Posts made in May 2021

Atlas VPN Finds Most Popular Browsers

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More than 3 billion internet users now use the Google Chrome browser

Choosing what browser to use is something that every internet user has to do. There are plenty of options to pick from. When choosing, it is essential to make sure your browser has the proper security and privacy settings.

According to the recent Atlas VPN team findings, 3,258,256,887 internet users (or 41% of the population) use Google Chrome browser, making it by far the most popular browser in the world. The key reason for such browser popularity is the fact that it has been created by the tech giant Google. In addition, many people praise it for various customizable options and speed compared to other browsers.

The statistics are based on the GlobalStats browser market share percentage, which was then converted into numbers using the InternetWorldStats internet user metric to retrieve the exact numbers.

The second most popular browser is Safari, with a total of 944,576,100 internet users. iPhone or Mac device users mostly work with the Safari browser as Apple developed it. This browser offers several security features such as security indicators and malware protection.

Third on the list is the Firefox browser, with 181,435,430 people actively using it. Unlike other browsers, Firefox has placed a huge emphasis on user privacy. In March 2021, Firefox launched SmartBlock in version 87 to offer protection against cross-site tracking without breaking the websites users visit.

Microsoft Edge browser ranks fourth with 171,327,607 internet users. Edge is the only browser to natively support Windows Information Protection (WIP), which protects corporate data to help prevent accidental leaks by users on Windows 10 devices.

In fifth and sixth place goes the Samsung Internet and Opera browsers. They have 166,779,086 and 112,196,840 active users respectively.

Google Chrome seems to be the most popular browser based on user interface and ease of customization. Users can install VPNs and AdBlockers directly to the web browser. Another reason for the significant increase in popularity of Google Chrome could be the growth in popularity for Google devices such as the Chromebook, which has Google Chrome installed natively.

Browser security concerns

At this time, when cybercrime is more active than ever, safety should be one of the priorities when choosing a browser. There are a few additional tools that will help you stay secure to accompany a good browser.

Even though Chrome is the most popular browser globally, it has a history of security and privacy issues. Last year in March, hackers found a backdoor in a Google Chrome update and took advantage of it by releasing a fake Chrome update with malware. It infected more than 3000 users worldwide.

More common browser security concerns are that hackers could access your saved passwords and other information. In addition, cookies and browser cache could also be used to obtain your sensitive data.

Using software such as VPNs, antivirus, firewalls, or password managers can help you to protect your identity online and avoid malicious attacks. These applications have become essential tools when it comes to online security.

To see the data and graphs relevant to Atlas VPN’s report visit their website here.

DJ Tennis x Life and Death

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DJ Tennis has spent the past decade molding Life and Death into an extension of his own multidimensional mind. Refusing to adhere to trends and maintaining a strictly DIY approach, the label and roving events brand has become one of the foremost tastemaking platforms among the electronic underground. Now, longtime followers and curious newcomers alike are offered a fresh glimpse into Life and Death’s psychedelic world via the launch of a brand new Twitch channel and partnership. The inaugural broadcast takes place on June 1, with new episodes aired everyday.

Life and Death TV adds a new dimension to the brand’s technicolor universe—and for the first time, giving us a glimpse of the world behind some of the most influential artists and collaborators—building upon the mission of its website launched last year to breed community connection. It’s as multifaceted in character as the brand itself; segments range from emo carpet tufting and psychedelic art creation sessions, to bike tours around the world, to charting the transformation of Robot Heart resident Benjamin Alexander from a DJ to Jamaica’s first Olympian skier. The channel even pays homage to left of center cuisine, with a deep dive on the art of cooking insects by renowned Mexican chefs Tomás Bermúdez and Sergio Meza—both of whom have Michelin star experience under their belts.

Music remains at the core of Life and Death, and its ethos of cutting edge curation radiates across its Twitch channel programming. Juba’s “Global Dancefloor” examines the African diaspora within dance music alongside model and artist Exocé Kasongo. Peruvian artist Umoid will be tufting a special Life and Death mural rug in her home country to her soundtrack of carefully curated electronica. Marvin & Guy’s Marcello Giordani heads up the “Master Program,” where the Italo Deviance founder will explore disco and Italo’s past & present from his 10,000+ vinyl collection. “Focus,” hosted by Portuguese maverick Mike Stellar, is a talk show pairing the finest Brazilian music with wine tasting. Inspired by his hiking expeditions in Los Angeles, Daron Sassounian digs into the city’s underground with a mixtape/visual series, “Between the Ridge,” meant to stimulate emotions, memories, and ideas within its listeners.

