Tag Archives: California Business

Accepted, Not Denied, Never Decided: California Ferret Petition Remains Unresolved After 378 Days

Petitioners say State's inaction has left them with fewer rights than if the petition had been denied

LA MESA, Calif., June 25, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Three hundred seventy-eight days after the California Fish and Game Commission unanimously voted to give further consideration to a petition seeking removal of domestic ferrets from California’s restricted species list, the petition remains unresolved, says Legalize Ferrets (Legalizeferrets.org).

Photo caption: Dino pauses for a photo while exploring his favorite room in the house – the laundry room. More than a year after California regulators voted to consider Petition 2025-003, the petition remains unresolved.

No recommendation has been issued. No determination has been provided to the petitioner. No final action has been taken.

Petitioners argue that the result is a procedural dead end: had the petition been denied, they could have sought judicial review. Instead, the petition was accepted and referred for evaluation, but remains unresolved more than a year later.

“The unusual part of this case is that acceptance of the petition appears to have left us with fewer practical remedies than a denial would have,” said Pat Wright, founder of LegalizeFerrets.org. “Had the petition been rejected, we could have challenged that decision. Instead, it was accepted, referred, and then left unresolved.”

A PETITION ACCEPTED BUT NEVER DECIDED

On June 11, 2025, the Fish and Game Commission voted unanimously to give further consideration to Petition 2025-003 and referred the matter to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for evaluation.

Had the Commission denied the petition, petitioners could have pursued available legal remedies. Had the petition proceeded through the normal administrative process, the Department would have completed its review and returned a recommendation to the Commission.

Instead, 378 days later, the petition remains pending without a final determination.

Petitioners contend that the State’s inaction has created a situation in which the administrative process has stalled while no final agency decision exists for a court to review.

PUBLIC RECORDS RAISE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

Seeking to understand the status of the petition, petitioners submitted multiple requests under the California Public Records Act.

In response to an April 2026 records request, the Department reported that no responsive records existed. A later records request produced internal documents showing the petition was known to Department personnel and appeared on an internal petitions agenda.

Meeting notes from an April 29, 2026 petitions meeting show discussion of several petitions. The notation for the ferret petition states only: “No discussion.”

Records produced to date have revealed no documented recommendation, evaluation, or analysis of Petition 2025-003.

Additional records revealed litigation-hold communications relating to the petition and subsequent litigation.

THE QUESTION BEFORE THE COURT

The litigation does not ask the court to legalize ferrets.

Instead, the case seeks judicial review of whether state agencies have fulfilled their legal obligations after accepting a petition for consideration.

According to filings in the case, the State argues that petitioners generally must await final agency action before seeking judicial review. Petitioners argue that because no final action has ever been taken, they have been left in procedural limbo—unable to obtain a decision from the agency while simultaneously being told there is no final decision to challenge.

“The question extends beyond ferrets,” Wright said. “If an agency can accept a petition and then simply never complete the process, the public’s right to petition government becomes largely meaningless. Citizens should be entitled to an answer.”

TIMELINE

June 11, 2025
Fish and Game Commission votes unanimously to give further consideration to Petition 2025-003 and refers it to the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

April 2026
Department responds to a Public Records Act request stating that no responsive records exist.

May–June 2026
Additional Public Records Act requests produce internal records, petitions meeting notes, and litigation-hold communications.

March 19, 2026
Petitioners file a writ action in Sacramento County Superior Court seeking judicial intervention.

June 24, 2026
Petition remains unresolved 378 days after referral.

ABOUT THE PETITION

Petition 2025-003 seeks removal of domestic ferrets from California’s restricted species list. Domestic ferrets are legal pets in 48 states. California remains one of only two states that prohibit private ownership.

ABOUT LEGALIZEFERRETS.ORG

Legalize Ferrets (LegalizeFerrets.org) is a California-based advocacy organization dedicated to ending California’s prohibition on domestic ferrets through legislation, administrative reform, public education, transparency, and legal action. Learn more: https://legalizeferrets.org/.

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NEWS SOURCE: Legalize Ferrets

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Legalize Ferrets), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/accepted-not-denied-never-decided-california-ferret-petition-remains-unresolved-after-378-days/

Breakthrough At-Home Vision Testing Platform Reinvents the Eye Exam with MIT Science and Telehealth

California firm ProNova Partners has been retained to develop major strategic partnership and acquisition relationships for a fully developed, clinically validated, FDA-registered at-home vision-testing platform now operating in more than 150 countries

LOS ANGELES, Calif., June 23, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Seventeen-year-old Mergers and Acquisitions firm ProNova Partners has announced it has been retained to develop major strategic partnership and acquisition relationships for a breakthrough at-home vision-testing technology built on optical science exclusively licensed from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Image caption: ProNova Partners, Inc.

The platform lets a person measure their own vision with a smartphone and receive a doctor-generated eyeglass or contact lens prescription remotely, without a clinic visit. It spans seven FDA-registered medical devices and applications, and independent clinical trials have confirmed accuracy comparable to the in-office equipment used in a traditional eye exam.

More than 50,000 devices are in use across over 150 countries, built up over eight years of operation with zero product defects and zero litigation. The technology, while not meant to replace the traditional in-clinic eye exam, carries a full regulatory and quality stack, including ISO 13485 and HIPAA compliance, and is protected by more than two dozen issued patents.

“Every so often a technology quietly solves a problem an entire industry has worked on for decades,” said Terie Salinas, Chief Operating Officer of ProNova Partners. “This is one of those. It is fully built, clinically validated, and already in use worldwide. Our mandate is to bring the right strategic partners to it.”

The technology arrives as the roughly $60-billion U.S. vision-care market faces a growing shortage of eye-care providers, and as the traditional eye exam — essentially unchanged for two centuries — becomes the next consumer-health category reshaped by telehealth and artificial intelligence.

“We have completed more than 500 transactions across many arenas, including the medical-device, healthcare, and technology space,” Salinas said. “That is exactly the experience a platform like this requires.”

Company details are available to qualified parties upon execution of a standard non-disclosure agreement.

For detailed information go to https://pronovapartners.com/engagement/patented-at-home-vision-testing-platform-for-sale/

PRESS CONTACT INFORMATION:
Terie Salinas
Chief Operating Officer
ProNova Partners, Inc.
Terie@ProNovaPartners.com
714-580-6888
https://www.pronovapartners.com/

NEWS SOURCE: ProNova Partners

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (ProNova Partners), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/breakthrough-at-home-vision-testing-platform-reinvents-the-eye-exam-with-mit-science-and-telehealth/

ScentFest SF, the West Coast’s First International Consumer Fragrance Festival, Opens at Fort Mason June 26-28

More than 110 fragrance houses, the Osmothèque's 4,000-year archive including the original 1921 Chanel No. 5, and a Scent Sessions program presented by Amouage with creative director Renaud Salmon and Kayali founder Mona Kattan

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., June 22, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — ScentFest SF, the West Coast’s first international consumer fragrance festival, opens June 26 to 28, 2026 at the Gateway Pavilion at Fort Mason Center in San Francisco. Founded by Sebastian Jara, creator of The Perfume Guy on YouTube, the inaugural three-day festival gathers more than 110 fragrance houses from around the world, the traveling archive of the Osmothèque, and a program of talks featuring some of the most recognized names in perfumery, all built for the public rather than the trade.

Image caption: ScentFest SF, the West Coast’s first international consumer fragrance festival, June 26-28, 2026 at the Gateway Pavilion, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco. (Image courtesy ScentFest SF)

The centerpiece is the Osmothèque, the world’s largest fragrance archive, based at Versailles, France. For the first time, it will present its historic scents at a US consumer festival: 25 fragrances spanning nearly 4,000 years. The journey begins with Kyphi, the sacred scent of ancient Egypt, and runs through the cologne Napoleon wore, Houbigant’s Fougère Royale of 1884, widely called the birth of modern perfumery, and the original 1921 formula of Chanel No. 5 as Ernest Beaux first composed it. Among the rarest are Coty’s Chypre (1917), the perfume that named an entire fragrance family, and Jacques Fath’s Iris Gris (1947), a lost masterpiece collectors treat as a holy grail. Most are no longer made and survive almost nowhere else, making this a once-in-a-lifetime chance to smell them.

The festival’s Scent Sessions program, presented by the luxury house Amouage, brings three days of talks and panels featuring marquee names from across the industry. Amouage creative director Renaud Salmon headlines, joined in a Saturday rapid-fire session by Mona Kattan, founder of Kayali. Master perfumer Christophe Laudamiel, a live smelling of original historic formulas led by the Osmothèque’s Thomas Fontaine, and dozens of perfumers, brand founders, and critics round out a program on the art, craft, and culture of perfumery.

On the festival floor, the more than 110 houses range from established names to independent perfumers found in no department store, and nearly all sell on-site, so a scent discovered is a scent to take home that day. At the Algorithmic Perfumery station from EveryHuman, visitors answer a few questions and an AI composes a personal fragrance, blended and bottled on the spot (a custom 5ml bottle is $25).

“For one weekend, the public gets to walk into a world that usually stays behind the closed doors of the trade,” said Sebastian Jara, founder of ScentFest SF. “You can smell 4,000 years of perfume history, meet the people behind the bottles, and leave with a scent made just for you.”

The timing is deliberate. ScentFest SF caps a remarkable week for fragrance in Northern California, following the World Perfumery Congress in Monterey (June 23 to 25) and the Business of Beauty Global Forum in Napa Valley (June 24 to 26). It is the one part of that week made for the public.

ScentFest SF is open to the public from noon to 6 p.m. each day; press, industry, and VIP pass holders enter at 10 a.m. General admission is $49 for a single day or $139 for a three-day pass. Tickets and the full schedule are at https://scentfestsf.com/.

ABOUT SCENTFEST SF

ScentFest SF is the West Coast’s first international consumer fragrance festival, June 26 to 28, 2026 at the Gateway Pavilion, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco. Founded by Sebastian Jara of The Perfume Guy, it features more than 110 fragrance brands, the Osmothèque, the Algorithmic Perfumery experience from EveryHuman, and the Scent Sessions program presented by Amouage. Tickets at https://scentfestsf.com/.

ABOUT THE OSMOTHÈQUE

Founded at Versailles, France in 1990 by master perfumer Jean Kerleo, the Osmothèque is the world’s largest fragrance archive, preserving more than 4,000 perfumes from antiquity to the present, including some 800 no longer produced, under strict temperature and atmospheric controls. Learn more: https://www.osmotheque.fr/en/.

MEDIA AND BRAND CONTACT INFO:

Media contact: Tom Schroeder, Media Coordinator, ScentFest SF, tom@scentfestsf.media, 408.315.1909

Brand contact: R. Randall Schroeder, Brand Manager, randall@theperfumeguy.net, 415.596.9000

Editor’s note: A video introduction to ScentFest SF, hosted by founder Sebastian Jara, is at https://youtu.be/LBvPAP6zZ90.

High-resolution images and interviews are available on request from Tom Schroeder (tom@scentfestsf.media).

Follow the festival on Instagram (@scentfestsf), Facebook (https://facebook.com/ScentFestSF), and YouTube (https://youtube.com/@ThePerfumeGuy).

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NEWS SOURCE: ScentFest SF

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (ScentFest SF), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/scentfest-sf-the-west-coasts-first-international-consumer-fragrance-festival-opens-at-fort-mason-june-26-28/

Christian Navarro Returns to Los Angeles with New Concept: christian’s Wine Bar & Restaurant Set to Open at Iconic HBO Building on Sunset Blvd.

At the heart of christian's is an exceptional menu crafted by an all-star team led by Chef Alan Martinez

LOS ANGELES, Calif., June 19, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Renowned wine and hospitality guru Christian Navarro, celebrated for transforming Wally’s from a beloved neighborhood shop (founded in 1968) into one of North America’s premier wine, spirits, and dining destinations. Navarro joined Wally’s in 1991, partnering with founder Steve Wallace to evolve it into a Wine Spectator Grand Award winner. In 2013, he pioneered the innovative hybrid format by blending fine retail, cheese shop, and elegant restaurant dining. With locations in Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Las Vegas. Now he is thrilled to return to his hometown of Los Angeles with his latest standalone venture: “christian’s” Wine Bar & Restaurant.

Photo caption: christian’s Wine Bar & Restaurant Set to Open at Iconic HBO Building on Sunset Blvd.

This new venture marks Navarro’s triumphant return after two years designing high-end restaurants, clubs, bars, and kiosks nationwide for the global entertainment powerhouse Oak View Group (OVG). Situated at the famous HBO building on Sunset Blvd (9000 Sunset Blvd), this intimate, world-class wine bar and restaurant blends California-fresh ingredients with elegant French influences, delivering a refined yet approachable dining experience.

At the heart of christian’s is an exceptional menu crafted by an all-star team led by Chef Alan Martinez, a longtime collaborator from Navarro’s Wally’s days. The menu features an abundant variety of vibrant, market-driven salads bursting with seasonal produce, alongside indulgent fondue — ideal for sharing with groups and friends. Highlights include a signature grill kitchen where premium steaks and meats are cooked over live coals and select woods, imparting deep, smoky flavors that elevate every dish.

Complementing the food is a robust beverage program showcasing 80 wines by the glass, curated from around the world to pair perfectly with the cuisine. The space invites relaxation with an enchanting outdoor dining area; a secret garden patio oasis that feels like a hidden retreat amid the energy of Sunset Blvd.

True to Navarro’s legacy of making exceptional wines accessible, christian’s extends its renowned online offerings via navarroswine.com. Diners can take home favorite bottles after their meal, arrange case deliveries, or send curated wine gifts nationwide. The same premium service applies to gourmet foods, including prime steaks, caviar, and other specialties shipped directly to homes across the country.

Christian’s Wine Bar & Restaurant invites friends, fans, and food lovers to discover Navarro’s vision of elevated, joyful dining in the heart of Los Angeles.

Visit the website to learn more: https://christianswinebarandrestaurant.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/christians.restaurant.official/

Discover more at Instagram:
@christians.restaurant.official and @christianeduardonavarro

ABOUT CHRISTIAN NAVARRO

Christian Navarro is one of the most influential wine industry leaders on the planet. Christian currently is partnering with Oak View Group a global Venue, entertainment, and sports company to bring fine wine, great food and luxury to OVG worldwide. Christian was President & Principal of Wally’s, the luxury retail/restaurant operation revered by wine & food aficionados around the globe. He began with Wally’s in the early 90’s when it was a L.A. based, neighborhood wine shop. As a partner, Christian has transformed the brand into a world-class, hybrid concept that includes a fine wine retail store and specialty cheese shop encompassed by an elegant, relaxed restaurant setting. Navarro created and built Wally’s Beverly Hills, Wally’s Santa Monica and Wally’s Las Vegas. Navarro led Wally’s to multiple Grand Awards for one of the countries finest wine lists by The Wine Spectator, has won multiple awards for best restaurant in Beverly Hills, Named “The Wine Therapist to the Stars” by The New York Times, Christian’s clients include the most powerful players in the financial, political, art, media, and entertainment world.

In addition to running his wine and food dynasty, Christian is a regular contributor and featured in over 75 significant publications, podcasts, tv segments, and films including Robb Report, Wine Spectator, Vanity Fair, Forbes, Food & Wine, Bob Pittman’s Math and Magic, and has made appearances in popular films such as “Sour Grapes,” Christian has also been named one of the top 100 wine personalities in the World by American Express. In addition, Christian has interviewed on IG numerous celebrities such as Eva Longoria, Mary J Blige, Ian Somerhalder, Wolfgang Puck, Steven Soderberg, Kyle Maclachlan, Nobu Matsuhisa, and more.

Christian’s unrivaled savvy and success in the wine and food industry has also enabled him to develop key partnerships with powerful corporations including Christie’s, Delta Airlines, el Cristiano Tequila and The Four Seasons hotel group. Christian created The Maui Four Seasons Food and Wine Festival named The best Food and Wine Festival by Robb Report. Christian is extremely passionate about giving back to the community and, specifically, works hard to mentor youth and help them fulfill their dreams. He serves on the board of Food on Foot, a nonprofit dedicated to providing the homeless with meals, improving their lives, by education, finding them permanent housing, and ending the hunger crisis that plagues our country. He is also deeply involved in bettering public education with the Santa Monica Malibu Education Foundation. For more information on Christian Navarro follow @christianeduardonavarro on Instagram and Facebook.

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Photo caption: christian’s Wine Bar & Restaurant Set to Open at Iconic HBO Building on Sunset Blvd.

Editorial note: the brand christian’s is used lowercase.

NEWS SOURCE: christian's Wine Bar and Restaurant

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (christian's Wine Bar and Restaurant), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/christian-navarro-returns-to-los-angeles-with-new-concept-christians-wine-bar-restaurant-set-to-open-at-iconic-hbo-building-on-sunset-blvd/

Domaine Carneros Remembers Founding Winemaker and CEO Eileen Crane

NAPA, Calif., June 17, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Domaine Carneros shares with great sadness the passing of Eileen Crane, our founding winemaker, longtime CEO, and the woman who made Domaine Carneros what it is today. Anyone who spent time with Eileen quickly understood that her gifts went well beyond the cellar. She had sharp wit and quiet conviction. She was elegant and tough in the same breath, a born optimist with endless creativity and a natural instinct for mentorship. She poured everything she had into her work, and into the people around her.

