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Best of Spring in Seattle

Spring Flowers in Seattle - What to do?

The Seattle area welcomes spring with open arms every year. After months of rain and dark cloudy days, Spring gives locals the hope and reminder that the sun will returning to the Pacific Northwest. Spring is always a bit fickle in the Seattle area, but locals make the most of those sporadic breaks. The Seattle area is one of the most beautiful places in the world during the spring and summer and offers a variety of festivals, performances, and experiences that bring people in from out of town and locals look forward to.

University of Washington Cherry Blossoms
While the UW campus looks like Hogwarts, the Cherry Blossoms add an extra magical element to the campus. Lovely pink blossoms surround the campus quad during the Spring. If you want to find parking and get the quad kind of to yourself go early in the morning. During the day the quad will be packed with students, tourists and people exploring the UW campus. If you get to experience these lovely blossoms, you’ll be back the following year. They are quick to bloom and quick to fall, so don’t miss your window of opportunity.

Tulip Festival
The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is a spring event not to be missed. It’s so popular it has been known to create traffic jams on I-5 during the peak season and for good reason. If you plan ahead and set aside a day during the week the experience will be just that much more enjoyable thanks to the lack of crowds. The Tulips will start blooming in April, so prepare yourself. And prepare yourself for the Instagram photos of brilliantly bright flowers appearing in your feed. If you are in the area, or have never been, its an experience not to be missed. This is a great location for taking scenic pictures or memorable family pictures.

Sasquatch Music Festival
Sasquatch Music Festival will again take place at the award-winning Gorge Amphitheatre on Memorial Day Weekend, May 25-27, 2018. This year features: Bon Iver, The National, Modest Mouse, David Byrne, TylerThe Creator, Ray Lamontagne, Anderson. Paak & The Free Nationals, Spoon, Grizzly Bear, Explosions In The Sky, Neko Case, and more! This is a well-attended local favorite. Get your tickets sooner rather than later.

Whale Watching
Going whale watching is something everyone should do at least once if you live in Seattle. One route to increase your success of spotting some sea life is to go with Clipper Vacations. They offer the only whale watching trip departing from Seattle and their day trip options San Juans area a favorite. See orca, minke and humpback whales as well as Dall’s porpoise, seals, otters and bald eagle. The best time of the year for whale watching starts in spring, so don’t miss out!

Go to the Mountains
Spring is time for exploring mountains in the Seattle area. It’s not unlikely that spring skiing is still available for mountain lovers through the late months of spring. With warmer temperatures and sunshine, hit the mountains to get in a few more runs before the snow melts for the summer. Snoqualmie and Crystal Mountain are the top two locations for Seattleites to explore. Some favorite hikes include Mailbox Peak and Rattlesnake Ridge.

Daffodil Festival
Pierce County celebrates the fluffy yellow flowers, who have had their own festival in the area since 1934. The highlight of the event is its grand parade, where the festival’s royal court (made up of 23 “princesses” from Pierce County high schools) sail down the street on Daffodil-covered floats taking place in several different cities across the south Puget sound.

Seattle Cherry Blossom Festival
In appreciation of the 1,000 cherry trees gifted to Seattle by Prime Minister Takeo Miki 40 years ago, the annual Cherry Blossom Festival is a celebration of Japanese culture. It’s the oldest in the Seattle Center Festal series.

The 5th Avenue Theatre
Great entertainment awaits musical lovers this Spring at the 5th Avenue Theatre.
Kiss Me, Kate run from April 6–29. The 5th is producing the Cole Porter classic as part of the city-wide Seattle Celebrates Shakespeare festival, with opulent sets and costumes from the critically acclaimed production by the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C. For an evening of fun, laughs, and comedy, Kiss Me Kate is a classic musical theatre production.

Hunchback of Notre Dame runs June 1–24. This musical, while it has all of the goods from the Disney movie, is not an adaptation of the Disney film. It stays truer to the book and is darker than the Disney film. This will be directed by Glenn Casale, who directed Little Mermaid.

Pike Place Market
With dozens of covered stalls, restaurants, bars, and galleries, any time of year can be a good time to visit Pike Place Market. Blooming flowers and blue skies mean that the Market is at its loveliest during the warmer sunny days of spring and summer. Walk down to the waterfront and ride the Ferris wheel for some stunning views of the water, Mt. Rainer, and the city. Stop by the original Starbucks, pick up a bag of freshly made donuts, or just enjoy the buzz of the market with street performers, vendors, tourist fresh off a cruise, or locals coming down to pick up ingredients for a fresh dinner. The market is a Seattle highlight and and very memorable to visit when the weather warms up.

This is just a sliver of what is happening in the spring in Seattle. However, these are some classic favorites from locals and visitors. If you are looking for a productive way to spend the upcoming sunny days, this list will get you on the right track or hopefully act as inspiration to investigate other upcoming events.

Jeff Bezos Biography: Amazon CEO and Billionaire

Jeff Bezos Biography

Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon has had an amazing career. From a young age he displayed potential to reach great heights. With a lot of hard work, being surrounded by the right people, risk, and a little bit of serendipity, the Amazon Empire has changed the way the world works.

Early Life and Career
Jeff Bezos was born on January 12, 1964, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was born to his mother, Jacklyn Gise Jorgensen, and his biological father, Ted Jorgensen. The Jorgensen’s were married less than a year, and when Bezos was 4 years old his mother re-married, to Cuban immigrant Mike Bezos. “The reality, as far as I’m concerned, is that my Dad is my natural father. The only time I ever think about it, genuinely, is when a doctor asks me to fill out a form,” Jeff told Wired in 1999.

As a child, Jeff Bezos showed an early interest in how things work, turning his parents’ garage into a laboratory and rigging electrical contraptions around his house, specifically to keep his siblings out of his room. He moved to Miami with his family as a teenager, where he developed a love for computers and graduated valedictorian of his high school. It was during high school that he started his first business, the Dream Institute, an educational summer camp for fourth, fifth and sixth graders.

After high school, Bezos attended Princeton University, where he graduated summa cum laude in 1986 with a degree in computer science and electrical engineering. After graduation, he found work at several firms on Wall Street, including Fitel, Bankers Trust and the investment firm D.E. Shaw.

While his career at Wall Street was extremely lucrative, Bezos chose to make a bold move into the budding world of e-commerce. He quit his job in 1994, moved to Seattle with wife and believed in the potential of the internet, therefor opening an online bookstore. Little did Bezos know that this move and start-up would eventually turn into a new way of life and change the way people obtain goods and consume entertainment. Upon reflection Bezos said: “When I’m 80, am I going to regret leaving Wall Street? No. Will I regret missing the beginning of the Internet? Yes.” We would have regretted it too.

Launching Amazon.com
Amazing began humbly in Bezos garage where, along with a few employees, he began developing software. They soon expanded operations into a two-bedroom house, equipped with three Sun Microstations, and eventually developed a test site. After inviting 300 friends to beta test the site, Bezos opened Amazon.com. Named after the meandering South American River.

The initial success of the company was swift. With no press promotion, Amazon.com sold books across the United States and in 45 foreign countries within 30 days. In two months, sales reached $20,000 a week, growing faster than Bezos and his start-up team had envisioned. Amazon.com went public in 1997.

