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Toy Junkies Creates Peer-to-Peer Rental Marketplace for Recreational Sports Enthusiasts

Black Dog Venture Partners

Toy Junkies announces the creation of their proprietary peer-to-peer consolidated rental software catering to the adventure sports market — this online platform allows sports enthusiasts to list their “toys” for rent or rent “toys” from vendors. It will also provide the opportunity for travel hosts and event planners to have access to “toy” rentals listed on the website at a discounted rate. The company also announced that it has retained Black Dog Venture Partners for Business Development and Strategic Partnerships. Toy Junkies’ strategy is to offer an even playing field for vendors of all sizes anytime, anywhere in the world. Its online, secure environment provides verified background checks and access to a unique recreational sports enthusiast community. Toy Junkies will transform the online rental experience. Scott Kelly, CEO of Black Dog Venture Partners, commented, “The Toy Junkies’ team has 100+ years of combined experience in the adventure sports marketspace and this new peer-to-peer platform is just what that market is looking for. I am excited to work with Lori and the Toy Junkies team to create the next marketplace for adventure! ”. Lori Lancaster, CEO of Toy Junkies commented, “We are very excited to partner with Black Dog Venture Partners. I am confident that our team has produced a unique proprietary software that will change the online reservation experience.” Learn more at ToyJunkies.com About Black Dog Venture Partners Black Dog Venture Partners is a business accelerator that provides access to funding through our network of 13,000 investors, business development through our network of 40,000 business partners, sales/marketing and executive coaching services for disruptive companies. Learn more at https://www.blackdogventurepartners.com Contact Details Black Dog Venture Partners Scott Kelly +1 480-206-3435 Scott@blackdogventurepartners.com Company Website https://www.blackdogventurepartners.com/

June 22, 2021 06:11 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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Covid has set the Great British seaside resurgence in motion

Hoo

Research by hotel booking platform, hoo, has highlighted how Covid has impacted the great British seaside and how a growing trend for staycations in the face of foreign travel uncertainty could help it bounce back to its former glory. The British seaside has long lost the glamorous allure that it had back in the 50s and 60s, and while it helped contribute to an estimated domestic tourism spend of £91.6bn in 2019, total tourism spend across coastal locations fell by -57% between 2019 and 2020. The fall in popularity has also hit coastal towns, with the employment growth rate averaging just 0.2% per year between 2009 and 2018. In larger seaside towns this has dropped to an average of -0.2%, and many traditional favourites have suffered even more, with Great Yarmouth (-11%), Folkestone (-12%), Torquay (-13%) and Weymouth (-18%) all seeing a steep decline. However, while the pandemic has proved extremely problematic for the UK hospitality industry overall, one inadvertent silver lining could well be the revival of the great British seaside. Previous research by hoo found that restrictions around foreign travel have boosted the number of us opting for a British staycation by as much as 18%. With more of us opting to spend our hard earned cash at the British seaside, this uplift has helped boost tourism spend in coastal areas by an estimated 42% since the start of the pandemic. This bodes well for the likes of Great Yarmouth, the destination of choice for hoo’s latest campaign to champion the British seaside this summer, with the town ranking as the 8th most popular seaside town prior to the pandemic and enjoying the 7th largest level of holiday spend of all coastal destinations. In the three years (2017-2019) prior to the arrival of Covid, an average of 464,000 per year visited Great Yarmouth, spending an average of £116m per year while they were there. Hoo’s latest campaign, spearheaded by RuPaul’s Drag Race UK finalist, Ellie Diamond, is hoping to persuade British holiday makers that Great Yarmouth and other British seaside towns are more worthy of their Instagram attention than any foreign holiday destination. Why? Well it’s clear we take our outstanding coastline for granted as around 10% of all international visitors from outside of the UK flock to the coast when they arrive. In fact, Great Yarmouth alone has seen international visitor levels climb by 24% per year on average between 2014 and 2019 before Covid struck. So if it’s good enough for them, maybe the Brits will look again at what’s right on their doorstep. Hoo Co-founder, Adrian Murdock, commented: “Like all areas of tourism and hospitality, the pandemic has brought incredibly tough times for local coastal communities who rely heavily on tourism in order to survive. But these traditional seaside resorts have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to put themselves back on the holiday map. The one saving grace of the pandemic has been the ban on foreign travel, forcing many to look to the UK coastline for their summer fix of sun, sea and sand. As a result, many of us have rediscovered just how great our coastal towns and cities are and we're at a crossroads now where the great British seaside really could reclaim an aspect of its former glory. It doesn’t matter if you live in Dorset, Derby or Dundee, there will be a stretch of outstanding coastline that can offer you all the same draws of a holiday abroad, if not more, even with the unpredictability of a British summer. So while foreign travel continues to cause chaos across the rest of the travel industry, we urge you to look again at places like Great Yarmouth, you may be very pleasantly surprised by what you find.” Notes to Editors: Hoo is the hotel room offer platform, cutting out the expensive middle man so you can secure the best price for the room you want. Hoo allows users to book a hotel room at the advertised rate, or to make an offer on the room which the hotel can accept or decline in real time. Hoo was founded by Sebastian Lewis and Adrian Murdock, and is backed by hotel industry insiders. Sebastian Lewis is also the founder of UK crowdfunding’s first ever sale/exit with Mettrr, the global automated website builder. Adrian Murdock is also the co-founder of babysitting app, Bubble, and a former Betfair exec. They have successfully tackled the challenges of child-care, betting and automated website creation and are now set to solve what they describe as the ‘broken hotel booking process’. Hoo is a concept that started with a pub conversation borne out of frustration with the seeming imbalance of power that the global hotel room aggregators wield. Contact Press Enquiries James Lockett M: 07584 248960 T: 0207 856 0185 E: james@properganda.pr PropergandaPR Data Enquiries Alex Pericli M: 07979 262393 T: 0207 856 0185 E: alex @properganda.pr PropergandaPR Contact Details PropergandaPR James Lockett +44 20 7856 0185 james@properganda.pr Company Website https://justhooit.com

