About Skyler Johnson

Commanders × USO

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Washington Commanders co-owner and co-CEO Tanya Snyder, Head Coach Ron Rivera and his wife Stephanie Rivera and Commanders players Jonathan Allen and Jamin Davis teamed up with USO to hand deliver care packages to troops at BWI Airport just before they boarded the plane for deployment.

The care packages handed out were packaged during the Commander’s packaging event held on March 10^th at FedExField, when the team and USO together packed 4,000 Care Packages comprising more than 24,000 items for troops. The care packages include hygiene essentials such as combs, razors, shaving cream, toothbrushes and toothpaste, as well as team merchandise and snacks. March 10^th‘s event was the largest local USO packaging event to date. Tanya and Dan Snyder, Washington Commanders staff, Active-Duty Service Members, 15 Washington Alumni including Ken Harvey, Doc Walker, Fred Smoot, Dexter Manley, and Women of Washington Wives were in attendance.

In March, Co-Owners and Co-CEOs Tanya and Dan Snyder also donated $300,000 to support response efforts for the ongoing crisis in Ukraine to the USO and the following organizations:

USO Support our Troops, which has mobilized to support service members who have been deployed to Ukraine and the surrounding areas as well as their families, through care packages, USO2GO, and boxed snack programs.
DC-based World Central Kitchen, providing nourishing, hot meals through distribution points across six countries to refugees, in addition to partnering with local restaurants in Ukraine to support local needs for those who are staying in their cities.
International Rescue Committee, which is working to rush critical aid and direct support to displaced families through locally based organizations.
Save the Children, which is working with Ukraine’s most at-risk population, children, to address physical harm, severe emotional distress and mass displacement by coordinating efforts to provide immediate aid, supplies, psychosocial support and cash assistance.

About The USO

The USO continues to provide critical resources for U.S. service members deployed to Eastern Europe. From care packages to call centers, USO programs ensure troops remain connected to family, home, and country throughout their deployment.

BravoCon Returns

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Three years after Bravo fans had their Bravo dreams come true, BravoCon returns for an even bigger star-studded and unparalleled experience from October 14 to October 16. The super-fandom event will take place at the Javits Center in New York City, featuring an exciting weekend of tea-spilling panels, interactive experiences, live performances, immersive activations, never-before-seen content and more exclusive shopping opportunities than ever before. Fans will have front-row exclusive access to their favorite shows and Bravolebrities. Additional details coming soon.

For more information, click HERE.

“BravoCon emerged as a first-of-its-kind interactive event where ten thousand fans got to experience the massive Bravosphere come to life,” said Ellen Stone, EVP, Consumer Engagement & Brand Strategy, NBCUniversal. “After the last few years, we are especially excited to bring our biggest BravoCon ever to our loyal fans for an even more memorable year.”

BravoCon launched in 2019 with a sold-out three-day weekend showcasing the network’s wide breadth of series including The Real Housewives, Below Deck, and Million Dollar Listing franchises as well as Southern Charm, Top Chef, Summer House, Married to Medicine and more.

Fast Facts From BravoCon 2019

Nearly 10,000 attendees
90+ Bravolebrities
More than 50 live events
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen hosted the largest audience ever, with over 75 Bravolebrities on stage
One fan famously raved after attending: “My top three moments in life were marriage, babies and BravoCon—not necessarily in that order.”

About Bravo

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

CGMSWLA Winners

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The eighth annual California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Award winners were announced today during Down to Earth Month, a celebration of California’s sustainable viticulture and winemaking. Presented by several California wine organizations devoted to sustainability, four Green Medals have been presented in the following categories: Leader, Environment, Community and Business.

“It’s a pleasure to recognize the California wine community’s cutting-edge leaders in sustainability through the California Green Medal Awards,” said Allison Jordan, California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance’s (CSWA) Executive Director. “Their stories illustrate the perfect synergy between growing exceptional winegrapes and crafting premier wines with an enduring commitment to resource conservation, environmental protection and quality of life enrichment for their employees and community.”

Leader Award

Given to the vineyard or winery that excels in the three “Es” of sustainability—Environmentally sound, socially Equitable and Economically viable practices, Wente Family Estates achieved the award.

Located in the heart of Livermore Valley, Wente Family Estates is a multi-generational vineyard and winery deeply rooted in sustainability, with a 139-year commitment to the land and people. As a Certified California Sustainable vineyard and winery, Wente takes conserving resources and building soil health seriously—using no-tillage methods to sequester carbon and build organic matter while minimizing compaction, grazing to control grasses, and returning harvest waste to the soil as compost. Wente uses sensors to monitor vine water needs and reuses all treated winery water in the vineyard.

