MJ Christensen Diamonds and BeadforLife Come Together to Fight Extreme Poverty
Just as Cliff & Darlene Miller of MJ Christensen Diamonds believe that a gift of fine jewelry is an intimate expression of love, this love extends even more deeply by connecting to hardworking women in Uganda who are living on less than one dollar per day. The family-owned business has announced that on Wednesday, November 12th from 6-8pm at Emerald at Queensridge, they will host the 5th Annual Runway For Life Event, benefiting BeadforLife members by featuring their handcrafted jewelry, shea butter body products, and more! This jewelry, created with recycled paper, becomes opportunity, empowerment, and lights the spark needed to achieve lasting self-sufficiency.
MJ Christensen is taking its reputation of extraordinary community involvement and philanthropic leadership to a whole new level with this dynamic partnership. The two organizations connect with their shared passion for creating beautiful jewelry, and MJ’s compassion is now touching a whole new group of families’ worlds away. Although they are thousands of miles apart, their hearts will connect during this special event celebrated on November 12th. The focus of Runway For Life is not only for guests to experience beautiful recycled paper jewelry, but also to educate and inspire the community on how they can make a difference in the fight against extreme poverty.
“Like these women half a world away, we create and sell beautiful jewelry, says Cliff Miller, owner of MJ Christensen along with his wife Darlene. “It is an honor to showcase the fruits of their labor and spread the word about this fantastic organization, BeadforLife.” he adds.
BeadforLife is a non-profit collaboration of women in Uganda and concerned global citizens. Members in Uganda roll beautiful bead jewelry from recycled paper and gather shea nuts which become natural body products. Engaged people worldwide create markets for these products and educate themselves and others about extreme poverty. The profits return to fight extreme poverty specifically in areas of health care, housing and business training initiatives. (Jewelry prices range from $4 – $85)
The evening’s celebration will be emceed by FOX5 MORE Show’s very own Rachel Smith and will be held at Emerald at Queensridge, an upscale, family-owned wedding venue that will be transformed into an African inspired marketplace! Events include a live African drum circle, fashion models, as well as a unique African themed dance performance by Dance Connections. Personal fashion stylist, Jenna Doughton, will share her skills on site at the premier style bar emphasizing the versatility of the colorful jewelry, and Elements Massage will soothe guests with pampering hand massages using BeadforLife shea products! Attendees will enjoy hors d’oeuvres and sip African themed cocktails while they shop thousands of handmade pieces of jewelry! Entry fee is a $10 donation to BeadforLife, which includes a raffle ticket to win fabulous prizes!
“We are so honored by the generosity, commitment, and passion that MJ Christensen is taking to feature and sell our jewelry in Las Vegas,” says Heather Ditillo, North American Program Director for BeadforLife. “We are thankful for the opportunity to share for the 5th consecutive year the story of how these recycled paper beads become hope for so many hard-working Ugandan women to lift their families out of poverty,” she adds. She says that it is a natural partnership that hadn’t been considered before – with both organizations making their living by selling beautiful jewelry. “We are so grateful for their support and innovative thinking, and hope that this will become a model for other jewelers and retailers across the country,” Ditillo adds.
Together, MJ Christensen and BeadforLife are truly changing the world. MJ invites the community to get involved with BeadforLife and join in the 5th anniversary celebration. For more information about MJ Christensen Diamonds, visit www.mjchristensen.com. To learn more about BeadforLife, visit BeadforLife.org
MJ Christensen Diamonds Locations:
Boca Park Location Henderson Location
8980 W. Charleston Blvd. 10400 S. Eastern Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89117 Henderson, NV 89052
(See www.mjchristensen.com for store hours)
For additional media information, please contact Jennifer Miller (702)358-1900 at jennifer@mjchristensen.com
Heather Swearingen (702) 802-2588 at heather@mjcdiamonds.com or Heather Ditillo (303)554-5901, ext. 115 at heather@beadforlife.org
Hoo-Dunnit Owl Cupcakes
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Tasty Rat Truffles
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Frankly Delicious Edible Candy Cups
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Bloody Brained Meat Head
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HENDERSON SEEKING ENTRIES FOR WINTERFEST EVENING LIGHT PARADE, FESTIVAL OF TREES, AND GINGERBREAD HOUSE COMPETITION
The City of Henderson invites residents, community partners, organizations and businesses to participate in this year’s WinterFest, scheduled for Thursday, December 11-Saturday, December 13 at the Henderson Events Plaza, 200 Water St., in the Water Street District. Submissions are now being accepted for the WinterFest Evening Light Parade, Festival of Trees and Gingerbread House Competition. The theme for all three activities is “It’s a Fairy Tale Christmas.” Individual deadlines and details are below.
