Author: Alfredo Casuso

MAYOR LONDON BREED ANNOUNCES INVESTMENTS IN SAN FRANCISCO’S DOWNTOWN AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY

Written on May 25, 2021.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Contact: Mayor’s Office of Communications, mayorspressoffice@sfgov.org

*** PRESS RELEASE ***

MAYOR LONDON BREED ANNOUNCES INVESTMENTS IN SAN FRANCISCO’S DOWNTOWN AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY

Mayor Breed’s Downtown Recovery Plan includes a series of performances and events, downtown community ambassadors, and improvements to Hallidie Plaza, to beautify and reactivate key public spaces throughout Downtown and Union Square and welcome the return of downtown employees and visitors

San Francisco, CA — Mayor London N. Breed today announced a series of new investments to support Downtown San Francisco and the city’s economic recovery. Mayor Breed’s Downtown Recovery Plan seeks to attract workers and visitors back to the city’s downtown area, thereby advancing the city’s broader economic vitality and recovery. As San Francisco approaches full reopening, the Mayor plans to invest in activations and community ambassadors to make Downtown and Union Square feel welcoming, engaging, and open for business. This Plan complements the Mayor’s recently announced Mid-Market Vibrancy and Safety Plan.

“A vibrant, thriving, and healthy Downtown is essential to San Francisco’s recovery. Our downtown is a core part of our city,” said Mayor Breed. “As we continue reopening and moving forward on our recovery, we need to make investments now to ensure our downtown area is welcoming, clean, and attractive, so that people want to come back and spend time in the area.”

As businesses reopen and workers return over the summer, and as more people begin to visit San Francisco, Mayor Breed is proposing the Downtown Recovery Plan to support their return. The Downtown Recovery Plan includes an expansion of the number of ambassadors in the downtown and Union Square areas; a series of events and activations throughout Downtown, at the site of the temporary Transbay Terminal, and along the waterfront; and improvements at Hallidie Plaza, the entrance to the Powell Street BART Station and site of the Cable Car turnaround.

The Mayor is proposing to support these programs with $9.5 million in funding in her proposed City budget. The Mayor’s proposed two-year budget will be introduced on June 1, 2021. If approved in the budget, Ambassadors could be on the street by late summer. Smaller events and performances are planned to begin in July. The Transbay and Port activations are already moving forward and slated to begin this summer.

These initiatives go hand-in-hand with Mayor Breed’s efforts to support businesses in San Francisco and enliven commercial corridors throughout the city with the Shared Spaces program and the Small Business Recovery Act. Mayor Breed has introduced legislation to make the Shared Spaces program permanent beyond the pandemic and is advancing the Small Business Recovery Act to make it easier for small businesses to recover, open, and operate in San Francisco. These efforts are especially important for San Francisco’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, as they will help existing businesses succeed and attract new commercial activities to neighborhoods throughout the city.

Downtown Recovery Plan

Community Ambassadors

The Mayor is proposing to invest $7.5 million to expand the presence of Community Ambassadors in Downtown transit hubs and key tourist destinations. Community Ambassadors will provide a consistently welcoming atmosphere for returning office workers, residents, and tourists in the downtown area and support the reopening of storefront businesses. They will engage with commuters and visitors to provide hospitality and wayfinding services, engage with people who may be in distress to address safety issues and access appropriate City services, and will monitor and maintain the appearance and cleanliness of sidewalks and public spaces, calling in issues to City departments as needed.

Starting in late summer, approximately 50 Community Ambassadors will be stationed at downtown transit hubs and tourist destinations in the Union Square, Financial District, Fisherman’s Wharf and Chinatown neighborhoods. The Community Ambassador program builds on the success, augments the resources of, and will coordinate with similar programs created by area Community Benefit Districts.

Events and Performances

Mayor Breed is committed to supporting the arts and creating vibrant, cultural opportunities that allow residents and visitors to reconnect with public spaces. As part of the Downtown Recovery Plan, the Mayor is proposing $1 million to create “SFWednesdays,” an ongoing series of activations in various downtown locations, starting in July. This will include a series of open-air events ranging from small lunch-time events to larger programs in Downtown’s iconic plazas. In creating these performances and activities, San Francisco will reinvigorate downtown public spaces, employ local artists and arts organizations, and support downtown small businesses by encouraging the return of people to our downtown area.

