How the War on Drugs and Myths about Addiction Have Created a War on All of Us

War on Us: How the War on Drugs and Myths about Addiction Have Created a War on All of Us. - Book Cover

While the War on Drugs may have sounded like a good idea at one time, the consequences have been catastrophic. One in three adults in the United States now have a criminal record, primarily for drug possession. The U.S. government seizes more assets under civil forfeiture law than ALL reported burglaries combined. Parents grieve the loss of their children as overdose and mass incarceration have escalated. Patients with severe illness or chronic pain are denied access to proven pain medications.

We've all become victims of this war, observes Colleen Cowles, a lawyer, speaker, teacher, advocate and author of the new book, War on Us: How the War on Drugs and Myths about Addiction Have Created a War on All of Us.

Cowles spent 15 years researching and writing this informative yet highly personal book. She is the parent of two sons whose experiences sparked her interest in learning more about the War on Drugs and its victims. As an attorney, she worked with clients whose lives were turned upside down by addiction and failed drug policy. Ultimately, she produced a roadmap for how individuals, professionals and policy makers can transform this punitive war into compassionate and effective policy. Cowles is also the author of the online course "A Parent's Guide to Addiction: Moving Past Punishment."

What Others Are Saying About the Book:

"A must-read for parents, taxpayers, educators, decision-makers, health-care providers and criminal justice professionals." — Gretchen Burns Bergman, A New PATH; Moms United to End the War on Drugs

"I highly recommend this book to anyone concerned about the increasing toll of death and destruction resulting from America's longest war." — Jeffrey A. Singer, MD, senior fellow, Cato Institute

"As a retired police detective, I've personally seen the effects of the War on Drugs. Colleen Cowles has captured the day-to-day agony created, for citizens as well as for law enforcement, and gives valuable insight into the history, the effects, the obstacles to change, and logical alternatives to this war that's killing our kids and destroying our communities." — Howard Wooldridge, Citizen's Opposing Prohibition; co-founder of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

"This book is highly readable, engaging, fast-paced and covers a breathtaking amount of ground." — Daniel N. Abrahamson, former director of legal affairs and senior legal advisor at the Drug Policy Alliance; law school lecturer on drug law and policy

"A compelling look behind the scenes on the War on Drugs and the ensuing humanitarian crisis facing those living with chronic disease and addiction." — Lauren Deluca, president, CIAAG, (Chronic Illness Advocacy & Awareness Group)

Colleen Cowles

About the Author:

Colleen Cowles, J.D., speaks at corporate, public, association and university events, and is an author and frequent radio and TV guest expert on topics related to criminal justice reform, drug policy, and substance use disorder.

Related Video:

SOURCE: Colleen Cowles

Living With An Environmentaly Friendly Focus: Can You Do More?

A cup of coffee and a laptop... (image via Pixabay)

Some people have big views on the way the modern society is changing. The use of carbon emissions in our city centres. The way we have created such a wasteful lifestyle, and how we can take convenience as a matter of importance. There is the failings of vulnerable people being reported everyday, and the protests of peace for the whole world that can be ignored. So as someone who may feel strongly about these views, are you doing all that you can to live with this focus, and to help spread awareness? With that question in mind, here are some of the things that you could consider.

It isn’t just about what you say

Sometimes it isn’t just about what you say to people, you need to be able to share and spread awareness with information that has the right level of facts and also information that supports what you are saying. This is when you may want to look online and find websites that are full of information on the subject, such as websites like https://www.wopg.org/ where peace of words and different speakers will help to share and express your views in a different way.

Using digital platforms to your advantage

A great way to help share what you are doing and the changes that you are making to your life and the way that you live is to use digital platforms to help spears the awareness a little more. This could be easily done through already established personal social media channels that you have. It might be a case of sharing articles or speeches that mean something to you, or simply sharing what you are doing to make a change. You could also use an online blog to write about it in more detail. Sharing your articles with people and also helping them to spread awareness through the information and the content that you have written.

Practice what you preach

Another option to consider would be to seriously practice what you preach. That might be things like living more sustainably. This could mean things like growing your own food, and recycling more. It could mean that you live more consciously, such as using less plastic on a day to day basis to help reduce the amount of consumption that is polluting our seas right now. You could also change the way your home is energised by opting for solar panels as an option instead. There are many ways that you can live in the way that you believe in, that doing so can help you to lead by example with others following.

