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Aramtec Adopts RISE with SAP and S/4HANA to Accelerate Digital Transformation

One of the longest-established foodservice businesses in Dubai, Arabian American Technologies Co. (Aramtec), is reportedly adopting RISE with SAP and S/4HANA.

The company has curated a year-long strategy—Project Phoenix—as part of its effort to facilitate the implementation of RISE with SAP and S/4HANA and transform it into a fully SAP-powered Intelligent Enterprise, according to Intelligent CIO.

RISE with SAP and S/4HANA

For SAP enterprises operating their SAP workloads on the cloud or on-premise, RISE with SAP helps streamline business processes for workflow efficiency while unifying cost and business goals with the OPEX-based cost model.

Enabling businesses to use a range of SAP tools, RISE with SAP expands the value SAP delivers beyond ERP functionality to holistic business value.

On the other hand, S/4HANA allows SAP enterprises to shift and modernise to the cloud and leverage the in-memory database technology. 

That being said, SAP S/4HANA is not competitive with or separate from RISE with SAP—it’s one of the six primary offerings included in RISE’s bundled solutions.

For companies looking to accelerate business agility and digital transformation, adopting RISE with SAP or S/4HANA is a sensible decision. 

On top of that, with SAP ECC mainstream support phasing out in 2027, enterprises are quickly migrating to SAP S/4HANA. 

Even though these technologies help drive business value, assimilating new systems requires enterprises to invest in SAP consulting services like Protera. With operational support and strategic guidance, SAP consulting services help SAP-focused companies make the most of their investment.

Aramtec’s Move to SAP

The increasing need for improved visibility, scalability, and control over supply chain operations is pushing enterprises toward cloud deployments. As part of its effort to become digitally empowered and transform into a cloud-based company, Aramtec has decided to leverage the innovative systems offered by the leading multinational software company SAP SE. 

The company hopes SAP’s experience in the food industry and supply chain management will help automate and enhance its end-to-end processes of delivering food services to airlines, hotels, restaurants, and various commercial F&B outlets. 

“Our objective is to capitalise on the digitisation and automation benefits of technology to run our business more smoothly and to optimise our productivity and efficiency. We are set to achieve greater visibility and control over all areas of Aramtec’s operations as well as our complex supply chain and distribution network, as we have more than 2000 stock-keeping units, SKUs distributed to thousands of customers,” stated Edgard Chalhoub, General Manager of Aramtec. “Ultimately, Aramtec will have the capacity to respond quickly to our customers’ needs and changes in the supply chain environment.”

Zakaria Haltout, Managing Director of SAP UAE, went on to say, “The commitment Aramtec has made to becoming an SAP-designated Intelligent Enterprise means it is aligned with regional digital transformation plans while enhancing the services it delivers to existing and new-market customers. By leveraging SAP’s cloud-based S, 4HANA, Aramtec will benefit from the latest SAP technologies and updates. It will enjoy precise stock control and record keeping, 360-degree views of all operations, automation of business processes, reduced total cost of ownership, and the ability to manage business change and scale operations rapidly.”

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Building & Construction Energy & Environment Finance Stock Market News World

Intrakat’s successful €100 million share capital increase

Intrakat’s vice-president and managing director talks to Vima about the next day for the group, following its successful €100 million share capital increase. He announces acquisitions, dynamic activities in renewable energy and does not neglect to mention large projects such as the concession of the Attica Road.

Mr. Exarchou also emphasizes the excellent relationship that exists among Intrakat’s main shareholders, noting that “it is the strongest card for the company’s course”.

Mr. Exarchou, you took the helm of Intrakat at a difficult time for the construction company. What was the (listed) company’s image when Winex went public?

