Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group Celebrates the Festive Season Around the Globe

From cities adorned with Christmas lights to beach resorts with glistening waters, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group unveils a variety of holiday escapes and festive offerings at its properties worldwide. This year, Mandarin Oriental will play its part in making each holiday moment a memorable one with activities such as elegant festive dining with loved ones, beautiful in-room holiday decor and magical holiday shopping experiences in some of the greatest cities in the world.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group Celebrates the Festive Season Around the Globe

A sampling of this year’s global seasonal offerings can be found below, together with  an overview of additional Mandarin Oriental festive experiences, all of which can be booked online at www.mandarinoriental.com.

ASIA PACIFIC

Mandarin Oriental, Taipei — Although it may seem an unexpected holiday destination, Taipei’s cultural Christmas markets and celebratory firework shows have made this a hot spot for Christmas globetrotters. Mandarin Oriental, Taipei has created a package centered around these indulgences by offering:

• Classic Christmas treats including traditional Stollen, Christmas Wreath, and a luxurious Christmas hamper at the Mandarin Cake Shop; a “Winter Wonderland” Christmas-themed afternoon tea at The Jade Lounge, with a portion of proceeds donated to a remote Taiwanese aboriginal school
• The perfect pampering for two with the Spa Indulgence Room Package which includes two 60-minute “Oriental Fusion” treatments and a special “me time” Essentials Gift Set
• Price: From 13,500 TWD; more information can be found here

Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo – Ring in the new year with an appetite, as Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo has prepared a proper feast for its guests this holiday season:

• A specialty Toshikoshi Soba available via in-room dining and traditionally eaten at midnight as well as a celebratory Japanese Osechi breakfast served in the privacy of each guest’s own room, as well as a buffet breakfast for up to two guests on December 31, 2019
• Price: From 186,999 JPY; more information can be found here

EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST, AND AFRICA

Mandarin Oriental, Milan — The most magical time to visit Milan is when the Galleria is full of lights, and travellers can feast their eyes on the commanding Swarovski Crystal Christmas Tree. To extend the celebration, Mandarin Oriental, Milan offers:

• A scrumptious breakfast for two served daily in-room or in the warm setting of Mandarin Bar & Bistrot
• Courtesy access to Van Cleef & Arpels’ unique exhibition Van Cleef & Arpels: Time, Nature, Love accompanied by an expert guide, which showcases a collection of more than 400 pieces of some of the Maison’s most unique and beautiful creations
• Price: From 670 EUR; more information can be found here

Mandarin Oriental, Paris — Spending the holiday season in Paris is perfect for decadent treats, bubbling champagne, and shopping bags aplenty. Mandarin Oriental, Paris offers it all with a package made specifically for those seeking their own Parisian holiday experience:

• In collaboration with Galeries Lafayette Champs-Élysées, the department store’s new concept store, the package offers guests a VIP shopping experience in the ‘Speakeasy’ at the Galeries Lafayette Champs Elysées with Champagne and French chocolates, topped off with a beauty or wine experience in-store
• To round out the shopping experience, guests are invited to redeem a credit at The Spa
• Price: From 1,125 EUR; more information can be found here

AMERICAS

Mandarin Oriental, Canouan – Canouan Island, also known as the “Island of Tortoises,” offers natural beauty, unspoiled beaches, tranquil seas and gentle breezes — in other words, a perfect escape to unwind for the holidays. To honor the festive season, Mandarin Oriental, Canouan offers a variety of unique on-property happenings centered around the holidays:

• In partnership with Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary, guests can witness the release of the critically endangered Hawksbill turtles into the sea, a holiday tradition for the property
• Looking out over the warm, turquoise waters of Carenage Bay, guests can enjoy a  Canouan Tropical Wonderland complete with events such as guest chef-prepared dinners, sunset cruises, sailing, star-gazing, and a glamorous New Year’s Eve gala dinner to ring in 2020
• For those looking to enhance their wellness regimen, visiting Crystal Sound Healer Khun Noom will host daily introductory sessions to yoga and massage. Keeping with the holistic approach of The Spa, Kuhn Noom can help alleviate many conditions, ranging from colon-cleansing to mindfulness development
• Price: From $3,400 USD; more information can be found here.

