Kohl's Hosts 3rd Annual Back to School Shop&Recycle Event, sponsored by American Textile Recycling Service

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PHOENIX, AZ (PRWEB) AUGUST 21, 2015 As Back to School shopping season continues with tax free weekends, promotions and big discounts nationwide, the Val Vista location of Kohl’s has pledged a greener shopping experience for customers as they scoop up the latest trends and fall fashions. Kohl’s at Val Vista has joined the annual Shop&Recycle Campaign, sponsored by American Textile Recycling Service (ATRS), to provide easy, convenient drop off destinations for gently used, out of season, unwanted clothing, shoes and team wear while shopping for new gear. Shoppers at Kohl’s were encouraged to bring backpacks and other clothing donations to support children in residence at the Weldon House in Phoenix. Approximately 1000 shoppers stopped by to show support during a two-day clothing donation drive and to learn more about the partnership between ATRS, Kohl’s and the Weldon House. Over 500 lbs. of recyclables were donated by attendees and many gently used backpacks were collected for Back To School. Every pound of donations collected at Kohl’s was weighed and sorted by ATRS in its Phoenix facility and raised much-needed funds for the Weldon House. All the donated backpacks were given directly to children at Weldon House to help them prepare for their 2015 school year. “Several Weldon House mothers were on site throughout the two-day event and that’s what makes this promotion so special, says Debra Buckner, lead ATRS employee and longtime Phoenix resident. “Shoppers get to meet the women and children that benefit directly from their donations and really see beyond the bin. We are so proud of all the good we can do with help from our communities.” Sponsored by American Textile Recycling Service (ATRS), the annual campaign to Shop&Recycle aims to educate shoppers about the importance of recycling during one of the highest spending seasons of the year and shop sustainably in the communities where we all live, work, shop and play. Kohl’s ran a nationwide campaign for all shoppers who spent $50 or more in store were awarded $10 in Kohl’s Cash, this promotion in conjunction with the sustainability initiative of ATRS Recycling created an atmosphere of sustainability, social responsibility and savings for Shop&Recycle 2015. The Weldon House also received a $500 donation directly from the Kohl’s store to assist with their mission to to help women who faced barriers in leaving abusive relationships, sustaining recovery from drug addiction and alcoholism, obtaining adequate housing, and finding jobs that provided a livable wage. To learn more about the items accepted in ATRS Clothing & Shoe Recycling bins or find a drop off location near you to support the Weldon House, please visit the ATRS website or call the 24-Hr Hotline 866-900-9308. American Textile Recycling Service (ATRS) is the nation’s fastest growing textile recycler and a leading member of the S.M.A.R.T. Association. Its socially responsible business model provides free textile recycling solutions for the public, job stimulation worldwide and much-needed funding for worthy local charities. Easy, convenient ATRS Recyclers are available throughout Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe and Tucson AZ, Michigan, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Houston, Galveston and Beaumont TX, Nashville, Florida, Tennessee, Atlanta, Oklahoma, Colorado and Southern California. For media inquires contact pr (at) atrsonline (dot)com.

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Phoenix Ranks 8th Among 10 Top Food Trucks (Per Person) Cities in the US

