National Astronaut Day (May 5, 2020)

New York, NY - April 29, 2020 - (The Stuff Gazette) -- uniphi space agency, a division of uniphi good LLC, is proud to announce the fifth annual National Astronaut Day, featuring an incredible line-up of Astronauts, musicians and entertainers, all participating in virtual, free, family-friendly events, activities and performances on Tuesday, May 5th, 2020. This year, in addition to raising funds and awareness for seven charities, the campaign will include a social media campaign to thank the "Frontline Superstars" who have been working tirelessly during the global pandemic, a collaboration with Giving Tuesday Now, and specifically with Giving Tuesday Kids (GTKids), who will be actively participating in different Astronaut activities throughout the day.

In keeping with the tradition of other Astronaut and Space related celebrations, May 5th was selected for this significant date in history in 1961 when Astronaut Alan Bartlett Shepard Jr. became the First American in Space, aboard the Freedom 7 Space capsule. The brief suborbital flight, which lasted approximately 15 minutes and reached a height of 116 miles into the atmosphere, was a milestone achievement. This trailblazing example of heroic bravery and adventurous spirit is this essence of what National Astronaut Day is all about.

National Astronaut Day is honored to present an incredible virtual line up of Astronauts, musicians, entertainers, charity partners and collaborators, all of whom have generously donated their time, not only to celebrate and honor Astronauts, but to provide comfort and levity for all at this unusual and challenging time. Their gracious support, and the tireless dedication given by those on the frontline, is a true inspiration and a reminder that together we rise by lifting others.

May 5th will feature a wide range of not to be missed online events that include "Virtual Astronaut" talks, Q&A's, book readings & discussions, motivational videos, live music performances, Astronaut inspired music video & playlist premieres, model rocket launches, activities and more. Some events require pre-registration so please make sure to see the full schedule of events at www.NationalAstronautDay.com.

Scheduled participants include (and are subject to change);

Astronauts:
Clayton "Astro Clay" Anderson, Greg Chamitoff, Leroy Chiao, Cady Coleman, Frank Culbertson, Greg H. Johnson, Wendy Lawrence, Pamela Melroy, Leland Melvin, Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger, Barbara Morgan, John "Danny" Olivas, Garrett Reisman, Steve Smith, Nicole Stott, Soyeon Yi.

Musicians:
FolkUke, Michael Glabicki with Dirk Miller, Emerson Hart, Emmanuel Jal, Toby Lightman, Scotty Kilwein, Particle Kid, Jeff Russo, TDIII and more TBD.

Charities:
Challenger Center, Gua Africa, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Higher Orbits, Reading Is Fundamental, Space Center Houston, Space For Everyone Foundation

Collaborators:
Club for the Future founded by Blue Origin, Cosmic Crisp®, DreamUp, Estes Rockets, Giving Tuesday Kids, Giving Tuesday Now, Higher Orbits, Janet's Planet, National Day Calendar, One Orbit, Space Center Houston, Topsify, uniphi goods

The 2020 National Astronaut Day campaign includes many ways to participate including:
- Join the online Astronaut Talks, Q&As & Activities
- Watch & Listen to Live Online Music Performances from World-Class Musicians
- Engage on Social Media with the Augmented Reality (AR) Interactive Astronaut Face Filters
- Enter the Student Art Contest
- Thank the "Frontline Superstars" (on social media or print signs)
- Explore & learn something new about your own Universe, set a Mission and go on an adventure
- Print the National Astronaut Day Posters
- Read a book about Astronauts or Space
- Participate in the "at home" Activities on the National Astronaut Day website
- Donate to one of our charity partners

Updates will be posted on the National Astronaut Day website at www.NationalAstronautDay.com.

National Pretzel Day (April 26)

Washington, D.C. - April 25, 2020 - (The Ponder News) -- Auntie Anne's®, the world's largest hand-rolled soft pretzel franchise, is celebrating National Pretzel Day on April 26 by giving away 25,000 free pretzels to frontline workers. In addition to nominating a frontline worker to receive a pretzel-pick-me-up, fans can claim their own National Pretzel Day offer when they download the Pretzel Perks app.

Pretzel fans can nominate their friends and family members who are frontline employees beginning Friday, April 24 through Sunday, April 26 at AuntieAnnes.com/Nominate. Auntie Anne's will randomly select 25,000* of these frontline workers to receive a free Original or Cinnamon Sugar pretzel offer, as a way to show appreciation to all those keeping us safe and healthy during this time.

