Posts made in July 2021

Meya Platform Announces Partnership with Artists Jamie Jones and Lee Burridge

Leave a reply

Music and Meditation Platform MEYA Announces Jamie Jones and Lee Burridge as New Partner

Artist Partners to Contribute Exclusive Productions Fusing Electronic Music, Psychoacoustics, and Meditation to Bridge the Gap Between Music and Mindfulness

Download the MEYA App to Experience the Exclusive Music Mind Journey via the App Store and Google Play Store

Well-being, music, and meditation platform MEYA has announced electronic music’s leading artists Jamie Jones and Lee Burridge as new equity partners. Jones and Burridge will contribute exclusive tracks and meditation remixes to the app as part of their Music Mind Journey series, which bridges the gap between music, meditation, and mental health.

The collaborative project aims to transcend the typical confines of meditation, interweaving multi-level brainwave entrainment and vocal guidance with the deeply immersive experiences and psychoacoustic effects achieved through music. This unique fusion allows users to make meditation as empowering as an unforgettable experience on the dancefloor or as deep and emotional as listening to your favorite songs.

Download MEYA to Hear Exclusive Music from Jamie Jones and Lee Burridge via Apple and Google Play

Fans of electronic music know the genre has an ability to trigger states of deep presence, elevation, and connectedness, similar to those achieved through meditation. MEYA harnesses and infuses specific sound frequencies and rhythmic arrangements in its meditation practices in order to trigger the same peak moments that Jamie and Lee are renowned for.

MEYA’s new partners bring their own experience with both meditation and the stresses they’ve faced in the world of dance music to the platform, helping others overcome the hurdles of mental health felt around the industry and beyond.

Speaking on the MAYA platform, Jamie Jones stated What I like about MEYA is that I’ve always found the different frequencies that are used to record music very interesting. I came across 432 a few years before I discovered the MEYA app. I was really intrigued to find out whether your body did feel differently listening to music tuned to this frequency. I noticed I only had to meditate for half as long to get the same feeling. I felt that the combination of mediation and the sounds available made it much easier and more effective in a shorter period of time. I was gaining the same benefits in half the amount of meditation time. In my opinion, it definitely feels like you get more out of it without having to be as advanced or meditate for as long.

Jamie’s first exclusive MEYA production sets the stage for a special Music Mind Journey titled Choice. It’s a dreamlike track featuring delicate piano and relaxing synth work that is perfect for letting go and giving yourself a moment of calm. This feeling is enhanced by embedded vocal guidance that, like a guided meditation, invites listeners to breathe and achieve a deep state of presence, acceptance, and self-love. Its empowering lyrics remind listeners that you always have a choice to love yourself while building on your strengths.

Lee Burridge’s first contribution to the platform is a unique remix of his iconic track Float On from the collaborative 2019 album Melt on Lost Desert. The song pulls listeners into the melodic and entrancing world that All Day I Dream has fostered over the past decade at events around the world. Now, a meditation remix of the song is available to MEYA users looking to dig deeper and understand the concept of awakening and achievement more fully, featuring vocals inviting listeners to change your perspective on life…from a victim mentality to a victorious reality.

The revolutionary MEYA platform harnesses the human affinity for rhythm and connectivity through dance to help users reduce stress, quieten the mind, and reach meditative states more easily and deeply. The peak experiences and flow states felt on the dance floor can be translated into science-backed practice, bringing moments of awakening into everyday life.

Each stage of the MEYA journey – Music, Mind, and Awakening – is enriched with binaural beats and is recorded in 432hz, a healing frequency used in ancient traditions that facilitates relaxation and alleviates physical and emotional stress. Each meditation session is available with a wide selection of music genres: from ambient soundscapes to organic downtempo shamanic rhythms and uplifting electronic beats in order to assist with focus, sleep, meditation, movement, motivation, relaxation, and inspiration.

In MEYA founder Raffaele Ricci’s own words, We are very excited to have Lee and Jamie on board, sharing the same vision to create electronic music to help more people with their mental and spiritual wellbeing. Our aim is to make meditation as easy and enjoyable as listening to a song and extend “beyond meditation” by sharing practices and insights to help unleash the inner power that we all have inside. Our mission is to help our users achieve an empowered and awakened mindset, equipping them with the tools to transform any life challenge into an opportunity.

With clubs and festivals having been impacted globally, MEYA and their artists believe there has never been a more pivotal time to remember the unifying power of music and its quantifiable psychological and physiological benefits. In this way, MEYA also provides a way forward for music industry professionals to overcome the stresses and anxieties surrounding the uncertainties of the field and around the clock commitments.

A recent study from a Help Musicians UK commissioned survey found that 71% of musicians experienced anxiety and/or panic attacks, while 68.5% experienced one or more episodes of depression during the course of their career. In response to this and the issues that impact mental health regardless of industry or location, MEYA aims to bring training into everyday life to relieve anxiety and give users control of their minds with the help of bespoke music content.

With over 15,000 users, 200 specially crafted tracks, and 100 guided meditation courses, MEYA offers a complete toolbox for those looking to maximize their mental and emotional potential in a turbulent world.

Download MEYA today to begin your mindfulness, meditation, and awakening journey.

More About MEYA

Why does MEYA combine Music, Dance, and Meditation?

