Appliance Repair in Livingston, CA

Irvine, CA (May 13, 2022) – Three major industry organizations have announced a collaborative campaign focused on supporting retailers summer marketing promotions and community outreach. The partnership is a first of its kind, and at the core shows the dedication of these organizations to support and strengthen the Independent Bicycle Retailer. The Summer Direct Mail Promotion will launch late June and not only offer retailers special savings on direct to home mailers but free correlating web homepage graphics for all SmartEtailing retailers.

“The Bike Cooperative is excited to partner with SmartEtailing and the NBDA for the upcoming Summer direct mail promo. These three organizations have the same goal – supporting the independent retailer. Sharing resources and continually collaborating on projects like this will help ensure that the IBD stays competitive in this industry” stated Lacey Winn Membership Director, The Bike Cooperative.

The Bike Cooperative’s Direct Mail Marketing program offers low prices, fast delivery, and free customization on targeted marketing campaigns. Retailers utilizing direct mail find it a great way to reconnect with their customer base and remind them that their local retailer is a great place to look for all their cycling needs.

Heather Mason, National Bicycle Dealers Association (NBDA) President commented “Direct mail has a proven track record of being a professional, actionable, and effective way for retailers to engage their community. I am delighted that our organizations could combine forces to bring this resource to retailers in a way that is not only easy for them to execute but adds a digital component to further support their promotion.”

The NBDA, SmartEtailing and Bike Cooperative will begin marketing the program to their retailer networks June 20, 2022. Retailers wishing to sign up for the program must do so by July 15, 2022. The Summer mail promotion will offer retailers a choice of postcard or bifold mailer with delivery to homes beginning July 28, 2022. Retailers can use a standard template or work with the designers at SmartEtailing to build out a custom art file.

Suzie Livingston, Communications Manager at SmartEtailing added“We're so honored to have the opportunity to partner with the NBDA and The Bicycle Cooperative as fellow industry members who share in the mission of helping bike shops be more successful. Teaming up with our partners is one of the best ways we can provide valuable and accessible resources like the Summer direct mail promo.”

As the industry continues efforts to connect with new cyclists and engage those who recently found our sport, direct mail is a great tool for retailers to reach not only their current customers, but get in front of a new audience, grab their attention, and communicate on a personal level. Retailers are urged to take part in this special program designed to provide top ROI and higher levels of engagement.

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The National Bicycle Dealers Association (NBDA) is the bicycle industry retailer association formed in 1946, representing and empowering specialty bicycle dealers in North America through education, communications, research, advocacy, member discount programs, and promotional opportunities. Questions about the NBDA? Contact Rachelle Schouten, Development Director, at Rachelle@NBDA.com.

Founded in 1999, SmartEtailing provides website, marketing and data solutions to help independent bicycle retailers, cycling suppliers and cycling brands sell more product in-store and online. Questions about SmartEtailing? Contact Suzie Livingston, Communications & Marketing Manager at suzie.l@smartetailing.com.

The Bike Cooperative is a member-owned cooperative of nearly 300 independent bike retail locations across the U.S. Our mission from day one has been to help bike stores become more profitable and enable them to get more people on bikes in their communities. Learn more at TheBikeCooperative.com or email hello@thebikecooperative.com for more information.

AN FRANCISCO -- Six NBA Finals appearances in the last eight seasons. Three titles in a five-year span, and four more wins away from a fourth championship after a two-year playoff hiatus.

The Warriors are back, and they're still carried on the backs of their Big Three in Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. They've been there for all the rings, the climb to the top and the return to Finals. But behind the scenes, the Warriors have another trio of leaders who have been there and done that.

Shaun Livingston was a key player for Golden State all three times the Warriors hoisted the Larry O'Brien trophy. Zaza Pachulia was there for two, and Leandro Barbosa for one.

"It's been great having those guys there to be a part of the coaching staff, be in the front office," Warriors center Kevon Looney said Wednesday. "They just add that championship DNA. They still are an extension of the culture that we're trying to build, things like that.

"They're great role models and great veterans for our young guys who are veterans that's playing now. They still can go talk to them, lean on them. They've been great for us all year."

Looney, a two-time champion himself, played four seasons with Livingston, two with Pachulia and one with Barbosa. He learned under them and now is watching younger Warriors reap the benefits of their knowledge.

