Author Archives: Chuck Gregory

Michelle Obama Dress Style Makes News Once Again

Michelle Obama, wife of Senator Barack Obama, wore White House | Black Market's Tank Leaf Print Dress on ABC's The View! When complimented by her co-hosts on her look, Ms. Obama responds by telling viewers where she bought the dress and says, "It's fun to look pretty." White House | Black Market's Tank Leaf Print Dress (retail: 8) is available at White House | Black Market stores nationwide or by calling 1.877.948.2525.

White House | Black Market offers an assortment of stylish, yet affordable clothing and accessories inspired by the latest trends. From wearable classics to sexy, elegant looks for a special night out, to casual separates perfect for any vacation, women trust the versatility of the collection.

White House | Black Market's motto, "Make Women Feel Beautiful," extends to every aspect of the company's operation; from the design of the clothing, to the elegant layout of the stores, to its commitment to superior customer service. When a customer walks into a White House | Black Market boutique, she feels as though she's in an intimate, upscale boutique whose first-class service reflects that sensibility.

White House | Black Market operates 322 boutiques and 19 outlets nationwide. White House | Black Market was acquired by Chico's FAS, Inc. (NYSE:CHS) in September of 2003. The headquarters is located in Ft. Myers, Florida.

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Elton John's 200th Performance of 'The Red Piano'

Elton John will once again thrill fans as he takes the stage for his show stopping, 200th performance of “The Red Piano” on June 21st at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas.

Elton John's “The Red Piano” debuted at the famed Colosseum in February of 2004 and critics were as one in their admiration and excitement for his performance.

“A must see.” “A Triumphant step forward” – Los Angeles Times

“Eye-popping, jaw-dropping…Elton John is Still Standing as one of pop's
indestructible talents.” – USA Today

“Most exciting show in Las Vegas 2004” – Las Vegas Review-Journal

“Elton John remains one of the world's genuine superstars” – London Telegraph

“People from virtually every major country have traveled to Caesars to see Elton John's 'The Red Piano,' and long after the standing ovations have ended, they leave us with treasured memories of one of the great performer/songwriters of this or any era,” said Gary Selesner, president of the famed resort. “We are deeply grateful to Elton and his talented band for giving so much joy to hundreds of thousands of Caesars Palace guests.”

Elton John's “The Red Piano” will return to Caesars Palace for additional engagements, starting on July 23rd and then again beginning Oct. 22nd of this year. Later this year, fans in Europe will also have the opportunity to experience “The Red Piano”.

19-Nov-08 Birmingham NIA, Birmingham, England, UK
22-Nov-08 Olympiahalle, Munich, Germany
24-Nov-08 Color Line Arena, Hamburg, Germany
26-Nov-08 Kolnarena, Cologne, Germany
29-Nov-08 Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark
01-Dec-08 Hartwall-Areena, Helsinki, Finland
04-Dec-08 Globe Arena, Stockholm, Sweden
05-Dec-08 Spektrum, Oslo, Norway
09-Dec-08 Palais Omnisports Bercy, Paris, France
11-Dec-08 02 World, Berlin, Germany
13-Dec-08 02 Arena, London, England, UK
16-Dec-08 Birmingham NIA, Birmingham, England, UK
17-Dec-08 Liverpool Echo Arena, Liverpool, England, UK
18-Dec-08 Liverpool Echo Arena, Liverpool, England, UK
20-Dec-08 Manchester MEN Arena, Manchester, England, UK
21-Dec-08 Manchester MEN Arena, Manchester, England, UK

For new photos of Elton John's “The Red Piano” please visit http://www.yardnet.co.uk/presspix2008z64.

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Hottest Networking Event in DC

FLOCK Network Night – Theme: Beauty & Wellness
Thursday, June 26, 2008
5.30 – 7.30 PM
River Bend Golf and Country Club
375 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066
Open bar, hors’ douerves, all door prizes valued 0-00.
Receive complimentary consultations, treatments, massages, product samples and more!