Find people that share the same view

Finally, it may be worth finding people that share the same views and opinions than you. This is different to seeking out confirmation on websites and through online blogs set up by others. This could be in your friends, your co-workers, and the people you lease with day in day out.

Let’s hope these suggestions help you to live with an environmentally friendly focus in your life.

Balt Getty Debuts New Single, 'LOSER' with Eccentric Music Video [Video Included]

Balt Getty - Loser Artwork

The Los Angeles born-and-raised maverick that is Balt Getty is back with another single, just in time for Halloween. The multi-talent creative releases "LOSER," the new theme song for all those who feel different. Everyone, even The Rock, has days that they feel like a loser and Balt Getty is right there with you.

"LOSER" brings a sense of humor and wit to the subject. Balt, himself, feels this way but yet travels the world, designs beautiful clothing, DJs some amazing parties, and still, sometimes he feels like a loser and an alien in this world. The song itself has a catchy melody that's easy to move and sing or rap along with. The lyrics are literally brought to lyrics through the music video, giving viewers an inside look on the real-life of Balt Getty; everything from his art to his clothing line, his drawings, his travels, his music. Intertwined with the lyrics as they're brought to life around the screen with playful effects that give the video some extra oomph.

The Video:

You may already be familiar with Balt Getty from one of his many feature films or TV roles or his newly launched clothing line/store Monk Punk. However, these days the recording artist/DJ is focused on his first love, music, and has been releasing under his alter-ego Balt Getty and working on his visionary collective Purple Haus Music, which has ignited collaborations for everyone from rap legends Wu-Tang Clan to Latin superstar Asdru Sierra.

Balt Getty

Getty sheds some insight on his ideas behind the new release, "The song LOSER is about feeling different. Feeling like a loser, feeling like a creep, feeling like an outsider. And then drawing parallels with being a Vampire, needing blood to survive. A metaphor for needing attention, needing love. Needing all those things we're always looking for to fulfill ourselves, to fill that hole inside of us I guess. All with a sense of humor of course. Yeah, it's in the title. I'm a loser I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo, I'm eccentric. You know, all these things that are a part of me. We see one thing on the outside but often feel differently on the inside. It's sorta cheeky, witty look at that."

• You can also listen to the song here

SOURCE: Balt Getty

Maya Biosphere Watch Opposes Proposal For Jungle Train And Disney-Like Theme Park

Archaeologist Richard Hansen looks out over the Maya Biosphere he hopes to develop from a tower at El Mirador. ( Photo by Kelly McLaughlin.)

A proposal to build a Disney-like theme park in the Maya Biosphere Reserve in northern Guatemala is under fire from a coalition of forestry and conservation groups as well as Mayan archaeologists.

"The future of the Maya Biosphere Reserve must lie in the hands of the Guatemalan people," said Teena Clipston, founder of the Maya Biosphere Watch, a coalition opposing the project. "They are the ones that need to make the decisions in what happens to their land."

The jungle theme park is the brainchild of Dr. Richard D. Hansen, an archaeologist from Rupert, Idaho, and director of the El Mirador Archaeological Project in the reserve.

"We have a real live Disneyland here," Hansen said. "We don't have to invent anything. It's all here. Animals, crocodiles, tapirs, jaguars, ruins, jungle, macaws, parrots, toucans, it's all here," Hansen said in an interview at the El Mirador archaeological site.

Though the plan has not been made available to the public, Maya Biosphere Watch reports that a 2018 executive summary documented plans for multiple hotels and a train that would traverse the rainforest, linking nine archaeological sites.

Clipston said forestry workers, archaeologists, and conservation groups in the area opposes the plan. The group believes the theme park would disrupt conservation efforts by forestry concessions and displace thousands of local residents, many of whom are descended from the ancient Maya, she said.

Hansen has hired a lobbying firm to seek out government assistance in Washington to raise the more than $100 million dollars for the project. Hansen has worked in the area for decades and has pursued this vision for at least 20 years. He believes it will be the salvation of the region, preventing deforestation, drug trafficking and halting migration to the U.S.

