Category: Travel & Leisure

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Luxurious new Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa to welcome guests this spring

The new luxury safari overnight experience at Six Flags Great Adventure Resort is now accepting reservations

 

JACKSON, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Six Flags Great Adventure Resort is thrilled to announce the grand opening of Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa, welcoming guests beginning June 14.

 

Reservations are now being accepted for the new luxury glamping experience nestled in the heart of the 350-acre Six Flags Wild Safari, home to over 1,200 animals. The exclusive resort promises an unforgettable, first-class experience for those seeking an indulgent retreat.

 

Guests will be immersed in a one-of-a-kind resort destination where every detail has been meticulously crafted to create a haven of serenity and adventure. From the moment guests arrive, they will be greeted with warm hospitality and personalized care, with no detail overlooked.

 

Key Features of the Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa:

  1. Luxurious accommodations: The resort offers 20 glamping suites that vary in size, sleeping two to six guests. Each suite is thoughtfully designed to provide the utmost comfort and style with world-class amenities.
  2. Unmatched views and VIP experiences: During their stay, guests can choose their own adventure. Whether relaxing with sweeping views from their suite, participating in close-up animal encounters or exploring the local watering holes of the Six Flags Great Adventure theme park or Hurricane Harbor water park, guests will have opportunities to create memories to last a lifetime.
  3. Included benefits: With a two-night minimum stay, guests will enjoy a giraffe feeding, daily breakfast, multi-park passes giving access to all 3 Six Flags Great Adventure Resort parks, and more.
  4. VIP dining: Guests will embark on an indulgent culinary journey with featured items curated to enhance the glamping experience.
  5. Spa services: Guests can rejuvenate their senses at the Savannah Sunset Spa which features holistic treatments with expert therapists to promote relaxation and wellness.
  6. Event spaces: Ideal for small gatherings from weddings to corporate retreats, Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa offers a versatile event space with stunning views and top-notch service to make every celebration unforgettable.

 

“We are excited to welcome guests this spring to the Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa, where opulence meets the open savannah in the heart of New Jersey,” said Park President Brian Bacica. “Our team is planning every detail to create a luxury experience welcoming guests to enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of our resort. Whether you seek relaxation, a family adventure, or a romantic getaway, Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa promises to exceed your expectations.”

 

Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa is part of one of the largest investments at Six Flags Great Adventure Resort in nearly two decades. In celebration of the destination’s 50-year history, Six Flags Great Adventure Resort is also debuting its 15th roller coaster this summer. THE FLASH: Vertical Velocity, the first coaster of its kind in North America, joins the highly-anticipated return of the Safari Off Road Adventure, and modern updates to the nostalgic Log Flume and Big Wheel rides. In addition, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor will open Splash Island, a new family-centric area giving guests of all ages an opportunity for some interactive fun in the sun.

 

Visit https://www.sixflags.com/savannahsunset to reserve your spot for this one-of-kind luxurious safari overnight experience right here in the United States.

 

Six Flags Great Adventure will open for the 2024 season on March 16. Enjoy all season long with a Season Pass starting as low as $13/month after initial payment. In preparation for their 50th anniversary season, the destination is hiring for a variety of positions with great hourly pay, exciting perks and valuable benefits. Apply today at sixflagsjobs.com or text FUN to 732-307-6688 to begin the hiring process.

 

About Six Flags Great Adventure Resort

Six Flags Great Adventure Resort boasts 4 world-class attractions including, Six Flags Great Adventure theme park, Hurricane Harbor water park, the Wild Safari, and new, luxury Savanah Sunset Resort and Spa. The resort destination is home to the World’s Ultimate Thrill Park with award-winning rides like Kingda Ka, Nitro, El Toro and Jersey Devil Coaster. The theme park offers two areas created just for young guests, family rides the whole family can enjoy together, live entertainment, shopping and a wide variety of dining options. Six Flags Hurricane Harbor is one of the Northeast’s largest water parks with more than 25 refreshing attractions for the whole family. The Wild Safari is one of the largest safaris outside of Africa where guests get up-close experiences with more than 1,200 animals from around the globe. www.sixflags.com/greatadventure

 

About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: SIX) is the world’s largest regional theme park company with 27 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. For 63 years, Six Flags has entertained hundreds of millions of guests with world-class coasters, themed rides, thrilling water parks and unique attractions. Six Flags is committed to creating an inclusive environment that fully embraces the diversity of our team members and guests. For more information, visit www.sixflags.com.