Come join us this Thursday, June 26 at the River Bend Golf and Country Club in Great Falls, VA for our Beauty and Wellness-themed networking event!
Event runs from 5.30 – 7.30 PM.

Aside from being a high-quality business and social networking event at one of the most exclusive country clubs in the area, you will:

Meet Metro DC area’s premier dermatologists, the cosmetic dentist Long Beach office and cosmetic surgeons who will give complimentary evaluations, consultations, demonstrations, product samples and share the latest trends, procedures and revolutionary products in the cosmetic beauty industry. Some of our experts include Dr. David Green of David Green, M.D. And Dr. Chong W. Lee and Dr. Joseph Oh of Galleria Dental Aesthetics, voted Best Aesthetic dentist by the Washingtonian and Northern Virginia Living Magazine.

Meet Mark Terna of NuSpaCeuticals, exclusive distributor of Intraceuticals’ Oxygen Facial and skin care line who counts Madonna, Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Lopez as some of his most loyal clients.

Try Dr. Siegel’s Cookie Diet – a national diet phenomenon recently featured on The Today Show, CNN, The View, Entertainment Tonight, E! TV and The Big Idea: Donnie Deutsche.

Receive product samples, demonstrations and consultation from brands such as Laura Mercier, PRIMA Day Spa, Dr. Kathy Thompson, M.D., Dr. Karen Lawson, M.D., Arbonne International, Salon Keenan, Body Elements, Lifestyle Weight Management and more!

Get a chance to receive lots of fabulous door prizes ranging from diet, cosmetic and Skincare products to a 10-session Endermologie cellulite and contouring treatment (00) and a package of 4 Laser genesis treatments (00). All door prizes are valued between 0 – 00.

Indulge in good food and company, an open bar, great music and gorgeous views of the River Bend golf course.

This event is by invitation only and limited to 150 attendees so sign up today (please register additional guests under your name) – call 703.268.5626 or emailinfo@flockevents.com to RSVP or for more information. pre-registered; at door. Reception starts at 5.00 PM.

River Bend Golf and Country Club is located at 375 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066.

Event will be held in the main clubhouse banquet room – ample parking available in adjacent parking lot.

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Memoirs of a Male Model Makes Mayhem

If you think being a male supermodel is all parties, exotic locations and flings with the female of his species, you're right. At least it was for Bruce Hulse.

The face of Calvin Klein and Gillette during the '80s and '90s dishes on his sexcapades with Elle Macpherson, Andie MacDowell and Paulina Porizkova, among others, in his book “Sex, Love and Fashion: A Memoir of a Male Model.”

The sensitive, spiritual, six-pack-sporting hunk admits he was “smitten” with the “self-effacing and genuine” MacDowell while on a shoot in Greece. Putting the moves on the “Four Weddings and a Funeral” actress in his sparse hotel room, he gallantly tossed his T-shirt over a lamp to “create ambience.” The mood was ruined when the place nearly caught fire.

And how many men have shot down Elle, “The Bod”? Hulse found Macpherson “rather boyish in her manner and extremely open, with an incredible sense of humor – a real guy's girl.” Alas, Hulse was getting over a breakup with another model. He gave the Aussie glamazon the vintage “It's not you, it's me” line.

“No worries Brucie, let's just be friends then,” she said.

Porizkova wasn't so instantly warm and fuzzy, requiring a candlelight dinner in Paris before giving what Hulse claims was the ride of his life.

“It was like a professional wrestling match,” he tattles. “I'd never had such energetic, wild sex with anyone before.”

But one woman Hulse swears he never bedded was Janice Dickinson. “She had a negative aura,” he says of the loudmouthed model. “It was unsettling.” Maybe for you, but she makes a great reality show.

And Hulse may be one of the few fans Naomi Campbell has left. He describes her as a “young, sweet, lovely English girl,” insisting that her diva attitude is just an act to help her get through modeling with her sanity intact.

Hey Bruce, if mugging for the camera doesn't pay the bills, you could always be a publicist!

