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M.I.A. Beer Company photo

There was a time you could walk into nearly any grocery store, belly up to any local bar, or stop by your neighborhood liquor store and find M.I.A. Beer Company's brews.

Despite being one of Miami-Dade's longest-standing craft breweries, nowadays you can only purchase M.I.A. beer by the can at the brewery's Doral taproom — or out of state.

"'Why can't you buy M.I.A. Beer Company beers locally anymore?' It's a question I've heard many times in the past six months, and one I'm finally ready to discuss," M.I.A. managing partner Eddie Leon tells New Times. "The simple answer is that we no longer have a distributor that can deliver our beer in Florida."

So why not just find a new distributor?

It's not that simple.

For M.I.A., distribution of its beer in Florida has become a complicated legal situation that ties into the state's three-tier system and the franchise laws that control beer distribution.

Initially drafted in the 1930s, these franchise laws were written to serve small, independent distributors that, in those post-Prohibition times, relied on only a few large beer brands such as Budweiser and Coors. When the laws were written, Florida's independent craft beer scene hadn't yet come into existence, and in the 1980s, when the laws were last amended, the state's craft brewing industry was in its infancy.

Four decades later, Fort Lauderdale-based Tarpon River Brewing managing partner and Florida Brewers Guild legislative chairman Adam Fine tells New Times that the industry dynamic has flipped.

"There are now hundreds of small breweries, and only a handful of large distributors that — under current Florida statutes — hold franchise rights over the breweries they represent," Fine explains.

That's because by law, once both parties have signed, a contract between brewer and distributor continues in perpetuity — as in forever. There are precious few exceptions, and most of them favor the distributor.

"The way the law is written, it's virtually impossible for a brewery to leave a distributor when there's a dispute," says Fine. "That isn't the case for wine or spirits. There's no other business I can think of that is restricted and held hostage in this way."

Such is the plight of M.I.A., which signed with Cavalier Distributing, an Indiana-based company that currently represents 15 Florida craft breweries, in 2016. At the time, Eddie Leon says, his brewery's sales grew rapidly in South Florida and expanded into regions like Tampa and Orlando.

"The industry was thriving, and our goal was to hit 120,000 cases yearly. So we reinvested, bought more equipment, and ramped up production," the brewer recounts. "In 2017, we almost hit our mark, selling just under 100,000 cases."

When COVID-19 hit in 2020, M.I.A. lost onsite sales. Leon didn't expect distribution sales to plummet as well, but retail sales dropped 40 percent that year. The subsequent two years were even worse.

"I knew at the rate we were going, it wasn't good," the brewer says. "According to my projections, if it kept going this way, we wouldn't be selling any beer at all pretty soon."

To address the continued sales decline, and in accordance with Florida Statute 563.022, M.I.A. asked Cavalier to propose a "corrective action plan" to readdress the brewery's sales strategy. Cavalier had 30 days to respond with a plan and 90 days to set matters right.

"When Cavalier failed to take action, they were technically in breach of their duties, and we could, in theory, terminate the business relationship," Leon says.

To that end, M.I.A. sent a notice of termination to Cavalier in April 2022, stating that the distributor had failed to comply with the distribution agreement.

Cavalier disagreed, stating M.I.A. did not have good cause to terminate the agreement and was in breach of contract.

In a letter dated May 5, 2022, Cavalier alleged that M.I.A. had failed to participate in annual meetings, develop its own plan for brand growth, and provide Cavalier with sales information to help promote its products or a production calendar within a commercially reasonable timeframe.

"M.I.A.'s termination of the agreement violates Florida law and gives rise to substantial liability," Cavalier's attorney, Patrick Kasson, wrote. "Although Cavalier would like to resolve this matter cordially, I am also writing to place M.I.A. on notice of the claims against it."

In July, Cavalier filed suit against the brewer. In practical terms, the ongoing litigation precludes the brewery from signing with another distributor. The prospect of going to court brings its own set of complications.

"It's highly likely we'd win at trial, but our company most likely would not survive being out of distribution during that process," Leon adds. "We want to be among the first to stand up and take action. My goal is to set a precedent for these types of relationships moving forward."

Representatives from Cavalier Distributing and the Florida Beer Wholesalers Association declined to comment for this story.

