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Small-town Charm, Seasonal Twinkle in Belmont, N.C.

Belmont Tourism Development Authority

This holiday season, return to traditions and twinkling lights in Belmont, N.C. From small-town celebrations to family-friendly festivities that shimmer and shine, our region shares ample charm and memory-making through the New Year. “The holidays provide a perfect opportunity for Belmont to proudly display its commitment to community, history and tradition,” said Ted Hall, chairman of Belmont Tourism Development Authority. “Belmont’s small town charm glistens as brightly as the colorful bulbs. We cannot wait to welcome families to our city for another year of Christmas cheer.” Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden ushers in its annual Holidays at the Garden, Nov. 26 to Jan. 2. Experience magic and whimsy among festive blooms at this family-friendly event. The exhibition returns with traditions and topiary displays, sparkling cherry trees and rolling lights across the Piedmont Prairie. Festivities also include wintertime tunes, food truck fare, holiday beverages and seasonal shopping. Significant COVID-19 precautions are in place at the Garden throughout the holidays, such as staggered entry times to reduce crowding. Advance tickets are required and available at dsbg.org. Continue celebrating the holidays in nearby Christmas Town U.S.A. as McAdenville, N.C., transforms for a 66th year. Nostalgia and traditions ring loudly in Christmas Town, which presents more than 150 decorated homes alongside sparkling streetscapes from Dec. 1-26, 5:30-10 p.m. each night. In addition to memorable strolls and drives throughout town, the ChristmasTown 5k, Tree Lighting Ceremony and Yule Log Parade return to the McAdenville merriment this year. In Belmont, the holidays unfold brightly beginning in November. Shop Small Saturday on Nov. 27 offers a chance to experience the city’s brick-lined sidewalks and quaint boutiques while finding those perfect presents. On Nov. 29, the City of Belmont Tree Lighting Ceremony kicks off the season’s glow as well as the fourth annual Festival of Trees, a jolly display of Christmas trees across historic downtown that runs until Jan. 3. The 72nd Annual Belmont Christmas Parade – Nov. 30, 3:30 p.m. – ushers in festive floats, marching bands, tradition, joy and Santa Claus! And on Dec. 4, in the heart of downtown, Belmont Christmas Village evokes the holiday spirit with s’mores stations, holiday music, horse-drawn carriage rides and more. Also on Dec. 4, nearby Belmont Abbey College presents its annual “Christmas at the Abbey” with two show times featuring secular and sacred music, poignant readings and lighthearted comedy. “Everyone can use a bit of holiday cheer this year,” added Hall. “Belmont is ready to deck the halls with it.” More information about all of the city’s festive celebrations available at VisitBelmontNC.org. About Belmont, N.C. Belmont, N.C., is located in Gaston County, 15 minutes west of Uptown Charlotte. Whether you’re visiting us for the first time for a vacation getaway or returning for a daytime adventure, you’re sure to enjoy a truly unique experience in Belmont. Once a place where textile industries served as the lifeblood of the community, the city now stands as a successful example of commerce and redevelopment, while maintaining charm and hospitality. With picturesque nuances brushed throughout the town, Belmont offers a scenic view of historical homes, vintage streetlamps, red brick sidewalks and memories of a simpler time. It’s a community that embraces entertainment, the arts, unique local retail, destination restaurants and a variety of special events. For more information, visit us online at www.visitbelmontnc.org. Contact Details Melinda Skutnick +1 704-525-3937 mskutnick@lyerly.com

November 17, 2021 08:17 AM Eastern Standard Time

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ILONA Beauty Celebrates 50 Years of Skin Care with the Return of the Budapest Cocktail

