CST WEEKLY 12-01-2021

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 Dec. 1, 2021

| Vol. 5 | No. 17 | www.citizennewspapergroup.com

SUBURBAN TIMES WEEKLY

1 MILLION EVS: INSIDE THE STATE’S PLAN FOR ELECTRIFYING THE TRANSPORTATION SECTOR With a pair of major policy victories in hand, Gov. JB Pritzker traveled to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, at the beginning of the month and shared a vision for his home state: “Illinois intends to become the best place in North America to drive and manufacture an electric vehicle.” PAGE 2

TRAVEL: Experience Premier Ski Destinations with Four Seasons Mountain Collection

FASHION: H&M USA Presents The “Buy From A Black Woman Holiday Market”

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

NEWS

1 million EVs: Inside the state’s plan for electrifying the transportation sector Administration sees Illinois as ‘best place in North America’ to drive, manufacture an EV Continued from page 1

BY JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com

SPRINGFIELD – With a pair of major policy victories in hand, Gov. JB Pritzker traveled to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, at the beginning of the month and shared a vision for his home state: “Illinois intends to become the best place in North America to drive and manufacture an electric vehicle.”

It’s a message he’s repeated on countless occasions in recent public appearances, and one that he brought to international business leaders in a trip to London prior to the U.N. conference. And it’s one that, if realized, the governor believes can yield victories for his administration on a pair of his campaign cornerstones – economic growth and carbon reduction.

“This is about economic development as much as it is about saving our planet,” Pritzker said during a panel discussion at the U.N. conference with governors from Washington, Oregon and Hawaii.

Numerically, that vision amounts to putting 1 million EVs on state roads by 2030, a goal written into

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the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, or CEJA, a wide-ranging decarbonization bill that Pritzker signed into law in September.

But how can Illinois increase the number of EVs on state roads to 1 million from just the 34,363 licensed in the state as of the end of October?

For the Pritzker administration, CEJA and an EV manufacturing tax credit package known as the REV Act make up the backbone of a push to lure private investment while breaking down well-documented consumer barriers to EV adoption as the industry stands on the cusp of an explosion.

“We have sent a very clear market signal not just in the United States, but now across the world, that this is going to be the place if you want to make, manufacture or drive an electric vehicle, to do it,” Deputy Gov. Christian Mitchell, who accompanied Pritzker on his European trip, said in a phone call.

With the new laws passed, the focus turns to implementation and distributing more than $200 million in state and federal funding for the rollout of charging infrastructure.

Mitchell and other advocates behind CEJA recently spoke to Capitol News Illinois about the next step for meeting EV rollout goals, the strengths of the two laws that aim to get Illinois there, and other actions the administration has taken.

‘Jobs, jobs, jobs’ The key to Illinois’ approach to penetrating the EV market, Mitchell said, is that it addresses the supply and demand sides of the industry.

“It’s incredibly important if we are going to be successful as a state and environmentalists are to be successful across the country, that we couch this issue in jobs, jobs, jobs,” Mitchell said.

On the supply side, CEJA includes credits of up to 80 percent for the installation of charging infrastructure. Money for that will come from a $70 million allotment from the state’s 2019 Rebuild Illinois infrastructure plan. Another $149 million sent to Illinois from a recently-passed federal infrastructure plan will also aid in the buildout.

On the demand side, CEJA includes a $4,000 rebate for those who buy electric vehicles in the state. The governor’s office said there’s about $5.1 million in the fund that will supply those rebates beginning in

July 2022, and as of now it has only a “rough estimate” that “thousands” of Illinoisans will be able to receive the rebate.

For companies like EVgo, one of the largest public charging networks in the U.S., policies like CEJA serve as a market catalyst, said Sara Rafalson, vice president of market development and public policy at the company.

“The most important thing that came out of the legislation at the state level, is that Illinois is really poised for success, because we have in place now both the complementary policies to support vehicle sales as well as sustained long-term investments in charging infrastructure,” she said. “For a business like ours, when we see higher vehicle sales, that sends a strong signal to the market that we need to build more chargers.”

The REV Act, which passed with near-unanimous bipartisan support in the fall session, creates payroll tax credits ranging from 25 percent to 100 percent of income tax withheld for new or retained EV manufacturing jobs, depending on factors such as company location and number of employees hired. It also creates a 10 percent credit for training expenses and credits for construction wages and building materials.

That measure also provides the incentives to manufacturers of electric vehicle parts, such as batteries.

