Here’s some footage of our Model Search for the upcoming Rock & Runway Show on August 28th!  Join us!

Our Model Search is complete, we’re lining up some AWESOME local designers and retailers, and we hope to see you on Saturday, August 28th for our fall fashion preview set to your favorite Pulse music!  Tickets are just $15, and all proceeds will help us upgrade some vital equipment at the Pulse tower.  Invite your mom, your sister and your best friend… and we’ll see you there!  Click here for your video invite!

Tonight was the first annual Pulse 99.5 model search for our up and coming Rock & Runway fashion show! The word had been spread on-air, on facebook, on twitter, and on the lips of many of DeMo’s finest; the turn out proved it! The models-in-waiting started pulling up to Fox Creek Center early, setting the tone for one heckuva fun night! 

As hoped for, a wide variety of ages and looks were represented by the brave Pulse listeners who showed up to strut their stuff on our runway. After handing in their paperwork, getting their measurements and a head shot taken, the auditonees waited for the action to begin. 

In charge of the event was our Rock & Runway choreographer and model recruiter Karena Steir. And when Karena is in the room, nothing less than high energy will do! The models did a few trial runs on the runway before the real auditions began. 

Once the auditions were officially underway, the Pulse music started pumping (everything from Family Force Five to Skillet) and the models got going. First they worked the runway commercial style, and by the end the ladies and gents were bringing the fun by singing along, throwing out dance moves, and even high kicking to beat the band. The next round was editorial, and although much more serious, the auditionees kept the energy high by powerfully working that runway and smiling and laughing while waiting their turn.

After the try outs were done, the models talked amongst themselves and I had a chance to chat and share in the fun with a few. Overheard were things that make me, as part of the Rock & Runway committee, melt inside; “I don’t even care if I get picked, that was FUN!” I even got a lesson in moonwalking from one of the girls who – you guessed it – moonwalked on the runway. Awesome. 

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make the model auditions happen! If you tried out: be proud; you’re beautiful, courageous, and fun! And for those who are part of the Rock & Runway process; let’s keep the momentum going! This show is going to be LEGENDARY!

-Emily Cleigh, Pulse 99.5FM

We received a pre-release of the new album ‘Stories’ by Addison Road last week.  I sent it home with our intern, Beth, and here’s what she thought:

Pulse artist Addison Road’s new album, ‘Stories,’ comes out this Tuesday, June 22.  If you’re an Addison Road fan, this new album is comparable to previous recordings in sound and style, and ‘Stories’ remains within the indie rock genre that is characteristic to Addison Road.

My first round of listening yielded a somewhat diminishing enjoyment.  The first few songs were the most unique and catchy which made me excited to see what the rest of the album contained.  However, I found myself a bit bored as the rest of the songs progressed.  They all fell within a similar style and structure and I didn’t find a lot of variety.

Even though the songs seemed a bit repetitive stylistically, I did find the lyrics to be encouraging, heartfelt and well written. The lyrics tell stories that everyone can relate to, and while they aren’t complicated, they do make the listener think about what the band is trying to communicate.  Addison Road clearly finds a relationship with God to be necessary and faith to be something to stand up for, which they promote on this album.

As I listened through this album a second and then a third time, I was able to distinguish their unique characteristics of each song and began to find the album to be more interesting as a whole.  For me, a second chance was necessary.  I would say it is a good purchase if you are looking for an upbeat yet simple album that is easy to sing along with and has the power to inspire your faith.

-Beth Lindberg, Pulse Summer Intern!

Admit it.  The allure of being a model has hit you at some point in your life.  Most of us decide right away that it’s not in the cards… but what if it was, even for a day?

If you’ve ever wanted to be the one walking the runway in a fashion show, now’s your chance!  The Pulse Rock and Runway Show is coming up on Saturday, August 28^th, and we’re searching for local models for our show.  We’ll train you, dress you, and get it all on camera for you!  No experience necessary… all you have to do is be willing to have fun and learn to ‘walk’ from a pro!

You can be the one to showcase tomorrow’s styles on the Pulse runway.  Join me Tuesday night, July 6^th at the Pulse Studios at Fox Creek… and bring your friends!