Bezos continued to diversify Amazon’s offerings with the sale of CDs and videos in 1998, and later clothes, electronics, toys and more through major retail partnerships. While many dot.coms of the early ’90s went bust, Amazon flourished with yearly sales that jumped from $510,000 in 1995 to over $17 billion in 2011. This model continues as Bezos continues to diversify what Amazon can offer consumers.

In 2006, Amazon.com launched its video on demand service; initially known as Amazon Unbox on TiVo, it was eventually re-branded as Amazon Instant Video. In 2007, the company released the Kindle, a handheld digital book reader that allowed users to buy, download, read and store their book selections. That same year, Bezos announced his investment in Blue Origin, a Seattle-based aerospace company that develops technologies to offer space travel to paying customers.

Buying ‘The Washington Post’
Bezos made a purchase in 2013 that turned heads. On August 5, 2013, he purchased The Washington Post for $250 million. The deal marked the end of the four-generation reign over The Post Co. by the Graham family, which included Donald E. Graham, the company’s chairman and chief executive, and his niece, Post publisher Katharine Weymouth.

“The Post could have survived under the company’s ownership and been profitable for the foreseeable future,” Graham stated, in an effort to explain the transaction. “But we wanted to do more than survive. I’m not saying this guarantees success, but it gives us a much greater chance of success.”

Amazon Prime & Amazon Studios
Bezos scored another victory with the development of original content through Amazon Studios. After premiering several new programs in 2013, Amazon hit it big in 2014 with the critically acclaimed Transparent and Mozart in the Jungle. In 2015, the company produced and released Spike Lee’s Chi-Raq as its first original feature film.
Wealth

In July 2017, Bezos briefly surpassed Microsoft founder Bill Gates to become the richest person in the world, according to Bloomberg, before dropping back to No. 2. The Amazon chief then reclaimed the top spot in October, and in January 2018, Bloomberg pegged his net worth at $105.1 billion, making Bezos the richest person in history. Two months later, that figure was up to $127 billion, equal to the combined wealth of 2.3 million average Americans. Bezos is also owning hundreds of thousands of acres of land in the United States.

Healthcare Venture
On January 30, 2018, Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan Chase delivered a joint press release in which they announced plans to pool their resources to form a new healthcare company for their U.S. employees. According to the release, the company will be “free from profit-making incentives and constraints” as it tries to find ways to cut costs and boost satisfaction for patients, with an initial focus on technology solutions. “The healthcare system is complex, and we enter into this challenge open-eyed about the degree of difficulty,” said Bezos. “Hard as it might be, reducing healthcare’s burden on the economy while improving outcomes for employees and their families would be worth the effort.”

Personality and Leadership
Bezos is known for his double-personality that turns him from a kind person into a rough executive inducing fear and respect in his employees. Bezos has been said to be extremely critical and there if you received an e-mail with a question mark, it is a ticking time bomb to fix whatever the problem is and report back to him. Jeff Bezos seems to have no problem running the company while still personally reading feedback from customers. “We research each of them because they tell us something about our processes. It’s an audit that is done for us by our customers. We treat them as precious sources of information,” senior Amazon vice president Jeff Wilke explains. When there is a real issue, the consequences can be harsh on the employees responsible for the issue.
Personal Life

Bezos is married to his wife MacKenzie Bezos. They meet in New York while Bezos was working at Wall Street. She has been along for the Amazon ride from the very beginning. They have four children, three sons and one daughter adopted from China.

The Playful Moxy Seattle Downtown Opens

Moxy Hotel Seattle

THE PLAYFUL MOXY SEATTLE DOWNTOWN OPENS, TURNING THE TRADITIONAL HOTEL EXPERIENCE UPSIDE DOWN
In Collaboration With Stonebridge Properties, Marriott International Brings First Moxy Hotel to the West Coast

SEATTLE, Wash. — February 21, 2018 — With a West Coast debut that’s as provocative and bold as its name, Moxy Seattle Downtown’s opening today represents a disruptive shift in the future of the city’s hotel industry. Located at 1016 Republican Street, in the heart of downtown Seattle’s hottest neighborhood, South Lake Union, the property welcomes Fun Hunters with a spirited hotel experience unlike any other.

“At Moxy, we believe in the transformative power of play, and we’re excited to bring this vibrant concept to downtown Seattle as we invite our guests to come play with us,” said Vicki Poulos, Senior Global Brand Director, Moxy Hotels.

Colorado-based Stonebridge Companies is the developer and property manager behind this latest addition to Marriott International’s experiential brand that debuted in 2014 with the opening of Moxy Milan. Boasting 146 rooms spread over eight floors with flexible event space in the lobby, the opening of Moxy Seattle brings to the city a fun and stylish hotel for both locals and visitors alike.

Jerry Stotler is the Captain at the helm of Moxy Seattle Downtown, the brand’s twist on the general manager position. “At Moxy Seattle Downtown, we are focused on providing our guests with more than a place to crash,” said Stotler. “Moxy doesn’t take life too seriously and is a perfect spot for both visitors to the city and locals to hang out, meet new friends and have some fun!”

Designed by Ankrom Moison Architects, The Society and Deacon Construction, the ‘always-on’ vibe is brought to life by a diverse mix of daily, weekly and monthly activities, such as weekly trivia game nights for spontaneous locals and travelers alike, including “Celebrity” Trivia Night, a spirited Q&A hosted by the best “celebrity” Drag Queens in town. Moxy’s vibrant lobby is built for 24/7 socializing, including a 24-hour self-service grab-and-go bar counter and open plug-and-meet business areas complete with writable walls and 56-inch projection-ready televisions. Moxy Seattle Downtown is home to the city’s first hotel with a “teeter totter” in its lobby entrance, as well as a high-octane pink punching bag located in the 24-hour fitness center. From mobile check-in and keyless entry access, to furiously fast Wi-Fi and under bed motion sensor lighting, guests can expect a tech-forward experience from start to finish.

“We are proud to be part of this exciting collaboration with Marriott International, delivering our trademark Distinguished Hospitality™ experience to guests and locals through the innovative and playful design lens of Moxy,” said Navin Dimond, CEO and founder of Stonebridge Companies.

Moxy is a fun, experiential brand that combines stylish design and approachable service at an affordable price that’s easy to digest. The Moxy experience begins as guests check-in at the bar, instead of a traditional front desk, where they are greeted with a complimentary ‘Got Moxy’ cocktail along with their room key. The cozy bedrooms, ranging from 195 to 205 square-feet at Moxy Seattle Downtown, feature a new open storage concept via the brand’s signature peg wall for hanging clothes and jackets instead of a closet, giving guests ultimate flexibility. Bedrooms include a king size bed, 55-inch wall-hung flat-screen TVs, bathrooms with double rain showers, and more.

This is the 23rd Moxy Hotel to open globally and the sixth Moxy Hotel in the United States. In 2018 Moxy Hotels is expected to open in Chicago, Washington DC, Memphis, Atlanta, Munich, and more.

For additional information visit www.moxyhotels.com or http://moxyseattle.com/our-hotel/.

