Chefs, Farmers, and Foodies Kick Off Taste of Blue Ridge in Loudoun County’s Magnolia’s at the Mill

March 27, 2018, 12:05 am

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Advocates for expanding the availability of local sourced foods here in the Shenandoah Valley will gather at Magnolias at the Mill in Purcellville, Virginia on Wednesday, March 28th to kick off the 2018 Taste of Blue Ridge Root to Table culinary series.

PURCELLVILLE, Va. (PRWEB) March 27, 2018

Advocates for expanding the availability of local sourced foods here in the Shenandoah Valley will gather at Magnolias at the Mill in Purcellville, Virginia on Wednesday, March 28th to kick off the 2018 Taste of Blue Ridge Root to Table culinary series.

“The Taste of Blue Ridge community's mission is to educate the consumer on how to take products from their farmer markets and backyard gardens hence “root origin” and turn them into award winning dishes and beverage cocktails. That is why Taste uses "root to table” to describe this foodie experience,” said Nancy Craun, Owner and Founder of Taste of Blue Ridge.

In 2016, ten food businesses including luxury lodging, distillery, chefs, brewery, and farmers began meeting to discuss the possibility of developing a food community here in the northern Shenandoah Valley. Six months of hard work resulted in the launch of a website to test a mission to develop a human interest website centered on the people behind the food scene here in the Blue Ridge Mountains. These partners also put together a grant, which was awarded by Virginia Tourism to create a culinary event series called “Root to Table”.

“Over the past year, we tested two events and evaluated the first website to see what the public was interested in reading. It was evident from the pages most popular on the website that our efforts should center on Taste’s community members behind the food produced and served here in the valley,” said Craun

A new website “TasteofBlueRidge.com” launched on March 1st.

“The reaction to the Taste of Blue Ridge community has been phenomenal. Our first 2018 Root to Table event will be this Wednesday, March 28th. It is a private party by invitation only. We are have had over 130 RSVP’s including chefs, farmers, breweries, to luxury accommodations. We also have representatives from eight counties as well as state organizations in economic development, agriculture, and tourism,” said Craun.

Taste of Blue Ridge is an umbrella-marketing hub for like businesses to collaborate together. It is very similar to the Virginia Kids Trail community celebrating its fifth year. “Our ultimate goal is to put the Blue Ridge Mountain region on the map as a culinary destination, like Charleston, South Carolina has achieved,” said Craun. The hub is governed by an action board, which includes:· Magnolia’s at the Mill - Chef Erik Foxx-Nettnin
· Hillbrook Inn and Spa – Owner Carissa Zannella
· Schenck Foods - Abby D’Arcangelis, Natural Food and Farm to Table Specialist
· Shady Knoll Mushroom Farm – Farmer Kim Herbstritt.

“Working for a company that values what our local producers have to offer and their well-being, it is rewarding to be working in tandem with an organization that holds the same values and lifts our local food and hospitality industry up and links it together,” said Abby D’Arcangelis, Schenck Foods Co.

“We have twenty partners (20) now and hope to be at fifty (50) by mid-Summer. We have had interest from as far away as Lexington and Charlottesville, Virginia, from restaurants, farmers, beverage companies living and breathing local resourcing,” said Craun.

“One of the issues that faces farmers is a lack of guarantee they can sell their crops. Or can they sell the entire side of beef not just the prime cuts,” said Craun. Schenck Foods, our signature sponsor is one solution. Covering over 100 plus miles from Washington DC to Cumberland, Maryland down to Woodstock, Virginia, Schenck offers a direct connection between the farmer and the chef.

With over 90 years experience and a trained sales force, Schenck’s new CEO, Jason Huntsberry, is committed to growing our farm community. This includes the kick off the end of April of a monthly regional farmers market on the Schenck Foods property in Winchester, Virginia. The market will include farmers from 100+ mile radius as well as a kids activity area hosted by the Virginia Kids Trail.

Chef Erik Foxx-Nettnin, Head Chef at Magnolia’s at the Mill will feature five locally sourced food products at the Wednesday night Premier Soiree. This will include:

· Virginia scallops from War Shore Oysters Company*
· Randall Lineback* Beef Tartar from Chapel Hill Farm
· Preserved “Tomolive and Beef Canape” and Fried Green Tomatoes with Tasso Ham from Tranco Farms*.
· Spring House and Sweet Fern Farm Pork Belly

*Bronze Sponsor and Farmer Member

Chef Erik said, “As a member of the action board for Taste of Blue Ridge, I want to share our story, giving chefs the opportunity to find local farmers on one website and to help everyone realize how strong of a destination we are to anyone that eats food and enjoys things of substance.” Check our latest blog on Chef Erik!

“I am not sure people realize that the largest industry in the state of Virginia both in the past and present is Agriculture. I was not aware of this until we were doing research for Taste of Blue Ridge’s launch,” said Craun.

Upcoming Root to Table events for the 2018 Taste of Blue Ridge culinary series includes a July Celebration of the History of American Food and a Fall Salute to our Harvest. December will feature a Celebration of American beverage from our breweries, wineries, and distilleries. February will be centered on a Cooking Class featuring collaboration between our chefs.

Keep your eyes peeled for our stamp of approval at locations throughout the valley ensuring quality product and service.

About TasteofBlueRidge.com

Launched in April 2016, Taste of Blue Ridge is a marketing umbrella managed by Encore Event Partners, LLC, a marketing consulting firm based in Shepherdtown, West Virginia. Taste’s mission is two fold -

For the consumer – B to C:
Create amazing food experiences thru itineraries connecting restaurant owners, chef, farmers, breweries, wineries, cooking schools, shops and lodging partners.

For the food member – B - B:
Taste of Blue Ridge strives be a food community of excellence that delivers support solutions to community members, meets our customers' needs of a food experience, offers development opportunities for our community members, provides growing value for the contributes to our community.

Contact: Nancy Craun Founder and Owner
Phone: 540.533.1853
Email: nancy(at)TasteofBlueRidge(dot)com Reported by PRWeb 7 hours ago.

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SMC³ joins the Blockchain in Transport Alliance

March 27, 2018, 12:05 am

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In June, panelists at SMC³’s Connections 2018, which will be held at the Greenbrier in West Virginia, will continue the blockchain conversation.

ATLANTA (PRWEB) March 27, 2018

SMC³, the one-stop knowledge hub for less-than-truckload technology, data and education, has joined the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA).

By joining BiTA, SMC³ is supporting the group’s myriad technology goals, which include developing and disseminating blockchain standards that the industry can use to build transportation applications, establishing a platform for dialogue about blockchain’s logistics use cases, and educating the industry about new trends in the blockchain arena.

BiTA has seen major success in its first year of existence by bringing together industry stakeholders to examine blockchain’s uses in the transportation, supply chain and logistics markets. More than 230 companies including truckload, LTL and parcel carriers; insurance companies; finance firms; tech start-ups; and e-commerce merchants are members of the alliance.

“SMC³ has always been at the forefront of the LTL industry, developing crucial solutions for shippers, 3PLs, carriers and other stakeholders that help streamline their operations by utilizing the latest available technology,” said Andrew Slusher, CEO and president of SMC³. “By joining BiTA, SMC³ is recognizing the importance of blockchain in the modern supply chain. I look forward to a truly symbiotic association with the BiTA.”

