Posts made in September 2020

Get The Most Money Selling Your Car

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Sales is not everyone’s strong suit, and used car sales has its own stigma. But with the right preparation, you can have the confidence you need to get the most money selling your car. Here are a few strategic tips you can use when selling a used vehicle, no matter the kind or condition.

Preventative Care

Getting the most out of your car in the future begins with how you take care of it today. Preventative care like regular oil changes and safe driving will help you get the most return when it comes time to sell your car.

Oil Change – Motor oil keeps your engine in proper working condition by lubricating its moving parts. This protective barrier also regulates engine temperature and prevents corrosion, which could lead to very dangerous and expensive damage that will show up on your vehicle history report.
Keep Clean – It may not seem like it, but keeping your car clean will help with your resale value. Taking your car through a touch-free car wash on a regular basis will help prevent paint from fading and could even prevent rust.
Safe Driving – A bit of a no brainer, but accidents dramatically decrease the value of your car. Even when repaired, a car that has been repaired following an accident is a red flag on the vehicle history report. Even if the outside looks good, the buyer has no way of knowing any residual effects of the accident and may choose to avoid the risk all together.

Prep for Success

Curb appeal applies to cars as much as it does homes. Getting more money for your vehicle can be as simple as cleaning it up and taking good photos. Prep your car, inside and out, for eye-catching photos from every angle including detailed shots. Wait for a nice day with optimum lighting and drive to a place with ambiance such as a park, atop a parking garage with the skyline in the background, or even just the side of a building with a clean wall. Don’t forget to eliminate distractions like garbage from the area. Great photos of a detailed car will naturally attract more attention and likely get you more cash in the end.

Getting more money for your vehicle can be as simple as cleaning it up and taking good photos. Great photos of a detailed car will naturally attract more attention and likely get you more cash in the end.

Transparency

After you’ve cleaned and photographed your car, put together a consolidated write up. You could even provide your own copy of the vehicle history report. Whether you’re sharing online or in-person, offering as much information as possible gives car buyers confidence that you’re not trying to hide anything. This transparency creates a foundation of trust which will help you secure your ideal asking price.

Understanding Value

Understanding the value of your car is the next step in getting the most out of it. The last thing you want is a situation where the buyer knows more about your car than you do. If you don’t know enough about the value of your car you could either undersell yourself or let someone talk you out of what your car is truly worth. Do a little research and look into pricing across sites such as Kelly Blue Book, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and local dealerships.

Key Factors

There are a few primary factors that determine the value of your car, though some of the details can be subjective. The vehicle’s mileage and condition are two standing factors no matter the make or model. The value of your car based on its year is somewhat relative. Typically, the newer the better, unless your buyer is a collector or there have been recalls associated with the year of your car. The make and model can be somewhat subjective because buyers desire different cars for different reasons (ie. electric, luxury, comfort, size). Ask yourself why you bought the car in the first place.

Other factors that affect the value of your car:

Owner Care
Number of Owners
Stock Accessories
Aftermarket Upgrades

Unique Factors

Throughout the time you’ve owned the car, you’ve undoubtedly made some changes to fit your lifestyle. Have you added a roof rack to haul snowboards or mountain bikes? Did you add navigation and update the stereo equipment for a better road trip experience? Did you lift your truck and add bigger tires? These things can increase the value of your car.

Opportunity Factors

Something to keep in mind when you’re prepping to sell is demand. Today’s car market is unique. While many are working from home and driving less, Americans are much more inclined to own a personal vehicle to avoid public transportation. Furthermore, the cost of gasoline and climate change campaigns are inspiring drivers to reduce their carbon footprint. Both of these factors make electric and hybrid vehicles more attractive.

Something to keep in mind when you’re prepping to sell is demand. As more people are inspired to do their part in helping the environment, electric and hybrid vehicles have been more attractive to prospective car buyers.

Negotiating & Wiggle Room

Now that you’ve prepped, photographed, and posted your car for sale, it’s time to gear up for negotiating. Selling privately through sites like Craigslist, eBay or Facebook Marketplace will get you the most for your car. If you have the right connections, you may be able to park your car with a for sale sign in a high-traffic area to attract potential buyers. When you sell to a dealership, they have to plan for overhead, profit, and commissions. This means the purchase price needs to leave enough room for markup and less money for you.

