AS A PART OF THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE WELL-BEING OF THE PLANET
This relationship solidifies the company’s firm dedication to sustainability.
Garnica, a world leader in manufacturing premium sustainable plywood is pleased to announce that they have officially joined the United Nations (UN) Global Compact as a part of their commitment to creating a sustainable future. This corporate sustainability initiative is the world’s largest. It supports companies to conduct business responsibly and take strategic actions to advance broader societal goals with an emphasis on collaboration and innovation.
In September 2015, all 193 Member States of the UN adopted a plan called ‘Agenda 2030‘ for achieving a better future: laying out a path to end extreme poverty, fight inequality and protect our planet by 2030. This plan is based upon 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which define the ideal world.
“At Garnica, using environmentally friendly raw materials and supporting sustainability measures is of utmost importance. We are completely aligned with the SDGs defined by the UN Global Compact and have therefore officially joined the movement to contribute to making the world a better place for all.“ said Pedro Garnica, Garnica’s president.
Garnica has set a standard, inspiring other businesses to follow their lead in transforming the world, promoting prosperity, and protecting the planet while supporting diversity, equality, and an inclusive culture.
Established in 1941 as a sawmill in La Rioja, Spain, Garnica is a pioneer in the development of innovative ways to manage and use natural resources responsibly and intelligently. We are a leader in the manufacturing of exceptional plywood solutions, serving the needs of our more than 600 clients in 45 countries. Garnica has grown considerably since its early days, it employs 1,200 people and has seven factories with production standards that revolve around sustainability. Garnica supports sustainable plantations as a source of raw materials for its products and we are always in search of excellence while steadily progressing. Offering a wide range of products, Garnica is the global benchmark for plywood panel production in the industry. For more information on Garnica, visit their website
Ovolo Hotels, the award-winning lifestyle hotel collection with properties in Australia, Hong Kong and Bali, has announced the launch of its brand-wide “Do Good, Feel Good” sustainability initiative, including the “Green Perk” pledge to plant a tree, in association with Eden Reforestation Projects, for every direct booking at its hotels.
“Do Good, Feel Good” follows Ovolo’s vegetarian “Plant’d” pledge and features the following key highlights across the two key pillars of “Planet” and “People”:
PLANET
Beginning on November 1, 2022, Ovolo will partner with Eden Reforestation Projects to plant one tree in Nepal for every direct booking at any Ovolo property, as part of its “Green Perk” program.
Working with EarthCheck to ensure all actions are science-backed, strategic and sustainable.
The Plant’d Pledge which promotes vegetarian and plant-based cuisine across Ovolo Hotels restaurants and bars.
A commitment to reduce food waste by 50% by 2030.
Designing new hotels responsibly to include sustainable materials and fittings and achieve Green Certification for all Ovolo-owned new-build hotels.
Eliminating single-use plastics by 2023.
Measuring and managing carbon emissions, water, waste and energy consumption.
Sourcing locally and organically wherever possible.
PEOPLE
Protecting the mental and physical well-being of employees and increasing development and learning opportunities for all.
Providing education, nutrition and healthcare for disadvantaged children in Indonesia and Hong Kong:
Ovolo has partnered with Bali Children’s Foundation, which help thousands of children complete school, find employment, and improve their lives and the life of their community. Ovolo has sponsored a school in Bali with classroom upgrades, class delivery for a year and a stationery kit for each student in the elementary school of SDN 3 Sidetapa in North Bali. www.balichildrenfoundation.org
Ensuring a 50/50 breakdown of women and men in management positions by 2025.
Doubling fundraising efforts by 2025.
Promoting local art, culture and history to support local communities.
“Our commitments go beyond environmental indicators and include issues such as celebrating diversity and inclusion, supporting children and schools, sourcing locally and building hotels that give back to their communities in a meaningful way,” said Dave Baswal, Ovolo Group Chief Executive Officer. “We want to make better choices for ourselves and the planet and play our part in ensuring a better future for all.”
Whenever guests book directly with Ovolo, they will receive a message after their stay with details of where their tree has been planted and the corresponding impact on the environment. In the spirit of transparency to its guests, staff and investors, and in a continual effort to improve its sustainability credentials, Ovolo has also committed to producing an annual sustainability report, verified by a third-party auditor.
“Transparency and alignment with initiatives and sustainability development goals is key for us; we don’t just want to talk the talk, but we want to be held accountable to walk the walk too,” Dave Baswal concluded.
The Ovolo Group was founded by entrepreneur Girish Jhunjhnuwala and first entered the real estate market in 2002; then further expanded into the hotel industry in 2010. Ovolo Hotels quickly became one of Hong Kong and Australia’s most dynamic independent owner operated hospitality firms by providing guests with the best in effortless living across hotels and food and beverage outlets.
The Ovolo Group is a collection of contemporary hotels that keep you connected to the little luxuries you love, all effortlessly included. The company prides itself on being in touch with the modern traveler through award-winning interior designs, detail-driven comforts, complimentary value-added services like the mini bar and breakfast, with cutting-edge technology. Ovolo Hotels have been acknowledged for Hotel and Accommodation Excellence, receiving the accolade “Hotel Brand of the Year”, at the 2019 and 2020 HM Awards.
