(Tom Siciliano) - The U.S. economy isn't perfect, but unemployment remains at record lows, inflation is cooling, consumer spending remains strong, and wages are rising steadily, not rapidly.

While the media likes to report on the usual indicators, there's one statistic that's not reported enough – live events. Events like trade shows, concerts, sporting contests, weddings and business seminars are major factors driving the economy. The Deloitte Insights report this month noted "households continue to increase spending on pent-up demand for services such as entertainment and travel."

Statistics bear this out. To note:

· Theme park attendance in North America in 2023 was up 32% at the largest attractions annual report released by the Themed Entertainment Association.

· The Consumer Electronics Show 2023 in January in Las Vegas, a bellweather for the industry, reported 115,000+ attendees, 15% more than projected. 

· Live Nation posted a monster quarter in Q1 of 2023, with a record $3.1 billion in revenue — up 73% from the same period last year — and a record 19.5 million fans attending its events. Their concerts have sold almost 90 million tickets this year, more than 20% ahead of last year.

· Major League Baseball attendance is up more than 4 percent compared to 2022. More than 70 percent of teams are enjoying an attendance increase. With school out, attendance numbers should rise even more for the summer.

· The events industry will grow to $1,552.9 billion by 2028, according to Allied Market Research, with a projected CAGR growth of 11.2% over the next seven years.

It's no secret that humans are social animals, and after being trapped during the pandemic, the urge to congregate and socialize has returned. But it's more than that. The experience, socially and technologically, has improved tremendously. More than just gourmet food, massive screens, superfast WiFi and more comfortable seating at football games like SoFi Stadium (a client of ours), fans are becoming more engaged.

As Forbes recently noted, "Fans' devices give them access to real-time information about player performance, allow them to share updates from the games on social media and give them a chance to connect with other fans ... At the World Cup, fans were able to leverage augmented reality to see real-time statistics for players on the field."

At the recent U.S. Open at the Los Angeles Country Club, opulent indoor and outdoor seating areas and structures, along with luxe food service and premium seating, made the experience feel more like a luxury hotel or resort rather than a crowded, sun-baked golf tournament with obstructed viewing.  

As the CEO of California's largest event rental company with more than 1,000 employees creating and servicing more than 12,000 annual events, we've seen these trends coming for years. Event customization, sociable areas, technology, connectivity and creativity are still evolving and improving.

Surveys from trade groups show that today's consumers are more interested in an experience than a material item. People are looking to have a lifestyle where they are able to enjoy company with others and having fun with people they know and love after being trapped during the pandemic. Many in the live events industry believe trends of more live event attendance along with more customizable experiences will continue for years to come.

With the advent of 3-D printing for event structures, AR, VR and other technologies, some of these stadium experiences are filtering down to smaller events like birthday parties, weddings, anniversaries and reunions. It's hard to measure the impact of innovation and enjoyment, but if these industry trends continue, the live events business will remain strong for years to come.

Tom Siciliano is the CEO of Town & Country Event Rentals and Signature Party Rentals based in Southern California.

(Diane Mulligan) - Lung cancer is the deadliest of all major cancers, with Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) patients having a significantly lower survival rate than non-small cell lung cancer patients (NSCLC).

In 2012, the National Cancer Institute identified SCLC as a top priority. More targeted and personalized treatments are expected to be released soon. There are also many clinical trials focusing on SCLC. The new research is leading to new treatments and new hope, which can't come quickly enough for SCLC patients.

SCLC is different from NSCLC, which is the most common form of lung cancer. It is the most aggressive form of lung cancer and the one most closely associated with smokers. The SCLC tumors morph as they try to survive. They change their form, trying to hide from the current treatment.

Lung cancer researchers are now focused on treatments that target specific tumors.

Dr. Triparna Sen, Associate Professor at Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai Health System says, “Do we have targets? Yes, we do have targets. Do they look promising? Yes, they do look promising. It will not be one size fits all.”

Most SCLC patients are treated with chemotherapy, but there have been recent advances in using immunotherapy along with chemotherapy. Patients who have finished their initial treatment now have new options and should talk to their doctor about new treatments being researched in clinical trials. In most of these trials, one set of patients receives the latest approved treatment while the other set receives the treatment being researched.

According to Lung Cancer Foundation of America Founder Kim Norris, “These clinical trials are where patients are getting the gold standard of care. They may be receiving the treatments of tomorrow, today.”

It was only last year when the first SCLC treatment breakthrough was announced. Then researchers identified a subset of SCLC patients who appear to respond to drugs that are already proven cancer fighters; the proteins in the tumors of these patients make them more receptive to targeted therapies.

