Posts made in March 2020

Ultimate Rivals: The Rink

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The glass ceiling has finally been shattered in video games. For the first time ever, female athletes can compete against, or alongside, male athletes. Ultimate Rivals: The Rink, from Bit Fry, is a new, fast-paced “2 vs. 2” hockey game that features many of today’s top athletes – men and women.

The game features female soccer stars such as Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan and Carli Lloyd, and WNBA stars Diana Taurasi, Skylar Diggins-Smith and Elena Delle Donne who can play against the likes of LeBron James, Russell Wilson, Mookie Betts, Mike Trout and Alex Ovechkin. For example, Megan Rapinoe can team up with LeBron James to take on a team featuring Diana Taurasi and Clayton Kershaw.

Another first for this game — star athletes from all the major sports leagues are playing with and against each other. Bit Fry has secured groundbreaking licensing agreements with nine major professional sports organizations, including the NHL, NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA), NBA, National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), MLB, MLB Players Association (MLBPA), NFLPA, Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA), USWNTPA, as well as Wayne Gretzky.

More information is at UltimateRivals.com

A trailer for the game can be seen here

Shaquille O’Neal x “Cooking With Shaq”

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Shaquille O’Neal Launches Cooking with Shaq™ on ShopHQ®

The Hall of Famer Set to Debut Weekly Program on ShopHQ Today at 8:00pm ET

iMedia Brands (NASDAQ: IMBI) today announced the debut of its live broadcast program, “Cooking with Shaq”, on ShopHQ®, its flagship nationally distributed television retailing network. The program is part of iMedia’s partnership with Authentic Brands Group (ABG), Shaquille O’Neal and ShopHQ®, and will also include an innovative collection of kitchenware, cookware, and grill products.

“Cooking with Shaq” is set to broadcast a live weekly two-hour program on March 4th at 8:00pm ET. The legendary basketball Hall of Famer, Shaq, will make his debut in television retailing on ShopHQ and will feature Shaq-approved kitchen and cookware essentials at great price points, making mealtime an event that no one will want to miss. “Cooking with Shaq” films in Atlanta, GA, with special guest appearances, every Wednesday at 8:00 pm ET.

“I’m excited to partner with ShopHQ® on ‘Cooking with Shaq,’” said O’Neal. “Nothing brings people together like food, great recipes, and innovative kitchen necessities. I can’t wait to unveil this exclusive brand on ShopHQ®.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Shaquille and showcase products such as a 6 QT Digital Air Fryer, 2-in-1 Smokeless Kitchen XL Grill and Griddle combo, knives and other great accessories,” said Tim Peterman, CEO of iMedia Brands. “This is the beginning of great collaboration and partnership.”

On March 4th at 8:00 pm ET, Shaq will make his exclusive debut in television retailing on ShopHQ.

Customers can shop the collection on shophq.com and watch this event on ShopHQ via cable and satellite, mobile app, and the live stream on shophq.com. ShopHQ airs on DIRECTV channels 73 and 316, DISH Network channel 134, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, select Samsung Smart TVs, YouTube and on the nation’s top cable providers.

About iMedia Brands, Inc.
iMedia Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ: IMBI) is a global interactive media company that manages a growing portfolio of niche, lifestyle television networks and media service businesses, primarily in North America, for both English speaking and soon Spanish speaking audiences and customers. Its brand portfolio spans multiple business models and product categories and includes ShopHQ, Bulldog Shopping Network, iMedia Media Services and soon-to-be launched LaVenta Shopping Network. Please visit www.imediabrands.com for more investor information.

About Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal is one of the world’s most successful athletes-turned-businessmen, whose accomplishments both on and off the court have translated into a highly sought-after consumer brand. As a business mogul, sports analyst, DJ, restauranteur, and brand ambassador, O’Neal’s unique “Business of Fun” mantra resonates throughout each of his countless endeavors.

The 15-time NBA All-Star’s unprecedented athletic career spanned nearly two decades and earned him countless awards and honors, including NBA Most Valuable Player, NBA Rookie of the Year, four NBA Championships and a First Ballot NBA Hall of Famer. Currently, O’Neal is an analyst on TNT’s Emmy Award-winning Inside the NBA, and will be premiering his life chronicling reality series, Shaq Life, in 2020.