A proud Hong Kong brand, Ovolo Group remains a family-owned and privately-operated business operating four hotels and three restaurants in Hong Kong, and eight hotels and seven restaurants across Australia in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane.
Ovolo also has the By Ovolo Collective within its portfolio of hotels, a distinctive collection of four hotels each one unique, each one special, the more guests explore, the more they’ll find. These include Nishi Apartments in Canberra Australia, The Sheung Wan by Ovolo and The Aberdeen Harbour in Hong Kong, and Mamaka Kuta Beach in Bali Indonesia.
As of March 2021, Dash Living collaborated with Ovolo Hotels to launch two new generation of serviced rental solutions in Hong Kong. A total of 135 rooms and suites that form part of a new generation of serviced rental solutions for hyper-mobile millennials will be available for booking. The Aberdeen by Dash Living, soon-to-be converted from Mojo Nomad By Ovolo, offers 79 rooms ranging from studios to executive suites. The 56-room The Sheung Wan By Ovolo, only remaining under Ovolo’s management for stays under 7 days, will offer units from studio, one bedroom, to family room options.
Ovolo acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we are located. We recognize their continuing connection to land, waters and culture, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
Hendrick’s, The Gin Famously Infused with Rose and Cucumber, has Scoured the Planet to Find and Cultivate Some of the World’s Most Unusual Cucumbers
Hendrick’s, the world’s most unusual gin, has brought some of the rarest and peculiar cucumbers from around the globe back from the brink of extinction and made them available for the masses. An unprecedented delight to the senses, this noble endeavor will invite lovers of food and drink to satisfy their curiosity and taste a bounty of otherworldly cucumbers via the exclusive Hendrick’s Curious Cucumber Collection from Farmer Jones Farm at The Chef’s Garden, available now for pre-order delivery nationwide at Farmerjonesfarm.com
Hendrick’s Gin and cucumbers have always been and will always be inextricably bound. Since its inception, Hendrick’s has championed all that is curious, unexpected and unique. In fact, the gin began as a rarity itself due to its unusual but delightful infusions of rose, and of course, cucumber. “You could say I have a healthy obsession with cucumbers, they truly are quite fascinating fruits,” said Hendrick’s Master Distiller Ms. Lesley Gracie. “When we were first developing Hendrick’s, experimenting with cucumbers and figuring out how to get that curious cooling sensation into a gin was a big moment in my career. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of seeing so many diverse and wonderful varieties of cucumber in different parts of the world. The chance to cultivate some of the more peculiar styles on the brink of extinction has been an extremely fun and welcomed challenge.”
Ms. Lesley Gracie worked with Professor Lenore Newman, one of North America’s foremost experts in agriculture, to identify multiple varieties of rare cucumber species scattered across the globe, from the vast African plains to the mist-shrouded foothills of Asia. Through no small effort on the part of Hendrick’s Gin and renowned farm partners, The Chefs Garden (Huron, OH) and MX Morningstar Farm (Hudson, NY), these glorious fruits have been saved from extinction and are ready to share with the world in their freshest, most imbebible forms. “As someone who has devoted my career to the discovery and preservation of rare fruits and vegetables, I can say with conviction that what Hendrick’s has done for these cucumbers is a tremendous scientific accomplishment,” said Newman, PhD & Director of the Food and Agriculture Institute at the University of the Fraser Valley. The author of three books on food, Lenore advises the British Columbia government on agricultural policy and the impact of climate change on food security. “These seeds represent a microscopic amount of the global cucumber population and without this project, they remained in danger. It’s remarkable to see them restored to such great scale, and it’s such a joy for people to now be able to taste these marvelous fruits.”
The various seeds were sourced from across the globe after months of academic research and meticulously cultivated in greenhouses across North America and Europe.
The Six Rare Cucumbers
The highly curious Cucamelon (Melothria scabra) is cultivated as a minor crop in Mexico and Central America, and very rarely experienced elsewhere. Flavors are similar to a cucumber, yet sweeter and citrus-like, with an uncanny exterior resemblance to a mini-watermelon.
Particularly unusual in appearance donning a peculiar mix of bright orange & green with horn-like spikes, the African Horned (Cucumis metuliferus) is a close relative of our beloved cucumber that primarily grows wild and in local gardens across southern Africa, carrying delightful notes of melon, kiwi, banana and citrus.
The Hmong Red (Cucumis sativus) is grown by the Hmong people in intimate gardens adorning the mountains of Northern Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Myanmar, where upon maturation, this miraculous fruit transitions in color from a pale green to a golden orange, and offers a tart flavor.
The Aonaga Jibai (Cucumis sativus), a treasured family gem from the island of Kyushu, Japan, can only be found in the quaint town of Beppu, where it’s known for its unusually long and narrow shape and splendidly sweet taste.
Only found tucked away in the country of Bhutan, the Gagon Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is quite distinct – as it matures, it shifts from containing the characteristics of a common cucumber to marvelous honeydew.
Generally unknown outside of Eastern Europe, the ancient Muromsky Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is oddly covered in black spikes and prized for its pleasant scent, crunchy texture, and punchy flavor.
