Tag Archives: Giving

Kevin Sorbo Supports Better Education for Kids and New Movie Alongside Night

Kevin Sorbo 02Kevin Sorbo about The Movie Alongside Night and Giving Kids a Better Education

Kevin Sorbo, known for shows and movies like as Hercules, Andromeda, Meet the Spartans and Soul Surfer. Recently he starred in the movie Alongside Night. He plays an award winning world economist that along with his son take to the job of saving the country with a government that has run amok.

In this video interview On Purpose Magazine talks to Kevin about this role and his work with World Fit for Kids. Continue reading

Nichelle Nichols Supports Kids and New Movie Alongside Night

Lt. Uhura Nichelle Nichols from WikipediaNichelle Nichols, best known for Lt. Uhura on Star Trek Came out to support The Movie Alongside Night

Nichelle Nichols, Actress, Singer, Producer, best known for her part as Lt. Uhura on the original Star Trek and the first movies, came out to The movie Alongside Night starring Kevin Sorbo as she was in J. Neil Shulman’s award winning movie Lady Magdalene’s.

Nichelle also wanted to support the Alongside Night sci-fi stars in this film, including Tim Russ (Star Trek: Voyager), Garrett Wang (Star Trek: Voyager), Jake Busey (Starship Troopers) and Actor/Author/Director J Neil Schulman wrote an episode for The Twilight Zone TV Series. Continue reading

Stefano Langone’s New Song Yes to Life

Stefano Langone talks to us about his support for Stand Up For Cancer

Stefano Langone talks to us about  his support for cancer research Plus we look at stefano’s new video Yes to Life and my favorite I’m on a Roll
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fT-LqkaqM6g]

I caught Stefano Langone at the GBK Celebrity Gifting Suite for the American Music Awards. Stefano was a wonderful interview, mainly because I forgot to turn on RECORD for our interview and though he was really busy, he re-recorded the whole interview for me.

I received a tweet from Stefano to update my story cause my story was getting old. So here you go Stefano. I do not have an updated interview, but I do have the new video of Yes to Love to share with everyone. If you get a chance also listen to On a Roll. I really like that one.

Stefano talks about his support of the environment and cancer research especially Stand Up 2 Cancer which is a great organization. – JW

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Stefano LangoneStefano Langone

From Wikipedia

Langone was born on February 27, 1989 in Bellevue, Washington to Carrie and Ernie Langone.[1] He is half Spanish and half Italian.[2] His father works as a career advisor at The Art Institute of Seattle and is also a singer and musician.[1][3] Langone has been singing and playing the piano since childhood. He attended Emerald Park Elementary School, Meridian Junior High, and Kentwood High School, as well as Bellevue College, where he was given a full ride scholarship.[4] He performed with Bellevue College’s ‘Celebration!’ vocal jazz ensemble while he was a student there.[5]

On May 28, 2009, he was involved in a near-fatal accident after being hit by a drunk driver.[6] The accident resulted in two broken arms, a fractured pelvis, and other serious injuries. In addition, Langone had to re-learn to walk and has extensive scarring as a result of the accident.[7]

Post Idol

Following his elimination, Langone appeared on several talk shows. He appeared on Live with Regis and Kelly on April 25, 2011, as well as The Today Show on April 26, 2011. In addition, Langone appeared on The Rachael Ray Show along with Paul McDonald and Pia Toscano on May 25, 2011.[10]

The following summer, Langone toured with the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2011, which began in West Valley City, Utah on July 6, 2011 and ended in Manila, Philippines on September 21, 2011.

On September 24, 2011, Langone sang the National Anthem at the Western Hockey League game opener between the Seattle Thunderbirds and Portland Winterhawks. On September 26, 2011, Langone and James Durbin appeared on Dr. Drew‘s “Lifechangers” TV Talk show.

As of October 9, 2011, Langone has officially moved to Los Angeles to begin a music career. Langone is currently being managed by 19 Entertainment.[11]

While recording for his upcoming debut album, Langone has performed at several events. On October 15, 2011, Langone performed at Eva Longoria’s Charity Padres El Cancer in Las Vegas.[12] On November 24, 2011, Langone performed at the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade. On December 4, 2011, Langone performed at Trevor Live, an event benefiting The Trevor Project.

album stefano yes to loveStefano’s New Song

button amazon buy from 02button buy from itunesYes To Love

Check out Stefano’s newest song on Amazon or Itunes or go to Vevo to watch the video or…..

logo stand up to cancer su2cStand Up To Cancer

Since our launch in 2008, we’ve been amazed by the outpouring of generosity and hope from the ever-growing SU2C community. You’ve shared your stories. You’ve launched stars in honor of loved ones. You’ve sent letters to Congress. You’ve spread the word to friends and family. You joined us for our second, commercial-free telecast on September 10, 2010 and, most importantly, pledged over $80 million to accelerate ground-breaking research and bring new treatments to patients as quickly as possible.

We’ve all come together — from patients to clinicians, from advocates to lawmakers, from children to teenagers to parents and parents of parents — in support of one cause: finding a cure for cancer. We can’t thank you enough for making Stand Up To Cancer what it is today. This is where the end of cancer begins

To learn more about the people behind SU2C, visit the links below.

  • Co-Founders
  • Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF)
  • SU2C Team
  • Why We’re Different
  • The Science

 

 

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Thanks to GBK Productions – Gavin and his great staff. As always you host the best.

Let’s do a “Re-Do”

banner beth anne grib OnPurpose

by Beth Anne Grib

Ok, so we’ve arrived mid-way through the first quarter of 2014. Your New Year’s Resolutions have lost their luster…maybe they are simmering, subconscious, long-term goals at this point. You are back into the work grind and it feels almost robotic again.

Continue reading

Celebrate The New Year with ArtQuench Magazine and Gallery!

Celebrate The New Year by becoming part of one of the best and fastest growing Art magazines today!

ArtQuenchMagazine.com is proud to announce we are publishing our first hard copy issue of AQM this Spring!

AQM Cover - ok 01facebook-01Are you a writer who has a passion for the arts?

If you would like to submit an article for consideration..

Please send info. to: Stacia@ArtQuenchGallery.com

Interested in displaying your art in our on-line gallery? Continue reading

Worldteam Foundation Works to Abolish Slavery in the U.S. and Abroad

Worldteam Foundation is Fighting to Abolish Slavery Which Enslaves Annually over 27 Million, With Over Half of Those Children

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HddYVBVF68]

I love GBK Events because they are so supportive of local and global causes.

At their recent gifting suite for the Oscars, they promoted several charities and causes and it gave me a chance to meet Worldteam Foundation who is fighting slavery her in the U.S. and abroad.

I wish it were not even a topic, because it is so hard to believe the things that one human can do to another. I want to thank Worldteam and GBK for all they are doing and for giving me the chance to help support their cause. – JW

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Worldteam foundation

WORLDTEAM was formed in 2008 as the social justice arm of TEAM International to focus on bringing solutions to societies of poverty in Thailand that will promote health and wholeness for children, youth and women caught in the cycles of poverty that lead to prostitution and human trafficking.

Leaders Rick and Sue Clark have established relationships with programs in northern and southern Thailand that are rescuing, nurturing and restoring children and women in order to provide additional support, funding and networking.

Worldteam chooses to be a part of the solution not only in Thailand but in the U.S. as well.

WORLDTEAM’s mission is to fight human trafficking and sexual slavery by partnering with existing organizations to rescue at-risk and exploited children and women.

They  focus on funding and creating support structures that provide a  holistic nurturing environment, education and vocational training that will in turn produce transformed lives and societies.

Worldteam’s primary target field has been Thailand because of the Clark family’s work in Thailand since 1985.

www.WorldteamFoundation.org

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Thanks to GBK Productions – Gavin and his great staff. As always you host the best.

Kristi Lauren “I Hate My Teenage Daughter” Loves to Give Back

Kristi Lauren gives back with Support for Aids Research, Clean Water Initiatives and Especially a Cervical Cancer Cure

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nmlxp20FKv0]

The site was the rooftop pool at the famous L’Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills. 

Kristi Lauren was posing for pictures for various non profits and and other businesses that are working hard to get their products to market with a little hand from celebrity endorsements.

Kristi was having a great time and although she did not have a single or particular cause she was supporting, she wanted to share with others her concerns and her belief that it is important to give back.

Kristi and her mom were so fun and and Kristi is a really down to earth kind of person. It was fun interviewing her and we wish her the best of luck with the new show. – JW

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Kristi LaurenKristi Lauren

From Wikipedia

Kristi Lauren (born January 19, 1994) is an American actress. She currently co-stars as Sophie Watson on the Fox sitcom I Hate My Teenage Daughter.

Lauren began acting professionally in 2004 in the short film Save Virgil. In 2006, she had small role in the film Living the Dream starring Sean Young. In 2009, she co-starred in Melora Hardin‘s directorial debut film You. She also guest starred in the series Wizards of Waverly Place and Working Class in 2009 and 2011, respectively.[1]

Twitter: @KristiiLauren

Facebook: www.Facebook.com

Water, Aids and Cervical Cancer

The following organizations are not necesarily endorsed by Kristi Lauren and are placed here just for reference. They were chosen because they were rated the tops in their niches by Charity Navigator.

Water.org

The water and sanitation problem in the developing world is far too big for charity alone. We are driving the water sector for new solutions, new financing models, greater transparency, and real partnerships to create lasting change. Our vision: the day when everyone in the world can take a safe drink of water.

Co-founded by Matt Damon and Gary White, Water.org is a nonprofit organization that has transformed hundreds of communities in Africa, South Asia, and Central America by providing access to safe water and sanitation.

Water.org traces its roots back to the founding of WaterPartners in 1990. In July 2009, WaterPartners merged with H2O Africa, resulting in the launch of Water.org. Water.org works with local partners to deliver innovative solutions for long-term success. Its microfinance-based WaterCredit Initiative is pioneering sustainable giving in the sector.

The Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center

The Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center (ADARC) was established in 1991 to focus on the basic science of AIDS and HIV in a research environment that fosters the highest scientific creativity. ADARC is the world’s largest independent research center devoted solely to HIV/AIDS Research.

We are fully committed to our mission to find solutions that will ultimately end the AIDS pandemic. We have adopted a multidisciplinary approach – virology, immunology, molecular biology, and clinical medicine – to pursue a number of projects in AIDS research.

In addition to basic research, ADARC also runs a Clinical Program that translates research into Clinical Trials that can affect millions of people living with HIV.

