Madonna to Open Second Hard Candy Fitness Center in Moscow

Dec 9, 2010 11:32 ET

Madonna to Open Second Hard Candy Fitness Center in Moscow

NEW YORK, Dec. 9, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Madonna, in partnership with her manager Guy Oseary and Mark Mastrov, Chairman of New Evolution Ventures (NeV), announced the opening of the second Hard Candy Fitness Center in Moscow which is projected to open in mid-March 2011. The new facility will be a beautifully designed and unique 35,000 square foot space located near Red Square. Moscow’s Hard Candy Fitness will also include a partnership with Irina Razumova, founder of the well know Russian chain Planet Fitness. The news of the Moscow location comes on the heels of a successful grand opening for the brand’s premiere location last week in Mexico City, which featured a special dance class taught by Madonna.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101209/NY14702-a )

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101209/NY14702LOGO-b )

“It’s especially exciting to have the second Hard Candy Fitness open in Moscow as I really enjoyed the city and the people when I visited during my ‘Sticky & Sweet Tour.’ Working in collaboration with the experts at NeV and Irina, I know that we will create the ideal workout environment in Moscow that represents my health and fitness philosophy as well as include innovative and inspiring programs,” commented Madonna.

Mastrov, his partner Jim Rowley of NeV, along with Madonna and Oseary are in the planning stages of opening 10 additional Hard Candy locations in Russia, Brazil, Argentina, Europe and Asia. They are currently exploring opportunities around the globe for facilities that will offer a unique member experience in all aspects including curriculum, environment and fashion.

Throughout her career, Madonna has been devoted to fitness and well being. Having worked out in hundreds of gyms around the world, she developed a strong vision on what the ideal exercise, dance and workout environment should look like. The vision took shape during an initial meeting between Mark Mastrov, the innovator behind some of the World’s best known Fitness Brands and Guy Oseary early in 2008. Mastrov has built a fitness empire of over 1100 clubs in over 20 countries.

“Our goal is to create an environment around the world inspired by Madonna’s vision and high standards. Hard Candy Fitness Centers will be a reflection of Madonna’s point of view and will reveal her input on every detail including music, design and class curriculum. Madonna’s touch will be everywhere,” stated Mastrov.

The Moscow Hard Candy Fitness Center along with others in the planning stages will include proprietary Hard Candy Fitness programming inspired by Madonna and her dance team, a Bike Studio as well as a Mind Body Studio, featuring The Great Wall, where members can practice BarWorks, Sculpting, Capoeira and the newest trends in Yoga. It will also house a healthy alternative Juice Bar/Cafe and lavish locker rooms.

Members will benefit from state of the art cardiovascular equipment with personal viewing screens, more than 60 pieces of strength equipment/free weights and the best group fitness, functional training accessories using brands including Precor, Marpo Kinetics, Hoist, Free Motion, StarTrac and TRX suspension training.

“We are so excited and honored to be able to open the Hard Candy Fitness brand here in Moscow. Madonna has been an inspiration for us all and we can’t wait to bring this beautiful facility to life,” said Irina Razumova, partner with Hard Candy Fitness and NeV.

Press Conference Information

Mark Mastrov and Irina Razumova will conduct an official press conference at the RIA Novosti Moscow agency on Dec. 13, 2010 at 13:00.

About New Evolution Ventures (NeV)

Based in Northern California, New Evolution Ventures (NeV) is a private equity firm focused on acquisition, development, management and operation of fitness, media and sports entities both domestically and internationally. Co-Founded in 2008 by Mark Mastrov, Jim Rowley and Mike Feeney, the current team of NeV professionals is shaping the world of fitness, media, and sports one brand at a time. With a foundation representing over a century of business experience, NeV currently has operations and investments in over 20 countries worldwide. For more information, please visit www.newevolutionventures.com.

SOURCE New Evolution Ventures

CONTACT: For Madonna: Liz Rosenberg, Liz Rosenberg Media, +1-212-991-4290, liz@lizrosenbergmedia.com, or Hard Candy Fitness Media: Serafima Gurova R&I Group Moscow, +8 903 753 79 64, www.randi.ru, s.gurova@randi.ru; or New Evolution Ventures Media: Linell Killus, +1-925-297-6372, linell@newevolutionventures.com
Web Site: http://www.newevolutionventures.com

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If I Were President: My Haitian Experience, by Wyclef Jean

If I Were President: My Haitian Experience, the New Six Song EP From Wyclef Jean, Available on the iTunes Store. (PRNewsFoto/Columbia Records)
Wyclef Jean logo. (PRNewsFoto/Columbia Records)