They also have two all-electric Monarch tractors and use lightweight glass bottles to reduce their carbon footprint. Wente has made it their mission to enhance the communities in which they live and work. Employees receive eight volunteer hours annually and matching contributions for their charitable donations. Wente Foundation for Arts Education has donated over $1 million to school arts education programs since 2012, and its Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary certification ensures wildlife habitat protection. The winery also educates customers by sharing its sustainability story throughout the entire consumer experience, starting with lightweight bottles that include the sustainability certification logo on its wine labels.

Environment Award

Given to Trefethen Family Vineyards, that best demonstrated Environmental Stewardship through maximized environmental benefits from implementing sustainable practices.

Located in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley, Trefethen Family Vineyards is demonstrating outstanding commitment to the environment through their comprehensive approach and multiple certifications—Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing, Fish Friendly Farming, Green Business Program and Napa Green. The winery’s water system recycled almost two million gallons of water for vineyard use in 2021. The family uses mechanical weed control practices along with an integrated approach to growing grapes, and encourages biodiverse predators such as beneficial wasps, owls, bats, bluebirds and hawks that help control insect and vertebrate pests. Less than 40 acres of the family’s 255-acre hillside property are planted to vine, preserving significant oak wildland. Working with local agencies, they restored a nearby stream bank to improve native Coho salmon breeding grounds.

Over 2,000 solar panels; EV vehicles and charging stations; and night harvesting are among the ways that the winery reduces greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels. The Trefethen family fosters an engaged team through its expanded employee education programs—including “Trefethen University” which focuses on topics such as waste reduction and energy conservation—and through the distribution of fresh produce from their garden. In 2021, the Trefethen family received a recycling leadership award for comprehensively addressing waste diversion throughout their operation.

Community Award

This was given to the vineyard or winery that is a Good Neighbor and Employer using the most innovative practices that enhance relations with employees, neighbors and/or communities: McManis Family Vineyards.

Based in California’s northern interior, McManis Family Vineyards believes in community coming together to support a shared goal. The company regards employees as family, treating all employees to lunch every Sunday during harvest, and fosters a culture of respect through open communication. This unity extends to the community with wide support for local charities through donations and an annual toy drive where they collect over 2,000 toys for children each year. During the pandemic, McManis made health and safety its number one priority, making hand sanitizer for first responders, and hosting public COVID-19 vaccination clinics that served hundreds of employees and neighbors.

The winery also cares for the broader ecosystem, establishing a conservation easement to permanently protect native habitat and wildlife in and around one of their vineyards. It also implemented many practices to reduce its carbon footprint such as using electric UTVs and forklifts, solar, composting solid waste and recycling winery water. With vineyards certified to LODI RULES and the winery certified to Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing, McManis helps educate other wine grape growers about the importance of sustainability and the value of certification.

Business Award

Given to the vineyard or winery that best demonstrates Smart Business through efficiencies, cost savings and innovation from implementing sustainable practices: Jackson Family Wines

With vineyards and wineries throughout California, including in Mendocino, Monterey, Napa, Santa Barbara and Sonoma counties, Jackson Family Wines embodies what it means to be a “smart business” by connecting sustainable practices to efficiencies, cost savings and innovation. The goals established in its Rooted for Good: Roadmap to 2030 plan, launched last year, are fully integrated in its business model. For example, decarbonization is part of the company’s capital expenditure plan, smart water management and efficiency are part of the vineyard redevelopment plan and social impact and diversity equity and inclusion initiatives are integrated into human resources and employees’ roles and responsibilities.

Recognizing that sustainability is not only important to protecting the environment and improving the lives of employees and communities but also to the longevity of the business from an economic standpoint, the company invested over $18 million in sustainability efforts since 2015, which has resulted in over $29 million in cost savings stemming from energy efficiency, renewable energy, glass bottle light weighting and other innovations. In addition to being certified to Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing, Fish Friendly Farming, Napa Green and Sustainability in Practice, Jackson Family Wines publicly committed to reducing the company’s carbon footprint in half by 2030 and becoming climate positive by 2050 without purchasing offsets. Attempting to have an impact beyond their own company, Jackson Family Wines co-founded the International Wineries for Climate Action to support other wineries across the globe in setting and achieving climate goals.

Journey – You Got the Best of Me

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As one of the world’s most beloved rock bands, Journey continues to create new music and thrill audiences night after night in sold-out arenas worldwide in conjunction with AEG as their promoter.