Prevent Cancer Foundation

The mission of the Prevent Cancer Foundation is the to save lives through cancer prevention and early detection.

The Foundation focuses its energies and resources on those cancers – including breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, oral, prostate, skin, and testicular – that can be prevented through lifestyle changes or detection and treatment in their early stages.

Since our inception 25 years ago, we have provided more than $125 million in support of cancer prevention and early detection research, education, advocacy, and community outreach programs nationwide and have played a pivotal role in developing a body of knowledge that is the basis for important prevention and early detection strategies.

We have funded over 400 scientists at over 150 leading medical institutions across the country. Our public education programs have applied this scientific knowledge to teach the public on ways they can reduce their cancer risks.

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Thanks to GBK Productions – Gavin and his great staff. As always you host the best.

Reno Wilson of Mike and Molly Supports ThinkCure Cancer Community

Reno WilsonReno Wilson plays Mike’s partner Officer Carl McMillan on CBS’s Mike and Molly

Reno, now living in Los Angeles via the Brooklyn, has played many parts and is now gaining recognition on CBS’s hit show Mike and Molly, but Reno also supports many causes including ThinkCure who’s mission is to fight cancer.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My1Vc0StFMk]

My wife and I love the show Mike and Molly and so I was very pleased to see and meet Reno at the GBK Gifting Suites for the Golden Globes.

Reno was having fun cracking up all the vendors with his easy and friendly sense of humor.

Reno is the kind of guy who looks you in the eye and is interested in your name and who you are. It made this interview very friendly and fun.

I need to take you up on that spin class…. Thanks Reno – JW

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Reno WilsonReno Wilson

Actor / Voice Artist / Producer

From Wikipedia

Reno Wilson (born Roy Wilson; January 20, 1970) is an American actor and voice artist who has appeared in a number of television programs and films. His first television role was on the NBC sitcom The Cosby Show, where (on a recurring basis) he portrayed Theo Huxtable’s college friend Howard during Seasons 5 and 6 of the series. His most recent film roles were that of Orlando in the 2009 film Crank: High Voltage, reprising his role from Crank, and as the voices of Frenzy, Mudflap and Brains in the Transformers film series. He is also the voice of Sazh Katzroy in Final Fantasy XIII. He is currently in the TV show Mike and Molly on CBS, has also acted in Prison Break and the current voice of the character Killer Bee in the anime Naruto Shippuden.

That is the Wikipedia bio, but you really need to check out Reno’s IMDB page as he has played in so many more great movies and shows… To name a few..

Scrubs, Heist, Blind Justice, Sliders, NYPD Blue, The Sentinel, Sgt. Bilko, Coach, The Fresh Prince and many more….

ThinkCureThinkCure!

ThinkCure! is an innovative, community-based non-profit that raises funds to accelerate collaborative research to cure cancers.

Our vision is to bring Southern Californians together to work towards a common cause to cure children and adults with cancer.

We aim to find cures for cancers by funding innovative research projects at City of Hope and Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. An objective, peer-based panel of expert doctors reviews two-year grant applications once a year and funds are awarded to the most promising collaborative and cutting edge cancer research projects that can involve other top cancer research hospitals.

At ThinkCure!, we rely on community support, calling on everyone in our community to get involved and make a difference in the fight against cancer. Your support in any amount is essential to our programs, please donate to help us work to find cures for cancers.

Read more about our Mission and History. Or learn about our partner hospitals City of Hope and Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

Looking for our most recent 990?  Get the PDF here.

ThinkCure Spin Event Yas-A-Thon at YAS Studios on 06/03/12.

If you live in Los Angeles you can visit any one of the several YAS (Yoga and Spinning) Studios for this event: More Info Here……

ThinkCure! Website

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Thanks to GBK Productions – Gavin and his great staff. As always you host the best.

Samantha Harris of DWTS and ET on Feeding America’s Hungry Children

Samantha Harris Works with Feeding America.Org to Help Stop Childhood Hunger in America

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMPgbMXDTpA]

We caught Samantha Harris, formally co-host of Dancing With The Stars and Entertainment Tonight, and recently on Stars Earn Strips, at the GBK Gifting Suites for the 2012 Oscars. Stars come out to support great charities and businesses that often support their own charities.

I really love this charity as past Los Angeles Coordinator of Feed333 which for 3 years running, was the nations #1 largest one day food giveaway, I am familiar with the hunger issue in America and it is not just about the homeless. We are talking about the working poor in this country. Below you will find statistics that should make us all a bit embarrassed.

What a great honor it was to get to interview such a well known interviewer. I did not ask her how I did, but I can tell you how cool Samantha was.

I left a little leader on this interview to show you what I mean. She was in a hurry and we had camera issues. She just dealt and came back when we fixed it.

She told me that she was not new to technical difficulties. Even though she has interviewed some of the most important or well known people of our time she made me feel so comfortable… Thanks Samantha. – JW

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Samantha HarrisSamantha Harris

A seasoned entertainment news journalist and two-time Emmy-nominated TV personality, Samantha Harris was recently seen co-hosting Stars Earn Strips  with General Wesley Clark four-star general as NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander on NBC. She commentated the action for a plethora of celebrities as they competed on special forces missions. Samantha is also well known for her work on the world’s #1 entertainment news program, Entertainment Tonight, as correspondent.  In just her first months with the show, she covered the Cannes Film Festival, traveled to two film sets in Hawaii (for interviews with Jennifer Aniston and Nicole Kidman), and also interviewed stars such as Jake Gyllenhaal, Russell Crowe, Sting, Cate Blanchett, Michael Douglas and more!

Samantha is best-known for her eight seasons co-hosting the live ABC hit Dancing With The Stars, which averaged more than 30 million viewers weekly and was the #2 most-watched show in the U.S. in each of those years.  In Season 2, she even kicked up her heals on the ballroom floor to perform a Jive routine with World Smooth Champion and DWTS professional dancer Jonathan Roberts.

Simultaneously with her time on DWTS, Samantha pulled double hosting duty as she passionately shared her opinion nightly as a panelist and correspondent on the entertainment news program CBS Television Distribution’s The Insider.

In her first year with the program, she covered President Obama’s inauguration in Washington, D.C.; surfed the North Coast of Oahu during an interview with 19-year-old surfing champion Bethany Hamilton – who lost her arm to a shark attack at age 13; interviewed Oprah in Chicago and Olympic skater Nancy Kerrigan in LA, in the days following her father’s death; as well as interviewed Hollywood’s A-list on the red carpet at the Emmys, SAG Awards, Golden Globes and Oscars.

Additionally, Samantha made her Broadway debut in summer 2009 in New York City, singing and dancing for sold-out audiences playing the iconic role of “Roxie Hart” in the long-running musical CHICAGO.

Samantha has been seen on a myriad of TV shows, including: filling in for Meredith Vieira as a guest host for a week on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire; multiple times as a guest host on ABC’s The View; contributing as a special correspondent on ABC’s Good Morning America.

One of her greatest honors was hosting, alongside Regis Philbin, the live official red carpet pre-show for ABC’s 80th Annual Academy Awards: Road To the Red Carpet, which garnered nearly one billion viewers worldwide.

samantha harrisBeginning in January 2005 and continuing for four years, Harris was seen in over 130 countries in 600 million homes on E! Entertainment Television.  In addition to writing, producing and reporting daily for E! News, she co-hosted the network’s live award-show coverage for the Oscars, Golden Globes and Emmys.  Samantha has also found herself reporting from inside San Quentin Penitentiary as host for E!’s THS Investigates, a spin-off series from the producers of E! True Hollywood Story.

Prior to her work on The Insider and E!, Samantha served as the weekend co-host and full-time correspondent for the nationally syndicated entertainment news magazine Extra which she joined in 2003.  As a correspondent who sought out unique stories, Samantha took to the stage performing with Cirque du Soleil, sang a duet with Wayne Newton during his live show in Las Vegas, as well as dancing her way into the arms of the late beloved Patrick Swayze backstage, while he was starring in the LA tour-stop of Chicago.

Samantha’s other hosting credits include FOX’s The Next Joe Millionaire, AMC Access (a show produced by NBC’s Access Hollywood forthe AMC network).

Harris’ triple-threat talents were noticed within her first years living in Los Angeles.  Hot off the North American musical tour Eric Idle Exploits Monty Python (where Samantha’s comedic, vocal, and dance performance electrified audiences at Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and other prestigious venues), CBS cast her as America’s sweetheart, “Dawn Wells aka Mary Ann”, in its made-for-TV movie Surviving Gilligan’s Island.  Samantha’s other acting credits include the multi-award winning Reefer Madness!: The New “Hit” Musical(original cast) as well as multiple feature films and television shows.

In addition to gracing the cover of Muscle & Fitness HERS magazine a record four times,Samantha has also been seen on the covers of a variety of other magazine including USA Today magazine, FIRST, Fit Parent.  She has been featured inmany magazines including SHAPE, People, Health, Self, and others.  As a fitness enthusiast, she loves dancing, cardio-sculpting, Bikram yoga but will also confess… she’s a dessert fanatic!

Samantha is actively involved in various charities. She is on the Entertainment Council of Feeding America and has actively supported the Revlon Run/Walk and What A Pair for cancer research, Operation Smile, P.S. Arts, the Crohns and Colitis Foundation of America and others.

In 2009, Samantha was given the honor of making her Wall Street debut by ‘Ringing The Bell’ to open trading at the New York Stock Exchange in front of a television audience of more than 120 million.

Born and raised in Hopkins, MN by a rock concert promoter father and dancer mother – who together created and produced one of the country’s first Renaissance festivals, King Richard’s Faire– Samantha went on to graduate with honors from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism in Evanston, IL.  She currently resides in Los Angeles, CA, with her husband, Michael, and their two daughters, Josselyn and Hillary.

So now that Samantha is not with Dancing with The Stars and E! Entertainment, what is she up to? Samantha has teamed up with the charity Feeding America and its partner Nestle’s Juicy Juice as the spokesperson for this summer’s Fruit For All Project, which will donate 35 million pieces of fresh fruit to children and families in need.”

For more info and photos of Samantha Harris, go to www.samantha-harris.com

Feeding America

In many ways, America is the land of plenty. But for 1 in 6 people in the United States, hunger is a reality. Many people believe that the problems associated with hunger are confined to small pockets of society, certain areas of the country, or certain neighborhoods, but the reality is much different.

