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Las Catalinas Announces the Completion Beach Town

Las Catalinas Announces Completion of Beach Town Neighborhood Car-free seaside town in Costa Rica continues to innovate a better way of living

In 2006, the innovators behind a car-free town aspired to create a better way of life connecting people to nature in a place where 1,000 acres of a 1200-acre property would remain undeveloped as a tropical dry forest reserve. After 16 years of planning and construction, that vision is now a reality with the completion of the neighborhood of Beach Town in Las Catalinas. Referred to as one of the most important and beautiful new towns in the world by renowned Notre Dame School of Architecture Professor Douglas Duany, Las Catalinas is located in the northwestern province of Costa Rica. Inspired by New Urbanism, the town offers a sustainable lifestyle that is influenced by the natural surroundings. Throughout its development, the town’s commitment to nature remains as one of its main core values.

Consisting of approximately 150 single family residences, 14 mixed use buildings, and over a dozen commercial and civic buildings across 21 acres of land along the Pacific Coast, Beach Town is a high-density, car-free town. With friendly neighborhoods, walkable streets and plazas, and timeless architecture, Beach Town was conceptualized to combine leisure and urban living with an emphasis on the natural surroundings. Beach Town is connected to two Pacific Ocean beaches and over 30 miles of hiking and biking trails in thriving tropical dry forests reserves. With a rich network of narrow passageways, stair streets and public plazas, the town weaves together 150 residences, two hotels, a beach club, eight restaurants and a variety of shops, offices and businesses centered on living well. In 2022, The Congress for New Urbanism celebrated Beach Town with a Charter Award recognizing the town for achieving “more equitable, sustainable, connected, healthy, and prosperous communities.” Most activities, conversations and meals are enjoyed in the fresh air under shade trees or on the outdoor covered terraces within the timeless tropical architecture. The value placed on walkability and relationship to nature creates an engaging place to visit.

“While the radical idea to build a car-free town received pushback even from the initial design team, our walkable town now seems the most natural and preferred way to be,” said Roberto Villalobos, Sub-Director of Design and Construction for Las Catalinas. “Car-free public realms invite natural sociability and freedom for children that can be enjoyed equally by all. The resulting density allows for more balanced natural-urban transects. Beach Town’s minimal footprint creates a sustainable infrastructure not just for the natural environment, but also for an active and healthy lifestyle full of organic, human, and architectural beauty.”

Beach Town has come to life over the years and offers a vibrant and eclectic mix of retail businesses embracing a way of life that supports the natural fabric of town. Beach Town Travel can arrange stays at the two hotels in town – Santarena Hotel and Posada San Rafael or with an array of villa options from flats to five-bedroom villas. The eight food and beverage venues located in Beach Town include Ponciana, Pots & Bowls, Pascual, Papagayo BrewHouse, La Taqueria at Beach Club, The Deli at Copper & Stone Gourmet, Cuatro Calle La Ronda and Coquelicot. The town’s boutique shops and stores include Las Catalinas Collection, Chunches Consignment, D’Aqui Design and Copper & Stone Gourmet Market. Beach Town also offers CORE by Chakfitness, Center of Joy, Pura Vida Ride, Wake Day Spa, ConnectOcean, BLP and Elif Academy for visitors and residents to enjoy.

Walk through Beach Town with founder Charles Brewer and the Town Architect team to learn about the challenges, successes and missteps made in planning and developing Beach Town in microphases. “Lessons will be applied as our eyes aim to the ambitious development of the remaining 180 acres of Las Catalinas all surrounded by our 1,000-acre natural tropical dry forest preserve,” Villalobos further explained. “The next neighborhood underway includes El Prado where residences, mixed use buildings, parks, and neighborhoods have started vertical construction for an ambitious 600 buildings across 60 acres – most of which get panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and are surrounded by 40 kilometers of hiking and mountain biking trails.”

Located just east of Beach Town in El Prado, Lantana Residences is a collection of ocean view homes and flats built into the hillside. Set to begin construction in the second quarter of 2023, Lantana Residences are located in the second neighborhood in Las Catalinas on the hillside of El Prado. The residences flank a picturesque stair street and offer the most dramatic urban and ocean views in Las Catalinas. The residences are slated for completion in July 2025. Ranging from one to four bedrooms, Lantana Residences offer dramatic views, plentiful outdoor spaces, crafted interior finishes with spectacular architecture. Slanted rooftops, thick walls, high ceilings, clever ventilation, and other structural considerations provide respite from the outdoor elements in the Guanacaste tropical dry forest. Indoor and outdoor living spaces, pools, and outdoor terraces embrace the climate and allow for comfortable indoor and outdoor living. Wood and other materials used are from sustainable sources and all buildings are designed to be energy efficient.

