Famer, the sports coaching and mentorship mobile platform, today announced a landmark partnership with US Sports Camps, the largest and most successful youth sports summer program in North America, to bring an interactive and substantive training experience to thousands of young athletes displaced from camp due to COVID-19. US Sports Camps (USSC) is the licensed operator of the NIKE Sports Camps and operates over 1,000 camps in 16 different sports totaling more than 100,000 campers annually.

“Our goal this spring was to bring our unique cloud based interactive training technology to the camps market to give kids and parents a meaningful and worthwhile summer experience,” said Famer CEO Rich Abend. “Through launching the concept with the industry leader, US Sports Camps, we know we have found a fun and powerful alternative to keep kids engaged and active, and coaches involved and earning money doing what they love. Our business has grown ten-fold during COVID-19, and we are thrilled to be the go-to solution for virtual training which will continue to be important to athletes and coaches even after we all return to the fields and courts.”

For the past month, USSC has rolled out its new Famer-based digital training platform for virtual camps with select coaches and the early feedback has been very positive from parents and kids.

“This has been a difficult time for us at US Sports Camps,” says Justin Hoeveler, EVP of US Sports Camps. “2020 is the first summer in 48 years that we haven’t operated in-person summer sports camps for young athletes. While we decided early in the Spring that there was too much uncertainty around Covid-19 for us to feel comfortable operating our physical camps we did know that the demand for quality coaching and structured training for our campers would remain strong. The partnership with Famer has been tremendous so far. The testing we’ve done this Spring has given us a window to see how young athletes, coaches, and parents can interact, learn and have a positive virtual experience that enhances skill development and athletic performance. We’re excited to continue to digitally connect our coaches and campers through the summer and beyond.”

USSC and its coaches film dynamic skills and drills videos and upload them to the Famer platform. These drill videos are grouped into workouts that are then distributed to campers to view, perform, and record (if they choose). The drill videos that campers record are then shared with USSC coaches to review for accountability and provide feedback through a number of Famer analysis tools like voiceover, telestration, and text. Athletes can choose to sign up for group based or individual digital/virtual camps on Famer for programs lasting between two to five weeks in length. Campers in group-based training are able to interact with each other and their coach in a multi-media group chat that creates camp-like camaraderie.

Famer supports organizations, clubs, and coaches by allowing them to upload their own personal training content or engage with Famer Productions to create custom professionally produced, edited, and curated content that can be hosted, distributed on its platform. Famer was designed to complement in-person practices and training pre-COVID, but with social distancing it has become an essential partner to hundreds of organizations.

Information and registration for the USSC summer virtual youth camp programs can be found at https://www.ussportscamps.com/nike-sports-camps-virtual-training

About Famer

Famer is a mobile coaching platform that enables group, team and personal training programs and interactive feedback between athletes, their coaches and clubs. We support and empower coaches/clubs to organize, enhance and grow their business through technology. Sports include lacrosse, soccer, baseball/softball, basketball, hockey and volleyball, and are being ramped up to include football and tennis soon. Details are at famer.us.

About U.S. Sports Camps

US Sports Camps (USSC), headquartered in San Rafael, California, is America's largest sports camp network. The company has offered summer camps since 1975 with the same mission that defines it today: to shape a lifelong enjoyment of athletics through high-quality sports education and skill enhancement.

The auction will be held live in PAI’s gallery at 26 West 17th Street in New York City and online at posterauctions.com. The auction will begin at 11 am Eastern time.

New York City, NY, USA, June 30, 2020 -- The 81st auction from Poster Auctions International on Tuesday, July 21st presents numerous never-before-seen designs, including 43 Spanish Art Nouveau posters, 16 hand-painted posters from North Vietnam and important works from Cappiello, Chéret, Loupot, Mucha, Toulouse-Lautrec and other renowned artists.

The Rare Posters Auction will be on view to the public from July 6th thru the 20th. The auction will be held live in PAI’s gallery at 26 West 17th Street in New York City and online at posterauctions.com. The auction will begin promptly at 11 am Eastern time.

Jack Rennert, president of Poster Auctions International, Inc., said, “Despite the setbacks of a global pandemic, we are eager to continue our dedicated work with posters. Our 81st Rare Posters Auction will include not only the high-quality works that our collectors expect, but will also feature notable works that we have never had at auction before.”