Mandarin Oriental, New York — New York City embodies the holiday spirit with prominent window decorations and the larger-than-life Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center. After running around from various attractions all day long, enjoy a bit of relaxation at Mandarin Oriental, New York with the following holiday offer:

• A Central Park-facing suite filled with holiday decor including an impressively decorated Christmas tree. Guests can also enjoy treats such as hot chocolate with Grand Marnier, sugar cookies, candy canes, cake lollipops, a gingerbread house and Stollen Cake, all available in-room
• Price From $2,125 USD; more information can be found here.

All rates quoted are subject to availability, service charge and relevant local tax. For further information and reservations, please visit: www.mandarinoriental.com.

A Decade of Care: Hanes Launches 10th National Sock Drive to Help the Homeless; Tops 3 Million Donated Pairs

America’s No. 1 basic apparel brand marks 10 years of bringing comfort to those living without shelter by donating more than 250,000 pairs of socks to agencies fighting homelessness in all 50 states

Hanes will also donate a pair of socks for every order placed in December on the brand’s e-commerce site, Hanes.com

Small gifts often have the most meaning.

For the millions of people living homeless, a clean pair of socks is often described as “the gift of humanity.” Hanes, America’s No. 1 basic apparel, underwear and sock brand, is partnering with organizations fighting homelessness nationwide to deliver comfort to those who need it most through the Hanes National Sock Drive. The Hanes National Sock Drive is part of Hanes for Good, the corporate responsibility program of Hanes’ parent company, HanesBrands. Hanes, America’s No. 1 apparel brand, is a leading brand of intimate apparel, underwear, sleepwear, socks and casual apparel. Hanes products can be found at leading retailers nationwide and online direct to consumers at www.Hanes.com.

This year, the brand is marking 10 years of helping provide care and compassion during this year’s drive by:

• Donating more than 250,000 pairs of socks directly to organizations fighting homelessness in all 50 states, along with Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Since the program’s inception in 2009, Hanes has provided more than 3 million pairs of socks – one of the most requested items by relief agencies – to help the homeless.
• Giving an additional pair of socks for every order of any apparel placed in December on Hanes.com. Socks will be provided to local homeless shelters.
• Partnering with Rainier Fruit Company for its second “Pears for Pairs” campaign, which is currently running in United Supermarkets, Harris Teeter, Wegmans, and Lunds & Byerlys stores. From late September through January, Rainier is donating a portion of the proceeds from bulk and bagged pear sales to theHanes National Sock Drive. In 2018, the Pears for Pairs campaign resulted in 20,000 pairs of socks being donated to five nonprofits.
• Offering consumers the opportunity to participate directly in the program by visiting www.hanes.com/donate to gift socks ($1), women’s underwear ($1), men’s underwear ($1.50) and bras ($6) that will be distributed in needed styles and sizes.
• Continuing its 10-year collaboration with Invisible People and its founder, Mark Horvath, to help raise awareness about homelessness. Invisible People uses innovative storytelling, educational resources and advocacy to help change how the public views homelessness and those living homeless in the United States and abroad.

“Most of us take basic apparel for granted, but we know a new, clean pair of socks can mean a lot to those experiencing homelessness,” said Sidney Falken, chief branding officer, HanesBrands. “We are committed to bringing a little comfort to those who need it most – and it is incredibly gratifying to have others, including many individuals across the country, join us in this effort.”

More than 100 agencies, including The Salvation Army Bell Shelter (Bell, California), Homeward Bound (Asheville, North Carolina) and Compassion Outreach Ministries (Columbus, Ohio), have received sock donations from Hanes.

America’s No. 1 basic apparel brand is marking 10 years of the Hanes National Sock Drive and its partnership with Invisible People and its founder, Mark Horvath, bringing comfort to those who need it most and raising awareness about homelessness. Photographed by Jennifer Leahy Photography. (Photo: Business Wire)

The CDC and HIV.gov Outlines New Information in the Battle to Fight AIDS/HIV in The United States

World AIDS Day 2019 #WAD2019

“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to end the HIV epidemic in the United States. Now is the time.“

World AIDS Day was first observed in 1988. Each year, on December 1, organizations and individuals across the world work to bring attention to the continuing HIV epidemic, endeavoring to increase HIV awareness and knowledge, speak out against HIV stigma, and call for an increased response to move toward Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America.

