Look To The Stars News: Norman Lear

Jessica Alba Wants You To Declare Yourself

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Actress Jessica Alba has appeared in a new advertisement and public service announcement aimed at energizing young adults to register and vote in the 2008 US election.

The 27-year-old actress – who appears in the adverts naked and wrapped in black electrical tape – is part of the “Only You Can Silence Yourself” campaign being run by Declare Yourself, a non-profit organization initiated in 2004 to energize and empower a new movement of young voters.

“If you don’t register and vote and make a difference, and hopefully change the bad things that are happening in our country, you are essentially just binding and muzzling yourself,“ she said. “I really don’t see the point in not registering to vote. We sign up for MySpace pages and Facebook pages, and download music off the internet. The least people can do is register to vote online, actually making a difference in their world, not just making their lives a little bit cooler. It makes more sense to spend your time making a change in society—and it actually doesn’t take that much time! It takes more time to make a music playlist than it does to register to vote.”

According to their website, Declare Yourself registered over one million young people in the 2004 and 2006 elections. Founded by television producer and philanthropist Norman Lear, the campaign has gathered support from a wide range of stars, including Ben Affleck, Christina Aguilera, Scarlett Johansson, Drew Barrymore and many more. Declare Yourself aims to empower and encourage every eligible 18-year-old in America to register and vote in the presidential primaries and 2008 presidential election, using the power of media partnerships, celebrity spokespeople, the sports arena, and mobile and Internet technology.

Celebrities Gather For Global Green Pre-Oscar Party

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:23:10 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Celebrities, artists, actors, industry executives, and environmentalists joined Global Green USA CEO Matt Petersen for the 5th Annual Global Green Pre-Oscar Party last Wednesday, February 20, at the Avalon Nightclub in Hollywood.

The theme of this year’s event was “Time To Act: Reduce your Carbon Footprint today: Drive Green, Live Green, Vote Green”. The evening, emceed by HBO’s ‘Real Time’ host Bill Maher, raised $420,000 to benefit Global Green’s climate change initiatives, which include the green rebuilding of New Orleans.

“There are a lot of people in this town who talk a lot about (the issue), but these guys (Global Green) are actually doing something,” said Maher, who arrived at the event in a hybrid SUV.
Special performances by Grammy Nominated artist Michelle Branch, Oscar nominated artists Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, as well as Damien Rice and Michael Franti, were among the night’s highlights.

Salma Hayek, who serves on the local Global Green board, showed her support and said she is more focused on environmental initiatives since becoming a mother last September.

“I get a bigger fear of what kind of world she’s going to live in,” said Hayek on her way into the party. “Is she going to run out of water? What kind of water is she going to drink? It’s really scary and it’s not that far away if we don’t do something about it.”

Other celebrity supporters in attendance included Oliver Stone, Entourage actor Adrian Grenier, Sophia Bush, actress Dana Delany, Las Vegas star Molly Sims, Josie Maran, Mia Maestro, actor Christian Slater, Governor Bill Richardson, Radha Mitchell, Lost actor Ian Somerhalder, actor-turned-model Jason Lewis, Alexis Arquette, Eric Mabius, Anna Getty, Bahar Soomekh, Tate Donovan, Esai Morales, Norman Lear, Julie Benz, Kevin Weisman, Lady Victoria Hervey, Leonor Varela, Mark DeCarlo, Tamara Mellon, Q’orianka Kilcher, Vanessa Branch, Walton Goggins, Elisabeth Rohm, Tia Carrere, Taylor Dayne, Thomas Ian Nicholas, and Kenneth Johnson.

This election year, Global Green USA used the party to highlight their 2008 message of “Drive Green. Live Green. Vote Green.”

“Our homes and transportation represent the biggest opportunities to reduce our carbon footprint – but the most important thing to green this year is our vote,” said Global Green CEO Matt Petersen. “The next President of the United States has the power to solve the climate crisis; they will only be successful if the public – and the media – demand action on climate change.”

ANSA Shakes the Blues With Stars in Los Angeles

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 08:42:33 -0000

On Thursday, November 15, 2007, Artists for a New South Africa (ANSA) will host “Shaking The Blues,” a star-studded benefit, at The Wiltern in Los Angeles. The evening combines the power of music and activism to shake off our blues – from the personal to the global – and make a difference in the world. The event will feature blues-influenced musical artists as well as a multi-cultural array of renowned entertainers who are donating their time and talents to the fight against HIV/AIDS in the US and Africa.

The event begins with a pre-show cocktail party for major donors at 6 PM. Shaking The Blues performances start at 7:45, immediately followed by a VIP after-party. Those confirmed to appear include Erykah Badu, Nikka Costa, Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal Trio and The Roots, with Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson serving as the event’s musical director. Additional highlights include appearances by George Lopez, Jurnee Smollett, Blair Underwood and other special guest stars soon to be announced.

Shaking The Blues, which continues ANSA’s tradition of presenting one unique and extraordinary major fundraiser annually, is chaired by Dianna Cohen & Jackson Browne, Myrna Colley-Lee & Morgan Freeman, LaTanya Richardson Jackson & Samuel L. Jackson, Ann & George Lopez, Deborah Santana, Alfre Woodard & Roderick Spencer and Keisha Nash-Whitaker & Forest Whitaker Host committee members include J.J. Abrams, Gillian Anderson, Johnny Clegg, Danny Glover, Dulé Hill, Quincy Jones, Norman Lear, Lebo M, Alexandra Paul, Chris Rock, Cicely Tyson, Blair Underwood, Alice Walker, Denzel Washington and other luminaries.

“Last year, ANSA was honored to host the 75th birthday celebration for our dear friend and advisor Archbishop Desmond Tutu said ANSA’s Executive Director Sharon Gelman. “He embodies the belief that justice and love will ultimately triumph and maintains a remarkable sense of humor, even in the face of enormous challenges. It is activists like him who inspire us to shake off the blues and take action to fix our world. That’s the spirit of Shaking the Blues, which promises to be one of ANSA’s best events ever.”

Proceeds from the event will support ANSA’s work in the US and Africa. ANSA will also donate a portion of the proceeds to the Treatment Action Campaign, the grassroots organization that is at the forefront of South Africa’s fight against AIDS.

Tickets range from $45 to $100, and are available through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com and (213) 480-3232. For major donor and VIP tickets, ranging from $250 to $75,000, contact Blue Room Events: (310) 491-1401.

A Shaking The Blues online auction of one-of-a-kind items and experiences from President Bill Clinton, Denzel Washington, J.J. Abrams, Dulé Hill, and many others, launched October 29 at www.charityfolks.com/ansa.

ANSA is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization working to combat HIV/AIDS, safeguard voting rights and democracy, advance human rights and equality, and assist and empower AIDS orphans and other at-risk youth. By working in partnership with effective grassroots organizations and pivotal movements on the frontlines of these issues, ANSA makes a substantial difference. Founded in 1989 to support South Africa’s quest to end apartheid and build a new democracy, ANSA is now dedicated to eradicating social and health inequities that are the legacies of apartheid, segregation, and generations of poverty. In the past decade alone, ANSA has raised $9 million for effective African programs, shipped 70 tons of medical supplies and books to impoverished communities, and educated millions of adults and young people in the US, South Africa, and across the African continent about HIV/AIDS and voting rights. For more information go to www.ansafrica.org

Look To The Stars News: Norman Lear

Jessica Alba Wants You To Declare Yourself

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