ive Finalists Compete for a $100,000 Grand Prize Makeover

WEST FARGO, N.D. /PRNewswire/ — Five finalists are vying to win the Bobcat Park and Rec Makeover Contest worth $100,000, and public voting is now open to help determine the winner.

Bobcat Park and Rec Makeover Contest

Bobcat Company, which launched the contest in mid-July by teaming up with brand ambassador and renovation expert Chip Gaines for a baseball field makeover in Waco, Texas, aims at inspiring communities to look for the potential in their hometown.

Hundreds of nominations were submitted from parks across 44 states. Finalists were selected in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) based on several criteria, including demonstrated need, sustainability impact and long-term community benefit.

The finalists include:

• Aaron Perry Park in Pontiac, Michigan: Traditionally used for baseball and soccer, the park’s baseball fields have fallen into disrepair and are now unusable. The two baseball fields at the park require full restoration, with the goal of the Pontiac Youth Recreation Program using the space for its Youth Baseball Program.
• Chestnut Street Park in Henderson, North Carolina: Currently used for basketball games and community gatherings, the park lacks running water and permanent restrooms. The basketball court requires significant repairs due to large cracks. If selected, the park will be enhanced to better accommodate family gatherings and community picnics, continuing its role as a vital community space.
• City of Purcell in Purcell, Oklahoma: The tennis courts at the Purcell Multi-Purpose Center require significant repairs, including resurfacing the courts and upgrading the outdated, maintenance-intensive lighting system. The city aims to revitalize the area with new surfaces, modern lighting and additional amenities to ensure a safe and accessible space for the community. Plans also include expanding the courts to accommodate Pickleball.
• Ivan K. Hill Park in Winfield, Alabama: This multi-use park, featuring ballfields, playgrounds and a senior center, requires updates to improve safety and accessibility. Plans include replacing the original 1960s fencing and backstop and enhancing access to the fields and restrooms. The renovations aim to ensure long-term accessibility for both players and spectators.
• Jones Park in Galveston, Texas: Jones Park has long been neglected, suffering from a lack of shade trees and frequent flooding, rendering it unusable for extended periods. The proposed overhaul includes a new basketball court, benches, sidewalks, and trees or shade structures, creating a safe and revitalized space for the community.

“We are moved by the incredible stories from communities nationwide, which highlight the need for park improvements to create safe and accessible gathering spaces,” said Laura Ness Owens, Bobcat vice president of global brand and marketing. “Through this contest, we hope it inspires others to recognize opportunities within their own neighborhoods and find ways to give back.”

Voting is open through Oct. 3 at bobcat.com. Individuals can vote once per 24-hour period during the voting period. The winner will be announced in late October 2024. The contest runner-up will receive a new Bobcat zero-turn mower.

To learn more about how Bobcat is giving back to communities, please visit bobcat.com.

About Bobcat Company 
Bobcat Company empowers people to accomplish more, a mission it has honored since creating the compact equipment industry in 1958. As a leading global manufacturer, Bobcat has a proud legacy of innovation, delivering smart solutions to customers’ toughest challenges. Backed by the support of a global dealership network, Bobcat offers an extensive line of worksite solutions, including loaders, excavators, tractors, utility vehicles, telehandlers, mowers, turf renovation equipment, light compaction, portable power, industrial air, forklifts, attachments, implements, parts and services. 

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With its North American headquarters in West Fargo, North Dakota, Bobcat leads the industry with its innovative offerings designed to transform how the world works, builds cities and supports communities for a more sustainable future. The Bobcat brand is owned by Doosan Bobcat Inc., a company within Doosan Group.

About the National Recreation and Park Association 
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is the leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. With more than 60,000 members, NRPA advances this mission by investing in and championing the work of park and recreation professionals and advocates — the catalysts for positive change in service of equity, climate-readiness, and overall health and well-being. For more information, visit nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit parksandrecreation.org. 

©2024 Bobcat Company. All rights reserved.  

SOURCE Bobcat Company

The Bridge is a section of the STM Daily News Blog meant for diversity, offering real news stories about bona fide community efforts to perpetuate a greater good. The purpose of The Bridge is to connect the divides that separate us, fostering understanding and empathy among different groups. By highlighting positive initiatives and inspirational actions, The Bridge aims to create a sense of unity and shared purpose. This section brings to light stories of individuals and organizations working tirelessly to promote inclusivity, equality, and mutual respect. Through these narratives, readers are encouraged to appreciate the richness of diverse perspectives and to participate actively in building stronger, more cohesive communities.

https://stmdailynews.com/category/the-bridge

Premier Family-Friendly Entertainment Launches State-of-the-Art Technology Feature, Intellibands, in Two Parks With Additional Roll-Outs Coming Soon

DALLAS /PRNewswire/ — Altitude Trampoline Park, the leading family-friendly entertainment franchise, announced today its exclusive partnership with Intelliplay, Inc., a brand that is revolutionizing the indoor family entertainment industry with a patented smart wristband and gamification platform. This partnership will introduce Intellibands to Altitude Trampoline Park locations, offering cutting-edge technology designed to elevate the park experience for guests and improve overall park management for operators.