O’Neal, who has a PhD in Leadership and Education, gives back through a number of annual philanthropic programs including Shaq to School, Shaqsgiving, and Shaq a Claus.

The debut of his Los Angeles restaurant, Shaquille’s, along with his Las Vegas eatery, Big Chicken, has further elevated Shaquille’s tycoon status he has positioned him as a successful restaurateur. A second Big Chicken location is slated to open in Glendale, CA and will debut at sea on Carnival Cruise Lines Radiance and Mardi Gras.

Follow Shaquille O’Neal on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Authentic Brands Group
Authentic Brands Group (ABG) is a brand development, marketing, and entertainment company, which owns a portfolio of global media, entertainment, and lifestyle brands. Headquartered in New York City, ABG elevates and builds the long-term value of more than 50 consumer brands and properties by partnering with best-in-class manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. Its brands have a global retail footprint in more than 100,000 points of sale across the luxury, specialty, department store, mid-tier, mass, and e-commerce channels, and more than 5,850 freestanding stores and shop-in-shops around the world.

ABG is committed to transforming brands by delivering compelling product, content, business, and immersive experiences. It creates and activates original marketing strategies to drive the success of its brands across all consumer touchpoints, platforms, and emerging media. ABG’s portfolio of iconic and world-renowned brands generates more than $12.5 billion in annual retail sales and includes Marilyn Monroe®, Elvis Presley®, Muhammad Ali®, Shaquille O’Neal®, Sports Illustrated®, Dr. J®, Greg Norman®, Neil Lane®, Thalia®, Nautica®, Aéropostale®, Forever 21®, Juicy Couture®, Vince Camuto®, Herve Leger®, Judith Leiber®, Barneys New York®, Frederick’s of Hollywood®, Nine West®, Frye®, Jones New York®, Louise et Cie®, Sole Society®, Enzo Angiolini®, CC Corso Como®, Hickey Freeman®, Hart Schaffner Marx®, Adrienne Vittadini®, Taryn Rose®, Bandolino®, Misook®, Spyder®, Tretorn®, Tapout®, Prince®, Volcom®, Airwalk®, Vision Street Wear®, Above The Rim®, Hind®, Thomasville®, Drexel®, and Henredon®.

For more information, visit authenticbrandsgroup.com.

Follow ABG on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

The Weeknd – After Hours

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THE WEEKND SHARES AFTER HOURS SHORT FILM

“BLINDING LIGHTS” BECOMES THE WEEKND’S 7TH #1 ON BILLBOARD’S HOT R&B SONGS CHART, THE MOST FOR ANY ARTIST EVER

MORE TOUR DATES ADDED IN VANCOUVER, LOS ANGELES, TORONTO, LONDON AND MIAMI

WATCH THE SHORT FILM HERE

The Weeknd has shared a new short film titled “After Hours” ahead of the release of his album of the same name on March 20th. The film follows him as he leaves the stage of his acclaimed performance of “Blinding Lights” on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and heads into the desolate late night streets of Los Angeles before delirium sets in. This week “Blinding Lights” became The Weeknd’s 7th #1 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Songs chart, the most for any artist. Internationally “Blinding Lights” has been the #1 airplay song in both Germany and France for 7+ consecutive weeks, and it has recently hit #1 in Australia as well. Impressively, it has been the #1 song on the official charts in France and the UK for 3 consecutive weeks and counting.

On June 11th, The Weeknd will set off on his massive 62-date world tour, The After Hours Tour, across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and France with support from Sabrina Claudio and Don Toliver in the US, and 88GLAM and Sabrina Claudio in Europe. Due to overwhelming demand, additional shows have been added to the After Hours Tour including a 4th O2 in London, 3rd Staples Center in LA, 3rd Scotiabank in Toronto, and a 2nd AA Arena in Miami. Any tour tickets purchased online come with one (1) CD of The Weeknd’s forthcoming project, After Hours. You will receive an additional email after purchase with instructions on how to redeem for your album (applies to US and Canada residents only). Tickets and more info can be found at theweeknd.com/tour.