Psychedelia plays a large influence in both DJ Tennis and Life and Death’s sounds ad visions. To honor this, the label boss will host his own show dedicated to mind expanding music and equally out-there accompanying visuals. He’ll also show off his inner quirk via his dog Frida the Husky working on her treadmill and other surprises. Jazz aficionados will enjoy Life and Death’s weekly Virtual Fireplace, while those needing an afterparty soundtrack can tune into the channel each weekend for a selection of music paired with footage of cute and rare animals from Miami’s Canine 101 sanctuary.

The Life and Death crew has kept itself plenty busy of late, focusing on various community oriented projects including the launch of their website, storytelling blog, and cut & sew clothing line which has already seen collaborations with indie artists Father Akki and Tony Tafuro. Come December 4, the label will once again join with Innervisions to bring their iconic Art Basel bacchanale, Rakastella, back to Florida’s Historic Virginia Key.

With the launch of Life and Death TV, the label’s legacy of pushing creative boundaries across mediums and the world.

Follow Life and Death TV: https://www.twitch.tv/lifeanddeath_tv

Joy Oladokun Releases Debut Album

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Emerging singer, songwriter and musician Joy Oladokun will release her highly anticipated major label debut album, in defense of my own happiness, next Friday, June 4 via Amigo Records/Verve Forecast/Republic Records.

With in defense of my own happiness, Oladokun forges her own path, sharing the unique perspective she’s gained from living in today’s world as a black, queer woman and first-generation child of Nigerian immigrants. Born in Arizona and now living in Nashville, her musical exploration began at age ten when she was inspired to learn guitar after seeing a video of Tracy Chapman—the first time she’d ever seen a black woman play the instrument—and has since gone on to become “a fierce voice demanding equality” (NPR Music).

The new record builds on last year’s self-released album, in defense of my own happiness (the beginnings), and features 15 songs including two from the 2020 release—“sunday” and “breathe again”—as well as recently unveiled tracks, “sorry isn’t good enough,” “jordan,” “wish you the best” featuring Jensen McRae and “Bigger Man,” written and performed with Maren Morris. Of the collaboration, Billboard praises, “The gorgeous new single sees both artists stripped down to their emotional cores…stunning,” while American Songwriter declares, “the rising singer-songwriter proves her worth as a master storyteller” and The Tennessean hails, “any Nashville musician worth their salt should be pinching themselves to work with Oladokun, among the most exciting talents this city has seen in years.”

In celebration of the new music, Oladokun will perform a special full-band show at Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley on Sunday, June 20 and will continue to tour throughout the year including performances at Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo and Austin City Limits as well as several dates supporting Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit.

Oladokun has continued to receive widespread attention in the past year, including recent performances of “breathe again” on NBC’s “TODAY” and “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” The song also received a key placement on NBC’s “This Is Us,” propelling the track to reach #3 on Shazam’s U.S. Top 200 while also charting globally. Additionally, Oladokun has been named a member of the inaugural #YouTubeBlack Voices Class of 2021, an NPR Music/Slingshot’s 2021 Artists to Watch, a Billboard LGBTQ Artist of the Month, Spotify’s RADAR US: Artists to Watch 2021, Amazon Music’s Artists to Watch 2021 and Vogue’s #1 New LGBTQ Artists to Listen to Now, and was recently highlighted as part of HULU’s “Your Attention Please: The Concert” alongside 24kGoldn, Kiana Ledé, Lil Yachty and Swae Lee. In addition to “This Is Us,” her music has also been featured on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” ABC’s “Station 19,” Showtime’s “The L Word” and MTV’s “Catfish.”

Watch the album trailer HERE.

Full details can be found at www.joyoladokun.com/tour.

AFI – BODIES

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AFI SHARES NEW TRACK TIED TO A TREE AND UPCOMING ALBUM BODIES

AFI has shared Tied To A Tree, the latest track from their eagerly-awaited new album Bodies, due June 11, 2021 via Rise Records.

“This is not only my favorite song on the record, but an exemplification of the evolution of the band,” guitarist Jade Puget says.

Last week, AFI launched a remix contest for their recent single Dulcería. The contest can be found within The Bodies Experience interactive 360° website, where fans can download song stems and create their own take on the track. Top submissions will be showcased online and will win exclusive prizes, including a “golden ticket” to future AFI shows. Deadline for entry is Friday, June 4 at 11:59pm PT.

