All posts by imreal

Ziegler Closes Financing For Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury


SVWC is completing an independent living villa apartment expansion project, the first phase of which was financed by Ziegler in 2022 and will includes 48 new independent living villa apartments. The second phase of the project that is being financed with the Series 2023 Bonds includes an additional 49 independent living villa apartments for which SVWC issued two tranches of draw down bank loans that were purchased by Atlantic Union Bank and Pinnacle Financial Partners under a participation agreement:

  •     Series 2023A Long-Term Bond ($27,500,000): 10-year bank commitment period with an accreting swap that mitigates interest rate risk through the bank commitment period.
  •     Series 2023B Intermediate-Term Bond ($25,000,000): 30-month maturity to be repaid with initial entrance fees from the project at pricing.

Duane A. Wernecke, CPA, Chief Financial Officer, Shenandoah Valley Westminster Canterbury stated, “Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury has engaged Tad Melton and Ziegler since 2014.” Wernecke added, “In addition to the 2022 and 2023 Revenue Bond financings, SVWC partnered with Ziegler on several debt refinancings, significantly reducing SVWC’s cost of capital. The financial strength of this community is a direct result of SVWC’s strategic partnership with Ziegler and it’s Richmond Virginia representatives, Tad Melton, Tommy Brewer, and Adam Garcia. The success of this community and this villa expansion project is a direct result of our affiliation with Ziegler.”

“Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury is one of the strongest single site life plan communities in the nation,” stated Tad Melton, Managing Director, Ziegler Senior Living Finance. Melton continued, “The Series 2023 financing was highly successful and demonstrated our teams’ ability to offer steady guidance in a volatile market environment, the attractiveness of SVWC’s sound financial profile and the ability of its board and management team to achieve success in a dynamic time. Working together, the outcome was yet another example of SVWC growing and evolving and delivering on its mission and to its residents.”

Ziegler is the nation’s leading underwriter of financings for not-for-profit senior living providers. Ziegler offers creative, tailored solutions to its senior living clientele, including investment banking, financial risk management, merger and acquisition services, seed capital, FHA/HUD, capital and strategic planning as well as senior living research, education, and communication.
For more information about Ziegler, please visit us at http://www.ziegler.com.

About Ziegler:
Ziegler is a privately held, national boutique investment bank, capital markets and proprietary investments firm. It has a unique focus on healthcare, senior living and education sectors, as well as general municipal and structured finance. Headquartered in Chicago with regional and branch offices throughout the U.S., Ziegler provides its clients with capital raising, strategic advisory services, fixed income sales, underwriting and trading as well as Ziegler Credit, Surveillance and Analytics. To learn more, visit http://www.ziegler.com.

Certain comments in this news release represent forward-looking statements made pursuant to the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This client’s experience may not be representative of the experience of other clients, nor is it indicative of future performance or success. The forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, in particular, the overall financial health of the securities industry, the strength of the healthcare sector of the U.S. economy and the municipal securities marketplace, the ability of the Company to underwrite and distribute securities, the market value of mutual fund portfolios and separate account portfolios advised by the Company, the volume of sales by its retail brokers, the outcome of pending litigation, and the ability to attract and retain qualified employees.

Media Contact

Christine McCarty, Ziegler, 3125961617, [email protected], www.ziegler.com

SOURCE Ziegler

News/Media Alliance Study Finds Pervasive Unauthorized Use of Publisher Content to Power Generative AI Technologies


While the Copyright Office submission and White Paper discuss the wider publisher landscape in the face of the GAI revolution, including relevant principles of copyright law, the accompanying technical analysis documents the extent to which GAI developers rely on high-quality journalistic content to power their models. In particular, the results show:

  • GAI developers have copied and used news, magazine and digital media content to train large language models (LLMs).
  • Popular curated datasets underlying LLMs significantly overweight publisher content by a factor ranging from over 5 to almost 100 as compared to the generic collection of content that the well-known entity Common Crawl has scraped from the web.
  • Other studies show that news and digital media ranks third among all categories of sources in Google’s C4 training set, which was used to develop Google’s GAI-powered products like Bard. Half of the top ten sites represented in the data set are news outlets.
  • The LLMs also copy and use publisher content in their outputs. The LLMs can reproduce the content on which they were trained, demonstrating that the models retain and can memorize the expressive content of the training works.