ILONA Beauty

Ilona's story is truly fascinating. One of the original vanguards of skincare, Ilona, a young girl, escaped Communist Hungary in 1956. She landed in a refugee camp in New Jersey with 33 cents to her name and no understanding of the English language. Originally working in a handbag factory, she decided a job as a waitress was a better way for her to learn the language. That same year, she met and married George Meszaros, her lifelong business partner. Taking all of the precious and effective techniques Ilona had learned and perfected in Hungary, together in 1971 they began to build their multi-million dollar empire, opening Skin Care Institutes in New York, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Palm Springs and Costa Mesa. Ilona personally trained each and every esthetician in her own method and techniques. In 1982, the Park Avenue Institute in New York opened to much fanfare. As word spread, of Ilona’s arrival the appointment book overflowed, and a long wait list ensued. Celebrities, socialites, and notables from around the globe clamored to have Ilona tend to their skin. National expansion, product development and mail-order fulfillment soon followed to service clients across the US and internationally. Throughout the decades, Ilona has been guided by her 7 touch points of skincare - performance, efficacy, texture, touch, luxury, aroma and quality. She understood early that beauty is intangible and fluid. It changes with each generation. Today, 50 years later, the company has evolved from its original focus on treatments and services and is strictly devoted to formulating the most advanced skincare products for at home use. Ilona herself is involved in every formulation. She is known to say, “any product that has touched your skin has first touched mine.” Still family owned, she and her son Robert, CEO, together run the business. Ilona of Hungary has since evolved into ILONA Beauty, as it is known today. Digging into the company archives from its early decades, one of the most popular add-on treatments at the Institute was known as the Budapest Cocktail. It was custom blended by Ilona, refrigerated and dispensed via a CO2 whipped cream-like dispenser. It was a cocktail of royal jelly, propolis, hyaluronic acid, various herbs, calendula, ginseng, coveted serum ampoules and imported mineral water from Hungary. It was applied at the end of the treatment and left clients with Ilona’s signature glowing complexion. In honor of the brands' 50th Anniversary, ILONA is relaunching the Budapest Cocktail as a modern conduction foil sheet mask for in-home use. The unique 3 layer, 2-part sheet mask uses foil conduction technology to help cocoon and warm the skin, coaxing the absorption of all the vital elements. Developed with a prestigious laboratory, Budapest Cocktail contains many of the original, beloved ingredients. Contact Details Spotlight Beauty PR Dianne Vavra +1 917-331-4869 spotlightbeautypr@gmail.com Company Website https://ilona.com/

November 17, 2021 08:03 AM Eastern Standard Time

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AppYea takes steps for Future Growth

Appyea

Provides the following letter to its shareholders from its Chairman Boris Molchadsky: "I am pleased with the progress AppYea/SleepX has been making this year. As part of the long terms objective, AppYea Inc. (OTCPINK: APYP) took the initial step to advance the prospects of the Company. As disclosed in our quarterly report yesterday to the OTC for the recently completed fiscal quarter, the reverse stock split, for which we are awaiting FINRA approval, is a proactive measure that we believe will better position us for success, and ultimately generate value for all of the Company’s stockholders. The ultimate aim is to raise our stock’s visibility within the investment community by improving long-term liquidity and creating a trading environment attractive to institutional investors in the hopes of broadening our shareholders. We are confident of the prospects of the anticipated commercialization of the SleepX DreamIT X3 in 2022". Mr. Molchadsky continued: “In conjunction with the corporate actions, AppYea has secured funding sources who we believe will asist the Company to restructure prior highly dilutive debt and providing the necessary capital to enable the Company to move forward on several fronts, including: 1. Closing of the merger between AppYea and SleepX—we are awaiting the required necessary regulatory approvals. 2. Completion of development and commencement of manufacturing the first product for snoring treatment. SleepX intends to start a pilot in December with a leading hardware manufacturer after withstanding the Company's endurance tests. 3. Preparation for starting clinical trials of the product for the treatment of Sleep Apnea. 4. Locating and acquiring synergetic technologies and broadening products variety in the sleeping and respiration field. Looking ahead, the primary focus of the Company is to ensure the long-term success of the Company by acting in the best interest of all of our shareholders. Thank you for your continued support and patience”. Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This release includes forward-looking statements. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth herein. No statement herein should be considered an offer or a solicitation of an offer for the purchase or sale of any securities. Although APYP believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and the assumptions upon which they are based are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations and assumptions will prove to have been correct. Forward-looking statements, which involve assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies, and expectations, are generally identifiable by use of the words "may," "will," "should," "could," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "believe," "intend," or "project" or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, as these statements are subject to numerous factors and uncertainties, including but not limited to adverse economic conditions, intense competition, entry of new competitors and products, adverse federal, state and local government regulation, inadequate capital, unexpected costs and operating deficits, increases in general and administrative costs, unanticipated losses, financial condition and stock price, inability to carry out research, development and commercialization plans and other specific risks. APYP does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement. Neither APYP nor SLEEPX are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 as amended. Contact Details AppYea Inc. Asaf Porat info@appyea.com Company Website http://www.appyea.com