If you’ve researched similar vehicles for sale in your area, as well as the appropriate value for your car based on the factors mentioned above, the final tip for getting the most money for your car is to include a little wiggle-room in the asking price for negotiating. For example, if your car is valued around $10,000 and nearby dealerships are selling the same vehicle for $9,000 to $12,000, consider listing your car with an asking price in that range, but $2,000 above your ideal sale price. Wise buyers will always make an initial offer below asking price, and if you have a cushion for negotiating, you should be able to offer a competitive rate that still gets you the most money for your car.

Your Trade-In is Someone Else’s Treasure

Whether you’re retiring a hand-me-down clunker or you’re growing from sports car to SUV, there is a buyer who will find what they need in what you’re selling. Getting the most money for your used car simply requires a little cleaning, research, and strategic negotiating. In the end, if the sale isn’t as important as your time, you can always donate your car to nonprofits like The Salvation Army or Habitat for Humanity, who are helping individuals and families rebuild their lives.

Black Latte is A Tasty Drink

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I want to tell you a short story about my journey of losing weight (capsula de slabit).

I am 34 and a month ago I had 165 pounds. I was feeling ugly, my clothes were large and long, I had difficulties in making new friends and I was single.

From drinking 3 cups of coffee per day to drinking one glass of Black Latte

I want to start from the beginning. I love coffee and nothing compares to the cigarette next to it. It was my ritual for years to wake up in the morning and prepare a huge cup of coffee with condensed milk, sugar, syrup, cream and sprinkles.

In case you wondered if that was all of it, the answer is no. After drinking my cup of calories I used to cook an unhealthy (but delicious) breakfast: pancakes with syrup, toast with margarine and one fried egg and some muffins at the top of it.

After eating my breakfast I used to drink one more cup of coffee, and in case I was getting bored during the day, a cup of coffee with chocolate syrup and sugar sprinkles was my treat.

When I remember how awfully I used to eat I wonder how I am not obese.

It was not in my program to start losing weight, even if my self-esteem was low and I didn’t feel pretty at all. I had my food that provided me a high level of dopamine.

But, one day I came across to a forum Black Latte. I read some reviews and people were saying that it has a great taste and it makes you lose weight.

To be honest, what convinced me to buy it was the part with delicious taste, but it turned out to be a perfect replacement for my hypercaloric cup of coffee with cream and sprinkles.

I remember even now that was Wednesday when I started to drink Black Latte. It all started as a game, an experiment through which I wanted to see if I can quit drinking so much coffee.

Black Latte is prepared so easily. All you need is a glass of hot water. Mix 2 spoons of Black Latte with water and that is it.

After I drank it my appetite was low. I didn’t feel the necessity of eating breakfast, but I knew that I had to.

Only when I thought about the amount of sugar from pancakes, the fatness from margarine and the refined flour from muffins it made me feel sick and threw up. So, I started to eat healthy: a fruit (banana, apple, orange, avocado or something else) with oat porridge, boiled eggs with a salad, avocado toast, berry and yogurt smoothies or fruit salad.

After eating my breakfast I didn’t feel the need for a second glass of Black Latte or coffee as in the past.

And that’s how I managed to give up 3 cups of coffee a day.

I started to enjoy my life because of Black Latte

After 15 days I lost 6 pounds.

I wanted to see if other people had the same results, so I accessed „black latte pareri”. I was impressed because there was people telling that Black Latte has helped them losing 20 pounds in a very short time without making changes in their eating habits.

There is even a Black Latte forum where women are telling their stories with this amazing product.

For me, Black Latte was a miracle. I didn’t want to lose weight because I thought that my life is all right, but it was not.

Now, after a course of 30 days with Black Latte I feel alive. I lost 15 pounds and I started to love myself. I changed my wardrobe, I began eating more vegetables, fruits, fish and steak.

Why I recommend Black Latte?

First of all, Black Latte is 100% natural, with charcoal, dry coconut milk, omega-3 and l-carnitine. It is very safe for your health and besides that, it has an incredible taste.

If you want to make it tastier, you can replace the how water with hot almond milk or other nut milk.

It gives you the feeling of long-term satiety and offers you the motivation to continue eating healthy due to the results that appear very quickly. Personally, it shaped my body very harmoniously and I had full energy every day.

It’s a good product, and without it I probably wouldn’t have been able to make any changes in my life.

Savannah Lee May

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Savannah Lee May (born August 12, 2000) is an American singer, dancer, and actress from Los Angeles, California. Leo is Savannah’s zodiac sign and she is known to be loyal, generous, and protective.

The young artist has appeared in several series, however, she became known when she played Buttercup in Knight Squad. She started out as a teenager and now, barely twenty-one years old, she has become the talk of the town again thanks to her TikTok videos in which she not only dances but also sings and acts.

