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  • AdRem Systems Corporation Appoints 20-year Veteran Tracy Baptiste as Compliance Solutions Architect

    This strategic appointment of Tracy Baptiste reflects AdRem’s continued expansion of compliance and CMMC support for federal and regulated environments.

    I’m excited to help our clients navigate those expectations with clarity and confidence, and I’m committed to building programs that genuinely support their success.”
    — Tracy Baptiste, Compliance Solutions Architect

    RESTON, VA, UNITED STATES, January 5, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — AdRem Systems Corporation, a comprehensive cybersecurity and IT solutions firm serving commercial and federal clients nationwide, is pleased to announce that longtime Senior Systems Engineer Tracy Baptiste has transitioned into the newly created role of Compliance Solutions Architect, effective December 16, 2025.

    This strategic appointment reflects AdRem’s expanding focus on serving organizations operating under strict regulatory and federal cybersecurity requirements, including those preparing for increased scrutiny under the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program. Baptiste will support these initiatives through Compliancy Sherpa, LLC, AdRem’s compliance consulting subsidiary, while maintaining close collaboration with AdRem’s technical teams.

    With more than 25 years of IT experience—20 of them with AdRem—Baptiste brings deep expertise supporting high-security federal environments, large-scale system integrations, and complex enterprise email and data archive platforms. Her background includes extensive work with Solaris and Windows environments, relational database management systems, enterprise content management architecture, and multi-year migration projects requiring precise documentation, systems security plans, testing, and operational continuity.

    Over the course of her two decades with AdRem, Baptiste has become widely respected for her technical depth, discipline, and commitment to delivering secure, reliable solutions to agencies and federally aligned operations. Her experience working within regulated, mission-critical ecosystems uniquely positions her to support organizations navigating the evolving demands of CMMC Level 2, DFARS obligations, and other federal cybersecurity mandates.

    In recent years, Baptiste expanded her expertise to include formal compliance credentials, earning her CMMC Registered Practitioner (RP) certification and successfully completing both training and examination requirements for CMMC Certified Professional (CCP) through the Cyber AB. This combination of deep federal experience and specialized compliance training forms the foundation of her new role.

    A TRUSTED LEADER WITHIN ADREM’S 20-YEAR FEDERAL LEGACY

    “Tracy has been part of AdRem’s story for 20 years, and her dedication, integrity, and technical excellence have shaped the trusted reputation we hold today, especially within the federal community,” said Patrick Birt, CEO of AdRem Systems Corporation and Compliancy Sherpa, LLC. “As our compliance services continue to grow, it became clear that Tracy’s unique blend of federal-grade engineering experience and her emerging compliance leadership would allow us to better support the organizations that depend on us. This new role is both a recognition of her long-standing contributions and a strategic step forward for our clients and our mission.”

    In her new capacity as Compliance Solutions Architect, Baptiste will work primarily with Compliancy Sherpa, LLC, AdRem’s compliance consulting subsidiary. She will help design, refine, and operationalize Sherpa’s compliance service delivery, supporting assessments, documentation processes, readiness engagements, and program development for organizations preparing for CMMC and other regulated frameworks. While her daily efforts will be centered within Sherpa’s compliance programs, she will continue to collaborate closely with AdRem’s engineering and cybersecurity teams to ensure technical and regulatory alignment. Her work will also assist AdRem’s executive leadership in scaling its compliance programs as demand increases across the DC Metro area and beyond.

    “I’m incredibly excited to begin this next chapter with AdRem and Sherpa,” said Baptiste. “Supporting federal environments for so many years has given me a strong appreciation for the rigor, structure, and accountability required of regulated organizations. I look forward to helping clients navigate those same expectations with clarity and confidence, and I’m committed to continuing my training and growing my expertise as we build programs that truly support their long-term success.”

    Baptiste will immediately begin engaging with regulated organizations, DoD contractors, and businesses preparing for the next phase of CMMC requirements expected during the 2026 contracting cycle.

    ABOUT ADREM SYSTEMS CORPORATION

    AdRem Systems Corporation is a Comprehensive Cybersecurity & IT Solutions Firm offering managed IT services, co-managed IT, cybersecurity management, compliance consulting, cloud solutions, hardware procurement, and online services. Backed by over 20 years of experience as a federal contractor and supporting regulated industries, AdRem helps organizations stay secure, compliant, and confidently prepared for future growth.

    Visit www.AdRem.com for more information.

    ABOUT COMPLIANCY SHERPA, LLC

    Compliancy Sherpa, LLC is the compliance consulting division of AdRem Systems Corporation, specializing in cybersecurity regulatory frameworks including CMMC, NIST 800-171, DFARS, HIPAA, SOC 2, ISO, and FTC Safeguards. Sherpa works with government contractors, regulated businesses, and growing organizations to simplify the compliance journey through structured readiness programs, gap assessments, documentation development, and long-term advisory support.