June 22, 2021 06:05 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Osmo Announces Amazon Prime Day Sale: Up to 40% Off Select Kits, Games, Bundles and More

Osmo

Award-winning STEAM brand Osmo announces it will offer up to 40% off select kits, games, bundles and more for Amazon Prime Day, June 21 and 22. All Prime Day deals can be viewed at Osmo’s Amazon store. Save 30% on these Osmo kits, games, and bundles at Amazon.com: Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad (base included) Little Genius Starter Kit for Fire Tablet (base included) Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad + Grab & Go Small Storage Case Bundle (for iPad Starter Kits) (base included) Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad + Grab & Go Large Storage Case for iPad Bundle (base included) Little Genius Starter Kit + Early Math Adventure for iPad (base included) Genius Starter Kit for Fire Tablet (base included) Genius Starter Kit + Family Game Night for iPad (base included) Creative Starter Kit for iPad (base included) Creative Starter Kit for iPad + Super Studio Disney Princess Bundle (base included) Creative Starter Kit for iPad + Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad (base included) Creative Starter Kit for iPad + Detective Agency Bundle (base included) Creative Starter Kit for iPad + Pizza Co. Bundle (base included) Math Wizard and the Secrets of the Dragons for iPad & Fire Tablet (base required) Math Wizard and the Magical Workshop for iPad & Fire Tablet (base required) Math Wizard and The Secrets of The Dragons & Magical Workshop for iPad & Fire Tablet Bundle (base required) Math Wizard and The Secrets of The Dragons & Magical Workshop for iPad Bundle (base included) Coding Family Bundle for iPad & Fire Tablet + Base for iPad (base included) Coding Family Bundle for iPad & Fire Tablet + Base for Fire Tablet (base included) Coding Family Bundle for iPad & Fire Tablet (base required) Super Studio Disney Mickey Mouse & Friends for iPad & Fire Tablet (base required) Super Studio Disney Princess + iPad Base Bundle (base included) Super Studio Disney Princess + Fire Tablet Base Bundle (base included) Super Studio Disney Frozen 2 + iPad Base Bundle (base included) Super Studio Disney Frozen 2 + Fire Tablet Base Bundle (base included) Super Studio Disney Princess Game + iPad Base Bundle (base included) Super Studio Disney Princess Game + Fire Tablet Base Bundle (base included) Osmo offers up to 30% off all kits and games at Target.com during Target Deal Days, which continues through June 22. The full list of Target deals can be viewed here. About Osmo Osmo is an award-winning STEAM brand whose products are used in over 50,000 classrooms and 2.5 million homes. It is building a universe of hands-on play experiences that nourish the minds of children by unleashing the power of imagination. The company brings physical tools into the digital world through augmented reality and its proprietary reflective artificial intelligence. Founded in 2013 by ex-Google engineers Pramod Sharma and Jerome Scholler, the Osmo Play System fuses digital gameplay and physical interaction to create fun and nutritious play experiences designed for all kids. Osmo is headquartered in Palo Alto, California. Learn more at playosmo.com. For information about its educational division, Osmo for Schools, visit schools.playosmo.com. Contact Details Carolyn Kamii PR Carolyn Kamii +1 310-251-0550 carolynkpr@gmail.com Osmo Karen O'Dell karen@playosmo.com Company Website http://www.playosmo.com