Is It High Time to Change the Law?

For Mike and Brooke Malone, the couple behind Vero Beach-based Walking Tree Brewery, the state's franchise laws are more than outdated — they're proving to be increasingly unfair.

"It blows my mind that as a brewery owner, I have no control over this part of my business," Mike tells New Times. "We need a way to negotiate contracts that work for both sides, not just the distributor. That's really what we, as brewery owners, want to see change: to see both parties have equal rights and a normal business relationship."

Brooke Malone, who also serves as president of the Florida Brewers Guild (FBG) trade group, adds that many of the state's 374 independent craft breweries support several reforms outlined in the guild's "Freedom for Beer" campaign. Created in association with the Craft Brewers of Florida Political Committee, the campaign aims to tackle the crucial statutes that govern craft beer manufacturing in Florida: franchise law, self-distribution, licensing fees, and brand registration.

As part of the initiative, members of the FBG, along with a host of Florida craft brewery owners and lobbyists, have visited Tallahassee twice this year to meet with state lawmakers.

Adam Fine had hoped to tackle big-picture items like franchise law and self-distribution. But the FBG ultimately chose a more modest goal: to clarify how the state assesses brand registration fees of malt beverages via House Bill 1459 and Senate Bill 658. If adopted, the new legislation would specify that brewers would pay brand registration fees only for beers sold outside their taprooms, rather than the current law, which is ambiguously written.

According to former FBG board member and Riverview-based Leaven Brewing Co. co-owner Jillian Lynch, the effort could immediately impact small breweries that produce large numbers of experimental, one-off beers.

"A lot of us want laws that are clear and uniform. Right now, we're all getting different answers with things like brand registration, and that's definitely something we want to see addressed," Lynch tells New Times. "I have two core and four seasonal beers that I register and pay for, but I know other brewery owners who are being told any beer they've ever made must be registered — which could translate to thousands of dollars. If I were to register every brand I ever created, that would suffocate my creativity because I'd have to turn every new beer into the financial decision of, 'Do I want to pay for that?'"

Fine says the decision to hold off on wholesale changes to the law was an intentional, incremental strategy.

"While franchise-law reform and self-distribution are the most important issues facing small brewing businesses, they are also met with the most resistance from the distributors who find protection in these existing laws," he explains.

"Franchise law is on the to-do list. Right now, educating the legislators is key," agrees Joshua Aubuchon, who acts as general counsel and lobbyist for the FBG. "This year, we have 40 new members in the House alone, and for many of them, this will be the first time even hearing about these issues. There's going to be some work getting them up to speed — even sharing examples like the problems facing M.I.A. — to really show the necessity for the changes we hope to make."

Over the years, many states have amended franchise laws regarding beer to be more equitable, including an option for self-distribution. In those states, breweries are permitted to sell at least some of their beer — often within a short radius of the brewery's location — directly to bars, restaurants, or liquor stores without the intervention of a distributor.

"To date, 39 states have passed self-distribution legislation for breweries under 60,000 barrels," Brooke Malone notes. "Is Florida going to be the last?"

Fine says prohibiting self-distribution for small breweries has become the elephant in the room.

"We believe that a working three-tier system is healthy for the alcoholic-beverage industry in Florida," says Fine. "However, in its current state, it hinders the ability of small breweries to grow and be successful before committing to a lifelong decision. We believe that with open dialogue, we could reach an agreement that would benefit both sides. Unfortunately, one side is not willing to discuss these changes because they already have the benefits of the existing laws."

"Distributors are not evil," M.I.A.'s Eddie Leon hastens to add. "They are a critical part of our industry and have the difficult job of selling, delivering, and maintaining inventory of freshly brewed beer. We see Cavalier's actions as a blatant abuse of franchise law, one that clearly shows the problems with this type of system in Florida. It's time for these laws to be amended. Put simply, it's not fair business practice."

Radiology provider Akumin posted what it says are “solid” 2022 financial results on Thursday, March 16, despite ongoing challenges impacting its operations.

The Plantation, Florida-based company recorded a net loss of $151.6 million for the entire year. This marked a $116.8 million increase in net losses when compared to 2021, Akumin told investors during its quarterly earnings call.