The City is working with the local arts community to develop activations that reflect and celebrate the unique and diverse cultural make-up of San Francisco. This series of events will take place on at least 10 Wednesdays between July and October. The two-hour events will take place at transit hubs, public plazas, and pedestrian streets and alleyways between 12:00pm-6:00pm. More information will be added online:sfwednesdays.com

San Francisco will also soon launch a range of programs at the former temporary Transbay Terminal site with a series of events and activities for people in the neighborhood and visitors. OCII’s Commission is scheduled to hear the recommended activation proposal and confirm the operator of this activation on June 1 and, if approved, the programs on this site would begin in July 2021.

The Port of San Francisco is organizing a series of “Pop-up Parks” in parks and public spaces along San Francisco’s waterfront. Events and activities are expected to begin in August 2021.

Hallidie Plaza Improvements

Mayor Breed is also proposing $1 million in her proposed budget to support beautification and other improvements to Hallidie Plaza, which is the gateway to Union Square at the Powell Street BART station. These improvements will include cleaning, installation of plants and greenery and colorful furniture, as well as increased food and beverage options for visitors and commuters who are disembarking from BART and the Cable Car.

Support for the Downtown Recovery Plan

Kate Sofis, Director, Office of Economic and Workforce Development

“Like people across the country, San Franciscans are ready to get out of the house and back to the bustle of the City. Union Square retailers and Downtown companies draw shoppers, tourists and workers who in turn support our city’s world-renowned hospitality industry from diverse local restaurants to bars and nightlife venues to our museums and family entertainment establishments. These areas are culturally iconic and economically essential parts of San Francisco and we’re excited to welcome everyone back to them.”

Ralph Remington, Director of Cultural Affairs, San Francisco Arts Commission

“By jump starting cultural activities downtown, the City is signaling to our San Francisco and Greater Bay Area residents, We Are Open and We Welcome You Back! The artists and performances that will enliven these downtown plazas beautifully reflect our city’s racial equity values; they will bring vitality and life back to our streets, and help everyone remember why San Francisco is so special. We champion and celebrate the BIPOC artists that make us a world-class destination. In addition to awakening the soul after this year-long slumber of sorts, and re-engaging with our shared humanity, these arts programs will also increase the economic activity downtown, which the city also needs.”

Karin Flood, Executive Director, Union Square Business Improvement District

“San Francisco and Union Square are resilient, and our businesses are eager to welcome back residents, visitors and workers. We are pleased that the Mayor has heard the recommendations of our own Union Square Economic Recovery Task Force, which called for more events and activations in the public realm. These additional City investments, especially in Union Square Park and in Hallidie Plaza – the gateway to our district – are key to our economic recovery. We support Mayor London Breed’s budget request for more “eyes and ears” on the street helping to ensure that San Francisco lives up to its promise as a vibrant world-class city.”

Rodney Fong, CEO, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce

“Our city’s economy depends on the vibrancy of our downtown core. San Francisco downtown businesses bring in hundreds of thousands of local jobs, commuters, and visitors who are essential to the success of our small businesses. The Mayor’s budget proposal allows us to embrace this moment and invest in our city’s future.”

Kevin Carrol, President and CEO, Hotel Council

“San Francisco’s arts and cultural scene are one of the reasons people visit San Francisco. This summer, whether visitors come from in-state, out-of-state or outside the country, San Francisco will be ready to welcome them. This #SFWednesdays initiative highlighting local artists is just the ticket to enliven our public spaces.”

Joe D’Alessandro, President and CEO, San Francisco Travel Association

“We have an opportunity to make visitors feel safe and welcome as we begin to bring them back and show them all that our beautiful city has to offer. Tourism is San Francisco’s number one economy, fueling tens of thousands of jobs and supporting our small businesses. This focused investment on the downtown core will reap huge benefits for the city at large.”

Peter Quartaroli, Managing Partner, Sam’s Grill

“Sam’s Grill has been in San Francisco since 1867 and has weathered through thick and thin. We are excited for the efforts that the city has planned to revitalize downtown. We’re happy to invite one and all to come enjoy downtown San Francisco and stop by Sam’s. We are made for this!”