The Intelliplay system, featuring the Intelliband, aims to increase satisfaction for both guests and franchisees. Intellibands are advanced rubber wristbands equipped with radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. Key benefits of this technology include immediate identification of guests with expired jump time, gathering precise location and tracking data, increasing guest engagement through leaderboards and other gamified elements, and providing a convenient method to make purchases that grow overall revenue.

Replacing standard paper wristbands, Altitude staff will now perform check-ins through Intelliplay, scanning the Intelliband to link it to each guest’s ticket. This process ensures guests’ Intelliband lights up appropriately, allowing for seamless entry into the park. Staff can also monitor guest locations in real-time through a park map view.

Guests can look forward to several exciting features, including leaderboards. These allow kids to compete and earn points, making each visit to Altitude more engaging. Additionally, parents receive text notifications when their child’s time is about to expire, with a simple process to extend the time via phone. Intellibands also alert staff and parents if a child attempts to leave the facility, further ensuring safety and security in the park.

“We’re thrilled to introduce Intellibands to our parks. Altitude has been a trailblazer in the family entertainment industry, but this partnership with Intelliplay allows us to enhance our system by creating a new cornerstone for innovative technology, indoor activity, and fun that makes visits to our parks even more appealing and convenient,” said Mike Rotondo, CEO of Altitude Trampoline Park. “We are committed to continually improving the guest experience and look forward to seeing the positive impact Intellibands will have at our parks.”

The first Altitude Trampoline Park to officially roll-out this technology will be in Mason, Ohio, followed by Richardson, Texas. Prior to the official launch in Mason, Altitude tested this technology among customers and received great initial feedback. Customers found the wristband to be very secure and comfortable to wear, and overall felt the wristbands made for a better experience.

Altitude Trampoline Park is owned by Indoor Active Brands, a platform company that focuses on indoor entertainment concepts. This year, Indoor Active Brands launched its latest brand, The Pickle Pad, an indoor pickleball playground featuring a chef-inspired restaurant and bar – Crave Social Eatery, as well as yard and social games for all ages. Established by NRD Capital, Indoor Active Brands utilizes industry experience in the family entertainment and restaurant industries to support and assist its franchisees.

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The brand is actively seeking qualified candidates to help grow its footprint throughout the U.S. in Kansas City, MO, Raleigh-Durham, NC, Denver, CO, among others. To learn more about franchise opportunities and upcoming store openings, contact Mike Stout at Mike.Stout@ATPHQ.COM or visit www.altitudefranchise.com.

About Altitude Trampoline Park

Altitude Trampoline Park is a premier indoor adventure park offering cutting edge trampolines, games, programs, and celebrations for all ages. Altitude is the home for active family fun! The brands successful $10 Endless Jumps pass, is where members get the max. Guests can, infact, Jump Happy! with unlimited use of trampolines, soft play, basketball, dodgeball, interactive games and more providing a great way for families to stay together and play together all year long. Nearing 100 locations worldwide, Altitude parks are centrally located and easily accessible, making it the convenient, budget friendly choice for families in 2024. More information can be found at altitudetrampolinepark.com.

SOURCE Altitude Trampoline Park

Looking for an entertainment experience that transcends the ordinary? Look no further than STM Daily News Blog’s vibrant Entertainment section. Immerse yourself in the captivating world of indie films, streaming and podcasts, movie reviews, music, expos, venues, and theme and amusement parks. Discover hidden cinematic gems, binge-worthy series and addictive podcasts, gain insights into the latest releases with our movie reviews, explore the latest trends in music, dive into the vibrant atmosphere of expos, and embark on thrilling adventures in breathtaking venues and theme parks. Join us at STM Entertainment and let your entertainment journey begin! https://stmdailynews.com/category/entertainment/

and let your entertainment journey begin!

Hello fellow star gazers! 🌌 As an amateur astronomer and night sky enthusiast, I’m beyond excited to share that Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)—the most talked-about comet of 2024—is already gracing our skies! Right now, observers in the Southern Hemisphere are enjoying its brilliance, and it won’t be long before us in the Northern Hemisphere can join in on the excitement. So grab your binoculars and stargazing apps, because tonight could be your chance to catch this spectacular cosmic visitor!

