Shirley Maclaine, The Weinstein Company and Next Generation Beverage, LLC Toast Golden Globe Nominated, Nine, With Star-Studded Lunch

SHIRLEY MACLAINE, THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY AND NEXT GENERATION BEVERAGE, LLC TOAST GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINATED, NINE, WITH STAR-STUDDED LUNCH

Shirley MacLaine, The Weinstein Company and groundbreaking beverage company, Next Generation Beverage, LLC hosted a lunch fêting the star-studded, critically-acclaimed film Nine. Guests including Director Rob Marshall, Bob Balaban, Lisa Rinna, Richard Perry, Frances Fisher, Annette O’Toole, Susan Blakely and Harry Hamlin toasted the film’s cast while enjoying the exclusive preview tasting of new “it” drinks, Serenity Zen Beverage®, Sin Vitality Drink®, and Sin-Free®.

As the Award Season kicked off this weekend with the 67th Annual Golden Globes, Nine celebrated an impressive five nominations including Best Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical; Best Actor, Comedy or Musical (Daniel Day-Lewis); Best Actress, Comedy or Musical (Marion Cotillard); and Best Supporting Actress (Penelope Cruz).

With a goal to revitalize the beverage industry with innovative products and marketing, Next Generation Beverage, LLC, is the brainchild of a team of businessmen – Rich Wilson, Ross Pantano, Thomas Toscano, Luis Fernandez and Nat Salvemini – each eager to revolutionize the soft drinks industry. Next Generation Beverage concocts and packages beverages that are original, unique blends of energy and relaxing drinks, setting itself apart from others in the marketplace.

As its inceptive products, Next Generation Beverage, LLC, recently launched Serenity Zen Beverage® (perfect for those actors and actresses who need to calm their Awards Season jitters), one of the first-ever relaxation beverages with a unique blend of vitamins, natural flavors and extracts and relaxing, tranquil formula, all with zero calories, sugar and carbohydrate and a lightly-carbonated, pleasant taste; and Sin Vitality Drink®, a tempting alternative to other energy drinks with an alluring, revitalizing blend of vitamins, caffeine, natural flavors and a distinct power formula that results in a dynamic, great-tasting burst of vitality, packaged in a stylish, sleek can. Also, look out for Sin-Free®—on the heels of launching Sin® and Serenity®, Next Generation Beverage is set to introduce a sugar-free, low-calorie Vitality Drink counterpart for health conscious drinkers. For further information, please visit www.nextgenerationbeverage.com, www.drinkserenity.com, and www.drinkinsin.com.

Ringing in 2010 with Sin

RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH SIN

This New Year’s Eve, champagne was out, and cocktails were in. A chic, savvy set of New Yorkers toasted 2010 with the hot, new vitality drink, Sin®. Sin Vitality Drink®’s exclusive preview tasting, held at Social Life Magazine’s New Year’s Eve 2010 fête, featured six tempting cocktails—all highlighting the sweet, lemony flavor of Sin®. With the Prince George Ballroom as the stylish backdrop, guests enjoyed music by DJ Marvilous and Tyger Lilly while sipping on energizing, playful drinks such as Gin & Sin, Sin on the Beach, Sin-City Iced Tea, The Sin Classic, Tequila Sin-Rise and Sin in the City.

A tempting alternative to other energy drinks, Sin Vitality Drink® is an alluring, revitalizing blend of vitamins, caffeine, natural flavors and a distinct power formula, resulting in a dynamic, great-tasting burst of vitality. Available in forthcoming seven ‘deadly sin’ flavors, Sin® is sure to please even the most discerning of energy beverage drinkers.

A departure from the often brash and oversized energy drinks available today, Sin®, is packaged in a stylish, sleek can that evokes a dark nocturnal look— a must-have for any night out, Sin® promises drinkers they won’t miss out on the after-party. The chic, provocatively-designed can is set to become a fixture at the most exclusive, sought-after nighttime haunts. Not a night owl? From busy young professionals seeking a boost during the middle of the work week, to savvy college students in need of an energizing pick-me-up during those ever-present all-nighters, to athletes wishing to jumpstart their workouts or practices, Sin® is the perfect zestful addition to any daily routine. The light, easy-to-carry 8.4oz. can is the perfect on-the-go accessory, whether you’re running out the door in the morning or hopping on the back of your Harley.

On the heels of launching Sin®, Next Generation Beverage is also set to introduce Sin-Free®, a sugar-free, low-calorie counterpart for health conscious drinkers…coming soon to a red carpet near you.

