Oct, 29
2020
Business, Entertainment, Free News Articles, General Editorial

Controversial Video on Racism in the U.S. Causes Stir – Amelia Ray and ‘Hamilton’ Drummer Jake Wood Discuss the Making of ‘Hambone Says’

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- On Friday, October 30, 2020 at 12 p.m. PDT, Amelia Ray, Jake Wood and Bay Area cinematographer Peggy Peralta will host a Zoom discussion on the making of "Hambone Says," the video that uses contemporary past aesthetic to explore racism, rage and role reversal in the United States.

Amelia Ray never met her paternal grandfather because he was murdered by a white man in Butler, AL, after her father, who was still a boy at the time, refused to address the man as "Sir." While under quarantine and witnessing the nation seethe with collective indignation and unrest, Ray felt her family history come bubbling to the surface.

In response, Ray, alongside longtime collaborator and "Hamilton" drummer Jake Wood and cinematographer Peggy Peralta, created "Hambone Says," a time-travelling tune that uses several musical genres to detail a history of racially motivated killings in the United States. The lyrics allude to recent events such as the murders of Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery but also reference the 1967 Detroit riots and the 1923 Rosewood Massacre. "I wanted to transmit the exasperation, confusion and fury I saw in the streets and felt in my soul," Ray says.

To write the lyrics, Ray scoured the internet for references to first usage of various derogatory terms used to describe Blacks - particularly in the U.S. - and listed them in chronological order. Ray then made a list of some of the atrocities suffered by Black Americans at the hands of White Americans in chronological order. The goal was to use the terms to reference the events in the context of popular music of their era. The song begins with a chain gang chant and transitions into gospel, Appalachian music, jazz, rock and roll, funk and rap.

"Hambone Says" was recorded live during the filming of the video which was released on Friday 09 October 2020. Andrew Zhang of Two Story Melody has already touted it as song of the year.

To learn more, watch the video and to register for The Making of "Hambone Says" Zoom chat, visit: https://www.ameliaray.net

About Amelia Ray:

Amelia Ray is a writer, composer, singer, multi-instrumentalist, arranger and the creator and host of "Up, Up & A Ray" - a weekly variety show. From March-May 2020 she organized The Quarantuned Music Festival - a series of 24-hour, worldwide, virtual music festival to benefit artists affected by COVID-19 cancellations.

MULTIMEDIA:

*VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/WSWC49ISTzE

*IMAGE link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-1029s2p-hambone-says-300dpi.jpg

Related link: https://www.ameliaray.net

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Oct, 29
2020
Business, Free News Articles, Software

Surefire CRM by Top of Mind Integrates with Floify to Maximize Mortgage Loan Originators’ Sales Process

ATLANTA, Ga. -- Top of Mind Networks (Top of Mind), a leader in customer relationship management (CRM) and marketing automation software for the mortgage lending industry, announced its integration with digital mortgage point-of-sale solution Floify. The integration streamlines data flow between the CRM and POS systems, enabling automatic contact creation and loan milestone syncing. The combined solution empowers loan originators to effortlessly deploy Surefire workflows and award-winning content to prospects and in-process loan applicants for higher application conversion and loan pull-through rates.

"Surefire CRM and Floify work in tandem to deliver more loans that close with rule-based workflows and best-of-breed communications that guide borrowers through the customer journey," said Top of Mind VP of Sales Nick Belenky. "An especially high-volume year is the perfect time to take advantage of platform integrations that do the work for you, delighting customers and saving loan originators precious time."

Uniting to eliminate errors from customer databases, Surefire CRM and Floify ensure that no contact goes overlooked or unrecorded. New leads are automatically added to Surefire CRM from Floify loan flows and online 1003 applications. On the back end, Floify milestones sync with Surefire CRM's deal phases, making it easy to deploy timely content that keeps deals moving.

"In today's fast-paced mortgage industry, lenders want the speed and convenience of Floify's digital mortgage automation solution integrated with a robust CRM like Top of Mind's Surefire CRM," said Floify CEO Dave Sims. "Our partnership with Top of Mind has allowed us to combine these critically important systems to deliver a powerful mortgage lending platform and heightened borrower experience to our industry's tech-savvy loan originators."