“We are excited to have SMC³ as part of the BiTA membership. SMC³'s longevity and wealth of experience working with all segments of the supply chain will be extremely valuable to BiTA as we ramp up our standard-setting activities,” said Chris Burruss, president of BiTA.

SMC³ fuels the entire LTL shipment lifecycle with innovative visibility, transit-time and rating solutions, taking shippers, 3PLs and other supply chain stakeholders through transportation procurement, pricing and transit-time analysis, all the way to shipment execution and audit. The company’s CarrierConnect XL and RateWare XL products allow for detailed, data-driven analysis, while SMC³’s CzarLite is the third-party base rate most widely used by shippers and 3PLs to level the rating playing field with carriers.

These solutions are transmitted to customers through the SMC³ Platform, an innovative hub of LTL transportation technology solutions. The platform also provides customers with transactional LTL freight APIs that are tailored for efficient and powerful direct-to-carrier communications.

During SMC³’s Jump Start 2018 conference, Tim Leonard, CTO of Trimble Transportation, spoke to attendees about the value of blockchain applications in a supply chain setting. Leonard told the audience that blockchain’s potential in the transportation industry has only recently been established and that industry use is still in the very nascent stages.

“There are huge opportunities to go ahead and improve on [the bidding process],” Leonard said, while discussing how his company has helped numerous logistics companies eliminate manual processes with blockchain technology.

In June, panelists at SMC³’s Connections 2018, which will be held at the Greenbrier in West Virginia, will continue the blockchain conversation. To learn more about Connections 2018, click here.

About BiTA
Founded in August of 2017, BiTA promotes the development and adoption of blockchain applications in the trucking, transportation and logistics industries, including establishing industry-wide standards. Members include truckload, LTL, and parcel carriers, as well as shippers, tech startups and incumbents, insurance companies, law firms, and other industry participants who have an interest in integrating blockchain technology into their organizations.

About SMC³
The API-powered SMC³ Platform fuels TMS applications with unrivaled LTL analytical capabilities and shipment visibility data. As the single integration point for all carrier rate, transit and service information, SMC³ solutions travel beyond simple connectivity and empower shippers, 3PLs and carriers to collaborate and optimize decision making throughout the entire LTL lifecycle. Thousands of industry trading partners rely on SMC³ solutions to make informed business decisions, achieve higher returns on their transportation investment, and meet ever-changing market demands. Reported by PRWeb 7 hours ago.

University student projects launch from NASA Wallops

March 27, 2018, 12:20 am

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Washington DC (SPX) Mar 27, 2018

Four university student projects were successfully launched at 6:51:30 a.m. EDT, March 25, 2018, on a NASA suborbital sounding rocket from the agency's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. The two-stage Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket carried the projects to an altitude of 107 miles. The projects then descended by parachute, landing in the Atlantic Ocean. The projects were recove Reported by Space Daily 7 hours ago.

U.S. Marine Corps Looks to Co-create Modular Logistics Vehicles and Unmanned Cargo Delivery System

March 27, 2018, 3:04 am

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Company Lead by Former Marine Aligns with USMC for Innovation Challenges

SAN FRANCISCO (PRWEB) March 27, 2018

The U.S. military has long been exploring the idea of innovation and today the U.S. Marines Corps and San Francisco-based, co-creation platform Launch Forth announced a partnership to co-create products through design challenges that meet a wide range of logistical missions.

The first of several challenges are now live and focus on the design of modular logistics vehicles that serve a multitude of operations as well as an unmanned cargo delivery system to improve the operations and well-being of servicemen and women. The challenges will rely on innovative solutions designed and delivered by Marines, for Marines.

At the helm of the projects is former Marine, John B. Rogers, Jr., chairman and CEO of LM Industries, Inc., the parent company of Launch Forth and Local Motors. Local Motors is well known for its breakthrough products, including the world’s first co-created production vehicle, the Rally Fighter, the world’s first 3D-printed car, the Strati, and, most recently, a low speed, self-driving shuttle called Olli, powered by IBM Watson technology. Launch Forth is the latest offering from LM Industries, Inc., one of the world’s most innovative companies and pioneer in the open-innovation and advanced manufacturing space.

Since its inception in 2007, Local Motors was among the first companies to work with the military on co-creating military vehicles and now that LM Industries, Inc. has created Launch Forth, Rogers is again prioritizing this initiative.

“This is about improving the lives of those who serve in the Marines by bringing customized solutions that improve day-to-day duty experience,” said Rogers. “In the aftermath of WWII, our country rightsized equipment development to count on industry in a way that made sense at the time. Bu, it came at a cost of disengaging our Marines with the equipment they most needed. Today, we use the power of the internet and digital manufacturing to change that paradigm and engage our Marines with equipment solutions that are faster to the fight and more on target when they get there. This effort is ultimately intended to save lives and increase effectiveness.”

The Modular Logistics Vehicle (MLV) project will result in the design of a new modular vehicle system that meets a range of logistical missions. Through concept and technical design, challenge participants will work to design a new vehicle that allows for modular adjustments to improve the Marine experience and their corresponding operations. Use cases could range from personal movement, mechanical repair, construction and administrative support. The project comprises two parts: concept design, which recently closed for submissions, and technical design, which closed March 25. The Marine Corps will choose the winning design on April 23, followed by proof of concept and prototyping stages. Seven winners will receive a total of $10,000 in prizes for the design challenge, and eight winners will receive more than $40,000 in prizes for the technical challenge.

Similarly, the Unmanned Cargo Delivery project focuses on improving the safety and efficiency of moving cargo for Marines across areas all over the world. Delivering supplies on the battlefield can be one of the most routine activities a Marine does. A small unmanned cargo delivery system will save lives and could operate on land, air, sea, underwater or even underground. It will be critical to quickly deliver small packages that can seamlessly transit these diverse terrains. The project is now open to post brainstorms. The first design challenge will open on March 26th, 2018. Seven winners will receive a total of $10,000 in prizes.

“The Marine Corps has a great history of co-creation, but in a very analog sense. Even going back to WWI and WWII, many of our most impactful capabilities were born from teams of diverse Marines, engineers and business innovators, all continuously experimenting with each other to come up with great solutions,” said Capt. Chris Woods. “When we saw what we could do with Launch Forth and their methodology, we knew there was incredible opportunity to bring ourselves into the digital era and also to create new partnerships among a global crowd of innovators. We're excited about the potential that Launch Forth offers for the Marine Corps - the ability to expose imaginative new solutions to help us accomplish globally deployed missions. Launch Forth has a proven track record of developing these types of solutions with many other partners, and we think this demonstrates the effectiveness of their team and approach.”

In 2011, Rogers’ Phoenix-based company Local Motors built FLYPmode from scratch in less than four months and unveiled it to President Obama before delivering it to the military’s mad-science division in Virginia. The company also worked with Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), The U.S. Army Rapid Equipping Force (REF) and launched ArmyCoCreate.com, which was an experimental website designed to let soldiers, designers and engineers collaborate on identifying solider requirements and designing prototypes to address them.