Image caption: Eileen Crane, founding winemaker and CEO of Domaine Carneros by Taittinger.

At eight years old, sitting at her family’s Sunday dinner table, she took her first sip of champagne and thought simply, “This is for me.” She never looked back. She earned a master’s degree in nutrition, trained at the Culinary Institute of America, and eventually made her way west to study enology and viticulture at UC Davis, where she was told outright by a male professor that a woman could never be a winemaker. She didn’t listen, and she kept going.

Her career reshaped American sparkling wine. After rising from tour guide to assistant winemaker at Domaine Chandon, she went on to build two prominent European sparkling wine houses in California, from the ground up, first at Gloria Ferrer, and then at Domaine Carneros, where the Taittinger and Kopf families entrusted her with launching their California sparkling wine house in 1987. Over 33 years as CEO, she led the winery with care and conviction.

From the start, the goal was Le Rêve, French for “the dream,” a Blanc de Blancs that she would later call her greatest triumph. She spent years developing the recipe, blending Chardonnay from the very best fruit of the vintage, finally landing on the blend with the 1992 vintage. To celebrate, Taittinger commissioned the ram’s head embossed bottle that has held the wine ever since. As Eileen described it, Le Rêve was meant to be “refined, understated elegance, nothing extraneous, everything brought together with a sense of effortless beauty. Think Audrey Hepburn in the little black dress.”

Eileen was a true steward of the land. She believed that caring for the earth was not separate from making great wine, it was the foundation of it. From the very beginning of her tenure in 1987, she championed sustainability in every corner of the winery, from the vineyards to the cellar to the way the operation was powered, long before such commitments were commonplace in the industry. She practiced natural pest management, composting, and water reuse. She was among the first winery leaders in California to embrace solar power, and when the array atop the pinot noir facility was installed in 2003, it was the largest on any winery in the world at the time. Years later, she led the build-out of a solar microgrid, the next step in renewable energy and resiliency, enabling the winery to keep running even when the power went out. Under her leadership, Domaine Carneros earned both the 2019 California Green Medal Business Award, one of only four wineries recognized annually, and certified sustainable status for the winery and vineyards. Her commitment to leaving the land better than she found it is one of the most enduring parts of her legacy.

Eileen’s vision for hospitality was as pioneering as her winemaking. Every visit was designed to be educational and immersive, guided by people who could tell the full story of the estate and the wines in the glass. She was among the first in California to build a wine club, creating a community of members who didn’t just buy the wine but belonged to the place. And she understood that great hospitality required great spaces. She opened the original château in 1987, one of the most recognizable wine country landmarks in California. In 2003, she added the pinot noir production facility and a dedicated wine club room, giving members a home at the estate. In 2018, she brought her vision full circle with the Jardin d’Hiver, a glass conservatory that became an instant landmark, a space as refined and alive as the wines she made.

Some of her most lasting work was on behalf of the women who came after her. A pioneer for women in the wine industry, she opened doors that had long been closed and then made sure others could walk through them. She took their calls, answered their questions, and gave them the guidance she hadn’t been offered herself. But to many of the women she mentored, she was simply the one who showed them it could be done. Author, wine educator and journalist Karen MacNeil dubbed her “the Doyenne of Sparkling Wine in America.”

Her influence ran just as deep inside Domaine Carneros. She set the standard for how the team works and how they treat each other, built an open-book culture, and instilled an expectation that never wavered: do the work well, and never lose sight of the people you serve.

“Eileen was Domaine Carneros,” said Erin Stauffer, Domaine Carneros’s chief sales and marketing officer who worked alongside Eileen for over fifteen years. “She built this place with her hands and her heart, and she shaped every one of us who had the privilege of working alongside her. Her standards live on in every bottle, every vine, every guest we welcome through these doors. We will miss her more than words can say.”

When commenting on Eileen’s vast contributions, Champagne Taittinger’s President Vitalie Taittinger shared on behalf of the Taittinger and Kopf families, “Forty-five years ago, when the Taittinger family embarked on creating Domaine Carneros, we knew that such an undertaking required a singular individual, someone capable of bringing together two cultures, two traditions and a shared pursuit of excellence. Eileen was that person. From the beginning, she understood that the ambition was not to reproduce champagne in California, but to reveal the unique expression of Napa Valley.

“Under her leadership, Domaine Carneros became deeply rooted in its own terroir and identity. The wines spoke for themselves: excellence without imitation, authenticity without compromise. At a time when few women held leadership positions in the wine world, Eileen Crane opened a path. She forged her own way with determination, conviction and an unwavering commitment to excellence, and she showed what leadership could look like for future generations. Those who knew her will remember her high standards, her clarity of vision and the respect she inspired.”

Eileen retired as CEO in the summer of 2020 and continued on as consulting winemaker, never far from the place she made her life’s work. Throughout her career, she also gave generously of her time outside the winery, serving the Carneros Wine Alliance, OLE Health, Collabria Care (now Providence Community Health), and Music in the Vineyards.

She leaves behind a remarkable legacy, and a winery family that loved her.

Contributions to Communicare+OLE, Providence Community Health formerly Collabria Care or Music in the Vineyards in Eileen’s honor would be welcomed.

Learn more: https://www.domainecarneros.com/

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Photo Caption: Eileen Crane, founding winemaker and CEO of Domaine Carneros by Taittinger.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Kimberly Noelle Charles, 415 730-0064, kcharles@charlescomm.com

NEWS SOURCE: Domaine Carneros

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Domaine Carneros), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/domaine-carneros-remembers-founding-winemaker-and-ceo-eileen-crane/

Informative Research receives MortgagePoint Tech Excellence Award for unified credit and verification platform

GARDEN GROVE, Calif., June 16, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Informative Research (IR), a leading technology provider of data-driven credit and verification solutions for the lending industry, today announced it has been named a recipient of the MortgagePoint Excellence Award for Top Technology Providers. The recognition highlights IR’s innovative, unified platform, which enables lenders to operate more efficiently and make confident, data-driven decisions across the loan origination process.

Image caption: Informative Research receives 2026 MortgagePoint Tech Excellence Award.

IR brings credit, verification and borrower data solutions together in a single, cohesive platform. By simplifying the tech stack and streamlining key workflows, IR helps clients manage costs, improve pull-through and enhance performance at every stage of origination. Integrations with leading loan origination systems and top data providers eliminate friction across credit, income and asset verification processes.

IR offerings include:

The Credit Platform: powers a full suite of solutions including soft pulls, hard pulls, tri-merge, FICO 10T, VantageScore 4.0, Mortgage Refresh, Account Refresh and simulators.
SoftQual™: enables prequalification without impacting borrower credit scores, while automated data transfers into loan origination systems reduce manual work and improve accuracy.
The Verification Platform: delivers a customizable waterfall across instant databases, payroll providers and manual verification, integrating with The Work Number®, Experian Verify, AccountChek®, and more.
Action Center: a self-service portal enabling loan officers and processors to make changes, request supplements and letters of explanation, and resolve issues directly from the credit report.

A robust data and analytics layer supports multiple IR solutions with dashboards, audit trails, reporting and platform reliability. Over the past year, IR expanded its technology footprint with five new integrations, including a partnership with Halcyon to automate income validation and add IRS tax transcript access, expanded verification options with Thomas & Company, and the introduction of The Work Number Report Indicator from Equifax to provide earlier insight into borrower employment status.

“This recognition reflects the work our team puts into solving real problems for lenders every day,” said CEO Matt Orlando. “Our platform was built to cut through the complexity of the origination process. When lenders can better manage credit and verification costs, improve pull-through and lower repurchase risk using a single, connected platform, we know we’re succeeding. We’re proud to be named among the top technology providers in the industry and remain committed to raising that bar.”

Explore the full list of MortgagePoint Excellence Award recipients: https://themortgagepoint.com/2026/06/15/meet-this-years-mortgagepoint-tech-excellence-award-recipients/.

About Informative Research

Informative Research, a Stewart company, is a premier technology provider delivering data-driven credit and verification solutions to the lending community. The solutions provider currently serves mortgage companies, banks and lenders throughout the United States. The company is recognized for streamlining the loan process with its straightforward service model, progressive solutions and cutting-edge technology. To learn more, visit https://www.informativeresearch.com.

NEWS SOURCE: Informative Research

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Informative Research), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/informative-research-receives-mortgagepoint-tech-excellence-award-for-unified-credit-and-verification-platform/

DocMagic named 2026 MortgagePoint Tech Excellence Award recipient for digital mortgage innovation

TORRANCE, Calif., June 16, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — DocMagic® announced today it has again been named a recipient of the MortgagePoint Tech Excellence Award. The annual award recognizes the most innovative technology providers in the mortgage industry. According to MortgagePoint, the Tech Excellence Award “highlights companies that deliver cutting-edge solutions, improve operational efficiency and enhance the mortgage process through technology.”

Image caption: DocMagic, Inc.

MortgagePoint selected DocMagic as a winner for the second consecutive year based on its continued innovation and measurable impact across the digital mortgage lifecycle. Over nearly four decades, the company has evolved from a provider of document generation into a fully connected platform that supports document prep, compliance, eSignature, closing and eVaulting in a single environment.

Despite a challenging market, DocMagic’s digital closing platform continued to grow in 2025. eClosings increased nearly 31% year over year, with eNote activity growing even faster. Since 2022, the company has supported hundreds of thousands of eClosings and now accounts for nearly 12% of all industry eNote registrations.

“We’re proud to be recognized again by MortgagePoint,” said Lori Johnson, COO of DocMagic. “What matters most to us is helping our clients operate with more certainty and less friction. That means giving them tools that make closings faster, compliance easier and operations more efficient. It’s what we’ve been doing for almost 40 years.”

DocMagic continues to develop proprietary innovations. The company recently secured two U.S. patents related to electronic loan document technology and enabled the industry’s first electronic home equity line of credit registration with the MERS® eRegistry. Most recently, its SmartSAFE eVault earned MISMO’s eVault System Certification, adding to existing MISMO certifications for its eClosing system and remote online notarization capabilities.

Across market cycles, DocMagic has maintained a focus on reliability, compliance and scale. That consistency has allowed lenders, credit unions and independent mortgage banks to expand digital execution without adding operational burden or risk.

The MortgagePoint Tech Excellence Awards annually spotlight organizations advancing essential technology across mortgage and real estate. To learn more and view the full list of honorees, visit https://themortgagepoint.com/2026/06/15/meet-this-years-mortgagepoint-tech-excellence-award-recipients/.

About DocMagic:

DocMagic® provides a complete digital mortgage platform for the mortgage industry, delivering proprietary document generation, automated compliance, eSignature, eClosing, eNotarization, eNote and eVault technology in one unified solution. Built on nearly 40 years of innovation, DocMagic helps lenders, settlement service providers and investors move loans from application through post-closing with greater speed, accuracy and confidence. AI deepens that foundation through the company’s Intelligent Agentic Network. For more information, visit www.docmagic.com.

Logo link for media: https://www.docmagic.com/sites/default/files/img/logo/docmagic-logo-reg.png

NEWS SOURCE: DocMagic, Inc.

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (DocMagic, Inc.), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/docmagic-named-2026-mortgagepoint-tech-excellence-award-recipient-for-digital-mortgage-innovation/

HotDeals Code Verification Feature Expands Across 23 Markets to Strengthen Coupon Transparency

HotDeals Consumer Savings Index data shows growing consumer preference for verified promo codes over unvalidated discount listings

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., June 10, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Data from the HotDeals Consumer Savings Index indicates that code-level verification is reshaping how consumers interact with online coupons. Two weeks after launch, the verification system now covers more than 38,000 merchant pages and over 400,000 promo codes across 23 international markets.

Image caption: HotDeals.

The expansion signals a shift in consumer expectations: shoppers increasingly look for evidence that a code works before attempting to apply it at checkout, rather than relying on trial and error.

KEY FINDINGS

According to the HotDeals Consumer Savings Index:

Verification coverage: The system tracks 400,000+ promo codes across 38,000+ merchant pages in 23 markets. In the U.S. alone, 15,422 merchant pages and 217,129 codes are monitored.
Consumer trust signals: Of all tracked codes in the U.S., approximately 35,000 currently meet the threshold to display verification badges, backed by nearly 3.7 million savings records collected from real transactions.
Geographic variation: France (4,177 merchants, 32,403 codes) and Germany (4,694 merchants, 37,140 codes) represent the largest European coverage, with the U.K. (5,835 merchants, 43,628 codes) leading in merchant count outside the U.S.
Global savings data: Across all 23 markets, the system has accumulated nearly 9 million savings records within two weeks, providing a growing dataset for code validation.

MARKET COVERAGE

Top five markets by verification coverage:

United States: 15,422 merchants, 217,129 codes
United Kingdom: 5,835 merchants, 43,628 codes
Germany: 4,694 merchants, 37,140 codes
France: 4,177 merchants, 32,403 codes
Australia: 1,393 merchants, 9,487 codes

Additional markets include Canada, Brazil, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Poland, Denmark, Japan, and 10 others across Europe and Asia-Pacific.

HOW CODE VERIFICATION WORKS

The HotDeals Consumer Savings Index draws from two independent data streams:

Aggregated Transaction Outcomes — The system tracks which codes produce confirmed results at checkout, scoring each code based on recent activity frequency across the platform.
Brand Expert Testing — Category-specific testers validate codes directly on merchant websites, confirming discount amounts, eligibility conditions, and active status.

Codes meeting both thresholds receive a verification indicator visible to shoppers before they attempt to use the code.

WHY IT MATTERS

A significant portion of promo codes listed across the web are expired, restricted, or no longer functional. This creates a negative experience for consumers who spend time testing codes that ultimately fail at checkout.

Code Verification addresses this trust gap by surfacing real transaction data alongside each listing, allowing consumers to make informed decisions about which codes to try.

“The pattern we observe is consistent across markets,” noted the HotDeals Research Team. “Consumers want evidence that a discount works, not just a promise. Verification changes the coupon experience from guesswork to informed selection.”

About HotDeals

HotDeals (https://www.hotdeals.com/) is a verified coupon platform where real users test promo codes so shoppers don’t have to. The HotDeals Consumer Savings Index tracks coupon effectiveness and consumer savings behavior across 23 countries.

Learn more: https://www.hotdeals.com/

NEWS SOURCE: HotDeals

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (HotDeals), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/hotdeals-code-verification-feature-expands-across-23-markets-to-strengthen-coupon-transparency/

As West Coast Architect Fees Soar, Sierra Log and Timber Disrupts Custom Home Market with $950 Flat-Rate 3D Drafting Solution

CHICO, Calif., June 10, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — With West Coast architectural fees climbing to historic highs, standard residential design services are rapidly becoming cost-prohibitive for middle-class homebuilders. In a direct bid to dismantle this financial bottleneck, California-based manufacturer Sierra Log and Timber today announced the rollout of a flat-rate $950 custom 3D architectural drafting program available across its digital footprint at loghomefloorplans.shop.

Image caption: Model ADU1200/1670. A Red Cedar 6×10 timber design using the Smart Build Bonus System for the roof system enabling a 470 sq ft bonus room area. 1200 sq ft footprint with a 470 sq ft bonus loft = 1670 sq ft.

Traditionally, custom home planning requires a major upfront financial gamble. Standard regional architecture firms routinely charge between 8% to 15% of total projected construction costs—or demand $5,000 to $15,000 upfront – just to produce initial concept layout sketches. This financial barrier has left thousands of Western property owners locked out of the market, paralyzed by high interest rates and the fear of the unknown before they can even secure accurate local builder estimates.

“The traditional home design process is fundamentally broken for today’s economy,” said Larry Trimboli, founder of Sierra Log and Timber. “Homeowners shouldn’t have to risk $10,000 of their savings just to see if a house layout will fit their land or their budget. By utilizing our direct-from-the-mill digital drafting system, we are absorbing that upfront financial risk for our clients. For $950, we give them a hyper-realistic, code-viable 3D model that acts as their financial shield against construction cost inflation.”

Sierra Log and Timber’s new programmatic release completely rewrites the pre-construction timeline. For a flat fee of $950, property owners can submit their custom home ideas, site parameters, or raw sketches to an in-house drafting team. The company then develops a complete, fully customized 3D architectural study set from scratch, tailored perfectly to the client’s specific acreage or suburban parcel.

Crucially, these custom 3D design sets give buyers the exact asset they need to break the market freeze: total cost certainty. Instead of guessing at material and trade costs, clients can take their finished 3D study sets directly to local general contractors, subcontractors, and construction lenders to secure guaranteed, itemized bids before committing to a major long-term loan.