Watch After Hours (Short Film)

Pre-order After Hours:

Get Tour Tickets:

The After Hours Tour Dates:
June 11 – Vancouver, BC – Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena
June 12 – Vancouver, BC – Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena
June 14 – Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place
June 17 – Winnipeg, MB – Bell MTS Place
June 22 – St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center
June 24 – Chicago, IL – United Center
June 26 – Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena
June 27 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesar’s Arena
June 29 – Toronto, ONT – Scotiabank Arena
June 30 – Toronto, ONT – Scotiabank Arena
July 2 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
July 4 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun
July 7 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
July 8 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
July 11 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
July 13 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena
July 15 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center
July 16 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
July 18 – Miami, FL – American Airlines Arena
July 19 – Miami, FL – American Airlines Arena
July 21 – Orlando, FL – Amway Center
July 23 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center
July 24 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
July 25 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
July 27 – Denver, CO – Pepsi Center
July 29 – Salt Lake City, UT – Vivint Smart Home Arena
July 31 – Portland, OR – Moda Center
August 1 – Tacoma, WA – Tacoma Dome
August 3 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena
August 4 – San Jose, CA – SAP Center
August 6 – Sacramento, CA – Golden 1 Center
August 8 – Anaheim, CA – Honda Center
August 9 – San Diego, CA – Pechanga Arena
August 11 – Glendale, AZ – Gila River Arena
August 14 – Los Angeles, CA – Staples Center
August 15 – Los Angeles, CA – Staples Center
August 16 – Los Angeles, CA – Staples Center
August 19 – San Antonio, TX – AT&T Center
August 20 – Ft. Worth, TX – Dickies Arena
August 22 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center
August 23 – Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center Omaha
August 25 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center
August 26 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
August 28 – Cleveland, OH – Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
August 31 – Toronto, ONT – Scotiabank Arena
September 1 – Buffalo, NY – KeyBank Arena
September 3 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
October 11 – London, UK – O2 Arena
October 12 – London, UK – O2 Arena
October 13 – London, UK – O2 Arena
October 15 – Newcastle, UK – Metro Radio Arena
October 16 – Birmingham, UK – Arena Birmingham
October 18 – Glasgow, UK – SSE Hydro
October 19 – Manchester, UK – Manchester Arena
October 23 – London, UK – O2 Arena
October 26 – Antwerp, Belgium – Sportpaleis
October 27 – Amsterdam, Holland – Ziggo Dome
October 29 – Berlin, Germany – Mercedes-Benz Arena
October 31 – Munich, Germany – Olympiahalle
November 8 – Hamburg, Germany – Barclaycard Arena
November 9 – Cologne, Germany – Lanxess Arena
November 12 – Paris, France – AccorHotels Arena

The Mob Museum x Crime in Pop Culture

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THE MOB MUSEUM DEBUTS “THE MOB ON TV,” EXHIBIT DEDICATED TO ORGANIZED CRIME IN POP CULTURE

The Mob Museum, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, announces its newest exhibit: “The Mob on TV.” Comprising a collection of on-screen costumes and props from three iconic organized crime-based TV series – “The Sopranos,” “Boardwalk Empire” and “Breaking Bad” – the exhibit is on view in the Museum’s retail store.

While Mob movies dominated the twentieth century with blockbuster hits such as “The Godfather,” “Goodfellas” and “Casino,” the depiction of the Mob on the small screen gave rise to some of the most iconic television series of the twenty-first century. Both “The Sopranos” and “Breaking Bad” rank among the greatest series ever made, being named No. 1 and 3, respectively, by Rolling Stone magazine’s 100 greatest TV shows of all time.

Costumes and props in this collection include:

“Nucky” Thompson’s “Death Suit”: A three-piece suit worn in the series finale by Steve Buscemi, who played real-life Atlantic City crime boss Enoch “Nucky” Johnson in HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire.” The suit features a bullet hole where the character was shot. “Boardwalk Empire,” created by Terence Winter and executive produced by Martin Scorsese, chronicles organized crime in Atlantic City and beyond during Prohibition. The show’s five seasons (56 episodes) ran from 2010 to 2014.

“Breaking Bad” Hazmat Suit: The collection includes the hazmat suit and mask used during meth-cooking scenes worn by Bryan Cranston, who played Walter White in AMC’s “Breaking Bad.” This popular show ran from 2008 to 2013 for five seasons (62 episodes), following the transformation of White from a mild-mannered high school chemistry teacher to ruthless drug kingpin in Albuquerque, New Mexico. “Breaking Bad” was created by Vince Gilligan, who extended the story through a prequel AMC series, “Better Call Saul” and a sequel Netflix film, “El Camino.”

