An unwelcome visitor is headed for Florida and the Caribbean: huge floating mats of sargassum, or free-floating brown seaweed. Nearly every year since 2011, sargassum has inundated Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and Florida coastlines in warm months, peaking in June and July. This brown tide rots on the beach, driving away tourists, harming local fishing industries and requiring costly cleanups. Sargassum seaweed started washing up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in mid-March 2023. Joe Raedle/Getty Images According to scientists who monitor the formation of sargassum in the Atlantic Ocean, 2023 could produce the largest bloom ever recorded. That’s bad news for destinations like Miami and Fort Lauderdale that will struggle to clean their shorelines. In 2022, Miami-Dade County spent US$6 million to clear sargassum from just four popular beaches. Sargassum isn’t new on South Florida beaches, but its rapid increase over the past decade indicates that some new factor – likely related to human actions – is affecting when and how it forms. In my work as a coastal scientist, I’ve watched these invasions become the new normal, choking beaches and turning clear blue waters golden brown. Along with other researchers, I’m trying to understand why sargassum has proliferated into this new sprawling bloom, how to deal with such massive amounts of it, and how affected countries can predict the severity of the next influx. Sargassum has a valuable ecological role at sea, but on beaches it’s an expensive nuisance that threatens tourism. A biological hot spot at sea Sargassum grows in the calm, clear waters of the Sargasso Sea – a 2 million-square-nautical-mile (5.2 million-square-kilometer) haven of biodiversity that lies east of Bermuda in the Atlantic Ocean. Rather than beaches, it’s bounded by rotating ocean currents that form the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre. The Sargasso Sea in the North Atlantic is bounded by the Gulf Stream to the west, the North Atlantic Current to the north, the Canary Current to the east, and the North Equatorial Current to the south.Jack/Wikipedia In the open ocean, islands of sargassum create a rich ecosystem that ocean explorer Sylvia Earle calls “a golden floating rainforest.” Suspended by round “berries” filled with gas, the seaweed offers food, sanctuary and breeding grounds for crabs, shrimp, whales, migratory birds and some 120 species of fish. Mats of it form the sole spawning grounds for European and American eels and habitat for some 43 other threatened or endangered species. Sargassum also shelters sea turtle hatchlings and juvenile fish during their early life in the open ocean. Ten endemic species live nowhere else on Earth. The Sargasso is a valuable commercial fishery worth about $100 million per year. But in recent years, large quantities of sargassum have drifted west, forming what researchers call the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt. As of late March 2023, the sargassum belt was about 5,000 miles (8,000 kilometers) long and 300 miles (500 miles) wide The belt is actually a collection of island-like masses that can stretch for miles. It doesn’t uniformly cover beaches when it washes up: Some areas can be relatively clear or only mildly affected. But the overall mass this year is overwhelming. What’s fertilizing huge blooms? What can plausibly explain the sudden increase in this floating seaweed since 2011 – the first time that large aggregations of sargassum were detected from space? While climate change is warming ocean waters, and sargassum grows faster in warmer water, I believe it’s more plausible that the cause is a drastic increase in agricultural activity in the Brazilian Amazon. Scientists have shown that huge brown tides that were observed in the Gulf of Mexico in 2005 and 2011 were linked to nutrients carried down the Mississippi River. Now, intensive cattle ranching and soybean farming in the Amazon basin are sending rising levels of nitrogen and phosphorus into the Atlantic Ocean via the Amazon and Orinoco rivers. These nutrients are key ingredients in fertilizer, and also are present in animal manure. Another major source of nutrients is dust clouds from the Sahara, which can stretch for thousands of miles across the Atlantic Ocean, carried by trade winds. These clouds contain iron, nitrogen and phosphorus from dust storms in Saharan Africa and biomass burning in central and southern Africa. As they blow across the Atlantic, they help fertilize seaweed. This map shows dust from a series of Saharan storms crossing the Atlantic on June 28, 2018.NASA