The flat-rate custom 3D design program is optimized specifically for the company’s core Western footprint, covering California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Colorado, and Montana. The program applies seamlessly across Sierra Log & Timber’s extensive engineering categories, including its premium solid Red Cedar log packages, modern heavy-timber frames, barndominiums, and the newly launched ADU 750 fee-exempt secondary dwelling series.

To ensure complete design flexibility, the flat rate includes full architectural revisions of windows, doors, interior partition walls, and rooflines to match local county zoning, snow load, and wind engineering requirements.

Property owners looking to bypass traditional architectural markups and lock down real pre-construction numbers can claim a custom 3D drafting slot directly at: https://loghomefloorplans.shop/.

ABOUT SIERRA LOG AND TIMBER:

Based in Chico, California, Sierra Log and Timber is a premier manufacturer of mill-direct solid Red Cedar log homes, cabins, barndominiums, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs), providing premium structural packages and advanced 3D digital drafting services nationwide. Learn more at: https://sierralogandtimber.com/.

MULTIMEDIA:

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NEWS SOURCE: Sierra Log and Timber

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Sierra Log and Timber), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/as-west-coast-architect-fees-soar-sierra-log-and-timber-disrupts-custom-home-market-with-950-flat-rate-3d-drafting-solution/

Marin Shakespeare Company Opens Vibrant, Pride-Forward Production of ‘As You Like It’

Love. Out loud. Under the stars. Beginning June 19 at the Forest Meadows Amphitheatre.

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., June 3, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Love takes center stage under the summer sky as Marin Shakespeare Company presents “As You Like It,” adapted and directed by Evren Odcikin and running June 19 through July 19 at the Forest Meadows Amphitheatre. A dazzling, music-filled, fashion-forward romp through the Forest of Arden. Joyous and romantic, this reimagining leans into the comedy’s delicious fluidity of gender and identity. Join the celebration of love, out loud, in all its forms.

Image caption: FRONT: Evren Odcikin, Lady Zen, Stevie DeMott, Lisa Wolpe* BACK: Adam Magill*, Dave Maier, Chris Steele, Cathleen Riddley*, David Sinaiko, Juenée Simon*, Fatemeh Mehraban. Photo Credit: Hunter F. Roberts.

Odcikin’s vibrant production opens during Pride Month and invites audiences into one of Shakespeare’s most playful explorations of love and desire. In Odcikin’s vision, Arden is not simply a place of exile or escape. It is a world where people find the language, the community, and the courage to say who they are out loud.

“This play has always held queer multitudes,” says adaptor and director Evren Odcikin. “For me, Arden is not where these characters discover who they are. It’s where they finally get to say it out loud. This production is about community, self-articulation, and the kind of joy that is chosen, defiant, and hard-won.”

The production draws a vivid contrast between the polished danger of the court and the liberated world of Arden. The court is sleek, status-obsessed, and tightly controlled; Arden is colorful, communal, musical, and alive — inspired less by a traditional pastoral fantasy than by the backyard of a queer Bay Area gathering place where “weirdos and outsiders can breathe.” With high fashion, music, movement, and the expansive beauty of MSC’s outdoor summer amphitheatre, this “As You Like It” trades the usual forest fantasy for something stranger, sharper, and more celebratory.

“Evren’s vision expands the play in exactly the way great Shakespeare should,” says Artistic Director Jon Tracy. “It is deeply thoughtful, wildly theatrical, and full of life. This is a production about love, identity, community, and the courage it takes to be fully seen — all set inside one of Shakespeare’s most joyful comedies.”

The production also brings two extraordinary guest artists to Marin Shakespeare Company’s summer stage. Lady Zen, appearing as Amiens and serving as composer and music director, is a Fulbright mezzo, poet, librettist, actor, and genre-defying entertainment artist whose Lyric Fusion Poetics blends opera, jazz, photography, and spoken word. Based in Mexico, she has toured and taught across Central America and Europe, and previously composed music for MSC’s “Hamlet.”

Lisa Wolpe, appearing as Jacques, is one of the world’s great Shakespeare artists: a performer, director, educator, and founder of the all-female, multicultural Los Angeles Women’s Shakespeare Company. She has performed and directed at major Shakespeare companies across the world, and her acclaimed solo work “Shakespeare and the Alchemy of Gender” has toured internationally — making her presence especially electric in this gender-fluid reimagining.

The cast also features two acclaimed Bay Area performers at the heart of Shakespeare’s great comedy: Jeunée Simon as Rosalind and Adam Magill as Orlando. They are joined by Stevie DeMott as Olivia, Dave Maier as Charles/Oliver Martext, Fatemeh Mehraban as Celia, Cathleen Riddley as Adam/Duke Senior, David Sinaiko as Touchstone, and Chris Steele as Le Beau/Audrey.

At the center of the story are Rosalind and Orlando, two outsiders who recognize something true in one another before the rest of the world catches up. Around them, Shakespeare’s beloved comedy unfolds with mistaken identities, romantic confusion, sharp wit, music, movement, and a joyful collision of hearts. In Odcikin’s adaptation, the ending becomes not simply a set of marriages, but a communal celebration of love in its many forms.

Performances run June 19 through July 19 at Forest Meadows Amphitheatre, located on the campus of Dominican University of California in San Rafael. Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m.

Tickets are available now at: https://www.marinshakespeare.org/

PERFORMANCE DETAILS:
“As You Like It”
June 19 – July 19, 2026
Thursdays – Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.
Sundays at 5 p.m.
Forest Meadows Amphitheatre
890 Belle Ave, San Rafael, CA

Tickets $0 – $49

June 19 – “Preview” (Discount Tickets from $10-$25)

June 21 – “Senior Matinee” ($20 Tickets for Seniors 65+)

June 27 – “Full Moon” (Enjoy a full Moon rising above the stage!)

June 28 – “Family Day” (FREE Admission for youths age 25 and under)

July 2 – “Pay-What-You-Will” (Choose your own price!)

ABOUT MARIN SHAKESPEARE COMPANY:

Stories live at Marin Shakespeare Company, constantly reimagined and renewed through the bold choices of the artists who shape them. We strive to be a hub for connection, using the complexity of world stories—past and present—through multiple theatrical forms to open space for questions, reflection, and action. Our productions invite audiences into worlds that are alive, urgent, and fully human, where laughter, wonder, and challenge coexist. Marin Shakespeare Company is Playing for Good. Learn more at: https://www.marinshakespeare.org/

MULTIMEDIA:

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NEWS SOURCE: Marin Shakespeare Company

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Marin Shakespeare Company), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/marin-shakespeare-company-opens-vibrant-pride-forward-production-of-as-you-like-it/

Secured Signing Announces Seamless Integration with Actionstep to Automate Law Firm Workflows

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., June 3, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Secured Signing, a leading provider of secure digital signature, online notarization, video signing and identity verification solutions, announces a powerful new integration with Actionstep, the cloud‑based practice management platform trusted by modern law firms.

Image caption: Image caption: Secured Signing Announces Seamless Integration with Actionstep to Automate Law Firm Workflows.

This integration delivers a frictionless workflow that empowers legal professionals to draft, send, sign, and file documents all without ever leaving Actionstep platform.

In an industry where manual data entry often leads to costly errors and lost billable hours, this integration offers a direct solution: Sign. Save. Stay in Actionstep.

By plugging Secured Signing directly into the Actionstep dashboard, firm data such as signer names, emails, and matter numbers are pre-populated automatically. Once a document is executed, it “returns home,” automatically saving back against the correct matter and updating relevant data fields in real-time.

“Law firms running on Actionstep already benefit from an exceptionally powerful practice management platform,” said Mike Eyal, CEO of Secured Signing. “Now, they can amplify that power with a sophisticated, purpose‑built e-Signature and digital identity layer.”

This integration delivers the seamless, reliable signing experience legal teams expect eliminating copying, pasting, manual filing, and every other workflow bottleneck.

KEY FEATURES OF THE INTEGRATION:

Direct Dashboard Initiation: Initiate signature requests, Remote Online Notarization (RON), In Person Electronic Notary (IPEN), Video Signing, and identity verification directly within Actionstep.
Automatic Matter-Centric Save-Back: Executed documents are automatically filed against the matching matter number, ensuring a tamper-evident audit trail is always where it belongs.
Real-Time Status Tracking: Monitor document signing progress at a glance to keep deadlines on track and instantly spot matters that need follow‑
Enhanced Security & Identity Verification: Features include proactive deepfake detection and biometric matching to safeguard firms against signer identity fraud.

This integration is purpose-built for law firms of any size that require enterprise‑grade security, including PKI‑based Advanced Electronic Signatures (AES), individual digital certificates for every signer, Online Notary, and Remote Witnessing, all while delivering a completely frictionless user experience.

The Secured Signing for Actionstep integration is available now. For more information or to request a demo, visit Secured Signing.

Learn more at: https://www.securedsigning.com/integrations-api/actionstep/

ABOUT SECURED SIGNING

Secured Signing is a global provider of digital document signing offering Advanced e-Signatures and Remote Online Notarization solutions, trusted by legal professionals, financial institutions, healthcare providers, government agencies, and businesses worldwide. Its platform combines compliance-grade security with an intuitive user experience, enabling organizations to execute documents with confidence — wherever their signers are located.

For more information, visit: https://www.securedsigning.com/

MULTIMEDIA

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Image caption: Secured Signing Announces Seamless Integration with Actionstep to Automate Law Firm Workflows.

NEWS SOURCE: Secured Signing

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Secured Signing), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/secured-signing-announces-seamless-integration-with-actionstep-to-automate-law-firm-workflows/

Informative Research SVP of Marketing Craig Leabig named a 2026 HousingWire Marketing Leader

GARDEN GROVE, Calif., June 2, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Informative Research (IR), a leading technology provider of data-driven credit and verification solutions for the lending industry, today announced that Craig Leabig, Senior Vice President of Marketing, has been named a 2026 Marketing Leader by HousingWire. The award recognizes influential marketing executives who have transformed brands and driven measurable business results across the housing economy.

Image caption: Informative Research SVP of Marketing Craig Leabig named a 2026 HousingWire Marketing Leader.

Over the past year, Leabig led Informative Research’s marketing transformation, building a scalable, data-driven ecosystem that strengthens the company’s brand positioning and deepens its connection with lenders. Under his leadership, his team completed a full redesign of the company’s website, driving a notable increase in traffic. He also spearheaded significant social media growth, increasing both audience and impressions.

“This recognition reflects the work of an incredible team that has rallied around a shared vision for what marketing can do for our organization and our clients,” said Leabig. “We’ve focused on building systems and strategies that create lasting value, and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together.”

Beyond digital performance, Leabig developed a structured marketing nurture ecosystem designed to educate lenders throughout the buyer journey, ensuring that messaging is clear, relevant and actionable. He introduced standardized content frameworks for client communications, including product updates, launch announcements and educational materials. This has improved consistency across all customer touchpoints.

Leabig’s impact extends into operational and cross-functional improvements as well. He partnered with Compliance and Customer Success to streamline client onboarding and helped implement a HubSpot-based support ticketing system that gives the organization clear visibility into support requests, client trends and team performance.

“HousingWire’s Marketing Leaders represent the professionals shaping how housing companies connect, compete and grow in a constantly evolving market,” said HousingWire CEO Clayton Collins. “As market conditions, client expectations and business priorities continue to shift, this year’s honorees are helping their organizations adapt, innovate and grow. We’re proud to recognize the marketers driving meaningful impact across housing.”

Explore the full list of 2026 HousingWire Marketing Leaders: https://www.housingwire.com/articles/introducing-the-2026-marketing-leaders/.

About Informative Research

NEWS SOURCE: Informative Research

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/informative-research-svp-of-marketing-craig-leabig-named-a-2026-housingwire-marketing-leader/

SnapFresh Introduces 2026 40V 17-Inch Brushless Cordless Lawn Mower for Residential Lawn Care

The cordless mower features dual 5.0Ah batteries, a brushless motor and 2-in-1 mulching and bagging functionality

LOS ANGELES, Calif., May 29, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — SnapFresh from Ningbo Winbay Technology Co., Ltd. unveiled its 2026 40V 17-inch Brushless Cordless Lawn Mower as part of the brand’s latest outdoor power equipment lineup, offering homeowners a gas-free lawn maintenance solution with cutting performance comparable to a traditional 150cc gas mower. The mower is currently available on Amazon.

Image caption: SnapFresh Introduces 2026 40V 17-Inch Brushless Cordless Lawn Mower for Residential Lawn Care.

Powered by a high-efficiency brushless motor and a 17-inch cutting deck, the SnapFresh 40V mower is engineered to deliver strong cutting performance for residential lawn care. According to the company, a redesigned blade system improves cutting efficiency by up to 30% and grass collection performance by up to 50% compared to conventional designs, helping homeowners complete mowing tasks more efficiently.

The mower includes two 5.0Ah lithium-ion batteries and a fast charger, providing up to 45 minutes of runtime and coverage for up to one-third acre on a single charge, according to the company. The dual-battery system offers 25% greater battery capacity than the previous generation.

The SnapFresh 40V mower features six cutting height settings ranging from 1 inch to 3 inches, adjustable through a one-hand control system. Users may choose between bagging and mulching modes depending on lawn conditions and maintenance preferences.

Additional Product Features

17-inch cutting deck
40V power system (2 x 20V batteries)
Two 5.0Ah lithium-ion batteries with fast charger included
Up to 45 minutes runtime and coverage up to one-third acre
45-liter grass collection bag
Six cutting height settings (1 inch to 3 inches)
Brushless motor
2-in-1 bagging and mulching functionality
Push-button start with safety lock
Foldable handle for compact storage

The mower features a lightweight, compact design intended to improve maneuverability and simplify storage in garages, sheds and smaller residential spaces.

The SnapFresh 40V 17-inch Brushless Cordless Lawn Mower is available now on Amazon.

ABOUT SNAPFRESH

SnapFresh develops cordless outdoor power equipment designed to simplify residential yard maintenance. The company offers a range of products including lawn mowers, leaf blowers, pruning tools and related outdoor equipment focused on lightweight design, ease of use and practical performance for homeowners. More information is available at https://snapfreshtools.com/.

MEDIA CONTACT
Ricky Li
Brand Manager | SnapFresh Tools
Ningbo Winbay Technology Co., Ltd.
Phone: +86-152-7591-3533
Email: ricky@snapfreshtools.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ricky-li-b4bb57370

NEWS SOURCE: Ningbo Winbay Technology Co., Ltd.

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Ningbo Winbay Technology Co., Ltd.), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/snapfresh-introduces-2026-40v-17-inch-brushless-cordless-lawn-mower-for-residential-lawn-care/

GeekyAnts Earns ET Now 2026 Nomination for AI and Digital Transformation Excellence

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., and KARNATAKA, India, May 29, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — GeekyAnts, an AI-Powered Digital Product Engineering and Consulting Company, earned a nomination at the ET Now Business Conclave & Awards 2026 under the “Excellence in AI & Digital Transformation” category. The nomination recognizes the company’s work in AI-led product engineering, enterprise modernization, cloud-native systems, and digital customer experience.

Image caption: GeekyAnts Earns ET Now 2026 Nomination for AI and Digital Transformation Excellence.

The ET Now Business Conclave & Awards 2026 will bring together business leaders, policymakers, investors, and technology executives to discuss India’s growth priorities and the role of innovation in enterprise competitiveness. For technology leaders in North America, the nomination reflects a broader shift in the market: AI no longer sits at the edge of transformation. It now shapes platform strategy, engineering productivity, customer experience, and operating models.

GeekyAnts Founder and CEO Kumar Pratik, Co-Founder Sanket Sahu, and Chief Revenue Officer Kunal Kumar will attend the event on 16th June 2026 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. Kumar Pratik will also participate in a panel discussion, where he will share perspectives on AI transformation, digital product engineering, and the need for scalable technology systems that deliver measurable business outcomes.

The recognition comes at a time when enterprise leaders face pressure to convert AI pilots into production systems. McKinsey’s 2025 global AI research found that 88% of organizations use AI in at least one business function, while many still struggle to scale AI across the enterprise. Gartner has reported that less than half of digital initiatives meet or exceed business outcome targets. IBM’s CEO research shows that many leaders now explore AI agents, yet only a smaller group has moved AI programs into scaled execution.

These signals matter for VPs of Engineering, digital platform heads, cloud infrastructure leaders, and customer experience executives. AI transformation requires more than model integration. It demands secure data architecture, cloud discipline, product design, governance, performance engineering, and delivery teams that understand enterprise systems.

“Enterprise AI has moved from experimentation to execution,” said Kumar Pratik, Founder and CEO of GeekyAnts. “The next phase will depend on engineering discipline, responsible architecture, and the ability to connect AI systems with real business workflows. This nomination reflects the kind of work we believe will define digital transformation in the years ahead.”

GeekyAnts’ case studies show how the company has applied that approach across AI and digital engineering programs. In an AI document intelligence engagement for Pillar Engine, GeekyAnts built an automated insight generation platform that reduced manual effort by 99%, processed 10,000 pages in two minutes, and achieved more than 85% response accuracy. The system used AWS Bedrock, Claude, Snowflake, DynamoDB, ECS Fargate, and a custom agent architecture to turn complex documents into role-based insights.

