Look To The Stars News: Mimi Rogers

Stars Play Poker For Children's Institute

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Celebrities and other high profile guests will wage their bets on Saturday afternoon, October 17, 2009, at the Commerce Casino, in support of Children’s Institute, Inc.’s (CII) work with children who are affected by violence, abuse and other trauma.

Top players have a chance to win several top prizes, including $5,000 in cash, a 2010 World Poker Tour Celebrity Invitational Tournament Seat (valued at $25,000), or a business class personal computer system.

A host of stars will attend, including Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actress Camryn Manheim, who will act as host of CII’s “First Annual Celebrity Poker Tournament”. Also attending are Brandon Beemer, Maria Bello, Dean Cain, Kevin Davitian, Tony Denison, Joely Fisher, Willie Garson, Jennie Garth, Kelli Gates, Nicholas Gonzalez, Neil Patrick Harris, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Cheryl Hines, Jamie Kennedy, Ricki Lake, Kevin Nealon, Mekhi Phifer, Kevin Rahm, Mimi Rogers, J.K. Simmons, Jon Tenney, Alison Sweeney, Greg Vaughn, Tuc Watkins, Brian White, Jay Wilkison and Susan Yeagley.

The event will take place at Commerce Casino, 6131 Telegraph Road, Commerce, California.

Children’s Institute, Inc. helps children who have been affected by violence in their homes or communities. Since 1906, CII has served at-risk children and families in some of Los Angeles’ most devastated neighborhoods. CII provides healing and support so that traumatized children can recover and lead healthy lives. They lead children away from tragic outcomes and on a path toward opportunity and achievement.

‘Queen of Hearts’ Raise Awareness for Nevada Cancer Institute

Tue, 20 May 2008 10:12:17 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

A phenomenal cast of women are again taking part in this years World Series of Poker $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em to raise awareness and funds for the Nevada Cancer Institute, the official charity of the WSOP.

Founded by renowned marketing guru Lisa Tenner, the ‘Queens of Hearts’ team has pledged more than $10,000 to the Nevada Cancer Institute. Celebrity author Jackie Collins, though not playing, will serve as Honorary Captain and announce the start of the event.

This year’s star-studded Queen of Hearts team includes Joely Fisher, Teri Hatcher, Cheryl Hines, Camryn Manheim, and Mindy McCready, with Mimi Rogers acting as team co-captain, and Jackie Collins as honorary captain. Poker professional taking part in the three-day tournament, which kick-offs June 8, 2008 at the Rio All Suites Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, includes Susie Isaacs (two-time Ladies event winner), Linda Johnson, Mary Jones (2006 Ladies event champion), Shawnee Barton, Sally Ann Boyer (2007 defending champion), Pamela Brunson, Barbara Enright (two-time Ladies event winner), Maureen Feduniak and Clonie Gowen.

“This event has grown remarkably over the last five years and is now one of the most anticipated events of the 55-event World Series of Poker,” said Jeffrey Pollack, World Series of Poker commissioner. “With leadership from the Queens of Heart for the third year in a row, we’re confident the atmosphere and play will be fun and exciting.”  

The 39th Annual World Series of Poker will take place from May 30th to July 14th at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

Stars Take A Gamble At Charity Poker Tournament

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 13:01:58 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Look To The Stars reporter Delinda Lombardo recently attended the star-studded World Poker Tour Invitational in Los Angeles and caught up with some of the celebrities involved.

On March 1-3, celebrities and poker professionals hit the felt for the 6th Annual World Poker Tour Invitational at Commerce Casino in Los Angeles. More than 100 celebrities were invited to compete for a seat in the WPT Championships while raising money for charity, including a side pot worth nearly $30,000 that went entirely to charity in the names of the final 13 celebrities in the field. The three title charities of the event, guaranteed to receive at least $2,500 each, were Soles United, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and Harbor Private Funds.

Poker professionals, including Phil Laak, Shawn Sheikhan, Allen Kessler, Kathy Liebert, Jennifer Tilly, Billy Baxter, David Pham, Kenny Tran, and Antonio Esfandiari (who was just named the official spokesperson for the WPT) flocked to the highly successful event, which is now in its sixth year.

Actor James Woods has already established himself as one of the ‘best celebrity’ poker players out there. After losing his brother to a stroke in 2006, it came as no surprise that he plays for the American Stroke Association Charity.

“I’m playing for my brother,” he told me.

Lakers owner Jerry Buss was also playing cards, but it was Lakers forward Ronnie Turiaf who came out a winner. Turiaf has been coping with a heart aliment that didn’t seem to stop him from making the best of it.

“I’m feeling good,” he said. “You know, things happen for a reason, and I just try to make the best of it. God tests us all in different ways.”

And part of this ‘test’ includes corroboration with NBA player/poet/humanitarian Etan Thomas. Thomas recently underwent open-heart surgery. When I asked Turiaf what charity he was playing for, he dropped the bomb on me:

“Right now, I’m working on putting together something with Etan Thomas so we can help others going through the same thing,” he said. “Etan and I talked about it when I went to Washington, my part is going to be here and his part will probably be in Washington. We’re hoping to have it established later this year.”

The name of his foundation – Heart to Heart.

“You know, heart to heart,” he said with his hand over his heart. “As in my heart and his heart, and our hearts reaching out to others.”

