Family-Friendly PR
Bridget Sarubin
Family-Friendly PR
email: familyfriendlypr@gmail.com
(973) 783-1993
cell (917) 513-4219
Fax (973) 744-2240
41 Watchung Plaza #144
Montclair, NJ 07042
Bridget Roy Sarubin - Family Friendly PR
 Bridget Sarubin is a very lucky and grateful (and hard-working) woman.
Bridget runs and owns Family-Friendly PR a parent & child targeted niche public relations company launched in 2007.
Family-Friendly PR (formerly Kidstuff) was created to allow Bridget to formalize her talent for researching and promoting organizations that offer something worthy, educational, holistic or just plain unique and fun for children and families in the New Jersey area.
Family-Friendly PR believes that our clients must always contribute something valuable towards the goals of creating a love of life-long learning or to assisting with having healthy physical and mental lifestyle and environment for children and their families.
She is a former VP of Marketing for Columbia Records-Sony Music where she worked for a decade with artists & projects ranging from Harry Connick Jr., Comedy Central's South Park, The Cars, Alice In Chains, Savage Garden and many more. Prior to this she worked as a publicist for Relativity Records.
Bridget is also the "Host-Mom" for Baby Loves Disco - North Jersey, New Jersey a monthly family event where parents and their kids (6 months to 7 years) can catch "Saturday Afternoon Fever!" and enjoy some much needed fun together time going dancing to a live DJ with bubble machines and diaper changing stations at one of the areas hottest nightclubs in a festival atmosphere featuring activities presented by local sponsors all sourced and secured by Family-Friendly PR.
Bridget is also a contributing writer for the MotherHood Magazine her most recent article, The Modern Parent's Essential Library is featured in the Summer 2008 issue.
In 2000 she & husband Josh relocated to the diverse suburb of Montclair, NJ a bedroom community of NYC where she was hired by the Montclair town municipality to create the Make The Most Of Montclair Map-Guide to the town. She simultaneously launched the very popular but now shuttered leftovers home.
Mama to Leo (5) who was born during the great '03 East Coast Blackout) and Calvin (2) was just weeks old when their house was hit by a tornado) and wife of Josh - VP of A&R at Island/Def-Jam Records (Kerli, Jon McLaughlin, Avril Lavigne, The Presidents Of The United States Of America, Pink etc.) and most importantly a truly kind man.
Bridget's obsessions are teaching science to her two young boys, alternative education and enrichment programs, used book sales, camping with kids and fixing up her 135 year old Victorian home with her organic garden and four pet chickens.
CLIENTS
Baby Loves Disco
Press Release
Click here for the website
 Music For Aardvarks - Montclair and Springfield NJ
Harmony & Rhythm in unique & fun music classes for kids
Class locations in Montclair, NJ & Springfield, NJ
Presented by Alisa Harmon - Harmonize, LLC
Featuring music & songs from: Music For Aardvarks as seen on Noggin!
www.njaardvarks.com
(973) 655-0103
musicforaardvarks@comcast.net
The Montclair Historical Society - Build Montclair In LEGO (TM)
architecture workshop for kids and families incorporating 50,000 Lego's.
