant stitching details. Each piece was made in a long-standing, family-owned mill in Portugal that respects the culture's time-honored techniques while using modern technologies.

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Two new sheet sets

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The Egyptian Cotton "Percale Sheet Set" available in white, charcoal, loden green and grey blue
The "Stone Washed Linen Sheet Set" available in white, charcoal, loden green and grey blue

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Five new duvet sets

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The Egyptian Cotton "Percale Duvet Set" available in available in white, charcoal, loden green and grey blue
The "Stone Washed Linen Duvet Set" available in white, charcoal, loden green and grey blue
The cotton waffle weave "Cascade Duvet Set" available in white, charcoal, loden green and tomato
The textured linen "Popple Duvet Set" available in white, charcoal and grey blue
The 100% cotton "Kimball Stripe Duvet Set" available in white/putty, charcoal/putty and loden green/putty

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Five new bed covers

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The linen "Ester Quilt Set" available in charcoal, loden green, tomato and mustard
The textured, 100% cotton "Canfield Stripe Quilt Set" available in tomato and navy
The stitched linen "Ripple Coverlet Set" available in white, charcoal and grey blue
The heavy "Rainy Linen Throw" available in putty, charcoal, mustard and tomato
The heavy-knit "Marais Linen Throw" available in two color mixes

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Cantu Elevate, the brand-owned initiative and entrepreneurship accelerator program from award-winning multicultural hair and skincare brand, Cantu Beauty, together with BrainTrust Founders Studio (BTFS), the beauty and wellness membership platform for Black founders, has selected the 2022 Cantu Elevate $20,000 grant winner: Ezinne Iroanya, founder and CEO of SKNMUSE, a skin and body care brand that prioritizes "elevating the beauty experience for Black women" while utilizing clean ingredients as well as clean beauty practices adopted from West Africa.

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"Black founders are filled with ideas and dreams that sometimes die with them," Ezinne Iroanya, founder and CEO of SKNMUSE explains. "That is why initiatives like Cantu Elevate and BrainTrust Founders Studio are important. They provide resources for companies like mine to thrive on fertile soil."

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Each founder in the competition participated in masterclasses led by Cantu and its partner agencies — BrainTrust, The Sasha Group, and Reddish — to strengthen their business and marketing acumen and subsequently grow their budding businesses. The finalists then advanced in the selection process through their engaging pitches presented live and virtually at the BTFS Founders House last weekend in New Orleans. Cantu and BTFS awarded finalists Rachel Lambo, founder of Sade Baron, and Kim Roxie, founder of Lamik Beauty, $10,000 grants, in addition to $1,000 grants to the remaining five competitors for their participation, for a total of $45,000 awarded throughout the program.

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The 2022 Cantu Elevate winner Ezinne Iroanya will join Dametria Kinsley, Vice President of Global Marketing at Cantu Beauty for the BTFS B School: Business of Beauty Summit in Atlanta this October to share how her business has expanded with the support of Cantu Elevate and supporting agencies.

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"Exposure is everything." says Dametria Kinsley, Vice President of Global Marketing at Cantu Beauty. "Cantu is proud to help expose Black Female Founders to the tools and resources that have helped us grow over the years.  The ultimate goal is to build better business ecosystems to support and shape the future of beauty, which is more diverse and female-led than it has ever been before."

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Cantu Elevate is just one of Cantu Beauty's commitments to elevate their communities through bespoke events, programming, and both financial and intellectual resources. Last year, the brand began a multi-year relationship with nonprofit Gyrl Wonder, to support Black and Latina communities by nurturing the next generation of female leaders from curl to toe. The partnership continues this year with Gyrl Wonder's #GyrlGetHired programming, powered by Cantu.

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To learn more about each Cantu Elevate finalist, follow Ezinne Iroanya (@sknmuse), Rachel Lambo (@sadebaron), and Kim Roxie (@lamikbeauty) on Instagram. Additionally, follow Cantu Beauty on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to learn more about the brand's full collection of products for all the styles you rock and BrainTrust Founders Studio (@btfoundersstudio) for more information on membership and programming.

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A normal year for the relatively young California non-profit, Seven Seas Press, includes the release of one or two new children's book titles. In year five, creativity and production expanded and exploded into an exponential number of new releases!

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Hot off the press, "Makana is a Gift," by award-winning author Janet Lucy, illustrated by Alexis Cantu, is the story of a little green sea turtle's quest for identity and purpose, and an all too common life threatening encounter with a plastic bag he mistakes for a jellyfish.

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In collaboration with nearby Goleta Valley Library's summer reading program themed, "Oceans of Possibilities," Seven Seas Press brings a message of hope and empowerment to children who see themselves in Makana, and also want to do their part to protect the undersea world from the perils of plastic.

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Seven Seas Press has launched an Indiegogo fundraiser to gift 400 books to the children participating in the library's Summer Reading Program at the "Summer Splash" event. Seven Seas Press and the Goleta Valley Library share a passion for children's books, and the power of public libraries to reach young readers.

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Seven Seas Press Executive Director, Erika Romer says, "With 'Makana is a Gift' we hope to inspire a new generation of readers to become curious about the ocean and its inhabitants, and most importantly that children and their families become passionate about helping to protect our oceans."