Tony Soprano in Casual Mode: A costume worn by James Gandolfini, in his role of Mob boss Tony Soprano in the HBO series “The Sopranos,” during season five, episode two. “The Sopranos,” created by David Chase, premiered in 1999 and ran for six seasons (86 episodes). The stories and characters were inspired by real-life Mob crime families in New Jersey.

“Boardwalk Empire” Tommy Gun: This submachine gun prop was used by “Nucky” Thompson in season two, episode eight of “Boardwalk Empire.” In the episode, Thompson receives crates of Tommy guns destined for the Irish Republican Army, which is rebelling against English rule. In episode nine, Thompson travels across the Atlantic to deliver the guns, which are smuggled inside a coffin that presumably holds his deceased father’s remains.

On-screen Gas Mask: This gas mask was worn on-screen during meth-cooking scenes in “Breaking Bad.” The drug-making chemistry in the show was quite accurate, from the rudimentary production processes shown in the early episodes to the “super-lab” scenes in later seasons.

For more information about the Mob in pop culture, visit The Mob Museum’s blog HERE, which features numerous posts about that topic.

ABOUT THE MOB MUSEUM

The Mob Museum, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, provides a world-class journey through true stories—from the birth of the Mob to today’s headlines. The Mob Museum offers a provocative, contemporary look at these topics through hundreds of artifacts and immersive storylines. Numerous interactive exhibits include a Crime Lab, Firearm Training Simulator and Organized Crime Today exhibit, as well as The Underground, a basement-level Prohibition history exhibition featuring a speakeasy and distillery sponsored by Zappos. This year, the Museum released an engaging new mobile app providing the ultimate guide to the Museum for visitors, in-depth education for those seeking more about the history of the Mob and law enforcement, and an innovative, interactive lookalike feature called Doppelgangster which matches user’s facial features with those from more than 800 Mob-related images. Since opening in 2012, The Mob Museum has accumulated numerous accolades, including being named one of TripAdvisor’s “Top 25 U.S. Museums,” one of Las Vegas Weekly’s “Twenty Greatest Attractions in Las Vegas History,” one of National Geographic’s “Top 10 Things to Do in Las Vegas,” one of “5 Museums for True-Crime Enthusiasts to Visit” by Oxygen.com, ” USA Today’s “Best Museum in Nevada” and one of its “12 Can’t Miss U.S. Museum Exhibits,” “A Must for Travelers” by The New York Times and one of “20 Places Every American Should See” by FOX News and Budget Travel magazine. The Museum is a two-time winner of the Mayor’s Urban Design Award for Historic Preservation and Adaptive Reuse and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The Museum is open daily

Follow The Mob Museum on Facebook and Twitter

Mob Museum, Breaking Bad, Gas Mask, Enock Thompson, Boardwalk Empire

Photos courtesy of The Mob Museum

Car Buying Trends

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1. Fewer bricks, more clicks. The all-day experience of car buying is going to go away. Buyers are already doing a lot of legwork online, but we’re moving beyond shopping and price comparison. Buyers may soon do some test driving using virtual reality. They’ll be able to play with all the different feature options and start configuring their dream car in the comfort of their home.

They’re still going to have to go into the dealership and test drive a similar car, maybe a base model. But after the test drive, they could go to a connected kiosk in the dealership, give their creation a few tweaks and order it up.

2. Faster changing demographics. The concept of “generational compression” was introduced to me by The Future Hunters, who were also guests of CDK and gave several presentations at the show.

The general idea is that as the industry looks to younger consumers, we’ll no longer be grouping their generations by decades, but by the kind of technology they’ve grown up with. These generations could span as few as two or three years because technology is changing so rapidly. Carmakers and dealers will have to be nimble to respond to the wants and needs of each new wave.

3. The rise of the Cybrids. Cybrids are the up and coming generation, and they differ from digital natives because they have a symbiotic relationship with technology. By 2020, Cybrids are expected to make up 40% of consumers in the US, Europe, and BRIC countries.

Cybrids are much more prudent from a financial standpoint. They’re much more concerned about the environment and eager to build a better planet. They’re less interested in owning things and more interested in the time/value proposition of what they consume.