    By combining federal-grade cybersecurity discipline with real-world business operations, Sherpa helps organizations move from uncertainty to confident compliance.

    Visit thesherpa.us for more information.

    For More Information or to Set Up Media Interviews, Please Contact:

    Ashley Birt
    AdRem Systems Corporation
    adrem.news@adrem.com
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  • Innovative Connections and MSBCoach Announce Merger and Acquisition Expanding Leadership and Coaching Capabilities

    Innovative Connections is proud to announce the merger and acquisition of MSB Coach, LLC.

    FORT COLLINS, CO, UNITED STATES, January 5, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Innovative Connections, a leading organizational development and leadership consulting firm, is proud to announce the merger and acquisition of MSB Coach, LLC, a Virginia-based executive coaching and leadership development company founded by Dr. Michelle Braden.

    With this acquisition comes the opportunity of diversified talent and additional resources to provide the best of the best for consulting services. This expansion brings the opportunity to work with a variety of clients in industries ranging from healthcare, construction, education and human resources with the fusion of teams from Innovation Connections and MSB Coach, LLC.

    “Together, we are building something stronger than either organization could create alone — a firm that blends rigor with humanity and equips leaders to navigate complexity with confidence and integrity. This acquisition was not only about the expansion of services, but it’s also about adding people whose values and approach align deeply with ours. The experience and thought leadership of the MSB Coach team enrich our collective capacity and reinforce our commitment to helping leaders lead with clarity, courage, and authenticity,” states Dr. Laurie Cure.

    MSB Coach was founded in 2008 to provide leadership development and coaching to a variety of organizations. Led with evidence-based coaching, Dr. Braden has been recognized for her Conversational Oxygen® framework. This method has led to sustained growth from MSB Coach and the successful teachings to instill leadership and growth with clients.

    The integration comes with the promise of commitment to all clients and additional resources, now offering additional services provided by those with MSB Coach, LLC. The team at MSB Coach, LLC offers a background of Fortune 500 companies, non-profits and small businesses, providing a range of expertise and experience to provide the best leadership and consulting abilities to help clients thrive.

    “The MSB Coach team brings a deep and diverse range of experience, spanning Fortune 500 organizations, nonprofits, and small businesses. Their collective expertise strengthens our ability to deliver thoughtful, evidence-based leadership and coaching support across industries,” says Dr. Cure.

    This acquisition brings a variety of new outlooks and strong sources and various backgrounds, displaying a strong team and a go-to no matter what industry.

    To learn more about Innovative Connections, visit here.

    About Innovative Connections
    Innovative Connections partners with organizations to align strategy, leadership, and culture. The firm provides executive coaching, organizational consulting, team development, and customized leadership programs designed to create workplaces where people thrive.

    About MSB Coach
    MSB Coach is a Virginia-based leadership coaching and development firm dedicated to empowering leaders to reach their full potential. Since 2008, MSB Coach has partnered with clients across industries to foster authentic leadership and organizational growth.

    Anna Kate Womack
    Otter PR
    email us here

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  • Next-Gen TAO Community Edition Debuts with New Community Forum

    LUXEMBOURG, January 5, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Open Assessment Technologies today announced the availability of TAO Community Edition (TAO CE), a free, open-source digital assessment platform designed to be governed and evolved in collaboration with the global assessment community.

    The release establishes the TAO Community Forum as the primary space for collaboration, contribution and technical direction.

    TAO Community Edition is intended for institutions and developers that require long-term control over their assessment program and infrastructure. The platform is distributed under an open-source license and designed to evolve through shared contribution rather than closed, vendor-managed roadmaps.

    TAO CE supports as well public institutions that must operate digital assessment systems as long-term public infrastructure. Institutions can host the platform within their own environments, apply national data governance rules, adapt functionality to policy or curriculum changes, and maintain continuity beyond procurement cycles. Open-source and open standards ensure transparency, auditability and independence.

    Thanks to its multilingual interface, supporting over 18 languages, TAO empowers all types of organizations to deliver assessments globally, promoting equity, accessibility and inclusion in education systems worldwide.

    Community Governance as Infrastructure
    The TAO Community Forum provides a structured environment for community participation, including:
    open discussion of technical priorities
    contribution and review of extensions and enhancements
    shared documentation and implementation practices
    The Forum serves as the coordination layer for TAO Community Edition, aligning development with real-world institutional and technical requirements.

    “Open digital assessment depends on shared ownership and transparent decision-making,” said Patrick Pilchart, Open Source Ambassador at Open Assessment Technologies. “The TAO Community Forum creates a space where contributors can participate directly in how the platform evolves, rather than adapting to decisions made elsewhere.”