Thousands of these peculiar cucumbers have been cultivated globally and are available in the United States via an exclusive Curious Cucumber Collection from Farmer Jones Farm at The Chef’s Garden. With a plethora of culinary and cocktail uses, these atypical yet delicious cucumbers come in a farm-fresh variety pack for $48, with no one box the same based on harvest at the time of order.
Among the first to experiment with these extraordinary fruits, Hendrick’s National Ambassador, Vance Henderson, tasted and tested to his delight in order to create a cocktail experience unlike any on earth. “Experimenting with these rare cucumbers was not only a pleasure, but an exploration in itself and a welcomed creative challenge,” says Henderson. “One of our favorite creations, The Cutecumber Lemonade, is an ode to our popular Hendrick’s Cucumber Lemonade with one-of-a-kind notes of citrus from the Cucamelon that beautifully compliment our delicious and refreshing gin and mixes well with the unusual.”
The Cutecumber Lemonade – Ingredients
1.5 parts Hendrick’s Gin
.75 part Fresh Cucamelon Juice, Strained
.75 part Fresh Lemon Juice
.75 part Simple Syrup
Top with Premium Soda Water
1 Cucamelon and 1 Lemon Wheel to Garnish
Method: Combine all ingredients in a highball glass filled with cubed ice and lightly stir. Garnish with 1 whole Cucamelon speared between 1 lemon wheel and serve.
For further information, visit https://www.hendricksgin.com/us/ and follow Hendrick’s on social media @hendricksginus and via the hashtag #hendricksgin.
Ms. Lesley Gracie, who heralds from Yorkshire, is the Master Distiller at Hendrick’s Gin. With a background in chemistry, Lesley’s genius lies in her fascination with flavors and how they work together. She visualizes flavors as shapes and strikes to create a round, balanced flavor in all of her elixirs. In 1999, Ms. Gracie was approached by the great grandson of William Grant, Charles Gordon, to create an ‘ultra-premium’ gin which was to become Hendrick’s. She was appointed as the Master Distiller and went on to spearhead the development of this most unusual gin and is responsible for the creation of all of Hendrick’s liquid innovations.
Over the past two decades, Gracie has been responsible for countless pioneering Hendrick’s releases and has amassed an array of botanicals, distillates, and experimental liquids, which are housed in a locked cabinet in her laboratory, the Cabinet of Curiosities at the Hendrick’s Gin Palace. Ms Lesley Gracie has a strong history of pushing boundaries from her experiments and venturing far and wide in search of new flavors – even as far as the Venezuelan rainforest. Lesley is enchanted by animals and keeps two tortoises and loves to walk her dog, Jock. She also has a penchant for salmon fishing and exploring the rugged Scottish countryside in her motorhome, affectionately named Ted.
AWARDS/ACHIEVEMENTS
2021 – Lifetime Achievement Award at The Spirits Business Awards 2021 2021 – Grand Rectifier of the Gin Guild 2021 – Inducted into the Gin Magazine Hall of Fame 2018 – ‘Gin Distiller of the Year’ by the World Gin Awards
ABOUT HENDRICK’S GIN
Hendrick’s is a deliciously super premium gin, made with a number of unusual twists. To deliver a most curious and delightfully unique flavor, Hendrick’s combines a distinct blend of 11 botanicals, as well as the signature infusions of cucumber and rose petals, producing a wonderfully refreshing gin with a delightfully unique aroma. Hand crafted in Scotland in miniscule batches by William Grant & Sons, Hendrick’s is the only gin that uses a marriage of spirits from both a Carter-Head and Copper Pot Still, a combination that produces a divinely smooth gin that has both the required character and balance of subtle flavors. Hendrick’s Gin has an ABV of 44% and an SRP of $34.99. Please drink the unusual responsibly. For further information, visit www.hendricksgin.com.
ABOUT WILLIAM GRANT & SONS
William Grant & Sons Holdings Ltd. is an independent family-owned distiller headquartered in the United Kingdom and founded by William Grant in 1887. Today, the global premium spirits company is run by the fifth generation of his family and distils some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky, including Glenfiddich®, The Balvenie® range of handcrafted single malts and the world’s third largest blended Scotch, Grant’s®, as well as other iconic spirits brands such as Hendrick’s® Gin, Sailor Jerry® Spiced Rum, Tullamore D.E.W.® Irish Whiskey, Monkey Shoulder® Blended Malt Scotch Whisky and Drambuie® Scotch Liqueur.
Founded in 1964, William Grant & Sons USA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of William Grant & Sons, Ltd. and features one of the fastest growing spirits portfolios in the US with brands including Glenfiddich, The Balvenie, Hendrick’s Gin, Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey, Drambuie, Milagro Tequila, Fistful of Bourbon, Grant’s, Hudson Whiskey, Gibson’s Finest, Monkey Shoulder, Clan MacGregor, Reyka Vodka, Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur, Flor de Caña Rum, The Knot and Raynal French Brandy. For more information on the company and its brands, please visit HERE.
ABOUT FARMER JONES FARMS AT THE CHEF’S GARDEN
In order to grow foods that look good, taste good and are good for you, the team at Farmer Jones Farms at The Chef’s Garden is committed to sustainable agriculture and practices that replenish nutrients depleted from the soil. Embracing the traditional philosophies of farming and recognizing the importance of growing crops through natural means, The Chef’s Garden is deeply dedicated to “growing vegetables slowly and gently, in full accord with nature.”® We believe that by rebuilding the soil naturally it will return to us a more nutritious, flavorful product.
