Get active and happy this summer.

Chicago, IL (June 27, 2015) - The presentation and signing of the acclaimed book

Así Somos | Who We Are, hosted by the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture and the Chicago Chapter of the National Conference of Puerto Rican Women was a reaffirmation that our core values, namely our "Puerto Ricaness" transcends life styles and changing times.

A capacity audience came to hear author and educator Ada Nivia López, share specific occurrences that gave rise to her concept and the need to publish Así Somos | Who We Are; a unique collection of photographic essays with bilingual narratives designed by master artist Antonio Martorell, highlighting the diversity and cultural richness of the Puerto Rican people on the island and its diaspora. 50 copies of the book were signed by the author and photographer in theprincipal gallery of the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture. Deborah López served as MC and Alejandro Molina, Secretary of the Board of Directors of the PRCC, introduced Ada, speaking of her family's legacy of struggle in our community's history, and more specifically of Ada's postive role throughout the struggles we have faced.

Born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico and raised in Chicago, Ada gave a heartfelt presentation.  Many thanked her for giving us a book that illuminates the heart and soul of the Puerto Rican people and for having included Puerto Ricans in Hawaii. The images taken by award winning photographer Mark Joseph evoke deep feelings connecting the reader with Puerto Rican core values including hospitality, compassion, generosity, joy and resilience.  Based on the expression of guests who represented multi-generations and ethnicities, Así Somos | Who We Are begins to bridge the gap between the ages, the eras and across the diaspora.  

More information:  www.asisomoswhoweare.com

CHICAGO, IL June 24, 2015 - Fun times, fun friends, fun bikes and fun beers!  If dressing freaky, riding bikes, listening to bands and drinking beer are things you like, then don't miss the most FUN fundraiser around ... Tour de Fat is coming back to Chicago and is better than ever this year!  New Belgium Brewing, maker of Fat Tire Amber Ale and other award-winning beers, is bringing the 16th annual Tour de Fat to Chicago on Saturday, July 11, in Palmer Square.  Bring a smile and your best costume, because we're about to have a good time!

Gather up your friends, family and neighbors to join us and enjoy eclectic entertainment and stellar beer to help raise funds for local Chicago bicycle nonprofits. The daylong festivities are free, with all proceeds from beer and merchandise sales, along with parade donations, going towards making Chicago a better place to ride a bike.  Despite last year's torrential rain and storms, over 5,000 people came to the festival and raised more than $32,000 benefitting West Town Bikes. 

Tour de Fat will be kicking off the daylong festivities with a giant bicycle parade in celebration of the power of the bike, encouraging everyone to embrace their inner-cyclist while riding through the city streets as a rolling carnival of creativity.  This bike route is designed for people of all skills levels, and everyone is welcome and colorful costumes are encouraged.  After the group ride, the stages will heat up with world-class acts, transforming the Palmer Square festival grounds into a celebration unlike any other!  The festival also features a celebration of the inspirational car-for-bike swapper series in which brave souls hand over their car keys as a commitment to commute by bike.

"Tour de Fat is a celebration of arguable man's greatest creations: beer, and the bike.  Put those two things together, sprinkle in some costumes, live music, eclectic entertainment, and folks wanting to improve their local community - you've got the makings for a great time.  And for a great cause, helping West Town Bikes have an immediate impact of bike advocacy efforts with youth education in underserved populations right here in Chicago," said John Clarke, New Belgium Beer's Field Brander and 'Great Lakes Gadabout'.

Adults and kids alike can ride funky bikes, eat delicious fare, relax in the grass, and participate in games and activities such as a "Thousand Person Dance Contest", which will determine the winner of a 2015 New Belgium Cruiser Bike.  Everyone 21 and older can sample new and classic favorites from New Belgium, including the brewery's flagship brew, Fat Tire, this summer's seasonal, Snapshot, and selections from the acclaimed Lips of Faith series.  Lips Lounge tappings this year will include La Folie, Hop Tart, Pear Ginger Beer and Carnie's Blood.

Follow Tour de Fat's Windy City adventure here: http://www.newbelgium.com/events/tour-de-fat/chicago.aspx

One of only 6 hospitals in the U.S. honored with prestigious award

CHICAGO - Norwegian American Hospital has been awarded a 2015 Gage Award honorable mention for Transformation of Perinatal Quality in an Essential Hospital.America's Essential Hospitals, a national organization representing hospitals committed to high-quality care for all people, including the vulnerable, announced this honor at its annual conference, June 24 to 26, in San Diego.

"We're very proud and honored to be recognized nationally for the work we've done to improve the care of some of our most vulnerable patients," said José R. Sánchez, president and CEO, Norwegian American Hospital. "Our clinical staff is dedicated to providing safe and appropriate service delivery that is central to a high quality perinatal program. It's a team effort all around."

Transformation of Perinatal Quality in an Essential Hospital was an NAH initiative that dramatically improved perinatal quality, reducing fetal deaths from 11 to 6 and neonatal deaths from 4 to 3 over the course of the intervention. The hysterectomy rate in hemorrhage patients fell, rates of vaginal births after a cesarean section improved, and early elective deliveries before 39 weeks declined, among other achievements.

"Norwegian American Hospital is continuously working to improve, driven by our high standards and our commitment to serve the people of the Chicago communities we serve. The Gage Award represents national recognition of this work," said Norwegian American Hospital Chief Medical Officer Dr. Abha Agrawal. "It is recognition of our team's relentless, rigorous approach to improving patient care, in a manner that directly benefits our patients."

The NAPH Gage Awards Program - named after NAPH founder and safety net advocate Larry S. Gage - honors and shares the outstanding work of NAPH members. Winners are recognized for innovations that improve community health and save money and that can be replicated in organizations across the country.