At a bill signing event for the REV Act, Jim Chen, vice president of public policy of Rivian Automotive, which has an EV manufacturing plant in the Bloomington-Normal area, said the bill will be a major support for the company that already employs more than 3,000 Illinoisans in its 3.5 million square feet of manufacturing space.

“Today’s bill signing represents the next step in promoting Illinois as the Silicon Valley of EVs, as we work together to attract new investment from suppliers and other supporting players in this industry,” he said.

The REV Act is also an effort to lure new manufacturers here while encouraging existing companies, such as the Stellantis manufacturing company in the Rockford area, to retool their existing plants.

“The fact that the governor was able to go to Glasgow, not just with a climate bill in hand that provides a $4,000 incentive to consumers to buy an electric vehicle, but also an www.citizennewspapergroup.com

incentive package to get more of those sites here to manufacture EVs as well as all the downstream materials that are necessary, is a way of creating a new, modern, reinvigorated manufacturing sector in the state of Illinois,” Mitchell said.

Addressing consumer concerns The rebate is aimed at addressing one of two major barriers to EV adoption – cost.

A study from the national automobile service association AAA, recently cited in a Belleville News-Democrat report on the EV market, found that in 2019, an EV costs about $590 more annually than a gas-powered car over a fiveyear period due to higher initial prices on EVs. Jessica Beverly, a renewable energy advocate with the Sierra Club of Illinois who helped push for CEJA’s passage, said while EVs are more expensive, they also cost less to maintain, and purchasers may be eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit that could be increased to $12,500 if President Joe Biden’s domestic spending agenda passes Congress.

The AAA study corroborated the maintenance cost claim, finding that at 75,000 miles of driving, an EV cost about $330 less to maintain and about $700 less to fuel annually than a gas-powered car.

But that study also found that 58 percent of respondents cited the availability of charging infrastructure as their main concern, while just 51 percent cited price.

Beverly noted the market itself is, to a large extent, addressing those concerns. The current median range for a single EV charge is 250 miles, with high-end models of major brands like Tesla offering ranges up to about 400 miles. The average was just 90 miles six years ago.

“You can’t really travel more than 50 miles in Illinois without coming across a gas station,” she said. “But it’s not the same for an electric charger. And, yes, while range is improving significantly as new vehicles are developed, it’s still our habit that you need to know where you can fill up.”

But the charging process is inherently different than filling up at a gas station, largely because the vast majority of EV drivers do their charging at home. That means most people will be able to handle their daily driving without needing public

charging, except when they’re going on longer road trips.

When needed, public charging stations can sometimes be found for free at grocery stores or parking garages as an enticement to customers. But the vast majority of public charging is offered by private charging networks like EVgo, or ChargePoint, which have varying pricing and subscription models that generally amount to about 2229 cents per minute for a charge.

As of now, there are two types of chargers on the market, a Level 2 charger that takes about 6-8 hours to fully charge, and DC fast chargers, which take about 30 minutes.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, there are 919 electric charging station locations in Illinois with 2,306 charging ports, 1,815 of which are Level 2 and 478 of which are fast charge.

As the state aims to put another 970,000 EVs on its roads in the next nine years, the need for public charging is going to increase significantly, particularly in rural areas where it is currently sparse and in densely-populated areas with a lot of multi-family housing where athome charging isn’t available.

Andrew Barbeau, an advocate with the Clean Jobs Coalition which helped push CEJA through the General Assembly, said that’s why lawmakers included a “beneficial electrification” process in the bill aimed at determining where charging is needed most to accelerate EV adoption.

It’s also why the state created the position of electric vehicles coordinator through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, a position that Mitchell said the administration is working to fill.

“So what the legislature wanted to focus on with this legislation was not just looking at where the market is today, but it wanted to fill in the kind of gaps in the market,” Barbeau said in a phone call. “It wanted to ensure that people who live in apartments or condos, or they live in dense areas where parking is mostly on the streets, would have access to the electric vehicle market too.”

Barbeau pointed to a Department of Energy study which showed if 88 percent of people charge at home, one public Level 2 charger would be needed for about 25 EVs. But if that number drops to 82 percent charging at home, there would need to be one Continued on page 3

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

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NEWS

Infosys Commits to 3-Year Investment in Thurgood Marshall College Fund NEW YORK CNW -- Infosys (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, today announced a 3-year investment benefitting the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), America’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community. As part of its commitment to developing and recruiting diverse talent, Infosys will serve as a HBCU Graduate Pipeline Partner creating an opportunity for at least 1600 graduating students to interview and accept jobs within Infosys. Additionally, given its mission to advance access to computer science education for K12 educators, Infosys Foundation USA will serve as the STEM sponsor of TMCF’s Teacher Quality & Retention Program (TQRP) 10-day Summer Institute to invest in the future pipeline of Black STEM educators.