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Seven Seas Press's fundraiser will run through July. Books may also be purchased while donating books through the campaign.  See link below for more information:
https://igg.me/at/makana

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Marcos Martinez, City of Goleta Spanish Engagement Specialist and translator of the bilingual "Makana es un Regalo" says, "Literacy isn't just important, it's transformative."

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"Makana is a Gift" is endorsed by Mary J. Donohue, Ph.D., Marine Biologist and Ocean Plastics Expert, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa:

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"An undersea fable of self-discovery, punctuated by the tragedy of ocean plastic pollution, all set against a backdrop of beloved ocean creatures rendered in extraordinary watery splendor."

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Author Janet Lucy says, "'Makana is a Gift' offers timely themes of identity and belonging to explore with children, as well as the call to ocean conservation. May we all play a part in protecting these magnificent, magical ocean creatures."

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Coming this fall, more new releases:

• "The Crazy Old Maid ~ And How She Became Known as Flora, the Quite Sane, Age Defying Domestic Goddess" and the bilingual "La Solterona Loca," a children's book with themes of living simply and treating others with respect;
  
  
• The Ukrainian/English version of the classic "The Three Sunflowers," a sweet garden allegory that offers support and inner peace for children living in challenging times;
  
  
• In honor of the 20th anniversary of  the publication of "Moon Mother, Moon Daughter - Myths and Rituals that Celebrate a Girl's Coming-of-Age," the release of the companion "Moon Circles Facilitator's Guide" along with a Journal.

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www.sevenseaspress.org

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EZ Newswire
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WILLY'S INC. has been named to annual Vet100 list—a compilation of the nation's fastest growing veteran-owned or veteran-operated businesses. The ranking, created in partnership with Inc. magazine and Syracuse University's Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), was born out of the iconic Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies based in the U.S.

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Both distinctions are considered hallmarks of entrepreneurial success. Originally established as the Vet50 list, the list was expanded in 2020 to include 100 veteran-owned or veteran-operated businesses in acknowledgement of the growing culture and success of veteran entrepreneurs.

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"It is truly an honor to be included in such an elite list of companies from a broad range of industries." says Dave Cole, Willy's Inc.'s Chief Operating Officer. "The last few years have been a struggle for many small businesses. Because of the efforts of a great team and a lot of hard work, Willy's is emerging as a strong company, receiving this award is recognition of that great teamwork!"

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Willy's Inc. is a family-owned, refrigerated salsa company that produces Willy's Fresh Salsa in seven delicious flavors. Available in more than 10,000 stores across the nation, Willy's is one of the top five refrigerated salsa companies in the country. During the pandemic Willy's has managed to fill all its customers' orders on-time and in-full despite the labor and supply chain issues many businesses have been experiencing.

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"Economic prosperity is so important to so many aspects of American life, from home and main street to even our standing in the world," says Scott Omelianuk, Inc.'s Editor in Chief. "Given that prosperity is driven by small business, and given, we now know, the impact Veteran founders have on that small business, we can only continue to recognize them and say, again, thank you for your service."

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"All veteran entrepreneurs bring a unique set of proven skills and knowledge to the business world as a result of their military service," said Mike Haynie, Syracuse University Vice Chancellor and IVMF Founder and Executive Director. "This year's list reflects the grit and resilience veterans demonstrate every day, logging enormous growth amid a dynamically challenging business environment. Our partnership with Inc. magazine is critical to highlighting the success of these veteran-owned businesses."

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Vet100 honorees will be formally recognized during the Vet100 Dinner and Awards Ceremony at IVMF's Veteran Entrepreneurship Success Summit in Washington, DC. For more information on the Inc. Vet100 list, visit: https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/Vet100/

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Brody's Crafted Cocktails, a line of ready-to-serve craft-style bottled cocktails, has announced it has expanded distribution into Hawaii and available exclusively at Foodland locations, in partnership with Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC of Hawaii), one of the largest wholesale distributors of spirits, wine and beer in the United States. This mission-based beverage brand offers a unique line of ready-to-serve premium spirits based bottled cocktails — perfect for home entertaining, vacationing or serving at your weekend tailgate.

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"We are excited to share our amazing, award-winning cocktails with Foodland consumers and support local animal shelters by contributing up to 5% of proceeds to these worthwhile causes.  Each unique flavor is the perfect choice for authentic craft cocktails at home or on the go and there is really nothing else like it on the market," shares Brody's co-founder Cristy Neunson. "To be able to secure interest this quickly from another important market in Hawaii is a huge opportunity for us, and we are excited to work with RNDC to distribute our products across the state of Hawaii."

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These expertly blended cocktails are best enjoyed chilled; topped with champagne, sparkling wine, club soda, tonic or ginger beer, and are available in five flavors in Foodland stores across the state:

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• Air Mail -- rum infused with rich honey, bright lime and earthy aromatic bitters
• Minted Mule -- a minty mingle of vodka and spicy ginger with a splash of lime
• Touch of Grey -- a bittersweet blend of gin, black tea, bergamot, black raspberry and honey
• French 75 -- notes of bright juniper gin with a tart lemon kiss and a lingering licorice finish
• Black Orchid -- a fresh bouquet of vodka, fruit and flowers, featuring black raspberry, citrus and violet

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Expansion has been impressive for a brand that just launched in May of 2021. It has already received high praise from both the consumer judged SIP Awards (including an innovation award from SIP Awards for their Minted Mule offering), the 12th annual New York International Spirits Competition (NYISC), and most recently, the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Additionally, the brand was a top 10 finalist in BevNet's first annual Cocktail Showdown pitch competition in 2021.

