Service members and their families stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, one of the largest training bases for the U.S. Army, received a special visit on May 3 from The First Lady, Dr. Biden and Astronaut Mark Kelly. They were joined by lifelong literacy advocate LeVar Burton, the host of Reading Rainbow®, for a story time event for students on-base at Thayer Elementary School. The event was part of the White House’s Joining Forces initiative. Celebrating its 5th anniversary, the initiative works to ensure that service members, veterans, and their families have the tools they need to succeed throughout their lives.
Burton, whose father was in the army and mother an English teacher said of the event, “I was truly honored to be asked to join the First Lady, Dr. Biden and Captain Kelly for the book reading to children of military families. I know from personal experience the sacrifices they and their families make every day on behalf of our nation.” Burton also added that the event was especially important as it focused on reading. “Literacy is the gateway to children reaching their full potential as human beings.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/74044512-reading-rainbow-skybrary-school/
Varsity Brands, the recognized leader in team athletic gear, the driving force in cheerleading and dance, and the most trusted name in celebrating student milestones, today announced Vista Murrieta High School, from Murrieta, Calif. as the winner of its America’s Most Spirited High School Contest. The announcement today coincides with National School Spirit Day, which was recognized by Congress last year.
“Our students feel connected to Vista Murrieta and have an engrained sense of school pride,” said Mick Wager, Principal of Vista Murrieta, “The family atmosphere and sense of community is apparent and genuine.”
High schools across the country were invited to enter the contest, which called for each school to submit a 90-second video, a 500-word essay, two letters of recommendation and several photos demonstrating its school spirit. High schools from 33 states were represented in the contest. Vista Murrieta’s video submission won based on a nationwide vote and included footage from games, pep rallies, and student activities that epitomize a robust school spirit environment that seeks to include all students. Vista Murrieta estimates that 85% of their students are involved in at least one activity, club or sport, and their video was a true testament to the power of school spirit and its effects on high school students.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7636151-varsity-brands-vista-murrieta-award/
Rwanda is celebrating and believe me they
have a lot to celebrate after 20 years of peace! Exact numbers killed
are of course difficult to verify but it likely well over a million
people, which for a country as tiny as Rwanda is about 1 in 5. We do
know that at least 500,000 people were killed in a mere 100 days after
the assassination of Juvénal Habyarimana and Cyprien Ntaryamira on
April 6 through mid-July in 1994. It\\\'s also quite
difficult to guess the exact start date of the genocide because the
definition of genocide wasn\\\'t even recognized internationally until
1948. I would personally put the start of their troubles at 1933 when
the then ruling Belgians organized a census and mandated that everyone
be issued an identity card classifying them as either Tutsi, Hutu, or
Twa. This, then started the tensions that led to an eventual
genocide. Many people are familiar with Rwanda both because of it\\\'s
unusual name and the association with the famous fact based movie
\\\
Havana will host the XVIII edition of the Habanos Festival, from February 29 to March 4, and present the most important launches for 2016. This year, Cohiba, the most exclusive Habanos brand, will play a special role because of its 50 Anniversary. The Hoyo de Monterrey brand will also have a significant presence with the presentation of Reserva Cosecha 2012. The Cuaba brand, celebrating its 20th Anniversary, will be launching an exclusive special edition for La Casa del Habano and the H. Upmann brand will introduce a significant addition to its regular line.
For five days, the guests attending the XVIII Habanos Festival will enjoy a full agenda focused on the world’s best tobacco. The Festival will begin with the Trade Fair, on February 29, that will attract over 1.500 attendants from more than 50 countries. The Welcome Evening, at the Old Tobacco and Wood Warehouse, will feature the presentation of Hoyo de Monterrey Reserva Reserva 2012.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7757451-havanna-annual-event-tobacco-the-habano/
Call it a homecoming.
When Toyota introduced Lexus to the U.S. market in 1989, the Georgetown, Ky., plant – its first stand-alone vehicle manufacturing facility in America – was just in its second year of producing the Camry.
Fast forward 26 years and that same plant is celebrating the start of U.S. Lexus production. Today at a ceremony fit for a luxury brand king, the first-ever U.S.-produced ES 350 was unveiled before several thousand proud team members in Georgetown. And, just like a newborn foal at the nearby horse farms in Central Kentucky, the newcomer was brought into the world with plenty of TLC and hope for a bright future.
“This is really a proud moment for us and brings us full circle,” said Wil James, president, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. “To be the first wholly owned plant, building the number one best-selling car in America, the Camry, for 13 years in a row, and then to be selected to build the first Lexus is truly a tribute to our team members.”
For the past two and a half years, the Kentucky plant – Toyota’s largest in North America – has been gearing up to make the ES 350, Lexus’ best-selling sedan in the U.S. In all, $360 million was invested toward a new dedicated assembly line, adding 750 new jobs. Total capacity for the new line will be 50,000 vehicles.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7655351-lexus-kentucky-plant-es-350/
Lucky Charms™ cereal is launching its second annual #LuckyToBe campaign, celebrating individuality, diversity and inclusiveness. The magically delicious cereal brand is encouraging fans everywhere to share why they are #LuckyToBe.