“We're excited to see some new concepts for how we can tackle some of the age-old problems that the Marine Corps has been faced with,” said Wood. “We want to take those concepts and build them into usable solutions that we can rapidly adopt across our entire Corps. If this proves effective, we'd like to be doing this with more and more challenging problems.”

The U.S. Marine Corp challenges are run on San Francisco-based Launch Forth, an enterprise-level product design platform powered by a robust co-creation community of 185,000 designers, engineers and solvers. Using open innovation to accelerate the product development process, Launch Forth allows people everywhere the opportunity to collaborate with minds from around the world, team up to work together to solve perplexing issues, compete for prizes by submitting their own ideas, models and solutions while also building their professional reputation.

For more information about the Modular Logistics Vehicle and Unmanned Cargo Delivery projects, visit LaunchForth.io.

About Launch Forth
Launch Forth is a SaaS (software as a service) platform for product design powered by a robust community of designers, engineers and solvers. As the latest offering from LM Industries, Inc., Launch Forth harnesses the speed and potential of crowdsourcing and co-creation to bring breakthrough products to market quickly with a shared community of innovators from around the globe who collaborate on ideas, solve problems and create solutions for challenges both large and small. This community powered platform pairs design thinking with open innovation and accelerates the product development process for well-respected global giants like HP Inc., Local Motors, General Electric Co. and Airbus. Learn more at LaunchForth.io. Reported by PRWeb 4 hours ago.

See how N.C. public colleges fare in new U.S. rankings

March 27, 2018, 4:06 am

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The University of Michigan is America's preeminent public college, according to national rankings issued Monday by Buffalo Business First, a sister publication of the Charlotte Business Journal. The University of North Carolina and the University of California-Berkeley are the runners-up in this year's academic standings, with the University of Virginia and the University of California-Los Angeles rounding out the top five. Why has Business First rated America's public colleges the past four… Reported by bizjournals 3 hours ago.

Endorsements push Virginia Democrat to run as independent

March 27, 2018, 4:59 am

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RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A Democratic candidate says she is now going to run for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District as an independent, saying too many Democrats have endorsed an opponent without getting to know her. Helen Alli announced her withdrawal from the June 12 primary in an email to party officials Monday. The Richmond Times-Dispatch […] Reported by Seattle Times 2 hours ago.

2,000 customers still without power from West Virginia storm

March 27, 2018, 5:06 am

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Appalachian Power says about 2,000 customers remain without power in southern West Virginia from a weekend winter storm. The company says on its website that electricity is expected be restored by Tuesday night to residents and businesses in McDowell and Wyoming counties and in Mercer County by late Wednesday. The storm […] Reported by Seattle Times 2 hours ago.

5 Best Caribbean Islands to Live On… and 2 to Avoid—Internationalliving.com

March 27, 2018, 5:06 am

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A new report from the editors of InternationalLiving.com surveys the Caribbean, pinpointing the 5 best-value islands for a safe, affordable, enjoyable retirement in the sun...and identifies two more islands not worth your attention.

BALTIMORE (PRWEB) March 27, 2018

Ambergris Caye, Belize

Over the last few decades, expats have flocked to English-speaking Ambergris Caye, Belize, and there are good reasons for its popularity. (Among them the fact that in 2013 and 2014, TripAdvisor readers ranked Ambergris as the best island in the world.)

Ambergris and the small nearby islands are not overly developed, which means they’ve maintained a laidback vibe. Ambergris is Belize’s center for ocean sports during the day and for partying at night. In view of all this, it’s easy to understand why real estate prices have risen, especially for beachfront property.

Getting to Ambergris is easy because both of Belize’s domestic airlines—Tropic Air and Maya Island Air—have frequent flights to the island from Belize City. You can also reach Ambergris by water taxi.

San Pedro is the major population center on Ambergris, a town of roughly 18,000 part- and full-time residents. The once-sandy main streets are now paved. But golf carts are still expats’ favorite means of transportation from home to the beach, or to the dozens of restaurants, nightclubs, and friendly mom-and-pop stores.

Surprising to many, moving to Belize is easy—U.S. currency is accepted, credit cards are widely used and well-known U.S. brands are available too; they’re expensive, but substitutes are easy to find.

After years of 16-hour days as owners and operators of a Victorian B&B and cupcake shop in Richmond, Virginia, the easy-going lifestyle of San Pedro is just what Dawn Schick and her husband, Albert, were looking for. And in 2010, they made the move.

“We’d been vacationing here several times a year for more than six years and decided this would be our eventual retirement home. But after years of hard work we thought, why wait until ‘someday,’? Why not take the plunge right now?” Dawn explains.

“We love being outdoors and the year-round warm weather lets us go snorkeling or paddle-boarding anytime we want. The marine life here is amazing. Swimming alongside rays, tropical fish, and turtles is like being in another world. We also love that it’s not touristy here.

“Life on the island moves at a slower pace, and that’s just fine with us.”

For between $2,700 and $2,900 per month, a couple can enjoy a comfortable retirement in Ambergris Caye—a budget that includes the cost of a house or apartment rental. If you own your own home on the island outright, then expats report it’s possible for a couple to live quite comfortably on less than $2,000 a month.

Roatán, Honduras

On the English-speaking Bay Island of Roatán, 30 miles off the coast of Honduras, you will find what is arguably the best-value island real estate in the region.

For less than $175,000, you could have a two-bedroom Caribbean home right on the water in a quiet neighborhood with no tourists—your own private getaway. If you stayed just part of the year, you could rent your place out to help cover your holding costs.

If you lived on Roatán, you’d have the sound of gentle waves and the rustle of palm fronds to wake you in the mornings. Looking out your window, you’d see clear, blue skies and the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. You could occupy yourself with a swim…enjoy a cup of coffee on your deck…or just sit back in your Adirondack chair, warm up in the sun, and take in the view of your own private stretch of beach…

On this tropical island, beachfront lots can be had for under $100,000. We’re talking established developments, with amenities like a community pool and/or shared or private docks. Utilities are in place. Construction costs are reasonable, and you can build a home to your specs.

There are also plenty of turnkey condos for well under $200,000—in resort communities on the beach. And if you’re okay with walking a few minutes to the water, or setting up on a hillside with views, you’ll pay even less for a lot, home, or condo.

This is an island where “normal” people can buy a vacation home or permanent digs to live out their sunny, low-cost, and comfortable retirement. The infrastructure is good and getting better all the time, with a new power plant online and the recent opening of a hospital with specialist care and a 24-hour emergency room.

It’s still out of the mainstream, at least compared to other Caribbean island getaways, and that has kept prices affordable for real estate and day-to-day costs. A couple could live well on $2,000 to $2,500—that includes all expenses.

And it’s simply a beautiful place to look at, thanks to the tall, jungle-covered mountains, white-sand beaches, and blue Caribbean (turquoise within the reef and a deep azure beyond it). Living here, you’ll have no shortage of things to do, with plenty of parties, sunset happy hours, water sports, and other fun.

Roatán boasts an international airport—with regular flights in and out it’s accessible and it’s quick and easy to see family back home.

“The one word that always comes to mind when asked how I like living here is ‘contentment,’” says Ann Winters of her retirement on Roatán. “I have never felt so content anywhere.”

Ann and her husband Ron have much to be content about. The couple are settled into a three-bedroom house set amid lush vegetation, overlooking the crystal-clear Caribbean Sea.