The Lung Cancer Foundation of America provides initial funding to young investigators who are studying all types of lung cancer. The group was organized after the co-founder, Kim Norris, realized that although it was the deadliest of all the major cancers, lung cancer received the least amount of federal funding in relation to other major cancers.

Norris says, “It’s that funding that allows the best and brightest young investigators to choose to study lung cancer.”

To find out the latest on lung cancer research and how you can help, you can go to lcfamerica.org.

Above image: Dr. Triparna Sen, Associate Professor at Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai Health System

(Diane Mulligan) - Lung cancer is the deadliest of all major cancers, with Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) patients having a significantly lower survival rate than non-small cell lung cancer patients (NSCLC).

In 2012, the National Cancer Institute identified SCLC as a top priority. More targeted and personalized treatments are expected to be released soon. There are also many clinical trials focusing on SCLC. The new research is leading to new treatments and new hope, which can't come quickly enough for SCLC patients.

SCLC is different from NSCLC, which is the most common form of lung cancer. It is the most aggressive form of lung cancer and the one most closely associated with smokers. The SCLC tumors morph as they try to survive. They change their form, trying to hide from the current treatment.

Lung cancer researchers are now focused on treatments that target specific tumors.

Dr. Triparna Sen, Associate Professor at Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai Health System says, “Do we have targets? Yes, we do have targets. Do they look promising? Yes, they do look promising. It will not be one size fits all.”

Most SCLC patients are treated with chemotherapy, but there have been recent advances in using immunotherapy along with chemotherapy. Patients who have finished their initial treatment now have new options and should talk to their doctor about new treatments being researched in clinical trials. In most of these trials, one set of patients receives the latest approved treatment while the other set receives the treatment being researched.

According to Lung Cancer Foundation of America Founder Kim Norris, “These clinical trials are where patients are getting the gold standard of care. They may be receiving the treatments of tomorrow, today.”

It was only last year when the first SCLC treatment breakthrough was announced. Then researchers identified a subset of SCLC patients who appear to respond to drugs that are already proven cancer fighters; the proteins in the tumors of these patients make them more receptive to targeted therapies.

The Lung Cancer Foundation of America provides initial funding to young investigators who are studying all types of lung cancer. The group was organized after the co-founder, Kim Norris, realized that although it was the deadliest of all the major cancers, lung cancer received the least amount of federal funding in relation to other major cancers.

Norris says, “It’s that funding that allows the best and brightest young investigators to choose to study lung cancer.”

To find out the latest on lung cancer research and how you can help, you can go to lcfamerica.org.

Above image: Dr. Triparna Sen, Associate Professor at Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai Health System

(NewsUSA) - Esperanza: The Graphic Novel by Andrew Daily

Step into the world of Esperanza, a mysterious, dystopian city struggling under the weight of its own corruption through this one-of-a-kind 76-page, premium-color, graphic novel written and designed by Andrew Daily. Follow Will, a man who has lost everything including his own memories, as he navigates through the shadows of this broken society, desperate for answers.

With stunning visual artwork and masterful storytelling, this book will immerse you in a dark and dangerous world, where every choice could mean the difference between life and death. Will you join the fight to save this city? Or will you succumb to the darkness that threatens to consume it all? The choice is yours, but be warned: Once you enter Esperanza, you may never want to leave. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3IB64vc.

Lethal Connections: The Poison ID Unit by Erik Daniel Shein, Melissa Davis and Karen Fuller

In a sleepy little parish just outside of New Orleans, murder is no rare occurrence.

Sergeant Lance Knight has a pile of unsolved homicide cases on his desk. On the surface, none seems to be connected. The victims are all men with money or power. An investment banker, a lawyer, and a local politician. Lance can’t find a connection.

Working with coroner Gina Goodwin, Lance and Gina discover a pattern. Three unrelated things the bodies have in common—a string of lethal connections. Is it just a coincidence? Things heat up when Lance realizes he’s getting close to finding the killer, and everything spirals out of control. Can he piece it together before it’s too late? Purchase at https://bit.ly/3DeLgH7.

Storm Cloud Rising by Jason Lancour

No prophecy. No Chosen One. No greatest hero of all time. The fate of the known universe does not hang in the balance.

A group of mercenaries is hired for what is supposed to be an easy assignment. But like most things, nothing is as it seems. In a world rich with history, meticulously engineered laws of magic, unique cultures and peoples (as well as the occasional whiskey joint), the “private contractors” soon find their already varied motivations and priorities shifting.