June 21, 2021 12:01 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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Mike Bako’s Father’s Day Gifts That Will Become Year-Round Favorites

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/nP0A1xC4D6k After the year that we have all collectively had, parents around the globe deserve a round of applause. Endless Zoom meetings? Check. Kids screaming during endless Zoom meetings. Check. So, this year, skip out on generic, run-of-the-mills presents and give the dad figure in your life a gift that keeps on giving Thinking about what to get dad for Father’s Day? Wondering what to get for the guy who has everything? Looking to avoid cliched gifts like ties and coffee mugs? You’re not alone. With Father’s Day around the corner, many of us are scrambling to figure out the perfect gift for dad, without resorting to old standbys. This year, it’s time to get creative, and find something Dad will actually use and enjoy. Be Smart with Your Spending: If industry predictions are correct there will be record spending, so expect a banner year for all the dads out there. In its annual survey, the National Retail Federation said US consumers are expected to spend more than $20 billion dollars on gifts and other items for Father's Day this year, that is a record high. With that said, spending wisely is definitely something dad would want you to do. So, if you are getting dad a gift, make sure it is something he will love and use financial sense by splitting up your payments with Afterpay. Afterpay partners with thousands of brands and retailers to offer interest-free installment payments to shoppers. With Afterpay, you can get the perfect gift for dad right away but pay for it over time by breaking up the cost into four equal installments, due every two weeks. Shoppers can refer to Afterpay's Shop Directory at Afterpay.com or through its app to browse all of their brand partners across both e-commerce and in-store. Afterpay is available in-store with brands like Dick’s Sporting Goods, Finish Line, JD Sports, Carhartt, Chubbies ….so many more. Great options for Father’s Day gifts. www.Afterpay.com @afterpayusa GROOMING: Dad’s might not admit it but taking care of their skin and smelling good is something they care about and as we head into the steamy summer months its even more important to have products that will work and keep us fresh. Old Spice has two products that can help upgrade any dad’s skincare routine. Old Spice’s Daily Hydration Hand & Body Lotion features a lightweight formula infused with shea butter to deeply condition dry, irritating skin. This lotion provides all-day hydration. Put it on in the morning after a shower to start the day and you are all set. If you are looking for a great gift to supplement something larger or if buying on a budget there’s Old Spice’s Clinical Sweat Defense Anti-perspirant/Deodorant. It was recently selected as an “Expert Pick” in the 2021 Men’s Health Grooming Awards and features 5 in 1 protection power, with 73 hours of proven sweat protection, making it the best defense against sweat and odor for the dad in your life Even during these hot summer days, it provides even the most active guys with superior wetness protection. You can impress dad and show that you’ve done your research because this is tested and backed by dermatologists with skin moisturizers and formulated to be gentle on skin. Daily Hydration Hand & Body Lotion - LINKED HERE Clinical Sweat Defense – LINKED HERE Instagram: @oldspice Twitter: @oldspice https://www.facebook.com/OldSpice/ About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

June 18, 2021 12:20 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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How AI is Helping the Fight Against Breast Cancer

