FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Amy Levy PR (310) 444-5250

AS WELLNESS EXPERTS TOUT THE THERAPEUTIC BENEFITS OF ESSENTIAL OILS,

SEELY 4TH GENERATION MINT FARM GARNERS NATIONAL DISTRIBUTION FOR THEIR LINE OF HAND-CRAFTED, FAIR TRADE CERTIFIED™ CHOCOLATE MINT PATTIES!

Clatskanie, Oregon, March 17, 2020…“We have raised our award-winning mint alongside our family on our farm since 1943,” says chief mint maven Mike Seely. At a recent essential oils conference in Los Angeles, Mike’s single-cut, premium-quality, Heirloom Black Mitcham Peppermint (originally from England) and Native Spearmint oils were a huge hit. Seely’s growing process, the Oregon region’s climate, the rich soils along the Columbia River and their sustainable harvesting methods done only once a year help to ensure that their mint is smooth and refreshing. The uniquely tended leaves can be distinguished by the black edges along their borders which are steam distilled only once to retain their full flavor spectrum and bouquet. From massage therapists to cosmetics and aromatherapy professionals, Seely Mint can be used in diffusers to help access more energy, awareness, calm and rest. www.seelymint.com

Seely Mint Family Farm produces a complete line of mint confections, mint leaf tea harvested in the peak of summer and sun-dried for maximum flavor and benefits, and mint flea repellent for pets.

Back in 2007, Seely’s customers at the Portland Farmer’s Market were asking Mike for ideas and recipes for their mint oil. “I’m a farmer,” he explained to them, “but I will tell you that our mint combines beautifully with chocolate.”

So, Mike was forced, by popular demand, to create a prototype sample, “Seely peppermint patty” to show them. When he tried to explain the recipe, everybody said, “WE don’t want to make them ourselves, we want YOU to make them so that we can BUYthem!” Feeling encouraged that his efforts might just pay off, Mike reached out to a neighbor who had a licensed commercial kitchen, and he got to work making peppermint patties and selling them at the Portland Farmer’s Market.

Then one day, his friend Sarah Masoni, a food scientist at the Portland Food Innovation Center INSISTED that Mike sell them commercially. Soon, the handcrafted Seely Mint Peppermint Patty, a delicious combination of European dark chocolate and heirloom mint was born. Literally, no one had ever tasted something quite so extraordinary.

Every handmade patty is made with 100% pure, undiluted Seely Mint essential oil and Fair Trade Certified™ cocoa. Next, the Seely’s moved on to mixing the peppermint and spearmint essential oils together to create a premium, white Mint Melt with Italian ivory chocolate. Seely Mint Melts became an instant favorite for consumers that are allergic to dark chocolate. Aside from being a tasty treat, they are also a very healthy one. The mint is never diluted, altered, or synthetically modified and the confections boast real cane sugar and clean ingredients that are gluten-free.

Seely uses premium quality custom-crafted and Fair Trade Certified™ European dark chocolate with single distilled and unblended essential mint oil to form an acutely flavored peppermint fondant. Mint barks are sprinkled with their own handmade candy cane and melts are a bite-size blend of mint oil and chocolate.

Today, only about 100 mint farmers remain in Oregon. Back in 1943, when LeRoy and Nettie Seely traded onions for mint, they could have never imagined that the Seely farm would be a leading producer of high quality mint oil for nearly 80 years. Happily, not much has changed when it comes to the way the Seely family grows its Mentha Piperita (peppermint) and Mentha Spicata (spearmint), despite some steps that are now mechanized. The family focuses on quality instead of quantity, taking only one harvest of the mint each year.

This philosophy means less dependence on commercial agronomic products and more reliance on the natural physiology of the plant and the seasons. Seely Mint’s mission is to preserve the unique profile of mint grown in the lower Columbia River region by offering high quality mint creations.

Seely Mint products may be found in numerous grocery stores around the United States including: all Oliver’s Stores, Nugget Markets, Draeger’s Market, Market Hall Foods, BiRite and most Kroger doors including 160 Ralph’s stores and 132 Fred Myer locations. They are in select regions of Whole Foods Market as well as Salt & Straws across the United States, Canada and the Hawaiian Island of Kauai.

Mike Seely’s farming instincts, coupled with his MBA from Washington State University, has fueled his entrepreneurship. By creating line extensions for his prized mint for the health and beauty industries and for the candy business, he has assured continued success for future Seely generations. Once you have experienced Seely Mint, it is likely that no other mint flavor or essence will do. “I enjoy watching people’s faces light up as they take a bite out of one of our peppermint patties,” says Mike Seely, “it’s the most satisfying part of my work.”

Media Inquiries: For more information about Seely 4th Generation Mint Farm, high resolution photos or product samples, please contact Amy Levy Public Relations at 310-444-5250.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Amy Levy PR (310) 444-5250

Los Angeles, CA, February 10, 2020: The Criminal Courts Bar Association (CCBA) has announced that it will honor Karen L. Goldstein as the 2020 Trial Attorney of the Year with its prestigious Jerry Giesler Memorial Award. The award, one of the highest honors a trial lawyer can receive in the Los Angeles criminal defense community, will be presented at the CCBA’s 67th Annual Awards Dinner on March 28, 2020, at the Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. Of particular distinction, is that Ms. Goldstein is only the fifth female attorney to be given this acknowledgement in the organization’s history. The award is named after the highly esteemed defense lawyer Harold Lee Giesler (known professionally as Jerry Giesler), a brilliant courtroom tactician and skilled trial attorney who took on the most challenging, high-stakes criminal cases over his 50-year legal career.