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Orlando remains top city with the highest number of food trucks per person over San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York. Los Angeles continues its reign as top food truck destination. WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA (PRWEB) AUGUST 19, 2015 Roaming Hunger, the service that makes it easy to book the best food trucks for any event nationwide utilizing its network of more than 7,300 gourmet food trucks and food carts, released its annual list of the top food truck cities. This year, Orlando holds the top spot as the city with the highest number of food trucks per person at 47.06 trucks per capita, which includes The Traveling Gourmet and Wako Taco. Outside of Orlando, people located in areas such as Miami; Ashville; Washington, DC; Minneapolis; and Charleston have more food truck catering options and a better chance of not having to wait in long lines. These cities, many of which have fewer than a million residents, are becoming prime destinations for food trucks mainly due to a vibrant food truck culture, receptiveness to food trucks as a catering option and reasonable street service regulations. The top ten cities with the highest number of food trucks per capita are as follows:** ● Orlando, FL (47.06) ● Miami, FL (42.82) ● Asheville, NC (41.38) ● Durham, NC (39.18) ● Hamilton, OH (35.48) ● Charleston, SC (34.375) ● Washington, D.C. (29.89) ● Kauai, HI (28.57) ● Salt Lake City, UT (27.75) ● Atlanta, GA (27.68) Alongside cities with the most food trucks, the data also showed that Los Angeles is once again the city with the most gourmet food trucks. With more than 373 food trucks including from Coolhaus, The Grilled Cheese Truck and Kogi BBQ, Los Angeles continues to be the go-to place for food trucks of all kinds. While additional major metropolitan areas were also on the list, there were some significant appearances on the list by cities with smaller populations. Locations like Seattle, San Francisco and Denver are quickly increasing the number of food trucks in their respective areas. The top ten cities with the most food trucks are as follows:** ● Los Angeles, CA (373) ● Washington, DC (197) ● San Francisco, CA (184) ● Houston, TX (183) ● Miami, FL (179) ● Seattle, WA (173) ● Denver, CO (164) ● Phoenix, AZ (145) ● New York, NY (138) ● Dallas, TX (131) “Whether it’s locating a truck to grab lunch from or finding a truck to cater at an event, there’s an increasingly high demand for food trucks nationwide,” said Resnick. “This is an industry that’s bringing in over a billion dollars and there are still some aspects that are relatively untapped, including the off-premise catering, which is a $150B market opportunity. Money is not only being made from street services, but catering opportunities is really where it’s at for food trucks. It’s a great time for foodies and food trucks!” **This list was comprised by pulling the current number of food trucks within Roaming Hunger’s network, but does not include mobile or stationary carts. About Roaming Hunger Roaming Hunger is a service that makes it super easy to book the best food trucks for any event across the country. We are here to help vendors connect to eaters and vice versa. Whether it’s a company party, a birthday or even a wedding, we make food truck catering and booking simple. We also have an app that connects foodies with food trucks, providing real-time tracking for more than 7,300 popular food trucks, mobile trailers and carts across the country. Located in West Hollywood, CA, Roaming Hunger is also the go-to source for hyper-local marketing campaigns and promotions. We have executed campaigns for popular brands, including Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, DreamWorks, StubHub, NBC, Capital One, Spike TV, Salesforce, Ben & Jerry’s, Panda Express, Saks Fifth Ave, Heineken, and musical artist Kelis.

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Councilman Jim Waring Hosts a Coffee Chat with Congressman David Schweikert

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Aug. 19, 2015 Councilman Jim Waring will host Congressman David Schweikert at a community coffee chat at 10 a.m., Aug. 24, at Paradise Valley Community Center, 17402 N. 40th St. The coffee chat is an opportunity for residents to meet Councilman Waring and Congressman Schweikert, ask questions and share ideas. Free coffee will be served. The chat will be in rooms D1 and D2. More information is available by contacting the District 2 office by phone at 602-262-7445 or by e-mail at council.district.2@phoenix.gov. General Contact: District 2 Council Office Phone Number: 602-262-7445

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Community Members Are Invited to Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Phoenix Arts and Culture Commission