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Brody's cocktails are available in 375 ml bottles, serve up to five cocktails each and vary in proof (16 - 25% alc/vol). In addition to the Hawaii expansion, Brody's is currently retailed in the Greater Philadelphia area, New Jersey, Connecticut, New York, California, Florida, and to 31 states via their eCommerce platform with a suggested retail price of $12.99-$14.99 per bottle.

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For more information on Brody's, availability or to purchase online, visit www.drinkbrodys.com. Please direct all media inquiries to Cristy Neunson (pr@drinkbrodys.com).

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Cermount, recognized for its SQF level dietary supplements and dry foods packaging services, offers quality-centered contract manufacturing while employing an all-inclusive and mission-driven workforce. Along with its parent company, Transylvania Vocational Services (TVS), and ongoing contracts with the US Government for food banks and the US Military, Cermount has continued to thrive and expand its private label food manufacturing and supplements business during these last two years.

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Cermount is invested in the future with a current facility upgrade and line expansion. New vertical and horizontal form-fill-and seal equipment, additional filling lines, and a high-speed Bosch encapsulation machine are just a few of the recent investments.  Additional square footage was added to accommodate new growth and dedicated line space for dietary supplements blending, encapsulation, bottling, and powder filling opportunities.

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"Cermount plans to continue to expand our facility and capabilities to accommodate the growing needs of our customers and the market," said VP of Business Development and Marketing Beth Rich. "We also have exciting new capabilities planned for the upcoming year—such as single serve cups, different pack sizes and styles, and additional material offerings. We have been fortunate that our recent growth has allowed for us to make these types of investments back into our organization."

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Cermount is flexible with a variety of packaging options, production run sizes, and an overall ease of market entry. The R&D Team can assist new customers with custom food development or simply enhance a current formula.  Overall, Cermount is responsive, easy to work with, and there to help meet the start-to-finish manufacturing needs of most any project requirements.  

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"Certified Quality. Trusted Service," the Cermount motto, is built on the mission of its parent company, Transylvania Vocational Services (TVS), providing competitive employment to adults with disabilities for over 50 years.  TVS has a state-of-the-art dry food manufacturing facility fulfilling contracts for the federal government.  Cermount's new capabilities and expansion combined with TVS's mission and expertise make for a winning combination and why both are trusted and respected by industry partners.  By "manufacturing with a mission" these organizations work to enhance the dignity and quality of life of individuals with disabilities and barriers to employment. For more information visit www.cermount.com.

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EZ Newswire
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The Pulte Family, known in homebuilding for Bill Pulte's experience inside of Pulte Homes now PulteGroup Inc, recently invested in Sacramento, California's leading home services company, AtticMan Heating & Air Conditioning.

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This latest acquisition now takes The Pulte Family's individual platforms from the East Coast to the Southwest and now to the West Coast.

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"Mario Lopez, the Founder of AtticMan, isn't afraid of hard work and can be found in the trenches with his team when they need a helping hand. These "muddy boots" qualities attracted The Pulte Family to AtticMan," said Bill Pulte, CEO of Pulte Capital and Former Director of PulteGroup Inc.

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"These qualities mirror the principles that PulteGroup Founder and Patriarch of The Pulte Family, William J. Pulte (1932-2018), used to build Pulte Homes now PulteGroup Inc. With such a great start already, we feel that AtticMan will have no problems implementing parts of The Pulte Plan that William J. Pulte created as playbook to running a successful business," said a spokesperson for The Pulte Family

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"We are excited to be partnered with The Pulte Family. This partnership will take AtticMan to the next level and will offer a tremendous financial and learning opportunity for all of our employees. We are looking forward to continuing to provide the best service in Sacramento and expanding our business alongside The Pulte Family," said Mario Lopez, Founder of AtticMan Heating and Air Conditioning.

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The Pulte Family may or may not disclose its sale of these securities and reserves the right to acquire more or dispose of said securities without notification.

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EZ Newswire
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The NFT minting platform Hypercube is pleased to announce its public launch with Chrysanthemum: The Heart-Centered Drop. Founded by tech entrepreneur Ryan Junee and a team of generative art enthusiasts in 2021, Hypercube is a minting platform for complex, on-chain art projects. Committed to innovation and inclusivity on the blockchain, the platform is excited to partner with artists venturing into the digital space from diverse backgrounds. Beyond the traditional "cube" of galleries and institutions, Hypercube bridges the gap between fine art and the rapidly evolving landscape of technologically-engaged art. The artists on Hypercube are pushing the boundaries of technology and pioneering a new genre of art, powered by the advanced infrastructure of the platform and its expert team.

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For its inaugural drop, Hypercube collaborated with Luminance and TRIPP to turn generative art into regenerative sustainability. Chrysanthemum: The Heart-Centered Drop is the first collection of generative, biometric, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) which incorporate biofeedback to guide breathing and support wellness. Created in partnership with TRIPP, the fastest-growing XR wellness platform, and the design studio, Luminance, the collection of biometric NFTs will be minted on Hypercube's platform. The joint launch offers an invitation for collectors to merge the body, mind, heart, and breath together in harmony. The project is on a mission to drive global connection through shared intention, attention, and breath, with 10% of the proceeds going toward regenerative farming projects.