About Top of Mind Networks:

Founded in 2003, Atlanta-based Top of Mind Networks (https://www.topofmind.com) started as a bootstrapped direct-mail marketing company. Today, the company is recognized as the mortgage industry's most-relied-upon provider of marketing automation and creative content solutions. From individuals to enterprise lenders, Top of Mind's SurefireCRM helps thousands of mortgage professionals win new business, earn repeat business and deserve referral business. With intuitive, "set it and forget it" workflows and award-winning content, mortgage professionals are able to effortlessly maintain and deepen their emotional connections with clients.

About Floify:

Floify is a digital mortgage point-of-sale solution that streamlines the loan process by providing a secure application, communication, and document portal between lenders, borrowers, referral partners, and other mortgage stakeholders. Loan originators use the platform to collect and verify borrower documentation, track loan progress, communicate with borrowers and real estate agents, and close loans faster. The company is based in Boulder, Colorado. For more information, visit the company's website at floify.com or on social media at Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter.

@mortgagecrm @Floify #marketingautomation #mortgagemarketing #digitalmortgage

Related link: https://www.topofmind.com/

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Oct, 29
2020
Business, Free News Articles

Strategic Benefits Advisors Urges 401(k) Plan Sponsors to Review Payroll Procedures Before Year’s End to Ensure SECURE Act Readiness

ATLANTA, Ga. -- Independent, full-service employee benefits consulting firm Strategic Benefits Advisors, Inc. (SBA) today issued guidance urging 401(k) plan sponsors to review their payroll systems and procedures in advance of January 1, 2021, to ensure compliance with the federal Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act.

The SECURE Act includes a mandatory requirement for plan sponsors to allow long-term, part-time employees to participate in 401(k) plans alongside full-time employees. Starting January 1, 2021, plan sponsors must begin counting hours for part-time employees who work at least 500 hours a year. Employees who work 500 hours for three consecutive years must be offered the opportunity to participate in their organization's 401(k) plan beginning in 2024.

"Plan sponsors who don't move fast will be hard-pressed to make necessary changes in just 60 days," said SBA Founding Principal Andy Adams. "Changes involving payroll providers and HRIS systems are notoriously time-consuming, so a sense of urgency is called for to ensure effective processes for counting hours are in place by January 1."

Historically, many retirement plan sponsors have only tracked hours for part-time employees who work 1,000 or more hours per year. Others have simplified timekeeping by crediting part-time employees a fixed number of hours for each day or pay period worked. Regardless of their approach for tracking hours or using equivalencies, plan sponsors will need to coordinate with their recordkeepers, payroll providers and HR information system (HRIS) providers to make a plan for crediting part-time employees who work 500 hours or more.

Counting hours for part-time employees is not always straightforward. To relieve themselves of the administrative burden of counting hours, some plan sponsors may decide to extend eligibility to all part-time employees, regardless of hours worked.

"The calculus behind the decision to extend eligibility to every part-time employee will vary greatly from one plan sponsor to the next depending on the size and nature of its workforce and its available resources," said Adams. "Plan sponsors will also need to decide whether newly eligible part-time employees should be allowed to share in employer contributions, as the SECURE Act leaves this decision entirely in employers' hands."

SBA recommends plan sponsors seek expert advice on how best to determine part-time employees' hours. The SECURE Act represents the most significant changes to employer-sponsored retirement plans in over a decade. SBA published a summary of the law's provisions in April 2019.

About Strategic Benefits Advisors

Strategic Benefits Advisors, Inc. (SBA) is an independent, full-service employee benefits consulting firm focused on creatively and effectively solving complex benefits challenges for clients ranging from 1,000 to over 300,000 employees. Founded in 2002 by veteran consultants Mindy Zatto and Andy Adams, SBA provides practical consulting recommendations and expert implementation of solutions for all types of employee benefits programs, including retirement, health and welfare, financial wellness and employee recognition. With an average of over 25 years in the field, SBA's team of actuaries, consultants and systems specialists is among the most experienced in the industry. For more information, visit https://www.sba-inc.com/.

@AtlBizChron #EmployeeBenefits #BenefitsConsulting #Top20Companies

Related link: http://www.sba-inc.com/

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Oct, 29
2020
Books and Publishing, Business, Entertainment, Free News Articles, Product Launches

Successful Dallas Author and Businesswoman releases the third book in her Advantage Series, designed to help entrepreneurial companies grow exponentially

DALLAS, Texas -- Many employees believe they aren't being paid to think. In "The Thinking Advantage," author Jill Young shares the dynamic algorithm for creating and building a strong company. When everyone at the company is really thinking, miraculous changes can happen!

