In their second year, the Broward Pulse committee has hand-selected a motivated and dedicated group of young professionals that are committed to raising awareness of childhood obesity and money for families of children suffering from congenital heart defects.

Last year, Pulse was able to net $48,000 towards this cause, and this year, they have already far exceeded their own expectations. With over $65,000 already committed to the Pulse campaign, the committee looks to top their goal of $100,000 at their Second Annual Red Party.

Co-Chair and Top Fundraiser, Romina Sifuentes, “has been humbled by the generosity of our community. The fact that so many people have donated to this cause shows how important it is to raise awareness of heart health.”
The Red Party will take place on Thursday, March 1st at 8pm at the Westin Sky Terrace. Guests will be treated to open bar sponsored by Stoli Vodka, passed hors d’oeuvres, a silent and live auction, and music provided by a live band and DJ. Celebrity sponsor Andre Johnson will be in attendance, alongside signature sponsors One Beat CPR, Las Olas Riverfront, Silver Lining In Flight Catering, and SOI. Guests are strongly encouraged to wear red.

“This event is a culmination of almost a year of preparation and fundraising, and we are thrilled to present an event that reflects the collaborative efforts of 25 young professionals that truly care about this cause. It’s going to be a great night,” states Pulse Co-Chair, Sara Shake.

Their campaign started with a kick-off netting $15,000 towards their goal at Jet Runway Café, hosted by signature sponsor, Silver Lining In Flight Catering. Since then, the group has worked diligently to spread awareness of their cause through community outreach events like their Heart Healthy Day of Play at Funderdome, where 172 kids and parents received a CPR Demo from One Beat CPR and learned about staying active and healthy.

Tickets are available for purchase for $75 through www.browardpulse.org or by calling (954) 772-8100.
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Broward Pulse is a group of local young professionals working to build a strong beat of commitment to heart health in the next generation of community leaders. It’s your friends and coworkers gathering to educate, inspire and develop the habit of philanthropy dedicated to changing the health of a new generation. Broward Pulse is Co-Chaired by Romina Sifuentes, Jamie Shock, and Sara Shake.

For more information, to schedule an interview, or request press credentials for the Pulse Red Party, contact Sara Shake at 954.336.3275 or sara@xpsdpr.com.

And then we had the Relax Like A Star event. It was so simple, and so successful. A group of 25 Influencers, the YouCeleb Step & Repeat, Zico, Pop Chips, and a few moments of bliss provided by the Bliss Spa South Beach. Who could ask for anything more? [Well, actually Angela Lutin of Essentially Angela asked for champagne, but that’s to be expected.]

And while there’s always room for improvement, this event was pretty close to perfect for me. With guests like Amit Dharmani from YouCeleb.com, Jewel Figueras of Jewel’s Fab Life, Stephanie Camargo from Midtown Chic-a, Annie Vazquez from The Fashion Poet, Jenny Ortiz from Interview Her, and Sara Liss, Miami Editor of Urban Daddy…the stars [from a PR perspective] were definitely out that night.

Proof that a great event can be simple in concept when the right people are invited, it was a supremely easy and enjoyable for everyone involved, evidenced by these photos of me and our new Jr. Account Exec, Lindi, getting a rub down in the nail lounge. [Word to the wise: the Blood Orange White Pepper Body Butter might change your life, and at the very least, your skin.]

Check out all the photos from this event here, and read all the nice things our guests had to say on the YouCeleb Facebook Page. Become a fan while you’re at it.

And as for the things I would have changed? That’s for me to know, because after all…ignorance is Bliss.

[P.S. Apparently I really like to use brackets.]

Taking place on Tuesday, February 7th from 5:30-7:30pm, kids in the community and their parents are invited for a heart-healthy day of play hosted by Funderdome, and the young professionals chapter of the American Heart Association of Broward County, Pulse.

In an effort to give back to the community, Pulse felt it was necessary to live up to their mission of raising awareness and prevention of childhood obesity in addition to raising funds through their annual events.
“Funderdome was a natural choice for this event. In addition to an amazing facility, they share our passion for encouraging kids to lead an active and healthy lifestyle,” says Pulse Co-Chair, Romina Sifuentes.
One Beat CPR, the signature sponsor of Broward Pulse, will be on hand to give kids and parents a CPR demonstration, as well as, discuss how to react in an emergency situation. Healthy snacks will be provided by Pop Chips, and the Funderdome Café.
Funderdome features play areas such as the Ballistics Ball Blasting Arena, Funder-City Climbing Wall, Obstacle Course, Giant Slides, Laser Maze, and the Sky Trail Ropes Challenge. The event is open to children of all ages, and admission is free.

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For more information, visit www.browardpulse.org, or contact Sara Shake of Exposed PR at 954.336.3275 or sara@xpsdpr.com.