    Modular Architecture, Standards-Based Design
    TAO Community Edition is delivered as a modular assessment stack comprising:
    TAO Advance for assessment delivery
    TAO Grader for scoring workflows
    TAO Insights for data analytics and reporting
    TAO Portal for system administration
    The platform is built on open standards including QTI®, LTI®, and WCAG, supporting interoperability, accessibility and integration with existing educational systems. Multilingual support enables deployment across regions and delivery contexts.

    TAO Community Edition is released under the Affero General Public License v3 (AGPLv3), providing transparency, auditability and data sovereignty for institutions operating under regulatory or governance constraints.

    TAO Community Edition is available now as a free global download. Participation in the TAO Community Forum is open to institutions, developers and assessment professionals.

    About TAO
    TAO, from Open Assessment Technologies, is the leading digital assessment solution for education and career advancement. Modular, customizable, and interoperable by design, TAO empowers users to break free from proprietary constraints, eliminate costly licensing fees, and take full control of their testing resources. With its student interface available in more than 82 languages, TAO delivers over 30 million tests worldwide every year.

    Learn More: www.taotesting.com

    Miguel Prieto
    Open Assessment Technologies
    +352 661 428 747
    marketing@taotesting.com
    Visit us on social media:
    LinkedIn

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  • Relive Health: A New Era of Affordable Wellness Blooms in Coral Gables

    Relive Health: A New Era of Affordable Wellness Blooms in Coral Gables

    CORAL GABLES, FL / ACCESS Newswire / December 18, 2025 / Just off Dixie Highway, across from the University of Miami and steps away from the scent of fresh pastries drifting from Madruga Bakery, a new kind of health destination has arrived in Coral Gables. Relive Health, a nationally recognized leader in longevity and aesthetics, has opened its doors in South Florida, inviting residents of the City Beautiful to experience wellness on a whole new level.

    The location feels fitting for a city that values both refinement and vitality. Coral Gables, with its palm-lined boulevards, Mediterranean architecture, and discerning residents, has long been a community that embraces balance, between tradition and innovation, indulgence and wellness. Relive Health’s November arrival brings that balance to life through a carefully designed blend of science, beauty, and individualized care.

    Inside, the clinic feels more like a boutique spa than a medical office. The warm, contemporary design and tranquil atmosphere immediately set the tone for something different, a place where health isn’t just managed, but elevated. Yet beyond the calm environment lies a deeply clinical foundation. Relive Health has earned national acclaim for its data-driven, personalized programs that empower people to live longer, healthier, and more vibrant lives.

    Celebrities and elite athletes have long trusted the Relive brand’s expertise but in Coral Gables, the focus is squarely on the local community, the professionals, parents, and active residents who want to feel their best while keeping up with the pace of South Florida life.

    Each journey at Relive Health begins with a comprehensive, 66-plus marker blood analysis that forms the foundation for every personalized wellness plan. Within just two days, clients return for an in-depth consultation with the clinic’s medical team to review results, discuss symptoms and lifestyle factors, and set tailored goals. The process feels less like a doctor’s visit and more like a conversation about transformation.

    The on-site medical staff specialize in functional and longevity medicine, disciplines focused on identifying the root causes of imbalance rather than simply treating symptoms. Through that approach, Relive Health helps clients address fatigue, poor sleep, weight concerns, hormonal changes, and premature aging at their source. It’s a model that combines the thoroughness of modern medicine with the attentiveness of personalized care.

    The Coral Gables clinic’s board-certified Medical Director, Dr. Eeman Tariq, is a national leader in hormone therapy, peptides, anti-aging, and medical aesthetics. Under her direction, the medical team provides access to advanced therapies that help clients look and feel rejuvenated. Among the most popular are peptide therapies-cutting-edge treatments that can improve sleep, revitalize skin and hair, boost daily energy, increase libido, and optimize metabolic function. For many patients, the results go beyond what traditional medicine offers, helping restore energy, focus, and confidence from the inside out.

    Relive Health’s focus on aesthetic excellence is just as meticulous as its medical offerings. Treatments such as the Préime DermaFacial system – a next-generation facial that uses five distinct modalities to cleanse, hydrate, and rejuvenate the skin – are among the clinic’s signature experiences. The combination of medical-grade results and spa-level luxury makes each visit feel both restorative and purposeful.

    Relive’s blend of medical precision and aesthetic artistry is what has made it the preferred option for individuals seeking comprehensive anti-aging solutions. Services like hormone replacement therapy, IV nutrient therapy, medical weight loss, and aesthetic rejuvenation are all integrated into personalized programs designed to support long-term wellness. The goal isn’t just to look younger, it’s to feel stronger, sharper, and more alive.

