Earlier this year, U.S. Air Force Veteran Mark Lindquist who was running for Congress in his home state gave up his Congressional campaign when the conflict with the Ukraine broke out. Today, he serves 15 miles behind the line in the Ukraine. Mark plans to travel across the globe and, along with other prominent individuals, is making the trip to Los Gatos California, on Sunday, September 11th, to celebrate the lives of those who voluntarily take on selfless acts of courage larger than themselves. The event known as “American Challenge – Lessons from 9/11,” will be hosted at The Flame of Liberty Memorial located upon the Los Gatos Civic Center lawn, 110 East Main Street, Los Gatos California. Musical entertainment will commence at 4:30 PM; formal program launches at 5:00 PM. Information can be found at lessonsfrom911.org.
What if you knew that this was the last hour of your life? How would you spend it? Where would you be? Who would you be with? How would you want to be remembered?
On 9/11, there were three individuals who didn’t have the luxury to think that through – Mark Bingham, Todd Beamer and Welles Remy Crowther. Instead, they acted on instinct, based upon a foundation of values built over the course of their relatively young lives. Mark Bingham and Todd Beamer were Los Gatos High School alumni. Welles Remy Crowther was a young 24-year-old from Nyack New York who held a blossoming career on Wall Street. Each of the three only had time to react. And their reaction was to take on acts larger than themselves.
Mark Bingham and Todd Beamer were aboard United Airlines Flight 93 departing from Newark NJ and headed to San Francisco on September 11, 2001. Their plane departed the airport with terrorist hijackers on board whose plan was to transform the jet into a missile intended to take out the U.S. Capitol Building. Hijackers had already attempted to decimate America’s Wall Street financial hub and the U.S. defense system with plane crashes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The terrorists planned to use UA 93 to cripple America’s government. Mark and Todd along with two other passengers breached the cockpit to take back control. Their plane crashed into an empty field in Shanksville Pennsylvania rather than the Capitol Building. Todd’s and Mark’s actions thwarted the terrorists’ mission. In the end, thousands of Washingtonian lives were saved. Our hometown heroes – Todd Beamer and Mark Bingham, took on the first civilian counterattack to terrorist actions on 9/11. Our country’s government was preserved and intact at the expense of their own lives.
Did you know that only 18 from higher than the crash zones in the Towers survived? They did largely due to the Man in the Red Bandana.
Back east, Welles Remy Crowther, who worked as an equity trader on the 104th floor of the South Tower in the World Trade Center, was fighting for his life. As a young boy, Welles accompanied his father and grandfather who were both volunteer firefighters to the firehouse. As a teen, Welles attended firefighting training. On 9/11 Welles put his firefighter skills to work to escape being personally trapped on the 104th floor of the South Tower. After UA Flight 175 struck the South Tower between floors 77 and 85, through flames, the thick haze of smoke, smell of airline fuel, darkness and chaos, Crowther located the one remaining passable stairway to escape. He found survivors on the 78th Sky Lobby that he escorted to safety. Then he risked his own life to go back upstairs on two more rescue missions to the 78th floor sky lobby to locate more survivors that he escorted to safety. He used a red bandana, something he carried in his back pocket from the day his father gave it to him at the age of six, to cover his mouth and nose to protect himself against smoke inhalation. He saved the only 18 survivors located higher than the crash sites from both fallen Towers at the World Trade Center, at the ultimate loss of that of his own life. The red bandana, the Welles Remy Crowther icon, became the element that identified Welles as the survivors’ rescuer months later when his remains were recovered in the rubble and company of the remains of NYFD firefighters just 65 feet from the door to personal safety.
The stories and lives of Todd Beamer, Mark Bingham, Welles Remy Crowther, the first responders and those in America’s military who voluntarily answered the call in the aftermath of 9/11 will be celebrated at the “American Challenge – Lessons From 9/11” event. Distinguished guests include Francis J Harvey, 19th Secretary of the US Army, Brigadier General “Bucky” Steven J. Butow – Commander, California Air National Guard, Fire Chief Suwanna Kerdkaew- Santa Clara County Fire Department, Town of Los Gatos Mayor Rob Rennie, and Captain Doug Beck, U.S. Navy Reserve, Afghanistan & Iraq Veteran and Apple Executive. Air Force Veteran Mark Lindquist, who will be traveling to Los Gatos from behind the lines in the Ukraine, will share thoughts on lessons from 9/11 and why September 12th may have been the best day in America. The event is an outside venue, open to all and free.
