Posts made in January 2022

HALLE BERRY – THE PEOPLE’S ICON

Leave a reply

Academy Award-Winning Actress, Director, and Producer Halle Berry to Receive The People’s Icon Award at The 2021 People’s Choice Awards

Cardi B to Present Berry with the Award at the Ceremony Live on NBC and E! on Tuesday, December 7 at 9PM ET/PT

Today, NBC and E! announced that Academy Award-winning actress, director, and producer Halle Berry will receive “The People’s Icon” award at the 2021 “People’s Choice Awards.” Grammy Award-winning artist Cardi B will present the award to Berry at the ceremony. The PCA Award-winner and seven-time nominee will be honored for her contributions in TV and film, including her directorial debut in the highly anticipated film “Bruised,” which will be in select theatres on November 17 and arrives on Netflix on November 24. Cardi B and Berry teamed up to executive produce the film’s soundtrack, which features six original songs by award-winning and multi-platinum female artists, including a song by Cardi B. The 2021 “People’s Choice Awards” will air simultaneously on both NBC and E! on Tuesday, December 7 at 9pm ET/PT from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, CA.

“Throughout her career, Halle Berry has broken down barriers, directed and starred in diverse roles that have paved the way for others in the industry,” said Jen Neal, Executive Vice President, Entertainment Live Events, Specials & E! News, NBCUniversal Entertainment Television and Streaming. “In addition to her filmography accolades and trendsetting ethos, Berry is known for her philanthropic work with women, children and underserved communities. She is an icon of our time and for all these reasons and more, we are honored to present her with ‘The People’s Icon’ award.”

As an actor, producer, director, activist, philanthropist, and fashion icon, Berry has made history on multiple accounts. Highlights include her performance in “Monster’s Ball,” which earned her the Academy Award for “Best Actress,” making her the first Black woman to receive that honor, as well as being nominated for a Golden Globe for “Best Actress” for her role in “Frankie and Alice.” Berry also earned an Emmy, Golden Globe, SAG and NAACP Image Award for her extraordinary performance in HBO’s telefilm, “Introducing Dorothy Dandridge,” which she also produced.

Most recently, Berry filmed Netflix’s “The Mothership,” which she stars in and executive produced, and will be seen in Roland Emmerich-helmed sci-fi epic “Moonfall” for Lionsgate, which is due in theaters February 2022. In 2020, Berry made her highly anticipated directorial debut in new film “Bruised,” in which she also stars.

Outside of her filmography success, Berry is an active supporter of the Jenesse Center in Los Angeles, which supports victims of domestic violence and aims to change the pattern of abuse in the lives of women and children. Further, Berry joined forces with Novo Nordisk and the Entertainment Industry Foundation to launch the Diabetes Aware Campaign and has supported a vast number of charities and organizations such as Afghanistan Relief Organization, Black Lives Matter, Clothes Off Our Back, Love Our Children USA, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Stand Up to Cancer, Revlon Run/Walk, and United Nations World Food Programme.

Berry also founded rē•spin, a platform created to provide broader access to health and wellness content and products through inclusivity and conversation. Rooted in discovery and learning, the heart of rē•spin is its global community connected around the core belief of a holistic mind, body, and soul approach to wellness. 

The 2021 “People’s Choice Awards” will air simultaneously on both NBC and E! for the first time on Tuesday, December 7 at 9:00pm ET/PT from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, CA. “Live from E!: The 2021 People’s Choice Awards” will kick off the night with a red carpet special at 7:00pm ET/PT on E!. The “People’s Choice Awards” and “Live from E!: The 2021 People’s Choice Awards” are both produced by Den of Thieves with Executive Producers Jesse Ignjatovic, Evan Prager and Barb Bialkowski.

See the full list of all 40 categories and nominees online.

Nursing Home Staff Shortages

Leave a reply

Amidst the perseverance of the COVID-19 pandemic, the healthcare industry has taken a massive blow. There are intense staffing shortages in the field, and the public is suffering from these scarcities. The Washington Post gave a detailed report on these worsening staff deficiencies, more specifically in long term care facilities.

Nursing homes tend to lessen the stress on hospitals as recovered patients typically move there after being released. Without proper staffing, though, facilities have not been able to take in patients from hospitals. A specific example of this misfortune stems from the Terrace View nursing home in Buffalo, New York. The home is currently not running at full capacity, and there are up to 22 beds not being used due to lack of staff.

The Washington Post article elaborates on this disaster, highlighting another facility affected. “That means some fully recovered patients in the adjacent Erie County Medical Center must stay in their hospital rooms, waiting for a bed in the nursing home. Which means some patients in the emergency department, who should be admitted to the hospital, must stay there until a hospital bed opens up. The emergency department becomes stretched so thin that 10 to 20 percent of arrivals leave without seeing a caregiver — after an average wait of six to eight hours, according to the hospital’s data.”

