We had a service dog who’s blind but adorable to attend our event!!

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The Floating Bed Co. just opened a new office in Austin, TX

The World’s first true Wellness Bed is now available for you to personally experience in Austin.
The new company office and demo location is at 4609 Laurel Canyon Dr, Austin, TX 78731. The local office manager is Alo Brewer. Call 737 786 3115.

After 20 years of success in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Miami, the Floating Bed Company has just opened a
new location in Austin. We welcome anyone who wants to experience this new way to relax and sleep to come
try it, to see what all the buzz is about. Demos are by appointment, and at no cost to you.
Everyone wants to live longer, & better. Scientific studies find that the 4 best indicators of health and longevity
are diet, exercise, sleep, and stress release. The original Floating Bed will improve your life by providing
better sleep and relaxation / stress release – two of those four factors. So how does it work?
The Floating Bed gently rocks you via your own body’s movements, thanks to its unique motion. The single
pendulum suspension uses the same safe motion that people feel in mothers’ arms, and it produces the same
blissful feeling. In fact, this motion was already proven to work on you personally (just ask your mother).
No other Bed has ever used this motion, which is why this Bed was awarded a patent. Independent studies (on
sleep onset, quality, depth, lymphatic circulation, and more) have found that this motion is just as effective for
adults as it is for infants. Users have better EEG readings, another benefit. (Another word for this motion is
“Vestibular Therapy,” which is great for everyone, and also for ADHD, autism, aspergers, and other special
people.)
It is completely different from the motion of waterbeds, hammocks and all other swinging devices.
You will instantly feel the difference – every body does. Just 4-5 minutes sitting awake or relaxing in one feels

like a 20 minute refreshing nap. So it replaces your bed, and sofa, but it does much more than that; it’s a multi-
purpose health and wellness solution.

They can be indoors in the bedroom, living room, guest room. or porch. With the stand, they can be outdoors,
on grass areas, decks, etc. People use them for a quick break/recharge, or as self-contained indoor or outdoor

sleeping quarters. They are so cool they never look “out of place.” With the privacy tent, it’s a rainproof all-
weather bedroom, guest room, or for glamping. There are many accessories, based on usage and décor.

They are named one of the “10 Most Romantic Hotel Beds on Earth” by Condé Nast Traveler, & praised
by Disney World® Resort as “The Bed of the Future.” They grace top-tier hotels, boutique inns, spas, retreat
centers, and discerning homes, indoors and out. Celebrities like Steven Tyler, Uma Thurman, Jason Momoa,
James Cameron and many others are enjoying their own Floating Beds at their homes every day.
TripAdvisor guest reviews are all 5 Stars at hotels now featuring them.
The photos and the science are intriguing, but they cannot fully convey the actual experience. Fortunately, we
can prove just how peaceful it is to relax (or even better, to sleep) on one. Two minutes in a Floating Bed will
tell you more than anything we say. After demoing it to over 40,000 people we can guarantee that you will

prefer this new “relaxation tech” to your old-fashioned bed. Parents, kids, guests – every body loves gentle rock-
ing with this ideal motion.

To learn more, call Alo Brewer in Austin to set up an appointment to try one.
For more about the science, see the website at www.floatingbed.com Also see photos on the following pages.

Our clients experience the serenity and sensation of pure peace and tranquility on our outdoor Floating
Beds. We have had so much positive feedback from clients – they have been a great addition to our facility.
– Susana Belen, Founder, We Care Holistic Health Spa

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Of Performers

Apollo Legend Ella Fitzgerald’s Centennial Birthday

Featuring Patti Austin, Andra Day, Lizz Wright

And Just Added

Monica Mancini, Cassandra Wilson & Kevin Spacey

Co-hosted by David Alan Grier and Patti Austin

with the Legendary Count Basie Orchestra

and a Special Performance by

Howard University’s Vocal Ensemble Afro Blue

Saturday, October 22nd, – 8 p.m.

Harlem, NY, October 11, 2016 – This October, the Apollo Theater today announced some special additions to its lineup for 100: The Apollo Celebrates Ella on Saturday, October 22nd at 8 p.m, a special concert celebrating the centennial of Apollo Legend and the Queen of Jazz, Ella Fitzgerald. 100: The Apollo Celebrates Ella will be hosted by David Alan Grier and Patti Austin and will feature performances by some of the greatest talents in music, theater and film including Ms. Austin, Andra Day, Lizz Wright and just added – Cassandra Wilson, Monica Mancini and Kevin Spacey. The concert will include musical backing by the legendary Count Basie Orchestra, led by Scotty Barnhart, and a special performance by Howard University’s vocal ensemble Afro Blue.

