Citizen Suburban Times Weekly 9-1-2021 by CITIZEN NEWSPAPERS

Y O U R S O U R C E F O R C O R O N AV I R U S N E W S

Citizen Week of Sept. 1, 2021

| Vol. 5 | No. 4 | www.citizennewspapergroup.com

SUBURBAN TIMES WEEKLY

Gov. JB Pritzker speaks during a news conference Thursday morning in Chicago during which he announced a statewide indoor mask mandate effective Monday. Credit: blueroomstream.com

MASKS MANDATED INDOORS IN ILLINOIS; VACCINES REQUIRED FOR TEACHERS, HEALTH CARE WORKERS

Aqueous Ozone Proves Effective in Killing COVID-19

ENTERTAINMENT: Tyler Perry Studios Extends Worldwide Deal with Sony Music Publishing

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2 | CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Sept. 1, 2021

NEWS

Masks mandated indoors in Illinois; vaccines required for teachers, health care workers State warns of decreasing intensive care bed capacity amid latest surge Continued from page 1 BY JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com

The statewide mask mandate indoors is back, and educators and health care professionals will be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, Gov. JB Pritzker announced Thursday amid an ongoing surge in the pandemic that first arrived in Illinois in March 2020. Beginning Monday, people will be required to wear masks indoors, Pritzker announced. The vaccine requirement, which goes into effect Sept. 5, will apply to “all P-12 teachers and staff, all higher education personnel, all higher education students, and health care workers in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, urgent care facilities and physician’s offices,” Pritzker said at a news conference in Chicago. “Effective Sept. 5, individuals working in these settings who are unable or unwilling

to receive their first dose of vaccine will be required to get tested for COVID-19 at least once a week, and IDPH and (the Illinois State Board of Education) may require more frequent testing in certain situations, like in an outbreak,” he said. Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said the state is seeing 220 hospital admissions per day, a number on par with a surge in May. Pritzker said 98 percent of cases, 96 percent of hospitalizations and 95 percent of deaths since January have been among unvaccinated people. While vaccines are the best defense, Ezike said, “wearing a mask continues to be one of the simplest, cheapest ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19.” Intensive care bed availability in southern Illinois is at 3 percent, he said. “That’s because the regions with the lowest vaccination rates are the regions where there are fewer hospitals, and lower hospital capacity,” Pritzker said. “And those hospitals are sometimes the least well equipped to handle

cases as they become more acute.” He added, “We are continuing to rely on experts at the (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and (Illinois Department of Public Health), but you don’t need to be an epidemiologist to understand what’s going on here. This is a pandemic of the unvaccinated.” The current vaccination rates – nearly 53 percent of the state’s population is vaccinated – “are not enough to blunt the ferocity of the delta variant,” which has led to hospitals “again fighting the battle that we had hoped would be behind us by now.” Republicans, meanwhile, continue to call on the governor to further involve the General Assembly in his COVID-19 response. House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, of Western Springs, shared a letter he sent to Pritzker on Monday, noting he got a call from the governor Wednesday night seeking input on a potential response amid the new COVID-19 wave. But, according to the letter which his office shared with members of the media, Durkin

said he received a breaking news brief shortly after the phone call which outlined Pritzker’s planned announcement for the Thursday news conference. “I will reiterate my plea on our call yesterday to please make your experts available to the General Assembly so that we can examine their data and plans, review the results of your many previous mandates and together plot a course of action that will work,” Durkin said in the letter. “You have the authority to call for a special session of both chambers to address this very critical issue, and I am imploring you to do so immediately.” Pritzker said he’s “always been available” to GOP leadership and rank-and-file members, and “when the legislature talks to me, I listen.” Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government and distributed to more than 400 newspapers statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.

Apple selects 15 Black- and Brown-owned businesses These innovative companies from across the US are working on environmental solutions Darrell Garth President / Publisher Janice Garth Sales Manager/ General Manager CST Weekly, published weekly on Wednesdays and distributed in the Township of Bloom, (publishing 52 issues annually). Written permission is required to reproduce contents in whole or part from the General manager or the publisher. CST Weekly does not assume the responsibility for nor are we able to return unsolicited marterials. Deadline for advertising is every Monday at noon. For information on subscriptions or advertising call us at (773) 783-1251. Our office is located at 8741 S. Greenwood Ave., Ste# 107, Chicago, Illinois 60619.

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(Black PR Wire) CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA -- Apple today unveiled its first class of 15 Black- and Brownowned businesses on the cutting edge of green technology and clean energy, who will join the company’s Impact Accelerator to support equity and opportunity in the environmental sector. Part of Apple’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative, this program will help to combat systemic barriers to opportunity, while also advancing innovative solutions for communities most impacted by climate change. The 15 businesses are based across the US — from Silicon Valley in California, to Detroit, Michigan, to tribal nations across the Midwest — and driving innovation in energy efficiency, solar, green chemistry, recycling, and other environmental areas. Many share a specific focus on bringing clean energy, opportunity, and vital services to vulnerable and underserved communities. “We are thrilled to welcome our first Impact Accelerator class, and look forward to seeing how these innovative businesses will expand their work to protect the planet

and our communities,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives. “On our journey to our 2030 carbon neutral goal for our supply chain and products, we’re determined to help create a greener and more equitable future for all people. The businesses we’re partnering with today are poised to become tomorrow’s diverse and innovative industry leaders, creating ripples of change to help communities everywhere adapt to the urgent challenges posed by climate change.” Selected companies will participate in customized training, and have access to Apple experts and an alumni community. The Impact Accelerator is tailored to support Black-, Brown-, and Native American and Indigenousowned businesses that share Apple’s focus on innovation and commitment to the environment as they achieve their next stage of development. Following the three-month virtual program, the companies will be considered for opportunities to act as suppliers to Apple as it works to become carbon neutral for its supply chain and products by 2030. www.citizennewspapergroup.com

The Companies: BlocPower, Founder and CEO: Donnel Baird; Climate Technology Company in Brooklyn, NY Mosaic Global Transportation, Founder, President, and CEO: Maurice H. Brewster; Transportation Firm in San Jose, CA Volt Energy Utility, Co-Founder and CEO: Gilbert Campbell III; Utility-Solar Energy Development Firm in Washington, D.C. Bench-Tek Solutions, Founder and CEO: Maria Castellon; Manufacturing and Automation Company in Santa Clara, CA GreenTek Solutions, Founder and CEO: Anuar Garcia; Recycling and Reuse Company in Houston, TX Diversified Chemical Technologies, Inc., President and Chief Financial Officer: Karl Johnson; Chemical Safety Firm in Detroit, Michigan Oceti Sakowin Power Authority, Chairman and Head of the Board of Directors: Lyle Jack; Clean Energy Developer in Tribal Regions Across the Dakotas Vericool, Inc., Founder and CEO: Darrell Jobe; Packaging and Shipment Company in Livermore, CA

Dunamis Clean Energy Partners, Founder and CEO: Natalie King; Environmental Solutions Company in Southfield, MI VMX International, Founder, President, and CEO: Vickie Lewis; Environmental Services Company in Detroit, MI Argent Associates, Founder, President, and CEO: Beatriz Manetta: Technology Consultancy in Plano, TX Inspectorio, Co-Founders: Carlos Moncayo and David Klein; Supply Chain Solutions Firm in Minneapolis, MN Group O, CEO: Gregg Ontiveros; Supply Chain Solutions Firm in Milan, IL RFG-MPW Environmental & Facility Services, Chairman and CEO: Roderick Rickman; Industrial Cleaning and Environmental Service Firm in Detroit, MI L2S Engineering, LLC, Founder: Laurie Ann Sibani; Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Engineering Design Firm in Leesburg, VA and Apollo Beach, FL For more information about Apple’s commitment to protecting the environment, visit apple.com/ environment.

CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Sept. 1, 2021

NEWS

SIU engineering professor uses NIH grant to probe how stem cells become specific tissue BY TIM CROSBY

CARBONDALE, Ill. — When you receive an injury to your body, stem cells come to the rescue. Now, a Southern Illinois University Carbondale researcher will use a grant to study ways to create and direct massive numbers of stem cells to speed healing, even when the injury is beyond the body’s typical ability to heal itself naturally. Farhan Chowdhury, associate professor of mechanical engineering and energy processes, recently received a $442,500 grant from the National Institutes of Health. He will use it to study ways to meet an engineering challenge: creating lab-grown stem cells for specific types of body cells, such as heart, skin, or other organ tissue. Work began July 1 and will continue through July 2024 during this first phase. Much of the work will center on better understanding the ways in which stem cells are signaled to develop into the types of cells the body needs. Scientists have believed that stem cells receive chemical signals for this purpose. They now believe physical signals from the extracellular matrix – the tissues around the cells – might also play a crucial role in determining the type of cell the given stem cells ultimately play. In addition to investigating chemical signaling of stem cells, Chowdhury’s grant will allow his team to investigate the effects of these tiny physical signals, which involve mechanical, microenvironment, and single molecular forces. The research has the potential to revolutionize critical care for people badly injured in accidents, warfare or other incidents. “That is when the creation and unlimited supply of functional body cells in a laboratory setting becomes critical,” Chowdhury said. “Overall, the proposed work will shed light on the detailed molecular and mechanical pathways of stem cell lineage, and what makes those cells commit to a certain cell type.” The grant will fund the research for three years and can be renewed through a competitive process. In keeping with SIU’s focus on involving undergraduate students in cutting-edge research, up to three undergraduate students will be involved in the work, as well as two graduate students. “The students will gain research experience in rigorous and intensive research in the areas of stem cells, cell mechanics, and biophysics,” Chowdhury said. “Students will conduct experiments, analyze and summarize data and prepare manuscripts advancing the proposed scientific agenda.” Stem cells to the rescue… Stem cells have the ability to grow into many things the body needs, such as new skin, bone, or other tissues. But science has yet to determine just how a stem cell knows what to become – its “fate” in a sense – let alone how to control it. Almost all tissues in the human body include stem cells,

Farhan Chowdhury, associate professor of mechanical engineering at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, recently received a $442,500 grant from the National Institutes of Health. He will use it to study ways to meet an engineering challenge: creating labgrown stem cells for specific types of body cells, such as heart, skin, or other organ tissue. Photo by Russell Bailey

which are on call to provide regeneration and injury repair. The human body constantly requires such upkeep, either due to natural aging or traumatic injury. Such issues account for up to one half of the amount spent on health care worldwide. Unlocking secret forces So why is a mechanical engineer is involved in understanding this critical biological process? Because some such processes involve tiny machine-like functions. Lack of precise, laboratory control of so-called single-molecule level forces – possibly coupled with the interplay of chemical signals – has prevented medical researchers from controlling stem cell fate in the lab. Chowdhury wants to investigate mechanical frameworks for controlling the fate of pluripotent epiblast stem cells created in the lab using both chemical and single-molecule force approaches. He hopes using the two approaches together might unlock secrets in their synergy, which in turn might reveal how scientists might determine stem cell fate in the lab, thus opening the door to the therapeutic treatments in the future. “The central hypothesis is that the synergistic effect of chemical and single-molecule force cues, sent through the extracellular matrix and cell-to-cell interaction, can control fate decisions far more effectively than previously possible,” Chowdhury said. “The long-term goal is to develop novel approach-

es to control the directed differentiation of pluripotent cells.” Engineering on the tiniest level Chowdhury will be working with pluripotent epiblast stem cells, which have the ability to indefinitely divide and produce exact copies of themselves. During the first part of the work, the team will focus on understanding the physical mechanisms in the single-molecule forces involved with differentiating pluripotent epiblast stem cells into mesodermal cells, a type of cell present in the early developing stages of embryos. In the later stages of development, these mesodermal cells give rise to tissues such as cardiac muscles, skeletal muscles, smooth muscles, red blood cells. To do this, Chowdhury will use tiny tension gauge tethers that are built from DNA designed to rupture at a defined force level. This precise control of forces at the single molecule level will allow to engineer cell fate than previously possible. “Together with chemical signaling, such precise control and specific targeting of mechanical pathways may lead to superior control of cell differentiation into the mesoderm,” he said. Additional study will involve studying how these cells renew themselves, as well as using something called a “nano-yoyo” to further define the mechanical forces responsible for controlling the cells’ fates. “The proposed work will elucidate detailed molecular, chemical and mechanical pathways that contribute to specific lineage commitments,” Chowdhury said.

The Jason Foundation, Inc. Recognizes September as Suicide Prevention Month HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. PRNewswire -- The Jason Foundation, Inc. (JFI), a nationally recognized leader in youth and young adult suicide awareness and prevention, proudly recognizes and supports September as National Suicide Prevention Month. Throughout the month individuals and organizations around the country have plans to highlight the problem of suicide and advocate its prevention. More than 47,500 Americans died by their own hand in 2019, making

suicide the 10th leading cause of death in this nation. Suicide rates in the US have climbed 33% since 2000. Even more concerning is that suicide and suicide attempts among our nation’s youth (ages 10-24) are on the rise. According to information released last year by the CDC, 19% of high school youth had seriously considered attempting suicide, 16% had made a suicide plan, and 9% had made one or more suicide attempts. One of the ways to reduce that number is by talking about suicide

and suicidal ideation, which can spur meaningful conversations about mental health and potentially save lives. Join the conversation and reach out to those who have been personally affected by suicide, raise awareness, and connect those struggling with suicidal ideation to professional counselors and treatment services that can help them. “Anyone, regardless of age, can participate in Suicide Prevention Month,” commented Brett Marciel, Chief Communications Officer for The www.citizennewspapergroup.com

Jason Foundation. “The awareness generated in September has the potential to have an enormous impact in our nation, even the chance to save a life.” Suicide Prevention Month is a time to remember those affected by suicide, raise awareness, and focus on prevention efforts. The Jason Foundation offers many different ideas on how the public can become involved. To find more information, visit their website and look for the “How to Get Involved” tab. A special section exists for Suicide Prevention Month.

The Jason Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting the “silent epidemic” of youth and young adult suicide through educational programs for young people, educators, parents, and other community groups. Since their inception, The Jason Foundation has never charged a school, family, or community for use of their programs or materials. For more information or to find the closest JFI Affiliate Office, visit JFI’s website. www.jasonfoundation.com

FASHION FASHION

SHEIN Announces First-Ever SHEIN X 100K Challenge Series With Guest Judges In celebration of the successful SHEIN X program, the SHEIN X 100K Challenge will give participating emerging designers a chance to win a grand prize of $100,000 along with a chance to be featured in SHEIN’s Fall/Winter 2021 virtually streamed fashion showcase LOS ANGELES PRNewswire -- Global fashion and lifestyle retailer SHEIN will be hosting the first-ever SHEIN X 100K Challenge series this summer. The four- episode series will feature a star-studded panel of judges including Khloé Kardashian, Law Roach, Christian Siriano, Jenna Lyons and Laurel Pantin. The Be Bold, Be You challenge will kick-off with 30 emerging designers, who will compete for a chance to make it to the final top 5. The 5 finalists will earn the opportunity to fly to Los Angeles for the finale and a once in a lifetime chance to be mentored by the judges (1-on-1) during the final challenge: Be You!. The winning designer will be announced on the series’ last episode: Sunday, September 12th, and will take home the grand prize of $100,000. These SHEIN X designer creations will be showcased during SHEIN’s Fall/Winter 2021 virtual fashion

show and streamed to millions of viewers globally. The SHEIN X 100K Challenge series began on Sunday, August 22nd, via SHEIN’s free app as well as SHEIN’s official YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. SHEIN launched the SHEIN X designer incubator program in January 2021. The ongoing program aims to provide emerging fashion designers the opportunity to partner with SHEIN and take their brands to new heights. The online series program is one of many large philanthropic initiatives from the brand in 2021, and aims to bring people together in celebration of fashion. Episode Air Dates Sunday, September 5, 2021 (2:00 PM- PST) Sunday, September 12, 2021 (2:00 PM- PST) SHEIN X provides emerging

fashion designers and illustrators the opportunity to partner with SHEIN, and take their designs and brands to new heights. Specifically developed to offset recurring infringement issues within the industry, SHEIN X offers emerging talents to grow their revenue streams, gain exposure and tap massive Gen Z audiences across the globe. The platform will amplify the designer’s product and brand to the massive global SHEIN consumer base, while highlighting each of their unique and stylish brand identities. SHEIN will work closely with the designers and take them from the inception phase to sampling, production, and distribution (via the SHEIN website). Founded in 2008, SHEIN is a fast-fashion e-retailer with a global network that spans 220 countries and regions. Here at SHEIN, we place a premium not on our apparel, but

SHEIN

on choice. That’s why we drop 1000 new fashion items daily, spoiling our customers with a dizzying selection of on-trend womenswear that they can mix and match to their heart’s delight. We do this because we believe that the clothes we wear reflect our personalities and we want to empower today’s

women to explore and express their individuality. With the abundance of choice we provide, our customers can intricately craft that perfect look which reflects their individuality. Simply put, we help you do you. To learn more about SHEIN, follow us at shein.com, instagram.com/ sheinofficial and youtube.com/shein.