“I immediately loved the sounds and smells of Roatán,” says Ann of what drew her to the island. “The sound of the ocean soothes me. I love the smell of the salt on the breeze and the way the air smells so fresh after a rain. I love the cooking smells in the downtown mercado (market) and along the streets of West End, the scents coming from the open-air fruit and vegetable stands and the fish and meat markets. The flowers in my gardens that attract hummingbirds and butterflies.”

Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Legend has it that an ancient Maya Goddess of childbirth, identified Isla de Mujeres as a sacred place. The name Isla de Mujeres means Island of Women.

It was the Spaniards in the 16th century who decided that Island of Women would, therefore, be a fitting name for this tropical paradise where they noted hundreds of idols and carvings of women.

Today Isla Mujeres, eight miles off Cancún on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, is a retreat for tourists and retirees alike and offers easy living in the sun year-round.

You can own a one-bedroom, two-bathroom penthouse condo with a view from $230,000 or rent a one-bedroom place for $700 to $1000 a month, according to local expats.

When it was time to retire back in 2008, Lawrie Lock and his wife Lynda drove from their long-time home in Canada’s Okanagan Valley to Isla Mujeres.

“We live on the windward side of the island, facing the open ocean,” says Lynda. “That’s where all the action is. We often see pods of dolphins feeding just offshore and sea turtles basking right on the surface.

“We’d vacationed on the western side of Mexico for many years. But when we discovered the Caribbean side back in 2002…Wow! The turquoise and green water, fresh sea food, and the friendly islanders here on Isla Mujeres, along with the warm weather, were too much to resist.

“We have a large circle of friends. Some live here full-time and others come for the winter months. Winter is our busiest social time and summer is our wind-down, re-group time.”

The island enjoys a warm tropical climate (low to mid-80s F for most of the year) and a laidback vibe; golf carts are preferred to cars as the main means of transport.

Every winter, the permanent population of around 13,000 is joined by thousands of snowbirds fleeing colder weather up north. At four miles long and less than a half-mile wide, this tiny Caribbean island is connected to the mainland by high-speed ferry service that leaves every 30 minutes during daylight hours.

There is plenty to do on Isla Mujeres. Naturally, water activities top the list as the nearby reef offers amazing opportunities for scuba, fishing, swimming, boating, and snorkeling. There’s even an underwater museum set up by an English sculptor to explore, if the local sea life isn’t enough. And of course, there is the seasonal migration of whale sharks which draws many to view and swim with them.

Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic

Most Americans have never heard of the little beach town of Las Terrenas in the Dominican Republic’s northeast, on the Samana Penninsula. That’s understandable—it’s a spot better known among Europeans. But it offers one of the Caribbean’s best-value escapes today.

Here you’ll find 19 miles of public beaches, and palm trees swaying in the breeze. And compared to other Caribbean islands, property in this little corner of the D.R. is a roaring bargain.

French and Italian vacationers have been coming here for decades—vacationing and then coming back to stay. Along with the tang of saltwater in the air and the scent of fresh-cut coconuts, you’ll smell French bread and croissants baking. The Italian influence is strong, too, with rich Italian gelato on offer and strong, Italian-style coffee. There’s steak, sushi, and grilled seafood, too.

Las Terrenas has everything going for it that a Caribbean island escape should. It’s not overdeveloped—there are no mega-resorts here, just boutique hotels. It has great dining, stunning scenery at every point, and a vibrant expat community.

The most incredible thing about it, though, is the real estate prices. A one-bedroom, one-bathroom loft apartment can be had for as little as $99,500.

A couple can live in this tropical haven for around $2,000 a month, although most choose to spend closer to $3,000 a month.

When Dan Williams decided to retire there, he had been working for eight years as an environmental engineer for the Missouri state government. At the time, he was 57 years old, single, and longed to retire to the beach.

“The country is a mini-continent, with a wide variety of terrain, from oceans to the highest mountains in the Caribbean, and everything in between,” he says. “The climate is wonderful. It is close to the U.S. and is economical. Weighed in the balance, it is the ideal country for me.”

After a few months in Sosúa on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, Dan decided to tag along with a friend who was taking a road trip to Las Terrenas.

Dan was enchanted and decided to relocate there. “I loved the beach, the vibe, the natural beauty, and the European flavor of the place,” he says. “It seemed like a hidden Shangri-La.”

Corn Islands, Nicaragua

The Corn Islands are two little dots of paradise just 50 miles off Nicaragua’s Caribbean coast—a retirement nirvana with white sands, gently swaying palms and blue waters where English is the official language.

Big Corn—about four square miles in size and with maybe 6,000 inhabitants—is just 10 miles (or a 30-minute boat ride) from Little Corn, one-fourth the size of Big Corn in both land mass and population.

On Little Corn, there are no roads, just a three-foot-wide sandy walkway…so no vehicles allowed.

It’s a truly undiscovered, little-developed escape. Many say it’s like the Bahamas or Grand Cayman 30 or 40 years ago.
If you’re looking for a “throw-back” getaway, you won’t find a better one in the Caribbean. Here a custom-built home with an ocean view a 15-minute walk to town and beaches can be had for $150,000. And that’s fully furnished.

"With no vehicle traffic on Little Corn and lots of hotels, hostels and restaurants, it's fun to walk around and see what there is to see,” says Bonnie Hayman, IL Nicaragua Correspondent. “This is the place where the tourists go.

“Big Corn is more adventurous with fewer tourists. Many hire a taxi to travel from one gorgeous beach to another sampling the wonderful "Islander" food like coconut bread and rondon (fish/seafood coconut stew). Either way, a fabulous time is to be had on the Caribbean side of Nicaragua."

The Corn Islands aren’t for everyone. Supplies that aren’t locally grown or pulled from the waters must be shipped in. With small exception, restaurants tend to serve variations of the same dishes.

“The cost of food on the island is slightly higher than on the ‘main,’ as islanders call mainland Nicaragua,” says Mike Hopkins who lived on Big Corn while housesitting on the island. “However, in general, costs are still less than U.S. prices. Weekly, my food costs averaged about $30. I also ate at some local restaurants, where meals and a couple of drinks ranged between $15 and $20. My total food and drink cost for the three-month period was approximately $610.”

The islands have a rustic charm, perfect for those looking for an off-the-beaten-track retirement. The healthy reef is ideal for scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, and lobstering. With friendly locals and very few tourists an authentic island experience is ensured.

Two to Avoid…

The beauty and tropical appeal of St. Thomas and Grand Bahama are impossible to deny. However, they can be costly.

“While we at International Living have nothing against St. Thomas or Grand Bahama—they’re thouroughly ‘discovered’ and that translates to more expensive,” says Jennifer Stevens, Executive Editor of International Living. “If money is no object, you might well like the polished escape either island can provide. But our list of 5 better-value picks in the Caribbean points you to lesser-known retreats where you’ll find a more laid-back vibe and lower costs.”

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

Located in the Caribbean, the U.S. Virgin Islands is made up of over 60 islands—most of them uninhabited. The three most populated, and most visited, are St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix.

The appeal of these tropical islands is the mixture of the exotic and the recognizable—an island paradise with modern comforts and a balance of Caribbean culture and American practicality.