Earth Observatory A threat to sea life Along with its devastating effects on recreational beaches in the Caribbean and South Florida, sargassum has important but less visible ecological impacts near the coast. Large floating mats of sargassum block sunlight, which is essential for the survival of underwater grasses. These grasses stabilize the seafloor and provide food and shelter for many species of fish and invertebrates and for Florida’s endangered manatees. Coral reefs also require sunlight and clean water to survive. Reefs in Florida and the Caribbean are under many other stresses, including ocean warming and coral bleaching, so they are already highly vulnerable. Thick masses of sargassum on beaches can make it difficult or impossible for endangered sea turtles to dig nests and lay eggs on beaches. Spring and summer, when sargassum accumulates, are prime sea turtle nesting seasons. A manatee feeding on seagrass in Homosassa, Fla. Starvation due to loss of seagrass beds has been a primary cause of manatee deaths in Florida in recent years.Joe Raedle/Getty Images Taming the sargassum monster Researchers across the Caribbean are working to find productive uses for these enormous quantities of organic material that float ashore. In South Florida, communities mainly use the seaweed as mulch, but this requires thoroughly washing it to remove the salt, either naturally via rainfall or by spraying it with fresh water. Recycling sargassum into fertilizer for use on crops is problematic because it often contains toxic heavy metals such as arsenic and cadmium. Sargassum has become a recurring seaweed monster, but humanity is the real villain. Until nations find ways to reduce large-scale nutrient pollution, I expect that huge sargassum blooms will be a recurring presence in Florida and the Caribbean. Words By Stephen P. Leatherman Professor of Coastal Science, Florida International University. Special thanks to The Conversation. Top image by unsplash

Gucci and Vans unveil the first collaboration between their Roblox worlds Gucci Town x Vans World, a special activation linking the two popular digital outposts. Navigating obstacles and exploring the corners of the two spheres, community members are challenged in a scavenger hunt through these worlds to collect fabrics and patterns, moving through the two worlds by portals resembling shoe boxes, located in each experience. At the end of this journey, once all the swatches are collected, special items can be redeemed in each world – either a shoe accessory or a skateboard backpack – and worn by the Roblox avatars. The activation marks the first time two global fashion brands of this scale collaborated on the platform to connect their persistent worlds and create an innovative consumer experience, further linking the creative connections between the two brands, built on the conversations started with Vans’ participation in Gucci Continuum. A special initiative by Vault, Gucci Continuum invites designers, brands, and artists to reinterpret past Gucci pieces or deadstock fabrics through their own creative lenses, expanding upon the narratives of the House while extending the life of existing materials. For the inaugural collection, Vans has envisioned a series of sneakers as an ode to its early days, when customers could have their favorite fabrics, or an old garment transformed into custom made footwear. This activation expands on that narrative and allows Roblox users to realize that product story through an innovative scavenger hunt experience. First and foremost a community for all, Gucci Town was unveiled in May 2022, and it represents a dynamic space for building connections through shared creative experiences. Following its takeover by multi-platinum selling recording artist and face of the Gucci Flora Gorgeous Jasmine campaign, Miley Cyrus, and that of the Manchester City and England midfielder Jack Grealish, Gucci Town continues to evolve for those seeking the unexpected, in conversation with the House’s trajectory into the future. Launched in September 2021, Vans is the first brand to bring skateboarding, fashion, and community together in one experience in Roblox, Vans World providing fans with the Vans shoe customizer to create their own unique style, and full skate shop to build their perfect board on Roblox. The immersive experience features various activities, such as skateboarding, shopping, and customizing your avatar with Vans clothing and accessories to unleash creativity in the virtual world. The Gucci Town x Vans World scavenger hunt will be available beginning today through May 13. By ML Staff. Images Courtesy Of Gucci

