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Author: Alfredo Casuso

San Francisco Chinatown Renaissance 2021 Initiative Kicks Off May 4th

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Media Contact: David Perry & Associates, Inc. / news@davidperry.com / (415) 676-7007

San Francisco Chinatown Renaissance 2021 Initiative Kicks Off May 4th

Community Leaders Unite to Save Communities Devastated
by COVID and Economic Downturn

30 April 2021 – San Francisco, CA: A consortium of San Francisco business, community and civic leaders have come together to revitalize Chinatown post-COVID and develop a unified grant proposal seeking new and incremental foundation funding for Chinatown revitalization projects in San Francisco and other major American cities. The kick-off event for the San Francisco Chinatown Renaissance 2021 Initiative will take place on Tuesday, May 4, 12pm at the Victory Memorial Hall (827 Stockton Street, San Francisco). COVID protocols will be strictly enforced including mandatory mask wearing, socially distant seating and temperature checks.

“The impact of COVID shutdowns, ‘China-virus’ scapegoating, and anti-Asian xenophobia has had a disproportionate economic impact in Chinatown,” said Buck Gee, longtime Committee of 100 member.  “In the past few months, we have seen exciting and innovative ideas from many individuals in Chinatown.  But now it is time for the community to acknowledge that this is a collective problem, and that we need to work together to build a better Chinatown.”

According to Gee, in February 2020, immediately before the pandemic hit San Francisco, 15% of Chinatown business storefronts were vacant.  Six months later, it was 48%.  Along Grant Avenue, the main tourist district, empty storefronts rose from 16% to 58%.  Along Clay, vacancies among small businesses mostly serving local residents climbed from 11% to 66%.

“While there have been a few new businesses opening along Grant recently, it will take an extraordinary effort to replace the 180+ businesses shut down in the past year,” said  Jane Chin, Board co-chair for the Chinatown Community Development Center: “COVID-19, China scapegoating, and anti-Asian hate have devastated businesses in Chinatown.”

The ad hoc consortium is being sponsored by the Northern California Region of The Committee of 100 in partnership with the Chinatown Community Development Center, and the Asian Pacific Fund. The initiative seeks to work with a wide range of community groups and organizations, collect their ideas to revitalize Chinatown post-COVID, and develop a unified grant proposal seeking new and incremental foundation funding for Chinatown revitalization projects.

“This initiative is intended to assist the renaissance and renewal of Chinatown,” said Audrey Yamamoto, President and Executive Director of the Asian Pacific Fund. “It will bolster support from the state and local government to maintain Chinatown as a safe and sustainable environment for residents and community businesses.  We’re honored to be part of this historic effort, given the devastating impact that the pandemic has had on our Asian American and Pacific Islander community, especially the businesses and nonprofits in Chinatown.”

In addition, the San Francisco Chinatown Renaissance 2021 Initiative is exploring partnerships with leaders in other large urban Chinatowns to see whether the regional concept could be expanded into a National Chinatown Renaissance initiative.  In addition to Gee, Chin and Yamamoto, other Initiative leaders include David Lei with the Chinese American Community Foundation, Dennis Wu, Cally Wong, and Dan Lee.

MEDIA ADVISORY / REQUEST FOR ONSITE COVERAGE:
TUESDAY, MAY 4 – 12PM

WHAT:
Kick-Off for San Francisco Chinatown Renaissance

WHERE:
Victory Memorial Hall, 827 Stockton St, San Francisco
ONLINE ACCESS: TBD.

WHEN:
Tuesday, May 4
12pm doors open, temperature checks, mask check, assigned (socially distanced) seating
12:30pm program startsWelcome: David Lei
Covid’s impact on Chinatown: Jane Chin
Impact to Chinatown business: Nancy Yu Law (Chinatown Merchants United Association)

Chinatown Renaissance Consortium: Buck Gee
Consortium objectives: Dan Lee (Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association)
1:30pm Meeting ends, box lunches distributed

LIVES OF THE LINERS: CRUISING, CRUISE SHIPS & THE COVID PANDEMIC – APRIL 28, 2021

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LIVES OF THE LINERS:  CRUISING, CRUISE SHIPS & THE COVID PANDEMIC – APRIL 28, 2021

From Bill Miller

April 2021

Mon Apr 19th  UK-based Saga Holidays has experienced a 127-percent increase in the number of booking inquiries to its contact centers in the week after the UK government released a report suggesting that international travel can be resumed from May 17th.