 

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Contacts

Staci Wheeler, anwheeler@sftp.com

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Mercer County Park Commission announces summer nature camps

HAMILTON, N.J. — The Mercer County Park Commission hosts thrilling and educational summer nature camps for children ages 7 to 15 years.

With activities like fishing, trail exploration, and nature games, these camps are designed for children who love to explore nature or want to build their experiences in the great outdoors.

All camps are licensed with the State of New Jersey and are led by our full-time Naturalist Educators. Offered in three of our county parks, summer nature camps highlight the full scope of unique wildlife and outdoor experiences that Mercer County has to offer.

Aquatic Adventure Camp for Anglers

For campers ages 10 to 12 and will take place on Mercer Lake. Campers will on build their fishing skills by choosing the right bait, identifying fish, and finding habitats along the lake for the most success. Only offered from June 24 to June 28! 

Aquatic Adventure Camp for Kayakers

Campers ages 13 to 15 will have exclusive access to explore plant and animal life along Mercer Lake’s shoreline, creeks, and hidden coves by kayak. Only offered from June 24 to June 28! 

Baldpate Nature Camp

This camp is packed with hands-on nature explorations, hikes through the forest, and unstructured nature play. Activities are designed for campers to delve into topics such as birds, bugs, and butterflies and include age-appropriate activities for campers 7 to 9 years, and 10 to 12 years. Only offered July 8 to 12, and July 15 to 19.

Tulpehaking Nature Camp

This camp has campers explore the trails of the marshlands through the lens of the Lenape, who inhabited this region centuries ago and continue to view it as their homeland. Age-appropriate activities incorporating traditional Lenape Games and crafts are designed for campers 7 to 9 years, and 10 to 12 years. Only offered July 29 to Aug. 2, and Aug. 5 to 9.

Register now. Camps fill quickly. See How to Register below for more information on how to claim your child’s spot in camp.

How to register:

Registration and payment must be completed online at https://register.communitypass.net/mercer. Camps are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, and spots are limited. Only complete applications will be processed. Make sure you have the following information before registering: child’s medical information (including physician and health insurance information, emergency contact etc.), immunization record, and full payment.

Click here for our full Nature Camp brochure with program dates and details or call (609) 888-3218 ext. 205.

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Disneyland Paris Flagship Hotel re-opens in time for upcoming ‘World of Frozen’ launch

After three years of renovations, the Disneyland Hotel at Disneyland Paris, finally re-opened on Jan. 25 with a new focus on luxury.

 

Courtesy of Disney

With a five-star rating and a manager whose resume includes the Ritz and the Mandarin Oriental, the hotel, which is located over the main entrance to the park, boasts a spa, kids club, styling studio similar to Florida’s Bibbity Bobbity Boutique and even a pillow menu (there are seven different types of neck support to choose from) in addition to its 487 rooms and suites.

 

While Disney’s last foray into experiential accommodation ended in tears when Orlando’s Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel shut down last fall just eighteen months after it opened, the company’s latest endeavour (which launched just a week before new Pixar Place Hotel at Disneyland in Anaheim) proves lessons have been learned about what guests actually want.

 

Gone are the windowless cabins and mandatory character interaction. Instead visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of Sleeping Beauty’s castle and soak in high-tech animated details, including a life-size version of Aurora’s dress made from fibreoptic fabric that turns from pink to blue at the touch of a button.

 

“You’re not only coming here to sleep in a bed,” manager Majbritt Iaconis tells Variety.

 

“Why are you coming here? It’s for all the different experiences on offer.”

 

Promising “excellence and immersive storytelling,” the hotel aims to offer both an extension of the company’s two French parks (as well as Disneyland Paris there is also a separately-ticketed park called Walt Disney Studios) and the first word in comfort, combining themed restaurants, character encounters and interactive suites inspired by classic films including “Beauty and the Beast” and “Cinderella” with amenities such as 24-hour room service and high-end bath products.

