"Florida Ladies We Love" Honored at EXTRAVAGANZA!

April 30, 2010 - PRLog -- Held inside Historic Trinity Cathedral in downtown Miami on Biscayne Bay and enhanced by lighting from New Image Productions, and seating by Hitched Events, Trinity Cathedral was an awe-inspiring venue for this fashion event. After having their make-up & hair done by Tatjana, Ibisana & Marina and the magic of Qiu Salon, and wearing designer gowns from Chic Parisien of Coral Gables and Jewelry by Jimmy Quiroga Designs, Tessie-Alvarez Bravo, Lisa Marie Castro, Paula Fay, Dr. Stephanie Haridopolos, Jennifer Ruiz and Elizabeth Vega ( pictured) were honored for their charitable work in the South Florida community, and for their commitment to family and career.  The ladies will also be featured (with Stephanie Aagaad, Ana Remos and Lucy Morillo, who were unable to attend the show) in the July issue of Gladys, sold in Barnes & Noble stores nationwide and other select book stores, newsstands, gift shops and grocery store chains.
The event was also the Official South Florida Launch of Gladys Magazine, started in January 2009 by Andrea Patrick Forte as a tribute to her late mother Gladys.  A national quarterly publication, Gladys is dedicated to helping busy people of all ages create and inspire change.  Florida Director Lynda Gordon organized the show with the Master of wedding & special event production, Manny Alonso of Manny Alonso Productions.  The event featured Spanish singer Efren Salinas, the New Century Dance Company and the University of Miami Vagandwich Jazz Trio.  Renowned international photographer, Robert Klemm photographed the event and Lola Bosch of Jelly Films captured it on video.  The event also included 13 models from Miami & around the country that came in at their own expense to help raise funds for Lauren’s Light.  Manny’s Formalwear dressed our male models as well as our celebrity guests. Several Hispanic actresses from Telemundo graced the runway for charity among them Ana Lucia Dominguez and Mariana Rodriguez.  
Ben & Malvina Feinswog, Coconut Grove residents, founded Lauren’s Light after the death of their daughter Lauren at age 33.  Lauren’s cancer was discovered during an emergency C-Section at 6 mos.  Her son, Matthew was born premature but healthy, Lauren passed within a few months. During her struggle for her life and time with her newborn son, Lauren’s family found that while there were many resources for the cancer patient; little targeted the unique needs of families with young children in which a parent had been diagnosed with cancer.  They started Lauren’s Light to fill that void, and offer services and resources the family might not have access to otherwise.  
Dr. & Mrs. Michael Gordon were Gold Sponsors of the evening, Ralph Patino of Patino & Associates, was a Diamond Sponsor, as were Mr. & Mrs. Michael Fay,  and  Sylvia Pozo of Preferred Care Partners.   Mr. Allan Shore was an Emerald Sponsor and Mr. & Mrs. Vince Castro, Bentrust Financial were Ruby Sponsors.  Grove Isle Hotel & Resort was the host for our visiting celebrities & the site of the Gladys January issue photo shoot showcasing Florida.
The event was catered by Sara Sharpe Caterers with Paella by Chefs To Go, Dominican Rum by Brugals, Wine & Champagne donated by Milams Markets and Sherwood House Vineyards,  and beverages donated by Fresh Market of Coconut Grove.  Don Sergio Ramar Cigars and Café Gabo provided coffee & excellent cigars and  a delicious wedding cake provided by Ana Paz Cakes finished a perfect evening.  A Chinese Raffle was held, a highlight of which were 2 tickets on American Airlines donated by Olga Ramudo of Express Travel, a chandelier from Van Teal Lighting, Gift cards from Café Abbracci, Oceanaire, Flemings, Joe’s Stone Crab, Randazzo’s, Calamari Italian Seafood, Arbonne Cosmetics, Diamond House, Chic Parisien, Randy Furshmann, IM=X Pilates, Harris Mones, M.D, Jazzy Day Spa, Gift Baskets from Miami Plastic Surgery, New Beauty Magazine and Denise Pathroff Forte, M.D., Diamond Earrings donated by Levinson Jewelers, Art by Romero Britto and Fernando Davila,  Miami Dolphin Club Level Seats, Marlin tickets & a Dwayne Wade jersey from the Miami Heat.  Paintings by Manny Alonso and Lauren’s Light Founder Malvina Feinswog were also part of the raffle.

Donations for Lauren’s Light can be made at www.laurenslight.org and information is available at www.gladysmagazine.com.

# # #

Published by Once Upon A Dream, Gladys Magazine is overseen by Editor-in-Chief, Andrea Patrick Forte, a former Miss Pennsylvania – USA and Miss West Virginia America, as well as a  former Miss America and Miss USA pageant finalist.  Forte is also the founder of Patrick Talent Agency, a premier modeling firm.  Fabian Forte, the 50s and 60s American Rock ‘n Roll Music Idol, who is also Andrea Patrick Forte’s husband, serves as the magazine’s Managing Editor. 
Gladys Magazine is named after Gladys Patrick, the magazine editor’s late mother who instilled in her daughter a Never Give Up determination to pursue whatever dreams she set forth for herself in her life. Gladys Magazine is dedicated to anyone who has been inspired to pursue their dreams by someone they love.  To learn more about the magazine, please visit, www.gladysmagazine.com.