What starts as a simple job spirals out of control into a struggle for survival in the midst of a plot bigger than any could have anticipated. Blood will be spilled, confidences broken, and a fair bit of whiskey consumed. This is only the beginning… Purchase at https://bit.ly/435RjZx.

A Boy, an Orphanage, a Cuban Refugee by Tony Dora

“I became a man when I was nine. My other option was death.”

Why would parents send their children, alone, to a foreign country with no guarantee they would ever see them again? In the early 1960s, over 14,000 unescorted children fled Cuba for the U.S. Under Castro's tyrannical regime, the state confiscated people's property and bank accounts. Food, clothing, and medicine were rationed. Houses of worship were attacked. There was no freedom.

When Tony and Norma boarded the plane, they had no idea what the future would hold. This memoir chronicles their emotional journey through Tony's eyes as he and Norma navigate life for six weeks in a refugee camp and a year in an orphanage, until they are reunited with their mother. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3VMro6i.

BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.

(NewsUSA) - Advanced networks – the highways of cyberspace and artificial intelligence (AI) – remain a globally contested technology sector, according to experts at the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), a bipartisan nonprofit organization.

Although the People’s Republic of China (PRC) continues to lead the United States in key metrics of fifth-generation (5G) mobile network production and deployment, the U.S. holds the edge in areas such as satellite connectivity and cloud computing.

The stakes of global leadership in network and telecommunications technology have never been higher, and SCSP’s experts outline how the U.S. compares to China on several network technology fronts.

Broadband and Fiber Optics Deployments and Production: Fiber optic cables and wireline technologies remain a core backbone of connectivity. Although the U.S. is laying more fiber optic cabling thanks to federal financing, China’s broadband mix includes a far larger share of fiber optic cabling and offers top-level broadband speeds.

Subsea Cables: U.S. firms remain competitive in this increasingly important battleground in the networking sector.

Mobile Networks and Spectrum: The quality of China’s 5G networks is marginally higher than those of the United States, but neither country has taken a clear lead in 5G applications in areas like autonomy.

Satellite Technology: The United States has long led in global space technology, and U.S. commercial satellite connectivity technology demonstrated clear national security value in Ukraine.

Looking ahead, SCSP’s experts offer advice to the U.S. government on how to reassert U.S. leadership in advanced network technology.

Think big: Set moonshot technology goals, such as increasing broadband for all households, and planning networks for smart communities and smart industries that integrate domains such as logistics, public safety, healthcare, and the military.

Strengthen the chain: Develop and build stronger network supply chains to upscale production of network components and identify reliable sources for other components as needed.

Unleash applications: Fund challenge grants for network applications with commercial potential, and also release more spectrum for private sector use.

Shape international networks: Don’t underestimate the ability of the U.S. to have an impact on global network technology by managing export opportunities and developing partnerships to compete with China in developing countries.

Visit scsp.ai for more information.

(NewsUSA) - The local power company in Boise, Idaho, offered a monthly billing credit for residential customers who allowed them to remotely control their central air conditioning (A/C) system on a few weekdays when summer demand for energy exceeded the utility’s capacity.

The opportunity created a difficult decision for homeowner Amanda Reed since she would like to reduce the amount of energy the home used for air conditioning, but during the summer months the home had hot spots that made it uncomfortable without keeping the AC system on high during the hottest periods of the day.

Her home faces the Boise River and is subject to many days of direct sun exposure as well as reflection of sunlight off the water. The area experiences the full range of seasons with temperatures from 24 degrees to 95 degrees and more.

After visiting the website for the non-profit International Window Film Association (IWFA.com), she decided to investigate having window film installed to upgrade the existing windows.  

Using the local dealer locator on the website, Amanda arranged for an installer  to come to her home and provide an assessment. Based on that visit, it was decided to have solar control window film installed to help solve the issues, while also keeping the home's large dual-pane windows that were original to the home.

"The power company often asks us if we can turn up our thermostats in the summer so we're not using so much. I can already tell we'll have an easier time reducing our power and just being friendly with the environment," said homeowner Amanda Reed.

The nonprofit International Window Film Association (IWFA) is making available a short video of the installation of window film on this beautiful home located along the Boise River Greenbelt.

"Cooling systems often work harder during the hottest period of the day when peak electric rates are charged, and when utilities may be unable to meet the demand,” said Darrell Smith, executive director of the IWFA. "Window films are proven to provide a more comfortable environment and reduce energy use," he added.

The IWFA conservatively estimates professionally installed window film may cut a dwelling’s annual energy use by 5-10 percent and prevent 60-80 percent of solar heat gain through glass from entering the home, depending on your local climatic conditions and your home’s current physical specifications. To learn more visit www.iwfa.com.