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018, Journey have 25 gold and platinum albums, including the fifteen-million selling Greatest Hits collection, with total sales adding up to 80 million records around the world.

Emerging from the pandemic with a supercharged new studio line-up, the members of Journey unleashed the first single “You Got The Best Of Me” off their forthcoming studio album, Freedom—due out July 8 via BMG—is available for pre-order HERE.

“You Got The Best Of Me” will be followed this summer by an epic, fifteen-track set of new original songs that brings back the grand scale of the group’s greatest moments, along with updated and bold new directions and sounds.

“I wanted kind of a punky rendition of ‘Any Way You Want It'”, says the group’s founding member, guitarist, songwriter, and producer Neal Schon about the single. “I usually don’t go in saying I’m going to look for something like that, but then it just came to me, like “Wheel in the Sky” did years ago. It just kind of flew out of my mouth.”

While the forthcoming album was made with visions of arena and stadium stages, it started from humble beginnings. In 2020, as COVID swept the globe, Schon was stuck at home like the rest of us. “During the pandemic, there wasn’t much to do,” he says. “I spent a lot of time in my little studio at home, learning how to play keyboards and looping. Some of those ideas ended up being songs. So it kind of came out of nowhere.”

Listen to the new single, “You Got the Best of Me,” HERE.

As the band’s legend continues to grow larger and their touring gets bigger, Freedom will be the first album of new material to be released in eleven years, since 2011’s Eclipse, and in addition to long time keyboard player and primary lyricist Jonathan Cain and vocalist Arnel Pineda, one more member was recruited for the upcoming album—bassist extraordinaire Randy Jackson, who had played on Journey’s 1986 album Raised on Radio.

They will also be going on a full North American tour. For ticket info, click HERE. Journey and AEG have announced four exclusive Las Vegas show dates featuring special symphony orchestra performances at the new, state-of-the-art Resorts World Theatre. Tickets for the special engagement are on sale now. For more info, click HERE.

Persepolis Reimagined

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Getty has launched Persepolis Reimagined, an immersive web experience that lets visitors explore the ceremonial capital of the ancient Persian Empire at its height. Visitors can walk in the footsteps of ancient dignitaries through the most accurate recreation of Persepolis to date, and learn about the art, architecture, and customs of this iconic monument to imperial power.

The experience is available across desktop and mobile and will soon be viewable in multiple languages, including Arabic, Farsi, French, Hindi, Spanish, Traditional and Simplified Chinese, and English.

Founded by Darius I around 518 BC, Persepolis was an embodiment of the Achaemenid imperial ideology, which is reflected in its art and architecture. It served as the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Persian kings and thrived for nearly 200 years. Though Alexander the Great looted and set fire to Persepolis in 330 BC, its ruins survive and are a source of national pride for modern-day Iranians as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Visitors begin their tour at the Gate of All Nations, the main entrance into Persepolis. After traversing a massive flight of 111 steps, they reach a gateway flanked by two massive and brightly painted bull statues that served as symbolic guardians of the city.

After the grand entrance, visitors encounter the Apadana (a great reception hall), the Palace of Xerxes (a place for ceremonies and rituals), the Southeastern Palace (royal residences), and the Royal Treasury, ending their journey with the impressive Hall of 100 Columns.

Along the way, visitors can also click to learn more about the many art objects and rituals that characterized the city, including modes of proper tribute and gift-giving, royal banquets, and Persian court dress. Additional present-day views of surviving architecture and artworks can also be viewed on the website.

The experience highlights that Achaemenid royal art incorporated craftsmanship and traditions from their vast and diverse empire, including Iranian architecture, Assyrian and Babylonian palace decorations, Egyptian design motifs, Greek and Indian craftsmanship and more.

Persepolis Reimagined is the result of a collaboration between historians, creatives, and technologists, including Getty’s own experts in the Museum and Digital departments, academic consultants from the University of California, Los Angeles and creative and technical production from MediaMonks. The immersive website is a part of the Getty Villa Museum exhibition, Persia: Ancient Iran and the Classical World, on view through August 8 at the Getty Villa in Los Angeles. The web experience presents select objects from the exhibition in the context of life at Persepolis, bridging surviving physical artifacts with this standalone digital recreation.

Real Housewives Reunion

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Bravo‘s The Real Housewives of New Jersey’s Season 12 three-part reunion premieres on Tuesday, May 3 at 8 PM ET/PT. Host Andy Cohen sits down with Teresa Giudice, Melissa Gorga, Margaret Josephs, Dolores Catania, Jackie Goldschneider and Jennifer Aydin to rehash and relive this season’s most dramatic moments. For a sneak peek of the reunion, please click HERE.