Right now, millions of Americans are struggling with hunger.  These are often hard-working adults, children and seniors who simply cannot make ends meet and are forced to go without food for several meals, or even days.

It’s time to educate ourselves about the causes of hunger in America.

Feeding America is the nation’s leading hunger-relief charity. Through its network of more than 200 food banks, Feeding America provides assistance to more than 25 million low-income people facing hunger in the United States each year.

Take the Hunger Quiz

Hunger & Poverty Statistics

Although related, food insecurity and poverty are not the same.  Unemployment rather than poverty is a stronger predictor of food insecurity.

Poverty [1]

  • In 2009, 43.6 million people (14.3 percent) were in poverty.
  • In 2009, 8.8 million (11.1% percent) families were in poverty.
  • In 2009, 24.7 million (12.9 percent) of people ages 18-64 were in poverty.
  • In 2009, 15.5 million (20.7 percent) children under the age of 18 were in poverty.
  • In 2009, 3.4 million (8.9 percent) seniors 65 and older were in poverty.

Food Insecurity and Very Low Food Security[2]

  • In 2010, 48.8 million Americans lived in food insecure households, 32.6 million adults and 16.2 million children.
  • In 2010, 14.5 percent of households (17.2 million households) were food insecure.
  • In 2010, 5.4 percent of households (6.4 million households) experienced very low food security.
  • In 2010, households with children reported food insecurity at a significantly higher rate than those without children, 20.2 percent compared to 11.7 percent.
  • In 2010, households that had higher rates of food insecurity than the national average included households with children (20.2 percent), especially households with children headed by single women (35.1 percent) or single men (25.4 percent), Black non-Hispanic households (25.1 percent) and Hispanic households (26.2 percent).
  • In 2009, 8.0 percent of seniors living alone (925,000 households) were food insecure.
  • Food insecurity exists in every county in America, ranging from a low of 5 percent in Steele County, ND to a high of 38 percent in Wilcox County, AL.[3]

Nine states exhibited statistically significant higher household food insecurity rates than the U.S. national average 2008-2010:1

 United States                    14.6%
 Mississippi                      19.4%
 Texas                            18.8%
 Arkansas                         18.6%
 Alabama                          17.3%
 Georgia                          16.9%
 Ohio                             16.4%
 Florida                          16.1%
 California                       15.9%
 North Carolina                   15.7%

Use of Emergency Food Assistance and Federal Food Assistance Programs

  • In 2010, 4.8 percent of all U.S. households (5.6 million households) accessed emergency food from a food pantry one or more times.2
  • In 2010, 59.2 percent of food-insecure households participated in at least one of the three major Federal food assistance programs –Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly Food Stamp Program), The National School Lunch Program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.2
  • Feeding America provides emergency food assistance to an estimated 37 million low-income people annually, a 46 percent increase from 25 million since Hunger in America 2010.[4]
  • Among members of Feeding America, 74 percent of pantries, 65 percent of kitchens, and 54 percent of shelters reported that there had been an increase since 2006 in the number of clients who come to their emergency food program sites.4

[1] U.S. Census Bureau. Carmen  DeNavas-Walt, B. Proctor, C. Lee.  Income, Poverty, and Heath Insurance Coverage in the United States:  2009.

[2] USDA. Coleman-Jensen, A., Nord, M., Andrews, M., & Carlson, S.  Household Food Security in the United States in 2010.

[3] Feeding America. Gundersen, G., Waxman, E., Engelhard, E., & Brown, J. Map the Meal Gap, 2011.

[4]Rhoda Cohen, J., Mabli, F., Potter, Z., Zhao. Mathematica Policy Research, Feeding America.  Hunger in America 2010.  February 2010.


[i] U.S. Department of Labor.Bureau of Labor Statistics. 2010 Annual Average Unemployment Rates.

Feeding America Website

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Thanks to GBK Events – Gavin and his great staff. As always you host the best.

Related Posts:
Samantha Harris from Dancing with the Stars and Entertainment Tonight has Revealed her Cancer has Spread.

Karina Smirnoff of Dancing with The Stars on Helping Kids Learn the Arts

Karina Smirnoff of Dancing with The Stars Gives Back Helping Kids Get Affordable Arts Education

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDDM5se76Es]

Things were pretty crazy as a bunch of celebrities came, all at the same time, into the tent around the pool on the roof of the L’Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills. 

Karina was busy visiting vendors and non-profit booths to help them promote their projects and products, when she stopped for a minute to talk to me about her passion AIM.

Karina was so fun and so cool and she was happy to talk about the cause she has been supporting.

So Karina thank you very much for taking the time and being so gracious. – JW

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Karina SmirnoffKarina Smirnoff

Season 13 Mirror Ball Champion Karina Smirnoff has made her mark for the past six years as one of the featured dancers on ABC’s hit reality series Dancing with the Stars. Her success on Dancing with the Stars, the #1 rated show in its category averaging 36+ million viewers per week, has made Karina a household name and a sought after beauty, health, fitness, and fashion icon. In 2011 she was the most Googled professional dancer on the show.

What most people don’t know about the Ukrainian beauty is that her skills are not merely physical. She studied diligently at Fordham University in New York and earned two degrees – a B.A. in Economics and in Information Systems Programming. Karina is also a talented fashion designer and choreographer. She choreographs all of her own partnered routines on Dancing with the Stars and has been designing all of the costumes for both her and her current partner for the season since day one.

Karina started competing in ballroom dancing competitions at the age of 11. She is a five-time U.S. National Champion, World Trophy Champion, and Asian Open Champion. She has won the title at the UK Open, is a three-time champion at the US Open, two-time champion at the Asian Open, five-time champion at the Dutch Open, and five-time US National Professional Champion. She has taken second at the British Open Blackpool Dance Festival and she is the first woman to also ever make the “British Professional Final” with three different partners. Karina has also been ranked #2 in the world for Latin Dance.

She is considered “one of the most stylish and fit stars in Hollywood” and has been featured in numerous publications: FHM, Fitness Magazine, LA Confidential, Muscle & Fitness, TV Guide, and Woman’s World. She is a regular on the pages of People Magazine, Life & Style, US Weekly, OK! Magazine, and In Touch.

In 2011, Karina released two new designs from her Bearpaw Boots KS Collection – the Alyeska and the Capulet. She also joined forces with Girlactik Beauty to create Karina’s Hurry Up & Get Ready Look – a quick solution to look party perfect in minutes. She released her first successful dance fitness DVD called Shape Up with Karina and will be releasing a series of workout DVD’s called DanceFITNESS. She also opened a successful dance studio in Woodland Hills, CA called Karina Smirnoff Dance. The studio incorporates competitive, social dance classes, and fitness dance classes, as well as a scholarship program for at-risk youth directly related to her charity Dance Intervention – a division of Alternative Intervention Models.

Karina has a passion for environmental causes and her dance studio is the first eco-friendly LEED certified studio of its kind. In addition, Karina has led a celebrity consortium to activate the Wildlife Champions initiative with Procter & Gamble. She is also a PETA spokeswoman for the “I’d rather dance naked than wear fur” billboard and print campaign.

Karina recently launched her successful DanceFIT – KS program. DanceFIT – KS is a customized, unique fitness experience for hotel, resort, and cruise ship guests with a celebrity dance instructor that they will not get elsewhere. It is also gaining momentum at large, medium and small corporations as a way to keep workers motivated in the workplace, build company morale, and help workers achieve their health and wellness goals. Karina is touring internationally with the program.

Her past accomplishments include a starring role in Broadway’s hit record breaking sold out show Burn the Floor and a performance at the 61st annual Primetime Emmy Awards. Karina has hosted segments for E! News, TV Guide, EXTRA, and has appeared in specials on Bravo, ABC, and Lifetime. She has appeared on Good Morning America, The View, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and Hannah Montana, among others. She has also appeared in the film Shall We Dance.

Karina is a versatile and dynamic talent and a force to be reckoned with. She continues to captivate fans and audiences worldwide with her charismatic personality, unparalleled performance capabilities, beauty, and grace.

Alternative Intervention Models

Alternative Intervention Model’s goal it to enrich lives through the arts.

Our mission is to transform and develop hearts and minds of at-risk youth using the arts to inspire critical self-reflection and self-improvement.

video

Alternative Intervention Models envisions an educational system transformed at its core to recognize the value of “heART Education”: educating the hearts of youth and instilling emotional literacy through training in the arts. Education is a journey of self exploration as well as an exploration of our relationship to the world around us.

Through the process of heART education we help youth examine their purpose and relevance in life. We believe that the most powerful and most effective way to positively effect the minds of youth is to first reach them via the heart with art being the most effective tool. In a time of tremendous pain and struggle globally, it is through the study of arts and the artist that we learn our humanity and develop the skills necessary to heal our diverse communities emotionally while uniting them around shared experiences and values.

Leila on radio

Our Core Values

Education – a lifelong process of developing individuals technically, emotionally, physically, spiritually and otherwise to reach their full
potential.

Love – the most powerful force in life, the catalyst of all of our work
and art.

Creativity – a character trait with which we are all born; we believe we are all called to express our unique creativity.

Respect – being aware of and valuing the diversity of other individuals, other cultures, other ways of life.

Empathy – the arts are a tool that help us understand and relate to each other; heART education teaches greater empathy.

Community – it takes a village to raise a child; we live in a global village and are responsible for modeling the best examples for the youth.

Accountability – through difficult and controversial conversations using the arts, we help each other become accountable for ourselves and each other.

SKIM performs

1) Artist Intervention – in our Artist intervention programs we hold assemblies at elementary schools, high school, and colleges designed for the specific audiences at these various locations based on the issues that they need to address in their communities. We also operate Mic Sessions workshops at juvenile facilities, community centers, prisons, group homes, and other locations. Artist educators, a diverse selection of music artists perform at assemblies and at Mic Sessions workshops, and focus on unifying members of these various communities using music to breakdown barriers and open lines of communication and freedom of self-expression.

2) Dance Intervention – Karina Smirnoff heads up our Dance Intervention program, working with youth who find dance and movement as their chosen form of artistic self-expression. This program teaches consistency, dedication, attention to detail, and healthy physical and emotional lifestyle.

3) Athletic Intervention – AIM’s Athletic Intervention programs currently include basketball, yoga, and fitness training. Ahmad Clayton directs our Athletic Intervention program, bringing a unique form of basketball training to at-risk youth that focuses on providing a high quality alternative option to high cost athletic after school programs.