The eighth annual California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Award winners were announced today during Down to Earth Month, a celebration of California’s sustainable viticulture and winemaking. Presented by several California wine organizations devoted to sustainability, four Green Medals have been presented in the following categories: Leader, Environment, Community and Business.
“It’s a pleasure to recognize the California wine community’s cutting-edge leaders in sustainability through the California Green Medal Awards,” said Allison Jordan, California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance’s (CSWA) Executive Director. “Their stories illustrate the perfect synergy between growing exceptional winegrapes and crafting premier wines with an enduring commitment to resource conservation, environmental protection and quality of life enrichment for their employees and community.”
Leader Award
Given to the vineyard or winery that excels in the three “Es” of sustainability—Environmentally sound, socially Equitable and Economically viable practices, Wente Family Estates achieved the award.
Located in the heart of Livermore Valley, Wente Family Estates is a multi-generational vineyard and winery deeply rooted in sustainability, with a 139-year commitment to the land and people. As a Certified California Sustainable vineyard and winery, Wente takes conserving resources and building soil health seriously—using no-tillage methods to sequester carbon and build organic matter while minimizing compaction, grazing to control grasses, and returning harvest waste to the soil as compost. Wente uses sensors to monitor vine water needs and reuses all treated winery water in the vineyard.
They also have two all-electric Monarch tractors and use lightweight glass bottles to reduce their carbon footprint. Wente has made it their mission to enhance the communities in which they live and work. Employees receive eight volunteer hours annually and matching contributions for their charitable donations. Wente Foundation for Arts Education has donated over $1 million to school arts education programs since 2012, and its Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary certification ensures wildlife habitat protection. The winery also educates customers by sharing its sustainability story throughout the entire consumer experience, starting with lightweight bottles that include the sustainability certification logo on its wine labels.
Environment Award
Given to Trefethen Family Vineyards, that best demonstrated Environmental Stewardship through maximized environmental benefits from implementing sustainable practices.
Located in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley, Trefethen Family Vineyards is demonstrating outstanding commitment to the environment through their comprehensive approach and multiple certifications—Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing, Fish Friendly Farming, Green Business Program and Napa Green. The winery’s water system recycled almost two million gallons of water for vineyard use in 2021. The family uses mechanical weed control practices along with an integrated approach to growing grapes, and encourages biodiverse predators such as beneficial wasps, owls, bats, bluebirds and hawks that help control insect and vertebrate pests. Less than 40 acres of the family’s 255-acre hillside property are planted to vine, preserving significant oak wildland. Working with local agencies, they restored a nearby stream bank to improve native Coho salmon breeding grounds.
Over 2,000 solar panels; EV vehicles and charging stations; and night harvesting are among the ways that the winery reduces greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels. The Trefethen family fosters an engaged team through its expanded employee education programs—including “Trefethen University” which focuses on topics such as waste reduction and energy conservation—and through the distribution of fresh produce from their garden. In 2021, the Trefethen family received a recycling leadership award for comprehensively addressing waste diversion throughout their operation.
Community Award
This was given to the vineyard or winery that is a Good Neighbor and Employer using the most innovative practices that enhance relations with employees, neighbors and/or communities: McManis Family Vineyards.
Based in California’s northern interior, McManis Family Vineyards believes in community coming together to support a shared goal. The company regards employees as family, treating all employees to lunch every Sunday during harvest, and fosters a culture of respect through open communication. This unity extends to the community with wide support for local charities through donations and an annual toy drive where they collect over 2,000 toys for children each year. During the pandemic, McManis made health and safety its number one priority, making hand sanitizer for first responders, and hosting public COVID-19 vaccination clinics that served hundreds of employees and neighbors.
The winery also cares for the broader ecosystem, establishing a conservation easement to permanently protect native habitat and wildlife in and around one of their vineyards. It also implemented many practices to reduce its carbon footprint such as using electric UTVs and forklifts, solar, composting solid waste and recycling winery water. With vineyards certified to LODI RULES and the winery certified to Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing, McManis helps educate other wine grape growers about the importance of sustainability and the value of certification.
Business Award
Given to the vineyard or winery that best demonstrates Smart Business through efficiencies, cost savings and innovation from implementing sustainable practices: Jackson Family Wines
With vineyards and wineries throughout California, including in Mendocino, Monterey, Napa, Santa Barbara and Sonoma counties, Jackson Family Wines embodies what it means to be a “smart business” by connecting sustainable practices to efficiencies, cost savings and innovation. The goals established in its Rooted for Good: Roadmap to 2030 plan, launched last year, are fully integrated in its business model. For example, decarbonization is part of the company’s capital expenditure plan, smart water management and efficiency are part of the vineyard redevelopment plan and social impact and diversity equity and inclusion initiatives are integrated into human resources and employees’ roles and responsibilities.