EOS Implementer(R) Young has spent her career teaching business leaders how to improve their companies' health and performance. This new book, the third in her Advantage Series, presents four simple steps that will encourage bosses to turn up the volume on creative, productive thinking throughout the company, not just in the corner office.

Young says, "When your people come to you, your main priority is to engage them in thinking. They'll feel more valued when they are able to contribute their own thoughts and ideas. And you'll be glad you listened, and the whole company will win!"

"The Thinking Advantage" releases worldwide on October 30, 2020 and is available wherever books are sold.

More information is available at TractionFirst - https://www.tractionfirst.com/

What Others Have Said

Gino Wickman, author of the #1 bestseller, Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business and creator of EOS(R) (Entrepreneurial Operating System(R)) says, "The simple yet deep observations Jill shares in this book will get your people thinking, solving, and creating at a higher level."

"The Thinking Advantage is a delicious, four-layer 'How-to-Teach-Thinking Cake Box' filled with amazing icing and decoration recipes you can use to create your own cake," said Walt Brown, Certified EOS Implementer(R) and author of The Patient Organization and Death of the Org Chart.

And finally, Martha Diaz, Head of Finance at Smile Fort Worth remarks, "I love the way Jill breaks down the steps, algorithms, and modes in this book. They are presented in a way that's easy to understand. I have more than a few takeaways. What I've learned goes beyond business, and I know will help me personally, as well."

Young says, "Traditionally, we assigned the burden of thinking to leadership only; we expected only leaders to do the hard thinking. Just like we delegate the 'doing' throughout the organization, as we learn to navigate new technologies and complexities, thinking can no longer be a skill reserved for top leadership. Thinking needs to be a skill taught throughout the entire organization. The Thinking Advantage provides the tools to do just that."

About the Author

Jill Young grew up in an entrepreneurial family, learning early on the advantages of having a clear vision and doing what you say you'll do. Through the experience of her family's struggles and successes in business, Jill has become the dynamic and approachable leader she is today. She has a BS in Psychology, an MBA, and has held leadership positions in a variety of fields. Before becoming a full-time EOS Implementer in 2014, Jill was the president of a forward-thinking CPA firm, where she advised and guided clients using the EOS tools. Jill now implements EOS with over 80 companies and coaches entrepreneurs who are on a journey to become their best.

More information on these algorithms for exponential business growth is available at https://www.tractionfirst.com/.

Contact: Jill Young at Jill@TractionFirst.com

Related link: https://www.tractionfirst.com/

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Oct, 29
2020
Business, Free News Articles, Funding and Investment, Product Launches

Art of Caffeination Launches Kickstarter Campaign to Fund Clever Coffee Playing Cards

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Something new and exciting is brewing at Art of Caffeination, a new design business that focuses on products that are all things coffee. Its first product launch - a quick-reference deck of coffee playing cards - is designed for coffee lovers, enthusiasts and gamesters alike to not just have fun, but learn something too.

"Sip to Suit Cards About Coffee" is a handy deck of creatively crafted, quick-reference playing cards that feature coffee-making methods, drink formulas and helpful brew tips. The deck is sure to kick up any home coffee routine or game night.

The maker, Vincent Lam, tapped into his industrial design and graphic arts' expertise to create a deck of reference playing cards that eliminate the hassle and time of sorting through online resources or piles of notes. The playing cards aim to streamline brewing coffee and making drinks by presenting ingredients and brewing parameters through thoughtful visual graphics.

"Each method card has carefully researched brewing parameters and starting points, presented in easy-to-understand 'Brew Meters.' These 'Brew Meters' provide an illustrated reference for the user to adjust the brewing values to suit their taste," Lam says.

This comprehensive collection of brew methods and drink recipes will entice both coffee novices and connoisseurs. The cards feature critical brew information for 18 popular coffee-making methods, and 18 drink recipes, with 12 delightfully-designed court cards that have helpful guidance and educational tips about coffee and brewing.

The poker-size playing cards are meticulously designed and illustrated for quick-reference, and packaged in a coffee-inspired tuck box. Produced in premium black-core, linen-finish stock, the cards are suitable for exciting gameplay and collecting.