The band also recently unveiled The Ritual Collection, a new line of merch that can be found exclusively in The Bodies Experience. This includes a special deck of oracle cards (with one card for each song), soy prayer candles and incense — all fitting counterparts to the dark and brooding new track. The artwork for the Tied To A Tree visualizer is based on the art found on the oracle card deck.

AFI are leaders, not followers. A collective in a perpetual state of creative evolution as fluid as the evocative figures contorting on the cover of Bodies, their newest collection of songs. The record is a snapshot of unrelenting artists in motion, unconcerned with compromise or outside demands.

AFI’s unshakeable connection with their audience is a testament to the band’s knack for reinvention, renewal, and exploration, anchored by an unblemished authenticity. AFI songs are embedded in the spiritual DNA of a legion of supporters and Bodies is further demonstration of AFI’s unwavering commitment to artistic exploration, a dark conjuration of an uncapturable muse. The album was produced by the band’s own Jade Puget, mixed by Tony Hoffer (M83, Phoenix, Silversun Pickups), and mastered by Vlado Meller (Oasis, Pink Floyd).

The band initially summoned a steady subcultural groundswell in the mid-90s, devoid of careerist ambitions. The band first made music as teenaged misfits in an obscure Northern California town, steadily assembling a dense catalog over the years marked by its diversity and authenticity.

“AFI is such an integral part of who I am. What we do with AFI together is a foundation for me,” explains front man Davey Havok. “Coming back is a return to a home I’ve always known.”

It’s a sentiment shared by the entire band. “I couldn’t do what I do in AFI in any other place,” observes guitarist Jade Puget. “Davey and I have written songs together for over 20 years now. I couldn’t find the thing he and I have together anywhere else, nor the thing the four of us have when we come together. AFI is home for me and will always be that.”

“At this point, it’s not even a choice. It’s just what I do,” drummer Adam Carson concurs. “I started this band with Davey when I was 16. It’s something that I love so much. It’s just a part of me.”

“Every album is an opportunity to show people a snapshot of our evolution,” adds bassist Hunter Burgan. “And with this band, it’s always something fresh. We’ve been playing together for so long that I have a deep understanding of each of my bandmates’ musical styles, and yet I am still pleasantly surprised by the new things they bring to each record.”

“Anyone who knows our catalog knows that no two records really sit together,” Puget points out. “Some sit a little closer, maybe. We do certain things, just by virtue of who we are, that are consistent, but those things come about organically. Every time we do something, I have to judge it on its own merits. Some fans are going to judge a new album, or a new song, based on what’s come before. But as artists, we can’t do that, because it would only hinder our creativity.”

AFI never stepped into the mainstream; the masses came to them. The platinum success of Sing the Sorrow blazed a path for a generation of hardcore-punk weaned bands to similarly crossover. Decemberunderground upended expectations again and earned AFI a second platinum plaque. Crash Love was another adventurous turn, with expansive and almost optimistic-sounding melodies, glistening with emotion. The haunting Burials arrived four years later, debuting in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200. The self-titled follow-up, commonly referred to as The Blood Album, became AFI’s second-highest charting album since their inception, debuting at No. 5 in 2017. After the release of The Blood Album, the band was hardly content to rest on its laurels. AFI then released yet another highly praised addition to their discography, 2018’s The Missing Man EP.

Bodies available for preorder HERE.

AFI

BODIES tracklist

Twisted Tongues
Far Too Near
Dulcería
On Your Back
Escape From Los Angeles
Begging For Trouble
Back From The Flesh
Looking Tragic
Death Of The Party
No Eyes
Tied To A Tree

Rediscovering Disneyland Auction

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A RARE DISNEYLAND MOSAIC FROM THE COURTYARD OF SLEEPING BEAUTY CASTLE SELLS FOR AN ASTONISHING $363,000 AT VAN EATON GALLERIES “REDISCOVERING DISNEYLAND” AUCTION

Van Eaton Galleries, the Sherman Oaks based auction house specializing in Disney memorabilia and animation, and recognized authority on all things Disney, has announced that a Disneyland Sleeping Beauty Castle Mosaic (circa 1970s) sold for an astonishing final price at their “Rediscovering Disneyland” auction for $363,000. The mosaic sold for more than ten times the original estimate which was $30,000-$50,000 and is among other highlighted results announced by the auction house. Van Eaton Galleries held the two-day “Rediscovering Disneyland” auction this weekend (May 22 & 23) which represented one of the most significant and comprehensive collections of early Disney Theme Parks artifacts and Disney related memorabilia ever assembled with over 1,200 items.