However, the company saw a 115% increase in its 2022 earnings (before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), climbing from $77.2 million in 2021 to $144.1 million last year. This was driven primarily by Akumin acquiring Alliance Healthcare Services for $786 million.

“We also had to respond to several industrywide challenges [in 2022], including a shortage of clinical labor which negatively impacted our ability to generate same-store revenue growth, and unprecedented cost inflation, particularly in the areas of labor, third-party services and medical supplies,” Chairman and CEO Riadh Zine said in a statement. “Despite these challenges, we were able to deliver solid performance and have positioned the business for strong organic growth in 2023 and beyond.”

Given some of those hindrances, Akumin saw fourth-quarter, same-store MRI volumes dip 0.3%. Meanwhile, PET/CT leapt 7.8% while oncology patient starts climbed 8%. Amid the integration of Alliance Healthcare Services’ business, Akumin reported revenue of $749.6 million in 2022, up 78% (or $328.6 million) compared to the previous year. Zine said combining the companies required restructuring that resulted in $20 million in savings, along with the consolidation of underperforming locations and “repositioning” of its oncology business.

Akumin’s financial guidance for 2023 is calling for upward of $775 million in revenue, adjusted earnings of $160 million, and capital expenditures that could reach $65 million.

“While we have begun to see some improvement to the operating conditions we faced in 2022, some ongoing labor constraints and cost inflation persist in some of our markets, which we have factored in to our outlook for 2023, notwithstanding the strong demand for our services which we expect to continue,” Zine said in the statement. “We are confident in our ability to deliver solid results in 2023 and are encouraged by these early developments thus far in the year.”

Altogether, Akumin operates a network of more than 180 owned or operated imaging locations serving 1,100-plus hospitals and health systems in 48 states.

All Year Cooling and Heating is South Florida's #1 Choice for Same Day AC Service & Installation

Tom Smith, president of All Year Cooling and Heating was interviewed by Authority Magazine, where he discussed how to take a company from good to great.

CORAL SPRINGS, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES, March 19, 2023 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Tom Smith, president of All Year Cooling and Heating was interviewed by Authority Magazine, where he discussed how an entrepreneur and business owner can take their company from good to great. Tom Smith was a natural choice to be interviewed by Authority Magazine. He is a successful businessman and entrepreneur and the president of All Year Cooling and Heating, South Florida’s #1 choice for same-day AC service and installation. Tom Smith is also a philanthropist and active volunteer in the Weston, Florida area through his charity work with many organizations, including Project We Care.

Authority Magazine is a Medium publication that is devoted to sharing in-depth and interesting interviews featuring people who are authorities in business, pop culture, wellness, social impact, and technology. As a magazine it uses interviews to draw out stories that are both empowering and actionable. It adheres to the idea that good stories should feel beautiful to the mind, heart, and eyes. Authority Magazine distinguishes itself by producing large interview series with scores of experts and thought leaders, around a single empowering topic. Popular interview series include “Female Disruptors,” “Meet The Rising Stars of TV, Film, & Music,” “The Future Is Now,” “Social Impact Heroes,” “Women In Wellness,” “Five Things You Need To Be A Highly Effective Leader During Turbulent Times,” and “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Became a CEO.” Since 2018, Authority Magazine has conducted more than 100,000 empowering interviews.

Tom Smith discussed a variety of subjects during his interview, including some of his backstory and how he got started in the air conditioning / HVAC industry, what some mistakes he made when first starting out were, and the lessons he learned from those mistakes. When discussing some of the hard times he faced when first starting out, if he ever considered giving up, and where he got the drive to continue, Tom Smith commented:

“When I started All Year Cooling and Heating, it was a challenge to get the business off the ground. We were competing with other established companies in our area, so it took time and hard work to build up our reputation. There were definitely some difficult times when we didn’t know if we would make ends meet or if we should consider giving up. But my drive kept me going even during those times of uncertainty. I knew that if I put in the work and stayed focused on providing quality service, then eventually people would recognize us and come to trust us as their go-to air conditioning company. That's exactly what happened - slowly but surely people began to take notice of our services and now All Year Cooling and Heating is a thriving business.”