Mid-Market Vibrancy and Safety Plan

The Downtown Recovery Plan complements Mayor Breed’s recently announced efforts to create a safer and more welcoming environment in the Mid-Market area. The Mid-Market Vibrancy and Safety Plan includes both a visible increase in police presence to deter criminal activity and a community ambassador program to connect people in need with services, and provide a welcoming presence for residents, workers, visitors, and businesses. Community-based safety ambassadors will be stationed on every block of the area from Powell Station (5th Street) to 8th Street on Market Street and adjacent areas just south of Market Street, UN Plaza, and the Tenderloin blocks bordered by Larkin Street and Eddy Street.

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CRUISING, CRUISE SHIPS & THE COVID PANDEMIC – MAY 18, 2021

Written on May 19, 2021.

LIVES OF THE LINERS:

CRUISING, CRUISE SHIPS & THE COVID PANDEMIC – MAY 18, 2021

D:\Bill\Pictures\Royal Mail\Picture-1 474.jpg

From Bill Miller

May 2021

Thu May 13^th Norwegian Cruise Lines’ next new ship initially will sail in Northern Europe before moving to North America for voyages out of New York City, the line announced on Monday. Scheduled to debut in Aug 2022, the 3,215-passenger Norwegian Prima (below) also will offer voyages out of Galveston, Texas; and Miami and Port Canaveral, Florida, during its first year in operation. Currently under construction at a shipyard near Venice, Italy, the $950 million Norwegian Prima will be the first of a much-awaited new series of vessels for Norwegian that are scheduled to debut over the next six years. Norwegian has announced few details of the new vessels other than that they’ll measure around 140,000 tons — about 15% to 17% smaller than the Breakaway Plus Class ships the line has unveiled in recent years.

Among the inaugural voyages planned are: A 12-night, transatlantic sailing from Southampton, England, to New York starting on Sep 23rd, 2022, with calls at Lerwick, Scotland; Reykjavík, Iceland; and Halifax, Nova Scotia; and a five-night, roundtrip voyage to Bermuda out of New York on Oct 10th.

Fri May 14^th Holland America: It was smooth seas and fair winds for Holland America Line’s newest ship, the 100,000-ton Rotterdam, which returned in the evening of May 6 to Fincantieri’s Marghera (Venice) shipyard in Italy, after successfully completing two sets of sea trials off the country’s Adriatic coast.

Europe Bound! With the European Union poised to reopen to Americans and an eventual travel corridor between the U.S. and U.K. remaining likely, airlines are cautiously excited over the possibility of summer travel to Europe boosting their bottom lines. But just how big of a boost remains to be seen, with the window to capitalize on the usually busy summer travel season starting to close — partly thanks to the strong resurgence of domestic travel demand.

Above: MSC Orchestra at St Petersburg, Russia

Norwegian Cruise Lines is about to up the ante when it comes to the suite life on megaships. The world’s fourth-largest cruise brand on Wednesday announced that its next series of vessels would have the largest variety of suite categories available at sea, including three-bedroom suites that are larger than anything that has emerged from other lines in recent years. The six-ship series also will boast a higher staff-to-passenger ratio and a higher space-to-passenger ratio than other recently built big cruise ships, allowing for a higher-end experience across the board.

Royal Caribbean: The annual “Monsters of Rock Cruise” is set to sail on the Freedom of the Seas in 2022, marking the sailing’s 10th anniversary Departing out of Miami, Florida, promoter On The Blue announced the five-night full ship charter cruise will set sail Feb 9th to 14th and visit two ports in CocoCay, Bahamas and Labadee, Haiti, and feature performances from Alice Cooper, along with performances from over 35 artists.

Viking Ocean Cruises announced the “restart of limited operations” from locations including Bermuda, with the cruises “available exclusively for vaccinated guests.” The cruise line’s website shows sailings from Bermuda in June and July of this year, and the itinerary shows the ‘Bermuda Escape’ 8-day cruise will visit all three Bermuda ports – Hamilton, Dockyard and St George’s — with prices starting at $1,799.

Update from Southampton: Dave Smith reports “The P & O ship Britannia has been docked in the Ocean Terminal on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday, but do not know when she is sailing. Rumor has it that the brand new Iona [also P&O] is due in port next week.”

Sat May 15^th New Guidelines: In a major win for cruise fans, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention updated its Conditional Sailing Order on May 12 to loosen mask-wearing requirements for fully vaccinated cruise passengers. The update also allows vaccinated cruise passengers to explore independently on shore at ports of call.