The handcrafted mosaic that was part of the original Sleeping Beauty Castle before it was renovated in 1983. The massive, hand-crafted artwork consisting of hundreds of individual tiles features an image of Sleeping Beauty and Prince Phillip and is an actual piece of the Original Sleeping Beauty Castle. This wall mounted artwork was a prominent installation within the early years of Fantasyland and was removed around the time of the massive New Fantasyland refurbishment of 1983. The tiles remain set in their cement with original mesh wire backing. It is an original section of the walls of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland and measures 36” x 44.” It is a true one-of-a-kind Disneyland relic.

Other highlighted results included a single Disneyland Club 33 Dinner Plate which sold for $12,300 with an original estimate of only $100-$200; a Disneyland Club 33 Cast Member Hostess Dress and Belt which sold for $7,380 with an original estimate of $500-$700; The Haunted Mansion Imagineering Blueline Map Print sold for $17,220 with an original estimate of $1,000-$3,000; a Disneyland Fantasyland Bench sold for $22,140 with an estimate of $3,000-$5,000 and The Matterhorn Coat of Arms Entryway Plaque sold for $6,450 with an original estimate of $500-$800. More results are available at Van Eaton Galleries.

Ask Better Questions

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Advice from a Researcher on How to Make Research Your Business’s Superpower

By: Kirsten Lee Hill, PHD.

When I talk to people about research, the first thing I notice is that almost everyone is doing research–they just don’t call it that.

Put simply, research is creating an intentional plan to answer a question you have, and then putting it into action. As a business owner, I’m willing to bet that you have questions you would like answered. Questions like:

How are people experiencing my products/services?
Does my product/service work?
How can I improve my product/service?

On a daily basis as you continue to run your business and make decisions about growing or pivoting, you are using information to answer these types of questions. Every time you ask a customer for feedback, send out a poll, or look at records to make decisions about products or services–that’s research!

The quality of the information you get is only as good as the quality of the questions you ask. The key to good research is asking good questions, and crafting good questions is both an art and a science.

To create a good question, you have to get specific about what it is you want to know.

Have you ever asked a client or customer if they are “satisfied?” Or, has anyone ever asked you if you are “satisfied” with their product or service?

Personally, it is my least favorite question, and one that I never ask.

Here’s the thing–I never ask if someone is satisfied because I don’t care. Not asking is strategic. To me, that question is a waste of space (and my clients’ goodwill), and I want to use space and goodwill on important questions that matter to me. Big, vague words like “satisfaction” are not helpful in evaluating my work or making decisions.

What does it even mean to be satisfied?

In some sense it means that I generally did a good job or a bad job. But, I don’t make decisions based on ambiguous terms. I want specific insights to drive my business.⁠

Specific insights come from specific questions.

So, instead of asking if someone is “satisfied” for if they “liked” your product/service, choose an area(s) of feedback that would provide meaningful information. Perhaps you want to know if your product was useful, made something easier, or fun. If you’re selling a new shirt and people say they hate it, that’s not helpful. Instead, ask specific questions about the color, fit, and fabric so that you can take action on the feedback.

Questions are powerful tools that can provide you with information to make important decisions. Don’t waste them.

To learn more about Kirsten Lee Hill, visit her website.

Christen Lien – Phoenix Rising

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CONTEMPORARY CLASSICAL MUSICIAN CHRISTEN LIEN ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE CLUBHOUSE PERFORMANCE PHOENIX RISING: A JOURNEY OF LIVE MUSIC + POETRY BY ESMÉ BIANCO, Thursday, May 27 @ 4pm ET / 1pm PT: Cosmic Balcony Club, JOIN HERE

Previous Clubhouse performances attended by thousands, including the platform’s founder, also performed for the Dalai Lama, hosted a TED talk, played Burning Man, and headlined shows

Watch Christen Lien’s official video for The Escape here

Christen Lien is a contemporary classical musician who creates stunning, emotional work based around the viola and use of loop and effects pedals. She has performed for the Dalai Lama, hosted a TED talk, and played Burning Man in addition to her own headline shows. During the pandemic, Christen has become a regular performer on Clubhouse, and has played to several thousands of fans on a weekly basis. CH founder Paul Davison joined the stage during her rooms, bringing nearly two and a half thousand followers with him, to listen to her perform.

