Posts made in September 2018

TRIGGER WARNING: New Kavanaugh Video

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***WARNING: This video is a dramatization of alleged events. It contains violent images that may be disturbing to some viewers. Caution is strongly advised.***

WATCH THE AGENDA PROJECT’S NEW VIDEO: TRIGGER WARNING

The Agenda Project released a new video featuring a dramatization of the alleged attempted rape several years ago by Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh as described by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. As the text above warns, the footage may be disturbing for some. This is a delicate subject matter for many, but with the future of our nation at stake, we felt this video was an important one to make. If you feel up to it, we encourage you to watch, then act.

The video ends by providing the number to the US Senate switchboard. If you are as outraged as we are that a man credibly accused of attempted rape is being considered for a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court, please take a minute to call your Senators and demand that they vote against confirming Kavanaugh.

The video was released in conjunction with a piece written by Agenda Project Founder Erica Payne explaining the rationale behind putting out such potentially disturbing footage. In it, she writes:

“Senator Dean Heller called it “a little hiccup.” For Senator Lindsay Graham, it was “a smear.” The Honorable Orrin Hatch said, “This woman, whoever she is, is mixed up.” The X chromosome knows exactly what the Y chromosome means when it says things like that. It means we are nothing. Our claims to our bodies are NOTHING. Like a little hiccup, we will pass.

So it’s come to this. To showing them – showing as many men who have and would do this, and the ones who dismiss it when it’s done – what we’re actually talking about here.”

For more information on why we felt this video was so important for us to release, you can read more in the rest of her article HERE

Tori Kelly Sets Record With New Project Hiding Place

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Hiding Place & Grammy-nominated artist Tori Kelly’s new passion project has set the record for the most first-week streams ever for a gospel album.

The collection, which was produced by 12-time GRAMMY Award winner Kirk Franklin, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart and had the highest-selling week of any 2018 gospel album.

Hiding Place also topped Billboard’s Gospel Streaming Songs and Gospel Digital Song Sales charts plus the Apple Music Christian genre chart.

Tori was joined by Kirk Franklin and a choir last night when she performed the lead single Never Alone on The Late Show with James Corden. View their performance here! She and Franklin will also perform at the Annual GMA Dove Awards, which will be held October 16th in Nashville and air on TBN on Sunday, Oct. 21.

Tickets are on sale now at www.torikellymusic.com for Tori’s Hiding Place tour, which will kick off on Oct. 18 with a sold out concert at The Tabernacle in Atlanta, GA. The headline run includes shows at Warner Theatre in Washington DC (Oct. 28), Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium (Nov. 8), New York City’s Riverside Church (Oct. 30) plus two sold-out nights at the Cathedral Sanctuary at Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles (Nov. 16 & 17). See below for itinerary.

Idolator observed, there was always the sneaking suspicion that the 25-year old’s voice could soar even higher, that she could open near heart even wider. That promise finally comes to fruition on Hiding Place. Kelly’s talent transcends genres.

“Tori Kelly wants her new album Hiding Place to be a light in the dark for fans,” says PEOPLE magazine

Half of the songs on Hiding Place were penned by Franklin alone while the remaining tracks came from a collaboration between the two artists the first time that Franklin had ever co-written in his decades long career. The collection also features guest artists Lecrae, Johnathon McReynolds, and The Hamiltones.

Tori’s 2015 debut album Unbreakable Smile landed her on Artist to Watch–lists from the likes of Rolling Stone. It entered the Billboard 200 at No. 2 and contained the Gold-certified singles Nobody Love, Should’ve Been Us, and Hollow.

Unbreakable Smile has racked up more than one billion cumulative streams worldwide and sold 1.3 million adjusted albums. Following its release, Tori was nominated for a GRAMMY in the Best New Artist category and received the Billboard Women in Music Breakthrough Artist award.