4. Collaborative consumption. While the industry may previously have seen ridesharing as a threat, now they’reworking on a variety of ways to embrace it. The losses in terms of car sales probably aren’t going to be as drastic as people initially thought, because people who are driving for ridesharing services are driving those cars into the ground, so they’ll be replaced more frequently. That’s creating new and distinct buying audiences—the professional driver and a more occasional driver who cuts down on their driving by using ridesharing.

5. Fractional ownership. According to The Future Hunters, the average car sits unused for 94% of its life. All kinds of schemes are emerging to use cars more efficiently. Unlike Zipcar, which lets members access multiple cars located around town, multi-person leasing involves just one car, with multiple people sharing its use.

These kinds of service could appeal to people who live in urban areas who rarely need to drive, but also to people who can’t afford car ownership. For example, it may appeal to recent college graduates who are struggling to save money to move out of their parents’ homes but don’t have credit established or enough money for a down payment.

6. Driverless cars. There’s a lot of excitement about this, although I don’t think it’s at all clear what it’s going to look like and how long it’s going to take. Manufacturers have made great strides with the technology, but from a safety standpoint, there are still many things that are going to have to be done for the public to trust this type of apparatus.

Marvel Teases “Iron Cat”

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Today, Marvel released teaser art for a new superhero, IRON CAT!

To find a comic shop near you, visit Comicshoplocator.com

About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media.

For more information visit Marvel.com

ALICE + OLIVIA TAPS LAKWENA FOR NEW COLLABORATION

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Street Artist’s Signature Messages of Empowerment Come to Life with a Limited-Edition Capsule Collection; Proceeds Will Benefit LifeWay Network’s Mission to Stop Human Trafficking

Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet is pleased to announce that the brand has teamed up with London-based artist Lakwena to advance the artist’s bold messages of empowerment in celebration of International Women’s Day 2020 (March 8) and Women’s History Month.

Bendet and Lakwena, both champions of female ambition and empowerment in their own right, have partnered on a
limited-edition collaboration that brings Lakwena’s signature murals to life across a capsule collection of apparel.

As an avid art enthusiast, Bendet is constantly inspired by various artists, bringing their work to life through fashion with her biannual Art Collective series. Past collaborations within the Art Collection landscape include Keith Haring, Domingo Zapata, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Donald Robertson.

The collection itself puts optimism at the forefront, Lakwena combats the pessimism of our contemporary social and political climate with empowering statements. “RAISE YOUR HOPES”, “LIFT YOU HIGHER”, “POWER” — these are just some of the artist’s large-scale mural works’ bold declarations that designer Bendet has transformed into wearable art with the Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet x Lakwena collection.

“I love the positivity and graphic beauty of Lakwena’s artwork,” said Bendet, “each of her works are visual symbols of strength and optimism!”

Combining vivid colours and decorative patterns, Lakwena creates artworks that draw on both her background in graphic design and her own personal history. From London’s Southbank and Shoreditch to Fort Smith Juvenile Detention Centre in Arkansas, America, these messages of hope and affirmation radiate across their urban environments.

“I’ve loved seeing my paintings come to life in a different form through this collaboration with Alice + Olivia,” said Lakwena, “I’m really happy that we’re also able to use this as an opportunity to stand in solidarity with survivors of human trafficking.”

Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet is donating 10% of sales to LifeWay Network, an organization fighting to end human trafficking by raising consciousness and providing safe housing and mentorship to survivors.

“Human trafficking is a modern-day epidemic that many do not even realize exists today,” said Nicky HiltonRothschild, “I am so grateful that Alice + Olivia has collaborated with Lawkwena to bring awareness to this global issue. Educating the public is one of the most important things we can continue to do to prevent human trafficking.”

According to the UN, Human trafficking effects every country in the world, but it’s not talked about it enough; Bendet has joined her friend Nicky Hilton-Rothschild in supporting the efforts of LifeWay Network – an organization for which Hilton-Rothschild is an avid supporter. Together, with Lakwena, the trio hope to Stop Human Trafficking this Women’s Month.

The Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet x Lakwena capsule collection includes a selection of the artist’s affirmations printed on a ball gown skirt, reversible kimono, and a range of empowering tees. The collection, which is available via the brand’s website, as well as select retailers, retails between $225 for a tee to $595 for a maxi skirt. To launch the collection Bendet, Lakwena, and Hilton co-hosted a Female Empowerment Dinner, dubbed F.E.D. in New York, where they were joined by guests including Chelsea Clinton, at what marked the second dinner in the F.E.D. series launched by Bendet in January 2020. The limited-edition collection is now available at the brand’s retail locations, department and specialty store accounts, and e-commerce.

ABOUT ALICE + OLIVIA BY STACEY BENDET
Launched in 2002, alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet is a brand that allows women to express their personal style. With clothing that juxtaposes the whimsical and flirty with the sexy and sophisticated, a+o epitomizes the personality and perspective of its founder, Stacey Bendet. The brand was born from Stacey’s personal quest to create the perfect pair of pants, and has since grown into a full lifestyle collection including ready-to-wear, gowns, shoes, handbags and accessories. The brand is a Hollywood favorite with celebrity fans including Meghan Markle, Michelle Obama, Beyoncé, Gwyneth Paltrow, Gigi Hadid and Jessica Alba.

alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet is available at the brand’s free-standing boutiques located in New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, East Hampton, Greenwich, Houston, Malibu, Manhasset, Miami, Orange County, Palm Beach, San Francisco, Southampton, Washington D.C., Hong Kong, Tokyo, Kuwait, Dubai, Singapore, Shanghai, Taipei, Macau, Chengdu, Bangkok, and at aliceandolivia.com. alice + olivia is also available at over 800 select department and specialty stores worldwide, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Net-a Porter, Lane Crawford, Isetan, Hankyu, Harvey Nichols, Harrods, and Galeries Lafayette.

aliceandolivia.com
instagram.com/aliceandolivia

ABOUT LAKWENA
Lakwena’s iconic, kaleidoscopic work is informed by the use of decoration as a means of communication.
As a form of expression within a political world, Lakwena explores how the use of adornment in worship and mythmaking translates into contemporary popular culture. Central to her practice are words, used as both images and
anchors of meaning, borrowing from the techniques and conventions of traditional sign-writing and contemporary
graphic design. With an aesthetic that references her childhood spent between East Africa and London, Lakwena
creates epic outdoor murals carrying bold messages of hope in urban landscapes.

www.lakwena.com
instagram.com/lakwena

ABOUT LIFEWAY NETWORK
LifeWay Network envisions a world in which human trafficking is abolished and every survivor is strong, connected and free. LifeWay Network joins the global movement against human trafficking by providing safe housing for women who have been trafficked and offering education about trafficking to the general public. LifeWay Network confronts the reality of human trafficking every day by changing the future for women survivors through its Safe Housing Program and increasing awareness and engagement through its Education Program. Since its founding in 2007, LifeWay Network has emphasized the power of collaboration in creating the slavery-free future we all envision. LifeWay believes in bringing people together to form community and address a global issue with significant local impact. Human trafficking occurs around us. It affects people in our neighborhoods. We must join together to end slavery today and empower survivors to reclaim a life of freedom.
lifewaynetwork.org

Tahoe-Reno x Scenic Train

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Green up Your Tahoe-Reno Trip with A Scenic Train and Some Local Color

If you are planning a Tahoe-Reno this spring or summer, do yourself a favor and take a bit of stress out of your trip with an added stop en route, or even a chance to get out of the car and see one of America’s most scenic train routes.

Colfax, a historic town along Highway 80, about an hour east of Sacramento, is a great place to get off the highway, board a train or sleepover to enjoy the places in between.

Leave Early and Stay-over En Route

Heres a tip: consider a Friday departure and layover an hour or so from a favorite destination. Wake up fresh and rested, with daylight to help guide you to your destination safely.

Colfax and Dutch Flat offer some interesting choices for enjoy some Sierra local color and hitting the road well-rested for an early start or even, trying a holiday without the car-board Amtrak mid-day for Reno or Truckee and use ski shuttles or public transportation. The message here is simple: maximize outdoor time, minimize traffic hassle.

Colfax, named for 1800’s politician, Schuyler Colfax, is right next to Highway 80 with a motor lodge, bed and breakfast, Air BNB farmhouse and a Best Western Hotel beginning construction. It’s not hard to envision getting an early start from this quiet foothill town and enjoying a more relaxed pace.