For Nexus, GeekyAnts worked on AI-driven process automation across business process management workflows. The team designed SQL agents, evaluated RAG models, and built benchmarking systems that improved testing quality and reduced manual validation cycles by 50%. The engagement also improved internal workflow efficiency by 30%, showing how AI can support operational teams when engineering teams design it around process outcomes.

The company also delivered cloud modernization work for an AI-powered hiring platform, moving infrastructure from AWS EKS to Azure in one week. The project reduced monthly infrastructure costs by 50% and cut mean time to resolution by 80% through improved monitoring and CI/CD practices. For enterprise engineering leaders, that case points to a core AI-era requirement: intelligent products need resilient, cost-efficient infrastructure.

GeekyAnts also built Smart Pantry, an AI meal recommendation platform that combined personalization, product design, and recommendation logic. The platform reduced meal decision time by 40%, doubled daily active use during its pilot phase, and helped the product team move faster on AI-led feature development.

The nomination adds visibility to GeekyAnts’ broader positioning in AI consulting, AI-powered product engineering, enterprise system modernization, digital customer experience, cloud infrastructure, full-stack development, and UI/UX design. The company operates across San Francisco, Bengaluru, and London, giving it access to enterprise clients that need both strategic technology guidance and distributed engineering execution.

For large organizations in the U.S. and Canada, the market message remains clear. AI transformation now depends on partners that can connect strategy, architecture, product delivery, and business impact. GeekyAnts’ ET Now nomination places the company within that conversation as enterprises look for engineering teams that can move AI and digital platforms from concept to production.

Learn more: https://www.geekyants.com/en-us

CONTACT INFORMATION

US Office
GeekyAnts Inc.
315 Montgomery Street, 9th & 10th Floors
San Francisco, CA 94104, USA
+1 845 534 6825
info@geekyants.com
www.geekyants.com/en-us

India Office
GeekyAnts India Pvt Ltd
No. 18, 2nd Cross Road, N S Palya, 2nd Stage,
BTM Layout, Bangalore – 560076, Karnataka, India
+91 80 4305 8884

UK Office
GeekyAnts UK Ltd
SPACES Finsbury Park
17 City North Place, London N4 3FU, England, UK
+44 1702 655221

MULTIMEDIA
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Image caption: GeekyAnts Earns ET Now 2026 Nomination for AI and Digital Transformation Excellence.

NEWS SOURCE: GeekyAnts

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (GeekyAnts), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/geekyants-earns-et-now-2026-nomination-for-ai-and-digital-transformation-excellence/

MyBioSource Now Offers One of the Largest ELISA Kit Collections Available to Researchers Globally

Scientists worldwide can now order fresh, ready-to-use ELISA kits or request fully custom ones directly from MyBioSource, with global shipping and transparent pricing

SAN DIEGO, Calif., May 29, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Finding the right ELISA kit for a research project can take days, comparing suppliers, checking species compatibility, and waiting weeks for delivery. MyBioSource was founded to address these challenges. The San Diego-based company has put together a large, well-organized collection of ELISA kits that researchers can browse, compare, and order in one place. The company’s focus has always been simple: give scientists what they need, when they need it, without overcharging them.

Image caption: MyBioSource Now Offers One of the Largest ELISA Kit Collections Available to Researchers Globally.

KITS FOR ALMOST EVERY SPECIES AND SAMPLE TYPE

MyBioSource carries ELISA kits for a wide range of species, including human, mouse, rat, rabbit, bovine, canine, porcine, goat, sheep, monkey, chicken, guinea pig, and several others. This matters because not every lab works with the same organism, and having to switch suppliers for a different species wastes both time and money.

Their kits also work across different sample types, including serum, plasma, tissue homogenates, and cell culture supernatants. Researchers studying hormones, cytokines, growth factors, or infectious disease markers can find relevant kits listed with full technical datasheets, so there is no need to contact support to figure out basic specs before ordering.

FRESHLY PREPARED KITS AND CUSTOM ELISA SOLUTIONS

Most suppliers keep large batches of pre-assembled kits sitting in storage. MyBioSource does things differently — each kit is put together after the order comes in.

That means the product reaches a researcher’s lab fresh, with a longer shelf life, leading to more accurate and consistent results. For projects where no standard kit fits the bill, MyBioSource also builds custom ELISA Immunoassay Kits tailored to specific targets, species, or assay formats. Their custom kits are ready in two to three weeks and cost the same as a regular catalog order, which most suppliers do not offer.

A member of the MyBioSource team put it plainly: “We don’t want researchers wasting weeks trying to find something that works. If it’s not in the catalog, we’ll build it for you at no extra charge.”

STREAMLINED ORDERING AND GLOBAL AVAILABILITY

Researchers can always find up-to-date availability information in the MyBioSource catalog, which is updated daily. The company believes that cost shouldn’t be the reason a study is postponed, and that keeping prices competitive is essential.

Orders are accepted worldwide, and the site allows users to narrow their search by species, target, or sample type before purchasing. All product pages contain the information the researcher needs to make a sound decision, and there are no “back and forth” emails to go. If your lab encounters something in your experiments that is not listed in the catalog, the custom kit service is at your fingertips. MyBioSource makes it easy: spend less time shopping, more time in the lab.

“We built MyBioSource so that researchers don’t have to spend half their week just sourcing the right kit. Everything they need is already there — and if it’s not, we make it happen fast,” said a MyBioSource Spokesperson.

ABOUT MYBIOSOURCE

MyBioSource, Inc. began in 2006 when three scientists decided there had to be a better way to access high-quality lab reagents. Today, the company operates out of San Diego, California, and carries more than 2 million products — ELISA kits, antibodies, recombinant proteins, PCR kits, peptides, and more. Research teams at universities, biotech companies, and pharmaceutical firms around the world use MyBioSource because the products are reliable and the process is straightforward. Visit https://www.mybiosource.com/ to explore the full catalog.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Company Name: MyBioSource, Inc.
Email: sales@mybiosource.com
Website: https://www.mybiosource.com/
Address: San Diego, California, USA
Phone: +1 (855) 692 4676 (Toll-free within US & Canada)
+1 (858) 633 0165
Landline: +1 (858) 633 0166

Visit us on social media:

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/mybiosourceinc

X – https://x.com/mybiosource

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-bio-source

MEDIA ONLY CONTACT:
Francesca Brown
+1(855)692 4676
francesca@mybiosource.com

MULTIMEDIA:
IMAGE link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/26-0529-s2p-MyBioSource-300dpi.webp

Image caption: MyBioSource Now Offers One of the Largest ELISA Kit Collections Available to Researchers Globally.

NEWS SOURCE: MyBioSource Inc.

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (MyBioSource Inc.), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/mybiosource-now-offers-one-of-the-largest-elisa-kit-collections-available-to-researchers-globally/

Precision Inspection Takes Center Stage with ViewTech Borescopes at Space Tech Expo USA 2026

ANAHEIM, Calif., May 29, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — ViewTech Borescopes, a leading provider of remote visual inspection (RVI) equipment, will exhibit at the 2026 Space Tech Expo USA, taking place June 2–4, 2026, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. During Space Tech Expo USA 2026, ViewTech Borescopes will showcase its lineup of high-performance video borescopes engineered for critical inspection applications across the aerospace, satellite, defense, and advanced manufacturing industries.

Image caption: Image caption: ViewTech Borescopes will exhibit at Space Tech Expo USA 2026, June 2–4 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. Attendees are invited to visit Booth 639 for hands-on demonstrations of the VJ-4 video borescope featuring advanced 3D measurement capabilities for aerospace, defense, and industrial inspection applications.

“Space Tech Expo brings together some of the most innovative companies and professionals in the aerospace and space technology sectors, and we’re excited to demonstrate how our video borescopes support precision inspections in mission-critical environments,” said Zack Wessels, Senior Sales Consultant at ViewTech Borescopes. “Our VJ-3 and VJ-4 video borescopes provide exceptional image quality and maneuverability, helping inspectors identify defects, verify component integrity, and improve maintenance efficiency in even the most challenging applications.”

ViewTech Borescopes offers a wide range of articulating video borescopes and will feature its flagship models during the event. The VJ-4 was designed to meet the demanding requirements of manufacturing, engineering, aerospace, and nondestructive testing (NDT) professionals. Key features on display will include:

Advanced Articulation: Industry-leading joystick-controlled, 360° steering for precise navigation through complex internal pathways.
High-Definition Imaging: Superior image clarity and illumination for detecting cracks, corrosion, FOD, weld inconsistencies, and other anomalies.
Inspection Reporting Efficiency: Operator Driven Inspections (ODIN) borescope reporting software streamlines inspection documentation and reporting workflows.
Specialized Models: 3D Measurement, Ultraviolet (UV), dual-camera, and triple-camera configurations for expanded inspection capabilities without additional attachments.

Attendees will have the opportunity to experience hands-on demonstrations and learn how ViewTech’s advanced imaging technology supports preventive maintenance, quality assurance, and operational reliability in aerospace and space technology applications. Visitors are encouraged to stop by Booth 639 during show hours to explore the latest advancements in remote visual inspection technology and discuss application-specific solutions with experienced product specialists.

Read more about Space Tech Expo USA 2026:
https://www.viewtech.com/about-us/tradeshows/space-tech-expo-2026/

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY

In addition to live demonstrations during Space Tech Expo USA 2026, ViewTech offers an exclusive No-Cost, No-Obligation Demo Program. This program gives end-users the opportunity to evaluate a ViewTech video borescope at their own facility on their own equipment, ensuring the technology meets their specific inspection requirements before making a financial commitment.

ABOUT VIEWTECH BORESCOPES

ViewTech Borescopes, founded as RF System Lab in 2008, is North America’s top seller of video borescopes. Their first product, the VJ borescope, established a new standard for portability, ergonomics, and ease-of-use with its industry-first mechanical, joystick-controlled articulation.

Learn more:
https://www.viewtech.com/

VJ-3 AND VJ-4 VIDEO BORESCOPE

The VJ-3 and VJ-4 mechanical articulating video borescopes are nondestructive visual testing instruments used for the remote visual inspection of machinery, equipment, and components. With diameters as small as 0.85mm, the VJ-3 and VJ-4 facilitate visual recording and photo documentation in areas that are otherwise inaccessible or require significant time and expense to inspect directly. The VJ-3 and VJ-4 video borescopes integrate an insertion tube with distally mounted camera/LEDs and a base unit featuring a control panel, LCD monitor, power source, and all necessary operating circuitry.

MULTIMEDIA

Image link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/26-0528-s2p-vtechste-300dpi.webp

Image caption: ViewTech Borescopes will exhibit at Space Tech Expo USA 2026, June 2–4 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. Attendees are invited to visit Booth 639 for hands-on demonstrations of the VJ-4 video borescope featuring advanced 3D measurement capabilities for aerospace, defense, and industrial inspection applications.

Logo link: https://www.viewtech.com/wp-content/uploads/view-tech-logo-h-650.png

NEWS SOURCE: ViewTech Borescopes

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (ViewTech Borescopes), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/precision-inspection-takes-center-stage-with-viewtech-borescopes-at-space-tech-expo-usa-2026/

11 Exceptional Good Reads make the 2026 Q1 BOOKS TO BOOKMARK List: What to Read Next

Business, wellness, recovery, poetry and AI make this year's list

TEMECULA, Calif., May 28, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Publishers Newswire (PNW), an online news publisher covering books, music, indie film, and software launched in 2004, today announced its latest semi-annual “books to bookmark” list for Q1 of 2026, noting 11 new and exceptional “good reads” from small publishers based in North America. These recently published books are often overlooked due to not coming from major traditional N.Y. book publishers.

Image caption: 11 Exceptional Good Reads make the 2026 Q1 BOOKS TO BOOKMARK List: What to Read Next.

“Once again memoirs and real-world business books are popular and notable topics in publishing this year,” says PNW editor and publisher, Christopher Laird Simmons, who has worked in the publishing world since the late ‘70s, and is also CEO of the website’s parent company, NEOTROPE.

11 BOOKS WORTH A LOOK FOR Q1 2026:

(alphabetical order by book title)

:: ADDICTED TO FAILURE: WHY THE REHAB SYSTEM DOESN’T WORK AND WHAT MUST CHANGE

In his new book, “Addicted to Failure: Why the Rehab System Doesn’t Work and What Must Change” (ISBN: 978-1968339876), author and addiction reform advocate Jimmie Applegate takes aim at a $16B industry that “profits from relapse” and exposes why traditional rehab models fail to deliver real recovery. Applegate unpacks the myths behind 12-step dominance, exposes the financial exploitation driving short-term treatment and explains how neuroscience reveals a longer path to recovery than insurance companies want to admit.

:: BRAND YOU: HOW PROFESSIONALS BUILD AUTHORITY, TRUST, AND OPPORTUNITY IN THE AI ERA

In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) can automate tasks, analyze data, and even generate content, the question isn’t whether technology will replace human workers – it’s what makes professionals irreplaceable. “Brand You: How Professionals Build Authority, Trust, and Opportunity in the AI Era” (ISBN: 979-8249280345) by Michael K Bender answers that question with a comprehensive, action-oriented guide designed for professionals across all industries and countries.

:: JUNY THE BUTTERFLY BOY: A STORY OF LOSS AND LOVE

Dr. MaryAnn Wilkey’s compassionate new children’s book, “Juny the Butterfly Boy: A Story of Loss and Love” (ISBN: 978-1779629081) blends gentle fantasy with emotional truth. Her book offers young readers and families an accessible way to understand grief, memory, and the lasting power of love. Written as a comforting companion for young readers, the book provides language, imagery, and emotional support for families navigating grief together.

:: LAUGHING THROUGH THE STORM: LIFE WITH EPILEPSY: UNPREDICTABLE, AND UNEXPECTEDLY FUNNY

In author Jane Rogers’ “Laughing Through the Storm: Life with Epilepsy: Unpredictable, and Unexpectedly Funny” (ISBN: 978-1834189024), she brings raw honesty, unexpected hilarity, and deeply human insight to the epilepsy journey – one seizure, one hospital visit, and one awkward moment at a time. What happens when your brain becomes your most unpredictable sidekick? Diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 13, Jane has navigated decades of neurological mayhem with a sharp wit and a resilient heart. Her memoir is more than a survival story – it’s a celebration of humor in the face of hardship.

:: LOVE, LIFE AND MOTHER NATURE: PICTURE BOOK OF POEMS

James C. Glassford’s new book, “Love, Life and Mother Nature: Picture Book of Poems” (ISBN: 978-1834182124) is a poetry collection that explores the natural world as a source of reflection, learning, and emotional grounding. Paired with original photography, the book presents nature as both a physical environment and a place for personal contemplation. While much of the book reflects adult observation and lived experience, some poems examine nature through imagination and memory.

:: MATTHEW’S JOURNEY: THE RETURN HOME

Author and longtime educator William Joseph Birrell’s latest novel, “Matthew’s Journey: The Return Home” (ISBN: 978-1834182674), is an historical fiction story centered on love, separation, and survival during wartime. The story addresses themes of trauma, perseverance, loyalty, and hope. Through Matthew’s experiences, William J. Birrell explores the physical and psychological impact of combat, including fear, anger, and the lasting effects of violence. Caroline’s story reflects the quiet strength required to endure separation and loss.

:: ONCE UPON A TIME IN PALM BEACH: TALES OF LIFE & LOVE FROM THE LAND OF SUNSHINE & MONEY

Karen Soven’s “Once Upon A Time In Palm Beach: Tales of Life & Love from the Land of Sunshine & Money” (ISBN: 978-1964377599) provides a juicy journey through high society and the hip-hop culture of the South. “Once Upon A Time In Palm Beach” isn’t just a memoir – it’s a dynamic exploration of worlds rarely glimpsed and a blueprint for turning losses into wins. Readers will connect with Karen’s candid insights on balancing career, motherhood and social demands as well as her talent for finding opportunities in adversity.

:: SELF-WORTH: THE PATH TO HAPPINESS

In an era marked by rising stress, disconnection, and declining happiness, author and former investment management chairman Jonathan J. Woolverton offers a timely and practical guide to reclaiming joy and purpose in his new book, “Self-Worth: The Path to Happiness” (ISBN: 978-1834181714). Drawing on decades of professional experience advising individuals and teams, as well as his academic background in economics, accounting, and psychology, Woolverton examines why happiness levels have steadily declined across all stages of life – and what can be done to reverse that trend.

:: THE LAST NEIGHBORHOOD: A SOUTH PHILLY MEMOIR

Author and former professional boxer Mike Rafferty announces the release of his new memoir, “The Last Neighborhood: A South Philly Memoir” (ISBN: 978-1834189406) a deeply personal coming-of-age story set in the working-class streets of South Philadelphia. This is not a Hollywood boxing story. It is a raw, honest account of a skinny, uncertain boy struggling with fear, self-doubt, and expectations. Determined to earn respect from his father and peers, Michael turns to boxing as a way to stand out and build confidence. Rafferty was a top-ranked amateur and professional boxer for nine years. He went undefeated as a professional with a 7–0 record before a car accident and injuries interrupted his career.