“Building a culture of equality doesn’t start and end with any one individual, one government, or one business – it takes a coalition of the willing to ensure our progress is lasting.

Partnering with the TMCF is a fantastic opportunity to highlight the work their organization is doing to develop a culture of engagement that turns young Americans into future STEM leaders. Infosys recognizes that in order to get the right people into the right roles, while also ensuring upward mobility, we can’t rely on past approaches. Through this partnership, Infosys renews its commitment to provide equal op-

PRNewsFoto

portunity for all and strive for a workforce that resembles the cultural makeup of America,” said Ravi Kumar, President, Infosys.

Infosys and TMCF will provide graduating students with a path to career training and job placement at Infosys. The program will leverage TMCF’s HBCU campus relationships and its talent acquisition team to identify students interested in technology careers and having strong analytic skills. Ultimately, students will have an opportunity to interview for roles at Infosys. Infosys will also support on-campus informational sessions to maximize the program’s reach with

the eventual goal of moving more than 1,600 students through the career program.

Recent data shows that this kind of investment in HBCUs would profoundly affect the US economy. HBCUs are uniquely positioned to foster such engagement given their assets, experience, and cultural and historical significance.

Dr. Harry L. Williams, President & CEO, Thurgood Marshall College Fund, said, “It’s time today’s technology leaders champion the talent of HBCU graduates. We believe HBCUs possess the power and the people to create a more equitable society, that’s why we work so diligently to ensure their sustainability and strengthen their capacity to continue to produce top talent who are prepared to change the face of leadership in business and beyond. We are thrilled Infosys recognizes the potential of diverse students to transform the future workforce. This impressive group of students will certainly be tomorrow’s corporate leaders and experts.”

The Infosys Foundation USA will invest in the TMCF TQRP Summer Institute, a 10-day hands-on training program that helps pre-service and aspiring K12 educators to develop their pedagogical skills while equipping them to succeed in challenging teaching environments.

As the official STEM sponsor, the Foundation will provide fellows with access to innovative computer science and maker education resources that exist on the Pathfinders Online Institute

digital learning platform while helping to build connections to a wider community of peer STEM teachers. Roughly 100 fellows are selected to participate in the program, which is estimated to positively impact nearly 4,000 K-12 students.

“We are thrilled to launch this new initiative with TQRP at a time that our country needs dynamic and diverse educators. The statistics are clear that K12 students have higher rates of educational performance when they have teachers in the classroom who reflect their backgrounds.

The TQRP Summer Institute is an exceptional program that reflects the values of the Foundation to promote K12 computer science education in under-represented communities. We look forward to the scaled impact that will result from this new partnership,” says Kate Maloney, Executive Director, Infosys Foundation USA. Graduates of the TQRP program become the next generation of future leaders who possess a passion for teaching in high-need communities. To date, TQRP fellows have impacted over 31,000 K-12 students in high need, urban, and rural areas. Over time the partnership between TQRP and the Infosys Foundation USA will aim to leverage synergies of their respective professional development resources to create expanded enrichment opportunities for the fellows as they enter K12 classrooms and inspire the next generation of STEM leaders.

1 million EVs: Inside the state’s plan for electrifying the transportation sector Continued from page 2 Level 2 charger for 13 vehicles.

“So that’s a big difference based on some behavior,” he said. “And then you have to think about emergency situations as well. So that’s where these DC fast charge stations come in.”

At the 88 percent charge-at-home mark, one DC fast charge station would be needed for 588 vehicles, but at 82 percent, that falls to just 227 vehicles supported.

The main vehicle for EV adoption The Illinois Commerce Commission will oversee that “beneficial electrification” process aimed at determining where new charging infrastructure is needed most in order to accelerate EV adoption.

But there are a number of factors the ICC will consider as well: Will rapidly adding EVs to the grid overwhelm it? Are there times of day when EV charging can be synergized with the rates at which solar or wind energy output is higher? How can the state quicken electrification of its public transit sector? How can EVs be made more

accessible in low-income areas?

“The idea is that we are using these dollars in the best way to move Illinois toward electric transportation and in an equitable way,” Beverly, of the Sierra Club, said of the process.