Just a few miles up the Interstate from Colfax, Dutch Flat also offers a historic family/friendly hotel with multiple bed suites and discounts for return visits and groups. From the one-block long Dutch Flat town center, find your way to the Monte Vista Inn, a mile or so up the road…this is where the locals go for homemade food in an authentic log cabin. (Trivia: Governor Newsom’s son Dutch is named for Dutch Flat.)

Dump The Car!

One more suggestion: Take the train from Colfax and dump the car just as traffic congestion starts. Ever notice how wonderful Tahoe is EXCEPT for the traffic?

Take the time to see the Sierra from a totally different vantage point in the mountains on a train. With daily mid-day departures, this is the slow way to get there, but provides not only a glimpse into spectacular beauty, but history. This was one of the most challenging sections of the Transcontinental Railroad construction and still inspires awe.

With stops in Truckee and Reno, there are plenty of on the ground transportation options. In particular, Tahoe Area Regional Transit (TART) in Truckee has frequent buses from Truckee to favored resorts and restaurants, like Northstar, Squaw and Tahoe City. Ride TART for free as part of a two-year trial public transportation program. As bonus, TART even offers night service from Tahoe City to Truckee until 1:30 am-well after the taverns close down.

While very scenic, train schedules are subject to delays. Plan accordingly. Colfax has free overnight parking and puts a traveler on the train just as the climb through the mountains begins. This trip has a reputation for providing seasonal beauty from snow, to wildflowers to grand summer and fall vistas.

Amtrak California Zephyr

Tahoe Area Regional Transit

The Dutch Flat Hotel is one of many options for extending your trip with a stay-over en route to Tahoe or Reno in the Colfax area. Photo courtesy of Dutch Flat Hotel, Alex Ladner.

Honda x European App

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HONDA COMMITS TO ROLL OUT OF NEXT-GENERATION CONNECTIVITY ACROSS ITS EUROPEAN RANGE

Automaker also introduces ‘e:PROGRESS’ – a first commercial energy management service with flexible tariff for EV owners

Honda announced today that all forthcoming models will feature advanced connectivity technologies. The first example of this commitment is the availability of the My Honda+ application and Honda Personal Assistant on Honda e and all-new Jazz and Jazz Crosstar.

The My Honda+ smartphone app keeps owners connected to their car remotely. The smartphone-based service has been redesigned with a simple, intuitive user experience that provides secure access to a range of in-car functions, including comfort, convenience and security features.

The app offers control of vehicle security, including Remote Vehicle Lock and Unlock of the car. For Honda e owners, an additional Digital Key function allows vehicle access to be securely shared with up to five others. Digital Key works via Bluetooth and enables owners to remotely close windows and open the charge lid as well as locking and unlocking the vehicle.

In addition to this, infotainment and connectivity features in Honda e and Jazz can be activated using voice commands through Honda Personal Assistant. First seen in the Honda e and now available on the all-new Jazz, the intuitive Honda Personal Assistant is a smart artificial intelligence (AI) agent which harnesses natural, smart instruction-based conversations and contextual understanding to access a range of online services.

Tom Gardner, Senior Vice President, Honda Motor Europe, commented, “Today’s customer expects their vehicle to connect seamlessly with their wider life. Honda’s development of next-generation connectivity can clearly be seen with the launch of features such as Honda Personal Assistant and My Honda+. We are committed to widening the availability of these features to meet the expectation of our customer.”

Speaking at a Press Conference in Geneva, Honda also revealed further detail of its first commercial Energy Management service – under the new brand ‘e:PROGRESS’ – which will come to market during 2020.

e:PROGRESS will offer a smart charger, smart tariff, and a smart charge control system to deliver optimal charging for users. The smart tariff will be the first flexible energy contract specifically tailored to Electric Vehicle (EV) owners available in Europe, optimising the use of electricity from renewable sources including solar power, wind farms and hydropower. The service also allows charging at the most cost-effective time, relative to grid demand.

The new service will be offered in collaboration with smart charging and aggregation specialist Moixa, and leading European energy supplier, Vattenfall. Through Moixa’s GridShare ‘smart charge’ system, customers simply specify their preferred parameters for minimum state of charge through a smartphone app, leaving the system to manage charging. Electricity supply is provided by Vattenfall, with a flexible ‘time of use’ tariff offering lower cost energy at certain time of the day than a fixed tariff.