  • “Intrakat has always been a company with significant growth potential and great know-how and experience in the construction industry. Our decision to invest was based on the company’s track record and the prospects we saw for it with the right strategy and support. Indeed, when we joined the company as a major shareholder, it was a period where Intrakat was falling short of its targets and its operating results had been compressed. Let’s not forget that the significant price increases in raw materials and energy, as well as, the cost of accelerating projects that had been delayed during the pandemic, affected the group’s results, as well as the industry in general. As a new shareholder and new management, we made a quick decision and swiftly implemented a comprehensive operational and management restructuring plan, which unlocked the value that the company had inside and gave it the breath, support and strategic direction it needed, in order to advance dynamically”.

The increase of 100 million euros in the share capital was successfully completed, since it was approved by the General Assembly of Shareholders. Where will the raised funds be allocated?

  • “We are particularly satisfied with the successful increase of the share capital by 100 million euros and for the trust and support of our shareholders. We carried out one of the largest IPOs that have been done in recent years and not only in this particular industry, and I warmly thank -once again- all the shareholders who participated in our development plan. We are building a new Intrakat, which is extroverted in its investments and competitive in modern terms in all areas of its activity. We want to build a strong foundation at Intrakat, and that’s what we’re doing now, relying on our own engineers (we’re already hiring), our own machinery and know-how, and less on subcontractors, which are certainly important, but they have to play a supporting role. The relationship among the shareholders is an essential component of the company’s progress and it is certainly one of Intrakat’s strengths – the excellent relations between the main shareholders. As the new main shareholder and new management, we have envisioned Intrakat as a leading group in SE Europe and this is the strategic goal that we support and serve. Now, following the share capital increase, the company has more than 140 million in equity and proportionately very little debt, which allows it to access financing, should it be required, in order to participate in large infrastructure development projects. Very soon you will hear from us on the acquisition front, as we evaluate investment opportunities in construction – infrastructure, in RES, in PPPs and concessions, but also in the sectors of waste management and real estate, which we have entered dynamically. Of the 100 million euros of the increase, we estimate that 50 million will be invested in acquisitions, while the rest will be used as working capital.”

One of the sectors which Intrakat attaches special importance to, is the ‘Renewable Energy Sources’ sector. You have announced the preparation of a bond issue of 120 million euros. How is this process going?

  • “RES already play an important role in energy self-sufficiency, as well as in sustainable development. We see this as an area where Intrakat can grow strategically and create a strong footprint with stable cash flows, both in clean energy generation and storage, and is -therefore- our investment priority. We already have a portfolio of 1.8GW (1,000MW wind farms and 800MW solar) and 0.7GW electricity storage projects, which we expect to generate positive cash flows by 2023. As far as the bond issue is concerned, we are at an advanced stage of negotiations with the cooperating banks, our goal is to proceed with a dynamic investment plan until 2024 and we believe that it will have the appropriate financing”.

In our country, the procedures for the development of offshore wind farms are also opening. Your company, along with the Belgian Parkwind has announced its participation in the upcoming tenders. How many Megawatts will you claim?

  • “Offshore wind farms are a great opportunity for Greece to increase its production of ‘green’ energy and we are glad that the state has worked in this direction by facilitating the procedures for their development. It is possible to achieve the national target of producing at least 2 GW of offshore wind power by 2030 and Intrakat’s goal is to claim a leadership position in this sector. Our strategic partner Parkwind has extensive experience in similar projects and will soon have a capacity of more than 1 GW. Accordingly, Intrakat has significant expertise in local infrastructure and we already have 1,000 MW of capacity from wind farm projects.”

Participation in the Attica Road competition is one of Intrakat’s biggest bets. How is the process going when it comes to preparing investors for the final phase of the competition?

  • “As you know, we are participating in the tender as part of a 30% joint venture with Portugal’s BRISA, a European giant with vast experience in managing road networks and motorways. In fact, BRISA’s strength and expertise is mainly in the modernization of highways based on digital technology, which is of utmost importance for the future of highways in our country. Given that the deadline for submission of offers is set for May 29, we are in the final stages of preparation.”

And one last question…

A large ‘pie’ of construction projects is opening up in Greece. What size could Intrakat claim?