Karen L. Goldstein – Persistent, Principled, Passionate Criminal Defense

Ms. Goldstein has been practicing criminal defense since 2003, and represents clients accused of state and federal crimes, including child molestation, rape, RICO, and murder. As the founder of her own legal practice, she is one of the few female practitioners who has dedicated her career to fighting both state and federal criminal charges. With this award, the CCBA acknowledges the complex state and federal jury trials Ms. Goldstein undertook in 2019, including a child molestation trial where a hung jury voted overwhelmingly for not guilty, a result that saved her client from serving a life sentence. Ms. Goldstein works in criminal defense because she has, “a strong desire to fight for the underdog and to protect constitutional and human rights,” she says.

A member of both the Indigent Criminal Defense Appointment (ICDA) Panel and the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Panel in Los Angeles where she accepts appointments from the state and federal courts to represent indigent clients who cannot afford to hire a private attorney, Ms. Goldstein firmly believes that clients from all socio-economic backgrounds deserve a vigorous defense.

Karen Goldstein offers clients her fierce tenacity coupled with aggressive but compassionate representation to ensure that they receive the best possible outcome. Ms. Goldstein’s colleagues in the defense community respect her for taking on, and winning, demanding criminal cases, particularly in the area of sex crimes defense in the #MeToo era.

With a law firm whose motto is, “Persistent, Principled, and Passionate” Criminal Defense Ms. Goldstein’s approach is simple: apply laser focus to each case, handle every detail meticulously, and offer relentless advocacy. She appreciates that every one of her clients is facing stressful and often life-changing circumstances, and that she owes them nothing less than an individualized and exceptional defense.

Ms. Goldstein has been consistently named a Southern California Super Lawyer in the area of criminal defense from 2012-2020, a recognition of her status in the top 2.5% percent of criminal defense attorneys, and has also been recognized as one of America’s Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys. She is a member of the California and Washington, D.C., Bars and is currently in the process of being admitted to the New York State Bar. Ms. Goldstein has also earned a 10-star rating from her clients on avvo.com, an online legal directory that allows clients to provide ratings and reviews.

“Karen Goldstein fought for me. Karen Goldstein defended me. Karen Goldstein won me the privilege to return to my family with my head held high. I appreciate everything that she did for me and my family and I would wholeheartedly recommend her to represent any of my friends or family, should they ever need a criminal defense attorney.” – Former client, J.B.

A Legal Career That is in Her Blood

Ms. Goldstein cites her father, a retired attorney, as among the most important role models in her life. He has had a tremendous influence on her career, and she is proud to follow in his footsteps. An aspiring lawyer since a young age, she graduated from Choate Rosemary Hall cum laude in 1995, after being named as an “Adlai Stevenson Junior Fellow” whereas she was invited to present to the student body and faculty about Mr. Stevenson’s career and values.

Upon her first visit, Ms. Goldstein was immediately drawn to Georgetown University, a diverse, international community that has always been known for valuing social justice, and service to others, since 1789. She graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts from Georgetown with a double major in History and English; and was selected for a sought-after Honors Thesis program in her school’s History Department.

Ms. Goldstein later earned her Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University Law Center, graduating cum laude. During her third year at Georgetown Law, she served as a student attorney for the Domestic Violence Clinic, where she represented alleged victims of domestic violence in D.C. Superior Court and fought to secure restraining orders for them in court. Ms. Goldstein also assisted in teaching first year students’ legal research and writing in her role as a Law Fellow.

Active in her Community

A community advocate both professionally and personally, Ms. Goldstein is generous with her time and is also philanthropic with local arts organizations. She supports: The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Planned Parenthood, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), and The Centre Theatre Group. Through the nonprofit organization Motivating Our Students through Experience (MOSTe), she mentors young female scholars from underserved communities with the aim of helping them get into college, many as first-generation college students. She is fluent in French and speaks Spanish conversationally.

Karen Goldstein is thrilled to receive this honor. The Criminal Courts Bar Association, which is comprised of defense attorneys, judges, and prosecutors from the Southern California criminal justice community, is a trusted and respected organization, and has an important voice on criminal justice issues. Please visit laccba.org for tickets and information about the annual awards event.

Media Inquiries: For more information about Karen L. Goldstein or to schedule an interview, please contact Amy Levy Public Relations at 310-444-5250.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Amy Levy PR (310) 444-5250

CHICAGO, IL…November 19, 2019…MommyCon is a nationwide convention series dedicated to creating and nurturing a community of parents and parents-to-be. The lively and well-attended events bridge education and learning with interactive exhibitor halls, countless sessions with leading experts, and a hands-on approach to testing new products. Participants convene in cities big and small including MommyCon San Diego 2019 which will take place on November 23, 2019 for the second year at the San Diego Marriott Mission Valley, after a sold-out event in 2018.

For seven years, MommyCon’s mission has been one that champions a community of support, acceptance, and non-judgment for individuals journeying through parenthood. Over the past few days, there has been some disturbing and surprising news about MommyCon Founder Alexzandra “Xza” Higgins’ past. It is a frightening story to be sure; and it is one that Xza kept private for a long time until she got help. Understandably, there has been an outpouring of love and support for Xza from the parenting community as well as justified questions and concerns about heading to San Diego amidst this typhoon. Xza and her team have remained silent, because of the legal ramifications in her case, but they have been listening. Like they always do.