100: The Apollo Celebrates Ella will honor the career of the “First Lady of Song” and her relationship to the Apollo Theater, where she won Amateur Night at the age of 17 and performed regularly throughout her storied career. This concert marks the inaugural performance of the Theater’s celebration of the jazz icon’s centennial, with events and performances through the spring of 2017.

Ella Fitzgerald was a regular performer at the Apollo Theater over the course of her illustrious career. Her relationship with the Theater began in the midst of the Harlem Renaissance, when she made her singing debut in the fall of 1934 as a nervous 17-year-old competing in the Amateur Night variety show. Apollo legend has it that she originally planned to dance, but made the last minute decision to sing after being intimidated by the competition. Ella was so nervous she improvised song lyrics by imitating its instruments—a technique that would become part of her signature repertoire, scatting. That night, she won the top Amateur Night title, making her the first female performer to earn such a distinction. Soon after her win, she joined the Chick Webb Orchestra and began touring with the group throughout some of the city’s most famous venues. In 2006, Ella Fitzgerald was inducted into the Apollo Walk of Fame in in honor of her long history with the Theater, as well as her continued influence on the American music landscape.

“Long before anyone knew her as a powerhouse performer, Ella Fitzgerald made a name for herself at one of the earliest editions of Amateur Night,” said Kamilah Forbes, the Apollo Theater’s Executive Producer. “Her innovations in vocal jazz that started on our stage exemplifies the Apollo’s tradition of nurturing creativity and pushing artistic boundaries. For Ella’s centennial birthday, we’re thrilled to celebrate the Queen of Jazz, the timeless talent she represents, and the generations she has inspired.”

Music highlights for 100: The Apollo Celebrates Ella include “A Ticket a Tasket,” “Blues in the Night,” “Miss Otis Regrets,” “You’ll Have to Swing It” and more. The concert is produced in collaboration with seven-time GRAMMY® – winning producer Gregg Field, who at the age of 24 toured as the drummer for both Count Basie and Ella Fitzgerald. Field also produced the Emmy nominated PBS special “Great Performances: We Love Ella,” for Ella’s 90th birthday.

This extraordinary concert is the first of the Theater’s four events that will honor the “First Lady of Song’s” centennial birthday. The Apollo’s celebration of Ella will extend into Spring, 2017 with Live Wire: Ella! A Centennial Celebration a discussion commemorating Ella’s legacy (Thursday, March 23, 2017); Apollo Music Café: Ella Fitzgerald Tribute an evening featuring contemporary jazz artists celebrating the songstress (Friday, April 7, 2017) and a special Jazz edition of Amateur Night celebrating the first female to win the Theater’s signature program (Wednesday, April 19, 2017).

About the Artists

David Alan Grier has earned many accolades and awards throughout the years for a stellar career that spans across multiple mediums. The three-time Tony and GRAMMY® Award nominee studied Shakespeare at Yale University where he received his MFA from the Yale School of Drama. He went on to build a diverse resume with countless credits in television, film, theater and comedy under his belt. Most notably, he was an integral cast member of the classic hit variety television show In Living Color and was named among Comedy Central’s list of Top 100 Greatest Stand-Ups. He has appeared on Broadway in the Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess in 2012, alongside Audra McDonald , and was nominated for a Tony Award and a Grammy for that role. In fall 2015, he adopted a role in NBC comedy series The Carmichael Show, which will return for its third season this spring. Shortly after this debut, he appeared as the Cowardly Lion in NBC’s live performanceof The Wiz Live!, for which he earned two Image Awards and two Critics’ Choice Awards nominations.

GRAMMY® award-winning singer and Harlem native Patti Austin, whose unique sound crosses all musical genres, has released an incredible 17 solo albums and a string of hit singles (like the R&B classic “Baby Come To Me”) over the course of her 60 plus years in the entertainment business. In striking similarity to Ella Fitzgerald, Austin is an Apollo legend in her own right and her storied career also began on the Apollo stage when at the age of four she performed on Amateur Night. She signed a contract with RCA Records shortly after and went on to become a mainstay on Billboard’s jazz and r&b charts, respectively.

Considered one of the premiere voices in jazz music, Cassandra Wilson is a world renowned vocalist, songwriter and producer celebrated for her rich, dusky sound, improvisational and interpretive gifts. A two time GRAMMY® winner and Down Beat magazine’s Jazz Vocalist of the Year for three consecutive years, Wilson has been hailed as “America’s best singer” and “the true heir of Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughn” by TIME magazine. Making her name in the 1980s as a founding member of Steve Coleman’s free-ranging M-Base Collective, Wilson’s breakthrough 1993 album Blue Light Until Dawn was a prime collection of originals and songs by Robert Johnson, Mitchell, Hank Williams and Van Morrison. She won a GRAMMY for 1996’s New Moon Daughter, and the following year sang on the recording and tour of Wynton Marsalis’ Pulitzer Prize-winning oratorio Blood on the Fields.