Joe’s Stone Crab in Miami Beach will once again host Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade’s 12th Annual “Claws for Kids” presented by the Carmen Rebozo Foundation in memory of Judy Kramer. The fundraising lunch will take place on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, kicking off with a cocktail reception at 11 a.m., followed by lunch at noon. Guests will enjoy delicious stone crabs and other signature menu items without the wait. Kostia Violin will provide entertainment. Mother and daughter duo, Lisa Mendelson and Lindsey Mendelson Pearson are graciously co-chairing this year’s event once again. Olga Guilarte is the Special Event Chair. “Claws for Kids” is one of the last chances to enjoy stone crabs before stone crab season ends. “Claws for Kids” is held in memory of Judy Kramer, a longtime Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade Board member, who helped create the event and chaired it since its inception until her passing in February 2021. Proceeds will benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade’s many positive programs and services at its six Clubs and sites combined, including after school programs, homework assistance, computer training, social skills, dance, arts & crafts, professional mentoring, and summer and athletic programs. “It’s an honor to partner with the iconic Joe’s Stone Crabs to host our 12th Annual ‘Claws for Kids’ lunch and awards ceremony,” said Alex Rodriguez-Roig, president of Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade. “This event continues to grow each year and we’re excited to see both longtime supporters as well as new faces enjoying Joe’s stone crabs to raise funds to benefit the Club’s many positive programs.” Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade supporters who cannot attend the event can still enjoy Joe’s famous stone crabs at home or on a date of their choice with the purchase of a gift card, just in time for Mother’s Day. To participate, guests must purchase sponsorship gift cards on the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade’s website to benefit “Claws for Kids.” During the event, Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson will be awarded the 2023 “From the Heart Award.” Through her unwavering dedication and caring stewardship to Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade, Congresswoman Wilson has made a positive impact on the lives of the Clubs’ youth members. Most recently, she generously provided $6.4 million in federal funding to support the Clubs’ expansion with the opening of its sixth Club at the Dr. Frederica S. Wilson Skyway Elementary School as well as building facilities and funding programs in Miami Gardens Club, Gwen Cherry Club, and Northwest Club. Congresswoman Wilson proudly represents Florida’s 24th Congressional District, one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse districts in the nation and includes parts of northwest Miami-Dade and southern Broward counties. Congresswoman Wilson was formerly an educator, elementary school principal, community leader, school board member, state legislator and founder of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, awarding millions of dollars in college scholarships to help hundreds of young men achieve their dream of earning a college degree or post-secondary certification. Through her relentless advocacy, Congresswoman Wilson has earned a reputation as a “Voice for the Voiceless.” Her tenure in Congress, now in its seventh term, also has been marked by her signature spirit of unrelenting advocacy on behalf of the less fortunate. This year’s Master of Ceremonies will be five-time Emmy award-winning journalist and WSVN7 news personality Belkys Nerey. The Claws for Kids host committee includes Bob Cuevas, Jackie Gonzalez, Lily Pardo, Rae Stein and Virginia Vich. The 2023 Presenting Sponsor is the Carmen Rebozo Foundation. The Premier Claw Sponsor is Lisa and Victor Mendelson and Family. The Jumbo Claw Sponsors are The Bernhardt Family, Margaret and Clint Gulley, The Miller Saointz Family and Ocean Bank. The Large Claw Sponsors are Allison and Andy Stuart, Bermont Gold, Eller-ITO, FPL, WellsFargo Advisors, WSVN 7 and USI Insurance. Wine and champagne are being underwritten by the Bernhardt Family and AV is being underwritten and provided by AV Concepts. “Claws for Kids” sponsorship opportunities are available and range from $500 to $30,000. Individual tickets are available to purchase for $350. To purchase sponsorships, please visit https://bgcmia.org/event/12th-annual-claws-for-kids-in-memory-of-judy-kramer/ For more information, please contact Rhia Hunter at (305) 446-9910 ext. 108, or via email atrhunter@bgcmia.org. For more information, please visit facebook, instagram, youtube, or call 305.446.9910. Joe's Stone Crab is located at 11 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139. For more information, visit www.joesstonecrab.com. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade

In an effort to support its students, families and staff affected by the historic and devastating floods in Fort Lauderdale, Jack & Jill Center is spearheading relief efforts to collect supplies and monetary donations. Jack & Jill Center’s teachers, students and staff are in desperate need of essential supplies for children, teens and adults – most of who did not have flood, renters or full car insurance. As no FEMA or federal help is currently available, those without insurance don’t have anywhere to turn for assistance. Monetary donations are also needed to help families and staff with the cost of hotels and transportation while they determine if they can return to their homes that were flooded. Jack & Jill Center is accepting items at its Halmos Family Building starting Thursday, April 20. Jack & Jill Center supports children of high-need working families through quality early childhood education, elementary education and family strengthening programs to ensure every child and family has the tools they need to be successful. Jack & Jill Center has served 26,000 children and families in South Florida since 1942. Items needed are: Non-perishable food, easily opened Diapers, pull-ups, wipes and baby products Children’s underwear Clothing for children 18 months – size 14/15 Furniture (beds, mattresses, dressers, couches, rugs, tables, TVs, etc.) Kitchen appliances and utensils (plates, bowls, silverware, blenders, microwaves, toasters, etc.) Cleaning products, laundry supplies, brooms and vacuums Monetary donations can be made by visiting https://www.jackandjillcenter.org/joinus/give/ For large furniture donations, please contact Tanisha Lewis at tlewis@jackandjillcenter.org or 954-436-8772, ext. 207, to determine if the specific furniture item is still needed by a family. For more information about Jack & Jill visit www.jackandjillcenter.org. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of Unsplash

Move over 🥦 Broccoli and 🔥 Fire emojis—Cresco Cannabis, one of the largest, bestselling cannabis brands ranked by BDSA, has launched an online petition calling for three cannabis-themed emojis to be added to phone keyboards. The petition, which is part of the cannabis brand’s 420 cannabis holiday celebration, urges marijuana patients, consumers, advocates and enthusiasts to sign and share it at www.crescocannabis.com. Current emojis just don’t cut it when people are texting about cannabis. With 93% of the U.S. population having access to legal cannabis and 71% of Americans saying texts are incomplete without emojis in a survey, our phone keyboards need to grow with the times and is the reason for Cresco Cannabis creating a Change.org petition calling for the addition of weed emojis. “As a community, we are fed up with using broccoli and tree emojis to talk about cannabis in texting,” said Dana Mason, Vice President of Brand & Commercial Marketing at Cresco Labs, one of the largest vertically integrated multistate cannabis operators in the U.S. “As an industry-leading cannabis brand, Cresco is deeply engaged in its mission to normalize responsible cannabis use and believes that consumers should have the right tools to voice their experiences. With cannabis acceptance at an all-time high, it’s time to make our voices heard and demand better representation for emojis that will allow us to fully express ourselves and celebrate all the benefits that this amazing plant has to offer.” Cresco Cannabis plans to share the broad-reaching support for this petition with Apple and Google after July 10th, also known as 710 (“OIL” referring to THC oil)—the second largest marijuana holiday—with the hope that they will add emojis in their next keyboard update. More on Cresco Cannabis A brand for cannabis lovers by cannabis lovers. The flagship cannabis brand within Cresco Labs’ portfolio, Cresco Cannabis is leveraging its decades-long expertise across cultivation and extraction to produce premium flower, vapes and concentrates that deliver high quality, reliable, consistent experiences, every single time. Named a topselling cannabis brand for 2022 by BDSA, Cresco Cannabis offers a best-in-class strain portfolio that is available in numerous states and retail locations. For more information, visitwww.crescocannabis.com. Follow Cresco Cannabis on Instagram at @Crescoofficial. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Cresco Cannabis

