Sens. Lee, Klobuchar Announce Hearing on Digital Platform Mergers
WASHINGTON – Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, will hold a subcommittee hearing September 24th examining concerns relating to acquisitions of nascent or potential competitors by digital platforms.
“Acquisitions of nascent or potential competitors by dominant digital platforms can be pro-competitive, but they also run the risk of eliminating the very competition that may challenge the incumbent firm’s leading position in the future,” Sen. Lee said.
“We are holding this hearing to gain a better understanding of the various concerns raised by these transactions and to examine how the antitrust agencies analyze such mergers. In addition to the hearing, the Subcommittee also is interested in soliciting input from policy analysts, market participants, and other stakeholders on whether legislative action relating to such mergers is needed to ensure digital markets remain competitive,” Sen. Lee finished.
“This is an important hearing. In recent years we have seen a record number of mergers that have raised serious competition issues,” Sen. Klobuchar said. “Big technology companies have become some of the most powerful organizations in the world. They face little competition and there are numerous examples of the companies purchasing startup competitors in various lines of business. These companies’ practices can limit options for consumers, distort prices, and stifle innovation. With virtually no meaningful pushback from our government, these companies have reshaped the meaning of American privacy, the purchasing of goods and services, and the workings of our elections and our democracy.”
“To respond to these concerns I have continually advocated for (1) changes to our laws; (2) aggressive enforcement of the laws on the books; and (3) adequate funding for the FTC and DOJ antitrust division. I will be asking questions about the effects of tech company mergers on competition and steps to address these problems,” Klobuchar finished.
The hearing, along with the oversight hearing on September 17th with representatives from the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice Antitrust Division, will explore issues relating to competition in technology markets and the antitrust agencies’ efforts to root out anticompetitive conduct.
An online version of this release can be found here.
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The free ADHD expert webinar scheduled for today, "Reset Your Schedule for School: How to Create a Calmer, Happier, Easier Routine," with Caroline Maguire, ACCG, PCC, M.Ed., has been CANCELLED.
Regretfully, we have not been able to resolve the technical difficulties we experienced on this webinar's original broadcast date last week. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. We hope to reschedule this presenter for another date, and will send an email when that has been determined.
If you would like to view the slides prepared for this webinar, you may download them here.
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INFORMATION/PHOTOS:
Beth Renfro, bethr@carefree.org, 480-488-3686
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FIFTH ANNUAL ENCHANTED PUMPKIN GARDEN
RETURNS TO THE CAREFREE DESERT GARDENS
OCTOBER 18–27, 2019
Town of Carefree Hosts Master Sculptor Ray Villafane,
Live Carving Demonstrations and Magical Halloween Festivities
CAREFREE Ariz. – Halloween once again invades the Town of Carefree in the form of whimsical pumpkin carvings from master sculptor Ray Villafane and the Villafane Studios team for a fifth incredible year. The Enchanted Pumpkin Garden, a one-of-a-kind fall festival celebrating the magic of the season, takes place October 18–27, with the amazing artistry of Villafane Studios on display throughout the four-acre Carefree Desert Gardens in downtown Carefree.
Admission to the Gardens will be $15 per person Friday–Sunday, and $10 Monday–Thursday. Children two and under are free. Weekdays will feature the exceptionally talented Villafane Studios carving team creating new and exciting pumpkin artworks, a variety of unique fall-themed edible creations and merchandise, and special Halloween-themed performances throughout the gardens. Weekend entry includes full access to the Gardens, a Harvest Market, live musical performances on two stages, novelty concessions and local food trucks, as well as admission to the Haunted Happenings zone, including a haunted house attraction, giant slide, obstacle course, carnival games, petting zoo, pony rides and more!
New in 2019 is a partnership with the Arizona Giant Pumpkin Growers Association to host an official Great Pumpkin Commonwealth (GPC) Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 11 a.m. The best giant gourd growers in the Southwest will be bringing their obscenely large, fascinating, ginormous orange orbs to town, in hopes of squashing the giant pumpkin world record! All of the pumpkins entered in the contest will remain on-site, with Villafane’s team of carvers working their artistry on the gourds live throughout the garden during the remaining days of the event. The Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off is free to attend, and will be held on the Community Stage, just outside of Historic Spanish Village in downtown Carefree.