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Aug. 18, 2015 ​The city of Phoenix will mark the 30th anniversary of the Phoenix Arts and Culture Commission with a celebration of the arts in downtown Phoenix on Oct. 3. The PHX Arts and Culture @ 30 Years Celebration, will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Phoenix Convention Center, Herberger Theater and on Monroe Street between Second and Third Streets in downtown Phoenix. The multi-site event will feature music, dance and theater performances, talks and art making demonstrations. “The arts are the living heartbeat of Phoenix, and it’s been incredible to watch and help this community grow since the creation of the Phoenix Arts and Culture Commission 30 years ago.” Mayor Greg Stanton said. “That is why we tripled funding for the Commission when I took office – creating a strong economy and a vibrant arts community go hand in hand.” In addition to the contributions of the nearly 100 arts and culture organizations, the celebration will also feature downtown public art tours, food trucks and activities for people of all ages. Nominees for the fourth annual Mayor’s Arts Awards will be announced from the main stage. PHX Arts and Culture @ 30 Years is sponsored by the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture, the Arizona Commission on the Arts, Reimagine Phoenix, City of Phoenix Water Services Department, Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, and the Phoenix Convention Center and Venues. The Phoenix Arts and Culture Commission was established in 1985 by the mayor and city council to “protect, enhance, serve, and advocate excellence in the arts for the people of Phoenix in their City.” Over the past 30 years Phoenix has experienced an exciting proliferation of arts and culture activity. The Phoenix Public Art Program has collaborated with artists and designers to create more than 180 major public art projects throughout the city. The expansion and creation of cultural facilities, such as the Phoenix Art Museum, Children’s Museum of Phoenix, Arizona Science Center, Phoenix Theatre, Ballet Arizona, Arizona Opera and Black Theatre Troupe, have dramatically changed the cultural landscape of Phoenix. A 30-year investment in a community grants program has nurtured the development of non-profit arts and culture organizations, which now number over 160 within the Phoenix city limits, and supported delivery of cultural services to Phoenix residents in the form of community outreach and arts learning programming. The non-profit arts and culture sector has become a $300 million economic driver for the city of Phoenix. For more information on PHX Arts + Culture @ 30 Years Celebration and a full list of participants, please visit phoenix.gov/arts or call (602) 262-4637. Please follow the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram #PHXArts30. General Contact: Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture Phone Number: 602-262-4637

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How and Where To Vote And Find Results For 2015 Mayor and Council Election

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Aug. 18, 2015 ​Voting centers will open on Saturday, Aug. 22 for the 2015 Mayor and Council Election for the first of three days of on-site voting. Residents can vote in person at any of the 29 voting centers around the city on Saturday, Aug. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Monday, Aug. 24 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Election Day, Aug. 25, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Comprehensive election information, including voting center locations, is available online at phoenix.gov/elections and in the yellow Publicity Pamphlet sent to all registered voter households in late July. Residents that received early ballots must submit them to the City Clerk no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day, Aug. 25. Voted early ballots can be dropped off in person at any of the city’s voting centers or at the City Clerk Department, 200 W. Washington St., 15th floor, during normal business hours. Voters submitting ballots by mail should allow sufficient time for mail delivery by Election Day. The United States Postal Service recommends allowing 3 to 5 days for delivery of first class mail. Voters who wish to vote early in person rather than by mail, may cast an early ballot during business hours at Phoenix City Hall, 200 W. Washington St., 15th floor, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. any weekday through Friday, Aug. 21. Unofficial election results will be available online at phoenix.gov shortly after 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, at phoenix.gov, with one additional unofficial update by approximately 11 p.m. Residents also can get election results via social media on Twitter @PHXELECTIONS and by searching the #PHXElections hashtag. The 8 p.m. unofficial results are expected to include early ballots received by Friday, Aug. 21, and ballots cast at all voting center locations on Saturday, Aug. 22 and Monday, Aug. 24. The 11 p.m. update will include votes cast at voting center locations on Election Day, Tuesday, Aug. 25. The unofficial results will not include provisional ballots or early ballots received on Saturday, Aug. 22, Monday, Aug. 24 and Tuesday, Aug. 25. The next tabulation update will be on Friday, Aug. 28 and will include additional early ballots and provisional ballots. The results are canvassed at a formal City Council meeting between eight and 15 days after the election, at which time the results are adopted as official. For more information about the election, visit phoenix.gov/elections or call the City Clerk Department at 602-261-VOTE (8683) or use the 7-1-1 Relay Service.​​ Media Contact: Yvette Roeder Phone Number: 602-501-0620

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Resort Travel Highlights Fun Festivals in Arizona for the End of August