Music has the ability to shift our state of mind – from mood enhancement and relaxation to a sense of connection with others in a shared space. Similarly, meditation reduces the stress hormone cortisol, improves sleep, and rewires the brain.

Those who have attended dance music events and concerts know the feeling of connectivity shared between crowds, creating a single entity made from many unique participants. MEYA harnesses this idea of a vibe in a quantifiable psychological and physiological method.

Combining music and meditation is not a traditional way to meditate, but it has proven to work. When we are lost in music we get a taste of nirvana naturally without any rigorous training. MEYA leverages the power of music to switch off the mind, making meditation easier and more enjoyable than ever.

MEYA App Content

MEYA Music – Productions categorized by focus, chill, sound healing, sleep, and binaural beats.

MEYA Dance Meditation – A full category dedicated to Dance Meditation journeys: a combination of uplifting dance tracks combined with embedded vocal guidance, well-being practices, insights, positive affirmations, and visualization.

MEYA Mind – A multi-level course to master your mind, overcome your limiting beliefs, and achieve your personal goals. Also included are guided meditations, affirmations, mental coaching, NLP and hypnotic visualization aids to help sleep, and a specialized performance and productivity optimization section.

Music Awakening – A seven-level course with over 50 Music Mind Journeys aimed to help to trigger an awakened mentality through providing insights and practices which train the mind to find the opportunity in all of life’s challenges.

Follow Meya via their Facebook and Instagram.

Differences Between Spray-on and Roll-on Bed Liners

Leave a reply

The benefits of installing a truck bed liner far exceed the cost implications of installing one. Truck liners protect cargo, truck integrity, provide protection from internal dents and scratches and also convenience of keeping the truck clean. All in all, it is a good investment.

Truck bed liners are accessories made of polyurea elastomer composite. It is a durable material that lines the truck bed that can withstand outdoor elements and cargo workload.

Here we will dive deep into the differences between the spray and roll on bed liner application and the advantages and drawbacks, so you can make an informed decision before embarking on a DIY project.

One thing’s for sure – bed liners do provide protection for your truck bed against wear and tear. Trucks are for hauling, carrying debris, mobilization, or the usual rough off-road activities. These are harsh conditions that can wear out your truck bed.

Roll-on bed liners

A do-it-yourself roll-on bed liner can cost $100-$200, significantly cheaper than the drop-in and spray-on alternative by more than half.

There are four roll-on bed liners available in the market today – polyurethane formulation (the basic), oil-based, water-based and urethane. All vary in features, but all are inclusive of brush kits for convenience.

This option is like any homestyle painting activity. Most of the tools for a DIY bed liner project are available in any local hardware store. This great liner can protect your pick-up’s bed from corrosion and moisture with a guarantee of unrivaled UV protection for up to a decade. It also offers a textured finish that provides the bed with an anti-skid feature to keep items and gear from sliding down the truck bed. Wood, metal, and concrete are some surfaces that are possible to apply roll-on paint – a versatile material yielding a much cheaper end product.

Spray-on bed liners

As the name implies, a vital spray gun tool is needed to apply spray-on bed liners. Aside from a spray gun, an air compressor is also one of the tools. A unique feature for spray-on bed liners is the ability of the material to lull sounds and vibrations that are distracting while on the road. It is also resistant to rust and sun exposure. The only drawback of this method is that the application is not a DIY sort of thing. Manufacturers generally apply it using a spray system; thus, this can be a more expensive option. A professionally installed spray-on bed liner costs $500-$1,000. The application requires specific technical capabilities, especially on navigating the pressurized spray brush.

In summary, both roll-on and spray-on provide a textured finish product that acts as a non-skid flooring. Both also offer protection from scratches, corrosion, moisture and wear and tear. The differences lie in the method and ease of application and the costs. A roll-on bed liner appears to be much cheaper and relatively easy to apply. If you are budget-conscious, a roll-on bed liner is a good choice.

King of the Dot Brings Rap Battles to Detroit via Twitch

Leave a reply

KING OF THE DOT BRINGS THE HEAT TO DETROIT FOR THE THIRD ROUND OF RAP BATTLES

More than 250,000 viewers tuned in to Twitch to watch live as battle rappers competed in downtown Los Angeles in the second round of this year’s King of the Dot (KOTD).

Watch an Instagram recap of the second round HERE.

KOTD brings the most competitive rappers from across America to clash with flows in head-to-head battles. The top four competitors from each division will move into sudden-death S1 playoffs, which begin in November where they compete for one winner to take home $100,000 in cash.

Viewers on Twitch will be granted access to the exclusive closed set that offers a front-row seat for the battles. Not only will the battles be streamed for millions of fans around the world, but each fan will also play a role in voting on the winners.

Winners of each battle are determined by their Total Battle Score or TBS. A TBS is the score each of the four judges gives the competitor, with a maximum of 10 points and a minimum of seven points per round. Fan votes are weighed as though they make up a single judge, with the rappers getting points depending on whether the win was convincing or close. Each battle, an artist can accumulate a maximum of 150 points, or a minimum of 111 points across the three rounds.