Many long-term care facilities across the country are facing these same troubles. The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) found 58% of nursing homes are cutting down on arrivals, again, because of the shortage of staff members.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) found that 425,000 long term care workers left the industry since February 2020. Though other industries have seen economic growth since the onset of the pandemic, nursing homes have not had the same luck. “Remarkably, despite the horrific incidents of death and illness in nursing homes at the outset of the pandemic, more staff departures have come during the economic recovery. As restaurants and shops reopened and hiring set records, nursing homes continued to bleed workers, even as residents returned.”

These troubles are heightened in more rural areas. The article, too, depicts the story of Diakonos Group in Medford, Oklahoma, that had to shut down since there was simply not enough staff. The facility provided care for patients with mental health needs, but after the pandemic started, they found that their staff had endured too much. Diakonos Group CEO Scott Pilgrim explained that although the business offered a raise in hourly wages, bonuses and overtime, employees continued to leave, and they could not withstand these absences.

AHCA/NCAL urges lawmakers to work with the long term care division of healthcare to fix this staffing crisis and devote resources to employ caregivers. As hospitals continue to be directly affected by this catastrophe, change must be made as soon as possible. AHCA/NCAL encourages Congress to take action and ease these tensions placed on both hospitals and long term care facilities.

A Very Harry Winter

Leave a reply

BY POPULAR DEMAND, REPLAY LINCOLN PARK EXTENDS “A VERY HARRY CHRISTMAS” TO “A VERY HARRY WINTER” This high-demand pop up invites all witches, wizards, and muggles alike to celebrate the wonderful wizarding world of Hogwarts throughout the month of January, featuring new photo opportunities at Diagon Alley, Hog’s Head Inn, Honeydukes Candy Shop, and more! Get out your time-turners! Replay Lincoln Park is expanding their limited-time pop-up, A Very Harry Christmas, to A Very Harry Winter. Take to the skies with broomstick in hand to head to Chicago’s favorite pop-up bar, Replay Lincoln Park, 2833 N. Sheffield, for their latest pop-up installment now running through the month of January. This pop-up has expanded into the upper bar, featuring new custom artwork and several fun photo opportunities with iconic destinations, characters and objects from the popular series. There are also some hidden Easter eggs that only Harry Potter mega-fans will spot, like Dobby looming somewhere in the distance. This event and all of the games are free, with no reservations, tickets, or tokens required. This limited time pop-up, which Replay first hosted back in 2019, features spectacular homages to fan favorite moments from the series such as the Chamber of Secrets, The Whomping Willow, Umbridge’s Cat Office and Molly Weasel’s, along with Hagrid’s House, the Burrow Spoon Clock, and more. Expanding to the upper level, new featured moments like Diagon Alley, the iconic 9 3/4 platform, Zonko’s Joke Shop, Honeydukes Candy Shop, and Hog’s Head Inn will help fans get even more immersed in the wizarding world. The themed pop-up will also feature a cosplay costume pageant for fanatics to dress as their favorite wizard, plus magic shows throughout the month, trivia, and more. An extensive specialty cocktail menu is also available for the duration of the pop-up, featuring concoctions such as the Dementor’s Kiss, Pumpkin Juice, Polyjuice Potion, Rowena’s Diadem, shots of Voldemalort, and much more. “We were blown away by the support we received for A Very Harry Christmas,” says Mark Kwiatkowski, owner of Replay. “Extended by popular demand, this pop-up will continue to be a delight for Chicagoans and Harry Potter fans alike through the end of January, so everyone can have an opportunity to come by and enjoy.” The A Very Harry Winter inspired pop-up is 21+ and is reservation free. Covid-19 restrictions will be practiced, and protocols will be strictly observed to ensure the safety of patrons and employees. Please note, this is not an official event sanctioned by Warner Bros. Advance tickets are available to purchase for $20 each which include two cocktails and a fast-pass entry. ABOUT REPLAY LINCOLN PARKReplay Lincoln Park features over 60+ free vintage arcade games, including pinball, air hockey, skeeball, and more. With no cover or tokens needed, Replay Lincoln Park invites guests for great fun from 5 p.m. – 2 a.m. Monday – Thursday, Friday 3 p.m. – 2 a.m., 12 p.m. – 3 a.m. Saturday, and 12 p.m. – 2 a.m. Sunday.

NY Six’s High Viewership Record

Leave a reply

The 2021 New Year’s Six delivered viewership records and multi-year audience highs from Dec. 30 – Jan. 1. This year’s New Year’s Six finished up double digits year-over-year, averaging 12.7 million viewers, and every bowl of the 2021 New Year’s Six surpassed 7.5 million viewers for just the third time of the CFP era. The non-Semifinal New Year’s Six bowls averaged nearly 11 million viewers, ranking third out of the eight years of the CFP.