Recognizing that sustainability is not only important to protecting the environment and improving the lives of employees and communities but also to the longevity of the business from an economic standpoint, the company invested over $18 million in sustainability efforts since 2015, which has resulted in over $29 million in cost savings stemming from energy efficiency, renewable energy, glass bottle light weighting and other innovations. In addition to being certified to Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing, Fish Friendly Farming, Napa Green and Sustainability in Practice, Jackson Family Wines publicly committed to reducing the company’s carbon footprint in half by 2030 and becoming climate positive by 2050 without purchasing offsets. Attempting to have an impact beyond their own company, Jackson Family Wines co-founded the International Wineries for Climate Action to support other wineries across the globe in setting and achieving climate goals.
The madness of the Darkhold will be unleashed on the Marvel Universe this fall beginning in DARKHOLD ALPHA #1! In this highly anticipated mystical saga, five heroes—IRON MAN, BLADE, WASP, BLACK BOLT, and SPIDER-MAN—will be recruited by Scarlet Witch to travel to Chthon’s dimension to stop him before he can invade Earth. But in order to survive there, each hero must first read from the Darkhold and let themselves be driven insane, leading to twisted new versions of themselves! These mind-melting adventures will unfold over a series of exciting character-focused one-shots including November’s DARKHOLD: WASP and DARKHOLD: BLACK BOLT!
Renowned colorist and writer Jordie Bellaire makes her Marvel Comics writing debut alongside rising star artist Claire Roe for a story that will make you shrink in fear in DARKHOLD: WASP! Scarlet Witch chose Janet Van Dyne for her ingenuity and strength, will she prove to be the lynchpin in the coming battle against Chthon or will she be consumed by darkness? After reading the Darkhold, Wasp’s entire life is subject to question but she has the power to reclaim her story…and fight back.
Critically acclaimed writer Mark Russell teams up with sensational artist David Cutler to brings you a scream-worthy story that will break an empire in DARKHOLD: BLACK BOLT! Black Bolt’s mighty voice is his greatest gift…and since childhood, it has been his greatest curse. Black Bolt thought he was signing up for a battle befitting a king but after reading from the Darkhold, he’ll discover the true battlefield will be his own mind.
“As a writer, it’s a joy to get to write a character who spends even more time inside their own head than you do,” Russell said. “So Black Bolt is a writer’s dream character and when I heard which other creators were involved with the series, I was totally on board, like someone who’d unwittingly bought a house in a really great neighborhood.”
Check out the covers for DARKHOLD: WASP and DARKHOLD: BLACK BOLT as well as Cian Tormey’s new “defiled designs” and enter the Darkhold if you dare when this strange and terrifying saga begins in September! For more information, visit Marvel.
Good Vibrations – WonderWorks Orlando New Exhibit on Earthquakes Named by Teachers during Teacher Appreciation Month
WonderWorks Orlando has an array of exhibits that help educate people about science. And it’s latest exhibit on earthquakes called Good Vibrations, opens May 28th. Good Vibrations will spotlight Tuckaleechee Caverns, and how they document seismic activity around the world. The new exhibit was a topic request from educators, so it seemed appropriate that they also name the exhibit. Teachers are invited to see this exhibit for free during WonderWorks Teacher Appreciation Month celebration.
This is a fascinating new exhibit about earthquakes and all types of tectonic movement around the globe, says Brian Wayne, general manager of WonderWorks Orlando. It’s a great time for teachers to stop in and check it out and enjoy some time exploring all we have to offer.
The Tuckaleechee Caverns are located deep under the Smoky Mountains, in Townsend, Tenn. People can visit the caverns, but they also play an important role in the safety of our country. They have the most sensitive seismic station on Earth, accurately and precisely tracking tectonic movement all around the planet. The information collected includes activity from earthquakes and even when nuclear weapons are being tested.
Once the information is collected, it is quickly transmitted directly to the Department of Defense; Geneva, Switzerland; and Vienna, Austria. The information is obtained and shared so quickly that it’s passed on within 300ths of a millisecond. Visitors will learn about the important natural wonder that gathers so much information around the world.
Good Vibrations meets educational standards for learning about earthquakes and seismic activity. As a way to celebrate teachers and support staff during Teacher Appreciation Month, both teachers and support staff will receive free admission during May 2021 by showing a valid school ID. Additionally, up to four of their accompanying guests will receive 50% off admission.
“We are excited to invite teachers, support staff, and their families this month, as well as others, to check out the new Earthquake exhibit,” added Wayne. “This exhibit will surprise you and make you want to plan a trip to the Tuckaleechee Caverns.”
Additional on-site and community programs include the WonderWorks WonderKids event, virtual learning labs, FLO-Art Florida Youth Art Gallery, science fair partnerships, online science information and worksheets and a homeschool program. WonderWorks Orlando also offers various STEM activities, including virtual learning labs, on-site exhibits, activities and more. To learn more about the programs offered at WonderWorks Orlando, visit their website.
To get additional information about Teacher Appreciation Month, visit the site here.
Due to the continued county-wide mask restriction in Orlando, guests will need to bring one with them or buy one upon arrival. WonderWorks has COVID-19 safety protocols, including reduced capacity and hours, enhanced cleaning efforts, social distancing measures, hand sanitizer stations, employee health screenings and employee personal protective equipment (PPE). Guests are encouraged to review all safety rules before their visit on the web page devoted to COVID-19 here.