KOTD now heads to Detroit, where rappers in the North region will battle it out. Upcoming matchups include the following:

Mackk Myron vs. Dallas Cash on July 4

Times vs. 100 Shot Frenchie on July 4

Ciddy vs. XQZ on July 4

MORE ON KOTD AND S1

As announced earlier this year, the six-month S1 format introduces a series of weekly episodes organized by King of the Dot and streamed exclusively on Twitch. In November, one winner will take home $100,000 USD and additional performance-based prizes. Catch one of the most intense rap face offs of the summer!&#a0;

Instead of the old East vs West rivalry from the 90ߣs hip-hop, the modern era has burgeoning scenes in every region. With an East, West, North, and South division, King of Dotߣs regional talent managers have courted the top talent from New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, and Atlanta, respectively, to clash for the life-changing grand prize.

League founder and owner Travis Organik Fleetwood says of the S1 partnership, After we saw how the Twitch community and Twitch team embraced battle rap in 2020, we didn’t even blink when we had the chance to make history with them in delivering S1. You learn more from people’s actions than you do from their words, and Twitch demonstrated that they are committed to creating the best experience for battle rap fans around the world every time the ball came their way. We look forward to bringing our audience onto the service for many more successful seasons.

King of the Dot events mix A-List celebrity guests and athletes with a dedicated audience who travel far and wide to participate in the spectacle. Artists like Ice T, Deadmau5, Method Man, and the OVO front-man Drake, who once knighted himself as KOTD’s #1 fan, have helped the league grow to become renowned as the worldwide leader in innovation for this space.

The Canadian King of the Dot league has always been first-movers in the battle rap space with smaller leagues replicating their format for good reason. They were first to popularise winner-takes-all tournaments, the first to create the Pay-Per-View model that is now deployed globally, and the first to launch and license a number of the formats which ultimately define the culture today, including the introduction of seasonality.

S1 seasonality is the only logical step for our league, artists, and partners. The regular cadence enables artists to make new fans every week, from every corner of the map, and puts them in a position to capitalize on their talent all year round. We’re filling Madison Square Garden twice with the number of viewers passing through these streams and our artists deserve even bigger audiences, says Charles Morgan, owner of King of the Dot.

The season will air live battles every Sunday at 12pm pst/3pm est, alongside an exciting slate of lifestyle content featuring artists from the league and around the world. The full programming schedule, covering sports, gaming, music, and culture, will be made available exclusively to viewers on Twitch.

Keep up with King of the Dot via their website, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Twitch.

**ABOUT TRAVIS ORGANIK FLEETWOOD**

Hip-hop booms everywhere – from basements and street corners to arenas and stadiums. Travis Organik Fleetwood has brought the King Of the Dot battle rap league to every corner of the culture supported by a rapt and rabid audience of millions. The Toronto native has evolved from a deft and dynamic wordsmith himself, into one of the most influential executives in the game, respected by icons such as Drake and touted by Vice, The Source, Music Business Worldwide, AllHipHop, and many more.

It all stems from an unwavering passion and commitment to hip-hop.

He discovered that purpose as a kid just outside of Toronto. Gravitating towards hip-hop, he not only loaded up his computer with at least 30,000 songs downloaded on Limewire, but also recordings of battles and videos. The artform of wordplay immediately grabbed his attention. Obsessed with Big L, Chino XL, Method Man, and more, he recorded his own rudimentary loops from an Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) tape and cut his own verses. By high school, he started battling. He triumphed in one competition after another (often returning to win again in subsequent years). He emerged victorious at Canadian BET’s Canadian Spring Bling, Proud 2 B Eh Battle MC, and the World Rap Championship.

ABOUT KING OF THE DOT

King of the Dot Entertainment, also known as KOTD, is a rap battle league founded in Toronto, Canada in 2008 by Travis Organik Fleetwood. The company hosts rap battles with emcees and loyal viewers from around the world.

JULY 4TH CELEBRATION – THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Leave a reply

The Ed Sullivan Show’s official Youtube Channel celebrates America’s Independence Day weekend with “This Is My Country” and “America The Beautiful,” performed by Pat Boone and West Point Glee Club, respectively. July 4th continues with a rousing rendition of “God Bless America Again” from trailblazing country star Loretta Lynn. Also featured are “The Star Spangled Banner” by Oberkirchen Choir, an inspiring version of “America Our Heritage” from the Washington D.C. Festival Chorus and more.

Among the upcoming classic performers featured are Connie Francis (“Alexander’s Ragtime Band”), Jackie Wilson (“I’m Comin’ On Back To You,” “Night”), Liza Minnelli (“The Travelin’ Life”), Louis Armstrong (“Royal Garden Blues”), plus Petula Clark (“My Love”) and Ray Charles (“Eleanor Rigby”). The wide range of musical performances also includes the Brenda Lee, Dave Brubeck Quartet, Mahalia Jackson, Paul Anka, Wayne Newton and many more.

Comedy clips include Alan King, Charles Nelson Reilly & Nancy Walker, Jerry Stiller & Anne Meara, Totie Fields. From acrobats to The Muppets to skits with the inimitable host himself, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The Ed Sullivan Show YouTube channel honors an entertainment legacy with new clips daily and a wide range of playlists to explore.

Throughout its historic 23-year primetime run (1948-1971), The Ed Sullivan Show brought the hottest performances from around the world and introduced emerging talent to America’s living rooms every Sunday night. The show featured some of the earliest or first televised performances of music superstars including The Band, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, The Jackson 5, The Mamas and The Papas, The Supremes, and The Rolling Stones.