November 16, 2021 09:09 AM Eastern Standard Time

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MEDIHEAL Appoints AESPA as New Brand Ambassador

Mediheal

MEDIHEAL, a global cosmetic brand, has appointed a rising K-pop idol girl group, AESPA (Karina, Winter, Giselle, Ningning), as its new brand ambassador. Last November, AESPA’s debut song, “Black Mamba”, set the record in the industry for the fastest K-pop group debut music video to reach 100 million views. In May, AESPA’s new song, “Next Level”, topped multiple major Korean and international music charts, while in June and July, AESPA became the top trending, #1 K-pop girl group in popularity with the highest brand reputation rankings. In late July, AESPA signed a contract with CAA (Creative Artists Agency), one of the biggest agencies in the United States, expecting to enter the global market including the US. MEDIHEAL is looking forward to expanding the skincare category globally with AESPA as its ‘Next Level’. As MEDIHEAL’s new brand ambassador, AESPA will blend their bright, refreshing side with their chic, charismatic image on stage. A MEDIHEAL representative says, “We are expecting to create a synergy effect with AESPA and successfully expand globally as the K-beauty trend leader meets with the rising K-pop star. Starting with AESPA, we will begin one of several major brand transformations.” For more information on MEDIHEAL, please visit www.medihealus.com. About MEDIHEAL MEDIHEAL, Korea's #1 selling sheet mask brand*, is an established, global beauty brand specializing in providing step-by-step skincare routines at an affordable price. Known for their sheet masks, MEDIHEAL's portfolio of skincare has grown to include clean beauty and dermatologically tested products for all skin types and concerns. *Copyright© Worldpanel™, Kantar 2018 Contact Details Mediheal Kaitlyn Palocsko +1 215-870-8193 kaitlyn@incommn.co

November 16, 2021 08:04 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Neighborhood Sun and Ameresco Partner to Bring Nation’s Largest Community Solar Project 100 Percent Dedicated to Low- and Moderate-Income (LMI) Residents to Montgomery County, Maryland