Additionally, all Pretzel Perks app users will receive an offer for a free Original or Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel with the purchase of any pretzel item, valid beginning Friday, April 24. To receive this exclusive National Pretzel Day offer, pretzel lovers should download and sign up for the Pretzel Perks app by Sunday, April 26. The offer has an extended expiration to allow fans plenty of time to redeem it.

"At Auntie Anne's, National Pretzel Day is our favorite day of the year," said Heather Neary, president of Auntie Anne's. "We wanted to take this opportunity to share a little pretzel love not only with our fans, but also with all the frontline workers doing their best to keep us safe and healthy. From healthcare professionals and first responders, to restaurant employees and warehouse workers, we wanted to recognize their hard work and say thank you."

To find an Auntie Anne's location, visit auntieannes.com/locations. Auntie Anne's hand-rolled soft pretzels come freshly baked in a variety of flavors including Original, Cinnamon Sugar, Sweet Almond, Sour Cream & Onion, Roasted Garlic & Parmesan, and Pepperoni. For guests on-the-go, Auntie Anne's offers portable Pretzel Nuggets, Pretzel Dogs, and Mini Pretzel Dogs. With seven dipping sauces and a variety of drinks to accompany each pretzel, Auntie Anne's is bound to hit the spot any time, any day.

Earth Day (April 22, 2020)

A message from U.S. Representative Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL, 20th)

“Today, we observe the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Since we marked the first Earth Day, so many activists have fought dearly to honor our responsibility to protect our planet. Much work remains and our incremental progress has been just that—incremental and gradual—despite the increasingly clear signs and devastation of environmental degradation. Too many communities remain exposed to harmful chemicals, and the climate crisis is causing rising sea levels, ocean acidification, and more extreme and devastating weather events. The link between the importance of clean air, clean water, and public health is more clear now than ever before. Indeed, many of the factors polluting our air and driving climate change, such as carbon emissions, also worsen the risk of respiratory diseases, like the COVID-19 pandemic our nation is currently battling.

“House Democrats have taken action to deliver science-based leadership, which comes in stark contrast to the Trump Administration’s regulatory rollbacks and inaction. Last year, House Democrats passed H.R.9, the Climate Action Now Act, to reaffirm the Global Paris Climate Agreement after the Trump Administration’s misguided announcement to withdraw the United States from this agreement.

“Climate change is a global crisis that requires a global response. Being a Floridian means cherishing our land, water, and community. Today, we celebrate our environment and reaffirm our shared responsibility to act now to preserve our planet for our children and future generations.”

International Mine Awareness Day (April 4)

by United Nations

New York, NY - April 2, 2020 - (The Stuff Gazette) -- Decades ago, millions of landmines were buried in countries across the world. From Cambodia to Mozambique, in Angola and Afghanistan, thousands of lives were lost, with others altered forever because of one unlucky step. The outcry by civil society in the early 1990s drove the multilateral system to take a stand against the use of anti-personnel mines, leading to the 1997 Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction — known as the Mine Ban Convention — and other crucial frameworks. Today, many countries have declared themselves mine free, with others well on the way.

Now, the world is facing a daunting pandemic. The dangers posed by COVID-19 are forcing every country, and every person, to take steps that would have seemed unimaginable mere weeks ago. It is for this reason that this year’s observance of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action has been scaled back. The football tournaments, due to take place on land cleared of explosive ordnance, have been cancelled. The events aimed at bringing together the mine action community will take place virtually, if at all.

Yet, even amid an unprecedented crisis, we cannot let this day go unnoticed, nor can we allow the rights of persons with disabilities to go unacknowledged. Mines, explosive remnants of war and improvised explosive devices threaten some of the most vulnerable people in society — women traveling to markets, farmers herding cattle, humanitarian workers trying to reach those most in need.

Moreover, the achievements of the mine action community show that, in working together, we can reach milestones once seen as impossible — a timely message for our efforts today to suppress transmission of the pandemic.

Let us remember the people living under the shadow of explosive ordnance, from Syria to Mali and elsewhere. As many people around the world work safely from home, they will remain exposed and vulnerable. And, when the world emerges from today’s crisis, they will continue to need our support.