Savannah Lee May speaks personally with Vaughn Lowery not only about her rise to stardom but also about her commitment to hospitals like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or The Michael J. Fox Foundation in order to donate part of her incomes to research and treatments for Parkinson’s disease, which her grandfather is still suffering from for many years.

Listen to her interview HERE.

Q: How did you first get into acting and has it always been a passion of yours?

A: I started off dancing when I was 3 1/2 and instantly fell in love with performing. So, I guess you could say that was my first passion. I really didn’t start getting into the acting and singing side of it all until I was 11 when auditioned for a musical theatre academy in Houston. Once I started training with them, I quickly realized that this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I truly couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

Q: What has been the biggest change or adjustment you’ve had to make when moving from Houston to LA?

A: The weather was definitely one of the major changes haha! But I think being so far away from family was the biggest adjustment we had to make. Growing up, we were all so close and saw each other almost every day. I mean, my cousins were basically like my older brothers, we were constantly together. The furthest we had ever lived from any of them was about 15 minutes, so to move to a completely different state is something that we are still trying to get used to.

Q: Which kinds of characters do you enjoy playing the most and why?

A: Definitely ones that come with a challenge. I’ve always been the kind of person who was down to try anything and as an actor, you can’t be afraid to fail. It’s better to give it everything you got instead of holding back because you’re scared of not being perfect. So, playing characters that are really far from myself or ones that really push my limits are always the ones I enjoy playing the most.

Q: Why do you think the fine arts are such a crucial part of society and why should everyone appreciate them?

A: I think they’re incredibly crucial! The fine arts are such an amazing outlet for people to really express themselves and to share their passion with the world. I know from personal experience, it’s the best escape for anyone going through a tough time. It’s definitely something that is under appreciated, especially in schools. You know, it’s a proven fact that students who are in theater, drama, dance, etc. have higher test scores than their peers who are not in the fine arts and are less likely to drop out. It makes me so sad to see schools that continue to cut their fine arts programs for budgetary reasons when the fine arts have helped so many people in their personal lives.

Q: What has been your favorite production that you’ve worked on, and why?

A: I’ve been very lucky to have a career where I have loved every project that I’ve been a part of. Knight Squad” was my first job and I learned so much while working on it. I made lifelong friends on that show and I think it will always have a special place in my heart. With “Secret Lives of Cheerleaders,” that was the first movie I ever did and it was my first leading role. It was such a wonderful experience. Then with “Julie and The Phantoms,” it’s everything I could’ve ever dreamed of rolled into one! The cast is unbelievably talented, working with Kenny Ortega is a dream and I feel really honored to be a part of such a beautiful show.

Q: Have you branched out or thought about branching out into other forms of art, such as singing or dancing, and why or why not?

A: I definitely have! Like I said, dancing has played such a huge roll in my life so I know that’s something I will continue to do and honestly, it’s the same with singing. I’ve written a couple of songs just to play around with a few ideas and I’m still very new to it haha! Coming out with original music sometime in the future is definitely something I could see myself doing.One thing I’d really love to do is also branch out into becoming a choreographer. I constantly make up choreography to different genres of music just as another outlet to create. Even though being in front of the camera and performing myself will always be my number one focus, I’d love to have that chance to choreograph one day.

Q: What has been the best part about playing Carrie in “Julie and The Phantoms”?

A: There are so many that it’s hard to pick just one! You know, I’ve never been given the chance to play the “mean girl” before so Carrie is a whole new ball game for me. I’ve always wanted to play this kind of role so I’m excited for people to see me do something different. Also, with Julie and The Phantoms being a musical series, being able to go through the process of recording the songs in the studio, learning the choreography and putting it on camera was such an incredible, new experience. One of the best parts is for sure our cast. I can honestly say that these are some of the most talented and kindhearted people I have ever met. They all bring something so incredibly special to the show, so I feel extremely lucky to get to work with each and every one of them.

Q: To anyone pursuing acting as a career, what would be your best piece of advice?

A: Never forget why you wanted to become an actor. I see a lot of people who enter the industry because they genuinely love to act, and they want to pursue it. Then as time passes, they begin to lose sight of that love and start focusing on wanting the fame. I honestly think social media plays a very big hand in that. People can get so wrapped up in their follower count that they forget why they started acting in the first place. If it doesn’t come from your heart and you’re not passionate about it, then why be in it at all?

Q: Who has been your greatest source of inspiration or support as you have risen up in the entertainment industry?