Neighborhood Sun

The nation’s largest community solar farm to be 100 percent dedicated to low and moderate-income (LMI) residents is coming to Montgomery County. Ameresco, Inc., (NYSE: AMRC), a leading cleantech integrator specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy, and Neighborhood Sun, a community solar company making solar accessible to everyone through its advanced community solar software platform, Sun Engine (™), in partnership with Montgomery County, today announced the first-of-its-kind solar farm bringing clean energy to thousands of low- and moderate-income Montgomery County residents. The project’s partners, along with Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and other County representatives, launched the project’s subscription campaign today at an event at the County Executive Office Building in Rockville. Community solar farms enable access to affordable, clean energy for residents who are unable to build their own solar systems. Anyone who receives an electric bill can benefit including renters, residents in multi-unit buildings, municipalities, non-profits and businesses that don’t own their roofs. Through the subscription program for this new project, Montgomery County residents who are on the utility Pepco and who qualify as LMI are eligible to receive 25 percent savings on their electricity costs every month. Subscriptions are now available here. The array is sited on the capped Oaks Landfill in Gaithersburg, transforming underutilized land into an environmental asset that brings local jobs and clean, renewable energy to the community. The project, a total of 6 MW, is divided into three 2 MW arrays, and will generate approximately 11.7 million kilowatt hours annually. Array 1 is for use by the County and under a power purchase agreement, providing the County government clean, renewable energy at no upfront cost. Arrays 2 and 3, each with 2 MW, will be the community solar project with 100% of the generated electricity provided to low-to-moderate income residents. “It should not be a surprise to anyone that Montgomery County is creating the nation’s largest community solar farm that will create energy directed to low- and moderate-income residents,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Our Climate Action Plan calls for us to eliminate 100 percent of carbon emission by 2035 and it is projects like solar farms that will help us obtain this goal. I am very thankful to Neighborhood Sun and Ameresco, Inc for helping us create this community solar farm. And I am proud of the work of the Department of General Services for delivering another solar project in Montgomery County with 18 completed and four under construction. This project is not only what is good for the environment, but it also serves Montgomery County families who need help with their energy costs as well.” “The equitable and just deployment of renewable energy in the U.S. is critical to expanding our clean energy economy and addressing environmental injustice,” said Gary Skulnik, CEO, Neighborhood Sun. “As a Montgomery County business, we are especially pleased with the county’s support for expanding energy access into underserved communities.” This project is expected to help the County reach its goal of eliminating greenhouse emissions by 2035 and the state of Maryland’s goal to generate 50 percent of its electricity from renewables by 2030. The energy produced annually by the arrays dedicated to community solar is expected to be approximately 7.9 million kilowatt-hours. That is equal to preventing 5,599 metric tons of CO 2 from being released each year, which is equivalent to taking 1,218 cars off the road for one year and preventing 6,188,031 pounds of coal burned. “This project blows away by an order of magnitude any other 100% LMI project in the state of Maryland, and is a testament to Neighborhood Sun’s leading role in bringing energy justice to the state,” Skulnik added. Project construction is expected to begin in early 2022. “This project provides not only energy cost savings to the County and its participating low-to-moderate-income residents, but also leverages the use of an under-utilized land asset that will produce revenue for the County, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to its carbon neutrality goal,” said Ameresco Senior Vice President Jon Mancini. “Through this initiative, the County will demonstrate continued commitment to sustainability that will deliver economic and environmental benefits to the Montgomery County Community for many years to come.” The project received a grant from the Maryland Energy Administration. “The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) was pleased to provide for this project over $950,000 in grant funding through MEA's Low-to-Moderate Income Community Solar Program, which provides incentives to reduce the cost of electricity generated from clean energy to Marylander's, with income limitations that result in energy costs being a disproportionate portion of their household expenses,” said Mary Beth Tung, Director, MEA. Regulators in Maryland recently voted to expand the capacity of the state’s community solar program as well as improve access for LMI customer participation in the state’s Community Solar Pilot Program. According to Wood Mackenzie, community solar is expected to exceed 900 MW of annual capacity in 2021. Maryland ranks in the Top 10 states in community solar according to Q2 2021 installations. Maryland-based Neighborhood Sun currently manages nearly 80 megawatts of community solar projects, enough solar to power more than 10,000 homes. About Neighborhood Sun Neighborhood Sun is committed to bringing the promise of solar to everyone, not just the select few. The company is a national leader in expanding solar access to underserved communities to address energy equity. Through its SunEngine™ advanced software platform, it offers a flexible, secure and fully transparent platform for solar developers or asset owners, plus a simplified enrollment experience for customers. For more information, go to www.neighborhoodsun.solar. About Ameresco, Inc. Founded in 2000, Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE:AMRC) is a leading cleantech integrator and renewable energy asset developer, owner and operator. Our comprehensive portfolio includes energy efficiency, infrastructure upgrades, asset sustainability and renewable energy solutions delivered to clients throughout North America and the United Kingdom. Ameresco’s sustainability services in support of clients’ pursuit of Net Zero include upgrades to a facility’s energy infrastructure and the development, construction, and operation of distributed energy resources. Ameresco has successfully completed energy saving, environmentally responsible projects with Federal, state and local governments, healthcare and educational institutions, housing authorities, and commercial and industrial customers. With its corporate headquarters in Framingham, MA, Ameresco has more than 1,000 employees providing local expertise in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.ameresco.com. The announcement of our entry into a power purchase agreement is not necessarily indicative of the timing or amount of revenue from such contract, of the company’s overall revenue for any particular period or of trends in the company’s total assets in development or operation. This project was included in our previously reported assets in development as of September 30, 2021. Contact Details Wilkinson + Associates Mrs Leah F Wilkinson +1 703-307-3964 leah@wilkinson.associates Company Website https://neighborhoodsun.solar

