Entertainment, Regional Events, SF Sketchfest

The Comedians with Disabilities Act makes its debut at SF Sketchfest at the Alameda Comedy Club!

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- The Comedians with Disabilities Act (CWDA) debuted in 2010 and has been going strong since. February 1, 2024 at the Alameda Comedy Club CWDA will make its SF Sketchfest debut. CWDA is a collection of comedians with disabilities, both seen and unseen. It was the brainchild of comedian Michael O'Connell. Michael passed away in 2016, but his comedy troupe lives on. Michael's legacy allows comedians with disabilities to develop their voices to receptive audiences across the country.

Steve Danner and Nina G are part of the original CWDA but have been joined by a cast of other talented Disabled comedians over the years. In addition to Nina and Steve, the SF Sketchfest show features CWDA regulars: Mean Dave, Michael Beers, Loren Kraut, Jade Theriault along with Hayden Kristal who will be joining the troupe for her first CWDA show!

Ticket information at: https://sfsketchfest2024.sched.com/event/1VUpj?iframe=no.

SF Sketchfest is a comedy festival taking place January 18 through February 4 in venues across San Francisco and the surrounding area. The multi-day festival will host more than 200 shows featuring major comedy stars and the best up-and-coming acts for sketch, stand-up, alternative comedy, music, improv, films, tributes, all-star reunions, live podcasts, and workshops. Now in its 21st year, SF Sketchfest is an internationally recognized, eclectic, and critically acclaimed festival that offers audiences a wide variety of special programming and the rare opportunity to see their favorite performers in intimate live settings.

The CWDA show will take place at the Alameda Comedy Club (in Alameda) on February 1, 2024.

SF Sketchfest featuring CWDA follows a trend in the larger entertainment industry: increase representation of the Disabled experience. Images of people with disabilities have traditionally been underrepresented and when they are it is often what many in the Disability community call "inspiration porn." The images are rarely complex, with Disabled individuals often being represented as "courageous," "overcoming obstacles" and "inspiring others." CWDA flips the script on all these images. The CWDA comedians speak about the awkward interactions they have with non-disabled people, reflections about their own disability experience as well as not talking about their disability at all. Their disabilities don't solely define these comedians but they also acknowledge the impact that it has had in their lives.

"CWDA being part of SF Sketchfest is a big deal because it shows that the disability experience is on the radar of comedy festival producers. The entertainment industry is finally seeing that there is a lot of talent in our community and that people want to hear about our experiences from us and not filtered through a Hollywood lens that doesn't challenge the status quo," adds comedian and lead producer of CWDA, Nina G. "That is why Disabled comedians are so important. They challenge how society thinks about disability and can help to change people's attitudes while also being hilarious and entertaining!"

These comedians are hilarious! This diverse group is formed each with a different disability experience and perspective. The following line up will be featured at SF Sketchfest.

Michael Beers won the Norman G. Brooks Comedy Competition at the Hollywood Improv in 2005. He was also the previous winner of Funny Fest (Calgary Comedy Festival) and has opened for comedians like Gilbert Gottfried. He is a sought-after keynote speaker on topics like humor, disability advocacy, education and community building.

Jade Theriault is a Forbes-recognized comedian who combines provocative thought with moving furniture. Jade is a regular at Alameda Comedy Club, Punch Line SF, Cobbs Comedy Club, Tommy T's, and the San Jose Improv where she opened for Jesus Trejo. Festival credits include SF Sketchfest, The Art of Female Comedy Festival (Wichita, KS), Palm Springs International Comedy Festival and the Westside Comedy Festival in Santa Monica, where she was honored for Best Joke of the Night. Jade starred in Malic Almaya's "RUN! " (2018), featured in Jeff Giordano's "Romantic Chorus" (2021), and was on an episode of MTV "Decoded" (2018).

Nina G is a comedian, author of Stutterer Interrupted and co-author of Bay Area Stand-Up Comedy: A Humorous History. In May 2023 her album debuted at #1 in Comedy on iTunes and Amazon. Her first comedy special, Nina G: Stutterer Interrupted, debuted in October 2023. She has shared the stage with comedy legends like Don Novello (aka Father Guido Sarducci), Mort Sahl and Disability activists like Judi Heumann and Jim Lebrect.

Mean Dave, a favorite in the San Francisco Bay Area, hosts several CWDA shows. Dave is in his tenth year of addiction recovery, which he ingeniously weaves into his humor. He's a regular at Punch Line SF & Sacramento, Cobbs Comedy Club, Laughs Unlimited, SJ Improv and has opened for many notable comedians like Josh Blue, Big Jay Oakerson, and Eddie Pepitone as well as performed at clubs and colleges across the U.S.