    For Jay Wagnon, the Area Developer for Relive Health in South Florida, the Coral Gables opening is a natural extension of the city’s commitment to health and lifestyle. A former Area Developer for Orangetheory Fitness and other national wellness brands, Wagnon has spent years helping communities embrace active, balanced living. “We are incredibly excited to join the vibrant Coral Gables community and to introduce revolutionary therapies that will extend health spans-those valuable years spent in optimal health,” he said. “At Relive Health, our mission is to empower individuals to achieve their wellness goals through innovative treatments and personalized care. We look forward to becoming a trusted partner in enhancing the health and vitality of our community.”

    That sense of partnership runs deep in Relive Health’s mission. Every aspect of the Coral Gables location has been curated with local life in mind. Its proximity to the University of Miami and neighboring areas like Coconut Grove and South Miami makes it a convenient stop for busy professionals, athletes, and students alike. With its combination of accessibility, luxury, and expertise, the clinic is poised to become a cornerstone of the city’s modern wellness culture.

    For those in Coral Gables who believe that wellness should feel as luxurious as it is effective, Relive Health offers the perfect destination: a place where science meets sophistication and where every visit brings the promise of renewed energy, confidence, and longevity.

    Relive Health Coral Gables is located at 1430 Madruga Avenue. To learn more, visit relivehealth.com/coral-gables-fl.

    (305) 280-9496
    1430 S Dixie Hwy STE 103, Coral Gables, FL 33146

    SOURCE: RELIVE HEALTH CORAL GABLES

    View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

  • In Stock Today Cabinets Launches IST Loyalty Rewards Program for Construction Professionals Amid Labor Shortage Crisis

    In Stock Today Cabinets Launches IST Loyalty Rewards Program for Construction Professionals Amid Labor Shortage Crisis

    Fairfax, VA – December 19, 2025 – PRESSADVANTAGE –

    In Stock Today Cabinets has introduced a strategic margin-protection initiative designed to help contractors, dealers, and builders navigate the dual challenges of surging renovation demand and severe workforce shortages affecting the construction industry.

    The IST Loyalty Rewards Program provides automatic rebates of $100 for every $5,000 in purchases, delivering a 2% margin recovery that directly addresses rising operational costs. The program launch comes as Northern Virginia experiences a 42.2% year-over-year increase in active housing listings according to the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors October 2025 Market Report, creating unprecedented renovation opportunities for local builders.

    ist cabinets loyalty program

    With the median sold price in Fairfax County holding steady at $745,000 based on NVAR data, homeowners are increasingly choosing to renovate rather than relocate, driving demand for high-end kitchen and bath remodels. This surge in renovation projects coincides with critical labor challenges, as the Associated Builders and Contractors reports the industry needs to attract over 439,000 new workers in 2025 to meet demand.
    As ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu noted regarding recent forecasts, ‘The industry still must attract hundreds of thousands of new workers to balance demand and supply,’ underscoring the urgency for efficiency in procurement.

    “The construction industry faces a perfect storm of opportunity and challenge,” said Emin Halac, President of IST Cabinets. “While renovation demand has never been stronger, the labor shortage forces contractors to find efficiency gains wherever possible. Our wholesale cabinets rewards program provides immediate margin relief while streamlining the procurement process through same-day pickup at our showrooms.”

    The program operates through automatic point tracking, with participants earning 2 points for every dollar spent on wholesale cabinets and other products. Once customers accumulate 10,000 points, they automatically receive a $100 discount applied directly to future orders. The system tracks rewards via phone or email, requiring no membership fees or complex registration processes.

    Available immediately at all In Stock Today Cabinets locations including Alexandria, Fairfax, Columbia, Houston, and Delaware, the kitchen cabinets rewards program extends across the company’s full inventory of Fabuwood and FIBO cabinetry lines. Participants can select from popular styles such as Shaker Blue, Shaker Grey, Shaker White, and collections including Allure, Quest, and Value Premium. Please note: The IST Loyalty Rewards Program excludes the Fabuwood Illume and Ovela series.

    The timing of this initiative reflects broader market dynamics affecting the construction sector. As contractors face the dual pressure of meeting increased demand while managing workforce constraints, efficiency tools become essential for maintaining profitability. The ability to access ready-to-ship cabinets with same-day pickup at local showrooms addresses the time constraints that labor shortages create.

    In Stock Today Cabinets specializes in providing all-plywood kitchen and bathroom cabinetry solutions for construction professionals throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond. As an authorized distributor for Fabuwood and FIBO brands, the company maintains extensive in-stock inventory across multiple showroom locations, offering both ready-to-assemble and pre-assembled cabinet options. The company provides comprehensive design consultation services, detailed project quotes, and specialized contractor pricing to support construction professionals in delivering quality renovation projects efficiently.

