Far Hills Race Meeting Returns for 100-Year Celebration Following 2020 Hiatus, Largest Steeplechase Event Comes Back with a Bang

FAR HILLS, N.J. , July 7:The Far Hills Race Meeting, New Jersey's premier steeplechase event, is celebrating its 100th running on Saturday, October 16, 2021. The event, which garners thousands of attendees each year to watch thrilling steeplechase races, was postponed during 2020 due to the pandemic. In honor of the centennial year and the race's return to the community, the Far Hills Race Meeting Association (FHRMA) is renewing its commitment to local charities. Over the past 100 years, the Far Hills Race Meeting has generated more than $18 million for local healthcare organizations. This year's steeplechase event will raise funds for an expansive network of local, healthcare-oriented charities including: Robert Wood Johnson (RWJ) Barnabas Health Crossroads4Hope The Arc of Somerset County Community in Crisis LifeCamp Bonnie Brae "Cancelling last year's event was a huge blow – for the spectators who have made Far Hills Race Meeting a family tradition, and for the charities that rely on the race to meet their fundraising goal and help more community members," said Guy Torsilieri, chairman of the Far Hills Race Meeting. "But after 100 years of world-class racing and memory making, we know that the spirit of this event and this community will be just as fervent this October." Ron Kennedy, chairman of the Far Hills Race Meeting, adds "FHRMA has collaborated with the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset over the years to ensure our charitable efforts are improving community health and outcomes in the region. This partnership is of the utmost importance after the year we've had, and we're elated to welcome our Far Hills family back to the property." Guests can now purchase General admission tickets and other upgraded, VIP experiences, including a new offering, the Centennial Tent, through the farhillsrace.org website. Those racegoers seeking to renew their reserved tailgate spaces have until August 1, 2021 to renew before the spaces open up to the waitlist. About Far Hills Race Meeting Far Hills Race Meeting is New Jersey's premier social and sporting event. For a century, the annual gathering has attracted a large fan base with audiences locally, nationally and globally who return, year after year, to watch the world's finest steeplechases, reconnect with family and friends, network, support worthy causes and make memories to last a lifetime. Over the years, Far Hills Race Meeting has given more than $18 million to support local health-care organizations. For more information, visit www.farhillsrace.org.

variednews: variednews: Coinstar Survey Shows Back-to-School C...

variednews: variednews: Coinstar Survey Shows Back-to-School C...: variednews: Coinstar Survey Shows Back-to-School Costs Expecte... : BELLEVUE, Wash., July 7;The Coinstar® Back-to-School Survey, condu...

variednews: Coinstar Survey Shows Back-to-School Costs Expecte...

variednews: Coinstar Survey Shows Back-to-School Costs Expecte...: BELLEVUE, Wash., July 7;The Coinstar® Back-to-School Survey, conducted among 1,004 U.S. parents, was released today and reports that t...

Coinstar Survey Shows Back-to-School Costs Expected Higher This Year Compared To Pre-Pandemic Vast majority of parents will send kids to in-person schooling this fall creating more free time

BELLEVUE, Wash., July 7;The Coinstar® Back-to-School Survey, conducted among 1,004 U.S. parents, was released today and reports that the majority of parents (84%) plan to send their children to in-person schooling this fall. Most parents report being excited or relieved that kids are returning to a classroom and parents will likely have more free time. The downside is many parents expect back-to-school costs to increase from pre-pandemic school expenses. Back-to-School Emotions and Costs Elevated About four in five parents plan to send their kids off to the classroom this fall with costs and emotions higher than pre-pandemic. Nearly nine in 10 parents (86%) are relieved or excited about kids going to in-person schooling; one-third (33%) reveal they are nervous 61% of parents expect back-to-school costs to be higher than pre-pandemic; 29% say about the same 68% report spare change at home is higher or about the same versus a year ago 70% say they are planning or will consider cashing in spare change to cover back-to-school expenses More Free Time Isn't All Fun Most parents sending kids back to school will have more free time, but the Coinstar survey reveals that doesn't equate to all leisure time. Of parents expecting to have more free time, 44% will spend it doing housework or chores; 34% will use time to be more productive at work; 38% will squeeze in quiet time, and 32% will treat themselves to a massage, walk or something else personal. Survey Methodology Coinstar commissioned Atomik Research to run an online survey of 1,004 parents with children between the ages of 5-18 living at home and in school in the fall of 2021. The margin of error fell within +/- 3 percentage points with a confidence interval of 95 percent. The fieldwork took place between June 15 and June 16, 2021. Atomik Research is an independent creative market research agency. About Coinstar, LLC Coinstar® is the global leader in self-service coin counting with 23,000 kiosks in North America, Europe, and Japan. More than 800 billion coins have been processed since Coinstar's inception in the early 1990s. In the United States, consumers can convert their change to cash, a no-fee eGift card, or donate to charity at supermarket, mass merchant, drug store, and financial institution kiosk locations. Expanded cash services at Coinstar kiosks include purchasing cryptocurrencies and adding money into digital accounts. For brand advertisers, Coinstar now offers adPlanet™, which enables lead generation on the interactive kiosk screen and a flexible digital advertising platform that sits atop Coinstar kiosks at select grocery locations. For more information on Coinstar or kiosk locations, visit www.coinstar.com.