The Veterans Foundation of Los Gatos is a 501(c) 3 non-profit local enterprise now in its tenth year, staffed 100% by volunteers who desire to honor, express gratitude and support those who support America’s freedom, educate the public on the sacrifices borne by those who serve, and improve the lives of veterans. Donations are accepted at honorAvet.org.
Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation Ellen Manzo, Volunteer Board Director 203-561-8888 honorAvet.org Event Website: lessonsfrom911.org
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Heart_of_Flame_of_Liberty_Covets_Soldiers_Cross
The Heart of the Flame of Liberty Memorial covets The Soldiers Cross reminding viewers that the sacrifices of a few provide the liberty enjoyed by many. Memorial is designed by U.S. Mint Master Designer Frank Kocian Morris and sponsored by the Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation www.honorAvet.org
Man in Red Bandana_is_Remembered_at_WTC_Memorial
Welles Remy Crowther, “The Man in the Red Bandana,” was posthumously designated an honorary FDNY firefighter for his life saving efforts of survivors located higher than the crash site in the South Tower. Welles Remy Crowther is remembered at the National 9/11 Memorial at NYC’s World Trade Center.
Todd Beamer_UA Flt 93 911 Hero
Los Gatos H.S. Alum Todd Beamer, prayed with the GTE Operator on the phone and was overheard saying “Let’s Roll” to the team of passengers that ultimately saved the U.S. Capitol Building from annihilation on 911.
9-11 Hero Man in Red Bandana_Welles Remy Crowther
Welles Remy Crowther, “The Man in the Red Bandana,” a 24-year old equities trader was located on the World Trade Center’s 104th floor of the South Tower on 9/11. His selfless acts of courage and firefighter training skills resulting in saving lives of workers located higher than the crash zone.
As part of the Cine Nepantla program, this year it showcases a Latin narrative from Afro-Latino Caribbean Cultures in Central America ( Costa Rica)
Cenizanegra Artwork2 V5
LOS ANGELES – Sept. 1, 2022 – PRLog — Latin American Cinemateca of Los Angeles (LACLA) is pleased to present its Cine Nepantla program with the streaming of the Costa Rican film,Ceniza Negra. Ceniza Negra is a heartwarming coming-of-age story, written and directed by Sofia Quiros Ubeda and starring an all Afro-Latino cast, with breakthrough performances by Smashleen Gutierrez, Humberto Samuels and Hortensia Smith. This film is part of this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations.
Ceniza Negra premiered at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival and led the way for female-directed Costa Rican films.
Ceniza Negra will be available for streaming September 22-26, 2022 at www.laclastream.com. The streaming includes an interview with the director.
Cine Nepantla is curated by Guido Segal, a screenwriter and LACLA program manager. Segal is world- known for his film critiques, screenwriting and teaching..
For 25 years, the Latin American Cinemateca of Los Angeles (LACLA) has been championing and screening feature and short films by LatinX filmmakers from all over the Americas.
About Ceniza Negra
Selva (13) lives in a coastal town in the Caribbean. After the sudden disappearance of her only motherly figure, she is left to take care of her grandfather who does not want to live. Between shadows and wild games, she must decide if she will help her grandfather die, even though that means going through her last moments of childhood alone. Selva discovers that when we die, we just shed our skin. We can turn into wolves, goats, shadows, or anything as long as your imagination allows it.
This program is made possible with funds from the Los Angeles County Arts Commission and the many contributors of LACLA’s programs. Thank you to our media sponsors Vida Salsera, KPFK 90.7 Travel Tips For Aztlan, Living Outloud LA.
Nepantla is a Nahuatl word which describes the state of living in-between different cultures. It can also refer to living in the borderlands or being at a literal or metaphorical crossroads. In line with this concept, Cine Nepantla aims to create a space in which meaningful dialogue among audiences of different socio-economic backgrounds, races, ethnicities, ages, abilities, genders, sexualities, nationalities, and religions can take place and effect change.
About LACLA Latin American Cinemateca of Los Angeles (LACLA) is a California non-profit organization dedicated to promoting cultural exchange through film by screening classic and contemporary films from America and by USA Latinas and Latinos. LACLA also supports the film and media efforts of Los Angeles inner-city middle and high school students with its annual student film festival. https://www.lacla.org/
According to a recent study* from American Express, 90% of consumers surveyed say that now more than ever they want a credit card that provides cash back for their everyday purchases.