Mr. Smith went on to share a story about what he thinks makes All Year Cooling and Heating stand out from the competition, to talk about a mentor who helped him along his career journey, and also offered tips to colleagues in the air conditioning installation and service industry on how to avoid burnout. Tom Smith advised: “I would recommend that my colleagues focus on maintaining a healthy work-life balance. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of running a business but it’s important to make sure you’re taking time for yourself as well. Taking regular breaks, setting realistic deadlines, delegating tasks where possible, and ensuring that employees have enough resources to do their jobs effectively are all great ways to prevent burnout and create an overall healthier work environment. Additionally, it can also be helpful to set aside some time each week or month for networking events so you can stay up-to-date with industry trends and connect with other professionals in your field. These strategies have helped keep me motivated throughout my career and I’m sure they can help others as well.” ?

Tom Smith then differentiated between a “good” company and a “great” company as well as outlined five steps for taking a company from good to great.

“I would define a “good” company as one that is meeting its goals and providing an adequate level of customer service. In other words, it’s doing what it set out to do but without any real emphasis on going above and beyond for its clients. A “great” company, on the other hand, is one that consistently strives to exceed expectations. It goes out of its way to provide superior customer service, keeps up with industry trends, and invests in technology and innovation to stay competitive. Customers know they can always count on a great company because they are reliable and dependable when needed. Ultimately, a great company is one that is consistently delivering high-quality products or services while also taking into account the customer experience.

The five most important steps in leading a company from good to great are: 1. Invest in customer service2. Develop effective systems3. Stay up-to-date with industry trends4. Foster relationships within your network5. Innovate and stay creative

Any business owner or entrepreneur willing to put in the work and follow these steps will see positive results in the quality of their company.”

Tom Smith went on to discuss the benefits of having a purpose-driven business, what a business whose growth has plateaued can do to revive things, what companies can do to maintain growth during difficult economic conditions, and a wide range of other topics on business leadership, company growth, and advice on improving sales and customer service.

To find out more about Tom Smith and All Year Cooling and Heating, please visit www.allyearcooling.com

About All Year Cooling and HeatingAll Year Cooling and Heating is a full-service, licensed, and insured air conditioning dealer, air conditioning repair, air conditioning service, air conditioning maintenance, and air conditioning installation company which has been serving residents across South Florida since 1973. All Year Cooling and Heating has serviced over 350,000 customers and completed over 200,000 AC installations, as well as even more AC Repairs, AC Services, and AC maintenance throughout its 50 years of business. Its team of solutions specialists have been qualified through hands-on training by experts in the field and are knowledgeable of air conditioning and home comfort solutions.

All Year Cooling and Heating is a proven industry leader that can be depended on for all types of air conditioning repair jobs. They provide turnaround times that are vastly superior to the competition because they understand the importance of a working AC system in the hot Weston weather. They have the capacity to make new orders on short notice, and are ready at a moment’s notice. All Year Cooling and Heating serves all residents of South Florida, from Vero Beach to Homestead, with exceptional air conditioning service, installation, and duct cleaning. Based in the heart of South Florida, All Year Cooling and Heating dispatches a large fleet of vehicles every day to provide all of its South Florida customers with quality air conditioning installation and repair.

All Year Cooling and Heating provides a comprehensive AC system evaluation with every service call. They ensure the customer’s home is cool and comfortable, and inspect the AC unit, evaluate the entire ventilation system, all of the AC system will be diagnosed without any obligation to continue using All Year Cooling and Heating’s services. They use only the finest air conditioner repair technicians, who are thoroughly screened, tested and trained to ensure effective air conditioner repair. Every member of their team stays current with the latest developments and technology in air conditioner repair. With technology always changing and industry updates happening frequently, they also require additional air conditioner repair training in order to stay sharp.

About Tom Smith, president of All Year Cooling and HeatingTom Smith, of Weston, Florida, is a successful business owner and entrepreneur. He is the President of All Year Cooling and Heating, a Coral Springs, Florida-based air conditioning company that serves all of South Florida. The HVAC business specializes in home air conditioning unit installation and repair. Tom was born in Hollywood, Florida, and attended South Plantation High School in Plantation, Florida. Tom Smith was a hardworking self-starter from a young age. He began selling cars at the age of nineteen and soon had his own lot. Tom then successfully ran a business that bought and built houses. When he became the President of All Year Cooling and Heating, he returned to the industry where he grew up.