– T.F.G

Milestones on our Journey – 50th Anniversary of North Cascades National Park

Lake Crescent MT Rainier

Milestones on our Journey
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of North Cascades National Park
and 25th Anniversary of Washington’s National Park Fund

Washington’s National Park Fund (WNPF) will hold its annual Spring Dinner & Auction on April 7, 2018 at Seattle Center’s Fisher Pavilion. Titled Milestones on our Journey, the event will raise funds for Mount Rainier, North Cascades and Olympic National Parks, as well as celebrate the 50th Anniversary of North Cascades and 25th Anniversary of WNPF. Last year’s event raised a record-breaking $300,000, with $100,000 designated for restoration of historic structures in the parks. This year’s ‘Fund-A-Need’ will focus on Youth & Family projects, including:

The Mount Rainier Education Rangers chaperone student groups coming to the park, mostly during the spring when Paradise is buried in snow. A short drive for 47 school districts serving approximately 300,000 students, Mount Rainier can be seen from schools and neighborhoods, but is out of reach for many undeserved communities. Field trips allow students to directly experience Mount Rainier and use its environment as an outdoor science classroom and living laboratory. For the parks to thrive and survive into the future, we must ensure that our youth understand and appreciate the importance of places like national parks, especially as we become more urbanized, electronically connected, and fewer children spend time in nature.

Whether from a nearby town or inner-city Seattle, many of these kids have never been to the park much less spent time in a snowy environment. While it is often sunny and warm at sea level, it can be blizzarding in April on ‘the Mountain’! The kids are led out on a snowshoe walk with chaperones and learn to safely negotiate snow trails (and have some fun in the process!). In 2017, nine different school districts (Tacoma, South Thurston, Franklin Pierce, Eatonville, Mossyrock, Bremerton, Federal Way, Cloverpark, White Pass) and over 1700 kids participated in field trips to the park.

The Endangered Species Trailer at North Cascades educates visitors, students, and the public about some of the 37 species of animals believed or known to occur in Washington State that are on the Threatened and Endangered Species List. The cargo trailer is equipped with photos, and the inside has mounted mammal and bird species along with examples of furs and feathers, and replica tracks, skulls, and scat. The trailer is also taken to schools, utilized at visitor centers and campgrounds for hands-on learning, and operated at special events and festivals to engage with new and diverse audiences. A similar bear trailer was used last summer and in 4 months had nearly 10,000 visitors!

This visual draw for park visitors enables staff to discuss the challenges, concerns, and goals of species restoration, especially with regard to large mammals such as the grizzly bear and gray wolf. The real and replica pieces familiarize visitors with the animals and provide an avenue for discussion. The trailer can also be loaned and used at other National Park Service units in Washington State such as Mount Rainier and Olympic National Parks. Many people visit national parks specifically to see the animals they’ve read about or seen on television. Seeing these magnificent creatures in the wild is an amazing opportunity.

Adventures in Your Big Backyard at Olympic National Park partners with the Boys & Girls Club to introduce summer camp kids to the full diversity of ecosystems — ocean, mountains, rivers and rain forests – all contained at the park. They spend their days canoeing on Lake Crescent, swimming at Sol Duc Hot Springs, rafting the Elwha River, and hiking the Pacific Coast. The kids take away transformative experiences, and move on to become the next generation to serve as stewards of our beloved lands.

From Molly Sullivan, 2017 Northwest Youth Corps intern: “One of the most incredible parts of this summer was watching the kids’ personal transformation as they became more comfortable in the outdoors. The first few hikes were a challenge for several kids who frequently asked when it would be time to get back on the bus. These same participants were almost unrecognizable at the end of the summer. At our last outing to Ruby Beach, they were so engaged in tidepool exploration that no one wanted to leave! On our walk back to the buses, we passed several backpackers and one of the girls (who hadn’t been so sure about hiking a few weeks earlier) asked me what they were doing. When I told her they were going to camp on the beach, she turned to her younger cousin and said ‘When we’re older, we’re going to come back and do that too.’”

As our nation’s national parks face a $12 billion deferred maintenance backlog, friends’ groups like WNPF are critical in meeting the needs of our nation’s special places — beyond that of federal funding for operating expenses. A special event among many, the Spring Dinner & Auction features a plethora of rangers (in uniform, of course!), as well unique packages to bid on that are created specially by park staff for this event. A favorite from last year was a “Snorkel Survey of the Elwha River” with Olympic park scientists!

About Washington’s National Parks Fund
Washington’s National Park Fund (WNPF) is the official philanthropic partner of Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks, which span more than 1.6 million acres of the Evergreen state. Annually, WNPF allocates monies to otherwise unfunded projects with the goal of deepening the public’s love for, understanding of, and experiences in Washington’s National Parks. Get involved at www.wnpf.org.

Aaron Harberts: The Man Behind the Iconic Berg and Harberts Duo

Aaron Harberts is one half of the powerhouse Berg and Harberts duo of the Hollywood writing/producing fame, with over 32 creative credits to their names jointly. As interesting a story as the duo’s friendship is, both add something individually to the equation not through their similarities but their differences. Aaron Harberts, the Iowa farm boy turned entertainment revolutionary, has a lot of story to tell aside from being half of a successful creative team.

Background

Aaron Harberts was born in Iowa on January 20th, 1973. Harberts was raised primarily in Iowa but also spent much of his childhood with family in Florida and Indiana.

While listening to his father, a Presbyterian minister, every Sunday, Harberts would sit and craft stories of his own, later put onto paper. His father’s profession would later become the inspiration for his own career and the company name, Two Presbyterians.

Aaron Harberts has been writing for television and film professionally since 1995, when he moved to Los Angeles post-graduation from Northwestern University with a bachelor’s degree in Communications and Media Studies.

Moving to LA

After having housing fell through while making the move from Chicago to Los Angeles, Harberts found himself living with his collegiate friend, Gretchen Berg, on whose student film he worked as a production assistant at the end of his first year (which was her final year).

While living together, the two started conferring professionally and Gretchen asked him to be her writing partner to get through her current writing block with a difficult project.

While living hand-to-mouth with low-paying PA gigs around town, they were also attempting to break into the difficult business of television/film through well-placed contacts. When not working, they watched countless television shows and movies for research, finding what worked and what didn’t and how they could make those elements their own.

90210 Show and Beyond

Through their toil, they were able to finely-tune and hone their creative craft to perfection. Their first big “break” came partly from hours worked but also from serendipity when an agent found one of their screenplays coincidentally and sent it on to a television executive. From there, the agent offered the two writing positions on the hit-TV show Beverly Hills 90210.

From their time on 90210, they made themselves go-to hires by penning the now-iconic episode where Dylan McKay (Luke Perry) re-emerges and reintegrates into the all-star cast. Within the writing staff, Harberts rose quickly from staff writer to executive story editor with Berg.

After writing the screenplay, Valentine, Berg and Harberts went back to their roots in television. Roswell, the short-lived “cult” favorite show, was their next big project, earning themselves a spot in infamy among science fiction fans and paving the way for other supernaturally bent drama shows.

His writing and production credits with Berg over the last 20 years has grown exponentially, to include hit shows such as Wonderfalls, Pushing Daisies, Pepper Dennis (co-created with Berg), Mercy, Revenge, Reign, and most recently, Star Trek: Discovery.