AIM’s Athletic Intervention programs help youth grow technically, emotionally, and physically while instilling values such as teamwork, strength, healthy-diet, non-violence, positive work ethic, and good sportsmanship.

4) Acting Intervention – AIM’s Acting Intervention program features guest lectures and workshops from highly experienced film industry professionals that train actors/actresses as artists in every facet of the film entertainment business. Focused mostly on aspiring teenage and young adult actors/actresses, the Acting Intervention program provides mentors, skill training, and career guidance. One of the major goals is to engage these youth and help them learn to tell their narrative and their communities narrative through their work.

5) Media Intervention – AIM’s Media Intervention program provides education in traditional media and new media technology, teaching youth about the resources that are accessible to them within and outside of their communities. We show youth how to effectively communicate on a local and global level using new media and a host of collaborative methods made available via the internet and related technologies.

AIM Website

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Thanks to GBK Productions – Gavin and his great staff. As always you host the best.

Sugar Ray Leonard Helps Knock Out Juvenile Diabetes

Sugar Ray Leonard talks to us about his new SRL Foundation to help and find a cure for children who suffer from diabetes.

The Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation to help find a cure for juvenile diabetes, set up a booth at GBK Gifting suites for the Oscars 2012 and Sugar Ray came by with his family to check it all out.
[youtube=www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HILdg3KDtc]

We visited his booth and then interviewed Sugar Ray. I used to work for a Medtronic Minimed who make portable insulin pump for people with Type I diabetes and so I know that diabetes is already become an epidemic that needs our attention and kids are getting it at alarming rates.

Type II diabetes can often be taken care of with proper diet, exercise and sometimes, medicine, but Type I is a lifelong chronic disease, that is lethal if not treated and though treatment is effective for most it is not a cure.

Visit Sugar Ray Leonard’s website. I looks like he spends most of his time giving back to many great causes. Sugar Ray, thank you for your time and for all you do to help. – JW

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Sugar Ray Leonard Sugar Ray Leonard

From Wikipedia

Sugar Ray Leonard (born May 17, 1956) is an American retired professional boxer and occasional actor. He was named Ray Charles Leonard, after his mother’s favorite singer, Ray Charles. Leonard was the first boxer to earn more than $100 million in purses, won world titles in five weight divisions and defeated future fellow International Boxing Hall of Fame inductees Wilfred Benítez, Thomas Hearns, Roberto Durán and Marvin Hagler.[1][2] Leonard was named “Boxer of the Decade” for the 1980s.[3]

You can see samples of my work at http://www.DavidIlan.com.

logo sugar ray leonard foundation shSugar Ray Leonard Foundation

Sugar Ray Leonard has been the International Chairman of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Walk for a Cure, for many years.

Sugar Ray and his wife Bernadette have founded the Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation to help raise awareness, fund research and help find a cure to Juvenile Diabetes and child obesity.

Sugar Ray hosts a yearly Fight Night in Los Angeles to help Knock Out Diabetes. This year it will be held at the Santa Monica Pier on May 22nd, 2012.

It will be a star studded evening to raise funds and awareness of this awful disease that is harming our children.

book sugar-ray-leonard-the-big-fight 3dThe Big Fight

Sugar Ray Leonard’s Book The Big Fight: My Life In and Out of the Ring is Sugar Ray Leonard’s brutally honest and uplifting memoir reveals in intimate detail for the first time the complex man behind the boxer.

The Olympic hero, multi-championship winner, and beloved athlete waged his own personal battle with depression, rage, addiction, and greed.

In this unflinching and inspiring autobiography, the boxing legend faces his single greatest competitor: himself.

Coming from a tumultuous, impoverished household and a dangerous neighborhood on the outskirts of Washington, D.C., in the 1970s, Sugar Ray Leonard rose swiftly and skillfully through the ranks of amateur boxing-and eventually went on to win a gold medal in the 1976 Olympics. With an extremely ill father and no endorsement deals, Leonard decided to go pro.

The Big Fight takes readers behind the scenes of a notoriously corrupt sport and chronicles the evolution of a champion, as Leonard prepares for the greatest fights of his life-against Marvin Hagler, Roberto Duran, Tommy Hearns, and Wilfred Benitez. At the same time Leonard fearlessly reveals his own contradictions and compulsions, his infidelity, and alcohol and cocaine abuse.

With honesty, humor, and hard-won perspective, Leonard comes to terms with both triumph and struggle-and presents a gripping portrait of remarkable strength, courage, and resilience, both in and out of the ring.

Daisy Rock Girl Guitars Supports Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation

LOS ANGELES, CA – March 27, 2012
Daisy Rock Girl Guitars, the original girl guitar company, proudly supports the Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation with the donation of a Wildwood Artist Acoustic-Electric Pink Burst guitar, featured at the 2012 Academy Awards Nominees and Presenters Celebrity Gift Lounge, hosted by GBK Productions. The guitar, sought by request of the George Lopez family, was signed by a wide variety of celebrities and will be auctioned to benefit the foundation’s research and awareness towards finding a cure for juvenile diabetes.

GBK Productions, the luxury lifestyle gift lounge and special events company, hosted the Annual Celebrity Gift Lounge late-February, honoring the 2012 Academy Awards Nominees and Presenters. Notable Hollywood celebrities were present and took part in signing the Daisy Rock guitar, including Emmy® Award-winning actor Hector Elizondo, Sasha Pieterse (Heroes, Pretty Little Liars), Iqbal Theba (Principal Figgins, Glee), Kate Flannery (Meredith Palmer, The Office), comedian Kevin Nealon, and many others.

Boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard shares his heart for those stricken by juvenile diabetes: “My wife Bernadette and I put [the foundation] together about two years ago because we were so touched by so many lives that diabetes has affected—especially the kids. We’re looking forward to the day that we eradicate diabetes, juvenile diabetes, from our innocent kids . . . just being of service is a wonderful feeling.” Of the donations, Leonard commented: “The memorabilia that we have gathered – gloves, an amazing guitar with names of superstars – and we’re just looking forward to raising a lot of money for a wonderful cause.”

Tish Ciravolo, President and Founder of Daisy Rock Girl Guitars commented: “Daisy Rock is so happy to be able to donate the Wildwood Artist Acoustic-Electric Pink Burst guitar to the Sugar Ray Leonard foundation which was requested by George Lopez and his family.  It is such an honor to see these awesome and entertaining celebrities taking a moment out of their very busy schedule at the Academy Awards to stop and sign our guitar.  Just look at who signed and how many signatures we got—SWEET!”

www.SugarRayLeonard.com

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Thanks to GBK Events – Gavin and his great staff. As always you host the best.

Thousands of Raped and Abused Become Beautiful Points With Purpose

Celebrity Artist David Ilad Helps Survivors of Rape, Sexual Abuse and Incest

While at the GBK Gifting suites for the American Music Awards we met celebrity artist David Ilad who uses dots to draw wonderful portraits and he has decided to make each dot of his current work stand for each victim that he meets or that signs up on his site “Points with Purpose“, anonymously, as survivors of rape, sexual abuse and Incest.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOvcZ0jyQ8M]

As a survivor of sexual abuse myself, I can tell you first hand, how powerful it is to see David’s beautiful portrait, made of thousands of dots, when you realize that each dot is representing men and women who suffered some type of sexual abuse.

I am proud to have one of those dots represent me and as I read some of the stories on David’s website all I could think of was how great it was to have a place, an event that brings so many together to finally talk about and sometimes, for the first time, share their feelings of guilt, grief and growth.

I thank David for taking a moment to talk with us about his project and especially for the gift he is giving with his work. – JW

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david ilan David Ilan

David’s celebrity drawing career started over 10 years ago when Jerry Seinfeld saw some of his drawings.

Until that point he had been drawing mostly models and didn’t have much of a portfolio.

Life took a major turn when David was commissioned to draw the entire cast of Seinfeld since at the time it was one of the hottest shows on television. From then on it was like life was put into high speed.

David Ilan has been fortunate to have some of the biggest celebrities pose for him throughout the years. Most of the David’s drawings have been for the celebrities’ private use but some have been created for other reasons. For example, one was made for an auction benefiting the American Cancer Society.

In 2007, David created the concept of “1 Dot = 1 Person” to bring more meaning to his art. Every dot he places on his canvas now represents a real person, and every David Ilan project has a charitable wing. He called his first project (which is still running) Points With Purpose. This project gives a voice to the survivors of rape or sexual abuse.

David has created several portraits using the “1 Dot = 1 Person” concept. People from more than 180 countries have dots placed in their honor in his portraits, including many A-list celebrities. For example, in the portrait he is creating for Special Olympics Southern California, David has placed dots for Scarlett Johansson, Danny DeVito, David Beckham, and Vanessa Williams, just to name a few.

In 2008, David embarked on the Presidential Portrait of Barack Obama, a project that was approved by Obama’s Visual Arts Committee. The Obama Portrait was sponsored by American Airlines and attracted the attention of the Smithsonian museum. It was organized in collaboration with Ken Kragen (who was responsible for “We Are The World” and “Hands Across America”).

Recently David was commissioned by the Jackson Family to do the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait where 1 Dot – 1 Fan.

You can see samples of my work at http://www.DavidIlan.com.

Points With Purpose

david ilan portrait

From thousands of tragic events, a beautiful drawing is born. My name is David Ilan and I am a celebrity artist. When celebrities pose for me, I create a drawings of them using only dots, a technique called pointillism. For the first time in 10 years I am creating a non-celebrity drawing for a project that is very close to my heart. This project, named Points with Purpose, gives my dots a greater meaning by associating each dot with a real person who has been raped or sexually abused.

If you have been raped or sexually abused you can join the project here (It’s free), giving your real name or an alias, and have the option of sharing your story. There is also a place in the drawing for people who want to support survivors. I add one dot for every person who joins until the drawing is complete. The final drawing will be of a woman looking confident, proud and beautiful. By joining the project, thousands of people with a shared tragic experience will work together to form a work of art meant to show others who go through similar experiences that they too can feel confident, proud and beautiful again.

Every person involved will have a dot drawn to honor them.
Up close we see individuals with a story.
From far we see a woman who has overcome and grown.

www.PointsWithPurpose.com

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Thanks to GBK Productions – Gavin and his great staff. As always you host the best.

Thomas Jane – Star of “Hung” Supports Children of the Night

Thomas Jane Who Plays a Male Escort on the HBO Hit Show “Hung”

Talks to us about his support of Children of the Night. A program that helps teenage prostitutes get off the street.