Alo Yoga Partners With IMG To Bring Wellness And Mindfulness Alo Announced as Official Wellness Partner of New York Fashion Week: The Shows NEW YORK PRNewswire -- Alo Yoga (Alo), a leading activewear and lifestyle brand, today announces its commitment to bringing yoga and mindful movement as the first official wellness partner for New York Fashion Week: The Shows (NYFW: The Shows). “I couldn’t think of a better moment in time to announce Alo Yoga as our first official wellness partner for NYFW: The Shows as we venture out of lockdown. Continued wellness should be top of mind for us all as we find our way back this September, and we are so appreciative to Alo Yoga for their support of our fashion community,” said Leslie Russo, president of IMG’s Fashion Events and Properties. The partnership will officially kick off on Sept. 9, with the Alo Wellness Dept., an immersive, invite-only event at Spring Studios offering several wellness touchpoints including a Kundalini yoga class, a meditative sound bath on the rooftop of Spring Studios and will continue on Sept. 10, with more wellness offerings including ear seeding acupressure, intuitive readings, astrology readings by Lisa Donovan, founder of The Pattern App, aura

Alo Yoga

photos and custom wellness lattes. “We’re so excited to welcome Alo into Spring,” says Morgan Buksbaum, president of Spring Studios. “We can’t think of a better brand to come into our space and provide the perfect experience for the fashion community to reconnect and find peace during The Shows.” Through this partnership, Alo aims to bring mindfulness and wellness to the biggest fashion event of the year and celebrate connection,

specifically as NYFW returns to inperson shows. “We’re thrilled to partner with IMG this season as Fashion Week returns to New York. Alo exists at the intersection of fashion and lifestyle, so we see The Shows as the perfect venue to host a myriad of mindful moments for attendees to reconnect to themselves as well as each other,” says Danny Harris, co-founder of Alo. This partnership marks continued expansion for the brand. This year, www.citizennewspapergroup.com

Alo saw an increase of sales growth in its apparel categories and launched into beauty for the first time with the debut of the Glow System in December 2020, a botanical-based, clean skin and body care regimen that can be found at retailers including Credo, Revolve as well as its brick and mortar stores. Alo will also be hosting events at its New York-based sanctuaries located in the Flatiron and SoHo areas from Sept. 6-12. Attendees can

expect to see a Wellness Gifting Suite at the SoHo location, featuring the brand’s debut skincare collection: Alo Glow System alongside a schedule of daily yoga, meditation and breathwork classes offered at the Flatiron location. On Sept. 9, Alo will host an invite-only dinner at Sutra, its rooftop restaurant located in Flatiron. Additionally, the brand will hold press appointments to present its Spring ‘22 collection at its Flatiron sanctuary from Sept. 6-9. Alo Yoga (Alo) is a Los Angelesbased premium lifestyle brand that specializes in luxury activewear with a mission to bring yoga to the world, spread mindful movement, inspire wellness and create community. Since launching in 2007, Alo has become a global leader in activewear design and its franchised fabrics. Alo is eco-aware and has been W.R.A.P. Certified in a humane and sweat-shop free environment since day one. An acronym for Air, Land, and Ocean, Alo has a studioto-street mentality that transcends fashion and goes beyond the mat. Alo is available online at www. aloyoga.com and at Alo Sanctuaries in Los Angeles, New York San Diego, and Austin as well as select retailers.

CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Sept. 1, 2021

TRAVEL

5th Annual Black Owned Wine & Spirits Festival take place Sept. 25-26 An Exclusive Opportunity to Celebrate Black Excellence in Washington, DC with a hybrid Marketplace of specialty Black-Owned Craft Spirits, Beers, and Wines Black PR Wire Washington, DC – The 5th Annual Black Owned Wine & Spirits Festival will take place in Washington, DC from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 2526, at Dock 5, Union Market. The festival was founded by Chanel Turner, the first African American woman to be a sole proprietor in the US Spirits Industry. In 2009, Turner launched FOU-DRÉ Vodka into the heavily monopolized US Spirits industry. FOU-DRÉ (a play on the French word for lighting) has since expanded into Global Alliance Distribution, a distribution enterprise which provides distribution to minority-owned craft brands seeking placement in the Washington Metropolitan area market. This year’s BOWSFest will feature the re-integrated BOWSFest App allowing attendees to earn points which convert to BOWSFest dollars for the purchase of food and goods, ultimately encouraging

the use of social engagement and collective economics. Much like FOU-DRÉ, BOWSFest is a trailblazing endeavor, which has grown rapidly with positive recognition. To further strengthen a Black Economic base, the festival welcomes other Black-Owned businesses to sell and promote their goods/services. To date, the festival has sold well over 6,000 bottles of BlackOwned craft wines and spirits, and over $100,000 in food from local restaurants and food providers. In an effort to strengthen the Black Economic base, the festival welcomes other Black-Owned businesses to sell and promote their goods/services. This year’s BOWSFest will feature the newly re-integrated BOWSFest App allowing attendees to earn points which convert to BOWSFest dollars that can be used for the purchase of food and goods; ultimately encouraging the use of

social engagement and collective economics. Turner’s initial vision of unifying minority winemakers, distillers, brewers, and distribu-

tors such as herself has ultimately surmounted into a movement, providing a hybrid marketplace of Black Excellence. The Black Owned Wine & Spirits Festival is comprised of three major components: Industry Networking, Brand Exposure and Consumer Education. A canvas for experiential branding, the event embodies a farmer’s market style flow featuring the goods of craft wine, beer, and spirits companies as well as specialty items and tastes from food and retail brands. BOWSFest celebrates the bounty of craft wine, spirits, and beer found in this unique category of producers, and naturally facilitates long-lasting business relationships designed to

propel the overall success of the industry as whole. A wide array of products and samples will be on hand, for a unique opportunity to purchase numerous minority-owned goods, services, and libations from one place, in one day. Featured vendors include but not limited to: FOU-DRE Vodka / Whiskey Wright / Black Momma Vodka / Talero Tequila/ Durante Rum Den of Thieves / Markell Bani Wines / Uncle Nearest / Common Ground Spirits Tickets for the festival are currently available as well as sponsor and vendor applications. The 2021 festival is slated to be the largest yet, with two full days of spirit, wine, and beer sampling alongside a marketplace of tasty bites and high-quality goods for purchase. We are excited to announce that this year we will host the event in two event spaces. The indoor spaces as

well as the outdoor space of Dock 5, giving the feeling of an outdoor streetscape. This will allow individual attendees and small groups to socially distance to the extent they feel most comfortable. Website: www.BOWSFest Instagram: @Bowsfest Facebook: https://www.facebook. com/bowsfestival/ The Black Owned Wine and Spirits Festival or BOWSFest was created to fill a niche and provide new opportunities for a unique category of producers. The first of its kind, BOWSFest has fostered an environment where Black-Owned spirits, wine, and beer brands can come together in one setting for the single common purpose of growth. The festival lays a foundation for commerce and education that inspires and propels the widespread support of black-owned spirits, wine, and beer.