A workshop process to determine how to best move forward kicked off on Nov. 3, with more than 170 participants, according to ICC spokesperson Britney Bouie. There will be eight more meetings as part of the process that runs through February, all of which will be open to the public, with information available at the ICC website.

The ICC must prepare a report at the end of March outlining what steps the state should take to most efficiently accelerate EV adoption.

After that workshop process, the state’s largest two public utilities – Commonwealth Edison in northern Illinois and Ameren in the southern two-thirds of the state – are required to submit beneficial electrification plans to the ICC by July 2022 for policies they can enact beginning in 2023.

Those plans would have to be ap-

proved by the ICC, and they would be funded by a net 1 percent charge on the distribution portion of a ratepayer bill for a customer of either of the two utilities, Barbeau said.

That’s expected to annually yield about $35 million in the ComEd territory and $6 million in Ameren territory, although it could scale up over time as more EVs hit the state’s roads. The utilities must then spend that funding in accordance with their state-approved electrification plans.

The utilities would have to update their plans in July 2024, then every three years thereafter, according to the bill.

“So in the next decade, that’s going to be the main vehicle for the ongoing EV support and policy, rather than having to go back to do a new bill every few years,” Barbeau said.

While the process is open-ended to some extent, there are a number of loose parameters in place, such as a goal that 40 percent of infrastructure investment is to be targeted to low-income communities or environmental justice communities that are historically subject to greater www.citizennewspapergroup.com

pollution. Another 5 percent is to go toward electrifying medium- to heavy-duty vehicles such as school buses in those communities.

Complementary policies The administration has taken other actions in an effort to accelerate EV adoption as well, including by entering into a memorandum of understanding with governors of four other Midwestern states – Michigan, Indiana, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Advocates called that a good first step toward addressing some of the range anxiety challenges that arise with interstate travel and are otherwise more difficult to address in state policymaking, such as propagating charging corridors and ensuring standardization of charging plugs.

As well, in April, the administration released a new plan for the spending of funds through a federal settlement with the car manufacturer Volkswagen for its violations of the Clean Air Act. That plan included $9 million in grant opportunities for electrifi-

cation of school buses in Chicago and the Metro East, $33.6 million in other funds for electrifying school buses, and $13.3 million for light-duty electric charging infrastructure.

Mitchell said publicizing the various policies the state has enacted, as well as continuing its aggressive courtship of business leaders reached during the overseas trip, will be essential to breaking down some of the barriers to EV adoption.

“So I think it’s both about letting people know about what we’ve done, what incentives are in place when you make individual purchases, but also what does the investment look like, so that people can have confidence that they can use this vehicle in the everyday course because that’s what’s going to help drive adoption,” he said.

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.

4 | CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Dec. 1, 2021

TRAVEL

Experience Premier Ski Destinations with Four Seasons Mountain Collection Jackson Hole, Santa Fe, Vail and Whistler gear up for a memorable 2021-2022 winter season TORONTO PRNewswire -- This winter, visit one, or all, of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Mountain Collection properties. From elevated après-ski experiences to relaxing fireside and regionally-inspired wellness treatments, Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole, Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe, Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail and Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler have a plethora of ways to enjoy special moments in the world’s most breath-taking mountain resorts.

Après-Ski for Everyone In celebration of the beloved alpine tradition of après-ski, all four Mountain Collection resorts have created bespoke experiences celebrating this time-honoured tradition.

Elevated Après – Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole announces the return this season of Fahrenheit Forty-Seven.

Named for the ideal temperature at which to serve Champagne, this dome-shaped bar will once again transform the pool deck into a winter wonderland experience of chic luxury and the ultimate après chill. Fahrenheit Forty-Seven will offer Moët & Chandon Impérial and Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial by the glass and by the bottle, plus bespoke cocktails featuring Moët & Chandon Ice Impérial.

Curated culinary après offerings also will be available for purchase, including osetra caviar with toast points, Maine lobster salad canapes and kumamoto oyster shooters. Fahrenheit Forty-Seven is open daily this winter season from 3:30 to 6:30 pm.

Après and The Art of Mixology – After a day on the slopes, head back to Terra Bar at Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado for a series of curated après-ski experiences, including

learning the art of mixology from Terra’s beverage experts and how to create inventive craft cocktails using a variety of unique techniques and regional ingredient, and then guests can choose their own personalised signature libation; or enjoy a custom tequila and mezcal tasting and pairing experience with Terra Bar’s own Certified Tequila Expert.