Scholastic Events Feat. Raina Telgemeier, Kazu Kibuishi and More During NYCC

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New York Comic Con is arriving soon! Scholastic is celebrating the most exciting pop culture event on the East Coast in a big way; with an all-star lineup of authors and artists, special announcements, and panels that can’t be missed!

A full list of events and activities available during the show floor can be found below.

Press seating is limited so get your spots while you can!

They are also happy to provide assets after the show for inclusion in any post-convention coverage.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Friday, Oct. 5th at 4:00 PM-5:00PM: Share Your Smile: Spotlight on Raina Telgemeier

Location: Shop Studios, Level 4, 528 W 39th St

Raina Telgemeier, the bestselling, Eisner Award-winning author behind Smile, Sisters, Drama, and Ghosts, talks about her books, life, and what comes next. Go behind the panels to learn about this beloved author and hear an exclusive announcement.

Ticket Price: $22.00

You do not need a New York Comic Con badge to attend this event. Ticket price includes a signed copy of Smile and a Raina gift bag including a sample of her next book

6:00PM-8:00PM: Books of Wonder Graphic Novel Superstars

Location: 18 W 18th St, New York, NY 10011

A moderated Q&A, followed by a group signing

Participants: Raina Telgemeier (Smile), Kazu Kibuishi (Amulet), Molly Ostertag (The Witch Boy), Gale Galligan (The Baby-sitters Club graphics novels), Kristen Gudsnuk (Making Friends), Luke Pearson (Hilda and the Troll), Gustavo Borges (Petals), Sean Rubin (Bolivar)

Sunday, Oct. 7th:

2:00PM-3:00PM: The Drawesome Panel

Location: Shop Studios, 4th level, 528 W 39th St

See the creators of your favorite kids comic draw live! Graphix authors answer audience questions and demonstrate how they make the characters kids love. Attendees will receive an exclusive signed poster!

Panelists: Kazu Kibushi (Amulet), Raina Telgemeier (Smile), Molly Ostertag (The Hidden Witch), Gale Galligan (The Baby-sitters Club graphic novels), Kristen Gudnsuk (Making Friends), and Ru Xu (NewsPrints)

Ticket Price: $22.00

Attendees will receive their choice of pre-signed paperback book from the panelists + a Graphic gift bag including an exclusive poster

Panels at the Javits Center (a NYCC badge is required)

Thursday, Oct. 4th:

4:00PM-5:00PM: Women of AFK: Books based on Halo, World of Warcraft, & Five Nights at Freddy’s

Location: Javits Center, Room 1B03

Game developers, authors, and publishers are taking gaming offline and expanding the world of your favorite video game brands through books. Hear from the women behind the books for Five Nights at Freddy’s, Halo, and World of Warcraft, and more.

Panelists: Cassandra Rose Clarke (Halo: Battle Born), Chloe Fraboni (Senior Editor, Scholastic), Carly Anne West (Hello Neighbor: Missing Pieces)

Saturday, Oct. 6th

11:00AM-12:00PM: Archie Comics Forever: Riverdale and Beyond

Location: Javits Center, Room 1A24

Join your pals from Archie comics for exclusive news and announcements about your favorite comics!

Plus, get a look at Riverdale Season 3 and Netflix’s Chilling Adventure of Sabrina series!

Sunday, Oct. 7th

2:45PM-3:45PM: Futurecasting

Location: Javits Center, Room 1A18

Is science fiction innately optimistic, even it the outlook is dire? After all, even if characters are struggling in a non-utopian environment, one can argue that the fact the mere existence of humans in the future is a triumph of the species in itself.

Photo Ops

Oct. 4th through Oct. 7th

All Day: The Hunger Games Street Team

Location: Javits Center

Katniss Everdeen will be at the Javits Center with the Hunger Games street team to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games street team will distribute Hunger Game stickers, and attendees can take a photo with Katniss and tag Scholastic on social media in order to be entered for a chace to win a boxed set signed by Suzanne Collins.