Across both of ESPN’s MegaCast presentations, the College Football Playoff Semifinals averaged 16.9 million viewers, on par with 2015’s Year 2, the last time the semifinals were on a weekday New Year’s Eve. The share of TV viewers tuned in to this year’s CFP Semifinals on ESPN networks (25.9) was the best since Year 1 (2014) of the CFP era.

The College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl between Georgia and Michigan netted 17.2 million viewers, peaking with 20.5 million viewers early in the action. The late Semifinal is the most-viewed non-NFL sporting event across any network and top telecast across ABC and ESPN networks since last year’s CFP National Championship game. The top four non-NFL sporting events of 2021 were CFP Semifinal and National Championship games.

The College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic between Cincinnati and Alabama scored 16.6 million viewers, a 6% gain from Year 2’s early Semifinal (2015 Oklahoma/Clemson). Despite the scoring margin, the audience peaked at 18.2 million viewers late in the game.

Rest of New Year’s Six Notches Ratings Records

The Rose Bowl Game Presented by Capital One Venture X registered 16.6 million viewers, the second-most-viewed non-Semifinal New Year’s Six bowl game of the CFP era (2019 Washington/Ohio State, 16.9 million viewers). The audience tuning in to No. 11 Utah and No. 6 Ohio State peaked at 19.7 million viewers over the game’s closing minutes.

The CFP Semifinals and the Rose Bowl Game are the top three games of the college football season.

Additional New Year’s Six Highlights

The Allstate Sugar Bowl between No. 7 Baylor and No. 8 Ole Miss averaged 9.8 million viewers, peaking early in the action with 13.6 million viewers.
The PlayStation Fiesta Bowl between No. 9 Oklahoma State and No. 5 Notre Dame registered 8.0 million viewers, up nearly 20 percent from the 2020 Fiesta Bowl. The audience peaked with 14.3 million viewers in the final moments.
The Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl recorded 7.6 million viewers, up more than 25 percent from the past two standalone weekday primetime games (31% – 2020 Cotton Bowl; 26% – 2019 Orange Bowl). The action from Atlanta peaked with 8.7 million viewers in the final 10 minutes of play between Pittsburgh and Michigan State.
The 2021 New Year’s Six finished on par with the 2019 season.

Additional Holiday Week Highlights

The TransPerfect Music City Bowl recorded 5.6 million viewers, the most-viewed non-New Year’s Six Bowl this season, and the third-most-viewed non-New Year’s Six bowl game in the past six seasons. The matchup between Tennessee and Purdue was the most-watched Music City Bowl since 2010, and the audience peaked with 8.9 million viewers in the final 15 minutes.
The SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl featuring Wisconsin and Arizona State registered 3.7 million viewers, up from the last two Las Vegas Bowls that both aired on ABC
The Duke’s Mayo Bowl, highlighted by the clash of the Carolinas and a victory mayo bath, netted 2.6 million viewers to start the morning on Thursday, Dec. 30.

Across Thursday’s four bowl games, ESPN averaged 4.9 million viewers.

Lamborghini Huracán STO

Leave a reply

“Can perform a corner without losing its speed, there is no secret, only a matter of overall balance.” – Andrea Caldarelli

By: Conan Zhang, Elle Grant × Vaughn Lowery

The Lamborghini Huracán first debuted at the 2014 Geneva auto show, and it is nearing 17,500 sales nationally, making the Huracán of the most popular cars in the United States. In the year 2022, This legendary model displays its prowess in a powerful performance! The “Super Trofeo Omologato,” in short as STO, is making its name in the Lamborghini Huracán family.

The Huracán STO is the most powerful Huracán ever made, created with only one goal: to deliver the most genuine feeling of a track car in the body of a road-legal machine. The car is inspired by the racing heritage of Lamborghini Squadra Corse’s one-make race series, featuring the Super Trofeo EVO and also GT3 EVO model, which won 3 times at the 24 hours Daytona and twice at the 12 hour Sebring race. In this car model, drivers are provided with the opportunity to enjoy the ultimate race experience every time they take to the road.

Once again, 360 Magazine is excited to be invited to the exclusive Lamborghini Lounge NYC; the opening of this site coincides with the debut of Huracán STO! This private space is located at 533 W 26th Street in the heart of the Chelsea district. The space was designed in an extravagant way offering us and other users the most luxurious experiences. The sound system in the room provided by Bang & Olufsen brings forth a progressive listening experience, maximizing the atmosphere of rallies and parties that can be held in the space. All the rooms here feature Italian furniture by Living Divani, while the kitchen is furnished by La Dolce Vita, allowing all the guests to not only enjoy driving Italian but also living Italian. Most excitingly, 360 had the chance to see and drive the 2022 Lamborghini Huracán STO with the guide with a Formula 1 Racer from the Lounge.