Part 1

As Dolores and Jennifer go head-to-head, Melissa’s feelings over not being asked to be Teresa’s bridesmaid creates an astonishing rift between the Gorga’s and the Giudice’s.

Part 2

Margaret and Teresa face off while Jennifer reveals new information about the state of her marriage. On the other hand, Jackie sheds further light on her eating disorder. And a heated exchange between Melissa, Margaret and Jennifer causes even Andy to lose his patience.

Part 3

As the house-husbands join the women, new secrets are revealed about Luis, Bill, Evan and the state of Dolores’ relationship with her new boyfriend. Meanwhile, Joe and Melissa spar with Jennifer as Teresa and Margaret reach a breaking point.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey is produced for Bravo by Sirens Media, an ITV America company, with Jordana Hochman, Amy Kohn, Lauren Volonakis, Eric Fuller and Taylor Lucy Choi serving as executive producers with Andy Cohen.

About Bravo

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

Don’t Freak Out During Tick Season

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By: Sandra Lee, CEO, NJ Labs

Ticks are a year-long issue, but the season for ticks peaks from April to October. Are you ready for tick season? Do not ignore it. Do not freak out.

What was once a regional issue has now become a national problem because of the migration of these bugs and the increasing frequency in which people travel and spend time outdoors. When it comes to ticks, most people are concerned about being infected with Lyme disease, a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Borrelia Burgdorferi that is transmitted to humans through the bite of blacklegged or deer ticks. Lyme Disease is an inflammatory disease that if left untreated can lead to possible arthritis and neurological and cardiac disorders. The CDC estimates that there are about 300,000 cases of Lyme Disease per year, with more than 96% concentrated in the Northeast and upper Midwestern United States. However, there are many other tick species across the United States that also spread disease and cause virus-like symptoms including headaches, fever, fatigue, chills and muscle aches. This makes tick testing crucial, so you know the tick that bit you. Tick testing is a proactive measure to take that can help a doctor or veterinarian determine the best course of action to treat a tick-borne pathogen.

Be Aware of the Tick Types

Before learning more about tick testing, it is important to know the kinds of tick you or your pet may come across. The known species of ticks in the United States that bite and transmit diseases include:

Black-legged Tick (deer tick), which transmit Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis and Powassan Disease; found mostly in the Northeast and Upper Midwest of the United States.
American Dog Tick (wood tick), which transmits Tularemia and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever; mostly found east of the Rocky Mountains and along the California coast.
Lone Star Tick (turkey tick), which transmits bacteria that cause Ehrlichiosis, Tularemia and STARI; found widely in the eastern half of the United States.
Gulf Coast Tick, which transmits Rickettsioses; found across the Atlantic seaboard and the Gulf of Mexico.
Brown Dog Tick (kennel tick), which transmits Rocky Mountain spotted fever; found worldwide and transmits the fever in Southwestern United States.
Western Black-legged Tick, which transmits Lyme disease and Anaplasmosis; found along the Pacific Coast.
Rocky Mountain Wood Tick, which transmits Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Colorado tick fever and Tularemia; found in the Rocky Mountain states.

Tick Prevention

You may encounter a tick during everyday activities. Tick populations tend to be in elevated, wooded and grassy areas where creatures they feed on live. However, they can also be found in populated urban areas and coastal locations. Ticks enjoy moist and humid environments, like wood piles, leaf piles and litter, bird feeders, or fallen and low-hanging branches. Some ticks are also found in homes, such as the Brown Dog Tick and Soft ticks. To prevent the at-home ticks from entering your home be sure to keep lawn grasses low, eliminate leaf litter and distribute gravel to create a zone that prevents ticks from coming in. Additionally, here are some tips to prevent tick bites:

Avoid direct contact with ticks by avoiding wooded and grassy areas; and if hiking, stay near the center of trails.
Dress appropriately with long pants and long sleeves, and ensure the clothing has been pretreated with permethrin, or spray 0.5% permethrin on clothing.
Immediately take a shower after coming home from outdoors, and check for ticks on body, gear and pets.
Tumble dry clothes on high heat for 10 minutes to kill any ticks.
Use monthly flea and tick medications for pets as recommended by your veterinarian.