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Chrysanthemum: The Heart-Centered Drop is designed by Daniel Friedman of Luminance with sound design by David Starfire of TRIPP. An edition of 1,440 NFTs (representing the total number of minutes we have in a day and an implicit reminder to be as present, healthy, and inspired as possible during that time) are available for minting at a price of 0.25 ETH. The collection leverages science and research-backed biofeedback to support interactive, meditative experiences. This genesis collection allows collectors to access an immersive web & IRL audio-visual biofeedback journey guided by their own hearts. After pairing with a Bluetooth heart rate monitor, the colors and patterns of the Chrysanthemum NFT respond in real time. For further immersion, collectors can enable audio feedback to listen to sound frequencies generated by their own heartbeats, with a sound and music library provided by GRAMMY-nominated artists, for a unique experience with every session.

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To learn more about Hypercube, and to mint your own Chrysanthemum, visit https://hypercube.art/chrysanthemum

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EZ Newswire
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In their continued efforts in emerging as a national advertising agency, San Diego-based InnoVision Marketing Group has launched InnoVision Español, adding to their portfolio of in-house services that include digital media, traditional media, web development, design, public relations, film production and more.

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InnoVision Español will serve businesses and brands wanting to reach the Hispanic community and Hispanic-oriented clients and companies.

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An important and valuable sector of the entire country and San Diego County, the Hispanic team at InnoVision is representative of this community, which makes up a very large percentage of San Diego County.

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Hispanic consumers remain an underserved demographic for many marketers. Given that the population of Hispanics in the US is 18.7% in 2020, and around 34% in San Diego, only 6% of overall industry investment is spent toward the Hispanic community, per the Hispanic Marketing Council.

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"Many of our team members are either native Mexicans, Mexican Americans or from South America. Spanish is their first language. In fact, our two longest-tenured members are spearheading the new Hispanic division – Giselle Campos, our senior vice president, and senior creative director and Jose Carrillo, our senior vice president and executive art director. There's an art to marketing to the Hispanic community and Giselle and Jose not only understand it, they've mastered it," says Ric Militi, CEO and Executive Creative Director of InnoVision Marketing Group.

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"Marketing to any specific ethnic group is very different from marketing to the English-speaking population. Considerations must include accurate colloquial translation of the message, slang usage, improper insinuations, values and much more. Our Hispanic team at InnoVision are part of the Hispanic community, so the messaging is much more authentic," he says.

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"Growing up in a Mexican-American household, I have witnessed first-hand what it's like to not see your culture or language represented in advertising and the impact that lack of connection can have on an audience. It is important to me to create narratives that the Hispanic market can connect with and actually make sense based on how the message is being delivered. Serving ads to the Hispanic community that have been run through Google Translate, have subtitles, or are just replicas of the English messaging is just not enough anymore. I'm so excited to bring this authenticity to the Hispanic marketing mix," says Giselle Campos, Sr. Vice President/Sr. Creative Director of InnoVision Marketing Group.

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InnoVision has been executing Hispanic campaigns for clients such as Palomar Health, Penske Automotive, Valley View Casino and Fresh Start Surgical Gifts for several years now, so formalizing the division was only a matter of time. This opens up the opportunity for the company to serve an even larger audience of thriving Hispanic businesses that make up a large part of the San Diego community and more importantly, bring them to light.

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Representing brands in multiple categories including airports, automotive, fast-casual dining, food & beverage, healthcare, soft drinks, casinos, tribal government, economic development and nonprofit, the agency serves clients across the US.

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To learn more about InnoVision Español, please click here or contact Bianca Kasawdish at bianca@teaminnovision.com.

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EZ Newswire
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Virgo PR, a New York based agency that creates campaigns that draw attention and attracts audiences, has been appointed to work with Hero Collective as the agency continues to expand its clientele. Hero Collective is a powerhouse when it comes to turning brands into heroes, making it one of the fastest-growing black-owned social media marketing agencies in America. Virgo has already placed stories for Hero in Digiday, AdAge, Campaign US along with executing a media event at Cannes Lions.

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The company breaks through the mold of a typical creative partner by focusing its approach on the "power of UN." The unexpected, uncompromising, and unforgettable aspects of their campaigns leave an underlying, yet lingering, call to action for change. Its emphasis on igniting cultural and social change, while simultaneously driving business growth and revenue, has given the agency a competitive edge in the advertising space.

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"Joe and his team have done extraordinary things for not only their clients but the industry overall," said Mike Paffmann, CEO of Virgo PR. "We're going to keep highlighting in the media all the innovative work Hero is doing alongside being a driver of change in the space."

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For more information on the partnership or to see more of Virgo PR's work, please visit https://virgo-pr.com/.

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EZ Newswire
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Fresh Northwest-grown sweet cherries are available now in produce sections from coast to coast. This delicious summertime superfruit is sweet, juicy and packed with nutrients that support better health. From keeping pain at bay with anti-inflammatory properties to helping reduce stress and improve sleep, sweet cherries are a healthy grab-and-go snack for consumers of all ages.