variednews: variednews: Amtrak to Transform Rail Travel with $...

variednews: variednews: Amtrak to Transform Rail Travel with $...: variednews: Amtrak to Transform Rail Travel with $7.3 Billion ... : WASHINGTON, July 7; Amtrak is contracting with California-based Siem...

variednews: Amtrak to Transform Rail Travel with $7.3 Billion ...

variednews: Amtrak to Transform Rail Travel with $7.3 Billion ...: WASHINGTON, July 7; Amtrak is contracting with California-based Siemens Mobility Inc. to manufacture a new fleet of up to 83 multi-power...

Amtrak to Transform Rail Travel with $7.3 Billion Investment in State-of-the-Art Equipment Railroad to contract with Siemens Mobility as new equipment vendor

WASHINGTON, July 7; Amtrak is contracting with California-based Siemens Mobility Inc. to manufacture a new fleet of up to 83 multi-powered modern trains that will be leveraged for state and northeast services, with further options for up to 130 additional trains to support Amtrak growth plans. The new fleet will offer modern rail amenities that better serve Amtrak customers. "These new trains will reshape the future of rail travel by replacing our aging 40-to-50-year old fleet with state-of-the-art, American-made equipment," said Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn. "This investment is essential to preserving and growing our Northeast Regional and state-supported services and will allow our customers to travel comfortably and safely, while deeply reducing criteria pollutants." The new equipment will operate on the Northeast Corridor, long distance Palmetto and various state-supported routes that will replace Amtrak-owned Amfleet, Metroliner, and state-owned equipment on certain routes throughout the country. In addition to the Northeast Regional, other routes will include the Adirondack, Carolinian, Cascades, Downeaster, Empire Service, Ethan Allen Express, Keystone Service, Maple Leaf, New Haven/Springfield Service (Amtrak Hartford Line and Valley Flyer), Pennsylvanian, Vermonter and Virginia Services. The $7.3 billion investment includes the purchase of equipment and a long-term parts supply and service agreement, facility modifications and upgrades, and other program expenses. A long-term service agreement for technical support, spare parts and material supply will accompany the contract to manufacture the trains. The new trains include remote monitoring and fully integrated digital diagnostics for increased reliability. These advanced features will enable Amtrak to test and develop new technology and introduce new maintenance approaches to drive efficiency, increase availability and reduce long term costs. "These new trains, some of which will be our first hybrid battery operations in the United States, will transform the way Americans travel. Offering a more sustainable and comfortable travel experience, they will be built for excellence and built with pride in Sacramento, California," stated Michael Cahill, President of Siemens Mobility, Rolling Stock in North America. "Over the past decade, we've worked closely with Amtrak and its state partners to develop and deliver trains that meet the needs of America's travelers, these next generation trainsets build on that experience and offer much more." The latest trains will feature more comfortable seating, individual power outlets and USB ports, onboard Wi-Fi, enhanced lighting and panoramic windows, larger vestibules, a more contemporary food service experience, including self-service options, as well as state-of-the-art customer trip information, digital seat reservation system and navigation display systems. The trains were designed with the latest health and safety standards, including enhanced HVAC, touchless restroom controls, and automated steps. The trains meet all the latest safety regulations and standards, providing improved structural safety. With expanded capacity and the ability to shorten trip time, Amtrak expects the new equipment to add over 1.5 million riders, annually. Using multi-power systems, including hybrid battery operation for a portion of the fleet used for New York's Empire Service, these trains will also provide a substantial environmental benefit through reduced criteria pollutants compared to the existing fleet. They will be designed with Amtrak's new standard of enhanced accessible features, including inductive hearing loops, accessible restrooms and vestibules, an accessible Food Service car, and lifts for customers with reduced mobility, including wheelchair users. The trains will be manufactured at Siemens Mobility's rail manufacturing facility in Sacramento, California, and will comply with the Federal Railroad Administration Buy America Standards. The facility is celebrating its 30th anniversary of operations this year as it continues to add to its more than 2,100 team members. It is one of the largest plants of its kind on the continent, and also one of the most sustainable, using a 2.1 MW solar panel installation to provide the majority of its power coming from the strong, reliable Californian sun. Siemens Mobility designs and manufactures across the entire spectrum of rolling stock including passenger trains, light rail and streetcars, locomotives, and passenger coaches in Sacramento. About Amtrak® For 50 years, Amtrak has connected America and transformed transportation by modernizing train travel and building for the future. Amtrak will continue to play an important role in the national transportation network for the next 50 years and beyond by operating a safe, environmentally efficient and fiscally responsible business by providing travelers with an experience that sets a new standard. Book travel, check train status, access your eTicket and more through the Amtrak app. Learn more at Amtrak.com and connect with us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.