Funderdome Indoor Play & Café is a nearly 9,000-square foot destination family fun center that promotes fun, fitness and togetherness for kids and adults. The facility offers quality programming and free time, and is designed to be a place where everyone can participate as much – or as little – as they like.

The main play space is open daily for free play, offering a great alternative to the beach or other (weather-dependent) outdoor activities. Play equipment includes a 22-foot high, three-belay climbing wall, South Florida’s only indoor high ropes challenge course, a ball blasting arena, high-energy laser maze, interactive game floor and giant indoor playground with giant slides. A separate section for toddlers is available for free play, and is also used for Baby and Me classes. Funderdome also offers special events and enrichment classes.

Funderdome also has a café attached, separated from the play space by a wall that allows parents to relax with a coffee and use free Wi-Fi while children enjoy free play or take a class. While parents are welcome to join in the fun, many also appreciate the ability to sit back and watch the action from the comfortable lounge area.

The facility also has several party rooms available, and can accommodate groups of up to 200 people. Funderdome hosts the best parties in South Florida, and is also a great option for corporate events and team building activities.
Funderdome is open Monday through Saturday from 9am – 9pm, and on Sundays from 9am – 6pm. Day passes and membership packages are available. Visit www.Funderdome.net to learn more, or text “FUN” to 91944 to receive specials and updates via text messages to mobile devices. Call Funderdome at 954-525-1816 to speak with a Funderdome Ambassador, book parties, or to become a Member.
One Beat CPR is Florida’s premier American Heart Association (AHA) and American Safety Health Institute (ASHI) CPR Training Center based in South Florida. Founded by Lon Rosen, a twelve-year veteran with the Key Biscayne Fire Department, our team consists of firefighters, paramedics and police officers who deliver real life experience to make CPR training accessible, fun and informative. For more information, visit www.onebeatcpr.com.

ING’s Run For Something Better Garners Support from Local Celebrities to Raise Awareness about Childhood Obesity

Shannon Ford, the reigning Mrs. United States 2011 will lead a group of 5,000 Miami-Dade County middle school children running the final 1.2-mile leg of the Miami ING Half Marathon on Sunday, January 29, 2012.

Shannon will be giving a pep-talk to the kids before kicking off the run. Running alongside the kids, Shannon will cheer them on along their way to the finish line.

The ING Run For Something Better is aligned with First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! Campaign, which aims to solve the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation so that any child born today will reach adulthood at a healthy weight.

Junior participants have trained for almost a year for this event, in an effort of ongoing promotion of a healthy lifestyle. The run will begin near the courthouse in downtown Miami at 11 a.m. and continue down Flagler Street where the kids will cross the marathon finish line with the rest of the runners.

An avid runner, Shannon states, “Encouraging an active lifestyle from a young age is incredibly important, and I’m so grateful to ING for giving me such an amazing platform to help spread that message to kids in our community.”

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For more information, visit www.mrsunitedstates2011.com, or contact Sara Shake of Exposed PR at 954.336.3275 or sara@xpsdpr.com.

Mrs. United States 2011, Shannon Ford is an active member of the South Florida fitness community, as well as, an outspoken advocate for the Celiac Foundation. She endorses a gluten-free way of life, and uses her healthy lifestyle as a platform for encouraging healthy choices in her community. In addition to her career as a Human Resource Business Partner for an International Wealth Management firm, Shannon is also a Miami Dolphins Ambassador and spokesmodel.

Everything is fair game in Angela Lutin’s new Lifestyle Blog covering life as Single Mom, Divorcee, and Single Woman in the South Florida Dating Scene

Essentially Angela, created by Angela Lutin, is a blog that examines the dysfunction and self-deprecation of a single mom’s everyday life. Blogging about her dates gone right or terribly wrong, navigating the social scene as a high-profile divorcee, and raising a teenage son, Angela gives her readers a dose of reality, served up piping hot.

Approaching life’s issues with a healthy sense of humor and cold, oversized glass of Veuve Cliquot,  Angela has captivated readers with not only her wit and sarcasm, but her ability to flip the switch quicker than you can say “Pinot Grigio,” into an inspirator and motivator. Finding the lesson in life’s darkest moments, Angela lets readers into her twisted world that is everyday life.

Says Angela, “I started Essentially Angela to expose the good, the bad, and the simply amazing moments of learning to discover yourself as an adult woman for the first time. Everyone can relate to the challenges and victories that make up my daily existence.  I want readers to know they are not alone in this, and to see the humor in every situation. Today’s missteps become the basis for tomorrow’s accomplishments. Not to mention, life can really be deliciously funny if you don’t take yourself too seriously.”

In addition to writing Essentially Angela, Angela published her first book, Play Big in November of 2011. Play Big complies the words Angela lives by into a 128-page manifesto teaching people to take on their destiny daily.  A self proclaimed “nice Jewish girl” who was raised Church of God in a Bible Belt State [Mississippi], Angela will officially launch her blog on February 15^th 2012. Readers are invited to subscribe through www.essentiallyangela.com or follow Angela on Twitter at @essentiallyang.