Her regular Clubhouse room, Cosmic Balcony, has become very popular and recently she completed 33 straight days of full concerts at 3:33pm PT. On the last day, after four hours of songs, readings, collaborations and community shares, there were exactly 333 people in the room. Known for the emotional intensity, philosophical deep dives and widely diverse mix of club members, Cosmic Balcony is an experience of creative perspective that’s both interactive and multi-disciplinary.

This week, the balcony welcomes Esmé Bianco (Game of Thrones, co-creator of the Phoenix Act) to share and perform her poetry in this world premiere event with live viola by Christen Lien and guest poet Steve Connell. Join here on May 27 at 4pm ET / 1 pm PT.

On the upcoming event, Christen Lien says, In my Cosmic Balcony rooms on Clubhouse, we address deep and complex issues as a community while I perform live music for the audience, and our event on May 27th will be an example of the courage I witness often in these rooms. The public has heard of the harrowing tale of Esmé Bianco’s past, and now it’s time to move forward and witness her creative prowess and expression during her healing process. It is time for all of us to move forward and heal from the past with courage, creativity and community. It is a privilege to host the world premiere of Esmé’s poetry, and provide live music for such a historic moment in time.

Esmé Bianco says, In celebration of my birthday, and at a time of personal transformation and reemergence for so many of us, I am delighted to be sharing my poetry publicly for the first time in Cosmic Balcony. It is an honor to collaborate with the exceptionally talented Christen Lien as we explore what it means to rise from the ashes together.

Many collaborations are born out of these Clubhouse moments. Lien has recently rounded out the Clubhouse International Womenߣs Day event (CHIxIWD), performed for Hatch: She Who Inspires, showcasing women leaders. She also teamed up with Sarah Alagroobi for an art installation for Art Dubai after Alagroobi spontaneously began painting on hearing Lien perform, creating a work in response to that performance, a testament to the unique creative environment that Clubhouse can engender. Lien performed as part of the recording process for this work, with Alagroobi completing the painting. Lien has also joined Terra Naomi, Savannah Outen and Autumn Nicholas for the Monday Monday showcase on Clubhouse, in conjunction with LAߣs revered Hotel Cafe, among many other connections.

Christen Lien says: It’s been very fulfilling to perform live on Clubhouse, because the real-time responses from listeners via voice creates an intimacy that is different from live stream chat boxes on other platforms. The audience responses have been similar to my in-person concerts: a flurry of emotions and tears, people experiencing intense visuals while they listen to my performance, and an urge to co-create. The only difference is the audience can’t see how much my body moves when I make music, and they don’t see the technical use of my looping pedals and effect boards. I’m so happy that my music translates on the Clubhouse platform, because I know that my music creates a space for a lot of healing and emotional processing. The times we are in are difficult and my music has always been a salve for aching hearts. It means so much that I can be there for a live audience in this way and we are all grateful to Clubhouse for making this possible.

Be sure to tune in on Clubhouse on May 27 to get in on the live moments that continue to inspire and provoke emotional responses from devoted fans, and look out for more from Christen Lien.

Christen Lien is an avant-garde composer and performing artist with classical roots who creates an innovative brand of musical storytelling. The viola is at the heart of her music-making; however, she also incorporates multiple instruments and synthesizers, and the use of guitar effect processors and looping pedals, to create a multi-faceted landscape that bridges electronic, industrial and classical genres.

Her multimedia performances communicate stories of mythology and imagination, politics and prose, hope and empowerment.

Christen has performed for diplomats, fortune 100 executives, heads of state, royalty, celebrities, and has inspired many crowds around the globe. She has performed for His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Google, the Obama White House, Burning Man, Forbes Under 30 Summit, Berklee College of Music, Nexus Global, MIT and the United States Institute of Peace. Venues such as the House of Blues and the REDCAT Theatre and museums such as the de Young, Legion of Honor and the Detroit Institute of Arts have showcased her live performances. Christen’s sound design work is on exhibit at the National Museum of Qatar, where she created sound design for a 50-foot video installation by John Sanborn, commissioned by the Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and the Doha Film Institute.

Her concept album ELPIS continues a long-lost story of Greek mythology and is a cautionary tale about the spectrum of hope. The album and story was adapted into a ballet production with acclaimed choreographer Amy Seiwert, where dancers were choreographed to both Christen’s live musical performance and storytelling.

Christen is an active citizen who stands up for her beliefs. While serving as the Executive Director of the Ann Arbor Film Festival, Christen won a First Amendment lawsuit against the State of Michigan to protect artists’ freedom of speech.