Festival of Trees entries are due Monday, November 17. The contest is limited to the first 12 applications received. A six-foot artificial Christmas tree and stand will be provided. Participants must bring their own decorations, lights, tree skirt and supplies. A committee will judge the trees and the entry that receives the highest score will win best in show and a $250 cash prize.
WinterFest Evening Light Parade applications are due Friday, November 24. Each entry must be illuminated in lights and will be judged in three categories: incorporation of theme, creativity and overall appeal. Cash prizes will be awarded to floats for first ($1,000), second ($750) and third place ($500). Ribbons will be awarded to the best three entries in the remaining categories.
Applications for the Gingerbread House Competition are due Thursday, December 11. Entries must be 90 percent edible and contain gingerbread, frosting and candy. The public will cast their vote on their favorite gingerbread creation. The best school/organization will receive $100 and the best individual/family entry wins $100.
Ballots will be tallied and awards for all three activities will be presented at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 13 at the Henderson Events Plaza. All cash prizes are courtesy of several community partners.
WinterFest is the city’s annual Christmas celebration, and this year, the event is inspired by popular fairy tales. The festivities include a tree lighting ceremony with Mayor Hafen, visits with Santa Claus, carriage rides, craft fair and holiday entertainment. The WinterFest Evening Light Parade begins at 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 13 with children’s author Kevin Janison serving as the grand marshal.
To download an application or for more information about WinterFest, please visit HendersonLive.com or call the city of Henderson Department of Cultural Arts & Tourism at 702-267-2171. Find us on Facebookand follow us on Twitter.
CITY OF HENDERSON GATHERING NAMES OF DEPLOYED MILITARY FOR HOLIDAY STOCKINGS
The City of Henderson is partnering with the Blue Star Mothers of Henderson and Boulder City to assemble holiday stockings for troops deployed overseas. The Blue Star Mothers, local businesses and city employees are collecting a long list of supplies with the goal to stuff 1,000 holiday stockings with the comforts of home.
Collection boxes will be placed in November throughout Henderson City Hall, recreation centers and with local businesses in the Water Street District. Stockings will be assembled over a four-day period and sent to those serving our country and are currently deployed overseas.
If you know of a Henderson serviceperson who is deployed, please submit their contact information at cityofhenderson.com so they can receive their very own stocking.
The Blue Star Mothers of Henderson and Boulder City is a volunteer organization of mothers with children who are or have honorably served in the military. The Blue Star Mothers provide support for active duty service personnel, promote patriotism, assist Veterans organizations, and are available to assist in homeland volunteer efforts.
STARS OF THE STRIP AND MASTER ARTIST GRAHAM KNUTTEL COME TOGETHER TO PROMOTE THE ARTS UNDER THE BIG TOP
The Las Vegas Academy of the Arts (LVA) will host its second annual fundraising gala at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino on Monday, Nov. 10, 2014 in the Pavilion Ballroom. Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with a silent auction and sideshow followed by dinner, a live auction and fabulous entertainment featuring stars from the Las Vegas Strip.
Master artist Graham Knuttel is LVA’s 2014 Gala Honoree. Earlier this year, Knuttel worked in collaboration with 13 handpicked students on “Fremont Street,” a landscape of characters and architecture painted in bold strokes and vivid colors that capture the essence of Las Vegas. A numbered and signed Artist’s Proof will be auctioned off during the evening’s festivities in support of LVA. The canvas will be unveiled earlier in the week for the first time at The Knuttel Gallery with the artist and his protégés for bidders to get a closer look. Furthermore, limited edition prints of “Fremont Street” will be available for purchase with a percentage of the proceeds from sales donated back to LVA.
