Men Around the Nation Get Their Razors Ready to Shave the Date on Movember 1

Men Around the Nation Get Their Razors Ready to Shave the Date on Movember 1

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – (October 16, 2013) – The start of moustache season is upon us and Movember is calling on all men and women to “Shave the Date: Movember 1.”  Movember participants are hosting local events across the US on Movember 1 to kick off the moustache movement to change the face of men’s health.

As the official rules of Movember state, all Mo Bros (male participants), once registered, must begin clean-shaven on the 1st of Movember and grow just a moustache (no beards, no goatees) for the 30 days of November.  Shave the Date: Movember 1 is the kick-off event for Mo Bros and Mo Sistas (female participants) to start the month off right in support of Movember, the global men’s health charity that raises awareness and funds for men’s health through the power of the moustache.

Participation is really simple – men and women register at Movember.com to grow or support the Mo. Once registered, Movember participants recruit friends, family and colleagues to donate to their Mo-growing efforts.  In 2012, Movember US saw more than 209,000 Americans growing and supporting the Mo, raising $21 million for men’s health to combat prostate and testicular cancer.

“The Movember 1 2013 shave down is a symbolic rite of passage for Mo Bros to officially join Generation Moustache and celebrate Movember’s 10th annual campaign,” said Mark Hedstrom, US Country Director for Movember. “Shave the Date: Movember 1 encourages all registered participants to unite and get ready to grow or support the Mo for the 30 days of November.”

Movember has added three new initiatives in 2013 to help raise awareness and funds for men’s health: MOVE, Movember Rated Barbers and the Movember Collection.

  • MOVE is a new global initiative designed to encourage Mo Bros and Mo Sistas to get moving during the month of Movember for the purpose of becoming more engaged in their own health and well-being.  In 2013, more deaths will be attributed to inactivity (5.3 million) than smoking (5 million) and by the end of this decade, most Americans will exert only slightly more energy per week than if they slept 24 hours*. MOVE can be anything active, from walking a 5k to trying yoga, to a day of surfing and everything in between. To get MOVING this Movember, simply sign up on Movember.com to host a MOVE event and receive a free MOVE kit or attend a MOVE event found on Movember’s events page.
  • Mo Rated Barbers is a global network showcasing the best in class barbershops from around the world dedicated to fine grooming, fine moustaches and to changing the face of men’s health.  These barbers are a respected part of the community and cater to the modern gentleman by offering Mo Bros special deals throughout the month of Movember.  Find local Movember Rated Barbers at Movember.com.
  • The new Movember Collection includes a range of limited edition merchandise created by Movember’s very own creative design team, for sale to the Mo community via Movember.com.  Merchandise includes, hats, t-shirts and shave bags.  100% of the proceeds from the Movember Collection benefit the Movember Foundation.

To date, Movember has funded over 570 programs in the areas of education and awareness, living with and beyond cancer, and research. Details about Movember funded programs can be found in the Program Index.

Shave the Date: Movember 1, participants are encouraged to use hashtag #Movember and #ShavetheDate when sharing shave down event updates and photos on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram (@Movember) and other social media. Registered participants can create their own Shave the Date events and, while supplies last, get a free party pack to start the month off in Gen Mo style.  Go to the events page at Movember.com for local Shave the Date parties.

For more information, please visit www.movember.com.

*Source: ©Nike, Inc. (2012) DESIGNED TO MOVE: A Physical Activity Action Agenda™; http://www.designedtomove.org/downloads/Designed_To_Move_Full_Report.pdf

About Movember

Movember aims to forever change the face of men’s health through the power of the moustache, by raising vital awareness and funds for men’s health issues to combat prostate and testicular cancer and mental health challenges. Movember programs are focused on awareness and education, living with and beyond cancer, and research to achieve our vision of an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health. Since 2003, three million participants have raised over $446MM for the cause, funding more than 570 programs globally, with official Movember campaigns taking place in 21 countries. Movember is fully accredited by the Better Business Bureau, and for the past two years, has been named a Top 100 best NGO by The Global Journal. For more information please visit Movember.com. Movember is a registered 501(c)(3) charity.

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Men Around the Nation Get Their Razors Ready to Shave the Date on Movember 1

Louisville Distilling Co. Appoints Kevin Curtis as Distillery Operations Manager

Louisville, Kentucky (October 15, 2013) – Louisville Distilling Company, LLC is delighted to announce the appointment of Kevin Curtis as the Company’s new Distillery Operations Manager.  He will manage all distillery operations for Angel’s Envy, the super-premium bourbon of uncompromising character and quality, which includes managing the distillery, warehousing, bottling, shipping, quality control, maintenance, and boiler functions.

Kevin worked alongside the late Lincoln Henderson for nearly 20 years at Brown-Forman, and was chosen for the position because he will proudly carry on the Henderson Family’s tradition of creating fine spirits, and also assist as they continue to experiment and push the envelope.  He will also work closely with Kyle Henderson as Kyle continues to hone his blending and distillation skills.