November 15, 2021 05:07 PM Eastern Standard Time

The Adventures of Little Billy “In Search of the Magic Tree” Book, is Released

The Adventures of Little Billy

In The Adventures of Little Billy, “In Search of the Magic Tree,” best-selling business and leadership book author Barry Farber captures so many traits that highly successful leaders have, told through a wonderful children’s story. Within the story, the secrets that little Billy discovers on his adventure seem like common sense to most. But, in truth, offer up valuable life lessons for children on how they can create more meaningful friendships, deeper happiness and be on the path to greater success. The story has five key animals who all interact with Billy on his journey to find the Magic Tree. Each of the animals have been given the essential secrets of the key chapters in Farber’s Diamond in the Rough, his best-selling business book that incorporates five traits of highly successful leaders. “I believe that it’s never too early for kids to learn and understand important life values and traits on how they can be happier and more successful as they grow and mature. This book is all about giving them something fun to read, while providing strong values parents will appreciate,” said Farber. “For example, from the beginning, Lawrence the Owl speaks to helping all the animals regardless of who they are and Ruppert the Toad emphasizes that Billy needs to look on the inside of those he sees.” The Adventures of Little Billy is set to become an animated series and will be developed to be a television story soon. With that, Farber has brought in known celebrities to play each character based on how each is viewed in society. Sherman the Turtle will be played by Ottis Jerome “O.J.” Anderson, The Amazing Kreskin is set to play The Magic Tree and Bobby Collins will take on the role of Bosco the Bear. And starring in the role of Little Billy is Eden Kontesz, who at only 10 years-old, has already made a name for herself singing and acting in TV shows such as The Simpsons and Transparent. High-res scans to your specifications are available upon request. The Adventures of Little Billy was illustrated by Glen A Schofield. Color transformation was done by Shoshanna Sommer. Barry Farber is a best-selling author of 14 business and inspirational books in over 30 languages. Farber is also an award-winning radio and television host, as well as an agent and marketing consultant for corporations, professional athletes and entertainers. Learn more about Farber at www.barryfarber.com Contact Details Hot Paper Lantern Courtney Moed cmoed@hotpaperlantern.com

November 15, 2021 08:59 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Holiday Gifts That Won’t Break the Bank