The crowning jewel of the Lantana neighborhood is its stair-street architecture modeling pedestrian Mediterranean hill towns of the Old World. Not only are stair streets visually stunning, but they link people, places, and conversations together, providing an intricate tapestry that weaves lives together. Utilizing its intense sloping topography, Arosemena & Way Arquitectos designed the stair streets of Lantana to create a way for visitors and residents to explore the neighborhood from the shops, plazas, parks, and streets of lower levels of El Prado to the higher vistas, residences, and trail heads of the upper neighborhoods of El Prado. Highly visible from nearly all areas of town while offering a panoramic ocean and town view, the stair streets of Lantana enhance the pedestrian experience which is the cornerstone of Las Catalinas in encouraging interaction and engagement among residents and visitors. The Lantana neighborhood will feature nine buildings and an intricate array of plazas, parks, and community pool. Residences offer a variety of floorplans ranging from 484 square feet to 3,843 square feet. For more information, email sales@lascatalinascr.com or 1-866-357-3872 or visit www.lantanaresidences.com.

About Las Catalinas, www.lascatalinascr.com

The conscious town of Las Catalinas is Costa Rica’s newest desirable beach town inspired by New Urbanist philosophy. The car-free, highly walkable town includes several inns and intimate hotels, shops, restaurants, retail, day spas, pedestrian streets, parks, plazas, and recreational facilities, all located between two of Costa Rica’s loveliest Pacific beaches and 1,000 acres of protected tropical dry forest, which are interlaced with extensive hiking and biking trails. Within the town, the walkable public spaces are interwoven with nature, and the architecture emphasizes indoor-outdoor living and scenic views. Cars are refreshingly absent. Founder Charles Brewer’s core values and beliefs include environmental stewardship, connection to one another and to the rhythms of nature, promotion of wellness, and an emphatic preference for quality of life over quantity of material possessions, understanding that the “good life” is not about material possessions but about human connections, good health, and ecological sustainability.

NNENA RETURNS WITH HER NEW SINGLE “PMTWGR”

ANNOUNCED AS THE OPENER FOR RINI’S “PAST THE NAKED EYE” TOUR

LISTEN HERE “PMTWGR”

KICKS OFF WEDNESDAY, 11/30 – BUY TICKETS HERE

Nnena returns with her new single “PMTWGR” featuring Ncognita & KT via Loud Robot/RCA Records. Heavy on soul grooves courtesy of producer Ben Oyortey Jr, the song is confident and fun, using witty rhymes to address that PMTWGR. In addition to releasing her latest single, it’s also been announced that she’s joining Rini’s “Past The Naked Eye” tour as an opener. The tour kicks off tomorrow, 11/30, and will hit cities such as Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, and more – buy tickets HERE.

Listen to “PMTWGR” HERE and watch the visualizer, directed by Deondrae Jones HERE.

Last year, Nnena showcased her range and versatility on her EP …Just Cause. The four-track EP features Childish Major, DaVionne and WESTSIDE BOOGIE – the latter on the standout track “Come Again.” This new project follows the release of her debut EP Bipolar AF, the first release from the partnership between Loud Robot, the record label from JJ Abrams’ Bad Robot and RCA Records.

Additionally, Nnena was featured on Insecure: Music From The HBO Original Series, Season 5soundtrack with her memorable single “Fun,” which is currently the second highest streamed track on the album on Spotify. This week Nnena had her late night television debut performing the track on The Late Late Show with James Corden – watch it here.

An incredible writer, lyricist, rapper and vocalist, bursting with effusive energy and a massive personality, the Cleveland native, born Nnena Adigwe to Nigerian parents, credits some of her robust, descriptive storytelling impulses to her past screenwriting experience. Nnena began writing comedic sketches during college and that soon led to working on more full-fledged projects—the kinds of works that needed sound tracking. Rather than pay licensing fees, she tried her hand at making her own music. Her music reflects her eclectic influences ranging from Otis Redding to Millie Jackson, from Queen Latifah to Miriam Makeba to Kendrick Lamar and especially “Lauryn Hill, she molded me the most,” along with other neo-soul genre artists Musiq Soulchild and Jill Scott, as well from Drake, J. Cole, to Tiwa Savage.

Nnena is currently working on her debut album; stay tuned for more music coming soon.

“Past The Naked Eye” tour dates:

11/30 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade Purgatory Stage

12/1 – Washington, DC – Union Stage

12/4 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom

12/5 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge

12/14 – Oakland, CA – The New Parish

12/15 – Santa Cruz, CA – The Catalyst

12/16 – Los Angeles, CA – The Echoplex

Buy/Stream/Watch “PMTWGR”:

All Partners: http://smarturl.it/NnenaXJustCause

YouTube: https://youtu.be/lwBOUGWKdEE

Follow Nnena

Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

For World AIDS Day Consideration

For World AIDS Day consideration: Body Hack presents Nuestros Lazos Festival, Dec 1-4

BODY HACK [A MUTUAL CARE RESOURCE & INTERNATIONAL FUNDRAISING COLLECTIVE FOR AND BY TRANS AND QUEER PEOPLE OF COLOR] ANNOUNCES NUESTROS LAZOS, A FUNDRAISING INITIATIVE THAT KICKS OFF ON WORLD AIDS DAY

This December, Body Hack joins forces with Kiki House of Prince, for the first time to create a spectacular festival complete with panels, workshops, the long-awaited Maxi Kiki Ball, and a dope afterparty, done Body Hack style! Through the activities around Nuestros Lazos Kiki Ball, we seek to provide relevant information and generate support networks with civil organizations that fight to eradicate the stigma against HIV in society; in the same way, to bring a positive message about the value of bodies and experiences of diverse people through art and performance.