“I’m very grateful to have worked closely with Lincoln for so many years,” said Mr. Curtis.  “I’ll proudly honor his memory and ensure the highest possible standards for his beloved Angel’s Envy brand going forward.”

During his tenure at Brown-Forman, Kevin oversaw day-to-day distillery operations, including warehousing, bottling, grain delivery and handling, yeast propagation, mashing, fermentation, distillation, new whiskey gauging, quality control, lab testing and procedures, sensory testing, sanitation, safety and environmental issues.  He successfully managed a start-up distillery and bottling facility through 13 straight years of double-digit growth (20-30% per year) and a team of nearly 30 people.  He also implemented a bottling expansion in 2004, increasing processing capacity from 1,200 to 6,000 gallons and line speed by 60%.  His last three years at Brown-Forman were spent managing production at a distillery with a yearly capacity of over nine million proof gallons.

Kevin most recently served as Distillery Operations Manager for Michter’s Distillery, where he led the charge to plan, design and install a world-class, craft-size distillery and bottling facility and a stand-alone 50,000 case/year bottling facility.

“Kevin will be a great addition to the team,” said Wes Henderson, Chief Operating Officer.  “His experience with day to day distillery operations will be invaluable as we build our new facility.  We’re also thrilled to have someone with his comprehensive expertise who also had the benefit of working alongside Dad for many years.”

Kevin will also oversee development of the new Angel’s Envy distillery and brand experience center, which will be located in downtown Louisville, and is expected to be up and running in late 2014.  Ultimately, in addition to his production duties, he will manage tour operations, tastings and VIP tours.  While at Brown-Forman, he worked with a 25-member project team to completely renovate and refurbish the Woodford Reserve Distillery.  That two year project, which cost more than $10 million, is now a National Historical Landmark hosting over 99,000 visitors a year and with projected sales of over 150,000 nine liter cases in 2010.

Kevin earned his bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Louisville, in  Louisville, Kentucky.  He lives in Louisville with his wife, Alisa, and their three daughters.

For more information, please visit us at www.angelsenvy.com or on facebook https://www.facebook.com/AngelsEnvyBourbon and twitter https://twitter.com/Angels_Envy (@angels_envy).

Angel’s Envy 2013.  Heaven Can Wait.  Please Drink Responsibly.

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Men Around the Nation Get Their Razors Ready to Shave the Date on Movember 1

Better Brands Beverage Co. Salutes American Veterans With the Launch of a Premium Vodka in Michigan

Chicago, IL – (October 2, 2013) – Better Brands Beverage Co. (BBBCo.) announced that it has chosen Michigan to be among the first markets to launch Salute American, a new brand with a purpose.  The Company’s inaugural offering is an American-made, premium vodka that’s committed to investing in the future of U.S. veterans who have proudly served their country.  To that end, the Company will donate $1 for every 750ml bottle sold to approved veterans’ charities – a declaration etched on every bottle.

Since the brand launched earlier this year, BBBCo. has committed more than $50,000 to worthy Veterans organizations, including the FVC, Purple Heart Homes and Veteran’s Farm through Work Vessels for Veterans.  As part of the Michigan launch, BBBCo. will donate $5,000 to Homes for Our Troops to help build a specially adapted home for Sergeant Nick Koulchar in Brighton, Michigan.  Mr. Koulchar lost both of his legs above the knees when an Explosively Formed Penetrator pierced the passenger side of his vehicle, in Sadr City, Iraq in 2008.  The groundbreaking ceremony for the new home will take place at Lot 27 Grayhaven in Brighton on October 19 at 11:00am.

“Receiving this home from Homes for Our Troops will give me a new sense of freedom and take away the worry about where I will live,” said Mr. Koulchar.  “No matter how big or small the contribution, it shows that you care and that makes all the difference to those of us who return home requiring assistance.  Thank you!”

Salute American is the brainchild of CEO-founder Pete Kelly, a passionate entrepreneur who wanted to make a difference in people’s lives through the ‘pay-it-forward’ philosophy.  Pete couldn’t think of a more deserving group than U.S. Veterans – a band of brothers with increasingly high unemployment and homelessness rates*.  Salute American became a practical way to help maintain and create jobs in the US for veterans, and to generate ongoing economic success, stronger families and stronger communities.

“Salute American is more than a name – it’s our mission,” said Pete Kelly, CEO-founder, Better Brands BevCo.  “We prove our patriotism by giving back and paying it forward.”

Salute American Vodka is pure American from start to finish.  The vodka, which was approved for the USA Certified™ Seal, is made from corn and wheat grains straight from the heartland.  It’s then four times distilled for a smooth and sweet taste that works well mixed or neat.  The canteen-shaped bottle bearing the red, white and blue, was manufactured in Park Hills, Missouri, by Piramal, and distilled and bottled at Lidestri Spirits in Rochester, NY.

In addition to Michigan, the brand is available in on- and off-premise accounts in Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Missouri and Southern Illinois.  The suggested retail price for a 750ml bottle is $19.99, which may vary by market.  Salute American Vodka is 80-proof and 40% alcohol by volume.  The brand recently received a Silver Medal and an 87-point “highly recommended” rating from the prestigious Beverage Testing Institute in the category of “Best Value Vodka $20 and under.”  For more information, please visit www.saluteamerican.com “like” us on facebook www.facebook.com/SaluteAmericanVodka and follow us on twitter @SaluteAmerican.