Design

The exterior is designed to achieve the balance of being both powerful and functional. It inherits the appearance of the Huracán Super Trofeo EVO while being even more aggressive! The usage of carbon fiber in the model makes up 75% of the body panels, which means every part viewable to the consumer’s eye is made of carbon fiber. This unique configuration makes the car 88 pounds lighter than the Performante model.

The one thing extraordinarily unique about the design is in the front of the car. It is called the “Cofango” – a specially designed body component that incorporates the front hood and fender. It looks like a stylish clamshell made purely of carbon fiber resting on the head of the car and it can be lifted as a whole.

When we move our sight to the back of the car, there is an exaggerated double-profile rear race wing that can be adjusted into 3 positions. It will provide 714-925 pounds of downforce, equivalent to the weight of a highland cow! On top of the car is a central shark-fin along with several air scoops that helps drag optimization and an ideal aerodynamic performance. Compared with the Performante model, this vehicle is 37% more aerodynamic efficient.

Compared with the 2021 Lamborghini Huracan EVO RWD Spyder, which 360 had the opportunity to test drive last month, the drag coefficient is much better on the STO model, as the EVO is a Spyder version where the drag force is extremely high with the top down.

Performance

The rear-wheel-drive not only contributes to making this car’s ability to drift and turn in a more sophisticated way but also assists in making the car lighter than the AWD models. It is equipped with rear steering that makes handling even more precise. With a V10 naturally aspirated 640 hp (470 kW) power plant, it produces a torque of 565 Nm, at 6,500 rpm. These components combined provide an acceleration of 0-62 mph in 3.0 seconds, 0-124 mph in 9.0 seconds, and a top speed of 192 mph.

The brakes on this car absolutely provide us with a race evocative adrenaline! The CCMR Braking System, which is directly derived from F1, is now built into the carbon-ceramic brakes that help stop this speed monster in 3 seconds when driving at 62 mph.

Technology

When we settle into the driver’s seat, there features a delicate touch screen on the center of the console. New Human Machine Interface (HMI) is equipped on the car, which helps the users to control the drive mode, monitor tire pressures, and tracks brake temperatures. The car is exactly what is needed to be a champion on the track day on the weekend without sacrificing the high-end features of a technologically advanced model. What is more satisfying is that the STO Connected Telemetry System will record a splendid performance which drivers can use to check our phones anytime and everywhere.

There are 3 driving modes that one can choose on the steering wheel – STO mode which is for daily driving, Trofeo mode which is for a fast and furious track driving experience, and Pioggia mode that adds huge traction designed expressly for driving on the wet surface.

Besides those technical features that help monitor the Huracán’s day-to-day performance, this car also features more classic modern features such as Apple Car Play and USB cables for convenience on the daily commute!

Conclusion

This stunning beast of a vehicle starts at USD 327,838, which is surely more expensive than the RWD Huracán EVO. People may doubt whether it is worthwhile spending more on a car that is both a daily vehicle and born for the track. The answer, from experience, is this STO model is a supercar of its kind and features peak performance qualities across the board – the STO stands in a class of its own. In a look towards the future, Lamborghini has announced that they will go completely hybrid on all model lines beginning in 2024. Despite this development, we are glad to still be living in an era where the STO still shines on stage, or rather, the track.

Pre-order now.

Photos by: Anthony Marotta

Edited by: Jeff Langlois

Ivy League BLM Courses

Leave a reply

By: Emily Bunn

Ivy League Schools to Begin Teaching “Black Lives Matter” Courses

Proving their commitment to diversity and understanding, several Ivy League colleges will begin offering courses on the Black Lives Matter Movement. Whereas other Ivy League schools, such as Cornell, have created Africana Departments that focus on the centrality of Africa and the African Diaspora to the modern world, BlackLivesMatter classes are situated in a specific cultural moment. Though, of course, the Black Lives Matter falls under the umbrella of contemporary African history, it is positioned in a more concentrated, modern application. Princeton and Dartmouth are the two first schools to begin accrediting this intersectional coursework. While Princeton most recently enacted their BLM coursework, Dartmouth has been pioneering this change since 2015.

Dartmouth’s Black Lives Matter course discusses topics such as The Ivory Tower, understanding St. Louis and its racial history, race and class, racial violence, and systemic and unconscious racism, among other topics. Part of Dartmouth’s course description reads, “though the academy can never lay claim to social movements, this course seeks in part to answer the call of students and young activists around the country to take the opportunity to raise questions about, offer studied reflection upon, and allocate dedicated institutional space to the failures of democracy, capitalism, and leadership and to make #BlackLivesMatter. Developed through a group effort, this course brings to bear collective thinking, teaching, research, and focus on questions around race, structural inequality, and violence.” The course is taught by a wide variety of professors from different academic disciplines and social backgrounds. Taught for ten weeks by close to 20 different professors, Dartmouth’s Black Lives Matter coursework stands as a comprehensive example of a cross-disciplinary concentration that recognizes and situates history in a contemporary, American context.