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/84NvZOIljwI Almost a quarter of Americans worry holiday shopping will leave them in debt, but that’s not stopping consumers from spending at a fast and furious pace. Beauty and Lifestyle Expert, Alle Fister, has compiled a holiday shopping guide filled with a few gift ideas that won’t break the bank and one way to pay for it all before ringing in the New Year. SHOP & PAY OFF DEBT EARLY: Early shopping is a big trend this year with the added challenge of inventory concerns. Fister says consumers are combating the issue by being smart and savvy with their online or in-store shopping behaviors. She points to a new survey from Afterpay, the leading ‘buy now, pay later’ platform, that finds one-in-three people are setting a strict budget and plan to wrap up shopping before Thanksgiving. The lifestyle expert urges consumers to be wise and stay out of debt. She says one way to manage holiday finances is by paying off purchases early. Afterpay has declared November 19th ‘Done Day’—the official day to wrap up holiday shopping in order to complete buy now, pay later installments before 2022. Fister recommends turning to Afterpay, which partners with thousands of brands to offer interest-free installment payments, because it allows shoppers the ability to buy gifts and pay over time, without the worry of revolving debt posed by credit. She touts that, “Shopping early has never been easier.” Consumers can expect deals to be announced weekly throughout the season to help them shop early. For more information, go to the Afterpay app or Afterpay.com www.Afterpay.com Facebook: @afterpayusa Instagram: @afterpayusa Twitter: @ afterpayusa FAMILY-SIZED GIFTING: Fister’s holiday gifting guide also includes presents the entire family can enjoy together. She admits, “As a mom, I love bringing everyone together for those warm and cozy moments. One gift idea that instantly comes to my mind is Koolaburra by UGG slippers. The brand’s approachable price points make for a perfect gift the whole family, or financially focused fashionista, can appreciate.” According to the beauty and lifestyle expert, these slippers are made of high-quality materials that don’t sacrifice on style, quality, or comfort. She adds, “Personally, I’m in love with the Riley Shimmer Kid’s Slipper. Keeping those little feet warm this season never looked better.” She even thinks they’re perfect for the men in your life, “The Tipton Emboss Men’s Slipper is perfect for the guys, whether they’re making breakfast or settling in for a quiet night.” As for Fister, “I can’t get enough of the Batya and Lezly Perf Women’s Slippers. They’re so stylish and comfy! And you know, I am a Southern CA based gal—and I just really connect with Koolaburra by UGG as UGG’s little sister brand that offers a southern California cool vibe for the whole family. Effortless, easy, and exactly what I’ll be asking my husband for this holiday season!” For more information, go to Koolaburra.com. Koolaburra by UGG® Official Site | Koolaburra.com Instagram: @Koolaburra Facebook: Koolaburra by UGG - Home | Facebook GIFT GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK: These days conscious consumers are paying attention to more than price tags. Fister highlights how important it is to think of ways to pamper loved ones while using one’s purchasing power to give back to the world we live in. “One great gift idea comes from the female-founded beauty brand, Josie Maran, she is the pioneer of Argan-oil-powered beauty. They’ve partnered with the CORAL Reef Alliance to create a limited edition Pro-Retinol Body Butter in a naturally derived Grapefruit scent.” Fister says those who know “It’s cool to care,” can rest assured knowing 10% of all sales of the Body Butter will be donated to CORAL, which is focused on saving the world’s coral reefs. The Pro-Retinol Body Butter will be available in a grapefruit scent, while containing safe and healthy pro-retinol derived from pink algae to give the same benefits of a retinol with zero irritation. For more information, go Ulta.com. https://www.ulta.com/p/whipped-argan-pro-retinol-body-butter-coral-reef-alliance-collaboration-pimprod2028603 Instagram: @JosieMaran & Coral_Org Facebook: @ JosieMaran & CoralReefAlliance Hashtags: #JosieMaranxCORAL & #ItsCooltoCare THE GIFT OF RELAXATION: Given the state of the world over the past year-and-a-half, Fister suggests giving the budget-friendly gift of relaxation as we head into 2022. She says, “There has been too much stress for too long of a time,” while pointing to a few of her favorite self-care items from the brand This Works. The lifestyle expert says with This Works, shoppers can give the gift of sleep and less stress this holiday season with their holiday gift sets that contain award-winning and 100% natural, aromatherapeutic blends that truly “work.” One example is the large gift set called DREAM TO SLEEP. It is made up of a trio of sleep saviors including a shower gel, body lotion, and celebrity-favorite DEEP SLEEP PILLOW SPRAY. Fister says she’s such a fan of this product, “You just spray your pillow or mist your PJs before you retire to bed and the 100% natural essential oil fragrances of lavender, chamomile, vetiver help you fall asleep faster and wake up feeling refreshed.” There are mini sets available with pocket-sized pillow sprays and items from their Stress Check line that help manage stress. For more information, go to Nordstrom.com. https://www.nordstrom.com/s/thisworks-soothe-sleep-set/6474152?origin=category-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FBrands%2Fthisworks%C2%AE&color=000 Instagram: @ thisworks 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

November 12, 2021 05:45 PM Eastern Standard Time

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The Rise of ‘Revenge Travel’