Steve Danner's comedy career began as an audience member at a comedy club. The comedian on stage started riffing with him. After Danner showcased his own riffing skills, the comic approached Danner after the show and suggested he give comedy a try. That soon launched a career as a comedian and producer. He's opened for many headliners such as "Last Comic Standing" winner, Felipe Esparza.

Hayden Kristal's quick wit and cheerful self-deprecation has earned her a spot as an "America's Got Talent" semifinalist, roles on Adult Swim/HBO Max's "Tuca and Bertie," and over a million followers on social media, but her true talent lies in naming horses things you might name a shelter cat. Hayden lives in rural Colorado with her four-legged friends Squidward, Chicken Elizabeth Nugget, Donkey Devito, and Debbi from Accounting.

In February, CWDA will have multiple shows in Northern California. Each show will have a different line up with Michael Beers headlining in Sacramento and Santa Rosa.

INFORMATION ON ALL SHOWS IS BELOW:

February 1, 2024: SF Sketchfest at the Alameda Comedy Club: 2431 Central Avenue, Alameda.

February 2, 2024 at the Veterans of Foreign Wars: 2784 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento.

February 3, 2024 at Barrel Proof Comedy: 501 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa.

February 15, 2024 at Woodhouse Blending and Brewing: 119 Madrone St, Santa Cruz.

Ticket information and updates at: https://comedianswithdisabilitiesact.com/.

ABOUT SF SKETCHFEST:

SF Sketchfest, co-founded and directed by David Owen, Cole Stratton, and Janet Varney, produces the eclectic San Francisco Comedy Festival, the longest-running comedy festival in the U.S. SF Sketchfest is an internationally recognized and critically acclaimed event that mixes major comedy stars and the best up-and-coming comedians from around the world for over two weeks of sketch, stand-up, alternative comedy, music, improv, films, tributes, live podcasts, workshops, and panel discussions. SF Sketchfest offers its audiences the rare opportunity to see their favorite performers in intimate live performances and discussions.

In past years, SF Sketchfest has featured renowned comedy artists such as: Aziz Ansari, Fred Armisen, Dan Aykroyd, Maria Bamford, Dave Barry, Mike Birbiglia, Jack Black, Rachel Bloom, Carol Burnett, Dana Carvey, Cheech & Chong, Margaret Cho, Billy Crystal, Noel Fielding, Zach Galifianakis, Ricky Gervais, Christopher Guest, Eddie Izzard, Monty Python's Terry Jones, Key & Peele, Eugene Levy, Michael McKean, Kate McKinnon, Tig Notaro, Conan O'Brien, Catherine O'Hara, Patton Oswalt, Penn & Teller, Amy Poehler, Paul Reubens, Mort Sahl, Amy Schumer, Amy Sedaris, Garry Shandling, Harry Shearer, Robert Townsend, Aisha Tyler, George Wallace, Reggie Watts, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Robin Williams, and "Weird Al" Yankovic. The festival has also hosted film and television stars including Alan Arkin, Will Arnett, Candice Bergen, Bruce Campbell, Lizzy Caplan, Dick Cavett, Bud Cort, Ted Danson, Laura Dern, Danny DeVito, Sally Field, Nathan Fillion, Jeff Goldblum, Elliott Gould, Jon Hamm, Neil Patrick Harris, Bill Irwin, Ricky Jay, Rashida Jones, Cloris Leachman, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jane Lynch, Parker Posey, Paul Rudd, Jason Schwartzman, Adam Scott, Jason Segel, Tony Shalhoub, and Gene Wilder; ensemble comedy groups The Kids in the Hall, Mr. Show, "Mystery Science Theater 3000," The State, "Drunk History" and the Upright Citizens Brigade; reunions of the casts of "Best in Show," "Airplane!" "Wet Hot American Summer," "Animal House," "Twin Peaks" and "Party Down"; musical guests David Byrne, Bill Frisell, Ben Gibbard, Tenacious D, Aimee Mann, The Monkees, Bob Mould, Rhett Miller, tUnE-yArDs, Nellie McKay, Robert Glasper, and many more.

LEARN MORE: https://sfsketchfest2024.sched.com/event/1VUpj?iframe=no

Related link: https://comedianswithdisabilitiesact.com/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Business, Regional Events

FormFree president Eric Lapin to speak on artificial intelligence at MISMO Winter Summit

ATHENS, Ga. -- FormFree® today announced its President Eric Lapin has been selected to speak at the MISMO Winter Summit taking place January 8-11, 2024, at The Woodlands Resort just outside of Houston, Texas. Lapin will speak on a panel titled "Demystifying Artificial Intelligence, Digital Identity and Blockchain" during a brown-bag lunch session on January 9 from 12:30 pm-1:25 pm CT. He will be joined by fellow panelists Devin Caster, principal, product solutions at CoreLogic; Rishi Godse, principal technical architect at USAA; and Shawn Jobe, vice president and head of business development at Informative Research.