Rock and Runway Model Search

Tuesday, July 6^th at 7PM

At the Pulse Studios at Fox Creek

Come have some fun with us! We’re looking for models of all ages and sizes… and everyone is welcome, but you must be at least sixteen to audition.  This will be a low-pressure, fun way to learn to walk the runway!

Click here to print our MODEL APPLICATION.  We’ll see you July 6^th!

This summer, it may be best to slap on that sunscreen after you’ve been out for a few minutes…

Vitamin D, also known as the “Sunshine” vitamin, is actually a hormone, since most of it is produced by our bodies through exposure to sun.  It is of interest of late because vitamin D deficiency is so widespread it is now recognized as a worldwide health problem. About half of all pregnant women and newborns have insufficient blood levels of vitamin D, even among populations in environments with normal sun exposure. Vitamin D helps to regulate brain health from the very beginnings of development and throughout life, to the adult and aging brain.

Much more research is needed, but a number of associations are beginning to emerge that suggest the importance of vitamin D. Deficiency may affect: the physical development of the brain, and its natural process of cell growth and death, increased risk of schizophrenia, autism, fatal stroke, dementia, and multiple sclerosis.

The most recent evidence concludes that people need 5-15 minutes of unprotected daily summer sun exposure to optimize vitamin D synthesis from the skin. The rise in deficiency my be a result of sun avoidance, and increased use of sunscreens. While it is necessary to prevent skin damage, protection-free exposure for 15 minutes may prevent deficiency.

For more information, visit Vitamin D and the Brain: More Good News at dana.org.

Rumors have been swirling for months, and now it’s official – Trader Joe’s is coming to West Des Moines! According to the Des Moines Register, the 12,200-square-foot “neighborhood grocery store” will open at 6305 Mills Civic Parkway in the Galleria at Jordan Creek, Trader Joe’s said in a release this morning.  No word yet on an opening date, but it sounds like we’ll see it before the end of the year!

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20100602/BUSINESS/100602004/Trader-Joe-s-store-coming-to-West-Des-Moines

If you have a friend, acquaintance or family member who contributes much to their local Iowa community, now’s the time to give them some recognition!  The Iowa State Fair is searching for ten outstanding Iowans to recognize in the Iowan of the Day program. Iowan of the Day honors Iowa’s most dedicated volunteers each year and will take place August 12-22 at the 2010 Iowa State Fair.

The Blue Ribbon Foundation seeks to honor those in our community who personify the greatness of Iowa with a strong work ethic, loyalty to helping others and an outstanding sense of Iowa pride.  With your nomination, the Blue Ribbon Foundation can celebrate the hard work these people do to better our state and give them the recognition they deserve!

Winners will receive their own day of recognition during the Iowa State Fair complete with an introduction on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage, VIP Parking, gate admission, use of the Iowan of the Day golf cart and Grandstand show tickets for the evening of their award day.  In addition, all winners will receive $200 cash, accomodations at the Des Moines Downtown Marriott Hotel, and one-year subscriptions to Iowan and Iowa Gardening magazines.

Help us celebrate the people who do so much for our state!  Download the nomination form below.  All nominees must currently be Iowa residents, and all nominations must be received by July 1, 2010.

Iowan of the Day – Nomination Form

With all the negative news these days, here’s an interesting story worth watching!

I was watching the morning news last week and they did a feature on what happens when people owe you money and can’t find you.  Though it’s not the first time I’d heard of this, I found it fascinating!  I mean, who isn’t excited to find a $20 bill when they pull out their winter coat from last year?  Apparently, the average American is owed over $200 and doesn’t know it… and states are required to keep that money reserved for you until you claim it!

I searched for my own name, and alas, didn’t come up with anything.  But you can search every state you’ve lived in… I found that my dad and brother both have money waiting for them, as well as my grandfather in Wisconsin and my mother-in-law from Texas!  All told, over $500 is owed my immediate family members.  Pretty cool!

There are a couple of sites you can visit to find out if someone owes you money.  Go to www.missingmoney.com and www.unclaimed.org to search – and good luck!