Personal with Aaron Harberts

While writing and producing, Harberts, an openly gay man, makes sure to incorporate LGBT characters into his writing, earning him acclaim from the LGBT community for his innovative storytelling.

His revolutionary creative method was not making gay/lesbian characters ancillary to main characters but rather giving them stories all their own. One can witness this special, original touch in his most recent project, Star Trek: Discovery, a show he and Berg were show runners on, at the behest of their friend and colleague of Pushing Daisies, Bryan Fuller.

Fuller, Harberts explains to Advocate, was not looking for “Trekkies” (hard-core fans of the Star Trek series) but rather writers with a penchant for character development, which Berg and Harberts both had in spades.

Fuller, the first openly gay showrunner in Star Trek history (Harberts is the second), knew Harberts would give Star Trek: Discovery the professional and personal touch it deserved, particularly for the two openly gay characters on the show, Stamets and Culber. And Harberts delivered on that promise, mirroring much of Stamets and Culber’s relationship after his own real-life marriage to his husband, Scott.

Berg and Harberts continue to write, produce, and create in their base location of LA, bringing to life characters who are deep, thought-provoking, innovative, and fresh.

According to Twitter, Aaron Harberts currently resides in LA with Scott and their cat and enjoys fine dining, poetry, art, film history, championing LGBT causes, and, of course, writing. On July 10th 2019, Harberts announced on his Twitter that he was excited about joining and working on the new show Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist on NBC.

Writers Gretchen Berg and Aaron Harberts and Their Latest Project, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist – 2019/2020 Television Season

Monica Crowley Biography

Monica Crowley

Mostly known for being a Fox News contributor and commentator on television, Monica Crowley has been a voice that extends thoughts and opinions over a variety of political topics. She was born Sept 19th, 1968 in Fort Huachuca, Arizona (Army base) and is a Republican. She actually grew up in Warren Township, New Jersey, however. Her education is well respected and includes a B.A. in political science from Colgate University as well as a Ph.D. in international relations from Columbia University. Her middle name is Elizabeth and she is a Virgo.

While still a student, one of Monica Crowley’s early jobs was writing letters for President Nixon. She was 22 yrs old at the time and a great start to her career. Initially, she was hired by the Nixon administration as a research assistant. She posted ted an excerpt of her book Richard Nixon and me here. Over the years she began writing more and was an editor advisor/consultant for President Nixon’s final 2 books. They have always been pretty successful by top sellers like Amazon. After Nixon died, she also published 2 books about him. She is a New York Times bestselling author which says a lot about her experience, knowledge, and popular personality. Monica Crowley has written for many news publications including the New York Post, Washington Times, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Baltimore Sun, The New Yorker and much more. Previously, she was a commentator for the National Public Radio’s Morning Edition as well as her own podcast known as The Monica Crowley Show.

Monica Crowley is best known for her television career. She joined the Fox News Channel back in 1996 and never looked back. She has discussed all kinds of topics including foreign affairs and headline news. She was taken over the Fox News show, Hannity, filling in for Sean Hannity. She has worked on MSNBC’s Connected with Ron Reagan for 9 months wrapping up the show’s final production which aired December 9th 2005. She continues to have guest appearances on the Fox News Channel. She’s appeared with Bill O’Reilly and Alan Colmes. She provided commentary on Election Day regarding the victory of President Trump in 2016. Soon after, Crowley joined the Trump administration as the deputy national security advisor. Monica Crowley’s sister is Jocelyn Elise Crowley. Jocelyn Crowley was married to the late Alan Colmes who passed away February 23rd, 2017 from Lymphoma.
Last year in March 2017, she decided to join and take on a part-time consulting role with the Douglas Schoen firm working with Ukrainian industrialist and political figure Victor Pinchuk. This required Monica Crowley to register as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938.
Her boyfriend is Bill Siegel

Official Website:
www.monicamemo.com

Social Properties:
Facebook for Monica Crowley
Twitter for Monica Crowley
Instagram for Monica Crowley
IMDb for Monica Crowley
GLAAD profile for Monica Crowley

Popular Video of Monica Crowley:

 

The Story of Political Analyst Powerhouse Monica Crowley

Monica Crowley (Source: Twitter)

It takes intelligence, wit, class, and sheer determination to rise in the male-dominated ranks of the world of political news. The women who are able to work twice as hard to break into this long-held boy’s club are formidable journalists, talented in their field, and an inspiration to aspiring news personalities across the globe.

Fox News commentator, author, political analyst, foreign affairs powerhouse – Monica Crowley has broken barriers as one of the top political personalities in the United States. How exactly did Crowley rise to power and become one of the most talented political commentators on network television? The story of Monica Crowley is one of hard work, grit, and the success that comes when you fight relentlessly for your dreams. Don’t forget to read more on her biography page on the Emerald City Journal.

Crowley’s Early Life and Education

Crowley was born on September 19th, 1968, into a military family on the Fort Huachuca Base just outside of Sierra Vista, Arizona. She grew up in Warren Township, New Jersey, where she nurtured an early interest in the field of politics. Her family was apolitical while she was a child, and she developed strong conservative views, bereft of outside influence. From the beginning, Monica Crowley was an independent and free thinker.

Crowley’s political aspirations followed her long after she departed Warren Township for Colgate University in Hamilton, New York. At Colgate, Crowley delved headfirst into the world of politics, earning a Bachelor of Arts in political science upon her graduation. After departing Colgate, Crowley obtained a Master of Arts and PhD in International Relations from the prestigious Columbia University in New York City.

As an undergraduate student at Colgate, Crowley sparked her political interests by engaging in correspondence with former President Richard Nixon. As an aspiring and ambitious young Republican, President Nixon saw promise in young Crowley and hired her as a research assistant in 1990, at only 22 years of age.

First Days in the News World

While working for President Nixon, Crowley sharpened her skills as a writer, editor, and media personality. She served as his Foreign Policy assistant and the editorial adviser and consultant for his last two books. Following Nixon’s death in 1994, Crowley published two books on her mentor: Nixon Off the Record: His Candid Commentary on People and Politics and Nixon in Winter. A synopsis with her was provided on Colgate.

By the mid-1990s, Crowley had already published columns and articles in esteemed publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Post, The Baltimore Sun, The New Yorker, The Washington Times, and The Los Angeles Times. Her first regular column in a nationally acclaimed paper ran in The New York Post and began her career as a commentator on National Public Radio’s Morning Edition.

Crowley’s Big Break

In 1996, Monica Crowley got the opportunity of a lifetime. She had already drawn attention for her formidable work with President Nixon as his prolific young protégé, and her columns were receiving national attention from the wider conservative public. In 1996, Crowley met with an opportunity that any young journalist would fight for: a political commentator position for an up and coming national news network known as Fox News.

Crowley joined the Fox News Channel as a foreign affairs and political analyst, a position in which she served until 2017. During the beginning of her career, she also filled in for high-ranking personality Sean Hannity on his own show. Crowley’s work on Fox News garnered a national following and dedicated fanbase, broadcasting her expert analysis to millions across the country.