(NewsUSA) - Marine Toys for Tots, which is traditionally known as the flagship children’s Christmastime charity, has evolved into a year-round force for good. The year-round assistance and emotional relief that the organization provides extends beyond the holiday season, because needs aren’t seasonal, and neither is Toys for Tots.

The Program’s year-round distributions reassure families who face adversity and exceptional circumstances that Marine Toys for Tots is committed to delivering messages of hope, restoring and building self-esteem, and inspiring youngsters to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens.

As schools close for the summer, vulnerable children are at risk of losing many of the educational skills they achieved during the school year because they don’t have access to books and other educational resources outside of the school system.

To help prevent summer learning loss and prepare students for the next school year, the Marine Toys for Tots Program continues its year-round impact through their Spring and Summer initiative – Smiles for Today, Hope for Tomorrow. This initiative provides children access to the learning tools they need to help them maintain their skills and prepare for the new school year.

Through this initiative, Toys for Tots is providing one hundred truckloads of toys, gifts, and educational resources to children in need in communities across twenty-six states, in partnership with sixty local nonprofit organizations. The support that Toys for Tots continues to provide beyond the holiday season is instrumental in reassuring underprivileged children that they are not forgotten. The Program stands ready to provide emotional relief, comfort, and hope for a brighter future to children in need through distribution events held by local organizations across the Nation. 

One such organization, My Joyful Heart, recently distributed toys, books, and games – provided by Toys for Tots – to 1,100 children in the greater Chicago area, along with clothing, hygiene items, and snacks.  Summer is often a difficult time for children who don’t have the safety net that school provides, so the items they receive remind them of their tremendous worth and value.

My Joyful Heart’s Director of Operations, Erin Burns, said, “The children will be overjoyed with their gifts, and more importantly, they will be reminded that so many people care.”

The Spring and Summer distribution events are part of Toys for Tots’ commitment to empowering children year-round – giving them gleaming smiles for today and renewed hope for a brighter future tomorrow.  

Visit www.toysfortots.org to be a force for good this summer!

(NewsUSA) - Choosing a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^™ professional who aligns with your specific needs and goals is important. If you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community, you may want to seek out an LGBTQ+ CFP^® professional. Here are five ways an LGBTQ+ CFP^® professional could help you.  

Understanding Your Unique Financial Needs

As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, you often face specific financial hurdles related to legal issues and healthcare. An LGBTQ+ CFP^® professional, whose life experience may mirror yours, may have a better grasp of these unique needs and can tailor advice to effectively address them. Take family planning, for example, where you may face higher expenses or even discriminatory practices when pursuing adoption or fertility treatments.

Sensitivity and Cultural Competence

As an LGBTQ+ individual, you should feel comfortable sharing sensitive personal information that is vital to reaching your financial goals. An LGBTQ+ CFP^® professional offers just such a safe and supportive environment. That’s critical for many LGBTQ+ issues, such as the financial challenges facing people needing gender-affirming healthcare, as treatments may not be covered by health insurance. For this and other challenges facing LGBTQ+ people, you can look to your LGBTQ+ CFP^® professional for guidance.

Knowledge of Specific LGBTQ+ Resources

LGBTQ+ financial planners are more likely to be familiar with resources, organizations and programs that cater specifically to the LGBTQ+ community. That ranges from choosing the best insurance option to retirement planning and elder care.

Advocacy and Support

The emotional support and financial expertise of LGBTQ+ CFP^® professionals help guide clients during life’s major milestones such as marriage, a new job or transitioning. In addition, many LGBTQ+ CFP^® professionals advocate for clients and the greater LGBTQ+ community, helping address discrimination or bias they may encounter in the financial services industry.

Community Connection

By working with an LGBTQ+ financial planner, you contribute to strengthening the LGBTQ+ community. Choosing professionals who identify as LGBTQ+, or are allies/advocates, creates a sense of solidarity while promoting diversity, inclusion and belonging.

Of course, the challenges LGBTQ+ people face may vary depending on factors such as location and legal protections. Efforts are underway to address these financial disparities through policy changes, increased awareness and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights.

You may find that there are many benefits to working with a CFP^® professional who is LGBTQ+ or LGBTQ+-supportive. Your decision will depend on your personal preferences and individual circumstances. No matter what type of CFP^® professional you’re looking for, you can find them today at LetsMakeAPlan.org.