Alexzandra “Xza” Higgins is a survivor of abuse. She never planned to tell her story. She kept it pretty close to the vest. When she was pregnant with her first child, and in a terrifying relationship, she started a blog collective called, The Mommy Dialogues. It brought her comfort and it brought comfort to others. She organized living room meet-ups and cabin retreats for like-minded moms and moms-to-be. The informal gatherings grew so rapidly, that MommyCon was created to fulfill the need of an under-served community. Within five years, MommyCon reached an audience of over 100,000 parents from nearly every state. She was becoming an entrepreneur. And now this entrepreneur, despite the daunting mess she finds her life in, is looking forward to seeing new and old friends, moms and moms-to-be and everyone in between at MommyCon this weekend.

“I am a parent too, first and foremost,” she said. “I have a beautiful son who turns 8 next week and a daughter who is four and this is my community. I need to be with other moms now more than ever,” she said.

The MommyCon team made an official statement this afternoon,

We realize the upheaval our community is in today. With MommyCon San Diego 2019 days away, and other events planned over the next year, we realize that many of our attendees, friends, sponsors, vendors, etc. are confused, hurt and afraid after hearing about the child pornography charges brought against Kevin Higgins, the estranged husband of our founder and CEO, Alexzandra “Xza” Higgins.

We apologize to victims and survivors of abuse who have suffered as a result of hearing this news. We hope the following information will help address the concerns of those whose own children have attended MommyCon and its affiliated events.

But, due to the nature of the crimes committed against Xza, law enforcement advised her to remain silent following Kevin Higgins’ arrest because she was a juvenile victim in the case. Both her attorneys and the police specified that her identity would be kept private. You can read the very difficult and personal statement on her Facebook page here https://bit.ly/2KASDgL

“Mr. Higgins’ involvement with MommyCon and our affiliated events was limited in scope to being a Dad speaker and as an assistant during load-in at some venues between the years of 2013-2018. It was a grassroots organization, it still is, and it was all hands on deck. He had no day-to-day involvement with the company, and there is no evidence that we have been made aware of, that anything inappropriate happened at any of our events. MommyCon is not part of the police investigation, but we are prepared to cooperate fully if/when law enforcement personnel reach out to us,” they said.

“As a company, we are unaware of further details pertaining to the case, however we encourage anyone who has concerns to report crimes to their local police department. We stand by all victims, and encourage you to believe all victims.”

“It is often easy to forget the faces behind this small women-run business known as MommyCon. The company stands to provide a safe place for everyone to connect with each other, wherever they are in their parenting journey. Our team will continue to work diligently to deliver the quality experiences our tight-knit community has come to expect,” they said.

MommyCon advocates values of holistic health, child safety standards and procedures, and personal self-care and wellness. We are committed to offering each other unconditional acceptance. Xza is getting the help she needs and will see everyone this weekend.

If you or someone you know needs additional support due to the sensitive and potentially triggering nature of this topic or are figuring out how to navigate it as a parent, we encourage you to contact RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) 800-656-4673 or the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.

About MommyCon

MommyCon has become a champion of natural parenting in the USA – celebrating its historic, cultural and scientific roots. We balance a belief in responsive parenting whilst educating and empowering women about their individual choices. We have since expanded to being part of the Parent & Co. family of events that includes: DaddyCon, KidCon, Influential Summit and more!

Media Inquiries: For more information or to schedule an interview with Alexzandra “Xza” Higgins, please contact Amy Levy PR at 310-444-5250 or amy@amylevypr.com

[Did you know that 5,000 people who are personally or professionally touched by epilepsy are heading to Disneyland® on November 4-6 for…]

https://www.amylevypr.com/single-post/world-s-largest-epilepsy-awareness-and-education-event-coming-soon-to-southern-california

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Tue, 01 Oct 2019 23:08:24 GMT

 

Amy Levy

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Did you know that 5,000 people who are personally or professionally touched by epilepsy are heading to Disneyland® on November 4-6 for Epilepsy Awareness Day At Disneyland®? (EADDL)

Globally, over 60 million people have epilepsy, many of them without effective treatment.

In an effort to address the unmet needs for increased education for people with epilepsy and their families, Brad and Candy Levy of Irvine, CA, started a nonprofit organization called Sofie’s Journey after their own daughter battled epilepsy.

A very impressive list of the most important doctors from around the world are coming to speak on November 4 & 5.

Sofie’s Journey brings 5,000 people from around the world together to raise awareness at the 7th annual Epilepsy Awareness & Education Expo

Irvine, CA, October 1, 2019… INFORMATION IS POWER and on November 4, 5, 6, over 5,000 people from around the world including the UK, Germany, South America, Australia and Dubai whose personal and professional lives are touched by epilepsy, will converge to GATHER & SHARE INFORMATION at the 7th annual Epilepsy Awareness & Education Expo at Disneyland® Resort! And, best of all, attendance is absolutely FREE.

Globally, over 60 million people have epilepsy, many of them without effective treatment. In an effort to address the unmet needs for increased education for people with epilepsy and their families, Brad and Candy Levy of Irvine, CA, started a nonprofit organization called Sofie’s Journey after their own daughter battled epilepsy.

At the Expo, attendees and media will see ROSA the Robot on display. Surgeons will be demonstrating how she works. This is the first time ROSA will be shown to the public (usually she is only at functions for Neurology/Neurosurgery).

Ten years ago, the now 19 year-old Sofie Levy, underwent surgery to remove a part of her brain that Candy and Brad called, “the troublemaker,” because it stilled the chaotic electrical storms in her head. The surgery was a success and she never had seizures again. Her parents were so grateful that they wanted to help others affected by epilepsy and soon Sofie’s Journey and the Epilepsy Awareness & Education Expo/Epilepsy Awareness Day at Disneyland® Resort (EADDL) were born.