:: TO LIVE AND WRITE IN LA: A STREET-LEVEL GUIDE TO SURVIVING AS A SCREENWRITER

In a brutally honest and darkly humorous exploration of the film and television industry, veteran screenwriter Jim Agnew’s “To Live and Write in LA: A Street-Level Guide to Surviving as a Screenwriter” (ISBN: 979-8218906696) blends behind-the-scenes stories with practical business insight. Agnew recounts his journey from low-budget, single-location action films to studio projects, streaming-era pitches and high-stakes legal battles. Drawing from more than 30 years inside Hollywood’s creative and corporate machinery, “To Live and Write in LA” pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to build a screenwriting career in an industry where deals collapse overnight, backend profits vanish and creative control is often an illusion.

:: YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE TO KILL TO GET AHEAD: REIMAGINING WEALTH, POWER AND BELONGING IN AMERICA

In his new book, “You Shouldn’t Have to Kill to Get Ahead: Reimagining Wealth, Power and Belonging in America” (ISBN: 978-1968339180), author, Army Veteran and former political candidate Chris Rivers lays bare the broken promises of the American Dream and offers a path forward for a nation at a breaking point. Rivers argues that the US must decouple wealth from political power, build a new marketplace of ideas and foster a sense of belonging that can unite rather than divide.

LEARN MORE:

To learn more about these and other great reads you’ve never heard about, visit: https://publishersnewswire.com/book-news/

ABOUT PUBLISHERS NEWSWIRE:

Publishers Newswire™ (PNW) is an online publication founded in 2004, covering books and publishing, music and software news. Publishers Newswire does not endorse, “recommend,” or review any of the book titles mentioned, and the specific books mentioned are for informational purpose only. No fee or other consideration was paid for inclusion in this list. PNW is a publication of Neotrope®.

ABOUT NEOTROPE:

Neotrope® has been in the publishing business since the late 1970s, when then teenage founder Christopher Simmons published first “The Comic Collectors Comic Checklist” sold at the San Diego Comic-Con. The company went on to publish “The Galaxy of Fandom” a two-issue entertainment magazine, and later “The Adama Journal” a fanzine for “Battlestar Galactica.” In 1982, “The Unicorn Hunters Guidebook” was featured in Playboy magazine. In 1987, a fanzine for “Star Trek: The Next Generation” called “Galaxy Class” launched. In 2008, the company published “FRACTOPIA” a coffee table art book by Simmons (ISBN: 978-0971055506; Neotrope Press).

The company publishing unit was originally called Silver Unicorn Graphics (S.U. Graphics and Marketing), became Mindset Press in 1987 and Neotrope Press in 1997.

The company is also a leader in online advertising and marketing, public relations, music/video and multimedia. Neotrope is based in the Southern California wine country of Temecula. Neotrope® is a registered trademark in the U.S. and Europe. The company celebrated its 40th anniversary Jan. 2023.

Christopher Simmons has been a working journalist since 1984 when he sold his first article to POLYPHONY magazine. Later writing for diverse pubs including Computer Player, Digital Imaging, Micro Publishing News, Spazz, the Graphic Artist’s Guild newspaper, among many others. He has been widely interviewed on topics related to technology, marketing, health and entertainment.

Learn more about Neotrope at: https://neotrope.com/ (website under reconstruction).

NOTE: NEOTROPE does not publish any of the “books to bookmark” mentioned in this press release nor represent any author or publisher in an agency capacity. For questions about any of the books mentioned contact the author or publisher directly and not this website.

NEWS SOURCE: Publishers Newswire

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Publishers Newswire), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/11-exceptional-good-reads-make-the-2026-q1-books-to-bookmark-list-what-to-read-next/

Anima Initiative Presents ‘VENIA’s Dear, Sincerely,’ at Travel Town Museum

A one-day immersive experience transforming Los Angeles' historic railway museum into a living storybook of migration, memory, sound, movement, and avant-garde fashion

LOS ANGELES, Calif., May 26, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Anima Initiative, the Los Angeles-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting independent and underrepresented artists through interdisciplinary programming, presents “VENIA’s Dear, Sincerely,” — a one-day immersive cultural experience taking place Saturday, June 6, 2026 at the historic Travel Town Museum in Griffith Park.

Image caption: As if she’s running for the train, a woman reaches her hand out to be whisked away. Photo by Cameron Noel Dunbar for VENIA.

Created in partnership with Los Angeles avant-garde atelier VENIA and with the support of Travel Town Museum Foundation, “VENIA’s Dear, Sincerely,” transforms the iconic railway grounds into a cinematic living storybook exploring migration, memory, industrial romance, and collective imagination through large-scale installation, live music, choreography, immersive sound, digital storytelling, and theatrical fashion presentation.

Marking Anima Initiative’s first large-scale public arts experience, the event brings together emerging and established artists across visual art, music, movement, experimental sound, and fashion within a single site-specific environment open to the city. Inspired by the symbolism of rail travel during the Second Industrial Revolution, the experience unfolds through a five-part narrative arc — Discovery, Adaptation, Memory, Integration, and Departure — tracing the emotional landscape between leaving one world behind and arriving in another.

From 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM, guests are invited to explore immersive activations and live performances across the museum grounds.

Featured acclaimed collaborators include visual artists DeAngelo Ableidinger and Dilan Torres; avant-garde saxophonist Patrick Shiroishi; pianist Nelson Diaz; experimental musician Dylan Fujioka; layered environmental sound design by Dolce Wang; and an original audio composition weaving stories from Ukrainian refugees by award-winning composer Luke Mombrea and award-winning arts journalist Polina Cherezova.

The experience will also feature a newly commissioned ensemble choreography by Masha Cherezova, alongside digital collaborations with immersive media company 4DV and inspirational shopping agent app VIBA, curated alongside Zoey Zhu.

At 6:00 PM, the evening culminates in VENIA’s theatrical runway presentation accompanied by a special live performance from Arcana Nomadica — the internationally renowned chamber ensemble featuring Luanne Homzy, Felix Korchendorfer, Nikolai Sivchuk, and Marco Perciavalle.

“What does it feel like to experience the emotional arc of the last goodbye, and the first hello — as if walking through a fantastical vision of the Industrial Revolution, rooted in memories of others while carrying your own?” said Christine Ko, Co-founder VENIA. “We invite you to explore this feeling with us through these garments, these memories, in this space with us in real time, as we sign our love letter to those that made a way for us all to dream — ‘Dear, Sincerely.’”

Founded as a platform for accessible artistic world-building, Anima Initiative creates interdisciplinary public experiences that bridge storytelling, performance, and cultural memory. “Dear, Sincerely,” expands that mission into a city-scale gathering designed to invite audiences into art as a lived and participatory experience.

The event is free and open to the public, with donations supporting Anima Initiative’s future programming and continued commitment to accessible opportunities for independent and underrepresented artists in Los Angeles and beyond.

EVENT INFORMATION:
Saturday, June 6, 2026
2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Travel Town Museum
5200 Zoo Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90027

RSVP & Information:
https://anima-initiative.org/pages/anima-initiative-presents-venias-dear-sincerely-at-travel-town-museum

ABOUT ANIMA INITIATIVE:

Anima Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting independent and underrepresented artists through interdisciplinary programming spanning visual arts, music, film, movement, fashion, immersive installation, and cultural storytelling. Learn more: https://anima-initiative.org/.

ABOUT VENIA:

Founded by Christine Ko and Keeter Ly, VENIA is a Los Angeles-based experimental atelier for avant-garde tailoring, blurring fantasy and reality through philosophy, surrealism, and narrative storytelling. Learn more: https://veniacollection.com/.

ABOUT TRAVEL TOWN MUSEUM FOUNDATION:

Travel Town Museum Foundation is a 501(c)(3) educational organization supporting the preservation and interpretation of historic railroad equipment at the City of Los Angeles-operated Travel Town Museum in Griffith Park. Learn more: https://traveltown.org/.

MULTIMEDIA:

Image 600x800px:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DxDao39ILqlz0H_WlI-KIfgOXNBie5mA/view?usp=sharing

Image caption: As if she’s running for the train, a woman reaches her hand out to be whisked away. Photo by Cameron Noel Dunbar for VENIA.

Event Invitation:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/11hagalcDKnuccQxpZjXx24tT0hylmI4Q/view?usp=sharing

Logo:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Lv-z1serL7VgOdKHCWdv8LTvh2EcDI61/view?usp=sharing

MEDIA CONTACT
Christina Wen
Producer/Co-founder, Anima Initiative
media@anima-initiative.org

NEWS SOURCE: Anima Initiative

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Anima Initiative), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/anima-initiative-presents-venias-dear-sincerely-at-travel-town-museum/

Anima Initiative Presents ‘VENIA’s Dear, Sincerely,’ at Travel Town Museum

A one-day immersive experience transforming Los Angeles' historic railway museum into a living storybook of migration, memory, sound, movement, and avant-garde fashion

Image caption: As if she’s running for the train, a woman reaches her hand out to be whisked away. Photo by Cameron Noel Dunbar for VENIA.

From 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM, guests are invited to explore immersive activations and live performances across the museum grounds.

EVENT INFORMATION:
Saturday, June 6, 2026
2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Travel Town Museum
5200 Zoo Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90027

RSVP & Information:
https://anima-initiative.org/pages/anima-initiative-presents-venias-dear-sincerely-at-travel-town-museum

ABOUT ANIMA INITIATIVE:

ABOUT VENIA:

ABOUT TRAVEL TOWN MUSEUM FOUNDATION:

MULTIMEDIA:

Image 600x800px:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DxDao39ILqlz0H_WlI-KIfgOXNBie5mA/view?usp=sharing

Image caption: As if she’s running for the train, a woman reaches her hand out to be whisked away. Photo by Cameron Noel Dunbar for VENIA.

Event Invitation:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/11hagalcDKnuccQxpZjXx24tT0hylmI4Q/view?usp=sharing

Logo:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Lv-z1serL7VgOdKHCWdv8LTvh2EcDI61/view?usp=sharing

MEDIA CONTACT
Christina Wen
Producer/Co-founder, Anima Initiative
media@anima-initiative.org

NEWS SOURCE: Anima Initiative

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/anima-initiative-presents-venias-dear-sincerely-at-travel-town-museum/

HotDeals Launches Code-Level Verification Feature to Bring More Transparency to Online Coupon Savings

New feature highlights real savings from shopper activity and checkout-page testing by HotDeals Brand Experts across more than 100,000 tested promo codes

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 26, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — HotDeals today announced the launch of a new code-level verification feature designed to help online shoppers better understand whether a promo code may work before they reach checkout.

Image caption: HotDeals Code-level Verification Samples.

The new feature provides verification information at the individual code level for specific merchants. Instead of only showing that a coupon may be available, HotDeals now surfaces additional context around how a code has performed, including real savings amounts from shopper activity and verified savings identified by HotDeals Brand Experts during checkout-page testing.

According to HotDeals internal product data for this announcement, the platform has accumulated testing records for more than 100,000 promo codes across over 9,700 merchant pages. HotDeals plans to continue expanding verified code coverage as part of its broader effort to make online coupon discovery more transparent and practical for U.S. shoppers.

“Promo codes can be confusing for shoppers because availability, exclusions, minimum order requirements, and expiration timing often vary by merchant,” said a representative from HotDeals. “With code-level verification, HotDeals aims to give consumers more useful context before they try a code, including whether the code has recently worked and how much savings it has produced in real shopping scenarios.”

The feature combines two types of verification signals. First, HotDeals may display savings information connected to shopper activity, showing how much a customer saved when a specific code was successfully used. Second, HotDeals Brand Experts conduct checkout-page tests to confirm whether selected codes apply to eligible products, carts, or order conditions.

For example, shoppers may see recent activity indicating that a code helped another shopper save a specific dollar amount, alongside verification details showing whether the code was recently tested. This added layer of code-level information is intended to reduce uncertainty and help shoppers make more informed decisions before checkout.

HotDeals notes that coupon results may still vary depending on product category, merchant restrictions, account eligibility, location, shipping method, and order value. Shoppers are encouraged to review the final checkout price and confirm that a promo code is current, valid, and applicable to their order before completing a purchase.

The launch reflects HotDeals’ continued focus on improving coupon reliability and usability. By expanding verification from the merchant level to the individual code level, HotDeals (https://www.hotdeals.com/) aims to help shoppers spend less time testing expired or inapplicable codes and more time identifying offers that may apply to their actual purchases.

HotDeals is a verified coupon platform where real users test promo codes so shoppers don’t have to. The platform helps consumers find available coupons, promotional offers, and savings opportunities from retailers across a wide range of shopping categories.

Learn more: https://www.hotdeals.com/

NEWS SOURCE: HotDeals

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/hotdeals-launches-code-level-verification-feature-to-bring-more-transparency-to-online-coupon-savings/

The Mortgage Collaborative partners with TheZebra.com to deliver a seamless home insurance shopping experience for borrowers

SAN DIEGO, Calif., May 21, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), the nation’s largest independent cooperative network for mortgage lenders, announced a strategic partnership with TheZebra.com, the easiest way to compare and buy insurance, that will give TMC’s lender members a direct way to connect borrowers with home insurance options at the point of mortgage origination.

Image caption: TMC – The Mortgage Collaborative.

Under the agreement, lender members can refer borrowers to The Zebra’s platform to compare quotes from more than 110 carriers and purchase coverage before closing. Lenders receive compensation per qualified referral for actions borrowers are already completing as part of the homebuying process. The Zebra reports some borrowers have saved more than $150 a month on home insurance through its platform.

“Finding and securing the right homeowners insurance adds a layer of complexity in an already complex homebuying process,” said Jodi Hall, president and CEO of The Mortgage Collaborative. “Partnering with The Zebra gives our lender members a meaningful way to support their borrowers through that moment with a trusted, transparent platform that makes it easier to compare options and move forward with confidence.”

“TMC has built a fantastic community of lenders and vendors solely focused on creating better outcomes for borrowers as they navigate one of the largest financial decisions of their lives,” said Fritz Merizon, strategic partnerships manager at The Zebra. “Partnering with them is a natural fit, and we’re excited to help lenders give borrowers peace of mind knowing their investment is well protected with the right coverage at the right price.”

Once a borrower is under contract, the process begins with a few questions about their needs and budget. They can then compare quotes across carriers or consult a licensed agent before selecting coverage. The Zebra delivers the declarations page directly and monitors for additional savings opportunities after purchase.

TMC lender members will have access to The Zebra’s platform beginning June 2. Lender members interested in the partnership can contact their member benefits advocate. Lenders interested in joining TMC may contact referrals@mtgcoop.com.

About The Mortgage Collaborative

The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC) is a membership-driven organization that empowers mortgage lenders across the United States through networking, education and advocacy. TMC fosters an environment of collaboration and innovation, ensuring its members succeed regardless of market conditions. For more information, visit mortgagecollaborative.com.

About The Zebra

TheZebra.com is the trusted partner for American insurance customers. People turn to The Zebra for easy-to-use services and tools and friendly, licensed advisors to get the insurance they need in a way that works for them. This ongoing relationship goes beyond a single transaction. For over 10 years, The Zebra has helped people across the country by providing guidance and solutions for their insurance needs. In today’s digital world, The Zebra’s customer-centered approach offers people the choices they want and simplicity they need.

NEWS SOURCE: The Mortgage Collaborative

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (The Mortgage Collaborative), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/the-mortgage-collaborative-partners-with-thezebra-com-to-deliver-a-seamless-home-insurance-shopping-experience-for-borrowers/

AAAbio Enhances Global Diagnostic Research Capabilities Through Strategic Local Distribution Networks

LA JOLLA, Calif., May 20, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — In a move to significantly reduce lead times for critical diagnostic research components, AAAbio (AAA Biotech, LLC) has announced a major restructuring of its international logistics framework. By empowering a curated network of regional partners, the company is ensuring that its comprehensive suite of Elisa Kits and protein reagents is more accessible to the global scientific community than ever before.

Photo caption: AAAbio Enhances Global Diagnostic Research Capabilities Through Strategic Local Distribution Networks.

This strategic shift addresses one of the most persistent bottlenecks in biomedical research: the delay in acquiring high-sensitivity assay tools. With the rapid pace of modern clinical studies, the ability to receive validated Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay within days, rather than weeks, can be the deciding factor in the success of a time-sensitive project.

PRECISION AT THE LOCAL LEVEL

The core of this initiative is the decentralization of technical support and product availability. AAAbio recognizes that researchers in different geographic regions face unique regulatory and logistical challenges. By partnering with specialized distributors who understand local market dynamics, the company ensures that every laboratory, regardless of location, receives the same high standard of service and product integrity.

Each authorized distributor in the business’s network undergoes a rigorous selection process. These partners are not merely logistics providers; they are technical extensions of the brand, capable of providing on-the-ground support for complex assay protocols. This ensures that when a researcher utilizes ELISA from the company’s catalog, they have access to a local expert who can assist with optimization and troubleshooting.