In the updated rules for the resumption of cruises, the CDC says cruise ship operators “at their discretion, may advise passengers and crew that — if they are fully vaccinated — they may gather or conduct activities outdoors, including engaging in extended meal service or beverage consumption, without wearing a mask except in crowded settings.” The CDC further says cruise lines may allow fully vaccinated passengers to explore ports on their own. The agency says those who are vaccinated “may engage in self-guided or independent exploration during port stops, if they wear a mask while indoors.” The CDC notes, however, that foreign countries could have their own requirements concerning independent port exploration.

Immediately, lines began putting out information. Masks will not be required at Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, Vicki Freed, the line’s senior vice president of sales, said in her Wednesday Coffee Talk. The CDC has been meeting frequently with cruise lines since it updated its guidance for test cruises and restricted startup cruises last week. The updates included rules for mask wearing, social distancing and shore excursions.

Cruise line officials, including Frank Del Rio, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, had criticized the agency for not issuing separate guidance for passengers who are fully vaccinated, as opposed to those who are not. Norwegian Cruise Line has committed to sailing ships with 100 percent vaccinated passengers and crew through October. Cited as particularly onerous in the original guidance were restrictions on how long cruise passengers can take off their masks to dine, as well as rules to wear a mask outdoors by the pool. The updates appear to address some of these concerns.

Carnival Cruise Lines this week notified its guests and travel advisor partners of cancellations for additional sailings as it works toward plans for a possible July restart in the U.S. on select ships. Carnival hopes to begin operating sailings on three ships from Florida and Texas, including Carnival Vista and Carnival Breeze from Galveston, and Carnival Horizon from Miami. Further, if Carnival can find a solution to allow cruise ships to visit Alaska, the Carnival Miracle will assume some of Carnival Freedom’s departures from Seattle. Given that there is still some uncertainty in our ability to operate these cruises, guests booked on those sailings who wish to make alternate summer vacation plans may cancel without penalty by May 31, 2021 and receive a full refund. The company is cancelling sailings on all other ships through July 30th. Guests whose cruises are cancelled are eligible for a future cruise credit (FCC) and onboard credit (OBC) or a full refund. Separately, late last week Carnival notified its guests that the Carnival Splendor’s pause out of Sydney was extended another month, as it cancelled sailings from Aug 19th to Sept. 17th.

Further CDC Update: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has seemingly lightened up on its complex cruise regulations, releasing an update to its COVID-19 operation guidelines for cruise lines wanting to operate from U.S. ports under the agency’s Conditional Sail Order. While the CDC stressed its mask order remains in effect, it said that “cruise ship operators, at their discretion, may advise passengers and crew that—if they are fully vaccinated—they may gather or conduct activities outdoors, including engaging in extended meal service or beverage consumption, without wearing a mask except in crowded settings.” The CDC also noted that cruise lines may allow fully vaccinated passengers to go ashore on their own, instead of having to participate in organized group tours.

New Cruise Line: Former Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) bosses have reunited to launch Ambassador Cruise Line, a UK-based operator aimed at the over 50s market which plans to start sailing with one ship in Apr 2022. Ambassador will operate cruises on the Ambience, formerly known as the Regal Princess and then Pacific Dawn, a P&O Australia-based ship, which had been set to become CMV’s flagship under the name Amy Johnson.

The 1,400-passenger ship’ maiden voyage will be a “short-break cruise” out of Tilbury to Hamburg, Germany, starting on Apr 6th next year. The ship’s debut full-year program, running from Apr 2022 until May 2023, will include 33 sailings, calling at 88 ports across the Baltics, Greenland, the Arctic and Iceland. During the winter months, Ambassador plans to offer “expedition-style voyages” to the Canaries, Cuba, the Caribbean, Cape Verde and Scandinavia. All passengers and crew will be required to be vaccinated for Covid-19 prior to departure, the line confirmed.

Sun May 16^th Alaska: The U.S. Senate has passed a bill that will allow foreign-flagged cruise ships to operate in Alaska without calling on a Canadian port as the Alaska Tourism Recovery Act was passed on Thursday. It’s a huge step to saving part of the 2021 Alaska cruise season.

Update on Restarts: The three largest cruise brands are targeting different restart plans should get the green light to cruise in July from U.S. ports, according to recent announcements and comments from executives.

Carnival Cruise Line said earlier this week it is hoping for a July restart in the U.S. on select ships. Carnival hopes to begin operating sailings on three ships from Florida and Texas, including the Carnival Vista and Carnival Breeze from Galveston, and Carnival Horizon from Miami.