A: There’s a lot of people that have inspired me in this business and I look up to tons of different actors, directors, choreographers etc. So, I don’t think there’s one main source but there is definitely a mix of sources haha! As far as support goes, that is without a doubt my family. They all completely changed their lives to help me achieve my dreams and I know I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for them.

Q: How do you plan on growing your acting career in different directions?

A: I don’t think there is a set plan, but I definitely want to continue to challenge myself with new types of characters. Expanding your abilities in different ways is something I think every actor wants and hopes for. I do have some dream roles/projects that I still have on my bucket list so I guess we will just have to see what happens next!

Savannah plays the lead in the independent feature film Keep Moving allowing her to utilize years of dance training. Keep Moving is a dance/drama about Lex, played by Savannah, who moves from Detroit to LA with hopes for a fresh start. After an unexpected turn of events, she enters the LA dance scene and destiny leads her to teach dance and compete, but can she do both at the same time while falling in love? Keep Moving is an original screenplay written by Jimmy Summerall and directed by Nayip Ramos who is known for creating eye catching creative music videos and filming for clients including Disney, and Brat TV. Keep Moving will premiere TBD 2022.

Previously Savannah could be seen leading the cast of the Lifetime original movie, “The Secret Lives of Cheerleaders” opposite Denise Richards. Savannah is best known for her roles on Netflix’s series “Julie and The Phantoms” created by Kenny Ortega and Nickelodeon’s series“Knight Squad” where she played the series regular role of“Buttercup” for two seasons.

Savannah is a supporter of the fine arts. She regular supports the River Performing and Visual Arts Center in Texas, amongst others. Currently she resides in Burbank, California.

*Photos: Sarah Krick

Anti-Mask Protest Sparked in Utah

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By Payton Saso

On August 21, 2020, a protest was held in St. George, Utah that was organized in objection to wearing face masks. The debate about whether or not face masks help has been going since COVID-19 was declared a national pandemic, but one group decided to go a little further than online debates and hold a protest.

The protest came after the state governor, Gary Herbert, declared that masks would be mandated at school, USA Today reported. The marchers gathered at the Washington County School District where hundreds opposed forcing kids to wear masks saying, “safety is not as important as our freedom and liberty.”

The protest came under fire after a the news broadcast that covered the protest went viral. “A white woman earnestly attempts to explain the alleged injustice: of her situation by drawing a comparison to the killing of George Floyd,” The Cut recapped. Clearly the woman here is comparing the final words and pain of George Floyd to the minor inconvenience of getting slightly out of breath from wearing a mask, which is disturbing on many levels.

The original broadcast was covered by ABC 4 where they reported, “Up to a thousand people showed up in St. George, stating children being forced to wear masks in classrooms is illegal and unconstitutional.” Which without a Supreme Court trial, these unconstitutional claims just remain an uneducated opinion.

This protest came just a few months after a similar protest in Jacksonville, Florida where anti-maskers met at the Duval County Courthouse to oppose the mask mandate there, The Florida Times recapped.

St. George News stated that, “…rally attendee Dustin Cox, who also spoke over the megaphone, encouraged district students in attendance Friday to not wear a mask when they return to school Monday, even if it means getting expelled.”

Where if protestors make the claim that if masks are getting in the way of learning, wouldn’t getting expelled be a greater obstacle to learning?

There is not really any science accepted that masks cause more harm than good, even though that is often what anti-maskers claim. The World Health Organization has repeatedly set out initiatives for the public to wear masks. Protests like this have been seen across the world even in some of the countries where COVID has hit hard.

While it is every Americans right to free speech and that will be protected under the constitution, the timing and subject just seem to be a bit insensitive. With over 195,000 deaths and 6.5 million confirmed cases in the United States, doing anything we can to slow the spread doesn’t seem unconstitutional — especially if it is as simple as wearing a face covering.

Football Is Back And So Is Branding

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With major league sports back in action – along with college football – sports fans have found themselves with a welcome commodity – choice. Social media is tracking what are proving to be the most effective and strategic ways to compete.

According to international social media analytics firm Talkwalker, Anheuser Busch (AB InBev) has made the most noise with sports partnerships this summer, as their beverage brands are trying to make the sports comeback resonate with fans stuck at home through experiential marketing.

#ultracourtside

AB InBev tested virtual experiences with Michelob Ultra’s partnership with the NBA – the beer brand sponsored a digital experience that live streamed fans onto screens at the game so that they could “attend” while watching the action at home. The ad experience, and with it the announcement that Michelob Ultra is the new official beer of the NBA, garnered the brand 24,300 mentions in July with campaign hashtag #ultracourtside, generating 70,000 mentions since the season kicked off, Talkwalker reported.