“We are honoring everything that makes each of us special and adds color to our world — just like the marshmallow charms in our cereal,” said Michael Lenahan, associate marketing manager for Lucky Charms. “We are celebrating everyone who is proud to live life on their own terms and love every second of it.”
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/7235651-general-mills-lucky-charms-second-annual-luckytobe-campaign
When friends and families can't be together at Thanksgiving, celebrating may become a little less joyful. In fact, nearly half of Americans (45 percent) say they would skip certain family traditions if they had to spend Thanksgiving alone, while nearly one in five (19 percent) would skip the holiday entirely. So this Thanksgiving, SC Johnson is launching Happy Thanksgathering™, giving families who might not be together this holiday season the chance to gather, to give thanks and to celebrate.
Now through Wed, Nov. 25, consumers can visit www.HappyThanksgathering.com for daily chances to enter a sweepstakes to win a $1,000 “Help Me Get Home” Visa rewards card to put toward a trip home this holiday season. They also have the option to enter a second sweepstakes for the chance to win a $250 “Help Me Host” gift card to help pay for a holiday feast with loved ones.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7671331-sc-johnson-a-family-company/
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is celebrating National Barbecue Month throughout May. Local Owners & Pit Masters have their on-site pits smoking 24-7 to serve guests authentic, Texas-style, straight-from-the-pit barbecue. To make the month even bigger for the largest barbecue chain in the nation, every Dickey’s guest will receive a free Big Yellow Cup on May 16, the official National Barbecue Day; while supplies last, no purchase necessary.
Online fans of Dickey’s Facebook page can also participate in the festivities all month long by entering for the chance to win delicious prizes. Lucky participants could win Free Barbecue for a Year or Dickey’s Pit Master Packs, including Mr. Dickey’s signature cookbook, rib rub, Dickey’s original barbecue sauce, a gift card and more.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/7992452-dickeys-national-barbecue-month-giveaways/
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Nine out of ten times when someone dies by suicide, they have a diagnosable mental health condition at the time of their death. However, mental health conditions are treatable, and most people who attempt suicide go on to live healthy productive lives.
Join the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the largest suicide prevention organization in the United States, in celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month. By drawing attention to the importance of mental health we hope to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. Taking care of your mental health is the smart thing to do.
“Mental health is as important as physical health. It impacts the way we perceive, think, feel and behave in our daily lives,” said Dr. Christine Moutier, the chief medical officer of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “To help us prevent suicide, there is a role for everyone, in every community. Don’t be afraid to have a caring conversation with someone if you notice troubling changes in their behavior. This conversation just might save their life.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7824851-afsp-suicide-mental-health-awareness-month/
In honor of the 40th Anniversary of the Judgment of Paris this May, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars will release the 2013 vintage of its iconic S.L.V. Estate Cabernet Sauvignon with a commemorative label replicating the original 1973 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon which took top honors among the red wines at the 1976 Paris Tasting.
Triumphing over two first-growth and other renowned wines of Bordeaux, the 1973 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon brought international recognition to Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Napa Valley and the American wine industry as a whole. To mark the historic event, the commemorative 2013 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon carries a small gold band saying “40th Anniversary Vintage,” and releases at the winery May 1, 2016.
“The surprise win in 1976 by Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars – and Chateau Montelena Winery with their Chardonnay – truly changed the course of history,” said Ted Baseler, President and CEO of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. “What the Judgment of Paris did was give credibility. It was a trigger event that gave validity to the quality of American wines. It set a high benchmark and legacy for the winery, and one that we work every day to respect and take to new heights.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7409456-stag-s-leap-40th-anniversary-judgment-of-paris/
SCORE has launched the fifth annual American Small Business Championship – a national competition celebrating the best small business owners from across the nation, made possible with funding from Sam’s Club. The open call for applications kicks off today, and will reward two small businesses from every state and the District of Columbia with an all-expenses-paid trip to a training and networking workshop, national and local publicity, and mentoring from small business experts at SCORE.
From those 102 small business honorees, three Grand Champions will each win a grand prize of $15,000. A judging panel of small business experts will select the Grand Champions based on how effectively they utilize the initial prizes to grow their business operations or revenue.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8087651-score-sams-club-american-small-business-championship/
Northwestern Medicine’s Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute is celebrating the success of its transcatheter valve program, a pioneering technology that replaces or repairs leaky heart valves without open-heart surgery. On August 25, 2016, more than 50 former transcatheter valve replacement patients and their family members celebrated the life-saving procedure that has extended both their lives and their ability to enjoy them.
The Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute hit the milestone of being the first hospital in Illinois to perform the 500th TAVR, or transcatheter aortic valve replacement, since the program’s inception in 2008. Charles J. Davidson, MD, performed the 500th procedure on July 23, 2016.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7049452-northwestern-medicine-transcatheter-valve/