Thomas Jane talks about support of Children of the Night.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Um6v8PX2-o]

Thomas was at the GBK Gifting Suites for the Golden Globes and took a minute to talk to us about Children of the Night, which he supports and helps out.

Thomas was there with his daughter who was having a great time putting lotion on her dad’s face during the whole interview. – JW

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Thomas JaneThomas Jane

From IMDB

Thomas Jane (born Thomas Elliott III;[1] February 22, 1969) is an American actor known for his roles in the 1999 film Deep Blue Sea, the 2001 TV film 61*, the 2004 film The Punisher and the 2007 Stephen King adaptation The Mist. He also starred in the HBO comedy-drama series Hung.

Early life

Jane was born in Baltimore, Maryland, the son of Cynthia, an antiques dealer, and Michael Elliott, a biogenetic engineer.[1][2] In 1987, he graduated from Thomas Sprigg Wootton High School in Montgomery County, Maryland.

At age 18, Jane relocated to Hollywood to pursue an acting career. He was initially homeless and lived out of his car.[3] Regarding his time as a busker, Jane has noted “I had two songs in my repertoire that I hammered to death — ‘Hey Joe‘ and ‘Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door‘….People used to pelt me with change just to shut me up.”[4]

Career

Jane began his acting career with the Telugu film Padamati Sandhya Ragam (1986), directed by Jandhyala, a renowned filmmaker in Telugu Cinema. His early roles included Zeph in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992). He had supporting roles in several high profile films, including The Crow: City of Angels (1996), Boogie Nights (1997), The Thin Red Line (1998), Thursday (1998) and Magnolia (1999). After receiving critical acclaim as baseball player Mickey Mantle in 61*, Jane began receiving leading roles such as that of Andre Stander in the 2003 South African film, Stander for which he gained further critical acclaim.

pic thomas jane hungJane, director Jonathan Hensleigh and Avi Arad have said in many interviews that Jane was the first and only actor to be asked to play the title role in the 2004 movie The Punisher. Jane initially turned down the role twice, as he did not have much interest in the superhero genre. Jane said that when they asked him the second time to play the Punisher it was Tim Bradstreet‘s artwork of the Punisher that piqued his interest. After finding out that the character was not a traditional superhero, but more of an anti-hero and a vigilante crime fighter, he accepted.[5][6] He read as many Punisher comics as he could find and quickly became a fan. Jane trained for 6 or 7 months with Navy SEALs and gained more than twenty pounds of muscle for the part.[7]

In addition to starring in the movie he contributed his voice to The Punisher and the Gun video games. He also co-owns RAW, an entertainment company he runs along with Steve Niles and Tim Bradstreet. RAW Studios, the company’s comic book division, has released Bad Planet (written by Jane) through Image Comics. Jane would become a spokesperson for Steve Niles and in became the cover model for comic book character Cal McDonald in 2006, as depicted by their partner Bradstreet.

In addition to his screen work, Jane has appeared several times on stage, and received strong critical reviews as Tom in Tennessee WilliamsThe Glass Menagerie, and as Chris in Arthur Miller‘s All My Sons. He has also portrayed a fictionalized version himself in the Fox television show Arrested Development in which the show’s characters have not heard of him, and do not recognize him as the star actor that he is. In 2005, Marvel released The Punisher video game. The video game’s storyline is compiled with different situations and enemies from the Punisher comics, and a character based upon Jigsaw also appeared in the 2005 Punisher video game but with an origin that ties directly into the 2004 Punisher film.

Children of the Night

Mission Statement

Children of the Night is a privately funded non-profit organization established in 1979 and dedicated to rescuing America’s children from the ravages of prostitution.

Children of the Night

Its program has proven so effective that Children of the Night is in demand to assist other agencies across the country and around the world to develop similar programs.

Program Description

The Children of the Night home is open to child prostitutes throughout the United States, and the Children of the Night hotline is ready and able to rescue these children 24 hours a day. We provide taxi/airline transportation nationwide for America’s child prostitutes who wish to escape prostitution and live in our home.

Our hotline staff works closely with law enforcement to rescue children from vile, dominating pimps.

Our home features an on-site school and college placement program. After youngsters complete our rigorous and comprehensive program of academic and life-skills education, caseworkers are available to provide ongoing case management to hundreds of graduates.

In 2011, Dr. Lois Lee, Founder & President of Children of the Night, created “Children of the Night With Out Walls” (WOW) introducing programs from the Children of the Night shelter/home to underfunded and undeveloped shelters and their clients throughout America. WOW is a cost effective means of providing resources to America’s teens who are forced to live on the streets.

WOW will leave a permanent and indelible mark on the standard of care for adolescents who are forced to live outside of their natural homes.

Children of the Night trained, skilled, expert staff provides shelters across the nation sophisticated case management, educational programs, legal services, professional volunteers, fundraising expertise and in-kind donations.

WOW offers youth living on the streets of our cities access to birth certificates, school records, social security cards, government issued photo identification, transportation to critical social services, case management, résumé preparation, job placement, parenting support, educational services including academic assessments, preparation, tutoring and support services to test for the GED (General Education Degree). Children of the Night offers innovative math and reading programs, a patented keyboarding program (Keyboarders Gone Ballistic), life skills curriculum, a parenting class designed specifically for teen moms and dads, access to college and funding for college books and school supplies.

Children and young people NO LONGER have to be under 18 years of age
to receive our comprehensive social services.

We are Children of the Night WOW!

Children of the Night continues to lead the revolution of real life changing
services for teens forced to live outside of their homes.

To access “WOW” or any of our services
Contact our 24 hour nationwide toll free hotline at 1-800-551-1300.

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Thanks to GBK Productions – Gavin and his great staff. As always you host the best.

Rico Rodriquez – Manny From Modern Family Supports Head Start

Rico Rodriquez Who Plays Manny on the Hit Show “Modern Family” Supports Head Start Program

Rico and his sister Raini have started the Raini and Rico Foundation to help support the Head Start Program. Rico was a Head Start Kid and really wants to make sure that program does not loose funding.

Rico rodriquez talks to us about the fun he has on his hit show and how he want to support the Head Start Program.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxAoGgSe-PE]

Rico who plays Manny on “Modern Family” was so fun to talk to. He is a neat kid who loves what he does and really cares about helping others.

Rico and his sister Raini, also an actress in “Paul Blart Mall Cop” and “Austin and Ally” TV Series, have supported many causes and are constantly helping when and where they can.

Thanks for the cool handshake Rico.- JW

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Rico RodriquezRico rodriquez

Rico Rodriguez was born in College Station, Texas, and from birth through his young boyhood was extremely shy. Little did he know how drastically his life would change.

In 2005, at the age of six, Rico made the move from Texas to Los Angeles, California with his mom and sister to support his sister’s dream of becoming an actress. After one year of watching his sister having fun and success, Rico enrolled in acting classes and soon started making a name for himself.

Rico booked his first role in the video How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Next came the role of Chanchito in the film Epic Movie, a super fun role as the kid janitor in the soon to be released Opposite Day, and another great part — including flying cake — in the upcoming The No-Sit List. His television credits include co-starring as Young Guillermo in Jimmy Kimmel Live, Cory in the House, ER, ‘Til Death, iCarly, Nip/Tuck, Surviving Suburbia and NCIS. He has also has been seen in commercials for Roundtable Pizza, Time Warner Cable, Dodge, Walmart, BlueCross, Chrysler and AT&T.

Rico is grateful to be living his dream and has a very bright future.

Head Start

The Head Start Program is a program of the United States Department of Health and Human Services that provides comprehensive education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families.

Launched in 1965[1] by its creator and first director Jule Sugarman, Head Start was originally conceived as a catch-up summer school program that would teach low-income children in a few weeks what they needed to know to start kindergarten. Experience showed that six weeks of preschool couldn’t make up for five years of poverty. The Head Start Act of 1981[2] expanded the program.[3] The program was further revised when it was reauthorized in December, 2007. Head Start is one of the longest-running programs to address systemic poverty in the United States. As of late 2005, more than 22 million pre-school aged children had participated.

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Thanks to GBK Productions – Gavin and his great staff. As always you host the best.

Christopher McDonald – Helping Victims of Child Abuse

Christopher McDonald of Harry’s Law and Boardwalk Empire talks about Helping Kids and Cancer Research

Christopher McDonald talks with us about his current projects and about the causes he supports helping children
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFBD03iWm4o]

Veteran Actor Christopher McDonald takes a minute out of working with vendors at the GBK Gifting Suites to talk to us about his new shows and especially the two great causes he supports.

We first met Christopher at the Night of 100 Stars at the Beverly Hills Hotel for Oscars 2011. Christopher was fun, warm, witty and just a real nice guy. Thank you again Chris for your time and for all you do to help.- JW

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Christopher McDonaldChristopher McDonald

Christopher McDonald, has acted in 85 films and numerous television and theater productions. He was born in New York City, one of seven children.
He actually grew up in Romulus, a small town in upstate New York, where his father was the high school principal and musical director.
He first attended undergraduate school at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York, and later studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, and the Stella Adler Acting Conservatory in New York.
Chris has appeared in such films as Grease 2 (1982), Dutch (1991), Thelma & Louise (1991) and Quiz Show (1994). He is often recognized as golf pro Shooter McGavin from Happy Gilmore (1996). “Harry’s Law” (2011)

I wanted to list the over 159 Titles Chris has on his IMDB page, you should check it out for yourself. Christopher’s resume and career in entertainment is simply incredible.

Christopher did not mention the particular causes by name so I choose a couple of great organizations to share with you – JW

Cheryl Ladd & John O’Hurley Golf Classic

For more information on the event, please visit www.childhelp.org/iwgolf.

Childhelp has brought the light of hope and healing into the lives of countless children for over 50 years. CEO and Co-Founder Sara O’Meara and President and Co-Founder Yvonne Fedderson started Childhelp in 1959, establishing it as a leading national non-profit organization dedicated to helping victims of child abuse and neglect and at-risk children. Childhelp’s approach focuses on advocacy, prevention, treatment and community outreach.

The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-4-A-CHILD®, operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and receives calls from throughout the United States, Canada, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam. Childhelp’s programs and services also include residential treatment services; children’s advocacy centers; therapeutic foster care; group homes and child abuse prevention, education and training. Childhelp also created the Childhelp National Day of Hope®, held each April during National Child Abuse Prevention Month that mobilizes people across America to join the fight against child abuse.