For more information on Christen Lien, please visit her official website, Twitter and Instagram.

The Real Housewives of Potomac

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GRAB YOUR TEA AND TAKE A SEAT! “THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF POTOMAC” RETURNS WITH A SUPERSIZED PREMIERE ON SUNDAY, JULY 11, AT 8PM ET/PT

New Housewife Mia Thornton Joins Returning Ladies Gizelle Bryant, Karen Huger, Ashley Darby, Robyn Dixon, Candiace Dillard Bassett, and Dr. Wendy Osefo

“The Real Housewives of Potomac” is back for season six with a 75-minute supersized premiere on Sunday, July 11, at 8pm ET/PT on Bravo.

Returning this season: Gizelle Bryant, Karen Huger, Ashley Darby, Robyn Dixon, Candiace Dillard Bassett, andDr. Wendy Osefo.

New housewife Mia Thornton joins the ladies with a boss mentality and is letting them know that, on her end, respect is earned, not given.

Askale Davis joins as the newest friend of the housewives.

View the season trailer

Coming up this season:

While Gizelle Bryant’s west wing dreams finally come true, the wings of love start to unravel with her ex-husband, Jamal, and she tries to focus on building a happyhome with her children.
Karen Huger’s marriage institution is 25 years strong, and she is ready to celebrate the momentous occasion in a big way—but a pandemic and Ray could both put a damper on her caviar dreams.
Ashley Darby is expanding her family with Baby Darby 2.0. She is happier than she has ever been, but fear of the postpartum depression and relationship issues with Michael that she fought hard to overcome after giving birth to Dean threaten her joy.
Robyn Dixon has waited a long time for that ring, but between building a house, a business, and possibly a wedding, she is overwhelmed and finding it challenging to be motivated to do much else. And it’s causing trouble in paradise with her fiancé, Juan.
Candiace Dillard-Bassett is going after her dreams with a vengeance: she’s back in school for her master’s degree, working on her album, and pursuing acting. Her husband, Chris, has stepped in as her “husbanger” to help her keep it together—but things get tricky when Chris struggles to separate work from wife.
Dr. Wendy Osefo has a new attitude and is making some massive changes to her life to go along with it as she ventures into new territories in work, fashion, and even her friendships. She is finally living her truth and is ready to show the ladies the other side of Dr. Wendy.
Mia Thornton is an entrepreneur and a certified “boss.” She is living life like it’s golden with her multiple businesses while being a mother of three and wife to her successful husband, who is 32 years her senior. Mia has not always lived on Easy Street, but she is ready to let it all hang out with the ladies of Potomac.
Robyn’s friend Askale Davis is a bubbly, fashionable mother of three with a proud Ethiopian heritage. She also goes by the name “Ethi-Oprah,” but unlike her namesake, she likes to stir the pot.

Meet the new housewife: Mia Thornton

Mia Thornton joins the ladies of “The Real Housewives of Potomac” this season. She is a woman who marches to the beat of her own drum as an entrepreneur, franchise owner, and regional developer. Mia is a graduate of Southeastern Institute, where she received her degree in Neuromuscular Massage Therapy. After graduation, Mia launched her career in Charlotte, North Carolina, as a Clinic Director that eventually led to a five-year partnership with a prominent Fortune 500 company and ownership of Massage Envy Spas. Soon afterward, the expanded success of the company allowed her to develop the Joint Chiropractic Doctor Offices in North Carolina, Virginia, DC, Maryland, and New York. Mia currently resides in Maryland with her husband, Gordon Thornton, of 9 years, and three children, Joshua, Jeremiah, and Juliana. Her philanthropic passion has led her and Gordon to serve on the board and sponsor families of the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte. She is also a proud sponsor of A Better World, UNCF, Autism Speaks, and A Child’s Place.

“The Real Housewives of Potomac” is produced by Truly Original with Steven Weinstock, Glenda Hersh, Lauren Eskelin, Lorraine Haughton-Lawson, Lauren Volonakis, Nora Devin and Eric Fuller serving as Executive Producers. Jackie Hebert and James Brangert serves as Co-Executive Producer. Andy Cohen also serves as an Executive Producer.