Wed Apr 21st  Royal Caribbean Group CEO Richard Fain expressed optimism Monday that cruise lines will be able to resume operations this summer, more than one year after the industry effectively shut down in the coronavirus pandemic.

AIDA Cruises will begin offering seven night cruises out of Corfu on May 23rd. The cruises will travel through the Greek islands to Crete and Rhodes, as well as to Katakolon (Olympia) and Piraeus (Athens).

Thu Apr 22 Small-ship operator American Cruise Lines is now operating six of its 13 vessels in eight states around the country. The U.S.-flagged company, based in Connecticut, was the first line to resume operations in the U.S. on Mar 13th  when the 100-guest Independence began coastal cruises from Florida.

Royal Caribbean:  The first voyages of the biggest cruise ship ever built are now available for booking. Royal Caribbean on Tuesday began taking reservations for the initial sailings of its much-awaited, soon-to-debut Wonder of the Seas (below), the fifth vessel in its groundbreaking Oasis Class series. At 236,857 tons, the Wonder of the Seas will be nearly 4% bigger than the current size leader in the cruise world, Royal Caribbean’s three-year-old Symphony of the Seas. It’ll be able to hold up to 6,988 passengers — a new record for a passenger ship.

Cruise Saudi, a  public investment fund-owned business that seeks to develop Saudi Arabia’s cruise industry, and MSC Cruises have announced the launch of Red Sea cruises in the coming winter 2021-2022 season. Under the terms of the agreement, the MSC Magnifica will homeport in Jeddah, the commercial hub and one of the largest cities of Saudi Arabia, as well as the second-largest port in the Middle East with a historical centre that has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Operating seven-day Red Sea cruises from Nov 2021 to Mar 2022, the vessel will visit a selection of ports and destinations in the region and three Saudi ports including weekly calls to the port of AlWajh, the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage site of AlUla.  As the Kingdom prepares to host the inaugural Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2021 on Dec 5th  in Jeddah, MSC guests will have the chance to follow this global sports event during their trip aboard the Magnifica.

Cheap Fares!  A recent survey of more than 3,000 past cruisers found that health and safety tops the list of factors shaping that decision. It’s not surprising, considering a global pandemic has shut the industry down for over 13 months and travel restrictions are still in place in many parts of the world.  But it is interesting that when asked about the most important factors in deciding whether to book a cruise, the top six on the list are all COVID-related. The ability to get a discount ranked number eight! And who doesn’t want a discount?

Seabourn will homeport in Barbados this summer, starting Jul 18th.  Carnival Corporation’s ultra-luxury brand will sail two different Southern Caribbean seven-day itineraries with the Seabourn Odyssey. The Odyssey marks the second Seabourn ship back in service as the Seabourn Ovation will start cruising in Greece in early July.

Mon Apr 26th MSC Cruises may be the biggest cruise brand based on confirmed resumption plans (as of late Apr 2021) with ships and berths back in service by Aug 31st.   On a corporate level, Carnival Corporation will have the most ships and berths back in service, with six brands set to operate 13 ships by late Aug at press time, and indications are that more announcements are forth coming. 


Returning MSC Ships:  MSC Virtuosa, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Seashore, MSC Seaview, MSC Seaside, MSC Preziosa, MSC Splendida, MSC Magnifica, MSC Orchestra and MSC Musica.     Total Berths: 37,066.  Regions: Europe – Western Mediterranean, Eastern Mediterranean and Northern Europe.  After announcing a massive restart plan, MSC intends to have ten ships in service in Europe by August.

UK-Based Cruise ships sailing in UK waters will be limited to 1,000 passengers when operations begin on or after May 17th. All travelers must also be residents of the British Isles, according to new regulations issued by the department of transport.  The rules also state Covid-19-secure guidance will continue to apply. 

Carnival Corporation:   The road to a resumption of cruising worldwide is not as easy as it may sound. To that effect, Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest cruise operator, has now contracted Bureau Veritas to support the ships that will be sailing in the upcoming months and those that are sailing already with various health and safety measures. The company will be supporting Carnival Corporation with health and safety services to facilitate the return to cruising, protecting passengers and crew.

Travel restrictions are evolving for those who have gotten a COVID-19 vaccine. Fully vaccinated Americans looking to travel this summer will now be able to add the European Union to their list of potential destinations.

Tue May 27th Viking Cruises has added two more departures to its program of short UK coastal cruises for June. The additional cruises were added after the first three cruises sold out, and will be operated using the same ship, the 930-berth Viking Venus. The new cruises will start at £3,690 per person. Sailing from Portsmouth, calls are being scheduled for Liverpool, Tresco in the Isles of Scilly and in the bay of Falmouth.