Chioke Dmachi’s RAIN

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The 1st single Rain off Chioke Dmachi‘s soon to be released HeartLess Reign – EP,  is currently a finalist for Music Liberates Music by Bacardi x Major Lazer on Soundcloud.

Listen Like and share  (http://soundcloud.com/chiokedmachi/rain)

Chioke is equally excited for the other tracks on the EP to be released on November 11. It will be available for Pre-Sale on October 10.
You can download Rain on iTunes.

BlackBerry Spark

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By Amardeep Singh

BlackBerry just unveiled BlackBerry Spark, the only Enterprise of Things(EoT) platform designed and built for ensuring ultra-secure hyperconnectivity from all design aspects.

So what’s new in the anticipated release? BlackBerry promises better applications and uses for a wide variety of systems that run on AI and require high level security. Spark will allow enterprises devices to benefit from the maximum use of softwares and platforms such as Watson and Amazon AWS.

As the workforce will evolve, BlackBerry Spark will provide end users with the ability to move seamlessly between all profiles- professional and personal. Critics are indeed impressed by its unique industry-specific safety-certifications, such as ISO 26262 often seen in automobiles. But hyperconnectivity is just one piece of the entire system.

As users would realize, EoT can be put to various uses in organizations.
Employees for example can use virtual assistants like Alexa and put them to work by providing access to ultra secure files. Critical patients in hospitals can relax a bit better knowing that the systemautomatically prepares the staff and any supporting machines while readying emergency care units in the incident of a serious issue.

In the transportation sector, BlackBerry Spark allows connected vehicles to convey messages in real time while being totally encrypted and certified by BlackBerry Spark as genuine. This ensures validation and protects against unwanted issues and attacks. CEO John Chen agrees that smarphones have sparked a revolution in the way people live their
lives but are often blind to personal safety and data encryption.

CCS Insight had long predicted the overlap of EoT, IoT with businesses and users as smartphones became more common. The company calls it a bold but necessary step in bridging worlds and helping people create new
and better experiences.

BlackBerry’s long commitment of providing customer privacy and protection without monetizing client data is one of it’s greatest merits in a world ruled by smartphones.

BlackBerry Spark has already leveraged the company’s portfolio of technology, having earned more than 80 certifications, which is more than any other IoT vendor.

This includes FIPS-validation, AES 256-bit encryption to provide data protection at all levels while following strict international regulatory requirements. To the surprise of the average user, BlackBerry is the only EoT platform provider to obtain Common Criteria EAL4+. And that goes for both iOS and Android.

Roberto Osuna Agrees to Peace Bond

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By Reid Urban

Astros right-hander Roberto Osuna finally gained some good news regarding his domestic assault case.

According to Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle, Osuna appeared at a court hearing on Tuesday and agreed to a one-year peace bond. Because of that agreement, the assault charges from the alleged victim were withdrawn. However, under the terms of the peace bond, he will not be allowed to contact the alleged victim for one year and must avoid any further criminal charges. The reason behind the peace bond was that the alleged victim is currently in Mexico and decided not to return for court proceedings.

According to the Canadian Justice Department, a peace bond is used when “an individual (the defendant) appears likely to commit a criminal offence, but there are no reasonable grounds to believe that an offence has actually been committed.” If Osuna violates the peace bond, it can result up to four years of prison time.

So while Osuna escaped the possibly of facing assault charges stemming from this incident, it means that he’s going to have to be more careful to stay out of any more incidents that could be deemed criminal charges.

Peter McLoughlin Done as Seahawks President and CEO

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By Reid Urban

Peter McLoughlin, the president of the Seahawks for the last eight years, is out of the job.

The team announced on Monday that McLoughlin will be replaced by Chuck Arnold, who has been with the Seahawks for 25 years. Meanwhile, Burt Kolde, who is the vice-chairman of the Seahawks, said that McLoughlin’s contract was expiring and that it was a good time to do organizational restructuring.