Among the voluminous gems in this vast catalog are iconic clips most of which have not been seen in decades. UMe uploads new videos daily, including scores of rarities available digitally for the first time, to The Ed Sullivan Show’s official YouTube channel and EdSullivan.com, both newly updated.

Live On The Ed Sullivan Show Youtube channel, July 1-15*:

STREAM DATE – ARTIST – PERFORMANCE – AIRDATE

THU 7/1 – Alan King – Airplane – June 2, 1968

THU 7/1 – The Kessler Twins – When In Rome – October 16, 1966

THU 7/1 – Eddy Manson – Swanee River – August 5, 1962

THU 7/1 – Tony Martin – You Made Me Love You – November 27, 1960

FRI 7/2 – Phil Spitalny’s Hour Of Charm – Hallelujah Chorus – March 25, 1951

FRI 7/2 – Strategic Air Command Band – Strike Up the Band – March 16, 1969

FRI 7/2 – Allen & Rossi, Ed Sullivan – How To Phone Women For Dates And Ed Sullivan – May 22, 1966

FRI 7/2 – Sandy Stewart – After You’ve Gone – April 16, 1961

FRI 7/2 – Gordon Macrae – America the Beautiful – July 6, 1969

SAT 7/3 – Pat Boone – This Is My Country – June 2, 1963

SAT 7/3 – Louis Armstrong – Royal Garden Blues – October 8, 1961

SAT 7/3 – Eddy Arnold – Wreck Of The Old ’97 – January 26, 1964

SAT 7/3 – The Harmonicats – Peg O’ My Heart – February 26, 1950

SAT 7/3 – Enzo Stuarti – Battle Hymn Of The Republic – September 6, 1964

SUN 7/4 – West Point Glee Club – America the Beautiful – June 9, 1968

SUN 7/4 – Oberkirchen Choir – The Star Spangled Banner – September 26, 1954

SUN 7/4 – Washington D.C. Festival Chorus – America Our Heritage – August 17, 1969

SUN 7/4 – Dolores Gray – You’re A Grand Old Flag – July 4, 1954

SUN 7/4 – Loretta Lynn – God Bless America Again – May 30, 1971

MON 7/5 – The Kane Triplets – Pow, Pow, Pow – June 11, 1967

MON 7/5 – Alan King – Son’s Bar Mitzvah & Ed Sullivan’s Anniversary – June 2, 1968

MON 7/5 – The Dubliners – Muirsheen Durkin – March 17, 1968

MON 7/5 – Jackie Wilson – I’m Comin’ On Back To You – May 28, 1961

TUE 7/6 – Pat Henning – Psychiatrist, Uncle And Bette Davis – February 22, 1959

TUE 7/6 – Charles Nelson Riley & Nancy Walker – Lovers Meet At The Deli Skit – February 6, 1966

TUE 7/6 – Liza Minnelli – The Travelin’ Life – January 3, 1965

TUE 7/6 – Dave Brubeck Quartet – I’m In A Dancing Mood – October 16, 1960

WED 7/7 – Totie Fields – Fan Letter – January 16, 1966

WED 7/7 – Shirley Verrett – Ave Maria – May 24, 1964

WED 7/7 – The McGuire Sisters – How Come You Do Me (Like You Do) – October 17, 1965

WED 7/7 – Connie Francis – Medley: Up Above My Head / Glory Glory / Light Of Love – March 21, 1965

THU 7/8 – Mary Hopkin – Goodbye – May 25, 1969

THU 7/8 – Teresa Brewer – How Come You Do Me Like You Do – February 6, 1955

THU 7/8 – Jackie Wilson – Night – March 31, 1963

THU 7/8 – Petula Clark – My Love – November 28, 1965

FRI 7/9 – Phil Spitalny’s Hour Of Charm – Spring Song – April 1, 1951

FRI 7/9 – The Missionary Dominican Sisters Of Our Lady Of Fichermont – Puer Natus Est Nobis – January 5, 1964

FRI 7/9 – Al Hirt – That’s A Plenty – December 10, 1961

FRI 7/9 – W.C. Handy – St. Louis Blues – December 18, 1949

SAT 7/10 – Mary Hopkin – Morning Of My Life – October 27, 1968

SAT 7/10 – Sandler & Young – In the Sunshine Days – January 7, 1968

SAT 7/10 – Mahalia Jackson – Were You There When They Crucified My Lord? – April 15, 1962

SAT 7/10 – Wayne Newton – Medley: (Give Me That) Old Time Religion/America (My Country ‘Tis of Thee) – June 12, 1966

SUN 7/11 -The Amin Brothers – Acrobats – December 15, 1963

SUN 7/11 – Polly Bergen – I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm – December 20, 1959

SUN 7/11 – Shirley Bassey – S Wonderful – November 13, 1960

SUN 7/11 – Ray Charles – Eleanor Rigby – December 8, 1968

MON 7/12 – Mahalia Jackson – By His Word – December 18, 1960

MON 7/12 – Al Hirt, Milton Berle – Musical Humor – December 15, 1963

MON 7/12 – The Muppets – The Art Of Visual Thinking With Kermit The Frog – October 2, 1966

MON 7/12 – Wayne Newton – I Wish You Love – December 12, 1965

TUE 7/13 – Mary Hopkin – Those Were The Days – October 27, 1968

TUE 7/13 – Allan Drake – Kids Today – June 28, 1964

TUE 7/13 – Wayne Newton – Apple Blossom Time – May 30, 1965

TUE 7/13 – Paul Anka – I Love You – February 11, 1962

WED 7/14 – Sid Caesar, Ed Sullivan, Shirley Bassey – French Restaurant – February 28, 1971