Cunard:   This month Cunard Line announced three centenary voyages that will celebrate Cunard’s first World Cruise by the Laconia in 1922-23.   And sales are already strong!

Cunard has noted:  “2023 marks 100 years since the RMS Laconia completed Cunard’s first World Voyage and to celebrate we’re sailing on a season of global adventures inspired by this pioneering feat in ocean travel.”

“On the morning of Nov 21st 1922, if you were a bit posh and more than a little adventurous, you might have boarded the luxury liner Laconia for her inaugural around-the-world cruise. For 130 glorious days, you’d visit some of the world’s most exotic destinations — Yokohama and Shanghai, Rangoon and Bombay, Egypt, and Naples. You’d steam through the Suez Canal, visit the Taj Mahal, and pass through the Valley of the Kings.“

“Although the ship could carry up to 2200 passengers, this excursion was limited to just 450 travelers who were assigned to only the largest and most well-appointed cabins on board.”

World cruises boomed in 1922-23, with the Laconia being only the first of four ships to leave New York on world cruises that winter. The others, booked either by travel agent Frank C Clark or by American Express, were United American Line’s 19,653-ton Resolute, Canadian Pacific’s 18,481-ton Empress of France and Cunard Line’s 19,602-ton Samaria, which sailed in the opposite direction from the other three, proceeding from west to east. The rest, as they say, is history.

Thank you to all our readers, correspondents, those “agents” in faraway places! 

Half a Million Dollars Raised! Clocr crosses $500,000 Seed Funding Accelerates Plans Into India

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media contact: David Perry & Associates, Inc. (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

Half a Million Dollars Raised!
Clocr crosses $500,000 Seed Funding Accelerates Plans Into India

All-in-one digital legacy planning service for families and individuals, also looks for further funding and global business expansion

www.clocr.in
www.clocr.com  

23 April 2021 – Austin TEXAS / New Delhi, INDIA:  In a competitive market, Clocr, Inc. (www.clocr.com  / www.clocr.in) — the first-of-its-kind all-in-one legacy planning online tool for arranging digital assets founded by the father-and-daughter team of Sree and Apoorva Chintala — has raised over $500,000 through organic and family fundraising in addition to its Republic Crowd Funding Campaign, a major benchmark for a new company, especially coming out of the challenging COVID-impacted year. With its seed round raised in December 2020, Clocr’s Republic Crowd Funding Campaign continues and will be used for footprint expansion in India.

“It has been a long journey for us to get to this point,” said Apoorva Chintala, Clocr. Co-Founder and CEO. “Raising the seed round and people joining our journey through crowdfunding has validated what we are working on and has affirmed that there is a real need in the market for our services. We are super excited about our progress thus far, and we have lots of big plans to innovate in the legacy planning industry.”

The idea for Clocr (prounced “Clocker” as in short for “Cloud Locker”) came to Apoorva when she lost her grandfather and saw her father struggling emotionally and mentally with digital assets and legacy management.  

“I would have been lost if I had needed to figure all this out on my own, especially if it had been during COVID and I had no physical access to records,” said Apoorva who is now 21.  In 2020, she and her team were selected as one of the top 16 collegiate entrepreneurs of the year.  “My response of ‘I just don’t know’ gave way to ‘I’m going to invent a system to make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else.”

Founded on on November 18, 2018, Clocr offers customizable onboarding and digital vault with proprietary, patent-pending, multi-layered security protocol, built on IPFS and blockchain concepts.  Clocr, a SaaS (Software as a Service), empowers its users to efficiently organize their digital assets including all accounts (social media and others) and files, identify their heirs, and provide these heirs access to the digital legacies of their loved ones. Clocr offers digital estate solutions with an easy-to-use online tool. Clocr allows people to set up, manage, and pass on all digital assets in a safe and legal way.

“Clocr had been bootstrapped until we got funding and was originally completely reliant on organic growth,”said Sree Chintala, serial entrepreneurand Clocr CTO and Co-Founder, noting that the company has recently entered the Indian market. “Initially, it was a balancing act between cost and quality. Soon the digital solution matured and worked out in the favor of the company.”

Additionally, Clocr is also expanding its global footprint and hiring teams in different geographies in addition to India. Clocr’s expansion will allow it to be ready for B2B integrations in various verticals. The company has also planned to allocate substantial funds for sales and marketing efforts in the Indian market with the funding received in the first round. Clocr is also scaling its operations fast and its funding needs will also increase with future expansion.