In 2002, Crowley received an offer for her own radio show, The Monica Crowley Show, a popular podcast that is still on the air, sixteen years and counting. Crowley also got offers for multiple positions on popular news networks and daytime shows, including MSNBC’s Connected: Coast to Coast, Imus in the Morning, The McLaughlin Group, and The Five.

Monica Crowley Today

Following her rise to power on the Fox News Network, Crowley has appeared on multiple radio shows and television networks. She co-hosted the MSNBC television show Connected: Coast to Coast with Ron Reagan, son of former President Ronald Reagan. In addition, Crowley appeared as a recurring guest on the radio show Imus in the Morning and hosted MSNBC’s partner broadcast, The Best of Imus in the Morning.

She has served as a guest host for Bill O’Reilly’s television show The O’Reilly Factor and on his podcast. Crowley also appears as a guest host on Fox’s opinion show The Five. In addition, she played herself on Netflix’s award-winning television show House of Cards.

Today, Crowley is an esteemed writer, journalist, radio host, and political commentator. She left Fox News in 2017 and currently writes columns for publications such as The Hill, The Washington Times, and London Center. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, remaining active in the political world. In addition, Crowley is a part-time consultant with the firm of Douglas Schoen (Photo Instagram). She lectures at Yale, Columbia, Emory, Rutgers, and MIT.

Monica Crowley rose through the ranks of the male-dominated news world, making a name for herself due to her tenacity and expert political analysis. It’s no wonder that Monica Crowley is an inspiration to aspiring journalists everywhere.

Vincent Cirrincione Biography

Vincent Cirrincione’s Life and Impact: From Modest Beginnings to Entertainment Icon

Vincent Cirrincione is an American producer and talent manager best known for his discovery of now-famous names such as Oscar award winner Halle Berry and Empire starlet Taraji Henson. This media mogul, however, came from humble beginnings.

Early Life

Born in Brooklyn, New York on May 31st, 1947, Vincent Cirrincione was raised by his two Italian grandparents. Much of his early life, he lived in his family’s row house on Avenue U in Marine Park. His grandparents, grocery store owners, had a profound impact on young Vincent and instilled in him a love of work and a thirst to succeed in life.

Vince remembers fondly a time in his youth, working part-time at his grandparents’ grocery store, when he would sneak into Ebbets Field with his friends because they were unable to afford tickets.

To make money to afford a ticket, he started selling Christmas trees during the holidays and realized if he faced the best side of the tree toward customers they would be more prone to buy it. He knew, from this experience, he was “a born salesman.”.

Throughout his childhood, Vincent dreamed of one day becoming a talent scout and agent for big-name entertainment acts in Hollywood.

Vietnam War Era and Employment

By the time Vincent graduated high school, the Vietnam War had already begun. Vincent was his mother’s caregiver at the time and so he was able to defer being drafted immediately. Eventually, as he recalls, he “gave up” and entered the draft anyway but, fortunately, he was not called up for service.

When Vincent found a real job, he started from the bottom as a “back room” worker of the investment firm, White, Weld & Co. on Wall Street. He gained valuable on-the-job insight from his time there, learning about stock trading well before computers traded stocks and bonds.

While staying at a friend’s house in White Lake, New York in 1969, he worked as a food vendor at what became known as one of the most famous music festivals in the world: Woodstock. From this job, he experienced entertainment up-close and personal but still was on the outside edges of it when he longed to be inside.

Foray Into Jazz Fusion

Vincent Cirrincione would soon get his chance to work in the entertainment industry. Shortly after Woodstock when he was promoting the singer/songwriter/multi-instrumental visual artist Captain Beefheart at the The Anderson Theater. While trying to find an opening act, he heard about Larry Coryell, a jazz musician who was playing a gig at a local club called “Slugs.”

Vincent went and listened to Larry’s set and instantly fell in love with Coryell’s special brand of jazz which would later become known as “jazz fusion”, by transitioning from acoustic to electric guitar within a song. Coryell would later be known as “the godfather of jazz fusion.”

Vincent convinced Larry to sign with him and became his manager. During this time, Vincent worked out of an office at Vanguard Records. He went from manager to executive producer and is responsible for Larry and his band, The Eleventh House’s, hit albums of the time.

Vince later would argue in the New York Supreme Court to secure a deal for Larry to sign with another label when Vanguard Records would not allow Larry to move on from his contract, citing the “reserve clause.” Vince fought for Larry’s right to switch labels if he so chose, and they won.

$400 Dollars and a Closet Office

With his dreams of TV/Film talent managing still in his sights, Vincent borrowed $400 dollars (which would be approximately $1,383.51 today) and started work in a literal closet in friend Doug Yeager’s apartment. The apartment was right across the street from the historic Studio 54 from the disco era. While in his cramped office, he made “cold calls” to TV producers and executives to get his foot in the door.

Traveling With Peter Pan Teens

Because of his tireless efforts, Vincent was able to secure employment with a talent agency for kids. His job was to travel with the young actors and actresses on the road as a guardian as they performed in Peter Pan (starring Sandy Duncan). This experience, much like the back room of the investment firm in the 1960s, gave him real-world insight into the world of entertainment. He fought for the teens in the production to have good accommodations and meals when they were traveling.

Discovering Halle Berry

Vincent then traveled to Pittsburgh to meet with Donna Belajac, who was a casting director for television and film productions. While in the city, he offered a free seminar for young actors and actresses, where he met former ice skaters Julie Benz and Sandra Ferguson. He was able to get Sandra a recurring role on the popular daytime TV soap opera “Another World.”

A director in the area asked Vincent if he knew of anyone like Sandra for an African-American character for a show he was producing. Sandra then told Vincent about her friend, actress Halle Berry. The rest, as the world would soon see, would be history and now Halle Berry is a household name in television and film, and the first African-American woman to win an Academy Award for Best Actress.

From Halle Berry to Industry Icon

While working as Halle Berry’s manager, Cirrincione was able to secure her roles in dynamic career-defining films such as Spike Lee’s Jungle Fever.

Finding work for Berry was not difficult after that, and he produced 1998’s hit story about Dorothy Dandridge, the first African-American woman to be nominated for an Academy Award, with Berry in the title role. Berry would later go on to win the Golden Globe and Emmy Awards for her acting. Vincent received an Emmy nomination for his role as a producer.

Along with his career since setting up his LA offices in 1991, Vincent has been the manager behind many blockbuster movies, such as Lackawanna Blues, Unthinkable, and Supremacy. He has also been the guiding force behind many successful African-Americans in the film industry besides Berry, such as Justin Smollett, Taraji P. Henson, and director Princess Monique.

Today, the 70-year-old Cirrincione enjoys a quiet life in Los Angeles, preferring still to be behind the scenes, working to make sure everyone in the industry, especially people of color, get a “fair shake” and an opportunity to succeed. His overall goal? To make it so no one of talent has to work as hard as he did in his youth to break into the entertainment industry, no matter their skin color. His efforts have had a lasting and positive impact on the television and film community and will continue to do so for years to come. [IMDb]

Sharon Bush Philanthropic Work and Business Connections

Sharon Bush

Philanthropy can be the most rewarding work a person can do in their lifetime. The most rewarding work is the work we do for others in crisis or need. There are few and far people that focus on charitable works but some of those people have been working for decades to help others. People like Sharon Bush, who has worked for over four decades helping others across the globe. Her altruism extends across different continents all over the world. She has become very well known as an accomplished philanthropist focusing on bringing resources to women, children and families everywhere there is help needed. She has won a variety of awards and has received recognition for her charitable works from a multitude of organizations.