Nuestros Lazos is a fundraising initiative that kicks off on World AIDS Day, bringing together community to benefit and celebrate our poz family. In this space, trans folks, people from the LGBTIQ+ community in general, migrants, afro-descendants, racialized people and more, who have found through Ballroom a platform for art and visibility, come together in a celebration of their identities, as well as in commemoration of the struggles that, as communities, continue to affect them. This year we are raising funds for Jóvenes Cambiando VIHdas, a network of mutual support by and for young people and adolescents living with HIV in Peru.

HIV is an important issue within the Ballroom community, as it is home to people living with the virus who are constantly struggling to cope with a society that discriminates against people based on their HIV status. This reality is faced through actions and information from our platforms, since it is necessary and imperative to impact the community and society in general to maintain an active and visible fight regarding this cause.

Originally a happy hour for trans and nonbinary people set in a tiny Brooklyn dive bar, Body Hack has grown into a transnational project seeking to model a world where trans communities can thrive interdependently. Now a collective, Body Hack throws parties in-person and virtually over Zoom, creating dedicated spaces for trans people to gather, celebrate, and extend support to one another. Each party doubles as a fundraiser for a trans-related initiative, raising over $100k across 20 events in the last three years.

Established in 2019, Kiki House of Prince is the Pioneer house of the Peruvian ballroom scene.

They have organized some of the first balls in Peru, and are disseminators of ballroom culture as a form of resistance and community development. Kiki House of Prince has the support of institutions such as Harvard University, Cayetano Heredia University, UCLA, and UNAIDS; which, through our network of contacts, will participate in the events that seek to generate awareness, education, prevention, and community outreach for the optimal and responsible development of our event and ball.

PITCH PERFECT: BUMPER IN BERLIN

BUMPER ALLEN, INTERNATIONAL SUPERSTAR, LEADS ALL-STAR VOCAL CAST ON
PITCH PERFECT: BUMPER IN BERLIN
(MUSIC FROM THE PEACOCK ORIGINAL SERIES)

Adam Devine’s Character From Acclaimed Fan Favorite Pitch Perfect Musical Comedy Film Series Goes Viral In Germany,
Also Heads Up 16-Song Digital Soundtrack Accompanying Six-Episode

Pitch Perfect: Bumper In Berlin Streaming Series Available Now

Features Original Lead Single “Know My Name,” Penned By Ryan Tedder

Today, UMe releases Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin (Music From The Peacock Original Series) digitally. Its 16 tracks serve as the perfect digital audio companion to Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin, the new original six-episode Peacock series starring Adam Devine, Sarah Hyland, Flula Borg, Jameela Jamil, and executive-produced by Elizabeth Banks, which premieres on the Peacock streaming service today. The digital-only album is available now in superior Dolby Atmos/Spatial Audio. Click HERE to listen to or order Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin (Music From The Peacock Original Series).

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the acclaimed musical comedy film series Pitch Perfect, Bumper in Berlin follows the revived career trajectory of Bumper Allen (Adam Devine), who moves to Germany to capitalize on the explosive popularity of his epic TikTok mashup of a pair of indelible hits from the Eighties, “99 Luftballoons x Take On Me.” Listen to Bumper’s unique a cappella take on this pair of classics from Nena and a-ha HERE. Watch a special performance of “99 Luftballoons x Take On Me (Thanksgiving Day Parade Version)” by Bumper In Berlin cast members when they perform on the Peacock float in this year’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, airing on Thursday, November 24, 2022, starting at 9am on NBC and streaming live on Peacock.

The declarative, chart-seeking ballad “Know My Name (Bumper Version),” an original Bumper in Berlin single and focus track, was written by Ryan Tedder (OneRepublic) and produced by Andrew DeRoberts. Other notable Bumper in Berlin cuts include 21st-century interpretations of The Police’s “Message In A Bottle” by Adam Devine; Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child Of Mine” by Devine and Flula Borg; Aqua’s “Barbie Girl” from Adam Devine, Flula Borg, Sarah Hyland, and Lera Abova; and an epic a cappella “Riff-Off Medley” with Devine, Jameela Jamil, and Flura Borg & The Giselads squaring off together on “Rock You Like A Hurricane” (The Scorpions), “Milkshake” (Kelis), “Du Hast” (Rammstein), “My Prerogative,” (Bobby Brown), “Major Tom” (Peter Schilling), and “As Long As You Love Me” (Justin Bieber).

