CITIZEN SUBURBAN TIMES WEEKLY 12-15-2021

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. 15, 2021

| Vol. 5 | No. 19 | www.citizennewspapergroup.com

SUBURBAN TIMES WEEKLY

RICH TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS SURPRISED WITH ADMISSION AND SCHOLARSHIPS DURING COLLEGE FIELD TRIP Over two dozen students are awarded with surprise admission and scholarships while visiting Southern Illinois University Carbondale during a field trip in late October. PAGE 2

NAACP’s ‘COVID. KNOW MORE’ initiative continues to stand as Black America’s best defense

FASHION: 7-Eleven Teams Up With Creative Powerhouse Kerwin Frost

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2 | CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Dec. 15, 2021

NEWS

Judges question lawyers in redistricting suits Oral arguments focus on racial impact of new legislative maps

BY PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com

CHICAGO – Oral arguments began Tuesday in three lawsuits challenging the new legislative district maps that lawmakers passed earlier this year with three federal judges asking detailed questions of all the parties in the cases.

Each case centers on the question of whether Democrats in the General Assembly violated the U.S. Constitution and the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 in drawing the maps by diluting the voting power of racial and ethnic minorities – specifically, Hispanic voters in the Chicago area and Black voters in East St. Louis and the surrounding Metro East region.

All of the parties have spent the

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last several weeks filing thousands of pages of written briefs, depositions and other documents to bolster their cases, but on Tuesday it was the judges’ turn to focus the attention on the few questions that could be pivotal in deciding whether the maps that lawmakers approved will stand for the next 10 years or whether changes need to be made to protect minority voting rights.

Among the questions the judges asked was if voters of different races and ethnicities in Illinois still vote as identifiable blocs, whether the exact composition of a district really matters or if there is enough “crossover” voting in the state that minority groups can still win representation in the General Assembly even though they are minorities within their own districts.

“Illinois in 2020 is not your grandfather’s Illinois,” Sean Berkowitz, an attorney defending the maps passed by the General Assembly, told the judges.

Berkowitz pointed to the fact that there are a number of Black lawmakers in the Statehouse who do not come from predominantly Black communities. He also pointed to the fact that even though whites make up the largest racial group in Illinois, the current lieutenant governor, attorney general and secretary of state are all Black while one U.S. senator, Tammy Duckworth, is Asian American.

“Crossover voting in Illinois is the norm, not the exception,” he said,

The Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse is pictured Tuesday. It is the site of oral arguments in a court case pertaining to state legislative maps. Capitol News Illinois photo by Peter Hancock

adding that Illinois today “is not Mississippi in 1965 or Illinois in 1980.”

Plaintiffs in the cases include a group of Latino voters in the Chicago area represented by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund; Black voters in the Metro East region represented by the state and local branches of the NAACP, as well as the United Congress of Community and Religious Organizations, or UCCRO; and Republican leaders in the General Assembly who are challenging both the Chicago and Metro East

redistricting plans.

Those attorneys spent the morning trying to convince the judges that racially polarized voting does continue to exist in Illinois and that if the maps approved by the legislature are allowed to stand, Latino and Black voters will lose political influence in state government.

Oral arguments are expected to wrap up by the afternoon, although the judges have allowed for the possibility that they could continue Wednesday morning.

The cases are moving through the

court on an expedited schedule in hopes of having a decision in time for candidates in the 2022 elections to begin circulating nominating positions in mid-January.

This story will be updated.

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.

Rich Township High School Students Surprised with Admission and Scholarships During College Field Trip Continued from page 1 CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS – Over two dozen students are awarded with surprise admission and scholarships while visiting Southern Illinois University Carbondale during a field trip in late October.

Of the 33 Rich Township High School students who were in attendance of the field trip, 23 students were immediately accepted to SIU and received scholarship amounts ranging from $1,500 to $5,500.

Over $284,000 in scholarships were awarded to students. The remaining 10 students were also offered admission to www.citizennewspapergroup.com

SIU pending the completion of required documentation.

The accepted students range in a multitude of intended majors including Art, Biology, Journalism, Pre-Medicine and more.

“I am extremely excited to go to school here,” said RTHS student Whitney Hawkins. “After seeing all the resources available here on campus, I know my education will be supported.”

Whitney earned one of the highest scholarship amounts awarded. She will be attending SIU with Pre-Medicine as her intended major.

CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Dec. 15, 2021

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NEWS

Mirrors & Misconceptions Series At The Stony Island Arts Bank Will Close the “Toward Common Cause” Exhibition at the Arts Bank with Culminating Poetry Reading, Gallery Talk December 17th and 18th CHICAGO – Rebuild Foundation, the arts, education and cultural development organization founded by artist Theaster Gates, and Court Theatre, the professional theatre of the University of Chicago, are partnering to present Mirrors & Misconceptions, a two-day activation at the Stony Island Arts Bank featuring poetry readings, gallery talks, collage activities, extended exhibition hours and more beginning December 17, 2021. This special series of events will mark the last weekend that the multi-site “Toward Common Cause” exhibition, a collaborative presentation in partnership with the Smart Museum of Art, is on view at the Stony Island Arts Bank.