Alliance President & CEO Danielle Coffey stated, “The research and analysis we’ve conducted shows that AI companies and developers are not only engaging in unauthorized copying of our members’ content to train their products, but they are using it pervasively and to a greater extent than other sources. This shows they recognize our unique value, and yet most of these developers are not obtaining proper permissions through licensing agreements or compensating publishers for the use of this content. This diminishment of high-quality, human created content harms not only publishers but the sustainability of AI models themselves and the availability of reliable, trustworthy information.”

The Copyright Office comments and the White Paper offer multiple recommendations to policymakers, including recognizing that unauthorized use of publishers’ expressive content for commercial GAI training and development is likely to compete with and harm publisher businesses in a manner that infringes copyright; creating transparency requirements to require disclosure of the use of copyright protected content in training; encouraging and facilitating effective licensing solutions; supporting international cooperation and harmonization on GAI regulations; and adopting legislation to remedy existing market imbalances that prevent publishers from engaging in fair negotiations for the use of their content against dominant platforms.

Coffey continued, “Generative AI systems should be held responsible and accountable, just like any other business. This White Paper demonstrates that these systems rely on journalistic and creative content, which have the benefit of investment in quality on the front end, as well as publishers who are required by law to take responsibility for the content they share with the public. Continued unauthorized use will harm existing markets that acknowledge the value of archived and real-time quality content, and over time the GAI models themselves will deteriorate. You get out what you put in. It is critical that our copyright protections are properly enforced and that high standards of quality and accountability are the foundation of these and other new technologies.”

The News/Media Alliance is a nonprofit organization representing more than 2,200 news and magazine media organizations and their multiplatform businesses in the United States and globally. Alliance members include print and digital publishers of original journalism. Headquartered just outside Washington, D.C., the association focuses on ensuring the future of journalism through communication, research, advocacy, and innovation. Information about the News/Media Alliance can be found at http://www.newsmediaalliance.org.

Media Contact
Lindsey Loving, News/Media Alliance, 5713661000, [email protected], www.newsmediaalliance.org

SOURCE News/Media Alliance

Jacked Up Fitness Announces “Extra Gains” Early Start of Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals with 10% Sitewide Sale Starting October 31st


Jacked Up Fitness has been taking the strength training world by storm with its three original power racks to hit the market – the Jacked Up Plate, Jacked Up Plus, and Jacked Up Pro. In September, the company added three additional power rack lines:

The Jacked Up Power Rack EVOLUTION: The sleek and chic EVOLUTION is proof that size doesn’t matter. As a more compact home gym for those with limited space, this cutting-edge power rack is the perfect blend of style and functionality that packs the same punch and provides the same gains.

The Jacked Up Power Rack EXTREME: A gym partner that’s more like a gym soul mate for those who want to get strong, Jacked Up Fitness engineered the EXTREME to handle heavy loads and tailored it specifically to help you redefine your strength training limits and maximize your gains.

The Jacked Up Power Rack Squat Rack Cage: A great-looking and capable foundation for your home gym. This super solid setup includes a multi-grip pull-up station, J-Hooks, Crossbar Safety Supports, Resistance Band Pegs, Accessory Storage Hooks and more!

“The members of the Jacked Up Family have been telling us for years that they have been prioritizing their health, but going to the gym isn’t always feasible. For them, that means prioritizing strength training at home with equipment that caters to their lifestyle, offers flexibility, and provides an optimal workout experience for them and their family members,” Mastrangelo added.