While St. Thomas may be a nice place to live, the International Living report says “avoid” due to the high cost of living. Apartments rent for about $2,000 a month and to buy a two-bedroom house in a good neighborhood will cost about $285,000-plus.

Grand Bahama Island, the Bahamas

The Bahamas is often thought of as a paradise—an upscale group of islands with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

And the Bahamas has many advantages—friendly to newcomers, there’s no foreign language to cope with, crime is relatively low, and the islands are positioned just off the Florida coast.

But the bad news is that properties aren’t cheap. Medium-sized residences in exclusive gated communities with ocean views often cost more than $2 million.

Grand Bahama is the closest major Bahamian island to the U.S.—about 55 miles off the Florida coast. It has become a haven for beach-lovers as well as divers, fishermen, golfers, and sports enthusiasts of all kinds. It’s also a prime destination for people who enjoy world-class shopping.

But living here costs a premium as it’s between 30% and 50% more expensive than in the U.S.

More information can be found here: 5 Best Caribbean Islands to Live On… and 2 to Avoid

Editor's Note: Members of the media have permission to republish the article linked above once credit is given to Internationalliving.com
Further information, as well as interviews with expert authors for radio, TV or print, is available on request. Photos are also available.

For information about InternationalLiving.com content republishing, source material or to book an interview with one of our experts, contact PR Managing Editor, Marita Kelly, +001 667 312 3532, mkelly@internationalliving.com
Twitter: @inliving
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/International.Living/

About International Living

For 37 years, InternationalLiving.com has been the leading authority for anyone looking for global retirement or relocation opportunities. Through its monthly magazine and related e-letters, extensive website, podcasts, online bookstore, and events held around the world, InternationalLiving.com provides information and services to help its readers live better, travel farther, have more fun, save more money, and find better business opportunities when they expand their world beyond their own shores. InternationalLiving.com has more than 200 correspondents traveling the globe, investigating the best opportunities for travel, retirement, real estate, and investment. Reported by PRWeb 2 hours ago.

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The U.S. Pizza Team Returns to the World Pizza Championship to Claim Gold

March 27, 2018, 5:06 am

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Fourteen American pizzaiolos will travel to Parma, Italy, to show off their culinary and acrobatic skills

OXFORD, Miss. (PRWEB) March 27, 2018

Fourteen members of the United States Pizza Team (USPT) will make the trek across the pond to compete in the 27th World Pizza Championship April 9-11. With both seasoned veterans and wide-eyed first-time competitors attending, the USPT will participate in categories ranging from traditional pizza, pizza on the peel, gluten-free, pizza in the pan, pizza for two (made by two pizzaiolos together), largest dough-stretch, fastest pie maker and freestyle acrobatics.

“I am so excited to go and experience the competition and Italian pizza IN Italy,” said first-timer Sean Dempsey.

This year’s competitors include Gino Rago, Lenny Rago and Bruno Brunetti, Panino’s Pizza, Chicago, Ill.; Leonard Giordano, Mona Lisa Pizza, Staten Island, N.Y.; Michael LaMarca, Master Pizza, Cleveland, Ohio; Dan Uccello, Flo’s Pizzeria, Grand Rapids, Mich.; Bradley Corbin, Sloopy’s Sports Café, Lakeside, Ohio; Dave Sommers, Mad Mushroom, West Lafayette, Ind.; Michael Reyes-Casanova, Ynot Italian, Virginia Beach, Va.; Sean Dempsey, Dempsey’s Brew Pub, Watertown, S.D.; Jason Samosky, Samosky’s Homestyle Pizzeria in Valley City, Ohio.; Scott Volpe, Fiamme Pizza, Tucson, Ariz.; and Brian Hernandez and Daniel Perea, PMQ Pizza Magazine, Oxford, Miss.

“This is our Super Bowl,” said USPT Veteran Jason Samosky. “Our team prepares all year for this competition, and every year we still come home having learned something new about our industry and pizza.”

The U.S. Pizza Team competes all year round in various trials across the country in anticipation of the World Pizza Championship. The USPT trials are designed to mimic the Italian event to better prepare the competitors. Winners of each trial in the United States win a trip to the World Pizza Championship.

PMQ Pizza Magazine, the business trade publication for the pizza restaurant industry, created the U.S. Pizza Team in 2000. The team is sponsored by Grain Craft, Ferrarelle, Real California Milk, Gordon Food Service, LaNova, Paradise Tomato Kitchens, American Baking Systems, Burkett Restaurant Equipment and Supplies, Bag Solutions, Fontanini Meats, Lillsun, Univex, Presto Foods, Pivetti and Lloyd Pans.

For more information about this event or the U.S. Pizza Team, contact Brian Hernandez at 662-234-5481 x 129, brian@pmq.com, or visit http://uspizzateam.com/. Reported by PRWeb 2 hours ago.

Green Flash closes Virginia Beach brewery

March 27, 2018, 5:18 am

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California-based Green Flash closed its Virginia Beach brewery as the company decided to stop distributing beer to the East Coast, The Virginian-Pilot reports.

The brewery and taproom opened in November 2016. The closing means a loss of 43 jobs. Read the full Pilot story here. Reported by dailypress.com 2 hours ago.

West Virginia newspaper’s new owner to retain most employees

March 27, 2018, 5:23 am

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A publisher says the new owner of a Pulitzer Prize-winning West Virginia newspaper is retaining most of its employees following the buyout. The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports new publisher Jim Heady says 168 workers at the newspaper were offered jobs by HD Media on Monday. HD Media bought the bankrupt Gazette-Mail at […] Reported by Seattle Times 2 hours ago.

Regulators approve key step for Mountain Valley Pipeline

March 27, 2018, 5:53 am

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ROANOKE, Va. (AP) — State environmental regulators have approved a key step forward for the controversial Mountain Valley Pipeline. The state Department of Environmental Quality announced late Monday that it has approved erosion, sediment and storm water control plans for the natural gas pipeline. Work on the 303-mile buried pipeline through southwest Virginia has so […] Reported by Seattle Times 1 hour ago.

US astronaut to visit West Virginia schools to empower girls

March 27, 2018, 6:06 am

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WHEELING, W.Va. (AP) — A U.S. astronaut is visiting West Virginia to push girls to fly higher. Astronaut Peggy Whitson is joining U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito for trips to two elementary schools as part of the West Virginia Girls Rise Up challenge. Capito launched the program in 2015 to empower the next generation of […] Reported by Seattle Times 1 hour ago.

Productiv Amplifies Operational Efficiencies with VeraCore Implementation

March 27, 2018, 6:09 am

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Packaging and fulfillment provider selects fulfillment software solution

ROCKY HILL, Conn. (PRWEB) March 27, 2018

VeraCore Software Solutions, Inc. announced today that Virginia-based packaging and fulfillment innovator, Productiv, will implement VeraCore’s fulfillment software solutions.

Productiv applies lean engineering principles to kitting, manufacturing, packaging and fulfillment on behalf of their diverse clientele. A strong commitment to providing low cost, high quality services has helped secure their place as an industry leader.