All Year Cooling and Heating has grown from a small company to a thriving and well-established business thanks to Tom Smith. Under his guidance, it has become one of the leading air conditioning companies in South Florida. All Year Cooling and Heating, based in Weston, Florida, and with a home office in Coral Springs, serves consumers from Vero Beach to Homestead. Tom is a fantastic leader who sets an example for others to follow. His commitment to providing exceptional customer service motivates his team to continuously produce high-quality work. Tom makes himself available to his customers at all times of the day to ensure that they can rely on him.

Tom Smith is a dedicated family man despite his hectic schedule as a business owner. He and his wife, Erin Smith, live in Weston, Florida, with their four children, where they are involved in a variety of community activities and charitable causes, including Project We Care, a family-based non-profit organization that provides food, clothing, home goods, and other necessities to veterans. Tom enjoys participating in his children's activities, such as lacrosse, soccer, gymnastics, or coding, and spending time with his family creating new memories.

American Heritage Schools is pleased to announce that 23 students from the Class of 2023 (16 from the Broward Campus and seven from the Palm Beach Campus) have been nominated for the Presidential Scholars award. American Heritage Schools is the No. 1 ranked PK3 through 12 college preparatory schools according to Niche, and are the No. 1 and No. 2 high schools in the state of Florida with a combined total of 86 National Merit Scholars semifinalists.

The U.S. Presidential Scholars program is the nation’s most prestigious recognition for distinguished graduating high school seniors. The two campuses of American Heritage Schools account for 11% of all Presidential Scholar Candidates in the state of Florida. The Broward campus is the No. 1 school in Florida with the highest number of Presidential Scholar candidates. The Palm Beach Campus is the No. 1 school in Palm Beach County and No. 2 private school in Florida with the highest number of Presidential Scholar candidates.

“Being a Presidential Scholar is one of the highest academic honors a student can achieve, and we couldn’t be more proud of our students who have achieved this incredible honor,” said Dr. Doug Laurie, president of American Heritage Schools.

The United States Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by Executive Order of the President to recognize and honor some of our Nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.

Approximately 650 candidates will be named semifinalists and forwarded to the Commission for further review. In April, the Commission on Presidential Scholars will review the applications and select 161 outstanding students to receive the nation’s highest scholastic honor. Students are selected based on their academic success, artistic excellence, essays, school evaluations, and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership, and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.

U.S. Presidential Scholars are honored for their accomplishments during the National Recognition Program in Washington D.C. each June. To commemorate their achievement, the Scholars are awarded the Presidential Scholars Medallion during a White House-sponsored ceremony.

For more information about the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program and American Heritage Schools, please visit: https://www.ahschool.com/presidential-scholars-2023

About American Heritage Schools:

American Heritage Schools, founded in 1965, is a nationally-ranked private, nonsectarian, and co-educational college preparatory day school with two 40-acre campuses; the Broward Campus is located in Plantation, Florida, and the Palm Beach Campus is located in Delray Beach, Florida. Its campuses serve approximately 4,800 students in PK3 through 12th grades, and the student body represents over 60 different countries throughout the world. Approximately 70 percent of the faculty hold postgraduate degrees. American Heritage Schools is nationally and internationally accredited by the following associations: Association of Independent Schools of Florida (AISF), Middle States Association (MSA-CESS), and National Council for Private Schools. The Lower School includes advanced classes and 15 electives, and the Upper School offers over 300 courses with 138 honors classes, 28 Advanced Placement classes, and 75 fine arts classes. Pre-professional programs are offered in pre-med, pre-law,pre-engineering, biomedical engineering, business & entrepreneurship, and computer science with classes taught daily by doctors, surgeons, lawyers, judges, engineers, and computer scientists currently practicing in their fields. For 13 years, American Heritage Schools has been ranked the No. 1 high school in Florida for the highest number of National Merit Scholars, and the school is home to the No. 1 math competition team out of all private schools in the U.S. The Model UN team is top 3 in the nation, and the Speech and Debate team is in the top 1% in the nation. American Heritage Schools is ranked among the top private schools in Florida in STEM, according to Niche.