“Major construction projects and infrastructure are a priority for us, as we believe that there is no development without modern infrastructure, roads, trains, ports, airports. Our goal is to claim even more projects that will improve public infrastructure and the daily life of citizens, but also the image of Greece as an attractive investment destination. We are planning our participation in projects that will be announced in the period 2023-2024 and will concern our areas of interest. Projects that we can execute well and within the predetermined timeframes and which will contribute to strengthening our position in the sector”.

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Computers & Software India Technology Transportation & Logistics World

87 Parking Lots in Chandigarh to Get Smart; Tenders to be Floated Soon

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Eighty-seven parking spaces in Chandigarh are set to get revamped as union territory (UT) adviser Dharam Pal directed Chandigarh Smart City Limited (CSCL) to float “tenders for smart parking immediately,” reported The Times of India.

A statement on the above concern was released by the Chandigarh administration on February 23, 2023, after the contracts with the two agencies manning those 87 municipal parking lots had expired this January.

UT Adviser Dharam Pal, while interviewed by The Indian Express, said, “Parking is the city’s problem. The administration has faced a lot of flak over the parking issue. A draft of the policy will be placed before the General House of the civic body for discussion. We have merely drawn a draft of new smart parking. We have to become a smart city, and for that, a proposal needs to be made. We prepared a draft, and then it will be placed before the House for discussion. We are all working towards the same goal here, to provide good, smart facilities to the residents of the city.”

On the same day, the Mayor of Chandigarh, Anup Gupta, stated that the General House of the civic body is committed to ensuring the city residents reap the benefits of the smart parking from the first day and soon starting to draft the terms and conditions as per the tender.

“Also, several other issues need to be discussed — like the issue of giving a window of ten or fifteen minutes, whatever is decided, to allow pick-and-drop at these lots,” the Mayor explained.

Smart Parking Features to be Adopted in Chandigarh

The features that are expected to transform the 87 parking lots in the city are:

FASTag-based parking management system

CSCL has demonstrated the plan to introduce a FASTag-based parking management system in Chandigarh. The aim is to move the paid parking spaces to an automatic system wherein most of the toll collected will be cashless, requiring no vehicles to stop. 

Besides FASTags, drivers, however, will have a range of options—such as cash, Paytm, or UPI—while paying their parking charges.

Parking Central Control Centre

All 87 parking lots are set to be connected with the Parking Central Control Centre, Police Command and Control Center (PCCC), and the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) for facilitating monitoring.

The purpose is to ensure the utmost safety of the drivers and vehicles by identifying and minimising incidents—such as tiffs or theft—inside the parking lots.

“The parking management system will be integrated with the Integrated Command and Control Centre of Chandigarh for data analytics and service monitoring,” said Anindita Mitra, CEO of CSCL and commissioner of Chandigarh municipal corporation (MC).

Automated and Single Entry-Exit

A proposal for deploying automated gate control at the entry and exit of the parking lots has also been introduced. An automated entry-exit system will allow authorities to control access by lowering or lifting the boom barrier and stopping vehicles from entering or exiting a parking lot unless authorised. 

On top of that, since vehicle movement will be unidirectional, traffic congestion inside and outside the parking lot will be decreased significantly.

A Parking Management System Application

In order to constantly monitor the availability of each parking lot while also enabling keepers to book slots, the agency handling the city’s smart parking lots would need to use a high-end parking management app. 

The Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)

According to the MC commissioner, ANPR cameras will be installed to bring all 87 parking lots under stringent surveillance. 

A cost-effective way to provide consistent data to parking enforcement apps, an ANPR camera helps ensure car parking safety and detect repeat delinquents or target vehicles/block-listed vehicles. 

For a ticketless parking space, installing high-end ANPR surveillance cameras, such as ZatPark, is critical to facilitate vehicle access control. Advanced ANPR technologies ensure a 100% capture rate accuracy under recommended lighting conditions.