* According to Labor Department Data, the unemployment rate among male veterans, ages 18-24, is nearly 27%.  There are currently more than 100,000 homeless Vets in the US.

About Better Brands BevCo.

Privately owned and Midwest-based, Better Brands Beverage Co. is a for-profit company committed to investing in Veterans’ Charities that create jobs for Veterans.  The Company was founded in 2012 by CEO Pete Kelly who passionately believes in making a difference in people’s lives through the ‘pay-it-forward’ philosophy.

About Homes for our Troops

Homes for our Troops is a national non-profit organization founded in 2004 that is strongly committed to helping those who have selflessly given to our country and have returned home with serious disabilities and injuries since September 11, 2001.  We assist severely injured Veterans and their families by raising money, building materials and professional labor, and by coordinating the process of building a home that provides maximum freedom of movement and the ability to live more independently.  The homes provided by Homes for Our Troops are given at no cost to the Veterans we serve.

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Men Around the Nation Get Their Razors Ready to Shave the Date on Movember 1

March on Springfield Rally Speakers Will Highlight the Broad Coalition Working for Illinois Marriage Equality

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (October 14, 2013) – Governor Pat Quinn will open the March on Springfield for Marriage Equality on October 22 with a welcome. He will be followed by speakers that represent the breadth and depth of the equal marriage coalition in Illinois. All speakers will deliver a common message to Illinois legislators: A majority of Illinoisans support the freedom to marry and the time for marriage equality in Illinois is now.

LGBT organizations, families and faith leaders will be joined at the podium by national and regional coalition partners for the 90 minute rally. They include:

  • Michael Carrigan, President of the Illinois AFL-CIO
  • Rudy Lozano, Uniting America Director, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
  • Jamie Frazier, Senior Pastor, Lighthouse Church
  • Bonnie Grabenhofer, National Action Vice President, National Organization for Women (NOW)
  • Rev. Mark Kiyimba, Leader of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Kampala, Uganda
  • Toni Weaver, President, Parents & Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Northern Illinois Region)
  • Scott Cross, Illinois Chapter Lead, President Barack Obama’s “Organizing for Action”
  • Brigid Leahy, Director, Planned Parenthood of Illinois
  • Bishop Carlton Pearson, Founder & Leader, New Dimensions Chicago Church
  • Cinda Klickna, President, Illinois Education Association

Families, couples and LGBT youth from groups that are part of the Illinois Unites coalition for equal marriage will also tell their personal stories to the thousands gathered for the March. The coalition, formed by Equality Illinois, Lambda Legal, the ACLU, and The Civil Rights Agenda and almost 100 other organizations, is led by John Kohlhepp who will also speak at the rally.

A diverse group of lesbian, bisexual, gay & transgender activists and organizers will also speak including:

  • LZ Granderson, openly gay ESPN Senior Writer & CNN Contributor
  • Alexis Martinez, March on Springfield Co-Chair, and Native American Transgender activist
  • Marquell Smith, African-American gay veteran and founder, Inclusive Community Project
  • Andy Thayer, co-founder, Gay Liberation Network
  • Robert Castillo, Latino community activist
  • Vernita Gray, African-American community activist
  • Liz Thomson, Director, Asian American Resource Center, University of Illinois/Chicago
  • Bro. Michael Oboza, Founder, Bisexual Queer Alliance Chicago
  • Tracy Baim, March on Springfield Co-Chair and Founder & Publisher, Windy City Media Group

More than three dozen elected leaders from state and local government who support marriage equality will be introduced at the rally by Kevin Boyer and Kim Hunt, co-chairs of the March on Springfield. The full list of expected politicians will be available prior to the rally. A full list of all the speakers will also be available at http://www.marchonspringfield.org.

“We march on Springfield to make sure that the voices of people from all over our state are heard loud and clear,” said the 13 co-chairs of the March on Springfield said in a joint statement. “It is time for Illinois to treat all of its citizens equally, regardless of sexual orientation or gender, and we call on the Illinois House of Representatives to pass Senate Bill 10, the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, during the fall veto session.”

The March on Springfield rally will take place from 1 to 2:30 pm. It will be preceded by Rock The March – a free one-hour concert featuring top LGBT talent with Illinois roots. At the rally’s conclusion, Illinois families will lead the attendees on a march around the State Capitol.

About the March

The March on Springfield for Marriage Equality will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, the scheduled first day of the fall veto session of the Illinois state legislature. The “March on Springfield” is part of a broad grassroots strategy to secure final passage of Senate Bill 10, the “Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act,” already approved by the Illinois Senate. Once adopted, Illinois will become the 14th state plus the District of Columbia, to treat all of its citizens equally under state marriage laws, and all married people in Illinois will be treated equally under federal law. For more information, visit http://www.MarchOnSpringfield.org, or find the March at Facebook.com/MarchOnSpringfield or on Twitter @IllinoisMarches.