Tick Testing Peace of Mind

There are specific steps to take if you or your pet get bit by a tick. When removing the tick, you must be cautious because the way the tick is removed can affect whether or not a pathogen-positive tick’s disease will be transmitted to you or your pet’s bloodstream. To safely remove a tick, use plastic tweezers to grasp the tick, pull the tick upward with steady pressure, and thoroughly clean and disinfect the bite area. Do not use metal cosmetic tweezers that could damage the tick or the skin. After the tick is removed, do not burn, freeze or squeeze the tick. Make sure to monitor the affected area for signs of infection. Immediately send the tick into a lab that uses a DNA-based method to test for common tick-borne pathogens, including Lyme disease.

Having a tick test and sample collection kit can make this process easier, especially if you are on vacation or outdoors. For peace of mind, and to be sure about the tick that bit you, I recommend including a Tick SURE kit to your first-aid kit. The Tick SURE kit includes simple directions on how to remove a tick along with plastic tweezers and safe packaging for the tick to be sent in a pre-paid, first-class envelope that is delivered to the FDA and DEA inspection lab for full identification and testing. Once the tick arrives at the lab, the tick’s DNA is extracted to identify the species, then tested for the different pathogens it may carry. Having a tick test and sample collection kit on hand will alleviate unnecessary stress if you come in contact with a tick because you will know what to do with it. At the same time, you send the tick in for testing, make an appointment with your doctor or veterinarian if you or your pet are not experiencing any symptoms. Sometimes symptoms do not show up until later, but the sooner you can get checked out the quicker you can be treated. Having the lab results of the tick in hand will help the doctor determine the best course of action.

What Does A Positive Test Mean?

If the tick test results from the lab come back positive, don’t panic. A positive tick test does not mean that you or your pet have the disease; a positive tick test just means the pathogen in the tick has been detected. If you are diagnosed with Lyme disease early, doctors can use antibiotics to get rid of the disease within the first 14 days after transmission. However, if left untreated, Lyme disease may stay with you for the rest of your life. Another reason why testing is so important.

Don’t Freak Out

Being aware of tick season and taking preventive measures are the first steps toward protecting you and your pet’s health. A tick test and sample collection kit is an important addition to your first aid kit so you can enjoy your time outdoors. You can view videos and pictures HERE so you can be sure about the types of ticks you encounter and be prepared with the next steps. Most importantly, do not freak out when you encounter a tick. Mistakes can be made with tick removal if you are in a panic. We cannot avoid the outdoors, but we can be aware of the critters that live there, and the hitchhikers that come along with them, so we know what to do if a tick bites you.

Biography

Sandra Lee is the CEO of NJ Labs, a nationally recognized provider and advocate for quality in chemistry and microbiology testing that serves the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, dietary supplement, cosmetic and cannabis/CBD industries. As a scientist and one of the few female CEOs in the analytical testing industry, she has a passion for chemistry and how it influences multiple aspects of our daily lives. At NJ Labs she leads the privately-owned FDA and DEA inspected facility that has been a mainstay in the testing industry for 85 years with a certified full-service contract analytical testing laboratory that follows strict Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations and holds ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation. She also hosts the “Going Beyond Testing” podcast series to help companies and consumers get an insider’s look at testing practices and what should be tested to keep products safe and effective. Lee is a graduate of the University of Michigan where she holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry.

Autumn! – Everything!

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Back with another insane visual, buzzing Louisiana-born and Houston-based rapper and producer Autumn! presents the frenetic music video for his next single “Everything!.” It sets the stage for the track’s arrival at all digital platforms this Monday, April 25 via Victor Victor/Republic Records.

Watch “Everything!” HERE

The clip unleashes a barrage of explosive vignettes. Against static-y filters, Autumn! rips through the hyper-charged production with a magnetically melodic flow. The clip jarringly jumps from psychedelic moments into digital chaos. It perfectly mirrors the track’s push-and-pull.

It also bulldozes a path for the release of his anxiously awaited new mixtape Antagonist! on April 29. Pre-order/pre-save HERE.

He set the stage for the project with “One Way!“, “Bentley Bentayga!“, and, most recently, “Jumpin!” The tracks have already generated tens of millions of streams and counting. “Jumpin!” incited critical applause immediately. Lyrical Lemonade raved, “His personality is always showstopping, while his flows are very intricate and unique, and that is no different in his song ‘Jumpin!’,” and Our Generation Music christened him, “definitely one of the most versatile artists rising out of this new scene.”