With coffee brewing tips at recipes at your fingertips, "Sip-to-Suit About Coffee Cards" are an essential part of any coffee lifestyle.

A Kickstarter campaign is in place to launch this new deck of reference playing cards, "Sip to Suit Cards About Coffee:" https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/aoc/sip-to-suit-cards-about-coffee

Instagram: @artofcaffeination - https://www.instagram.com/artofcaffeination/

Twitter: @artofcaff #coffee #coffeetime #coffeelover

About Art of Caffeination

Based in San Antonio, Texas, Art of Caffeination was founded by Vincent Lam, a professional industrial designer with 20 years' experience in consumer and medical product design. He's the recipient of multiple design awards, including Red Dot; iF (a product design award, conferred annually by the iF International Forum Design GmbH, based in Hanover, Germany); and IDEA Awards (International Design Excellence Award, a design award program held by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA)). Art of Caffeination applies the form-follows-function design approach to all things caffeinated to create useful and delightful products for all ages and interests.

MULTIMEDIA:

*VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/9PQd_C0POrA

*PHOTO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-1028s2p-Caffeination-300dpi.jpg
*Photo Caption: "Sip-To-Suit Cards About Coffee."

Related link: https://www.instagram.com/artofcaffeination/

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Oct, 29
2020
Business, Free News Articles

SimpleNexus ROI Calculator lets mortgage lenders accurately model the financial and operational benefits of investing in digital mortgage technology

LEHI, Utah -- SimpleNexus (https://simplenexus.com/), developer of the leading digital mortgage platform for loan officers, borrowers, real estate agents and settlement agents, today announced the availability of the SimpleNexus ROI Calculator. The self-service tool enables mortgage lenders to estimate their overall return on investment (ROI) in SimpleNexus by accurately modeling the digital mortgage platform's impacts on loan production revenue and operational expenses.

The calculator draws on the results of a third-party ROI study conducted by independent consulting and advisory firm MarketWise Advisors (MWA). The compiled results of MWA's analysis were baselined to develop a pro-forma tool for calculating lenders' expected ROI from SimpleNexus over time.

In just 30 seconds, the SimpleNexus ROI Calculator projects SimpleNexus' impacts on lender profitability, including estimated increases in net income, incremental gains in closed loans, origination cost savings and overall ROI. Users can also request a custom, in-depth ROI analysis.

"We are so confident in our ability to deliver superior value that we have launched a self-service tool that quantifies the sales and revenue benefits SimpleNexus can deliver based on the size and productivity of an organization. Just plug in a few numbers and see how SimpleNexus lines up," said SimpleNexus Co-founder Ben Miller.

About SimpleNexus, LLC:

SimpleNexus is the digital mortgage platform that enables lenders to originate and process loans from anywhere. The company's best-in-class, easy-to-use app connects loan officers to their borrowers, real estate agents and settlement service providers to easily communicate and exchange data in a single location throughout the entire loan life cycle. Loan officers can manage their loan pipelines, order credit, run pricing, send pre-approvals and sign disclosures - all on the go.

Twitter: @SimpleNexus #digitalmortgage #mortgagelending #domore #ROI

Related link: https://simplenexus.com/

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Oct, 29
2020
Business, Free News Articles, Reports and Studies

LBA Ware Issues Q3 2020 Mortgage Loan Originator Compensation Report, Enhances Analysis with Addition of Loan Processor Compensation Data

MACON, Ga. -- LBA Ware(TM), a leading provider of incentive compensation management (ICM) and business intelligence software solutions for the mortgage industry, today released summary statistics on the state of mortgage industry compensation in the third quarter of 2020. The firm's analysis of data from its CompenSafe(TM) ICM platform shows that year-over-year increases in refinance and purchase loan volume contributed to increased commissions for both loan originators (LOs) and loan processors.

Methodology

LBA Ware reviewed account data for mortgage lenders who used CompenSafe to automate incentive compensation throughout the third quarter of 2020. The controlled, sample dataset consisted of retail, first-lien production from LOs and loan processors with at least six funded loans during the three-month period beginning July 1, 2020, and ending September 30, 2020.

Key Findings

* Commissions earned by LOs in Q3 2020 increased 50% from Q3 2019, because the average LO funded 51% more volume in Q3 2020 ($2.6M per month) versus Q3 2019 ($1.7M per month).