This Tuesday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m. Zucca restaurant will host a special James Bond Macallan dinner at its Negroni Lounge. Guests will enjoy a unique five-course culinary journey of Italian dishes, paired with different types of Macallan, James Bond’s whisky of choice. The dinner menu opens up with a canapé course of Blinis Creme Fraiche and White American Sturgeon Caviar, followed by antipasto of Seared Foie Gras on a “Colomba” Toast, made with maple syrup, toasted almonds and orange puree. Guests will then enjoy an entree of Duck “Raviolo” served in a lightly smoked apple broth, goat cheese and soft caramel nibs and, for a second course, a dish of Striped Bass Fillet with lemon, thyme, scallops scales, coconut and ginger risotto. The meal ends Zucca’s signature dessert of Black Forest Cake. Macallan pairings include Double Cask 15 years Old and The Macallan James Bond 60th Anniversary Release, Decade I. Cost is $280 per person (tax and gratuity not included). Reservations must be made via www.zuccamiami.com. Zucca is located at 162 Alcazar Ave., Coral Gables, Phone number is 786-580-3731. By ML Staff. Credits: Photo Credit: Lionel Rodriguez

Founded by Beatriz de los Mozos in Madrid in 2020, Flabelus has expanded into the US market with the launch of their F/W 23-24 collection of shoes, resortwear, and jewelry. Flabelus recently hosted a cocktail party to celebrate with friends of the brand, including Agua Mágica, at La Rubia in New York City. “The name Flabelus is my personal definition for friendship. In September 2019 when I first began thinking about creating slippers, I shared the idea with my two favourite people: Flami and Lu. Flami combined the first syllables of our three names and suddenly Flabelus was born. This special name keeps me strong because it reminds me that I am never alone; it signifies the beautiful thing that is friendship.” Incorporating the best of Spain and Italy, Flabelus incorporates the handstitched sole of a traditional Spanish espadrille with the aesthetic of a Venetian Friulane slipper, updated to the modern day with unique and vibrant colors, prints, and patterns. Handmade in Spain by women, using centenarian techniques, Flabelus produces the highest quality shoes whilst preserving resources for future generations by using organic recycled materials. The products are crafted by dedicated local artisans who follow traditional processes, such as the manual sewing of the shoe, passed down from generation to generation. Flabelus slippers' inner sole and inner shoe are composed of 70% bamboo and 30% recycled polybular polyester, and the outer sole is made with recycled rubber that is carefully stitched together by hand. The packaging is both 100% recycled and recyclable. Flabelus is a magical world full of literary characters in the form of shoes. Each shoe style is inspired by a character and has a story, and the designs offer lively combinations of colors, materials, and shapes beyond the traditional, to inspire all tastes, all ages, and worn through all seasons. “It is not by chance that all my slippers share their names with the great literary figures who represent my brave women; the women who create adventure in the worst situations. I am inspired by the Bronté sisters who describe the incredibly free and willful women whom they met in their imaginations, or Louisa May Alcott’s fiercely independent character Jo in ‘Little Women.’ I have grown up with these women as my examples and I have the luck of counting some exceptional women as sisters, mother and friends whose collective strength inspire me every day. My cause is to support other women like me, those who want to create and illuminate the world with their own light. I find the most wonderful projects are those created by women who have decided to share their nature of loving without measure.” – Beatriz de los Mozos Flabelus currently has a boutique in Madrid, stay tuned for future locations in London, NYC, Miami, and beyond! By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Flabelus