Their goal is to teach as many people about epilepsy and seizure disorders and help to find a cure. The Levy’s efforts are focused on bringing this misunderstood condition that will develop in 1 of every 26 people at some point in their lifetime, to light. “When Sofie’s surgeon, Dr. Gary Mathern said that his friends at the International League against Epilepsy wanted to talk to us about pushing for international unity, we couldn’t wait to be a part, said Candy Levy.” “We are so proud to be involved with the world recognized governing body for epilepsy advocacy.”

All attendees, including children, of EADDL must register to attend the free expo at http://www.epilepsyawarenessday.org. There are no exceptions.

Details about Epilepsy Awareness/Education Expo:

WHEN:

November 4, 2019: Free Expo/Education 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

November 5, 2019: Free Expo/Education 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

WHO:

*A FEW OF THE NATION’S TOP EPILEPSY SPECIALIST SPEAKERS WILL BE ON HAND INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

· Raman Sankar, MD, PhD UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital (Understanding Your EEG)

· William Gallentine, DO and Gerald Grant MD, FACS; Stanford Children’s Health (Who Is An
Epilepsy Surgical Candidate)

· Arnold Sansevere, MD; Boston Children’s Hospital (Newly Diagnosed Kids)

· Adam Numis, MD; UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital (Neuroinflamation/Autoimmune)

· Laura Kalayjian, MD; Keck School of Medicine USC (Women Treating Women)

· Joseph Sirven, MD Mayo Clinic (Hard to Treat Epilepsy)

· Daniel Curry, MD Texas Children’s (Stereo EEG and Ablation in Epilepsy)

· Leading epilepsy professionals from around the world, over 60 non-profit support groups, epilepsy centers, drug/related-product manufacturers, seizure dogs and their trainers, and people whose lives are touched by epilepsy or who want to raise awareness or funds for epilepsy.

WHERE: Disneyland® Hotel’s North and South Exhibit Hall

COST: FREE to attend the first two days of this one-of-a-kind event.

However, for those attendees looking to spend November 6th at the park, they need to purchase a Disneyland® Resort park ticket either at the park or at www.epilepsyawarenessday.org which will include a participation pack and the purple shirt, to be picked up at the Expo.

PARK DAY:

Wednesday, November 6, 2019: PARK DAY* 10:00 am – Park Close

*Extra Fee for Park Entrance Required.

Annual pass holders (AP) are welcome to join, and can purchase a participation pack as well.

Ticketed participants from around the world will converge into the Disneyland® Park on Day 3, November 6th wearing their EADDL purple event t-shirts. When you wear the shirt around the park, you will easily be identified by other attendees and their families.

PARKING: Parking is available to all guests in the main parking structure for a fee (self-park or valet).

New book, “After That Day” to be released at EADDL

Sofie’s Journey will launch a new book titled, “After That Day: Stories of Epilepsy” at the Expo. The book profiles forty-five people whose lives have been forever changed by their experience with epilepsy, and it includes the perspective from doctors who are leading the charge toward the advancement of the understanding and treatment of this disorder.

The Levy’s especially want to reach people who are not able to attend the Expo. They are facilitating distribution of the book to hospitals and medical offices all over the country to promote understanding and to help both doctors and patients in their consideration of treatment options.

The beautiful over-sized book begins with Brad and Candy Levy’s personal story of their daughter’s battle with epilepsy. It includes gorgeous candid portraits taken by New York-based photographer Karen Haberberg. Readers will find a wide range of epilepsy types represented in the book, and not all of the stories have a happy tone. Writer and Editor Amyliz Pera worked from stories authored by parents, caregivers, and people with epilepsy to craft a book that highlights the diversity of experiences with this disorder.

“After That Day” introduces such people as Aliana, who was ripped from her parents’ arms at age six because of their medication choice. You will meet Zenaya, who was passed around for years because of her disorder and finally adopted by her caregiver. Hopeful stories include an introduction to Ed, whose service dog can smell a seizure coming, and Jayden, whose dad pioneered a prominent whole plant CBD product after Jayden had tried countless pharmaceuticals.

The book has strong support from the medical and epilepsy communities.

Doctors Edward H. Bertram, Gary W. Mathern, and Solomon L. Moshé are featured in the book and authored this conclusion:

“One of the problems for people with epilepsy is that they often don’t know when they’ve had a seizure or what actually happened during the seizure. They are told something happened, but they have no recollection of the event. Their lives are held hostage by these unrecognized occurrences. We all want to have control of our behavior, especially in public places, and we don’t want to attract unwanted attention. With epilepsy, control is taken away, which causes many to withdraw from public activities. Many people feel their experiences are one-of-a-kind and that no one else has ever had to deal with all of the consequences of the disease. Perhaps the greatest message from the stories we hear is to never give in and always look for ways to find your own sense of normalcy.”

The book is available for pre-order on Amazon and directly through the Sofie’s Journey web site https://epilepsyawarenessday.org/sofies-journey

About Sofie’s Journey:

In an effort to address the unmet needs for increased education for people with epilepsy and their families, Sofie’s Journey created the Epilepsy Awareness & Education Expo and Epilepsy Awareness Day at Disneyland®. The organization works with the finest professionals from epileptologists to nonprofits and everything in between. It is the leading source for all things epilepsy! Sofie’s Journey, Inc. is a qualified 501(c) 3 tax-exempt organization (EIN: 47-5662411) managed by volunteers and 100% of the funds raised go directly to producing the Expo.

Media Inquiries: For additional information about the 7th Annual Epilepsy Awareness Day at Disneyland® (EADDL), please contact Amy Levy Public Relations at 310-444-5250.

