Stars attend international charity gala to benefit UNICEF education and literacy Programs
HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Feb. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Two days before the Academy Awards, Montblanc hosted a high profile charity gala at Paramount Studios in Hollywood with the cooperation of Signature International to present the cultural and charitable initiative 'Montblanc Signature for Good', in support of UNICEF.
The 'Montblanc Signature for Good' initiative features the portraiture photography of American photographer Roger Moenks to benefit UNICEF's education and literacy programs, including internationally known actors Eva Longoria, Sienna Miller, Susan Sarandon, Emily Blunt, Marcia Cross, Christina Ricci, Andie MacDowell, Helen Hunt, Lauren Hutton, Milla Jovovich, Jessica Lange and Mira Sorvinowho support this initiative.
The event, which took place at Hollywood's legendary Paramount Studios, honored the involvement of the 12 great actors who feature in the initiative and their willingness to support UNICEF in its work to give proper access to education. During the champagne reception, the 12 portraits signed by the muses were unveiled to the public in a spectacular way -- each actor was reunited with her own portrait. The portraits will now go on an international tour in cooperation with Sotheby's before being auctioned during 2009 in support of UNICEF.
Special guests taking to the stage to show their support for the charity initiative included Slumdog Millionaire star Anil Kapoor and guest of honor Reese Witherspoonwho presented an initial check to UNICEF in support of this initiative. Other VIP guests attending the charity gala included Melanie Griffith, Antonio Banderas, Faye Dunaway, Joan Collins, Nastassja Kinski, Cat Deeley, Bar Rafaeli, Rosanna Arquette, Dita von Teese, Rosario Dawson, Michael Sheen, Michael York, Ashley Jensen, Kimberly Stewart, Nicky Hilton, Oliver Stone, Danny Houston, Elsa Zylberstein and Lily Collins.
Guests enjoyed a unique menu designed by Wolfgang Puck and, following dinner, also enjoyed entertainment by a swing band.
Extra Virgin Olive Oils from GAEA Products S.A. Featured in the WOW! Creations Oscar Lifestyle Gifting Lounge at Children Uniting Nations 10th Annual Award Celebration at Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- GAEA Products S.A., a leading producer of authentic Greek Mediterranean food products including a full line of award winning GAEA Extra Virgin Olive Oils, is pleased to announce its participation in the 10th Annual Award Celebration of non-profit 'Children Uniting Nations' to be held at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel, Sunday, February 22, 2009. As attendees arrive at the star-studded event to be held concurrently with the 81st Academy Awards ceremony, bottles of environmentally-friendly GAEA Extra Virgin Olive Oils will be in the WOW! Creations Oscar Lifestyle Lounge and in the celebrity gift bags.
"We're extremely proud to be included in the company of the other corporate supporters of the Children Uniting Nations organization at this exciting event," commented Aris Kefalogiannis, CEO of Athens-based GAEA Products S.A. "In addition to helping publicizing the worthwhile mentoring programs of CUN for at-risk and foster youth here in Los Angeles and through the nation, it provides GAEA with a wonderful opportunity to introduce U.S. consumers the meze-Greek Mediterranean lifestyle, cultural and culinary experience."
Founded in 1995 with the mission to offer consumers and professional cooks with the finest ingredients based on classic recipes of Mediterranean Greek cuisine, GAEA produces environmentally-sensitive extra virgin olive oil from family growers using traditional farming and harvesting methods and then cold pressing the fruit within 24 hours from harvest at its own Agrinion factory. In just the past decade GAEA's products have garnered dozens of international awards for excellence in Italy, Germany, Russia, Switzerland, Greece, the UK and the United States.
Pioneered in Los Angeles by a group of concerned citizens, CUN's central mentoring program known as the Mentoring Partnership for Los Angeles Youth (mPLAY) has become the model program for the rest of the country helping realize its goal of reaching as many children as possible to fulfill their dreams and create loving, tolerant, and capable world citizens.
The GAEA Commitment to the Environment
Gaea is leading the way in the international olive oil industry with a "green rev-oil-ution" to reduce the environmental impact of their operations, from cultivation to the shelves of the supermarket. To find out more about the GAEA commitment to preserving the Earth's resources with their non-depletion policy on wild products, recycling policies and integrated crop management and organic farming, visit www.myclimate.org.