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"It's been a long spring for our growers, but harvest has finally arrived" said B.J. Thurlby, president of the Northwest Cherry Growers. "Fortunately, the long, cool spring gave our cherries ample time to plump up, resulting in large, dark, extra-sweet cherries that have that great light crunch as you bite into them."

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Sweet cherries are loaded with anthocyanins, a polyphenolic compound that gives the fruit their deep, dark color from skin to pit and has also been shown to reduce inflammation, which may be a contributing factor to diseases such as arthritis, cancer and diabetes. Northwest sweet cherries are also a low-glycemic snack for those watching their blood sugars at home or on the go. Studies indicate that sweet cherries release glucose slowly and evenly, allowing blood sugar levels to stay steady longer.

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"With grocery costs on the rise, foods that satisfy your tastebuds and fuel your health are key to cost-conscience purchasing," said Kelly Pritchett, Ph.D., RDN, CSSD, assistant professor at Central Washington University. "Sweet cherries are one of my favorite summertime fruits for exactly that reason. They're delicious, nutrient-dense and a safe crowd-pleaser for all ages."

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Sweet cherries are a versatile fresh fruit — eat them by the handful, fold them into a salad, blend them in a smoothie or mix them in your favorite salsa. Their dietary advantages can also be tapped year-round when cherries are frozen, dried, canned or even pickled.

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Northwest-grown cherries are harvested by more than 2,000 growers across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Montana who together make up almost all of the cherries you find in stores from midJune through early September. This year, a snowfall during cherry bloom significantly reduced and delayed the crop, but thankfully the remaining fruit is all the better for the reduced competition on the trees.  More information about Northwest cherries — including recipes, canning ideas, health tips and more — is available by following the Northwest Cherry Growers on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter, and at nwcherries.com. For more information about the health benefits of sweet cherries, visit nwcherries.com/sweethealth.

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Maxine's Heavenly, a fast-growing, Los Angeles-based cookie manufacturer specializing in making homemade-style cookies that are "sweetened by nature," was recently recognized by Good Housekeeping in its 2022 Healthy Snack Awards. The brand, whose aim is to redefine taste standards for natural products, is thrilled to have had its Chocolate Chip crispy cookie win the magazine's "Best Chocolate Chip Cookie" category.

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Like all Maxine's Heavenly products, the crispy Chocolate Chip cookie is made using oat flour and is sweetened using organic coconut sugar—a naturally low glycemic, plant-based sweetener. Using only clean, sustainable, and easily recognizable ingredients like organic coconut nectar, coconut oil, and flaxseeds, this melt-in-your mouth cookie features crisp, buttery-edges, hints of caramel and decadent chocolate while being completely vegan, gluten-free, low glycemic, and free of top allergens for only 150 calories and 10 grams of sugar in every two-cookie serving.

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"The chocolate chip cookie is an American staple that is beloved by all, so we are beyond honored and thankful to the team of Registered Dietitians at Good Housekeeping for naming our crispy Chocolate Chip cookie the "Best Chocolate Chip Cookie" in its 2022 Healthy Snack Awards," said Robert Petrarca, co-founder & CEO of Maxine's Heavenly.

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"When we first founded Maxine's Heavenly, our goal was to provide consumers with great-tasting, craveable cookies that not only reflected today's food values but that were also wholly inclusive—in both lifestyle and nutrition—and able to be enjoyed by all. We believe that natural, clean-ingredient cookies should taste as good, if not better, than conventional products. We are overjoyed that Good Housekeeping has vouched to the fact that our Chocolate Chip cookie stacks up in both nutrition and taste."

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Maxine's Heavenly is definitely a company to watch as it recently reported a four year Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 92%. According to recent SPINS data, Maxine's Heavenly leads the category as the third fastest-growing, naturally-positioned cookie brand. Maxine's Heavenly also ranked #28 in the total cookie category, a segment with more than 1000 brands.

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Be sure to check out Good Housekeeping's 2022 Healthy Snack Awards to see what Good Housekeeping had to say about Maxine's Heavenly and view the full list of winners.

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If you're interested in trying Maxine's Heavenly for yourself, visit www.maxinesheavenly.com before July 15th and enter "BESTCOOKIE15" at checkout to receive 15% off (single-use only). Consumers can learn more about Maxine's Heavenly and its products on its website or by searching 'Maxine's Heavenly' on social media on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

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Today, the Council on Black Health, a research and action network dedicated to improving Black health nationwide, launched a new, national campaign, Operation Good Food & Beverages (OGF&B), to engage Black youth in a movement to promote healthier food and beverage options and counteract widespread unhealthy food marketing. OGF&B is an initiative by and for Black youth who recognize the history of unhealthy food marketing and speak out on the need for healthy foods and beverages to be more available and promoted in Black communities.

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The effort is in partnership with HeartSmiles, the Center for Science in the Public Interest, and the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health at the University of Connecticut, and with support from the Bloomberg American Health Initiative at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and Evoke, a global brand, experience, and communications platform.

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OGF&B addresses a growing and urgent health crisis in the Black community. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black communities experience a heavy burden of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. This is fueled in part by higher-than-average exposure of Black youth to the marketing of fast foods, sugary drinks, and other unhealthy products. Analyses from the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health found that in 2019, Black youth viewed, on average, nearly three fast-food ads per day – 75 percent more than their White counterparts.