 
 Montclair's NJ FIRST FLL and JFLL
New Jersey FIRST (For Inspiration Of Science and Technology) FLL and JFLL (First Lego League and Junior First Lego Leage) Learning through building with Lego robotics kits for elementary school kids. Participation in age-appropriate team "competitions"
www.nycnjfirst.org
MEDIA ADVISORY
BUILDING LEGO ROBOTS OR BUILDING SCIENTISTS
Event Announcement
Montclair JFLL & FLL Qualifying Tournament featuring the JFLL (Jr. First Lego League Ages 6-9) from the 2008 RAND Elementary School Team: "Rand Lego Lightning Machines" - Montclair, NJ
Project Theme: Climate Connections
Event to be held: Sat. Dec. 6th, 2008 Mt. Hebron Middle School Gym - 173 Bellevue Ave. Upper Montclair, NJ 07043
JFLL Presentation: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
FLL Competitions: 9 am - 5 pm (First Lego League Ages 10-14)
Rand JFLL Team Members: Mikael, Miles, Amit, Oscar, Leo, Spencer, Benjamin, Andre
Coach: Ms. Monique Dituri – MHS Chemistry Teacher & Robotics Mentor MHS Mentors for JFLL: Jen, Zach, Sam, of FIRST Robotics Team 555
Sponsors: F.I.R.S.T. (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science & Technology ), M.F.E.E. & Montclair Board of Education
MEDIA/Editorial Contact: Bridget Sarubin, Family Friendly PR 973) 783-1993 familyfriendlypr@gmail.com
ROBOTICS Mentor Contact: Monique Dituri 973) 509-4100 (ext) 5021 mdituri@montclair.k12.nj.us
 ABOUT MONTCLAIR JUNIOR FIRST LEGO LEAGUE
Building robots out of Lego's or building future scientists
The JFLL (Junior First Lego League) team made of kids in first – third grade (ages 6-9) from Rand Elementary School will display their problem solving Lego models alongside their older counterparts during the local FLL (First Lego League) qualifying regional robotics tournament.
The 2008 season JFLL theme presented by the national non-profit F.I.R.S.T. organization (for inspiration and recognition of science and technology) is "Climate Connections". The season started Sept. 5th 2008 and runs through April 2009.
One of six statewide yearly FLL events, the Montclair tournament will be held in the gym at Montclair's Mt. Hebron Middle School located at 173 Bellevue Ave. Upper Montclair, NJ 07043 on Saturday Dec. 6th 2008. The tournament will run from 9 am - 5 pm with free admission to the public. A free-form Lego sculpture will be built by the over 300 participants and the public is encouraged to bring their extra Legos as well. JFLL portion of the event will happen between 11:00 am-12:00 noon. The tournament will feature 24 teams from Northern and Central New Jersey. 5 Teams from Montclair will compete from the 3 middle schools: Glenfield (1), Mt. Hebron (1), and Renaissance (3).
Members of the JFLL elementary school team members are self professed "Lego Maniacs" who participate in the loosely organized and non-competitive JFLL through after school enrichment programs funded through the individual school PTA and the children's own families.
The children in the JFLL teams build their creations under the guidance of a mentor. They use individually purchased kits from the Lego's Mindstorms NXT which feature electric motors to power moving parts, a battery power supply, solar panels, sound and light sensors, gears, pulleys, axles, wheels and much more. Regular Lego bricks are also used.
The children are asked to design their "robot" models with the problem solving concept of First's yearly scientific theme (2008/2009 theme is Climate Connections) The team is required to make some sort of "robot/model" featuring a simple machine with at least one moving part (motorized or hand move-able) on a 15"x15" base. They also participate in team building skills and create a "Show Me" poster displaying their team concepts.
The JFLL team will show their creations in a non-competitive fashion on the same day as the older kids (FLL) qualifying tournament. Volunteer adult "judges" from the local science and teaching community will review JFLL (and FLL) teams presenting at qualifying tournament events.
There is no actual competition in the JFLL only team innovation, creativity, pride and energy! Each JFLL team member will be participating in High Five ceremony and be presented an award certificate of participation.
The Rand Elementary School (which is known for it's Environmental Science Magnet) hosts the Montclair JFLL team as part of its after school enrichment programs. The Rand "little kids" team self-named, Lightning Lego Machines is mentored by Montclair High School's chemistry teacher Monique Dituri. Monique is also the long time coach of the extremely popular championship MHS robotics team.
The youngest Rand team member Leo Sarubin announced that he was building a robot that he was calling "The Super Air Cooler - our robot to fight global warming" that moves by four sound sensor powered motors that respond when spoken to. Leo's mom/teacher said that while Leo's "robot" may not actually solve global warming (or do anything at all!) he loves messing around with the Lego robotics kits and has had a great time making new friends with similar interests.
The Rand JFLL team project will be "A wind powered museum with water collector and radar screen to look for future weather". In actuality this is a Lego house with a human powered Lego windmill.
