Archive for April 2011
Bella Thorne Returns To Native South Florida For Special Appearance At The YoBlendz Grand Opening In Weston
April 20, 2011 | 
Author 
Bella Thorne
WESTON, FL (April 15, 2011) – Bella Thorne, star of the Disney Channel Original Series “Shake It Up” made a special appearance at the YoBlendz grand opening in Weston, Florida on Saturday, February 19, 2011. More than 1,000 people came out for the event, as Bella entertained a meet and greet and signed autographs with her fans in South Florida, where the hit Disney starlet was born and raised.
Free and open to the public, the event featured a variety of family-friendly activities including appearances by the Florida Panthers Ice Dancers and Miami Heat Dancers, the Florida Panthers Party Patrol and Interactive Van, giveaways, live DJ, face painting, balloon artist, and the “Make It Your Way” build-your-own-frozen treat contest. A portion of proceeds from all yogurt sales benefitted the YoBlendz Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides food and education to impoverished and underprivileged children.
Starring in the Disney Channel Original Series “Shake It Up” that premiered on Sunday November 7th, Bella Thorne is undeniably a hot rising young star. One half of a dynamic duo, Bella plays aspiring dancer Cece Jones who lands a role as a back-up dancer on her favorite show “Shake It Up, Chicago.” “Shake It Up” premiered to 6.2 million viewers making it Disney Channel’s 2nd highest rated series premiere to date and is now Disney Channel’s highest rated series ever among tweens 9-14. Thorne has had past starring roles in “Wizards of Waverly Place,” “Entourage,” “Big Love,” “In The Motherhood,” “October Road,” “Little Monk,” and “The O.C.,” and was thrilled to stop by South Florida to entertain fans at the YoBlendz grand opening celebration.
YoBlendz, a healthy self-serve frozen yogurt franchise blending nature’s best with all the rest, is the brainchild of Adam Ogden, the South Florida-based entrepreneur responsible for bringing the ever popular JUICEBLENDZ smoothie and juice bar franchise to life. His lifelong dedication to healthy living has helped him conceptualize yet another delicious and nutritious franchise in YoBlendz.
“We pride ourselves on offering the freshest frozen yogurt made with live and active cultures in a variety of flavors, with low-fat and sugar-free options available. And, to top it off, our frozen yogurt is Kosher as well,” says Ogden. “From delicious fresh fruit to traditional sweet toppings, we make it easy for customers to create their own mix and satisfy their sweet tooth while indulging in low fat, good-for-you frozen treats. We were thrilled to celebrate our grand opening with Disney star Bella Thorne, and overwhelmed by the turnout of the South Florida community.”
YoBlendz Weston is located at 1378 Weston Road in Country Isles Plaza. For more information, call (954) 251-0019 or visit YoBlendz.com.
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Posted in Celebrity, Cuisine, Entertainment | 
Tags: Adam Ogden, Bella Thorne, Disney Channel, Frozen Yogert, Shake It Up, YoBlendz | 
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YOLO Hosts Sips and Sliders at Sunset – A South Florida Slider Cook-Off Featuring the Finest Local Restaurants and Celebrity Judges
Fort Lauderdale Hotspot Hosts the Biggest Slider Showdown on Las Olas –
Proceeds Benefiting the Jack & Jill Children’s Center
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (April 14, 2011) – YOLO, a trendy and sophisticated eatery that brings the ‘You Only Live Once’ philosophy to life through cuisine and atmosphere, is hosting Sips and Sliders at Sunset on Thursday, April 21, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with proceeds benefiting the Jack & Jill Children’s Center.
YOLO is calling all slider specialists and aims to answer the age old question – who has the best slider in town? Consider the gauntlet thrown. A challenge has been extended to Fort Lauderdale restaurants!
From the masterminds that brought a little friendly competition to the camaraderie amongst South Florida restaurants with Moonlight, Meatballs & Martinis in 2009 (a meatball cook-off)… comes a new contest that puts America’s favorite finger sandwich to the ultimate test. Consider this a follow up challenge of Fort Lauderdale restaurant’s culinary skills all in good fun – and food. Sips & Sliders at Sunset will bring some of Fort Lauderdale’s finest restaurants together to compete to earn the title of ‘Fort Lauderdale’s Best Slider’ aka SoFla’s Slider Master.
