Scottsdale, Arizona, May 20, 2019 – W Scottsdale is raising the volume on important issues of equality and acceptance. On Thursday, June 13, the hotel will host Queer Me Out, a global speaker series held at W Hotels Worldwide featuring live Q&A panels with influential members of the LGBT community. Each event features passionate panel discussions that dive into hot-button issues as well as the work and play of experts and icons.

The W Scottsdale Queer Me Out panel will highlight the topic of “Breaking Barriers in Business; LGBTQ+ in the Workplace.” The event, which coincides with Scottsdale LGBTQ Pride Month, will kick off at 6:30PM and is open to the LGBT community and allies.  Admission is free, but RSVPs are required.

Through the Queer Me Out speaker series on June 13, W Scottsdale will lift up leaders in the LGBTQ community who otherwise might not have a platform to deliver their message and have their voices heard. The panelists and moderators are hand-selected from diverse industries, each representing the core values and passion pillars defining W Hotels: design, art, music and philanthropy.

Queer Me Out will feature a Q&A panel comprised of Jericho Galindo, Mister Phoenix Pride; Eva Steele, Phoenix Pride Program Manager; and NOH8 Campaign co-founders Jeff Parshley and Adam Bouska. The panel will be moderated by Chad Brittian, entrepreneur and CEO of NVS Design, Inc.

Panelists will share personal stories, insight and anecdotes to inspire, educate and encourage audience attendees. Guests at the event will also be able to present questions to the panel during an open Q&A. Once the panel is concluded, the event will shift into the W Scottsdale Living Room for a cocktail party, live music and an exclusive NOH8 photoshoot, where attendees can come together to snap photos in solidarity and support of equal rights.

The Queer Me Out event schedule is as follows:

• 6:30PM – 7:00PM: Doors Open + Cocktail Hour. Enjoy an open bar with complimentary beer, wine and light passed appetizers before the panel gets underway.
• 7:00PM – 7:45PM: Queer Me Out Discussion Panel – “Breaking Barriers in Business; LGBTQ+ in the Workplace”
• 7:45PM – 8:00PM: Open Q&A
• 8:00PM – 9:00PM: NOH8 Photoshoot & Cocktail Party in W Scottsdale Living Room. Sip cocktails, share stories, and snap photos with new friends and allies at the NOH8 Photoshoot,
• 9:00PM: Open Networking. Mix and mingle with fellow attendees over craft cocktails and live music.

For more information on Queer Me Out at W Scottsdale, or to RSVP, visit https://queer-me-out-event2019.eventbrite.com or call (480) 970-2100. Event attendance is free, but RSVP’s are required.

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About W Scottsdale (www.wscottsdalehotel.com)

W Scottsdale marks the debut of W Hotels in Arizona. This sultry Southwest oasis, where innovative design mixes with urban sophistication, features 236 guest rooms including 39 lavish suites. A true insider escape, W Scottsdale boasts Arizona’s only Sushi Roku restaurant, and W Hotels The Store and offers three chic destination bars – the W Living Room, Shade Lounge and Sunset Lawn. Located in downtown Scottsdale, W Scottsdale provides guests access to discover the city’s high-profile shopping, innovative restaurants, eclectic arts district and vibrant nightlife.  Signature services and amenities include the Whatever/Whenever® concierge service, Wheels® valet, FIT® fitness center, WET®, WIRED Business Center and P.A.W. – Pets Are Welcome™. For more information, visit www.wscottsdalehotel.com or call to schedule a reservation 877 W HOTELS.

For more information, please contact:

Christina McGoldrick

Victoria King Public Relations

christina@vkpr.com / (310) 207-5175

Moms can enjoy a special day of shopping, dining, pampering and more

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Poet Robert Browning said “Motherhood: all love begins and ends there.” Show your mother how much you love and appreciate her with a special day in Historic Downtown Glendale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, 2019. The locally-owned businesses in the Catlin Court and Old Towne entertainment districts have created this event to celebrate the treasured love of moms and have planned a perfect day for Moms.  Start your day at the Historic Downtown Glendale Merchants Association Portable Information Booth (fondly nicknamed Mrs. PIB) located at 58^th Drive and Palmaire Ave. Downtown Docents will provide event information and provide the event activity list and Flower Trail Map for Moms to pick up flowers as they visit participating shops. You can also paint a rock for the Historic Downtown Glendale Kindness Rocks Project™.