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"Patterns of racially targeted marketing of unhealthy food and beverages have not improved to any significant degree despite decades of public health criticism and calls for companies to change them," said Shiriki Kumanyika, PhD, MPH, a research professor at Drexel University's Dornsife School of Public Health and a lead researcher for OGF&B. "We believe a positive approach that expresses Black community views about the benefits of healthy foods and connects good foods to Black culture can spark change."

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Healthy eating has long played an influential role in Black communities. During the Civil Rights Movement, plant-based diets were central to many Black activists who saw the diet as a pathway to Black health and liberation. Today, for reasons from achieving health goals to connecting with African heritage, Black youth are among those spearheading the plant-based movement, with 50 percent of vegans identifying as Black or Latino.

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OGF&B highlights the positive impact marketing of healthy foods and beverages can have on Black community health and well-being through the eyes of Black youth, who have contributed directly to the project through development of the website and social media channels, including content and videos. The campaign's new website features community-inspired and nutritionist-approved recipes that can be used as part of a seven-day healthy food challenge, and it is working with Black influencers on TikTok and Instagram to help amplify the message. The campaign is also calling on the National Restaurant Association, via a petition on Change.org, to encourage its 380,000 member restaurants to apply existing Kids LiveWell nutrition standards to menu items that are popular with Black youth up to age 18 instead of the current age 12 and commit to promoting these healthier options. Through these efforts, OGF&B aims to amplify Black youth voices. and tackle an ongoing problem.

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"Black youth will be the voice of this movement, but we all have a role to play," said Kumanyika. "We hope that parents, advocates, advertisers, restaurants, food and beverage companies, celebrities and policymakers will all step up and join us to say now is the time to promote better food and beverage options in our communities. Our youth deserve it."

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"The winners of the 2022 National Mariachi Youth Vocalist Competition have been selected," says Macaria Mendez, Chair of Mariachi Festival Board of Directors. "One winner was chosen from each of the three categories: high school, middle school and elementary school. We had great participation this year, which made it difficult to select just one winner. Our mission is to promote our Hispanic heritage through the arts by hosting first-class events. These winners will make us all proud of our heritage."

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The 2022 winners are as follows:

• Jennifer Diaz is from Juan Diego Catholic High School in West Jordan, Utah
• Alan Aguilar is from Patrick Henry Middle School in Houston, Texas
• Kaylee Bucio is from Riverside Elementary School in West Jordan, Utah

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"The winners will be performing at the Mariachi Festival at the Wortham Theater in downtown Houston, Texas on August 6, 2022," says the producer of this event, Ben Mendez. "They will be performing with the University of Houston Mariachi Pumas led by Jose Longoria. I know these three young mariachis will go on to be famous one day. They have the talent and the heart. We are happy to be a small part of their journey."

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Also performing that evening will be Mariachi 7 Leguas led by Emilio Santos, Mayra Garcia-Adame with Mariachi Mariposas, and the University of Texas Rio Grande Ballet Folklorico led by Miguel Pena.

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"We cannot thank our sponsors enough for all their support. Without them we would not be able to showcase all this great entertainment promoting our Hispanic culture. A big thanks to Telemundo, Que Onda Magazine, Action Gypsum Supply and the Gonzalez Law Group for believing in us and supporting our mission," says Mendez.

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For tickets to the Mariachi Festival, please go to www.HoustonMariachiFestival.com. This will be a spectacular event. Sponsorship opportunities are also available beginning at $500 for 10 seats.

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Athletico Physical Therapy has opened a new location in Independence, Missouri, located across the street from Hy-Vee Supermarket and next to Imagine Dental & Orthodontics. This location offers convenient hours including early morning and late evening appointments. To learn more, or to schedule a free assessment, visit www.athletico.com/IndependenceMO.

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Athletico is committed to keeping employees and patients safe during COVID-19 and has taken several measures, including additional screening procedures, enhanced cleaning practices and appropriate distancing of patients during treatment sessions. In addition to in-clinic treatment at Independence, Athletico is also offering telehealth virtual treatment options where patients can connect with a physical therapist through a secure online video chat.

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"I'm thrilled to be part of Athletico and look forward to growing the new Independence clinic from the ground up," said Brandon Alumbaugh, PT, DPT and Clinic Manager of Athletico Independence. "As clinic manager, I'm excited to lead patients in the community towards their goals, empower them through individualized care, and treat the whole person to get them back to moving and feeling better."

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Services available at Athletico Independence include:

• Physical therapy – Our physical therapists treat you to reduce pain, improve or restore mobility, and to help you remain at your optimal health without further risk of injury. We also offer joint replacement therapy, headache treatment, concussion therapy and more.
• Free assessments – If you have a strain, sprain or nagging pain, you can see one of our experts for a free, 30-minute assessment. We evaluate your injury and recommend treatment. Please note, restrictions apply.
• Manual therapy – Also known as hands-on physical therapy, our experts use only their hands while performing skilled, specific hands-on techniques to apply pressure to the soft tissues of the body. This treatment can help relax muscles, increase circulation and reduce tissue inflammation.
• Hip rehabilitation – Whether you have pain or tightness in your hips or need rehabilitation before or after a hip surgery, our specialists can provide safe and effective treatment to keep you moving.
• Back pain/spine rehabilitation – Although common, back pain is often misunderstood and left untreated can result in a prolonged recovery. Our back pain specialists help eliminate pain quickly and get you back to doing the things you love. This can help you reduce or eliminate the need for medication or advanced imaging and possibly surgery.