As a part of that restructuring, it was announced that Chris McGowan will be promoted to Vulcan Sports and Entertainment CEO, and that Arnold will report directly to McGowan.

As the new team president, Arnold will manage all the team business operations and will also serve as president of First & Goal Inc., as well as overseeing the management of CenturyLink Field, CenturyLink Field Event Center, First & Goal Hospitality, and the WaMu Theater.

Kolde said on Monday that the contract was the main reason for the change.

This move comes during a time when it looks like the Seahawks are rebuilding the team on the field and coach Pete Carroll only has two years left on his contract.

Off The Hook Seafood Festival

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The 4th annual OFF THE HOOK Seafood Festival celebrates National Seafood Month on the iconic Santa Monica Pier on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018 from 4-7 PM (VIP access at 3PM). The event features tastings from the city’s best seafood restaurants and chefs, live music, the popular oyster shucking competition, sustainable seafood VIP Lounge and more. This seafood-loving food fest is 100% free of single-use plastics and benefits Heal the Bay who help to keep our oceans, waves and beaches clean.

“We are delighted to be part of this year’s OFF THE HOOK,” said Apryl Boyle, Associate Director of Heal the Bay Santa Monica Aquarium, “This event brings together the best restaurants and seafood dishes while also helping to draw awareness for sustainability and ocean friendly lifestyle practices.”

This year’s festival will feature Santa Monica’s top chef’s showcasing dishes with their underwater ingredients such as oysters, baja kanpachi, ahi handrolls, shrimp mac and cheese, lobster rolls and more. Participants include Chef and Restauranteur Jason Fullilove of Barbara Jean, Barbara Pollastrani from Heroic Deli and Govind Armstrong from The Lobster, and bites from other amazing restaurants such as BOA, Sushi Roku, Herringbone, Red O, Blue Plate Oysterette, 1212 Santa Monica, The Albright,T MBI Craft Indian Kitchen, Del Frisco’s Grille, Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken, Enterprise Fish Co., Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., TrashFish Box, Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern and more.

The OFF THE HOOK Oyster Shucking Competition, sponsored by The Albright, is always a crowd favorite where competitors battle it out for “Best in Shuck.” The Heal the Bay Santa Monica Aquarium, located directly under the Pier, will also be offering free entry to VIP ticket holders.

Tickets are $50.00 in advance for general admission, which include tastings, access to beer and wine garden, spirits tasting, live music, games and more and VIP tickets are $85.00 in advance and include early entry at 3 p.m. and access to the Sustainable Seafood VIP Lounge with curated cocktails and specialty seafood dishes from FIG, Barbara Jean, and Omega Blue Seafood.

OFF THE HOOK is proudly sponsored by Peroni/Blue Moon, Odwalla, The Albright, Getaround, Kevita, Fresh Wata, Kikori Whiskey, Cheeky Plates, Get Around, Eco Eats Party Ware, Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, Buy Local Santa Monica, Santa Monica Daily Press, LA Weekly, Angeleno, ATOD Magazine and Yelp.

A portion of proceeds will benefit Heal the Bay to help preserve our local oceans, waves, and beaches for future generations. Tickets are available now www.offthehookseafoodfest.com.

ABOUT HEAL THE BAY:

Heal the Bay is an environmental nonprofit dedicated to making the coastal waters and watersheds of Greater Los Angeles safe, healthy and clean. To fulfill our mission, we use science, education, community action, and advocacy. Learn more at www.healthebay.org.

Social Links

Instagram – @othseafoodfest
Twitter – @othseafoodfest
Facebook – @offthehookfest

LEGO McLaren 720S arrives at P Zero World

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P Zero World,the first Pirelli flagship store in the world, has special news for both car lovers and the young at heart – the much hyped, full-size LEGO® McLaren 720S vehicle has arrived in-store on Santa Monica Boulevard. This is the first time this ‘car-spectacle’ is in Los Angeles, after being launched by McLaren in Goodwood (UK) last year.