Known for their delectable Meatball Sliders prepared with tomato gravy, arugula and herb ricotta, YOLO sets the slider bar pretty high. But to encourage a little friendly downtown competition, they are hosting the ultimate slider showdown, inviting some of South Florida’s favorite eateries to test their culinary talents among an audience of their patrons. This year the slider war will engage Himmarshee Bar & Grille, Johnny V Restaurant, Mancini’s, Rocco’s Tacos, Big City Tavern, Market 17, Ocean 3030, Blue Moon Fish Co., and The Grateful Palate.
Each restaurant will create one sensational slider to represent their slider-making-skills. The entries will be reviewed by an elite panel of judges including South Florida celebrities and culinary-geniuses as well as the hundreds of local residents and restaurant patrons in attendance who will help deem one restaurant The King of All Things Slider-related. Esteemed slider judges this year include Honorable Jack Seiler, Miami Dolphins player Anthony Fasano, WSVN Weather Meteorologist Julie Durda, New Times Editor Deirdra Funcheon and Maxim’s Hometown Hottie Lisa Morales. The winner will master the art of slider superiority by showcasing perfect portions, supremely prepared meats and unique toppings. The goal – to make a slider like no other that warrants a toast from the crowds and the slider champion crown. First, second and third place winners will receive an award plaque and bragging rights of course.
After all, who doesn’t want to be called a Master Slider Maker?
Sips & Sliders at Sunset will offer guests a front row seat to the slider competition along with live music, great food and drinks and a chance to help a local, deserving charity. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Jack & Jill Children’s Center, a non-profit organization that offers an accredited program which supports the intellectual, emotional, physical and social development of young children. It was founded in 1942 and has evolved into a community-based program with a community-based board of directors. Over the years, Jack & Jill has provided more than 13,000 children 1 million hours of child care. Its mission is to break the cycle of poverty for children of lower income working families in Broward County through the provision of family-oriented child care services and family intervention and support. For more information, please call (954) 463-8772 or visit www.jackandjillcenter.org.
Sponsors include Southern Wine & Spirits. Tickets for Sips and Sliders at Sunset are available for $25 in advance and $30 at the door. To purchase tickets guests can call (954) 523-1000 or visit www.YOLORestaurant.com for more information.
YOLO restaurant, located at 333 East Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, serves brunch, lunch and dinner, Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Friday 11:30 a.m. to midnight, Saturday noon to midnight and Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. O Lounge is open Monday through Friday, 4:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., Saturday 5:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. and Sunday 5:00 p.m. to midnight. Valet, garage and municipal parking are available. For more information, please call (954) 523-1000 or visit the Web site at www.yolorestaurant.com.
Laila Ali Lifestyle Brand Donates Portion Of Proceeds From Sales For The Month Of April To Environmental Working Group In Honor Of Earth Day
Laila Ali
Plainview, NY (March 31, 2011) – In honor of Earth Day April 22, world champion athlete, television personality and active philanthropist Laila Ali, along with International Beauty Brands (IBB) – a leader in the fragrance and personal care product manufacturing and distribution industry for more than 20 years, will be donating a portion of proceeds from online sales of the Laila Ali Professional Hair Care and Laila Ali Derm Essentials Skin Care lines for the month of April to the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
Visit LailaAli.com beginning April 1 through April 30, 2011 and purchase any product or products from the Laila Ali Professional Hair Care or Laila Ali Derm Essentials Skin Care lines and 10% of proceeds will go to EWG, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to use the power of public information to protect public health and the environment. Who knew looking so good could benefit Mother Nature?
“When we are creating products we should be responsible, so I’ve done my best to create a line of non-toxic, sulfate-free items, that not only benefit the environment, but the consumer as well,” says Ali. “Additionally, it’s important to support organizations that create awareness and provide resources for sustainable and healthy living.”
The Laila Ali Professional Hair Care line features a variety of products, from curl defining gel to purifying shampoos and repairing conditioners. All products are professional grade and sulfate-free, which means they don’t make color fade or weaken hair. The product is formulated with true, natural and botanical products designed to strengthen and repair hair. The comprehensive hair care program is designed with every woman in mind, but at the same time, is reflective of today’s ethnic hair care market. These are true professional products, the benefits of which will be instant, resulting in soft, stylish, silky smooth hair, immediately demonstrating the long-term effects of repair.
The Laila Ali Derm Essentials Skin Care line includes everything from age defying cream and tone equalizer, to ultra-hydrating body lotion and daily face wash and moisturizer. The line is specially formulated to deep moisturize and repair skin from underneath the surface and support restructuring. The simple-to-use skin care program was designed for the active, everyday woman and is reflective of Laila’s lifestyle. All formulations are organic, high-quality and sustainable, making it easy for any woman to use daily.