Mirrors & Misconceptions is a special series programmed during the full moon and designed to explore Black identity by pairing the visual art of Fred Wilson’s Murano Glass sculpture, Act V. Scene II Exeunt Omnes—the final stage direction in Shakespeare’s Othello—with

Court Theatre’s production of The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice to build conversation and community while exploring themes on how Blackness is othered and perceived.

“As we head into winter and honor the end of the Toward Common Cause exhibition at the Arts Bank, we’re thrilled to partner with local arts platforms - like the Court Theatre - to bring Fred Wilson’s salient piece from the show into conversation with landmark works that inspired it,” said Theaster Gates, artist and founder of Rebuild Foundation.“This series of events exploring Black identity on the South Side serves as the perfect transition into our archival work which explores Black life, art and achievement through the lens of the Johnson Publishing Company archives, the Ed J. Williams Collection, Frankie Knuckles’ personal vinyl collection and the University of Chicago Glass Lantern Slides.”

“I think it’s never been more important to

persist in meaningful dialogue that centers Black lives and lived experiences. This creative collaboration merging themes from our production of The Tragedy of Othello with that of the art of Fred Wilson’s Murano Glass sculpture, Act V. Scene II Exeunt Omnes—the final stage direction in Shakespeare’s Othello, allows for multiple points of entry into a conversation not only with the art, but with ourselves and our community about the complexity of this present moment,” said Kamilah Rashied, Court Theatre’s Director of Education. She goes on to express, “part of taking classic works and bringing them into the present moment has to involve pushing boundaries. I think this production of Othello does that in many ways and our endeavor to partner with Stony Island Arts Bank to parallel the narratives within their exhibition with our own is also a thrilling opportunity to redraw the margins of what our theatre can do with and for the South Side.”

On December 17th, Rebuild Foundation and Court Theatre will host a live poetry reading inspired by Black lives, misconceptions, mirrors and the moon. Featured poets will include Runako Jahi, Tarnynon Onumonu, rebecca

brown, Reginald Rice, and Raych Jackson . On December 18th, the two organizations will host a gallery talk and collage activity, which will encourage participants to explore the themes of Blackness through visual art. Both events will be hosted by Smart Museum Educator and Court Theatre Teaching Artist, Nicole Bond.

In celebration of the “Toward Common Cause” exhibition and its last weekend at the Stony Island Arts Bank, Rebuild Foundation will extend their gallery hours, opening the exhibition and space to the public from 12 - 6 PM from December 17th to December 19th.

EVENTS Poetry Reading + Activation at 6 p.m., Friday, Dec. 17, 2021 at Stony Island Arts Bank, 6760 S. Stony Island Ave. Gallery Talk + Collage Activity at 2 p.m.

Saturday, December 18, at Stony Island Arts Bank, 6760 S. Stony Island Ave. All events are free to the public. In accordance with CDC guidelines and in order to keep our community safe and healthy, guests will be required to wear masks and register for all events.

Guests can reserve their free attendance here.

Macy’s Helps with Last-Minute Holiday Gifts NEW YORK -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Be the holiday hero and grab the perfect last-minute gift this season with a little help from Macy’s (NYSE:M). Finding unique and thoughtful items across various price points has never been easier – customers can shop comfortably from home, conveniently through the Macy’s mobile app, or safely in stores nationwide. With Macy’s new gift finder, shoppers can use the online tool to help curate and discover ideal gifts based on the recipient and their interests, by simply choosing from the expert assortment of endless holiday inspiration. No matter the category or the recipient, easy-to-navigate shopping guides are available at macys.com/gifts, helping out anyone in a rush or a rut.

Working closely with Santa, Macy’s is committed to delivering on time. Order online at macys. com by 5 p.m. on December 22 for standard delivery by Christmas.

For shoppers who want to come in and pick out or pick up their gifts, Macy’s offers multiple pickup and payment options. Take advantage of contactless curbside pick-up, buy online pick-up in store, same-day delivery with DoorDash powered

by Drive, plus contactless pay with PayPal and Venmo.

Toys For the kids in the family or the Toys “R” Us kids at heart, Geoffrey’s Hot Toy List is a great place to explore this season’s top toys and the best last-minute selection.

Customers can visit macys.com/ hottoylist to browse the list, find toy inspiration by age group and shop now.

Gifts Under $15 twelveNYC Tie-Dye Satin Eye Mask and Headband Set COTTON ON Men’s Bucket Hat Charter Club Super Soft Cozy Socks, Created for Macy’s Hot Sox Men’s Socks, Starry Night El Arroyo Mug Macy’s Beauty Box

Must-Have Toys Jenga GIANT Puzzle Game PAW Patrol Marshall Transforming Vehicle Barbie Color RevealTM Holiday Party Set Beyblade Burst Speedstorm Battle Set Razor A5 Kick Scooter Discovery Mindblown Toy Kids Model Engine Kit Melissa & Doug Pizza Counter LeapFrog 2-in-1 LeapTop Touch™

Gifts Under $25 Plant Shop Snake Plant Moonshine Live Plant, 4” Pot Homedics TotalComfort Personal Humidifier Karen Scott Fair Isle Printed Fleece Crewneck Top, Created for Macy’s Love 2 Design Little Girls Lurex Pom 2 Piece Set The Burlap Bag Holiday Soy Candles Philip Whitney Geometric Silver Frame - 8” x 10”

Very Merry Last-Minute Gifts Picking out the perfect present doesn’t have to be difficult – let Macy’s put the joy in gift-giving for you this year. With inspiration across tech, accessories, beauty and fragrance, home and more, discover this season’s best assortment at any price point at macys. com/gifts.