About Children Uniting Nations
Children Uniting Nations (CUN) is a proactive organization created to bring attention to the plight of at-risk and foster youth. The goal is to reach as many children in out-of-home care by offering role-model support, guidance, a sense of community and promote the importance of an education. Pioneered in Los Angeles, CUN's central mentoring program known as the Mentoring Partnership for Los Angeles Youth (mPLAY) has become the model program for the rest of the country. For further information, visit www.childrenunitingnations.org or send email to info@childrenunitingnations.org.
About GAEA Products S.A.
Based in the lush Agrinion growing region of sunny Greece, GAEA Products S.A. is an emerging leader in the Greek specialty food products category, providing consumers and chefs with quality traditional, authentic and innovative olive oils, tapenades, salad dressings, sauces, peppers and herbs. Using only all natural ingredients grown naturally in the fertile earth of Greece, the GAEA range of products offers all the rich flavors and traditional ingredients essential to create the finest Greek Mediterranean cuisine and to live the "meze" cultural culinary experience.
About the name: "Gaea" derives from the ancient Greek word meaning "mother earth" and is a symbol of fertility and the goodness of earth and figures prominently in the history of creation in Greek mythology.
For further information about GAEA Olive Oil and their full range of products, visit www.gaea.gr. For media related inquiries, please contact Alissa Sears of Christie Communications at (805) 969-3744 or via email at alissa@christiecomm.com.
MEMPHIS, Tenn., Feb. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- During the annual Promesa y Esperanza (Promise and Hope) radiothon with Univision Radio, the leading Spanish-language radio group, Hispanics across the country opened their hearts to help save kids battling cancer at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital(R), one of the world's premier pediatric cancer research centers. On February 5 and 6, Promesa y Esperanza generated more than $6 million in cash and pledges to help St. Jude continue its groundbreaking research and lifesaving care.
"We are very thankful for the incredible support that Univision Radio, its staff and listeners have shown for the children of St. Jude," said David L. McKee, interim CEO and chief operating officer of ALSAC, the fundraising organization of St. Jude. "These pledges will help our doctors and scientists continue conducting the groundbreaking research and developing the lifesaving care that will create hope for thousands of children in communities around the world."
During the two-day radiothon, listeners from cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, San Francisco, Dallas, Phoenix, Las Vegas, San Diego, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Albuquerque, Fresno, and El Paso and from Puerto Rico jammed phone lines to make a pledge of hope. With a monthly $20 donation, callers became Angeles de Esperanza (Partners in Hope). These monthly donations help St. Jude keep its promise that no child is ever denied treatment at St. Jude because of a family's inability to pay.
St. Jude patients joined Univision DJ's in radio booths across the country to share their story with listeners and volunteers, as well as with audiences from Univision's top rated syndicated shows such as "Piolin por la Manana" and "El Pistolero". Stars from the Latin music world also joined in the fight against childhood cancer, including singers Luis Fonsi, Fanny Lu, Chenoa and Monte Rosa, as well as some of Univision's most popular television personalities, including Neida Sandoval, Ana Maria Canseco, Karla Martinez, Fernando Arau and Raul Gonzalez from "Despierta America" (Wake Up America), Charytin Goyco, Felipe Viel and Lilia Luciano from "Escandalo TV" (Showbiz TV), Javier Romero from "Sabado Gigante" (Giant Saturday), and Carlos Calderon from "El Gordo y La Flaca" (The Scoop and the Skinny) and "Acceso Maximo" (All Access).
"We are extremely proud and honored to work with St. Jude on such a life-changing cause," said Gary Stone, president and chief operating officer, Univision Radio. "The response from our listeners and employees -- our Univision family -- during the radiothon has been inspiring and speaks to our commitment to contributing to the St. Jude mission of helping save children's lives."
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer center to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance. No child is ever denied treatment because of the family's inability to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization. For more information, please visit www.stjude.org.
Univision Communications Inc.