Conservation groups say the reserve is not in any immediate danger and insist that removing national parks and forest concessions would threaten the fragile rainforest environment. 

They point to a 2017 report by Consejo Nacional de Áreas Protegidas, a government agency, that shows a net gain in the amount of forest within the Eastern MBR over recent years.

"Like most people," Clipston said. "I was lured into the idea of this proposal being beneficial to the people and the forest, but after further investigation I was disheartened."

Dr. Tomas Barrientos, codirector of La Corona Archaeological Project in the MBR, says "The role that local communities have played in the preservation of nature must be taken into consideration."

Dr. Francisco Estrada-Belli, a Guatemalan archaeologist and director of the Holmul Archaeological Project, openly voices his disapproval. "It concerns me that those outside the academic community who currently support Hansen's project genuinely believe he is working to benefit Guatemala, while the plan appears to be more about him having control of a large portion of the country than about benefitting Guatemala or science."

Roan Balas McNab, program director of Wildlife Conservation Society in Guatemala, says Hansen's plan would "undermine the social fabric of the eastern Maya Biosphere Reserve, one of the few Mesoamerican wilderness areas that is actually increasing in size.

Our call to Guatemalans, Mexicans, and the U.S. supporters alike is that they take a step back, debate the merits and challenges inherent in this proposal, and at all costs avoid a rush to judgement."

• A full report on the controversy is available here.

SOURCE: Maya Biosphere

HBO Makes It "Rain Squid" To Promote New Series Watchmen In New York City And Los Angeles [Video Included]

HBO makes it "rain squid" to promote new series Watchmen in New York City and Los Angeles (PRNewsfoto/OUTFRONT Media Inc.)

In anticipation of one of their biggest shows of the year, HBO made a massive splash for Watchmen by utilizing an array of OUTFRONT (NYSE: OUT) out-of-home assets including bus posters, transit shelters, wallscapes, billboards, subway posters, and Liveboards, throughout New York City and Los Angeles.

The campaign maximizes augmented reality ("AR") on LA and NY bus shelters , which surprises commuters as it appears to "rain squids" from the sky, a reference from the original Watchmen graphic novel and the series' first episode. 

This is accomplished by placing a camera directed on the street and superimposing the experience on the current environment. The Liveboards included a real-time countdown that led up to the show's premiere on Sunday, October 20; an additional eight episodes will be released throughout the season. 

The series' all-star cast members include, Regina King, Jeremy Irons, Don Johnson, Jean Smart, Tim Blake Nelson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and more.

The Video:

"Squid falling from the sky is a daily reality for the characters in our Watchmen universe, and one that to them isn't really that odd," said Yauny Wheaton, VP Program Marketing, HBO. "For commuters in our world though it would be totally unexpected. So, with the use of AR technology we found a way to bring this unique element of the series to life."

The campaign features the series' key image and tagline "It's Time" in bright neon font, which is promoted on both dynamic digital and static displays. With a combination of out-of-home assets placed throughout two of the largest cities in the country, the show is set to have a significant following.

"The combination of highly visible out-of-home media formats created huge awareness for Watchmen's much anticipated launch," said Jodi Senese, Chief Marketing Officer of OUTFRONT Media. "HBO utilized a strong mix of static and dynamic digital assets to prime and excite the marketplace for this bold new series."

Watchmen on HBO

About HBO's Watchmen:

(Via Wikipedia)

Watchmen is an American superhero drama television series, inspired by some characters from the DC Comics limited series of the same name created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. The TV series is created by Damon Lindelof for HBO, with Lindelof serving as executive producer and writer. The series takes place in an alternate contemporary reality in the United States, in which superheroes and masked vigilantes were outlawed due to their violent methods, but some of them gather around to start a revolution while others attempt to stop it.

According to Lindelof, the TV series is not a direct adaptation of the original source material, instead, being "remixed"; aiming to tell an entirely new story set in the world where the events of the original storyline took place. The series also showcases different points of view, with the only characters from the original storyline confirmed to appear in the series being Doctor Manhattan, the former Silk Spectre, and former hero Ozymandias. It retains continuity with the original comic, however, and can be considered a loose sequel. The series' lead character is detective Angela Abar, codenamed Sister Night, portrayed by Regina King.