All six Jacked Up Power Racks and all accessories are available for 10% off starting October 31st through November 30th. All items will also include free shipping.

If you place your order by November 30th, you can expect to receive your purchase by Christmas, just in time to gift it to that special someone.

Plus, when you join the Jacked Up Fitness Family, you join a community that sees fitness as a way of life just like you. You’ll receive unlimited technical support and lifetime access to the Jacked Up Training App, which features a live 1:1 orientation, and unlimited access to Jacked Up trainers for custom workouts, coaching, and nutrition guidance.

About Jacked Up Fitness –

Jacked Up Fitness, one of America’s fastest-growing fitness brands, is based in Temecula, California. Founded by CEO Don Mastrangelo, fitness and wellness advocate, sales visionary, and serial entrepreneur, Jacked Up Fitness brings all-in-one home gym solutions to people across America. The Jacked Up Power Racks are a follow-up to the widely successful Jacked Up Footwear, which brought relief to people with leg length discrepancies. To order a Jacked Up Power Rack or reach out with any questions, comments, or concerns, visit http://www.jackedupbrands.com.

Contact:
Priscilla Ventura
Project Manager
(951) 414-4219
[email protected]
https://jackedupbrands.com/

Media Contact
Priscilla Ventura, Jacked Up Fitness, 951-414-4219, [email protected], https://jackedupbrands.com

SOURCE Jacked Up Fitness

Front Line Medical Technologies Announces the Release of First Real-World Data of the COBRA-OS® for Postpartum Hemorrhage


“This real-world, non-industry sponsored data showed significant reductions in blood loss and transfusion requirements in one study and was helpful when used in a selective hemorrhage control strategy in the other,” stated co-founder and CEO Asha Parekh, PhD. “In addition, one of the studies demonstrated the utility of the COBRA-OS® for intermittent and partial REBOA applications as well.”

The Pan-American Society for the Placenta Accreta Spectrum meeting is typically held in October, which coincides with Accreta Awareness Month (AAM). AAM encourages patients, survivors, medical professionals and public health advocates to spread the word about increased rates and risk factors associated with placenta accreta. At this year’s meeting, the COBRA-OS® was featured in a hands-on workshop led by Dr Adam Power, who is also the chief medical officer of Front Line. The conference was attended by high-risk obstetrical specialists from across North America.

“Postpartum hemorrhage is a tragically underrecognized global health crisis,” Dr Parekh continues. “For the many mothers who suffer from these devastating complications, this positive data helps us to spread the word about innovative solutions for some of the world’s biggest health problems”.

For more information on the Pan-American Society for the Placenta Accreta Spectrum, please visit https://www.passquared.org/ and for more information on Accreta Awareness Month, please visit the National Accreta Foundation at https://www.preventaccreta.org/

The COBRA-OS® gained FDA clearance and Health Canada approval in 2021 and the company is also pursuing clearance in Europe and other countries around the world.

About Front Line Medical Technologies: Front Line Medical Technologies is a Canadian medical device company based in London, Ontario. Front Line is led by a unique team who are passionate about lowering the barriers to bleeding control and resuscitation worldwide. For more information about Front Line and the COBRA-OS® visit FrontLineMedTech.com

Media Contact

Seema Gogna, Front Line Medical Technologies, 1 905-251-4248, [email protected], www.frontlinemedtech.com

SOURCE Front Line Medical Technologies

Vida Markets Integrates ECN and STP Accounts with Exceptional Rates & Spreads


Vida Markets, a leading brokerage firm, has expanded its offerings to cater to the evolving needs of ECN and STP traders, providing competitive rates and optimized spreads, creating an integrated trading environment for success. With a commitment to a comprehensive trading ecosystem, Vida Markets not only offers premier services but also educational resources and a user-friendly interface, aiming to empower traders and foster an elite trading experience across various markets.