Univision Communications Inc. is the premier Spanish-language media company in the United States. Its operations include Univision Network, the most-watched Spanish-language broadcast television network in the U.S. reaching 97% of U.S. Hispanic Households; TeleFutura Network, a general-interest Spanish-language broadcast television network, which was launched in 2002 and now reaches 85% of U.S. Hispanic Households; Galavision, the country's leading Spanish-language cable network; Univision Television Group, which owns and operates 64 television stations in major U.S. Hispanic markets and Puerto Rico; Univision Radio, the leading Spanish-language radio group which owns and/or operates 70 radio stations in 16 of the top 25 U.S. Hispanic markets and 5 stations in Puerto Rico; and Univision Interactive Media, which includes http://www.univision.com, the premier Spanish-language Internet destination in the U.S., and Univision Movil, the industry's most comprehensive Spanish-language suite of mobile offerings. Univision Communications also has a 50% interest in TuTv, a joint venture formed to broadcast Televisa's pay television channels in the U.S. Univision Communications has television network operations in Miami and television and radio stations and sales offices in major cities throughout the United States.
For more information, please visit www.univision.net
Announcement by Baroness Philippine De Rothschild Kicks-Off the Exhibition of Mouton Rothschild - Paintings for the Labels at The Wolfsonian-Florida International University February 19-March 8, 2009
MIAMI BEACH, Fla., Feb. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Each year since 1945, a great artist has created an original artwork for the Chateau Mouton Rothschild label. Today, at a press luncheon that also previews the opening of MOUTON ROTHSCHILD-PAINTINGS FOR THE LABELS at The Wolfsonian-Florida International University, Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, the owner of Mouton, announced that she has given the commission for the 2006 vintage to the British painter Lucian Freud, born in 1922, a universally acknowledged master of contemporary portraiture. Last year, one of his works was sold for the highest price ever attained by a living artist. Far from the tormented portraits and nudes for which he is renowned, for Mouton 2006 Lucian Freud has chosen a joyously exotic transposition of the pleasure of drinking, in which the vinestock is transformed into a springing palm tree and the wine lover into a happily anticipatory zebra.
The new label will be on display from February 19th through March 8th, 2009 at The Wolfsonian-Florida International University, as part of an extraordinary exhibition of original paintings commissioned to illustrate the labels of vintages of the famed Chateau Mouton Rothschild, one of the world's greatest wines and a First Growth in the Bordeaux region. Over 60 vintages ranging from 1945 to 2006 are represented. The exhibition premieres during the 2009 Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival.
The exhibition also includes works by important artists such as Joan Miro, Marc Chagall, Georges Braque, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol, Francis Bacon, Robert Motherwell, Keith Haring, and Balthus, among others.
As one of the other highlights of the Festival, two gala VIP dinners/auctions will be held on Saturday, February 21st and Sunday, February 22nd in the presence of Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, the current owner of the Chateau, to benefit The Wolfsonian-FIU and the FIU School of Hospitality and Tourism. The world renowned chef Daniel Boulud will prepare two different spectacular meals each paired with a special selection of the finest wines from Chateau Mouton Rothschild. A wine auction will follow each dinner, featuring large format bottles of Mouton from a variety of vintages.
Baroness Philippine has continued a tradition begun in 1945 by her father, the legendary Baron Philippe de Rothschild: Each vintage is bottled with a label illustrated with an original work by a renowned artist.
Speaking of the exhibition, Baroness Philippine said: "I am particularly happy to have been given this opportunity by The Wolfsonian to present, in the heart of South Beach, an exhibition which brings together the most famous names of modern and contemporary art. It will allow those who love our First Growth, but who until now have only been familiar with reproductions of the artworks on the labels, to admire at last the originals created since 1945 by all these artists to the glory of Mouton."
About the Mouton Labels and the Exhibition
Bringing together art and wine at the pinnacle of perfection has always been one of the most original and inspired ambitions of the owners of Chateau Mouton Rothschild, first Baron Philippe de Rothschild, and then his daughter Baroness Philippine. In turn, the bottle also was to become the symbol of this marriage of wine and art.
In 1924, to salute his first chateau-bottled vintage, Baron Philippe had the revolutionary idea of commissioning the poster artist Jean Carlu to design the Mouton label. Ahead of its time, however, his initiative was not repeated.
In 1945, this time to celebrate the return to peace, he decided to crown the label for the vintage with a drawing representing the "V" for Victory, drawn by the young painter Philippe Jullian. From an exceptional circumstance a great tradition was born, and from 1946, every year a different artist has been invited to create an original artwork for the label. Initially, Baron Philippe chose painters from amongst his friends, such as Jean Hugo, Leonor Fini and Jean Cocteau. In 1955, Georges Braque agreed to illustrate the vintage, and he was succeeded by the greatest artists of our time, including Dali, Cesar, Miro, Chagall, Picasso, Warhol, Soulages, Bacon, Balthus, Tapies, etc.