PITCH PERFECT: BUMPER IN BERLIN (MUSIC FROM THE PEACOCK ORIGINAL SERIES) [digital only]

1. Kings And Queens – Adam Devine & The Tonehangers

2. It Wasn’t Me – Adam Devine & Sarah Hyland

3. Know My Name (Bumper Version)* – Adam Devine

4. It Must Have Been Love – Adam Devine, Flula Borg, Sarah Hyland, Lera Abova, Katharina Thalback

5. 99 Luftballoons x Take On Me (Bumper Version) – Adam Devine

6. Sing When I Want You To* – Jameela Jamil

7. Sweet Child Of Mine – Adam Devine & Flula Borg

8. Riff-Off Medley: Rock You Like A Hurricane / Milkshake / Du Hast / My Prerogative / Major Tom / As Long As You Love Me – Adam Devine, Jameela Jamil, Flula Borg, &The Giselads

9. Where You Are* – Adam Devine

10. Barbie Girl – Adam Devine, Flula Borg, Sarah Hyland, Lera Abova

11. Know My Name (Piano Version)* – Sarah Hyland & Adam Devine

12. Valerie – Adam Devine

13. 99 Luftballoons x Take On Me (Gisela Version) – Jameela Jamil

14. Message In A Bottle – Adam Devine

15. Know My Name x Where You Are Mashup* – Adam Devine, Flula Borg, Sarah Hyland

16. 99 Luftballoons x Take On Me (Thanksgiving Day Parade Version)*

*Denotes original song

POPEX × ABBEY ROAD INSTITUTE MIAMI

POPEX ANNOUNCES NEW NFT PARTNERSHIP WITH ABBEY ROAD INSTITUTE MIAMI

PopEx and Cudos announces new Art House Collection NFT collaboration with Abbey Road Institute Miami
Unique album created by 10 of the world’s top production teams, songwriters and performers including NBLM, The Voice of Poland winner MVRT and Grammy winning producer Julio Reyes Copello
Recorded at Abbey Road Institute Miami using cutting-edge Dolby Atmos technology
Opportunity for digital asset holders to receive royalties and exclusive art from a ground breaking collaboration
White list 1 December 2022; project due for public launch in the first quarter of 2023
Available to purchase exclusively via PopEx’s multichain platform

“This incredible project brings together the architects of some of the most iconic tracks of our generation. Together they have produced a landmark recording, created in partnership with Abbey Road Institute Miami and enabled by incredible dynamic depth provided when recording for Dolby Atmos. In The Art House Collection NFT, we’ll see the combined genius of people whose work is known, respected and loved by countless millions of music fans across the world. For investors, it’s the chance to be part of the most important album this century, and to own royalties in what we believe will become a landmark in recorded music history.” — Matt Bond, Founder and CEO, PopEx

PopEx is giving collectors and fans the chance to own a piece of genuine music history, in a ground-breaking new partnership with Abbey Road Institute Miami.

The project brings together a group of the most talented and influential producers, songwriters and recording artists of their generation to create a unique album, The Art House Collection NFT, which will be available exclusively as a digital collectible through the PopEx platform. Investors will be able to own a part of this seminal recording through the distribution of royalty rights for NFT owners.

The Art House Collection NFT is being pitched as among the most celebrated album production collaborations ever, with artists and producers spanning genres, geographies and eras. Between them, the production teams involved are responsible for millions of record sales and streams running into the hundreds of billions.

Among the top names taking part is Colombian producer and songwriter Julio Reyes Copello. Winner of three Grammy awards, and 12 Latin Grammy awards, including the 2022 ‘Producer of the Year’. He has worked with artists including Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin and Marc Anthony, who’s single ‘Vivir Mi Vida’ has scored over 1bn views on Youtube views and over 400 million streams on other platforms. He has also composed music for films and conducted the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO).

The song-writing team, NBLM, has racked up over 100 million views on YouTube with releases for labels including Universal, Sony, Spinnin’ Records, Nervous, Aftr Hrs and Warner, drawing inspiration from House, Techno, RnB, Pop and even Rock. They’ve also collaborated with Randy Jackson on some unreleased vocals forming part of the legacy of older brother Michael.

For the NFT project, NBLM has worked with artists including singer-songwriter MRVT, who won The Voice of Poland 2017 under her full name, Marta Gałuszewska. Her debut single went platinum, and she’s subsequently worked with a strong of major records labels, and collaborated with numerous international producers, songwriters and fellow artists worldwide. With the support of PopEx, MRVT is now realising the potential of the NFT world to develop the next phase of her career, as a fully independent recording artist.

The album is being recorded at Abbey Road Institute Miami, a specialist training school for the next generation of music producers and sound engineers, drawing on almost 90 years of expertise developed at the original Abbey Road Studios in London. It’s being produced with sound and visual content captured in Dolby Atmos, the immersive, high-definition surround-sound technology used by cinemas worldwide.

The Art House Collection NFT will be offered for general sale through the PopEx platform, and gives collectors the chance to have a direct, personal stake in its future success. The initial whitelisted NFTs have already sold out: following launch, 10% of royalties will be available for purchase on the open market, and tradeable before redemption.