About Next Generation Beverage:
With a goal to revitalize the beverage industry with innovative products and marketing, Next Generation Beverage, LLC is the brainchild of a team of businessmen –Rich Wilson, Ross Pantano, Thomas Toscano, Luis Fernandez and Nat Salvemini – each eager to revolutionize the industry. Next Generation Beverage, LLC concocts and packages beverages that are original, unique blends of energy and relaxing drinks, setting itself apart from others in the marketplace. Unlike a number of its competitors within the beverage industry that originate overseas, Next Generation Beverage, LLC products are all domestically-produced. Sin Vitality Drink® and Serenity Zen Beverage® are the inceptive products of Next Generation Beverage, LLC. For additional information, please visit www.nextgenerationbeverage.com and www.drinkinsin.com.

The Samuel waxman Cancer Research Foundation raises $4.2 Million

THE SAMUEL WAXMAN CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION RAISES $4.2 MILLION

Held yesterday at New York City landmark The Park Avenue Armory, the 12th Annual Collaborating For a Cure Dinner and Auction benefited the Institute Without Walls®, the worldwide collaborative cancer research program supported by the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (SWCRF). Elin and Michael Nierenberg joined forces with Dale and Peter Claman, Kristin Fizulich, Alyssa and Cliff Greenberg, and Mara and Baron Silverstein to host the event, which was attended by Scientific Director of the Foundation Dr. Samuel Waxman, Headline Performer Steve Winwood, Patti D’Arbanville, Victoria’s Secret Angels Rosie Huntington, Lindsay Ellingson and Candice Swanepoel, Sheila Jaffe, jewelry designer Loree Rodkin, Peter Tunney and Susan Meisel. The annual fête was produced and managed by Robin Lathrop of byRobin and Edward Salas of Backstage Productions. Headlined by Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter, Steve Winwood, the evening was also host to an exciting live auction and performance by The Lost Trailers.

This year, the 12th Annual Collaborating For a Cure raised close to $4.2 Million to support the Foundation’s research efforts to produce a cure for cancer. Known affectionately by New Yorkers as “The Waxman,” the yearly fête is considered to be among the top annual fundraising events in New York City, attended by more than 1,100 corporate executives, Board members and their guests.

During his keynote address, Samuel Waxman, M.D., Scientific Director of the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation, focused on the continuing work of the Foundation in developing treatments for reversing abnormal cancer cell behavior— the SWCRF is striving to develop therapies to prevent reoccurrence of dormant cancer cells, as it leads the field in understanding what makes cancer cells dormant and creating strategies to eradicate such cells. Calling upon the crowd of smiling guests, Dr. Waxman said, “I hope you will help take us to the next level;” closing his inspirational speech, “I can assure you that cancer does not stop unless we stop cancer. Please join me in that quest.”

The evening’s much-anticipated live and silent auctions offered guests the opportunity to bid on an exciting selection of exclusive items, including four pairs of tickets to the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, taking place Thursday, November 19, 2009 in New York City, which generated $125,000. Additional auction highlights included a once-in-a-lifetime cruise amongst the Caribbean Islands for six days/five nights on the luxurious 133-foot custom yacht M/Y Serque, which garnered a winning bid of $95,000; an exclusive getaway via a private flight aboard a Falcon 50 for five friends from New York City to St. Barts, which garnered a winning bid of $85,000; and a private wine tasting dinner in Italian Wine Merchants’ signature event space, Studio del Gusto, which sold twice, each garnered a winning bid of $30,000 for a total of $60,000. The Live Auction was led by C. Hugh Hildesley of Sotheby’s Auction House.

The Foundation’s Institute Without Walls® is a unique collaboration among the world-renowned scientists it funds, who share their knowledge to stimulate cross-fertilization and accelerate the pace of research. The Foundation has made $65+ million in grants supporting more than 160 scientists throughout the United States, Canada, China, Europe and Israel. The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization focusing on one of the most promising strategies for developing cures and treatments for many types of cancer; even offering hope for preventing cancer from developing. It is on the cutting edge of a revolution with alternatives to the traditional treatments of chemotherapy and radiation, which kill cancer (and healthy) cells.

Foundation supported research includes reprogramming chaotically growing cancer cells to behave normally and understanding cancer stem cells’ ability to spread and resistance to treatment. The results will lead to more precisely targeted treatments or preventatives having minimal side effects on the patients.

For more information please visit www.waxmancancer.org.

Alexander & Brenda Von Schweickhardt Host the Launch of Oceana New York with Star-Studded Supporters

ALEXANDER & BRENDA VON SCHWEICKHARDT HOST THE LAUNCH OF OCEANA NEW YORK WITH STAR-STUDDED SUPPORTERS

Oceana, a nonprofit international advocacy organization dedicated to protecting and restoring the world’s oceans, arrived in New York with a splash. Alexander and Brenda Schweickhardt graciously opened their residence to host the private event that welcomed guests—including Jeff Goldblum, Gina Gershon, Law & Order’s Sam Waterson, John and Joyce Varvatos, Tommy, Dee, and Ally Hilfiger, legendary music producer Nile Rodgers, Lt. Governor of Connecticut Michael Fedele, Patti D'Arbanville, Nancy Hunt, Sarah Farcy McNitt, Linus Roache, Mick Jones, New York Jets tackle Damien Woody, and notable New York figures, Denise Rich, Bettina Zilkha, New York Gubernatorial candidate Rick Lazio, Jean Shafiroff, Philip Glass, Rossano Rubicondi, and Fernanda Kellogg, President of The Tiffany & Co. Foundation and CEO of Macy’s, Terry Lundgren—in celebrating the launch of Oceana New York.