Responsible for choosing the artists since the 1980s, Baroness Philippine de Rothschild respects the artists' creative instincts, though most of them are attracted by certain themes, such as the vine, the pleasure of drinking, or the ram - the emblem of Mouton. The artists receive no fee for their work but are given cases of Mouton Rothschild, including of course "their" vintage.
Over the last 20 years or so, on the initiative of Baroness Philippine, the fascinating collection has formed the basis for an exhibition, PAINTINGS FOR THE LABELS, which has already been displayed in museums around the world, including in Europe (London, Edinburgh, Berlin, Brussels), Japan, Canada, Hong-Kong, China, Russia and twenty-one cities in the United States, including the latest in Miami Beach at The Wolfsonian.
Swedish pop queen to debut exclusively on the HDNet Concert Series,
Sunday, February 22 at 8:00 p.m. ET
DALLAS, Feb. 19 /PRNewswire/ --
WHAT: Swedish dance-pop songstress, Robyn, performs at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles on the HDNet Concert Series, Sunday, February 22 at 8:00 p.m. ET.
A best-selling singer/songwriter in her homeland since the age of thirteen, Swedish sensation Robyn gets the crowd moving at the very last show of her 2008 US Tour at The Wiltern in Los Angeles. Robyn, once best known for her late nineties dance-pop hits "Show Me Love" and "Do You Know," recently broke into the mainstream worldwide with an infectious new sound that's got the undivided attention of bloggers, hipsters and first-class DJs alike.
WHEN: "Robyn - Live from the Wiltern, Los Angeles" premieres exclusively on HDNet, Sunday, February 22 at 8:00 p.m. ET.
About HDNet
HDNet (www.hd.net) is a network that is original, thinks independently and delivers unique content and provocative, authentic programming that appeals to men of all ages, delivered in true high definition.
HDNet is the exclusive, high definition home for popular, original programming, including television's only HD news feature programs "HDNet World Report," and the Emmy Award winning "Dan Rather Reports," featuring legendary journalist Dan Rather. Only HDNet goes beyond the headlines to deliver real news that is redefining the way we look at our world. HDNet News is provocative, sometimes controversial and always relevant - telling the important stories of our time in-depth, with attitude and with independence.
HDNet presents championship sports coverage featuring the best of Mixed Martial Arts through HDNet Fights. HDNet Fights partners with leading MMA promoters including Affliction, DREAM, StrikeForce, M1, K-1, K-1 Max, MFC, Adrenaline and more. HDNet produces more live Mixed Martial Arts events than any other network and HDNet's "Inside MMA" is the hottest Mixed Martial Arts program on television, giving MMA fans their weekly fix for everything MMA.
HDNet also delivers the world's largest and most diverse concert line-up through the HDNet Concert Series. The HDNet Concert Series features leading artists and bands including Coldplay, Gwen Stefani, John Mayer and more. HDNet also features revealing lifestyle programming featuring "Art Mann Presents," "Vegas Confessions," "Deadline" and "Get Out!" HDNet is also the exclusive high definition home to critically acclaimed and award winning documentaries as part of the InFocus series. "NASA on HDNet" presents all live shuttle launches through 2010.
Only HDNet Movies delivers exclusive Sneak Previews of new movies before they hit theaters. The HDNet Movies Sneak Preview series features top Hollywood stars in critically acclaimed performances including Gwyneth Paltrow, Joaquin Phoenix, Demi Moore, Michael Caine, Tom Hanks, Vera Farmiga, Parker Posey, Brian Cox, Matthew Broderick, Brittany Snow and Eric Bana.
Upcoming Sneak Previews include "The Great Buck Howard," starring Colin Hanks, John Malkovich and Tom Hanks, and "Harlem Aria," starring Damon Wayans.
In addition to being the exclusive home of Sneak Previews, HDNet Movies presents viewers with over one hundred films and an average of twenty-five "HD Premieres" each month. HDNet Movies viewers enjoy the best films from the classics of the 1950s-1970s, to favorite films from the 1980s and 1990s, to recently released theatrical films.
HDNet Movies offers subscribers a premium movie viewing experience in true HD, and more original movies shot entirely in HD than any other network.