7 Dec 2010 06:01 Africa/Lagos

If I Were President: My Haitian Experience, the New Six Song EP From Wyclef Jean, Available on the iTunes Store

Video for First Single, "Election Time," Filmed in Haiti

NEW YORK, Dec. 7, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Columbia Records will release If I Were President: My Haitian Experience , the new six song EP from Wyclef Jean, available on the iTunes store today.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101207/NY12873 )

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101102/NY93577LOGO )

If I Were President: My Haitian Experience , includes "Election Time," a provocative new universal song written in the wake of Wyclef's recent attempt to run for president in Haiti. The track is currently streaming here: http://soundcloud.com/they-win-u-lose/wyclef-jean-election-time

"This song is inspired by Pink Floyd's 'Another Brick In The Wall,' with the chant, 'We don't need no education,'" says Wyclef Jean. "It is also inspired by Fela Kuti's 'Zombie.' It's the voice of the youth. It is the voice of this generation. It's the artist once again doing what the politicians should be doing. This is about inspiring the voice of this generation."

"Election Time" arrives with an extraordinarily powerful and beautiful video lensed in Haiti. Wyclef teams up with Haitian director, Steve Halloun to co-direct the clip. Halloun, a former student of the University of Miami Film School, like Wyclef, is deeply concerned with helping Haiti on all fronts. The video created jobs for local residents, including the actors and technical staff, while showing the world unfamiliar pictures of his native country.

"I have to show all the sides of Haiti," Wyclef Jean says. "There is still beauty in Haiti and I have to show the beauty and the ugly reality that is going to change. It will change."

November was "Election Time" in many countries around the world including in both of Wyclef's countries--the United States and Haiti, where the November 28th general election holds great historic import. "It means the rebirth of my country. It means that the young people can bring about change," said Wyclef prior to the Haitian general election. "I would want to tell the youth of Haiti to go out and vote. We have had a long history of dictatorship in Haiti. It's not a Haitian right to vote that we are talking about. We are talking about a world right. Take your right. Your true weapon is your voting card. Use your weapon and use it wisely."

If I Were President: My Haitian Experience is a family affair, co- executive produced by Wyclef and his brother, Sedeck Jean. The two started together and then went separate ways in their careers until the Earthquake of January 2010 reunited them musically. Sedeck Jean is also featured in the "Election Time" video.

Wyclef describes If I Were President: My Haitian Experience as "The life story of an immigrant. It's for everyone who has had to leave one place and adapt to another. It's about the refugee in all of us trying to fit in. But it's not all sorrowful. In life, there is love and hate, war and peace. It's both sides. This is the continuation of my music and it represents both sides. It's for all my fans. It's for those who love me for 'Gone 'Til November' and 'Hips Don't Lie,' too.

"Every great album to me is inspired by real events. It's about what you've seen and experienced. They were done by the greats who came before me: Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, Fela Kuti. The music has to be real. Fela Kuti used his music as a tool for development of his people. You need to relate to the culture. If I Were President: My Haitian Experience is about relating to the culture of Haiti which translate to the world."

Wyclef Jean plans a world tour in 2011. "The Haitian Experience " tour will include, "The music, the art, the culture and definitely the carnival," says Jean.

Haitian-born Wyclef Jean is a Grammy Award-winning songwriter/musician/producer, humanitarian, Goodwill Ambassador to Haiti, and founder of Yele Haiti. A founding member of the pioneering hip-hop group Fugees and prolific solo artist, Wyclef has effortlessly crossed genres, generations and geographic boundaries with his music.

In 2005, Wyclef Jean created Yele Haiti to provide aid and assistance to his native Haiti. Yele Haiti is a grassroots movement inspiring change in Haiti through programs in education, sports, the arts and environment. Their community service programs include food distribution and mobilizing emergency relief. Wyclef coined Yele in a song and means "a cry for freedom." The organization has been garnering international attention for its work including being featured in the Associated Press, USA Today, CNN, Fox News, NBC's Today show, and on 60 Minutes. After the devastating earthquake in January 2010, all programs now focus on the relief and reconstruction of the island nation.

Wyclef Jean
"Election Time"

My Generation like

We Ok
As long as we got music we gonna dance all day
He gon' vote Taylor Swift she gon' vote Kanye ye ye
Election time is coming.

Come On

We Ok
As long as we got music we gonna party all day
She gon' vote U2 he gon' vote Coldplay play play
Election time is coming.