To give consumers more value when they spend, American Express updated the Blue Cash Everyday® Card so Card Members can now access a new category for earning cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, a higher percentage of cash back at U.S. gas stations, along with two new statement credit benefits for online purchases at Home Chef and an eligible Disney Bundle subscription.**
Consumers from the study also reported that their time spent shopping online has increased. 64% say that they have shopped more online than in-person in the past year. With the recent enhancements, Blue Cash Everyday Card Members can now earn 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 in purchases per year.**
In the same study,* American Express looked at how consumers are prioritizing their time to better understand their changing spending habits. For example, 67% of consumers surveyed say that their favorite way to spend me time is streaming movies or shows. With the refreshed Blue Cash Everyday Card, Card Members can enroll and earn a $7 monthly statement credit after spending $13.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription to The Disney Bundle**, which offers premium entertainment and sports programming from Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ – including access to explore popular shows like Andor and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (coming soon), The Kardashians, Only Murders in the Building, and the PGA TOUR LIVE.
Additionally, 82% of consumers surveyed said its important that they have time to cook meals at home during the week. With the enhanced Card, enrolled Blue Cash Everyday Card Members can earn monthly statement credits of up to $15 back on online purchases at Home Chef,** an online meal solutions company, through which they can prepare dishes like Firecracker Turkey Meatballs, Neapolitan-Style Pizza Margherita, or Sweet and Spicy Sriracha BBQ Brisket.
At Home Chef, were glad to be able to bring convenience and ease to cooking at home for Amex Card Members. Whether cooking for oneself or for family and friends, theres nothing like the comfort of a home-cooked meal, said Shira Schwarz, Vice President of Brand Marketing at Home Chef.
For more information about the American Express Blue Cash Everyday Card, please visit here.
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*This Morning Consult survey was conducted from June 4 June. 7, 2022, among a sample of 2,001 Adults that have a household income greater than $70K. Within this audience, the Gen Z/Millennial demographic group is defined as respondents who were born between the following years: 1981-2004. The Older Millennials & GenXers demographic group is defined as respondents who are between the ages of 36 and 57. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.
**Terms apply. For more information about the American Express Blue Cash Everyday Card, please visit: https://americanexpress.com/bluecasheveryday.
Free Public Event Highlights Connections Between Art and Video Games Through Color, Line and Form
WEBWIRE – Friday, July 15, 2022
The Smithsonian American Art Museum invites visitors to its ninth annual SAAM Arcade to explore how video games act as a medium for expanding the way Americans tell and experience stories. This free, in-person public event returns to the Kogod Courtyard in the museums main building Saturday, July 30, from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET.
The theme of this years Arcade is Color, Line and Form, exploring the essential elements of visual expression. Armenian American artist Arshile Gorky said, Abstraction allows man to see with his mind what he cannot see physically with his eyes. When individuals break something down into its most basic features, innovation and creativity emerge in new and unexpected ways. Game developers use these same essential elements to create an interactive experience for players, relying on color, line and form to tell complex narratives and engage broad audiences. SAAM Arcade is part of the museums ongoing commitment to the study and interpretation of video games as part of the national visual culture.
A variety of games will be available to play in the Kogod Courtyard, and the centerpiece of the program is the Indie Developer Showcase, which features eight games that embody the idea of color, line and form to create unique experiences for developers, players and observers. The museum will display offerings such as Cai Cai Balão, highlighting dazzling Brazilian hot air balloons, while Chicory: A Colorful Tale encourages players to create art with their own paintbrushes, emphasizing the importance of color. Clean lines and shapes are the focus of Space Hole 2020, while Manifold Garden builds upon various forms of architecture and If Found brings players back to basic black and white drawings. The importance of form can be found in Aerial_Knights Never Yield and Treachery in Beatdown City, games that showcase the agility and acrobatic movement of the human form. Finally, The Zium Gallery links art and video games by incorporating different museums collections into their submission.
More than 20 games were considered within the theme of Color, Line and Form and the final selections were chosen by Saisha Grayson, time-based media curator at the Smithsonian American Art Museum; Chris Totten, assistant professor of the Modeling, Animation, and Game Creation program at Kent State University and founder of Pie for Breakfast Studios; and museum staff.
Attendees will also be able to play classic arcade and console games from MAGFest and there will also be a special Art Quest that connects video games to items in the museums collection at the information table. Detailed event information and a full list of the featured games are available on the museums website. Additional commentary about this years theme is published on the museums blog, Eye Level, by Lauren Kolodkin, the program coordinator for SAAM Arcade.