Los Angeles, CA, September 3, 2019 … According to a 2017 survey by the non-profit organization Stop Street Harassment, 81% of women and…

Los Angeles, CA, September 3, 2019 … According to a 2017 survey by the non-profit organization Stop Street Harassment, 81% of women and 43% of men have experienced some form of sexual harassment during their lifetime. After former Governor Jerry Brown signed #California’s anti-sexual harassment law, it was updated in 2019 with the passage of Senate Bill 1343 (SB 1343). The bill states that, “all employers based in California with at least five employees to provide two hours of sexual harassment training for all supervisors and one hour of such training to all non-supervisory employees by December 31, 2019.” Los Angeles-based Bridge Safety Consultants offers in-person training for companies using exceptionally-trained teachers that engage employees and deliver vital information in an entertaining way. Bridge Safety Consultants is a familiar name in the manufacturing and processing industries for their interactive, bilingual safety incentive programs that effectively involve both employees and supervisors.

The new law mandates that instruction must also cover harassment towards co-workers based on gender, pregnancy, childbirth, breast-feeding, or any medical conditions. Bridge Safety Consultants’ programs are compliant with both AB 1825 (2004) and SB 1343 (2018) and they help your workforce feel prepared to report behaviors in the office that make them uncomfortable. Bridge also touches on bullying and situations concerning sexual orientation/gender identity.

“Everyone had fun during the training while learning the topic,” said Niki Chung of Forest Mushroom Food. “Afterwards, our whole team felt confident that they’d be able to identify what constitutes sexual harassment,” she said.

Just like the smoke alarms throughout your home help in keeping you and your family safe and alert of potential dangers, Bridge Safety Consultants does the same for your company and its staff.

While the best smoke alarms are only as good as the batteries that are fueling them, consumers are told to monitor and tend to them as needed in order for them to work properly. The same is true for the workplace. If a potentially dangerous situation were to occur in your office, you’ll be happy you provided excellent training for your personnel!

The #MeToo movement has brought national attention to dramatically-changing workplace standards. SB 1343 enforces all companies to provide effective prevention education to all employees. Adequately educating employees keeps both staff and the company safe. Attendees learn what isn’t allowed in the workplace while clarifying which behaviors are in fact still appropriate. The benefit of in-person training sessions is that they provide a safe space for employees to ask questions. In turn, they may better navigate issues in the workplace, a vital feature that online programs and videos fail to offer companies.

The training can be serious and intense at times, but the skilled teachers are sure to include the whole group using practical examples and exercises. Students earn a certification of attendance and completion when they are done, and businesses receive their documentation of compliance.

Trusted by clients from schools, film studios and law firms to fashion designers since 2003, Bridge Safety Consultants is a full-service safety consulting practice based in Palos Verdes, California. Founder Joseph Stevens boasts an upper management background in sales in the medical diagnostics industry. From a manufacturing standpoint, he devised a way for companies to have fewer claims when they implemented incentive programs that were built around bilingual, entertaining meeting leaders. It has certainly worked. The company has guided organizations on building safety leading to Bridge’s clients seeing on average a 40% decrease in workers’ compensation claims the first year after implementation, resulting in savings on insurance costs.

“Our programs bring safety to center stage, leading to fewer risks and less carelessness,” Mr. Stevens says. “This culture focused on the importance of workplace safety begins with engaging workers during training sessions in a very inclusive way,” he assures.

In addition to high quality, in-person safety and sexual harassment prevention training, Bridge Safety Consultants also provides consulting for workers’ compensation and fraud prevention. To learn more about why Bridge Safety Consultants should be the training service for your company, visit www.bridgeconsultants.net or www.sexualharassmenttraining.co

Media Inquiries: For additional information about Bridge Safety Consultants or to schedule an interview with Joe Stevens, please contact Amy Levy Public Relations at (310) 444-5250.

#sexualharassment #safety #workplace #humanresources

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Amy Levy PR (310) 444-5250

Midsummer’s Night Dream Summer Fashion Show at the W Hollywood

Proceeds from the memorable and glamorous night to benefit

When: Thursday, June 20, 2019

7:30 pm – 10:30 pm

Red Carpet Arrivals: 7:30 pm

Runway show 8:30 pm

Where: W Hollywood

6250 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028

Who: Ashley Allen – Founder of Rule 62/Costume Designer for Film & TV

Celebrity attendee list pending

What: Join Los Angeles fashionistas as we celebrate the Summer Solstice with a summer fashion show benefiting Rule 62, a cool, bohemian, hang out for individuals in or seeking recovery from alcohol

and substance abuse that is scheduled to open in December 2019.

• Join us for delicious passed light bites and no host bar.
• Hot runway fashion show featuring designs by: Dalia MacPhee, L’ Atiste, Hale Bob, G-Ro and Aratta, Mossto USA.
• Silent auction

Come dressed in your whimsical best.

Parking: Valet or Self-Parking

Tickets: $30 general admission

$75 VIP (includes preferred seating and swag bag)

Click here or visit www.EVENTBRITE.COM

Media Inquiries: PRESS CREDENTIALS REQUIRED.

Please contact Amy Levy PR (310) 444-5250.

Los Angeles, CA, May 15, 2019…Ashley Nicole Allen, the prominent Film and Television Costume Designer, announced details today for her summer fashion fundraiser on Thursday, June 20th at the W Hollywood at 6250 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028.

Several celebrities that have been vocal about their own personal recovery from substance abuse have been extended an invitation.

The evening will benefit Ms. Allen’s new venture, Rule 62, a cool, bohemian, hang out for individuals in or seeking recovery from alcohol and substance abuse that is scheduled to open in December 2019.

Guests will be treated to an extraordinary fashion show featuring some of LA’s hottest young designers, great music and eclectic snacks around the best rooftop pool in town.