What Makes C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) So Special?

Let’s dive into why this comet is capturing the imagination of so many. To begin with, C/2023 A3 is expected to be exceptionally bright. While its future brightness is still a work in progress (thanks to the unpredictable nature of comets), most sources agree that we might see it with the naked eye. If we’re lucky, it could even outshine the iconic Comet NEOWISE from the summer of 2020. Hasn’t it been a while since we’ve seen a comet this remarkable?

Additionally, C/2023 A3 is anticipated to develop an awe-inspiring cometary tail. After it swings past the Sun at a distance similar to Mercury’s orbit, the heat will cause its icy core to evaporate dramatically, leading to the formation of an impressive tail made of dust and gas. If history teaches us anything, it’s that comets heated by the Sun often exhibit the most striking tails.

For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, this is particularly exciting! The last time we saw such a bright comet visible from northern latitudes was during the 1997 spectacle of Comet Hale-Bopp.

How to Spot C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) in the Night Sky

Curious about how you can locate this celestial beauty? The Star Walk 2 app is your best friend! Here’s a quick guide to help you find it:

1. Download and open the Star Walk 2 app.
2. Tap the magnifier icon located at the bottom left of the screen.
3. Type in “C/2023 A3” and select the relevant search result.
4. Hold your device up to the sky, and the app will point you directly to the comet’s current position!

Is C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) Visible Now?

Good news for those in the Southern Hemisphere! Currently, C/2023 A3 is visible in the mornings, appearing low in the eastern sky just before sunrise. With a current magnitude of about 2.6, it’s brighter than anticipated and continues to brighten daily.

If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, the comet is a bit more challenging to see due to the Sun’s brightness; however, it’ll start becoming visible in early October.

Visibility Forecast: What Lies Ahead

Let’s paint a picture of what to expect in the coming weeks:

• September 27 – October 2: This is when the comet reaches perihelion, appearing in the early morning sky.
• October 10-12: The comet will become more visible in the evening, shortly after sunset, in the constellation Virgo. These dates are critical as it will be at its brightest around October 12, making it easier to see with the naked eye.
• October 15-31: The comet will fade but will still be visible with binoculars and telescopes.

The best time for observation is likely from October 10-12, just after sunset. So get out there—don’t miss the chance to witness this celestial wonder!

Tips for Photographing C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)

If you’re an aspiring astrophotographer like me and you want to capture this comet on film, consider following these steps:

1. Gear up: Have a DSLR or mirrorless camera, sturdy tripod, and a wide-angle or zoom lens ready.
2. Camera Settings: Use manual mode with an ISO setting between 400 and 800, and a wide aperture of f/2.8 to f/4 to let in enough light.
3. Location Matters: Pick a dark spot far from city lights. Star Walk 2 can help you find the comet’s exact location.
4. Take Multiple Shots: For detailed images, take a series of photographs and use software like DeepSkyStacker for stacking.
5. Post-processing: Tools like Photoshop will help refine your final image.

The Journey Ahead: What’s Next for C/2023 A3?

As we all wait in eager anticipation, it’s worth noting that C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) is on a long journey. It completes one orbit around the Sun roughly every 80,660 years! If you’re wondering what the future holds, after its approach in October, this comet will slowly fade from view and won’t return until the year 26,000.

To Wrap Up

Excitement is in the air as we prepare to welcome this spectacular comet! C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) is already putting on a show for observers in the Southern Hemisphere, and soon it will light up the skies for us in the North. As we gear up for this enchanting astronomical event, don’t forget to download the Star Walk 2 app to help you navigate the night sky like a pro.

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Let’s get ready to bask in the glow of C/2023 A3—happy stargazing, everyone! 🌠

Useful References

https://vitotechnology.com/apps/star-walk

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C/2023_A3_(Tsuchinshan%E2%80%93ATLAS)

https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/comet-c-2023-a3-tsuchinshan-atlas

The science section of our news blog STM Daily News provides readers with captivating and up-to-date information on the latest scientific discoveries, breakthroughs, and innovations across various fields. We offer engaging and accessible content, ensuring that readers with different levels of scientific knowledge can stay informed. Whether it’s exploring advancements in medicine, astronomy, technology, or environmental sciences, our science section strives to shed light on the intriguing world of scientific exploration and its profound impact on our daily lives. From thought-provoking articles to informative interviews with experts in the field, STM Daily News Science offers a harmonious blend of factual reporting, analysis, and exploration, making it a go-to source for science enthusiasts and curious minds alike. https://stmdailynews.com/category/science/

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