YourUpdateTV

Breast cancer recently surpassed lung cancer as the number 1 diagnosed cancer in the U.S., excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer. Additionally, the National Cancer Institute recently predicted an almost 10,000 excess deaths from breast and colorectal cancers over the next 10 years as a direct result of the pandemic, making it now more important than ever for women to take control over their breast health. Recently, Randy Hicks, MD, MBA, Co-Owner and CEO of Regional Medical Imaging (RMI) in Michigan, participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss how new technology is helping the fight against breast cancer. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/7nWf973J1ww The COVID-19 pandemic brought routine health screenings, such as mammograms, to a screeching halt, declining up to 92% in some areas last year, according to a study in the Journal of the American College of Radiology. Now, with Americans getting vaccinated and infection rates decreasing around the country, many women are playing catch-up on these vital health screenings, which leads to another issue — a drastic increase in workload for doctors, who must face a surge of patients who need to be screened. Fortunately, an innovative new tool is available to help clinicians cope with this sudden demand, which at the same time provides them a higher degree of accuracy than ever before. ProFound AI ® uses the latest in deep-learning artificial intelligence (AI) and is clinically proven to help radiologists read mammograms more than 50% faster - and with more accuracy - while also reducing false positives and unnecessary callbacks, which can be stressful for women. ProFound AI was the first 3D tomosynthesis software using AI to be cleared by the FDA. For more information, visit icadmed.com About Randy Hicks, MD, MBA, Co-Owner and CEO of Regional Medical Imaging (RMI) in Michigan: Dr. Hicks is a distinguished practitioner, thought leader, and published researcher in women’s imaging for breast cancer, with additional interests and expertise in parathyroid and thyroid imaging, and in developing interventional breast biopsy procedures and products. A committed advocate for women’s healthcare, Dr. Hicks has worked closely with colleagues in the medical community to encourage multidisciplinary, best-practice approaches, having collaborated to establish local tumor boards that pool expertise from leading healthcare organizations in the region. He has also served as a catalyst for expanding the role of information technology and the use of artificial intelligence in enhancing the quality and efficiency of healthcare. About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

June 18, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Correcting and Replacing: Travel Expert Dayvee Sutton Provides Tips to Plan Summer Vacations on a Budget