The event promises to be an elegant evening that will stimulate all of your senses. Produced by renowned luxury company Luna Garden Events, guests will come away with newfound support for the recovery community.

Sponsors for the event include Betty Ford, Start Up, Aratta, Hale Bob, G-Ro, W Hotel Hollywood, Dalia MacPhee, L’Atiste and Mossto USA.

Tickets are $30 for general admission and $75 for VIP tickets that include preferred seating and a killer swag bag.

Rule 62 founder Ashley Nicole Allen said, “We are so thrilled to be able to champion the recovery community with the launch of Rule 62. As someone in recovery myself, I hope this will be a welcome destination for my friends in the sober living world. Our clubhouse will be a comfortable hangout with amazing yoga classes, therapy groups, community gardening, movie nights and a smoothie and coffee bar that will be open to both residents and visitors to Los Angeles.”

Media Inquiries: For more information regarding Midsummer Night’s Dream or Rule 62, please contact Amy Levy Public Relations at 310-444-5250.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Amy Levy PR (310) 444-5250

Los Angeles, CA, March 14, 2019… Evelyn Alexander is fuming mad. Ms. Alexander founded Magellan College Counseling in 2011 after spending 15 years as a volunteer alumni admissions recruiter for Johns Hopkins University. She expertly teaches students and parents what they need to know about college admissions, focusing on helping students find colleges that fit them academically, socially and emotionally.

“We’ve had just 24 hours to absorb the major scandal that involved lying, cheating and bribery in the college admission world,” she says. “It’s bad on so many levels, but underneath the rubble, the immorality, the illegality, is the sad fact that the scandal rests upon people’s desperate and completely unfounded fear that if their kids don’t go to a well-known college, one that shows up high on some ranking list somewhere, their life will be forever doomed,”she says.

Evelyn Alexander has other ideas for helping students find the college that is best for them.

Ms. Alexander knows that the reliance on rankings to determine which are good colleges is so misplaced, she doesn’t even know where to start. She thinks of rankings as basically gossip. They tell you nothing about how well your child will do on a particular college campus, what they’ll get from the experience, how well their education will prepare them for their future job. Or how well they will feel like they “fit in” to the campus community.

Over the past nine years, Ms. Alexander has been counseling students. Over the course of that time, she has personally visited over 325 colleges. You’ve heard the names of some of them, but you probably haven’t heard of many of them. But just because you haven’t heard of a college doesn’t mean it’s not good, or that your child won’t get a job or into a strong graduate program with a degree from a smaller or lesser-known college.

Ms. Alexander illustrates this is by showing a list of undergraduate institutions from which Harvard’s first year law students graduated. You’ll recognize about half of them – but that doesn’t matter. What matters is that HARVARD LAW SCHOOL recognizes them – and their graduates. You can also check out this list of where the CEOs of the top 10 Fortune 500 companies went to college – only one of those 10 is an Ivy, and you probably haven’t even heard of a few of these schools. The bottom line, she says is, “a college you haven’t heard of (yet) could be an INCREDIBLE place for your teenager to spend some quality time learning about the world and how they can follow their passions.”

Ms. Alexander knows that you may have heard about the crisis-level problem with anxiety on college campuses today. “Part of that is due to the unhealthy obsession with name-brand, highly ranked colleges – students simply feel they’ve failed if they don’t hit the college lottery,” she warns.

“If families took more time to really explore their college options, instead of being stuck on those rankings, they might just land at a place where they fit in, love their classmates, love what they’re learning and feel at home,” she advises.

Over the course of nine years in this business, Ms. Alexander is proud to have built a team of highly ethical and dedicated counselors who have worked with hundreds of students and families, always focusing on finding the best college for each student. “We’re very clear with our clients: our job isn’t to “get you in,” it’s to “get you through” the process that many people find to be confusing and stressful,” she says.

Magellan College Counseling approaches it in two steps.

PHASE 1 is “College Search.”

• They spend time getting to know each student, helping them start to think about what they want in their college experience and what they have to offer a college community.
• Then, based on her travels and knowledge of the 2,200 four-year colleges in the United States, they create a nice long list for them to research.
• They teach them how to research a college, going beyond the names they already know.

PHASE 2 is “College Applications.”

• The counselors sit next to them, literally and figuratively, as they fill out applications and write essays.
• They make sure, above all else, that their lists are balanced so that they KNOW good news is coming.
• They make sure they love their “safe” and “target” schools.
• They make sure that their moms and dads don’t have to nag them to get things done.
• They make sure things aren’t done at the very last moment.

Ms. Alexander has been saying for years that, “there are 2 important questions to ask a college counselor before you hire one:

1. To which professional organizations do you belong?
2. How many conferences and colleges have you been to in the past two years?”

Every counselor on her team is a member of NACAC, the National Association for College Admission Counseling, and her LA team are all members of the Western affiliate, WACAC. Her counselors are also members of either the Higher Education Consultants Association or the Independent Educational Consultants Association (whose response to the college admission scandal is here).

“While I can’t say I was happy when this college admission scandal broke on yesterday’s news, I hope the result will be that we spend more time focusing on helping students find the right match college, instead of being obsessed with the big names,” she says hopefully.

Media Inquiries: To schedule an interview with Evelyn Alexander, please contact Amy Levy PR at 310-444-5250.

Do you like hosting all of the family’s parties? Do you have a fabulous new restaurant?

Throughout the year, there are opportunities to be a better host or hostess. This includes less eye-rolling, less feeling put upon and more embracing our guests so that they feel welcome while feeding them what they need to stay #healthy.

In January, every blog, magazine and morning show touted the latest new diets and fitness trends. Everyone had over-indulged over the holidays they told us and now it was back to reality.