HIV in America

Collective efforts over many years at the local, state, and federal levels have successfully increased the proportion of people living with HIV who know their status and who are in care and receiving HIV treatment. In addition, our collective efforts have reduced new HIV infections to the lowest level ever. But, progress is slowing and new threats to our continued progress have emerged.

According to the latest available data, in 2017, 38,739 people received an HIV diagnosis in the United States. [1] That annual number of new diagnoses has remained essentially stable since 2013. Further, approximately 15% (or 1 in 7) of the estimated 1.1 million people with HIV in the U.S. don’t know they have it. These data make clear that not all people who need them are benefitting from the proven HIV prevention and treatment tools currently available. Specifically, certain populations and geographic areas continue to bear a disproportionate burden of HIV disease, requiring us to sharpen the focus of our collective prevention efforts on:

• Gay and bisexual men who are the population most affected by HIV in all regions of the country. In 2017, gay and bisexual men accounted for 66% ( 25,748) of all HIV diagnoses and 82% of diagnoses among males. [2]
• African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos who are disproportionately affected by HIV. African Americans account for only 13% of the population, but 43 % of HIV diagnoses in 2017. [3] Hispanics/Latinos account for only 18% of the population, but 26% of HIV diagnoses in 2017.
• Southern states accounted for 52% of the 38,739 new HIV diagnoses in 2017. Southern states account for just 38% of the U.S. population, so HIV diagnoses are not evenly distributed regionally in the United States. Further, in the South the impact of HIV is greater than in any other region. The latest data tells us that 51% of annual HIV infections, 46% of persons with HIV, and 51% of undiagnosed HIV infections were found in the South.

Knowledge of HIV status is the entry point to linkage to receiving effective care and treatment for those who test positive, helping them to stay healthy and prevent new HIV infections. A person with HIV who takes HIV medicine daily as prescribed and gets and stays virally suppressed [having very low levels of HIV present in the body, known as a low viral load] can stay healthy and has effectively no risk of sexually transmitting HIV to HIV-negative partners.

Despite these outstanding benefits of HIV treatment, the latest data tells us that among all adults and adolescents with HIV in the U.S., only: [4]

• 63% received some HIV medical care,
• 49% were retained in continuous HIV care, and
• 51% had achieved viral suppression (having a very low level of the virus as a result of treatment). [5]

Knowledge of HIV status is also an entry point to prevention services for those who test negative. Today’s highly effective HIV prevention tools include pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP, a daily pill which reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by more than 90%. However, fewer than 10% of Americans who could benefit from PrEP have been prescribed it.

Met Receives Major Gift of Late 19th-Century American Decorative Arts and Paintings from Barrie and Deedee Wigmore for Museum’s 150th Anniversary

Nearly 50 Highlights on View Beginning December 2

Barrie A. and Deedee Wigmore have promised 88 superlative examples of American Aesthetic Movement and Gilded Age decorative arts and contemporaneous paintings from their collection—one of the preeminent holdings of late 19th-century American art in private hands—to The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The gift is part of The Met’s 2020 Collections Initiative celebrating the Museum’s 150th anniversary.

“In the Aesthetic Movement, art infused every aspect of one’s home, and the incredible range of objects in this exceptional gift will enable The Met to evoke such an interior,” said Max Hollein, Director of the Museum. “This gift also has particular resonance in The Met’s 150th anniversary year, as the objects represent prime examples of American decorative arts and paintings that were created around the time The Met was formed. We are deeply grateful to Trustee Barrie Wigmore and his wife, Deedee, for their remarkable generosity.”

“These works represent a truly transformative gift that will considerably enhance our strong collection by adding to areas of preexisting strength and building upon new areas of interest. The Wigmores have been collecting for the past four decades with extraordinary discernment and intelligence, and the items that will be coming to The Met are true masterworks in all media,” added Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen, the Museum’s Anthony W. and Lulu C. Wang Curator of American Decorative Arts.

Sanford Robinson Gifford (1823–1880). An Indian Summer Day on Claverack Creek, 1877–79. Oil on canvas. Promised Gift of Barrie A. and Deedee Wigmore, in celebration of the Museum’s 150th anniversary