    ###

    For more information about In Stock Today Cabinets , contact the company here:

    In Stock Today Cabinets (IST Cabinets)
    Emin Halac
    (703) 972-4030
    info@istcabinets.com
    2817 Dorr Ave Unit B, Fairfax, VA 22031

  • SAP Logistics Management: SCM Champs Ready for 2026 Launch

    SCM Champs Positions Enterprises for Early Adoption of SAP Logistics Management Ahead of 2026 Launch

    WILMINGTON, DE, UNITED STATES, January 5, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — SCM Champs today announced its strategic readiness to support enterprises preparing for the launch of SAP Logistics Management, scheduled for February–March 2026. As logistics performance increasingly influences revenue, customer experience, and working capital, the upcoming module marks a meaningful shift in how SAP customers modernize logistics execution and visibility.

    Enterprises are under sustained pressure to reduce logistics costs, improve delivery reliability, and gain real-time operational insight yet many continue to operate across fragmented systems and disconnected processes. SAP Logistics Management is designed to help organizations address these challenges by enabling tighter integration, real-time coordination, and more intelligent logistics operations within SAP S/4HANA environments.

    Logistics Has Become a Board Level Priority

    Logistics is no longer a purely operational concern. Volatile transportation costs, service-level expectations, and supply chain disruptions have elevated logistics to the executive agenda. For SAP-centric organizations, the challenge is not whether to modernize logistics but how to do so without introducing risk, instability, or integration complexity.

    SAP Logistics Management aligns with this need by strengthening orchestration across planning, execution, and analytics, allowing leadership teams to make faster, better informed decisions while maintaining governance and control.

    Designed for the SAP Enterprise Landscape

    The new module aligns closely with the broader SAP supply chain roadmap, reinforcing a unified data model and real-time processing across SAP S/4HANA landscapes. For enterprises, this means advancing logistics capabilities without adding parallel platforms or compromising system integrity.
    However, successful early adoption requires more than technical enablement. It demands architectural clarity, disciplined integration planning, and experience navigating the practical realities of first-wave implementations.

    Why Enterprises Engage SCM Champs

    SCM Champs brings more than seven years of focused experience delivering SAP logistics and supply chain solutions across complex, global environments. The firm has supported over 12 large scale SAP supply chain rollouts worldwide, refining deployment frameworks specifically designed for enterprise logistics transformation.
    What distinguishes SCM Champs is execution depth combined with early-adoption readiness:
    • Proven SAP logistics deployment frameworks refined across global implementations
    • Deep understanding of SAP supply chain interdependencies and integration patterns
    • Hands-on experience supporting early adoption phases of emerging SAP capabilities
    • A governance-led delivery approach focused on predictability, stability, and measurable outcomes

    This combination enables enterprises to adopt SAP Logistics Management with confidence—reducing uncertainty while accelerating time to value.

    A Measured Approach to Early Adoption Risk

    Introducing a new SAP module at launch carries inherent risk: integration challenges, organizational readiness gaps, and potential disruption to live operations. SCM Champs addresses these concerns by emphasizing clarity before configuration.

    Through readiness assessments, architecture validation, phased rollout planning, and structured stabilization, SCM Champs ensures that adoption remains intentional, controlled, and aligned with executive priorities not driven by technology momentum alone.
    Early adoption succeeds when it is deliberate, not rushed,” said Prabhjot Singh, CEO of SCM CHAMPS “Our role is to help organizations prepare with confidence—aligning architecture, governance, and execution so that when SAP Logistics Management goes live, it delivers value without introducing avoidable risk.”

    Aligning Logistics Modernization With Long-Term Strategy

    SCM Champs works with leadership teams to position SAP Logistics Management as a foundational capability within a broader SAP supply chain strategy. This includes ensuring alignment with future objectives such as advanced analytics, intelligent automation, and scalable global operations.
    By connecting logistics modernization directly to business outcomes, SCM Champs helps enterprises ensure that early adoption delivers sustained strategic value—not just functional improvement.

    Preparing Now for a 2026 Advantage

    With the SAP Logistics Management launch approaching in early 2026, forward-looking organizations are beginning readiness planning now to gain clarity on architecture, integration, and adoption strategy.

    Enterprises are invited to schedule a confidential SAP Logistics Readiness Consultation and receive SCM Champs’ SAP Logistics Management Early-Adopter Readiness Scorecard a structured assessment designed to evaluate preparedness, identify risks, and outline next steps ahead of launch.

