It’s that time…

The warm weather’s upon us, short-sleeve body bearing season is approaching and while all we want to do is sit out on a patio and partake in “festivities” that suit this weather the dreaded thought of swimsuit season lurks in the corner.

I personally hate working out, I tend to go through phases and get psyched up for about three weeks then fall off the wagon. This year my approach will be different though, I’m enlisting the help of Body Endeavors to keep my regime on track.

Body Endeavors is a Pilates studio with two locations in Chicago (1528 N. Halsted Street and 1513 N. Wells Street) that has recently launched a 6 Week Fitness and Wellness program that is catered to your body, so if you aren’t too stoked about sweating profusely via training for the Chicago marathon with running groups, they have a great alternative. They develop a program that combines Pilates, personal training, nutritional consultation, metabolic testing and motivation management all in the necessary percentages appropriate per individual. Mine will probably heavily favor motivation management (ha!). No but seriously, the goal behind the program is to prove to us that with the appropriate balance you don’t have to jump on some die-hard workout program to get in shape and achieve wellness.

The best part of it all is, Body Endeavors has amazing massages that don’t break the bank so you can treat yourself at the end of the week and relax your new hot bod. See once again I need the motivation.

Happy Almost Swimsuit Season!

Ali Hazlinger
Senior Publicist

It’s not all work at Zapwater. But sometimes work turns into some fun. As Kiran posted in an earlier blog, I recently got married. I swore to my new bride Katie that I wouldn’t work on our honeymoon.

Fortunately for Katie, that didn’t last very long. The first night we were in St. Maarten, I started talking business with a gentleman at the bar. He invited us to a “small” party at Reggae Star Bankie Banx’s Dune Preserve on Anguilla.

A short catamaran ride later, we were in Bankie Banx’s backyard listening to Jimmy Buffett. Note to spouses: Sometimes it’s ok to not be able to leave work behind.

David Zapata

30 Seconds to Mars, an alternative rock-band featuring front man, Jared Leto, hosted its after concert party at RiNo on Friday night. As a publicist for RiNo, one of Chicago’s hottest lounges, I had the opportunity to attend the party and meet Jared Leto, an enemy of the paparazzi, in person. The band arrived at RiNo around 12:15 a.m. following an exciting performance at the Aragon Ballroom. Contrary to celebrity blog reports, Jared was surprisingly very polite and mellow. He may just be misunderstood, or possibly was on his best behavior!

Jared and his entourage of about 5 or 6 people headed straight to the back of RiNo upon their arrival. They mingled in a roped-off VIP area for the remainder of the night. If I hadn’t known he would be heading to RiNo, I probably wouldn’t have even recognized Jared behind his overgrown beard and dark clothing. Not to mention he sat secluded behind a crowd of friends for most of the night.

Despite his frosty aura, Jared was extremely polite to me when I finally introduced myself. As we talked about his show and his minimal post-concert partying, I never got the impression that he considered himself a celebrity. Though his appearance was a far cry from his blue-eyed “My So-Called Life” days, that charming Jordan Catalano manner was still there! I also had the chance to mingle with the 30 Seconds to Mars guitarist, Tomo Milicevik, who did take advantage of their table service while Jared had been partying sans-drink for the entire night.

Unfortunately Jared does not take pictures with any women. He made a special request against it before he even arrived at RiNo. With his embittered relationship with the press, he probably has the right idea! In lieu of any exciting pictures of Jared canoodling with random women, we were lucky to snap this shot of the alt-rocker with RiNo owner Michael Bisbee.

Susan Schreiber
Assistant Publicist

Talk about a hectic schedule.

Peoria. Phoenix. Wisconsin.

This is just a glimpse into the travel schedule for Chicago attorney and fathers’ rights advocate Jeffery Leving. Over the last month, he has traveled around the country delivering speeches, participating in symposiums and speaking on behalf of fathers’ rights.

In Peoria, Jeffery Leving convened a symposium to discuss the 2006 findings of the Illinois Council on Responsible Fatherhood. Jeffery Leving serves as Chairman of this state commission whose mission is to promote responsible parenting and encourage fathers to be active with their children.

In Phoenix, Jeffery Leving gave a lecture at the 8th Annual National Fatherhood and Families Conference. At this conference, he discussed alternative methods of dealing with incarcerated fathers throughout the legal process and barriers that continue to arise.

On Friday, Jeffery Leving will be a keynote speaker at the 4th Annual Wisconsin Fatherhood Conference. The goal of this conference is to strengthen the role of fathers and to examine and suggest resolutions of issues created by homes and children without fathers.

Jeffery Leving continues to be an advocate for fathers’ rights. Click here from time to time to learn more about his activities.

Ryan McLaughlin
VP/Group Director

Being the only married one on staff, I thought it would be best to share some of my insight (okay, so I’ve only been married since August of this year) with our beloved President of Zapwater Communications, David Zapata about his upcoming nuptials. First and foremost, your life is not over once you’re married. In fact, it has just begun in so many ways. The most important thing to take into consideration is that your better half still needs and likes to be wooed and doted on. Don’t think just because you’re hitched, that you’re done “dating” your partner. Besides trying to find free to time to spend together, my advice is jewelry (hint, hint) is always a great gift, peace offering and show of affection for a wife. The pieces from K.Amato won’t break the bank (like the engagement and wedding ring did) and as the tagline says “every girl wants one.” So be smart and listen to my words of wisdom and I promise married life will be nothing but delightful. Congrats Dave!

Kiran Advani
Group Director

The Photo Marketing Show 2007, was the coming out party for Moab by Legion Paper. PMA was the first tradeshow for Moab since being acquired by Legion Paper in late 2006 and the dynamic imaging company did not miss the opportunity to unveil first new product, Colorado Fiber.

I was intrigued to see one of the world’s most trusted consumer brands exhibiting at PMA. GE was there unveiling its new digital cameras.

I also loved the new bags at Lowepro’s booth. I am a sucker for a good bag.

Thats my overview of PMA. I know it’s not a lot, but I spent most of the show in Moab’s booth. Here’s an overview of the show from some experts.

I am here in Las Vegas at the 2007 Photo Marketing Association convention. This is my sixth time at the show. The show has undergone so much change since my first show. In fact, you really have to search for anything with the word film in it. The show has become so digital that I have to wonder if it will eventually be an extension of the Consumer Electronics Show.

There are many many new product announcements that are catching my eyes, including Moab by Legion Paper’s new Colorado Fiber line of papers. I am working the floor now (in between the 20 or so editor interviews that Zapwater has set up for Moab by Legion Paper.) I am hoping to give an overview of some of the bigger announcements when I get home.

I’ve also invited acclaimed nature photographer Andy Biggs to guest post on the Zap Blog.

Stay tuned.

David Zapata

As a 42nd Ward business, Zapwater Communications, Inc. congratulates our new Alderman Brendan Reilly.

What do we think of Alderman-elect Reilly? Read what we told the Chicago Sun-Times.