Royal Caribbean International “We believe we are now seeing a clear way forward to safe cruising in the near future,” said Richard Fain, chairman and CEO of the Royal Caribbean Group, on the company’s business update call in late April.

Added Michael Bayley, CEO and president of the Royal Caribbean International brand: “With what (CDC letter) we received last night July looks very realistic (for restarting cruises in North America).” As for the Alaska season, Fain noted there are uncertainties and that service resumption may require a waiver from the Passenger Vessels Service Act as long as Canada will not allow ship calls. Alternatively, Canada could allow technical calls. “Given the momentum, there is reason for optimism,” Bayley added.

Norwegian Cruise Line had intended to restart in the United States on Jul 4th, having submitted what it referred to as an ironclad plan and letter to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in early April. But as of early May, and with no reply from the CDC, company executives said that a July restart from U.S. ports won’t be happening. “The July U.S. launch at least from our company, it’s just not possible,” said Frank Del Rio, president and CEO, on the company’s first quarter earnings call in early May.

More News from the UK: Two of our top UK agents, Dave Smith & Nick Braddock report that P&O Cruises’s brand new Iona (below) will arrive today (Sun May 15^th) at Southampton for the first time. German built, the $1 billion ship has been laid-up (mostly in Norway) since delivery last year. The 184,000-ton Iona is the largest British owned passenger ship yet, measures 1,130 feet in length and can carry up to 5,200 passengers. A sistership, the Arvia, is now under construction.

Mon May 17^th Getting Closer! The cruise industry is getting closer to a restart in the United States as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released another update to its Conditional Sail Order late last Friday. The update added new sections for the screening of embarking passengers for restricted voyages, testing of embarking and disembarking passengers for restricted voyages, test selection and specifications for passenger screening testing on restricted voyages, and onboard COVID-19 testing for symptomatic passengers and their close contacts. In short, the changes continue to open the door for cruise lines to operate with ease if passengers and crew are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

“Late last night we received multiple updates to the CSO from the CDC,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, in a Saturday morning social media post. “All reflect the significant progress made with the vaccines. Reading the updates last night and this morning give me increased optimism. Today the light at the end of this long dark tunnel is bright. One step at a time!”

Change at Royal Caribbean: With an ongoing conflict involving Israel, Royal Caribbean International is expected to cancel or at least significantly adjust its summer season from Haifa on the new Odyssey of the Seas. According to a report from Crew Center, staff aboard the ship have already been informed the season has been scrapped. Industry sources indicated earlier in the week that the company would need to at least delay the season amid ongoing violence in the region. Now it appears the ground-breaking home-porting operation, which was set to see Royal Caribbean make history by putting a brand new ship into Israel, will need to wait.

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

San Francisco’s Largest Hotel, Hilton San Francisco Union Square Hotel, Reopens on Monday, May 24

Written on May 19, 2021.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Cindy Ramesh / Hilton San Francisco Union Square Hotel / (415) 202-7739 / cindy.ramesh@hilton.com

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

San Francisco’s Largest Hotel, Hilton San Francisco Union Square Hotel,
Reopens on Monday, May 24

Hotel to illuminate a five-day countdown on its exterior leading up to the hotel’s opening

Hi-res images are available for download here.

19 May 2021 – SAN FRANCISCO: On Monday, May 24, Hilton San Francisco Union Square Hotel, the largest hotel in San Francisco and on the West Coast, will reopen its doors and welcome back guests for the first time in over a year. Throughout the pandemic, the 46-tower property has displayed an illuminated heart and “S.F” to honor the city and serve as a sign of hope and solidarity for the San Francisco community. In celebration of the hotel’s reopening, the hotel will launch a five-day countdown illuminated on the hotel’s exterior as it gets ready to reopen its doors.

“Throughout the pandemic, in addition to offering a little bit of warmth and light to San Francisco, we also wanted to stand in support with our community to let them know that we would get through this,” said Terry Lewis, complex general manager, Hilton San Francisco Union Square Hotel. “As recovery continues, travel restrictions lift and we get ready to reopen our doors, we wanted to send a message of excitement and anticipation to our city with our hotel reopening countdown. It’s an important message for not only our guests, but the many surrounding businesses in our neighborhood letting them know that we’re back and ready to welcome them even at a safe distance.”