To celebrate the arrival of the mixtape, he’ll take over Gramercy Theater in New York City on May 1 for the Antagonist! Release Show: tickets are available HERE. He’s also on the bill for Lyrical Lemonade’s Summer Smash in Chicago, IL on June 17.Autumn! alchemizes otherworldly sonic architecture and emotionally charged melodies, stretching the boundaries of hip-hop in the process. Originally hailing from Louisiana, he initially bubbled up as a producer under the name of TwinUzis, deftly manipulating synths and bass into a fascinating sonic framework of his own. Establishing himself as an artist, he unleashed music on Soundcloud at a prolific pace with the Solitary EP, Golden Child, Chapter 1, Not Much Longer EP, and Not Much Left EP in 2021. “Nina!” generated 2.44 million Soundcloud streams, while “Still The Same (Remix)” feat. Lil Tecca popped off to the tune of 3 million Soundcloud streams. Signing to Victor Victor in 2021, it’s about to be Autumn! season as he readies more music soon.

Brett Kissel × 98° – Ain’t the Same

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Fans of country and pop music alike are in luck: platinum-selling country artist Brett Kissel has released a new single in collaboration with pop and R&B vocal group 98°, titled “Ain’t the Same.” The track is available on all streaming platforms. Listen HERE.

The upbeat song tells the story of a narrator professing his feelings to the love of his life, explaining that life “ain’t the same” without her. The track also features a clever chorus that parallels the narrator’s relationship and famous pairings that just aren’t quite right when not together. With vivid lyrics such as “the beach ain’t the same without the sun / Coke ain’t the same without the rum / Vegas needs them neon lights / tequila needs that lime,” the song puts a fresh, lighthearted spin on the concept of finding one’s perfect match.

Kissel felt inspired to write the song for his wife, Cecilia, alongside co-writers Karen Kosowski and Tim Nichols. He explained, “We kept landing on how much sweeter everything is when we get to experience life’s gifts with the people we cherish most… and, how things just ‘Ain’t the Same’ if you’re missing the key ingredient. For me, that’s my wife Cecilia, who was the inspiration for the song.”

“Ain’t the Same” also offers a unique blend of pop and modern country. The single highlights Kissel’s warm, rich vocals and ability to express emotions with his music. Kissel’s voice, paired with the infectious harmonies of 98°, works together to convey the joy of spending life with that particular person.

Kissel described his excitement for working with the group, explaining, “98° is such an iconic group, and the fact that they are making their first foray into the country music space with me is such an honor. They’ve collaborated and had massive hits with legends like Mariah Carey and Stevie Wonder, so to work with them on this project and have a blast with them in-studio and on our video shoot in LA… it’s the coolest thing.”

About 98°

98° has sold over 10 million records worldwide and achieved eight top 40 singles in the U.S. From the late 90s to the early ‘00s, the group reached top-five on the Billboard Hot 100 with the songs “Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche),” “Because of You,” “The Hardest Thing” and collaborated with the great Stevie Wonder on the hit “Thank God I Found You” (with Mariah Carey and Joe) as featured artists. “Ain’t The Same” marks 98°‘s first foray into Country Music and comes on the heels of their 25th career Anniversary Year.

About Brett Kissel

Kissel has previously received recognition for other powerhouse collaborations, releasing a DND remix of his Platinum-certified single “She Drives Me Crazy” with multi-platinum selling superstar Nelly. His charismatic personality, energetic stage presence and music style have propelled him to the top of the Canadian Country music charts, with two Gold-certified albums, three Platinum (including the album version of “She Drives Me Crazy”), eight Gold singles and 15 top-10 radio hits to his credit. 2019-2020 was a storybook year for Brett, winning the JUNO Award (equivalent to the American Grammy) for Country Album of the Year and earning the Canadian Country Music Association’s Fans’ Choice Award, following a record-breaking 112-date tour that reached every single province and territory. In 2019, he completed two legs of his headlining tour, marked as Canada’s most extensive tour ever, selling out venues and electrifying fans from coast to coast. The Canadian press crowned him “The New King of Canadian Country.” The accolades continued in 2020, when Brett was the big winner of the CCMA Awards, earning four trophies, including Fans’ Choice, Male Artist of the Year, and Album of the Year.Kissel launched in the U.S. in the Fall of 2019 with the release of “Drink About Me.” The music video for the song featured Bachelor Nation fan favorites Kaitlyn Bristowe and Jason Tartick. View HERE. The video premiered on Entertainment Tonight and garnered attention from PEOPLE Magazine, OK! Magazine, Bustle, E! News and many more outlets. The music video received significant airplay on CMT Music, and since its release, it has garnered over 40 million streams in the US and Canada combined. As one of the top acts on the Canadian Country music scene, Brett Kissel is on the brink of becoming a household name across the United States. Having toured with Garth Brooks and Brad Paisley, the young entertainer is no stranger to the stage. Kissel is currently in the studio finishing up his upcoming album, due out later in 2022.