Gifts Under $50 Jo Malone London 3-Pc. Christmas Cracker Gift Set Tommy Hilfiger Sherpa Pull Over Jacket RITUALS 4-Pc. The Ritual Of Sakura Renewing Ritual Gift Set Polo Ralph Lauren Men’s Waffle-Knit Thermal Pajama Shirt www.citizennewspapergroup.com

Godinger Boundary Pattern 5-Pc. Whiskey Set, Created for Macy’s Petcube Smart HD Pet Camera Gifts Under $100 Ralph Lauren Men’s 3-Pc. Polo Red Eau de Toilette Holiday Gift Set Crux 3.7-Quart Touchscreen Electric Air Fryer, Created for Macy’s Yves Saint Laurent 3-Pc. Libre Discovery Gift Set, Created for Macy’s Miss Daisy Large Dried Floral Bouquet Brooklyn Brew Shop DIY Sparkling Wine Kit Ugg Women’s Fluff Yeah Slide Slippers Luxe Gifts Viktor & Rolf 4-Pc. Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum Gift Set Therabody Theragun Prime Karl Lagerfeld Paris Women’s Faux Fur Collar Belted Wrap Coat Tommy Hilfiger Men’s Faux Leather Fleece-Lined Shortie Jacket, Created for Macy’s Ray-Ban Stories Wayfarer Smart Glasses from Sunglass Hut Bartesian Premium Cocktails on Demand Charter Club Cashmere Beanie, Gloves & Scarf Boxed Set, Created for Macy’s

Macy’s offers last-minute shoppers inspiration with unique and thoughtful gifts at every price point at macys.com/gifts. Business Wire

Personal Stylist Now offering both virtual and in-person appointments, Macy’s Personal Stylists are ready to help find the right gifts for everyone on your list. In addition to picking the perfect last-minute item, these shopping experts make everything easy by shipping to you or for you.

To make an appointment, visit macys.com/personalstylist.

Gift Cards In a pinch and need something that’s sure to leave a Santa-sized smile? Give the gift of unlimited choices and pick up a Macy’s gift card, the perfect gift for everyone on the list. Online shoppers can also purchase digital gift cards for instant gift gratification!

4 | CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Dec. 15, 2021

TRAVEL

The GOAT mindset: Expedia reveals 2022’s biggest travel trend Travelers want their next vacation to be their Greatest of All Trips (GOAT), and are in pursuit of transformative and meaningful travel experiences SEATTLE PRNewswire -- Expedia® releases its 2022 Travel Trends Report revealing that travelers are shaking up the status quo with new priorities next year. Top findings from the report, which leverages Expedia data and a global research study, revealed that more than two-thirds of Americans (68%) are planning to go big on their next trip and that many are eyeing international destinations like Rome, Bali, London and Paris in 2022. Expedia is calling this new “no-regrets” style of travel the “GOAT” (Greatest of All Trips) mindset.

Expedia’s research, which polled 12,000 travelers across 12 countries, uncovered that U.S. travelers are embracing the GOAT mindset by seeking out excitement/exhilaration (41%) and the feeling that they have made the most out of their trip (40%).

The study also found that travelers are more willing than ever before to splurge on their future travels (40%).

Christie Hudson, Senior PR Manager for brand Expedia, comments: “Travel is no longer just about ‘going somewhere.’ Coming out of such a long period of constraints and limitations, 2022 will be the year we wring every bit of richness and meaning out of our experiences. Whether it’s going somewhere new, being more spontaneous or treating yourself, it’s clear that a new wave of excitement is bubbling as travelers chase travel greatness to get their GOAT.” EXPEDIA’S 2022 GOAT TRAVEL TRENDS, UNPACKED: Where U.S. Travelers Are Heading in 2022: Domestic travel, particularly to warm-weather beach destinations, remains a top choice for Americans, with 59% of U.S. survey respondents planning domestic-only trips for 2022. However, a significant portion (37%) are planning both domestic and international vacations in the coming year. These are the topsearched spots on U.S. travelers’ lists: Domestic: Orlando, Destin, Gatlinburg – Pigeon Forge, Panama City and Maui International: Riviera Maya/Playa del Carmen/Tulum, Rome, Bali, London and Paris Scrapping the Schedule The pandemic made it difficult to travel or do anything on a whim,

PRNewsfoto/Expedia.ca

with 37% of U.S. travelers admitting to being less spontaneous since the onset of COVID-19. While travel advisories and guidelines will persist for the foreseeable future, travelers nonetheless are planning to embrace the impromptu and let loose on their future trips. In fact, a quarter (25%) of respondents are willing to be more spontaneous and live in the moment and another 26% are aiming to be more flexible and go-with-the-flow this time around.

How to get your GOAT: For travelers wanting to be more spontaneous, be on the lookout for last-minute deals and use the “free cancellation” filter on the Expedia app to find flexible rates.