Another celebrity taking the time to discuss his charitable efforts was actor Nicholas Gonzalez (Undressed). Gonzalez plays poker on a regular basis, but was much more interested in promoting his charity than his poker skills. Gonzalez was playing for Friends of El Faro, an organization that helps needy kids and families in Tijuana, with celebrities making routine visits across the border into Mexico. When asked about his role, he was quick to take the attention off himself.

“You know, it’s a great cause that I’ve been working with for a while,” he said. “One of the biggest proponents of El Faro is [”Molly Sims":http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/1062-molly-sims], who has a contract with Cover Girl. They even supported her work, went down there and talked to the younger girls, made up their faces and took pictures. Also Shannon Elizabeth, Adam Rodriguez, and especially Sharon Lawrence, who has been a really huge supporter – there’s a lot of celebrity friends. We used to have big gala every year in Hollywood that’s very well attended, but really, like I said it’s about getting down there, it’s not about who anybody is, it’s about spending time with the kids. We do everything from build playgrounds, to rebuilding kitchens, to knocking down walls – that kind of thing. "

Also on the red carpet was actor Justin Henry (The Junior Defenders), sitting in for actor Heath Ledger, who recently passed away. When asked about his charity, Henry simply stated “I’m playing for Heath.”

Numb3rs actor Will Wheaton walked the Red Carpet while commenting on his Curious George doll, “My son gave it to me for good luck.”

Actor John Hawkes (American Gangster, Deadwood) was knocked out of the poker tournament early on, so I spent some time chatting with him about his charity efforts. Had he not been eliminated, his winnings were earmarked to help save a few animals.

“I love animals,” he said. “So I would have given it all to support Friends of Animals in Utah, they do really great work and are a worthwhile cause that really I believe in.”

Hawkes in also involved with the 1-Second Film Project, a non-profit collaborative film that anyone can be part of. Hawkes is listed as one of the celebrity producers, along with Brett Ratner, Spike Jonez, and Kiefer Sutherland, who are raising money while creating the Worlds Biggest Short Film. All profits raised by the finished film will be donated to the Global Fund for Women.

Tom Everett Scott (Cashmere Mafia, Saved) was playing for a cause close to his heart.

“I’m playing for autism” he said prior to the tournament. “It runs in my family so it’s really important for me to personally get involved.”

Brian Baumgartner (The Office) was there to help raise money for those writers who were affected by the writers strike.

“I’m playing for the Motion Picture and Television Fund for the below the line workers that were affected by the writers strike,” he commented. “Its really an important organization that does a great deal of good work.”

Other celebrities in attendance included Mimi Rogers, who was playing for the Dream Foundation, actor Dwayne Adway (Into the Blue_), who was very proud to support the Creative Coalition, and James Kyson Lee (_Heroes) who has been inspired to start his own foundation.

“I’m just getting it established” Lee happily stated. “Im really excited about being able to help others and give back, I’d like to help the children in some way.”

Other celebrities in attendance included actor Don Cheadle, Meat Loaf, Ryan Stiles (Drew Carey Show_), Donnie Wahlberg (Kill Point_), Mekhi Phifer (E.R_.), Eric Paladino (E.R.), Jonathon Schaech (Prom Night_), Joshua LeBar (Entourage_), Joshua Morrow (Young and the Restless_), Lukas Haas (Death in Love_), comedian Doug Benson, Camryn Manheim (Ghost Whisperer_), Louis Lombardi (Sopranos, 24_), Jeremy Sisto (_Law & Order, Six Feet Under), Andy Milner (Weeds), Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad), Michael Vartan (Big Shots, Never Been Kissed), Ron Livingston (The Time Traveler’s Wife), Tia Carrere, and Andy Hirsh (Big Love).

Congratulations to the winner of the event, Van Nguyen, who became the first female in history to win a mixed WPT tournament. She is married to poker pro Men ’The Master" Nguyen.

Coffee and Cookies to Cure Cancer

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:28:19 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Nonni’s Biscotti, maker of traditional Italian biscotti, has taken up cause with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists. Nonni’s will auction over 50 coffee mugs, each autographed by a different celebrity, and donate the total proceeds to Komen for the Cure.

Celebrities such as Andie MacDowell, Mimi Rogers, Jennifer Tilly, Montel Williams, James Woods, Sacha Baron Cohen and Lil’ Kim have given their signatures to the mugs for auction. Now, during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the eBay Giving Works site has posted the auction items.

Nancy Brinker created Susan G. Komen for the Cure in honor of her dying sister’s wish to speed up research and, meanwhile, make the treatment process a little more esthetic and feminine friendly. A global breast cancer movement was launched, “fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures.”

Nonni’s Biscotti’s strong connection with women was the motivation to form a partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Says Nonni’s marketing manager Matt Duffy, “We are proud to help raise funds for research, education, screening and treatment that will hopefully eliminate this disease one day. We hope this charity auction will not only help raise funds, but also increase awareness about breast cancer.”

Nonni’s is also offering pink boxes of biscotti. Customers can enter the UPC code from the box at the Nonni’s website until the end of February, and 75 cents will be donated to Komen for the Cure.

For a complete list of celebrities involved in the signature coffee mugs, go to http://www.nonnis.com.

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