About Bravo Media:

Bravo is the premier lifestyle and entertainment brand that drives cultural conversation around its high-quality, interactive original content across all platforms. The network features a diverse slate of original programming, including Emmy Award-winning “Top Chef” and “Project Runway,” along with fan favorites “Vanderpump Rules,” “Below Deck,” “Southern Charm,” and the highly popular “Million Dollar Listing” and “The Real Housewives” franchises. Bravo also boasts the only live late-night talk show on television with the critically acclaimed “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen,” which has become a nightly destination for A-list celebrities. Bravo is part of the NBCUniversal Television and Streaming portfolio, which includes NBCU’s broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms: NBC, Bravo, E!, Oxygen, SYFY, Universal Kids, USA Network, and Peacock. For more information, visit Bravo TV.

Airheart Explorer Launches

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Airheart Explorer Launches to Help Consumers Navigate Complicated Travel Restrictions & Policies

CLICK TO TWEET: Airheart Explorer launches to help navigate travel restrictions domestic and abroad, so people can travel with confidence: Airheart Explorer

Airheart unveiled their free tool, Explorer, to help people travel again, safely. Travelers can now discover which destinations are accessible and what’s required for their trip, all through one user-friendly platform.

Now more than ever, navigating restrictions and policies for travel is overwhelming. Crowd-sourcing information from friends and family online and visiting countless tourism or government sites is a lot of work and highly error prone. Airheart eliminates the guesswork, so people can travel with confidence.

Airheart’s data is aggregated from official sources by our data partners, including Sherpa. Then, Airheart further distills and organizes it into a searchable, scannable, easy to understand format, to put travelers at ease when navigating what’s required of them.

Key Features:

Discover which destinations – international and domestic – are accessible for travel based on your origin location prior to the booking engine phase where you need to be destination specific.
View government policies and COVID19-risk data for your destination.
Filter by what’s required of you – quarantine, COVID19 test, masks in public (and soon by your vaccination status).
Receive notification when policies and restrictions change.
See COVID19 transmission rates per destination.
View local guidelines for what to expect on-location at bars, restaurants, shops and more.
Pin routes and create a short-list of places on your wish list.

The three founders diligently focus on maximizing the user experience. The team is also extremely well-traveled, multi-passport carriers and currently straddling multiple continents – the US to Australia – to bring this to consumers worldwide.

“As seasoned travelers, we found this problem so critical that we dropped everything to work on solving it for the community. Our long-term vision is to create a place for organizing and managing the full lifecycle of a trip, starting with discovery using Airheart Explorer,” said co-founder and CEO, Lindsey Renken. “In a world where we’ve optimized our lives heavily, planning travel is still an inefficient process. We noticed our friends and colleagues experiencing similar issues, and ultimately, this kept a lot of trips from happening. We figured there has to be a better way than the status quo.”

Airheart is where deep product and engineering knowledge meets function. The team’s experience has been pivotal in elevating Airheart Explorer beyond what’s on the market now:

Ivan Vanderbyl, CPO, who’s founded three companies, 2 exits; Former Sr. Director of Product Management at Tricentis; 14 years in software development and product management. He has lived and worked in 5 countries and traveled to over 30 countries.
Arie Litovsky, CTO, adds over 15 years of software development experience to the team. He most recently worked as a software developer at Facebook and Q&A site Stack Overflow. He’s traveled to over 20 countries while adding to his collection of 3 passports and 4 languages.
Lindsey Renken, CEO, is an experienced founder; previously raised nearly 1 mil. as a co-founder for a consumer-facing application. B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, UT Austin. Over 11 years in product, marketing and data science. She has traveled to 31 countries and counting, many of which were solo trips.

“Drawing on the intrepid explorer and fearless solo traveler Amelia Earhart, we hope to clear the path for future travelers,” said Renken.

For more information and to sign up for the waitlist for features coming this summer, visit Airheart.

Caterina Bonvicini – The Year of Our Love

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The Year of Our Love will be released on June 22nd, 2021 by acclaimed Italian author Caterina Bonvicini. A sweeping romantic drama set in Bologna and Rome over the course of nearly four decades, The Year of Our Love chronicles the history of contemporary Italy through one couple’s relationship – a fervent affair rooted in friendship that transcends the boundaries of social class. Already a success in Europe, Other Press is excited to introduce this resonant, heartfelt novel to U.S. readers.