Musician, entrepreneur and PopEx founder, now CEO, Matt Bond, says: “This NFT is more than just a unique piece of art: it’s the start of a new movement in music creation and production. It brings together an incredible pool of talent who are pushing Dolby Atmos to the edge to create an album like never before. This new technology is here to stay: these world-beating producers are demonstrating its enormous potential for creatives at all levels, and we’re really hoping it will inspire new artists to strike while the iron’s hot. We’re also showing how NFT model we’ve developed at PopEx can support artists in building sustainable, viable careers in a challenging economic environment.”

PopEx is backed by leading names from the worlds of music, Web 3 and business, who bring their own specific skills, knowledge and networks to the development of the platform. The company was valued at $40 million pre-launch, with pre-seed funding gained from Animoca Brands, Shima Capital, UOB Bank, Outlier Ventures and Tileyard.

ABOUT THE FOUNDERS:

Matt Bond

Musician, songwriter and entrepreneur Matt Bond is no stranger to the music industry. He is co-founder of songwriting and production collective NBLM. The collaboration has signed over 100 record deals and yielded hundreds of millions of streams through releases with Universal, Sony, Spinnin Records and many more.

Matt Bond is also a founding member of rock band The Dirty Youth. As well as selling out many UK and European tours, they have graced stages at some of the world’s biggest festivals. The band toured with a huge array of artists including Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Soundgarden, Iggy Pop, Status Quo, Feeder and Korn. The Dirty Youth were the first band to get signed to music brand titans Marshall Records.

Matt founded PopEx in 2021 with a vision to create a viable, sustainable and user-friendly route to artists securing their creative sovereignty by sharing in the global opportunities represented by Web3.

INVESTORS:

The vision for PopEx has been proven by significant venture capital backing. PopEx has concluded its seed funding round. This values the company, founded in 2021 at $40million (USD). Backers include Animoca Brands, the global leader in gamification and blockchain. The company has a portfolio of over 340 investments in its mission is to advance digital property rights and decentralised projects to help build the open metaverse. Other backers include Shima Capital, UOB Bank, Cudos, Outlier Ventures and Tileyard.

The Biggest Crypto Applications Online

As a means of payment, crypto is naturally still in the early days, only really rising to prominence within the past 10 years. So far, mainstream financial services have been hesitant to endorse it, barring some exceptions, which has meant that widespread adoption in shops and businesses has been slow.

However, this doesn’t mean that the outlets and exchanges for crypto haven’t been looking at some major growth now, and as of 2022 there are more places that will accept crypto than ever before. This article aims to highlight those businesses that are most tied to crypto usage, as well as a few that most people wouldn’t even consider using crypto coins for.

Bitcoin for Travel

To start off with something of an unusual choice, cryptocurrency, or more specifically Bitcoin, can be used for a number of travel options. While it’s not recommended to try paying directly at a hotel in coins, there are several prominent travel sites which will accept it.

First and foremost, the travel giant Expedia will let you pay for your hotels online straight through Bitcoin, or if that isn’t the particular currency that you use, then the crypto-focused site Travala accepts dozens of the most established currencies for similar services. Also, if you’re planning on travelling just a bit further, then Virgin Galactic are also accepting Bitcoin now for space travel.

While it’s difficult to nail down exactly how widely crypto is used by country, much of Europe at least accepts crypto in certain businesses, although it’s not wise to base your entire vacation around it.

Crypto for Casinos

Online casinos are something of a natural fit for crypto, with the extra security with large amounts of money being extremely attractive amongst their customers. More than in many other industries, crypto is becoming a standard, with many of the best payout online casinos now listing it as an option for deposits and withdrawals alongside their more traditional payment platforms.

More than that, many new casinos have appeared that almost exclusively use crypto as a payment method. These crypto casinos will even offer their player bonuses in crypto coins, usually Bitcoins, for the more universal uptake. This is an area where research is key, though; online casinos offer slightly different packages in different countries. A casino that accepts Bitcoin in one country may not be able to in another. If you’re playing from the U.S., make sure they’ll accept Bitcoin from the U.S. for instance.

Crypto in Online Retail

This is an area that has really taken off in terms of crypto usage, and while the big name Amazon still is yet to dip a toe into the crypto market, many other shopping platforms worldwide will now accept at least some kind of crypto.

Within the U.S., Overstock is your nearest equivalent to Amazon that will work with crypto. They haven’t got nearly the same range of products, mainly focusing on home and lifestyle items, however they can compete with them on prices as well as the free shipping options. For those looking for Asian products who have a good translator and a calculator handy, Rakuten from Japan does have a wider selection of products, although shipping is naturally a different issue.

For computer hardware and related products there is also the Newegg site, and if you’re looking at setting up an e-commerce site of your own, the industry leader Shopify also accept Bitcoin. This is a small selection, but more and more businesses are taking up crypto integration as a way of offering services that competitors either don’t or can’t.