The Splurge-cation After cancelled trips and postponed celebrations, travelers are ready to make up for lost time and go big to put themselves first and get the GOAT they deserve. Over the next year, 40% of U.S. travelers are more willing to treat themselves and spend money on their next trip. From indulging in luxurious experiences (15%), to upgrading on rooms or flights (16%) to visiting a bucket-list destination (32%), 2022 will be all about splurging on the things that make a trip go from good to great. The study also revealed that travelers between the ages of 18 and 34 are the most likely to go big (80% compared to 56% of travelers over the age of 50), while Gen-X travelers are the most likely to splurge on a high-end restaurant (18% compared to 16% overall).

How to get your GOAT: Get treated like a VIP by staying at Expedia VIP Access properties, top-rated hotels that offer member perks like spa credits, late check-out and more.

And for those looking to treat themselves to luxe flying, now is the best

time to upgrade. According to data from Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), average premium economy ticket prices in 2021 were around 290% more expensive than economy tickets, whereas pre-pandemic, in 2019 they were a whopping 430% more expensive than economy3.

It’s important to stay up to date with the latest government and travel advisories. For the latest information visit Expedia’s COVID-19 Travel Guide.

1 This study was conducted on behalf of Expedia by Northstar Research Partners, a global strategic research firm. The survey was conducted online from August 27th–September 6, 2021, across North and South America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific using an amalgamated group of best-in-class panels. The study was conducted among 12,000 respondents across 12 countries, amongst adults who are planning domestic or international travel in the next 18 months.

2 Based on lodging interest on Expedia.com for travel between Jan, 1, 2021 – Dec. 31, 2021 as of October 31, 2021.

3 Information is based on average premium and economy round-trip ticket prices for January through August for 2021 & for January through December 2020 and 2019, sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database for 2021.

Expedia.com® is one of the world’s largest full-service travel sites, helping millions of travelers per month easily plan and book travel. Expedia. com (https://www.expedia.com/, 1-800-EXPEDIA) aims to provide the latest technology and the widest selection of top vacation destinations, affordable airfare, hotel deals, car rentals, destination weddings, cruise deals and in-destination activities, attractions, services and travel apps. www.citizennewspapergroup.com

What to Expect in Travel in 2022 (Family Features) After a couple abnormal years, many families are eager and ready to travel together again, and there are indications some pandemic-influenced travel behaviors will persist in 2022.

For example, remote work and virtual school allowed families to travel and combine work and vacation time into “flexcation” getaways, a trend that will continue, according to the 2022 Vrbo Trend Report.

In addition to the 44% of families that said they’re more likely to work remotely from a place that’s not their home, extended stays are also on the rise. The vacation home site and app has seen a 68% increase in demand for 3-4-week stays over the past year.

Consider these 2022 trends spotted by the travel experts at Vrbo: Up-and-Coming Destinations Spots in Ohio, New York and Alaska saw double vacation rental demand over the past year. Within driving distance of major Midwest metros like Chicago, Indianapolis and Louisville, Cincinnati was the year’s top emerging destination.

Other up-and-comers include Niagara Falls, a popular choice for those who wanted to experience life at the border. Yorktown, Virginia, the location of the last Revolutionary War battle, allows history buffs to witness a battle reenactment. Adventurous travelers trekked to Matanuska-Susitna, Alaska, to enjoy the wilderness of Denali National Park and Preserve, breathtaking glaciers and surrounding mountains.

Chalet All Day You may have heard of Cabincore and Cottagecore, but chalets are a trending aesthetic that inspires family travel. Chalets saw

a nearly 85% increase in demand year over year. Located on lakefronts or nestled in the woods, these charming and idyllic properties are desirable lodging options for many families.

Kids Call the Shots After being cooped up at home, it may be no surprise parents are letting their kids have a bigger say in vacation planning. Compared to pre-pandemic times, half of the families surveyed said they’re more likely to let their kids decide where they vacation and 43% of parents are more likely to let their kids skip school for vacation.

Traveling with the Pack Many families adopted pandemic pets because they had more time at home to spend with their furry friends. Now more people are bringing Fido and Fluffy along on vacation; 68% of pet parents have traveled, plan to travel or would like to travel with their pets.

What’s more, there has been a 40% increase in demand year-over-year for pet-friendly vacation homes.

Early Bird Bookers If 2021 was any indication, families will continue booking their vacations further in advance.

Booking activity occurred an average of 2-3 months earlier than usual for several major travel seasons. Families booked summer travel in February, holiday trips in July and snowbirds got a head start on booking warm weather stays for 2022. In fact, 60% of survey respondents said they plan to book their vacations earlier than they did in pre-pandemic times with nearly half making plans 3-5 months in advance.

Find more ideas for planning your next vacation, along with the full report, at Vrbo.com.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

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FASHION

FASHION

7-Eleven Teams Up With Creative Powerhouse Kerwin Frost Created to Carry His Favorite 7-Select™ Snacks and Drinks, Streetwear Style Icon Kerwin Frost’s Exclusive “Snack Attack Uniform” IRVING, Texas PRNewswire -- Snacking has never looked cooler. 7-Eleven, Inc., the premier name in convenience-retailing, is extending its collaboration with entertainer, DJ, talk show host, comedian and designer Kerwin Frost, to create an exclusive limited-edition outfit designed exclusively with snackers in mind. Aptly called “Kerwin’s Snack Attack Uniform,” the ensemble features a jacket, pants and t-shirt complete with 18 total pockets custom-designed to hold Kerwin’s favorite 7-Select™ snacks and beverages.