Vail’s Favourite Après Experience – Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail boasts Vail’s premier après locale, served up at one’s table, bar-side or at one of the select, sought-after fire-pits with seating on The Remedy’s beautiful terrace, offering unmatched views of Vail Mountain. Talented mixologists specialise in curated cocktails ranging from elixirs to potions, each offering the perfect prescription to post-slope revelry - while the culinarians craft protein-rich bites to refuel and recharge after a day on the mountain.

Hot Chocolate Around the World – For those looking for a cosy and warm après experience, Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler presents the ultimate hot bhocolate program, available at the newly renovated Braidwood Tavern. Inspired by their home and travel memories, the creative bar team has launched a collaborative spiked hot chocolate menu, designed to transport tastes from all over world to the mountains. Surrounded by the stunning alpine scenery, guests may choose from a menu of craveable favourites, while recapping the laughs and adventures of the day.

Fireside There’s nothing like cosying up next to a fire following a long day on the mountain. Four Seasons Mountain Collection has created the following elevated experiences for guests to enjoy and savour this winter season.

PRNewsfoto/Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

Sophisticated Fireside Sips – Hot chocolate reaches new levels of sophistication this season with a specialty hot chocolate cart available daily from 3:00 to 6:00 pm at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole. Guests can choose from five different types of specialty chocolate, ranging from the sophisticated Valrhona 70 percent Guanaja and Valrhona 64 percent Manjari to classic milk chocolate. The Chocolate Connoisseur will help guide guests to the perfect selection to complement their palate. Gourmet toppings include homemade marshmallows in an array of flavours – vanilla, peppermint, huckleberry and cinnamon fireball. For those looking for an added kick, spirited additions also are available. So cosy in to one of the nearby oversized sofas, enjoy the roaring fire and sip to a heart’s delight.

Fireside Delights – With its elevated terrace and large outdoor firepit, Terra Bar at Four Seasons Rancho Encantado offers the ideal gathering spot, for locals and guests a like, to imbibe and unwind while taking in the region’s most stunning sunset views. Enjoy fireside chats and live music, and nightly s’mores along with a progressive selection of seasonal cocktails, local brews and extensive wine options, paired with an evolving menu of eclectic bites. For a more intimate fire-

side experience, guests can cosy up in their spacious casita, complete with indoor and outdoor wood-burning fireplaces and private patios, and have the Fire Butler light their fire and deliver a customised s’mores kit or a make-your-own cocktail kit, with a spread of accoutrements.

Experience the Haut Chocolat Fireside – At Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail, guests can choose to enjoy a fire pit on The Remedy terrace, roast s’mores at the S’more Haus on the pool terrace, or cuddle up next to the fireplace in their guest room, suite, or residence. Pastry Sous Chef Braeden Gilbert and her talented team have created the perfect addition to make the experience even cosier – the world-famous Haut Chocolat – elevated with guest’s choice of liquor upon request.

The Vintage Camper is Back – Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler charming vintage patio camper is back for winter, serving up luxurious decadent hot chocolate and cook-your-own s’mores. Guests can gather around the fire pit to warm up after a long day out adventuring, and enjoy the playful signature hot chocolate, The Tipsy Snowman, or wind down with the sommelier’s selection of British Columbia wine, with complimentary tastings offered each evening.

DiamondRock Debuts Margaritaville Beach House Key West BETHESDA, Md. PRNewswire -DiamondRock Hospitality Company (the “Company”) (NYSE: DRH) announced the grand opening of its Margaritaville Beach House Key West following a $3.5 million investment to bring the full Margaritaville experience to life along Key West’s largest beach. The rebranded and upgraded resort features Tin Cup Chalice Bar & Chill, a spirited poolside restaurant and bar concept, an expansive retail outlet and popular family-friendly amenities.

The oceanfront resort offers 186

spacious suites, a lagoon-style pool, and lounging hammocks throughout the grounds. Exclusive amenities include poolside entertainment, daily refreshments, a 24-hour fitness center, kids’ activities, lawn games, and easy access to beachfront fun. The resort also boasts indoor banquet space and lush, tropical gardens and courtyards, complete with a 1,500-square-foot event Tiki for smaller meetings, intimate weddings, and events.

“We are excited to begin our new relationship with Margaritaville at

our Key West resort,” said Mark W. Brugger, President and Chief Executive Officer of DiamondRock Hospitality Company. “Margaritaville is synonymous with Key West and a leading leisure hotel brand that we expect will drive incremental demand to our resort and significantly enhance financial performance.”