Princeton’s #BlackLivesMatter class looks to examine the “historical roots and growth of the Black Lives Matter social movement,” and is “committed to resisting, unveiling, and undoing histories of state sanctioned violence against Black and Brown bodies.” Princeton’s #BlackLivesMatter’s course description reads as such: “This seminar traces the historical roots and growth of the Black Lives Matter social movement in the United States and comparative global contexts. The movement and course are committed to resisting, unveiling, and undoing histories of state sanctioned violence against Black and Brown bodies. The course seeks to document the forms of dispossession that Black Americans face and offers a critical examination of the prison industrial complex, police brutality, urban poverty, and white supremacy in the US.” The course’ sample reading list includes selections from Angela Davis, Claudia Rankin, and Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor.

Princeton’s course will be taught by Professor Hanna Garth, who has previously taught “Race and Racisms,” “Postcolonial and Decolonial Theory,” and “Theories of Social Justice.” Garth’s self-defined interest in “the ways in which people struggle to overcome structural violence” and past experience has well-prepared her for teaching this class. Garth remarks, “All of my research, teaching, and mentoring is designed around my commitment to feminist methodologies and critical race theory.”

While some have aggressively asserted that Princeton’s course readings are from a former communist party leader who once made it on the FBI’s Most Wanted List, their negativity further highlights the necessity of this course. While these assertions may be true, it is telling that certain critics commonly overlook the individual’s many (more recent) accomplishments. The author in question is Angela Davis – a revered, respected, and well-educated civil rights activist, philosopher, academic, and author. By painting Davis as an unpatriotic, dangerous criminal, it distracts from the important lessons that are to be learned from this influential leader. Similarly, Fox News’ article on Princeton’s new course links their mention of the “Black Lives Matter” movement not to an explanation of what the movement is, but instead to a page on US protests. As opposed to creating an educational resource for what the BLM Movement is, conservative critics are quick to jump to claims of Black violence and riots.

Especially in 2021, as the United States grapples with the fight for racial and civil justice, discussions surround race, policing, prison reform, and politics are more pertinent than ever. It is absolutely essential that our nation’s college students are exposed to critical race theory and critical thinking. By shielding America’s youth from the necessary history of this country – which is still being experienced today – we are only putting them in a position of increased vulnerability and ignorance. Knowledge is power and educating oneself on society’s issues is the only way to efficient work towards progressive social change. Hopefully, as the most prestigious academic institutions begin to model examples of intersectional and anti-racist coursework, other colleges and universities will soon follow suit.

REZZ × MENACE

Leave a reply

Electronic dance DJ/ producer Rezz released her new track “Menace” via Rezz Music/RCA Records on January 7, 2022. The track serves as a bonus track on her latest album Spiral that hit the scene in November. Listen HERE.

The Canadian DJ/ producer is known for her original sound with gerne-altering electronic pieces. Released in 2019, Rezz’s first independent project Beyond the Senses EP attracted media from Alternative Press, SPIN and Billboard, who all referred to the EP as “her most impactful project to date.” The EP received The JUNO Award for Electronic Album of the Year in 2020. Accumulating tens of millions of streams, selling out major venues and headlining festivals around the world, Rezz is a force to be reckoned with, and “Menace” adds to the list of her groundbreaking works.

Rezz has been giving sneak peeks of the track “Menace” during live performances awaiting the official release of the track. Speaking about the new track, Rezz says, “this is one of my personal favorites ! Whenever I play it live it feels very climactic and like we’ve all achieved a victory of some sort lol”

Rezz’s fourth album Spiral was reviewed by EDM.com as “…REZZ’s most cohesive work yet. The album captures her signature sound beautifully while simultaneously showcasing her growth and versatility as a music producer.” The album includes popular songs like “Chemical Bond” with Deathpact, “Taste of You” with Dove Cameron and “Sacrificial” with PVRIS. Your EDM described “Taste of You” as “an absolute earworm,” while Alternative press regarded “Sacrificial” as “the perfect blend of both artists’ strengths and distinct artistry.”

Rezz begins her North American “Spiral Tour” on February 4, 2022, in Vancouver, BC. Tour dates will be listed below, and can be purchased HERE.