$18 Nachos….and a brand boost of 550%

Another brand, Babe Wine, is producing football-themed candle scents so that fans can feel like they’re at the game – “Jockstrap,” “$18 Nachos,” and “Hashtag Field Goals” (aka Turf scent) – are among some of the varieties available. The move caused their online mentions to increase 1,200 percent in the last week, and engagement with the wine brand online has increased 550 percent, according to Talkwalker. This is the largest spike that Babe has seen since October 2019, following the announcement of the partnership that made them the “official wine of the NFL.”

#showtimecam brings Bud Light engagement to 266M

Bud Light is also getting in on the action with the launch of its “Showtime Cam” at last Thursday night’s opening game. The stunt enables fans who can’t be at the game to interact with players through live-streaming video in stadiums, creating a way for viewers at home to celebrate exciting moments along with their favorite teams. NFL fans can enter the #showtimecam contest by tagging Bud Light in posts for the chance to have their Tweets and videos featured during the regular season. The Showtime Cam premiered on Sept 10 during the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans, and by the following day it had 3,000 engagements and a potential reach of more than 266 million. Now, with a few more games under its belt, Bud Light’s marketing stunt has racked up 4,200 engagements since then.

About Talkwalker

Talkwalker is a social listening and analytics company that empowers over 2,000 brands and agencies to optimize the impact of their communication efforts. We provide companies with an easy-to-use platform to protect, measure, and promote their brands worldwide, across all communication channels. Talkwalker’s state-of-the-art social media analytics platform uses AI-powered technology to monitor and analyze online conversations in real-time across social networks, news websites, blogs and forums in 187 languages. Talkwalker has offices in New York, Luxembourg, San Francisco, Frankfurt, and Singapore. It is also the home of Talkwalker Alerts, a free alerting service used by over 500,000 communications and marketing professionals worldwide.

Human (X) x Facebook

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NEON16‘s HUMAN (X), the multimedia charity initiative supporting humanitarian efforts, has announced a partnership with Facebook for its Pa’ La Cultura Day initiative.

The Pa’ La Culture Day initiative gives fans a chance to see the “Pa’ La Cultura” music video which features David Guetta, Thalia, Sofia Reyes, Abraham Mateo, De La Ghetto, Manuel Turizo, Zion & Lennox, Lalo Ebratt and Maejor.

Fans will also be included in the festivities using Instagram effects, reels and Facebook Live.

HUMAN (X) was launched by Tommy Mottola, NEON16 and MITH Media in August with a goal of promoting humanitarian messages and generating revenue to be used for those in need.

Proceeds from this event will go to National Day Laborer Organizing Network‘s Immigrant Worker Rights Safety Net Fund to help immigrants affected by COVID-19. The Nation Day Laborer Organizing Network’s program called ART/WORKS will also receive a portion of the money to promote the voices of migrant artists.

Lex Borrero, the co-founder and CEO of NEON16, said, “We are thrilled to partner with Facebook and extend our purposeful initiative to its global audience. Human (X) is rooted in elevating the myriad voices of those that are often unheard and we couldn’t think of a better audience to help us further amplify this cause.”

Mottola agreed, saying, “Music has always been a source of healing and bringing happiness and joy into people’s lives.. it also is a source of provocation and can motivate and inspire people to do great things and has been behind the most powerful movements in the world.”

To see the video for “Pa’ La Cultura,” you can click right here.

Cancer Discovery Reveals Key Process in Tumor Formation

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A discovery from the University of Virginia School of Medicine may open the door to an entirely new approach to treating cancer: by disrupting a vital condensation process inside cancer cells.

Researchers led by Hao Jiang, PhD, of UVA’s Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, discovered that cancer cells are exceptionally dependent on the proper condensation of a particular protein, AKAP95, during tumor formation. Blocking this process halted the cancer cells in their tracks.

“It is now clear that biomolecular condensation is a fundamental mechanism that underlies numerous biological processes in normal physiology and also in human disease including cancer,” said Jiang, of UVA’s Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics and the UVA Cancer Center. “Our work reveals a new level of regulation – how liquid-like the condensates are can affect their activity in cancer control.”

Cancer and Condensation

The process of “biomolecular condensation” inside our cells is an area of great interest for scientists. In essence, our cells use condensation to create little compartments for important biological processes. You might think of these compartments as virtual mixing bowls that cells manufacture as needed.

It has been largely unclear if this condensation process is important in cancer. Jiang and his team showed that both the formation of the condensates and their material properties are important for cancer, and their work suggests that disrupting condensation or changing the condensate properties may offer a new treatment strategy.