A mortgage industry veteran of more than 25 years, Lapin's experience at FormFree and past leadership roles at Old Republic (NYSE: ORI), Black Knight (NYSE: BKI), Credit Suisse (NYSE: CS) and Provident Bank (acquired by PNC) have made him an in-demand speaker on AI, blockchain and other innovative topics related to housing finance technology. His past speaking engagements include the Conference of State Bank Supervisors' Regulatory Summit, the Government Blockchain Association's Blockchain and Infrastructure Conference, Experience FinXTech and NAHREP's TechCon.

"Lenders that want to maintain their innovative edge in 2024 and beyond need to keep pace with the fast-evolving field of artificial intelligence and understand the risks and opportunities it presents to originators, investors and consumers," said Lapin. "By bringing this essential content to its Winter Summit, MISMO is helping mortgage finance leaders prepare for a fundamental shift in the way we do business."

The Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization (MISMO®) is a not-for-profit, wholly owned subsidiary of the Mortgage Bankers Association responsible for developing standards for exchanging information and conducting business in the U.S. mortgage finance industry. Its three annual summits (Winter, Summer and Fall) facilitate networking and collaboration among industry colleagues while providing opportunities to learn the latest mortgage industry updates.

To register for MISMO's Winter Summit, visit https://www.mismo.org/events-education/mismo-summit-.

About FormFree®:

FormFree empowers consumers to understand their ability to pay and share it with lenders like never before. Using FormFree's Passport® app, consumers can verify all the core financial data required by loan underwriters - including identity, assets, income, employment credit history and cash-flow data - in seconds. Once consumers are ready to transact, they can anonymously share their verified data on the FormFree Exchange (FFX) and receive immediate offers from a marketplace of lenders who fully understand their ability to pay, residual income and eligibility for down payment assistance and inclusive lending programs. For more information, visit https://www.formfree.com/ or follow FormFree on LinkedIn.

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

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Entertainment, Regional Events, San Francisco new years eve, Society of Single Professionals

Bay Area New Year’s Eve 2023-2024 by Professionals Guild and The Society of Single Professionals

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- Professionals Guild ( https://TheBestNewYears.com ) and the Society of Single Professionals ( https://ThePartyHotline.com ) announced a Bay Area New Year's Eve Party for singles and couples at the Chicken Pie Shop and bar in Walnut Creek ( https://chickenpieshopwc.com ) on Dec. 31, 2023.

This East Bay New Year's Eve party includes an optional New Year's Eve Dinner, DJ dancing, a Balloon Drop, and a Champagne Toast followed by more dancing. Adults of all ages 21 and up are welcome.

New Year's Eve Tickets may be purchased at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/best-new-years-eve-party-in-the-bay-area-tickets-759183928567

"The Chicken Pie Shop is a wonderful location for a New Year's Eve Dinner/Dance Celebration," said Phil Seyer, Director of Professionals Guild. "It has a spacious dance floor, a built-in sound system, uniquely crafted drinks, and a full-service restaurant."

Mr. Seyer also said, "We are proud to announce that thanks to the Society of Single Professionals, one-half of all profits from this event will go to the Seva Foundation, an organization devoted to performing cataract surgery to give the gift of sight to the visually impaired."

This New Year's Eve dinner dance costs just $75, and a party-only ticket costs $50.

Party attendees may purchase traditional drinks from the bar or get specially crafted drinks like a Buffalo Trace Barrel-Aged Manhattan, a Cucumber Basil Gimlet, or other uniquely crafted cocktails.

A diverse mix of adults 21+ attends this event. Most are in their 30's, 40's, 50's, and 60's -- some younger, some older. Dress code: semi-formal to formal.

Learn more about the Professionals Guild at: https://www.pguild.com/

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

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Entertainment, Forever Since Heedfest, Guided By Voices band, Regional Events, Textbook Committee

Guided By Voices Fans to Celebrate Band at Special Boston-Area Event

BOSTON, Mass. -- The venerable indie rock band Guided By Voices (GBV) recently celebrated 40 years of music with several thousand fans in its hometown of Dayton, Ohio, performing two sold-out shows at the Dayton Masonic Center over Labor Day weekend. In the spirit of bringing that celebration to Boston, four local fans (calling themselves the Textbook Committee) have organized Forever Since Heedfest, which brings three GBV tribute bands and diehard fans from near and far to Warehouse XI in Somerville, MA this February.