“Spiral Tour” Dates

Feb 4 – PNE Forum, Vancouver, BC

Feb 18 – Masonic Temple, Detroit, MI

Feb 19 – Navy Pier, Chicago, IL

Feb 25 – Armory, Minneapolis, MN

Feb 26 – Factory, St. Louis, MO

Mar 4 – Terminal 5, New York, NY

Mar 5 – Terminal 5, New York, NY

Mar 11 – The Met, Philadelphia, PA

Mar 12 – Echostage, Washington, DC

Mar 18 – Riverworks, Buffalo, NY

Mar 19 – Express Live!, Columbus, OH

Apr 1 – Bayou, Houston, TX

Apr 2 – South Side Ballroom, Dallas, TX

Apr 30 – Frost Amp, Stanford, CA

May 13 – WaMu Theatre, Seattle, WA

May 14 – Portland Expo Center, Portland, OR

What’s New at CES

Leave a reply

By: Skyler Johnson

The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, showcased some of the world’s newest technologies, everything from medical devices to self-driving cars. These technologies and the companies behind them vary in size, from startups to massive corporations. They have displayed their newest products, unveiling prototypes for devices that may become essential in just a few years down the road. Here are just a few:

Health Products

The Fasteesh Y-brush, currently a medical device, revolutionizes teeth brushing. Because of the shape, the brush can clean teeth in ten seconds and is three times more effective than a typical toothbrush. Currently, this is being implemented in care facilities and retirement homes.

Japan’s Quantum Operations exhibited the first non-invasive glucose monitor. This changes the way in which diabetes patients measure their glucose and will reduce the repeated pains garnered by needles. The device is worn like a watch, reminiscent of an Apple Watch, and can record glucose levels in the body.

Hapbee’s device, worn like a necklace, influences mood. It uses ultra-low frequency magnetic waves to help the body in both relieving stress and gaining energy. It offers the same benefits as caffeine and melatonin without the harmful effects on the body.

Convenience

If you ever dreaded your alarm clock, Loftie has you covered. Their alarms aid in the process of sleep through implementing breathwork and soundbaths while awake, and white noises and nature sounds while asleep. The two-phase alarm system is designed to both get you out of bed and not leave you irritated through professionally crafted tones.

Ottonomy.io developed robots that allow for both indoor and outdoor deliveries to our doors. A contextual navigation system allows for the robot to safely traverse environments. Because it’s all-electric, the device is more sustainable than traditional delivery methods and is especially worth considering during ongoing supply chain issues and staff shortages.

Urban Canopee fights against the effects of climate change by creating a product that transforms plant life to act as natural umbrellas. The result is cooler urban environments, increased biodiversity, and improved air quality.

Gaming

Perfect for the metaverse, Shiftall creates technology to allow for an all-body VR experience. Not only will users be able to control virtual environments using their hands, but also their feet. The gaming potential with this expansion is limitless.

With the growth of e-sports, Glytch intends to create stadiums for the new sport. The company will open 32 e-sports venues across America and Canada in the next eight years. Each venue will be 90,000 to 120,000 square feet and the home stadium of a different team.

Vehicles

A new winter sport has arrived with the development of the Moonbike. A cross between a snowmobile and a motorcycle, they provide a unique way of traversing the show. They are also fully electric, silent, and much lighter than snowmobiles, helping to keep the mountains snowy for years to come.

CES introduced many sustainable vehicles. The Jeep Wrangler 4xe will be the first hybrid Jeep to enter the market. The Bobcat T7X is the first all-electric compact track loader. There are two new companies that are planning to launch electric vehicles: EdisonFuture and Fisker. The former will release electric solar trucks and delivery vans. The latter displayed the Fisker Karma, an all-electric SUV.

There are also innovations occurring in autonomous driving. Helm develops autonomous vehicles that allow for safer and more efficient autonomous driving for both SUVs and commercial trucks. John Deere announced the release of the first autonomous tractor to help farmers increase yield.

Conclusion

Overall, many exciting new innovations were exhibited during CES. While not all these products will reach a consumer base, it’s exciting to think of the potential benefit these technologies will deliver.

Mob Museum Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Leave a reply

THE MOB MUSEUM TO CELEBRATE 10th ANNIVERSARY MILESTONE WITH “UNDERCOVER OF THE NIGHT” GALA HONORING RETIRED UNDERCOVER AGENTS FEB. 17

In conjunction with its 10th anniversary, The Mob Museum, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, invites guests to its “Undercover of the Night” Gala presented by the Stanley W. Ekstrom Foundation at the Museum’s historic location in downtown Las Vegas. The evening will be co-chaired by City of Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman and former City of Las Vegas Mayor Oscar B. Goodman.

The event will celebrate a decade of accomplishments as well as pay special tribute to a number of undercover law enforcement agents and will honor a pioneering undercover agent whose work resulted in more than 200 convictions infiltrating the Bonanno and Colombo crime families in New York during the ’70s. This special honoree is widely considered to be one of the top undercover federal agents in history whose work was the basis of a best-selling book and a feature film nominated for an Academy Award. The evening will also feature special meet-and-greets and photo opportunities with other true-life undercover agents.

Guests are invited to purchase “Special Agent” tickets, which include gourmet action stations and delectable desserts, specialty cocktails, luxury auction items and live entertainment. In classic Mob Museum fashion, guests will also enjoy exhibits and meet a number of undercover agents–if you can find them.