    About SCM Champs

    SCM Champs is a U.S.-based SAP supply chain consulting firm headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware. SCM Champs specializes in SAP logistics and supply chain solutions, supporting enterprises globally with SAP strategy, implementation, and optimization initiatives.

    info@scmchamps.com
    Prabhjot Singh
    SCM CHAMPS
    Visit us on social media:
    LinkedIn
    YouTube

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  • SideBar: Optimism in Action Welcomes Fellow Optimist Bill Burke, Founder of The Optimism Institute

    SideBar: Optimism in Action podcast welcomes Bill Burke, founder of The Optimism Institute and host of Blue Sky podcast.

    There’s never been a better time to be alive, but there’s never been a harder time to be optimistic.”
    — Bill Burke, Founder of The Optimism Institute

    MONTEREY, CA, UNITED STATES, January 5, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — SideBar: Optimism in Action podcast, a collaboration of KAZU/NPR 90.3 and Monterey College of Law, welcomes Bill Burke, founder of The Optimism Institute and host of Blue Sky podcast. Burke transitioned to promoting optimism in 2022 after an extensive media and sports career as an executive, writer, and producer. Burke previously served as CEO of The Weather Channel Companies after several years at Time Warner/Turner Broadcasting System, where he was the founding general manager of Turner Classic Movies before going on to become president of TBS Superstation. Additionally, for fifteen years he was the co-owner and chairman of the Portland Sea Dogs, the double-A Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.

    As a writer, Bill co-authored Ted Turner’s top-10 New York Times Best-Selling autobiography, Call Me Ted, and later co-wrote/produced/directed “Live Another Day,” an award-winning feature-length documentary on the bailout of the U.S. auto industry.

    Bill is a lifelong optimist and launched The Optimism Institute with a mission to inspire people with an optimistic, hopeful vision of the world and its future. A former Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellow, Bill is a frequent speaker on leadership and the power of optimism to transform individuals, teams, and organizations. For more information on The Optimism Institute, go to https://www.theoptimisminstitute.com.

    —
    KAZU 90.3 radio and SideBarMedia are excited to collaborate to add SideBar: Optimism in Action podcast to KAZU’s digital programming on the station’s website (www.kazu.org/sidebar). KAZU is the NPR affiliate station for Monterey, Salinas, and Santa Cruz. The SideBar: Optimism in Action podcast – sponsored by Monterey College of Law, a long-standing nonprofit sponsor of KAZU 90.3 radio – has become the first non-newscast, locally produced podcast featured on the KAZU website and mobile application.

    SideBar: Optimism in Action is cohosted by former law deans Mitch Winick and Jackie Gardina, produced by David Eakin, a local theater composer, media consultant, and podcast producer, and promoted by Dena Dowsett, social media specialist. “The podcast features nonprofit leaders, advocates, and community members who represent extraordinary work that is improving the humanitarian, public policy, and charitable needs of our local, national, and global communities,” explained Winick. “Our focus this season is on the amazing individuals who are pursuing positive change during challenging times,” said Gardina.

    New episodes of SideBar: Optimism in Action are published on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at www.kazu.org/sidebar. To learn more about law dean cohosts Jackie Gardina and Mitch Winick, read our blog, and to preview and listen to more than 70 previous episodes, go to SideBarMedia at www.sidebarmedia.org.

    Mitchel Winick
    SideBar Media
    +1 831-241-8999
    email us here

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  • OurBus Launches Car-Free Ski Service From New York City to Catskills and Poconos Resorts

    New routes connect New York City directly to Windham, Hunter, Belleayre, and Camelback, with round-trip fares priced at $69, before fees.

    New Yorkers don’t want to deal with traffic or parking, but they still want a quick escape to the mountains. These routes make it easy to focus on the experience, not the logistics.”
    — Axel Hellman, co-founder of OurBus

    NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, January 5, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — OurBus, the intercity transportation platform connecting more than 300 destinations nationwide, announced today the launch of seasonal, car-free winter service to four major ski destinations, offering travelers a convenient and affordable way to reach the slopes without driving this season.

    The new winter routes connect New York City directly to Windham Mountain, Hunter Mountain, Belleayre Mountain, and Camelback Mountain, providing a simple, one-seat trip from the city to the slopes during peak ski weekends, with $69 round-trip fares before fees.

    Service to Camelback Mountain operates daily, while routes to Windham, Hunter, and Belleayre operate on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

    All routes are operated using premium motorcoach buses, with ample luggage space for skis and snowboards, allowing travelers to bring their gear with ease. Together with OurBus’ thoughtful amenities — including free wi-fi and water, live GPS tracking, charging ports, onboard restrooms, and 24/7 rider support — travelers can relax and enjoy a smoother, more comfortable ride to the mountains.