The "Dayton GBV40" weekend saw some fans attending from as far away as Australia, and the city of Dayton was alive with the camaraderie of fans that insist online - tongue-in-cheek - that the fanbase is #notacult. In between performances, hundreds trekked to the Bandshell at Metro Park, the site of the first Guided By Voices show in 1983, and otherwise joined together in groups small and large to celebrate the band and its history. One local fan even opened his home to about 100 fans, who took in an afternoon performance from Teenage FBI, a GBV tribute band led by superfan Stephen Risley.

On February 10, the New Jersey-based Teenage FBI will join GBV tribute bands Cul de Sac Kids of Pittsburgh and hometown headliner Guided By Choices for Forever Since Heedfest, a regional celebration intended to bridge the gap between the annual Labor Day weekend "Heedfest" fan gatherings in Dayton. Tickets went on sale November 10 and in GBV fan fashion are moving fast, with fans from as far away as Seattle confirming attendance.

While loose discussion of a Boston event has circulated among local fans for several years, the seeds of Forever Since Heedfest, a playful riff on the band's 1986 debut EP Forever Since Breakfast, were firmly planted over the Dayton GBV40 weekend. Earlier this month, longtime fans Allison Ryder, Brian Galante, Dan Cortez and Tim Bugbee formed the Textbook Committee to plan and promote the event. The task is not a revenue-generating initiative; it is simply a labor of love for four friends with full-time jobs unrelated to concert promotion.

"Guided By Voices has a special community of diehard and casual fans that come together for shows throughout the United States and share a common bond - a love of the songbook and the band members themselves, who return that love with up to three hours of music at each show," said Ryder, the natural leader of the Textbook Committee, who has traveled to seven states to see GBV live since 2021. "Something unspoken happens when the fans come together, as was in strong evidence at GBV40 last summer. We want to bring that camaraderie to Boston, even if on a much smaller scale."

"The ultimate hope is to establish an annual tradition here in Boston that can be replicated and evolved by fans in other cities," added Cortez, a longtime fan with playful anecdotes of spending time with the band offstage as far back as the 1990s.

GBV bandleader Robert Pollard - GBV's principal songwriter and vocalist over four decades - regularly acknowledges his fans from the stage, clearly absorbing the crowd's adoration and reflecting it back through his energetic performances and trademark high leg kicks. Pollard and his bandmates - lead guitarist Doug Gillard, rhythm guitarist Bobby Bare Jr., bassist Mark Shue, and drummer Kevin March - share another common thread with the GBV fanbase: A love of Miller Lite, which the band liberally consumes from the stage at nearly every show.

There will be plenty of Miller Lite and other adult (and non-alcoholic) beverage options at the three-hour event, which begins at 7:30pm that Saturday evening. Additional bands are in discussions to join the bill at press time, and the Textbook Committee is also planning an art and photography display to add visual flair to the proceedings. That includes professional imagery of GBV in action taken by Bugbee, who moonlights as a live music photographer.

The event is 21+ and open to all.

Advance tickets are $20 and can be purchased at http://24hourconcerts.showare.com/FSHWHXI, and are $25 day of show. And in true GBV fan fashion, expect a party - or several parties - to break out in the city over the weekend.

Visit the Forever Since Heedfest event page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/246156221475441/ for more information.

About Textbook Committee:

The Textbook Committee was formed by four Boston-area professionals who came together as music fans and friends to establish the maiden Forever Since Breakfast event with the goal of creating an annual gathering in New England for regional Guided By Voices fans. The four Textbook Committee members work in engineering (Allison Ryder), pharmaceuticals (Tim Bugbee), public relations (Brian Galante) and social services (Dan Cortez), and have teamed up to bring their various skillsets to support sales, marketing, venue/band bookings and general event planning initiatives.

Related link: https://www.facebook.com/events/246156221475441/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Entertainment, Forever Since Heedfest, Guided By Voices band, Regional Events, Textbook Committee

Guided By Voices Fans to Celebrate Band at Special Boston-Area Event

BOSTON, Mass. -- The venerable indie rock band Guided By Voices (GBV) recently celebrated 40 years of music with several thousand fans in its hometown of Dayton, Ohio, performing two sold-out shows at the Dayton Masonic Center over Labor Day weekend. In the spirit of bringing that celebration to Boston, four local fans (calling themselves the Textbook Committee) have organized Forever Since Heedfest, which brings three GBV tribute bands and diehard fans from near and far to Warehouse XI in Somerville, MA this February.