Tennessee Tourism × Earth Day

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Known for its natural beauty, unique culture and southern hospitality, Tennessee strives to be at the forefront of sustainability efforts to preserve its wonder and charm for future generations to come. In honor of Earth Day, Tennessee Tourism created a roundup of clean, green and sustainable ways to eat, explore, lodge and travel across the state. Find Tennessee Tourism on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

A More Sustainable Tennessee

The Solar Farm Welcome Center: The Solar Farm Welcome Center is surrounded by a 25-acre, five-megawatt solar farm, overseen by the University of Tennessee. The center features a circular interactive spectrum exhibit bringing solar power to life for visitors. Here you can learn how solar energy really works, how the sun is keeping the lights on, and the innovations and opportunities solar power brings to Tennesseans.

Tennessee Sustainable Spirits: Tennessee is home to world-class whiskey, wine, beer and fine spirits. Tennessee Sustainable Spirits is a voluntary recognition and technical assistance program by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation which seeks to reduce operational costs and environmental impacts for wineries and wine-growers, breweries and distilleries as well as serve as a gateway to sustainability through popular brands.

Tennessee Sustainable Hospitality: Along with generating economic activity, Tennessee’s hospitality industry has an environmental impact on the state through resource usage and waste generation. Tennessee Sustainable Hospitality and TDEC provide a sustainability roadmap for businesses to follow which includes tips for energy and water conservation, recycling and waste reduction, food waste reduction, communication, education and greening the supply chain.

Keep Tennessee Beautiful: Keep Tennessee Beautiful is the state-level affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, and serves as a state resource for litter prevention, community greening, and recycling and water education. They are also partners with TDOT’s Nobody Trashes Tennessee, the state of Tennessee’s official litter prevention campaign.

Chattanooga Airport: The Chattanooga Airport became the first and only U.S. airport powered by sustainable solar energy with a 2.74-megawatt solar farm consisting of over 9,000 solar panels and battery storage technology that allows the system to run off the grid. Additionally, it has LEED-certified facilities, and the world’s first LEED Platinum Certified aviation terminal.

Celebrate Earth Day with These Statewide Events

EarthDayz at Rock City: Join Rock City Gardens in Chattanooga this April for EarthDayz, a naturally fun outdoor Earth Day celebration. Be mesmerized when vines and trees come to life with methodical movement, hear live percussionists and go on a virtual scavenger hunt while enjoying the great outdoors.

Museum of Science & History’s Annual Plant Sale: This Earth Day weekend the Museum of Science & History (MoSH) in Memphis will host its annual Volunteer Plant Sale on April 22 and 23, 2022 at the Lichterman Nature Center. During the celebration guests can explore the 65-acre nature center and arboretum that is home to lush gardens, wildlife exhibits, and trails through lake, meadow and forest habitats.

Ijams Nature Center’s Sustainable Fashion Event: On Sunday, April 24, the Ijams Nature Center and Natural Alternatives Salon and Spa in Knoxville will present Fleurish: A Sustainable Fashion Event. It will include 12 local designers, along with hair stylists and makeup artists, who will create looks using both recycled and natural materials.

Seed Lending Library at Stokes Brown Library: Dig in the Dirt! Check out free seeds to plant a garden through the Seed Lending Library at Stokes Brown Public Library in Springfield and while you’re there, check out some fun Earth Day reading for all ages, whether children-friendly Earth Day crafts, juvenile and family gardening, or adult sustainable living skills. Try your hand at a window-seal herb garden, porch container garden, raised beds or inground garden and discover your green thumb.

Earth Day at Wolf Gap: Celebrate Earth Day at Wolf Gap in Pulaski by getting on in nature with a Native Plant Walk, observe and assist with freshwater testing, get crafty and make native wildflower seed bombs. There will also be a special Earth Day scavenger hunt, Tenn Pin Alley’s food truck and more.

Where to Stay

David Crockett State Park Cabins: The David Crockett State Park Cabins in Lawrenceburg are the perfect, family weekend getaway. Equipped with geothermal-powered HVAC units and gas fireplaces, these LEED-certified vacation homes are ahead of the curve on energy conservation. The state park also has the Tennessee Naturalist Program which serves as an educational training program to provide service and outreach efforts to help preserve Tennessee’s natural beauty and resources.

The Greenbrier Beechhouse: Enjoy unique, earth-friendly lodging at the luxury treehouse rental in Greenbrier which features tongue-and-groove pine ceilings, a spacious deck, swing bridge, fresh eggs and much more. Visit the magic and check availability HERE.