YourUpdateTV

(Correcting to include video)- After a year of being stuck at home, Americans are more eager than ever to get back to traveling this summer. A new survey from the payment network Affirm found 75% of respondents plan to go on at least one vacation this summer, and consumers will spend more money on travel than any other category. With the travel boom causing an increase in booking rates, it’s more important than ever to not overextend your budget in all the excitement of being able to travel again. A video accompanying this release can be found here: https://youtu.be/8S26C8ILWMo More Findings from Affirm’s Summer Survey: Vacations are the #1 activity consumers are most looking forward to this summer Respondents plan to spend the most money this summer on travel (41%), followed by going out to eat (38%) and a new summer wardrobe (35%) Nearly half (45%) of Americans plan to spend more money this summer than the past two combined 41% are interested in using a buy now, pay later solution this summer to help them spend responsibly, and 1 in 4 are interested in using a buy now, pay later solution to book travel Emmy Award-winning journalist, Dayvee Sutton, whose travel advice is featured regularly on national programs such as NBC News, Today, CNN and The Weather Channel has partnered with Affirm to give budget-friendly summer travel advice. Here are some of her tips: Take advantage of modern, flexible payment options. Overall, rates for flights and hotels are up because consumers are so eager to travel. But, there are new payment tools you can use to not overextend your budget. Dayvee recommends Affirm, and has partnered with them because it can help you stay in control of your finances by letting you spread out the cost of flights, hotels, homestays and travel experiences into biweekly or monthly payments with interest options as low as 0% APR for eligible consumers. Affirm can give you the flexibility to book vacations now and pay at your own pace on Expedia, Vrbo, Priceline, Delta Vacations and more. With Affirm, you know exactly what you’ll pay upfront, and that number never changes – there are no late or hidden fees. Know when to book and track your airfare to get the best deals. The most expensive part of your trip will likely be the flight. Book as early as you can and opt for mid-week flights. A study from CheapOAir found the best time to book a flight is between 21 and 95 days before the trip. And traveling on a Tuesday or Wednesday, rather than the weekend, will not only be cheaper, but less crowded. Be prepared but remain flexible. Research social distancing protocols for theme parks, museums, and other attractions before you arrive, since many venues require you to reserve tickets early. Try to find low-cost activities in advance, such as walking tours and natural parks. Remember to leave room for unexpected costs in your budget – if you’re traveling internationally, set aside money for COVID tests before re-entering U.S., which can cost anywhere from $50 - $150 per person. Embrace summer road trips. With airfare on the rise, taking a road trip to smaller destinations is a great budget-friendly option for families. To save even more on the road, pack your own food and snacks ahead of time. You can also use Affirm to pay at your own pace for road trip essentials at Walmart, Target and other retailers. About Dayvee Sutton: Dayvee Sutton is a highly sought-after and award-winning media personality and journalist covering travel, culture and the environment. Dayvee has contributed her expertise to outlets such as the U.S. News and World Report, AOL, Yahoo, ESPN, The Root, NBA.com, Black Enterprise, NBC News and USA TODAY Network. She is the go-to on-air travel expert for several national programs, including NBC News and TODAY, CNN and HLN, The Weather Channel and Dr. Oz. About Affirm: Affirm is a transparent alternative to credit cards that can give travelers the flexibility to book vacations now and pay over time, without any late or hidden fees. Affirm lets eligible consumers spread out the cost of flights, accommodations, experiences and more into biweekly or monthly payments at Expedia, Vrbo, Priceline, Delta Vacations, and more. If approved, Affirm can help you stay in budget by letting you pay on a schedule that works best for you, and never charges you more than you agree to upfront. More Background: Affirm’s mission is to deliver honest financial products that improve lives. By building a new kind of payment network — one based on trust, transparency and putting people first — we empower millions of consumers to spend and save responsibly, and give thousands of businesses the tools to fuel growth. Unlike credit cards and other pay-over-time options, we show consumers exactly what they will pay up front, never increase that amount, and never charge any late or hidden fees. Follow Affirm on social media: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter. Payment options through Affirm are subject to an eligibility check, may not be available in all states, and are provided by these lending partners: affirm.com/lenders. CA residents: Loans by Affirm Loan Services, LLC are made or arranged pursuant to a California Finance Lender license. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

June 17, 2021 03:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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COMCAST AND FAMILY PROMISE OF SPOKANE LAUNCH FREE WIFI-CONNECTED “LIFT ZONES” AT LOCAL SHELTERS