Cirque Du Soleil and Disney Announce Tickets On-Sale for Drawn to Life New Cirque du Soleil production is scheduled to open November 18 LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. CNW -- After more than a year of waiting, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group and Disney Parks, Experiences and Products are excited to announce that Drawn to Life is scheduled to open on Nov. 18. The highly anticipated, new family-friendly show coming to Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., is a collaboration between Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering and will take residency at Disney Springs. Tickets are on sale at cirquedusoleil.com/drawntolife. “We are so looking forward to unveil this beautiful, long-awaited creation to the public,” said Daniel Lamarre, President and CEO of Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group. “We were moments away from opening night in March of 2020 when performances were paused. Intermission is now over and we cannot wait for Cirque and Disney fans to experience the joy of this love letter to the art of Walt Disney animation.” “With its combination of Disney animation and awe-inspiring performances, Drawn to Life is a great addition to the Disney Springs

entertainment lineup and perfect for all ages,” said Jeff Vahle, President of Walt Disney World Resort. “I’m excited for a new generation of guests to experience this show as part of their Walt Disney World vacations.” Drawn to Life, written and directed by Michel Laprise with Fabrice Becker as Director of Creation, is a live acrobatic journey telling the story of Julie, a determined girl who discovers an unexpected gift left by her Disney animator father: an unfinished animation. As she dives into the inner world of animation guided by a surprising pencil, Julie embarks on an inspiring quest filled with her childhood Disney memories. Developed in partnership with Michael Jung, Executive Theatrical Development, Walt Disney Imagineering, the story is driven by 10 unique acrobatic acts alongside animation from beloved Disney films as well as all-new animation created by Disney artists led by Eric Goldberg, best known for characters such as the Genie in the animated classic, “Aladdin.” “It was an honor to have the opportunity to interpret the spectacular works from Disney’s catalogue of animation into a live show and

Matt Beard, Photographer

we couldn’t be more proud of this production,” explained Diane Quinn, Chief Creative Officer Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group. “Together with Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering, we have created a stunning show that will inspire audiences to dream and reach for the impossible.” “Cirque’s world-class creative and production team worked closely with us, getting to know and understand every aspect of Disney,” said Natalie Woodward, Vice President of Production, Disney Live Entertainment. “Our incredible collaboration on Drawn to Life has created a show that celebrates Disney’s legacy in the art of animation in a unique and signature style that is pure Cirque du Soleil.”

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“I think guests will be amazed to see how the magic of Cirque du Soleil and the art of Walt Disney Animation Studios have come together to bring life to classic and current characters like Baloo, Baymax, and Cinderella in ways that no one has ever imagined,” said animator Eric Goldberg. Drawn to Life is the 50th production created by Cirque du Soleil and its premiere coincides with the 50th anniversary celebrations at Walt Disney World Resort. With an international cast of 64 artists, Drawn to Life will perform Tuesday through Saturday at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort. For more information on show tickets, dates and pricing, visit cirquedusoleil.com/ drawntolife.

6 6 | CITIZEN CITIZEN | Chatham SuburbanSoutheast Times Weekly of Sept. of Sept. 1, 2021 1, 2021 | Week | Week

NEWS

Aqueous Ozone Proves Effective in Killing COVID-19 BES Group’s aqueous ozone spray bottles tested by a third-party lab were shown to kill SARS-CoV-2 in 60 seconds. SAN ANTONIO PRNewswire -- Aqueous ozone by BES Group’s Multi-Purpose Ozone Bottle and Professional Ozone Spray Bottle has proved effective in killing SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 in testing by a third-party lab at Nara Medical University in Japan.

A leading manufacturer in electrolytic ozone technology solutions, BES Group’s products under the BioSure Professional and Biolux brands are used by thousands of people around the world for chemical free disinfection of hospitals, kitchens, homes, manufacturing plants, and other applications.

In the test, aqueous ozone generated from the aqueous ozone generator spray bottle was sprayed on a petri dish smeared with coronavirus from a distance of 10 to 20 cm, with a five-minute contact time. The Multi-Purpose Ozone Bottle was sprayed 5 times (1 time at 0.2 ml of aqueous ozone), and the Profession-

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al Ozone Spray Bottle was sprayed three times (1 time at 1.5 ml of aqueous ozone) on a petri dish with a sample of the COVID-19 virus. The Multi-purpose Ozone Bottle killed the virus at 99.974% efficacy, while the Professional Ozone Spray Bottle killed the virus at more than 99.998% efficacy. Results show that using BES Group’s ozone spray bottles are effective in preventing contact infection by the new coronavirus. In addition to killing coronavirus, both ozone spray bottles are effective in killing viruses that cause the common cold, as well as bacteria and microbes that cause a number of illnesses. “These test results are a milestone in the global fight against the deadly COVID-19 pandemic”. said Darren Simmons, President of BioSure North America LLC. “With a mobile disinfecting spray that leaves no chemical residues, healthcare professionals, food and beverage professionals, and homeowners, among others, can safely protect themselves, their staff, and their families against surface infection of COVID-19. We’re thrilled to empower more people to do their part in eliminating the COVID-19 virus from the spaces where we live and work.” How aqueous ozone kills COVID-19 Aqueous ozone can be produced by an electrolytic ozone generator that attaches to a water line or in the form of a mobile spray bottle. Once ozone is produced, it reacts with a pollutant and breaks it down into

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less complex molecules via a process called oxidation. Ozone (O3) is a reactive element consisting of three atoms of oxygen. It is reactive because it will readily degrade back to its stable state, diatomic oxygen (O2) with the formation of free oxygen atoms or free radicals. The free oxygen atoms or radicals are highly reactive and will oxidize almost anything (including viruses, bacteria, organic and inorganic compounds) in contact by rupturing the cell walls and killing the virus. The new coronavirus is considered an “enveloped virus”, which is usually more responsive to Physico-chemical challenges. Ozone destroys this type of virus by diffusing into the core, thereby destroying the viral RNA. Aqueous ozone by higher concentration can also destroy the outer shell by oxidation. Established in 1988, Biotek Environmental Science Ltd (BES Group) has been focusing on the development of electrolytic technology to produce highly concentrated dissolved ozone and high purity hydrogen for both household and professional applications. BES Group started from a lab looking for a solution to overcome traditional ozone generators that use air to generate ozone. BES has obtained more than 60 patents and is certified by leading international independent test agencies for product safety and durability. As the world leading ozone technology company with global operations, their goals are to offer safe, high performance, durable products that help users live a healthy lifestyle. Click here to visit the BES Group global website.

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CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Sept. 1, 2021 CITIZEN

| Chicago Weekend | Week of Sept. 1, 2021 |

NEWS

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NEWS

Affinity Empowering Enrolls 100th Organization ALEXANDRIA, Va. PRNewswire -- Affinity Empowering, Inc., a leading provider of the most sophisticated and secure occupational, behavioral, and direct-to-consumer health services, today announced that it has enrolled its 100th organization into Operation Expanded Testing (OET), a federal initiative to provide fully funded COVID-19 surveillance testing programs available for community organizations including K-12 schools, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), summer school programs, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, select, non-profit community centers, and more. OET was created in agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in coordination with the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), and Affinity Empowering is coordinating OET program implementation in 26 states and U.S. territories on behalf of Clinical Enterprise, Inc., a Eurofins company. “Enrolling 100 organizations into Operation Expanded Testing is an important milestone, emblematic of the hard work from each and every member of the Affinity team,” said Scott Storrer, Chief Executive Officer of Affinity Empowering. “Surveillance testing is such an important way to control the spread of COVID-19. Affinity prides itself on providing quality, convenient health solutions like Operation Expanded Testing. Given the devastation of COVID-19, we

hope that more organizations continue to enroll and take advantage of this no-cost opportunity.” The 100 enrolled organizations are comprised of a broad array of eligible institution types, representing the universal need for public health safety measures in response to COVID-19. Affinity’s team continues to connect with organizational leaders as it anticipates an increased need for testing due to the start of the school year and the contagiousness of the Delta variant. “We cannot stress enough the importance of having COVID-19 surveillance testing available for the students at our schools,” said Laura Clancy, Health and Safety Lead at Mastery Schools in Philadelphia, Pa. and Camden, N.J. “We chose Operation Expanded Testing over other programs because it provides the gold-standard PCR testing, which is more accurate than rapid testing in a surveillance setting. Affinity also provides us with all the supplies we need and has consistently returned results in 24 hours. We’re grateful for the whole Operation Expanded Testing team.” Interested representatives of K-12 schools and other eligible community organizations are encouraged to visit https://www.affinitytesting. com or to contact Affinity Empowering (email: OperationExpandedTesting@AffinityEmpowering.com, phone: 1-844-631-0469) to learn more about and sign up for the program.