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LOS ANGELES (PRWEB) AUGUST 11, 2015 The American Southwest is saturated with phenomenal views, amazing rock formations, and fantastic weather that lasts year-round. August brings some more temperate weather and unique festivals to the area, and Resort Travel encourages everyone to try them out. 1. Mushroom Festival – The Arboretum at Flagstaff is hosting their annual Mushroom Foray August 21st and 22nd. Friday begins the fun with wild mushroom appetizers throughout an evening of mushroom experts, a slide show presentation, and special guests. Saturday morning gives mushroom lovers the opportunity to hike in the wonderfully wet weather to explore, discover, and learn more about the wild mushrooms in the area. The Arboretum is selling tickets for non-members and is located about 15 miles outside of Flagstaff which boasts a full calendar of events. 2. Prickly Pear Festival – August 22nd marks the 4th Annual Prickly Pear Festival, held in the mining community of Superior, Arizona; about an hour to the east of Phoenix. The day begins with an optional hike to Pinal City and a pancake breakfast, complete with prickly pear syrup. Lectures continue throughout the day discussing various aspects of the prickly pear, including processing, using them to make wine and champagne, the history of the pear, and hip vegetables. Food trucks will be on Main Street providing ample opportunities for lunch and vendors will open for shopping during the day. The evening provides entertainment, complete with drinks, dinner, and Zona Flamenca. With free admission and dinner costing only $25, this festival is one giant prickly pear party that cannot be missed! 3. Central Navajo Fair – Chinle, Arizona, approximately 3 hours from Flagstaff and 4 hours from Albuquerque, New Mexico, is hosting the 30th Annual Central Navajo Fair August 24th through 30th. Resort Travel notes that the week kicks off with a few pageant events at the local high school and by Thursday, visitors can experience a multi-age rodeo, carnival, and shopping. Saturday morning begins with a parade and a charity run. The food, vendors, and music make this an event for everyone. There is so much to do in the Southwest this August, and these three festivals are a great place to start. For more suggestions on events, securing the perfect accommodations, and this great area of Central Arizona, visit Resort Travel at http://resorttravel.club/.

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Hastings & Hastings Is Pleased to Promote the Second Annual Down Right Beautiful Fashion Show

In hopes of raising money for the Phoenix Children’s Hospital Down Syndrome Clinic, Diane Hastings, wife of David Hastings, co-hosted the second annual Down Right Beautiful Fashion Show. The event can only be described as a success bringing in $20,000 this year alone.

PHOENIX, Aug. 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Hosted at Phoenix’s Musical Instrument Museum (MIM), two hundred guests poured in to enjoy the candy land themed event. The venue involved a super fun photo booth, a silent auction, and Miss Arizona happily made an appearance. What’s more, Kohl’s provided the clothes that the models sported, and a silent auction followed. The lead singer of Train was far from reluctant to offer a free autographed guitar for the silent auction. Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150812/257934LOGO “We hope that every family who has a child with Down Syndrome will automatically think of the clinic when looking for resources to support the needs of their child,” said David Hastings. Indeed, the event will gain support as the years roll on. It was said that spirits were high at the second annual Down Right Beautiful Fashion Show. Models rocked the runway with smiles beaming from their bright faces. Everyone was in good cheer, bonding over their mutual commitment to helping individuals and their families struggling with Down Syndrome. No doubt a third annual Down Right Beautiful Fashion Show will take place next year, given that its predecessor raised $20,000 in a single day. Hastings & Hastings is a proud supporter of children with disabilities. Every year they donate generously to the Special Olympics. Their recent alliance with the Phoenix Children’s Hospital is just one more avenue of philanthropy they contribute to the valley. About Hastings & Hastings Hastings & Hastings is an Arizona consumer law firm. We are an experienced trial law firm that represents personal injury and wrongful death victims at a Discount Fee. Contact Information Kristy Guell (480) 706-1100 kristy.guell@hastingsandhastings.com http://hastingsandhastings.com SOURCE Hastings & Hastings RELATED LINKS http://www.hastingsandhastings.com

