Weekly News (Aug. 19, 2019)

Cigar News

• A.J. Fernández Takes International Distribution in House
• AGANORSA Leaf, Cigar Dojo Collaborate for Bonsai
• Foundation Ships Highclere Castle Victorian, Menelik & Tabernacle Havana Seed #142 Lancero

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• Gran Habano Blue in Green Sampler Heading to Little Puff 2019 — W. Curtis Draper’s annual event gets an exclusive sampler offering with non-production sizes.
• La Galera Bronx Edition Arrives at Papa Juan’s Cigar Room
• Les Fines Lames Launching Le Petit Model
• Lotus Group Names Jeff Hansen New Western Regional Sales Manager
• Nicaraguan Cigar Festival Returns for 2020, Tickets Now on Sale
• Royal Agio Ships Balmoral Añejo XO Nicaragua
• Tabacuba Enterprise Group Inaugurate Three New Processing Centers in Pinar del Río for Export Tobacco — via Granma.cu

Legislation

• FDA, Cigar Industry Due Back in Court in October

• Kansas Legislators Reportedly Working on Tobacco Purchasing Age Increase Bill — via KASB.org

• Belfast, Maine Approves First Reading of New Smoking Ban — via VillageSoup.com
• Crawfordsville, Ind. Approves First Reading of Parks Tobacco Ban — via JournalReview.com
• Denver, Colo. Urged to Raise Tobacco Purchase Age, Ordinance Reportedly in Development — via KOA News Radio
• Dwight, Illinois Bans Tobacco Use in Parks
• El Cajon, Calif. to Consider Stricter Punishments for Retailers Selling Tobacco to Minors — via 10News.com
• Forsyth County, Ga. Announces All Parks and Recreation Areas are Now Tobacco-Free
• Glenwood Springs, Colo. Approves Tobacco Purchasing Age Increase and Flavored Tobacco Ban; Voters Will Decide Tobacco Tax
• Rockland, Maine Approves First Reading of Parks Smoking Ban, Second Vote Set for Sept. 9 — via VillageSoup.com
• St. Mary’s County, Md. Parks Tobacco Ban Begins Sept. 1
• Union, N.Y. Expands Parks Smoking Ban — via WNBF.com

Colleges and Universities

• Fresno City College (Calif.) Goes Tobacco-Free as of Aug. 12 — via ABC30.com

Deals From Our Sponsors

• Atlantic Cigar Co. — J. Fuego Origen Originals (Case of 60, $79.20)
• Cigar Hustler — HVC Serie A Perlas (Pack of 5, $40.38)
• Corona Cigar Co. — Jas Sum Kral Nuggs Maduro (Box of 25, $539.95)
• Famous Smoke Shop — Colibri Empire Lighter ($24.95)
• Gotham Cigars — Arturo Fuente Añejo No. 49 (Pack of 5, $53.59)
• JR Cigars — Backpacking Adventure Collection ($39.95)
• STOGIES World Class Cigars — WingDing 2019 ($195)

Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury, the G-League's Valley Suns, and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for Major League Baseball, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.