Kerwin’s Snack Attack Uniform comes in two colors – pink and green – and features Kerwin’s Snack Attack Jacket, Snack Attack Pants and Snack Attack Glitter Tee. The uniform is sold complete with Kerwin’s favorite 7-Select snacks and beverages for $280 exclusively on www.KerwinsKingdom.com. With only 500 uniforms available to the public, it will be sold on a first-come first-served basis.

“I’m really thrilled to be working with 7-Eleven and appreciative of the creative freedom they’ve given me. I absolutely love the ‘uniform’ we created and am excited to wear this on a regular basis and store all my 7-Select snacks in it. I also love the Kerwin’s Snack Party Mix Popcorn and am so happy with the activation we did at Kerwin’s Kingdom at ComplexCon. This has been one of my favorite collaborations!”

“As a well-known expert in streetwear design, we are teaming up with Kerwin Frost to create the limited-edition Kerwin’s Snack Attack Uniform so snack fiends can carry all of their favorite 7-Select products anytime, anywhere,” said Marissa Jarratt, Chief Marketing Officer at 7-Eleven. “From 7-Select Buffalo

7-Eleven, Inc. is extending its collaboration with entertainer, DJ, talk show host, comedian and designer Kerwin Frost to create an exclusive limited-edition outfit designed exclusively with snackers in mind. Aptly called “Kerwin’s Snack Attack Uniform,” the ensemble features a jacket, pants and t-shirt complete with 18 total pockets custom-designed to hold Kerwin’s favorite 7-Select™ snacks and beverages. Photo Credit: Vijat Mohindra

Chicken flavored Chips to 7-Select Gummi Watermelon Rings and 7-Select Go!Smart Ginger Shots there is a pocket for sweet, spicy and all the cool stuff in between.”

Kerwin’s Snack Attack Uniform comes complete with a lab-style jacket, cargo pants, and a t-shirt that can be worn as a complete outfit or mixed and matched. With the number “7” printed on the jacket and “11” printed on the pants, Kerwin intentionally placed 11 pockets on the jacket and seven pockets

on the pants, so no matter how items are mixed and matched, the wearer is always sporting “7-Eleven.”

With more snack storage than typical jackets and cargo pants, fans can snack on-the-go or from their own homes at their convenience. When it is time to refill the pockets, snack uniform owners can purchase their favorite 7-Select snacks and beverages by heading to their nearest 7-Eleven® store. The pockets are customized to fit a variety of 7-Select items so fans can fill the pockets with their own favorite flavors. To get the snacking started, the uniform is sold with Kerwin’s preferred snacks and beverages including: Kerwin’s Snack Attack Jacket: 7-Select Apple Snack Pie, 7-Select Strawberry Cheesecake Snack Pie, 7-Select Crispy Rice Treat, 7-Select Madeleines, 7-Select Replenish Guava Splash, 7-Select Gummi Bears, 7-Select Gummi Blue Sharks, 7-Select Original Fried Pork Rinds, 7-Select Gummi Watermelon Rings, 7-Select Gummi Peach Rings and 7-Select Ghost Pepper Peanuts.* Kerwin’s Snack Attack Pants: Special edition Kerwin’s Snack Party Mix Popcorn, 7-Select Sour Watermelon Wedges, 7-Select Go!Smart™ Ginger Shot, 7-Select Caramel Popcorn, 7-Select Buffalo Chicken Dip Flavored Wavy Potato Chips, 7-Select Fiery Hot Flavored Potato Chips and 7-Select Twisted Buttermilk Ranch Pretzels.* 7-Eleven and Kerwin Frost kicked off their collaboration by unveiling the special edition Kerwin’s Snack Party Mix Popcorn at a pop-up 7-Eleven store inside Kerwin’s Kingdom at the fifth annual ComplexCon this November. The special edition snack will be one of 18 snacks included with the outfit. Made with white chocolate popcorn, candied chocolate pieces, cinnamon toasted cereal and chocolate cake mix, this snack comes in a canister with a specially designed label by Kerwin himself. It will also be available on www.KerwinsKingdom.com and at one 7-Eleven store in West Hollywood (1100 North La Cienega West Hollywood, CA) and one 7-Eleven store in New York City (82 Greenwich St. New York, NY) while supplies last.

Eddie Bauer Announces Sustainability Roadmap New Goals are Set for the Brand’s Licensed Categories Under SPARC Group to Reduce Environmental Impact BELLEVUE, Wash. PRNewswire -- SPARC Group (SPARC), a leading retail enterprise, is proud to announce that it has established new benchmarks to improve Eddie Bauer’s sustainability practices for product categories, including apparel and gear, with the objective of reducing its environmental impact.

In partnership with corporate responsibility and sustainability experts, Shift Advantage, SPARC’s Eddie Bauer team has developed a new roadmap that supports the brand’s mission to preserve natural resources and the environmental conditions that allow its community of outdoor enthusiasts—including customers, partners and internal teams —to thrive.