There are approximately 20 JFLL teams and 250 FLL teams operating in state of NJ. The FLL and the JFLL organization are coordinated in NJ by volunteer committees from the science and technology and educational community. The NJ FLL Planning Committee includes, Committee Chairman Ernest DiCicco, Andrea Blake Garrett of Jersey City Public Schools, Levele Burr-Alexander, NJIT, David Jean – Cyber Robotics Learning, and NJ First Regional Director, Randy Schaeffer.
JFLL teams will present at local FLL qualifying tournaments around the state of NJ include events in Montclair, Newark, Jersey City, Metuchen, Hillsborough, Mt. Olive and others) The NJ FLL Championship Tournament is on Dec. 15th 2008 in Mt. Olive, NJ (at Mount Olive High School). The winners from the NJ tournament will compete at the World Championship in Atlanta in April 2009. NJ has done very well at the World Championship over the last two years with teams placing either first or second in a variety of categories competing against teams from the 50 states and around the world.
www.nycnjfirst.org
www.montclairrobotics.org
www.usfirst.org
www.legoeducation.com
MEDIA/Editorial Contact: Bridget Sarubin, Family Friendly PR 973) 783-1993 familyfriendlypr@gmail.com www.familyfriendlypr.com
ROBOTICS Mentor Contact: Monique Dituri 973) 509-4100 (ext) 5021 mdituri@montclair.k12.nj.us
Randy Schaeffer – FLL Regional Director (908) 412-1117
Click here for PDF of Press Release
EXTENDED FAMILY & FRIENDS
The Semi Holistic Mom: Top Ten Things I Didn't Know About Chicken Pox
 My most recent article as a contributing writer to The MotherHood magazine chronicles my recent experience with the chicken pox disease plague that swept through my entire family. The MotherHood is a free quarterly magazine written for, and by parents, the columnists include a birth-doula, a working-mother, a woman who chose not to have children and a stay-at-home-dad. My article appears in the November 2008 issue but you can read it now by going to www.themotherhoodmagazine.com or pick up your free copy of the new issue at our November Baby Loves Disco North Jersey event.
Math For Laughs
Custom created math "games" and lessons geared to your child's unique interests (animals, sports, crafts, blocks etc.)
www.mathforlaughs.com
Red Rainbow Learning Center
www.redrainbowkids.com
Stories In Motion
No Tutus Required...Finally there is an alternative to stuffy formal recital based dance schools. Stories In Motion has come up with a genuinely child friendly creative movement, dance making, interactive storytelling, and multi-cultural program for girls and boys alike. Get ready to dance, and your little girl (or boy) is welcome to wear their tutu if they like! Stories In Motion, 1874 Springfield Ave. Maplewood, NJ 07040 (973) 313-1050 as well as locations opening in Westfield Morristown and Randolph, N.J. www.storiesinmotion.org
Fall Brings New Excuses To Eat Delicious Treats
 My new most favorite place is the super super yummy Mr. Cupcakes in Clifton, NJ My son's goal is to try every single flavor of cupcake. Seasonal flavors include Apple Krisp, Pumpkin Spice and French Vanilla Late. My boys loved the Fruity Pebbles cupcake (with the cereal on top of the buttercream frosting and baked inside) and I loved the Peanut Butterful Chocolate flavor. My thighs hate you Mr. Cupcake, but my family loves you.
 For The Mamas We Love: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
give online at www.thebreastcancersite.com Founded to give mammograms to underprivileged women nationwide. Donate a mammogram today in honor of the women and mama's you love.
The Omnivore's Dilemma
 The book The Omnivore's Dilemma has changed my families eating habits forever. We shop the Farmer's Market and joined our local CSA. Now, each day my sons collect four organic eggs a day from our pet chickens, Hazel, Trixie, Ruby & Lulu. Our hens (no Roosters!) live in their ultra-modern Eglu chicken coop. I'm very into the educational benefits for my young boys (many Eglu's are sold to schools) and there is an entire chicken related teaching curriculum available on the website. Go to www.omlet.co.uk
Got Bookshelves
 Books, every corner of our house is overflowing with them! I get all my books from Watchung Booksellers
my very favorite independent bookstore. We visit their children's book
room where they hold story times, host book clubs and more Watchung Booksellers – Your Community Bookstore - 54 Fairfield Street Upper Montclair, NJ 07042 (973) 744-7177.