Wrapping Up

Since Chandigarh was declared a ‘smart city’ in 2016, the revamp of the city’s parking management system has been long overdue. 

The UT advisor expects to turn 25% of the 87 spaces into smart parking lots within one month of the grant of the contract.

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Energy & Environment Technology Transportation & Logistics Travel World

Emirates Operates Milestone Demonstration Flight Powered by 100% SAF

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Emirates Airlines—a subsidiary of The Emirates Group—has successfully tested its first demo flight in which one of the Boeing 777-300ER’s two engines was powered by 100% drop-in sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF.

The aim was to examine the safety and reliability of the synthetically derived SAF when used as a jet fuel at a higher percentage.

Piloted by Captain Khalid Nasser Akram and Captain Fali Vajifdar, this was the first-ever demo flight in the MENA region that was supplied with 100% sustainable fuel. 

Currently, SAF can be mixed at up to 50% with traditional jet fuel for flying aircraft.

The flight departed from Dubai International Airport at around 11:39 pm on January 30 and was flown for more than one hour over Dubai’s coastline.

The test was part of the Emirate’s effort to help hit the Net Zero target by 2050, as the aviation industry is casting about for cleaner fuel solutions like SAF, reported GLOBETRENDER™.

SAF Can Curb Carbon Emission

SAF—a biofuel derived from renewable biomass and waste products—holds the potential to deliver the efficiency of petroleum-based conventional aircraft fuel but with only a fraction of its carbon footprint.

Case in point: Based on the method and feedstock used for production, SAF can curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 80% over the fuel lifecycle, offering the aviation industry solid footing for significantly decoupling GHG emissions from flights.

Since 2011, over 4,50,000 commercial flights have been taken to the skies using SAF globally. 

Even though SAF has capabilities to significantly limit carbon emissions in aviation, global SAF production accounts for only 0.03% of total fuel use (based on pre-pandemic reports).

World leaders are working relentlessly to devise thought-out strategies for scaling up new processes and facilitating the production of commercially usable SAF.

As a result, the production of drop-in SAF has more than tripled in 2022, compared to 2021, according to IATA.

To date, the approved bio-jet fuel production routes include co-processing, hydro-processed esters and fatty acids (HEFA), hydro-deoxygenated synthetic aromatic kerosene (HDO-SAK), Fischer-Tropsch synthetic paraffinic kerosene (FT-SPK), and more.

However, with the increasing bio-content in aviation fuels exacerbating microbial contamination, controlling its effects has become a major concern.

That said, leveraging kits like FUELSTAT® for periodic testing of SAF and blended SAF is critical. Thus contamination can be detected at the earliest stages and before severe safety/operational disruptions occur.

More Insights into Emirates Flight Using Biofuel

Emirates partnered with Boeing, GE Aerospace, Neste, Honeywell, and Virent to produce and buy a SAF blend closely identical to the efficacy and properties of traditional aircraft fuel.

“At each blend ratio, various chemical and physical fuel property measurements were carried out,” explained an Emirates spokesperson. “After multiple lab tests and rigorous trials, [we] arrived at a blending ratio that mirrored the qualities of jet fuel.“

A total of 18T of drop-in SAF blend, made up of 50% HDO-SAK and 50% HEFA-SPK, was used for the test flight. This 100% SAF powered one General Electric GE90 engine of the aircraft, whereas; the other GE90 was supplied with petroleum-based jet fuel.

Emirates hopes the data and success of the flight will act as a step-change in facilitating the future adoption and acceptance of 100% SAF blend as a cleaner alternative to conventional fuel—well over the present limit of 50% drop-in SAF blend.

“This flight is a milestone moment for Emirates and a positive step for our industry as we work collectively to address one of our biggest challenges – reducing our carbon footprint. It has been a long journey to finally see this demonstration 100% SAF flight take off,” said Adel Al Redha, chief operating officer at Emirates Airlines. 