Come On


Immigration, Socialism, Capitalism, Racism
Health Care, Welfare, Seems like nobody cares (Come on)
Big Business, Corporation
Small business, Taxation
Unemployment, Education, My Generation
Built a space station so when you google earth
You can see all the Haitians as they rebuild they nation
With fair trade, everybody trades
You trade, I trade and everybody gets paid


Election time around the corner who you gon' a vote for
(We Ok)
Election time around the corner what you gon' a fight for
(We Ok)
Election time around the corner who you gon' a vote for
(We Ok)
Election time is coming do you want peace or War

(Come on)

Alternative energy or oil in your SUV
Tell me what your looking for, we about to have a poll
Gun Control, Infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturer
Hip Hop Be My Culture
Tell me what you think about us
Technology and foreign policy
I need the bailout money to stimulate the economy
Raised on family values
My life be my testament
King had a dream and you too can be the president

Election time around the corner who you gon' a vote for
(We Ok)
Election time around the corner what you gon' a fight for
(We Ok)
Election time around the corner who you gon' a vote for
(We Ok)
Election time is coming do you want peace or War

But the kids like we Ok
As long as we got music we gonna dance all day
He gon' vote Taylor Swift she gon' vote Kanye ye ye
Election time is coming.

But them kids like we Ok
As long as we got music we gonna party all day
She gon' vote U2 he gon' vote Coldplay play play
Election time is coming.

Gramps was a voodoo priest, Dad was a preacher
Uncle was a mason, I was raised Christian
Best friend muslim AL-SALAM-ALAKUM
My manager was jewish, he taught me Shabbat Shalom
Flatbush Rastas taught me the scriptures
Haile Selassie, Marcus Garvey
Saint L'ouverture Haitian Revolution
Napoleon's Army got spanked by them Haitians
Toussaint St. Jean with the info
Did you know that a haitian founded Chicago
If I Was President
The first thing I would do is get my people out them tents

My Generation like

We Ok
As long as we got music we gonna dance all day
He gon' vote Taylor Swift she gon' vote Kanye ye ye
Election time is coming.

But them kids like

We Ok
As long as we got music we gonna party all day
She gon' vote U2 he gon' vote Coldplay play play
Election time is coming.


SOURCE Columbia Records

CONTACT: Yvette Noel-Schure at Schure Media, yns@schuremedia.com or +1-973-794-3431

Beyonce’s I AM…WORLD TOUR DVD Certified Double Platinum

RAPID SALES IN BRAZIL BOASTS FULL-LENGTH CONCERT FILM TO PLATINUM

DELUXE DVD/SOUNDTRACK EDITION RELEASED ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30

NEW YORK, Dec. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Beyoncé‘s I AM…WORLD TOUR full-length concert film, lensed during the artist’s record-breaking international concert tour, has been certified double platinum after its initial release on Friday, November 26. The deluxe DVD/Soundtrack edition—including the concert DVD, a live soundtrack, an exclusive, intimate documentary and explosive travelogue, and a 40-page collection of never-seen photos—was released on Tuesday, November 30. The DVD holds the #1 position on Nielsen SoundScan Music DVD chart.

Click here for more details.

Before You Sleep With Him or Her

As we mark World AIDS Day, please note that even though the infections of AIDS are reported to be on the decline, there are still over three million cases of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria and we can reduce the figure if we increase our efforts to control and prevent the further spread of the pandemic in Nigeria.

Safer methods of sex are still the best ways to save you from contracting HIV.
Paying lip service to the slogans and going behind to indulge in wanton sexual intercourse with those who are promiscuous is fooling yourself.

Majority of our youths are hypocrites of the HIV/AIDS Control and Prevention campaigns, because they have failed to control themselves in their relationships. They have unprotected sex all the time.

Most of the young male students in Nigeria have indiscriminate sex with even trollops on and off campus and sleep with love-peddlers and also sleep with their regular girlfriends who in most cases cheat on their boyfriends and continue the spread of HIV/AIDS and increasing the grave consequences of the pandemic in Nigeria and abroad as they travel to and fro.

Be honest and save yourself from HIV/AIDS before it is too late.

~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima


Take Action Now!

The Real Girlfriend

The Real Girlfriend

She is honest, but may not be Miss Perfect.
She will tell you the truth no matter what lies others tell you.
She does not tolerate nonsense.
She appreciates you and encourages you to be the best in your field.
She appreciates every gift you give her and also gives you too.
She respects you and your family and she is very proud of you.
She is The Virtuous Woman - Proverbs 31:10-31 and will make a good life partner.