The researchers’ lab experiments show that the AKAP95 protein gets condensed in cells, and cancer cells become heavily reliant on it. For that to happen, the condensed proteins, which are liquid-like, must be just the right consistency. Hardening them, for example, significantly impaired tumor formation, Jiang and his team discovered. Disrupting the condensation process halted cancer formation entirely.

A treatment based on the discovery might take a similar approach. Disrupting the condensation of AKAP95, the research suggests, could prevent cancer from hijacking our cells.

While much more work needs to be done to determine the possibility of developing a treatment based on the discovery, Jiang is happy to have shed light on tumor formation and to have provided cancer researchers a new avenue to explore.

“I was completely enthralled by this mechanism, as I had never learned or thought of such a seemingly simple principle of molecular organization in textbooks, previous classes or training, but it actually makes great sense and has such a profound impact on almost all basic cellular activities. My lab is thus very interested in how biomolecular condensation regulates gene expression on various levels, especially in the context of cancer,” Jiang said. “Further studies in this field will likely provide us unconventional strategies in cancer treatment.”

Findings Published

The researchers have published their findings in the scientific journal Nature Cell Biology. The research team consisted of Wei Li, Jing Hu, Bi Shi, Francesco Palomba, Michelle A. Digman, Enrico Gratton and Jiang.

The research was supported by startup funds from UVA and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, along with Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program Breakthrough Award BC190343. The work used the confocal microscopy system at UVA’s Keck Center that was supported by National Institutes of Health grant OD016446.

Jiang was supported by the American Society of Hematology Scholar Award, the American Cancer Society Research Scholar Award (RSG-15-166-01-DMC) and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Scholar Award (1354-19). Palomba and Digman were supported in part by National Science Foundation grant MCB-1615701. Digman and Gratton were supported by NIH grant P41-GM103540.

To keep up with the latest medical research news from UVA:

Subscribe to the Making of Medicine blog HERE.

Jaylen Brown x George Floyd Bill

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by Justin Lyons

Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics wing, in a press conference Sunday said he would like to see the city of Boston pass the George Floyd bill.

Brown, who has been one of the more active players in social justice conversations throughout the NBA, was asked about the Celtics’ commitment to spend $25 million over the next ten years to fight social injustice.

He said it was a great step, and that change happens over a period of time, but he thinks there are things that can be catalysts for change right now.

“One thing I would like to see in Boston is the George Floyd bill enacted,” Brown said, adding that conversations need to be had about police and qualified immunity. “Some things just need to be held accountable, and hopefully Boston can be a place where a tone is set that can be transpired in other cities.”

Brown went on to say that he thinks Boston is moving in the right direction, but he would still like to see more companies and organizations be diversified as well as more opportunities for people of color.

“I’m proud to be a part of the Celtics organization. I’m proud to have an ownership group, or a leadership group, that’s willing to take these steps because they recognize that we need to live in a better, more forward progressing world.”

The George Floyd bill, or H.R.7120, aims to achieve a few goals.

First, it would lower the criminal intent standard to convict an officer of law enforcement. The standard currently requires that officers act willfully, while H.R.7120 would only necessitate that officers act knowingly or recklessly.

Second, it would limit qualified immunity, which grants officers immunity in lawsuits regarding violations of constitutional rights of civilians.

Third, it would allow the Department of Justice to issue authorizations to investigate departments demonstrating patterns of discriminatory practices.

It would also create a national registry of police misconduct, lay the bricks for prohibition of racial profiling and implement new standards for training regarding racial profiling and use of body cameras.

It passed in the House of Representatives by a vote of 236-181, and it will move to the Senate.

Brown’s comments come just weeks after NBA players boycotted games on behalf of Jacob Blake, whom was shot seven times by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and victims of police brutality everywhere.

A reporter asked Brown if he thought the boycott’s message was still effective even as players returned to the court.

“These issues have been here for a very, very long time, and they’re still going to be here regardless of if we protest or not or boycott or not. I think sports plays a huge role in society, and I’m very aware of that, so using our platform is something I’m always going to support,” Brown answered.

While he said the cure for racism might not come from the NBA, the players can always use their platform to let the world know that these issues are important.

Brown, who wears the word “Liberation” on the back of his jersey, scored 21 points and picked up eight rebounds to help the Celtics defeat the Toronto Raptors Friday by a score of 92-87. They advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals where they will meet up with the Miami Heat, who are playing on six days of rest after eliminating the Milwaukee Bucks in just five games.