February is heart month, and what better way for kids to learn about having a healthy heart, then walking into a huge inflatable heart. One Beat CPR is sponsoring an all day event at the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital on February 2nd to help raise awareness among kids about maintaining a healthy and well functioning heart.

The inflatable heart is an experience like no other; kids and adults alike can walk through an exact model of a human heart, while learning all the functionality and process that our extraordinary muscle does. There will be refreshments and Free Blue Bell Ice Cream and entertainment by The Coast 97.3, WFLC-FM.

Interactive Exhibits, the creators of the interactive inflatable heart, have partnered with a team of renowned medical advisors, each a board-certified M.D., that play a key role in the product development of each exhibit. The exhibit is filled with information, from the heart chambers and valves to heart disease and heart attacks.

One Beat CPR is Florida’s premier American Heart Association (AHA) and American Safety Health Institute (ASHI) CPR Training Center based in South Florida. They are a dependable family owned company with twelve years of experience offering approachable, enjoyable and affordable lifesaving education classes that are perfect for families, schools and businesses. Founded by Lon Rosen, a twelve-year veteran with the Key Biscayne Fire Department, our team consists of firefighters, paramedics and police officers who deliver real life experience to make CPR training accessible, fun and informative

“Through their generous sponsorship Lon Rosen and One Beat CPR have gone the extra mile and allowed us to teach children about their heart and how to be heart healthy.  The use of the giant inflatable heart allows us to make this both a fun and truly worthwhile learning experience for the children of Broward County.  It is a great example of one of our business partners in the community stepping up and giving back.” – Candice Ryan , Practice Manager, Pediatric Heart Station at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital

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For more information on One Beat CPR or to request an interview, contact Sara Shake of Exposed PR &    Events at sara@xpsdpr.com or 954.336.3275

The Art4Vision Gallery, located at 1015 East Las Olas, is proud to showcase 5 new pieces from Ingrid Cran. The photographs will be hung in time for Art Walk Las Olas Thursday, January 19^th.

When describing her artistic perspective, Ingrid states, “As an artist, I try to evoke a mood, concentrating more on the color, texture, and composition of the subject matter. I feel that the purpose of my work is not to represent reality, but to take it somewhere else.”

Her images are playful and compelling, and provide a sharp contrast to the existing work in the Art4Vision Gallery by Art Wolfe. Art4Vision Founder, Dr. Scott Anagnoste stes, “We’re excited to showcase another artist in the gallery, and we look forward to raising funds and awareness for the Macula Vision Research Foundation.”

All proceeds of the Art4Vision Gallery benefit the Macula Vision Research Foundation, an organization that focuses on blindness prevention.

Art enthusiasts are invited to the Art4Vision Gallery during Art Walk from 6 to 10pm on Thursday, January 19^th. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information, visit art4vision.org, or contact Sara Shake at 954.336.3275 or sara@xpsdpr.com.

Combining Music, Fashion, & Photography, C&I Studios Opens Their Doors during Monthly Art Walk

C&I Studios, a local media company specializing in photography, film, graphic design, and audio production, recently took over the defected space at 541 NW 1^st Avenue in Fort Lauderdale’s art and culture epicenter, FAT Village. With a complete overhaul of the space, addition of a 30’ CYC Wall, studio lighting and sound, and hundreds of hours of manpower, C&I Studios is ready to invite the public to tour the space in a collaborative Grand Opening effort that fuses local music, artists, and fashion on January 28^th at 8pm.

Executive Director, Joshua Miller is “excited to open a studio in Fort Lauderdale that is focused on creativity and community growth. The Grand Opening is an invitation for local creatives to imagine the possibilities of what can happen in the space. We are really excited to see what projects are created here.”

The event includes live photography from Julia Cox and Andre Rowe, a runway show featuring Montce Swimwear and Etiquette Boutique, hair and makeup artistry from 2Face Art, graffiti by Carlos A. Lange, and live musical performances by Kids [celebrating their album release] and Civilian.

Josiah Sampson from KIDS states, “Sink or Swim is the launch of a new era for us, and it is an honor to release it at C&I Studios grand opening.”

Beginning at 8pm, this event is open to the public, and coincides with the FAT Village Art Walk. Bands take the stage at 9pm.

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For more information or to request an interview with C&I Studios, contact Sara Shake of Exposed PR at 954.336.3275 or sara@xpsdpr.com.

C&I Studios is a full-service media company based in South Florida and Washington DC. Providing film and video, graphic design, photography, and audio production, C&I Studios’ vision is to create inspiring art with exceptional quality to reach Humanity 2.0. A portion of each service sold benefits one of three international children’s organizations: SwaziChild.com, Camp Sonshine International, or Flutemaker Ministries. For more information, visit www.c-istudios.com.