BRIDGING THE GAP IN PROTEOMIC RESEARCH

Proteomics remains one of the most challenging frontiers in modern biology. The quantification of specific proteins within complex biological fluids requires tools of the highest specificity. AAAbiotech has spent years refining its manufacturing processes to produce ELISA products that offer industry-leading sensitivity and minimal cross-reactivity.

By making these tools available through a localized distribution model, the company is facilitating a more democratic landscape for scientific discovery. Smaller research institutions and biotech startups, which may have previously struggled with the complexities of international cold-chain shipping, can now source these high-end reagents through domestic channels.

The updated distributor portal on the business website serves as a centralized hub where researchers can identify their nearest authorized provider. This transparency is part of a broader commitment to customer-centric service, allowing scientists to focus on their data rather than their supply chain.

COMMITMENT TO REPRODUCIBILITY

The “reproducibility crisis” in life sciences is often linked to the use of poorly characterized reagents. AAAbiotech addresses this head-on by providing extensive validation data for every product in its inventory. Whether a researcher is looking for sandwich, competitive, or indirect formats, they can be confident that the kits have been tested against rigorous internal standards.

“Our goal is to remove the guesswork from the procurement process,” said the Director of Global Operations at AAAbiotech. “By strengthening our ties with local distributors, we are ensuring that the cold-chain requirements for our Elisa Kits are strictly maintained from our facility to the customer’s bench. This level of oversight is essential for maintaining the biological activity of the antibodies and proteins included in our kits.”

Learn more: https://www.aaabiotech.com/elisa-kits

FUTURE-PROOFING THE SUPPLY CHAIN

As the biotechnology sector continues to expand globally, particularly in regions like Southeast Asia and South America, the demand for reliable diagnostic tools is surging. AAAbio is actively seeking to expand its footprint in these emerging markets to support the next generation of global health breakthroughs.

ABOUT AAABIO

Headquartered in the biotech hub of La Jolla, California, AAAbio (AAA Biotech, LLC) is a premier manufacturer and supplier of high-quality life science reagents. The company’s portfolio includes an expansive range of antibodies, recombinant proteins, and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Kits designed to meet the exacting standards of the global research community. Through a combination of innovative manufacturing and a robust international distribution network, the company is dedicated to accelerating the pace of discovery in human health and disease.

For more information and queries:

Visit the company’s official website: https://www.aaabiotech.com/.

Tel: +1 (619) 604-9440
Fax: +1 (619) 604-9441
Toll Free: +1-800-604-9114
Email: info@aaabiotech.com
Tech Support: tech@aaabiotech.com

Visit us on social media:

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/aaabiotech/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/people/AAA-Biotech/61578212701968/

X – https://x.com/aaabiotech1

Mailing Address: AAA Biotech, LLC, PO Box 1697, La Jolla, CA 92038

MEDIA ONLY CONTACT
Cynthia Lee
+1 619-604-9440
info@aaabiotech.com

MULTIMEDIA
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Photo caption: AAAbio Enhances Global Diagnostic Research Capabilities Through Strategic Local Distribution Networks

***
UPDATED 5pm PDT to fix an inadvertent typographical error missed at time of publication.

NEWS SOURCE: AAA Biotech LLC (AAAbio)

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (AAA Biotech LLC (AAAbio)), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/aaabio-enhances-global-diagnostic-research-capabilities-through-strategic-local-distribution-networks/

Informative Research VP of Product Management Corey Hampton Honored Among Mortgage Women Magazine’s 2026 Women of Tech

GARDEN GROVE, Calif., May 20, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Informative Research (IR), a leading technology provider of data-driven credit and verification solutions for the lending industry, today announced that Corey Hampton, Vice President of Product Management, has been named among the 2026 Women of Tech by Mortgage Women Magazine (MWM). The award honors influential women who are driving innovation, advancing technology and shaping the future of the mortgage industry. Hampton was recognized for her leadership in modernizing integrations, strengthening enterprise delivery capabilities and advancing scalable, secure solutions for lenders.

Image caption: Corey Hampton of Informative Research, 2026 Women of Tech Honoree.

Hampton has built her career at the intersection of mortgage technology, integration strategy and cross-functional execution. Beginning in 2007 at CBCInnovis, she developed deep expertise in credit data solutions, API design and enterprise integrations, ultimately rising to Vice President of Integrations at DataVerify. Throughout her career, she has been instrumental in professionalizing implementation standards, improving scalability and enhancing the performance and security of mission-critical systems.

Since joining Informative Research in 2023, Hampton has led high-impact initiatives that enable the company to meet the rigorous operational, identity and compliance requirements of large financial institutions. She has successfully guided enterprise programs, including the delivery of Single Sign-On and risk management frameworks that support ongoing growth.

In addition to her technical and operational impact, Hampton is a dedicated advocate for women in technology. Through mentorship, sponsorship and active participation in the Mortgage Bankers Association’s mPower community, she has helped develop and elevate the next generation of leaders in the industry.

“Throughout my career, I’ve been driven by the opportunity to take complex challenges and turn them into scalable, repeatable solutions that create real impact,” said Hampton. “I’m honored to be recognized alongside so many talented women who are helping move our industry forward, and I’m eager to continue supporting others as they grow into leadership roles.”

Explore the full list of 2026 Women of Tech honorees in the May issue of Mortgage Women Magazine: https://nationalmortgageprofessional.com/news/women-tech-2026-code-closes.

About Informative Research

NEWS SOURCE: Informative Research

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/informative-research-vp-of-product-management-corey-hampton-honored-among-mortgage-women-magazines-2026-women-of-tech/

Theatrical Artist Tonoccus McClain Gives Voice to Systemic Challenges in a Riveting Multimedia Theater Piece at the Hollywood Fringe Festival

LOS ANGELES, Calif., May 18, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Tonoccus McClain, prolific actor, writer and maker of all things theatrical is pouring his heart and soul into a deeply personal work in his first venture as a producer and writer at The Hollywood Fringe Festival. Known for being an open-ended festival with bold experimental performances, Tonoccus aims to expand on this tradition while adding the depth, poignancy, and social urgency of his new engaging work, “Versions of Her.”

Image caption: Artist Tonoccus McClain Brings Important Social Issues to Hollywood Fringe.

“I had performed as an actor at the Fringe in the past and thought it was the perfect venue for this cutting-edge work,” noted McClain. “Much main stream theater is commercial and for pure entertainment. I wanted the ability to entertain AND inform.”

“Versions of Her” is a one person performance that showcases Tonoccus’ natural charm as he unfolds his journey into the serious issues that evolve from his series of recorded interviews with Kerry Walsh — a celebrated opera singer and actor in her own right before illness began to take its toll — who is now negotiating the challenges of living with several autoimmune diseases and a terminal diagnosis amidst a medical system that marginalized and ignored her.

In this multimedia experience infused with actual clips from these interviews, McClain bears witness to her experience through revelations that he deeply relates with, but keeps it uniquely Her story.

A veteran performer whose voice has been heard on more than 50 film and television soundtracks — including “Avatar,” “Glee,” and “The Lion King” (2019) — McClain spent over 2,400 performances on the North American tour of Disney’s “The Lion King,” appeared in LA Opera’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “Omar,” and has performed at three Academy Awards ceremonies. His stage work spans the Hollywood and Edinburgh Fringe Festivals, Helsinki, Taiwan, and South Korea.

Tonoccus doesn’t see “Versions of Her” as a departure from that experience but a natural progression.

McClain’s wide experience informs his ability to create what he describes as “a deep collaboration that puts the work first but utilizes theater’s ability to bring attention to vital issues through story, hard conversation, and even disarming humor.” He adds, “Though I always aim to ask something of my audience beyond their entertainment, this piece has been the most demanding, but ultimately the most profound to date.”

Though dramatized by McClain, this piece is the real testimony of his friend Walsh and her experiences in a system that complicated her health while she simultaneously felt the full gravity of diagnoses, false diagnoses, experimental treatments in Mexico, and the uncertain long days of increasing symptoms.

Theater producer and collaborator Jonas Edwin Sills notes, “Tonoccus, in every aspect of his art, always dives full in. In every aspect of his life he elicits deep thought about things not often talked about, and ultimately challenges us all to grow — while doing it in a captivating and engaging way. Why would his theater be any different?”

Speaking to what drives the urgency of the piece, Tonoccus notes, “Kerry is still here. She’s hoping to be in the audience on opening night. That’s the deadline I’m working against — and it’s why this piece exists.”

Sills adds, “That’s the whole engine of the show. Tonoccus made something that couldn’t wait. Audiences are going to feel that the second it starts.”

This is a must-see, can’t-miss experience.

MORE INFORMATION:

“Versions of Her” is playing at Stephanie Feury Studio Theatre as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival, June 7–26, 2026:

– Sunday, June 7 at 8 PM

– Friday, June 12 at 5:30 PM

– Sunday, June 14 at 4 PM

– Wednesday, June 17 at 8:30 PM

– Saturday, June 20 at 5 PM

– Thursday, June 25 at 6:30 PM

– Friday, June 26 at 5:30 PM

For more information and tickets, visit: https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/1391

For more about Tonoccus:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/misterhyjinx

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/misterhyjinx

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1021901/

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@tonoccusmcclain

MEDIA ONLY CONTACT:
Tonoccus McClain
818-720-7171
tonoccusmcclain@gmail.com

* * *
UPDATED 9:15am PDT to fix an inadvertent error in the headline, where the artist name was mis-spelled: corrected to Tonoccus McClain.

NEWS SOURCE: Actor Tonoccus McClain

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Actor Tonoccus McClain), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/theatrical-artist-tonoccus-mcclain-gives-voice-to-systemic-challenges-in-a-riveting-multimedia-theater-piece-at-the-hollywood-fringe-festival/

Hillcrest and 3rd3rd Reframe Senior Living Marketing at LeadingAge California Conference

Marketing Leaders Share Strategies for Building Trust and Driving Demand

PALM DESERT, Calif., May 18, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — At the LeadingAge California conference for aging services leaders, Cynthia Thurlow, CEO and President of 3rd3rd Marketing, and Shirley Turner, Director of Sales and Marketing at Hillcrest, share real-world marketing insights, results and actionable strategies in two sessions: “No Re-Branding Required to Win Residents” on May 20 and “Inclusive Storytelling: Strengthening Trust in Aging” on May 22, 2026.

Image caption: At LeadingAge California, Cynthia Thurlow, CEO and President of 3rd3rd Marketing, and Shirley Turner, Director of Sales and Marketing at Hillcrest, discuss how senior living organizations can achieve measurable growth through targeted marketing and inclusive storytelling.

Both recognized senior living marketing experts, Thurlow and Turner, discuss their approach and results in tackling the challenges senior living organizations face, including:

Navigating unintentional pervasive ageism
Positioning your product to appeal to Generation Jones, the younger end of the baby boomer generation
Leveraging resident-centered storytelling and strategic PR

“Today’s older adults are aging in different ways, focused on healthspan, independence and meaningful living, not simply longevity. They want a positive aging experience, on their own terms,” says Thurlow. “Senior living communities should communicate the joy of living and aging. Our presentation explores how Hillcrest exceeded its goals without changing its offerings, simply by formalizing its marketing strategy through updated positioning and messaging.”

Hillcrest’s experience offers a roadmap for communities to tailor this approach to their circumstances. With fresh messaging, targeted events and updated sales strategies, it achieved record-breaking sales in 2025.

“Working with 3rd3rd, we were able to debunk the myth that you need a full rebrand to boost census and sales,” says Turner. “We empowered our sales and marketing teams to try new approaches and unlock momentum.”

Thurlow and Turner help senior living communities break the marketing status quo by reshaping perceptions, building trust and driving demand.

“If your community is not proactively telling its story, someone else, often the media, will tell it for you,” says Thurlow. “Your organization risks being mentioned negatively in other stories if it doesn’t have a clearly communicated identity or mission.”

“Hillcrest embraced a culture-first public relations strategy that generated headlines, built awareness and impacted revenue. By incorporating PR into its marketing plan, Hillcrest established itself as a community rooted in purpose, inclusion and positive resident stories,” says Turner.

About 3rd3rd Marketing

3rd3rd Marketing is the “Un-Senior Living Agency,” partnering with senior living communities and mission-driven aging services organizations globally. By dismantling stereotypes and replacing them with aspirational narratives, 3rd3rd helps organizations build authentic connections, increase engagement and achieve lasting impact. For more information, visit: https://3rd3rd.com/.

About Hillcrest

Hillcrest is an upscale 501(c)(3) nonprofit continuing care retirement community (CCRC) centrally located in the San Gabriel Valley, less than 30 minutes from Los Angeles, Anaheim, Pasadena, and San Bernardino and at the gateway to the Inland Empire. Located in a quiet residential neighborhood just off Foothill Boulevard in La Verne, California, Hillcrest offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing with an emphasis on wellness and health. For more information, visit https://livingathillcrest.org/

MULTIMEDIA:

Image link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/26-0518-s2p-leadingageca-300dpi.webp

MEDIA CONTACT:
Shonne Fegan-Ehrhardt
3rd3rd Marketing
shonne@3rd3rd.com
847-962-9879

NEWS SOURCE: 3rd3rd Marketing

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (3rd3rd Marketing), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/hillcrest-and-3rd3rd-reframe-senior-living-marketing-at-leadingage-california-conference/

Neurotech Reports Announces Thomas Stieglitz, Ph.D., as Keynote Speaker for the Second Annual Neurotech Leaders Forum imec

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 14, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Neurotech Reports today announced that Thomas Stieglitz, Ph.D., a globally recognized expert in neural engineering and implantable neurotechnology, will keynote the Second Annual Neurotech Leaders Forum imec, taking place June 23-24, 2026, in Leuven, Belgium.

Photo caption: Thomas Stieglitz, Ph.D., will keynote the Second Annual Neurotech Leaders Forum imec.

The Neurotech Leaders Forum brings together senior executives, investors, researchers, clinicians, and technology developers working at the forefront of neurotechnology, bioelectronic medicine, and brain-computer interface innovation. The event serves as a platform for examining emerging technologies, commercialization trends, investment activity, and the evolving direction of the neurotech industry across Europe and internationally.

“Dr. Thomas Stieglitz represents the kind of visionary leadership that continues to drive the neurotechnology field forward,” said James Cavuoto, editor and publisher of Neurotech Reports. “His perspective on the convergence of engineering, neuroscience, and clinical application will provide tremendous value for attendees from across the neurotech ecosystem.”

“Advances in neural interfaces and bioelectronic medicine are creating entirely new possibilities for treating neurological disorders and restoring function,” said Dr. Stieglitz. “I am honored to participate in this year’s Neurotech Leaders Forum imec and contribute to the conversation about the future of neurotechnology.”

Dr. Stieglitz is widely recognized for his contributions to neural interface technologies and implantable systems aimed at restoring and modulating nervous system function. Throughout his career, he has combined academic leadership with entrepreneurial innovation, co-founding companies focused on neural implants and neuromodulation therapies. He has authored more than 200 scientific journal articles, contributed extensively to conference literature, and is named on dozens of patents spanning neurotechnology and biomedical engineering.

Launched in 2025, the Neurotech Leaders Forum imec has quickly become a key meeting point for neurotechnology executives, researchers, and investors from across Europe and North America. The 2026 Forum will bring together leaders in neurostimulation, brain-computer technologies, implantable devices, AI-enabled neurotechnology, and investment at imec, one of Europe’s leading research and innovation centers.

Additional information and registration details are available at: https://www.neurotechreports.com/pages/leadersforum-europe.html

More information about imec is available at: https://www.imec-int.com/

ABOUT NEUROTECH REPORTS

Neurotech Reports, part of Cambridge Innovation Institute, is a leading source of market research, industry analysis, and business news covering neurotechnology, neuromodulation, and bioelectronic medicine. Through its publications and executive conferences, the company provides insights into emerging technologies, commercial trends, and investment activity shaping the global neurotech industry. Learn more: https://www.neurotechreports.com/

MULTIMEDIA:

Photo link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/26-0514-s2p-stieglitz-300dpi.webp

Photo caption: Thomas Stieglitz, Ph.D., will keynote the Second Annual Neurotech Leaders Forum imec

LOGO: https://www.neurotechreports.com/images/nlf-imecFlag-horiz.png

NEWS SOURCE: Neurotech Reports

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Neurotech Reports), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/neurotech-reports-announces-thomas-stieglitz-ph-d-as-keynote-speaker-for-the-second-annual-neurotech-leaders-forum-imec/

The Mortgage Collaborative launches Mortgage AI Council to advance responsible AI adoption for community and mid-sized lenders

SAN DIEGO, Calif., May 14, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), the nation’s largest independent cooperative network for mortgage lenders, announced the formation of the Mortgage AI Council, a standing committee under TMC’s lender member board of directors. The council will give community banks, credit unions and independent mortgage bankers the governance frameworks, peer intelligence and collective voice needed to adopt artificial intelligence responsibly as the technology reshapes how lenders originate loans, assess risk and serve borrowers.