[...]

HBO's Watchmen - The Trailer:

SOURCE: OUTFRONT Media Inc.

Saddle Up With George Strait As AXS Celebrates Country Icon's Upcoming Las Vegas Shows With Life-Like Pumpkin Carving For Halloween [Video Included]

An annual tradition, AXS has created a larger-than-life pumpkin sculpture of a music icon. For 2019, the ticketing and technology company selected the best pumpkin from the patch and headed to Texas to hold court with the King of Country himself, George Strait.

For the fourth year in a row, AXS has created a larger-than-life pumpkin sculpture of a music icon. For 2019, AXS selected the best pumpkin from the patch and headed to Texas to hold court with the King of Country himself, George Strait. 

Soundtracked to Strait's hit singles "We Really Shouldn't Be Doing This," "Write This Down" and more, the life-like carving captures Strait's unmistakable rabble-rousing spirit, decking the pumpkin with the singer's trademark Stetson and winning cowboy smile.

The George Strait Pumpkin Video:

AXS created the George Strait pumpkin to celebrate the country giant's upcoming exclusive engagement at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Since 2018, Strait has set up camp in the Entertainment Capital of the World, headlining multiple shows at T-Mobile Arena with more on the way in 2020. 

George Strait

• Strait will perform at T-Mobile with Ashley McBryde as support this December 6 and 7 before returning again in February 2020 during his "Gone West" run.

The George Strait pumpkin (carved by pumpkin artist Jon Neill) continues AXS' Halloween tradition of carving life-like pumpkins of some of the world's greatest talent. In 2016, the Jon Bon Jovi pumpkin did the rounds, while Slash and Brendon Urie of Panic! At The Disco transformed into pumpkins in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Now, it's the King's turn.

The Slash Pumpkin Video:

The Brendon Urie Pumpkin Video:

SOURCE: AXS

"Behind the Smile" - New Report From World Animal Protection Exposes Scale Of Suffering Behind Dolphin Tourism Experiences

Public display facilities confining marine mammals such as dolphins, are not essential conservation or education resources. The animals suffer poor welfare as a result of their captive environment. Pictured; Dolphins posing for visitors at an entertainment park in China. Credit Line: World Animal Protection Date: 08/08/2019 (CNW Group/World Animal Protection)

A new global report from World Animal Protection shows the massive scale and profitability of the multibillion-dollar, dolphin entertainment industry which causes immense animal suffering. This is likely unknown to many Canadian tourists who visit sun destinations like Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean. Some 64% of Canadians polled have gone on holiday to a destination where dolphin tourism was offered.

Millions of animal lovers every year are tricked into thinking that dolphin shows and swim-with-dolphin experiences sold by the world's largest travel companies are humane, educational and support conservation efforts.

The report, Behind the Smile, is the most comprehensive assessment of captive dolphins to date. It reveals that globally, there are 336 dolphin entertainment venues in 54 countries, including the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean and China, which confine at least 3,000 dolphins.

Melissa Matlow, Campaign Director for World Animal Protection says, "For wide-ranging, social and intelligent animals like dolphins, a life spent in a concrete tank entertaining tourists is no life at all. Every ticket sold is an incentive for this industry to continue breeding and capturing dolphins for a lifetime of suffering."

Fortunately, governments and travel companies are starting to respond to the scientific evidence and public pressure against keeping dolphins in captivity. Last June, Canada passed legislation banning the breeding, display and trade of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) making it illegal to possess cetaceans for purposes other than research or rehabilitation.

Also in Canada, Transat and Air Canada have shown leadership on this issue. Transat has ceased commercializing all shows featuring captive marine mammals, including swimming with dolphins, with its holiday packages and flights-only sales. In so doing, the company is asserting its leadership in responsible tourism and responding to the concerns of travellers who are increasingly sensitive to the well-being of these wild animals.

"Transat supports the actions of World Animal Protection and is committed to helping its local incoming tourism partners, including its own Trafic Tours business unit, to cease commercializing such activities by finding economically viable and socially acceptable ways to replace them within two years," says Odette Trottier, Director, Communications and Corporate Affairs for Transat.