JOHANNESBURG, Oct. 31, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — In the contemporary financial trading regime, the requirements of market participants extend beyond basic offerings. They seek comprehensive solutions and sophisticated tools to secure a competitive edge in such markets, characterized by escalating rivalry. Observing this scenario, Vida Markets has strategically extended its offerings to accommodate both ECN and STP traders. By presenting not only favorable rates but also optimized spreads, the broker endeavors to cultivate an integrated environment conducive to the success of traders across the spectrum, ensuring they are equipped to succeed and prevail.

“At Vida Markets, we guide our clients through the dynamic landscape of trading, ensuring they are always in tune with the changing conditions,” a spokesperson for Vida Markets explained. “In the financial trading world where flexibility and strategic acumen are paramount, we warmly welcome ECN and STP traders, treating them to some truly compelling rates and spreads. Our revamped accounts deftly blend keen market sensitivity with cost-effective offerings, priming the users for sharp trade moves. Through this upgrade, we double down on our vow to uplift every trader, enabling them to not only sail but dominate the intricate waves of the trading arena.”

An Optimized Trading Arena

Vida Markets is a reputable brokerage firm known for its detailed infrastructure and convenient amenities. The company curates an all-encompassing trading ecosystem, marked by preeminent trading platforms, same-day deposits and withdrawals, educational content, and a user-friendly interface, carving its unique manifesto in the competitive domain of trading.

“We have always been resolute in chalking out an optimal forum, fusing reliability with simplicity,” the spokesperson for Vida Markets added. “Accordingly, we have arranged a range of premier services, beginning with adaptable multi-account selections, right through to our robust CFD trading arenas, all designed to resonate with the individualistic styles of our clients. While our educational troves can help the users experience a journey to trading mastery, our VM social trading nexus supports communal sharing and copy trading. Ultimately, we are dedicated to forging an elite trading expedition and top-of-the-line service that is not just felt but remembered.”

About Vida Markets

Vida Markets emerges as a paramount entity in the financial trading space, celebrated for its expansive arsenal of trading apparatus and simple on-boarding process. The broker grants entryways to a range of international marketplaces, encompassing forex, stock, indices, commodities, and digital currencies. What defines the forum’s niche is not just the multi-language customer support and competitive cost structure but also the facilitation of lightning-fast transactions. Moreover, catering to diverse trader needs through an assortment of account selections, ranging from ECN and STP to Islamic accounts, the brand guarantees a customized linkage to the financial markets. At its core, Vida Markets pledges to elevate the trading experiences and empower its clientele with an elite suite of technical instruments and services. More information can be found on the Vida Markets website, or through contact with one of the brand’s representatives.

Media Contact

Allan Maira – Chief Operating Officer, Vida Markets, +44 0208 157 2170, [email protected], https://www.vidamarkets.com/en 

SOURCE Vida Markets

American Heart Association Supports Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation’s Cardiac Arrest Survivor Alliance™


The CASA online community offers resources for peer support, evidence-based information, and access to experts to help those impacted by SCA recover, re-engage and thrive.

More than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States each year, and sudden cardiac arrest is often fatal if cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillator shocks are not delivered within minutes to restore normal heart rhythm. As the Association works to double the SCA survival rate by 2030, more survivors and family members will likely need the support of survivor resources available within the CASA online community.

“We are honored that the American Heart Association supports the Cardiac Arrest Survivor Alliance™,” said Mary Newman, Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation president. “We greatly appreciate their efforts to promote CASA so that more survivors, co-survivors, and rescuers will learn about the resources available through CASA.”

According to a scientific statement from the American Heart Association on sudden cardiac arrest survivorship (1) , there is a strong interconnection between the mind, heart and body that affects the healing process for people impacted by SCA including survivors, family members, and rescuers.

“The American Heart Association has a goal to double survival from cardiac arrest by 2030,” said Tammy Gregory, executive vice president of the American Heart Association. “Working with cardiac arrest survivors and their lifesavers is important at every stage of the chain of survival – from preparation – to stepping in during an emergency – to supporting those in recovery. These efforts are critical for our community of survivors, advocates, and lifesavers to continue to grow.”