Comcast Washington

Comcast Washington and Family Promise of Spokane today announced the opening of WiFi-connected Lift Zones at three family shelters across the City of Spokane. Comcast is equipping the Family Promise shelters with free robust WiFi technology that will help dozens of vulnerable students participate in distance learning and do their homework, and ensure adults and families are able to access needed online resources as they seek to transition into a stable home. In addition to Lift Zones, Comcast is providing new laptop computers to support the Family Promise of Spokane transitional housing program. The new devices provide families transitioning into permanent housing with technology that they can use for schooling, seeking jobs, applying for assistance programs, and more. The COVID-19 crisis has also worsened the gap in access to internet and technology that adults and families living in homelessness experience. Comcast Lift Zones are uniquely positioned to address this issue by providing robust WiFi technology for free in community centers that lack consistent access to the internet. Lift Zones at the following shelters will offer internet connectivity and technology access in a safe and positive place and strengthen Family Promise of Spokane’s efforts to help families transition from homelessness into a more stable situation: The Mission House– 2012 E Mission Ave Spokane, WA 99202 Open Doors Family Emergency Shelter– 2002 E Mission Ave Spokane, WA 99202 The Harston House – 904 E Hartson Ave Spokane, WA 99202 “For the families we serve, the internet is a key tool that helps them connect to so many different resources they need. From online learning for their kids, to finding housing and employment, to applying for government support and resources, it is invaluable, especially during this global pandemic,” said Joe Ader, Executive Director, Family Promise of Spokane. “By providing free connectivity to families, Comcast is helping us make a tremendous impact at a time of when it is deeply needed.” The new robust WiFi coverage is so effective it has reduced the number of troubleshooting cases the IT and Data Systems team manages for families onsite, allowing it to focus on other programs the shelter is building to address homelessness in Spokane County. “Internet is one of the most important resources we offer our clients and prior to the Comcast Lift Zone technology we would typically have roughly 60 connectivity troubleshooting issues in a given week,” said J Wylie, IT and Data Systems Manager for Family Promise of Spokane. “The new WiFi connection has greatly reduced these issues, allowing my team to focus on other technology and data projects that will help us better understand and serve our local vulnerable community members.” “Our work with Family Promise over the last several years has been focused on addressing digital equity gaps, by providing affordable internet connectivity to local families transitioning out of homeless,” said Kris Workman, Senior Director, Comcast in Spokane. “By opening Lift Zones at these shelters, we can take that work one step further by powering these Family Promise buildings with robust WiFi connectivity that their families can use while they are onsite.” Lift Zones complement Comcast’s Internet Essentials program and is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to help connect low-income families to the Internet in and outside of the home. Comcast plans to complete 80 Lift Zones in Washington by the end of 2021. Internet Essentials is Comcast’s signature digital equity initiative and the nation’s largest and most comprehensive broadband adoption program. Since 2011, Internet Essentials has connected more than 10 million people in America to broadband internet at home, including 60,000 in Spokane County. Today’s announcement also comes on the heels of Comcast’s  recent $1 billion commitment  over the next 10 years to help further close the digital divide and give even more low-income students and families the tools and resources they need to succeed in a digital world.   For more information about Comcast’s comprehensive connectivity program for low-income Americans visit https://corporate.comcast.com/values/internet-essentials About Family Promise of Spokane Family Promise of Spokane helps local communities coordinate their compassion to address the root causes of family homelessness. The organization taps existing local resources to empower families towards economic stability. Families come to them in crisis; Family Promise of Spokane helps them rebuild their lives with new skills and ongoing support. The nonprofit addresses the issue holistically, providing prevention services before families reach crisis, shelter and case management when they become homeless, and stabilization programs once they have secured housing to ensure they remain independent. For more information visit www.familypromiseofspokane.org/ About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with three primary businesses: Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal, and Sky. Comcast Cable is one of the United States’ largest video, high-speed Internet, and phone providers to residential customers under the Xfinity brand, and also provides these services to businesses. It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the Xfinity brand. NBCUniversal is global and operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures, and Universal Parks and Resorts. Sky is one of Europe's leading media and entertainment companies, connecting customers to a broad range of video content through its pay television services. It also provides communications services, including residential high-speed Internet, phone, and wireless services. Sky operates the Sky News broadcast network and sports and entertainment networks, produces original content, and has exclusive content rights. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Comcast Washington Nick McDonald +1 425-977-5565 Nick_McDonald@Comcast.com Family Promise of Spokane Craig Howard +15097683083 choward@familypromiseofspokane.org Company Website https://washington.comcast.com/

June 16, 2021 05:57 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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The Impact of Hearing Loss and What You Can Do About It