Sharon Smith Bush has done work with numerous philanthropic organizations, promoting the ideals of love and family. Across her various efforts, she’s worked to help numerous causes, including education, pollution remediation, and other nonprofit organizations. Her contributions have helped further advance these causes, helping people around the world.

The role that philanthropy plays in society is very important. The definition of philanthropy is the love of humankind and the purpose is to improve the well-being of humankind. There is nothing nobler than an individual who dedicates their time, money and energy into improving the lives of others. It provides opportunities because it supports projects and efforts that otherwise might not have gained widespread support. Philanthropists are key to making sure that everyone in society benefits regardless of their circumstances. Sharon Bush has focused on dedicating her life to her philanthropic work and it is such an important part of her life that her children have even taken up their own charitable and philanthropic works.

Sharon Bush is a resident of New York City and a graduate of the University of New Hampshire.  She has three children Lauren Bush, Ashley Bush, and Pierce Bush.  Previously married to Neil Bush the son of George H. W. Bush and the late Barbara Bush.

Sharon has written about raising philanthropic children, and what her insight is to keep children grounded. She believes that charity starts in the home, to teach without technology (relating to those you’re around, and engaging in true human connection), walking your talk as a parent, showing children the real world, and learning what a child’s passions are and pursuing them in a way where they can positively impact others. Through Sharon’s example of philanthropy and engaging in meaningful work, it is no surprise that her children followed in her footsteps.

As noted, Sharon Smith Bush has three children who all in their own way have made a difference in the world. Her children Lauren Bush Lauren, Ashley Bush, and Pierce Bush have taken her example to heart. You can read more about here children below. In short, all three children spend their time doing charitable works both nationally and internationally. Their mother was a huge inspiration to them growing up.

The Karitas Foundation

Growing up the children watched as their mom built her own non-profit called The Karitas Foundation, which sold kid’s toys and clothing. It was her first venture into philanthropic work. The profits from those sales went to shelters that focused on caring for homeless and abused children. They were young when Sharon Bush started the foundation and they spoke later in life of how much they learned empathy and morals watching their mother start this foundation.

The idea for The Karitas Foundation came from Sharon’s time as a teacher in an inner city elementary school.  She became a teacher after she received her teaching degree in 1975 from the University of New Hampshire. On a daily basis, she witnessed the struggle of her students and how much it affected them in the classroom. She vowed to dedicate herself to helping children in dire or harsh circumstances. She vowed to help these children grow, learn and thrive. Her inspiration for The Karitas Foundation grew out of her own personal experiences with these children. The sale of licensed children products through The Karitas Foundation went to nationally recognized children’s relief organizations. Not only was money raised but awareness for the plight of homeless and disadvantaged children was raised through her efforts.

The Knowledge is Power Program

Another organization that Sharon currently contributes her time to is the Knowledge is Power Program. This organization works to bring schools to under-served communities, and working to better support the children that live in them. Currently, the KIPP serves a network of schools in these areas, and Sharon sits on the board for the program, helping to direct and further develop its efforts.

Sharon Bush Awards

Sharon Bush was awarded the Mother of the Year Award from the Hale House for her work with children who are deemed at risk. Clara Hale founded the organization in 1969 and was a humanitarian who received many awards for her work with at-risk children. The Hale House has undergone some changes but their mission is the still the same.  Sharon Bush considers receiving this award as one of the most important moments of her life. Her 3 kids were there to help present her with the award. They spoke of how much they learned from their mother about compassion and love by watching her through her humanitarian efforts.

Receiving the Mother of the Year award from the Hale House was a true honor for Sharon Bush. She was so humbled to receive this award by an organization that she respects so much. Sharon Bush admires all the work that Mother Hale and the Hale House have done for families. Mother Hale exemplified the traits of a true philanthropist. She was kind and exuded a nurturing energy. Sharon Bush learned so much from Mother Hale and was so happy to be honored by someone she respected so much.

UN Women for Peace Association

Sharon Bush also promotes charity work through the UN Women for Peace Association. This organization works to improve the lives of women around the world by providing them with education and protection from dangerous conditions like abuse. Sharon hopes to instill in the women who benefit from the UNWFPA the same values that Sharon herself embodies, including strength and compassion.

Teddy Shares

Sharon Bush has also worked to combat world hunger through the Teddy Shares program. This organization, much like the Karitas Foundation, takes profits from sales to donate to those in need. For every Teddy Shares teddy bear purchased, the organization provides Plumpy’Nut supplements to malnourished children in Africa, providing them with vital nutrients. Teddy Shares has also partnered with the Teddy Roosevelt Foundation, Edesia, and FEED, a charitable group founded by Sharon’s daughter, Lauren Bush Lauren. Sharon manages Teddy Shares as both the founder and CEO.

Environmental science has made great strides to improve the impact we have on the earth. Two businesses are working to improve the processes of how to remove waste buildup. Teacher, advocate, and entrepreneur Sharon bush oversees business development for two companies that are working to improve our environmental impact. These companies are called Protein Matrix and GreenStract.

Protein Matrix

Sharon truly believes in being an advocate for disadvantaged families and cares about the well being of children around the world. She is not only working with families but she also cares greatly about the future of the environment. In fact, she is an advocate of environmental studies believes in the removal of waste buildup from the planet as it helps protect the environment. She is in charge of business development for a company called Protein Matrix. Protein Matrix provides a cost-effective, environmentally friendly degreasing product that does not pose a problem to the waste water treatment plants. The goal of the company is to create cleaner water.

Protein Matrix is a product in development to help clean substances from pipelines that can ultimately damage the infrastructure. Specifically, Protein Matrix targets fats, oils, and grease that can build up in pipes over time, causing damage. When these common substances enter drains from food, dangerous consequences for the environment can result. Not only does replacing pipes increase the carbon footprint over time, but broken pipes can lead to sewer spills, damaging water systems and surrounding environments.

Unlike many other cleaners that target these products, Protein Matrix is environmentally friendly, and its use can prevent other harmful chemicals from interacting with the environment. The makeup of Protein Matrix also doesn’t cause damage to pipes while working. The product also has other applications outside of cleaning up sewage systems, such as serving as an environmentally friendly degreaser. Sharon Bush oversees the business development for this company, supporting its efforts.

Sharon is an amazing example of leading by example. She has spent her whole life helping others and hopes that her legacy will serve as an example of the power of how one person can make a difference through serving others. She is an important example of how one person can make a difference with their actions. Philanthropy is key to community development and it is an important way to help those that struggle or are considered disadvantaged. Sharon Bush has made it her goal in life to serve as an example for others and to inspire others to do the same.

GreenStract

She also is in charge of business development for GreenStract another company that focuses on a cost-effective and non-toxic way to help clean up environmental waste.