“There will be fun things to do along the way, including make and take activities, artist demonstrations, fun photo ops, lovely gift ideas at the locally-owned boutiques and specialty shops and delicious menu items and sweet treats at the iconic eateries,” said Denise Quintana, event co-chairperson and owner of Delfina Salon & Day Spa and Coyote Oaties. The event is also co-chaired by Danica Coral, owner of Pink House Boutique located in Old Towne.

New this year, event attendees can design and take home a silk scarf in celebration of Mother’s Day. This free activity is presented by the WHAM Art Association. The WHAM Mobile art studio will be located by the Cottage Garden II located at 7162 N. 58th Ave. Stop by and create a beautiful wearable work of art to take home. The Mother’s Day Silk Scarf activity is funded by the City of Glendale through the Centerline District Arts & Cultural Initiative. For more information about WHAM, visit www.wham-art.org. For more information about the city of Glendale Arts Program, visit www.glendaleaz.com/arts.

Historic Downtown Glendale businesses support numerous charities throughout the year to give back to the community. This year’s Mother’s Day event has a patriotic them to honor our charity recipient, the Blue Star Moms of the Southwest Valley which sends monthly care packages to deployed military personnel. Event attendees are encouraged to bring care package donations to the Mrs. PIB portable information booth on event day. A list of needed items is available online at www.VisitDowntownGlendale.com. A few of the requested items include lip balm, foot care products, brand name Q-tips, crossword/sudoku/puzzle books, individually wrapped hard candy, packs of gum and disposable razors. All items collected will be packaged and shipped to deployed military throughout the world. For more information about the Blue Star Moms of the Southwest Valley, visit www.bluestarmomsoftheswvalley.org.

The Mother’s Day Celebration is presented by the Historic Downtown Glendale Merchants Association and the downtown business community. For more information, call 623-299-2060 or visit online at www.VisitDowntownGlendale.com.

From its inception CRITICAL MASS has always strived to create the best possible experience for its fans. They don’t just produce dance music events but rather create a sanctuary for people from all walks of life to come together and enjoy incredible music, magical art, endless creativity, and of course…good vibes only.

Their upcoming festival, Technical, is no exception. The CRITICAL MASS team has come together to create the first ever 21+ only festival curated to serve a better experience for the techno and house music community of Arizona. The line up boasts artists from around the globe such as Doc Martin- the house music legend from Los Angeles, Volkoder- the Dirtybird Records artist who will be travelling from Brazil to perform at Technical, and Flashmob- who will be skipping across the pond from Italy to headline the show. Also amongst the headliners is Audiofly, the enigmatic Spanish duo.

In addition to these renowned headliners there will also be support from illustrious artists such as Justin Campbell- San Diego’s Desert Hearts ambassador, K4SH, Contessa as well as a loaded line up featuring some of Arizona’s hottest underground talents.

Technical will be an outdoor festival featuring two stages equipped with top notch production and sound, 10 hours of uninterrupted music, military art cars and more. CRITICAL MASS has also commissioned local artists to create custom art for the event and will feature various art pieces peppered across the landscape of the venue. To make this the ultimate fulsome experience, CRITICAL MASS has partnered up with eminent local vendors and food trucks from different parts of the valley who will be dedicated to serving up the finest culinary choices for their music enthusiasts.

With reasonable ticket prices, an impressive line up and a “Good Vibes Only” mentality, Technical Music Festival is sure to give fans the immersive experience they’re hoping for. For tickets and info visit: www.criticalmass.events

Centennial, Colorado—Jon Stetson and Noel Floresca of Tucson, Arizona, have been selected to receive the Center for Health and Hope’s 2019 Leadership Award for their extraordinary volunteer service in Southern Arizona’s HIV community.

The award will be presented during the 5th annual Swinging@AIDS Benefit weekend featuring a concert and golf tournament on March 22 and March 23, 2019. “They epitomize the highest values of compassion, care, and service,” stated the Rev. Dr. Donald E. Messer, Executive Director of the Center for Health and Hope. “Together they are a living witness of courageous advocates seeking to conquer HIV and AIDS in our time.”

Scott Blades, the Executive Director of the Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network (TIHAN), commented, “Jon and Noel are among the most giving and caring volunteers our community has seen. Their efforts over the past 20 years have brought awareness, hope, and healing to so many. We’re so happy they’re being honored–this recognition is so well deserved.”