Both the Laila Ali Professional Hair Care and Laila Ali Derm Essentials skincare lines range in price from $13 to $18. For more information, visit www.LailaAli.com.
International Beauty Brands (IBB) has been at the forefront of the fragrance and personal care product manufacturing and distribution industry for over 20 years. With two world class facilities for manufacturing and distribution (NY and Miami), IBB can deliver the Celebrity’s Signature brand to market faster and more cost efficiently than anyone. The end result is an opportunity to launch in under 6 months. No other company can create, manufacture, and sign distribution deals with vendors faster than IBB. The end product is increased sales and the opportunity to grow the Branded Signature line quicker based on the initial success.
Laila Ali, an athlete and champion of health and fitness, is a perfect role model for today’s healthy, on the-go woman. The youngest daughter of Veronica Porsche Anderson, and of the legendary Muhammad Ali, she is a strong, intelligent, woman, daughter, mom and wife. While Laila has undoubtedly been a major draw in professional sports for many years, prior to becoming an elite athlete Laila was a licensed manicurist who owned and operated her own nail salon. Her attention to beauty and an overall healthy lifestyle has rendered her an expert in this field, appearing in numerous magazines, national and international advertising campaigns, as well as hosting many national television shows. She also authored a motivational book titled Reach! She wrote the book in an effort to help young women who may need to be inspired in life. Laila presently lives in Los Angeles with her husband, former NFL player, Curtis Conway, and their son, Curtis Muhammad Conway, Jr. For more information on Laila, visit www.lailaali.com.
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Vibe Ultra Music Lounge Hosted The Maxim Party To Kick Off The Biggest Weekend In Football With Events Across the Country
Celebrations took place at popular venues in Chicago, Ft. Lauderdale and San Diego to mirror the annual, star packed Maxim BIG GAME Party – VIBE featured Maxim Hometown Hottie Lisa Morales and DECO Drive’s own Shireen Sandoval
Fort Lauderdale, FL (April 4, 2011) – VIBE Ultra Music Lounge, a swanky bar and lounge dedicated to all things music, was selected as one of the few premier venues across the nation and Florida’s exclusive venue to host THE MAXIM PARTY on February 4, 2011.“VIBE set the Las Olas nightlife scene on fire,” said Tim Petrillo, co-founder and CEO of The Restaurant People Inc. and operator of VIBE Ultra Music Lounge. “Maxim was the perfect partner to bring the biggest football party to the streets of Fort Lauderdale. We were beyond thrilled to be the exclusive Florida host for THE MAXIM PARTY. The culmination of Vibe’s ultra-chic, hip to the music scene atmosphere and Maxim’s hot reputation produced one memorable night. South Florida without a doubt will be begging to ‘Feel It’ all again soon.”
And ‘Feel It’ they did as more than 1,000 guests enjoyed special exclusive party with additions such as South Florida’s Maxim Hometown Hottie Lisa Morales and DECO Drive’s Shireen Sandoval as local celebrity guests; and exclusive event partners such as the Riverside Hotel, TEASE Hair Salon and more. VIBE turned the heat up another notch as South Florida’s own football hotties hit the red carpet. The Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders raised the temperature, signing calendars and posing for photo ops. As if the overdose of sultry and skilled sports divas wasn’t enough to make this the sexiest, hottest scene ever, the beats drove guests over the edge. Model turned DJ and singer, DJ Catherine McQueen dominated the turn tables – spinning ear candy that kept the party ‘vibe’ going until all hours of the morning. The only thing hotter than her music flow was McQueen herself, as this triple threat has graced the pages of Maxim before.
Alpha Media Group, publisher of Maxim, announced the expansion of THE MAXIM PARTY to local markets, produced by the Passion Group, the nation’s foremost event management and experiential marketing company. The three simultaneous events in Ft. Lauderdale, Chicago, and San Diego replicated the famous Maxim event giving consumers VIP access to the celebration right in their own city. As host of the Fort Lauderdale Maxim party, VIBE Ultra Music Lounge shocked South Florida with one of the hottest parties to ever celebrate the biggest game in football with live entertainment, celebrity appearances and Maxim hotties.
VIBE Ultra Music Lounge, located at 301 East Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, is open Monday through Thursday from 7pm – 2am; and Friday and Saturday from 7pm – 3am. Valet, garage and municipal parking are available. For more information, please call (954) 713-7313 or visit the Web site at www.VIBELasOlas.com.
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