Peter Fitzpatrick, Director of Corporate Communications for Air Canada, Central Canada stated, "By the end of August 2020, Air Canada and its subsidiaries (including Air Canada Vacations) will no longer directly sell or promote packages to, or generate revenue from, attractions that involve the captivity of current or future generations of dolphins."

Other major travel brands such as Virgin Holidays, Trip Advisor and Booking.com, following guidance from World Animal Protection, have taken similar steps. They recently committed to stop selling or promoting tickets to captive dolphin venues.

However, market research shows that there is still work to do to educate and influence Canadian tourists, booking sites and travel companies. For example, 50% of Canadian tourists still consider keeping dolphins in enclosures acceptable and one-third of Canadian travellers have participated in at least one dolphin-related activity in the past three years.

"Canadian attitudes and behaviours are changing," says Matlow. "When people learn the truth about how dolphins suffer, they don't want to participate. That's why we are calling on travel companies like Expedia Group and others that are lagging behind to stop supporting activities that cause harm to animals."

The Video:

• World Animal Protection's goal is to make this the last generation of dolphins to suffer for our entertainment.

SOURCE: World Animal Protection

Marvel and SiriusXM Enter a Major Multi-Year Deal to Create Original Podcasts for SiriusXM and Pandora

Marvel and SiriusXM Enter a Major Multi-Year Deal to Create Original Podcasts for SiriusXM and Pandora

Today SiriusXM and Marvel announced a multi-year agreement under which Marvel will create a substantial amount of exclusive podcasts for SiriusXM and Pandora.

 In Marvel's most sweeping podcast deal ever, the venture will include both scripted and unscripted series, themed live events, and much more, premiering in 2020. SiriusXM and Pandora will also debut many of Marvel's most popular podcasts before they can be heard anywhere else.

Included in the slate of upcoming programming are four new scripted series, each ten episodes, based around the iconic characters of Wolverine, Hawkeye, Black Widow, and Star-Lord, as well as a fifth series in which all four team up; unscripted podcasts that look at Marvel's rich history through a modern-day lens of pop culture; podcasts dedicated to popular Marvel franchises; and regular talk shows, including an interview show that will feature famous celebrity guests.

"Powerful stories are read, seen, and heard – and we believe audio is the next natural step to bring the Marvel Universe to fans around the world," said Dan Buckley, President of Marvel Entertainment. "Storytelling has always been at the heart of Marvel's success, and SiriusXM and Pandora have the right platform and expertise to bring Marvel's rich tapestry of stories to listeners in a whole new way. We are excited to introduce an impressive roster of programming with SiriusXM and Pandora, and we can't wait to share more details in the weeks and months to come."

"Whether in movies, TV or other media, Marvel has been a success everywhere it goes, employing a level of quality and pop culture brilliance that organically draws massive audiences, and they are bringing that creative genius to SiriusXM and Pandora," said Scott Greenstein, SiriusXM's President and Chief Content Officer. "We chose Marvel for our first major foray into creating original podcasts, and are thrilled to have Marvel create new audio programming and curate top quality podcasts for SiriusXM and Pandora. Under our new creative collaboration with Marvel, we'll now provide our subscribers and listeners and Marvel fans a breadth and depth of podcasts that will be an immersive adventure into the iconic Marvel universe."

SiriusXM and Marvel launched their first joint initiative in August with an all-new exclusive music station and channel "Marvel's 80th: The Road to Marvel Comics #1000," which was available on SiriusXM for a limited run, as well as through its streaming platform and On Demand, and also on the Pandora mobile app. 

Celebrating the 1000th issue of Marvel comics as well as the company's 80th anniversary, the programming was a sonic time-warp experience that included an 80-song station playing a track from every year of Marvel's illustrious history, each connected to a page of the Marvel #1000 issue.

Source: SiriusXM

Great Scott! Back to the Future Celebrates 35 Years

Back to the Future Celebrates 35 Years (PRNewsfoto/Universal Brand Development)

Universal is going back in time to celebrate 35 years of the beloved film franchise – Back to the Future – starting today, on the iconic fan-created anniversary date captured in the film when Marty McFly travels back to the future: October 21, 2015. 