About WonderWorks
WonderWorks, the upside-down adventure, is a science-focused indoor amusement park for the mind that holds something unique and exciting for visitors of all ages. Guests enter through an upside-down lobby with the ceiling at their feet and the ground above their head and must pass through an inversion tunnel to turn right side up. There are three floors of nonstop edu-tainment, with over 100 hands-on and interactive exhibits that serve a STEM educational purpose to challenge the mind and spark the imagination. WonderWorks Orlando is also home to The Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show. WonderWorks is located in Orlando, Pigeon Forge, Myrtle Beach, Panama City Beach, Syracuse and Branson. For more information, visit their website.
WonderWorks Orlando Unveils New STEM Exhibit Explaining Earth’s Spheres: Sphere We Go!
WonderWorks Orlando announces the opening of a new exhibit focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The new exhibit topic will focus on the layers of the Earth’s spheres and is scheduled to open March 11, 2021.
“Earth is a topic that most people love to learn about, so we are excited about this new exhibit,” says Brian Wayne, general manager of WonderWorks Orlando. “This will give families a fun way to learn about this STEM topic, whether it’s just for fun or if they are looking for a way to expand upon their child’s formal education.”
The new exhibit will help teach people about the four different layers in Earth’s spheres, including the lithosphere (or geosphere), hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere. In addition to learning about each layer, the exhibit also explains how the four layers interact with each other. The new exhibit will include images and content to read. There is also a 3D hologram high-definition video–no special glasses required–that provides a visual explanation of the layers and how they interact, to enhance the viewing experience.
STEM education, according to the National Inventors Hall of Fame, focuses on teaching children real-world applications that help develop a variety of skill sets. Some of the skills children gain through STEM education include technology literacy, problem solving, creativity, curiosity, critical thinking and being innovative. Finding ways to introduce them to STEM topics in a fun way can help to get them more interested.
“We look forward to helping families learn more about the spheres that make up Earth,” added Wayne. “We continue in our mission of making learning fun!”
To choose the name for the new poll, WonderWorks held a poll asking people to choose from three names. Employees and social media users weighed in, with the following being the outcome of the exhibit name poll: Sphere We Go! is the official new name of the exhibit.
Sphere We Go! – 51% of the vote
Get Outta Sphere! – 38%
Sphere Not These Earthly Layers! – 11%
Additional onsite and community programs include the WonderWorks WonderKids event, virtual learning labs, FLO-Art Florida Youth Art Gallery, science fair partnerships, online science information and worksheets and a homeschool program. WonderWorks Orlando also offers various STEM activities, including virtual learning labs, onsite exhibits, activities and more.
To learn more about the programs offered at WonderWorks Orlando, visit the site.
Due to a county-wide mask restriction in Orlando, guests will need to bring one with them. WonderWorks does also have some for sale onsite. WonderWorks has implemented COVID-19 safety protocols, including reduced capacity and hours, enhanced cleaning efforts, social distancing measures, hand sanitizer stations, employee health screenings and employee personal protective equipment (PPE). Guests are encouraged to review all safety rules before their visit on the webpage devoted to COVID-19.
About WonderWorks
WonderWorks, the upside-down adventure, is a science-focused indoor amusement park for the mind that holds something unique and exciting for visitors of all ages. Guests enter through an upside-down lobby with the ceiling at their feet, the ground above their head and must pass through an inversion tunnel to turn right side up. There are three floors of nonstop “edu-tainment,” with over 100 hands-on and interactive exhibits that serve a STEM educational purpose to challenge the mind and spark the imagination. WonderWorks Orlando is also home to The Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show. WonderWorks is located in Orlando, Pigeon Forge, Myrtle Beach, Panama City Beach, Syracuse and Branson. For more information, visit the site.
Using photography and journalism, COVID-19: The Bigger Picture aims to tell the stories of those most affected and most vulnerable to the pandemic that has changed the lifestyles of each person on the planet.
Antonio Zappulla, the CEO of the Thomson Reuters Foundation, said, “This pandemic is a global crisis like no other, affecting every person on the planet. The world is grappling daily to understand its scale and severity against an onslaught of information and misinformation. It has never been more critical to lean on the power of journalism excellence to cut through the noise with accurate and impartial storytelling.”
The Thomson Reuters Foundation works to advance media freedom and promote human rights while Omidyar Network is committed to building inclusive and equitable societies. Though the impact has been widespread, the goal of the project is to show how social inequality that existed before the inception of the virus has only been magnified by the spread of the pandemic.
“This virus has devastated lives and livelihoods across the globe. By combining the storytelling capabilities of the Thomson Reuters Foundation with photos from people whose lives have been upended by the pandemic, we will not only see the impacts on everyday life but also the systemic inequalities that brought us to this dire moment,” said Mike Kubzansky, the CEO of Omidyar Network.
COVID-19: The Bigger Picture, consists of two parts. First, a photojournalism competition allows anyone to submit a photo capturing the devastation of the coronavirus. Entrants may submit one photo with the prize being a photojournalism class taught by Thomson Reuters Foundation’s trainers. Photos may be entered beginning August 12th.
The documentation also includes a series of photo essays focusing on the United States. Experienced and decorated journalists will uncover the stories of workers assisting the elderly in Florida, caretakers of children in North Carolina and more. The photoessays will be released over the next three months, and readers can sign up to be notified when each essay is published.