As for all the McLaren models, this special one made of little building bricks is also equipped with Pirelli tires. Those who are in the area can stop by the shop to admire this 1:1 scale model of the McLaren 720S, which is on display until Tuesday, October 9th. P Zero World is offering complimentary tire inspections and Italian espressos as well.

Event details:

·What: Full-size LEGO® McLaren 720S model on display at P Zero World

·Location: P Zero World: 10349 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90025

·Dates: 21 September – 9 October 2018

·Timing: Available to view during store hours

9am-6pm Monday-Friday and 10am-2pm Saturday

·Fun facts:

·200,000 plus LEGO® building blocks make up the frame

·Over 2000 hours of manpower went into the construction of this replica, which features the same coloring and details on the car body as the original version –thanks to the McLaren team and Speed Champion Lego squad in Bilund, Denmark

·Total weight is 1.6 tons

·The model includes four special Pirelli tires: P Zero Corsa in the Color Edition Silver version. Pirelli has exclusively equipped all McLaren car models over the years.

For local Angelenos, P Zero World organizes several events to share and enjoy in ‘engine passion’. The next event is a free viewing party of the penultimate race of the FIM World Superbike Championship on Sunday October 14th. P Zero World will provide food and the opportunity to win a free set of Pirelli Moto tires for those who ride in on their motorcycles.

About P Zero World Los Angeles

Since its inauguration two and a half years ago, P Zero World Los Angeles has been graced with Formula One drivers, American TV celebrities, baseball stars and other notable ‘stars and stripes’ VIPs. The first Pirelli flagship store, situated in the ”fancy” Beverly Hills, has become the point of reference for many supercar owners to not only change their tires but as a meeting point where bespoke design, luxury and the ultimate trends in the automotive world are appreciated and celebrated. The store team’s professional service, offering of Pirelli’s high quality products and in-store events and displays are paramount to the concept of P Zero World. Pirelli just opened its third P Zero World store in Monte Carlo, following the one in Los Angeles and Munich.

About Pirelli

Pirelli was founded in 1872 and has its headquarters in Milan, Italy. Pirelli focuses its business on the high end, premium product segment where it is a world leader. Pirelli has a commercial presence in over 160 countries and 19 factories in 13 countries. Successfully competing in motorsports since 1907, Pirelli is currently the exclusive supplier of the Formula 1 championship, the Superbike world championship, and many other championships around the world.

Pirelli Tire North America (PTNA) includes the Modular Integrated Robotized System (MIRS) facility and research and development center at its Rome, Georgia headquarters, a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Silao, Mexico, sales and marketing offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Detroit, Montreal and Mexico City, and a prestige flagship store in Los Angeles. The company manufactures, distributes and markets original equipment and replacement tires for export and domestic car/motorcycle applications. For more information regarding Pirelli, please visit www.pirelli.com

Golden Knights Sign Shea Theodore to Seven-Year Contract

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By Reid Urban

Looks like the stand-off between restricted free agent defenseman Shea Theodore and the Vegas Golden Knights looks to be over.

Late last night, both sides ended the stand-off by agreeing to a seven-year contract extension worth $36.4 million. It is only a flat structure contract with no salary fluctuation or bonuses, meaning that he will not be guaranteed any money. However, there is a modified No-Trade Clause in the final two years.

Theodore now looks to be set to join the Golden Knights at training camp and is expected to be ready for the regular season.

The annual value for the new contract is $5.2 million, which is lower than Theodore would like. He was hoping for an annual salary close to what Josh Morrissey of the Winnipeg Jets or Darnell Nurse of the Edmonton Oilers have. However, those deals only carried two years each while Theodore gets a long-term deal in Vegas.

A while ago, we would’ve thought that the Golden Knights and Theodore would part ways at one point over this standoff, so this move comes as a bit of a surprise. However, with Theodore finally in camp for the Golden Knights, it’s just another big piece that the Golden Knights wanted to keep in order to make another run towards the Stanley Cup.