“Increasing diversity at colleges and universities is part of actualizing the American dream. We should be doing more – not less – to reach students who have been historically and traditionally underserved.
This past November marked the twenty year anniversary of California’s passage of Proposition 209 which barred affirmative action in the public sector. Unfortunately, despite California’s and the nation’s increasing demographic diversity, Black and Latino students, along with some groups of students within the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community, continue to be underrepresented at California’s public universities. We believe now more than ever it’s important to continue to expand – not limit – diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts on campuses across the country.
I am disturbed by the news that despite the barriers many students of color still face, the Trump administration appears to be directing resources to fight efforts to increase diversity in the very spaces that nurture our next generation of business and civic leaders. This is a detrimental course to chart on civil rights.
We applaud and support the institutions that embrace diversity and champion equity on their campuses and through their policies and practices. This work makes us a better state and a better nation. The Education Trust–West will continue to stand with and work with the administrators and student leaders who fight for more supportive, inclusive, and equitable pathways to and through higher education.”
Jessie Ware shares the video for her new song “Midnight.” The track is from her upcoming third studio album coming later this year on PMR / Friends Keep Secrets / Interscope Records.
Filmed in Mallorca, the video sees Jessie and director Tom Beard channel European film noir in the second half of a two-part story. “We shot from 1am until the sun came up and the video was so much fun to make,” said Jessie. The prequel to “Midnight” will be released soon.
Culinary Fight Fest presented by Culinary Fight Club, a national cooking competition, hosts its second annual divisional tournament with two added cities. Chefs who have won either the judge’s choice or taster’s choice from a Culinary Fight Club event are invited to compete in the divisional tournaments in Chicago, Kansas City and Atlanta to go head to head against chefs who won different themed competitions in 17 cities across the country.
Season two kicks off in The Windy City at Hard Rock Cafe (230 N Michigan Ave) on August 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the next epic fight in Kansas City at Martin City Event Space on August 20 from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and the final divisional battle in Atlanta at King Plow Arts Center on August 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Past Culinary Fight Club competitors and winners will compete with their signature bite and fight for their place to compete in the Ultimate Battle to win the Culinary Fight Fest Champion Trophy. Fight clubbers will receive drink tickets, chef samples, nosh samples or food truck vouchers, DJ entertainment and more. Each ticket helps fund Fight2Feed, a non-profit that aims to feed the hungry. The top four overall favorite bites will throw down in a 30-minute battle to name each division’s winner.
The winner will receive a Bull Outdoor Grill, Rhineland Cutlery, a Culinary Fight Fest Trophy, a featured recipe section on Food News Today, Culinary Fight Club backing for multiple opportunities for the year and more!
Tickets for the event range from $50-$100 and are available to purchase on Eventbrite. Each ticket helps fund Fight2Feed, a non-profit that aims to feed the hungry.
“Calibre RW1212 is a tribute to the present and a symbol of the future. Its name picks up the digits of our address here in Switzerland: 1212, standing for the Geneva suburb Grand-Lancy. It symbolizes the path we have traveled to date and the free-spirited approach we bring to watchmaking. It is our first in-house movement, born from our partnership with the Swiss movement manufacturer Sellita”, said Elie Bernheim, CEO RAYMOND WEIL.
VIRTUOSIC PRECISION
Aligning with the finest Swiss watchmaking traditions, RAYMOND WEIL is innovating by creating a new movement in collaboration with Sellita. This exclusive movement was developed and designed by the R&D department of the Geneva watch company and produced by the movement manufacturer based in Le Crêt-du-Locle, in the Jura Mountains. Its distinctive characteristic is the 6 o’clock front-dial positioning of its regulating organ. Named Calibre RW1212 as a nod to the postal code of the company headquarters in Grand-Lancy, it pays tribute to 40 years of RAYMOND WEIL creations and to the Brand’s determination to highlight the richness of watchmaking expertise, while infusing it with its uniquely free-spirited attitude.
RAYMOND WEIL introduces a model with a boldly distinctive design, notably featuring an openworked dial revealing the regulating organ at 6 o’clock. The balance-and-spring assembly, held by two bridges, reveals a construction echoing that of the most beautiful tourbillon regulators. The freelancer “Calibre RW1212” is a two-hand model providing an understated display of the hours and minutes.
It took 18 months for the R&D team at RAYMOND WEIL to develop the movement and design the dial revealing the regulating organ at 6 o’clock. All the elements closely relating to the regulating organ were redesigned and pared down, so as to endow this in-house movement with its subtle transparency. The calibre then sprang to life in the hands of the Sellita watchmakers.