“By capturing individual experiences, The Bigger Picture will document a wider story. It is only then, that we can truly change the narrative,” Zappulla said.
WORLDS BEYOND EARTH, A NEW HAYDEN PLANETARIUM SPACE SHOW, PREMIERES JANUARY 21, 2020, AT THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY ACADEMY AWARD WINNER LUPITA NYONG’O TO NARRATE A STUNNING EXPLORATION OF WORLDS THAT SHARE OUR SOLAR SYSTEM BASED ON THE LATEST DISCOVERIES
Featuring immersive visualizations of distant worlds, groundbreaking space missions, and breathtaking scenes depicting the evolution of our solar system, the American Museum of Natural History’s new Hayden Planetarium Space Show Worlds Beyond Earth, will open January 21, 2020, as part of the Museum’s 150th anniversary celebration. Worlds Beyond Earth takes viewers on an exhilarating journey that reveals the surprisingly dynamic nature of the worlds that orbit our Sun and the unique conditions that make life on our planet possible.
Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o has signed on to narrate Worlds Beyond Earth. Nyong’o’s acclaimed film work includes Us (2019), Black Panther (2018), The Jungle Book (2016), Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015), and 12 Years a Slave (2013), for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She is also the narrator for the six-part wildlife docuseries Serengeti (2019).
Worlds Beyond Earth is produced by a team that includes Earth and planetary scientists, science visualization experts, and artists, and was developed using data from sources such as SPICE (Spacecraft Planet Instrument C-matrix Events)—the system used by NASA and other space agencies for designing and documenting solar system exploration missions. With brilliant visualizations shown on the world’s most advanced planetarium projection system, Worlds Beyond Earth whisks viewers away on an adventure across the solar system, from our planetary cousins Mars and Venus to beyond the asteroid belt, where worlds of ice and gas like Saturn, Jupiter, and their moons reveal active volcanoes and buried oceans.
While humans have not yet ventured beyond the Moon, Worlds Beyond Earth celebrates the extraordinary Age of Exploration carried out by robotic explorers over the past 50 years. With each probe and spacecraft launched into the unknown, gathering data and sending it back to Earth, scientists have discovered the surprisingly dynamic, active, and varied nature of the worlds that share our solar system, gaining a deeper understanding of the uniqueness of our home planet in the process. How is the icy surface of Jupiter’s moon Io—located 800 million kilometers from the Sun—volcanically active? What is the atmosphere like on Saturn’s moon Titan, where showers of liquid methane pelt the surface? In stunningly detailed scenes drawn from real data—including unparalleled visualizations of the alien landscape of Mars and a simulation of the evolution of Saturn’s rings—Worlds Beyond Earth takes viewers on a remarkable journey around our solar neighborhood to explore whether there really is no place like home.
Worlds Beyond Earth is part of the Museum’s 150th anniversary celebration, which officially began in March 2019 and includes a series of events, programs, and exhibitions inspired by the Museum’s legacy of scientific exploration and science education, including the role of the historic Hayden Planetarium in bringing the latest space science to the public. First built in 1935 and named for philanthropist Charles Hayden, the world-famous facility has transported generations of New Yorkers —and their children and grandchildren—to the edges of the observable universe, revealing mysterious cosmic phenomena and nurturing their curiosity about the magnitude and workings of our universe. The new Space Show is dedicated to the memory of Charles Hayden and opens during the 150th Anniversary of the year of his birth.
Worlds Beyond Earth is rendered in 8K and will be the first Museum Space Show to fully utilize the world’s most advanced planetarium projection system, installed this year in the Hayden Planetarium. The first-of-its-kind high-dynamic range (HDR) system displays the widest color gamut of any planetarium in the world, allowing visitors to experience both the darkness of outer space and the most colorful worlds as never before.
Worlds Beyond Earth is curated by Denton Ebel, curator in the Museum’s Department of Earth of Planetary Sciences and chair of the Division of Physical Sciences, who specializes in the study of meteorites, and directed by Carter Emmart, the Museum’s director of astrovisualization and one of the original team members of the NASA-funded Digital Universe and OpenSpace projects, which are continuing to redefine how planetarium theaters present science to the public through immersive data visualization.
Worlds Beyond Earth is produced by Vivian Trakinski, who directs the Museum’s science visualization program, and documentary filmmaker Gavin Guerra. Rosamond Kinzler, senior director of science education and co-director of the Museum’s Master of Arts in Teaching program, is the executive producer.
Natalie Starkey, a science communicator and geologist who served as co-investigator for science on the European Space Agency’s Rosetta mission Ptolemy instrument, wrote the script. The score is by Robert Miller, a New York City composer who wrote the music for five previous Museum Space Shows.
Worlds Beyond Earth is the sixth Space Show since the opening of the Rose Center for Earth and Space in 2000, which premiered the first Space Show, Passport to the Universe narrated by Tom Hanks, the same year. Previous Space Shows have included The Search for Life: Are We Alone? (2002), narrated by Harrison Ford; Cosmic Collisions (2006), narrated by Robert Redford; Journey to the Stars (2009), narrated by Whoopi Goldberg; and Dark Universe (2013), narrated by Neil deGrasse Tyson, the Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium.