“Ringmaster” and Strip headliner Jeff Civillico will be joined by Mark Shunock (“Rock of Ages”), magician Mac King, Travis Cloer (“Jersey Boys”), soprano Suzanne Vinnik, Broadway musical director Jack Gaughan and Elvis impersonator Brendan Paul, among other performers and surprises under the big top. In keeping with the LVA tradition, entertainers will be joined on stage by student performers.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.lasvegasacademy.net or call 702-875-1477.
‘SLIDING INTO HOMES MEGA ADOPTION WEEKEND’ WILL BE HELD OCTOBER 17 thru 19
While ballplayers are preparing for The Fall Classic, The Animal Foundation hopes to secure a “home run” for hundreds of local animals in need of forever homes as it participates in the 2014 ASPCA Mega Match-a-thon presented by Subaru. The “Sliding Into Homes Mega Adoption Weekend” will be held October 17-19, 2014.
“Our goal for ‘Sliding Into Homes Mega Adoption Weekend’ is to place more than 200 dogs and cats into forever homes,” said Meghan Scheibe, marketing and public relations manager for The Animal Foundation. “We know that it takes a community effort to tackle the homeless pet population, so we have partnered with numerous animal rescues for one of the largest local adoption events of the year. If you are looking to add a furry member to the family, this event is the perfect opportunity to do just that.”
Several animal welfare organizations including A Home 4 Spot, Best Friends, Paws 4 Love Pet Rescue and Furgotten Friends Dog Rescue will participate in the three-day event. Adoption fees for all pets include spay/neuter, microchip, collar and custom ID tag.
As a special incentive, The Animal Foundation is offering a 50 percent discount on adoption fees for all dogs and cats six months and older. The discount is only valid at The Animal Foundation’s Campus Adoption Center and PetSmart Charities Everyday Adoption Center locations.
Participants can visit any one of the three on-site adoption centers in search of their new pet. Times and locations are listed below:
Friday, October 17
9 a.m. to 8 p.m., PetSmart Charities Everyday Adoption Center at 286 W. Lake Mead Parkway in Henderson
11 a.m. to 7 p.m., The Animal Foundation’s Campus Adoption Center at 655 N. Mojave Road in Las Vegas
Saturday, October 18
9 a.m. to 8 p.m., PetSmart Charities Everyday Adoption Center at 286 W. Lake Mead Parkway in Henderson
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., PetSmart at 7050 Arroyo Crossing Parkway in Las Vegas
11 a.m. to 7 p.m., The Animal Foundation’s Campus Adoption Center at 655 N. Mojave Road in Las Vegas
Sunday, October 19
9 a.m. to 7 p.m., PetSmart Charities Everyday Adoption Center at 286 W. Lake Mead Parkway in Henderson
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., PetSmart at 7050 Arroyo Crossing Parkway in Las Vegas
11 a.m. to 7 p.m., The Animal Foundation’s Campus Adoption Center at 655 N. Mojave Road in Las Vegas
For more information on “Sliding into Homes Mega Adoption Weekend,” please visit http://animalfoundation.com/event/homerun/.
THE BOOK OF LIFE HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL
On behalf of 20th Century Fox and the new 3D animated film, THE BOOK OF LIFE, families everywhere are invited to attend THE BOOK OF LIFE HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL! This FREE event will include fun activities such as face painting, a photo booth, cookie decorating, balloon twisting, free food, arts and craft activities, and much, much more!
Kids (and parents!) are also encouraged to come dressed up to trick-or-treat throughout the carnival! All who arrive in costume will be eligible to win BIG raffle prizes such as a Kindle, bike, game system, gift cards, and tickets to see The Book of Life.
WHEN:
Saturday, October 11, 2014
12:00pm to 3:00pm
WHERE:
Fashion Show Mall
3200 Las Vegas Blvd S.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
*Exterior Plaza