The "Dayton GBV40" weekend saw some fans attending from as far away as Australia, and the city of Dayton was alive with the camaraderie of fans that insist online - tongue-in-cheek - that the fanbase is #notacult. In between performances, hundreds trekked to the Bandshell at Metro Park, the site of the first Guided By Voices show in 1983, and otherwise joined together in groups small and large to celebrate the band and its history. One local fan even opened his home to about 100 fans, who took in an afternoon performance from Teenage FBI, a GBV tribute band led by superfan Stephen Risley.

On February 10, the New Jersey-based Teenage FBI will join GBV tribute bands Cul de Sac Kids of Pittsburgh and hometown headliner Guided By Choices for Forever Since Heedfest, a regional celebration intended to bridge the gap between the annual Labor Day weekend "Heedfest" fan gatherings in Dayton. Tickets went on sale November 10 and in GBV fan fashion are moving fast, with fans from as far away as Seattle confirming attendance.

While loose discussion of a Boston event has circulated among local fans for several years, the seeds of Forever Since Heedfest, a playful riff on the band's 1986 debut EP Forever Since Breakfast, were firmly planted over the Dayton GBV40 weekend. Earlier this month, longtime fans Allison Ryder, Brian Galante, Dan Cortez and Tim Bugbee formed the Textbook Committee to plan and promote the event. The task is not a revenue-generating initiative; it is simply a labor of love for four friends with full-time jobs unrelated to concert promotion.

"Guided By Voices has a special community of diehard and casual fans that come together for shows throughout the United States and share a common bond - a love of the songbook and the band members themselves, who return that love with up to three hours of music at each show," said Ryder, the natural leader of the Textbook Committee, who has traveled to seven states to see GBV live since 2021. "Something unspoken happens when the fans come together, as was in strong evidence at GBV40 last summer. We want to bring that camaraderie to Boston, even if on a much smaller scale."

"The ultimate hope is to establish an annual tradition here in Boston that can be replicated and evolved by fans in other cities," added Cortez, a longtime fan with playful anecdotes of spending time with the band offstage as far back as the 1990s.

GBV bandleader Robert Pollard - GBV's principal songwriter and vocalist over four decades - regularly acknowledges his fans from the stage, clearly absorbing the crowd's adoration and reflecting it back through his energetic performances and trademark high leg kicks. Pollard and his bandmates - lead guitarist Doug Gillard, rhythm guitarist Bobby Bare Jr., bassist Mark Shue, and drummer Kevin March - share another common thread with the GBV fanbase: A love of Miller Lite, which the band liberally consumes from the stage at nearly every show.

There will be plenty of Miller Lite and other adult (and non-alcoholic) beverage options at the three-hour event, which begins at 7:30pm that Saturday evening. Additional bands are in discussions to join the bill at press time, and the Textbook Committee is also planning an art and photography display to add visual flair to the proceedings. That includes professional imagery of GBV in action taken by Bugbee, who moonlights as a live music photographer.

The event is 21+ and open to all.

Advance tickets are $20 and can be purchased at http://24hourconcerts.showare.com/FSHWHXI, and are $25 day of show. And in true GBV fan fashion, expect a party - or several parties - to break out in the city over the weekend.

Visit the Forever Since Heedfest event page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/246156221475441/ for more information.

About Textbook Committee:

The Textbook Committee was formed by four Boston-area professionals who came together as music fans and friends to establish the maiden Forever Since Breakfast event with the goal of creating an annual gathering in New England for regional Guided By Voices fans. The four Textbook Committee members work in engineering (Allison Ryder), pharmaceuticals (Tim Bugbee), public relations (Brian Galante) and social services (Dan Cortez), and have teamed up to bring their various skillsets to support sales, marketing, venue/band bookings and general event planning initiatives.

Related link: https://www.facebook.com/events/246156221475441/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Aerospace and Aviation, Regional Events

NGPA Winter Warm-Up Registration Now Open – NGPA Celebrates 10th Industry Expo

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. -- The NGPA is thrilled to announce another captivating series of events set to take place in the sunny city of Palm Springs. The NGPA Palm Springs Events will encompass a wide range of activities, including a career fair, industry expo, networking socials, a weekend fly-in, member socials, hiring sessions, and LGBTQ+ advocacy breakout sessions.

NGPA recognizes the continued importance of fostering diversity and inclusion within the field. The NGPA Palm Springs Events will serve as a platform for LGBTQ+ individuals who are already established pilots or aspiring to launch their aviation careers. This year, the organization celebrates its 10th annual career expo. There, participants will have the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, aviation organizations, and fellow aviators in an atmosphere of inclusivity and support.

Alyssa Ciardiello, Chair of the NGPA Events Committee, says: "This year the organization is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Industry Expo presented by United Airlines-it is incredible to see how the event has grown in exhibitor presence. I am looking forward to the new keynote luncheons on the schedule for this year.