Worlds Beyond Earth was created by the American Museum of Natural History, the Frederick Phineas and Sandra Priest Rose Center for Earth and Space, and the Hayden Planetarium.
Worlds Beyond Earth is dedicated to the memory of Charles Hayden in celebration of the 150th anniversary of his birth and made possible by the generous support of the Charles Hayden Foundation.
OpenSpace is based upon work supported by NASA under award No. NNX16AB93A. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
ABOUT THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY (AMNH)
The American Museum of Natural History, founded in 1869 and currently celebrating its 150th anniversary, is one of the world’s preeminent scientific, educational, and cultural institutions. The Museum encompasses 45 permanent exhibition halls, including those in the Rose Center for Earth and Space plus the Hayden Planetarium, as well as galleries for temporary exhibitions. It is home to New York State’s official memorial to Theodore Roosevelt, a tribute to Roosevelt’s enduring legacy of environmental conservation. The Museum’s approximately 200 scientists draw on a world-class research collection of more than 34 million artifacts and specimens, some of which are billions of years old, and on one of the largest natural history libraries in the world. Through its Richard Gilder Graduate School, the Museum grants the Ph.D. degree in Comparative Biology and the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree, the only such free-standing, degree-granting programs at any museum in the United States. Annual on-site attendance has grown to approximately 5 million, and the Museum’s exhibitions and Space Shows can be seen in venues on six continents. The Museum’s website, digital videos, and apps for mobile devices bring its collections, exhibitions, and educational programs to millions more around the world. Visit amnh.org for more information.
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Parkinson’s Foundation Hosts Its First-Ever Medical Marijuana and Parkinson’s Disease Conference
The Parkinson’s Foundation will host its first-ever conference focused on medical marijuana and Parkinson’s disease (PD) in Denver, CO, March 6-7, 2019.
“The Parkinson’s Foundation is bringing together experts from across the globe to discuss the implications and recommendations of medical marijuana use for people with Parkinson’s,” said James Beck, PhD, chief scientific officer of the Parkinson’s Foundation. “Now that medical marijuana is legal in 31 states and in many other countries, people are equating access to efficacy. It is imperative that we address the clinical implications of medical marijuana use among people with PD.”
The goal of the conference is to bring together a diverse group of experts from academia, clinics, industry, government and the Parkinson’s community to establish a consensus on medical marijuana use in PD. The conference will address the potential benefits and risks of medical marijuana for people with PD, potential delivery methods, safety considerations, approval as a therapeutic for PD patients, and areas for more rigorous clinical research.
“Having worked as a clinician for the past decade in Colorado, a state at the forefront of medical marijuana use, it is clear that people with PD and their families are intensely interested in the potential of marijuana and cannabinoids in helping manage symptoms and other aspects of their disease,” said Benzi Kluger, MD, MS, associate professor of University of Colorado Hospital and co-chair of the conference. “To date, there is more hype than actual data to provide meaningful clinical information to patients with PD. There is a critical need to analyze existing data on medical marijuana and to set priorities for future research.” Moreover, some people are so convinced of the effects of cannabis on people with PD that they go as far as growing the seeds themselves as it’s proven cheaper than buying it from medical dispensaries. You can use this link to find out more about online seedbanks that ship to the USA if you’re interested in that.
Recent results from a survey conducted by the Parkinson’s Foundation and Northwestern University, a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence, found that:
80% of patients with PD have used cannabis
23% of doctors received formal education on medical marijuana
95% of neurologists have been asked to prescribe medical marijuana
People with PD and their physicians are looking to answer whether medical marijuana can help manage PD symptoms. Few clinical studies have enrolled people with PD to investigate the effects of medical marijuana on PD symptoms. There is currently no conclusive scientific research supporting the benefits of medical marijuana for PD, however, anecdotal evidence suggests that it may help manage Parkinson’s symptoms such as pain, sleep, appetite, nausea and anxiety.
“In order to move the field forward, we need to determine which cannabinoids are likely to be beneficial or harmful, whether people with PD are at risk from side effects, what we are hoping to treat, and how to conduct informative clinical trials,” said A. Jon Stoessl, MD, co-director of the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health at the University of British Columbia, and co-chair of the conference.
The conference is invitation-only. In addition to Parkinson’s specialists, select Parkinson’s advocates living with PD will be invited to provide their perspective. The Foundation will publish suggested practices and areas for further research following the conference.
For more information on medical marijuana and PD, call our Helpline, 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636) or visit Parkinson.org/Marijuana.
About the Parkinson’s Foundation The Parkinson’s Foundation makes life better for people with Parkinson’s disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. In everything we do, we build on the energy, experience and passion of our global Parkinson’s community. For more information, visit www.parkinson.org or call (800) 4PD-INFO (473-4636).
About Parkinson’s Disease Affecting nearly one million Americans and 10 million worldwide, Parkinson’s disease is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s and is the 14th-leading cause of death in the United States. It is associated with a progressive loss of motor control (e.g., shaking or tremor at rest and lack of facial expression), as well as non-motor symptoms (e.g., depression and anxiety). There is no cure for Parkinson’s and 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States alone.