YourUpdateTV

A s borders begin to open and with holiday deals season right around the corner, travel is coming back in full force. Recently, travel and cruise expert and Editor-in-Chief of Cruise Critic, Colleen McDaniel, teamed up with Norwegian Cruise Line on a satellite media tour to discuss “Revenge Travel” and how travelers can take advantage of some of the holiday season’s best deals. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/1h7yQHbpQgQ “Revenge Travel” has come to mean the strong desire to vacation and explore the world even more than before the onset of travel restrictions, resulting in pent-up consumer demand to travel freely again. As destinations get ready to welcome back tourists, cruising is a great way for consumers to travel and visit the destinations they’ve been dreaming about for the last year and a half. Cruising provides travelers the opportunity to visit multiple destinations in one trip. Norwegian Cruise Line’s 17-ship fleet sails to more than 300 destinations worldwide offering a wide variety of itineraries to buck-list destinations in addition to boasting world-class dining options, Broadway-caliber onboard entertainment and one-of-a-kind at sea attractions such as racetracks and laser tag experiences. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday right around the corner, it’s a great time to take advantage of the best holiday deal at sea before booking that highly anticipated vacation. Norwegian Cruise Line has opened for sale the most sailings in its history where consumers can book their dream cruise vacation now through 2024. Beginning Nov. 16, 2021, the Brand unveils its greatest deal ever providing travelers with exceptional value featuring 70 percent off the second guest fare as well as seven free offers including: Free Open Bar Free Specialty Dining Free Wifi Free Excursions Free Extra Guests Free Air for the 2nd Guest Free $250 onboard credit Giving avid and new cruisers the next generation in cruise travel experience, the Company also announced its newest ship – Norwegian Prima – will set sail summer 2022. The first of six vessels within NCL's all new Prima Class, will offer guests exciting itineraries, the highest staffing levels and space ratio of any new cruise ship in the contemporary and premium cruise categories. For those travelers who want to be the first on board, the ship’s new itineraries to Northern Europe, Caribbean and Bermuda are already on sale. Consumers can visit www.ncl.com to learn more about available itineraries and onboard attractions to begin planning their long-awaiting vacation at sea. About Colleen McDaniel: Colleen McDaniel is Editor-in-Chief of Cruise Critic, the world’s largest online cruise resource. She considers cruising to be a true passion, having traveled the world by water – from Alaska, the Caribbean and Hawaii, to Europe’s rivers, Antarctica and Africa – on ships of all ships and sizes. She’s regularly quoted as a cruise expert in media outlets across the country, including outlets like The Associated Press, Good Morning America, CNN, FOX Business, CNBC, The New York Times, Travel + Leisure and Skift. About Cruise Critic: Cruise Critic is the world’s largest cruise reviews and information site, offering a comprehensive resource for cruise travelers -- from first-time cruisers to avid cruise enthusiasts. The site features more than 50M+ opinions, reviews & photos and hosts the world's largest online cruise community. Cruise Critic is a subsidiary of TripAdvisor, Inc. About Norwegian Cruise Line: As the innovator in global cruise travel, Norwegian Cruise Line has been breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising for 55 years. Most notably, the cruise line revolutionized the industry by offering guests the freedom and flexibility to design their ideal vacation on their preferred schedule with no assigned dining and entertainment times and no formal dress codes. Today, its fleet of 17 contemporary ships sail to over 300 of the world’s most desirable destinations, including Great Stirrup Cay, the company’s private island in the Bahamas and its resort destination Harvest Caye in Belize. Norwegian Cruise Line not only provides superior guest service from land to sea, but also offers a wide variety of award-winning entertainment and dining options as well as a range of accommodations across the fleet, including solo-traveler staterooms, mini-suites, spa-suites and The Haven by Norwegian®, the company’s ship-within-a-ship concept. For additional information or to book a cruise, contact a travel professional, call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784) or visit www.ncl.com. For the latest news and exclusive content, visit the media center and follow Norwegian Cruise line on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @NorwegianCruiseLine; and Twitter and Snapchat @CruiseNorwegian. 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

November 12, 2021 05:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Innovative Startup Develops Unique Method to Remove Plastics from our Oceans