The evening, sponsored by Tiffany & Co., featured an inspiring introduction by Oceana Board Chairman Keith Addis, Oceana Executive Vice President Jim Simon, Sam Waterston and Sue Cohn Rockefeller, as well as the evening’s hosts, about the work of the nonprofit organization, and announced the launching of the New York office.

Since its founding in 2001, Oceana has achieved several major victories including protecting more than 640 million acres of ocean habitat. Oceana’s teams of marine scientists, economists, lawyers and advocates win specific and concrete policy changes to reduce pollution and to prevent the irreversible collapse of fish populations, marine mammals and other sea life. Global in scope and dedicated to conservation, Oceana has campaigners based in North America, Europe and South and Central America. More than 300,000 members and e-activists in over 150 countries have already joined Oceana.

For more information, please visit www.Oceana.org.

Mary J. Blige Inspires at the New York Women's Foundation 2009 Fall Dinner with Uplifting Performance

MARY J. BLIGE INSPIRES AT THE NEW YORK WOMEN’S FOUNDATION 2009 FALL DINNER WITH UPLIFTING PERFORMANCE

The New York Women’s Foundation® (NYWF) welcomed the who’s-who of New York society for its Fall 2009 Dinner, Stepping Out & Stepping Up, honoring Elizabeth and Herbert Sturz and Sheryl WuDunn and Nicholas D. Kristof. The Stepping Up Award is presented to recognize New Yorkers who serve as role models of courageous leadership, vision and commitment to women and girls as individuals and as partners.

The evening’s attendees included New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Diana Taylor - Co-Chair for the event and Vice Chair of the NYWF Board, Grammy award winning R&B songstress Mary J. Blige, record executive Steve Stoute, Carolyn Buck Luce – Chair of the NYWF Board, Abigail Disney - Honorary Chair of NYWF Board, Agnes Gund, Susan R. Cullman, Anne Bass and Hyatt Bass, Somers Farkas, Jean Shafiroff, Samuel Peabody, Vincent Mai, Deborah Roberts, designer Catherine Malandrino, Dorothy Lichtenstein, Jack Rosenthal, Muffie Potter Aston, Ann Rapp, Sharon Bush, Denise Rich, Debbie Bancroft, and Katlean De Monchy.

Also in attendance for the elegant evening of cocktails, dinner and dancing at Gotham Hall included Consul General of Mexico Ruben Beltran, Commissioner Lilliam Barrios-Paoli, Commissioner Jeanne Mullgrav, Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Manhattan Deputy Borough President Rosemonde Pierre-Louis, followed by dinner and dancing. Mary J. Blige sang stunning renditions of her hits “No More Drama” and “One” to an amazed crowd, dedicating her performance to the power and unity of women.

Ana Oliveira, CEO & President spoke about NYWF’s expertise in leveraging strategic partnerships to build economic security for women and families in New York City. Honorees Elizabeth and Herbert Sturz who founded 24 nonprofit and government agencies between them, saluted the Foundation for their work in supporting women. Sheryl WuDunn spoke movingly about the importance of investing in women and girls locally as a prerequisite to investing globally. Nicholas Kristof praised NYWF for holding up ‘two thirds of the sky.’ Islyn Matthews, a successful entrepreneur and participant of Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDCo), a long-time NYWF grantee partner, moved audiences with a personal story of transformation, embodying the mission of the Foundation.

Co-Chairs for the evening included Hyatt Bass, Sayu V. Bhojwani, Aiyoung Choi, Susan R. Cullman, Grace Hightower De Niro, Somers W. Farkas, Margaret Munzer Loeb, Carolyn Buck Luce, Jean Shafiroff, Diana L. Taylor, Jacqueline P. Togut, and Barbara Brizzi Wynne.

Established in 1987 as a public philanthropy, the New York Women’s Foundation is a cross-cultural alliance of women, serving as a force for change for women. From the outset, the Foundation’s founders strove to identify innovative organizations that were affecting change in the communities they served for women. NYWF strategically funds organizations and programs that move women, girls and families towards long-term economic security through individual transformation and systemic change, mobilizing leaders and community partners as philanthropists and change agents. Over the past twenty-two years, NYWF surpassed $20 million ($20,350,445) in grants to over 240 nonprofit organizations, improving the lives of five million women and girls in New York City. This year, NYWF responded to the economic crisis by launching RISE-NYC!, a partnership initiative and increasing its grant-making by more than 20%.