Jon (pictured above, right) and Noel (pictured above, left) have been life partners for 22 years, and through all that time, they’ve been a key part of Southern Arizona’s HIV community.

Jon spearheaded the reconciling movement at St. Francis in the Foothills UMC, and has also worked for inclusiveness and welcome in other congregations and within the United Methodist conference. When an HIV ministry began at St. Francis in the 1980s, Jon was a key of it, helping with HIV education and also serving on CareTeams helping people with AIDS in their final days.

Not long after they met, Noel Floresca joined TIHAN. Noel, who is HIV-positive, was experiencing a number of health concerns, even having to spend three months in the hospital. TIHAN matched him with a CareTeam of supportive volunteers, and as his health improved, so did his engagement with TIHAN. After a few years, Noel transitioned from being the recipient of the CareTeam to being one of the volunteers on the CareTeam, helping support other people with HIV. With the support of his partner Jon and family, Noel wanted to give back to express his gratitude.

Noel also started volunteering in the TIHAN office, and was one of a small group of people who founded Poz Café. TIHAN’s lunch program that has now served over 26,000 meals. Both Jon and Noel have been volunteering in Southern Arizona’s HIV community for more than 20 years. They’ve helped in multiple ways, including leading HIV education, training volunteers, answering phones, doing data entry, helping with handyman work, volunteering at Poz Café, helping with newsletter mailings, serving on TIHAN committees, presenting at TIHAN Living Well with HIV classes, volunteering at fundraising events, and being friends and providing emotional and social support for people with HIV.

For more than 20 years, Jon and Noel have shared their time, talents, and treasures in support of the HIV community in Southern Arizona, and the Center is honored to recognize their efforts with the 2019 Leadership Award.

Past recipients of the Center’s Leadership Award include Rev Charlie Arehart, Kevin Carmichael MD, and Linda Girard RN.

The 5th Annual Swinging@AIDS benefit Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, March 23 at the El Conquistador Golf & Tennis at the Oro Valley Community Center, and the Benefit Concert featuring Heather Hardy and the Lil’ Mama Band will be at Monterey Court on Friday, March 22 at 7:00pm. Details are available at swingingataids.org

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATIONS

The Center for Health and Hope (www.centerforhealthandhope.org), based in Denver, addresses the challenges of the global HIV and AIDS pandemic and related health needs in the world through programs of awareness, education, prevention, care, and treatment. The Center challenges attitudes and actions that contribute to stigmatization and discrimination of persons infected and affected by HIV and AIDS. For more information, contact Executive Director Rev. Dr. Don Messer (303) 877-1955 or globalaids@gmail.com

Since 1994, TIHAN–the Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network (www.tihan.org), has been organizing volunteers, businesses, organizations, and faith communities to respond to the HIV/AIDS health crisis. In addition to HIV awareness and stigma reduction programs, TIHAN helps support people with HIV to live as well as possible. For more information, contact Executive Director Scott Blades at (520) 299-6647 ext 202 or scott@tihan.org

Ryan A. Starzyk, CIPM, CSM

Phoenix, Arizona — January 23, 2019 — Ryan Starzyk of Phoenix, Arizona announced his candidacy for State Senate in Legislative District 24, challenging incumbent Lea Alston who currently holds Secretary of State Katie Hobbs seat prior to being elected to her new role. Ryan Starzyk is a Military Veteran and long-time Arizona resident, proudly residing in Phoenix, Arizona.

Ryan is an accomplished business professional with over 20 years of public and private sector experience. Ryan is a thought-provoking leader, dedicated community organizer and well recognized change agent. Ryan serves as a non-profit board officer, Director-at-Large and Chair, Education and Outreach Committee with Phoenix Pride Community Foundation. Ryan represents the integrity, values and strength Legislative District 24 needs and deserves from your elected official.

Ryan intends to bring forth an aggressive, grassroots campaign focused on enacting a statewide employment non-discrimination, universal health care, increased public education funding, creating business innovation centers in low-income areas, and expanding programs for military Veterans.

Ryan For Arizona is excited to announce John Mudzyn as the official Campaign Director (john@ryanforarizona.org) and Theresa Hernandez as the official Fundraising

Director (theresa@ryanforarizona.org).

Ryan Starzyk will hold his official launch party on the 50-year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots (June 28th) here in Phoenix, AZ. Location will be announced in the coming weeks.

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For more information, press only:

Email: press@ryanforarizona.org

For more information visit:

http://www.ryanforarizona.org

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