American Association for cancer research

The mission of the AACR is to prevent and cure cancer through research, education, communication, and collaboration. Through its programs and services, the AACR fosters research in cancer and related biomedical science; accelerates the dissemination of new research findings among scientists and others dedicated to the conquest of cancer; promotes science education and training; and advances the understanding of cancer etiology, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment throughout the world.

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Thanks to GBK Productions – Gavin and his great staff. As always you host the best.

Tom Sizemore Recovering by Coaching At Risk Youth Football

Tom Sizemore at the Suzanne DeLaurentiis Oscar Gift Suite at Paramount Studios Backlot

Tom talks openly about his struggles and how he is recovering by helping at risk youth.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaithWn4Y3Y]

Tom Sizemore has recently gone through a very public destruction and reconstruction.

Tom, sporting a Mo-Hawk, talked very seriously with us about his breakdown and addiction to drugs and his recovery.

Tom is coaching football at the Hollenbeck Youth Center. It is part of his community service, but Tom says he wants to stay on and continue to help the team after his service is finished.
We thank Tom for his cander and for what he is doing to help veterans and at risk youth. – JW

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Tom SizemoreTom Sizemore

From Wikipedia

Tom Sizemore was born in Detroit, Michigan. His mother, Judith (née Schannault), was a member of the city of Detroit ombudsman staff, and his father, Thomas Edward Sizemore, Sr., now retired, was a lawyer and philosophy professor.[2][3] His family has paternal Welsh and maternal French ancestry. He has three brothers, Charlie, Aaron and Paul, who is also an actor.[4] Sizemore attended Michigan State University for one year, as well as Wayne State University. He earned a Master’s degree in theatre from Temple University in 1986. He subsequently moved to New York City to pursue an acting career.

Acting career

One of Sizemore’s earliest film appearances occurred in Oliver Stone‘s Born on the Fourth of July in 1989, followed by roles in Lock Up (1989), Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man (1991), True Romance (1993), Natural Born Killers (1994), and Strange Days (1995). Sizemore also starred in the independent drama film Love Is Like That (1993) with actress and model Pamela Gidley. He had a supporting role in Kevin Costner’s Wyatt Earp as Bat Masterson.

A succession of well-received supporting parts followed, perhaps the most well known being his portrayal of Michael Cheritto as an armed robber in the heist film Heat (1995). His first major leading role was as Vincent D’Agosta in 1997’s The Relic. Sizemore had a recurring role on the television series China Beach (1988 to 1991) as an enlisted man named Vinnie who was in love with Dana Delany‘s character. Sizemore continued to play leading and character parts in many films, notably Devil in a Blue Dress (1995), Saving Private Ryan (1998), Bringing Out the Dead (1999), and Witness Protection (1999).

At the start of the 21st century, he appeared in actions films such as Pearl Harbor (2001), starring Ben Affleck, and Ridley Scott‘s Black Hawk Down (2002). He had a voice part as Sonny Forelli in the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. In 2001, Sizemore starred in Ticker, an action film directed by Albert Pyun, with Steven Seagal and Dennis Hopper. In 2002, Sizemore starred in the well-reviewed but short-lived television drama series Robbery Homicide Division. It was cancelled mid-way through its first season. He also played an undercover cop in the film Swindle opposite Sherilyn Fenn. In 2004, he starred in Paparazzi.

In 2006, he starred in The Genius Club, playing a terrorist who taunts seven geniuses into solving the world’s problems in one night. Also that year, he had a leading role in action/thriller film Splinter with Edward James Olmos. In 2007, the television network VH1 aired a six episode reality TV series called Shooting Sizemore, which depicted the life of the actor as he struggled to regain his career in the midst of a continuing battle with addiction. The series also covered an ongoing legal appeal on his conviction for an assault of former Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss.[5] In this year, the actor also starred in the Indie drama film Oranges with Tom Arnold and Jill Hennessy, which was directed by Sirian director and producer Joseph Merhi.

Recently, Sizemore has worked in films that include Red and American Son, both of which were screened at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. In 2008, Sizemore starred in The Last Lullaby, playing a killer, and appeared also in The Flyboys with Stephen Baldwin, action film Stiletto with Tom Berenger and Michael Biehn, drama film Toxic with Costas Mandylor, and is the star in the Canadian drama A Broken Life with Ving Rhames.

In 2009 he appeared in the comedy film Super Capers. In addition, Sizemore also appeared in five episodes of the TV series Crash with Dennis Hopper. In 2010, Sizemore starred in the indie horror film C.L.A.S.S. which is written by Sheldon Robins, and co-starred with Kyra Sedgwick and Vincent D’Onofrio in drama/comedy film Chlorine.[6] He also starred alongside martial arts actor Mark Dacascos in the action movie Shadows in Paradise. He also appeared in an episode of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Recently Tom has appeared in episodes of Hawaii Five-O.

Hollenbeck Youth Center

When riots tore through the East Los Angeles barrios in the 1970s, they reflected the despair and frustration of many young people in the area. Poverty, the lack of opportunity, and the need for respect and acceptance led many down the path of gangs and drugs.

A group of business people from the East Los Angeles community, however, wanted things to change for the better. They joined forces with the Hollenbeck Division LAPD to form the Hollenbeck Police Business Council, with a specific mission to help at-risk kids.Since incorporating in March 1972, the Hollenbeck Police Business Council and Hollenbeck Youth Center have remained committed to the primary goal of preventing violence by deterring kids from gang and criminal activities.

The Youth Center reaches thousands of children annually through innovative recreation, education and entrepreneur programs designed to decrease crime by instilling a strong sense of value and purpose in young people.

The Hollenbeck Youth Center was built in 1976 entirely from private contributions (15,000 sq. feet area). At that time, the officers of the Los Angeles Police Department directed the Center, giving their time as coaches and role models. But in 1978, Proposition 13 passed and funding for police staffing ceased suddenly, for years. The local businesses came together in hopes of finding a solution to re-open the facility, putting their resources together they raised enough funds to hire one individual.

In 1981, Daniel L. Hernandez was hired to lead the Center. Hernandez’s first initiative was to create a strong relationship with the community, which he did successfully.

Twenty-six years later, under the direction of Mr. Hernandez, the center has flourished into a nationally recognized organization. In 1998, under Hernandez’s direction, the Center completed a 15,000 square-foot addition, allowing it to house educational and counseling programs, as well as to provide essential office space for permanent and volunteer personnel.

Since its creation, Hollenbeck has bettered the lives of thousands of our children, many of which have gone on to become exceptional athletes, students, professionals and citizens. These inspired acts of commitment and dedication continues to live on as we serve today’s youth and work to better their future.

Tom Sizemore IMDB
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Thank You Suzanne DeLaurentis Productions – For Honoring and Helping our troops and veterans

Peter Weller Education Is Key at GBK Productions Gift Suite for the Oscars 2011

Peter Weller Actor / Director / Writer / Lecturer

Peter Weller (Robo Cop) Talks to us about the importance of education for our nation.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDGyXajsQRs]

It was a great treat to see Peter at this event. I am a big fan of Robo Cop, Odyssey and Dexter.  I also hear Peter is up for a part in a new Star Trek Adventure? Very Nice….

When I saw Peter I said “Great to see your still alive… ” and Peter looked at me like I had just lost my mind. I was talking about him being killed on Dexter and I believe he thought I was talking about his real demise…

Sorry Peter, my wife told me I was not funny. Great interview, however and Peter tells it like it is about childhood education. It really is the cornerstone and key to this nations survival nationally and globally.

Thanks Peter. – JW

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Peter WellerPeter Weller

From Wikipedia

Peter Frederick Weller (born June 24, 1947) is an American film and stage actor, director and lecturer.

He is best known for his roles as the title character in the first two RoboCop films and Buckaroo Banzai in the cult classic The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension. He received an Academy Award nomination for his direction for the 1993 short Partners, in which he also acted. He also hosted the show Engineering an Empire on the History Channel. He played Stan Liddy in the 5th season of the Showtime original series Dexter.

Weller’s stage career began in the 1970s with appearances on Broadway in Full Circle, directed by Otto Preminger, and Summer Brave, William Inge‘s rewrite of his play Picnic. About this time, he became a member of the famed Actors Studio.[4]

On the set of Firstborn, Corey Haim‘s first day of shooting was with Weller, and he went up to compliment the older actor on his performance. Weller collared Haim, throwing him up against a wall viciously warning him not to speak to him after a take, and it took three assistants to separate them. Haim later admitted that he was terrified by the experience.[5]

He has appeared in more than 50 films and television series, including turns as the title characters in the cult classic The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension, and blockbuster hits RoboCop and RoboCop 2.[6] He has also appeared in such critically acclaimed films as Woody Allen‘s Mighty Aphrodite, the Oliver Stone-produced The New Age and Naked Lunch. In a 1977 episode of the television series Lou Grant, he plays Oberster SA-Führer Donald Sterner/Stryker, a tragically disillusioned Jewish-American Neo-Nazi leader who later committed suicide off-screen with his Colt 45 near the end of the episode when his heritage was discovered.

In 1995, he appeared in Screamers, a science-fiction film based on the short story “Second Variety” by Philip K. Dick and directed by Christian Duguay. Duguay would later direct Weller in the 2005–2007 television series Engineering an Empire for the History Channel, which Weller hosted.

On television, he played the shuttle captain in the short-lived series Odyssey 5 and made guest appearances as Terran supremacist John Frederick Paxton in the Star Trek: Enterprise episodes “Demons“, “Terra Prime” and in Fringe as the character Alistair Peck.

Weller has also directed various projects for television, including episodes of Homicide: Life on the Street, Monk and three episodes of the aforementioned Odyssey 5. He directed a 1997 adaptation of Elmore Leonard‘s Gold Coast starring David Caruso and Marg Helgenberger after previously starring in a version of Leonard’s thriller Cat Chaser. He directed Episode 3 of Season 4, titled “Dorylus” (air date 9/20/11), of the series Sons of Anarchy.

Weller is a contributor to the History Channel in several productions, credited as “Peter Weller, Syracuse University“, where he is an adjunct faculty member. He is a graduate student in art history at UCLA, focusing on the Italian Renaissance. Weller also hosts the series Engineering an Empire for the network.

In 2005, Weller co-starred as the Captain in a made-for-television remake of The Poseidon Adventure.

In 2006, Weller joined the cast of 24 as terrorist collaborator Christopher Henderson.[7] Weller received a “cheer” in TV Guides “Cheers & Jeers” section for his performance. In December 2006, Weller starred as architect Frank Lloyd Wright at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre in Frank’s Home, a new play by Richard Nelson.