Gaming with Crypto

Similar to online casinos, the digital nature of video gaming does lend itself to working with crypto, not to mention a usually tech-aware audience built in. You know that the practice of crypto payments has really gone mainstream in the video gaming industry when you see that Microsoft themselves will accept Bitcoin for payments on their Xbox Live platform. Add-ons, subscriptions and even full games fall under that.

The socially-aware Humble Bundle site has also started taking Bitcoin via PayPal, which gives you a way to get your new games while contributing to charity at the same time. They even now have bundles for books and software for some extra variety.

Speaking of contributions, the major streaming platform Twitch will now also accept crypto payments, either for their Twitch Prime subscription or just donations and support for your favorite streamers.

Everything Else

There are plenty of companies that don’t fit into the above, but may also surprise you. Phone and internet giant AT&T have added crypto to their payment options, and even iconic coffee chain Starbucks have started as well. Want a new website? NameCheap are also on this list.

The fact is though, if you’re using the correct tools, virtually anything can now be done via crypto. By using a card-issuing service such as CoinsBase or Uquid, you can get a card tied to your crypto wallet that still has the global acceptance of something such as Visa or Mastercard. They can even be used to withdraw cash at an ATM, and work for both online and offline payments, although keep in mind that this is based on the market value of the coin at time of purchase.

What Comes Next?

It’s hard to judge exactly what happens next with crypto, considering even entire countries are trying it out as legal tender. A number of the largest companies are still holding out against it, but given the rising competition, their hands may eventually be forced into accepting it.

The short version is, you should expect to see at least Bitcoin transactions happening on the vast majority of online-first business sites within the next decade, although the uptake from brick-and-mortar companies is likely to be a lot slower. With that said, the rapid rollout of contactless cards shows that the financial world can, on occasion, move faster than expected.

Eight Exciting Facts About the FIFA World Cup Competition

The FIFA World Cup remains one of the best competitions in the world of sports. It is the biggest, most popular sporting event worldwide. Billions of people watch the competition and root for one of the 32 teams to lift the trophy. The story started in 1930, and since then, it has only improved.

UEFA competitions are the only ones that come close in soccer, but even those are smaller in comparison. You might find many people engaging in making Europa League predictions. However, more people are looking to win big with the FIFA games. The exciting thing is that for 28 days, everyone around the world remains occupied.

It is a sensational event that would see us enjoy some incredible experiences. We can always retain our excitement with the growing popularity. And like you would make Europa League predictions today, you can get involved in predicting World Cup games. You might just be lucky to catch the upsets.

As we follow the 2022 FIFA World Cup and look forward to a country making history, let’s check out some facts about this event. These facts can even help you with your predictions, like when you follow trends to make Europa League picks. So, without wasting time, let’s get into it.

Only Two Continents Have Produced FIFA World Cup Champions

Since the start of the FIFA World Cup, only South America and Europe have produced champions. The first champions came from South America, but Europe has more champions. Italy, Germany, Spain, England, and France are the champions of the FIFA World cup from Europe. For South America, the champions are Uruguay, Argentina, and Brazil.

Fontaine, With 13 Goals, has the Best Goal Scoring Record

Throughout World Cup history, France’s Fontaine has the most FIFA World Cup goals in a single competition. He scored 13 in 1958, and since then, no player has been able to break it. We would expect it to get broken at one point. However, Fontaine is fourth on the list of the players with the most goals at the FIFA World Cup.

Six Players Have Represented Two Countries at the World Cup

Today, it is impossible to see a player play for two different countries at the World Cup due to the recent regulations from FIFA. However, it was a thing of the past. Luis Monti was the first player to represent two countries. He played for Argentina and Italy. Aside from Monti, the following players represented two nations.

Robert Prosinecki – Yugoslavia and Croatia
Robert Jarni – Yugoslavia and Croatia
Jose Santamaria – Uruguay and Spain
Ferenc – Hungary and Spain
Mazola – Brazil and Italy

The Last Host Nation to Win the Competition

Uruguay, Argentina, and many more are nations to have won the competition as the host. However, the last time a team hosted the tournament and won was in 1998. France was the last country to host the competition and win it. Korea, Germany, and Brazil all got to the semifinals of their respective competitions, but they couldn’t win the competition as hosts.

Goalkeeper With the Most Clean Sheets

Fabian Barthez and Peter Shilton hold the record for the most clean sheets in FIFA World Cup history. These goalkeepers both have had ten clean sheets over the years. They both had incredible careers with exciting moments. Unfortunately, neither of these players was able to lift the trophy. But they did well in the tournament.

Best Teams at the World Cup

Although the nations competing at the FIFA World Cup continue to produce brilliant moments, some teams have had a more consistent performance. Brazil remains one of the best teams in the tournament. Italy, Germany/West Germany, Argentina, and Spain follow Brazil.

First Match at the FIFA World Cup

Unlike now, the host nation didn’t kickstart the FIFA World Cup tournament in 1930. The first-ever World Cup match was between France and Mexico. The match ended in favor of France, winning the game 4-1. Lucien Laurent scored the first goal of the tournament.