“As an outdoor brand born in the Pacific Northwest, a focus on the environment has always been at the center of Eddie Bauer’s mission and it continues to be, with the renewed priorities and goals we are setting for apparel and gear,” said Damien Huang, Eddie Bauer CEO. “We recognize the vital importance of preserving our natural resources and doing our part to ensure our business practices are supporting a sustainable future.”

Sustainability Priorities for Apparel & Gear Create innovative, versatile, and long-lasting apparel and gear with the smallest possible environmental footprint.

Protect the outdoors from the impacts of

climate change and the loss of biodiversity and habitat.

Ensure our places of business, our apparel and gear, and the outdoor experiences we facilitate, are inclusive, accessible, and safe.

Sustainability Goals for Apparel & Gear Design for versatility, utility, and longevity.

Build apparel and gear that can be used many times for many purposes, and can be passed down from one generation to the next.

Use lower impact materials.

50% of cotton fiber used in our apparel and gear will be certified organic cotton, organic-in-conversion cotton, or recycled cotton by 2025; with the long-term goal to reach 100% by 2030.

50% of polyester and nylon fiber used in our apparel and gear will be made of recycled content by 2025; with the long-term goal to reach 100% by 2030.

50% of rayon, modal, and lyocell fibers used in our apparel and gear will be made from recycled content or agricultural waste inputs by 2025; and the remainder will be Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified fiber from sustainable wood sources.

100% of down and feathers used in our apparel and gear will continue to be Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certified.

50% of fabrics used in our apparel and gear will be bluesign® approved by 2025; with the

long-term goal of reaching 100% by 2030.

Measure & reduce GHG emissions.

Measure the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions (carbon footprint) of our operations and our apparel and gear by 2023 and set aggressive targets to reduce GHG emissions with a focus on the materials in our apparel and gear.

Reduce GHG emissions from operations by powering our headquarters and branded stores with at least 80% renewable electricity by 2025, and 100% by 2030.

Use lower impact packaging.

Reduce average product packaging weight per item by 30% by 2025, with a long-term goal to reduce packaging weight by 50% by 2030.

50% of all plastic packaging by weight will be Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) content by 2025.

100% of all paper-based packaging will be Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified by 2025; 50% (by weight) will be Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) content by 2025, with the longterm goal of 100% PCR content by 2030.

Eliminate harmful chemicals.

Develop and implement a Restricted Substances List (RSL) program by 2023; with a long-term goal of resolving 100% of RSL failures by 2030.

Restore ecosystems & habitats.

Plant 100,000 trees per year and, starting in 2022, support one “Tree Equity” project per year through our ongoing partnership with American Forests.

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PRNewsfoto/Eddie Bauer

Embrace circular business models.

Launch programs for product rental, used product resale, product repair, and/or upcycled apparel and gear by 2023; establish targets for growing these programs.

“I commend the work Damien and his team have put forth over the last few years to define what sustainability means not just for Eddie Bauer, but for the entire outdoor industry,” said Marc Miller, CEO of SPARC Group. “These newly established standards will help us benchmark similar practices across the SPARC portfolio.”

SPARC’s Eddie Bauer team will also join other members of the outdoor industry in their climate action efforts by signing up for the Outdoor Industry Association’s Climate Action Corps. Companies that join, commit to measure, plan, and reduce GHG emissions and share progress annually. The team plans to publish its first sustainability report in April 2022 in honor of Earth Month.

To learn more about Eddie Bauer’s sustainability efforts for apparel and gear visit eddiebauer.com/campaign/sustainability.

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ENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT

Doja Cat and Girls Who Code Create ‘DojaCode’ NEW YORK PRNewswire -- Global superstar, Doja Cat and leading non-profit, Girls Who Code, released DojaCode, an interactive experience for the rapper’s music video and hit single Woman, off her chart dominating album Planet Her. Inspiring a new generation of computer scientists, Doja Cat and Girls Who Code are inviting fans to direct aspects of the music video, all by using code.

As users visit the DojaCode site, they are able to unlock hidden video content using basic coding languages. From changing nail designs, to controlling the sky, to manifesting Doja herself out of thin air, DojaCode gives fans the opportunity to play the role of music video director by altering key creative elements and unveiling hidden easter eggs.

“I am so excited that Girls Who Code has partnered with me to make my “Woman” music video the world’s first codable music video.

Fans all over the world will get to input code via a microsite and unlock some really cool special features. It’s going to be awesome.”

The aim of the experience is to show a new generation of fans who may be unaware of the career opportunities in the technology and computer science field, just how creative and fun it can be.

“At Girls Who Code, we know firsthand that girls and young women are some of today’s most powerful creators and change-makers”, said Tarika Barrett, CEO of Girls Who Code. “However, too few know that they can have a career in computer science, and that it can open up an entire future of possibility to nurturing their passions.

Users are then introduced to three coding languages featured on the site As the experience continues, users are guided through the process with clear instructions on what to input and how -- making it easy and seamless for a beginner Users watch as moments in the video change in real time, based on the coding alterations they have written As the video wraps, fans leave Planet Her and share all of the scenes they have coded PRNewsfoto/Girls Who Code and created Woman was directed by child., best known Learning to code enables you to change the for her bold, stylized aesthetic, her lush use of world around you, and we’re thrilled to partlight and color, and a storytelling sensibility ner with global superstar Doja Cat, beloved steeped in the dreamy gothic lyricism of the by young people everywhere, as we invite girls to experience ‘Planet Her’, a place where African American South. Her past directorial work includes projects with artists such as they get to be in control.”