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Parker & Sons Extends Generous Scholarship to Student Athletes

PHOENIX, Aug. 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — In an effort to prove that character counts, Parker & Sons, the HVAC and plumbing provider of Arizona, offers a scholarship to student athletes who demonstrate character on and off the field. Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150811/257647LOGO What makes this scholarship so unique is that it assesses applicants not based on their earned run average, points per game, or number of home runs, but rather, the amount of points scored with themselves and the people they encounter, the amount of points accumulated for good character. Why is this important and why reward athletes for character? A just question. Maybe it’s because character counts. For instance, it has been the secret to Parker & Sons success ever since Grandpa Parker loaded up a van with a few pipes and s wrench, and more importantly, a can do attitude and a commitment to character. No doubt a vast majority of student athletes will benefit more from the lessons they learned about teamwork, commitment, and character, rather than how many home runs they poked over the fence. “The Character Counts Scholarship is our way of giving back to the community. Our commitment to character and service has played no small part in our company’s success. We hope to encourage young athletes to do the same in hopes that they reap the same benefits good character and integrity has brought us,” said Josh Kelly, partner at Parker & Sons. Parker & Sons did not embark on this interesting endeavor alone. The $10,000 character counts scholarship is offered with the support of Just Sports, 98.7, and of course, Parker & Sons. Everyone who is a student athlete should apply, especially since, everyone who submits an application will receive a $100 dollar gift card to Just Sports, an invitation to the award ceremony which will include free drinks and food, and four tickets to a sporting event. So all young athletes give yourself a break and realize that character indeed counts. Sometimes it’s not the leading scorer or ace pitcher that has the advantage. Sometimes character actually will take you a long way in life. About Parker and Sons Keeping You Comfortable With Expert Heating, Cooling & Plumbing Service Since 1974. Parker & Sons has been serving homeowners and businesses in Arizona for over 40 years and is recognized nationally. Contact Information Josh Kelly 602.273.7247 jkelly@parkerandsons.com http://parkerandsons.com SOURCE Parker & Sons RELATED LINKS http://www.parkerandsons.com

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Build a Box, Save a Family: MCLife Partners With Family Promise of Greater Phoenix