Framed by a 42.5mm steel case, the balance-and-spring assembly is the focus of attention. The diamond-polished balance wheel and skeletonized bridges ensure transparent visibility extending to the very heart of the watch. Powered by a mechanical self-winding movement, the freelancer “Calibre RW1212” beats at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and has a 38-hour power reserve. Its oscillating weight is adorned with a “Côtes de Genève” motif and engraved with the RAYMOND WEIL logo. The movement is built in such a way as to showcase its beautiful mechanism on the dial side. The strategic organs positioned above the mainplate and the symmetry of the bridges accentuate the architectural nature of this elegant and beautifully balanced model.
The freelancer “Calibre RW1212” comes in several versions, featuring a silver-toned or black dial teamed with a steel case and bracelet, or with a leather strap, as well as in two-tone variations featuring matching bracelets or leather straps.
As emphasized by Elie Bernheim: “The introduction of this in-house calibre also marks the ‘revival’ or our ‘PRECISION MOVEMENTS’ slogan that first appeared in a 1994 advertising campaign and which earned RAYMOND WEIL a number of awards. A slogan evoking the precision that we cherish, painstaking attention to detail, the constant quest for quality, as well as unfailing respect for watchmaking skills and talents. It showcases the philosophy that drives us and honors the women and men who daily contribute to making RAYMOND WEIL an innovative and creative House.”
Join the social media conversation #PrecisionMovements
If you’re a thrill seeker or outdoor enthusiast looking for the adventure of a lifetime, you’ve come to the right place!
LifeRush Adventures offers the most action packed outdoor events guaranteed to get your blood pumping. Founded by life long adrenaline junkie and fitness guru, Jason Racca, with one goal in mind – to deliver remarkably fun and energizing experiences that fulfill the mind, body and soul.
JON TARIFA RELEASES OFFICIAL VIDEO FOR ‘DON’T GO’ TODAY VIA INTERSCOPE RECORDS
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
Directed by: Jorge Iván Sanders-Ortega
Produced by: Veracity Productions
The hand-drawn official video tells the story of two young people facing, and ultimately surmounting a difficult time in a close friendship. It speaks to the Social Emotional Learning phenomenon in education and parenting circles and is available to view in the U.S. for the first time beginning today.
Jon Tarifa released ‘Don’t Go’ in September (now over 1.8MM streams) and asked his fans to send in videos of their own ‘Don’t Go’-moment. One of those fans made a very special video as a tribute to President Barack Obama, who at the time was leaving soon after 8 years in the office. This touching tribute was placed on Facebook and soon became a massive viral hit. People from all over the world were moved by the endearing images of Obama’s time in the Oval Office. The video has been viewed over 55 million times, with over 1.3MM shares and 653,000 likes on Facebook.
“For me, this song is about love & positivity and I never expected any of this to happen. I feel truly blessed that so many people hear my song all over the world.” -Jon Tarifa
Every few years or so, a car company fabricates a phenomenon. Over the past three seasons, one of the automotive industry’s proven loudest leaders is the 2016 JAGUAR F-TYPE R Convertible for a myriad of reasons: it’s stunning blueprint, progressive transmission and obnoxious exhaust (loud and unapologetic). Coming in at around $111,245 bucks, you are simultaneously propelled into both the modern-day muscle car and luxury market segments – pushing 0 to 60 mph in under 3.9 seconds with more bells than whistles (one of the more advanced technology packages in its class). It’s 550hp 5.0 liter supercharged V8 engine bears a true sports car experience with 502 lb-ft torque, jolting heads back and forth. Furthermore, it stops at the bead of a dime with a super performance braking system – one of the best in the story of its maker.
The overall styling of the vehicle is reminiscent of the 2015 Aston Martin V8 Vantage but has a more aggressive stance with sharper lines, 20″ alloy wheels, xenon integrated headlamps with LED signature and cannon-like quad exhaust tips. This year’s model offers a much more exhilarating ride with standard AWD, allowing better cornering and less slip in wetter climate regions. Interior has carbon fiber trim, two-toned race inspired 14-way adjustable performance seats with prominent stitching and James Bond-like air vents sink down flush into the dashboard with dual climate controls and seat heaters. Fully electric cloth top retracts in less than 12 seconds, leaving just enough trunk space to stow one fully packed overnight rolling bag and weekender duffle. This year’s model also comes well-equipped with a much faster infotainment system complete with navigation and active settings for steering, engine and suspension at the touch of a button for a firmer ride experience. The sport mode takes the car from touring mode to race car-like experience in a matter of seconds with pedal shifters behind a 3 spoke chunky wheel that heats for a cool day or night driving. Or, you can left push 8-speed quickshifter into sports mode for a more manual drive atmosphere. The crackling exhaust coupled with the occasional pop at the tinge of a button was music to our ears.