(1) Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survivorship: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association, Sawyer et al, 12 Feb 2020 https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000747
Circulation. 2020;141:e654–e685

About Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation is a national community benefit 501(c)(3) organization. Our vision is to eliminate preventable death and disability from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and support people affected by SCA. Our mission is to raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest and promote initiatives that help save lives through education, research, and community. We are proud co-sponsors of the Call-Push-Shock movement and home of the Cardiac Arrest Survivor Alliance, an online community for survivors and loved ones.

Media Contact

Christina Dolan, Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, 407-765-0654, [email protected], https://www.sca-aware.org

Karen Springs, American Heart Association, 214-706-4831, [email protected], https://www.heart.org

SOURCE Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation

SuperKlean Announces Availability of Lockable Temperature Control Wheel Cover for Their Entire DuraMix 8000 Steam & Cold Water Hose Stations


SuperKlean Ships the First of Its 2024 Array of New Hot Water Sanitation Products. Innovative Temperature Control Wheel Gives Thousands of SuperKlean Steam Hose Station Management Teams the Ability to Limit Temperature Control Access with a Low-Cost Solution!

BURLINGAME, Calif., Oct. 31, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — SuperKlean has begun early shipments of its ‘first of many’ new product announcements planned for 2024 … a Lockable Cover for Plant and Factory managers to limit access to SuperKlean’s renowned DuraMix 8000 Steam & Cold Water Hose Station Mixer. Many managers had already been purchasing quantities of these small lockable units, and most recently have asked SuperKlean to provide a more elegant, customized solution, including an easy to remove lock. SuperKlean has answered their request, with this low-cost solution that fits any of the 10’s of thousands of SuperKlean steam hose stations already in use, or soon to be purchased.

This new Temperature Control Globe Valve Cover (Part #: TCW-KL) can be ordered immediately for same day shipment by calling SuperKlean at 800-769-9173, or by sending your purchase order to [email protected].

SuperKlean’s world famous DuraMix 8000 Steam Mixing Station offerings have been rated as the #1 steam hose station solution in the world for over a decade, often replacing competitive models that are expensive and difficult to maintain and are often a Safety Hazard to the employees who operate them. SuperKlean’s superior design does not allow dangerous steam to escape into the hot water industrial hose and out of the nozzle.

Perhaps one of the most popular and unique features of SuperKlean Steam Hose Stations is the innovative temperature hand-wheel globe valve that enables those who manage DuraMix steam mixers to make small, fine-tuned temperature adjustments to their SuperKlean Steam Hose Station based on factory or plant changes and fluctuations in either steam pressure or cold water pressure in the facility. Now, with SuperKlean’s lockable cover, management can easily designate who has access to this important temperature control wheel.

Bob Rudy, VP of Sales and Marketing for SuperKlean said, “SuperKlean is dedicated to making our industry-favorite DuraMix Steam Hose Stations the easiest to use and control in the sanitation washdown industry. We have many more innovative new environmentally exceptional products we will be announcing in the upcoming months and throughout 2024. Stay tuned, and feel free to call us for soon to be released details.”

SuperKlean understands that sanitizing plants with the exact hot water temperature required is extremely difficult, without room for error. Many thanks to these hard working sanitation experts for the work they do to keep our foods as safe and pure as possible!

For more information on SuperKlean’s extensive line of hot water sanitation products, including industrial hot water guns, hot water hoses, and hose stations, please visit http://www.superklean.com. Or, for immediate technical assistance on what specific products might be best for your application, please contact Dana Rudy, SuperKlean’s Sales Manager, directly at 949-576-5679, or any member of our team at 800-769-9173.

Media Contact

Dana Rudy, SuperKlean, 949-576-5679, [email protected], https://www.superklean.com

SOURCE SuperKlean