DiamondRock acquired the property for $94 million in 2015 and converted the Marriott-branded resort to the independent Barbary Beach House Key West in late 2019 following an extensive renovation of www.citizennewspapergroup.com

the guestrooms and common areas.

The Company projects its incremental $3.5 million investment to transform the resort into the Margaritaville Beach House Key West will generate over an 80% return for shareholders. The resort is expected to generate nearly $14 million of EBITDA in 2021.

DiamondRock Hospitality Company is a self-advised real estate investment trust (REIT) that is an owner of a leading portfolio of geographically diversified hotels concentrated in top gateway markets

and destination resort locations. The Company currently owns 31 premium quality hotels with over 9,100 rooms. The Company has strategically positioned its hotels to be operated both under leading global brand families as well as unique boutique hotels in the lifestyle segment. For further information on the Company and its portfolio, please visit DiamondRock Hospitality Company’s website at www.drhc.com.

For more information or to place a reservation, visit wwww.margaritavillebeachhousekeywest.com/.

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Holiday Trends

Top Holiday Trends For 2021: Personalized Gifts, Holiday Cards and Home Decor No matter your age, sending a holiday card sends the message that you care. Whether you prefer lighthearted cards with customized phrases that make people laugh or more traditional greetings with family photos and messages of holiday merriment, sending cards gives people near and far a reason to smile.

Personalized gifts Finding the perfect gift might seem impossible, especially for the person who seems to have it all.

Getting something that is unique and reflects the recipient's personality is easy when you personalize.

One-third of Americans plan to buy a personalized or customized gift this holiday season, which shows that making something special for loved ones is a popular choice. Those who are looking for personalized gifts feel that it's the best way to show family members or friends that they care. Other shoppers believe a personalized present carries more meaning than a typical gift.

From books and toys to home goods and ornaments, there are many personalized products available that will leave a mark on the world in a way that only you can. When creating personalized gifts, consider including things like photography, names, dates and personalized phrases (like that fun inside joke) and any item becomes one of a kind.

Shopping trends With supply chain disruption top of mind and worries about thin inventory and missing out on the best gifts, many consumers are shopping for the holidays earlier this year.

Gifts are often drivers for holiday shopping, but that's not the only reason carts are filling up in stores and online. A quarter of consumers plan to purchase new holiday home decor this year. Plus, with convenience and safety in mind, it's no surprise 58% of consumers said they are more likely to shop online rather than in-person this holiday season, the Shutterfly survey found.

"As consumers get ready for a second holiday season during the pandemic, they are looking to create meaning in each gift they give and every activity they plan," said Hilt. "Holiday cards, personalized gifts and new home decor are three top trends helping to create and share gifts with meaning this year."

(BPT) - The holiday season is a special time to share meaningful moments and gifts with loved ones to show each other you care. This year, people are finding new ways to celebrate and share joy with customized cards, personalized gifts and festive decor topping holiday lists.

"As consumers get ready for a second holiday season during the pandemic, we're seeing an increase in online retail sales. Despite market predictions of a decline due to consumer concerns with the evolving pandemic and supply chain issues, overall retail sales in August were up 15% from last year," said Jim Hilt, president of Shutterfly, a pioneer and leading ecommerce retail and manufacturing platform for personalized products. "Sharing meaningful moments is how people want to celebrate most this year.

With Shutterfly, people have the ability to create things with meaning and receive products easily due to our ability to deliver products on demand. That's why this year people are looking for one-of-a-kind gifts they can personalize for loved ones."

The holidays are the busiest time for Shutterfly, producing an average 165 million cards, as well as millions of personalized books, calendars and ornaments. That means roughly half of all Americans expect to receive a Shutterfly card this holiday season.

The sheer volume of holiday orders gives the company unique insight into top consumer trends and what will be on everyone's gift and to-do lists this year. The recent Shutterfly Holiday Retail Consumer Survey conducted in partnership with Ipsos uncovered insights into Americans' holiday shopping plans and behavior in 2021.

Holiday cards In today's digital age, you might think sending holiday cards is a fading tradition, but in actuality it's growing. The survey found that 44% of consumers plan to send holiday cards to friends and family, up 10 percentage points from last year.

A quarter of consumers plan to send photo cards and 22% plan to send personalized cards. Who is sending these holiday greetings? Younger age groups show more interest in sending photo and personalized cards, with 40% of 18- to 34-year-olds planning to send photo cards or personalized cards. That's significantly higher than the less than 20% of 55- to 70-year-olds that plan to send personalized photo cards.