"It's also worth mentioning that this year is the 30th anniversary of the organization's flagship event, Winter Warm-Up, presented by American Airlines. Over the course of the weekend, the NGPA will celebrate the impacts it has made in the LGBTQ+ Aviation Community over the past decades as well as reveal what we can expect to see more of in the future."

NGPA is committed to creating an atmosphere where individuals can embrace their authentic selves and pursue their passion for aviation without discrimination. This event exemplifies the organization's dedication to promoting diversity, inclusion, and representation within the aviation industry.

Alyssa also noted: "New this year is an a la carte ticket pricing option. For those not available for the entire event or who wish to join only a portion of it, your event shopping cart can be catered to how you want to spend your time at the Winter Warm-Up presented by American Airlines. Sign up now before prices go up in mid-December!"

Registration is open and more detailed information about the NGPA Palm Springs event can be found on the NGPA website at https://www.ngpa.org/winter_warm_up.

Don't miss this extraordinary opportunity to be a part of a transformative aviation experience, celebrating diversity, advocacy, and the spirit of flight. Join us in Palm Springs for what promises to be an unforgettable event.

About The NGPA:

The NGPA is a non-profit organization based in Minneapolis. Founded in 1990, NGPA is an international organization of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) aviation professionals and enthusiasts. Our organization aims to encourage individuals to begin aviation careers, foster an environment of equality for LGBTQ+ aviators, promote safety, and establish personal and professional networks. The NGPA makes this a reality through education, outreach, and social events. Our organization is run by a board of directors, executive leadership, and volunteers! For more information, visit https://www.ngpa.org/.

Related link: https://www.ngpa.org/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Business, Free News Articles, Regional Events

Capital Auto Group Sponsors Make-A-Wish Event Set for December 16, 2023

CARY, N.C. -- Capital Auto Group is proud to announce a sponsorship of an exciting Make-A-Wish Foundation event, scheduled for December 16, 2023, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Dave and Buster's in Cary. The networks of dealerships, which includes Capital Ford, Capital Chevrolet, Capital Ford of Rocky Mount, Capital Ford of Lillington, Capital Lincoln of Cary, Capital Mazda of Cary, Capital Chrysler Jeep Dodge, Capital Ford of Hillsborough, and Hillsborough Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, are thrilled to support this memorable event and to celebrate the local Make-A-Wish families.

The event will take place at Dave and Buster's, located at 1111 Walnut St, Cary, NC 27511 and invites the exceptional Make-A-Wish families to attend for a day full of joy, laughter, and games.

About Capital Auto Group:

Capital Auto Group is a leading network of dealerships located throughout North Carolina dedicated to providing exceptional service, quality vehicles, and community engagement. With a commitment to making a positive impact, dealerships actively participate in various charitable initiatives to support and uplift their local community.

For more information about Capital Auto Group, please visit https://capitalautogroup.com/.

About Make-A-Wish Foundation:

The Make-A-Wish(r) Foundation seeks to bring every eligible child's wish to life because every child deserves a childhood. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight their illness.

With the help of generous donors and more than 32,000 volunteers worldwide, Make-A-Wish has collectively granted more than 520,000 wishes worldwide, making it the world's largest wish-granting organization.

For more information about Make-A-Wish, please visit https://wish.org/.

MEDIA ONLY CONTACT:

Melissa Clark

Sokal

Office: (919) 872-9410

Related link: https://capitalautogroup.com/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Entertainment, Free News Articles, General Editorial, Regional Events

Christmas at Schnepf Farms Returns for Its Fifth Consecutive Year

QUEEN CREEK, Ariz. -- Just in time for the holiday season, Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek is transforming into a magical winter wonderland, slated to open the day after Thanksgiving. Christmas at Schnepf Farms spans more than 30 acres of the east valley farm and is filled with lights and more than 40 holiday-themed attractions to delight the entire family.

In addition to a new petting zoo, visitors can take a hayride to feed the reindeer, listen to carolers and stop by Santa's workshop, which offers a letter-writing station with authentic mailboxes to send notes to the North Pole. Also on the list of attractions is a giant Christmas-themed obstacle course, pinecone decorating and other crafts for kids, ice skating and snow-globe mini golf.

Another highlight of Christmas at Schnepf Farms is the Illumination Express train ride, where guests can experience a train trip through an RGB LED tunnel that doubles as Santa's magic portal. When finished, visitors can soak up the warmth of one of the farm's Christmas campfires, complete with the option of an added-on s'mores kit. In addition to a variety of food vendors and food trucks, adults can enjoy a large beer and wine garden while the children explore the park. This year single-serve wine bottles, holiday craft cocktails and a coffee and hot chocolate bar are all available to aid in the merriment.