(NewsUSA) - This June, the California Avocado Commission invites avocado lovers to celebrate California Avocado Month! Grown in the Golden State with environmentally-friendly farming from San Diego to Monterey by about 3,000 growers, California avocado season generally runs from spring through summer, making June a perfect time to explore every delicious opportunity to sink your teeth into them.

Widely known as a winner of Bravo’s Top Chef, the first winner of Food Network’s Tournament of Champions, and most recently as one of the three titans on the Food Network’s new cut-throat competition Bobby’s Triple Threat, Chef Brooke Williamson joins CAC in celebrating California Avocado Month by developing two fresh and unique California avocado-inspired dishes for summer. Born and raised in Los Angeles, and a keeper of a fruitful home garden herself, Chef Williamson has an appreciation for in-season produce, which helps shape and inspire her menu both at work and at home.

“As a SoCal native, fresh and locally sourced ingredients, like in-season California avocados, are indispensable in my kitchen, especially during the warm summer months,” said Chef Williamson. “I love the versatility of the fruit, and how it adds dynamic flavor, color and texture to virtually any dish. Whether you’re cooking up a vibrant seafood dish or baking your favorite dessert, California avocados pair beautifully with other ingredients, taking your recipes to the next level.”

Chef Williamson’s love of California-inspired cuisine is highlighted in her Braised Short Rib on California Avocado Tahini Puree, which pairs melt-in-your-mouth short ribs with tangy, velvety California Avocado Tahini Puree for a satisfying and flavor-packed dish you’ll crave all summer long, and beyond. For those with a sweet tooth, Chef Williamson’s California Avocado Chocolate Mousse Layer Cake features cool and creamy California Avocado Mousse sandwiched between layers of decadent chocolate cake for the perfect make-ahead dessert.

California avocados are not only a key ingredient in Chef Williamson’s featured recipes, but they are also a heart-healthy superfood that provides naturally “good” fats and are sodium-, cholesterol- and trans fat-free. One-third of a medium avocado (50 g) has 80 calories and contributes nearly 20 vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients, making it a nutrient-dense choice.  

California avocado fans are invited to make Chef Williamson’s California avocado creations themselves, check out other seasonal recipes, tips and tricks and more by visiting CaliforniaAvocado.com.

(NewsUSA) - Within fiction lies the seeds of powerful transformation and inspiration. Some of the most inspirational guidebooks are parables, including Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson and Oh, The Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss. Both have inspired business visionaries, entrepreneurs and graduates for decades. Now stepping into this treasured category is THE ISLAND OF THE FOUR Ps: A Modern Fable About Preparing for Your Future (Skyhorse Publishing) by Ed Hajim.

Hajim, a seasoned Wall Street investment executive with more than 50 years of investment experience, believes you can’t find the roadmap to success on any GPS or search engine. Instead, this engaging fable drops you into the mind of a young man on a quest to find himself and his personal path to success and happiness. As he meets challenges, we gain a deeper understanding of how to navigate change while remaining true to our values and ideals. The beauty of telling this in fable format lies in its accessibility. “I don’t believe there’s only one way to deal with life transitions. And even if you accept my ideas wholly, there is no single right way to put them into action,” writes Hajim.

To create this book, Hajim used his own extraordinary life as a framework documented in his critically acclaimed memoir On the Road Less Traveled. Kidnapped by his father at the age of 3, driven across the country and told his mother had died, Hajim spent his childhood in and out of foster homes and orphanages. The intelligence, resilience and innate leadership he used to rise from deprivation to the pinnacle of personal and business success provides the insight he shares with readers.

At the heart of the book are the four Ps:

• Passions: Find your passions, find the things that excite and motivate you. Recognize that passions do change and you must monitor them throughout your lifetime.
• Principles: Find the rules that you want to follow and the lines you won’t cross. They provide an important structure and bring organization to your life.
• Partners: No individual can succeed alone. Consider the kind of friends, collaborators, and advisers you’ll need around you, recognizing that those needs will evolve.
• Plans: Find your plans, write down where you want to go and how you plan to get there. Pay attention to your environment, things that will happen during your lifetime, and try to find a wave or a cycle that you can marry with your passions and principles.

“This is a must-read for anyone thinking about how to successfully navigate the inevitable twists and turns in the road ahead, leading to a fulfilling life,” says Wendi Heinzelman, Dean, Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Rochester University.

Ultimately, Hajim’s dream is to help anyone fighting to make their dreams a reality. “I hope The Island of the Four Ps will prompt you to contemplate who you are and what you want in life. Ideally, it will spur you to action—helping you engage fully in life, pursue new experiences, and surf the waves of change.”

To learn more about Ed Hajim, his background and his work, visit www.edhajim.com.