WHO’S THERE:

Gala Co-Chair – Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman

Carolyn G. Goodman, elected to her third term in 2019, became the mayor of Las Vegas in 2011, succeeding her husband, then current mayor, Oscar B. Goodman. Carolyn Goodman has devoted much of her life to volunteerism in Las Vegas and holds national leadership roles as a member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors and also serves on the board of directors of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

Gala Co-Chair – Oscar B. Goodman

Known for his trademark, no-nonsense style, Oscar B. Goodman served as mayor of Las Vegas for 12 years before swearing in his wife, Carolyn G. Goodman, as mayor in 2011. Passionate about downtown revitalization, Oscar Goodman is the primary visionary of The Mob Museum.

Retired Undercover Agents and Special Gala Guests:

Weysan Dun, FBI

Weysan Dun was a Special Agent of the FBI for 30 years. At the time of his retirement, he was the longest serving incumbent Special Agent in Charge, having consecutively served as the chief executive of three FBI field offices. He is an FBI certified Intelligence Officer and an FBI certified Undercover Agent who worked under deep cover for two years. He is a lifetime member of the FBI Agents Association and the American Legion FBI Memorial Post 56.

Louis Diaz, DEA

Louis Diaz is a former Drug Enforcement Administration agent who was largely responsible for the arrest and conviction of Leroy Nicky Barnes a.k.a. “Mr. Untouchable.” He was also instrumental in dismantling Barnes’ entire drug trafficking organization known as the “Council.” As an undercover agent, he also brought down members of the Medellin Cartel. Diaz is also an author and actor, who has participated in many major television series and Hollywood films under the pseudonym Lou Casal.

Patricia Naughton, DEA

Patricia Naughton is a 27-year law enforcement veteran. After graduating from Indiana University in 1974, she started her career as one of the first female police officers in the state. In 1978, she joined the Drug Enforcement Administration as part of the one percent of female agents. Her first assignment was investigating illicit drug labs. She went on to work undercover in outlaw motorcycle gangs and the Mafia. In 1985 she became the first female weapons instructor for the DEA and a repeat instructor at the FBI training center at Quantico where she taught both FBI and DEA agents

Deborah Richard, FBI

Deborah Richard began her career in law enforcement as one of the first female patrol officers and detectives in Southern California where she also worked criminal undercover assignments. In 1976, she was recruited by the FBI as the 67th woman, out of the first 100 women, hired by the FBI. She was assigned to the Las Vegas Division where she worked numerous criminal and organized crime investigations including the investigation of Tony Spilotro, his associates and connections to the Kansas City Mob. Deborah separated from the FBI in 1986, but was asked to rejoin, and at the age of 45 became the oldest woman to complete the FBI Academy.

Giovanni Rocco, FTO

Giovanni Rocco was an undercover law enforcement officer who spent most of his twenty-six-year career as a member of state and federal task forces targeting organized crime. The culminating role of his service was the successful infiltration of the DeCavalcante Mafia family, the organization known as “The Real Sopranos.” At the conclusion of this landmark investigation, Giovanni retired from law enforcement and moved his family to a location that remains undisclosed.

Frank Panessa, DEA

Frank Panessa was a Drug Enforcement Administration agent for 28 years. He had numerous undercover roles in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Central America. He infiltrated the Sicilian Mafia in the infamous “Pizza Connection” case that resulted in the conviction of high-level Sicilian wholesale distributor of heroin. He also served in the U.S. Embassy in Rome as the government’s chief liaison to Italian police agencies. He worked as a licensed private detective in Maryland from 1998 to 2010.

Howard Blank, Auctioneer

Howard Blank has been a member of the gaming, media and entertainment industry for over 30 years and has enjoyed an extensive broadcast career. Howard is CEO of Point Blank Entertainment Ltd. and consults as a fundraising and event expert with numerous philanthropic organizations and event producers. Howard is proud to give his time and talent at a number of not for profit events each year. To date, Howard has helped raise over $900,000,000 for organizations across Canada and in the USA.

JJ Snyder, Master of Ceremonies

JJ Snyder is the dynamic host of the Las Vegas Morning Blend on ABC Ch. 13. She developed a passion for journalism working on America’s Most Wanted with John Walsh and went on to join On The Red Carpet on ABC as a national correspondent covering Hollywood movie premieres. She’s on the board of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Las Vegas FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association.

WHEN:

Thursday, Feb. 17

7 p.m.