For many people, the best part of holiday celebrating is the food. Parties with beautifully catered platters, and dinners with relatives that feature family favorites using decades-old recipes.

But, if you are someone with food sensitivities, a party can feel like a scary maze you need to navigate for fear of illness flare-ups or autoimmune reactions. An increasing number of us around the country deal with food issues throughout the year, but holidays can especially be a challenge when you visit those not accustomed to your #lifestyle.

Some of the most common food allergies are milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, gluten, shellfish and fish. Those suffering from these allergies experience difficulties in finding a friendly meal even with their nearest and dearest.

• Grandma puts regular flour in everything – sauces, gravies, cakes and even her famous pot roast. You go for #Christmas dinner and just eat the vegetables.
• Your friend throws a fabulous Super Bowl open house and her caterer has delivered gorgeous deli sandwiches. Unfortunately, she didn’t ask if they could send gluten-free bread or rolls. The sandwiches are all pre-made, so you have to skip them. You try to fill up on coleslaw and potato salad.
• Your colleague has an #Oscar party and ordered 10 pizzas for everyone to enjoy but totally forgot that you have #celiac and thus you cannot have gluten! You eat potato chips and crudité.
• The boss throws a Memorial Day lobster party, but with your shellfish allergy, you are stuck with corn on the cob all night.

The National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) reports that approximately 60-75 million people in America are living with gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. From irritable bowel syndrome and celiac disease to inflammatory bowel disease that collectively includes ulcerative #colitis and #Crohn’s disease, those with these conditions often eliminate certain ingredients from their lives.

Even a seemingly safe salad can cause bloating, severe stomachaches and nausea because of the dressing or croutons. Is it better to just stay home? Pack a lunchbox? Eat beforehand?

As the mother of a child with #celiac disease who has ulcerative colitis herself, our own party invitations always say, “All dietary restrictions and preferences will be cheerfully accommodated.” Could everyone do that? When my child is invited to a party, I ask the family if I can bring something. If they are having pizza, I ask if they could please order a #glutenfree pie.

Over the past 17 years, my public relations firm has had the pleasure of working with companies that manufacture allergen-friendly foods. Many of those clients had experienced these food issues in their own households.

Allison Luckman of Allie’s GF Goodies Homemade Gluten Free Goodness, has a gluten-free, nut-free, legume-free, dairy-free and kosher bakery on Long Island in New York that works to make life for those with food allergies fun again. Cakes, brownies, cookies, bagels, challah, baguettes and wedding cakes are made with love with safety as the primary ingredient. She has events at the #bakery for kids to decorate holiday houses because every other gingerbread house out there for those kids is a “no no.” Allie felt compelled to do this work; not because she was a trained chef, but because she lived in a house with people who needed to be on top of everything they ate. Her motto is “no child left out.” Allie’s daughter just got married. She had a delicious and gluten-free #wedding cake.

Cindy Frei, also on the East coast, founded Caleb’s Cooking Company with her son when he was 14. They started their company in 2017 with allergen-friendly chicken nuggets. Caleb has Crohn’s disease and he is on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD). The SCD eliminates all gluten, grains, sugar and preservatives and helps Caleb manage his illness. Caleb’s food is free from all 13 of the most common food allergens – wheat, grains, added sugar, peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, casein, soy, sesame, sulfites, lupin, mustard, fish, shellfish and crustaceans. If you have a package of his nuggets in your freezer, he can come for dinner.

College is a place to grow academically and socially. But, it is also another big #party.

When a child heads to college, Inflammatory Bowel Disease can present a number of unique challenges related to nutrition. I know it did for me. According to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, “Concerns over nutritional management in college life is understandable. When it comes to navigating the dining halls, you should meet with dining hall staff or the area’s manager to discuss any concerns you might have about your meal plan, such as dietary restrictions, allergies, flare-friendly foods, and other special considerations. Be proactive about your nutrition by communicating with dining hall staff if you run into issues regarding your selected meal plan,” they advise on their website. This is so important for kids navigating their meals independently often for the first time. Wouldn’t it be terrific if all #colleges put materials in new student manuals about the safety of their dining services? If they boasted that their #menus are plentiful with allergen free choices and that their staff has been trained in how to handle this?

For those hosts eager to try to accommodate their guests in 2019, it is important to remember to be careful during the food preparation process because of the possibility of cross contact. Even when you make two separate entrees with different ingredients, the use of the same cooking utensils can lead to a negative reaction for those suffering from food sensitivities. For example, if you are preparing gravy for a turkey, you may decide to make two different batches, one with dairy and one without for those who are unable to digest lactose. In this case, you would make sure you are using completely separate pots and spoons to avoid any exposure to allergens.

It really isn’t that hard. And, it makes people feel so welcome. Over the holidays, my sister in law had 14 of us for dinner. She had a cheese platter with all kinds of good stuff. It had four kinds of crackers on it. All gluten-free. Better to make my kid feel welcome. She made shrimp and grits and everyone liked it. Totally safe. No shellfish allergies and no one was kosher. Someone else brought fruit and another person made a great salad. I brought my famous gluten-free mixed berry cobbler. My husband and I were so touched that everything was safe for our daughter. They were so accommodating and they researched a tasty recipe that would be okay.

Research shows that when groups of friends go out to eat, the one with the dietary restrictions often picks the restaurant. So, because I have an LA PR Firm that works with #restaurants and #food brands, I tell them to reach out to those customers especially! Those customers know which places are safe and they are the most loyal to restaurants that take care of them. Restaurant owners need to know this.

