Anyone who has seen the blockbuster movies The Thomas Crown Affair or Bullitt will want to read The Pursuit of Happiness, a new novel by the same writer, Alan Trustman. The highest paid screenwriter in Hollywood at one time, Trustman now turns his pen to fiction, which reads and moves with the same crime thriller speed as his movies.
From the opening chapter we are rocketed into the world of a Boston bad boy who is recruited to work for the government.
“All of the material in The Pursuit of Happiness is true,” says Trustman. “Not a lot of people know that Boston was the contract killing capitol of the country throughout the 1940s – 1970s. Maybe later. I did a lot of research on the Boston gang wars.”
Media Contact: For a review copy of Silver Dollar or to arrange an interview with Alan Trustman, contact Scott Lorenz of Westwind Communications Book Marketing at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or by phone at 734-667-2090 http://www.book-marketing-expert.com Thriller
SCORE has launched the fifth annual American Small Business Championship – a national competition celebrating the best small business owners from across the nation, made possible with funding from Sam’s Club. The open call for applications kicks off today, and will reward two small businesses from every state and the District of Columbia with an all-expenses-paid trip to a training and networking workshop, national and local publicity, and mentoring from small business experts at SCORE.
From those 102 small business honorees, three Grand Champions will each win a grand prize of $15,000. A judging panel of small business experts will select the Grand Champions based on how effectively they utilize the initial prizes to grow their business operations or revenue.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8087651-score-sams-club-american-small-business-championship/
A year ago, Falaniko Penesa, 26, of Upolu, Apia, Samoa, finished second in the World Fireknife Championship, losing out to five-time champion Mikaele Oloa of Waialua, Hawaii.
Penesa spent the past year “practicing every day to make my moves flow” and the hard work paid off, as he won the 25th Annual World Fireknife Championship on Saturday night (May 13), beating out Oloa by one point on the combined scorecards of the seven judges. Kepanipaa Damaso of Waikoloa, Hawaii finished third.
Penesa, who performs at Hong Kong Disneyland, dazzled the sold-out crowd at the Polynesian Cultural Center’s Pacific Theater with an amazing routine that had him spinning, twirling and juggling one and two fireknives at lightning-fast speed, often behind his back and overhead.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8105951-world-fireknife-championship-falaniko-penesa/
Cuba was witness once again to the largest annual international event celebrating the Habano culture. The festival has come to an end with the celebration of the Gala Evening that paid tribute to the Cohiba brand on its 50th Anniversary, with exclusive tastings of its new releases. The gala hosted 1,200 guests that enjoyed live performances by Cuban pianist and composer, Chucho Valdes; the Spanish flamenco singer, Estrella Morente; and the Uruguayan singer-songwriter Jorge Drexler.
This year the traditional humidor auction of seven collector items reached a total of 865.000€ that will be entirely donated to the Cuban Public Health System. This edition has been especially unique thanks to the auction of the first humidor (01/50) of the exclusive special series “Cohiba 50 Aniversario”, which raised 320.000 euros. This humidor is an authentic work of art and a unique collector's item, and heralds a true innovation in terms of traditional craftsmanship and technical design and development.
During the evening, the “Maestro de Maestros” was chosen in the XV International Habanosommelier Contest. The winner was Juan Jesús Machín from Cuba. Luis Manuel García Urrea (United Arab Emirates) and Pedro Tejeda (Cuba) were runners-up in second and third place respectively.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7779251-international-stars-xviii-habanos-festival/
With the 125th Red Kettle Campaign well underway, donors and supporters of The Salvation Army have rallied in pursuit of a new way to give to those in need: by entering their #RedKettleReason video for a chance to win The Salvation Army’s first-ever Giving Spree Contest. After five finalist videos were selected, and tens of thousands of votes from the public, the results are in.
Fifteen-year old Maddie Bonocore from Overland Park, Kan. was named the winner, receiving a paid trip to New York City to shop for toys and necessities for a local Salvation Army children’s program. Maddie shopped for the Kansas City Children’s Shelter, which provides shelter care for children unable to remain in their homes due to a family crisis, or issues of abuse and/or neglect.