As the City by the Bay reopens to visitors, many activities near the hotel have already opened, including the Asian Art Museum, Westfield Shopping Center, and the famous Alcatraz Island Tours, which are just a fun Cable Car ride from the hotel. The hotel’s grab-and-go picnic baskets from Herb N’ Kitchen Marketplace are perfect for guests to enjoy while touring San Francisco’s beautiful city sights.

Building on Hilton’s commitment to the health and safety of guests, Hilton San Francisco Union Square participates in Hilton CleanStay to deliver an industry-defining standard of cleanliness and disinfection. Created in collaboration with Reckitt, maker of Lysol and Dettol, Hilton CleanStay provides guests with assurance and added peace of mind with a focus on cleanliness that is visible to guests throughout their entire stay. Guests who desire a contactless arrival experience can check in, choose their room, unlock their door with a Digital Key, and check out using their mobile devices through the free Hilton Honors mobile app. This option is available for guests who book direct via the Honors app or at Hilton.com.

As meetings and events start to return, Hilton San Francisco Union Square has the largest amount of flexible meeting and event space in the city and is committed to creating event experiences that can accommodate all types of groups and cater to every meeting planner’s needs. Hilton EventReady with CleanStay provides curated solutions with creative food and beverage, thoughtful technology resources including Hilton EventReady Hybrid Solutions, elevated standards, and reimagined ways to meet and gather.

Hilton San Francisco Union Square Hotel is also part of Hilton Honors®, the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton’s 18 distinct hotel brands. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount, and free Standard WiFi. Members also have access to contactless technology exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton Honors mobile app, where members can check-in, choose their room and access their room using Digital Key.

Rates start at $199+ per night. Hilton San Francisco Union Square is located at 333 O’Farrell St, San Francisco, CA 94102. For reservations please visit Hilton San Francisco Union Square Hotel at Hilton.com or call (415) 771-1400. Guests traveling to the area can visit destination sites such as SFtravel to see what attractions are or have plans to open in the coming months.

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About Hilton Hotels & Resorts

Hilton Hotels & Resorts has set the benchmark for hospitality around the world, providing new product innovations and services to meet guests’ evolving needs. With more than 575 hotels across six continents, Hilton Hotels & Resorts properties are located in the world’s most sought-after destinations for guests who know that where they stay matters. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits. Begin your journey at hiltonhotels.com, and learn more about the brand by visiting newsroom.hilton.com/hhr and following Hilton Hotels & Resorts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Hilton

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 18 world-class brands comprising more than 6,500 properties and more than one million rooms, in 119 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed more than 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, earned a top spot on the 2020 World’s Best Workplaces list, and was named the 2020 Global Industry Leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. In 2020, Hilton CleanStay was introduced, bringing an industry-defining standard of cleanliness and disinfection to hotels worldwide. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the more than 115 million members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can’t buy. With the free Hilton Honors mobile app, guests can book their stay, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out, all from their smartphone. Visit newsroom.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

LYRIC Issues Statement Following Death of Felicia Elizondo

Written on May 17, 2021.

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

LYRIC Issues Statement Following Death of Felicia Elizondo:

“A true icon and fearless advocate for the LGBTQ+ communities”

17 May 2021 – San Francisco: Calling her “a true icon and fearless advocate for the LGBTQ+ communities”, the Board and Staff of LYRIC (www.lyric.org), the San Francisco nonprofit that provides programming and a safe space for LGBTQQ+ youth, remembered Felicia Elizondo following her death this past week.

“The LYRIC family mourns the death of Felicia Elizondo, a true icon and fearless advocate for the LGBTQ+ communities for decades and a courageous activist on behalf of the Transgender community especially. Felicia participated in LYRIC’s very first intergenerational storytelling project in a partnership with GLBT Historical Society, New Leaf and OutLoud Radio. She continued to be an active participant over the years in what now is LYRIC’s collaboration with Openhouse for the annual youth and elder transgender brunch prior to the Trans March. Because of Felicia’s unflinching visibility, many of her Transgender brothers and sisters can feel safer and more celebrated. Felicia’s legacy and love of her community will long be an example.”