    Three of the destinations — Windham, Hunter, and Belleayre — are offered through a sales partnership with Urban Sherpa, an established ski travel operator specializing in group transportation to Catskills resorts. The partnership expands access to popular mountains while providing travelers with more predictable and coordinated winter travel options.

    “A lot of New Yorkers don’t want to deal with traffic or parking when heading out of the city for the weekend, but they still want a quick escape to the mountains,” said Axel Hellman, co-founder of OurBus. “With a snowier winter expected, these routes make it easier to get to the slopes without a car and focus on the experience, not the logistics.”

    The seasonal ski service is designed for day trips and weekend travel, with schedules timed to maximize time on the slopes. Travelers board in Manhattan and arrive directly at the resort, making winter mountain trips simpler and more accessible.

    The winter ski routes are now available for booking at ourbus.com and through the OurBus app.

    ABOUT OURBUS
    Founded in 2016, OurBus partners with local and family-run bus operators to connect more than 300 destinations nationwide, using technology and traveler feedback to make intercity travel smarter, more comfortable, and more sustainable. By combining innovation with community roots, OurBus makes bus travel not just an option — but a preferred choice for travelers across America.

    Samuel Chan
    OurBus, Inc.
    samuel.chan@ourbus.com

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  • The North South Chamber Orchestra Celebrates the New Year on Monday evening January 12 in New York City

    The free admission concert features new music by MunirBeken, Harry Bulow, Andrea Clearfield and Max Lifchitz

    Organizing the concert is Max Lifchitz, the Mexican-born composer, pianist and entrepreneur with one of the keenest senses anywhere for what belongs with what on a program.”
    — Times Union

    NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, January 5, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The North/South Chamber Orchestra will celebrate the New Year with a free-admission concert on Monday evening, January 12, featuring recent compositions by Munir Beken, Harry Bulow, Andrea Clearfield, and Max Lifchitz.

    The event will begin at 7:00 PM and is expected to conclude around 8:30 PM.

    It will take place at the welcoming and acoustically superior Christ & St. Stephen’s Church, located at 129 West 69th Street, New York, NY.

    No tickets or reservations are required; admission is on a first-come, first-served basis.

    ABOUT THE COMPOSERS AND THEIR MUSIC

    Munir Beken is a faculty member at the Herb Alpert School of Music in Los Angeles. He is a founding member of the State Turkish Music Ensemble in Istanbul and a leading ud soloist, performing concerts throughout the United States. Beken’s Bachianas Turcas merges Turkish modal music (makam) with Bach’s contrapuntal style. The composer beautifully imagines what the German Baroque genius would have created had he been born and lived in 18th-century Turkey, blending cultures in an inspiring way.

    Harry Bulow, a composer and saxophonist, has received grants and awards from organizations including the National Endowment for the Arts, ASCAP, and the Trieste International Composers Competition in Italy. He is currently a professor at Purdue University and studied under renowned figures Aaron Copland and Henry Lazarof at the University of California, Los Angeles. Bulow’s Chaconne for Strings is a contemplative piece built around an eight-measure harmonic progression in ternary time. Like the well-known Baroque Chaconne, this work showcases lyrical melodic figures that lend it a free-flowing quality, interspersed with clear points of resolution. The opening theme recurs at the end of the piece.

    Andrea Clearfield is an award-winning American composer known for her work in opera, orchestral music, choral arrangements, chamber ensembles, dance, and multimedia collaborations. The New York Times has praised her for her “graceful tracery and lively, rhythmically vital writing.” The Philadelphia Inquirer has highlighted her “compositional wizardry,” “mastery with large choral and instrumental forces,” and “stunning premieres.” Opera News has described her work as “vivid and galvanizing,” while the L.A. Times has commended her for her “fluid and glistening orchestration.” Clearfield’s “If Each Day Falls Inside Each Night” was inspired by a poem and a work of art that deeply resonated with her. Both explore the idea of retrieving and reaching for points of light from a place of darkness. The poem, from which the work takes its name, is by the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. In it, Neruda describes a well, formed by the descent of day into the embrace of night. He encourages us to sit at the edge of this well of darkness, where clarity is trapped, and to fish for the fallen light patiently. In 2020, Mia Bosna created evocative artwork titled “Reaching Through” that complements this theme. The composer states that as she was writing this piece, she “felt a deep, almost aching compassion for humanity and this world– and always the possibility of light.”

    Max Lifchitz is the founder and director of the North/South Chamber Orchestra. He has performed as a pianist on concert stages across Europe and the Americas. His compositions and performances are available on most streaming platforms. Lifchitz’s Brightness Aloft features variations on “Xicochi Conetzintle,” a lilting lullaby dedicated to Jesus Christ, which was composed by Gaspar Fernández in 17th-century Mexico. The work’s background includes a walking double bass line that evokes the role typically played by the vihuela (or guitar) in Renaissance and Baroque music. The music aims to convey uplifting feelings of rebirth and renewal, inspired by the gradual increase in daylight that inevitably follows the arrival of spring.