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

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Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. Internet: Gig speed requires Gigabit Internet and compatible xFi. Many factors affect speed, including equipment performance, interference, congestion, and speeds of visited websites. WiFi speeds are affected by additional factors, including distance from Gateway, home configuration, personal device capabilities, and others. For factors affecting speed visit xfinity. com/networkmanagement. Flex: Requires post-paid subscription to Xfinity Internet, excluding Internet Essentials. Not available to current Xfinity TV customers. Pricing subject to change. Taxes, fees and other applicable charges extra, and subject to change. Limited to up to 3 devices. 1 device included. Call for restrictions and complete details. ©2021 Comcast.

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FASHION FASHION

H&M USA Presents The “Buy From A Black Woman Holiday Market” PRNewsFoto

Iconic Supermodel Iman Launches First Fragrance, Love Memoir ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. PRNewswire -- HSN®, a leader in livestream shopping and video storytelling, announced the highly anticipated launch of entrepreneur, philanthropist and iconic supermodel Iman’s debut fragrance, Love Memoir. This new scent is a tribute to her epic romance with her husband, David Bowie, and an intimate reflection of their tender relationship. It is a bottled homage to the mutual devotion of a universally celebrated couple, and like both fine perfume and true love, its story requires a touch of divine alchemy. The fragrance is available exclusively on HSN.com.

Inspired by decades of romance and developed in a multi-year partnership with Batallure Beauty, Love Memoir is a unique composition of luscious, rich rose comingles with a hint of creamy, sensual vanilla; fresh, citrusy bergamot infuses an energetic note; and woodsy vetiver and earthy blackcurrant add smoky layers. Its construction is that of a fragrance made to linger and a fitting tribute to the legacy that only memory can create.

“Memories are like memoirs: They are pressed between the pages of our hearts and minds,” said Iman. Love Memoir is a fitting tribute to the legacy that only memory can create. I hope you enjoy your own love memories and create new ones.”

“It has been a privilege joining Iman as she led us on her personal journey of bringing to life a fragrance inspired by her own true love story. Iman’s vision has been brought to life from the sensual notes of the fragrance to the stunning bottle design. Her connection to every single detail of this project is an honest reflection of memories rooted in deep love,” stated Bridget Love, GMM & VP Beauty, QVC & HSN. “Iman is a beloved member of the HSN family through her Global Chic apparel brand and we are so excited to share Love Memoir with Iman’s adoring fans.”

A labor of love, the signature fragrance is encapsulated in a brilliant bottle, inspired by the cairns throughout the couple’s upstate New York retreat. The bottle embodies an organic, rounded silhouette reminiscent of the balance of overlapping stones similar in strength and unity to that of a mutual, indestructible love. Visions of unforgettable sunsets informed the amber hue, and the hammered gold cap is a nod to the couple’s global heritage and travels.

Iman teamed up with Batallure Beauty, the award-winning product development and production atelier co-founded by famed cosmetics executives Robin Burns-McNeill and Sam Ghusson. “Iman is obviously a very experienced beauty entrepreneur, but this was her first fragrance, so she came to us for guidance. That said, she is very hands-on. We functioned as conductors to bring all of the elements of the orchestra together in order to help make her vision a reality,” said Burns-McNeill.

Iman will appear on HSN’s livestreaming platforms on Friday, November 19th throughout the day to introduce Love Memoir and share the personal journey that informed the fragrance. As a pioneer in the live video commerce space, HSN incorporates entertainment, personalities, and industry experts to provide an entirely unique shopping experience for their customers by offering real-time engagement opportunities along with exclusive products. Shop Love Memoir on www.hsn.com (key words: Love Memoir).

NEW YORK PRNewswire -- Following the announcement of a year-long partnership in March 2021 and the successful ‘Inspire Tour’ this past July, H&M is proud to present the “Buy From a Black Woman Holiday Market” at its Times Square location in New York City, kicking off on Small Business Saturday on November 27th. Featuring BFABW vendors from across the country, H&M’s partnership and support will help to highlight Black Women business owners and further assist the nonprofit’s mission of empowering, educating, and inspiring Black Women and the people who support them.

Buy From a Black Woman is a non-profit organization founded in 2016 by Nikki Porcher that connects over 600 Black Women owned businesses across the United States and provides a community of support with the goal of helping them flourish.

Through the partnership with the retailer, 56 Black Women owned businesses have been featured in H&M stores and at events across the country so far, with more to come this holiday season.

The “Buy From a Black Woman Holiday Market” in H&M Times Square will see four different events and feature a total of 26 Black Women owned businesses from across the country.