The lobby in the Disneyland Hotel in Paris (courtesy of Disney)

 

Disney’s French team, led by veteran Imagineer and art director Sylvie Massara (who was also responsible for the resort’s 2021 Marvel-themed hotel), were tasked with bringing the studio’s films to life, with Disney’s Burbank HQ providing archive art and props for inspiration as well as approving designs and interactive details, such as a glowing glass slipper in the Cinderella suite. Pixar Studios artists designed a “Brave”-themed tapestry, which was brought to life by craftsmen from a 130-year-old weaving workshop in the North of France and now hangs in the hotel’s Royal Banquet restaurant.

 

Read More

 

 

— Variety

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Joby to install first electric air taxi charger in greater New York City region

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE: JOBY), a company developing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for commercial passenger service, on Sunday announced it has signed a definitive agreement with Helo Holdings, Inc. (“HHI”), to install the first air taxi charger in the greater New York City region at the company’s heliport in Kearny, New Jersey, located just a two minute flight from Manhattan.

 

The agreement, which provides Joby with an operational base for its electric air taxi in the NYC region, builds on the partnership already established between Joby and HHI in November 2023, when Kearny served as a temporary home base for Joby’s aircraft. Joby completed several flights at Kearny in preparation for the Company’s exhibition flight in New York City at an event hosted by the New York City Economic Development Corporation and Mayor Eric Adams. The city has committed to electrify the Downtown Manhattan Heliport to enable electric air taxi operations.

 

First opened in 2011, the Kearny heliport is the largest vertical-lift facility on the east coast with 27 parking spots for helicopters and plans to expand to 32. The heliport provides ground services as well as hangar space for maintenance operations to helicopter operators in the NYC region, one of the busiest low-altitude corridors in the world.

 

As part of the agreement, HHI will upgrade its electrical infrastructure to support the installation of Joby’s Global Electric Aviation Charging System (“GEACS”), designed to support the safe and efficient operation of all electric aircraft under development today, including Joby’s quiet, emissions-free air taxi.

 

“We’re pleased to expand our partnership with HHI as we prepare to install our GEACS charging system at Kearny Heliport. Kearny is expected to become the first heliport with an air taxi charger in the tri-state area and enable the launch of our quiet, emissions-free air taxi service in the greater New York City region,” said JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby.

 

The GEACS charging interface is already in use at Joby’s flight test center in Marina, California and at Edwards Air Force Base. Joby recently announced a definitive agreement with Clay Lacy Aviation to install a charging system at John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County, Calif.

 

Jeff Hyman, Founder and CEO of HHI, commented, “We continue to expand our footprint in Kearny in support of one of the busiest low-altitude corridors in the world, and we’re thrilled to partner with Joby, one of the leading developers of electric air taxis, to bring the next wave of quiet aircraft to residents of the tri-state area.”

 

In 2022, Joby announced a multi-year, multi-city commercial and operational partnership with Delta Air Lines to deliver seamless airport trips for its customers across several locations, including Los Angeles and New York City.

 

Joby’s air taxi is designed to carry a pilot and four passengers at speeds of up to 200 mph, offering high-speed mobility with a fraction of the noise produced by helicopters and no in-flight emissions.

 

About Joby

Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE: JOBY) is a California-based transportation company developing an all-electric, vertical take-off and landing air taxi which it intends to operate as part of a fast, quiet, and convenient service in cities around the world. To learn more, visit www.jobyaviation.com.

 

About HHI

Helo Holdings, Inc. has over twelve years of experience in heliport operations in the Northeast Corridor. In 2010, HHI opened the Kearny Heliport, located in Kearny, New Jersey, just two minutes’ flying time from Manhattan. Situated in the busiest helicopter corridor in the world, the facility offers tarmac parking spaces for 28 helicopters, 63,500 square feet of hangar space as well as office space, maintenance services, a pilot-friendly amenities lounge, and a 24,000-gallon fuel facility. HHI has owned, expanded and operated this vibrant heliport since its inception, carrying out day-to-day heliport operations, flight tracking, aviation facilities management, management of helicopter service providers, and aviation property management. Kearny Heliport has been awarded Heliport of the Year in 2013, 2019, 2022 & 2023 by ERHC.