For more information about American Heritage Schools, visit its website atwww.ahschool.com

Broward Campus: (954) 472-0022 ext. 1 or email [email protected]

Palm Beach Campus: (561) 495-7272 ext. 1 or email [email protected]

Amateur pickleballers will have an opportunity to compete against four tennis legends in an ESPN live-televised event.

Tennis legends Andre Agassi, Michael Chang, John McEnroe and Andy Roddick will be competing for a $1 million purse and will also compete against the winners of an amateur pickleball challenge that will take place on March 31 and April 1 at Plantation Central Park.

A total of 96 local amateurs, mostly from South Florida, will compete in the amateur challenge that will feature 96 doubles teams, entering on a first-come, first-in basis, vying for a $10,000 team prize.

The winners of the challenge will also have a chance to compete against two of the tennis-turned-pickleball legends before the inaugural Pickleball Slam televised event on April 2 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Chang, who retired from professional tennis in 2003, holds the distinction of being the youngest man in history to win a singles major, winning the 1989 French Open at 17 years and 109 days old.

He said he took up pickleball a couple of months ago.

“I played a lot with my friends,” Chang said. “I enjoyed it a lot. You find a lot of former tennis players taking up the sport because it is easier on the body, and it doesn’t have the physical demands of playing on the full (tennis) court. You still have to have the touch and feel and the hand-eye coordination that you have in tennis, so the sports aren’t that much different and there isn’t that much of a learning curve. I like both (sports).”

Chang said he is looking forward to the Hard Rock event, where he will team with John McEnroe. The weekend also includes a Saturday night banquet featuring a question-and-answer session with the tennis legends.

“I think it is very cool,” Chang said. “Amateurs always wonder how they would do against a professional athlete, and this gives them that chance to play their hand against a pro.”

Chang, who won 34 titles during his illustrious career and was ranked as high as No. 2 in the world in 1996, also said he is looking forward to teaming with McEnroe, known for his fiery demeanor on the court.

“He’s been my partner and I have found that he plays better when he gets upset,” Chang said, laughing. “I am hoping that he gets upset.

“John is a great ambassador for the sport,” he said. “He has done a lot for the sport both on and off the court with his charity work.”

Jon Venison, owner of InsideOut Sports & Entertainment has teamed up with David Levy, co-CEO and equity partner in Horizon Sports & Experiences to present the upcoming pickleball match.

Levy previously worked with Turner Broadcasting and produced the $9 million winner-take-all made-for-TV golf match between Tiger Woods and Phil Michelson.

Created and produced by Horizon Sports & Experiences, the Pickleball Slam will be televised live exclusively on ESPN at noon April 2, immediately ahead of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship.

“The Slam, a multi-year partnership with the Hard Rock, represents the convergence of culture and sport, giving brands an opportunity to engage with passionate fans and amateur players, as pickleball continues to gain popularity,” Levy said. “We look forward to bringing together four of America’s most iconic tennis legends for this groundbreaking competition, which heralds a new milestone for the fastest-growing sport in America.”

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Venison, who spent three years on the ATP and ITF tours between 1993 to 1996, called the growth of pickleball in recent years “amazing.”

“The participation started as an old generation (sport) and has led us to where we are today with 5 [million] to 10 million playing the sport,” he said. “The more exposure you get, the better it is for the sport. The train has left the station on it being just an elderly person’s sport. This event will have great names and an iconic venue.”

USA Pickleball, the sport’s governing body, says the average age of American pickleball players is 38.

[ RELATED: Play pickleball? Here are 10 tips to avoid injuries (for starters, don’t run backward!) ]

The Slam marks the start of a five-event partnership. Future Pickleball Slams will be held at various Hard Rock locations. The inaugural Slam will feature two legends’ singles matches pitting Roddick versus Chang, followed by McEnroe versus Agassi in the second match.

The final match of the day will be doubles match with McEnroe and Chang competing against Roddick and Agassi and that match will determine the split of the $1 million purse, which will go to the player’s charity.

“I believe it is important to give back,” said Chang, who will be representing the Chang Family Foundation. “We help people who are homeless and in need and all of us have foundations or give back in some way.”

For information and to register for the Slam Amateur Challenge, visit thepickleballslam.com.