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Badmouthing Co-workers or Management Top Conversation Topic At Happy Hours

With summer in full swing, more workers may be heading to happy hours. According to the new CareerBuilder.com survey, one-in-five workers (21 percent) say they attend happy hours with their co-workers. Among those who attend, nearly a quarter report they go to happy hour at least once a month. And while 21 percent of those who attend say happy hours are good for networking, 85 percent reported that attending a happy hour did not help them get closer to someone higher up or land a better position in the company.

Why do workers go to happy hour? The majority (82 percent) of workers report that they attend happy hour to bond with their co-workers, while another 20 percent find it to be a great way to network. Fifteen percent of workers said they attend to hear the latest office gossip, while 13 percent only go because they feel obligated to be there. One-in-ten workers (11 percent) use happy hour as a way to bond with their boss.

Who is going to happy hour? An equal number of male and female workers say they attend happy hours with co-workers. Workers aged 25-34 were the most likely to attend (29 percent), while workers aged 55+ were the least likely at 15 percent. The Midwest leads with the most workers (23 percent) saying they go to happy hour with their co-workers, compared to 21 percent in the West and the South. Those least likely to attend were in the Northeast at 20 percent.

The industries who ranked highest for happy hours were:
— Professional and business services (35 percent)
— Financial services (34 percent)
— IT (29 percent)
— Sales (28 percent)
— Healthcare (24 percent)

Among those who attend happy hour, more than one-third of workers in retail sales said going to happy hour helped them to get close to someone higher up in the company and/or a better position, along with 21 percent of financial workers and 20 percent of those in sales.

When asked, workers reported the following incidents happened during a work happy hour:

— Bad-mouthed a co-worker or member of management (16 percent)
— Shared a secret about a co-worker (10 percent)
— Kissed a co-worker (8 percent)
— Drank too much and acted unprofessionally (8 percent)
— Shared a secret about the company (5 percent)
— Sang karaoke (4 percent)

On the other hand, close to four-in-ten workers (39 percent) who do not attend happy hours do so because they like to keep their work and professional lives separate.

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Dog House’s Tail Waggin’ Good Wines for a Tail Waggin’ Good Cause

White Rocket Wine Company is re-launching its Dog House line of California super-premium wines with a friendly new label and dogged support for Guide Dogs for the Blind, a charitable organization that provides free guide dogs and training to the blind and visually impaired. Since pledging support for Guide Dogs for the Blind in 2005, Dog House has donated a total of over $214,000 to directly fund their efforts.

“Our pet cause at Dog House is raising money for Guide Dogs for the Blind, whose programs greatly enhance the mobility and quality of life of the blind and visually impaired,” says Ryan Kukol, Associate Brand Manager. “Because Guide Dogs for the Blind receives no government funding, it depends entirely upon private donations. Through sales of Dog House wines, we directly aid this worthy group’s efforts to improve the lives of thousands of people afflicted by blindness.”

Bred from pedigreed vineyards in California’s acclaimed North Coast and Central Coast wine-growing regions, Dog House Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Zinfandel are crafted with a combination of traditional artisan winemaking techniques and state-of-the-art technology. Softly textured and easy-drinking, they’re delicious on their own and wonderful companions to food. Since 2005, Dog House wines have won over 65 medals for quality – certainly a record to woof about.

With its new, playful label illustration of a dog with a dog shock collar sitting outside a doghouse, and a suggested retail price of $9.99, Dog House rests squarely within the Adventure Brand category, which continues to wag the tail of the premium wine market, soaring from 661,000 cases and $68 million in sales in 2002 to nearly 6.8 million cases and $568 million in 2007. Delivering higher profit margins than traditional premium table wines, adventure brands like Dog House appeal especially to Millennial Generation consumers, who are lapping up whimsically themed brands that reflect and reinforce their values.

“The quality and affordability of our wines, coupled with our support of Guide Dogs for the Blind, esa letter gives Millennial consumers three doggone good reasons to make Dog House their pet brand,” says Mark Feinberg, Vice President of Marketing for miami murals.