The auction will kick off with a collection of posters from Spain, many of which are seen here for the first time. Largely from the Modernisme era, these designs herald the revival of Catalan culture and promote the democratization and integration of the arts, blending influences from Pre-Raphaelite painting, Japanese woodblock prints, and Belgian lithography. Highlights include Alejandro de Riquer’s 1900 The Four Seasons (est. $7,000-$9,000); Femina, by an anonymous artist (est. $4,000-$5,000); and Carlos Verger Fioretti’s 1911 Barcelona / Ciudad de Invierno (est. $4,000-$5,000).

Hand-painted posters from North Vietnam will also be available for the first time. These images, from the collection of Deborah Salter, express the struggles of the Vietnam War and hope for a better future. Artists responded to the sense of urgency by hand-painting—rather than printing—their posters for quicker dissemination to the vast rural population. Works of particular note include Thanh’s ca. 1960 All Working Together to Improve the Collective Economy (est. $2,500-$3,000) and Kho’s 1975 North and South We Are One (est. $3,000-$4,000).

As always, transport posters for bicycles, aviation, and automobiles are featured. Highlights include Penfield’s ca. 1900 The Northampton Cycle Co. (est. $12,000-$15,000), Livemont’s 1902 Automobile Club de France / 5me Salon (est. $6,000-$7,000), Bellery-Desfontaines 1905 Automobiles Georges Richard (est. $12,000-$14,000), Mazza’s 1910 Verona Concorsi Aerei (est. $14,000-$17,000) and Anonymous’ 1909 G.N.R. / Doncaster (est. $3,000-$4,000). Eight posters from the Tour de France are included, two of which are hand-signed by Greg LeMond.

Collectors of Art Nouveau have a plethora of heralded images to choose from. Bonnard’s 1896 Salon des Cent is always a must for collectors (est. $7,000-$9,000). Several images from Bouisset are sure to charm, including two versions of his iconic Chocolat Menier (est. $3,000-$4,000). Classic designs from Chéret include his larger-than-life 1894 Palais de Glace (est. $5,000-$6,000)—but the showstopper is his ca. 1905 Project pour Palais des Rois de Sardaigne : Painting (est. $17,000-$20,000), a joyous preliminary work for his mural in the palace’s gallery, which is visible to this day. From Malerba, a large-scale 1910 design, Mele & Ci. / Mode Novità, is sure to impress—as is Roubille’s charming ca. 1909 poster, Spratt’s Patent Ltd. (both est. $10,000-$12,000).

Of course, the pinnacle of Art Nouveau is Alphonse Mucha. 25 of his greatest works will be on offer, including La Dame aux Camelias (est. $25,000-$30,000) and Lorenzzacio (est. $14,000-$17,000), both from 1896. The artist’s decorative panels for the seasons remain classics of design, and several iterations will be available: his iconic 1896 The Seasons (est. $40,000-$50,000), the second variation of The Seasons from 1897 (est. $12,000-$15,000), and a rare 1900 variant of The Seasons with the imprint of L. Brancher and the complete titles and descriptions (est. $45,000-$55,000). Further works include his 1896 Job (est. $15,000-$20,000) and his 1899 Moët & Chandon (est. $30,000-$35,000).

The Belle Epoque continues to enthrall with Toulouse-Lautrec, who chronicled the gritty and enticing night life of Paris. Tour de force works include his 1894 Eldorado / Aristide Bruant (est. $70,000-$90,000), the 1893 Caudieux (est. $35,000-$40,000), and the 1893 Jane Avril (est. $70,000-$90,000). Most notably, his stupendous 1896 La Chaîne Simpson will be available for the first time in nine years (est. $70,000-$90,000).

Offerings from the Art Deco era are similarly robust. 39 works from the legendary Cappiello trace his career from 1900 to 1938, and include Pneumatiques Torrilhon (est. $7,000-$9,000); a spirited 1919 signed gouache maquette, Le Printemps (est. $14,000-$17,000); the playful 1928 Porto Pitters (est. $8,000-$10,000); and his enchanting ca. 1907 Cognac Gautier Frères (est. $7,000-$9,000).