Operation Expanded Testing (OET) is a federally funded program to provide no-cost, “click and go” COVID-19 surveillance testing to congregate settings, including K-12 schools, Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs), summer school programs, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, and select, non-profit community centers. COVID-19 surveillance testing is recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the safe reopening of schools. Affinity Empowering offers the OET program to these institutions in 26 Northeast and Southern states and additional territories on behalf of Eurofins Clinical. Affinity and Eurofins are coordinating OET program implementation in agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in coordination with the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). Affinity and Eurofins use PCR testing, the gold standard for accurate detection of COVID-19, and a pooled system to expedite the delivery of results. Individuals submit two samples, collected from the tip of the nose for minimal invasiveness, to avoid requiring a retest in the event of a positive pool. Through its proprietary Assure integrated technology platform, Affinity delivers COVID-19 test results with an average turnaround time of 24 hours. Unlike other federal programs to fund

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COVID-19 testing, OET has no upfront costs nor paperwork. Interested eligible parties can simply visit Affinity’s OET website and click the “Enroll Today” button and provide some basic information. Affinity will then provide the resources and training necessary to establish a COVID-19 testing program at your institution. For questions or additional information, visit the website or contact Affinity’s 24/7 customer service staff directly (email: OperationExpandedTesting@AffinityEmpowering.com, phone: 1-844-631-0469). Affinity Empowering is a leading occupational health, population, and disease management life sciences organization that specializes in providing technology-based solutions and support for overall health and wellness endeavors. In addition to providing occupational health, mental health, and cutting edge, wrap around substance use support, the company also has become a major provider of COVID-19 testing. Its Return to Normalcy program provides COVID-19 consultation, support, and conducts thousands of onsite and at home testing options to safely screen, monitor, and test populations. It currently supports numerous business partners in various fields, ranging from government contracts, universities, top Fortune 100 companies, and major film and television production companies. For more information, please visit https:// www.affinitytesting.com

ENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT

Kandi Burruss Covers HelloBeautiful’s Digital Cover NEW YORK PRNewswire -- HelloBeautiful’s “The Fall Preview” digital cover spotlights Kandi Burruss -- singer, songwriter and reality TV star. Kandi gets candid about her supportive husband, non-stop grind, making the foray into acting, becoming a Broadway producer and building her own brands in our “Welcome to Kandi Land” cover story. In this issue, HelloBeautiful features comprehensive guides to prepare our readers for the fashion month of the year. From NYFW to the MET gala and back to school, September is our favorite time of year. Get the tea from Kandi about: Her Perfect Marriage: “I married the perfect husband for me. He pushes me and motivates me as well. I know sometimes people can be in relationships that don’t necessarily help them grow. But I feel like I definitely found the perfect mate that waters my flowers.” Her Role On “The Chi”: “I wanted to do justice to Rosalyn. I wanted her to be dope. I wanted people to see me in this light of being an actress and really feeling like I have embodied the character. I’m not just a reality TV star who got a break.” Being New To The World of Broadway: Broadway has been known as the great white way for a long time in past history? To have a show like this with all of us, you know, being a part of it, championing it. It has to be a success. It’ll be a win for not just us, but for the whole culture.” Her Role On “The Real Housewives of Atlanta”: “When I got

on Housewives, the people got a chance to see the side where I would say anything when it talks about sex or make jokes that may be inappropriate sometimes. People just got to see a different side of who I am personally. And I just feel like over time, I’m not necessarily, you know, the one who’s gonna walk around in a throng every day, but if I want to, I will.” Since the relaunch in September 2020, HelloBeautiful has continued to build momentum as a leading news and lifestyle site for women of color with Shamika Sanders as the Managing Editor. HelloBeautiful is the premiere style and beauty destination for Black women, recognizing the lack of a dedicated outlet for Black women who relish fashion and beauty. Known for being a media platform that provides a space for women to explore beauty ideals on a deeper level, HelloBeautiful’s choice of Kandi Burruss as cover girl is no surprise as she encompasses all things that are beauty, fashion, lifestyle, and more. You can’t knock her hustle! For more information, visit HelloBeautiful.com. iOne Digital is a collection of digital platforms providing the African-American community with social, news and entertainment content across numerous branded websites, including Cassius, Bossip, HipHopWired, and MadameNoire branded websites. One Solution provides award-winning, fully integrated advertising solutions across the entire Urban One multi-media platform. Through its national, multi-media operations,

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the Company and One Solution provides advertisers with a unique and powerful delivery mechanism to African-American and urban audiences. Finally, Urban One owns a minority interest in MGM National Harbor, a gaming resort located in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

Tyler Perry Studios Extends Worldwide Deal with Sony Music Publishing NEW YORK PRNewswire -- Sony Music Publishing today announced the extension of its worldwide agreement with Tyler Perry and his production enterprise Tyler Perry Studios (“TPS”). Under the agreement, Sony Music Publishing’s Visual + Media Rights division – newly rebranded from Broadcast & Media Rights – will continue to administer all of Tyler Perry Studios’ commissioned music for over 60 productions, including 1,500 series episodes, 26 films, 20 plays; and will cover future productions. The deal renews the company’s long-standing, 10-year relationship with Perry, alongside his music supervisor Joel C High. Recently, Tyler Perry announced he is taking his iconic Madea character, a franchise grossing over $1 billion at the box office, to Netflix with a twelfth film, A Madea Homecoming, slated for release in 2022. Next year, Perry and Netflix also plan to release A Jazzman’s Blues, his longtime passion project that he first wrote in 1995. Written, directed and produced by Perry, the film is set from 1937–1987 and follows an unsolved murder investigation, revealing a story of forbidden love, deceit and a long-held secret. Tyler Perry said, “I’m very pleased to continue my creative partnership with Jon, Cathy, and the Sony Music Publishing team. I’m grateful for their support and passion for Tyler Perry Studios, and I look forward to future successes together.” Sony Music Publishing Chairman and CEO Jon Platt said, “Tyler Perry Studios continues to transform the film/tv industry with its modern creative vision and passion for diverse storytelling. At Sony Music Publishing, we are committed to supporting the studio’s talented composers and the music that bring these unique narratives to life.” Sony Music Publishing SVP, Visual + Media

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Rights Cathy Merenda said, “We are honored for Tyler Perry Studios to extend its long-standing relationship with Sony Music Publishing. TPS has continued to raise the bar for creative excellence across stage and screen, and we look forward to championing their work with the best services in the industry.” Oscar and Emmy award-winner Tyler Perry is celebrated for his prolific work as an actor, filmmaker, director, screenwriter, producer, playwright, and author. His film and television highlights include Diary of a Mad Black Woman and eleven other Madea films; nine seasons of House of Payne and Meet the Browns (both in syndication); and his new series The

Oval, Sistas, Ruthless, and Bruh. Perry is also developing Mabel, a Madea prequel series, with Showtime. As an actor, Perry recently starred in Taylor Sheridan’s thriller Those Who Wish Me Dead and in Adam McKay’s upcoming Netflix film Don’t Look Up, with Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, and Cate Blanchett. In 2019, Perry unveiled the historic opening of Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, making him the first African American to lead a major production studio. TPS develops and produces motion picture films, as well as drama and comedy television programming, which air on BET, BET Her, BET+, Amazon, and Netflix. Perry is represented by WME and Ziffren Brittenham LLP.

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Tyler Perry Studios (“TPS”) was formed by actor and filmmaker Tyler Perry, and develops and produces motion picture films, in addition to drama and comedy television programming for the multi-platform U.S. television market. TPS’ former studio lot was situated on a 200,000 square foot former Delta Airlines campus of over 60 acres in the Greenbriar area of southwest Atlanta. During the course of its operation, the space was home to production of 10 films and over 700 episodes of Perry’s five television series. In 2015, TPS expanded operations with the acquisition of Fort McPherson, a former army base, which sits on over 330 acres minutes from downtown Atlanta. Perry and the studio’s Georgia-based employees are in production of Perry’s current television series and feature films, in addition to providing state of the art facilities and services to major feature films and television shows filming in Atlanta. The TPS grounds contain twelve soundstages named after highly accomplished African-Americans in the entertainment industry that range in size between 10,000 and 60,000 square feet. Providing worldwide expertise to maximize revenue generation and collection, Sony Music Publishing’s newly rebranded Visual + Media Rights division (formerly known as Broadcast & Media Rights) is the leader in full-service management and administration of rights derived from film, television and audio-visual content, delivering world class service to broadcasters, producers and rights holders. Its clients range from start-ups to major global groups including 20th Century Studios, A+E, All3Media, CBS Television Network, Cinetel, Discovery, Endemol Shine Group, Entertainment One, Fox Entertainment, Mattel, New Regency Entertainment, Showtime Networks, Sky, and Sony Pictures.

CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Sept. 1, 2021

NEWS

Farmers Insurance® to Support Black College Golf Coaches Association Farmers® expands its commitment to help grow diversity in the game of golf through new relationship with the BCGCA focused on supporting and developing college and amateur athletes WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. PRNewswire -- Farmers Insurance® and the Black College Golf Coaches Association (BCGCA) announced Farmers® as the presenting sponsor of four BCGCA events occurring in 2021-2022, the latest in a series of actions Farmers has taken to help support and grow diversity in professional golf. The Black College Golf Coaches Association’s mission is to enhance and preserve Black college golf programs by fostering the development of coaches and players. Farmers® is the first sponsor that the BCGCA has announced specific to HBCU golf events. The tournaments that Farmers will support include: September 23-26, 2021: BCGCA Hall of Fame Classic presented by Farmers Insurance®, Newnan, GA, Summer Grove Golf Club October 23-26, 2021: BCGCA Black College Classic presented by Farmers Insurance®, Gulf Shores, AL, Peninsula Club March 13-15, 2022: BCGCA HBCU Invitational presented by Farmers Insurance ®, Houston, TX, Sterling Country Club April 2022 (exact dates TBA): BCGCA National Women’s Collegiate Golf Championship presented by Farmers Insurance®, Atlanta, GA, Callaway Gardens In addition to sponsoring BCGCA tournaments, Farmers Insurance plans to provide access to learn more about available coaching, internships and other resources for BCGCA players to help further support their career development and professional aspirations. “We hope that working with the BCGCA can help further our efforts to foster diversity in the game and create opportunities for players to grow through their college experience,” said Jenny Howell Head of Brand and Consumer Marketing for Farmers Insurance. “Providing players at HBCUs with access to professional development, career fairs and networking opportunities as well as golf training facilities can help empower these college and amateur athletes to pursue careers in golf on the course and off. We look forward to engaging with the BCGCA and its players to help more HBCU golfers achieve their dreams of playing golf professionally.” “Farmers Insurance has shown incredible support in further diversifying golf through their efforts with the APGA Tour and beyond,” said BCGCA President Craig Bowen. “To have them support these four events will not only provide HBCU programs and players with additional opportunities to compete and hone their game, but also show the rest of the corporate community that they can make a difference. This is a pivotal moment for golf at HBCUs and with organizations like Farmers taking the lead, I truly believe that we can make a difference in this great sport.” Farmers has a proud history of championing diversity in the golf space. The national

PRNewsfoto/Farmers Insurance

insurer group has provided funding for APGA TOUR events and the organization’s athletes, sponsored players including Kamaiu Johnson and Willie Mack III, hosted the first-ever APGA event at a PGA TOUR tournament at the 2020 Farmers Insurance Open® and provided Mack with a sponsor’s exemption into the 2021 Farmers Insurance Open. Several APGA Tour players recently shared their thoughts on why HBCUs and the support that Farmers is giving the BCGCA are both so important to the growth of diversity in the game. “I was going to attend Michigan State and I wanted to go somewhere that the culture fit and where I could start something and help others follow in my footsteps,” said Willie Mack III, recent APGA Tour Championship winner and 11-time tournament winner at Bethune Cookman. “When I hopefully reach the PGA TOUR full time, it will show other kids like me that it’s possible. A lot of the HBCUs don’t have a place to practice or play every day. If they can play at better courses and have better facilities, golf clubs and match some of the elements of bigger schools, it will make a huge difference. The school I played for is no longer offering a men’s golf program. So I’m just hopeful they can get golf to return as a program and get things going in the right direction. Support like this from Farmers is a huge step and hopefully more companies will join in to support golf at HBCUs.” “I wanted to have a college experience with kids that were predominantly African American and Florida A&M provided that for me,” said Mulbe Dillard, who recently finished atop the inaugural APGA Collegiate Ranking. “Having Farmers support HBCUs is huge and we need more companies and support to increase the level of our facilities and resources. Bigger schools have resources, facilities and equipment that can help better prepare their players for success. I think the biggest difference is other schools play and practice on courses and conditions that prepare them for what they will face in a tournament, while many HBCUs simply don’t. Right now, it’s difficult to find African American kids to compete. The more support HBCUs receive, the better the facilities can be, the better the pathway is for HBCU athletes into professional golf and the better these coaches will be able to recruit.” “It was pretty special to be able to play col-

lege golf with other black golfers who were on the same level as I was with the same dreams. It was really eye opening,” said Alabama A&M graduate Rovonta Young. “Everyone pushes each other. Everyone is there for the same reason. Farmers getting involved is great. With Farmers backing a lot of events it will open up opportunities. A lot of black players don’t have the same opportunities to develop at an early age, so having HBCUs as an avenue to progress and get to the next level is vital to increase diversity in the game. Funding is a problem. These guys need access to top-level golf courses. In the summer, after the season, they are playing in U.S. Am qualifiers, U.S. Open qualifiers and State Opens, and the caliber of golf courses are top tier compared to what HBCUs practice on and these players have the game, but generally don’t have the access to top level clubs. This can make for an uneven playing field.” “When I got to Florida A&M, it was great to just see people that looked like me progress and excel in every endeavor that they pursued. That motivated me even more,” said recent Florida A&M graduate Cameron Riley who finished 4th in the APGA Collegiate Rankings. “The biggest step that we have to create a more level playing field is access to good courses, good coaching, good equipment. In Tallahassee, we didn’t have a home course until my senior year. We bounced around, played on driving ranges that simply weren’t up to speed with other facilities. Then we show up to courses at regionals and we are playing on greens that are 13 or 14 on the stimpmeter and we aren’t used to those conditions. Sponsors like Farmers, big ups to them for helping us with more access. Giving us better resources and better access is key and it’s great that organizations like Farmers are trying to help.” For more information about the Black College Golf Coaches Association, visit https://www.hbcugolf.org. To learn more about Farmers commitment to the game, visit Farmers.com/Golf. “Farmers Insurance®” and “Farmers®” are tradenames for a group of insurers providing insurance for automobiles, homes and small businesses and a wide range of other insurance and financial services products. For more information about Farmers Insurance, visit Farmers. com, Twitter and Instagram, @WeAreFarmers, or Facebook.com/FarmersInsurance. The BCGCA is a 501(c)3 that provides student athletes from around the world with unique opportunities to compete in college golf while developing academic and interpersonal skills to compete in the “real world” on a global scale. The core of our efforts is to bring our team’s fresh ideas and passion to the range of activities we’re involved in. Through all of our endeavors we hope to display the conviction behind our beliefs.

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U.S. Department of Education Grants Interest Rate Benefit Today, the U.S. Department of Education announced that the office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) has retroactively waived interest on loans held by more than 47,000 current and former active-duty service members. This action was made possible by a data-matching agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) that substantially improves access to a student loan interest-waiver benefit for many service members with federal student loans. Under the Higher Education Act, service members deployed to areas that qualify them for imminent danger or hostile fire pay, have no interest accrual on certain federal student loans that were first disbursed on or after Oct. 1, 2008. In the past, only a small proportion of eligible service members successfully accessed this benefit. For instance, the Department waived interest for only approximately 4,800 service members in 2019 when it did not have the data-match in place. Now the Department is able to identify federal student loan borrowers who serve on active duty by matching records to DOD’s personnel records. As a result, the Department can automatically provide the student loan interest benefit to eligible service members. “Brave men and women in uniform serving our country can now focus on doing their jobs and coming home safely, not filling out more paperwork to access their hard-earned benefits,” said FSA Chief Operating Officer Richard Cordray. “Federal Student Aid is grateful for our strong partnership with the Department of Defense, and we will seek to reduce red tape for service members wherever possible.” “The Department of Defense appreciates the efforts and commitment of the Department of Education in ensuring eligible service members received this benefit,” said Virginia Penrod, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower & Reserve Affairs at the Department of Defense. The announcement means that service members are not required to take any action to receive the interest rate benefit. Prior to this new automation, service members had to make individual requests for the benefit and provide additional information confirming their eligibility. Recently, the Department announced its intent to form a negotiated rulemaking committee to address issues affecting federal student loan borrowers. The announcement invited nominations from constituent groups, including U.S. military service members, veterans, and the groups that represent their interests. Nominations are open through August 31, 2021. This action aligns with President Biden’s belief that we have a sacred obligation to care for our nations’ veterans and their families, both while they are deployed and after they return home.