The Crash Pad: Located in Chattanooga, this eco-friendly, LEED-certified glamping spot is unlike any other. Offering 24 bunk beds or five private rooms, complimentary DIY breakfast and walking distance to some of the area’s best restaurants and bars, this classic yet charming hostel provides visitors with a blend of reclaimed and renewable resources to ensure the best of energy efficiency while supporting local sustainable businesses.

Where to Eat & Drink

The Polk County Tramp Festival: The 64^th annual Ramp Tramp Festival in Reliance will take place April 22-23 with two days of live music, crafts and traditional Ramp Meals which includes ramps in eggs, white beans, cornbread, fried potatoes and streaked meat bacon.

Lupi’s Pizza Pies: Lupi’s Pizza Pies in Chattanooga makes their pizzas and salads from local ingredients purchases from local farms and vendors in the community, or from their own Flying Turtle Farm. In addition to producing most of their own meats, vegetables and flowers. Lupi’s recycles everything possible from glass and plastic to trimmings and food waste from the kitchen to feed the pigs at the farm.

The Farm House: The Farm House in Nashville is an innovative farm-to-table restaurant located in downtown Nashville. Prepare your taste buds for Chef/Owner Trey Cioccia‘s ever-changing seasonal menu. This spring enjoy delicious dishes ranging from trout to southern carbonara, bone-in porkchop and much more.

Get Outside

Memphis Riverfront Park’s Arbor Day Tree Planting and Pollinator Party: On April 29, head to Mud Island to volunteer in planting replacement trees along the river at its Arbor Day Tree Planting. Stick around the next day to participate in the Pollinator Workshop Garden party at Beale Street Landing to learn more about local pollinators.

Springfield Greenway: Springfield Greenway is a scenic 4-mile paved trail that meanders along the historic and business districts, we well as tree-lined Sulfur Creek and public playgrounds. The flat and wide terrain accommodates walkers, runners and bike riders. This greenway has been honored with a 4-star Award, the highest award granted from the Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association

Gatlinburg Skylift Park: Take in Tennessee’s stunning beauty at Gatlinburg Skylift Park’s launch of its special VIP Sunrise Access event. Here, ticket holders will be granted early access to the park to see the sunrise over the stunning Smoky Mountains.

Mirimichi Lakes Golf: Bring your “A-game” this Earth Day at Mirimichi Lakes Golf in Millington. This award-winning course of more than 7,400 yards provides its visitors with an eco-friendly experience. From integrated pest management and water conservation, Mirimichi offers championship-worthy views and environmentally friendly practices for both amateur and professional level players.

Immerse Yourself

Cheekwood Estate and Garden: Cheekwood Estate and Gardens in Nashville serves the public as a botanical garden, arboretum and art museum with an extraordinary historic 1930s estate, 55 acres of cultivated grounds and expansive vistas, 12 distinct gardens and a 1.5-mile-long woodland trail. Visitors are invited to come and celebrate Earth Day by enjoying this year’s Martin Shallenberger Artist-in-Residence, a free 30-minute audio tour of the 1.5-mile-long Ann & Monroe Carell Jr. Family Sculpture Trail, pick up an arboretum map to learn about the 120+ distinct species that live on the property, experience the Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden and partake in Cheekwood’s Wellness 360 which is an initiative in partnership with Vanderbilt Health that encourages visitors to take advantage of Cheekwood’s 55-acres of breathing room to rejuvenate the mind, body and spirit.

Hatchie BirdFest: Head to Brownville to partake in 3-days of bird watching and escape to the great outdoors at the ninth annual Hatchie Birdfest (April 22-24). The event will offer a variety of activities for all ages and skill levels, including nature hikes, educational seminars, a canoe trip down Oneal Lake and much more.

Spring Garden Fair: The Spring Garden Fair in Kingsport is a true celebration of heritage farming and heirloom gardening. From April 30-May 1, come and experience the oldest garden fair in the region where attendees can hear from master gardeners, buy from a wide selection of heritage and native perennials, annuals, trees and shrubs.

The Art Project: Keep the sustainable, family-friendly fun going in Memphis at The Art Project, a studio where kids dive into their craft skills and get creative with a wide array of supplies and recycled materials for their very own DIY piece of art.

The Homestead Festival: The Homestead Festival takes place June 3-4 at a 100-acre historic farm in Columbia and will feature a variety of entry-level homesteading activities, talks and demonstrations during the day and then musical performances on the main stage at sunset. The festival was created for those interested in getting started in homesteading or living more sustainably by teaching them the skills of food preservation, raising chickens, making soap, homeschooling and more.