Accommodating specialty diets takes training for the kitchen and wait staff, patience and empathy. My friend Betsy Craig at AllerTrain really helps restaurants take steps to better handle #glutenfree requests, avoid food allergy-related incidents, and prepare them to handle such incidents, should they occur.

The same goes for people who entertain friends and family at home. Make your next party safe so that the minute your guests get their invitations, you will get a “yes” from each of them.

Meet Caleb and Cindy Frei, the founders of Caleb’s Cooking Company, and the maker of delicious options for healthy food lovers and those with dietary restrictions. The company launched in 2017 with allergen-friendly entrees. Approximately 27% of children in the U.S. live with chronic health conditions that affect their daily lives and normal activities. Caleb is one of these children; he has Crohn’s disease (a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects the lining of the digestive tract) and is on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD). The SCD eliminates all gluten, grains, sugar and preservatives and helps Caleb manage his illness.

What makes @CalebsCookingCo so unique is that it is the first company to create completely allergen-friendly frozen entrée’s for kids. This means that Caleb’s food is free from all 13 of the most common food allergens – wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, casein, soy, sesame, sulfites, lupin, mustard, fish, shellfish and crustaceans. They currently contain eggs, but soon they will also be omitted.

The company’s mission of providing tasty foods for children with dietary restrictions is important for their quality of life. Caleb’s Cooking Company offers a cherished rarity – choice. Children on special diets (whether as a result of illness or allergies) are delighted to eat chicken nuggets again.

“Almost every day, I am contacted by parents of children with a chronic illness or allergies who require a special diet. They are struggling to get support and information, especially if they can’t find the food they need where they live,” says Cindy. She offers advice about her meal alternatives, diet therapy and the connection between nutrition and disease.

A response to an epidemic

Research has shown that the deadliest killers in the United States are diet-related diseases. In fact, every autoimmune illness and allergy has doubled in the last ten years. These diseases and the dietary restrictions that often follow, contribute to missed school days, hospital and doctor visits, ongoing social anxiety and psychological fallout. There are communities in cosmopolitan cities that have specialty grocery stores and restaurants that serve and sell food to accommodate those with dietary restrictions. Other small cities do not.

“We have a chef that understands the delicate balance needed to create wonderful recipes that forfeit the allergy ingredients without forfeiting the taste or texture needed to make great food,” says Cindy.

There are plenty of gluten-free chicken nuggets out there, but there are no chicken nuggets that are completely allergen friendly. Cindy’s mission is to get allergen friendly food into the hands of as many children as possible and that includes schools, colleges, hospitals, hotels, amusements parks, cruises, camps and more.

Using diet therapy is proving to be highly effective in the treatment of disease than ever before for some patients. Children with epilepsy, diabetes, autism and IBD have seen significant improvement using specialized diets.

Not just nuggets

Caleb’s Cooking Company intends to roll out a line of allergen friendly frozen entrées to include enchiladas, macaroni and cheese, lasagna and other traditional kid’s favorites. Caleb’s Cooking Company is one of the innovative brands disrupting the food industry and the way food service and consumers feel about healthy food products. Specialty stores have embraced their products including: MOM’s Organic Markets, YES Organic Markets, Streets Market and Café, Good Foods Market, Dawson’s Market, Glen’s Market and Union Kitchen Grocery. Look for Caleb’s Cooking Company at prominent expos and trade shows around the country where they showcase their products.

Caleb is proud to be helping children enjoy their food again. His mom Cindy is thrilled to help. She is an entrepreneurial leader with 25 years business management experience in digital marketing, television development/production and internet services, she is succeeding in consumer products manufacturing because, she needed to. To stay on top of the demand of Caleb’s Cooking Company fans, Cindy concentrates on new product innovation and supports community organizations like the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.

Caleb’s Cooking Company provides a convenient allergen friendly solution for parents with children on special diets and helps kids “feel like regular kids again,” by providing traditional – but healthy – foods they love.

Media Inquiries: For more information about or to interview the founder, please contact Amy Levy PR at 310-444-5250.

I am thrilled, proud and delighted to celebrate the 17th anniversary of AmyLevyPR today.

When I started the company, it was all about helping companies that also help others. It still is.

All of our clients are required to give back to the community in some way.

,We love working with #food, #restaurants, #artists, #health, #wellness and #corporate clients.

When we started, we represented restaurants, art galleries, fashion and jewelry firms, chefs and non-profits since I had just left one after 5 years and .

Then we entered the specialty food and beverage world.

We morphed into becoming a leading #glutenfree advocacy agency and even got certified by @Allertrain this year.

We have launched countless new natural products, opened bakeries and upscale quick service restaurants and fine dining establishments.

A concentration in Health and Wellness brought us 2 surgeons, 3 physical therapists, 3 dentists, 3 holistic medicine doctors and a handful of those in the vitamin and nutraceutical worlds.

Now, as we continue to lead trends, we find ourselves working with leaders in #cannabis – cultivators, dispensaries, researchers, growers and scientists.

We moved from press kits to social media platforms.

We included influencers on our media lists that feature the top names in print, broadcast and online media.

We have premiered plays, films and film festivals and celebrated their talented creators.

We have gone to a million #tradeshows and exhibited our client’s products to their industries.

We love what we do. And we are plenty good at it.

Check us out at ,www.amylevypr.com

#losangeles #marketingagency #celiac #mediarelations #cannabiscommunity #foodmarketingagencies #cannabismarketing #consumerproductsmarketing #publicrelationsfirm #amylevypr #restaurantpr #consumerproductspr #foodpr #prfirm #glutenfreemarketing #foodandbeveragepublicrelationsfirms #naturalproductsmarketing #specialtyfoodmarketing #pragency #hospitalitypublicrelations