Al Redha goes on to explain, “Such initiatives are critical contributors to industry knowledge on SAF and provide data to demonstrate the use of higher blends of SAF for future regulatory approvals. We hope that landmark demonstration flights like this one will help open the door to scale up the SAF supply chain and make it more available and accessible across geographies, and most importantly, affordable for broader industry adoption in the future.”

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Home & Garden Professional Services Real Estate U.K World

Accouter Announces Residential Interior Design Services in Dubai

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Leading luxury interior design studio, Accouter, has brought its bespoke residential interior design services to clients in Dubai.

“Accouter strives to achieve the impossible, to exceed the expectations of luxury design for all those who appreciate it,” explains a spokesperson from Accouter. “We sit aside those who have created a benchmark for luxury living, including trendsetters, tastemakers, and industry leaders.”

Renowned in the luxury interior design industry for offering second-to-none design services, Accouter is committed to helping its clients bring their dream homes to life.

Accouter is a team of hand-picked interior designers, architects, and artisans who take pride in ensuring each project they take on is personable and seamless.

As part of its effort to set a higher standard in the world of interior design, the experts at Accouter are always on hand to turn exclusive spaces into exquisite residences.

Accouter’s residential interior design service in Dubai is a five-stage process that includes a) concept creation, b) interior architecture, c) interior design, d) art acquisition, and e) project management.

The experts at the studio start each project with a conversation with the client to ensure the final outcome closely meets their expectations. 

When it comes to interior architecture, the expert architects at Accouter ensure no constraints can hold their customers back. Through creative exploration, the designers can artistically manipulate an existing residence and turn it into a bespoke and timeless environment. 

Accouter’s team of global designers is always on-hand to find the right pieces for a client’s space that can uphold the uniqueness of their luxury lifestyles. 

Collaborating with its network of global artisans, the experts at Accouter curate a client’s residential space carefully to ensure their functional and stylistic needs are best met.

In addition, by working closely with international galleries, the studio’s team of art connoisseurs procures the most suitable art pieces for a client’s Dubai residence. On top of that, they offer expert recommendations on major art commissions and investments. 

Taking a fully customisable and holistic approach to project management, this multi-award-winning interior design studio allows customers to focus on the things that matter the most.

As a member of Walpole and part of the Accouter Group of Companies (ACG) designs collective, Accouter is committed to creating bespoke interiors and FF&E with sustained excellence. 

The company aims to help the British luxury industry lower its carbon footprint for a more sustainable future.

Founded in 2012, Accouter is a British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) registered interior design company and closely follows the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) stages of practice.

Interested parties can learn more about Accouter’s luxury residential interior design in Dubai by visiting https://accouterdesign.com/.

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Australia Business Europe U.K World

Mary Jane, Bangkok now uses full Certificates of Analysis for EVERY cannabis strain it sells

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Mary Jane has introduced Certificates of Analysis for every cannabis strain sold from its outlet to reassure customers that the weed strains they purchase are the real deal, while also informing customers of the many medicinal benefits cannabis offers. 

COAs offer a full scientific Cannanbinoid breakdown of every strain housed at Mary Jane. This means that customers can view the makeup of a particular strain to better understand its THC and CBD content before making a purchase.

While customers at Mary Jane, Bangkok know that the buds they purchase have been produced to the highest industry standards, the pioneering lower Sukhumvit weed shop wants to go further than word-of-mouth recommendations to guarantee the quality of its produce. Introducing COAs offers customers a guarantee that the weed they purchase is genuine and meets the high standards they expect from Mary Jane. 

The increase in cannabis availability across Bangkok has left many consumers questioning the authenticity of the products they see sold on street corners in the city. Consumers seeking genuine high-grade produce have every right to be cautious when they see renowned weed strains sold at suspiciously low prices. This is because some of the home growers taking advantage of Thailand’s relaxed cannabis laws don’t always possess the specialist knowledge required to produce a high-grade flower.