Dedication to protecting clients’ brand image has been a cornerstone of Productiv since the company’s inception. As they outgrew their internally-developed fulfillment system, they began to search for an alternative that would maintain the levels of accuracy their customers came to expect, while allowing the potential to gain efficiencies through system integration. “When selecting a new fulfillment software solution, a major factor in the decision-making process was finding a system that would help us work as efficiently as possible for clients,” said Rich Boehling, Founder and CEO of Productiv. “We are growing rapidly, and having a system that will meet our needs into the future is crucial.”

Denise Lunden, President of VeraCore said, “I’m certain that VeraCore will provide the tools and technology Productiv needs to deliver results and help their clients succeed.”

About VeraCore Software Solutions, Inc.

VeraCore Software Solutions, Inc. has been providing order fulfillment and warehouse management software to fulfillment companies, printers, e-retailers and marketing service providers for over thirty years. Their software solutions are found at the center of thousands of fulfillment programs across a wide range of industries. Visit http://www.veracore.com for more information.

About Productiv, Inc.

Productiv is a national kitting, contract packaging and fulfillment company. Led by a team of process engineers and logistics experts, Productiv provides lean- and quality-engineered solutions to a wide variety of consumer goods and subscription box companies. With strategic locations in Dallas, Chicago, Las Vegas, Charlotte and Richmond as well as numerous customer-embedded operations, Productiv offers the speed, flexibility and scalability to help our clients grow. Visit http://www.getproductiv.com for more information. Reported by PRWeb 58 minutes ago.

Proscia Brings Next Phase of Advanced Clinical Workflow Management to Digital Pathology

March 27, 2018, 6:09 am

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Industry’s most flexible digital pathology platform can now tightly integrate elements of even the most intricate anatomic pathology laboratory operations

BALTIMORE (PRWEB) March 27, 2018

Proscia Inc., creators of AI-powered digital pathology software, today announced the release of its first major expansion to its digital pathology workflow management platform optimized for anatomic pathology labs. First introduced in September 2017, Proscia’s platform can now support an integrated and flexible workflow that accommodates the entire range of pathology services that a lab might provide to make labs more efficient and potentially increase revenue.

Designed for labs with anatomic pathology workflows and optimized for pathologists, histotechnologists, and lab managers, Proscia’s expanded platform can now be configured with multiple workflows across multiple clinical use cases.

“Preparing histology slides for digital sharing used to require multiple manual steps including labeling and annotating the image file and selecting files for upload,” said Dr. Ashley Hill, lead consulting pathologist at ResourcePath, a Sterling, Virginia mouse and human disease research laboratory. “With Proscia’s automatic scanner-sync and barcode support, we can load our 400 slides on the Aperio scanner, click the scan button and walk away. The platform reads the information that we embed in the barcoded slide label from our LIMS to annotate the file. And Proscia’s web interface lets me pull up my cases from anywhere, making it a snap to share with our customers and collaborators from around the world.”

Built from its award-winning software platform, Proscia’s digital pathology workflow management solution leverages machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, leading the move towards precision medicine and computational pathology. Proscia provides hospital, academic, and commercial labs a digital platform for generating additional revenue and improving workflow efficiency, while driving accuracy and increased confidence in results that benefits both pathologists and patients.

“A pathology lab sees several different processes take place for each type of case,” said Coleman Stavish, CTO at Proscia. “An effective digital pathology system needs to work for multiple scenarios and use-cases—it isn’t ‘one-size-fits-all.’ The computational pathology future so many of us envision hinges on robust, flexible, and easy-to-use digital workflow infrastructure. By reducing the friction of adopting digital pathology, this release marks an important milestone in our journey to bring value-add applications to anatomic pathology.”

This new clinical offering expansion enables the following:· Smart workflows: Automated quantification can determine case workflow. For example, the platform can be used for molecular preprocessing workflows or produce an automated H&E analysis that flags low-quality samples with minimal user input. Cases are sortable/searchable by workflow type, priority, assigned user, or any additional user- or LIMS-defined metadata needed.
· Improved barcode support to eliminate re-accession cases: Proscia’s platform automatically performs the “digital accession” based on the slide barcode information, optionally in conjunction with LIMS interfacing. This greatly reduces the burden on the histotechnologist, enabling the wider laboratory to benefit from digital pathology while enabling the histotechnologist to focus on the most important aspects of the job: High-quality tissue processing and preparation. Additionally, the reduced likelihood of sample mis-labeling can enable laboratories to seek reduced malpractice insurance premiums.
· Role- and group-based rules for case access, making it easier to divide project assignments between histotechnologists, pathologists, managers, directors, and others.
· Custom interfaces for each user, with individual case permissions. For example, cases from one satellite lab may be programmed to not be visible to another satellite location, but users at a hub location may have access to cases from all satellite labs. Single sign-on (SSO) via integration with customer identity providers provides enhanced security and ease of use
· Seamless installations. Proscia’s platform can be deployed behind institutional firewalls or alternatively leverage secure, HIPAA-compliant cloud infrastructure.

Proscia’s cloud-based platform offers an opportunity to combine the Whole Slide Images of digital pathology with other sources of data – such as LIMS, EMR, laboratory data (“-omics”), and radiology images, and then apply AI-based algorithms to provide pathologists with a more complete, computer-assisted view of the disease processes present in a tissue sample. Such algorithms can identify complex histological patterns like tumors, classify cancer subtypes, and even predict outcomes with a high degree of accuracy. These building block capabilities can be deployed in pathology workflows for precision screening, automated triaging, and used as image-based assays as corollaries or in complement with their molecular counterparts.

Proscia recently announced it will launch the industry’s first comprehensive dermatopathology-specific computational pathology suite in Q4 2018, implemented as a new AI module to the Proscia platform currently in use at over 300 organizations worldwide.

The company also recently updated its research and academic platform with a Tissue Microarray (TMA) management. The software automatically identifies the constituent cores and enables custom metadata to be associated with each slide, making these slides easier to access. This process reduces time and frustration for users, speeds TMA assessment, potentially provides additional insight for researchers, and enables core laboratories to deliver TMA slides digitally along with easy-to-use management software to their customers as opposed to a folder of images on a hard drive.

If your lab is interested in becoming a digital pathology partner, visit https://proscia.com/partner.

For those interested in further information on why institutions are going digital and how they approach best practices in digital implementation, join Proscia’s upcoming webinar in partnership with The Pathologist and Leica Biosystems: “Going Digital: The Whys and Hows of Adopting Digital Pathology at Your Lab.” This webinar and live Q&A will show how easy implementation can be by viewing example applications and important considerations for transitioning to a digital workflow and discussing the recent and future changes that digital pathology will bring to the laboratory space. Click here to sign up for the event, which will be held Tuesday, April 24 at 4:00 p.m. ET; and Wednesday, April 25 at 4:00 p.m. GMT.

*Proscia software is not intended for use in primary diagnosis.

About Proscia
Proscia was founded in 2014 by a team out of Johns Hopkins, the Moffitt Cancer Center, and the University of Pittsburgh to improve clinical outcomes and accelerate the discovery of breakthrough advancements in the fight against cancer. Using modern computing technologies that unlock hidden data not visible to the human eye and turning that data into valuable insights in the fight against cancer, the company is dedicated to improving the efficiency, speed and quality of pathology diagnostics and research. To learn more, please visit http://www.proscia.com.