On January 15, 2010, Weller was seen in a teaser trailer for the companion documentary God of War: Unearthing the Legend that was featured in the game God of War III which Weller also hosted.[8]

On April 15, 2010, Weller guest-starred in an episode of the science fiction drama Fringe. Weller stars in a guest role on the Showtime original series Dexter.[9] Weller also had a guest appearance in the December 22, 2010 episode of Psych; where he played villain “Yin”[10]

Peter Weller IMDB Page

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Thanks to GBK Productions – Gavin and his great staff. As always you host the best.

Stefano Langone Working On His Album

Stefano Langone talks to us about his new album and his support for cancer research at GBK Gifting Suite for the American Music Awards

Stefano Langone talks to us about his new album and his support for cancer research.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fT-LqkaqM6g]

Listen to Stefano Langone’s New Single “I’m On A Roll

I caught Stefano Langone at the GBK Celebrity Gifting Suite for the American Music Awards. Stefano was a wonderful interview, mainly because I forgot to turn on RECORD for our interview and though he was really busy, he re-recorded the whole interview for me.

Stefano talks about working on his album set to release sometime in May of 2012 and about his support of the environment and cancer research.

Stefano thanks for everything. Can’t wait to hear the new album. – JW

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Stefano LangoneStefano Langone

From Wikipedia

Langone was born on February 27, 1989 in Bellevue, Washington to Carrie and Ernie Langone.[1] He is half Spanish and half Italian.[2] His father works as a career advisor at The Art Institute of Seattle and is also a singer and musician.[1][3] Langone has been singing and playing the piano since childhood. He attended Emerald Park Elementary School, Meridian Junior High, and Kentwood High School, as well as Bellevue College, where he was given a full ride scholarship.[4] He performed with Bellevue College’s ‘Celebration!’ vocal jazz ensemble while he was a student there.[5]

On May 28, 2009, he was involved in a near-fatal accident after being hit by a drunk driver.[6] The accident resulted in two broken arms, a fractured pelvis, and other serious injuries. In addition, Langone had to re-learn to walk and has extensive scarring as a result of the accident.[7]

Post Idol

Following his elimination, Langone appeared on several talk shows. He appeared on Live with Regis and Kelly on April 25, 2011, as well as The Today Show on April 26, 2011. In addition, Langone appeared on The Rachael Ray Show along with Paul McDonald and Pia Toscano on May 25, 2011.[10]

The following summer, Langone toured with the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2011, which began in West Valley City, Utah on July 6, 2011 and ended in Manila, Philippines on September 21, 2011.

On September 24, 2011, Langone sang the National Anthem at the Western Hockey League game opener between the Seattle Thunderbirds and Portland Winterhawks. On September 26, 2011, Langone and James Durbin appeared on Dr. Drew‘s “Lifechangers” TV Talk show.

As of October 9, 2011, Langone has officially moved to Los Angeles to begin a music career. Langone is currently being managed by 19 Entertainment.[11]

While recording for his upcoming debut album, Langone has performed at several events. On October 15, 2011, Langone performed at Eva Longoria’s Charity Padres El Cancer in Las Vegas.[12] On November 24, 2011, Langone performed at the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade. On December 4, 2011, Langone performed at Trevor Live, an event benefiting The Trevor Project.

album stefano yes to loveStefano’s New Song

button amazon buy from 02button buy from itunesYes To Love

Check out Stefano’s newest song on Amazon or Itunes or go to Vevo to watch the video or…..

 

 

logo stand up to cancer su2cStand Up To Cancer

Since our launch in 2008, we’ve been amazed by the outpouring of generosity and hope from the ever-growing SU2C community. You’ve shared your stories. You’ve launched stars in honor of loved ones. You’ve sent letters to Congress. You’ve spread the word to friends and family. You joined us for our second, commercial-free telecast on September 10, 2010 and, most importantly, pledged over $80 million to accelerate ground-breaking research and bring new treatments to patients as quickly as possible.

We’ve all come together — from patients to clinicians, from advocates to lawmakers, from children to teenagers to parents and parents of parents — in support of one cause: finding a cure for cancer. We can’t thank you enough for making Stand Up To Cancer what it is today. This is where the end of cancer begins

To learn more about the people behind SU2C, visit the links below.

  • Co-Founders
  • Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF)
  • SU2C Team
  • Why We’re Different
  • The Science

 

 

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Thanks to GBK Productions – Gavin and his great staff. As always you host the best.

Gavin Keilly GBK Productions Gift Suite for the American Music Awards

Gavin Keilly CEO of GBK Productions Hosts a Gifting Suite for the American Music Awards

Gavin Keilly talks with us about GBK Productions, Gifting Suites and Celebrity Product Promotions.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZ5ZN-EJRFc]

Celebrity Gifting Suites. You may have heard about them. Celebrities get to go to them to collect bags full of cool gifts from companies who want celebs and stars to use and promote their stuff.  The vendors and stars, plus some great charities really benefit.

GBK is one of the biggest and best; come and meet the guy that makes it all happen.

I have been covering gifting suites for a very short time, but have learned that they are a great way for companies with products 0r services to promote, get many celebrities to stand with their product, get pictures, press and incredible media exposure.

My first gifting suite was GBK and though I have done a few others now, I will fondly remember Gavin’s as my first.

Gavin is a gracious, warm and caring guy that puts on some of the best events in Hollywood. Check out www.GBKProductions.com and check out the events his company has produced. Very impressive.

The best part is that Gavin and GBK work hard to honor many wonderful non-profit causes at his events.

Gavin I thank you for inviting me to cover your events and I wish you a wonderful new year. – JW

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GBK Productions

GBK Productions is a Marketing, Public Relations, Fundraising and Special Events company dedicated to providing high quality, tailor-made service to its individual clients. GBK is known for integrating the Entertainment, Luxury Consumer Products and Non-Profit industries to create unique and memorable high-profile experiences that maximize its clients’ brand-building efforts.

Formed in 2000 by Gavin Keilly, the company’s Founder and CEO, GBK consists of five divisions: GBK Celebrity Gifting, GBK Event Production, GBK Weddings, GBK Charitable Consulting and GBK Marketing/Public Relations. Though separate, each entity is interconnected allowing clients/brands a full range of marketing services and benefits.

Gavin Keilly GBK ProductionsGavin Keilly

Gavin Keilly is the CEO and founder of GBK Productions, (www.GBKProductions.com), and parent companies GBK Weddings and GBK Public Relations.  Gavin, a Southern California native, organizes special events for the entertainment industry, the non-profit sector and is renowned for his celebrity gift suites.

The ultimate specialist, Gavin’s superlative skills are vital to ensure the success of an event. Personally involved in each function, he utilizes a holistic method to discern and design each unique client’s vision.  Stunning and imaginative affairs are Gavin’s forte with the added value of savvy vendor negotiating with caterers, sound engineers, venue reps, rental companies and printers.

Past clients include: ABC Studios, City of Hope, Elton John AIDS Foundation, EXTRA TV, Global Peace Initiative at the United Nations, Hollywood Jazz Festival, Jurlique Spa, MTV Studios, Paramount Pictures, So the World May Hear, Showtime, Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Foundation, Steve Harvey Show, Tribute to Jerry Lewis, Telepicture and more.

GBK has won multiple awards from Biz Bash for the Best Gift Suite, and Gavin was honored as Humanitarian-of-the-Year for his ongoing philanthropic efforts.

GBK Productions
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Thanks to GBK Productions – Gavin and his great staff. As always you host the best.

Javier Colon 2011 Winner of “The Voice” at GBK Gifting Suite for the AMAs

Javier Colon Talks to Us About His New Album and What Causes He Supports

Javier Colon talks about his newly released album Come Though for You and about his support of cancer awareness and research.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKI5EXVMHVo]

Javier Colon fresh off his video shoot spoke with me at the GBK Gifting Suites at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA.
Javier was recently the winner of the new hit show “The Voice“, which I really loved watching. In my mind Javier was the easy winner.
I also took a minute to check out the new album and it is really good. One person on iTunes commented, it is not for everybody and I agree. It is for great music lovers. If you are not one, then you can forget this gem.
OK, Here’s The Truth (Pun Intended), I liked all the songs. Not often I can say that.
All the celebrities are rushed through the interviews by their handlers very quickly so I really appreciate that Javier took his time and answered my questions thoroughly and thoughtfully – JW

Javier ColonJavier ColoN

Javier Colon has a lot of heart.

In fact, that heart is precisely why he captivated America as winner of the inaugural season of NBC’s hit television show, The Voice. It’s why he never gave up on his dream of a career in music even in the face of numerous setbacks and what seemed like endless adversity. It’s why every time he writes a song, it strikes a chord. It’s also why when the world hears his forthcoming 2011 debut album, Come Through For You, on Universal Republic Records, they will feel it.

Colon is no stranger to the music business. After touring with The Derek Trucks Band for two years, he released two major label albums via Capital Records—Javier in 2003 and Left of Center in 2006. Both releases illustrated a daring creativity that expanded beyond the confines of pop music, while still retaining an undeniable sense of melody. He already began to stand out as he carved the foundation for his self-dubbed, “acoustic soul” style.

Colon eventually split with Capitol and released The Truth – Acoustic EP on his own label, Javier Colon Music, in 2010. After a decade, he’d already experienced the road, dealt with the struggles of trying to excel on a competitive and crowded major label roster, and faced the challenges of promoting his music independently. In a sense, he’d seen it all and could’ve thrown in the towel. He wasn’t going to stop though.

Notified of the chance to audition for The Voice in early 2011, Colon took the opportunity. He’d been fighting for another record deal for five years to no avail and wasn’t sure about what the next step would be. Almost canceling the audition due to other show commitments, he decided to go anyway.

“I’m glad I went because The Voice was the best thing that’s happened up to this point in my career,” smiles Colon. “I really try to put everything I am into my songs and performances. I never expect anything, and winning was a shock. I was one-hundred percent happy that I’d simply gotten to the final four contestants. When Carson Daly announced I was the winner, I was elated and I couldn’t believe it. I’m very thankful.”

Original song and debut single “Stitch By Stitch” not only clenched the top prize on The Voice for Colon, but it also became something of a phenomenon. During the first week of its digital release, the song exceeded sales of 145,000 and peaked at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Colon even performed “Stitch By Stitch” on the Tonight Show With Jay Leno. With its lilting acoustic guitar and Colon’s palpable, powerful delivery, it’s an honest and heartfelt ballad.