Over the next year, fans around the world will be treated to new, inspired-by merchandise across a variety of categories, theatrical re-releases, anniversary celebrations, digital content and more.

New YouTube Originals learning series - "Could You Survive the Movies?" - launches today, featuring "Back to the Future" in episode one.

Today, YouTube Originals and Ample Entertainment launched the new learning series, "Could You Survive the Movies" – an exciting series dedicated to exploring the magic and science of cinema's most iconic pop culture films, including "Back to the Future." In each episode, YouTube creator and host Jake Roper takes you on an immersive journey into the world of a different movie; blending unscripted scientific exploration with narrative storytelling. 

In the premiere episode, Jake steps into the original 1985 film to find out if you could survive the massive pressure wave generated by a giant guitar amp, time travel paradoxes, and the electricity from a lightning bolt travelling through your body…all while desperately trying to get back to the future! 

Could you Survive the Movies? - Episode One

• "Could you Survive the Movies?" is available to stream on YouTube.com/Learning and the Vsauce3 YouTube channel. 

New toy partner Playmobil has created a collection featuring fan favorite characters and vehicles including Marty McFly, Dr. Emmett Brown, the DeLorean Time Machine and more – coming in May 2020. Popular Funko POP! figures, a new themed board game from Ravensburger, collectible movie prints from Classic Stills plus other surprises from Hasbro, Mattel, 3D Retro Collectibles and more that will debut next summer.

Playmobil has a new toy line celebrating the 35th Anniversary of "Back To The Future"

Publishing program expands with new novelty formats from Running Press and Insight Editions, a new comic series from IDW Publishing, along with existing fan-favorites from other partners, such as:

• Back to the Future: DeLorean Time Machine – Owner's Workshop Manual 
• Back to the Future: The Ultimate Visual History 
• William Shakespeare's Get Thee Back to the Future 
• Back to the Future: The Classic Illustrated Storybook 
• and much more...

New publishing offering, "DeLorean Time Machine: Owner's Workshop Manual" celebrating the iconic film "Back To The Future"

A lifestyle collection of apparel and accessories includes fun, retro looks that are still relevant today. Expected partners include Criminal Damage, Box Lunch, Dumbgood, Haus of JR, Hot Topic, Just Hype, Primark, Suavecito, Super 7, Zara and more. Rubies and FUN.com will have costumes for fan celebrations beyond Halloween. 

With a nod to the nostalgia trend, Universal has once again partnered with the Otis School of Design for a special "Back to the Future" collection designed by students to be presented at the annual scholarship and benefit fashion show in Spring 2020.

Where we're going, we don't need roads… be on the lookout for theatrical events and the debut of the "Back to the Future" trilogy in 4K from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, as well as a celebration from Turner Classic Movies (TCM) later in 2020.

Fans won't want to miss Back to the Future The Musical, directed by Tony Award winner John Rando, which opens for a 12-week run at the Manchester Opera House on February 20, 2020. The musical features a book by the film's co-creator and co-writer Bob Gale, and new music and lyrics by Alan Silvestri (who composed the score for the original 1985 film) and Glen Ballard.

• The anniversary will be commemorated by Universal Parks & Resorts, key retail partners and more. Visit the Back to the Future page on Facebook for details.

Back to the Future

About Back to the Future

From the Academy Award-winning filmmakers Robert Zemeckis and Steven Spielberg comes Back to the Future - the original, groundbreaking adventure that sparked one of the most successful trilogies ever! 

When teenager Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) is blasted to 1955 in the DeLorean time machine created by the eccentric Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd), he finds himself mixed up in a time-shattering chain reaction that could vaporize his future - and leave him trapped in the past. 

Powered by innovative special effects, unforgettable songs and non-stop action, Back to the Future is an unrivaled adventure that stands the test of time.

SOURCE: Universal Brand Development

Bentley Centenary Celebration Captivates New York City

Bentley owners and enthusiasts gathered at Citi Field to caravan into New York City. The group was led by a Bentley Flying Spur, the third generation of the luxury 4-door sedan, which goes on sale in 2020.