Friday and Saturday nights will feature live headline entertainment each evening from 7–9:30 p.m. on the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion stage. Valley favorites The Walkens Band brings their unique blend of country and Southern rock favorites on Friday, Oct. 18. Phoenix native and American Idol season 17 favorite Wade Cota performs with his band on Saturday, Oct. 19. The second weekend kicks off on Friday, Oct. 25 with Rock Lobster playing the biggest music hits of the ’80s and ’90s. The ultimate Steve Miller tribute band, Pompatus of Love rocks the stage on Saturday, Oct. 26, featuring Steve Miller Band and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarist Greg Douglass.
Additional weekend event highlights include: Basha’s “Adopt a Pumpkin” patch, with proceeds benefiting Desert Foothills YMCA; a Harvest Market, featuring a variety of fall-themed vendor goods and autumnal treats; the Jack O’Lantern beer garden with seasonal craft beers provided by Four Peaks Brewery, operated by the Sonoran Arts League; and the Haunted Happenings area, with family-friendly attractions for kids of all ages. Popular holiday-themed activities include pie-eating contests both weekends, sponsored by Venues Café; and costume contests for kids, adults and pets on Sunday, Oct. 27. Other special events will round out the week.
For hours of operation, event schedules and more information about this annual Halloween attraction, visit EnchantedPumpkinGarden.com or call 480-488-3686.
For information about Ray Villafane and Villafane Studios, visit VillafaneStudios.com.
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BEARINGS
RELEASE TWO NEW SONGS
"SO DAMN WRONG" & "I FEEL IT ALL"
CHECK OUT THE OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO FOR
PHOTO CREDIT: TYLER BROWN
NORTH AMERICAN FALL w/ GRAYSCALE TOUR
KICKS OFF TONIGHT IN ASBURY PARK, NJ
SEPTEMBER 3, 2019 - OTTAWA, CANADA - Ahead of their upcoming North American fall tour supporting Greyscale, Bearings have released two brand new songs today. Fans can now find and stream "So Damn Wrong" and "I Feel It All" on their preferred service for music. The band also released an official music video for "So Damn Wrong", which can be seen here now on the official Pure Noise Records YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/hKYWVR1oJ5g
Speaking to "I Feel It All", singer Dougie Cousins says, "Some songs happen so naturally it's together and formed before you really have a chance to think about it, sometimes life can be the same way. We're so excited we were able to piece these together and get them out for our fans and ourselves before setting off on our first US tour in a good while. I'm so incredibly proud of these songs - they're an accidentally on purpose stumble into a sound that we love."
On "So Damn Wrong" he explains, "So Damn Wrong was kind of intended to be a tongue and cheek take on one of my favorite videos "93 'til infinity". It's funny how some songs just come together. A solid change of surroundings helped focus on getting the sounds and words we felt we were right."
The songs out today are the first new releases since the band's 2018 LP 'Blue in the Dark' - an album that highlighted Bearings skillful songwriting and emotive storytelling. 'Blue In The Dark' is available everywhere now.
Tonight, September 3, the band will kick off a massive North American tour in College Park, Maryland with Greyscale, Belmont and Rich People. Tickets for the 'Nella Vita' tour are on sale now and can be grabbed over at http://www.bearingsband.com. A full list of cities the tour will hit can be found below.