WED 7/14 – Phil Spitalny’s Hour Of Charm – Voices Of Spring – April 1, 1951

WED 7/14 – Roger Williams – Supercalifragilistic – January 31, 1965

WED 7/14 – Ray Charles – If It Wasn’t For Bad Luck – December 8, 1968

FRI 7/15 – Jerry Stiller & Anne Meara – Wrong Phone Number – January 16, 1966

FRI 7/15 – George Givot – Malaprops – July 27, 1958

FRI 7/15 – Brenda Lee – Losing You – May 12, 1963

FRI 7/15 – Connie Francis – Alexander’s Ragtime Band – October 14, 1962

*Unlisted YouTube link and/or embed code may be available upon request or click link to grab embed code where included. Schedule may be subject to change without notice. Segments are listed chronologically by stream date and time.

Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – Youtube – Tiktok – Website

About The Ed Sullivan Show

The Ed Sullivan Show is the most popular primetime variety show in American history. For nearly a quarter century, Ed Sullivan hosted the greatest array of talent on television, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley and Motown artists such as The Supremes, The Temptations and The Jackson 5. Every Sunday night at 8pm on CBS from 1948-1971, The Ed Sullivan Show showcased a wide variety of pop culture from the worlds of music, comedy, novelty and much more. The library of 1,000 hours includes over 10,000 performances.

About SOFA Entertainment

In 1990, Andrew Solt formed SOFA Entertainment Inc. and acquired The Ed Sullivan Show from the Sullivan family. The Ed Sullivan Show is the most respected and revered variety show in television history. SOFA Entertainment is the copyright holder of the original Ed Sullivan programs and over 150 hours of newly created programming.

About UMe

Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) is the global catalog and special markets division of Universal Music Group (UMG). Working closely in concert with UMG’s record labels, territories and operating companies, UMe provides a frontline approach to catalog management, an emphasis on strategic marketing initiatives and creating opportunities in new technologies.

Rafting Adventure With Western River Expeditions

Leave a reply

With record heat covering the West you need a strategy if you want to enjoy the outdoors. The master of rafting vacations, Western River Expeditions, offers seven out-of-the-box tips for how to stay cool on a summer vacation.

“Hot and dry means people want to get onto and into the water,” said Kam Wixom, Marketing Director and veteran guide. “Our staff and clients have come up some great tips over the years that help keep us all comfortable when the temperatures get extreme.”

Wixom recalls the summer of 1997 when temperatures in the Grand Canyon reached 123 degrees Fahrenheit. Already playing out this summer were higher-than-usual temperatures in the West. “We bought the newspaper just to prove to others back home that we (easily) survived some of the hottest temperatures we’d ever experienced. The thing is, we really did survive it easily.” Here’s how:

Full Body Immersion – Get yourself soaked in the cold Colorado River. Linger in the water to reduce your core body temperature.
Wear Only Cotton – We often think of quick-drying fabrics when we’re near the water, but to stay cool when you’re near water and temperatures are soaring, think cotton. This fabric, unlike synthetics, retains water, keeping you wet and cool. Choose cotton when it comes to bandanas, hats, neck scarves and sarongs.
Drink Lots of Water – Stay properly hydrated by drinking two ounces of water for every ounce of alcohol or caffeine. And even before you’re thirsty – drink water. Sodas are diuretics that can cancel out hydration, so don’t think you’re only drinking soda to stay hydrated.
Electrolytes Matter — You can drink all the water you want, but if you are not coupling it with electrolytes (vitamins and minerals), you still run a risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Yes, munch on salty potato chips and sugary cookies at lunch or take along some electrolyte tablets. They come in a variety of brands and flavors.
Wear a Hat – Instead of putting earth-friendly sunscreen on your forehead (which often ends up in your eyes), wear a hat to keep the sun from pounding on your head. A hat can help protect from heatstroke and it protects your eyes.
Indulge in a Sarong – Western River Expeditions stocks sarongs in its company store, Red Rock Outfitters. Sarongs are loved by both women and men as they can be easily dipped in the water and draped wet across your whole body.
Start a Water Fight! – Not that we are endorsing rowdy behavior, but a couple of water cannons and bail buckets are good items to bring along and use on a surprise attack on an unsuspecting neighboring raft. The goal is to drench your opponents, a welcome outcome on a hot day!

It is still not too late to secure a spot on a raft trip this year. Contact Western River Expeditions today for a full list of available trips and dates.

About Western River Expeditions
Western River Expeditions is an adventure travel company headquartered in Salt Lake City, with operations and offices in Moab, Utah and Fredonia, Arizona. Annually from March through October it escorts more people down rivers on professionally guided rafting trips in Utah, Idaho, and Arizona than any other company. It is the largest licensed outfitter in the Grand Canyon and the largest single tour provider in Moab, UT, through its division Moab Adventure Center.

Western River Expeditions, providing Grand Canyon rafting, Utah and Idaho rafting, and international multi-sport trips, was founded in 1961 by Colorado River rafting pioneer Jack Currey. It has been named one of the “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth” by the editors of National Geographic Adventure magazine. The company is the proud recipient of the “Best of State” award through Utah’s Premier Recognition and Awards Program for the past sixteen years.