Image caption: TMC – The Mortgage Collaborative.

“The largest institutions have dedicated AI teams and resources that most community lenders simply cannot match,” said Jodi Hall, president and CEO of The Mortgage Collaborative. “The Mortgage AI Council exists to change that equation. We are not here to observe the AI conversation in this industry. We are here to lead it.”

The council will be co-led by Amy Azorandia, chief compliance officer at Click n’ Close, and Erin Dee, chief operating officer at InterLinc Mortgage, who developed the council’s charter and governance structure in partnership with TMC leadership. The council’s work will focus on consolidating fragmented AI governance frameworks into a standard that lenders can implement, facilitating peer knowledge exchange, vetting AI vendors based on member-identified needs, and monitoring regulatory developments in fair lending, model explainability, and data privacy.

“Lenders are being asked to evaluate and implement AI solutions faster than any governance guardrails can keep up with,” said Dee. “This council gives members a structured way to do that work together, so no one is starting from scratch or making the same expensive mistakes alone.”

Inaugural programming will include virtual webinars, member roundtables and dedicated sessions at TMC conferences. The council will also publish an annual state of mortgage AI report, benchmarking adoption and governance maturity across the lender community. Participation is open to all TMC members in good standing at no additional cost.

“Asif Alam, CEO of ActiveComply, saw this need before most of us did, and TMC is exactly the place to bring it to life,” said Jodi Hall, president and CEO of The Mortgage Collaborative. “That is what this network was built for, and the Mortgage AI Council is proof of it.”

Members interested in joining may contact TMC leadership for enrollment information.

For more information, visit mortgagecollaborative.com or contact TMC at TheMortgageCollaborative@mtgcoop.com.

ABOUT THE MORTGAGE COLLABORATIVE

LOGO link for media: https://mortgagecollaborative.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Color-Logo-The-Mortgage-Collaborative-scaled-1.png

NEWS SOURCE: The Mortgage Collaborative

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/the-mortgage-collaborative-launches-mortgage-ai-council-to-advance-responsible-ai-adoption-for-community-and-mid-sized-lenders/

Karen MacNeil to Keynote 2026 UC Davis / Harvard ‘Vine to Mind’ Symposium, Joined by Christine Wente and Michael Mondavi

Co-founder of COME TOGETHER A Community for Wine to anchor a conversation among three of America's leading voices in wine culture

ST. HELENA, Calif., May 13, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Karen MacNeil, wine authority, author of “The Wine Bible,” and co-founder of COME TOGETHER A Community for Wine, will deliver the opening keynote at the 2026 Vine to Mind Symposium, a joint initiative of the University of California, Davis and Harvard University, taking place May 19–20 on the UC Davis campus.

Photo caption: Karen MacNeil, author of “The Wine Bible,” and co-founder of COME TOGETHER A Community for Wine.

MacNeil will be joined by Christine Wente and Michael Mondavi, two figures whose family names have shaped the American wine story for generations. Together, the three will speak to the cultural standing of California wine today, and to the work of sustaining wine’s place in American life for the next generation.

That work is the animating purpose behind Come Together A Community for Wine, which MacNeil co-founded in 2024 with Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET, of Charles Communications Associates and Gino Colangelo of Colangelo & Partners. In response to mounting headwinds facing the global wine industry, Come Together has built two of the largest pro-wine consumer campaigns in the United States: Share & Pair Sundays, now in its second year and running May 3 through June 28, and Come Over October, returning for the third year this fall.

“Wine is at a critical juncture in American culture, and we must rise to meet the challenges,” said MacNeil. “The Vine to Mind Symposium gives us—scientists and industry leaders alike–an opportunity to come together to explore a modern and practical approach to wine over the coming decades. Coming together on behalf of wine’s future underscores wine’s historic role as the beverage that has brought people together for 8000 years.”

The Vine to Mind Symposium convenes data scientists, scholars, and industry leaders to examine how data-driven insight and AI can advance viticulture, enology, and wine communications. Additional speakers include Orley Ashenfelter, Eric Asimov, Jing Cao, Felicity Carter, Joe Czerwinski, Xiao-Li Meng, Madeline Puckette, Liz Thach, Jason Wise, and Ben Montpetit. Sessions will be held at the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science, with a post-symposium visit to Napa Valley on May 21.

ABOUT THE VINE TO MIND SYMPOSIUM

The 2026 Vine to Mind Symposium is organized by the Harvard Data Science Initiative in partnership with the Agricultural and Resource Economics department and the Viticulture and Enology department at the University of California, Davis. The symposium brings together wine industry leaders and academics to explore the intersection of wine, wine communications, data science, and artificial intelligence, and how data-driven insights and AI can advance viticulture, enology, and the broader wine ecosystem. This year’s gathering also marks the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Judgment of Paris, widely considered the blind tasting that forever changed the cultural landscape for the California wine industry. The 2026 symposium will be held on the UC Davis campus May 19–20, 2026, with a post-symposium visit to Napa Valley on May 21. For topics, speakers, and past highlights, visit: https://www.vinetomind.org/.

About COME TOGETHER A Community for Wine

COME TOGETHER A Community for Wine is a dynamic community for wine enthusiasts dedicated to fostering connections, education, and appreciation within the wine world. Through innovative campaigns and community-driven initiatives, the organization brings together industry professionals, passionate consumers, and wine lovers of all backgrounds to celebrate wine’s unique ability to create meaningful human connections. Founded by noted wine writer and author Karen MacNeil, along with leading wine industry marketers Gino Colangelo of Colangelo & Partners and Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET of Charles Communications Associates, the mission-driven company shares the story of wine’s historic and contemporary role as a beverage that uniquely brings people together. Learn more: https://www.cometogetherforwine.com/.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET kcharles@charlescomm.com 415-701-WINE (9463)

Regan Carlin rcarlin@colangelopr.com 978-460-3921

NEWS SOURCE: COME TOGETHER - A Community for Wine Inc.

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (COME TOGETHER - A Community for Wine Inc.), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/karen-macneil-to-keynote-2026-uc-davis-harvard-vine-to-mind-symposium-joined-by-christine-wente-and-michael-mondavi/

California’s Response to Ferret Lawsuit Raises Questions About Agency Authority and Petition Rights

LA MESA, Calif., May 11, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — LegalizeFerrets.org says a new phase has emerged in California’s long-running ferret controversy after the California Fish and Game Commission and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife filed demurrers in response to a lawsuit involving Petition 2025-003 — a citizen petition seeking reconsideration of California’s classification of domestic ferrets as restricted animals.

Image caption: California’s response to the Petition 2025-003 lawsuit is raising questions about whether agencies may indefinitely delay citizen petitions — and whether the Fish and Game Commission believes it possesses authority to legalize ferrets.

The lawsuit, filed in Sacramento Superior Court, centers on whether California agencies may indefinitely leave formally accepted citizen petitions under “further consideration” without issuing a meaningful determination.

But the State’s response has also raised an additional issue.

According to the filings, the State appears to leave open the argument that the Fish and Game Commission may not possess authority to legalize ferrets through regulation — despite California having treated ferret legalization for decades as a regulatory matter handled through the Commission process.

“For years, Californians were told ferret legalization had to go through the Fish and Game Commission,” said Pat Wright of LegalizeFerrets.org. “Now the State appears to be suggesting the Commission may not even possess authority to do what it has spent decades reviewing, debating, and processing through regulatory channels.”

Petition 2025-003 was formally accepted by the Commission for “further consideration” in June 2025 and referred to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for review and recommendation.

After months passed without an apparent substantive decision, Public Records Act requests were submitted seeking records showing what evaluation work had been performed. The responses to those requests ultimately contributed to the filing of the writ lawsuit now before the court.

The State’s demurrer argues that the Commission satisfied its obligations under California’s Administrative Procedure Act (APA) by accepting the petition, discussing it publicly, and referring it internally for further review.

Supporters of the petition argue that such an interpretation risks undermining the practical purpose of California’s petition process.

“If agencies can indefinitely refer petitions internally without producing meaningful outcomes, Californians have a right to ask what the petition process actually guarantees,” Wright said.

The dispute also highlights language already contained within California regulations. Title 14, Section 671 states:

“The California Fish and Game Commission has determined the below listed animals are not normally domesticated in this state.”

The regulation includes the Mustelidae family, which includes ferrets.

Supporters argue that language raises a central question: if the Commission possessed authority to determine ferrets were “not normally domesticated,” why would it lack authority to revisit or reconsider that determination?

The court is not currently deciding whether ferrets should be legalized in California. The immediate issue before the court is whether the lawsuit may proceed and whether California agencies must provide meaningful responses to formally accepted petitions for regulatory change.

Additional background and analysis regarding the lawsuit and the State’s filing are available at:
https://www.legalizeferrets.org/california-ferret-legalization-lawsuit/

About LegalizeFerrets.org

LegalizeFerrets.org is an advocacy organization focused on educating the public about domestic ferrets and pursuing regulatory and legal efforts related to California’s long-standing ferret restrictions.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Pat Wright
LegalizeFerrets.org
CLIFFNotes@legalizeferrets.org
https://www.legalizeferrets.org/

MULTIMEDIA:
Image link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/26-0511-s2p-legaferrets-300dpi.webp

NEWS SOURCE: Legalize Ferrets

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/californias-response-to-ferret-lawsuit-raises-questions-about-agency-authority-and-petition-rights/

Glancy Wine Education Foundation Releases 2026 Impact Report, Marking Six Years of Progress in Diversifying the Wine Industry

303 scholarships and more than $405,000 distributed since 2020; new data spotlights opportunities to engage Black, Hispanic/Latino, AAPI, and other underrepresented communities in wine

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 8, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Glancy Wine Education Foundation (GWEF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to advancing diversity in the wine industry through scholarships for underserved professionals, today released its 2026 Impact Report. The report details the Foundation’s cumulative work since its 2020 founding and introduces newly compiled data on the demographic communities GWEF serves.

Image caption: The Glancy Wine Education Foundation (GWEF).

Since inception, GWEF has awarded 303 scholarships and distributed more than $405,000 in grants directly to its wine school partners which include the founding San Francisco Wine School, the International Wine Center in New York and the American Wine School in the Midwest. The Foundation operates with a 9% overhead — less than half the average for U.S. nonprofits — thanks to an all-volunteer board of industry leaders. GWEF holds a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid.

Key Findings from the 2026 Impact Report

Recipient demographics: 61% of GWEF scholarship recipients identify as non-Caucasian, 55.7% are female, 42.8% male, and 2% non-binary.
Career outcomes: 67% of recipients have received a promotion following certification, and more than one-third are currently working full-time in the wine and hospitality industries.
Earnings impact: Industry data shows that professional wine certification can yield 50–300% salary increases over a career, with sommeliers progressing from $45–60K at entry level to as much as $190K at the Master Sommelier level.
Operational efficiency: Funds flow directly to wine school partners — no administrative layers between donors and scholarship recipients. The average GWEF scholarship is $1,477.

THE INDUSTRY GAP GWEF IS WORKING TO CLOSE

While Black, Indigenous, and People of Color make up 40% of the U.S. population, and more than half of Americans under 18 identify as a racial or ethnic minority, the wine industry remains markedly less diverse. Fewer than 1% of U.S. wineries are Black-owned (out of more than 11,000 total), fewer than 1% of winery owners or head winemakers are people of color, and roughly 2% of Black Americans hold leadership roles in wine, according to research from the Association of African American Vintners and Pronghorn Research. Hispanic/Latino professionals — who represent 18.7% of the U.S. population — hold just 4% of Fortune 500 executive officer roles, with comparable underrepresentation across wine. Only 14% of California bonded wineries have women as lead winemakers.

NEW DATA: THE AAPI OPPORTUNITY IN WINE

The 2026 report introduces newly gathered insights on the Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) wine consumer, according to the Asian Wine Association of America (AWAA). AAPI Americans represent 6.3% of the U.S. population but currently account for only 5% of wine consumption, even as roughly 50% of the AAPI population sits within the Millennial and Gen-X cohorts, with 39% drinking wine weekly, nearly on par with other demographics. Yet only 4% of wine industry executives identify as Asian, even as Asian markets are the fastest-growing demographic for WSET Global certification worldwide.

A MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDATION PRESIDENT

“The world of wine is a celebration of diversity, and yet the industry itself has been slow to reflect that truth,” said Ana Keller, GWEF Foundation President. “At a moment when wine is competing harder than ever for the attention of younger, more diverse consumers, the case for inclusion has never been more urgent. The professionals who understand those communities, who come from them, are exactly who this industry needs.”

Keller added: “Since 2020, we have funded more than 303 scholarships, and none of it happens without people who believe that those who will shape this industry’s future deserve a real chance to get there. Every donation, at any level, goes directly to a scholarship and to someone whose career, and whose life, will be changed by it.”

IN THE WORDS OF RECIPIENTS

“GWEF made it possible for me to receive the wine training and education I needed to become a Sommelier in a Michelin-starred restaurant,” said Lily Yu, 2020 GWEF scholarship recipient and Private Event Sommelier, formerly of the sommelier team at The Modern in New York City.

“Thanks to GWEF’s assistance and what I learned in the WSET 3, I took over as head sommelier and was soon promoted to Wine Director. I also am a winemaker now,” said Oceano Ordonez, 2021, 2023 and 2024 GWEF scholarship recipient, Wine Director at Donato Enoteca, and GWEF Emeritus Board Member.

“GWEF has been a transformative experience that has profoundly impacted my personal and professional growth. Through GWEF I have gained networking opportunities resulting in great relationships and collaborations within the wine industry,” said Cristian Medina, 2022 and 2024 GWEF scholarship recipient and Sommelier at Shelby’s in Atherton, California.

HOW TO SUPPORT THE MISSION

GWEF welcomes contributions at every level — every dollar donated goes directly to scholarship funding. Corporate sponsorship tiers and named scholarship opportunities are also available, including scholarships established in honor or memory of industry colleagues. Wine schools, industry organizations, and nonprofit partners interested in collaboration are also encouraged to connect.

The full 2026 Impact Report is here.

To donate, sponsor, or partner, visit https://www.glancywineeducationfoundation.org/.

ABOUT THE GLANCY WINE EDUCATION FOUNDATION

The Glancy Wine Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization established in 2020 and based in San Francisco, partnering nationally with three schools, the San Francisco Wine School, the International Wine Center and the American Wine School. GWEF is dedicated to assisting underserved communities with scholarships to further their professional wine education, with the goal of raising their earning power and increasing diversity in the wine industry. The Foundation holds a Four-Star Charity Navigator rating and Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency. Federal Tax ID #85-2516009. Learn more at https://www.glancywineeducationfoundation.org/ or follow @glancywineeducationfoundation on Instagram.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET | Charles Communications Associates
kimberly@glancywineeducationfoundation.org 415-701-WINE (9463)

LOGO link for media: https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f4983f8f6a5da1a611120b6/1600653227576-77YOUNZ5DH482BWLWSEJ/GWEF_logo_med.png

NEWS SOURCE: Glancy Wine Education Foundation

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Glancy Wine Education Foundation), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/glancy-wine-education-foundation-releases-2026-impact-report-marking-six-years-of-progress-in-diversifying-the-wine-industry/

Hillcrest Expands and Connects Community Living in La Verne with Gateway Neighborhood Project, Adding Seven New Homes

LA VERNE, Calif., May 7, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Hillcrest, a senior living community in La Verne, is expanding and connecting its campus with the addition of the Gateway Project. The project includes a walkway connecting its east and west campuses, a new neighborhood of single-family homes, and the renovation of three existing homes.

Image caption: Hillcrest in La Verne is expanding and connecting its campus with the addition of the Gateway Project, which includes a new neighborhood of single-family homes, the renovation of three existing homes and a walkway connecting the east and west campuses.

The additions are designed to enhance everyday life in the community by adding direct pedestrian access between dining, wellness, and residential areas at Hillcrest. The zoning changes were unanimously approved by the La Verne City Council in March and mark the culmination of 80 years of planning and development to geographically unify the 50-acre campus.

“This project has been part of Hillcrest’s long-term planning and marks a key milestone in our long-term vision of community living,” said Shirley Turner, Director of Sales and Marketing at Hillcrest. “It brings both sides of our campus together and creates a stronger sense of connection for residents, thus becoming a Gateway to each other.”

As the senior housing industry prepares to handle the Silver Tsunami, with an estimated 10,000 baby boomers retiring daily, Hillcrest is experiencing increasing demand for independent living options in the San Gabriel Valley. With over 20 acres of vacant property, the community is well-positioned for growth and relevance as older adults seek retirement housing options.

The Gateway neighborhood will feature seven single-family homes designed for residents who want a low-maintenance lifestyle with access to on-campus services and independent living. Each residence will offer approximately 1,600 square feet, two-car garages, and modern layouts, including open-concept kitchens and single-level floor plans.

“The Gateway homes are ideally located within the Hillcrest community, central to the fitness center and our Meeting House. If you’re downsizing from a considerably larger home but are still looking for active, vibrant community living, this is the place for you,” said Turner.