"This is the fifth year that Christmas at Schnepf Farms has been open during the holidays and it's set to be our biggest and best yet," said one of the farm's organizers, Callie Graham. "With such a wide variety of rides, shops, treats and festive attractions, it's the one place the whole family can all agree on during the Christmas season."

It is highly recommended that guests purchase tickets in advance at www.schnepfchristmas.com. Ticket prices begin at $18.95 online for the twilight ticket, which begins at 7:30 PM. Those who wish to arrive early at 5:00 PM can purchase a general admission ticket for $22.95 online. Children 2 years of age and under are free of charge.

Christmas at Schnepf Farms runs Thursday through Sunday, beginning November 24 until December 24 and is open all week leading up to Christmas Eve.

For more information, visit https://schnepfchristmas.com/.

Related link: https://schnepfchristmas.com/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Business, Free News Articles, Regional Events, Surgery and Neurotechnology

Emerging Neurotechnology Startups to Present at 2023 Neurotech Leaders Forum in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- Neurotech Reports, the publisher of the Neurotech Business Report newsletter, announced that several promising neurotechnology startups and early-stage firms will present at the 2023 Neurotech Leaders Forum in San Francisco, November 6-7. The 23rd annual event-the most established in the industry-will also feature presentations and panel discussions on important issues confronting the neurotechnology industry.

Among the new and emerging neurotech firms presenting at the conference are Opto Biosystems, a U.K. developer of novel diagnostics for brain cancer, NeuraLace Medical, a San Diego-based manufacturer of noninvasive therapies for treating chronic pain, Spark Biomedical, a Texas firm developing noninvasive therapies for treating addiction, and Harmonic Pain Solutions, an Atlanta, GA-area developer of wearable pain devices that use mechanical stimulation.

Jim Schuermann, president and CEO of Saluda Medical, will deliver the keynote address on the morning of November 6. He will speak on the topic "New Directions in Neuromodulation."

Daniel Kraft, founder of NextMed Health, chair of medicine for Singularity University, and chair of the XPrize Pandemic & Health Alliance, will deliver a keynote address on November 7 devoted to the topic, "The Future of Health and Medicine: Where Can Technology Take Us?" Kraft is board certified in internal medicine and pediatrics and completed fellowships in hematology/oncology and bone marrow transplantation at Stanford. He has given six TED & TEDMED talks.

Another featured presenter will be Prasad Shirvalkar, an associate professor at UC San Francisco School of Medicine, who recently co-authored a seminal paper relating to pain biomarkers. Chris Rozell, a professor at Georgia Tech, who recently coauthored a paper on biomarkers for depression, will also make a presentation at the event.

Neurotech Reports senior contributing editor JoJo Platt will moderate a panel titled "Neurotech Investment: Bouncing Back from the Downturn," which will feature advice and recommendations from several venture capital professionals, including Sara Shnider from Joy Ventures, Martin Dieck from Neurotechnology Investors, and Suraj Mudichintala from Action Potential Venture Capital.

Neurotech Reports senior consulting editor Jeremy Koff will moderate a session titled "Changing Landscape: New SCS and PNS Vendors Enter the Scene," which will examine the current competitive environment in neuromodulation. Neurotech Reports editor James Cavuoto will moderate a session titled "Interpreting the Data: Neuromodulation Vendors Ward Off Negative Publications. And Neurotech Reports contributing editor Victor Pikov will moderate a session titled "Choosing Our Role Models: What Neurotech Can Learn from Other Healthcare Industries."

The Platinum Sponsor at this year's event is Cirtec Medical. Micro Systems Technology is the Gold Sponsor. Valtronic, Velentium, Focus, Neo-Bionica, and Iris Biomedical are Silver Sponsors, while TTP and Microdul are Bronze sponsors.

For more information on attending or sponsoring, contact Neurotech Reports at 415 546 1259 or visit this link: https://neurotechreports.com/pages/leadersforum.html

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

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Awards and Honors, Business, Free News Articles, Regional Events

Nandita Bakhshi to Join Teresa Bryce Bazemore in Conversation at Financial Women of San Francisco’s Annual Event

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- Financial Women of San Francisco (FWSF) today announced that Nandita Bakhshi, Special Advisor and Board Member at BMO Financial Group and Former CEO of Bank of the West, will be the guest moderator as FWSF honors Teresa Bryce Bazemore, President and CEO of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, at the 2023 Financial Woman of the Year luncheon in San Francisco, CA on Tuesday, November 7, 2023.