Our Cleaner Planet

Our Cleaner Planet, a non-profit startup with an innovative technique to remove plastics from our oceans, announced today that it has successfully completed prototype testing of its first plastic harvester and is now ready to move forward with larger unit testing. The program is scheduled to launch the first of its full-sized, plastic harvesters into ocean operation in 2025. Pat Marshall, founder of Our Cleaner Planet, says that he and the development team are very encouraged by the results of the prototype tests. “The test parameters for our 1:164-scale prototype were set up to evaluate speed and control and the first stage of the filtration process,” he said. “We exceeded on all levels and we are excited to move on to our larger scale, test model.” The next step is a 1:12-scale unit that the team expects to start testing in early 2022. Marshall, an accomplished aerospace engineer and executive with many years of research and development experience in the aerospace sector, created Our Cleaner Planet with the mission to harvest plastics from our oceans by developing innovative, sustainable methods that leverage proven engineering to create a cleaner, healthier planet. Our Cleaner Planet has a patent-pending design that is focused not only on the larger, macroplastics, but also on the much smaller micro- and nanoplastics. This is an important distinction because many current cleanup efforts focus solely on the larger pieces of plastic leaving the smaller pieces to continue damaging the ocean ecosystem and our global environment. “The problem has become much more impactful than just the sheer mass of plastic now in our oceans. Plastic does not biodegrade. Instead, it breaks down into smaller pieces. These smaller pieces continue to get smaller and more toxic, creating a domino effect of damage extending from the fragile ecosystems in our oceans to our global environment and all the way up the food chain to human ingestion,” Marshall revealed. “Removing plastics from the oceans is only part of the solution to this problem, but it is the important first step that Our Cleaner Planet will take.” In its efforts to attack this wide-ranging plastic problem, Our Cleaner Planet’s system will include a large ship that utilizes an ocean-borne, plastic debris harvesting process. The process will not only remove the macro- and microplastics, but it will also introduce a unique method of removing nanoplastics down to 5 microns in size. The system will extend from surface level to a depth of 60 feet, allowing Our Cleaner Planet to remove the much smaller plastics more effectively and at much deeper levels of the ocean. The company expects to develop a fleet of ships with each vessel capable of removing up to 1000 metric tons of plastics from the oceans each year. Marshall explained that Our Cleaner Planet is targeting a net zero harvesting system. “Harvested plastics will be further processed into fuel onboard and each ship will be outfitted with CO 2 scrubbers. Ash will be the sole byproduct of the process and excess ash will be further utilized in other industries finally completing the lifecycle of the harvested plastic,” he said Our Cleaner Planet was founded as a non-profit organization in 2018, but Marshall has been working on the problem and his patent-pending solution for more than eight years. He has assembled a team of professionals with decades of experience piloting complex projects from research and development to commercial release. Marshall says this gives them an extra advantage in development and implementation. “Instead of rushing to the ocean with an unproven design, wasting crucial time and investment capital, my team and I have been adamant about proving our concept and testing the design before we went public,” he said. Marshall and his team are currently seeking funding and additional support and expect to launch Our Cleaner Planet’s first full-sized ship in early 2025. For more information on Our Cleaner Planet, the plastic pollution problem, or to find ways to support the program, please visit www.ourcleanerplanet.com. About Our Cleaner Planet Our Cleaner Planet is a non-profit organization on a mission to harvest plastics from our oceans by developing innovative, sustainable methods that leverage proven engineering to create a cleaner, healthier planet, and empower a truly circular economy through scalable and profitable solutions. Established in 2018, the company has an innovative method and patent-pending design to remove plastic from our oceans. Our Cleaner Planet has successfully tested its 1:164-scale prototype proving the efficiency and effectiveness of its design. It expects additional model demonstrations and tests in early 2022 and is scheduled to launch its first full-sized plastic harvester in early 2025. For more information on Our Cleaner Planet, the Plastic Problem, Our Cleaner Planet’s unique solution, or its development timeline, visit www.ourcleanerplanet.com. Contact Details Our Cleaner Planet Jeff Dronen +1 254-274-5333

November 11, 2021 09:00 AM Pacific Standard Time

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