    Active since 1980, North/South Consonance, Inc. is devoted to the promotion of music by composers from the Americas and the world. Its activities are made possible, in part, with public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, as well as grants from the Music Performance Fund, the Zethus Fund, the BMI Foundation, and the generosity of numerous individual donors.

    For further programming information, please visit the North/South Consonance website @ https://www.northsouthmusic.org/

    North South Consonance
    North/South Consonance, Inc
    nsinfo@northsouthmusic.org
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    Brightness Aloft

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  • Survivors of Abuse NY Expands Focus on Legal Options for Teacher-Student Sexual Abuse Cases

    Survivors of Abuse NY Expands Focus on Legal Options for Teacher-Student Sexual Abuse Cases

    NEW YORK, NY – December 19, 2025 – PRESSADVANTAGE –

    Survivors of Abuse NY has announced an expanded educational initiative addressing the legal avenues available to survivors of sexual abuse in school settings across New York. The effort, led by partner Thomas Guiffra, Esq., emphasizes awareness of the civil remedies available to individuals affected by teacher-student misconduct and the obligations of educational institutions under state law.

    “Schools have a fundamental duty to protect students from harm,” said Thomas Guiffra, Esq., partner at Survivors of Abuse NY. “By providing clear information about survivors’ rights and the civil processes available, we aim to ensure that accountability remains a priority within educational environments.”

    teachere student sexual abuse law firm in NY

    The initiative builds on the organization’s experience representing survivors in cases involving abuse by educators, administrators, and school employees. Teacher-student abuse cases often raise issues concerning institutional negligence, such as failure to supervise, report, or act on warning signs. Civil claims can involve both individual perpetrators and the school districts or private institutions responsible for oversight. Survivors of Abuse NY’s outreach materials explain how courts evaluate factors such as prior complaints, hiring practices, and compliance with mandated reporting laws.

    In New York, legislative measures including the Child Victims Act and the Adult Survivors Act have expanded opportunities for individuals to file civil claims for sexual abuse that occurred in educational contexts. These laws have opened temporary “lookback windows,” allowing survivors to bring claims regardless of when the abuse occurred. The expanded timeframe has prompted renewed attention to historical cases involving teacher misconduct and to the systemic failures that allowed such abuse to persist.

    The firm’s educational resources outline the procedural stages of civil litigation, from initial investigation through discovery and potential resolution. These materials are designed to clarify the evidentiary standards applied in teacher-student abuse cases and the types of damages that may be available. By presenting this information in accessible terms, Survivors of Abuse NY aims to help survivors make informed decisions about whether to pursue legal action.

    School-related abuse cases frequently involve complex questions of policy and institutional responsibility. Civil suits may examine whether schools implemented adequate safeguards such as background checks, staff training, or internal reporting protocols. When such systems fail, litigation can lead to broader reforms intended to improve student protection. Survivors of Abuse NY emphasizes that civil proceedings not only seek individual justice but can also play a role in advancing structural change within the education system.

    Many survivors face significant emotional and psychological barriers to reporting teacher misconduct, often due to power imbalances, fear of retaliation, or institutional pressure. Survivors of Abuse NY employs a trauma-informed approach, ensuring that survivors retain control over decisions about participation in legal proceedings. This model integrates sensitivity with procedural transparency, allowing survivors to understand both the potential outcomes and the limitations of civil action.

    The broader public discussion about abuse in educational institutions continues to evolve as advocacy organizations, lawmakers, and legal professionals work to strengthen accountability measures. Survivors of Abuse NY contributes to this effort through community outreach, educational programming, and participation in discussions about policy reform. The organization’s attorneys provide insights into the civil justice mechanisms available for survivors, emphasizing both the individual and systemic importance of pursuing claims when warranted.

    Established to serve individuals impacted by professional and institutional abuse, Survivors of Abuse NY provides information and resources related to civil litigation for sexual abuse cases throughout the state. The organization continues to develop materials that explain relevant statutes, limitation periods, and procedural requirements for survivors seeking legal recourse in school environments.

    For more information, visit Survivors of Abuse NY to learn more about available educational materials on civil remedies for abuse survivors.

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    For more information about Thomas Giuffra, Esq. – The Abuse Lawyer NY, contact the company here:

    Thomas Giuffra, Esq. – The Abuse Lawyer NY
    Thomas Giuffra, Esq.
    (646) 413-6394
    thomas@survivorsofabuseny.com
    551 5th Avenue, 29th Floor
    New York, NY 10017