Percezioni is the new Poliform project inspired by reflections on the meaning of design and man’s relationship with nature: it is an installation dedicated to the senses to celebrate the simplicity of the material. The cloisters of San Simpliciano, a secret hidden corner in the Brera district in Milan city center, have been the exclusive setting hosting the collection, creating a meditative space. While architecture determines the boundaries and meanings of our lives within domestic spaces and collective places, nature does the very same thing when we are outside, where the horizon is the landscape, and our perceptions are magnified: light is brighter and darkness, like the smells, noises, and sensations on our skin, is more intense. Here, Poliform blends old and new, artistic expression and natural presence to create an extraordinary effect. This combination has also reflected in the sound: the echo of the lapilli under our footsteps, other sounds, and music amplifies our self-perception. Percezioni will be open to the public during Milan Design Week. Poliform Miami Poliform Miami 4100 NE 2nd Avenue Suite 101 - 102 Miami, FL 33137 (305) 573-9950 Connect Online: Email: info@poliformusa.com Website: www.poliform.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/PoliformUSA Facebook: www.facebook.com/PoliformSpa Instagram: www.instagram.com/Poliform_official By Miami Living, images courtesy of Poliform

The Deck at Island Gardens, Miami’s premier waterfront lounge and bar, has announced a new cocktail menu inspired by its lush outdoor ambiance and the venue’s reputation being in a bustling mega-yacht marina destination. Carefully crafted by the restaurant’s mixologists, the new cocktail menu boasts exciting and delicious new flavors that transport guests to yachting destinations around the globe with every sip. Just in time for spring, the new cocktails ($19 each) are created with fresh, tropical ingredients with floral notes to mimic the season. "Our team has been hard at work crafting a new cocktail menu that captures the vibrant flavors and traditions that you would find at the alluring yachting destinations around the world. The Biscayne Breeze cocktail, for instance, is a perfect ode to the growing yacht hub of Miami with its tropical ingredients" said The Deck at Island Gardens Head Bartender Miguel Soto. "And with other unique cocktails like Leave Me in Capri that boast herbal notes, each new drink is meaningful, flavorful and a perfect pairing for any of our dishes. So come and enjoy breathtaking Miami skyline views from our bar while sipping on a craft cocktail that captures the essence of waterfront dining and lifestyle - all amongst the most beautiful yachts in Miami!” New cocktails and spritzes include: The Islander: Dark rum, Grand Marnier, coconut cream, pineapple juice and bitters topped with a mint bouquet (served in a fresh coconut on Sundays for $26) . Biscayne Breeze: Tequila Blanco, homemade lychee purée, butterfly pea flower syrup and Yellow Chartreuse. Harbour Mezcal: Mezcal, fresh watermelon juice, St-Germain, ginger beer and lime juice garnished with crushed spices Hibiscus Mule: Vodka, hibiscus syrup, lime juice and rose water topped with Fever-Tree ginger beer. Leave Me in Capri: Gin infused with cucumber and basil, Maraschino liqueur, Dry Vermouth and lemon juice. Take Me to St. Tropez: St-Germain, fresh cucumber water and Green Chartreuse topped with prosecco. Ibiza Before Dark: Empress 1908 Gin, strawberry-infused Aperol, grapefruit juice and Fever-Tree sparkling lemon. In addition to these new cocktails and spritzes, two crowd-pleasing signature cocktails are still on the menu: the Passion-ista, made with cachaça, passion fruit purée, lemon juice, rose water and edible rose petals, and From St. Barths With Love, crafted with vodka, mango liqueur, fresh mango purée, and lemon juice topped with a mint bouquet. The Deck at Island Gardens is located at 888 MacArthur Causeway in Miami. It is open Wednesday and Thursday from 5 p.m. to midnight, Friday from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 1 a.m. Guests are welcome to secure their favorite waterfront table, cabana or bar seating via The Deck at Island Gardens’ booking page, calling the restaurant directly at 786.627.4949 or emailing thedeck@islandgardens.com. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of The Deck at Island Gardens