Maisel High-Contrast Phone Cases

Leave a reply

By: Kim Bui, CEO/Founder of Maisel

Last year, I birthed two pandemic babies – one in June and another in November. Astute readers are surely furrowing their brows – it defies the laws of nature! Well, let me assure you that both are indeed my progeny, have caused sleepless nights, and have done quite a bit of growing up in the last year.

One is a little girl with endearing dimples named Maisel, and the other is a fast-growing company with engaging phone-case designs (also named Maisel).

Moms are notoriously gluttons for punishment, wearing their lack of sleep and milk-stained clothing like badges of honor. Not so different from entrepreneurs, who proudly boasting their lack of sleep and coffee-stained clothing. So it’s fitting that during my maternity leave with baby Maisel, I decided to double down.

My husband and I received countless high-contrast books and flash cards as gifts for baby Maisel, with the expectation that we would be sharing them with our newborn to increase her cognitive development. Sounds easy, right? Sure is. It’s so easy that it’s downright boring. (ICYMI, pediatric neurologists found that newborns, who can’t see color, are not only attracted to black-and-white images but that the images also stimulate growth in their brain cells.)

While showing baby Maisel patterned flashcards was not high on my list of pastimes, I did notice that as a modern mom, I was constantly using my phone around her to take photos, videos, and FaceTimes from family and friends. She was spending significant time staring at the back of my phone. The eureka moment was realizing that baby Maisel was constantly staring at a meaningless iPhone logo when she could be staring at something more meaningful, like high-contrast artwork to strengthen her brain power.

With what felt like superhuman strength that only a mother could muster, I went from eureka moment to launching a company in under eight weeks. In our first month, just based on word-of-mouth, I sold over $3,000 worth of the high-contrast artwork phone cases and have been growing steadily ever since. Modern moms (and dads) could relate to always being on their phones, and also wanted to multi-task their phone cases as a tool for their child’s development.

I studied in college, and worked as a lawyer for half a decade. And yet, raising baby Maisel turned out to provide some of the most helpful lessons for raising my company, Maisel. Here are my top three lessons:

1) Let go of the small things

As a first-time mother, I tried to read all the books on child-rearing that I could get my hands on. I wanted to know everything. But that isn’t reasonable, or possible. I quickly learned that you’re setting yourself up for failure as a mother if you try to do everything perfectly. Likewise–as the founder of a start-up–the goal should not be perfection. At least not initially. Conventional wisdom is to build a minimum viable product and get it out to customers, and then iterate on it based on their feedback.

2) Try everything

Opinions about the best way to raise a child are like belly buttons. Everyone has one. There are a million theories and experts. But, the best approach as a new mother is to try different approaches and see which one works for you. The same applies to start-ups. Always be ready to pivot. You never know what’s going to work, or the best way to connect with customers. Pay attention to patterns and be thoughtful about how to respond to the ever-evolving experience – whether that’s sleep training or customer acquisition. And don’t be afraid to change directions quickly and often.

3) Celebrate the wins

Last but not least, celebrate milestones and wins. Even small ones. When a baby stretches the amount it sleeps, celebrate. When a company has its tenth sale, celebrate. There are lots of frustrating and challenging moments when raising an infant baby or a baby business that it’s important to cherish the successes. It will help you stay motivated and drive you to your next milestone or win.

Babies and companies are exhausting, but they’re also exhilarating. It’s been a thrilling year of babies in our household, and I can’t wait to continue watching our Maisels blossom – even if it means permanently sporting milk-stained, coffee-stained clothing.

MAISEL HIGH-CONTRAST PHONE CASES via Annie Appleton at Pitch Public Relations for use by 360 Magazine

5 Simple Tips for Maintaining Your Golf Equipment

Leave a reply

If you want to perform the best you can at golf and make sure that your equipment lasts a long time, you have to learn how to maintain it. Golf equipment can get very expensive, and the more you take care of it, the less you’ll have to spend. A lot of people simply don’t know how to take care of their gear, while others make mistakes that could end up deteriorating it even faster. Here are a few simple tips you can follow to maintain your golf equipment.

Store them Properly

The first thing you have to do is make sure that you store your clubs the right way. The best place to store your clubs is inside at a moderate temperature. The worst place is a hot car trunk. You have to avoid hot and humid environments at all costs since they can end up weakening the glue that keeps the club head and grip in place. Some golf clubs are very susceptible to rust also, which is why you need to store them somewhere dry. You also have to wipe them down if they get wet on the course before storing them away.

Invest in a Golf Towel

A golf towel could be any towel you have lying around or a fancy one made specifically for golfers. Some towels will have fancy wicking technology and reinforced eyeholes to make them easier to carry. You don’t have to spend a fortune on a towel, but it could be a great investment. You should wipe down your clubs every time they get dirty on the course. Make sure to wipe both the grips and the clubface.

Golf Cart Maintenance

If you own a golf cart, there are some things you can do to keep it running and extend its lifespan. First, you have to make sure that you inspect your batteries often and make sure that there is enough water to completely submerge the lead plates. You should also clean your battery’s connections while you’re at it. Look for any signs of dirt or corrosion. You can clean the connections using a simple water/baking soda solution.

You also have to make sure that you constantly verify the thread on your golf cart’s tires. If you want to take your golf cart to the next level, we would also suggest you invest in DOT-approved tires as they’re more robust and can handle more conditions.