LYRIC is a leader in the San Francisco Bay Area offering safe spaces, workforce development, healthcare navigation, individual counseling, and group-based community building to marginalized low-income LGBTQQ+ youth. During the COVID-19 pandemic, LYRIC has continued its vital work for LGBTQQ youth in our community. LYRIC’s mission is to build community and inspire positive social change through education enhancement, career trainings, health promotion, and leadership development with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQQ) youth, their families, and allies of all races, classes, genders, and abilities. For more information and to make a donation, go to www.lyric.org

Silver Medal for David Eugene Perry’s “Upon This Rock” from Pace Press

Written on May 15, 2021. 1 Comment on Silver Medal for David Eugene Perry’s “Upon This Rock” from Pace Press

Media Contact: Jaguar Bennett / publicity@quilldriverbooks.com

Silver Medal for David Eugene Perry’s “Upon This Rock” from Pace Press

33rd Annual Benjamin Franklin Awards from Independent Book Publishing Association Honor Critically-Acclaimed Mystery Thriller in LGBT Category

www.quilldriverbooks.com

14 May 2021 – Fresno, CA: First-Time author David Eugene Perry took home a coveted Silver Medal in the LGBT category in ceremonies last night marking the 33rd Annual Benjamin Franklin Awards from the Independent Book Publishers Association for his critically-acclaimed mystery thriller Upon This Rock from Pace Press.

“Ben Franklin was always my favorite patriot so this award thrills me,” said Perry, 59. “In a year when COVID made us all turn even more to books, the IBPA had more submissions than at any time since 2008. I’m greatly honored to have been nominated among so many fine writers and to have won this prize and so grateful to Pace Press.”

The IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards, recognizing excellence in book editorial and design, are regarded as one of the highest national honors for independent publishers

“This is a well-deserved honor for an exceptional novel,” said Kent Sorsky, publisher of Pace Press/Linden Publishing. “Upon This Rock is a delightfully intricate thriller that readers have embraced. We have never had this response to a first-time novelist before.”

Upon This Rock is an “elegant twisty thriller” (Armistead Maupin, author ofthe international sensation Tales of the City) and “the gay DaVinci Code, but a lot better” (Fenton Johnson, Guggenheim Fellow, author of The Man Who Loved Birds); Upon This Rock is “for those readers who love Italy and who love crime fiction” (Lucinda Hawksley, great-great-great-granddaughter of Charles Dickens, author of Dickens’s Artistic Daughter, Katey); “Perry’s novel sparkles with campy wit but is written with serious clues that keep you reading. And, oh yes, because it is a mystery, there’s a killer of a surprise at the end. Move over, Sam Spade and Nick and Nora Charles. Welcome the new kids to the neighborhood, Lee and Adriano.” (Will Snyder,Bay Area Reporter); Upon This Rock is “a perfect read for anyone who is into thrillers, mysteries and historical fiction, like John Grisham and Dan Brown for sure.”(Ankita Dasgupta, The Bookworm Resort); “This is a wild read. Perry’s ability to build suspense is impressive and the denouement of this thriller will not just surprise you, but literally stun.”(Erika Atkinson, author of Ode to the Castro).

“You will not find a more exquisite, captivating, well written first novel than David Eugene Perry’s Upon This Rock. I was literally hooked from the first chapter. Set in the Italian city of Orvieto, Perry takes us on a roller-coaster ride that begins with the Sixteenth Century papacy of the de Medici Pope, Clement VII, and then quickly plummets us to the present day. A wonderfully addictive and engrossing story with brilliant characters and an ending that will have you perusing your favorite bookstore looking for Perry’s next novel”(Dennis Koller, author of The Rhythm of Evil). “You will not be able to put his book down. It is a page-turner from the first sentence until the twisted unexpected ending.” (Lynn Ruth Miller, author of Getting the Last Laugh). In short, David Eugene Perry’s Upon This Rock is “A potboiler thriller with nail-biting suspense” (Lew J. Whittington, New York Journal of Books); a “sexy, historical thriller” (Julissa James, Nob Hill Gazette);”a love letter to Orvieto like Tales of the City is a love letter to San Francisco” (Eric Jansen, SF Bay Times & Out In the Bay).

Perhaps Emmy Award winning journalist, famed Hollywood reporter Jan Wahl put it best: “Upon This Rock is fabulous. This historical thriller is a sexy ‘DaVinci Code.’ I can’t wait for the movie.”

Upon This Rock by David Eugene Perry / 360 pages / $18.95 / Quilldriver Books, Fresno, CA.

https://quilldriverbooks.com/new-in-fiction-upon-this-rock-an-elegant-twisty-thriller-is-winning-rave-reviews/