 

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to, statements regarding the development and performance of our aircraft, the growth of our manufacturing capabilities, our regulatory outlook, progress and timing; our business plan, objectives, goals and market opportunity; plans for, and potential benefits of, our strategic partnerships; and the planned locations for our services. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as “anticipate”, “estimate”, “expect”, “project”, “plan”, “intend”, “believe”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “can have”, “likely” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events. All forward looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including: our ability to launch our aerial ridesharing service and the growth of the urban air mobility market generally; our ability to produce aircraft that meet our performance expectations in the volumes and on the timelines that we project, and our ability to launch our service; the competitive environment in which we operate; our future capital needs; our ability to adequately protect and enforce our intellectual property rights; our ability to effectively respond to evolving regulations and standards relating to our aircraft; our reliance on third-party suppliers and service partners; uncertainties related to our estimates of the size of the market for our service and future revenue opportunities; and other important factors discussed in the section titled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 1, 2023, and in future filings and other reports we file with or furnish to the SEC. Any such forward-looking statements represent management’s estimates and beliefs as of the date of this presentation. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change.

Contacts

Joby Aviation

Investors:

investors@jobyaviation.com

Media:

press@jobyaviation.com

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Mercer County Clerk provides passport and notary updates for 2024

TRENTON, N.J. — Mercer County Clerk office announces New Year information about obtaining or renewing passports and also renewing as a notary public at the  office.

“It’s true that nothing can ruin a trip more than finding out you need a valid passport to travel to exciting island destination and that your passport is expired,” says County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello.

With all of the planning that goes into a trip abroad, some travelers will sometimes delay applying for a new passport until it is too late. My office recommends that you take a look at your passport and its expiration date well in advance of your trip departure so you are not forced to rush at the last minute.

The good news is that routine service time for passport processing by the U.S. Department of State now takes four to six weeks, which is less time than last year. An expedited application will take at least two to four weeks. We are here to serve you and have two offices with extended hours and Saturday hours that are here to assist with your passport needs.

Our Trenton Office is located at 209 S. Broad Street and an appointment is not required. Our County Connection Office in Hamilton is located at 957 Rt. 33 (near Paxson Ave.) and while appointments are not required, they are recommended for guaranteed service.  For a full list of the office hours, please visit the Mercer County Clerk’s Passport Services page.

In addition to encouraging Mercer residents to renew and apply for passports well before their departure, my office would also like to provide some tips for international travel.

Travel Tips- 

  • Make a copy of the first two pages of your passport before leaving for your trip. Travel with your passport on your person and put the two pages in your checked bag. This prevents you from losing both at the same time.
  • If you lose your passport abroad, you then have to go to the US consulate and it can be difficult to get back to the United States.
  • If you leave your passport at any location, make sure it is in a secure location – ideally a locked safe.

To apply for a US Passport, residents need:  1) Proof of US citizenship in the form of a state certified birth certificate, a US naturalization certificate or a previous US Passport; 2) Proof of identity in the form of a current driver’s license or state issued identification card. Passport photos may be taken onsite. There will also be fee, which must be made by check or money order.

The process may be extensive, but it is to help protect you from identity fraud and other security threats. We are here to answer any questions you have and assist you in whatever way we can. Feel free to call our office at (609) 989-6465.

The County Clerk’s Office also swears in those who wish to become a Notary Public. Notary Services are vital for various transactions, and we are here to make the process convenient for you.

The first step of the process is to apply to become a notary through the NJ Department of the Treasury, that paperwork can be found online here. The Department of the Treasury can be reached directly at 609-292-6748.

Once you receive your commission from the State of NJ in the mail, then you can come into our Trenton Office any day of the week to be sworn in.

We also swear in notaries at our County Connection Office in Hamilton, N.J. once a month (every 1st Thursday of the month). The dates can be found on the Mercer County Clerk’s Website here Mercer County Clerk Notary Public Services, or below. Appointments for Notary Nights can be scheduled by phone at (609) 989-6466.