Jewish Family Home Care (JFHC), a not-for-profit agency – is pleased to announce it has received both the 2023 Best of Home Care® – Provider of Choice and Employer of Choice Awards from HCP. These awards are granted only to the top-ranking home care providers, based on client and employee satisfaction scores gathered by HCP. JFHC is now ranked among a small handful of home care providers across the country who have proven their ability to provide an exceptional working experience to employees and the highest quality care to clients. JFHC provides multi-reach, non-medical home quality home care for Broward County, Florida seniors from all reaches of life and any faith. JFHC is one of the largest providers of home health care providing assistance to Holocaust survivors and anyone in Broward County needing in-home care. Providing service to more than 400 clients, JFHC offers services such as home health aides, companions, housekeepers and certified nursing assistants. It delivers tailor-made home health care plans, with special consideration to patients’ physical and emotional needs, as well as their family’s budget. “We want to congratulate Jewish Family Home Care on receiving both the Best of Home Care – Provider of Choice Award and the Best of Home Care – Employer of Choice Award,” says Todd Austin, President of HCP. “Since these awards are based on real, unfiltered feedback from clients and caregivers, Jewish Family Home Care has proven their dedication to providing a great work environment and solid training to employees, while maintaining their focus on client and caregiver satisfaction. We are pleased to recognize their dedication to quality, professionalism, and expertise in home care.” Best of Home Care providers have contracted with HCP to gather feedback from their clients and caregivers via live phone interviews each month. Because HCP is an independent company, it can collect honest and unbiased feedback. “It’s an honor to be selected for the 2023 Best of Home Care Provider and Employer of Choice Awards from HCP,” said Teresa Duvall, president and CEO of JFHC. “We pride ourselves on providing extraordinary care to our clients. This wouldn’t be possible without my dedicated team who shares my passion for excellence and delivering unmatched in-home care to our clients.” “At HCP, our mission is to help home care businesses create an experience that goes beyond client and caregiver expectations,” says Todd Austin, President of HCP. “We’re thrilled to recognize Jewish Family Home Care as a Best of Home Care award-winning provider and celebrate their accomplishments in building a team of happy, qualified caregivers who provide outstanding care for their clients.” To find out more about JFHC’s commitment to excellence, please visit www.jfcares.org. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of unsplash

ACS Laboratory, the largest hemp and cannabis testing facility in the eastern U.S., released the first blockchain Certificate of Analysis (COA) for the first Bored Ape Yacht Club (BYAC) licensed hemp gummy line. The "Bored Gummy" line features a Bored Ape #799 licensed by its BAYC owner, Will Savas, for this new collection. ACS Laboratory published the verified potency results using Blockticity on Avalanche Blockchain, validating the COA’s authenticity on a transparent consumer-facing platform. Bored Ape is a collection of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that are part of the BAYC. The BAYC is a community of NFT collectors and enthusiasts who own one of the 10,000 unique Bored Ape NFTs. Ape #799 has some incredible provenance including it is one of only 77 with a crown (King Ape) and one of 178 with a stunt jacket (evel knievel-esque). Ape #799 is also still held by the original minter (a one-owner ape) since minted on May 1, 2021. The Bored Gummy line is a new collection of hemp gummies that features the iconic Bored Ape image. Diamond CBD, a leading producer of high-quality hemp products, has partnered with Bored Ape #799 to create this exclusive line. The gummies contain premium hemp extract in a variety of flavors. ACS Laboratory is committed to ensuring every product it tests meets the highest quality standards. Its Bored Gummies lab tests and COA verifies the line’s label matches its true potency results. By minting the Bored Gummy COA on the blockchain, ACS Laboratory ensures consumers can trust the quality of the products they’re consuming. "We are thrilled to have tested the first Bored Ape NFT hemp gummy line for Diamond CBD," said Roger Brown, president of ACS Laboratory. "Our blockchain-minted COA empowers consumers to verify the potency they see on the label, mitigating fraud potential and raising the bar on industry standards.” The Bored Gummy line will be available for purchase on April 7 in the Automatic Slims Metaverse Marketplace. The collection will be sold in collaboration with GuppyNFT, a Web3 IP licensing agency with coupons available for ETH Wallets holders. The gummies will be available in limited quantities. For more details, please visit the Bored Gummy on Twitter (https://twitter.com/theboredgummy) and in the Automatic Slims Metaverse Marketplace in Decentraland, a Web3 community. About ACS Laboratory: The Most Trusted Cannabis and Hemp Laboratory in the