The first game of the series begins Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. EST with the Celtics favored by a point and a half.

Park MGM & NoMad Las Vegas to Reopen

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MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) announced today that Park MGM and NoMad Las Vegas will open their doors on September 30, completing the reopening of all of its properties around the world following closures earlier this year amid the Covid-19 crisis. Upon reopening, Park MGM/NoMad will be The Strip’s first fully smoke-free casino resort.

“Opening Park MGM and NoMad represent significant milestones, as they are the last of our properties to welcome back employees and guests alike,” said Bill Hornbuckle, MGM Resorts CEO and President. “The last six months have presented extraordinary challenges and I could not be prouder of the MGM Resorts team for the tireless effort required to get us here. There is much work ahead as we remain focused on the health and safety of our employees and guests, but this is an important moment for us.”

Park MGM & NoMad Las Vegas

Park MGM is The Strip’s newest destination resort, having been completed in late 2018, and has quickly become one of the city’s go-to places for entertainment, dining and more. While amenities will be limited initially at opening, guests will be able to enjoy many of the resort’s most popular outlets including the vibrant Italian marketplace, Eataly; Bavette’s Steakhouse; Primrose; and the pool. NoMad Las Vegas, the intimate luxury hotel-within-a-hotel at Park MGM, also will begin welcoming guests on September 30. Days and hours of operation at all venues will vary. For a full listing of amenities, please visit mgmresorts.com. Complimentary self-parking will be available for guests; valet parking will not be operational at this time.

Anton Nikodemus, President of MGM Resorts’ Las Vegas Portfolio, said, “As we looked toward our reopening, we identified an opportunity to be responsive to recurring guest demand for a fully non-smoking casino resort on The Strip. With an expansive Las Vegas portfolio, MGM Resorts is able to offer an array of options for visitors, all within the MGM Resorts family.”

The Company also noted that its Four Seasons Las Vegas property will reopen on September 25.

Health & Safety

The health and safety of employees and guests has been at the forefront of MGM Resorts’ planning since the onset of the Covid-19 crisis earlier this year. The company’s comprehensive “Seven-Point Safety Plan” is a multi-layered set of protocols and procedures designed in conjunction with medical and scientific experts to mitigate the spread of the virus, protect customers and employees and rapidly respond to potential new cases. The full plan can be reviewed at mgmresorts.com. The company continues to evaluate and evolve its safety protocols. Key initiatives include:

Employee screening, temperature checks and COVID-19 specific training
COVID-19 testing for employees as they return to work in partnership with the local medical community
Employees and guests required to wear masks. Complimentary masks are provided as needed
Implemented a physical distancing policy, with floor guides serving as reminders
For areas where physical distancing presents challenges, plexiglass barriers have been installed, or other measures will be used to reduce risks
Standalone handwashing stations designed by MGM Resorts conveniently located on casino floors
Contactless Check-In through the MGM Resorts App allows hotel guests to go through the check-in process on their personal devices, minimizing interactions
Guestroom Attendants wear masks and gloves while cleaning each room and change gloves between guestrooms
In addition to increased and enhanced routine cleaning of guestrooms and public spaces based on CDC guidance, electrostatic sprayers are utilized in many large public spaces so that disinfectant is applied efficiently
Digital menus are available to view on personal mobile devices via QR codes in the company’s food and beverage outlets
To minimize groups congregating while they wait, restaurant guests receive text message notification when their tables are ready

About MGM Resorts International

MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is an S&P 500® global entertainment company with national and international locations featuring best-in-class hotels and casinos, state-of-the-art meetings and conference spaces, incredible live and theatrical entertainment experiences, and an extensive array of restaurant, nightlife and retail offerings. MGM Resorts creates immersive, iconic experiences through its suite of Las Vegas-inspired brands. The MGM Resorts portfolio encompasses 29 unique hotel and destination gaming offerings in the United States and Macau, including some of the most recognizable resort brands in the industry such as Bellagio, MGM Grand, ARIA and Park MGM.

The Company’s 50/50 venture, ROAR Digital LLC, offers U.S. sports betting and online gaming through market-leading brands, including BetMGM and partypoker. The Company is currently pursuing targeted expansion in Asia through the integrated resort opportunity in Japan. Through its “Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet” initiative, MGM Resorts commits to creating a more sustainable future, while striving to make a bigger difference in the lives of its employees, guests, and in the communities where it operates. The global employees of MGM Resorts are proud of their company for being recognized as one of FORTUNE® Magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies®.