White Rocket is supporting the new-package launch of Dog House with any array of point-of-sale materials, including a display rack, case card, bottle neckers and shelf talkers for stores, and waitstaff education and feature cards, logoed corkscrews and 3-liter Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon bottles for restaurants. The new Dog House package begins shipping in June, 2008.

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SILVERDOCS Announces Festival Winners

SILVERDOCS: AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival announced its distinguished award winners, culminating the weeklong Festival activities that included screening 108 films representing 63 countries, free outdoor screenings and live performances, and a five-day concurrent International Documentary Conference attended by over 650 filmmakers, film and television executives and media professionals exploring the documentary in action, with a particular emphasis on youth, education and next generation media artists. Winning filmmakers received over $70,000 in combined cash and in-kind prizes. The Audience Award winners will be announced on Monday, June 23, 2008.

This year's SILVERDOCS Sterling Award for a US Feature goes to THE GARDEN directed by Scott Hamilton Kennedy which documents a 14-acre oasis rising out of the ashes of the 1992 Los Angeles riots. The director will receive $10,000 cash and $5,000 in film stock from Kodak.

Honorable Mention went to TROUBLE THE WATER by Tia Lessin and Carl Deal. The film weaves together first person footage with their own into an evocative dialogue that reveals a powerful, heart-wrenching, infuriating and ultimately inspiring Katrina survival story.

This year's inaugural SILVERDOCS Sterling Award for a World Feature goes to THE ENGLISH SURGEON directed by Geoffrey Smith, which tells the story of British neurosurgeon Henry Marsh, who performs surgery in the Ukraine with the crudest tools. The director will receive $10,000 cash and $5,000 in film stock from Kodak.

Honorable mention went to THE RED RACE directed by Chao Gan, which chronicles Chinese passion for gymnastics against the backdrop of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.

The SILVERDOCS Sterling Award for a Short Film was given to WHAT WOULD THE DROP KNOW ABOUT THAT?, directed by Jan Zabeil, which examines foreign-born custodial workers at The Reichstag in Germany, who guide us through a stunning contemplation of the significance — or insignificance — of one person among institutions and nation-states. The filmmaker will receive $5,000 cash.

Special Jury mention went GROUND FLOOR RIGHT, directed by Marlene Schiott Rasmussen, which provides a peek into the life of Fang, a bird hoarder in a cramped apartment.

For its cinematic vision, the Jury also provided a special mention to ONE DAY directed by Ditte Haarlov Johnsen, a complex story about a West African woman working as a prostitute in Denmark.

The SILVERDOCS Music Documentary Award presented by Gibson Guitars went to THROW DOWN YOUR HEART directed by Sascha Paladino. The film chronicles Banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck's enthralling journey through Africa to uncover the roots of the Banjo, an instrument now regarded as quintessentially American. Gibson Guitars will present a Gibson Les Paul Standard to the winner valued at $3,700.

The SILVERDOCS Cinematic Vision Award went to THE ORDER OF MYTHS directed by Margaret Brown. The film explores the oldest and still segregated Mardi Gras in the U.S. The filmmaker will receive $2,500 cash.

The SILVERDOCS WITNESS Award in honor of Joey R. B. Lozano was given to PRAY THE DEVIL BACK TO HELL by Gina Reticker, an exposition of the thousands of Liberian women who peacefully ended the civil war that claimed over 250,000 lives through non-violent protests and organizational acumen. The award is given to the strongest documentary about human rights violations or social justice issues. The filmmaker will receive $5,000 cash.

The American Film Market/SILVERDOCS Award for a film that shows exceptional market promise went to KASSIM THE DREAM by Kief Davidson, which chronicles the career of Kassim Ouma, a former Ugandan child soldier who defected to the U.S. and became a world champion boxer. The filmmaker will be presented passes to the American Film Market this fall, airfare, five night's hotel and pre-arranged meetings with potential partners ($5,000 value).