Tadpoles and Legos Are Homework
 We do lots of hands on learning at our home. We have two tadpoles in
some stinky water, a weather monitoring station, world maps in our
kitchen, countless science toys and more. My company Family-Friendly
PR (formerly Kidstuff) specializes in working with organizations that I
can wholeheartedly believe in. I recently oversaw a "Build Montclair In
LEGO (TM)" architecture workshop for kids incorporating 50,000 Lego's.
I'm excited to work with Montclair's NJ FIRST JFLL Lego robotic competitions plus Math For Laughs who create & teach math games geared to your child's interests and www.redrainbowkids.com group including Stories In Motion multi-cultural creative movement and dance education.
The Soundtrack of our Lives
 We're music industry business types in our household so of course we love music (and it pays the bills)! Mama Bridget could be rockin to
Band of Horses or rave favorites Daft Punk. The boys love Ralph Covert
and retro surf music and we all love Daddy Josh's new work projects, Kerli - and Jon McLaughlin
No Tutus Required
 My boys love to move their bodies to music in crazy ways and they love stories. Finally there is an alternative to stuffy formal recital based dance schools. Stories In Motion has come up with a genuinely child friendly creative movement, dance making, interactive storytelling, and multi-cultural program for girls and boys alike. We are thrilled that Stories In Motion teachers will be leading fun brief dance movement "lessons" on the dance floor at our Baby Loves Disco North Jersey events. Get ready to freeze dance, and your little girl (or boy) is welcome to wear their tutu if they like! Stories In Motion, 1874 Springfield Ave. Maplewood, NJ 07040 (973)
313-1050 as well as locations in Westfield Morristown and Randolph,
N.J. www.storiesinmotion.org
Stuff - Can't Live Without It
 I admire those Zen clutter free environments but since my kids arrived
– forget it. The following are the go to local spots around Montclair
for baby & kids stuff. For toys: the funky Aunt Jeans Toys & Treats selection is brilliant. For special clothes and baby shower gifts: Baby Boom is a must www.babyboom1.com For kid's furnishings: Saplings in nearby Caldwell is not to be missed. For gifts & decor: Lili Meili and Beau and Semplice For cards etc. Parcel and Montclair Paperie
Everything In Moderation
 My family's' dirty little food secrets (fluffernutter sandwiches) were
recently revealed by my friend and food guru Karen Diaz Schloss – Read
her column at www.montclairtimes.com. I was also interviewed about taking small children to fancy restaurants by NJ Star Ledger's own Peggy O'Crowley (don't ask. we left a big tip!) read Parental Guidance at www.nj.com.blogs When we show our faces we go out for treats at Applegate Farm Homemade Ice Cream or instead order sweets from >www.missnickys.com or cupcakes from Flour Patch Bakery.
Jumping on the Beds Just Isn't Cutting It
 Some local favorite options to burn off some of that boundless kid energy Lively Little 'Uns at Ashley's Soccer Domaine This ages 1-4 free play program in an indoor dome saved my sanity. We love The Little Gym and Brookdale Park for the whole family
Getting Messy Is A Good Thing
 Walking barefoot in paint, sculpting with trash, ink prints using fresh
caught fish, now that's what I call art! We loved our classes at The Messy Artist (973) 378-2425, Donnas' Kids www.donnaskids.com and the Montclair Art Museum also have great art classes for kids and more
Goes Down Easier With A Slug of Joe in the Morning
 I get my grown up New Jersey & NY news from www.Baristanet.com, The Montclair Times, NJ Star Ledger, The Bergen County Record and of course The NY Times, TimeOut NY, New York Magazine. CH34 Montclair, NJN12 News
Charities:
brits rock for autism
parents who rock
toni's kitchen
mfee
suburban sky
newark day care center
outings:
jackals
turtle back zoo
adventure aquarium
robot galaxy
njcm
lscv
backyard campout
new jersey audobon
essex county
montclair ymca
fred hill sports academy
the funplex
food:
applegate farm
miss nicky's
raymonds nj
egan and sons
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