The project builds on the success of Hillcrest’s Hawthorne neighborhood and reflects growing demand for residential living options that blend privacy with access to dining and wellness programs. Residents will have full access to Hillcrest’s suite of amenities, wellness programs, and continuum-of-care services.

Construction is expected to be completed between fall and winter 2027.

ABOUT HILLCREST

NEWS SOURCE: Hillcrest

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Hillcrest), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/hillcrest-expands-and-connects-community-living-in-la-verne-with-gateway-neighborhood-project-adding-seven-new-homes/

MISMO awards eVault System Certification to DocMagic’s SmartSAFE eVaults

DocMagic also earns a separate MISMO SMART Doc Validation Rules Certification

TORRANCE, Calif., May 7, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — DocMagic, Inc. (DocMagic®) announced today that it has received two new certifications from MISMO®, the Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization. MISMO’s eVault System Certification covers SmartSAFE®, DocMagic’s core eVault for managing eNote workflows and MERS® eRegistry activity, and SmartSAFE XL™, an API-first eVault designed for enterprise environments that require flexible deployments and support for a broader range of digital assets. MISMO’s SMART Doc® Validation Rules Certification confirms that DocMagic’s technology can verify conformance to MISMO SMART Doc V1.02 standards prior to vaulting and across integrated workflows.

Image caption: DocMagic, Inc. logo.

MISMO’s technology certifications signify that providers meet rigorous criteria for data exchange, transaction reliability and interoperability across the mortgage ecosystem. DocMagic’s SmartSAFE and SmartSAFE XL eVaults underwent comprehensive testing, with 192 interdependent test cases and supporting compliance artifacts evaluated for each solution.

“With MISMO’s eVault certifications, DocMagic can help lenders accelerate integration timelines, reduce testing cycles and bring eNote capabilities to market with greater speed and certainty,” said MISMO Vice President of Programs and Operations Jonathan Kearns. “At MISMO, we recognize that trust in both the integration and ongoing use of an eVault is critical to advancing the digital mortgage ecosystem. Our eVault certification program is designed to remove uncertainty by validating that providers are implementing MISMO standards correctly, giving lenders confidence in how electronic notes are stored, managed and transferred.”

“We chose to put both our SmartSAFE eVaults through MISMO’s rigorous certification process because we know how important it is for eNote interoperability to extend across different architectures and operating models,” said DocMagic Chief eServices Executive Brian D. Pannell. A Certified MISMO Standards Professional (CMSP®), Pannell is a member of MISMO’s Residential Standards governance committee and vice chair of its Digital Interoperability community of practice. “Whether workflows are UI-guided or API-driven, consistent validation and management of digital assets enables lenders, investors and partners to transact with speed, efficiency and confidence.”

DocMagic previously received MISMO’s eClosing System Certification for its Total eClose™ solution and MISMO’s Remote Online Notarization (RON) Certification for its proprietary RON technology, both in 2022. Together with its newly earned eVault System and SMART Doc Validation Rules certifications, these achievements reflect DocMagic’s continued alignment with MISMO standards across the digital mortgage lifecycle.

For a list of DocMagic’s current MISMO certifications, visit https://www.mismo.org/detail-pages/vendor/docmagic. For more information about DocMagic’s SmartSAFE eVault technology and full suite of eClosing solutions, visit www.docmagic.com.

About DocMagic:

About MISMO:

MISMO® is the standards development body for the mortgage industry. MISMO developed a common language for exchanging information for the mortgage finance industry. Today, MISMO standards are accepted and deployed by every type of entity involved in creating mortgages, and they are required by most regulators, housing agencies and the GSEs that participate in the industry. MISMO’s work to solve key industry challenges is made possible through the support of its members, champions, sponsors and lenders (via the Innovation Investment Fund). To learn more about MISMO and opportunities to participate, visit MISMO.org.

Logo link for media:
https://www.docmagic.com/sites/default/files/img/logo/docmagic-logo-reg.png

NEWS SOURCE: DocMagic, Inc.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/mismo-awards-evault-system-certification-to-docmagics-smartsafe-evaults/

MISMO awards eVault System Certification to DocMagic’s SmartSAFE eVaults

DocMagic also earns a separate MISMO SMART Doc Validation Rules Certification

Image caption: DocMagic, Inc. logo.

About DocMagic:

About MISMO:

Logo link for media:
https://www.docmagic.com/sites/default/files/img/logo/docmagic-logo-reg.png

NEWS SOURCE: DocMagic, Inc.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/mismo-awards-evault-system-certification-to-docmagics-smartsafe-evaults/

Reiki Master, meditation guide, breathwork facilitator and mother of twins writes the children’s book she wishes she had as a child

LOS ANGELES, Calif., May 1, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — When Ani Lalazarian changed careers in 2020, leaving the fashion world to become an energy healer, breathwork facilitator and spiritual guide, she held tight to one conviction: that children and adults all carry a special light within them—they simply need the tools to find it. Now, Dragonfly Dreams Press, LLC is releasing her debut picture book – “Into the Heart of the Forest: A Journey to Love” (ISBN: 979-8218897246 paperback; 979-8218883294 hardcover) – a gorgeously illustrated adventure story that brings those tools directly to the page.

Image caption: Cover, “Into the Heart of the Forest: A Journey to Love,” by Ani Lalazarian.

Lalazarian’s path was anything but linear. She spent more than six years as a fashion designer, running her own business before a trip to an orphanage in South India stopped her in her tracks. It set Lalazarian on a healing journey that led to certifications in Usui Reiki (levels 1 and 2), Reiki Master training, shamanic healing, breathwork, Kundalini Yoga and HeartMath®. A mother of twins herself, she eventually found her way to children’s storytelling, finding it to be the most natural extension of her spiritual expertise.

“Children need more than advice in emotional moments—they need tools they can actually feel and use in their bodies,” says Lalazarian. “That became the inspiration for everything I’m building.”

That mission is the foundation of “Into the Heart of the Forest: A Journey to Love.” It’s more than a bedtime story. It’s a doorway into emotional resilience, courage and nervous system awareness—and an invitation back home to yourself, to love, to your center. Through imaginative scenes and gentle guidance, readers are invited to practice calming visualization, self-soothing techniques and empowering affirmations alongside the characters.

“In every child lives a light so bright it can change the world,” writes Lalazarian. “I wanted to write a story where children don’t just watch the characters become brave—they feel it themselves, in their own bodies, as they turn the pages.”

By embedding breathwork and guided visualization into the narrative itself, Lalazarian gives parents and caregivers a built-in emotional regulation tool for bedtime, big feelings or any moment a child needs to return to themselves. The main characters’ journey – from frustration and fear to courage, connection and love – mirrors the emotional landscape children (and adults) navigate every day, and the techniques woven throughout reflect more than a decade of Lalazarian’s training in the healing arts.

“Into the Heart of the Forest: A Journey to Love” is an ideal read for children ages four through eight and for any family looking to bring mindfulness into their daily routine. It’s a reminder that, in Lalazarian’s own words, “love is your greatest power”—and that the magic children seek in the world is the same magic they already carry within.

“My hope is that children return to this book again and again—not just for the story, but for the feeling it gives them,” says Lalazarian. “That they close the last page knowing they are brave, they are strong and the light within them is real.”

Ani Lalazarian’s children’s picture book, “Into the Heart of the Forest: A Journey to Love,” is available now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other major online booksellers.

About Dragonfly Dreams Press, LLC

Dragonfly Dreams Press is a heart-centered publishing house devoted to creating books for the soul. Its mission is to awaken both children and adults through meaningful literature, stories and guidebooks that reconnect readers to the love, wisdom and inner light within. Through conscious storytelling, the press aims to inspire healing, imagination and deeper human connection.

For more information about “Into the Heart of the Forest” visit https://www.instagram.com/dragonflydreamspress/ or email Dragonfly Dreams Press at info@dragonflydreamspress.com

NEWS SOURCE: Dragonfly Dreams Press LLC

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Dragonfly Dreams Press LLC), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/reiki-master-meditation-guide-breathwork-facilitator-and-mother-of-twins-writes-the-childrens-book-she-wishes-she-had-as-a-child/

COME TOGETHER-A Community for Wine Inc. Launches Second Annual ‘Share & Pair Sundays’ Campaign

Nine Sundays of Wine, Food and Connection - Spanning Mother's Day, Father's Day and the Start of Summer - Spotlight Wine's Role in Easing the Loneliness Epidemic and Bringing People Together

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., April 30, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — COME TOGETHER—A Community for Wine Inc., the mission-driven company behind the Come Over October™ and Share & Pair Sundays™ wine advocacy campaigns, today announced the launch of the second annual Share & Pair Sundays campaign, running May 3 through June 28, 2026. Across nine consecutive Sundays, anchored by Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and the unofficial start of summer, the campaign invites consumers to gather around a table for the simple, time-honored ritual of sharing wine and food with the people they love.

Image caption: COME TOGETHER-A Community for Wine Inc. Launches Second Annual ‘Share & Pair Sundays’ Campaign.

“Last year proved that American wine drinkers are hungry for connection and for the kind of sharing that wine encourages,” said Karen MacNeil, co-founder of COME TOGETHER and author of The Wine Bible. “This year we’re building on that yearning. Sharing wine and food, as simple as that act can be, becomes a time of meaning, bringing friends and family together.”

A Cultural Response to the Loneliness Epidemic

The campaigns arrived at a moment when public health leaders were sounding alarms about social isolation. The U.S. Surgeon General has reported that roughly half of American adults experience loneliness, identifying it as a serious public health risk. The World Health Organization’s Commission on Social Connection estimates that around 16 percent of people worldwide experience loneliness and shares that high-quality social connection is essential to mental and physical health and well-being.

“Wine has been part of the human ritual of gathering for 8,000 years,” said Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET, co-founder of COME TOGETHER and president of Charles Communications Associates. “Share & Pair Sundays is a simple invitation to reconnect, to carve out time, however that looks for you, to share a meal, a bottle, and a moment of presence. It’s about making space for real connection in a way that feels natural, not prescribed.”

A particular focus this year is making participation feel truly accessible. Share & Pair Sundays is designed so anyone can take part, whether it’s a dinner at home, a night out a restaurant, or causally standing around the kitchen counter with friends. The campaign encourages participation in whatever way feels natural, offering approachable recipes and pairing ideas that remove friction and make gathering seem simple. The goal isn’t to define what connection should feel like, but to remind people that it’s always within reach, and that wine, at its best, is something we share.

Building on a Movement

Together, Come Over October and Share & Pair Sundays have generated 2.6 billion media impressions, 1,315 published articles, a journalist reach of 1.29 million, over 5.6 million social media impressions and activations across more than 1,400 retail locations. The campaigns have also benefited from over $150,000 in donated media value contributed by leading wine publications.

This year’s activations are already showing the breadth and creativity of the wine community’s response. As detailed in a recent feature in Wine Industry Advisor, businesses across the country are interpreting the campaign in their own way: Idle Hour, an inn, restaurant and winery in Oakhurst, California near Yosemite, is using its monthly Supper Club to bring isolated locals together around shared, family-style meals; Cork & Keg Tours is curating intimate Sunday wine excursions through Loudoun County, Virginia; and Long Island Wine Country has launched a Blanc & Franc Brunch Series pairing North Fork sauvignon blanc and cabernet franc with menus from regional chefs.

“Whether it’s a backyard tailgate, a neighborhood potluck or a Sunday supper, the format doesn’t matter, the connection does,” added Gino Colangelo, co-founder of COME TOGETHER and president of Colangelo & Partners. “Our 2026 goal is to grow consumer reach by 50 percent, deepen retail and restaurant engagement and bring even more international participation into the movement.”

Sponsors and Resources

Foundational partners of COME TOGETHER – A Community for Wine include Jackson Family Wines and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. Benefactor partners include WineAmerica and Local Wine Events. Lyft, RedChirp and Yelp are preferred partners while media sponsors include Wine Enthusiast, Tasting Panel, Somm Journal, Wine Folly, VinePair, Wine Industry Network and Wine Business Monthly.

Free downloadable assets, pairing guides, recipes and host tools are available at https://www.shareandpairsundays.com/.

Wine producers, retailers, restaurants, importers, wholesalers and hospitality partners interested in joining the campaign can contact Program Director Barbara Fitzgerald at barbara@cometogetherforwine.com.

Media Contacts:

Karen MacNeil, karen@karenmacneil.com

Kimberly Noelle Charles, kcharles@charlescomm.com

Gino Colangelo, gcolangelo@colangelopr.com

About COME TOGETHER—A Community for Wine Inc.

COME TOGETHER—A Community for Wine Inc. is the mission-driven company behind the Come Over October and Share & Pair Sundays wine advocacy campaigns. Founded in 2024 by noted wine writer and author Karen MacNeil, along with leading wine industry marketers Gino Colangelo of Colangelo & Partners and Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET of Charles Communications Associates, the company shares the story of wine’s historic and contemporary role as a beverage that uniquely brings people together. To learn more, visit https://www.cometogetherforwine.com/.

NEWS SOURCE: COME TOGETHER - A Community for Wine Inc.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/come-together-a-community-for-wine-inc-launches-second-annual-share-pair-sundays-campaign/

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Tag Archives: California Business

Accepted, Not Denied, Never Decided: California Ferret Petition Remains Unresolved After 378 Days

Breakthrough At-Home Vision Testing Platform Reinvents the Eye Exam with MIT Science and Telehealth

ScentFest SF, the West Coast’s First International Consumer Fragrance Festival, Opens at Fort Mason June 26-28

Christian Navarro Returns to Los Angeles with New Concept: christian’s Wine Bar & Restaurant Set to Open at Iconic HBO Building on Sunset Blvd.

Domaine Carneros Remembers Founding Winemaker and CEO Eileen Crane

Informative Research receives MortgagePoint Tech Excellence Award for unified credit and verification platform

DocMagic named 2026 MortgagePoint Tech Excellence Award recipient for digital mortgage innovation

HotDeals Code Verification Feature Expands Across 23 Markets to Strengthen Coupon Transparency

As West Coast Architect Fees Soar, Sierra Log and Timber Disrupts Custom Home Market with $950 Flat-Rate 3D Drafting Solution

Marin Shakespeare Company Opens Vibrant, Pride-Forward Production of ‘As You Like It’

Secured Signing Announces Seamless Integration with Actionstep to Automate Law Firm Workflows

Informative Research SVP of Marketing Craig Leabig named a 2026 HousingWire Marketing Leader

SnapFresh Introduces 2026 40V 17-Inch Brushless Cordless Lawn Mower for Residential Lawn Care

GeekyAnts Earns ET Now 2026 Nomination for AI and Digital Transformation Excellence

MyBioSource Now Offers One of the Largest ELISA Kit Collections Available to Researchers Globally

Precision Inspection Takes Center Stage with ViewTech Borescopes at Space Tech Expo USA 2026

11 Exceptional Good Reads make the 2026 Q1 BOOKS TO BOOKMARK List: What to Read Next

Anima Initiative Presents ‘VENIA’s Dear, Sincerely,’ at Travel Town Museum

Anima Initiative Presents ‘VENIA’s Dear, Sincerely,’ at Travel Town Museum

HotDeals Launches Code-Level Verification Feature to Bring More Transparency to Online Coupon Savings

The Mortgage Collaborative partners with TheZebra.com to deliver a seamless home insurance shopping experience for borrowers

AAAbio Enhances Global Diagnostic Research Capabilities Through Strategic Local Distribution Networks

Informative Research VP of Product Management Corey Hampton Honored Among Mortgage Women Magazine’s 2026 Women of Tech

Theatrical Artist Tonoccus McClain Gives Voice to Systemic Challenges in a Riveting Multimedia Theater Piece at the Hollywood Fringe Festival

Hillcrest and 3rd3rd Reframe Senior Living Marketing at LeadingAge California Conference

Neurotech Reports Announces Thomas Stieglitz, Ph.D., as Keynote Speaker for the Second Annual Neurotech Leaders Forum imec

The Mortgage Collaborative launches Mortgage AI Council to advance responsible AI adoption for community and mid-sized lenders

Karen MacNeil to Keynote 2026 UC Davis / Harvard ‘Vine to Mind’ Symposium, Joined by Christine Wente and Michael Mondavi

California’s Response to Ferret Lawsuit Raises Questions About Agency Authority and Petition Rights

Glancy Wine Education Foundation Releases 2026 Impact Report, Marking Six Years of Progress in Diversifying the Wine Industry

Hillcrest Expands and Connects Community Living in La Verne with Gateway Neighborhood Project, Adding Seven New Homes

MISMO awards eVault System Certification to DocMagic’s SmartSAFE eVaults

MISMO awards eVault System Certification to DocMagic’s SmartSAFE eVaults

Reiki Master, meditation guide, breathwork facilitator and mother of twins writes the children’s book she wishes she had as a child

COME TOGETHER-A Community for Wine Inc. Launches Second Annual ‘Share & Pair Sundays’ Campaign