GreenStract is another environmentally conscious company that Sharon Bush oversees business development for. GreenStract is a chemical technology company that removes harmful waste from storage tanks. GreenStract uses a plant-based solution to remove bad buildups such as petroleum, coal tar, and creosote. The company is based in Springfield, Massachusetts.

In addition to her work with Protein Matrix, Sharon also oversees much of the business development for GreenStract. This company works to help boost the environment through tending to storage tanks. Where Protein Matrix focuses on sewer system buildups, GreenStract instead gears towards removing buildup that results from coal tar, petroleum, and creosote.

Much like with Protein Matrix’s effect on pipes, removing these harmful buildups can help extend the lifetime of these storage tanks. It can also make these tanks safe to use for other substances that would otherwise become harmed or impacted by the existing buildup. GreenStract, as the name implies, uses an entirely plant-based solution, reducing the environmental impact of its manufacture and use. It’s also a cost-effective solution.

While Sharon acknowledges that it will take much larger changes in our habits to promote a better ecosystem and protect the planet in the long-term, she’s chosen to support the efforts of products that can help promote sustainable living habits while helping the environment. Her support for not one, but two of these companies (especially amongst her other efforts) shows how she’s willing to act on her beliefs.

With her personal investment in so many causes, it’s easy to see how Sharon Bush has embodied the ideal of love into her work, and the dedication to helping children shows how she wishes to encourage family outside her own. Even so, she has remained dedicated to her children, helping to instill them with the same values of compassion, no matter what challenges she faces in life. And, if her history is anything to go by, the work she’s done so far is only the beginning.

It is vital that we continue to invest in learning and improving existing systems to lead them to more environmentally sound solutions. Protein Matrix and GreenStract are cost-effective and non-toxic solutions to a cleaner environment.

Neil Bush

Neil Bush studied at Tulane University graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in international economics and a master’s degree in business administration. He is the fourth of six children born to the former president and first lady. Neil Bush has focused on the energy industry and international business for much of his career. Starting his career with Amoco Production Company, which we now know as BP, he later moved to companies that look for oil both in the states and abroad. Neil Bush has been involved in international development with China and the Middle East. His business has also taken him abroad to Hong Kong and Singapore. Mr. Bush serves as chairman of the Point of Light board of directions. The organization aims to encourage and prepare volunteers to support and help their communities. He is also chair of the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy foundation.

Sharon Bush’s Children

Lauren Bush is Neil Bush and Sharon Bush’s eldest daughter. She studied at Princeton University graduating with a degree in anthropology. Today she is the CEO and Co-Founder of FEED Project, which was founded in 2007. The project is focused on the issue of hunger and widening access to food in some of the most improvised places around the world. Lauren Bush traveled to impoverished countries around the world and saw first-hand how missing a school meal impacts a learning environment and ability to focus. Products bought through FEED go to fund lunches in schools. Lauren is married to David Lauren, the son of fashion designer Ralph Lauren. The two married in Colorado in 2011 and now have two sons. Lauren also spent time in the fashion world both as a designer and model.

Pierce Bush is the second-oldest child of Sharon. He is the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star, a non-profit organization that works with children by matching them to amazing mentors. Bush has held this position since 2015. Pierce Bush is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin where he studied American Studies.

Ashley Bush is the youngest of the three children. Her interests are geared toward film. She has produced several shorts and has worked on the set of several Netflix films. She has worked as a director, crew, writer, cinematographer, editor, and product designer.

Events featuring Sharon Bush:

Philanthropist Sharon Bush to Host Cristo Rey Network Fundraiser

Philanthropist Sharon Bush will be hosting the annual Cristo Rey Network fundraiser on April 4th, 2019.  The funds raised at the gala will go towards empowering and supporting students and families in low-income communities across the country. The event will take place in Palm Beach, Florida at the Wally Findlay Gallery.

Cristo Rey School Network

The Cristo Rey School Network is unique in that the school structures combines four years of rigorous college preparatory courses with four years of professional work experience to prepare students for both education and career. The network includes over 35 Catholic schools that serve approximately 12,000 students in 21 states and Washington D.C., making it the largest school network in the country that focuses on low-income students. The schools puts an emphasis on Catholic educational values and serves students who are economically disadvantaged. An impressive 90% of students go on to enroll in higher education after graduation as first-generation attendees. According to the Cristo Rey School website, “The Cristo Rey Network strengthens the competence, confidence, and aspirations of their students and gives them the foundation to help them lead fulfilling lives and to advance the common good of the world.”

Sharon began her career working as a teacher in an inner-city school after graduating from the University of New Hampshire. She saw firsthand the inequality the students were up against when it came to accessibility of resources and educational outcomes. Since her start in education, she has continued to foster a philanthropic outlook and used her skills to help others.

Sharon Bush took initiative to start several companies and foundations that help children.  One of these ventures is called Teddy Shares. When a teddy bear is purchased from Teddy Shares, a Plumpy’Nut supplement is given to children who need nourishment. She has sat on multiple boards including Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) and the UN Women for Peace Association (UNWFPA). She oversees business development for two environmentally conscious companies, Protein Matrix, and GreenStract. She currently works as the Director of Public Relations and Fundraising at Cristo Rey.

Sharon Bush’s background and philanthropic work make her a natural fit to host the Cristo Rey Network fundraiser. “I am thrilled to be hosting this event for the Cristo Rey Network. I am passionate about helping children, and Cristo Rey has transformed the lives of many by giving a quality education to children that come from limited means,” she said in a recent interview with the Digital Journal.

Sharon is a long-time resident of New York. When she is not busy overseeing her business ventures, she enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren.  She passed on her servant-leadership qualities to her three children, who have each invested their time in service-oriented work.

Cut Your Cable And Start Streaming – How To

Cutting Cable Cord Streaming Services

With streaming services like Amazon Video, Netflix, and Hulu, consumers have changed the way they view movies and television shows. Paying for Comcast is a thing of the past to cut the cord and consider these options. Gone are the days of sitting on the couch and flipping through different programs. These streaming services offer consumers more options, flexibility, and power over how and when they want to watch their programs. Each service has its own story and rise to popularity and different offerings for a unique viewing experience.

Amazon Video

The creation of Amazon Video was led by Hollywood Executive Roy Price, who made the transition from Los Angeles to Seattle to get Amazon Video off the ground. Amazon Video has transitioned from its original framework and has grown immensely in what it offers consumers. The service debuted on September 7, 2006, as Amazon Unbox in the United States. Currently, Amazon Prime members can subscribe to over 100 premium channels like HBO, SHOWTIME, and STARZ, as well as specialty channels like Acorn TV, PBS Kids, and Heera. What’s great about the service is you only pay for the channels you want, watch anywhere, and cancel anytime. Cable is not required. Prime Video is available on its own for $8.99 per month. It offers streaming access to thousands of movies and TV shows. The ability to download shows on a tablet or phone for offline viewing is also available. The Prime packages also include free two-day shipping from amazon.com, unlimited ad-free streaming of Prime Music and unlimited photo storage in Amazon Cloud Drive. Amazon is located in Seattle, Washington.