Citing Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Dinah Washington, as her musical influences, soul music chanteuse Andra Day is considered soul music’s brightest new star, having been nominated for two GRAMMY® Awards this year for her debut album Cheers to the Fall and her hit single, “Rise Up.” Already in her career, the singer has performed at the White House, at the 2016 Democratic National Convention and appeared alongside Stevie Wonder in an Apple TV commercial singing Wonder’s song, “Someday at Christmas.” In late 2015, she embarked on her first national tour when she opened up for rock legend Lenny Kravitz. This Fall, Day will headline her first national tour with the appropriately, named, Cheers to the Fall Tour

Known for her vocal blend of R&B, jazz, blues and gospel, The New York Times calls Lizz Wright “a smoky-voiced goddess.” Wright has been mesmerizing music fans worldwide ever since she appeared on the late pianist and composer Joe Sample’s 2002 disc, The Pecan Tree. The following year, she gained even wider recognition for her critically acclaimed debut record, Salt on Verve Records. Produced by the legendary Tommy LiPuma – best known for his award-winning work with George Benson, Diana Krall, and Natalie Cole – the album helped introduce her as one of the most fascinating female vocalists of her generation as it raced to number two on the charts. After a move to Concord, she released Freedom & Surrender, her fifth album, in 2015.

Two time Academy award-winning actor, director, producer, and singer Kevin Spacey catapulted to international stardom with films such as LA Confidential, The Usual Suspects and American Beauty. Even more diverse roles followed, and his turn to TV acting in 2013 garnered across-the-board acclaim, as he began inhabiting the character Frank Underwood on Netflix’ first original, multi-award winning drama series House of Cards. In addition to film acting, Spacey has earned acclaim for his work as a film producer and director, and is a well-respected theatre actor who served as Artistic Director of London’s legendary Old Vic theatre for 11 years. He earned a Grammy nomination for the soundtrack to his second film as director, Beyond The Sea, portraying legendary singer/actor Bobby Darin, and performing all the musical numbers. Spacey’s most recently performed at PBS’ “Billy Joel: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize”, and in “Tony Bennett Celebrates 90: The Best Is Yet To Come” airing in December on NBC.

Monica Mancini, the daughter of famed film composer Henry Mancini and notable studio singer Ginny O’Conner Mancini, has carved out an impressive career of her own as a concert performer, appearing with major symphony orchestras worldwide, including the Chicago Symphony, Dallas Symphony, Seattle Symphony and the London Metropolitan Orchestra. She is a two-time GRAMMY® nominee whose program often includes the classic songs “The Shadow of Your Smile,” “Moment to Moment,” “Moon River,” “Soldier in the Rain,” “Alfie,” “Charade,” “Days of Wine and Roses” and “Over the Rainbow.”

Apollo 2016-17 Season at a Glance

100: The Apollo Celebrates Ella is one of many highlights in the Apollo Theater’s 2016-2017 season. Additional events include, Hendrix in Harlem, a celebration of Apollo Legend Jimi Hendrix featuring a diverse group of performers to reimagine the late artist’s celebrated body of work; the return of the new holiday classic The First Noel, presented in collaboration with the Classical Theatre of Harlem, which will make an unprecedented move to the Theater’s Mainstage; WOW – Woman of the World Festival, featuring a celebration of the life, music, and legacy of jazz master and civil rights activist Abbey Lincoln; Unapologetically Black: AFROPUNK’s Race Music, a partnership with international cultural movement AFROPUNK paying homage to black protest music; and the return of the Theater’s signature programs Amateur Night, Apollo Music Café, Apollo Comedy Club, as well as free, ongoing Education and Community Outreach programs.

Tickets for 100: The Apollo Celebrates Ella are $35- $95. Tickets will be available at The Apollo Theater Box Office: (212) 531-5305, 253 West 125th Street, and Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, http://www.ticketmaster.com.

Apollo Theater Information

Box Office Hours:

Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri – 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

Wednesday – 10:00 am – 8:30 pm

Saturday – 12:00 pm – 6:00pm

Get social! For exclusive photos, updates and more use the hashtags #ApolloCelebratesElla

Follow the Apollo Theater:

Facebook.com/apollotheater

Twitter.com/apollotheater

YouTube.com/apollotheater

Instagram.com/apollotheater

The Apollo’s 2016-2017 season is made possible by leadership support from Citi, Coca-Cola, Troy and Keisha Dixon, Ford Foundation, The Howard Gilman Foundation, Jerome L. Greene Foundation, Robert K. Kraft, The Reginald F. Lewis Foundation, Merrill Lynch, The Parsons Family Foundation, the Ronald O. Perelman Family Foundation, JoAnn Price, Earl W. and Amanda Stafford, Time Warner Inc., the Reginald Van Lee Fund for New Works, the Apollo Board of Directors, and many other generous donors.