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Additionally, Athletico Independence:

• Accepts all major insurance plans, so you don't need to worry about your visits not being covered.
• Offers convenient hours, including early mornings and late evenings.
• Schedules each initial evaluation quickly, sometimes the same or next day, but always within 24-48 hours.
• Provides ongoing patient education on diagnosis, treatment plans and prescribed home-exercise programs.
• Practices clear, consistent communication between therapist, physician and patient regarding progress.

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Z Natural Foods®, a manufacturer and distributor of natural foods, announced the launch of Organic Electrolyte Pineapple Coconut Water. Each serving contains nearly 75% coconut water to rehydrate and energize your body. With its array of powerful electrolytes, this new, top-of-the-line product will allow for a full-body re-charge.

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Organic Electrolyte Pineapple Coconut Water also contains pineapple juice to boost immunity and promote cardiovascular health. With its Bromelain and Manganese content, Organic Electrolyte Pineapple Coconut Water provides a powerful source of antioxidants to help to stave off free radicals.

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A unique white substance found in Organic Electrolyte Pineapple Coconut Water called Maltodextrin is used for a quick boost of energy. This helps enhance anaerobic power and sustain more endurance, which allows for less muscle fatigue during strenuous exercise.

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Organic Electrolyte Pineapple Coconut Water possesses a low-calorie, healthy blend of sweeteners---Stevia and Erythritol, and provides a great-tasting, all-natural, nutritious drink. An excellent sugar substitute, this antioxidant combination may also support healthy glucose levels—which can be a key factor in managing body weight.

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Extracted from plant leaves without harmful additives, Stevia gives you a delicious flavor while refreshing your state of mind. Loaded with strong minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and sodium, Organic Electrolyte Pineapple Coconut Water allows you to discover newfound energy to help increase your daily productivity.

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Organic Electrolyte Pineapple Coconut Water is a non-GMO, gluten-free product with a natural source of electrolytes. This delicious product is low in carbohydrates, fats, and sugars.

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With 120 calories per serving and 13 total servings per 1 lb. bag, Organic Electrolyte Pineapple Coconut Water provides abundant organic-rich nutrients. Organic Electrolyte Pineapple Coconut Water is $19.99 for 1 lb., $74.99 for 5 lbs., and $649.99 for 55 lbs., and is now available at https://www.znaturalfoods.com.

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Foodstiks is happy to announce that it will be featured at the 18 edition of the World Athletics Championships, which are being held at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon July 15-24, 2022. By incorporating sustainability into all aspects of the event's planning and delivery, the local planners have set high standards for sustainability and showcasing the best of Oregon. To that end, they are thrilled to have Foodstiks as a supplier of their compostable wood cutlery, the only sustainable alternative to plastic.

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Over the course of the 10-day competition, the University of Oregon campus will be transformed into an athlete village for 4,000 competitors from one hundred different nations. The event alternates every four years with the summer Olympics.

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"This event is typically held in places like Berlin, London, or Singapore, so this is a very big deal for Eugene Oregon and the first time this event is being held in the US," said Thomas P Driscoll, Associate Director of Housing, Director Dining Services University Housing, Division of Student Services and Enrollment Management University of Oregon.

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The University of Oregon has a program that encourages the use of reusable tableware, but when that is not possible, they rely entirely on the innovative and environmentally friendly products from Foodstiks. With such a large-scale athletic event taking place on campus this month, the University is turning to Foodstiks to help feed the crowds.

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Foodstiks are disposable utensils that are entirely made of Birch wood. They, like popsicle sticks or tongue depressors, have natural antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that eliminate 99 percent of all potential contaminants.

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Unlike compostable plastic (PLA), which requires commercial composting facilities, their wood cutlery is 100% backyard compostable. Besides that, Foodstiks are completely natural, with no toxic chemicals added. Which makes them not only a green choice but also a healthy choice for the athletes gathering in Eugene.

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For the team at Foodstiks, who take pride in providing high-quality biodegradable earth-friendly forks, knives, and spoons, being a part of something so special is important. They are honored to be a supplier at the World Athletics Championships and encourage others to, "Change from plastic disposable cutlery to wood disposable cutlery today and be part of the solution, not the problem!"

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The Earth Baby® brand was launched a decade and a half ago with the explicit purpose of revolutionizing a baby care industry that was rife with chemicals and other unsavory ingredients. In fact, in a survey conducted by the Environmental Working Group in November of 2007 — the same year that Earth Baby® was founded — it was discovered that the average child was exposed to 27 unsafe chemicals a day just through body care products.

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The issue of reckless chemical exposure through childcare hygiene products was a genuine concern when founder Florence Nacino launched her family care brand. The goal from the start was to use certified organic fruit and vegetable-based ingredients that were truly non-toxic and gentle on a baby's skin, hair, and body.