Janelle Monae, Big Sean and Issa Rae as well Mojo Supermarket, the creative company as brands including Adidas and Mastercard. that hacked the Oscars to include female child., said, “This project has been an directed films and created the campaign especially meaningful and unique one for me. for Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty fashion show, Seeing more inclusiveness in creative fields is dreamt up the idea to get more girls to try something I’m really passionate about, so to coding. They partnered with creative digital be part of a project that gives young girls exproduction studio, Active Theory, and Doja’s posure to a whole new industry, while acting label, RCA Records, to make it a reality. as creative directors of Planet Her all by using Emily Berger, Creative Lead, Mojo Supermarket: “We want to get more girls to try cod- code, really means a lot.”

The partnership with Doja Cat is the ing. But there’s a thousand other things that latest in a series of Girls Who Code culture girls care about more than coding. And Doja change campaigns designed to transform the Cat is like 999 of them. So, we were like...can common narrative of what a coder looks like Doja make learning to code cool?” and does. Empowering girls and people from How Does Doja Code Work? underrepresented groups in tech to envision themselves as the future of the industry is key Fans visit DojaCode to be granted access to to fulfilling the organization’s northstar misPlanet Her where they can code and alter creative elements of Doja Cat’s Woman music video sion of closing the gender gap in tech by 2030.

The Temptations Release New Album, ‘TEMPTATIONS 60’, Jan. 28 LOS ANGELES PRNewswire -- The Grammy Award®-winning Temptations announce their much-anticipated new album, TEMPTATIONS 60. Released

by UMe, a leading global music company, the new album consists of nearly all-original songs that are both modern and classic in feel and sound. In addition to tracks produced by group members, the album brings the iconic group together again with some of its beloved producers, including the legendary and award-winning Smokey Robinson and Narada Michael Walden. Dr. Otis Williams, the group’s founding member and the album’s executive producer, said, “Our new album carries with it, our legacy, our love of music and our hope that through our music we can uplift and bring people together. Most of all, we want fans to enjoy it and share it with family and friends around the world. It’s a thank you gift from our hearts to all of our

PRNewsfoto/Geffen/UMe

fans, past, present and future.”

As The Temptations have done throughout their career, their latest album balances love songs with topical tracks, showcasing their enduring strength across the generations. Williams co-produced, with Dennis Nelson and Thomas “TC” Campbell, five of the album’s 12 tracks, including the harmony-infused ballad, “Calling Out Your Name” and the up-tempo tracks “You Don’t Know Your Woman” and “How Do You Spell Love.” Williams also co-produced an updated

version of “Come On,” a song that had been the first recording by Otis Williams & the Distants, a precursor to the Temptations, in 1959, and features a special monologue about the group’s history.

The first single released from the album, “Is It Gonna Be Yes Or No,” is written and produced by and features Motown superstar Smokey Robinson. In all the years Robinson has delivered such timeless Temptations’ hits “The Way You Do the Things You Do,” “My Girl,” “Since I Lost My Baby,” “Get Ready” and more, the duet marks the only time he and The Temptations have sung lead together, save for a recording of “The Christmas Song” in 1989.

TEMPTATIONS 60 also features two brand-new songs produced by Grammy-Winning Narada Michael Walden, who produced their last platinum-selling album, Phoenix Rising; he delivers the biographical beauty, “When We Were Kings,” available now, which sums up the Temptations

legacy to this point, and “Breaking My Back,” a love song that evokes the classic Tempts’ catalog.

Longtime Temptation leading vocalist and songwriter Ron Tyson, and Thomas “TC” Campbell produced two tracks, including “Time For The People,” a powerful statement addressing modern issues – a “Ball of Confusion” for the 21st Century – and the island-flavored love song, “I Want It Right Now.” Dave Darling, who produced the group’s last album, All the Time, brought to the album a stunning cover of the Vintage Trouble song, “My Whole World Stopped Without You.” The Temptations are today one of the most iconic, bestselling brands in the entertainment world; Billboard magazine named them “The No. 1 R&B Artist of All Time.” With original member Dr. Otis Williams, the group’s track record of continuing to sell decades worth of history-making music is breathtaking.

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StellarNetwork

Jekalyn Carr Returns To Host The Annual Stellar Tribute To The Holidays CHICAGO PRNewswire -- Just in time for the holidays, Stellar TV announces the airing of its holiday special, “Stellar Tribute to the Holidays,” proudly presented by Verizon. Returning host Jekalyn Carr celebrates the magic of the season with heartwarming holiday memories and jovial performances. Among them, Kierra Sheard Kelly soulfully belts out ‘O Come O Come Emannuel,’ Mali Music brings a fresh take to “Little Drummer Boy,” Charles Jenkins introduces his original holidays songs ‘Christmas Music’ and ‘Christmas Hop,’ and Natalie Grant is going to bring some ‘Joy to the World’ with her performance.