The Award Winner for the Animal Content in Entertainment (ACE) Grant went to THE ELEPHANT IN THE LIVING ROOM by Michael Webber. The feature-length documentary spotlights an extraordinary police officer whose work in handling dangerous encounters with wild animals in America's suburbs illustrates the problems of the exotic animal trade and owning dangerous wild animals as pets. The director received a $25,000 grant.

The Writers Guild of America, West and the Writers Guild of America, East have named writer-director Anna Broinowski as the winner of the first-ever WGA Documentary Screenplay Award for her film FORBIDDEN LIE$, which investigates accusations that Forbidden Love author Norma Khouri fabricated her biographical tale of a Muslim friend who was murdered for dating a Christian. The award carries with it a prize of $2,500 and the winner will be granted one-year free membership in the WGAW or WGAE Nonfiction Writers Caucus.

The SILVERDOCS Audience Award for a Feature was given to HERB & DOROTHY directed by Megumi Sasaki. The film chronicles the life and art collection of Herbert and Dorothy Vogel, whose shared passion and discipline on a postman and librarian's salary redefined what it means to be a patron of the arts, culminating in the donation of the multi-million dollar collection to the National Gallery of Art.

The SILVERDOCS Audience Award for a short went to THE TAILOR by Oscar Perez, which follows a Pakistani tailor in Barcelona, where the customer is always wrong. Each Audience Award winner will receive $4,000 in services from Alpha Cine.

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Health and Beauty Come Full Circle: Chado-En Brings Full Benefit of Japanese Green Tea to Spas

This month, the International Esthetics, Cosmetics & Spa Conference (IECSC) in Las Vegas — a tradeshow packed with sophisticated spa products — will feature one product unique for its simplicity: green tea. The Tea Docents of Chado-En (http://www.chadoen.com/) will introduce Shinwa, an all-natural, organic green Japanese karigane tea, at the IECSC, June 28-30, 2008.
 

Supermarket shelves are piled high with green tea; spa and beauty products boasting the benefits of green tea are everywhere. But what sets Shinwa apart is the fact that it is from the birthplace of Japanese tea, with all its beneficial catechins — including EGCG, found nowhere else in nature. What’s more, Shinwa can be used as a luxurious spa treatment for the skin and as a health-promoting beverage.

In conditions where there is narrowing of the airways, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, eg emphysema and chronic bronchitis), it is difficult for air to get in and out of the lungs. By opening the airways, terbutaline makes it easier to breathe. You can order online terbutaline here at https://www.ukmeds.co.uk/treatments/asthma/bricanyl/ which also sells prescription drugs.

Terbutaline works by acting on receptors in the lungs called beta 2 receptors. When terbutaline stimulates these receptors it causes the muscles in the airways to relax. This allows the airways to open.

 

“We believe the use of Shinwa green tea with all its active components both inside and outside the body completes the evolution of health and beauty,” stated Donna Tokugawa, co-founder of Chado-En. “Shinwa is not an extract or powder. It’s the real thing, full of antioxidants. The quiet time one takes to drink green tea is conducive to inner beauty and radiant health, while the tea itself, when used both internally and externally, imparts the outer beauty spa clients seek.”

 

Donna Tokugawa and Chado-En co-founder Nozomu Tokugawa will teach IECSC attendees about the advantages of using real Shinwa green tea in their spa treatments. Both feel health and beauty products have fully evolved with the introduction of Shinwa: Historically, beauty treatments came from nature; modern industry brought demand for mass-produced, government-regulated health regimens. With today’s awareness of the dangers of synthetic additives, consumers are flocking to health and beauty products with natural ingredients. And, said the Tea Docents, no beauty product on the market is more natural than pure, organic green tea. Also there was a research made that people who eat more fruits are healthier.