Jordan Poole is one of them.

The third-year pro's story is earning a bigger spotlight by the minute after grinding through the G League last season and now giving the Warriors a third Splash Brother, along with Curry and Thompson. Since the Warriors drafted Poole near the end of the first round in 2019, he constantly has asked questions to the veterans, trying to find any edge to better his game. It's invaluable to have so many champions on one roster.

Andre Iguodala returning to the Warriors this season has been huge in that regard. So has the championship pedigree of Barbosa, Livingston and Pachulia.

"I incorporate them with the vets as well, just because they have the experience, they've been here before, they've been in the Finals," Poole said. "Just being able to walk around the facility, locker room, ask those guys questions, is huge.

"It's a blessing. Being able to gain other knowledge from so many people who have been in this position, try to soak it all in, apply it when I have the chance."

Pachulia was the first former Warrior to join the franchise in his post-playing career. He was named a front office consultant in the basketball operations department at the end of August 2019. Livingston followed one year later in September, assuming the role of director of players affairs and engagement.

But a day before Livingston became the latest former Warrior to have a role behind the scenes, Barbosa retired from the NBA but found a to stay around the game on a daily basis as a player-mentor coach.

He's the one that is seen the most out of the three, and has his nose to the ground as someone still on the court every day with the Warriors. Before games, he can be seen working with rookies and veterans alike, guarding Andrew Wiggins in the post and Curry well before the 3-point line.

Barbosa scrimmages with the Warriors in 5-on-5 and 3-on-3. He goes through drills with them at times, and has been huge for the young players and role players who aren't receiving heavy minutes, stepping in and joining open runs with them.

When the Warriors, led by their bench and two teenage rookies, nearly erased a 29-point deficit on the road against the Dallas Mavericks in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals, that work with Barbosa was on display. Rookie Moses Moody hit two huge 3-pointers, recorded two steals and had four deflections in the fourth quarter alone.

That's the kind of impact that Barbosa had as a player for the Warriors, a non-stop reliable spark off the bench. Now, he's having that same kind of impact as a coach.

"Gigantic," Moody said after that loss, when asked how big Barbosa has been for his development. "He's been in the game, I can take a lot from him, how fast, how he plays downhill and he attacks angles, transition defense, on-ball defense. So that's just the mental things I can pick his brain and talk to him about.

"But even more than that, he's out there playing with us in pick-up and -- on the pick-up, usually when you're not in the rotation playing, then you play in a lot of pick-up, 3-on-3, 5-on-5 on the off days, and that's where I've been for most of the year. So he's been great, being able to compete in times like that."

Looney even believes the 39-year-old Barbosa still could produce in the NBA today, and he's probably not wrong by any stretch of the imagination.

"LB, he's even been playing a lot, being on scout team," Looney said. "He could probably still go out there and get some buckets if we needed them. Having guys like that with that much experience, a wealth of knowledge that you can go ask, talk to whenever you want, has been great for us and great for our young guys."

After the Warriors finished off the Mavs at Chase Center, there Livingston was again, front and center around two major trophies. Only this time, he had a suit on instead of a jersey. Smiles shined of all ages. He announced the Warriors as Western Conference champions and handed off the trophy to Green, before making way for the first-ever Magic Johnson Western Conference finals MVP award being presented to Curry.

As the playoffs have ramped up, all three of Livingston, Barbosa and Pachulia have been there every step of the way. They've worn rings as Dubs before, and are ready to make room for more hardware on the mantle.

It's just another example of the Warriors' championship DNA seeping through the walls here in the Bay Area.

Amid soaring gas prices nationwide, the average price of a gallon of gas soared to $6.30 in Merced County on Monday — roughly 58 cents higher than it was May 11, according to the American Automobile Association.

At local pumps, like Chevron on Glen Avenue in Merced, some drivers are astounded at the exorbitant prices they’re paying for regular gas.

“I paid $4.50 in Washington, D.C.,” said a tourist, Charlie Munson, who said he is on a road trip through California. “It’s making my travels through the national parks very expensive.”

The pinch on drivers isn’t unique to Merced County, as fuel prices continue to climb nationwide. Still, the price is even worse in other parts of the state, with the average price climbing to $7.04 a gallon in Mono County, according to AAA.