As the FWSF announced earlier this year, Teresa Bryce Bazemore is being honored as the FWSF's 2023 Financial Woman of the Year. This honor culminates with this annual event at which Ms. Bazemore and Ms. Bakhshi will engage in a fireside chat to share their professional and personal journeys and leadership perspectives.

Nandita and Teresa are uniquely connected as two of the most admired, influential, and recognized women leaders in the nation. This event presents a significant and rare opportunity to hear directly from them both on a wide range of subjects, including their unique paths to achieving transformative business results while leading inclusively, equitably, sustainably, and with purpose.

The FWSF annual event featuring Nandita and Teresa's fireside chat will take place on Tuesday, November 7th, 2023, at the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero in San Francisco, California. All proceeds benefit the FWSF's scholarship fund (a 501(c)3 nonprofit) which provides scholarships to graduate and undergraduate women studying finance and financial services. This next generation of financial leaders will also be a focus of this in-depth fireside chat, and many of the organization's current and past scholarship recipients will be in attendance.

More information about the FWSF annual event and sponsorship opportunities can be found on the FWSF website or by reaching out to info@financialwomensf.org

Learn more: https://financialwomensf.org/event-calendar#id=435&cid=1390&wid=1201

About Nandita Bakhshi:

Nandita Bakhshi rose through adversity as an immigrant and part-time bank teller to become one of few women CEOs of a major bank in the US. She has devoted her career to inclusive, transformational, and forward-looking leadership while consistently delivering operational excellence and tangible results.

As the CEO of Bank of the West, Nandita led a digital transformation that turned the company into one of the leading sustainable banks in the U.S. while improving profitability, efficiency, and customer satisfaction, culminating in a successful acquisition by BMO Financial Group. Under Nandita's leadership, Bank of the West became one of the nation's best employers for women, diversity, and LGBTQ equality.

As a senior executive at major organizations including TD Bank, Bank of America, First Data and Washington Mutual, Nandita has spearheaded innovation in digital channels and mobile payments, while also strengthening compliance and reducing operational risk in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment.

Nandita has been recognized as one of the most influential women in business in the San Francisco Bay Area and in the U.S. In 2021, the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco appointed Nandita to represent the 12th District on the Federal Advisory Council. She serves on the Board of Directors of BMO Financial Corp; Grameen America; the Supervisory Board of The Clearing House; and the Board of Directors of the U.S. India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF). She is also a member of the Pacific Bankers Management Institute Board of Directors at the Pacific Coast Banking School (PCBS). Nandita holds a Master of Arts in international relations from Jadavpur University and a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of Calcutta.

About Teresa Bryce Bazemore:

Teresa Bryce Bazemore joined FHLBank San Francisco as president and chief executive officer in March 2021. She is a seasoned leader with more than 30 years of executive experience building and leading both mortgage insurance and services businesses. As president of Radian Guaranty from 2008 until 2017, she oversaw strategic planning, business development, and operations for the mortgage insurance business line. Prior to becoming president, she served as Radian's executive vice president, general counsel, corporate secretary, and chief risk officer.

Prior to Radian, Ms. Bazemore was senior vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary for Nexstar Financial Corporation and general counsel for the mortgage banking line of business at Bank of America. Ms. Bazemore served on FHLBank Pittsburgh's Board of Directors from 2017 to 2019. She currently serves as audit committee chair on the Boards of T. Rowe Price Funds and First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.

Professional appointments she has held include Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Economic Advisory Council, Fannie Mae National Advisory Council, and Consumer Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve. She has also received numerous honors, including the 2017 Trailblazer Award from The National Association of Minority Mortgage Bankers of America, Smart CEO Magazine's Brava! Women Business Achievement Award, and a Distinguished Service Award from the Mortgage Bankers Association of America. In 2022, Ms. Bazemore was named one of Savoy magazine's 2022 Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America.

She received her B.A. from the University of Virginia and J.D. from Columbia University.

To learn more about Teresa Bryce Bazemore's incredible leadership and career, please visit: https://www.fhlbsf.com/about/leadership/leadership-team

About Financial Women of San Francisco:

The Financial Women of San Francisco seeks to advance the success of women in finance and financial services and to be a source of insight and inspiration to financial women executives and managers throughout the Bay Area. In addition to the FWSF's professional organization focused on advancing women, since 1985, the FWSF Scholarship Fund (a 501(c)3 organization) has awarded more than $2.7 million in scholarship grants to more than 325 Bay Area women. Beyond financial support, FWSF scholarship recipients are mentored by FWSF members, become members of the organization, and attend career development and networking events.

For more information, please visit https://financialwomensf.org/ follow Financial Women of San Francisco on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Related link: https://financialwomensf.org/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022