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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Aug. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Homelessness is a problem that is misunderstood and ignored by most. While the individuals lost on the streets seem to be the face of homelessness, you probably have never seen the majority of our homeless population. Where are they? Who are they? There are 4,300 homeless families in the Greater Phoenix Arizona. These families are living out of their cars, they are trying to maintain regular schedules for their children, and they are trying to keep it all together when they have nothing left. Family Promise of Greater Phoenix is a nonprofit organization that rescues 100 families a year through an intricate network of churches, volunteers and dedicated sponsors. Family Promise runs a 60-day program that aims to educate, support and help struggling families gain the tools and resources they need to thrive. Once registered into the program, participants must agree to abstain from alcohol, drugs and must be willing to work. They take nutrition and wellness classes, stress and financial management courses, and worked with trained case workers to help build the groundwork to succeed. They are partnered with 31 congregations throughout Phoenix that provides overnight stays, 7 nights a week for families in the program. This network allows these families a safe place to stay, hot meals, tutors for their children and kind, friendly faces willing to help. This year Family Promise will be hosting the Fifth Annual Cardboard City Arizona 2015. Cardboard City is a family friendly, educational event aimed at raising awareness and support for homelessness and the efforts of Family Promise. All are welcome to register and attend this charity event at Scottsdale Stadium on October 17-28, 2015. Participants will build their own cardboard houses and spend the night on the field. There will be music, games, food and fun. There will be a competition for best and most creative structure. So be prepared to get wild and creative with your box house. At its core, Cardboard City is designed to raise financial support for Family Promise and to collect items to create hygiene kits that will be given out to homeless individuals on the streets. These hygiene kits are filled with everyday items: deodorant, sunscreen, washcloths, etc. MCLife will be collecting trash bags at 3 locations for these hygiene kits. To help, all you need to do is roll up two trash bags, put a rubber band around them and drop them off at one of the locations below: The Place at Wickertree – 20003 N. 23rd Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85027 The Place at the Fountains at Sun City – 13638 North Newcastle Drive, Sun City, AZ 85351 MC Companies Corporate Office – 15170 N. Hayden Rd., #1 Scottsdale, Arizona 85260 You can also get involved by registering for the event, creating your own team, or donating to Family Promise of Greater Phoenix. We are honored to be part of such an incredible partnership and to be supporting such a positive organization. “Being in the housing industry, sponsoring an event like this just makes sense,” explains Digital Marketing and Content Specialist, Katie Selph. “We often take for granted the things we have, like basic hygiene items, our family and friends and the buildings we live in. There are people without these things and we should be supporting families in need. It is our responsibility, as human beings and especially as employees in the multi-family housing industry, to stop and take time to help these families get back on their feet and find a home again.” We invite anyone interested to join us at Cardboard City AZ 2015. If you are curious to know more about the event, our collection sites or Family Promise of Greater Phoenix please visit: www.mclifephoenix.com/cardboardcityaz2015. Help us make a difference: build a box, save a family. About MC Companies: MC Companies http://www.mccompanies.com is a real estate investment, development, construction, and management company specializing in the multifamily properties and commercial markets. MC Companies has completed over $500 million in multi-family and commercial value-added transactions since 1985. About Family Promise of Greater Phoenix: In Operation since 2000, Family Promise – Greater Phoenix has provided more than just shelter for families. For the past 13 years, the programs at Family Promise have helped over 500 families. These programs have enabled families to move from homelessness to self-sufficiency. Family Promise is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, independently affiliated with a national organization founded in 1986 and comprised of 182 affiliates in 41 states (www.familypromise.org). Family Promise operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and only serves families with children. More than 60% of our clients are children. PRLog ID: www.prlog.org/12483134 SOURCE MC Companies RELATED LINKS http://www.mccompanies.com

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Phoenix Ranked 40 out of 50 America's Best Cities for a Healthy (and More Affordable) Retirement by Bankers Life Center for a Secure Retirement

Beyond Beaches and Golf Courses: Surprising New Study Reveals Healthiest (and More Affordable) U.S. Cities for Retirement