There have also been cases where a gallon of gas has hit $7 in the San Francisco Bay Area, according to the San Jose Mercury News.

The average price for a gallon of gas in California was $6.34 on Monday, just slightly above Merced County’s average price at the pump, which ranges from $5.89 to $6.69 at the pump.

For those Merced County drivers who aren’t quite ready to fork over more than $6 a gallon, there are still a few stations where prices are on the lower side, according to the fuel insights tracker GasBuddy.com.

Kwik Serv in Livingston, located on Davis Street, sells gas for $5.78 a gallon, according to GasBuddy.com, while another Livingston gas station, Quik Stop, lists the price of gas as $5.79 a gallon.

The 76 station in Delhi had gas at $5.79 a gallon on Monday. At the 5 Star Travel Plaza in Delhi, drivers can fuel up for $5.95 a gallon.

In Merced, the three cheapest stations to fill up the tank are Arco on E. Childs Avenue ($5.89 a gallon), Adel’s Mini Mart ($5.89 a gallon), and Sinclair on V Street ($5.97).

In Atwater, the few stations to sell gasoline for under $6 a gallon are Brothers Royal Crown Mini Mart ($5.89), Arco on Bell Street ($5.91) and Arco on N. Buhach Road ($5.91).

On the national front, the average cost was $4.86 a gallon on Monday, compared to $4.37 a gallon on May 10.

The steadily-climbing prices can be attributed to oil barrel prices doubling from their price last August, settling at $120 a barrel as of Monday, according to AAA. The organization says oil demand continues to outpace a tight supply worldwide.

“People are still fueling up, despite these high prices,” said Andrew Gross, a AAA spokesperson, in a news release. “At some point, drivers may change their daily driving habits or lifestyle due to these high prices, but we are not there yet.”

Interestingly, demand for domestic gasoline increased last week after folks traveled for Memorial Day weekend, causing the national average for a gallon of gas to hit $4.86, a 25-cent increase in the last week, according to AAA.

New data released from the Energy Information Administration shows that total domestic gasoline stocks decreased 700,000 barrels of crude oil, bringing the total amount to 219 million barrels of crude oil last week.

However, demand for gasoline grew from 8.8 million barrels of oil a day to 8.89 million, driven in large part by Memorial Day weekend travel.

While gas prices have been over $5 a gallon in Merced County for a number of months, the rest of the country still hasn’t seen gas prices hit levels seen in California. But that could change soon, according to analysts with GasBuddy.

“After a blistering week of gas prices jumping in every town, city, state and area possible, more bad news is on the horizon,” said Patrick de Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, in a news release. “It now appears not if, but when, we’ll hit that psychologically critical $5 national average.”

This story was originally published June 6, 2022 5:16 PM.

MatrixPoint will direct strategic media consulting, including digital marketing and analytics.

IRVINE, Calif., June 21, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- MatrixPoint Consulting, a data-centric consulting firm specializing in marketing and media strategy, has been selected as the media firm for YBell Fitness, the inventor of the world's premier 4-in-1 fitness equipment solution, the YBell®, a patented combination of a dumbbell, kettlebell, dual-grip med ball, and push-up stand in a single versatile unit.

MatrixPoint will provide strategy, digital marketing, and analytics to promote YBell Fitness' brand, innovative products, and product launches to fitness industry businesses, consumers, and fitness enthusiasts of all ages, showcasing the company's collection of compact and portable all-in-one fitness equipment designed for effective workouts, anytime, anywhere.

YBell Fitness equipment originated as a group exercise training tool at Bondi Beach in Australia and has expanded to more than 55 countries. Winning multiple awards from top national men's and women's health magazines, the YBell was designed to make fitness easier and more accessible for every body.

"We are excited to partner with YBell Fitness to support the brand's vision and innovate new strategies and technologies to drive the business forward," said Eran Goren, MatrixPoint founder and managing partner. "YBell Fitness is one of the most innovative developments across the fitness industry recently and is a gamechanger for conventional training equipment."

Adds Mark Livingston, YBell's Vice President, Worldwide Sales & Marketing, "MatrixPoint is the right partner for us to drive growth and expansion in a complex and changing business, consumer, and media marketplace. We wanted a creative firm that could match our innovation through their team of experts and advanced data tools and technology, which made them the obvious choice.''