Public support provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, and from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council

About the Apollo Theater

The legendary Apollo Theater—the soul of American culture—plays a vital role in cultivating emerging talents and launching legends. Since its founding, the Apollo has served as a center of innovation and a creative catalyst for Harlem, the city of New York, and the world.

With music at its core, the Apollo’s programming extends to dance, theater, performance art, spoken word initiatives, and more. This includes the October 2014 premiere and 2015 international tour of the dance celebration project James Brown: Get on the Good Foot, the annual Africa Now! Festival, Apollo Club Harlem, and the recent New York premiere of the opera Charlie Parker’s YARDBIRD. The Apollo is a presenting organization that also produces festivals, large-scale dance and music works organized around a set of core initiatives: Apollo Music Signature Programs—Amateur Night, Salon Series, Apollo Music Café; Legacy Series— work that celebrates and extends the Apollo’s legacy through a contemporary lens; Global Festivals including the Women of the World (WOW) Festival and Breakin’ Convention, international and U.S.-based artist presentations focused on a specific theme; and Special Projects, multidisciplinary work with partner organizations.

Since introducing the first Amateur Night contests in 1934, the Apollo Theater has served as a testing ground for new artists working across a variety of art forms, and has ushered in the emergence of many new musical genres—including jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, soul, and hip hop. Among the countless legendary performers who launched their careers at the Apollo are D’Angelo, Lauryn Hill, Machine Gun Kelly, Miri Ben Ari, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, James Brown, Michael Jackson, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, and Stevie Wonder; and the Apollo’s forward-looking artistic vision continues to build on this legacy.

The Apollo Theater is a not-for-profit organization with the mission to extend the institution’s role in fostering artistic innovation and in building appreciation of American culture around the world. For more information, visit www.apollotheater.org .

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Thanks Jason Senders, Good News Sports Producer for suggesting this important and “life affirming”  Good News Story.

Thanks to ESPN for broadcasting the draft and the NBA for doing such a honorable gesture.

Special thanks to Isaiah for inspiring so many with your positive conviction for making the most out of  our lives.

Early years

Austin was born October 25, 1993 in Fresno, California to Ben and Lisa Green. His family later moved to Arlington, Texas where he grew up and attended Grace Preparatory Academy.

High school career

Austin attended Grace Preparatory Academy. As a senior, he averaged 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 blocks a game. This lead him to his second straight Fort Worth Star-Telegram Super Team Player of the Year. Austin participated in the 2012 McDonald’s All-American Game, 2012 Adidas Nations and the 2012 Jordan Brand Classic. In the McDonalds All-American Game, he recorded 10 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 assists to lead the West to victory. In the Jordan Brand Classic, he recorded 10 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks to again lead the West to victory. He was named to the ESPNHS All-American Elite second team and was the nations no. 3 recruit according to ESPN.

College career

In his freshman season at Baylor, Austin was named to the 2013 All-Big 12 third team and the Big 12 All-Rookie team. On April 4, 2013, he recorded 15 points, nine rebounds, five blocks, four assists and two steals in the NIT championship game in which Baylor defeated Iowa 74–54. In 35 games (all starts), he averaged 13.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.7 blocks in 29.9 minutes per game.

In April 2013, he declared for the 2013 NBA draft, but later returned to Baylor due to a shoulder injury.

In his sophomore season, he was named to the 2014 Big 12 All-Defensive team. In 38 games, he averaged 11.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 3.1 blocks in 28.0 minutes per game.

On April 22, 2014, he declared for the 2014 NBA draft, forgoing his final two years of college eligibility.

On June 21, 2014, Austin learned that he had been diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects the body’s connective tissue. In an emotional interview with ESPN‘s Holly Rowe, Austin said that he could no longer play basketball at a competitive level since there was too much risk of his heart rupturing. In response, NBA commissioner Adam Silver invited Austin to attend the draft as his guest. Shortly after Austin’s diagnosis was made public, his agent revealed that Austin had taken out an insurance policy against career-ending disability through a special NCAA program. The amount of the policy was not disclosed, but the agent stated that it was at least $1 million. The policy would not have paid out if his career had ended due to the aforementioned shoulder injury or his eyesight, but is expected to pay out due to his Marfan diagnosis.

Personal

Austin is blind in his right eye from an injury he sustained in middle school. He had kept the injury a secret, known only to his teammates and close friends until January 17, 2014.

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