Actor, producer, musician and Salvation Army supporter Nick Cannon helped announce the contest and joined Maddie for the shopping event. Highlights from the event were featured on TODAY.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7612654-salvation-army-redkettlereason-winner/
Lightning may not seem as destructive as other natural disasters, yet a strike can cause serious damage to business equipment and electrical appliances, disrupt electrical service for long periods of time, and spark wildfires. In 2014, State Farm paid nearly $149 million dollars for insurance claims as a result of damage from lightning strikes.
June, July, and August are the times of year when lightning is most frequent. Even though lightning is weather-related and not a preventable event, there are ways to reduce your chance of damage from a power surge or fire. That is why State Farm has joined forces with the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) in recognition of Lightning Awareness Week, June 21-27.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7452831-state-farm-weather-preparedness/
Avon Products, Inc. (NYSE: AVP) today announced the launch of Beauty for a Purpose, a new global brand statement focused on the company’s commitment to empowering Avon Representatives and women around the world through beauty and financial independence.
Beauty for a Purpose provides a framework for the company to champion three defining areas: Avon’s beauty products of demonstrable quality and value; Avon’s earning opportunity, which allows millions of women around the world to build self-reliance and a better life for themselves and their families; and the network effect of empowered women empowering others.
The new branding effort will be powered through ongoing multi-channel communications campaigns designed to tell the whole Avon story to consumers and Representatives. The campaigns will be supported through paid media, and will also leverage the company’s digital and print channels as story-telling platforms. Central to the strategy is the launch of a new brand publishing site, BeautyforaPurpose.com, which includes a digital gallery featuring Avon Representatives around the world who have uploaded their photos to social media using #BeautyforaPurpose.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7546151-avon-beauty-for-a-purpose/
April showers bring May flowers but it also brings the potential for water in your basement. One of the worst experiences a homeowner can have is a backed-up sewer or drain filling the basement with foul-smelling water and sewage. Water losses are rising even though many of these accidents are preventable. In 2014, State Farm paid nearly $1.8 billion for water loss claims as a result of frozen pipes, flooded basements and burst appliance hoses, an increase from the $1.3 billion State Farm paid in 2013.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7452831-state-farm-weather-preparedness/
The new version of App of the Day, an app which has been downloaded more than 36 million times, is now available worldwide on the Google Play Store (Android).
100% free apps every day
"App of the Day" offers a new Android app to its users every day. Each application is promoted 100% free, with advertising removed and/or paid features unlocked.
A selection of the best apps from the Play Store
App of the Day offers a wide variety of applications ranging from sports, DJ/music, battery optimization and photo editors - to name just a few of the types of application that will be on offer in the coming days.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7452251-new-app-of-the-day-android/
According to entrants to our latest competition, Machu Picchu in Peru has been voted the most desirable place to escape to. Hostelworld, the leading budget travel website, is offering one lucky winner and a friend the opportunity to jet off round the world on an incredible trip, all expenses paid. All you have to do to enter the competition is pick your top three choices from 30 incredible adventures, and you could be in with a chance to win all three.
As part of the competition, valid until the 30th of June, Hostelworld produced a video of an offline stunt. We brought the spirit of travel to shoppers in London’s Westfield Shopping Centre by setting up a series of scenarios, using a mixture of augmented reality and live actors. We filmed the public’s reactions and captured how they interacted with what was happening.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/71400552-machu-picchu-travellers-top-destination
The First Division Museum at Cantigny Park will commemorate the 70th anniversary of D-Day and honor surviving World War II veterans on Saturday, June 7. Activities at the museum are scheduled from 10 am to 5 pm and all ages are welcome. Participation is free with paid parking ($5).
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/7116651-first-division-museum-cantigny-park-d-day-70-th-anniversary
Vioxx Settlement
This is an important announcement for consumers about the prescription drug Vioxx. Vioxx was a drug commonly used to treat pain and inflammation in adults with arthritis.
A settlement was reached with the manufacturer of Vioxx and will provide refunds to anyone who paid for the medication. Consumers are eligible to get $50 or more. Personal injury claims related to this drug are not included in this settlement.
The deadline to file a claim is approaching – claims must be filed by May 6, 2014.
Details are available at http://www.VioxxSettlement.com or by calling 1-866-439-6932.