Here is the Notary Schedule for 2024 at the County Connection:

February 1, 2024                                            March 7, 2024

April 4, 2024                                                   May 2, 2024

June 6, 2024                                                    July 11, 2024*

August 1, 2024                                                September 5, 2024

October 3, 2024                                              November 7, 2024

December 5, 2024

As your Mercer County Clerk, my staff and I are dedicated to providing efficient and accessible services to meet your needs. Wishing you a fantastic year ahead!

*Second thursday due to July 4th, holiday

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Apple says Al Gore and James Bell to retire from its board this year, and ex-president and CEO of The Aerospace Corporation to replace

Juli Clover / MacRumors:

 

 

—  Both Al Gore and James Bell are retiring from Apple’s board of directors, Apple announced Thursday. Dr. Wanda Austin, former president and CEO of  The Aerospace Corporation, has been nominated to join the board as the two depart.

 

According to Apple, Dr. Austin brings “decades of science and technology experience” to the role, and she has a track record of “advancing innovation and shaping corporate strategy.”

 

“Wanda has spent decades advancing technology on behalf of humanity, and we’re thrilled to welcome her to Apple’s board of directors,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “She’s an extraordinary leader, and her invaluable experience and expertise will support our mission of leaving the world better than we found it.”

 

“Like Apple, I’ve always believed in the power of innovation to improve lives, support human potential, and shape a better future,” said Dr. Austin. “I’m honored to join Apple’s board of directors, and I look forward to being part of a company that’s always creating new ways to empower people all over the world.”

 

Apple does not allow directors to stand for reelection after reaching age 75, which means that both Al Gore and James Bell are retiring from the board due to their age.

 

“We’re deeply grateful to Al and James for their many years of service to Apple — their insights, energy, and values have made us a stronger company in so many ways,” said Cook. “For more than 20 years, Al has contributed an incredible amount to our work — from his unconditional support for protecting our users’ privacy, to his incomparable knowledge of environment and climate issues. James’s dedication has been extraordinary, and we’re thankful for the important perspectives and deep expertise he’s offered on audit, finance, and so much more over the years.”

 

Al Gore first joined Apple’s board in 2003, while James Bell joined in 2015. Dr. Austin has a Ph.D in industrial and systems engineering. She joined The Aerospace Corporation in 1979, and from 2008 to 2016, she served as the organization’s president and CEO. From 2018 to 2019, she was the interim president of the University of Southern California, and she also serves on the boards of Amgen and Chevron. She previously was on the board of Virgin Galactic.

 

 

— Techmeme

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The FCC sends letters to nine of the largest automakers, warns  about abusive partners with connected car apps to harass and track their victims

—  The Federal Communications Commission is concerned about abusive partners using connected car apps to harass and track their victims.

 

 

Kashmir Hill / New York Times:

 

Many modern cars are internet-connected and have apps that allow an owner to see a car’s location, turn it on remotely, honk its horn and even adjust the temperature. These apps for car control and tracking are designed for convenience, but a New York Times article last month detailed how they have been weaponized in abusive relationships, allowing for unwanted stalking and harassment.

 

PHOTO: The Federal Communications Commission sent letters to nine of the largest automakers, asking for more information about their connected car apps and whether the companies had processes in place to assist abuse victims.Credit…Mike Blake/Reuters

 

Domestic violence survivors and experts said car companies had not been responsive when asked to cut off abusers’ digital access to cars. Customer service agents at the car companies were unable to help when the abuser was the owner or co-owner of the vehicle, even when the victim had a restraining order or a legal judgment awarding her sole use of the car during divorce proceedings.

 

On Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission sent letters to nine of the largest automakers, including General Motors, Toyota, Ford Motor and Tesla, asking for more information about their connected car apps and whether the companies had processes in place to assist abuse victims.

 

“No survivor of domestic violence and abuse should have to choose between giving up their car and allowing themselves to be stalked and harmed by those who can access its data and connectivity,” Jessica Rosenworcel, the F.C.C. chairwoman, said in a statement. “We must do everything we can to help survivors stay safe. We need to work with auto and wireless industry leaders to find solutions.”

Chairwoman Rosenworcel wrote in the letters that the F.C.C. was responsible for enforcing the Safe Connections Act, a relatively new law that requires phone companies to separate a victim’s phone from a family plan shared with an abuser. To the extent that cars have become “smartphones on wheels,” automakers “may be ‘covered providers’” under the act, she wrote.