10 | CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Sept. 1, 2021

FOOD

How to preserve fresh sweet cherries for healthy snacking all year

year

(BPT) - Fresh sweet Northwest cherries are a tasty summertime superfruit packed with nutrients. It's easy to find fresh cherries during the summer, but the rest of the year may leave you yearning for the delicious and nutritious snack. Stock up on fresh cherries now and preserve their flavor and health benefits for year-round enjoyment. Four reasons to stock up on sweet cherries while they're fresh! Sweet Northwest cherries are as healthy as they are delectable, making them the perfect treat to satisfy a sweet craving without the sugar spike. Northwest cherries boast incredible health benefits for the mind and body, including: 1. Fighting chronic inflammatory diseases Sweet cherries can help prevent chronic inflammatory diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis and cancer. Inflammation has also been tied to increased risk factors of cancer and research is suggesting that sweet cherries may possess cancer-fighting properties 2. Exercise recovery Sweet cherries contain anthocyanins, which appear to shut down enzymes that cause tissue inflammation in a similar manner to . ibuprofen and naproxen. Those anti-inflammatory properties also make cherries a great workout recovery snack. 3. Low glycemic, big on nutrients! Sweet cherries boast a lower glycemic index than almost any other fruit and promote healthy blood glucose by releasing glucose slowly and evenly so blood sugar levels stay steady longer. According to a 2019 article in Trends in Food Science & Technology, cherry extracts reduce glucose blood levels and protect pancreatic beta-cells from oxidative damage, enabling them to continue balanced production of insulin.

4. Enhanced cognitive function The anthocyanins found in sweet cherries may improve memory and cognition in older adults with mild-to-moderate dementia. Also, cherry phenolics appear to protect cells from damaging stress while the cherry's serotonin reduces stress and improves mood. Enjoy the sweet taste of summer all throughout the year. Preserving sweet cherries can be quick and easy, and a great way to extend their short peak season. Two popular ways to preserve sweet cherries are freezing and drying. Freezing sweet cherries The first step in the freezing process is to rinse firm, ripe cherries - stems and all - in cold water and drain thoroughly. Next, decide how you're most likely to use them. For snacking, you can leave them whole and just enjoy them off the stem later. If smoothies and sauces are your game, then pitting the cherries at this point will save time and mess later. Once that's decided, pack the cherries in plastic freezer bags or freezer-proof containers, remove excess air, seal the package and freeze. Drying fresh cherries For dried sweet cherries, the simplest step is to use your oven to preserve this summertime superfruit, or even invest in a food dehydrator. The Northwest Cherry Growers recommend drying at 140-degrees Fahrenheit for six to 12 hours, low and slow. Once dry, they can be stored in plastic bags with the excess air removed, and stored in a dark, dry, cool place. Enjoy them straight, tossed into trail mix, as a sweet-tart topping for granola or oatmeal, or substituted for raisins in a favorite cookie recipe. For more tips on turning your summertime snack into an all-the-time staple of a nutritious diet, or to learn more about the numerous health benefits of sweet cherries, visit the Northwest Cherry Growers website at nwcherries.com/sweethealth.

The perfect sips, trips and tips for a satisfying summer season (BPT) - After a year like no other, everyone is seeking ways to celebrate the summer and enjoy those little things that make such a big difference. You don't have to be a wine expert to know that the right wine or cocktail for the occasion can make any get-together truly outstanding. Whether you're hanging out with friends around the grill or embarking on an epic road trip, here are tips for relearning how to enjoy the moment. 1. Stemware for everywhere Or better yet - stemless wineglasses! Find unbreakable, shatterproof, insulated wineglasses online that are just perfect for your next patio party, beach day or glamping trip. There are plenty of choices for insulated tumblers and coolers to keep wine and other beverages chilled and safe, no matter where you go. 2. Choose wines that are bright, light and just right Whether relaxing with friends on the beach or around your backyard fire pit, enjoy a light, refreshing white wine that's fragrant, vibrantly fruity and crisp, like the 2020 Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. The vineyards are planted along the Wairau River's edge, creating quality wines to help you enjoy the moment. 3. Keep cool When you're enjoying an outdoor get-together, you'll want to prevent wine from getting too warm - even reds. One trick is to store wine bottles in a cooler or a bucket filled with

ice, salt and water. The salt in the water helps bring the freezing point of water below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. 4. Inspire your inner mixologist Did you know wines can be used to create refreshing summer drinks? Add seasonal fruit or herbs to transform a favorite wine into a cooling cocktail. Create your own Moscato Moscow Mule with this easy recipe: Ingredients * 5 ounces Seven Daughters Moscato * A few ounces club soda * Lime * Ginger ale Instructions Mix Seven Daughters Moscato and club soda.Add squeeze of lime and top with ginger ale.Garnish with lime wedge.Makes 1 serving. 5. Rediscover wine country When you're itching to get away from it all, why not sip your way through a tasting flight at a winery? With over 11,000 wineries across the U.S., you have plenty to choose from. You can even find hidden gems in parts of well-known Napa, like the Maxville Winery in the

Chiles Valley. This unique winery started as a summer camp, with its first grapevines planted back in 1974. Today, you can visit the winery and sample the Estate Maxville Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, Red Blend and Petite Sirah. 6. Fire up the grill and chill When you're grilling outdoors, choosing a wine that complements whatever you're barbecuing can be challenging, but when you find one that can really bring out the flavor of your food, everything tastes that much better. Here's an easy rule of thumb: For traditionalists, burgers, ribs and steaks pair perfectly with a Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel or even a Malbec. For lighter fare like grilled fish, chicken, pork chops or veggies, choose a lighter wine to pair with it, like a Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc or a dry Rose.

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CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Sept. 1, 2021

Classifieds REAL ESTATES AC-8-18-2021 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR SECURITIZED ASSET BACKED RECEIVABLES LLC TRUST 2007-NC2, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-NC2 Plaintiff, -v.- JOHN J. LYDON, SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR KENNETH DEAN (DECEASED), PURTINA DEAN, CHRISTOPHER DEAN, COREY DEAN, CAMERON DEAN, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF KENNETH DEAN, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 18 CH 14798 122 WILLOW STREET PARK FOREST, IL 60466 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on February 17, 2021, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on September 9, 2021, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 122 WILLOW STREET, PARK FOREST, IL 60466 Property Index No. 31-25-303-0230000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence. The judgment amount was $163,074.82. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twentyfour (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in "AS IS" condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver's license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, Alexander Potestivo, POTESTIVO & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff's Attorneys, 223 WEST JACKSON BLVD, STE 610, Chicago, IL, 60606 (312) 263-0003. Please refer to file number 116881. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. POTESTIVO & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 223 WEST JACKSON BLVD, STE 610 Chicago IL, 60606 312-263-0003 EMail: ilpleadings@potestivolaw.com Attorney File No. 116881 Attorney Code. 43932 Case Number: 18 CH 14798 TJSC#: 41-650 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection

Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff's attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 18 CH 14798 I3173971 ____________________________ HUD/BANK FORECLOSURES CITY & SUBURBS Call: FRED D. CLINK (773) 294-5870 REALTY SERVICES CONSORTIUM ____________________________ 3+ Bedroom HOMES FOR SALE SELLER FINANCING Call: FRED D. CLINK (773) 294-5870 REALTY SERVICES CONSORTIUM ____________________________