Video: Forbes lists Children International a top charity

Video: Forbes lists Children International a top charity




Kansas City, MO (November 18, 2010) /PRNewswire/ — Forbes magazine recognizes Children International, a U.S.-based humanitarian organization, as a top charity.

In a year when many large national charities are reporting declines in donations, Children International’s income was up over 5% in 2010. The organization attributes the increase to the generosity of American consumers during a difficult economy and their commitment to supporting children living in poverty.

Forbes rated Children International as one of the 200 largest charities based upon three financial efficiency ratios and the trend from 2009. Their survey rated Children International in the following manner:

88% fundraising efficiency
81% charitable commitment
98% donor dependency
During 2010, Children International received more than $146 million in direct public support from 300,000 generous contributors, making it possible for the organization to spend over 82% to effectively change the lives of hundreds of thousands of poor children and their families around the world.

President and CEO of Children International Jim Cook said, “Children International is fortunate to have such dedicated supporters, even in this trying economy. Our donors are committed child advocates and have made it possible for us to be acknowledged by Forbes magazine as a leading charity.”

To help a child living in poverty, visit www.children.org.

About Children International:
Established in 1936, Children International is a humanitarian organization with its headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri. Children International’s programs help more than 335,000 children and their families in 11 countries around the world including Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Zambia, Honduras, India, the Philippines and the United States. For more information about Children International or to sponsor a child, visit www.children.org


FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Dolores Quinn Kitchin
Public Relations
Children International
Direct: (816) 943-3730
Mobile: (816) 718-0711
Email: dkitchin@children.org
https://twitter.com/Children_Intl

New Tallest Married Couple

The new Tallest Married Couple was announced today in celebration of Guinness World Records Day 2010. Hailing from California, Wayne and Laurie Hallquist stand more than 13 ft 4 in combined. The Guinness World Records 2010 book is available now. Photo Courtesy of Hasain Rasheed / Guinness World Records. NOT FOR ARCHIVE. (PRNewsFoto/Guinness World Records)



18 Nov 2010 10:00 Africa/Lagos



Guinness World Records® Reveals New Tallest Married Couple at the Guinness World Records Museum

Towering More Than 13 Feet 4-Inches Combined, California Natives Take Love to New Heights in Celebration of Guinness World Records Day 2010

NEW YORK, Nov. 18, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Guinness World Records, the global authority on record breaking, today announces the new "Tallest Married Couple" at the Guinness World Records Museum in Hollywood, California. The colossal couple - Wayne and Laurie Hallquist from Stockton, California - stand a jaw-dropping 13.44 ft. (407.4 cm). Wayne is a ceiling-grazing, doorway bumping 6 feet 10.4 inches tall and Laurie is an impressive 6 feet 5.95 inches. With a combined height measuring more than 13 feet 4-inches tall, these tall drinks of water really take love to new heights!

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101118/NY04206 )

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20101118/NY04206 )

In honor of Guinness World Records Day 2010, an international celebration of record-breaking feats, the new "Tallest Married Couple" will commemorate their new title as well as seven years of monumental marriage in a Guinness World Records ceremony unlike any other. Official adjudicator Stuart Claxton will preside over the couple's astounding achievement and announce the dynamic duo's incredible proportions while presenting the pair with an official Guinness World Records certificate.

"We're excited and proud," declared the statuesque Laurie. "Representing the U.S. in this year's Guinness World Records Day is quite a thrill."

The lofty pair met at a singles gathering hosted by their local Baptist church seven years ago and have been happily married ever since. Wayne currently works as a telecommunications engineer and Laurie, a former women's basketball player at California State University, is a Stockton realtor. The Hallquists collect classic cars, enjoy boating and sleep in a California King size bed measuring 7 ft.! They currently do not have children.

NOTES TO EDITOR :

Guinness World Records 2011 was published on September 15th, 2010 and is the latest edition of the world's best-selling copyright book (115 million copies to date). Guinness World Records is the globally-recognized authority on record-breaking achievements.

Some of the top height and marriage-related records include:

* Previous Tallest Married Couple

The previous record-holders for “Tallest Married Couple” were Wilco (Netherlands) and Keisha van Kleef-Bolton (UK) with a combined average height of 13 ft. 3.3 in. (404.7 cm). The couple met after Keisha contacted the UK’s Tall Persons Club in search of a dance partner. Shortly afterward, the tall twosome were married at the All Saints Church in London on November 27, 2001. Guinness World Records recorded the pair’s record at their home in England, on March 18, 2009.