Qatar Becomes the First Nation to Lose an Opening Match

Before Qatar, every host had never lost the opening match. It either ended as a draw or a win for the host nation. Everyone expected that tradition to continue, but it didn’t when Qatar faced Ecuador in the opening game. The game ended with Enner Valencia scoring two. It could’ve been three if Valencia’s second-minute goal was not chopped off.

Sports Video Games Make Great Holiday Gifts

Gaming has become incredibly competitive over the years. The development of video games has been spread across four generations and is most prevalent among millennials and Gen Z. It’s not like the days when people would gather together and play on one system and host parties.

Technology’s development has driven that competitiveness to a new level. While some people play the best online casino, card games, shooters, or other types of games, perhaps the people best equipped to play video games competitively are sports fans.

Most fans like sports because it is results driven. There is an entertainment element to it, but a lot of fans’ emotional state hinges on a win or a loss. There is banter between two sides of a game, and then it is settled after a week of practice; in the case of football which has limited games to make the playoffs and determine who is the best team.

Those stakes have similarly been raised over the years. The emergence of gaming online has created greater competitiveness. The gaming industry is booming because everybody can have their own device and still connect with friends and put their skills to the test, whether in simple online games or entering tournaments against various skill levels.

Sports fans, who often grew up playing sports, have a natural competitiveness to them, so when they play a video game, it is about being the best or striving to improve to be the best. Gaming gives them an outlet to continue that competitiveness in a constructive way.

Sports games also give them offline opportunities to play as or simulate their favorite teams in hopes of winning a championship in season modes. They can also build dynasties, manage the economics of player contracts, and more.

The holidays are a great time to connect with sports fans, and there are many related gifts. But for those who enjoy gaming and sports, here are games worth pursuing.

Madden

The annual EA Sports franchise has the official license of the National Football League and tries to replicate the greatest and most powerful organization. The game offers several modes, including a single-player mode that allows users to control a person’s career from the college ranks to getting drafted and attempting to become a Hall of Famer once in the league.

But there is also Ultimate Team mode. This is unique in that there are player cards like what collectors used to and still do get out of packs, but it is all virtual and in the game. Players have different ratings and skill sets, and legends also come back to combine into a single team. As users play, they accumulate more cards and their team improves through the different seasons that will bring different rewards that can only be earned at that time.

NBA 2K

The top basketball game with National Basketball Association licensing has dominated the space for basketball games. It, too, allows users to play as their favorite franchise, develop their own player – from style to piling up attributes to become the best in an online park setting to compete with and against others – and has its own version of Ultimate Team.

Basketball fans have had their gripes about the series, but developers have been heralded for taking a step forward in improving gameplay and giving a great experience for all gamers.

FIFA

The latest soccer game is incredibly popular internationally, and this year has grown in popularity because of the 2022 World Cup being played in Qatar. Gamers can play as national teams or their favorite English Premier League teams, or any number of teams from other leagues across the world. While online play and an ultimate team mode dominate this game, there is plenty to do offline.

MLB The Show

Major League Baseball’s license has been dominated for a decade by MLB The Show. While the game was largely built on offline play, it has long created a realistic experience for gamers. The latest step was Diamond Dynasty, the baseball version of Ultimate Team, which allows for much shorter, three-inning games and roster balancing through various game modes. It’s one of the most competitive sports games out there despite not having as many users.

Chef Curry Still Firing

When it comes to top NBA players, few have had the success Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry has, as shown by NBA picks today. While foot speed and other intangibles may slow with aging, Curry has shown that his dedication to being a top-tier shooter is a skill he has been able to keep at the top of the league.

So far this season, Curry is averaging 32.3 points, 7.1 assists and 6.7 rebounds per game. While the 2022-23 season still has a long way to go, Curry has shown an ability to put up strong numbers. If Curry averaged more than 30 points per game for the entire season, it would only be the third time he has done that in his career.

Here’s a look at how the 6-foot-2 Davidson product was able to become a strong player and what his third act could look like.

Basketball was in Curry’s blood

Curry was born in Akron while his dad, Dell, was playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers. When Dell wrapped up his pro career, the family settled back in Charlotte. While Steph initially dreamed of playing for Virginia Tech, they only wanted to offer him as a walk-on due to his size. Curry instead would head to Davidson College.

Playing in the Southern Conference would prove good for Curry. During the 2008 NCAA Tournament, he made his presence known on the big stage. Curry was named the region’s most outstanding player as he helped the Wildcats beat Gonzaga, Georgetown, and Wisconsin to advance to the Elite 8. Kansas would eliminate Davidson, but Curry has gotten his name out to a national audience.

Golden State gets their man

Curry was picked by Golden State as the No. 8 pick in the 2009 draft. It was clear from early on that Curry would be counted on to be the face of the Warriors. He started 77 games in his rookie season and shot 43.7 percent from the 3-point line.