From Charles Loupot, Art Deco classics include the 1925 Huile Raoul Citroën (est. $14,000-$17,000) and the 1930 Cointreau (est. $6,000-$7,000). Most notably, two impressive maquettes will be on offer: the ca. 1917 L’Impartial (est. $7,000-$9,000) and a full-size St. Raphaël drawing from 1947 (est. $40,000-$50,000).

Public viewings will be held daily from July 6-20. For more information and to download the digital catalogue, visit www.posterauctions.com. You may call the gallery at (212) 787-4000.

About Poster Auctions International:
Jack Rennert, president of Rennert’s Gallery / PAI, is the world’s foremost authority on rare original poster art, and is the author of over a dozen books on the subject, including the catalogue raisonée for the “father” of modern French poster art, Leonetto Cappiello. To learn more, please visit www.posterauctions.com.

Media Contact:
Jessica Adams
Poster Auctions International
26 West 17th Street
New York City, NY 10011
212-787-4000
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
http://www.posterauctions.com

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re doing our best to protect ourselves and our communities by staying home—but the same surroundings for weeks on end can get a little boring. If you find yourself with the time to start (and finish!) home improvement projects, you can take the opportunity to transform your space, freshen up whatever’s feeling stale, and establish a new sense of peace in your home.

Experts on the Vacasa Interior Design team rounded up a list of tips and inspirational vacation homes to help bring your most coveted Pinterest boards to life—plus, a little redesign will give you a much-needed sense of control over your environment in this period of uncertainty.

1. Declutter your spaces

Right now, many of us are feeling worn out by the unpredictability and chaos surrounding the global pandemic that governs our lives. By consuming news about the virus every day, we are overstimulating ourselves—and it’s possible our living spaces could reflect that state of mind.

Small changes can make a world of a difference here. Start by examining your home with a critical eye, thinking about what gives you comfort versus what may be subconsciously adding to your stress. Here are some of the ways to give yourself a mental break:

• Take your mail, including pesky bills, off the dining room table and establish a drawer where they can live until you’re ready to revisit them—then, wipe down all your counters!
• Consider whether there are too many items on your bookshelves and dressers. Does the arrangement look hectic to you? Do any of the items conjure up unpleasant memories? If so, remove some, putting them in storage or a box to eventually donate.
• While you’re at it, check out your pantry and closets, too. Odds are, they could benefit from some serious reorganization.
• Examine your home for stray cords, and tack them along the walls for a much cleaner, more orderly feel.

2. Rearrange your common areas

It’s tempting to spend all day in front of the television when you’re working from home or trying to entertain the kids. But, wouldn’t we all rather have meaningful conversations with loved ones, read, or play board games—at least some of the time?

Think about whether your living room furniture is arranged to foster interactions between those in your household. Set up your couches or chairs so they’re facing one another, and make sure you have a coffee table in the mix where drinking glasses can rest, novels can be set down, and Monopoly can be played!

3. Spruce up the kitchen

Kitchens are essential spaces to connect with members of your household—especially right now. More than ever, people are enjoying the art of baking cookies with their kids, or creating a home-cooked meal with a partner. Maximize circulation as much as possible, and provide extra hang-out room with chic barstools, or reimagine the flow between the kitchen, dining, and living areas.

If you don’t already have one, considering adding a kitchen island to give yourself more counter space. We know bumping arms in the kitchen is never fun, and can result in a sliced finger!

Proper layered lighting in kitchens is also crucial, both for creating ambiance and for aiding in specific tasks. Pendant lighting over an island, under-cabinet lighting, and overhead lighting should all be considered.

4. Experiment with new pops of color

Color gives a room its feeling and can evoke warmth and comfort. Spring is the perfect season to introduce new hues to your home, so there’s no better time than the present for a quarantine refresh.

DIY painting is a cathartic way to brighten your mood and enhance day-to-day living. Consider the best location in your home for an accent wall. Is it in the living room behind the couch, or would it be better suited for the bedroom? Think warm jewel tones and cheery bold colors—but remember to stay true to your own personality and style.

If you want to make more subtle updates, try replacing pillow slipcovers or investing in a new throw blanket for an added splash of color and texture.

5. Play up the bedroom

Many of us are having trouble sleeping right now due to pandemic-induced stress. Maybe you’re having bad dreams, just can’t get to sleep, or wake up too frequently. And, let’s be honest, we all need some R&R right about now.