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In the intervening time since the company's launch, the use of organic, natural ingredients in childcare products has become more common. However, it's also correlated with a reduction in efficacy due to the less potent impact of many natural ingredients compared to stronger (albeit harsher) chemical alternatives.

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Rather than accept a reduction in effectiveness for the sake of using natural ingredients, though, the Earth Baby® team came up with an innovative answer: its patented Oleosphere® Technology formulation.

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"Our Oleosphere® Technology uses time releasing ingredients called Oleosomes," explains the company's VP of Sales and Marketing Bianca Murphy. "Those are skin-softening oils and vitamins that replenish the natural skin barrier, reduce the need for high levels of UV filters, and feature a time-controlled release. They even help with waterproofing for things like our Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen. This keeps a child's skin safe for longer periods of time."

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This combination of natural, organic ingredients and effective application have combined to give the Earth Baby® brand a unique sense of safety and efficacy that can't be found in competing brands and formulas. It has kept the company at the forefront of an evolving family care movement that is constantly seeking the most effective natural solutions to childcare available.

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Communication and social skills are some of the biggest issues among youth in the United States and all over the world. The non-profit organization, Target Evolution has been helping youth of today become professionals in various fields. The organization proudly presents its newest Trail Blaze Shop at First Colony Mall in Sugar Land, Texas. The retail store is established with the sole purpose of selling products created by young entrepreneurs from the age of 12 to 19. This shop gives 90% of the profit of sales to the youth creators.

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Keeping the current scenario of youth disengagement and disconnection nationally in mind, people are looking for ways to engage youth and help them make a living from their teen years. That is where Target Evolution comes in with effective and tried-and-tested solutions, helping youth foster communication and social skills gaps through entrepreneurship. The organization has done tremendous research on this predicament to understand that the traditional education system is not enough for youth to secure employment in the current competitive job market. That is why they have built programs that teach various soft skills to the young kids by helping them become entrepreneurs and make money.

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One of their programs is the Trail Blaze Shops, which educates young entrepreneurs about how a business is run in a real-world environment. This program gives them practical experience in becoming independent and self-sufficient young adults, by providing a space for them to earn money and grow. They now have two Trail Blaze Shops in two shopping malls in Texas. Both the shops sell various types of products created by youth within the 12 to 19 age group. With the Trail Blaze shops, the youth can learn about entrepreneurship first-hand and the various financial aspects that they must know to become successful in the future. They are building a generation of successful and experienced young professionals and entrepreneurs from scratch. Currently, the organization has stores in Stonebriar Mall in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex in Frisco, and in First Colony Mall in the Houston area in Sugar Land. The organization is working with a national mall owner and national department stores to expand to several more cities.

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The young children and teens can earn a handsome amount of money from not only selling their products, but from working in the Trail Blaze stores as well. One youth who participated in the program, teen author and entrepreneur April Pelton, earned more than $1000 in just two hours during her first book signing at the shop. Sharing her experience she said, 'Target Evolution has given me several business and marketing opportunities. I got to have my products in Galleria Dallas and now I'm in Stonebriar Frisco. They help children like me every day, and I'm proud to be a part of the Target Evolution family.

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Recently, Target Evolution secured a partnership with Market by Macy's to host a monthly 2-day 'Trail Blaze Youth Pop-Up' for young entrepreneurs between the age of 12 and 19 in their smaller concept stores, Market by Macy's in Flower Mound, in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.

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Target Evolution is a non-profit organization that aims to build a generation of entrepreneurs and skillful professionals who can secure their dream job without any trouble. Its mission is to offer a solution to the nationwide employment issues and help youth develop communication and social skills, which make a long-lasting difference in their personal lives and society. They currently have had more than 700 teens in Dallas and Houston enrolled in their various programs over the past several years. Find out more at www.targetevolution.org.

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Ready to get all fired up? Grilling with charcoal is about to get a whole lot easier as YAK Grills - maker of the world's most social grill - are set to launch a new Chimney Starter and Extinguishing Bucket combo: the YAK Firestack Duo™.

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The public response to the YAK Grill has been overwhelmingly positive, with users coast-to-coast sharing how the YAK Grill has brought a new dimension to their backyard grill-togethers, but there was always something missing.

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"I am thrilled that the YAK Grill has introduced so many new people to the joy of grilling with charcoal," David Sypniewski, company founder said. "But we found that many of our customers struggled with the best way to ignite the charcoal and then what to do with the remaining hot coals once the party was over."

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Enter the Firestack Duo, combining the best elements of a traditional chimney starter and adding a nesting bucket with a locking lid, all scaled to compliment the YAK Grill perfectly.

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The first thing you notice about the Duo is it's small stature. More compact and portable than the usual offerings, it holds just the right amount of charcoal to properly fill the YAK Grill. When you pick it up, you'll also notice how solid and sturdy it is. Just like the YAK Grill, the Duo is built to last.

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Firestack Duo Features:

• Crafted from heavy gauge stainless steel, rust resistant and built to last.
• The stainless-steel extinguishing bucket has a twist-to-lock lid to extinguish and store coals for next time.
• Integrated heat shield and insulated handles that stay cool to the touch.
• The portable size makes traveling to a picnic, beach, or friend's house effortless.

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The Firestack Duo will launch on July 7th exclusively on yakgrills.com

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