CHICAGO, Aug. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Seattle is the best city in the United States for healthy retirement living, with Minneapolis-St. Paul, Denver, Portland (Oregon) and Hartford rounding out the top five, according to a new study commissioned by the Bankers Life Center for a Secure Retirement® (CSR). The study, America’s Best Cities for a Healthy (and More Affordable) Retirement, ranked the 60 largest U.S. metropolitan areas on all factors of health and affordability for middle-income retirees, including data in eight categories that are key to the overall health of an area and its residents: healthcare, the economy and affordability, social, wellness, activities, environment, transportation and crime. Each category was statistically weighted to reflect the needs of the retired population. Cities that topped the list had above-average scores for wellness and access to healthcare and some of the highest scores for overall life satisfaction, and social and emotional support. They also boasted natural beauty and a wealth of outdoor and cultural activities. “The purpose of this study wasn’t to compile a list of where to enjoy beaches, golf courses or other amenities that stereotypically describe retirement. In fact, only one warm, coastal city ranked in the top 20,” said Scott Goldberg, president of Bankers Life. “This study identifies and recognizes cities that provide the services and support that people need to live healthy, happy lives. “We want to show that many healthy places to retire can come with a reasonable cost-of-living price tag that is realistic and attainable for a great number of retirees.” The Categories The Healthcare category examines the number of physicians and hospitals per capita, hospital ratings based on patient reviews and the affordability of home healthcare. Economy and Affordability includes sales tax, the local unemployment rate, and any taxes on Social Security or pension income. Social considers the size of the current senior population and includes their satisfaction with life, their social and emotional well-being; and the number of four-year colleges, libraries and civic and volunteer opportunities in the area. Wellness includes life expectancy; smoking, obesity and depression rates; and mortality from cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Activities include opportunities for physical activities such as golf and tennis, 5Ks and marathons, gym memberships, and hiking and walking trails. The availability of cultural activities such as farmers markets and community gardens, museums, symphonies and operas, theater and dance, and zoos and aquariums were also considered. Environment includes the number of sunny days, summer heat index, clean air levels and water measurements, the presence and accessibility of bodies of water, and the number of local and state parks. Transportation includes public transportation accessibility and the percentage of commuters using mass transit. Crime includes violent crime rate and property crime rate. Methodology The America’s Best Cities for a Healthy (and More Affordable) Retirement was commissioned by the Bankers Life Center for a Secure Retirement. It was conducted in April 2015 by the independent research firm Sperling’s Best Places. The full report can be viewed at CenterForASecureRetirement.com. The research ranked the 60 largest metropolitan areas in the U.S. on a universal set of criteria that are directly or indirectly indicative of health and quality of living, from health and wellness to culture and the environment. Cities that ranked in the top 15 percent most expensive for cost-of-living index, median housing price and median rental price were removed from consideration for the final overall list. About the Center for a Secure Retirement The Bankers Life Center for a Secure Retirement is the company’s research and consumer education program. Its studies and consumer awareness campaigns provide insight and practical advice to help everyday Americans achieve financial security in retirement. About Bankers Life Bankers Life focuses on the insurance needs of middle-income Americans who are near or in retirement. The Bankers Life brand is a part of CNO Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: CNO), whose companies provide insurance solutions that help protect the health and retirement needs of working Americans and retirees. There are more than 5,000 Bankers Life insurance agents at over 300 offices across the country. To learn more, visit BankersLife.com. America’s Best Cities* for a Healthy (and More Affordable) Retirement

America’s Best Cities* for a Healthy (and More Affordable) Retirement

1.  Seattle, Washington 

31.  Sacramento, California

2.  Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota

32.  Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

3.  Denver, Colorado

33.  New Orleans, Louisiana

4.  Portland, Oregon

34.  Louisville, Kentucky

5.  Hartford, Connecticut

35.  Orlando, Florida

6.  Omaha, Nebraska

36.  Nashville, Tennessee

7.  Baltimore, Maryland

37.  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

8.  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

38.  Miami, Florida

9.  Cleveland, Ohio

39.  Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas

10.  Salt Lake City, Utah

40.  Phoenix, Arizona

11.  Warren, Michigan

41.  San Antonio, Texas

12.  Newark, New Jersey

42.  Virginia Beach, Virginia

13.  Richmond, Virginia

43.  Charlotte, North Carolina

14.  Milwaukee, Wisconsin

44.  Houston, Texas

15.  Grand Rapids, Michigan

45.  Detroit, Michigan

16.  Cincinnati, Ohio

46.  Las Vegas, Nevada

17.  Kansas City, Missouri

47.  Riverside, California

18.  Tampa-St. Petersburg, Florida 

48.  Memphis, Tennessee

19.  Chicago, Illinois

49.  Nassau County-Suffolk County, New York

20.  Providence, Rhode Island

50.  San Francisco, California

21.  St. Louis, Missouri

51.  Silver Spring-Frederick-Rockville, Maryland

22.  Tucson, Arizona

52.  Boston, Massachusetts

23.  Buffalo, New York

53.  San Jose, California

24.  Columbus, Ohio

54.  Washington, DC–Arlington, Virginia

25.  Atlanta, Georgia

55.  Anaheim, California

26.  Indianapolis, Indiana

56.  Oakland, California

27.  Austin, Texas

57.  San Diego, California

28.  Dallas, Texas

58.  Honolulu, Hawaii

29.  Fort Lauderdale, Florida

59.  New York, New York

30.  Raleigh, North Carolina

60.  Los Angeles, California

*Includes surrounding metropolitan areas, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, including a central city and the surrounding county or counties. SOURCE Bankers Life Center for a Secure Retirement Related Links http://www.centerforasecureretirement.com

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