Consider what aspects of your bedroom may be disrupting (or, at least, not helping) your REM cycle without you knowing it. Make sure you have plenty of pillows, including accent throws, and think about investing in new, high-quality sheets.

Put up some art that brings a smile to your face, but make sure it complements the overall feel of the room. Equip your bedside table with essential items that give the room character and added utility, like a lamp or a clock.

For more interior design tips and tricks, visit: https://www.vacasa.com/property-management/interior-design.

25^th  June, 2020, DUBAI, UAE: The closure of gyms and working from home has created more time for adult learning, UAE-based website A Life Of Education (alifeofeducation.com) reports. Many people in the fitness industry are using that time for self-improvement, investing in their futures, boosting their resumes, and benefitting from the knowledge of world-renowned thought leaders.

Offering a wide range of fitness courses, the portal was co-founded by Caroline Leon, who suffered a rock climbing accident that left her learning to walk again after 14 reconstructive surgeries to her spine, pelvis and feet, and her rehabilitation trainer Keith O’Malley-Farrell, the website was launched in September 2019.

A Life of Education co-founder Keith O’Malley-Farrell said “Our platform’s mission is to bring knowledge and expertise from around the world to fitness professionals here in Dubai. It is fantastic to see how the fitness industry is turning what would otherwise been unallocated time, into time spent investing in themselves through education and self improvement. Online CPD courses for teachers will pay significant dividends over the near term as they return to more regular work patterns. Furthermore, the long term benefits are clear as fitness professionals are able to create more diversified and sustainable offerings that benefit the increasingly sophisticated and varied needs of their clients.”

A Life of Education is now home to over 100 online courses from experts across the globe, covering topics including Human Anatomy courses, fitness courses, Human Anatomy Course, Pain and Injury Rehabilitation Courses, Courses on Diabetes,Pilates Courses, Exercising with Parkinson's Disease, Women's Health Courses on the Menstrual Cycle, PCOS, Nutrition during pregnancy, Exercising during and after Menopause, & the recently popularised Ketogenic Diet.

It has never been easier to access the expertise of doctors, lecturers, physiotherapists and more, with the likes of London-based Ollie Blenkinsop, the Course Director of the Masters in Sport Rehabilitation, London) and diet researcher and prolific author Dr. Cliff Harvey sharing his knowledge on low carb and Ketogenic eating.

Simply scroll through the offering to find your area of interest, whether it’s understanding stress or the art of yoga sequencing, and click to sign up. You enjoy lifetime access, zero deadlines and can learn from home. All courses are internationally recognized by REPs (Register Exercise Professionals) so they come with the highest available endorsements for online learning, with participants receiving downloadable PDF notes, and a short multiple choice Q&A in order to gain their certificate of completion.

The general public has also been visiting alifeofeducation.com for a huge range of FREE online workouts, with Pilates, HIIT, exercises for teens and stretching available.

-ENDS-

For more information contact Keith O'Malley-Farrell: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About A Life of Education:

In 2015, A Life of Education founder, Caroline Leon survived a life threatening rock-climbing accident, after she fell 7m. Over the course of two years she underwent 14 surgeries to repair; two shattered calcanei, reconstruct multiple broken bones in each foot, along with re-attaching her shattered right ilium, reconstructing her right pubic bone and replacement/reconstruction of her T12, L1 & L2 vertebrae.

By the time Caroline had taught herself to walk again, it was time for her to progress and step out of the clinical setting. Her effort to find a rehabilitation instructor to effectively take her through this complex stage of her rehab, proved more difficult than anticipated.

After numerous negative and disappointing experiences, Caroline was finally recommended to contact injury rehabilitation personal trainer Keith O'Malley-Farrell from The Physical Training Company. Keith had a wide ranging experience rehabilitating patients recovering from complex trauma injuries during his time working in the UK with the British Military.

It was clear to both, that while the general health and fitness community was well versed in weight loss, body building, yoga, Pilates and gym instruction, as a whole, the in-depth understanding of the complexities involved with effectively supporting those confronted with out of the ordinary challenges, just didn't do the industry justice.

From this, Caroline invited Keith to collaborate with her and A Life of Education was born. Our aim was to bring leading experts from around the world of health and fitness together on one brand new platform to share their knowledge and expertise on a global scale. By watching and learning from those specialists in their fields students will continue their professional development and education through a more flexible, more accessible and more affordable education platform.