For more information:

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Oakley Launches Gaming Lenses

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OAKLEY® LAUNCHES PRIZM™ GAMING LENSES DESIGNED TO LEVEL UP YOUR PERFORMANCE

To celebrate the launch, Oakley has partnered with EA SPORTS Madden NFL 21 for ‘Derwin James vs The World, a weekly esports entertainment broadcast kicking off with rap superstar Lil Baby

Oakley® is launching the brand’s first optical solution developed specifically for gaming – Prizm™ Gaming Lens Technology. The lenses are engineered to enhance visual contrast and provide sharp vision, featuring blue-light filtering technology without compromising on aesthetic.

To celebrate the launch of Prizm™ Gaming, Oakley has partnered with EA SPORTS and the Madden NFL 21 Championship Series for ‘Derwin James vs. The World’, a weekly tournament where athletes, celebrities and music artists will challenge the Los Angeles Chargers star and renowned Madden NFL player for the ultimate crown. The series will premiere with Atlanta rapper Lil Baby facing off against James on September 15^th.

Through the partnership, Oakley is continuing to support athletes both on and off the field while building a deep connection with the gaming community, offering an optimized viewing experience. “I rely on my Prizm Football Shield to pick up details on the field so I can make game-changing plays. It is pretty cool that the same technology is used across sports – golf, snowboarding and now gaming,” said James. “With Prizm Gaming, I’m ready to take on the world. Who wants to play?”

Oakley® Prizm™ Gaming lenses are built to enhance visual contrast and provide sharp vision. All Oakley Prizm™ Gaming lenses feature blue-light ﬁltering technology designed to reduce 40% of blue light within the 380-500nm range to help protect from artiﬁcial light. Oakley also designed the lens to reduce the yellow tint which often appears as a result of blue-light filtering.

“As a brand rooted in competition, we are thrilled to continue our expansion in the gaming space,” says Ben Goss, Oakley’s Global Marketing Director. “This is an industry defined by the same passion for performance that’s driven our brand for generations. The launch of Prizm™ Gaming is the result of applying that same passion for performance while continuing to bridge the gap between physical and digital sports. We’re excited to equip gamers everywhere with the gear needed to take their game and style to the next level.”

Oakley’s commitment to fit, form and function carries into the gaming space with its line of headset-compatible frames, which feature thinner temples for optimal compatibility and are designed for all-day wear and lasting comfort. In the coming months Oakley will also be releasing a range of eyewear in collaboration with industry-leading gaming accessory brand Turtle Beach.

The launch of Prizm™ Gamingrepresents the latest pillar in the brand’s investment in gamers who embody the Oakley attitude both online and offline. To further its commitment to gaming, Oakley has extended its MotoGP partnerships into the digital space, working with MotoGP E-Sports as an official partner.

Prizm™ Gaming is available at Oakley.com, select Oakley stores and optical retailers

Tune-in to ‘Derwin James vs The World’ every Tuesday night at 10pm ET on the Madden NFL Twitch and YouTube channels.

About Oakley, Inc.

Established in 1975 and headquartered in Southern California, Oakley is one of the leading product design and sport performance brands in the world. The holder of more than 900 patents, Oakley is a culture of creators, inventors, idealists and scientists obsessed with using design and innovation to create products and experiences that inspire greatness. This philosophy has made Oakley one of the most iconic and inimitable brands on the market, with products that world-class athletes around the globe depend on to compete at the highest level possible. Oakley is known for its High Definition Optics®, which features unparalleled optical clarity and precision along with impact resistance and UV protection, incorporated into all of the brand’s sun, prescription eyewear and premium goggles. Oakley extended its position as one of the world’s leading sports eyewear brand into apparel and accessories. Oakley has men’s and women’s product lines that appeal to Sports Performance, Active and Lifestyle consumers. Oakley is a subsidiary of Luxottica Group. Additional information is available at www.oakley.com.

Oakley® and Prizm™ are trademarks of Oakley, Inc.

About Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. The Company develops and delivers games, content and online services for Internet-connected consoles, mobile devices and personal computers.

In fiscal year 2020, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $5.5 billion. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, EA is recognized for a portfolio of critically acclaimed, high-quality brands such as EA SPORTS™ FIFA, Battlefield™, Apex Legends™, The Sims™, Madden NFL, Need for Speed™, Titanfall™ and Plants vs. Zombies™. More information about EA is available at www.ea.com/news.

EA SPORTS, Battlefield, Apex Legends, The Sims, Need for Speed, Titanfall and Plants vs. Zombies are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. Madden and the NFL are property of their respective owners and used with permission.