“We have an early mover advantage and a big enough roadmap that brings a multitude of additional services into our digital legacy platform,” said Sree, stressing that Clocr is the first company bringing revolutionary digital legacy solutions to the Indian market after its success in the USA. “With that being said, we are more cautious about further funding expansions. We would consider potential strategic investments, majorly in India, which can enhance our product offering and enrich the revenue.”

About CLOCR INC.
Clocris the first all-in-one digital legacy planning and disbursement platform designed specifically for digital assets. Clocr allows users to efficiently organize their digital assets and files, name beneficiaries, and give them access to everything they need in case of an emergency or death. Customizable onboarding makes it easy to create more than 150 of the most used online accounts and creates alerts if one’s estate becomes incomplete, beneficiaries deny a bequest, or if any account is disbursed due to incapacity or death. The system can even track who has assigned an individual as their beneficiary to get a more nuanced understanding of assets. Through the use of an intuitive user interface, the latest advancements in security technology (including Clocr’s own patent pending security platform), the start-up has created an impressive digital asset storage and distribution platform with the most secure personal storage available. (www.clocr.com  / www.clocr.in)

The Sonoran Palm Springs hosts “LUNAR

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The Sonoran Palm Springs hosts “LUNAR”

Art, Fashion, Music & Wine, Socially Distant COVID Regulated Event will feature a one-of-a-kind fashion masterpiece presentation highlighting acclaimed celebrity fashion designer David Tupaz, handbags by ZENZARA, men’s jackets by Giovanni Testi, and international fashion designers Erick Bendaña of Nicaragua, costume designers Ricardo Soltero, Kenny Mendoza, Inoe Vargas of Mexico, KICKA Custom Design of Sweden.

Art installation by ArtFX Palm Springs @artfxpalmsprings.
Special Performance by Felson Palad and a tribute to Elizabeth Taylor’s “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof”  white chiffon dress by costume designer Helen Rose.

This edition of “LUNAR” is sponsored by Kelsey Timberlake Events. “LUNAR” is produced and directed by Eduardo Khawam, President & Founder of Metropolitan Fashion Week & RunwayFX

A portion of the evening’s profits will benefit local artists in financial distress. “LUNAR” will kick-off a series of monthly occasions planned for full moon weekends that will spotlight fashion and artists from around the world.

Saturday, April 24
5:30pm (Doors Open)
6:30pm – 8pm (Show)
The Sonoran Palm Springs
1555 S Palm Canyon Drive

Limited Tickets available:

Tickets must be purchased in advance at:
https://lunar.shindigg.com/

GENERAL ADMISSION — $ 55: Includes entry to the event and 1 charcuterie box: A collection of hand curated, imported cheeses and meats, accompanied by house created herbed crostini, pickled vegetables and spiced mustard by TigAndCompany.com

FIRST CLASS – $ 75: Includes preferred seats. and 1 charcuterie box

CABANA – $ 575:  Includes: 1 charcuterie box and one bottle of wine. NOTE: Maximum of 6 people per cabana.

Cash Bar: Wine and soft drinks
Face masks:  Mandatory
Hand Sanitizer Stations: Yes
Parking: There is ample parking at the Sonoran Palm Springs in the Plaza Del Sol lot
Dress code: Dress to impress.
Cancellation/Refunds: 72 hours before the show. 25% Cancelation fee will apply

Special thanks to AsiaSF/Palm Springs, Tig & Company, Elevation Creative Agency Celebrity DJ Ricky Rocks, V Model Studio, and David Perry & Associates, Inc.

Use of face coverings is mandatory unless actively eating and/or drinking. Guests who do not comply should be removed from the event immediately.

Guidance. Entry and exit will be tightly controlled to prevent concentrations of people at entry and exit.

About the Sonoran Palm Springs:
38,000 square feet of an outdoor event space which includes a pool, cabanas, pool bar, fire pits, and an expansive lawn area. Modern & visually stunning; The Sonoran Palm Springs offers monumental views of the San Jacinto Mountains and dramatic views of the stars for your next unforgettable events. The Sonoran Palm Springs located in the highly desirable South Palm Springs.

The Sonoran Palm Springs is the perfect venue for Weddings, Corporate Events, Red Carpet Events, Charity Events, Galas, Film Festivals, Film Screenings, Film Productions, Photo Shoots, Fashion Shows, Art & Wine Festivals, Product Launch, Branding, Pool Parties, Birthdays, Bridal Showers, Conference, Conventions and more. The Sonoran – The Outdoor Social Distancing. Compliant Oasis in the Heart of Palm Springs.