YourUpdateTV

Hearing loss has been shown to affect nearly every dimension of human life, including physical, emotional and mental health. Recently, World Champion and Olympic Kayaker, Eric Jackson, participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss his own battle with hearing loss and the importance of getting your hearing tested. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/0Ewdu9hNHF8 Hearing loss is the most common neurologic disorder in the world, affecting around 460 million people. According to the National Institutes of Health, about 37.5 million adults report some trouble hearing. Experts note that hearing loss is an undertreated condition, with an estimated 28.8 million U.S. adults with mild to severe hearing loss could serve to benefit from hearing aids. Untreated hearing loss brings higher risk of dementia, depression, memory loss, injury, and cognitive decline. There are several reasons for delay in addressing hearing loss, including recognizing and accepting that one may have hearing loss, having access to Hearing Care Professionals, and misperceptions associated with hearing aids. For Eric Jackson, hearing loss has been a lifelong battle. In 1966 at the age of two, Eric contracted Scarlet fever which caused him to completely lose his hearing in both ears. Eric is now 57 and his hearing has been partially restored over time; however, he still lives with severe hearing loss today and relies on hearing aids like ReSound ONE as necessary tools to help him communicate. All of ReSound’s hearing aids are designed with the person in mind, and is made to be discreet, comfortable, durable and functional. Hearing quality is the foundation for ReSound hearing aids, providing unmatched hearing quality, emulating the way humans hear sound. For more information, visit resound.com/online-hearing-test About Eric Jackson: Eric Jackson is a four-time world champion and an Olympian who has dominated the whitewater kayaking scene for the past three decades. Eric has received numerous accolades for kayaking, including two Everest Awards and the World Paddle Lifetime Achievement Award. He is also an entrepreneur, motivational speaker and hosts his own popular videos on YouTube. In 1966 at the age of two, Eric contracted scarlet fever which caused him to completely lose his hearing in both ears. Eric is now 54 and his hearing has been partially restored over time; however, he still lives with severe hearing loss today and relies on hearing aids and lipreading as tools to help him communicate. Eric has never let hearing loss stop him from enjoying life and pursuing his ambitions. Today, Eric spends his free time helping others achieve their goals, coaching the winners of almost every gold medal winner in freestyle kayaking over the past 15 years, including his two children. Eric’s son, 27-year-old Dane, a world champion kayaker himself, also lives with severe hearing loss which he has had since birth About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

June 11, 2021 03:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Pennsylvania Video Gaming Association (PaVGA) Advocates for Transition of Skill Games to Regulated Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs)

Pennsylvania Video Gaming Association (PaVGA)

The Pennsylvania Video Gaming Association (PaVGA), the statewide trade association representing manufacturers, distributors and operators of video gaming terminals, continues to support legislation to ensure that skill games are subject to the same regulatory requirements as gambling devices. Currently, skill games are not regulated by any state agency and are not subject to gaming taxes on net revenues as are slot machines, video gaming terminals (VGTs) and iGaming platforms. “Regulation would provide much-needed revenue to small businesses like bars, restaurants and veterans’ clubs, which would benefit from VGTs in those locations. The anticipated revenue from VGTs versus skill games is substantial,” stated PaVGA Executive Director Denise Calabrese. The operation of these games in bars, clubs and restaurants will provide a viable, sustainable revenue stream for struggling establishments who have been hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a stable base of new revenues to the Commonwealth. “Because there has been no alternative sustainable option to gaming revenue for bars, veterans’ clubs, and restaurants throughout Pennsylvania, those venues have turned to the skill game industry for that revenue,” Calabrese explained. “The issue is that these devices, and the companies that own and manufacture them, are not regulated and there is no oversight of those companies, the individual’s who own those companies, or the devices. Pennsylvania’s bars, restaurants and veterans’ clubs, Pennsylvania Operators, and the thousands of consumers who choose this form of entertainment, deserve to know that their gaming options are being overseen by a government agency and that proper protocols are in place to protect them.” PaVGA believes that the Pennsylvania General Assembly needs to pass legislation with urgency to resolve this issue and ensure that any gaming devices operated in the Commonwealth are subject to the full oversight of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB). During a Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee hearing on June 7, a Pennsylvania Senator stated there could be as many as 55,000 unregulated skill games currently in operation in Pennsylvania. While opponents to skill game regulation warn of detrimental impacts to the Pennsylvania Lottery and casinos, both continue to realize record high revenues. Furthermore, the same operator-based model PaVGA is advocating for in Pennsylvania has been successfully implemented in Illinois with negligible impact on the revenues of the lottery or casinos. “All we want to do is bring these unregulated games under the purview of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to ensure that adequate protections are in place for consumers, establishments and operators,” Calabrese said. “This is more about applying equal standards to skill and gambling operations in the Commonwealth than it is VGT expansion. We have a statutory and regulatory structure already in place in the Commonwealth that provides for the safe, fair and equitable operation of VGTs. Skill games should be brought under that construct and be treated just like current gambling devices.” Contact Details Michelle Keyser Director of Communications +1 717-724-9166 communications@pavga.org

June 11, 2021 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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