Golden State would continue to add pieces over the next few seasons. Shooting guard Klay Thompson, who would team with Curry to become one of the “Splash Brothers”, and Draymond Green would be taken over the next few seasons to become long-time teammates. But Golden State took off in 2015 when Steve Kerr took over as coach.

Early dynasty, rivalry with LeBron

Golden State broke through in 2015, winning its first title since 1977 by beating LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in four games. In 2016, however, the Warriors and Curry won 73 regular season games, then lost to Cleveland in seven games in the NBA Final. This loss would reverberate through the league.

Golden State would recruit Kevin Durant to come and help the Warriors battle James. Golden State would win the 2017 and 2018 titles before losing to Toronto in 2019.

Curry’s health declines

Injury issues started to creep in for Curry during the 2017-18 season. He started 89 games in a season during the 2016-17 season. Since then, the most regular-season games Curry has played in was 69. During the 2019-20 season, Curry only played in five games following an injury early in the season.

It appeared Curry and Golden State’s time as a dynasty may be running out. In the two seasons before the 2021-22 season, the Warriors missed the postseason. But Curry and the Warriors dug deep to prove something in 2012.

Back on top

The Warriors’ run to a fourth championship was a little surprising. Curry was injured toward the end of the regular season and was iffy for the start of the playoff run. Curry’s 3-pointer shooting had declined below 40 percent, and there were concerns that he could hold up in the playoffs.

However, Curry, who finished last season averaging 25.5 points per game, and his teammates found their rhythm in the postseason. Golden State made a run to the finals and won their fourth title with Curry by beating Boston in six games. The Warriors had rebuilt themselves once again using players they’ve drafted, like Jordan Poole, and bringing in experienced players who could fit their system.

Boxing Takes the Bell in the Oscars

Even though only a handful of films based on sports have won Oscars, they have been and will continue to be a source of inspiration for the film industry. Boxing is the most prestigious plot theme of all those that have been awarded.

That doesn’t mean that boxing is the only sport. There have been some incredibly creative cinematic creations over the decades that bring all types of sports to life for fans everywhere. Just like choosing the winners for the World Cup odds, there are always certain characteristics that stand out.

The Champ

A former heavyweight champion fights against alcoholism and gambling. His main objective is to win back the love of his son. The Champ, a 1931 film by King Vidor, was awarded an Oscar for best actor for Wallace Beery’s performance.

It also received an Oscar for best screenplay, given to Frances Marion. Faye Dunaway, Jon Voight, and Rick Schroeder co-starred in this all-time classic.

Somebody Up There Likes Me

This 1957 drama won Oscars for Best Art Direction and Best Black and White Photography. It followed the life of the legendary boxer Rocky Graziano, played by Paul Newman in his first great role as a leading man. Newman put up an amazing performance, one that is still talked about even in the times of the World Cup soccer 2022 tournament.

Rocky

Rocky is still one of the most iconic Hollywood films to come out of the 70s. Starring Sylvester Stallone, it was the first film in a long saga. It won three Oscars in 1976, including Best Picture, Best Director (John Avildsen), and Best Editing.

Raging Bull

Raging Bull is a Martin Scorsese masterpiece that stars Robert De Niro as Jake LaMotta, a middleweight boxer with a very dark side. Rage, jealousy, and appetite for brutality exceed the limits of the ring, making him spiral out of control and distancing him from his wife and family. It was nominated for eight Oscars and won two, one for best actor for Robert De Niro’s performance, as well as one for best editing.

Million Dollar Baby

Clint Eastwood’s Million Dollar Baby swept the 2004 awards. It won Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Morgan Freeman), and Best Actress (Hilary Swank). The film tells the relationship between a waitress who becomes a professional boxer and a veteran trainer who focuses all his efforts on helping her reach the top. Training a woman is not among his norms of behavior, but he pulls off a major victory, just like some unexpected teams do in the 2022 World Cup.

The Fighter

The Fighter won two Oscars in 2010 – for Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress.

Christian Bale won an Oscar for his portrayal of a boxer who has gotten into trouble and tries to turn his life around by helping his brother, played by Mark Wahlberg. The film had seven nominations and won two awards.

Other Sports Movies Make The Cut

Pugilistic prominence might lead the sports-related Oscars, but boxing isn’t the only sport worthy of recognition. Over the years, there have been plenty of others that still hold a special place in history today.

The Pride of the Yankees

Although it only won one of the eleven Oscars that it was up for at the 1943 ceremony, The Pride of the Yankees, a cross between a biopic and a sports drama, is an iconic classic that will always be at the top of the list.

Gary Cooper plays baseball legend Lou Gehrig, giving a performance choreographed by the creative mind of Sam Wood. That combination makes this film worthy of a place in the private film library of every lover of good cinema and sports. In the end, it took an Oscar for best editing.

King Richard

In modern sports cinematograph, King Richard might stand in a class by itself. The 2021 biographical representation of tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams, along with their father, Richard, was a resounding success with critics.

It didn’t do too well at the box office but was good enough to earn six Oscar nods. It won one, with Will Smith taking home a trophy for his performance of the elder Williams.