 

The agency also sent letters to the three largest wireless communications providers — Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile — about the role they play in providing connectivity to cars and whether they are complying with the law.

 

Thomas Kadri, a law professor at the University of Georgia who was an adviser on the Safe Connections Act, found it surprising that the law might apply to car manufacturers. But he said he hoped the letters would cause automakers to consider how connected car apps might be used for stalking and harassment.

 

“It’s not a niche or rare issue at the scale they are operating at,” he said.

 

The F.C.C. asked for responses to the letters by the end of the month.

 

 

 

— Techmeme

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PARTS iD announces delisting from NYSE American

CRANBURY, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — PARTS iD, Inc. (NYSE American: ID) (“PARTS iD” or “the Company”) on Wednesday announced that it received notification from the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) that the NYSE has initiated proceedings to delist the Class A common stock of PARTS iD, Inc. from NYSE American.

 

The NYSE also indefinitely suspended trading of the Company’s Class A common stock effective Dec. 26, 2023. PARTS iD does not intend to appeal the NYSE’s determination.

 

The NYSE determined that the Company is no longer suitable for listing and will commence delisting proceedings pursuant to Section 1003(c)(iii) of the NYSE American Company Guide in light of the disclosure on Dec. 26, 2023 that the Company filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.

 

About PARTS iD, Inc.

PARTS iD is a technology-driven, digital commerce company focused on creating custom infrastructure and unique user experiences within niche markets. Founded in 2008 with a vision of creating a one-stop eCommerce destination for the automotive parts and accessories market, we believe that PARTS iD has since become a market leader and proven brand-builder, fueled by its commitment to delivering a revolutionary shopping experience; comprehensive, accurate and varied product offerings; and continued digital commerce innovation.

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

All statements made in this press release relating to future financial or business performance, conditions, plans, prospects, trends, or strategies and other such matters, including without limitation, expected future performance, consumer adoption, anticipated success of our business model or the potential for long term profitable growth, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In addition, when or if used in this press release, the words “may,” “could,” “should,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “confident,” “look forward,” “optimistic” and similar expressions and their variants, as they relate to us may identify forward-looking statements. We operate in a changing environment where new risks emerge from time to time and it is not possible for us to predict all risks that may affect us, particularly those associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine, which have had wide-ranging and continually evolving effects. We caution that these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, which change over time, often quickly and in unanticipated ways.

 

Important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties, including without limitation: the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has affected and may continue to affect our business; competition and our ability to counter competition, including changes to the algorithms of Google and other search engines and related impacts on our revenue and advertisement expenses; the impact of health epidemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic, on our business and the actions we may take in response thereto; disruptions in the supply chain and associated impacts on demand, product availability, order cancellations and cost of goods sold including inflation; difficulties in managing our international business operations, particularly in the Ukraine, including with respect to enforcing the terms of our agreements with our contractors and managing increasing costs of operations; changes in our strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, product pricing, projected costs, prospects and plans; the outcome of actual or potential litigation, complaints, product liability claims, or regulatory proceedings, and the potential adverse publicity related thereto; the implementation, market acceptance and success of our business model, expansion plans, opportunities and initiatives, including the market acceptance of our planned products and services; developments and projections relating to our competitors and industry; our expectations regarding our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection and not infringe on the rights of others; our ability to maintain and enforce intellectual property rights and ability to maintain technology leadership; our future capital requirements; our ability to raise capital and utilize sources of cash; our ability to obtain funding for our operations; changes in applicable laws or regulations; the effects of current and future U.S. and foreign trade policy and tariff actions; disruptions in the marketplace for online purchases of aftermarket auto parts; costs related to operating as a public company; the Company’s intention to continue operations during the Chapter 11 Cases; the Company’s ability to conduct its business in an uninterrupted manner during the Chapter 11 Cases; the potential outcome and timing of the delisting of the Company’s Class A common stock; the Company’s ability to obtain timely approval of the Bankruptcy Court with respect to motions filed in the Chapter 11 Cases; and the possibility that we may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors.