Bearings Tour Dates
The Nella Vita Tour' Greyscale, Belmont, Rich People
September 3 - Asbury Park, NJ - House of Independents
September 4 - College Park, MD - Milkboy Arthouse
September 5 - Richmond, VA - Richmond Music Hall
September 6 - Durham, NC - Sophomore Slump Fest
September 7 - Orlando, FL - Soundbar
September 8 - Atlanta, GA - Hell at the Masquerade
September 10 - Austin, TX - The Barracuda
September 11 - Dallas, TX - Club Dada
September 13 - Scottsdale, AZ - Pub Rock Live
September 14 - West Hollywood, CA - The Roxy Theatre
September 15 - San Diego, CA - Voodoo Room at House of Blues
September 17 - Anaheim, CA - Chain Reaction
September 18 - San Francisco, CA - Bottom of the Hill
September 20 - Portland, OR - Paris Theatre
September 21 - Seattle, WA - Chop Suey *early show
September 23 - Salt Lake City, UT - Kilby Court
September 24 - Denver, CO - Marquis Theater
September 25 - Kansas City, MO - The Rino
September 27 - Burnsville, MN - The Garage
September 28 - Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge
September 29 - Detroit, MI - The Shelter
September 30 - Lakewood, OH - Mahall's
October 2- Allston, MA - Brighton Music Hall
October 3 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theatre
October 4 - Hartford, CT - Webster Underground
October 5 - Philadelphia, PA - Theater of Living Arts
Stay updated on Bearings
Website: www.bearingsband.com
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/32oJvlV
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bearingsisaband
Twitter: www.twitter.com/bearingsband
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bearingsband
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Plus: Creative Spotlight, Van Sessions & More...
Gene Chambers Studio-66
“Hot Rods are my passion, but the graphic arts are my craft,” says Utah painter Gene Chambers, whose current work is inspired by the custom car culture of the 1950s and 60s. Chambers paints hot rods and roadsters with a smooth and illustrative feel, a style that evolved from his background in graphic design, advertising and sign painting. His cleanly structured and hyper realistic paintings reveal rusted Chevys, reflective Corvettes and close-up views of old car parts or used tools.
Preview Menu Concepts by WBs
at the next
Ogden Twilight Pre-Concert Celebration
September 5th, 4-7pm
(only a few Twilight events left!)
WBs will preview selections from their future cocktail menu made with Seedlip non-alcoholic distilled spirits along with complimentary small bites at our next Ogden Twilight Pre-Concert Celebration on September 5th. You'll also enjoy art by Monarch creatives, Indie Ogden magazine release, music from the Banyan Collective's #TanVan, and more!
Food and NA drink is provided with your $5 entry donation to O1ARTS.
Start your Twilight night with us and you could win VIP tickets to the night's show with access to the exclusive sponsor lounge.
Van Sessions
The Banyan Collective
September 6th, 7-9pm
7pm – Christian Scheller
8pm – The Heavy Bucket Band
Van Sessions is a LIVE performance podcast featuring musicians inside or just outside (large bands) Banyan's portable podcast studio, #TanVan. Each podcast features a 4-song semi-acoustic set with intermingled conversation.
Nine Rails Creative District
Episode 17 of the Nine Rails Arts Podcast takes you behind the studio curtain with The Proper Way’s Shane Osguthorpe, Scott Rogers and Carrie Myers and The Banyan Collective’s Todd Oberndorfer and R Brandon Long. Join us for an uncensored session of back-and-forth questions, confessions and music in The Proper Way’s Old Post Office studio.
Special cam-eo appearance by visual storyteller and photographer, Cam McLeod! This episode sponsored by Union Creative Agency. Photos by Cam McLeod.Don't miss an episode of The Banyan Collective’s Nine Rails Arts Podcast, as hosts Todd Oberndorfer & R Brandon Long explore what it means to be an Adventurous Creative! Hear the stories of Ogden’s new Nine Rails Creative District, including those of the district’s epicenter & home to artisans, designers & creatives, The Monarch!
More at The Monarch...
Join us for our first Craft Lake City workshop on September 19th! This hands-on class will be taught by artisan Sarah Beth Timmons, who became enamored with lettering and calligraphy when learning cursive in second grade. Today she creates prints and embroidered pieces that showcase her talent, humor and wit. In this Craft Lake City workshop, participants will learn how to use simple writing utensils to draw letters, and then make their very own hand lettered envelopes and cards to share with friends or family.
IT'S HAPPENING:
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR OUR OPENING EVENTS!
First Friday Studio Stroll
October 4th, 6-10pm
Our creative studios will be officially occupied and open for October's First Friday Art Stroll. Get to know our creative members and experience their work including painting, photography, sculpture, stained glass, letterpress printing and more.
GRAND OPENING
NOVEMBER 1ST
Finally! Join us for an exciting Grand Opening celebration with our Creative Studio members, WBs Eatery, Art Box and a special art installation presented by O1ARTS.
More details coming soon!
Check back here.