* Refinance transactions accounted for 46% of total volume funded in the quarter (versus only 36% of total volume funded in Q3 2019). LOs averaged $1.2M in funded refinance volume per month, an increase of more than 75% over Q3 2019.

* Although paychecks were larger in Q3 2020 than Q3 2019, the uptick in refinance production contributed to a 0.9% decrease in per-loan commissions from 107 basis points in Q3 2019 to 106 basis points in Q3 2020. Refinance commissions averaged 100 basis points in Q3 2020 compared to 111 basis points paid out for purchase loans.

* Purchase volume grew year-over-year with LOs averaging $1.45M in funded purchase loans per month ($1.11M in Q3 2019) and receiving on average 110.8 basis points per purchase loan (109.8 in Q3 2019).

* Loan processors handled 30% more loans per month in Q3 2020 compared to Q3 2019, fueling a 54% increase in average incentive compensation earned from $5,105 in Q3 2019 to $7,855 per processor in Q3 2020.

"Increased loan volume continues to deliver big paydays for loan originators as well as for loan processors, many of whom earn per-loan unit bonuses," said LBA Ware Founder and CEO Lori Brewer. "The refi boom won't continue indefinitely, though, and we're already seeing some softening in refi volume even as consumer appetite for purchase loans sharpened in Q3."

About LBA Ware(TM):

LBA Ware is a leading provider of cloud-based software for mortgage lenders. Since 2008, LBA Ware has been on a mission to help mortgage companies reach new heights with software that integrates data, incentivizes performance and inspires results. Today, more than 100 lenders of all sizes, including some of the nation's top producing mortgage companies, use LBA Ware's award-winning technology to enhance lender experiences and maximize the human potential within their organizations. A 2019 Inc. 5000 fastest-growing private company, LBA Ware is headquartered in Macon, Georgia. For more information, visit https://www.lbaware.com/.

Twitter: @LBAWare #CompenSafe #mortgagetrends #LOcompensation

Related link: https://go.lbaware.com/

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Oct, 29
2020
Business, Free News Articles, Product Launches

Promontory MortgagePath Launches Initiative to Help Minority-Owned Financial Institutions Expand Mortgage Credit Access to Underserved Communities

DANBURY, Conn. -- Promontory MortgagePath LLC today launched its initiative to support minority depository institutions' (MDIs) efforts to expand access to credit and homeownership in underserved communities. Through this initiative, Promontory MortgagePath, a leading provider of comprehensive digital mortgage and tech-driven fulfillment solutions, will partner with minority-owned banks and credit unions, including community development financial institutions (CDFIs), to offer exclusive pricing, resources and joint-marketing opportunities to participating institutions.

"The challenges facing community banks in low- to moderate-income areas will not be fixed immediately," said Promontory MortgagePath CEO and Founder Gene Ludwig. "But we must take action now to ensure that these vital institutions are supported because when these institutions thrive, the positive impact on their communities is profound."

The initiative aims to accelerate the ability of minority-owned banks and depositories to help their communities. There are more than 1,100 certified CDFIs in the U.S., managing approximately $222 billion in assets and, of the more than 5,400 federally insured financial institutions in the U.S., 149 are MDIs. These institutions create jobs, increase access to affordable housing and expand financial opportunities for underserved communities. An Urban Institute study details the vital role of minority-owned banks, which often fill mortgage lending gaps left by other banks and hold a deeper understanding of their communities' needs. The study also found that Black-owned banks are disproportionately affected by financial crises.

Without the right tools, minority-owned banks that lack access to cost-effective mortgage fulfillment technology or do not offer mortgage lending could stand to miss out on their share of the trillion-dollar mortgage origination market. Not only does this put these institutions at a disadvantage relative to their peers, but it also limits wealth-building opportunities for the communities these institutions serve. According to the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances, homeowners possess a median net worth of $255,000, while the median net worth for renters is $6,300 (*see note 1).

Ludwig has long advocated for underserved communities, spotlighting the unique economic challenges they face. Throughout his career as former U.S. Comptroller of the Currency and founder of several notable financial services firms, Ludwig has demonstrated his passion for improving access to resources for all borrowers and lenders. In his recently published book, "The Vanishing American Dream," Ludwig leads a critical conversation on the plight of low- and moderate-income Americans, enlisting academics, politicians, CEOs and former presidential advisors to discuss the economic injustice that threatens so many Americans.