Kelontae Gavin will bring a youthful vibe to Donny Hathaway’s ‘This Christmas’ and Evvie McKinney offers a hype new twist to ‘Go Tell It on the Mountain.’ Leon Timbo embodies his gospel roots with classics ‘Angels We Have Heard on High’ and ‘O Holy Night.’ Take Six Member, Mark Kibble, presents his solo original ‘Christmas Here.’ And former Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir member turned group leader, Brandon Camphor joins with OneWay in debuting their latest holiday offerings ‘Happy Birthday Jesus’ and ‘Christmas Joy.’ Jekalyn Carr rounds out this jam-packed holiday special with her rendition of Whitney Houston’s masterpiece ‘Who Would Imagine a King.’

The Stellar Tribute to the Holidays is currently airing in national broadcast syndication until December 31. Bounce TV will air the special on Christmas Day, Saturday, December 25 at 1PM EST. To find the local airdate and time in your city, visit www. stellarawards.com.

Verizon is proud to be this year’s title sponsor. With support from additional sponsors, including P&G, McDonalds and GM. Stellar Tribute to the Holidays is a production of Stellar TV and Central City Productions, Inc. Don Jackson is the Executive Producer with Jennifer J. Jackson serving as Executive in Charge of Production. Michael A. Johnson produced and directed the show.

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NAACP’s ‘COVID. KNOW MORE’ initiative continues to stand as Black America’s best defense With the onset of the winter months, still another variant and infections again on the rise, evidence abounds that COVID-19 isn’t finished plaguing us yet, and normalcy’s still a long way off BALTIMORE — This month, the nation marked a foreboding, record death toll: More than 5,230,000 deaths worldwide as a result of COVID-19. It’s a sad, painful and tragic milestone that signals the obvious: The coronavirus pandemic—here in the U.S. as well as around the globe—is far from over, and simply isn’t going away anytime soon.

As Americans begin to ponder once again the safety of gathering with friends, families and loved ones for the holidays, infections once more are on the rise in multiple states.

Although the Delta and Lambda variants are showing signs of a steady decline, the new and highly transmissible Omicron variant is emerging across the Atlantic as a cause for concern, and has now arrived in the U.S. Misinformation about the virus and the efficacy of the vaccines, coming from professional athletes and entertainment celebrities alike continues to be recklessly spread, and health professionals are issuing dire warnings about more spikes in cases looming this winter as people will likely choose to socialize indoors, with fewer following mask guidance in confined spaces.

For African Americans, who place a high value on their traditional seasonal gatherings, the potential threat of contracting COVID-19 is even greater. Though the majority of eligible Black adults have been fully vaccinated (62 percent) and the numbers of children now being vaccinated also continues a consistent rise, reliable, credible information is still the primary battleground. Deep in the trenches still fighting this fight is the NAACP, which through its ‘COVID.KNOW MORE’ national initiative has been tirelessly working to deliver resources, timely research and data specific to the Black community that can be found nowhere else.

“The specter of the COVID-19 pandemic has plagued our nation and the world for 20 long months now, but all of its devastating effects, whether health wise or economic, disproportionately impact our Black community,” states Derrick Johnson, NAACP president & CEO. “Trust the science, and trust the data. As we’ve worked hard to move African Americans toward a phase of recovery, our research shows that the concerns of experts are justified about the coming winter months.

NAACP

“Worries about the Delta variant are on the decline, but other variants like Omicron are on the horizon and have now officially landed in the United States. Overall cases are ticking up across the nation. Some 777,000 people have now died and this has clearly become a pandemic of the unvaccinated,” President Johnson adds.

Among the latest facts: Proprietary research commissioned by the NAACP reveals that reports of breakthrough cases and side-effects persist as concerns among the unvaccinated, fueling their continued uncertainty and making them less likely to remain unvaccinated or accept the available booster

Anthony

shot (amid debates about its necessity). African Americans further remain divided in their mistrust of media influencers and celebrities, with most trusting no one to provide reliable COVID-19 information other than the NAACP, the CDC, physicians or local leaders. Most further believe that life will not return to any semblance of pre-pandemic normalcy until at least 2022. “‘COVID.KNOW MORE’ was conceived and launched to provide Black Americans with comprehensive, relevant data and resources about all things COVID-19, intent upon powering Black America’s journey through the crisis toward recovery,” Johnson continues. “Thanks to ‘COVID.KNOW MORE’ individuals, families and communities of color have access to the most current, well-researched, expert-vetted facts they need to make the best choices for their wellbeing. We’re proud of the work that we’re doing for our people to help inform their decision making, and that work will continue undaunted. The NAACP will stay this course.”

The NAACP’s ‘COVID.KNOW MORE’ builds upon the wealth of information it has served up since May to the African American community, while emphasizing the pandemic’s potential long term implications and systemic disparities.

‘COVID.KNOW MORE’ features a multifaceted, user-friendly online information hub housing an array of options designed to help African Americans’ stay current with the ever-changing data and guidance about the pandemic. The portal and all of its helpful featured assets can be accessed by visiting the NAACP’s COVID.KNOW MORE portal. For those wanting to get tested or obtain a booster shot, the nearest locations can searched here.

Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation.

We have over 2,200 units and branches across the nation, along with well over 2M activists. Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.

Kara Denise

Greg Rich

PLAY TODAY Gift Smart.

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WHAT DOES A RETIRED FIREFIGHTER AND MARINE CORPS VET DO WHEN HE HAS QUESTIONS? HE MAKES A CALL.

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