New York City hosted one of the culminating events of Bentley Motors Centenary celebrations featuring events for everyone to enjoy. The festivities started at Citi Field, the major league baseball facility located in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, where Bentley owners gathered and then caravanned to Brookfield Place. Upon arrival at the open-air plaza in Lower Manhattan, owners offered a cost-free display of their prized vehicles. Finally, the day ended with a gala event at the Conrad Hotel.

Weekend visitors wandering through Brookfield Place in Lower Manhattan were treated to a display of historic Bentley models, including the 1958 S1 Continental Fastback (left) and the 1955 Type R Continental Fastback (right).

"Bentley owners and enthusiasts of the brand have been celebrating our Centenary for the past year at locations around the world," said Christophe Georges, President and CEO, Bentley Americas. "It is appropriate that Bentley came to New York City, one of the most important cities in the world, a truly international city, and home to many Bentley owners."

The Bentley EXP100GT mesmerized young and old, the concept car was on display at Brookfield Place in Lower Manhattan yesterday (Saturday, October 19, 2019)

Thousands of New Yorkers and visitors to the city had a chance to see vehicles that are the epitome of performance and luxury. Nearly everyone was seeing the future of Bentley for the first time through the lens of the Bentley EXP100GT, the concept car developed for Bentley's Centenary. Walter Owen (W.O.) Bentley established the company on July 10, 1919, and the company celebrated 100 years later with the introduction of the concept car.

Bentley Designer Brett Boydel, right, describes features of the Bentley concept car, the EXP100GT.

The EXP100GT was inspired by the company's deep understanding of the desires of its intelligent, forward-thinking customers and proposes a vehicle that could be available by 2035. It combines sustainable materials and future luxury mobility innovations. Beautifully styled, it embraces Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a means to reassert the car as a place for creating, experiencing, and capturing extraordinary human experiences and emotions. The EXP100GT was developed as a fully electric vehicle and showcases the best thinking in what a Grand Tourer could be in the future, allowing the driver to choose when to drive and when to enjoy autonomous mobility.

The Bentley Flying Spur, which goes on sale during the second quarter of 2020, made its New York debut this weekend.

Guests also enjoyed Bentley's current vehicle models. The new Bentley Flying Spur, a four-door sedan that goes on sale in the US in the second quarter of 2020, was displayed and led the caravan from Citi Field. The new Continental GT and GT Convertible, on sale in the US since last month, were available for viewing, as were several Bentley Bentayga SUVs, the first luxury SUV ever.

SOURCE: Bentley

#RegalZombieScheme - Regal Transforms Into "ReGhoul" With Trial Employment Of Zombies

"After a ghouling hiring process, Regal is exploring the possibility of placing zombies at all theatres across the nation..." (image via LoupDargent.info)

Regal announced its transformation to "ReGhoul," a zombie employment program that will debut across select theatres nationwide. Launching in conjunction with the release of Sony Pictures' Zombieland: Double Tap today, Oct. 18, the arrangements were made by Regal in attempt to engage the zombie community.

"We are dead-icated to bringing a diverse and inclusive workforce into our theatres with the trial employment of zombies," said Richard Grover, Vice President of Communications. "Regal offers an array of career opportunities and ensures the best for its employees. It thrills us to provide customers with to-die-for customer satisfaction and cinematic experiences."

In anticipation of one of the biggest film releases this month, Zombieland: Double Tap, starring Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin, zombie shifts will begin tonight. Each zombie will be expected to conduct a multitude of jobs, including those at the concession stand, box office and in theatre upkeep.

After a ghouling hiring process, Regal is exploring the possibility of placing zombies at all theatres across the nation. Regal encourages guests to visit and share their experience on social media using #RegalZombieScheme.

Zombieland: Double Tap:

About Zombieland: Double Tap: 

A decade after Zombieland became a hit film and a cult classic, the lead cast (Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Abigail Breslin, and Emma Stone) have reunited with director Ruben Fleischer (Venom) and the original writers Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick (Deadpool) for Zombieland: Double Tap. 

In the sequel, written by Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick and Dave Callaham, through comic mayhem that stretches from the White House and through the heartland, these four slayers must face off against the many new kinds of zombies that have evolved since the first movie, as well as some new human survivors. 

But most of all, they have to face the growing pains of their own snarky, makeshift family.