* Tallest Married Couple Ever

Anna Hanen Swan (Canada) (1846–88) was said to be 8 ft. 1 in. (2.46 m) but actually measured 7 ft. 5.5 in. (2.27 m). On June 18, 1871, she married Martin van Buren Bates (USA) (1845–1919) who stood 7 ft. 2.5 in. (2.2 m), making them the tallest married couple on record.

* Tallest American Man Living

The Tallest Living Man in the United States of America is Igor Vovkovinskiy (USA) who measured 7 ft. 8.33 in. (2.34 m) at The Dr. Oz Show in New York, New York, USA on May 18, 2010.

* Tallest Man Living

The tallest man living is Sultan Kosen (Turkey, b. December 10, 1982) who measured 8 ft. 1 in. (246.5 cm) in Ankara, Turkey, on February 11, 2009. Sultan is also the record holder for the largest feet on a living person.

* Tallest Man Ever

The tallest man in medical history for whom there is irrefutable evidence is Robert Pershing Wadlow (USA) (born 6:30 a.m. at Alton, Illinois, USA on February 22, 1918), who when last measured on June 27, 1940, was found to be 8 ft. 11.1 in. (2.72 m) tall. Wadlow died at 1:30 a.m. on July 15, 1940 in a hotel in Manistee, Michigan, as a result of a septic blister on his right ankle caused by a brace, which had been poorly fitted only a week earlier.

* Tallest Woman Living

Yao Defen (China) recorded an average height of 7 ft. 7 in. (233.3 cm) when last documented. There is evidence that suggests she may still be growing, as a portion of tumor remains on her pituitary gland, the organ that regulates the production of growth hormone. She was born on July 15, 1972 in Liuan, Anhui, Shucheng, China.

* Tallest Woman Ever

Zeng Jinlian (China) (b. June 26, 1964) of Yujiang village in the Bright Moon Commune, Hunan Province, measured 8 ft. 1.75 in. (2.48 m) when she died on February 13, 1982. This figure represented her height with assumed normal spinal curvature because she suffered from severe scoliosis (curvature of the spine) and could not stand up straight. She began to grow abnormally from the age of four months and stood 5 ft. 1.5 in. (1.56 m) before her fourth birthday and 7 ft. 1.5 in. (2.17 m) when she was 13.

* Greatest Height Differential – Married Couple

Fabien Pretou (France) (b. June 15, 1968) who stood at 6 ft. 2 in. (188.5 cm) married Natalie Lucius (France) (b. January 19, 1966) measuring 3 ft. 1 in. (94 cm) tall at Seyssinet-Pariset, France on April 14, 1990, a height difference of 37 in. (94.5 cm).

* Shortest Married Couple

Douglas Maistre Breger da Silva (b. September 21, 1969) and Claudia Pereira Rocha (b. September 6, 1972) (both Brazil) when married on the October 27, 1998, in Curitiba, Brazil, measured 35 in. (90 cm) and 36 in. (93 cm) respectively.

* Longest Marriage - Living Couple

Herbert Fisher (USA, b. June 10, 1905) and Zelmyra Fisher (USA, b. December 10, 1907) were married on May 13, 1924 in North Carolina, USA. They had been married 84 years 50 days as of June 1, 2008.

* Oldest Married Couple - Aggregate Age

Karl Delven (Norway, b. August 31, 1897) married Gudrun Haug (Norway, b. October 14, 1900) at Hole, Norway, on June 4, 1927. They remained married until Gudrun's death on April 24, 2004. At this time Gudrun was aged 103 years 193 days and Karl was 106 years 237 days - an aggregate age of 210 years 65 days.

About Guinness World Records

Guinness World Records is the universally recognized authority on record-breaking achievement. First published in 1955, the annual Guinness World Records book is published in more than 100 countries and 25 languages and is one of the highest-selling books under copyright of all time with more than 3 million copies sold annually across the globe. Guinness World Records celebrated its 50th anniversary edition in 2004, a year after the sale of its 100 millionth copy. Guinness World Records also annually publishes the Gamer's Edition; a records book devoted solely to the world of computer gaming and high score record achievements.

SOURCE Guinness World Records

CONTACT: Jamie Panas or Sara Wilcox, Guinness World Records, press@guinnessworldrecords.com; Brian Reinert (brian_reinert@bhimpact.com) or Mark Karges (mark_karges@bhimpact.com), Bender/Helper Impact, +1-212-689-6360