Amazon Video knew that they were not the only streaming service available, and to create engaging content to compete with others, Amazon Studios was created. Amazon Studios is a division of Amazon, which focuses on developing television shows, distributing and producing films, and comics from online submission. Scripts for Amazon Studio television and film are submitted through online submissions to Amazon. They are reviewed and rated by other readers in a crowd-sourced fashion, and by Amazon staff. In a 2012 interview with WIRED, Roy Price was asked what he is trying to do at Amazon Studios. He answered, “We are trying to do two things. One is to create opportunities for film and TV creators, and the other is to create great new movies and TV shows for our customers.” With Prime, you already have access to a huge library of movies and TV shows at no additional cost, including award-winning Amazon Originals like Manchester by the Sea, The Man in the High Castle, The Grand Tour, and Mozart in the Jungle.

In 2017, Amazon Studios became the first streaming media service to have an Oscar Best Picture nomination, earning it for Manchester by the Sea. The film The Salesman was nominated and won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film. Manchester by the Sea was nominated for a total of six Academy Awards, winning two Oscars, including Best Actor for Casey Affleck and Original Screenplay for Kenneth Lonergan.

With all that Amazon Video and Amazon Studio have accomplished up to this point, it’s no surprise that Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos wants the same thing from his streaming shows that he wants from every other part of his company, overarching success, and domination. Roy Price, says Bezos and other senior Amazon management team members have made it clear that they want more attention-grabbing shows. In other words, something to put them ahead of other competitors. In an interview with Variety, Price said that Amazon Studios would refocus on “big shows that can make the biggest difference around the world,” and specifically cited Game of Thrones as a model. An excellent model to work with, as that show has become a cultural phenomenon. To take their entertainment services to the next level, Amazon will have to continue to come up with creative and gripping new content. As people become more discerning in what they watch, Amazon will have to understand its user base to create a show and concept that draws in subscribers. View Roy Price’s LinkedIn Professional Profile or full biography here.

Netflix

Netflix is an American entertainment company founded by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph on August 29, 1997, in Scotts Valley, California. It specializes in and provides streaming media and video-on-demand online and DVD by mail. It is headquartered in Los Gatos, California.

In 1998 Netflix launched the first DVD rental and sales site called Netflix.com. In 1999, Netflix started a monthly subscription model, unlimited rentals for a single monthly rate. In 2000, Netflix offered to be acquired by Blockbuster for $50 million, but the offer was declined. Little did Blockbuster know how quickly and successfully Netflix would take off. In the same year, Netflix introduced a personalized movie recommendation system, which uses Netflix members ratings to predict choices for all Netflix members. In 2007, Netflix introduced streaming which allowed members to watch tv shows and movies on their personal computers instantly. In 2008, Netflix partnered with electronics companies to stream on the Xbox 360, Blu-ray disc, and tv step-top boxes. In 2010, Netflix was available on Apple iPad, iPhone, Wii, and other internet-connected devices. In the same year Netflix launched its services in Canada, and by 2016 Netflix was available worldwide.

Netflix has found extreme success with certain television shows. In 2013, Netflix premiered “House of Cards” a series about the corrupt politicians of D.C. and Netflix had invested $100 million for two 13-episode seasons. A huge risk, but one that paid off as the first season earned eight Emmy nominations. The second season earned 13 Emmy nominations. “Orange is the New Black” is another Netflix show that took viewers by storm. An inside look at the inmates of a women’s prison debuted in 2013. This show also received 12 Emmy nominations.

As of the middle of 2014, Netflix had grown to more than 50 million subscribers with a stock price over $400 a share. Today, Netflix is the world’s leading internet entertainment service with over 109 million members in over 190 countries enjoying more than 140 million hours of TV shows and movies per day, including original series, documentaries and feature films. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on nearly any Internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.

How the idea of Netflix came about has conflicting views. CEO, Reed Hastings said, In the mid-Nineties, he was said to have rented Apollo 13 from his local Blockbuster Video store and lost it. The penalty for was a heavy $40 fine. Here’s how Hastings told it eight years ago:

“I remember the fee because I was embarrassed about it. That was back in the VHS days, and it got me thinking that there’s a big market out there. So, I started to investigate the idea of how to create a movie-rental business by mail. I didn’t know about DVDs, and then a friend of mine told me they were coming. I ran out to Tower Records in Santa Cruz, California, and mailed CDs to myself, just a disc in an envelope. It was a long 24 hours until the mail arrived back at my house, and I ripped them open, and they were all in great shape. That was the big excitement point.”

While co-founder and former CEO Marc Randolph says, “there was no late fee, no aha moment, just long commutes in Silicon Valley that the pair spent plotting their next venture around the time that Hastings’s first business, Pure Software, merged with Atria, where Randolph worked and sold to another company.”

Whether a late fee, or just late nights and brainstorming sessions, it’s safe to say that Netflix users are pleased that the service exists, and aren’t too concerned whether it was brainstormed in a room with the early creators or because of a late fee. Netflix has revolutionized entertainment and is a household name across America and the world.

Hulu

Hulu was created as a joint venture by NBC Universal, Fox Entertainment Group, and ABC Inc. and was announced in 2007. Hulu launched public access on March 12, 2008. While Amazon Video and Netflix offer a spread of entertainment, Hulu offers a more focused approach and is geared towards television series, carrying current and past episodes of series from its owners’ respective television networks and other content partners. Its headquarters are in Los Angeles, California and service the U.S. and Japan.

One of Hulu’s most successful shows is “The Handmaid’s Tale” which took home five Primetime Emmys and 13 nominations. Hulu also announced its plans to launch seven new original series in the new year. Other Hulu originals include “Future Man,” “I Love You American,” “The Mindy Project,” and “Casual.” Hulu also offers 30 Rock, Buffy, and they also just swiped all the old episodes of Will & Grace, just in time for the revival season on NBC. Hulu’s also a great way to keep up with current network TV if you don’t have satellite, cable or maybe just work late. You can watch the new episode of a show just a day after it airs, as you could before Hulu went subscription-only. Hulu’s videos are only for people inside the U.S. Starting at $5.99 a month for the first year, and $7.99 a month after that. You can also now do a live TV plan for $39.99 a month, which includes many of the programs you would find on cable. These programs include live news, entertainment and sports from 21st Century Fox, The Walt Disney Company, NBCUniversal, CBS Corporation, The CW, Turner Networks, A+E Networks and Scripps Networks Interactive to its offering and making it the only TV service that brings together live, on-demand, originals, and library content all in one place. If you are a lover of television series who just can’t get your schedule to line up with the live showings, this is a perfect solution for you.

It was reported that in 2011, Hulu made $420 million, which was $80 million short of the predicted revenue. Mike Hopkins, who as CEO of Hulu since 2013, has led the company through significant audience growth and the successful launch of Hulu with Live TV, left the company in 2017. Randy Freer has been named CEO. As of April 2017, Hulu has 32 million users.

Whatever you are looking for as an alternative to traditional cable, Amazon Video, Netflix, and Hulu entertain viewers looking for a variety of shows and entertainment experiences. Since their beginnings, it is evident that these companies have shifted and evolved from their early stages. As they continue to develop to keep an edge on their competition, they will continue to adapt to what audiences are looking for in entertainment. With fewer advertisements, more options, and different purchasing packages, these services allow for a consumer to pick what streaming service they want discerningly.

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