Customers visiting the H&M flagship in the heart of New York City can meet the vendors and shop for their favorite holiday gifts. A variety of businesses will be featured, ranging from skincare, stationery, to home accessories and more. Many of those featured support additional causes, standing true to Buy From A Black Woman’s motto, “When you support a Black Woman Business Owner, you support a whole community.” “’Tis the season to support Black Women! This summer we let you know that Black Women are here, and the ‘Buy From A Black Woman Holiday Market’ presented by H&M is a reminder that we are not going anywhere. I’m excited to share the work these women are doing with the world through our continued partnership. We came together with the purpose of amplifying Black Women business owners and it is because of our cooperative passion that we can keep going. Buy From A Black Woman and H&M are here for Black

Nikki Porcher, Founder of Buy From a Black Woman and Lola Pyne of Oasis Soul Scent. PRNewsfoto/H&M.

Women,” says Nikki Porcher, Founder of Buy From a Black Woman.

Since the start of the partnership in March, the BFABW vendors have garnered more exposure and generated more sales than ever before. H&M USA is committed to using its platform to support economic participation and growth, because when Black Women and their businesses flourish, communities thrive.

“We are thrilled by the success of our partnership and applaud the work being done by Nikki Porcher and Buy From a Black Woman,” said Donna Dozier Gordon, Head of Inclusion and Diversity for H&M USA. “It is gratifying to see our investment in empowering communities generate tangible results for these business owners and create life-changing impact.”

The first Holiday Market kicked off on Saturday, Nov. 27, and will reopen with new vendors on Dec. 4, 11 and 18. For a full list of vendors attending each event, visit www.theblackwomanholidaymarket.com.

Mirna Valerio Joins Darn Tough Family Darn Tough Continues Push for Outdoor Inclusivity with New Ambassador NORTHFIELD, Vt. PRNewswire -- Darn Tough Vermont® is proud to announce the newest addition to their athlete roster with local advocate and influential runner, Mirna Valerio. A lover of the outdoors, Mirna advocates for inclusivity, works to reduce stigma, and is dedicated to normalizing an outdoor lifestyle for all bodies, genders, and identities. Living less than ten miles from the Darn Tough Mill in Northfield, she will be working closely with the brand on socks and so much more.

A lover of the outdoors, Mirna advocates for inclusivity, works to reduce stigma, and is dedicated to normalizing an outdoor lifestyle for all bodies, genders, and identities.

“Darn Tough values and appreciates differences of all kinds – gender, sexual orientation, ability, religion, education, and politics.” Said Ric Cabot, President and CEO.

PRNewsfoto/Darn Tough Vermont

“The brand recognizes that the difference of race is not something that comes up regularly, if at all, in Vermont. Mirna’s knowledge, dedication, and prowess as an athlete and as someone who pushes boundaries will be valuable in helping Darn Tough grow and adapt both internally and externally.

“I have been a fan of Darn Tough for a while now and

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trust their socks for whatever the adventure brings. Being right around the corner is an added bonus. I can see the process from start to finish and fully appreciate how this brand can offer an unconditional lifetime guarantee on every single sock,” said Valerio. “I am proud to work with them in this capacity, taking action for inclusivity in our local Vermont

community and beyond.”

Darn Tough Vermont is an American manufacturer of premium, all-weather outdoor and lifestyle socks backed up by the industry’s original unconditional guarantee for life. The company offers both Specialty and Tactical product lines.

Darn Tough Vermont’s Specialty line of socks includes Hike, Lifestyle, Run, Snow, Athletic, Work, Hunt and Juniors’ styles.

Darn Tough’s product is distinguished from industry competitors by 100 percent USA manufacturing; exceptional comfort, durability and fit; True-Seamless™ technology; and an exclusive blend of either ultra-fine, premium Merino wool or Coolmax®/Thermolite®.

Founded by Ric Cabot in 2004, a third-generation sock maker, Darn Tough Vermont operates out of Cabot Hosiery Mills. For more information about Darn Tough Vermont socks, please visit: www.DarnTough.com.

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GETTING HUNDREDS OF SENIORS VACCINATED DOESN’T TAKE A VILLAGE. IT TAKES A GLORIA.

Gloria helped answer vaccination-related questions for seniors living at the Patrick Sullivan Seniors Building.

If you need someone to talk to about the COVID-19 vaccine, we are here for you.

Call 312-746-4835 Chicago.gov/SeniorVax

Chicago Department of Public Health