Launched in 2001 by Mark Cuban and General Manager Philip Garvin, the HDNet networks are available on AT&T, Bright House Networks, Charter Communications, Comcast, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight, Mediacom, Time Warner Cable, Verizon and more than 40 NCTC cable affiliate companies. For more information visit www.hd.net.
CHICAGO, Feb. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The 26th Annual Chicago Golf Show will feature appearances by some of golf's biggest names along with spectacular golf bargains, free lessons and the ability to test the latest clubs free at the show's Indoor Demo Area.
And this year, as a Recession Special, adult admission has been reduced 10 percent to $9 - except on "Five Dollar Friday" when the Golf Show celebrates Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday by admitting everyone in for $5, the paper currency that bears the immortal image of Honest Abe of Illinois.
The only golf show supported by the Illinois PGA, the Chicago Golf Show runs Feb. 27-March 1 at the Stephens Convention Center, 5555 River Road, in Rosemont. The show is presented by Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday. Highlights of the Golf Academy Main Stage lineup include:
1:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27 - 2009 U.S. Solheim Cup Captain Beth Daniel, also a member of the LPGA Hall of Fame, will give golf tips and talk about the battle between women from the U.S. and Europe coming up later this summer at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove.
11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28 - Golf Channel analyst and former PGA Tour player Charlie Rymerand Futures Tour player Perry Swenson give golf and travel tips. They are co-hosts of the reality travel program Road Trip: Myrtle Beachon Comcast SportsNet Chicago.
1:30 p.m. Sunday, March 1 - LPGA Hall of Fame member Nancy Lopez, captain of the 2009 U.S. Junior Solheim Cup team, will give golf tips, look back on her illustrious career, and forward to this summer's Junior Solheim competition.
"We are honored and excited that these distinguished pros have so generously agreed to participate in this year's Chicago Golf Show," said show operator Tom Corcoran. "We know our attendees are always interested in keeping up with everything related to golf whether it's big tournaments, new equipment, or the next great travel destination. This year's show covers all that and more."
In addition to $9 admission for adults, youngsters ages 12-15 pay $4. Kids 11 and under are free.
Along with the Chicago Golf Show's traditional great bargains on clubs, balls, shoes and apparel, this year Illinois' two PGA Tour events are offering generous ticket discounts exclusively to show attendees.
The BMW Championship, Sept. 7-13, at Cog Hill G&CC in Lemont, will offer two-for-one daily and weekly tickets; the John Deere Classic, July 6-12, at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, is discounting daily tickets by up to $6.
Also new this year is the Junior Golf Stage, where programming will be geared to junior golfers and their parents. Among the topics will be "The Importance of Clubfitting for Junior Golfers," "How to Prepare for a Golf Tournament" and "Navigating Collegiate Golf."
Several hundred exhibitors already have reserved space at the show, where they will display the latest in golf equipment, balls, apparel, shoes, golf travel destinations, golf courses and tournaments, among others.
The Chicago Golf Show will feature its traditional mix of fun and interesting golf attractions, including:
Incredible door prizes given away every hour, including free trips to great golf destinations;
A 26-station indoor driving area known as the Impact Zone, where attendees can hit the newest clubs - and at no charge;
Chicago's Longest Putt Contest, a perennial favorite featuring prizes for anyone who makes the 75-footer;
The Golf Academy Stage, where renowned golf instructors conduct seminars;
Free One-on-One full-swing and putting lessons from Illinois PGA professionals;
Bargains on golf equipment, apparel and related items;
Opportunities to obtain free or discounted golf rounds at dozens of local courses;
Information on local PGA and amateur events;
Information on local, regional, national and international golf getaways.
Show hours are:
Friday Noon - 7PM
Saturday 9AM - 6PM
Sunday 9AM - 4PM
Prices:
Adults $9
Children ages 12-15 $4
11 and Under Free
Seniors 65 and over $7
The Chicago Golf Show is the nation's oldest golf show and one of the largest. The show typically attracts some 15,000 visitors and features more than 300 exhibitors.
For more information, please visit www.chicagogolfshow.com.
AURORA, ON, Feb. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Magna Entertainment Corp. ("MEC" or "the Company") (NASDAQ: MECA; TSX: MEC.A) was today informed by MI Developments Inc. ("MID"), MEC's controlling shareholder, that MID will not be proceeding with its reorganization proposal. MEC is in discussions with MID concerning alternatives to the reorganization proposal. MEC cautions shareholders and others considering trading in securities of MEC that there can be no assurance that any alternative transaction will be completed.