The launch of e:PROGRESS follows Honda’s first vehicle-to-grid project going live in January, with the installation of bi-directional chargers in Islington, London. This project is a first step in helping the local council electrify its entire fleet in line with its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2030.

Jahi Di’Allo Winston

By Abigail Baldwin

Jahi Di’Allo Winston plays the lead of the upcoming, highly acclaimed film, Charm City Kings. Based on the documentary 12 O’Clock, the film follows Mouse (Winston), a young boy who wants nothing more than to be a part of the Midnight Clique, a tough group of Baltimore bike riders who rule the summertime streets. As he navigates the challenges of coming of age in a complicated world, he learns the hard way that the choices you make early on can change your life forever.

Charm City Kings had its world premiere on January 27 at Sundance Film Festival and will be making its way to SXSW in March. The film is set for nationwide release on April 17, 2020.

Right now, you can watch Winston in Everything Sucks on Netflix and 2019’s Queen & Slim, available on Prime Video.

360 Mag: What attracted you to the story of Charm City Kings?

JAHI: What attracted me to Charm City Kings was the environment in which the story took place. Having an opportunity to shed light on an entire community that’s consistently misinterpreted and misunderstood in the media was extremely appealing to me. That, as well as having the chance to be at the center of an entire universe sounded like a pretty cool first time experience…And it was!

360 Mag: In what ways do you relate to your character, Mouse?

JAHI: I would say that I related to Mouse’s ambition and relentlessness most. He has a fierce drive that causes him to overcompensate and get himself into trouble. I can definitely relate to that, having a similar drive that sometimes causes me to get ahead of myself.

360 Mag: When did you find out you’d be working with Meek Mill? How did you react?

JAHI: I can’t remember when I found out, but I do remember being intrigued by the idea that I was going to be able to be a part of Meek’s big acting debut. He’s amazing in this movie! I really think a lot of people are going to be impressed when they see him in it. You can really see his dedication to the work and how much he enjoys what he’s doing.

360 Mag: What was something you learned from your director Angel Manuel Soto?

JAHI: I learned so much from Angel. I feel like one of the biggest things I learned from him was how to maintain your vision and keep your cool in the midst of chaos. We were shooting in a very high-pressure environment and a lot of chaotic things were being thrown at us every day. Angel always maintained an optimistic attitude about it all. It was really inspiring to see. So that’s something that I definitely took away.

360 Mag: What excited you most about being at Sundance?

JAHI: The most exciting thing about being at Sundance was seeing our movie colored and complete in front of an audience for the first time. I think we all were sort of holding our breath because most of us hadn’t seen it and we were experiencing it all with the audience for the first time. For most of the audience members seemingly walking away being so moved by it was the best thing any of us could’ve asked for.

360 Mag: Who inspires you the most in the industry?

JAHI: I’m inspired by so many different people and entities. One that really stands out to me right now is Donald Glover (Childish Gambino). I really don’t get starstruck, but if I met him I’d probably be in awe. His work just means so much to me. From his screen work, to his music; his impact on my life and my work is just endless. I find so much commonality in everything that he does and says…He makes me feel seen. I could go on and on, but I won’t. He’s one of my inspirations, for sure.

360 Mag: Dream roll?

JAHI: My dream role is any role that I write for myself. I believe in making your own dreams come true.

360 Mag: Favorite fashion brands?

JAHI: I’m just a fan of fashion period! I like different things about many different designers. One that has really caught my eye right now is this one South African brand called RICH MNSI. They’re really contemporary and unique.

360 Mag: Can you tell us about your NAACP awards look?

JAHI: My NAACP awards look was a piece by a UK designer by the name of Kyle Ho. It was the first look that my stylist, Apuje Kalu, and I tried on. It was edgy and elegant. I’m not afraid to take risks with fashion as long as it’s something I like. We had a whole rack of clothes, but we didn’t even try any of the other ones on…We just knew it was THE ONE!

360 Mag: What are your interests outside of acting?

JAHI: Outside of acting, I’m most interested in being a leader, whatever that entails. I wanna be someone who pushes the culture forward, someone who does good work in marginalized communities across the world. Someone who challenges the world, rather than assimilating into it. That’s what I’m interested in…As I’m typing this, I realize you probably meant like, Baseball or something, and I just gave a long answer for no reason. Oh well…