For more information, please visit www.nywf.org.

Best-Selling Author Melissa De La Cruz Hosts Exclusive New York City Fete for Her Latest novel, The Van Alen Legacy

BEST-SELLING AUTHOR MELISSA DE LA CRUZ HOSTS EXCLUSIVE NEW YORK CITY FÊTE FOR HER LATEST NOVEL, THE VAN ALEN LEGACY

With Soho’s MEET At The Apartment as the backdrop, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author, Melissa de la Cruz recently fêted the publication of the hotly anticipated fourth installment of the Young Adult series, Blue Bloods— The Van Alen Legacy. International burlesque performer, Veronica Varlow, who has been featured on MTV worldwide, performed a "Vampire Dance" at the event, as guests sipped cocktails, enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and indulged in mini-cupcakes courtesy of CRUMBS Bake Shop.

In de la Cruz’s latest work, the Blue Bloods find themselves in an epic battle for survival. As readers discover in the introductory novel, within New York City’s most elite families, there lurks a secret society of celebrated Americans whose ancestors sailed on the Mayflower. They are the powerful and the prestigious— they are the Blue Bloods, an ancient group of vampires.

The Blue Bloods series has over a million copies in print and has topped the New York Times, USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. It was named #9 in Entertainment Weekly's 20 Greatest Vampires of All Time. The series has been hailed by critics and garnered awards from the American Library Association as a Top Ten pick, the Chicago Public Library Best of the Best, the New York Library Books for the Teenage, the Texas Library's Tayshas list, the Nevada Best Books and the Iowa Best Books. Disney-Hyperion is planning a first printing of 290,000 copies of The Van Alen Legacy and is sending Melissa on a nine-city book tour throughout October and November.

In addition to Blue Bloods, de la Cruz is also the author of The Au Pairs, Ashleys and Angels on Sunset Boulevard series, critically acclaimed and award-winning novels for teens. Her adult books include Cat’s Meow, the anthology Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys and the tongue-in-chic handbooks How to Become Famous in Two Weeks or Less and The Fashionista Files: Adventures in Four-inch heels and Faux-Pas. De la Cruz has also worked as a fashion and beauty editor and has written for many publications including The New York Times, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Allure, The San Francisco Chronicle, McSweeney’s, Teen Vogue, CosmoGirl! and Seventeen. She has also appeared as an expert on fashion, trends and fame for CNN, E! and FoxNews.

Melissa de la Cruz
www.melissa-delacruz.com

Award-winning Educational Documentary Released in Theatres September 2009

Award-winning Educational Documentary Released in Theatres September 2009

Just in time for the back-to-school season, The Providence Effect (Dinosaurs of the Future), an inspirational feature documentary, hit select theaters in New York City, Chicago, New Jersey, Los Angeles (October 2, 2009), and Washington D.C. on Friday, September 25, 2009.

Chronicling the extraordinary journey of Paul J. Adams III, an educator who has challenged the Chicago school system for thirty years with his revolutionary approach to teaching, The Providence Effect is an emotional, hopeful and awe-inspiring story of student achievement in the face of hardship. Having received praise from a number of film festivals earlier this year – Best Documentary, Omaha Film Festival 2009; Most Inspirational Documentary, Seattle True Independent Film Festival 2009; and Audience Choice Best Documentary, Lake County Film Festival 2009 – The Providence Effect was directed by Rollin Binzer (Director of Ladies and Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones), also a Producer with Tom Hurvis, Co-Producer Joey Dedio and Executive Producer Julie Esch Hurvis.

The Providence Effect showcases Adams’ vision and his school’s successes. Providence St. Mel is a Chicago K-12 private school located on the city’s crime and drug-ridden West Side that has for thirty years placed 100% of its graduates in colleges and universities. On the heels of that success, Adams subsequently established Providence Englewood, a K-8 charter school, which has increased its students test scores by 400% since opening in 2006.

Featuring engaging interviews with students, parents, alumni, teachers and administrators, the film takes the audience from science fairs and concert performances to in-class instruction and graduation, providing an intimate look into the people and teaching methods that have made Providence St. Mel and Providence Englewood national educational success stories. The Providence Effect traces the school’s development from a struggling dream into an institution that produces not only inspired students, but parents, teachers and administrators dedicated to settling for nothing less than the highest expectations.

As national high school dropout rates continue to rise, and slashed state budgets devastate school systems, The Providence Effect presents the story of a compassionate educator who has defied all the odds, to the great benefit of all his students, their parents and teachers.

For more information please visit www.theprovidenceeffect.com.