Contact Information
Leigh Minnier
Proscia Inc.
leigh(at)gregoryfca(dot)com
610-228-2108 Reported by PRWeb 58 minutes ago.

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Itronics Takes Delivery of Commercial Scale Grinder to Increase E-Scrap Grinding Capacity

March 27, 2018, 6:50 am

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RENO, Nev., March 27, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Itronics Inc. (OTC:ITRO), a diversified zinc, fertilizer and silver producing green technology development Company, today announced that it has received delivery of a commercial scale e-scrap grinder for grinding shredded circuit boards (e-scrap) to feed its refining furnaces.  The grinder, is custom built and has approximately the same throughput capacity as the Company’s shredder.  It is expected to significantly increase the capacity for producing ground circuit board scrap for refining while significantly reducing the cost.Itronics plans to convert one of the rooms in its factory to a dedicated circuit board shredding and grinding room.  The room will have an air cleaning and ventilation system and a dedicated electrical system to support the machine and air cleaning operations.

The Company plans to complete the needed improvements, move the shredder from its current location and install it in the new location, install the grinder and start up the machines in the second quarter 2018. The shredding and grinding capacity of this new operation is expected to be sufficient to support a 50 to 100 times staged expansion of furnace refining capacity over the next 3 to 4 years.

The Company is working on improving “per melt” production of the furnaces and expects to expand per melt production by 35 percent in the second quarter 2018 after the e-scrap grinder is installed and operational.

In 2017 the prices of copper, zinc, silver, gold, and palladium increased sharply, in some cases, to multi-year highs. Many forecasters are predicting that gold and silver prices will significantly increase from current levels.  Copper and tin are at multi-year highs.  The Company is now positioned to benefit significantly as silver bullion production is expanded and these metal prices continue to increase.

*About Itronics*
Headquartered in Reno, Nevada, Itronics Inc. is a “Creative Green Technology” Company which produces GOLD’n GRO specialty liquid fertilizers, silver bullion, and silver-bearing glass. The Company’s goal is to achieve profitable green technology driven organic growth in specialty GOLD’n GRO fertilizers, silver, zinc, and minerals.  The Company’s technologies maximize the recovery and uses of metals and minerals and by doing this maximize sustainability.

Through its subsidiary, Itronics Metallurgical, Inc., Itronics is the only company with a fully permitted “Beneficial Use Photochemical, Silver, and Water Recycling” plant in the United States that converts 100 percent of the spent photoliquids into GOLD’n GRO liquid fertilizers, silver bullion, and silver bearing glass. This is internationally recognized award winning “Zero Waste” Technology.  The Company is developing a portfolio of environmentally beneficial “Zero waste” processing and mining technologies.  Itronics has received numerous domestic and international awards that recognize its ability to successfully use chemical science and engineering to create and implement new environmentally green recycling and fertilizer technologies.

The Company’s environmentally friendly award winning GOLD’n GRO liquid fertilizers, which are extensively used in agriculture, can be used for lawns and houseplants, and are available at the Company's "e-store" on Amazon.Com at: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=GOLD%27n+GRO.  Due to expanded retail customer interest, GOLD’n GRO fertilizer may now be purchased in Reno, Nevada at “Buy Nevada First Gift Shop”, 4001 S. Virginia St.

Follow Itronics on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itronicsinc
Follow Itronics on Twitter: https://twitter.com/itronicsinc  

VISIT OUR WEB SITE: http://www.itronics.com

("Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release contains or may contain forward-looking statements such as statements regarding the Company's growth and profitability, growth strategy, liquidity and access to public markets, operating expense reduction, and trends in the industry in which the Company operates.  The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those more fully described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in risks, uncertainties or assumptions underlying or affecting such statements, or for prospective events that may have a retroactive effect.)

Contact:  
Paul Knopick
888-795-6336 Reported by GlobeNewswire 16 minutes ago.

Buzz Franchise Brands Promotes Angela Zerda Paules to Chief Marketing Officer

March 27, 2018, 7:03 am

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Bringing More Than 15 Years of Experience to New Role, Angela Zerda Paules Oversees Marketing Efforts Across Three Growing Home Maintenance Brands

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (PRWEB) March 27, 2018

Buzz Franchise Brands, parent company of Mosquito Joe, Pool Scouts and Home Clean Heroes, is pleased to announce the recent promotion of Vice President of Marketing Angela Zerda Paules to Chief Marketing Officer. In her new role, Paules will help grow Buzz Franchise Brand’s marketing department by adding key hires to the team, overseeing marketing operations across all brands and leading the marketing strategy and vision to drive franchise and sales growth.

“We’re proud of the culture we’ve developed at Buzz Franchise Brands and Angela has played a key role in cultivating that through her dedication to the success of our franchisees and our employees and her relentless passion for the brand,” said CEO of Buzz Franchise Brands Kevin Wilson. “Angela has become an irreplaceable part of our family and we’re thrilled to see what she is able to accomplish in this new role.”

Paules started her career with Buzz Franchise Brands in 2012, joining as the Director of Marketing for Mosquito Joe when there were just five employees on staff. Now, with 50 corporate employees and more than 240 franchised territories across two brands, she is excited to continue growing her career while making Mosquito Joe, Home Clean Heroes and Pool Scouts household names in home maintenance.

“I’m extremely excited about the challenges ahead of me in this role and look forward to ensuring our marketing remains a top-notch aspect of our business,” said Paules. “My experience has been really diversified over the past five years with Buzz Franchise Brands; from the rebranding and franchising of Mosquito Joe, to the launch of the Pool Scouts and Home Clean Heroes brands, to the development of our marketing department. I think the variety in my work, and the evolution from running a one-person marketing department focused on one brand to a 20-person marketing department supporting three brands, has prepared me well for the position.”

Paules is a University of Texas at Austin graduate, earning her B.S. in communications and business. After graduating, she joined advertising agency GSD&M, part of the Omnicom Group, working in media planning. She later returned to her alma mater as a Marketing Manager for the McCombs School of Business, working on the marketing initiatives for the Texas MBA program portfolio. In 2006, she exercised her entrepreneurial spirit by opening the Irie Bean Coffee Bar in Austin.

“I hope to bring a forward-thinking approach to this role – to keep us on the forefront of the marketing industry, ready to adapt to the inevitable changes that continued advances in technology will bring,” said Paules. “I am extremely proud and thankful to work with a great group of professionals and am eager to continue making our department better for our Buzz Franchise Brands colleagues, franchisees and customers.”

BUZZ FRANCHISE BRANDS

Founded in 2012, Buzz Franchise Brands is a fast-growing multi-brand franchising company that builds companies that get people talking. With a primary focus on providing quality services to the home, Buzz Franchise Brands includes leading mosquito control company Mosquito Joe and pool cleaning service provider Pool Scouts, as well as newly launched house cleaning company Home Clean Heroes. In four years, Buzz Franchise Brands has grown from an office of five people to fifty, from one company truck to over 500, and from one corporate location to over 240 franchise locations open across 34 states, with another 50 under development. For more information, visit https://www.buzzfranchisebrands.com/. Reported by PRWeb 3 minutes ago.