 

Further information on the factors and risks that could cause actual results to differ from any forward-looking statements are contained in our filings with the SEC, which are available at https://www.sec.gov (or at https://www.partsidinc.com). The forward-looking statements represent our estimates as of the date hereof only, and we specifically disclaim any duty or obligation to update forward-looking statements.

Contacts

Investors:

Brendon Frey

ICR

ir@partsidinc.com

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Amazon faces challenges in selling cars in the US: Only 11% of its customers report buying $1k+ items, dealerships sell most new cars

—  Company aims to make online car purchases as seamless as getting everyday essentials

 

Sebastian Herrera / Wall Street Journal:

 

—  Willie Hall loves to browse and buy cars online, but he wants more options. Soon, he may turn to Amazon.com.

 

“I’m already a Prime member,” said Hall, who lives in Colorado and bought a used Fiat 500 Abarth on Carvana in 2021. “I’ve been with Amazon for God knows how long and know the way they operate.”

 

Amazon AMZN -0.01%decrease; red down pointing triangle is eager to see just how many Willie Halls there are in the U.S. The company last month said shoppers next year will be able to browse, finance and complete a purchase of Hyundai vehicles on Amazon. Shoppers will only have to visit a dealership to pick up their car; the company is also working on delivering the vehicles.

 

Car sales represent Amazon’s next bet in e-commerce dominance and come after the Covid-19 pandemic made online car purchases more popular. Amazon executives want to make buying vehicles through its website as simple as purchasing toilet paper or dog food, and the company is looking to strike broad partnerships with carmakers.

The company is set to face several challenges in expanding the program beyond a pilot phase for employees starting early next year: One is dealerships, which remain at the center of most new-car sales and depend on service revenue for profit incentives. A second will be trying to get customers who visit its website mainly for lower-priced items to turn to the platform for one of the biggest purchases of their lives. Amazon also will have to navigate different government regulations.

 

“Customers tell us it’s really hard to buy a car,” Fan Jin, Amazon’s director of vehicle sales, said in an interview. Vehicle-buying software is fragmented, with dealers using a range of software providers. Varying regulations across states also make it difficult. “It’s a process that we’ve heard time and again could use improvement, and we have an opportunity to go and prove it,” she said.

When the new service launches later next year, Amazon said shoppers will be able to complete every step of the car-buying process through its website. Only new Hyundai vehicles will be available at the start. Consumers will have different financing options, but the company said it is still working through details. Eventually, Amazon wants to expand to trade-in vehicles and used cars.

Many dealers might be loath to accept a high volume of online sales because they make a significant amount of money on service and warranty deals that customers agree to when they finance a car purchase.

 Caption – Amazon and Hyundai executives spoke during a press conference in Los Angeles last month. PHOTO credits: ROBYN BECK/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE/GETTY IMAGES

Mike Sullivan, who runs a Hyundai dealership in Santa Monica, Calif., that is part of the pilot program, views the Amazon partnership as a positive step. Salespeople at the dealership could make half as much per sale in commission in online sales versus in person, he said, but the upside is the time spent on those sales is expected to be far less. Overall compensation could increase, he said.

During the height of the pandemic, Sullivan and many auto-sales professionals learned to embrace online sales. His dealerships sold about 300 cars online during the health crisis. Selling with Amazon could be easier, because “we now have the power of Amazon guiding these people to us,” he said.

Another issue is that Amazon will be trying to get customers to think of its platform for car-buying. The typical transaction on Amazon is under $50, according to a recent survey by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners, which studies Amazon customer habits. Only 11% of customers surveyed reported spending $1,000 or more on a single item.

“They’re great at getting you to spend $30 or $40, but it’s hard to break through to the bigger stuff,” said Josh Lowitz, co-founder of the research firm. “The bigger stuff is more infrequent, and so it’s more special for the customer.”

Jin, Amazon’s director of vehicle sales, said while many people go to Amazon for everyday purchases, the company also has an established base that makes infrequent, higher-priced purchases for items such as furniture and electronics.

Some analysts estimate that two-thirds of customers already know what they want before purchasing their vehicles, with many people conducting their research on the web. But even if Amazon customers are ready for online car purchases, signing new carmakers will be complex and will depend on how much the Hyundai partnership succeeds, said Chris Sutton, vice president of automotive retail at consumer-data analytics firm J.D. Power.