Speaking of tires, you should also make sure that you check the air pressure in them constantly. Poor pressure will lead them to wear out faster and could result in accidents. There is a higher risk that you will puncture them as well.

Cover Your Woods

If you aren’t using headcovers on your woods yet, you need to do so immediately. This will protect them when you take them in and out of your bag or when they’re knocking against each other in the trunk of your car. Note that these aren’t as necessary for irons. Even pros won’t use covers on those. The same goes with putters, though they’re a bit more delicate than irons, so covers are not a bad idea here.

Inspect and Clean Your Grips

Do not neglect your grips and make sure to clean them as regularly as your clubheads. You should also be looking for signs of wear. Check if some areas are shinier than others. This indicates slickness. You also have to check for cracks or worn areas. You should regrip your clubs the minute you see heavy signs of deterioration. This is something you can do on your own or at a pro shop.

If you follow these few tips, your golf equipment will look and perform great for a long time. Do not neglect these steps if you care about your golf gear and don’t want to constantly spend money on replacements.

GRIP × Gutter

Leave a reply

GRIP gives just the precise amount of weirdness and prophecy in his latest single, “Gutter.”

In the animated visuals by director Caleb Seales, GRIP and Wara find themselves in a mental funhouse that serves as a “choose your own adventure” series with a route to the perfect label as the new goal. While industry plants will more than likely pass the evaluation full of rich distractions and audacious silhouettes, the red warnings bring what is true and real to GRIP’s vision.

Instead of falling into the trap, GRIP climbs out of yet another “Gutter” to stick on the path to rap stardom. With production by Tu serving as a soundtrack to the very twisted adventure, fans will be glued to the screens to find out what happens next.

Shady Records and Eminem took to social media yesterday to announce GRIP as the newest addition to the label’s roster. He’s been called “Atlanta’s Next Great Storyteller” and has already garnered tremendous buzz and acclaim, starting with his 2017 breakout project Porch. The next project, 2019’s Snubhouse kept the momentum building, and he quickly followed up with two more projects in 2020: Halo and PROBOSCIDEA. GRIP is building buzz and lyrical prowess caught the ear of Eminem manager and Shady Records’ President Paul Rosenberg, who then brought it to Eminem. The two quickly linked with GRIP and added him to the label. GRIP is currently working on his debut album for Shady, coming later this year.

“Gutter” is GRIP’s debut track on Shady Records, and showcases an artist who can rap with the best in the game with a label boasting the likes of Westside Boogie plus recent Shady alumni, Griselda’s Westside Gunn and Conway the Machine. Label President Paul Rosenberg says, “GRIP is the type of artist that brings you into his world and expresses himself through a complete composed body of work. If true album artists in this era are a rare breed- then GRIP is a unicorn! We’re excited for him to join the Shady Records family”

GRIP adds, “It was one of those full circle moments because I grew up on Eminem so to have him reach out and let me know how dope my shit is was so cool. Excited to partner with Shady/Interscope and get the music out on a larger platform.” GRIP’s upcoming LP will serve as a breathtaking introduction to those just learning about the emcee and a reminder for existing fans that the musician doesn’t fit a cookie cutter sound…which is just the way he likes it.

WATCH HERE

Nic D Dishes Up Fine Apple

Leave a reply

Stirring a new treat for his growing audiences of millions, buzzing rapper and singer Nic D dishes up the “Fine Apple” (Lemon & Line Remix) [feat. Bryce Vine] today.

Listen to “Fine Apple” (Lemon & Lime Remix) [feat. Bryce Vine] HERE.

On this version, multi-platinum pop/hip-hop maverick Bryce Vine adds another dimension to the track with a slick and sizzling verse of his own. Meanwhile, the original “Fine Apple” has amassed north of 9.6 million Spotify streams, over 355K views on the music video, and 700K-plus views on the official lyric video.

It has exploded on the charts internationally as well, peaking at #7 on the Spotify Global Viral Chart and #2 in the Top 10 Spotify Viral Chart in the United States, #2 in New Zealand, #3 in Canada, #6 in Australia, and #9 in the United Kingdom. Not to mention, it cracked the Top 200 on Spotify in the United States and emerged as #6 “Most Added on Top 40” at radio.

Right out of the gate, he also received plugs from Melodic Magazine, Alfitude, and Enigma Online. In the wake of the release of “Fine Apple,” he has attracted another 570,000 TikTok followers and 20,000 Instagram followers.

Get a kick of Lemon & Line from Nic D and Bryce Vine now.

Of the meaning behind “Fine Apple,” Nic D says, “I wrote this song for and about my wife. I tend to write songs about glorifying my wife because I like to uplift the women in my life. It was written in a moment after we had a conversation about me pursuing music full-time, and she fully hopped on board. I felt really supported by her, which resulted in a feel-good song. When you have people in your corner, it feels good and makes the music feel happier. I write a lot of songs about her, and there will be more because she deserves it. And I like my water with lemon and lime.”

On the video, he says “The song did really well on TikTok, so I did a lot of callbacks to videos I made on TikTok, since that’s where the song first went viral. For the people who made it happen for me, I wanted to make them feel like those bits and pieces were for them, because they were part of the whole process for me.”

“Fine Apple” might just be the sweetest fruit of the summer.