Man pleads guilty in connection with father’s stabbing death

March 28, 2018, 12:12 am

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LEESBURG, Va. (AP) — Prosecutors in Virginia say a man has pleaded guilty in connection with his father’s death. News outlets report that 28-year-old Hector Anthony Flores pleaded guilty to second-degree murder Monday. A news release says Flores and his father, Hector Flores Sr., spent most of Sept. 24, 2017 drinking and watching football with […] Reported by Seattle Times 7 hours ago.

Symposium: 'Humanae Vitae' teachings essential for stable marriages, families

March 28, 2018, 2:14 am

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Atchison, Kansas, Mar 28, 2018 / 02:48 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The promise of the sexual revolution and contraception was total sexual freedom for everyone.

“Sex is for fun and now women can have just as much fun without the consequences,” Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco said about the claims of the sexual revolution in a recent talk.

“That was the cry of the day, and yet somehow it didn’t work out that way,” he said.

What went wrong? It’s a question that the archbishop and other presenters attempted to answer at a symposium on Humanae Vitae and the New Evangelization at Benedictine College in Kansas this past weekend. Cordileone was one of four featured keynote speakers, along with Dr. Janet Smith from Sacred Heart Major Seminary; Dr. Brad Wilcox, director of the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia; and Dr. Jennifer Roback-Morse, founder of the Ruth Institute.

The symposium covered a wide range of topics related to marriage and family life, and looked at why the teachings of the Church in Humanae Vitae are the answer to many of the current cultural and societal problems surrounding sex, marriage and family.

In his talk, Archbishop Cordileone noted the dissonance in a society that on the one hand accepts divorce, contraception and all kinds of sexual deviance as normal, and on the other hand is baffled when thousands of women complain of sexual harassment as part of the #MeToo movement.

“This is another major head scratcher for me. The whole point of these last 50 years was supposed to be liberation,” Cordileone said. But “no one dares to suggest that the problem is the very narrative [from the sexual revolution] itself.”

Dr. Brad Wilcox, professor of Sociology at the University of Virginia and director of the *National Marriage Project*, also noted this cultural inconsistency in his talk about marriage inequality in America.

Wilcox noted that while the upper and middles classes say they are increasingly tolerant of family structure diversity and deviance from the two-married-parent household norm, they are usually more traditional in practice, while the poor are left to suffer the consequences of a culture that no longer values marriage and family.

“We’re seeing what *Charles Murray* has called a fault line now dividing Americans on marriage,” he said, noting that studies show that Americans who are college-educated and relatively more affluent tend to get and stay married.

“By contrast, poor and working class Americans are less likely to sustain high quality marriages and their kids are more likely to be exposed to some kind of instability,” he said, whether that’s single parenthood, cohabitation, divorce and even abuse.

“For me, all of this really matters because it has a direct impact on our kids,” he said, noting that children who experience *unstable families* on average have lower graduation and employment rates, are more likely to end up in trouble with the law, and are more likely to become pregnant as teenagers.

This *significant class divide* over marriage did not exist 50 years ago, but economic and policy shifts as well as a shift away from the secular and civic institutions that used to be a key part of American civil life have played a significant role in creating this divide, Wilcox said.

The interest and participation levels in these institutions that “used to supply money, moral direction, and social support to marriage are quite fragile today, particularly for Americans who don’t have that college degree,” he added.

In her talk, “What the Contraceptive Ideology has done to America,” Morse said that the sexual revolution had three main objectives: to separate sex from babies, to separate both sex and babies from marriage, and to wipe out all differences between men and women.

While Wilcox noted that the poor and working class are suffering the most from a decline in marriage and family, Morse added that children are the ones who lose the most in a society that embraces contraception and divorce.

“We’re talking about a whole society built around the premise that adults can have whatever sexual activity they want and never have a baby, unless they want the baby. That is irrational to believe that that is possible. That is a fantasy,” Morse said.  

“If you’re having sex with somebody who’s [not your spouse] and would be...completely inappropriate for you to co-parent with, what are your options if your contraception fails, which it will about 13 percent of the time?”

The options for these couples are a shotgun wedding, single parenthood, adoption, or abortion, Morse noted, and in many cases, the child suffers from the parents’ actions.

Because of the devastating impacts that the sexual revolution has had on marriage and family, it is all the more important for the Church to continue preaching the truths of Humanae Vitae and the beauty of marriage and family life lived out according to God’s design, Archbishop Cordileone said.

In the *encyclical itself*, Pope Paul VI admits that this teaching will not be easily accepted by all: “It is to be anticipated that perhaps not everyone will easily accept this particular teaching. There is too much clamorous outcry against the voice of the Church, and this is intensified by modern means of communication. But it comes as no surprise to the Church that she, no less than her divine Founder, is destined to be a ‘sign of contradiction.’ She does not, because of this, evade the duty imposed on her of proclaiming humbly but firmly the entire moral law, both natural and evangelical.”

However, those who make the best disciples and evangelizers of the truths of Humanae Vitae are those who have lived by the “secular code of conduct” and have found it lacking and even harmful, Cordileone noted.

“One of the most common responses of young people who are granted the grace of this understanding is, ‘Why didn’t anyone tell me sooner? It would have saved me untold suffering,’” he said.

“Such people make the most ardent disciples, and provide a much needed witness for many cradle Catholics.”

Humanae Vitae is not easy to live out, Archbishop Cordileone said, but it will lead couples to the most happiness and therefore must be taught in a way that is winsome and effective, without shying away from the suffering involved.

“The worst thing we can do...is to soften or downplay the hard parts of our faith, those teachings where we encounter the most resistance or hostility in our culture. How could we do such a thing if we are convinced that this is true, and for the true good of all people?” he said.

“We leaders in the Church do a grave disservice to our people by giving them excuses for taking the easy way out, such as misleading them with the false idea of what conscience means, or failing to assist them in forming their conscience correctly. Much to people’s surprise it is actually the hard way out that is the most effective evangelizing strategy,” he added.

“Rather than offering excuses for fleeing the cross, what we need are creative new ideas to help people understand the wisdom and beauty of God’s design.”  

The point of the symposium is to bring people together who can do just that, said Dr. Matthew Muller, assistant professor of theology and an organizer of the event through Benedictine College’s Gregorian Institute.

“The Symposium is a think-tank for the New Evangelization, so what is important now, I think, is that leaders at the diocesan, parish, and ministry levels, as well as the scholars and graduate students who attended, continue to reflect on the ideas they heard and develop ways to implement those ideas in their professional or scholarly work,” Muller told CNA.

“The reception of Humanae Vitae is an ongoing process in the Church, and events like the Symposium help to encourage a deeper appreciation and integration of the Church’s teachings concerning the goodness of the human person, sexuality, marriage, and family.”

  Reported by CNA 5 hours ago.

Best Places to Work Honoree: Alzheimer’s Association Miami Valley

March 28, 2018, 2:42 am

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It takes an army of kind, patient and dedicated people to fight a cruel disease like Alzheimer’s. Eric VanVlymen says that’s exactly who he has working for the Alzheimer’s Association Miami Valley. “Our staff and volunteers are the most compassionate, big-hearted people who truly are focused on helping others,” said VanVlymen, the local chapter’s executive director and the regional director for Ohio, Michigan and West Virginia.  Helping Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers… Reported by bizjournals 5 hours ago.