In accordance with the terms of certain of MEC's loan agreements, the maturity date of the first tranche of the new loan that a subsidiary of MID ("MID Lender") made available to MEC on December 1, 2008 in connection with the reorganization proposal (the "New Loan"), the maturity date of the bridge loan from MID Lender and the deadline for repayment of US$100 million under the Gulfstream project financing facility from MID Lender will each be accelerated, respectively, to March 20, 2009. The maturity date of the second tranche of the New Loan has already been accelerated to May 13, 2009. As of February 18, 2009, there is approximately US$48.5 million outstanding under the first tranche of the New Loan, approximately US$0.7 million outstanding under the second tranche of the New Loan and approximately US$126.2 million outstanding under the bridge loan. In accordance with its terms, the maturity date of MEC's US$40 million credit facility with a Canadian chartered bank will also accelerate to March 5, 2009. If MEC is unable to repay its obligations when due or satisfy required covenants in its loan agreements, substantially all of its other current and long-term debt will also become due on demand as a result of cross-default provisions within loan agreements, unless MEC is able to obtain waivers, modifications or extensions. In the event MEC is unsuccessful in its efforts to raise additional funds, through an alternative transaction with MID, assets sales, by taking on additional debt or by some other means, MEC will not be able to meet such obligations.
ABOUT MEC
MEC, North America's largest owner and operator of horse racetracks, based on revenue, develops, owns and operates horse racetracks and related pari-mutuel wagering operations, including off-track betting facilities. MEC also develops, owns and operates casinos in conjunction with its racetracks where permitted by law. MEC owns and operates AmTote International, Inc., a provider of totalisator services to the pari-mutuel industry, XpressBet(R), a national Internet and telephone account wagering system, as well as MagnaBet(TM) internationally. Pursuant to joint ventures, MEC has a fifty percent interest in HorseRacing TV(R), a 24-hour horse racing television network, and TrackNet Media Group LLC, a content management company formed for distribution of the full breadth of MEC's horse racing content.
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, including Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") and forward-looking information as defined in the Securities Act (Ontario) (collectively referred to as forward-looking statements). These forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the Securities Act (Ontario) and include, among others, statements regarding MEC's liquidity, discussions with MID and other matters that are not historical facts.
Forward-looking statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or the times at or by which such performance or results will be achieved. Undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time and/or management's good faith assumptions and analyses made in light of the Company's perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors we believe are appropriate in the circumstances and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's forward-looking statements include, but may not be limited to, the risk that the Company and MID fail to successfully agree upon any alternative transaction to the reorganization proposal previously announced on November 26, 2008, the inability of the Company to obtain additional financing and funds from one or more possible sources, which may include MID, in order to fund its operations, implement its strategic plan and capitalize on future growth opportunities, and material adverse changes in: general economic conditions; the popularity of racing and other gaming activities as recreational activities; the regulatory environment affecting the horse racing and gaming industries; the Company's ability to obtain or maintain government and other regulatory approvals necessary or desirable to proceed with proposed real estate developments; increased regulation affecting certain of the Company's non-racetrack operations, such as broadcasting ventures; and the Company's ability to develop, execute or finance the Company's strategies and plans within expected timelines or budgets. In drawing conclusions set out in our forward-looking statements above, we have assumed, among other things, that we will continue with our efforts to implement our September 2007 adopted plan to eliminate the Company's debt, although not on the originally contemplated time schedule, negotiate and close, on acceptable terms, one or more core asset sale transactions, comply with the terms of and/or obtain waivers or other concessions from our lenders and refinance or repay on maturity our existing financing arrangements (including a senior secured revolving credit facility with a Canadian chartered bank, the new loan that a subsidiary of MID ("MID Lender") made available to MEC on December 1, 2008 and the bridge loan from MID Lender, possibly obtain additional financing on acceptable terms to fund our ongoing operations and there will not be any material further deterioration in general economic conditions or any further significant decline in the popularity of horse racing and other gaming activities beyond that which has already occurred in the current economic downturn; nor any material adverse changes in weather and other environmental conditions at our facilities, the regulatory environment or our ability to develop, execute or finance our strategies and plans as anticipated.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements were made. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking statements. If we update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect thereto or with respect to other forward-looking statements.