Growing weed is an exact science and with many home growers cutting corners, the only way to be sure you are purchasing premium products is to ask to see a Certificate of Analysis, which should accompany each cannabis strain on sale. Without this guarantee, consumers are taking a gamble in purchasing homegrown weed where quality can not be guaranteed. 

Ben Baskins, a co-founder of OG Canna company, commenting on the Certificates of Analysis that cover the entire range of cannabis strains sold from Mary Jane’s premises, said: 

“The COAs displayed at Mary Jane both reassure our customers that the products they are purchasing are the real deal but they also help inform customers seeking relief from a variety of ailments, that the make-up of the cannabis product they purchase is suitable for their needs. As an authentic and fully licenced outlet, we’re proud to offer COAs to guarantee the weed products we sell are of the highest standard available anywhere in Thailand.”

Located on the corner of Soi 4 and Sukhumvit Road and adjacent to the Majestic Hotel, Mary Jane supplies residents and visitors to the Nana district of the city with a variety of TTMs including the highest-grade marijuana from the only best strains available in Thailand.

Mary Jane is part of the OG Canna Company and works with a select group of the most knowledgeable and passionate growers and suppliers of marijuana in the country, and their combined expertise look set to make Mary Jane the best and most reliable dispensary in the area for all your medical needs.

For further information on Mary Jane, you can visit our website: 

https://maryjanethailand.com/

https://linktr.ee/maryjanethailand

https://goo.gl/maps/FBogtfaAyrNZkKXu7

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Agriculture & Farming Arts & Entertainment Leisure Activities Media & Communications World

Festival of Lights makes a comeback this November at Sweet Valley Ranch.

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Festival of Lights makes a comeback this November at Sweet Valley Ranch.

This November, Sweet Valley Ranch will host its annual Festival of Lights once again.

 

Holiday-loving families are in for a treat as Fayetteville, Sweet Valley Ranch’s Festival of Lights makes a triumphant comeback this season. In Fayetteville, Sweet Valley is a working farm with a natural aesthetic that also serves as a local tourist destination and recreational spot for the locals and neighbors. Families will once again enjoy its annual Festival of Lights.

 

Over a million lights and more than 350 unique exotic animals can be found in the enchanting Christmas holiday wonderland known as the Festival of Lights. Come see animals take center stage in this enchanting ranch this holiday season with your family and friends. The Festival of Lights is a drive-through event, and parking is available for visitors at Tiny’s Winter Wonderland across the street.

In addition, the event offers vendors, gift stores, rides, food, and more. The drive-through event requires all ticket holders to be in the same car.

 

New for 2022, 100 foot Prehistoric Cave featuring custom Ice Age lighted exhibits and over 30,000 lights. First responders, Santa’s Backyard, Dinosaur World, Star Wars, Santa’s Drive-Thru Gift Shop, Nativity Scene, Gingerbread House, The Grinch’s Mansions, and Military Tribute are just a few of the special exhibits available. From November 25 to December 26 the festival of lights is open, with many specific days accessible throughout the week. Check the website and day that are convenient for you because this event is expected to last for only a few weeks.

  

Festival of Lights has received excellent ratings from people from all over the world and has been voted the best destination to spend Christmas according to many different magazines and publications. The festival offers exhilarating activities to provide each guest with a memorable experience they won’t soon forget. At the Festival of Lights, exotic creatures are not just sideshows; they are the main event. A tractor-pulled farm wagon rental program is another fantastic service provided by Sweet Valley Ranch. Guests can take advantage of this to experience and explore the lights and animals. 

 

About Sweet Valley Ranch

Sweet Valley Ranch in Fayetteville draws its inspiration from nature and has strong ties to farming, agriculture, and animals to offer visitors and families a fun and exciting experience. Sweet Valley Ranch is keen on charity and was founded with the intention of giving back to the local area and Community. Here, nature and adventure merge under the ownership and management of Fred and Anita Surgeon. Seasonal activities held in Sweet Valley include Backwoods Terror Ranch, Springtime Adventures, Dinosaur World, Festival of Lights, and Music at the Farm. Sweet Valley Ranch is committed to giving back to the community and collaborates with nonprofits to assist residents of Fayetteville, NC.  