USA™, ACS Laboratory has earned 82 Emerald Test Badges for accuracy in testing in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, more than any other laboratory in the USA. ACS Laboratory is ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited, DEA licensed, and CLIA licensed with the largest state-of-the-art facility in the eastern USA. Compliant with the USDA’s rules for hemp testing, ACS is also approved by the Florida Department of Agriculture as a “Designated Compliance Laboratory” and deemed a “Certified Marijuana Testing Laboratory” by the Florida Department of Health. ACS Laboratory operates a 20,000 sq. ft. laboratory and has increased its reach to 50 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries worldwide. Beyond compliance, ACS is committed to innovation, which is why it tests for more cannabinoids than any lab in the country and continuously develops new protocols to analyze lesser-known toxins. Its facility utilizes industry-leading ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and gas chromatograph technology with proprietary protocols to ensure accurate detection and quantitation. Please read our blog for up-to-date information on hemp and cannabis science and laboratory testing. For an inside look behind the scenes, visit www.acslab.com About Blockticity Blockticity is the leader in guaranteed certificates of authenticity for the most valuable possessions, providing a different approach to credibility with error-proof certifications through blockchain verification technology. Blockticity provides the platform for the first-ever cannabis and hemp industry blockchain-verified certificate of analysis (COA) NFT drop, signifying the beginning of this emerging industry’s need for compliance. For more information, visit https://blockticity.io About Automatic Slims Metaverse Marketplace Automatic Slims Metaverse Marketplace, located in Decentrland, a Web3 Community, is an American Lifestyle Brand focused on creative designs and activations in the Meta and Physical Worlds. We are inspired by the authentic music, art, and custom culture that grew from garage bands, underground nightclubs, and house parties and have shaped young generations’ outlook on who they want to be. Visit https://automaticslims.com/. By ML Staff. Image by ACS Laboratory, Top image by Jamie Street/unsplash

On a mission to improve product quality and strengthen consumer trust, ACS Laboratory, the largest hemp and cannabis testing facility in the eastern U.S., developed an HHC Potency Test and corresponding Metals Testing Bundle tailored to HHC (hexahydrocannabinol) products. By adding this minor cannabinoid to its repertoire, ACS Laboratory now tests for 23 cannabinoids, more than any lab in the U.S. HHC is a legal hemp derivative, like Delta-8 THC and Delta-10 THC, that has shown to deliver mild psychoactive effects. However, unlike Delta-8, Delta-10 and the illicit Delta-9 THC, HHC is not a tetrahydrocannabinol. It’s an unregulated chemical class known as hexahydrocannabinol, produced through hydrogenating Delta-8 using metal catalysts. “On the surface, Delta-8 THC and HHC appear to be very similar. In fact, many laboratories can’t tell the difference when analyzing test results. However, HHC is an entirely different compound and the next evolution in hemp, which offers significant clinical potential. It’s up to laboratories like ACS Laboratory to accurately identify HHC and ensure products are properly labeled,” said Roger Brown, president and founder of ACS Laboratory. Laboratories are also responsible to ensure products are safe and free from harmful residual compounds. In order to do that, ACS Laboratory collaborated with HHC manufacturers to create a corresponding HHC Metals Testing Bundle. Brown continued, “We are excited to be one of the only laboratories nationwide to offer precision HHC testing with a supporting safety analysis. By working with our team, HHC brands can improve transparency and consumer trust, while delivering a far superior end-product.” An ISO 17025 accredited, DEA licensed, and CLIA licensed accredited laboratory, ACS Laboratory offers the largest state-of-the-art testing facility in cannabis and hemp testing in the eastern U.S. It is on a mission to support cannabis companies in their pursuit to deliver clean, safe, and innovative products that promote positive progress in the industry. ACS Laboratory is always ahead of the development curve, continually enhancing its testing methodologies and developing new tests for harmful toxins, therapeutic terpenes, and minor cannabinoids. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of CLIA