Earlier this month, the Community Development Bankers Association (CDBA) endorsed Promontory MortgagePath's mortgage fulfillment services and point-of-sale technology, recognizing the firm's alignment to CDBA's mission of promoting financial inclusion and opportunity among people and communities often left out of the economic mainstream. Promontory MortgagePath plans to work with the CDBA to identify strategic partners to participate in the initiative. MDIs and CDFIs that join the initiative will leverage Promontory MortgagePath's technology, U.S.-based mortgage fulfillment services and robust joint marketing program at an aggressive discount, fast-tracking their efforts to deepen and broaden their reach and expand access to homeownership in their communities.

"MDIs and CDFIs play a vital role in expanding access to credit and building wealth in the communities they serve," said Paul C. Katz, managing director and head of bank relations at Promontory MortgagePath. "Whether they are seeking to establish or grow their mortgage operations, Promontory MortgagePath is committed to partnering with these institutions to provide additional pathways to homeownership, and we highly encourage them to join the initiative."

MDIs or CDFIs interested in learning more about becoming strategic partners or joining this initiative should contact Katz at paul.katz@mortgagepath.com.

About Promontory MortgagePath LLC | NMLS ID 1532373

Promontory MortgagePath is a fast-growing team of passionate problem solvers on a mission to fundamentally change the way lenders approach their mortgage business. The company combines an intuitive, collaborative digital mortgage platform with modern, comprehensive fulfillment services, giving lenders the progressive technology and scalability required to profitably compete in today's rapidly changing residential mortgage market. Promontory MortgagePath's founder, former U.S. Comptroller of the Currency Gene Ludwig, is widely recognized as a visionary thinker on the critical issues confronting financial services, and his companies are renowned for their ability to help community lenders resolve their most pressing challenges. To learn more, https://www.mortgagepath.com.

*NOTE 1: https://www.federalreserve.gov/publications/files/scf20.pdf

Related link: https://www.mortgagepath.com/

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Oct, 28
2020
Business, Free News Articles, NonProfit and Charities

King David’s Masonic Lodge delivers laptops for underserved families to San Luis Coastal Education Foundation and StandStrong

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. -- King David's Masonic Lodge delivered the first batches of, hopefully many, laptops to San Luis Coastal Education Foundation and StandStrong based on urgent early request. The Laptop Drive, which will run through November 8th, is designed to provide help to less fortunate children and families in addressing the online education challenges.

"It has been outstanding to see the community come together during COVID-19 with this laptop drive. With the early donation success, we have been able to refurbish and donate laptops based on urgent requests. A laptop, for most, is a small thing, but for the students and families of our school system without sufficient means it makes a huge difference in their online advancement," said Andrew Brown, Lodge Master at King David's Lodge.

Urgent Needs Fulfilled

The need for laptops extends beyond children age student and into the adult education, as explained by Sally Ames, Coordinator of Adult Education Programs for San Luis Coastal Unified School District, who received the first batch of laptops donated on urgent request "Many of our Adult Education students in our High School Diploma and English as a Second Language programs do not have personal devices in their homes. The laptops provided will allow our students to access their education online."

"We are so grateful to the SLO Masons for our clients," said Jennifer Adams, Interim Executive Director, StandStrong. "Due to COVID-19, our clients and their school-age children are experiencing an increased need for technology. It is almost impossible for a victim of domestic violence to conduct job searches, apply online, and attend appointments during the same time their children attends online classes. These laptops empower our client families to do both, and the positive impact is difficult to overstate."

How to Donate

There is still time to donate. If you have an old laptop gathering dust, donate it. It not only will help our community, but King David's Lodge will also provide you with a donation receipt for tax purposes, refurbish and remove any existing data or programs.

To donate: 1. Drop-off your laptop in San Luis Obispo at Café Roma, or Central Coast Surfboards, or in Morro Bay at Sunshine Health Foods; or 2. For pick-up email kf6pbl@hotmail.com.

More information: https://www.facebook.com/KDL209/

About King David's Masonic Lodge:

Based in San Luis Obispo, California, King David's Masonic Lodge #209 has been helping the community including a mission of enhancing public education since 1870.