 

Find more details by clicking here.

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Arts & Entertainment Celebrity Family & Parenting Sports World

The Fayetteville Woodpeckers to keep baseball going year round at the TJ Robinson Life Center

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A batting cage dedication will take place on Thursday, November 17th at 5 pm at the TJ Robinson Life Center, Blackridge Road, Hope Mills, NC, as part of a donation of baseball equipment by the Fayetteville Woodpeckers.

For many young people in nearby schools and towns, sports go beyond simple enjoyment. Every year, more than 60 million kids and teenagers between the ages of 6 and 18 take part in organized sports in local schools and youth sports centers around them. Additionally, at least 61% of people who participated in sports regularly as children have higher rates of success in life, better communication skills, lower rates of drug and alcohol abuse, higher standards of living, and more active relationships with their families, partners, communities, and social networks.

Through the TJ Robinson Life Center, the Fayetteville Woodpeckers have provided baseball equipment to promote youth participation in baseball and sports. Thanks to the donation, young people will have free access to baseball equipment and other possibilities to learn about the sport. The TJ Robinson Life Center is a multi-sport and community gym in Hope Mills, North Carolina, that provides young people of all ages, races, religions, and socioeconomic backgrounds with equal opportunities. Youths in nearby Fayetteville schools and neighborhoods now have access to batting cages and other baseball gear like bats, gloves, helmets, and pitching machines. The donation aims to inspire young people to learn about baseball and get involved in the sport without the financial obstacles that could have otherwise prohibited them from doing so enabling them to study, develop, and thrive in a stable environment.

About TJ Robinson Life Center 

TJ Robinson Life Center offers continuous assistance to the neighborhood and homes through wellness, development, and support, to the neighborhood through inclusion and participation regardless of gender, religion, or status. Designed for neighborhood residents, the TJ Robinson Life Center is a multisport and fitness facility. The TJ Robinson Life Center aspires to and works hard to be the change that our neighborhood needs.  In addition to offering a world-class sporting environment that everybody can enjoy, it plays a crucial role in helping today’s youngster’s personal growth.

To learn more, click here

 

About Fayetteville Woodpeckers 

 

The Fayetteville Woodpeckers are a Class A minor league baseball team based in North Carolina and an affiliate of the World Champion Houston Astros. They play their home games at Segra Stadium in the heart of Downtown Fayetteville. The Fayetteville Woodpeckers are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the city of Fayetteville as well as the surrounding areas. One of their guiding principles is to encourage and facilitate youth sports, which has made a real impact on the Fayetteville neighborhood.

To learn more, click here.

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Leisure Activities Lifestyle Travel U.S World

Adventures in VolunTourism: The Most Rewarding Hawai’i Vacation Experiences Not Found in Guidebooks

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Hawaiʻi has always been a favorite vacation destination but most tourists don’t know that some of the best adventures NOT found in any guidebook and they may be missing out on some of the most life changing experiences that the islands have to offer that go far beyond the beaches and popular attractions.

Visitors have been eager to return to Hawai‘i to enjoy its natural beauty and the spirit of the islands rooted in native Hawaiian culture. The Hawaiian islands are legendary for their stunning natural beauty, plants and animals that exist nowhere else in the world, and the tightly knit community of 1.4 million residents that welcome visitors with the Spirit of Aloha to the tropical place they call home.

John De Fries was born and raised in Waikīkī and is the President and CEO of the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA). In recent TV interviews, he shared, “It’s time to reclaim all the things we love including travel and experience destinations on a much deeper and meaningful level. Hawaiʻi’s beautiful beaches are always a main attraction, but we have so much more to offer.”