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LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y21007577 on August 11, 202. Under the Assumed Business Name of SHADES OF WISDOM with the business located at: 217 LEE, PARK FOREST, IL 60466. The True and rea l full name(s) and residence address of the owners (s) /partner (s) is: Owner/Partner Full Name: ANTHONY LEE LEWIS Complete Address: 217 PARK FOREST, IL 60466, USA. ____________________________ Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Retistration Number: Y21007654 on August 23, 2021. Under the Assumed Business Name of SCRAP WOOD RECYCLERS with tHe business located at 85 OGLESBY 3S, CALUMET CITY, IL 60409. The true and real full name (s) and residence address of the owner (s) /partner (s) is: Owner/ Partner Full Name RICHARD JOHNSON Complete Address 85 OGLESBY 3S, CALUMET CITY, IL 60409, USA ____________________________ Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the Conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as Amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County Registration Number: Y 21007542 on August 5, 2021. Under the Assumed Business Name of A.T. EXCEPTIONAL CONSULTING with the busienss located at: P.O. BOX 19073, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60619. The true and real full name (s) asnd residence address of the

owner (s) / parenter (s) is: Owner/Partner Full Name Complete Address ANTOINETTE TAYLOR, 1529 E. 83RD STREET, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60619, USA. ____________________________

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PUBLIC NOTICE/ LEGAL NOTICE moorish national republic federal government ~ societas republicae ea al maurikanos ~ moorish divine and national movement of the world northwest amexem / southwest amexem / central amexem adjoining atlantis and americana Islands ~ temple of the moon and sun ~ the true and de jure natural peoples - heirs of the land ~ i.s.l.a.m. ~ ___________________________ ___________________________ lawful notice! - appellation declaration, correction proclamation and publication i, haziq bey, being a direct descendant of the ancient canaanites / moabites, assert my birthright claim of right and of title. standing squarely and duly affirmed, i do declare, and proclaim, upon divine law; upon nature's law; upon universal law; upon my moorish birthrights; upon international law; and by treaty and constitutional law; declare, proclaim and say: i, haziq bey, being previously misclassified and misidentified by persons of the union states society, u.s.a - doing business at north america, was falsely - designated under the colorable, wardship name, BRANDON DJON EVANS, and do hereby refute the said misclassifications and frauds; making it known to the public; and publish my corrected free national appellation, attribute and title. i declare and affirm my true, 'proper person status and estate' and assertively reclaim my rightful social and cultural life of the state. my declaration, correction, proclamation and publication are in sanguineous and harmonious accord with my moorish nation of northwest amexem / north america - acknowledging my birthrights. having lawfully, dutifully, and legally obtained and proclaimed my moorish nationality and birthrights, appellation and title; in harmony with, in association with, and in accord with divine law; the archaic customs; and the laws, rules, and usages of the "the moorish divine and national movement"; being aboriginal and indigenous, and bound to the north american continent by heritage, by primogeniture; by birthright; by natural birth; by freehold; and by heirship inheritance. my right of claim is 'declared' for the public record, and i am returning the european cognomen, brands, and fictitious misnomer(s) back to the colonial possessors of their construct and pedigree. i am now rightfully and correctively declaring, publishing, and proclaiming my own free national appellation and title; affirming my actual, rightful, and 'in full life' status; conjoined to my moorish american consanguine pedigree and national honor. let it be declared, known, published, and resolved that: i am haziq bey, 'in propria persona' sui juris, sui heredes, in solo proprio (being in my own proper person), by birthright; and by heirship inheritance and without imposition of the foreign, imposed color-of-law, color of authority, nor by any assumed or colorable jurisdictions or due processes of the foreign union states society persons doing business at north america / northwest amexem; pursuant to, but not limited to: 1. free moorish american zodiac con stitution: 2. (zodiac constitution and birthrights of the moorish americans) - being ali, bey, el, dey and al, affirmed and supported by article two (2), paragraph two (2). 3. united states republic: department of jutice: 4. moorish american credentials: copyright aa 222141 truth a-1. 5. united states supreme court: supreme law - acts of state. 6. UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION: Article III (3), Section two (2), Amendment V (5) (Liberty Clause) and Amendment IX (9) (Reservation of the Rights of the People) 7. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: RESOLUTION NUMBER SEVENTY-FIVE (75): Dated April 17, 1933 A.D. TITLED, "MOOR ISH-AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PHILADEPHIA AND THE USE OF THEIR NAMES".

8. UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS - UNITED NATIONS 9. HUMAN RIGHTS [Article Fifteen (15)]. 10. RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES - UNITED NATIONS: GENERAL 11. ASSEMBLY - Part 1, Article 4, Article 5 international law: moorish americans, being the rightful heirs and aboriginal and indigenous natural peoples of the land, have and exercise the divine and natural rights to proclaim our attributes, appellation, titles and nationality. moors / muurs have and exercise our divine and natural rights to live in freedom, peace and security as distinct people and to full guarantees against genocide or any acts of violence, including the removal of our natural birthed seed or offspring from our families and communities under any pretext. in addition, moors have the individual rights to life, physical and mental integrity, liberty and security of person. moors / muurs have and exercise the divine and natural rights to revitalize, use, develop, and to transmit to our future generations their histories, their languages, oral traditions, philosophies, writing systems and literatures, and to designate and retain their own names for communities, places, and person. states shall take effective measures, whenever any rights of moors / muurs may be threatened, to ensure this right is protected, and also to ensure that they can understand and be understood in political, legal and administrative proceedings, where necessary through the provision of interpretation or by other appropriate means.wherefore, i, haziq bey, being heir to the land and 'part and parcel' herein, by birthright, by freehold, by primogeniture, and by heirship inheritance, stand with assured competence, and make a lawful entry of affidavit and public notification of nationality proclamation; appellation correction claim; declaration; affirmation; and application - herewith made known and published for the 'public record' sovereign personam jurisdiction proclamation i am haziq bey, in propria persona, sui juris, in proprio solo, in proprio heredes at all times and all points in time. "No UNITED STATES SERVICE CORPORATION CITIZEN or U.S. citizen has personam jurisdiction over the aboriginal indigenous sovereign moorish american nationals". all corporate/ corporate/ corporate contracts with BRANDON DJON EVANS, and all derivatives thereof are now publicly revoked, terminated, cancelled and abolished forever as all contracts that begin in fraud remain in fraud.

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FAMILY LIVING (StatePoint) Is your family returning to brick-and-mortar stores to prepare for the return of brick-and-mortar school? A new survey offers insights into what you can expect and how you can prepare for the experience. The survey, conducted in June by Sensormatic Solutions, finds consumer confidence reaching new highs, with 73% of back-to-school shoppers saying they were neutral or unconcerned about shopping instore currently. This is a major leap from previous pandemic-era surveys. In spring 2021, only 50% of shoppers were neutral or unconcerned about shopping in-stores, and only 35% of shoppers felt that way in winter 2020. “The survey highlights a likely return to many pre-pandemic backto-school shopping habits,” says Kim Melvin, global leader of marketing, Sensormatic Solutions, a leading retail solutions provider. “Families now have an increased confidence about shopping in

in stores and they are going to be shopping earlier and spending more on apparel and school supplies.” As part of its mission to solve complex retail challenges related to consumer confidence, health and safety, Sensormatic Solutions is providing its top three strategies to improve your back-to-school shopping experience. 1. During the pandemic, retailers large and small implemented and perfected an array of shopping options in an effort to keep customers and staff healthy and safe. The good news? These options are not going away. While in-store shopping is the most popular way people plan to stock up on school essentials this year, according to survey results, options like buy online, pickup in stores (BOPIS), curbside pickup and online shopping allow you to leisurely comparison shop from the comfort of home. And, thanks to innovations in inventory tracking software, these options have become a highly reliable way to get what you need when you want it. 2. With the high demand in apparel and school supplies – 70% and 53%, respectively, say they plan to spend the most on those categories this year – it may be a good idea to get a head start on preparing your children for in-person learning. Consider going to stores earlier than you may have in the past to beat the rush and get the products you and your children need. 3. Find out whether your state offers a tax-free shopping period. Timing your shopping to occur during this period can help you save substantially at checkout, especial-

PHOTO SOURCE: (c) Seventyfour -stock.adobe.com ly if you’re among the 12% of consumers planning to spend more this year compared to last. For more back-to-school shopping insights and tips, visit sensormatic.com. “Overall, you can expect this shopping season to look more like 2019 than 2020, a welcome change for both consumers and

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12 | CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Sept. 1, 2021