“Stitch By Stitch” is only one thread of Colon’s debut. He began writing songs for the record in July 2011, and he dove deep inside himself. The next single, “As Long As We Got Love” featuring Natasha Bedingfield, sees Colon expanding even further as a songwriter. On this irresistible duet, the singers’ voices intertwine in a hypnotic harmony that’s simply unforgettable.

Colon’s been up for it since he first discovered music as a kid growing up in Connecticut. His father was a DJ at a local radio station, so there was always music playing at home. “From an early age, I’d start mimicking the singers I’d hear on the radio,” he recalls. “With encouragement from my mom and a few teachers, I started performing at school. After that, I wanted to be all over anything that had to do with music.”

In addition, Colon writes his own music, constantly keeping himself open to inspiration. A family man, he keeps his wife and daughters close to his heart at all times often writing about them. He continues, “I connect emotionally to the songs I write, especially if they have anything to do with my wife or my little girls. As a result, music can happen at any time. I’ve had instances where I’ll wake up in the middle of the night with two full verses of lyrics that I hardly even have to think about. I hope people connect to that.

“When they get a chance to hear Come Through For You, they’ll undoubtedly connect. Colon isn’t simply following anyone else’s path either; he’s making his own way. “My influences range from James Taylor to James Brown,” Colon adds. “I approach pop from a singer-songwriter’s perspective, and I try to infuse soul into that style.

“With a fresh take on pop, soul, and acoustic music, Javier’s journey starts with the release of Come Through For You. He concludes, “I hope the album takes people on my journey through all of the trials and tribulations we’ve made it through together. It’s definitely important that the songs move people.”

Javier Colon’s Homepage
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Thanks to GBK Productions – Gavin and his great staff. As always you host the best.

Skylar Grey at GBK Gifting Suite for the AMAs

Skylar Grey Talks to Us About What Causes She Supports

Skylar Grey tells about her tattoo, supporting saving whales and her support of Elton John’s Aids Foundation and Stand Up to Cancer.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7mFsuBekwA]

I got a minute to talk with Skylar Grey at the GBK Gifting Suites at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA.
I so wish I would have had more time. I love Skylar’s music. I first Googled her after hearing the Eminem, Dr Dre tune I Need a Doctor and so wanted to find out who sung that part. Though I like a lot of it, I am not the biggest Hip-Hop or Rap fan, but I did love the singing in that song.
I also love her rendition of I Love The Way You Lie, much better than Rhianna’s. No dis to Rhianna, love her too.
I understand that Eminem did fight for her to sing the vocal on I need a doctor and if you want to hear more great music from Skylar you need to listen to her single Invisible (spelled weird meaning invincible). Sade pronounces her name “Shar-Day” so why not.
Skylar, hopefully I will get another chance to do an interview with more meaning and depth, but I really loved meeting you – JW

Skyler GreySkyler Grey

Skylar Grey, who just signed with Interscope Records, following a production deal with producer/songwriter Alex Da Kid for his Wonderland Music imprint is currently in the studio with Alex Da Kid writing and recording her debut album for Wonderland Music/Interscope Records, for which she intends to release the lead-off single this spring.

Most recently, Grey earned two 2011 Grammy Award nominations including “Song of the Year” for her collaboration to “Love the Way You Lie” and performed “I Need A Doctor” alongside Eminem and Dr. Dre at this year’s GRAMMY Award ceremony.  Initially, Grey made a name for herself as a songwriter with such  high-profile collaborations as “Love The Way You Lie” (Eminem), “I Need A Doctor” (Dr. Dre), “Words I Never Said” (Lupe Fiasco), and “Castle Walls” (T.I.), Grey was also featured as a vocalist on “Love the Way You Lie,” “Doctor,” and “Words.”

“Getting to perform on television with Eminem and Dr. Dre still doesn’t feel real to me and now to perform with Diddy-Dirty Money in the course of a month is unreal,” said Grey.  “I’m really excited about the opportunity to perform on Idol.  It’s incredible to have all of this leading into my album coming this year – I am so fortunate.”

For Full Bio Go to Wikipedia

Skylar Grey (born February 23, 1986 as Holly Brook Hafermann) is a Grammy-nominated American multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Grey was signed to Machine Shop Recordings under the name Holly Brook. She released her debut album as Holly Brook, Like Blood Like Honey, in 2006. She co-wrote the three versions of “Love the Way You Lie” with Alex da Kid, who signed her to his Wonderland Music label. She was featured as a guest vocalist on Fort Minor‘s “Where’d You Go” and “Be Somebody”, Diddy-Dirty Money‘s “Coming Home“, Dr. Dre‘s “I Need a Doctor” and Lupe Fiasco‘s “Words I Never Said“.

Invisible Video
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVVrT_wNw_Y]

I Like the Way You Lie
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGVGove7IsI]

I Need a Doctor Video [Explicit Lyrics]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA770wpLX-Q]

Skylar Grey’s Homepage
Skylar Grey’s Blog

Skylar Grey Love Fansite

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Thanks to GBK Productions – Gavin and his great staff. As always you host the best.

Cymphonique Miller Talks About Inspiring Women and Girls

Cymphonique Miller Talks About Inspiring Women and Girls At The BraveHeart Women Awards

Cymphonique talks about The FAbulous Girls Charity helping cancer awarness in young women and BYou clothing lines that supports raising self esteem in young women.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo8cV9hmCx8]

While covering the Braveheart Women’s Award Ceremonies we got the chance to talk to rising Disney and Nickelodeon Star Cymphonique.
Her father is the well known Master P and her brother is Romeo Miller, both recently stars of Dancing With The Stars.
Cymphonique talks about her work inspiring young women to be their best. Thanks Cymphonique – JW

CymphoniqueCymphonique

Cymphonique, a Los Angeles native, is Hollywood’s next teen phenomenon. Currently, she is filming her own television show How To Rock on Nickelodeon. In addition to appearing in numerous national commercials, PSA’s, and MadTV, Cymphonique has guest starred on Nickelodeon shows Big Time Rush, True Jackson VP, Just Jordan and The Troop. Her phenomenal acting skills have landed her the lead role in the feature film Scarecrow Joe and a guest-starring role on the feature film, Opposite Day. In addition, Cymphonique has performed on countless national school tours and theme parks across the country. Moreover, she provides the voices of ‘Nova’ & ‘Krystal’ on the animation cartoon, Winx, and singsthe show’s theme song.  Also she provides the voice of ‘Holly’ on Phineas & Ferb.

Cymphonique has made a name for herself. She is a writer, singer and actress.  She has built a diverse R&B, Pop and Hip Hop fan base online and created her own brand and identity, accruing over 20 million views before landing a deal with Nickelodeon.  At only 14, the No Limit Forever Music recording artist and vocalist has already been compared to the likes of Beyonce, Rihanna, and Mariah Carey.

In addition to her professional career as a multi-faceted entertainer, Cymphonique’s special skills are competitive kickboxing, swimming, drawing, and playing the piano. While committed to upholding her honor student status, she is inspired by her passion to help others, she has created a book series to empower young girls called Fabulous Girls, and founded Fabulous Girls Charity to help bring awareness to kids with cancer. She is also the founder and President of Fabulous Girls clothing and spokesperson for a girls’ empowerment company BYOU, ‘Be Your Own You’.  Currently, she is building a performing arts school with Urban Born Foundation.

Cymphonique’s Home Page
BYOU Homepage
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BraveHeart Women

Chaka Khan at GBK for the American Music Awards

Chaka Khan Legendary Singer and Composer, 10 Time Grammy Winner at GBK for the American Music Awards

Chaka Khan talks to us about her two foundations and the causes she supports.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18J_AWzys5s]

While covering the GBK Gifting Suite for the American Music Awards at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills. Chaka Khan talked to us about her two foundations.

Chaka has supported Autism in the past and now is helping kids and the troubled in New Orleans.

It is not over in New Orleans, as the country got hit with with one of the worst economic breakdowns of all time, New Orleans was not quite over the devastating blow it took from hurricane Katrina.

As a past resident of New Orleans myself, I have a special place in my heart for that wonderful city. Thank you Chaka for all you do. – JW

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Chaka Khan

From Wikipedia

Chaka Khan (born Yvette Marie Stevens; March 23, 1953), frequently known as the Queen of Funk, is a 10-time Grammy Award winning American singer and composer who gained fame in the 1970s as the frontwoman and focal point of the funk band Rufus. While still a member of the group in 1978, Khan embarked on a successful solo career. Her signature hits, both with Rufus and as a solo performer, include “Tell Me Something Good“, “Sweet Thing“, “Ain’t Nobody“, “I’m Every Woman“, “I Feel for You” and “Through the Fire“.

Chaka Khan’s Home Page
Chaka Khan’s Foundation

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Thanks to GBK Productions – Gavin and his great staff. As always you host the best.

Billy Gibbons at GBK for the American Music Awards

Billy Gibbons Legendary Guitarist and Singer of ZZ Top at GBK for the American Music Awards

Billy takes a moment to talk to us about his causes and how we all need to help by finding a cause that resonates with you.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpMtZVWY7Mg]

Recently I got the chance to cover the GBK Gifting Suite for the American Music Awards at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills. Billy Gibbons took a minute of his time while supporting the vendors and causes, to tell us what he thought about helping out.

ZZ Top has always been one of my favorite bands as I love their unique Texas Radio sound and as a guitarist myself, I always was in awe of how a three piece always sounded so good. As a lead guitarist it is always hard to not have the bottom fall out of the tune without a rhythm guitarist.

From their long beards, great guitars, cool sound and cool moves, ZZ Top is a class act. Thanks Billy- JW

billy gibbonsBilly Gibbons

From Wikipedia

William Frederick “Billy” Gibbons (born December 16, 1949) is an American musician, actor and car customizer, best known as the guitarist of the Texas blues-rock band ZZ Top. He is also the lead singer and composer for many of the band’s songs. Gibbons is known for playing his Gretsch Billy Bo guitar and his famous 1959 Gibson Les Paul guitar known as Pearly Gates. Gibbons has a Bass vocal range, spanning E♭1 to E♭5, one of the widest ranges in Rock. He is noted for using an old five pesos Mexican coin as a guitar pick and uses many pinch harmonics in his solos.

ZZ Top is Frank Beard, Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill

ZZ Top’s Home Page
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Thanks to GBK Productions – Gavin and his great staff. As always you host the best.