BLACK FEMALE ATHLETES FACE OLYMPIC DISCRIMINATION

Leave a reply

By: Clara Guthrie

Leading up to the postponed 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo—with opening ceremonies scheduled for Friday, July 23—the International Swimming Federation (or FINA, a shortening of the “Fédération Internationale de Natation”) has banned the use of swim caps specifically designed to fit the volume and texture of Black hair. Their reasoning for such a targeted and controversial ban seemingly lies in the cap’s novelty, leaving officials wondering how the product may affect different Olympic swimming events. (Many people have been quick to point out, however, that the larger size of these caps could actually cause more drag in the water rather than any sort of advantage.) In a statement, FINA said that, to their knowledge, “the athletes competing at international events never used, neither required, […] caps of such size and configuration.” Additionally, they took issue with the fact that the caps do not lay flat and tight across the head as other swim caps used by white athletes do.

The caps of interest were created by a Black-owned British company called Soul Cap. According to their website, their products are intended for “those with dreadlocks, weaves, hair extensions, braids, thick and curly hair” and are “designed with extra room in mind.” Their business—which was founded in 2017 and includes a variety of swimming-related haircare products for those “blessed with voluminous hair”—grew out of an understanding that the beauty industry was overlooking the needs of these individuals.

Preceding this controversy, Soul Cap had partnered with marathon swimmer Alice Dearing, the first Black female swimmer to represent Great Britain in the Olympic games. This partnership was intended to promote diversity in the world of swimming and help break down barriers for other minority swimmers who may be blocked from competing at the highest level. “Swimming as a sport hasn’t always been as accessible to people from minority communities,” Dearing said. “Increasing diversity in the water is a huge passion of mine, so with Soul Cap, […] we hope we can start to dispel those barriers.”

This decision to ban Soul Caps from the Olympics has caused public outrage among many swimmers, specifically swimmers of color. According to the BBC, one young swimmer said she was “heartbroken but not surprised” by FINA’s discriminatory action. Another swimmer, 17-year-old Kejai Terrelonge, said that swim caps made for thinner or untextured hair have posed perpetual problems throughout her athletic career. “Using the smaller swimming caps that everyone else would use—it would fit on my head, but because I put oil in my hair, when I was swimming it would just keep sliding off, and my hair would get wet,” she said. Since Black hair is naturally drier than other hair, exposure to chlorine and other chemicals in pool water can cause severe damage to hair. In 2019, Dearing herself even acknowledged that she “can fully understand why someone would quit [swimming] over their hair.”

Non-athletes have also joined in on this critique of FINA, taking to Twitter to voice their frustration. One user called the decision “cultural insensitivity on an international scale.” Another said, “this misguided notion of uniformity is the antithesis to inclusion.” “It’s 2021 and still there is ignorance about Black hair and naturalness,” said another Twitter user. “People who make decisions about Black hair should do the research first. Our hair may not be natural to you but it is to us!” This final sentence seems to be a direct response to another quote from FINA in which they said that Soul Caps do not “fit the natural form of the head.”

Unfortunately, this move to ban swim caps for Black hair has not been the only inequitable decision surrounding Black female athletes made by Olympic athletic committees. Last week, 21-year-old sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson was suspended from the Olympic team after testing positive for THC and thus failing her drug test. While marijuana is explicitly against the rules for competing athletes according to International Olympic Committee (IOC) standards, many people were outraged at Richardson’s suspension seeing as the drug is legal in Oregon (where Richardson ingested it) and the drug’s known effects are in no way performance-enhancing. Actor and outspoken supporter of marijuana Seth Rogen weighed in on Twitter, saying, “The notion that weed is a problematic ‘drug’ is rooted in racism. It’s insane that Team USA would disqualify one of the country’s most talented athletes over thinking that’s rooted in hatred.”

In another Olympic-centered controversy, 18-year-old Namibian sprinters Christine Mboma and Beatrice Masilingi were withdrawn from the 400-meter race due to their “natural high testerone level[s],” according to the World Athletics governing body’s policy on Athletes with Differences of Sex Development. This policy states that women’s blood testosterone levels must be below 5 nanomoles per liter to compete in the 400-meter race, among other events. These new regulations were introduced in 2018, and the only proposed solution for these athletes is to lower their testosterone levels with medicine in order to compete. It is important to note that neither Mboma, Masilinigi, their families nor their coaches were aware of their hormonal condition prior to being tested.

As these debates that target the rights and Olympic potential of Black female athletes continue to unfold, FINA has announced it will review the original decision to ban Soul Caps from the summer games. In an official statement, FINA said that it is “committed to ensuring that all aquatics athletes have access to appropriate swimwear for competition where this swimwear does not confer a competitive advantage.” FINA also said that it plans to “speak with the manufacturer of the ‘Soul Cap’ about utilizing their products through the FINA Development Centers.” No further statements or decisions have been made at this time.

According to the official Olympics website, part of the IOC’s mission is “to act against any form of discrimination affecting the Olympic Movement” and “to encourage and support the promotion of women in sport at all levels and in all structures.” And yet, the past few weeks have revealed unflattering truths about the international world of athletics and the discrimination that athletes of color—specifically female athletes of color—repeatedly face in order to pursue their Olympic dreams. The IOC represents the highest standards of athletics and competition, and thus they must rise to the same standards when it comes to protecting, empowering and uplifting the athletes who participate.