MEDIA ONLY CONTACT:
Michael Hammons
+1-949-502-1809
kmhammons@msn.com

Related link: https://www.facebook.com/KDL209/

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Oct, 28
2020
Entertainment, Free News Articles, General Editorial

Happy Halloween L.A.: Trick or Treating 2020 Style

PICO RIVERA, Calif. -- Did you think that Halloween festivities were out of the question this year due to the pandemic? Most communities are discouraging or banning house-to-house trick or treating to prevent virus transmission. All is not lost, however. Families can gather for Happy Halloween L.A., the largest, most immersive, drive-through event in Southern California. The event follows all COVID-19 rules and regulations as dictated by the "Los Angeles County Department of Public Health's Guidance for Celebrating Halloween." Along with the generous sponsorship of Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers and Vans Shoes, among others, it is the first joint venture of Life Changing Charities, a 502(c)(3) non-profit organization, and PartyWorks Interactive, a Southern California events company. The event is a great example of how industries are re-inventing themselves to address the limitations imposed by Covid-19.

Set in Pico Rivera Bicentennial Park, this one mile, no-contact event is an approximately 30-minute drive-through experience featuring four fun zones, a photo op, goodie bags, a virtual costume contest, and more. Attendees can listen to a narrative track on their FM radios as they slowly cruise through the event. Emphasis is on safe, family fun - nothing too frightening. Costumes are optional, but encouraged.

The Happy Halloween LA adventure consists of the following zones:

Zone A, Jurassic Adventure, is a trek through a primeval world and features life-size dinosaurs from 20 to 40 feet high. No worries, though, they're inflatables.

Zone B, Dia de Los Muertos, celebrates Mexico's famous "Day of the Dead" with larger-than-life props and mariachi music. This zone is certified muy bien.

Zone C, Crazy Kids Carnival, presents mind-bending magical illusions in a festive atmosphere. The illusions were designed by members of Hollywood's famed Magic Castle.

Zone D, Monster Alley, is where giant, 20-foot+ monsters hang out and loom over cars as they slowly cruise their way past. Lighting and sound effects guarantee a creepy, fun experience.

Zone E, Drive-Thru Photo Op Station, offers survivors a take-home printed photo of their vehicle-bound group, as well as a virtual digital photo sent to their e-mail within seconds.

Additional activities include a Virtual Costume Contest where contestants send their costume photos to the https://www.happyhalloweenla.com/ website, with photos displayed on a giant screen at the event site. Participants can vote on their favorites, and winners will receive prizes.

There will also be free packaged candy for the kids and fresh, cold, reusable Pathwater™ bottles for the adults (while supplies last).

The event takes place at Pico Rivera Bicentennial Park, 11003 Sports Arena Drive, Pico Rivera, CA 90601 and runs from October 15 through November 1, 2020.

Hours are 4 p.m. through 10 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 4 p.m. through 11 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. After dark attendance is recommended for an enhanced experience. Daylight hours are recommended for sensitive children. Tickets are available at the event, or advanced tickets (recommended) can be purchased at https://www.happyhalloweenla.com/.

Ticket prices are $60 per vehicle of up to four people ages three and up; there is no charge for children under the age of three. Additional passengers (ages three and up) are $10 each. Note that each person must be wearing a seat belt or be in a car seat. The total number of people in a vehicle cannot exceed the vehicle's legal capacity.

Attendees are not permitted to leave their vehicles and must wear face masks when opening their windows. Additional event information is available at www.happyhalloweenla.com.

Happy Halloween LA is sponsored by Improving Life Charities (http://www.improvinglifecharities.org), PartyWorks Interactive (http://www.partyworksinteractive.com), Your City Safari (http://www.yourcitysafari.com), Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers (http://www.raisingcanes.com), Univision/K-LOVE 107.5 (http://www.univision.com), Vans Shoes (www.vans.com), Safe Racks (http://www.saferacks.com), Pathwater (http://www.drinkpathwater.com), and LA Parent (http://www.laparent.com).

Happy Halloween LA is a division of South El Monte-based PartyWorks Interactive, a leading events company that has served the events industry for over 37 years. The company's recent Southern California drive-through events include Your City Safari (two events), Harvest Hunts, and Jurassic Adventure, which have entertained over 150,000 visitors.

Related link: https://www.partyworksinteractive.com/

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