Directed by Ruben Fleischer. Written by Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick and Dave Callaham. Produced by Gavin Polone. Executive Producers Paul Wernick, Rhett Reese, Rebecca Rivo, Ruben Fleischer, David Bernad, Jack Heller and Doug Belgrad. The film stars Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg and Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, Rosario Dawson, Zoey Deutch and Luke Wilson.

SOURCE: Regal

The Trailer:

'Looking For Alaska' (Music From The Hulu Series) Available Everywhere Now

'Looking For Alaska' (Music From The Hulu Series)

Milan Records, an imprint of Sony Music Masterworks, today releases Looking for Alaska (Music from the Hulu Series). The album includes music from Hulu's newest original limited series, produced by Josh Schwartz (The O.C., Gossip Girl) and based on John Green's bestselling novel. Set in 2005, the series features music specific to the early 2000s era, carefully curated by Schwartz and music supervisor Alexandra Patsavas (The O.C., The Twilight Series) as a sonic companion to the show's coming-of-age narrative. 

The nostalgia-inducing repertoire includes much-loved tracks from Bloc Party, The Strokes, José González, Rilo Kiley, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and Modest Mouse, as well as newly recorded covers of the era's biggest hits by contemporary, up-and-coming artists Bailen, BEGINNERS, Fleurie, Kat Cunning, Mating Ritual, Miya Folick and Young Summer.

"Building this soundtrack with Alex Patsavas and Stephanie Savage has been one of the most fun and fulfilling parts of Looking for Alaska," says show creator and executive producer Josh Schwartz. "Hearing these songs again was like visiting with old friends -- and they only get better with time! We're also really grateful to the artists who performed original covers and brought their own unique take and creativity to these iconic songs." 

"Looking for Alaska is such a beautiful, yet timeless coming-of-age story," adds music supervisor Alexandra Patsavas. "The mix of songs in the show speaks to that timelessness by combining original artists from the era (The Strokes and Modest Mouse) with current versions of the era's best (Death Cab For Cutie ) by some of the most important new artists of 2019."

Looking for Alaska

Streaming exclusively on Hulu now, Looking for Alaska is an 8-episode limited series based on the John Green novel of the same name. It centers around teenager Miles "Pudge" Halter (Charlie Plummer), as he enrolls in boarding school to try to gain a deeper perspective on life. He falls in love with Alaska Young (Kristine Froseth) and finds a group of loyal friends. But after an unexpected tragedy, Miles and his close friends attempt to make sense of what they've been through.

The series stars Charlie Plummer, Kristine Froseth, Denny Love, Jay Lee, Landry Bender, Sofia Vassilieva, Uriah Shelton, and Jordan Connor. Ron Cephas Jones (This Is Us) and Timothy Simons (Veep) also star.

Created for television by Josh Schwartz, the series comes from Paramount Television and Schwartz and Stephanie Savage's Fake Empire. Savage and Schwartz will serve as executive producers. Alongside Jessica Tuchinsky, Mark Waters, John Green, and Marty Bowen and Isaac Klausner of Temple Hill. Fake Empire exec Lis Rowinski will co-executive produce. Sarah Adina Smith (Hanna, Legion) directs the first episode.

Looking for Alaska

'Looking For Alaska' (Music From The Hulu Series) Tracklisting:

1. So Here We Are – Bloc Party
2. I Will Follow You Into The Dark – Miya Folick (Death Cab For Cutie cover)
3. Ask Me Anything – The Strokes
4. To Be Alone With You – Fleurie (Sufjan Stevens cover)
5. Crosses – José González
6. Orange Sky – Kat Cunning (Alexi Murdoch Cover)
7. Macarena – BEGINNERS (Los Del Rio Bayside Boys Remix Cover)
8. With Arms Outstretched – Rilo Kiley
9. Salvation – Bailen (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club cover)
10. The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth – Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
11. Take Me Out – Young Summer (Franz Ferdinand cover)
12. An Honest Mistake – Mating Ritual (feat. Lizzy Land) (The Bravery cover)
13. The World at Large – Modest Mouse
14. Looking for Alaska Score Suite – Siddhartha Khosla

SOURCE: Sony Music Masterworks

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