The YBell Fitness business will be managed from the MatrixPoint offices in Irvine, CA.

About MatrixPoint

MatrixPoint Consulting is a data-centric consulting firm that specializes in marketing and media strategy, data privacy compliance, and analytics. MatrixPoint improves companies' business processes, relationships with customers, and ultimately, bottom lines.

About YBell Fitness

YBell Fitness provides handheld 4-in-1 exercise products, education programs, and content that allow users to perform more functional exercises, with less equipment, more economically. The YBell replaces the need for several pieces of equipment with one multi-purpose tool that does it all. Easy to use, the YBell is accessible for everyone from elite sporting teams and trainers to home exercisers. Education and programming include online introductory workshops, coaching courses, and master trainer certifications, with exercise content available online and via the YBell App. With global HQ in Sydney, Australia; and offices in Beverly Hills, California; and Eindhoven, The Netherlands, the company sells its award-winning design, patented, and patent-pending products direct-to-consumer and via international distributors in over 55 countries, U.S. dealers, and regional retailers. YBell® is a registered trademark of YBell Group Pty Limited in the United States and other countries.

Media Contact

SOURCE MatrixPoint

Oakland—The Labor Commissioner’s Office has cited three temporary staffing agencies (Viking Staffing CA LLC, Human Bees Inc. and Marcos Renteria Ag Services Inc.), as well as joint employers Foster Farms, LLC and Foster Poultry Farms (“Foster Farms”), for nearly $3.8 million for their failure to inform 3,476 temporary workers of their available COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave.

“Workers should not have to worry about financial hardship if they need to take care of themselves or a family member who is COVID positive,” said Labor Commissioner Lilia García-Brower. “That’s what supplemental paid sick leave is for – it keeps sick workers at home and protects against the spread of COVID-19.”

The Labor Commissioner’s Office in 2020 opened an investigation into Foster Poultry Farms, a processing plant in Livingston, after COVID-19 outbreaks were reported at the worksite. The investigation included an audit of payroll records, which determined that the temporary staffing agencies named above hired staff to fill in for permanent workers affected by COVID-19 outbreaks at the processing plant, but failed to inform the temporary staff of their rights to supplemental paid sick leave. The Labor Commissioner’s Office found the temporary staffing agencies, Foster Farms, LLC and Foster Poultry Farms jointly liable for these violations.

“Employers who contract with staffing agencies have a joint responsibility to protect the health of their workers. Employers are obligated to ensure that employees are made aware of sick leave benefits intended to protect workers, their families and the public from the spread of COVID-19,” added Labor Commissioner García-Brower.

The 3,476 temporary workers are owed a total of $3,783,800 in penalties. Human Bees, Inc. owes its 1,987 temporary workers $940,050; Viking Staffing CA, LLC owes its 341 temporary workers $377,850; and Marcos Renteria Ag Services Inc. owes its 1,148 temporary workers $2,465,900.

The 2022 supplemental paid sick leave law went into effect on February 19, 2022 and is retroactive to January 1, 2022. It provides covered employees up to 80 hours of COVID-19 related paid leave, with up to 40 of those hours for isolation and quarantine, receiving vaccines and caring for a child whose school or place of care is closed, and up to an additional 40 of those hours available only when an employee or family member for whom the employee provides care tests positive for COVID-19.

Workers whose employers have refused to provide paid sick leave or COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave as required by law can file a wage claim or report the labor law violation online, or can call the Labor Commissioner’s Office at 833-LCO-INFO (833-526-4636) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Department of Industrial Relations’ Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (California Labor Commissioner’s Office) combats wage theft and unfair competition by investigating allegations of illegal and unfair business practices.

The Labor Commissioner’s Office in 2020 launched an interdisciplinary outreach campaign, “Reaching Every Californian.” The campaign amplifies basic protections and builds pathways to impacted populations so that workers and employers understand legal protections and obligations, and the Labor Commissioner’s enforcement procedures. Californians can follow the Labor Commissioner on Facebook and Twitter.

Contact: Communications@dir.ca.gov, (510) 286-1161

The California Department of Industrial Relations, established in 1927, protects and improves the health, safety, and economic well-being of over 18 million wage earners, and helps their employers comply with state labor laws. DIR is housed within the Labor & Workforce Development Agency