Amazon and Hyundai first partnered in 2021 through an online Hyundai showroom where viewers could “build” a car and locate inventory. Amazon said consumers responded positively to the showroom, and the company surveyed shoppers who indicated they were interested in going through the entire car-buying process with Amazon.

To entice Hyundai, Amazon struck a broad business partnership that included cloud computing, advertising and integration of its Alexa technology in the brand’s cars beginning in 2025. It is also expected to provide dealers with performance data. AWS customers who make long-term cloud commitments can pay lower rates.

The company has turned to more corporate partnerships in numerous other business segments in recent months, including a partnership with Meta Platforms’ Instagram for product sales and a logistics deal with Canadian e-commerce company Shopify.

 

 

— Techmeme

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More than a century-old, buried documents throw doubt on fate of condemned man

NEW YORK — Patrick O’Donnell survived the seemingly unsurvivable — including the Great Hunger, the aptly nicknamed Coffin Ships and the infamous Typhoid Sheds — on his way to the hangman’s noose in December 1883.

 

Having traveled from Ireland to the United States in search of a better life, Patrick O’Donnell sealed his grim fate when he committed murder, but there is so much more to his life than was ever revealed — until now.

 

In his unforgettable new book, The Execution, Life and Times of Patrick O’Donnell, author Gavin O’Donnell uses an epistolary technique to reconstruct the story of Patrick’s remarkable life using a series of letters purportedly written by Patrick as he awaited the hangman’s noose — letters smuggled from his death cell in his wife Margaret’s petticoats and that have remained undiscovered for 133 years.

 

“There has in my family always been a belief that we are related to a man named Patrick O’Donnell,” Gavin O’Donnell explained in an interview. “There is some evidence to support this but it’s patchy and not strong. … but it is the reason I took an interest in the man.”

 

Gavin O’Donnell blends real world events, biographical information about Patrick and his own imagination to create a compelling narrative that follows Patrick’s path through the Great Hunger to the typhoid sheds of Quebec; from his service in the Confederate army and capture at Chattanooga in 1863 to the grisly O’Donnell massacre at Wiggan’s Patch, Pennsylvania; and ultimately to that fateful day off the coast of Port Elizabeth where Patrick put three bullets into James Carey, and in so doing sealed his own fate and his place in history — but for the wrong reasons.

 

“He was a real person, but how I draw him is how I imagine him to have been as he faced his lifelong challenges and as he sat in his death cell,” Gavin O’Donnell said.

 

Included are accounts of letters of clemency sent to Patrick’s trial and indeed to Queen Victoria herself by Victor Hugo, (the great author but also well-known campaigner against capital punishment), and from U.S. President Chester Arthur. Interventions which hint at an extraordinary life for an Irish peasant.

 

“History tells us that Patrick O’Donnell was hanged in Newgate Prison in December 1883 for the murder of James Carey,” Gavin O’Donnell added. “History, however, tells us almost nothing of his remarkable life. Was he a British agent, hero of Ireland or something else altogether?”

 

About the Author

Gavin O’Donnell grew up in Wales, Ireland, North Africa and England. A selective mute until age 5, he was unable to read properly at age 11 and was classified as “Educationally Sub Normal.” He studied Construction Management in Limerick, obtaining a degree, and later, at age 40, by way of distance learning, he obtained a Bachelor of Laws honors degree at Nottingham.

 

While vacationing in Bordeaux in 1990, he and his wife lost their daughter in a fire, and their son was badly injured. Later diagnosed with bipolar disorder and PTSD partly as a result of the trauma, he retired from his career in Project Management and concentrated on property development.

 

He and his wife, Linda, refurbished several cottages in Southern France and built up a small holiday business before selling up and returning to rural South Wales. They now reside in a self-built stone cottage along with three cats, Jess, Bob and Kpo; a few thousand bees, whom they have not named; and several chickens. Two grown children and one grandchild live nearby.

 

For more information, please visit https://www.patrickodonnell.uk or  https://www.facebook.com/executionpatrickodonnell