WHERE:

The Mob Museum

300 Stewart Avenue

Las Vegas, NV 89101

COST:

Special Agent Ticket: Admission at 7 p.m. to Undercover of the Night Gala.; gourmet action stations, specialty cocktails, luxury auction items, live entertainment and meet-and-greet and photo opportunities with undercover agents. $250

SPONSORS AND PARTNERS:

Presenting Sponsor: Stanley W. Ekstrom Foundation
Deep Cover Sponsor: Greenberg Traurig
Operative Sponsor: Ernst & Young
Liaison Sponsors: Levy Production Group, Brown & Brown, Paragon Gaming, Bennett Family Foundation
Liquor Sponsor: Johnson Brothers
Hotel Partner: Golden Nugget

Tickets and more information can be found here. For more information about the Museum, please click here.

ABOUT THE MOB MUSEUM

The Mob Museum, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, provides a world-class journey through true stories—from the birth of the Mob to today’s headlines. The Mob Museum offers a provocative, contemporary look at these topics through hundreds of artifacts and immersive storylines. Numerous interactive exhibits include a Crime Lab, Firearm Training Simulator and Organized Crime Today exhibit. The Museum is also home to The Underground, a Prohibition history exhibition featuring a speakeasy and distillery. The Mob Museum has accumulated numerous accolades, including being named one of TripAdvisor’s “Top 25 U.S. Museums;” one of Las Vegas Weekly’s “Twenty Greatest Attractions in Las Vegas History” and “Best Museum” by its 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards; one of National Geographic’s “Top 10 Things to Do in Las Vegas;” USA Today’s “Best Museum in Nevada,” 10Best Readers’ Choice travel awards for “Best Las Vegas Attraction” in 2021, “Top Five Best History Museums in the United States” in 2021 and one of its “12 Can’t Miss U.S. Museum Exhibits;” named “A Must for Travelers” by The New York Times and one of “20 Places Every American Should See” by FOX News. The Museum is a two-time winner of the Mayor’s Urban Design Award for Historic Preservation and Adaptive Reuse and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The Museum is open daily; visit the website for admission rates and operating hours.

James Dashner Releases Horror Novel

Leave a reply

New York Time Best-Seller, James Dashner, Releases First Novel in Horror Genre

“House of Tongues” Published by Riverdale Avenue Books

“Take a deep breath before you start any James Dashner book.” —Deseret News

James Dashner, New York Times best-selling Maze Runner series author publishes his first horror novel, The House of Tongues with Riverdale Avenue Books.

David Player has spent 30 years trying to forget the traumas of his childhood. The threats, the kidnappings, the murders. The imagined curses of a people born centuries earlier, passed from father to son, mother to daughter, generation to generation. Its climax came in human form, a monster of a man, one of the most notorious serial killers the nation has ever seen: Pee Wee Gaskins. And Gaskins had a particular hatred for the Player family, then for David, himself, who barely escaped those years with his own life intact. Now David is back, his four children in tow, visiting his parents’ home, a place he has learned to cherish despite the evils that haunted his younger days. But no sooner does he return than a stranger visits their doorstep, the son of Pee Wee Gaskins. In a terrifying display, right in front of the kids, the man utters threats until he chokes on his own tongue, sparking a series of events that drag David and his family back into the days of curses and murders, onto a path of unimaginable terror, all too familiar.

That path leads to an old gothic tower in the woods, a place David had blocked from his memory, a house of horrors both past and present. The House of Tongues.

“This is a book that has been developing in my mind for at least seven or eight years. When I was a kid, born and raised in Georgia, we’d visit my grandma’s farm in South Carolina several times a year. It was our go-to place, as we didn’t have a whole lot of money for fancy vacations,” said author James Dashner. “The farmhouse sat on land surrounded by fields of tall crops, endless woods, and swamps as dark as oil slicks. My imagination turned these places of wonder into spooky and haunted realms as I explored, often humming the music of ‘Pet Sematary’ in my mind.”

This tale is almost completely fiction, but there are lots of glimpses into my actual childhood and memories.”

“I could not put this book down, even in the middle of the pandemic,” said Publisher Lori Perkins. “It’s family horror southern gothic. A Quiet Place meets Deliverance with a little Texas Chainsaw Massacre thrown in for good luck.”

Books and downloads are available on Amazon, Barnes & Nobles Nook, iTunes, and Kobo.

Riverdale Avenue Books

Riverdale Avenue Books is an award winning, innovative hybrid publisher at the leading edge of the changes in the publishing industry. We publish e-books and print titles under 13 imprints: Desire, an erotica/erotic romance imprint; Riverdale/Magnus the award-winning imprint of LGBT titles; Pop featuring pop culture titles; Afraid, a horror line; SFF, a science fiction fantasy line; Truth, an erotic memoir line; Dagger, a mystery thriller imprint; Sports and Gaming featuring sports and gaming titles; Verve featuring lifestyle titles; Hera featuring both the true and fictional lives and loves of women aged 35 and up; 120 Days an LGBT pulp fiction line and Circlet, an erotica/erotic romance imprint. Started in 2012 by industry veteran Lori Perkins, Riverdale is a full service publisher, with a subsidiary rights department.