Furthermore, the general design profile slightly metamorphoses at 50 mph when rear fin automatically deploys (also causes a switch in the middle console to trigger). Wind noise was cut by a 770W Meridian audio system with 12 speakers, bolting out your favorite satellite or Bluetoothed Pandora station. There’s very small room for road/lot distraction with blind spot warning, emergency brake assist and backup sensors/camera for parking.
We took the car for a long 4.5 hour drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas with top down and found it to be the most comfortable ride largely due to the climate package. Even with a light drizzle, the new drive train exhibited little to no slip at high velocities. The roadster’s pure aerodynamics forced condensation to flow over our heads and not to enter the cabin while all windows were cast upward. Upon arrival at Aria Hotel & Casino, we unpacked and packed on a few rounds of blackjack; then decided to re-engage our glacier white colored car, hopping back into the cockpit for a nightly drive on the strip underneath the city’s coruscating lights.
Hands-down, the 2016 JAGUAR F-TYPE R Convertible is one of the most prolific automobiles of the millennial generation, specializing in extreme comfort, perfect execution and innovation. Kudos to Jaguar Land Rover of Tata Motors for engineering such a beautiful piece of artistic creation in motion.
Pia Mia heats up the summer with her brand new video “I’m A Fan.” The visual is a perfect display of summer time fun. Directed by Justin Francis, the video features Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Jeremih. Inspired by her Guamanian roots, Pia’s video is an effortless combination of her confidence and style. “I’m A Fan” is available at all digital retailers now and check out the video HERE.
Pia Mia feat. Jeremih “I’m A Fan” eSingle
Today, Glass Animals share the official video for new single “Agnes,” taken from their Mercury Prize shortlisted album How To Be A Human Being. Watch the video for “Agnes” HERE.
Deeply honest, beautiful and full of depth, “Agnes” is the most personal song lead singer Dave Bayley has ever written. Dave explains: “There are varying degrees of autobiography and my own life in each song I write…but for the most part, that stuff is buried and clouded in fiction or blended with other peoples’ lives that I’ve heard about in taxis or at parties or on the street. But there is one song that stands apart from the rest. it is the most truthful, honest, and personal story I have ever written. And that song is ‘Agnes.'”
The video, directed by Eoin Glaister, explores the weight of grief in an abstract way, by a Human Centrifuge, a machine used by pilots for g-force training. The subject’s body mass increases as it subjected to increasing amounts of gravitational force, and as the song progresses this is visibly showcased through Dave’s difficulty performing the song.
Eoin explains: “In searching for ways to explore the weight of grief I remembered my grandfather used to perform tests on a human centrifuge, Essentially it’s an extremely large bit of kit that spins around very quickly. As it does so it subjects its occupants to increased levels of g-force. The faster 4you go, the heavier you become. On the day Dave described this feeling as like having an elephant sat on his chest. It was emotional. Appropriately so.'”
Glass Animals continue to demonstrate why they are one of the true global breakthrough artists of 2016/17. How To Be A Human Being (Harvest Records) debuted in the Top 20 of the Billboard 200 and topped the iTunes Alternative Albums chart in the U.S. and Australia. Named as one of the “10 Best Albums of 2016” by USA Today, it has racked up nearly 80 million Spotify streams in the U.S. The Associated Press hailed it as “a complex, exciting tapestry of a CD which switches musical styles and reveals new things each time it’s played.” They have now been shortlist for the 2017 Hyundai Mercury Prize, have over 3 million monthly Spotify listeners and have sold over 900,000 albums worldwide since their debut, obliterating all expectations created by first album Zaba’s word of mouth buzz.
The band have already played a huge selection of international festivals including Primavera, Coachella, Glastonbury (which featured a lot of fans dressing as pineapples), Latitude, and Bonnaroo, as well as headlining a sold out 10,000 capacity Red Rocks in Colorado (at which there was a huge electrical thunderstorm). For the rest of the year, Glass Animals will continue their anomalous rise. The band are still to play Lollapalooza and Reading and Leeds before returning to their U.S. headline tour. The run will kick off on September 16 at WaMu Theater in Seattle and include a show at Los Angeles’ historic Shrine Auditorium (September 21) and the band’s first concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York City (October 5). Additional East Coast dates include shows at Agganis Arena in Boston (October 7) and two nights the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC (October 8 & 9). New York based artist Amber Mark will support Glass Animals on tour. Glass Animals will cap off the tour with a performance during Weekend Two of Austin City Limits Festival (October 13-15). See below for itinerary. Tickets are on sale now.
GLASS ANIMALS – NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES
Newly added dates in bold
8/2 – New Haven, CT @ College Street Music Hall
8/3 – Portland, ME @ Thompson’s Point
8/4 – Montréal, QC @ Osheaga Festival
8/5 – Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza
9/16 – Seattle, WA @ WaMu Theater
9/19 – San Diego, CA @ Humphreys Concerts By the Bay