 

Nozomu Tokugawa, who penned “Healing Tea: Wonder Plant and Restorative Beverage of the Ages” in the May/June 2008 issue of Share Guide Holistic Health magazine, feels Shinwa gives a spa’s clients greater wellbeing. “Through a unique cold infusion, optimal hydration of this amino acid-, antioxidant-rich tea is achieved as a skincare regimen internally and topically,” he explained. “By adding active antioxidants to skincare protocols, spa and beauty professionals can achieve enhanced effectiveness in treatments. EGCG is a unique catechin that has been shown to rejuvenate damaged and dying cells in the dermis of the skin, stimulate the skin’s immune system and protect against UV damage.”
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Washingtonian Magazine's "Best of Washington" Party On July 8

 The Verizon Wireless Best of Washington Party!!!  

 

July 8, 2008, 7pm – 10pm @ The National Building Museum

 

Citronelle, CityZen, Kinkeads, and Hook are just a few of The Washingtonian's Very Best restaurants that will be serving their best at the party. PLUS there's an open bar, great music, and a terrific crowd ready to party. It will be the party the whole town will be talking about. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Lukemia & Lymphoma Society. PartyDigest readers get a special discount! Enter discount code PTYBESTOF to receive off tickets.

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS NOW!!!

 

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Adult Film Star Ball on Aug. 25

"The 4th Annual Adult Film Star Ball", an 8-hour extravaganza fusing the best of music and adult entertainment will be hosted by Digital Playground contract super star Jesse Jane® and rock legend Dave Navarro. The ball will showcase over 40 of the world's top adult performers, four of the worlds biggest DJs, and 200 stunning "La Boheme" girls. If that's not enough, the pair will be sharing hosting responsibilities with adult super stars Ron Jeremy, Shy Love, Jenna Haze, Nikki Benz and Club Jenna Contract Girls Brea Bennett, Lela Star, Joanna Angel and Roxy Jezel. All these magnificent stars will be partying the night away at La Boheme Gentlemen's Cabaret. La Boheme's huge line up of performers also includes the following stars: Adriana Sage, Alektra Blue, Ashlyn Brooke, Brandie Moses, Bridget the Midget, Brooke Haven, Casey Parker, Sunny Lane, Claudia Monet, Courtney Cummz, Dayton, Exotica, Ginger Lee, Jana Jordan, Katarina Kat, Kim Chambers,Krystal Steal, Lexi Lamour, Lizzy Borden, Lynn Monroe, Mary Carey, Megan Reece, Memphis Monroe, Monica Mayhem, Naomi Knight, Nina Ferrari, Porcelain Twins Zen & Zero, Puma Swede, Shayla LaVeaux, Sydnee Steele, Tatiana Stone, Trina Michaels, Trisha Uptown, and Vivian West. All of the stars will be performing, hanging out and signing autographs for fans all night long.

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Wine & Cheese Train Party Will Keep The Gravy Train Going

Wine & Cheese Train 

Saturday, July 19 6:00p to 8:00pm
 

 

at Colorado Railroad Museum, Golden, CO

 

 

Price: .00 In Advance, .00 At The Door, .00 Without Wine
Web: Event Web Site

 

Age Suitability: 21 and up

Join us for a private evening experience. Enjoy the gentle rock of the rails while you ride behind the historic #346 locomotive in a classic passenger car while you sample a variety of wines, cheese and hors d'oeuvres.
Live jazz is the background music as you stroll the grounds featuring our vintage locomotives, passenger cars and cabooses. Plus the Denver Garden Railway and Denver HO Club will be operating, but on a smaller scale.
And make your bid as the silent auction accentuates the night

All proceeds from this delightful evening go to the continued restoration of the engine #20.

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Taste of Colorado Set for Labor Day Weekend

DATE
Labor Day Weekend
Friday, Aug. 29 through Monday, Sept. 1, 2008

 

HOURS (subject to change)
Friday: 4 pm to 10 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10:30 am to 10 pm
Monday: 10:30 am to 8 pm

 

LOCATION
Civic Center Park, Downtown Denver (intersection of Colfax Avenue and Broadway)

 

ADMISSION
FREE!
Tickets must be used to purchase food, beverages, and carnival rides.

 

View the 2007 A Taste of Colorado Web site.

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