Kelsey Timberlake Events is a boutique company with an intimate approach, clients work directly with Kelsey Timberlake every step of the way, creating a unique custom experience. With a personable, honest, playful and timeless strategy, Kelsey aims to create unique and memorable environments and experiences.

Instagram: TheSonoranPS
Hashtag: #TheSonoranPS
Facebook: The Sonoran Palm Springs

18th Annual International Ocean Film Festival Drive-In

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Thursday, April 22 “Earth Day”
18th Annual International Ocean Film Festival Drive-In  at San Francisco’s Fort Mason Honors Coast Guard First Responders

21 April 2021 – San Francisco, CA:   With the theme of “Restore Our Earth” this year’s Earth Day in San Francisco will also pay tribute to, a very special branch of first responders: Our Bay Area Coast Guard contingent. Thursday, April 22, 8:30pm – 10:30pm, the 18th Annual International Ocean Film Festival sponsors a special drive-in screening at Fort Mason Center For Arts & Culture (2 Marina Drive, San Francisco) of two 2021 award-winning films, Ocean Souls (Festival Wildlife Award), and Whales in a Changing Ocean (Director’s Award).  In tribute, free tickets to the event are being provided to local Coast Guard members.  Due to COVID, for the second year in a row, with the exception of the Fort Mason special event, this year’s Festival is all virtual. Tickets for the special “Earth Day” screening are available for purchase online at https://fortmason.org/event/flix/international-ocean-film-festival-2021-earth-day/

“We’ve all learned to pivot quickly during the last year and also, to say thank you to people who have helped us every day during COVID,” said Ana Blanco, Executive Director for the Festival. “With the slight loosening of COVID protocols and increased vaccinations, we felt comfortable sponsoring this last-minute live drive-in event. And, since Fort Mason looks out on one of the great Bays on Planet Earth, we thought this event was the perfect way to salute our first responders in the United States Coast Guard by offering free tickets to them.”

“One of the Coast Guard’s statutory missions is marine environmental response,” said Richard Hooker, the Eleventh Coast Guard District’s Command Master Chief. “Coast Guard men and women play a vital role in protecting the San Francisco Bay, whether it’s through maintaining federal aids to navigation to facilitate the safe flow of maritime commerce, monitoring and managing commercial vessel traffic movement,  conducting facility and vessel inspections to ensure compliance with federal regulations or working with partner agencies responding to oil spills. Donated tickets will be distributed to some of our finest representatives at Coast Guard units throughout the Bay Area.”

This year’s 18th Annual International Ocean Film Festival is marked with 18 days of ocean-focused, independent films. The Festival will screen a record 80+ films from 17 countries, including 10 premieres and 9 award-winners.   In addition, the Festival will hosting lively Q&A panels with film directors, marine scientists, and industry experts, as they discuss the films and share insights into ocean conservation, preservation, and legislation.   Also included is the Student Film Competition, featuring films from middle school and high school students (grades 6 through 12) from 12 countries around the world.

Since its launch in 2004, the San Francisco-based International Ocean Film Festival has attracted thousands of spectators of all ages from around the world, including film enthusiasts, ocean athletes, educators, and environmental supporters. Since then, the Festival has presented over 560 films from 40 different countries and featured post-film Q&A sessions with visiting filmmakers, special panel discussions with content experts, and the Annual Free Student Education Program. It was the first event of its kind in North America, inspired by the well-established ocean festival in Toulon, France, which has continued to draw large audiences for more than 40 years.

Current sponsors for the upcoming 18th Annual International Ocean Film Festival include National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, the Consul General of Canada, RBC Wealth Management, Pacific Gas & Electric, The Joseph R. Parker Foundation, and the Orange County Community Foundation.

The International Ocean Film Festival encourages its patrons, supporters and partners to follow the most current advice from the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization for preventing the further spread of the COVID-19 in Northern California and beyond, and to stay tuned for announcements about International Ocean Film Festival events once the threat level is reduced. The 18th Annual International Ocean Film Festival will take place April 15 – May 2, 2021 online at www.intloceanfilmfest.org. Possible in-person events, dependent upon COVID protocols, may be scheduled at San Francisco’s Fort Mason Center for Arts and Culture. The International Ocean Film Festival is a registered 501(c) 3 non-profit.  The video trailer for the 18th Annual International Ocean Film Festival may be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/486467322