Most visitors don’t know that the Hawaiian islands have amazing voluntourism opportunities where they can be part of a circle that enriches everything and everyone. In fact, through the Mālama Hawaiʻi Program, visitors can engage in volunteer activities working alongside members of the local community to experience Hawaiʻi on a much deeper and connected level, so they return home more rejuvenated and inspired by this unique experience. 

De Fries says, “Mālama means to care for and whether you’re visiting the islands or Hawai’i is your home, we have so many ways to work with our community side by side and immerse yourself in our unique land, ocean, and unique wildlife projects so that you’re not just a visitor, but you can become part of the fabric of our islands as well.”

Some of the voluntourism experiences include hiking deep into Hawai’i’s forests to plant native trees that are being permanently threatened. Also, Hawaiian monk seals, green sea turtles and coral reefs are highly endangered and visitors can get involved in projects to replant coral reefs or self-directed beach clean-up that help protect marine life. Finally, one of the world’s most famous battleships, the USS Missouri in Pearl Harbor, has a restoration project that visitors take part in to help preserve this iconic American treasure.

John De Fries concluded, “We’ve also implemented a reservation system for certain tourism “hotspots” like Lēʻahi, or Diamond Head State Monument, to distribute capacity for the well being of natural resources, visitors, and residents. Traveling to Hawai’i comes with a kuleana, or responsibility and privilege. A kuleana to not only care for the land, but for all the people and wildlife who call the islands home and we’re inviting tourists to join us in that effort.”

Hawai’i is home to unimaginable beauty and living things that inhabit Hawai’i are found nowhere else in the world and that is why it’s essential to protect the islands for future generations. To find about more about how to take a trip that gives back, visit GoHawaii.com/malama.

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Arts & Entertainment Celebrity Marketing & Sales Sports World

E.E. Smith Sports Hall of Fame 2023 Inductees

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The National Association of E.E. Smith Alumni and Friends, Inc. (NAEESAF) and The E.E. Smith Sports Hall of Fame (EES SHOF) are proud to announce the second annual class of inductees into the E.E. Smith Sports Hall of Fame. The E.E. Smith Sports Hall of Fame was established August 9, 2021, with the mission to recognize the noteworthy achievements and contributions of student athletes, teams, coaches, school staff, and volunteers who donated extraordinary amounts of time and talent to the E.E. Smith athletic program.

 

The HOF Initiative Committee is excited to announce the E.E. Smith Sports Hall of Fame Second Class as follows:

• Three former coaches who helped to create and continue Smith’s outstanding winning sports legacy —  Ida Askew, Henry A. Black, and Milton A. Butts.

• Fourteen former E.E. Smith athletes who excelled in various sports at EES and in college: Joyce Vaughn Battle ’81 Basketball, Robert Brickey ’86 Basketball, Nettie Toomer Council ’48 Basketball, Carl Galbreath ’45 Football, Angela Hill ’90 Basketball, Carey Hughley ’61 Football, Samara Dobbins Johnson ’91 Basketball, Connell Maynor ’87 Football, Earl McNeill ’68 Basketball and Baseball, Garvin Stone ’69 Football, Brandon Wallace ’05 Wrestling, Bobby Earl Williams ’58 Football, Colette Williams Valentine ’82 Track and Field, Roszella Major Williams ’78 Track and Field.

• One Legacy Family of outstanding athletes, The Cole Brothers: Ben ‘57, Alexander (Fuzzy) ‘61, Allen ‘62 and Lamb ‘67.

• Three North Carolina State Championship Men’s Basketball Teams: 1937, 1938, and 1950.

• The 1939 Men’s Basketball Team who were Finalist in the National Championship.

 

The HOF Initiative Committee, on behalf of NAEESAF members, will introduce the second class of inductees at the home basketball game,Friday, December 2, 2022, vs. Saint Paul’s.  The Second HOF Class will be formally inducted into the E.E. Smith Sports Hall of Fame at a ceremony during a Gala Banquet on Sunday, May 28, 2023, as a part of the NAEESAF’s 2023 Annual Memorial Day Weekend Reunion activities.