Opening in 1975 at the height of the Years of Lead (a tumultuous period of both right- and left-wing violence in Italy that lasted until the late 1980s) and spanning through the three cabinets of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi (1994-2011) and beyond, The Year of Our Love tells the story of Valerio Carnevale and Olivia Morganti from early childhood to adolescence to adulthood. Valerio, the son of the wealthy Morganti family’s gardener and housekeeper, grows up alongside Olivia. Despite their differing socioeconomic backgrounds, the two are inseparable; they are driven to preschool together by Olivia’s grandfather, Gianni, and read stories and Shakespeare plays by her lively grandmother, Manon. At age 5, Valerio and Olivia innocently kiss each other, a moment that seals their star-crossed fate and presages a decades-long romance that weathers distance and time.

When his parents’ separation forces Valerio to move from the comfort of Bologna to Rome, where his mother’s new boyfriend, a petty criminal, lives in a borgata (working-class suburb), Valerio and Olivia write letters to one another to stay in touch. After graduating high school, Valerio chooses to attend university in Bologna, so he can be near Olivia once more. Though they date briefly, they drift apart in the whirlwind of their 20s. Olivia impulsively marries a dandy with bohemian ideals, while Valerio pursues a career in real estate development, sacrificing his dream to work in law in favor of a more practical path. Yet, no matter how their lives twist and turn, destiny keeps bringing them back to each other. Relishing chance encounters and stolen moments, Valerio and Olivia rediscover the pure love that first blossomed between them as children.

Releasing in June, the month during which Italians celebrate Festa della Repubblica (Republic Day, a national holiday commemorating the end of monarchic rule on June 2, 1946), The Year of Our Love offers a spirited portrayal of the ups and downs of romantic and familial affection. Through the lives of her vibrant, unforgettable characters, Bonvicini deftly captures the shifting mood and milieu of Italy over the past 40 years.

About the Author

Caterina Bonvicini lives between Rome and Milan and holds a degree in Modern Literature from the University of Bologna. Her novel L’equilibrio degli squali (2008) was hugely acclaimed and won Premio Rapallo, Premio Fregene, and Premio Frignano in Italy, and Grand Prix de l’Héroïne Madame Figaro in France. It was followed by Il sorriso lento (2010), Correva l’anno del nostro amore (2014), Tutte le donne di (2016), and Fancy Red (2018). Her books have been translated in several countries.

About the Translator

Antony Shugaar is a writer and translator. His recent translations include Kill the Father and Kill the Angel by Sandrone Dazieri, The Catholic School by Edoardo Albinati, Everything Is Broken Up and Dances by Edoardo Nesi and Guido Maria Brera, and Notes on a Shipwreck by Davide Enia.

Praise For The Year of Our Love

In Italy, the heir to an industrial fortune and the son of the family’s gardener and maid cross paths throughout the years. – Nytimes.com

In a novel focused on dark, messy relationships, acclaimed Italian writer Bonvicini creates satisfying characters who are charming, short-sighted, selfish, and loving. Her rendering of the politics and social structure of Italy from 1975 to 2013 have a nuanced authority, and the blend of the personal and political feels authentic and adds depth and significance to the story. Readers of Beautiful Ruins (2012) by Jess Walters, Like Water for Chocolate (1992) by Laura Esquivel, and Gabriel García Márquez will appreciate the star-crossed pain Bonvicini delivers from start to finish. – Booklist

Acclaimed Italian author Caterina Bonvicini delivers a big, bold, all-encompassing novel in The Year of Our Love, a deeply engrossing 40-year love story influenced by historical events that occurred in Italy over decades…Through short, perfectly selected and astutely crafted scenes, Bonvicini depicts episodes from the lives of Olivia and Valerio over the next four decades in an Italy where corruption—in both personal lives and the society at large—is endemic…High drama and moments of great wisdom flesh out themes centered on the perils of upward mobility, appearances for appearance’s sake and allegiance to marriage and family. Chilling, stark realities force some characters—including a very strong, vividly rendered supporting cast—to become victims of the dark era in which they live. In stunning prose, translated by Antony Shugaar, Bonvicini renders an intricately plotted contemporary Italian epic where the fate of her star-crossed lovers is magnified by the crushing influence of familial and societal forces…exquisitely written. – Shelf Awareness

Sweeping, surprising, and bristling with specificity, this novel combines the best ingredients of a love story with unflinching snapshots of a contemporary Italy roiled by violence, corruption, and social upheaval. The clarity, honesty, and veracity of Bonvicini’s writing will conquer you from page one. The first work of this acclaimed author to appear in English, thanks to Antony Shugaar’s supple translation, is cause for celebration. – Jhumpa Lahiri, author of Interpreter of Maladies and The Namesake

Preorder The Year of Our Love today via otherpress’ website.