The museum is hosting the second annual Game Jam, an open online event where anyone of any skill set can submit their own game. Participants may work alone or in groups; there are no size restrictions for Arcade 2022 Game Jam. Participants do not need to pre-register and are able to join the jam by simply creating an itch.io account and uploading their game to the SAAM Arcade 2022 Game Jam page. In addition to this years SAAM Arcade theme, the museum also encourages participants to draw inspiration from the collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and to look to the extraordinary creativity and diversity of American voices as they create games for this jam. Rules, guidelines and FAQs about the jam are available on the museums itch.io page and website. The game jam takes place from Thursday, July 28, to Monday, Aug. 1, when aspiring developers and artists create brand-new video and tabletop games centered around the theme of community and individuality. On Monday, Aug. 1, all games submitted to the SAAM Arcade 2022 Game Jam will be available for the public to discover and play free of charge, indefinitely, on itch.io.
The museum is partnering with IGDA DC, the local Washington, D.C., chapter of the Independent Game Developers Association, to host and moderate a dedicated Discord server throughout the run of the jam. Discord is one of the most popular ways for gamers to communicate online. It allows friends, teammates, colleagues and individuals to connect with other SAAM Arcade participants directly via voice, video or text. IGDA DC will offer technical assistance to participants and help the long-standing SAAM Arcade community come together virtually to develop new and innovative games.
The Smithsonian American Art Museum is a leader in exploring the impact and artistry of video games and was one of the first art museums in the United States to acquire video games as part of its permanent collection. Video games create compelling participatory and social spaces, imagined by artists and designers and activated by players whose individual interactions are uniquely required to complete the experience. SAAM Arcade emphasizes this aspect of video game appreciation by encouraging hands-on engagement and in-person exchanges among independent developers, gamers and new audiences.
Credit
SAAM Arcade is made possible by the generous support of Events DC. Media sponsorship provided by Washington City Paper.
About the Smithsonian American Art Museum
The Smithsonian American Art Museum is home to one of the most significant and inclusive collections of American art in the world. Its artworks reveal Americas rich artistic and cultural history from the colonial period to today. The museums main building is located at Eighth and G streets N.W., above the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metrorail station, and is open 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Its Renwick Gallery, a branch museum dedicated to contemporary craft and decorative arts, is located on Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street N.W. and is open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is free. Timed-entry passes are required to visit both locations. Follow the museum on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. Smithsonian information: (202) 633-1000. Museum information (recorded): (202) 633-7970. Website: americanart.si.edu.
iPOP! LA, the bi-annual performing arts showcase, is set to have American Idol scouting talent at the July 2022 event. Peter Cohen, head of Casting for American Idol, will lead the judging for the singing portion of the iPOP! Talent showcase. In a statement regarding the news, Cohen said the following:
“I’ve followed iPOP! for a long time and have always been impressed with the amazing and diverse talent that iPOP! has produced over the years.”
Singers in attendance at the July event will have a chance to be considered for an appearance on the upcoming 21st season of the hit competition series.
In addition to judging the singing competition, American Idol and iPOP will conduct a special nationwide talent search (Enter Here: https://www.ipopla.com/americanidol) for one lucky performer who will have the chance to meet one-on-one with an Executive Producer for Idol. The winning talent will have all registration fees and accommodations covered for an upcoming iPOP! event.
The July iPOP! LA showcase will take place in Anaheim, CA, July 11 – July 15, bringing performers from around the world. During the week-long event, attendees will gain renowned training from industry-leading professionals and network with the top agents, managers, and casting directors.
About Americal Idol “American Idol,” the iconic series that revolutionized the television landscape by pioneering the music competition genre, will return to airwaves for another season on ABC. Helping determine who America will ultimately vote for to become the next singing sensation are music industry forces and superstar judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie. Emmy® Award-winning host and producer Ryan Seacrest will return to the beloved competition series as host.
For more information on “American Idol,” visit abc.com.
Follow “American Idol” (#americanidol) on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
About iPOP! LA iPOP promotes emerging talent to leading agents, managers, casting directors, and music industry professionals. Approaching its 20th year, iPOP! is held in Los Angeles every winter and summer. Performers attend from over 30 different countries. At the event, they work with industry experts and participate in competitions in front of the many agents and managers who are looking for the stars of tomorrow.
For media inquiries regarding iPOP! LA, please contact: iPOP! Media Relations 310.463.7560 | Kirsten@ipopla.com
iPOP! LA Kirsten Poulin 310-463-7560 www.ipopla.com iPOP! Media Relations
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